Clusterfreak
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9:57 am, December 12th, 2024 - 30 comments
Categories: act, Christopher Luxon, david seymour, national, nicola willis, nz first, transport -
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After a long delay and many promises of an announcement about the future of the Cook Straight ferries yesterday’s announcement could be categorised as something of an anti climax.
It was an announcement that in the future they would make an announcement.
It was a year ago that the Government refused further funding for the project. National went to town on the issue and decided to cancel what was a really good contract because the enabling work, which have to be done anyway, were going to cost.
They promised that a cheaper and better solution would be found.
They appointed a Ministerial Advisory Group dominated by road interests and recommendations were reported back in June 2024.
MUNZ National Secretary Carl Findlay said this about the Group:
Given the advisory group’s antagonism of key players in the freight and shipping industry, and their dismissal of the importance of a rail system that delivers $3.3 billion in worth to NZ Inc each year, it’s not surprising their recommendation has stalled. It is surprising they still seem to be on the payroll although nobody seems to know what they are doing. The rumour in the sector is someone from the Government is talking to Chinese shipyards on the quiet.
About the political decision making process and the timing he said this:
Willis said soon for a new option, then she said the September quarter, now she says by the end of the year. Paul Goldsmith says it could be next year until a decision is made on replacing ferries. When asked about rail ferries, David Seymour mused on Q+A that maybe the South Island doesn’t really need a railway system.
Obviously feeling the pressure, Christopher Luxon last week stepped in with a vague “by the end of the year” statement.
This was written in early October.
Then yesterday we heard further details from the Government about how the matter will progress. Or to be accurate we heard three details, that Winston Peters will become Minister for Rail and that a company would be set up to buy two new medium sized shops to replace the afeing fleet of three ferries. And that the ports will be asked to bear more of the cost of the port build.
As pointed out by Craig Rennie what we did not hear include:
- where replacement ferries are coming from
- how much they will cost
- who will pay for them
- how the port infrastructure will be delivered
- the fiscal or economic impact.
To add to this list we also do not know if they will be rail enabled. Christopher Luxon has uttered the phrase rail compatible which could mean anything but hints strongly at a walk back from the original commitment to rail.
And this morning there was this incredible attack on David Seymour’s credibility by Winston Peters over the issue.
The new Minister of Rail Winston Peters has poured scorn on ACT leader David Seymour’s hopes of privatising the Cook Strait ferry service, and says Seymour was “wrong” about the cost of the new project.
On Wednesday, Seymour said indicative costings were “approximately half the at least $3 billion cost” of Labour’s proposal.
He shared that information despite Minister of Finance Nicola Willis’ caution about disclosing costs.
Asked on Morning Report if the government had a sum in mind, Peters said it would be “stupid” and “imprudent” to name the price.
“I said [on Wednesday] it would be most imprudent, politically and business-wise, stupid, to start saying what you’re going to buy them for, because that’s the bottom line. They’ll start from there and up it will go.”
He rejected Seymour’s statement the new deal would cost a “fraction of the price” of the iRex project, and that private investment remained on the table.
…
“He’s wrong on the figures that he’s used, he’s wrong on the question of privatisation and he’s wrong on the question of what it’s going to cost.
This is going to get sticky. National’s and Act’s reflexive opposition to rail is going to meet head on with NZ First’s realisation that rail has a major role to play in the issue. Winston agreed strongly with Mainfreight’s Don Braid view that not having rail-enabled ferries will be inefficient and more costly for businesses like his and could lead to 10,000 more trucks on the country’s roads.
Time will tell if this is a coalition ending issue.
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- Release: Govt breaks Auckland housing promise
Housing Minister Chris Bishop has confirmed National has broken yet another election promise. ...1 week ago
- Government smokescreen to downgrade climate ambition
Today the ACT-National Coalition Agreement pet project’s findings on “no additional warming” were released. ...1 week ago
- Release: Health NZ admits errors led to claimed deficit
Health New Zealand has exaggerated its deficit to justify job cuts. ...1 week ago
- Release: More cuts to research, science and innovation sector
The Government’s latest round of cuts to research and innovation targets the long-established and successful Marsden Fund. ...1 week ago
- Govt guts funding for social sciences and humanities
The Government’s decision to axe all Humanities and Social Science research funding through the Marsden Fund is a massive step backwards. ...1 week ago
- You can’t bank on pine trees in a climate crisis
Today’s Government announcement to limit farm forestry conversions tinkers around the edges, instead of focusing on the real problem and stopping pollution at the source. ...1 week ago
- Release: Nicola Willis being sneaky with new taxes
Nicola Willis is refusing to rule out putting sneaky new taxes on Kiwi households. ...1 week ago
- Release: Govt benefit target even further out of reach
Christopher Luxon has once again failed to read the room and claimed success while life gets harder for everyday Kiwis. ...1 week ago
- Govt continues to punch down
The Government’s new initiative to get people off the benefit won’t address the core drivers of poverty such as low incomes, lack of access to adequate housing and lack of employment opportunities. ...1 week ago
- Release: Labour urges ACC to pull investments in Israel’s illegal settlements
Labour is urging ACC to divest from companies identified by the United Nations as complicit in the building and maintenance of Israel’s illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. ...1 week ago
- Release: Further evidence to stop school lunch cuts
A new report provides further proof that David Seymour should not be messing with the free school lunch programme. ...1 week ago
- Jamie Arbuckle: Inquiry into Banking Competition
This week was the start of the bank inquiry hearings into banking competition. The inquiry was confirmed in the NZ First/National Coalition agreement. 140 submissions were received on the inquiry, and we will hear from over 60 submitters including all the major banks. ANZ, New Zealand's largest bank, was first ...1 week ago
- Casey Costello: What Once Was…
Entering politics is a privilege afforded to very few and, as the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility. Being an MP is a call to service. Whatever your politics you have a duty to show up. Whatever your party's policy, you have made a promise to those who ...1 week ago
- Casey Costello: International Day of Older Persons
Throughout New Zealand it is difficult to think of a sports club, charity, church group, festival, foundation, or service organisation that does not owe its existence, effectiveness, or success to the contribution of older New Zealanders. October 1st is International Day of Older Persons so please take a moment to consider ...1 week ago
- NZ First Member’s Bill To Disestablish Auckland Transport
Today New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill that will restore democratic control over transport management in Auckland City by disestablishing Auckland Transport (AT) and returning control to Auckland Council. The ‘Local Government (Auckland Council) (Disestablishment of Auckland Transport) Amendment Bill’ intends to restore democratic oversight, control, and accountability ...1 week ago
- Tanya Unkovich: It’s time to start the debate on palliative care as a ‘right’
There is one topic that is the great human leveller, and that is of death and dying. One day, we will all have to face it, and I am of the belief that being able to pass away with grace and dignity is a vital, basic, human right. How we ...1 week ago
- Mark Patterson: Farmers understand we have their backs
Spring is here which means the start of the A&P show season. Those treasured community days where town meets country. There's no rural-urban divide here, just a chance to meet up with family and old friends and celebrate all things that make rural New Zealand so special. I'm embarking on ...1 week ago
- Release: A Labour Government will not join AUKUS
New Zealand will not sign up to the nuclear-powered pillar one, or the pillar two of AUKUS under a Labour Government. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour will build Dunedin Hospital
Labour will build Dunedin Hospital as it was committed to prior to election 2023. ...2 weeks ago
- Chris Hipkins: Speech to Labour Party Conference 2024
E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā iwi, e rau rangatira ma Tena koutou tēnā koutou tēnā koutou katoa ...2 weeks ago
- Luxon Folds on ACT’s Treaty Principles Bill
Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, is calling Luxon’s leadership a joke after it was revealed this morning on Q+A that ACT’s Treaty Principles Bill was not a bottom line. "New Zealand officially has a laughing-stock Prime Minister whose leadership folded as he trades away the rights of tangata whenua ...2 weeks ago
- Prime Minister shirks responsibility on global climate commitment
In an interview with Q&A this morning, the Prime Minister refused to say whether he would commit to meeting the Paris Agreement, the international climate agreement which commits all countries to act locally to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: All workers deserve fair treatment
The Government’s latest change to the Employment Relations Act has no justification apart from making it easier to sack employees without having to follow due process. ...2 weeks ago
- COURT OF APPEAL RULING: SFO METHODS “OVERREACH, UNLAWFUL, OPPRESSIVE”
Today the Court of Appeal has found the Serious Fraud Office has been acting indiscriminately and unlawfully throughout an eight year long investigation. The SFO has shown their incompetence and arrogance and shown to be abusing their authority to conduct its own overreaching and unlawful fishing expeditions. The Court of Appeal said the SFO has relied on its misuse of compulsory interview ...2 weeks ago
- Covid Inquiry report underlines need to invest in Health
The Green Party says the report from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Covid-19 Response underlines the need for proper investment in our health system so we are prepared for future pandemics. ...2 weeks ago
- Karen Walker and Keven Mealamu join CNZ Board
Fashion designer Karen Walker CNZM and former All Black Keven Mealamu MNZM have been appointed to the Creative New Zealand Board, Arts Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “I am excited to have these two highly respected individuals join Creative New Zealand, who will undoubtedly add great experience and perspectives to New ...1 hour ago - Health targets encouraging – work continues
New data shows that the Government’s focus on health targets is putting the brakes on the steep decline in delivery seen over the past five years. Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says while there is much more work to do, health target results in the three months to 30 September ...1 hour ago
- Independent review of ACC announced
ACC Minister Matt Doocey has today announced an independent review of ACC because of concerns about declining rehabilitation rates and increasing costs. “ACC provides critical support to New Zealanders in times of need, but I am concerned that ACC’s performance has been declining for a decade. Rehabilitation rates are down, ...3 hours ago
- New research to aid tourism and hospitality sector
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Matt Doocey today announced investment in a suite of new surveys and research which will help fill critical gaps in tourism and hospitality sector data. “Government investment totalling around $3 million will fund essential research including a domestic visitor survey, tourism sentiment survey, new research into ...4 hours ago
- Seafood sector a ‘Kiwi success story’
New Zealand’s seafood exports are set to hit a record $2.2 billion in the year to June 2025, and increase to $2.4b the following year, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. “Our seafood sector is a Kiwi success story. The sector’s hard work, healthy demand, tight global supply and ...5 hours ago
- Food and Fibre sector set to break records
New Zealand’s food and fibre exports are forecast to hit $56.9 billion by 30 June 2025 and climb to a record $58.3 billion the following year, showcasing the strength and resilience of the sector, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced today. “The hard work and innovation of our world ...8 hours ago
- Thai Foreign Minister to visit
Thailand’s Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa will visit New Zealand this week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced. “Thailand is an important economic and security partner for New Zealand in Southeast Asia,” Mr Peters says. “The visit is another important step as our two countries work to lift our relationship to a ...22 hours ago
- New ferries will ensure safe, resilient connection
The Government is establishing a new company to procure two new ferries to ensure a safe, reliable and commercially viable ferry service, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. “This decision will ensure New Zealand has a safe, reliable and resilient service to move people and freight between the North and South ...1 day ago
- Milestone for Iwi Māori Partnership Boards
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says Iwi Māori Partnership Boards have taken a major step as part of the Government’s commitment to the health of Māori communities. Minister Reti has now received 15 IMPB community health plans, representing the vision and plans of the boards for health and wellbeing in ...1 day ago
- New seafood processing factory opens in Porirua
A new seafood processing factory in Porirua north of Wellington will bring export revenue, jobs and opportunities for the community, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The Wellington Kaimoana Hub, a joint venture between Māori owned seafood companies Moana New Zealand and Port Nicholson Fisheries, was formally opened by ...1 day ago
- Gisborne receives mental health beds boost
Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey today opened Gisborne Hospital’s new acute mental health unit, Te Whare Awhi Ora, and says the region will be better served by a bigger, more therapeutic acute mental health unit.“I have been clear that we need to build a strong mental health and addiction ...1 day ago
- Our journey towards net zero
The Government has unveiled its second Emissions Reduction Plan, outlining a path to keep New Zealand on track to meet its climate change targets while supporting the economy to thrive, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The plan sets the foundation to meet our net zero 2050 target as early ...1 day ago
- Repealing advertising restrictions for media
Legislation that will repeal all advertising restrictions for broadcasters on Sundays and public holidays has been introduced to Parliament today, Media Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Traditional media outlets are operating in an extremely difficult environment and as the Government we must ensure regulatory settings are enabling the best chance of ...2 days ago
- Government announces future of greyhound racing in New Zealand
Racing Minister Winston Peters has announced the Government’s plans to end greyhound racing in New Zealand. “This is not a decision that is taken lightly but is ultimately driven by protecting the welfare of racing dogs. “Despite significant progress made by the greyhound racing industry in recent ...2 days ago
- Government cuts red tape for food exporters
The Government is delivering on its commitment to cut red tape and increase the value of exports by making it easier for exporters to deliver safe New Zealand food to more markets, says Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard. “Food exports are the bedrock of our economy, so when industry asked ...2 days ago
- Relationships & Sexuality Education refresh
The Government welcomes a new report which confirms the way Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) is taught in schools isn’t fit for purpose, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “In a world that’s rapidly changing, young people deserve every opportunity to be equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to ...2 days ago
- Applications open for mental wellbeing campaigns
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced that applications will open today for the $5 million Mental Health Promotion Fund for organisations to run campaigns that promote mental wellbeing while at the Digital Mental Health Summit. “Strengthening the focus on prevention and early intervention is one of my key priorities. Our ...2 days ago
- Raising the visibility of New Zealand’s ethnic communities
A first-of-its-kind report launched today lays the groundwork for growing the visibility of New Zealand’s ethnic communities through data, Ethnic Communities Minister Melissa Lee says. “Too often and for too long, ethnic communities have largely been invisible in public sector data. As a result, their voices have not always been ...3 days ago
- Pay deductions for partial strikes to be reintroduced
Changes to collective bargaining will help rebalance the rights and consequences of industrial action, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says. A bill to allow for pay deductions in response to partial strikes will be introduced today. “Partial strikes are industrial actions that normally involve turning up to ...3 days ago
- Strategic leasing another tool in the infrastructure procurement belt
The Government is issuing strategic leasing guidance to agencies to ensure more efficient use of taxpayer dollars where the private sector is better placed to own and maintain infrastructure, Infrastructure Under-Secretary Simon Court says. “On a basic level, strategic leasing is like any other government leasing arrangement, where the government ...3 days ago
- Next steps for banking competition
The Government is pushing ahead with moves to increase banking competition by boosting Kiwibank and taking steps to ensure the Reserve Bank places greater importance on competition in the sector, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. “The change will enable the New Zealand-owned bank to more vigorously compete against the ...3 days ago
- New campaign promotes alcohol-free pregnancies
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has launched a new public health campaign to prevent fetal alcohol spectrum disorder by promoting alcohol-free pregnancies. FASD is the leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disorders in New Zealand, causing lifelong physical, behavioural, learning and mental health problems. “The impact of FASD in ...3 days ago
- New Climate Change Commission Chair appointed
Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy has been appointed as the new chair of the Climate Change Commission, the independent Crown entity that provides the Government advice, monitoring and reporting to support New Zealand’s transition to a climate-resilient, low emissions future, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “I’m pleased that Dame ...3 days ago
- Commonsense changes to insulation standards
The Government is proposing commonsense changes to reduce the upfront cost of building, while maintaining robust energy efficiency standards, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “We know from a social investment point of view that Kiwis do much better when they have access to affordable, insulated, secure housing. “However, ...3 days ago
- Racing Act changes to boost racing industry sustainability
Racing Minister Winston Peters has announced the introduction of legislation to amend the Racing Industry Act 2020 which will extend TAB NZ’s current land-based monopoly for sports and racing betting to online. The Racing Industry Act established TAB NZ for the purposes of funding the racing industry. It provides ...4 days ago
- New members appointed to EECA Board
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has today announced two new appointments to the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority (EECA) Board.John Carnegie and Vijay Goel have both been appointed as members for three-year terms which will begin on 6 January 2025 and end on 5 January 2028.“As Minister for Energy, my goal ...6 days ago
- JOINT STATEMENT ON AUSTRALIA-NEW ZEALAND FOREIGN AND DEFENCE MINISTERIAL CONSULTATIONS (ANZMIN) DECE...
1. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Rt Hon Winston Peters MP and Minister of Defence Hon Judith Collins KC MP hosted Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence the Hon Richard Marles MP and Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator the Hon Penny Wong on 6 December in ...6 days ago
- Swift avian influenza response in Otago on track
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says good progress is being made in the response to the detection of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) in Otago, but there is more work to do. “Rigorous testing and monitoring continue to show no confirmed signs of the disease in chicken farms outside of Mainland ...6 days ago
- Funding for Hawke’s Bay water security project
Up to $3 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund has been allocated for pre-construction development of the Tukituki Water Security Project in Hawke’s Bay, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. The grant for the project, which is being co-funded by the Tukituki Water Security Project, is limited to work to ...6 days ago
- Waimārama ban on taking pāua to continue
A two-year temporary closure banning the take of pāua from Waimārama south of Hastings will support efforts by local iwi to rebuild pāua stocks, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The closure includes Waimārama Beach and Ocean Beach, two beaches popular with holidaymakers and recreational fishers. Ngāi Hapū o ...6 days ago
- Appointments to the New Zealand Post board
Four new appointments have been made to the New Zealand Post Ltd (NZ Post) board, Acting State-Owned Enterprises Minister Chris Bishop says. “NZ Post is one of New Zealand’s largest State-owned enterprises with revenue of around $1.2 billion and total assets of around $1.5 billion. It is the designated universal ...6 days ago
- Government to partner with private sector to plant trees on low value Crown land
Ministers responsible for Climate Change, Forestry, Conservation and Land Information today announced that Cabinet has agreed to explore public-private partnerships to plant trees on Crown land, supporting New Zealand’s climate change targets and creating more jobs. Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says that nature-based solutions is a key part to ...7 days ago
- International data confirms maths transformation
New international data validates the Government’s plan to transform maths education in New Zealand, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is the longest-running, large-scale international assessment of mathematics and science and takes place every four years. While 2023 results show an improved ...7 days ago
- Government partners to boost rural productivity in Hawke’s Bay
The Government is partnering with Hawke’s Bay farmers and the Regional Council to improve farm productivity and build resilience against adverse weather events, Minister of Agriculture Todd McClay announced today at a ceremony in Hawke’s Bay. “The Government is co-investing $995,000 to grow the Land for Life (LFL) pilot programme ...7 days ago
- Peters visit to New Caledonia concludes
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed his visit to New Caledonia, New Zealand’s closest neighbour. “Over the last few days, we have listened to and learned from a wide range of people in New Caledonia - so that we can better understand the acute challenges it faces,” Mr Peters says. ...7 days ago
- More charter schools to open Term 1 2025 announced
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that Christchurch North College, The BUSY School, Te Rito, Te Kura Taiao, Ecole Francaise Internationale Auckland and North West Creative Arts College will open in term one 2025 as charter schools. “This announcement is another significant step in the Government’s efforts to ...1 week ago
- New chair appointed to Heritage New Zealand
Dame Jo Brosnahan DNZM QSO has been appointed chair of the Heritage New Zealand Board, Arts Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Dame Jo has extensive governance and business experience which has been recognised in various Honours, notably in 2023 when she was made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order ...1 week ago
- Survey results to drive change for tourism and hospitality workforce
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Matt Doocey has welcomed the data released today about the hospitality and tourism workforce. “Two of my key priorities include supporting the people who make up the tourism and hospitality workforce and growing the value of international tourism. In order to grow New Zealand’s international tourism ...1 week ago
- Upgrading substations to improve reliability for Wellington metro rail
Wellington commuters will benefit from a $137.2 million funding boost that will deliver long overdue upgrades to substations on the city’s metro rail network and improve the reliability of services, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Our Government is committed to delivering infrastructure that reduces congestion, boosts productivity to support economic growth, ...1 week ago
- Record $434 million in community grants from Lotto NZ
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says Lotto NZ has granted $434 million to the community in the past financial year, an increase of 15 percent from the previous year. “It’s fantastic to see an increase in funding going to important community projects, providing opportunities for New Zealanders to ...1 week ago
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Bethany Rolston looks back at the three years she wrote for the Te Awamutu Courier, one of the 14 NZME community newspapers set to close before Christmas. Looking back at the three years I was a journalist at the Te Awamutu Courier feels like a happy sort of fever ...18 minutes ago - Politics with Michelle Grattan: For Mark Dreyfus, antisemitism is very personal
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra The attack on the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne and another car torching in Sydney have dramatically heightened political tensions over antisemitism. Amid criticism the government has been too slow to act in the ...31 minutes ago - Disaster happens when soldiers don’t act ethically. We can provide better training to support the...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Deane-Peter Baker, Associate Professor of Ethics, Director of UNSW Military Ethics Research Lab and Innovation Network (MERLIN), UNSW Sydney Recently, the government responded to the Royal Commission into Veteran Suicide. It adopted most of the recommendations designed to better support defence personnel. ...31 minutes ago
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By Apenisa Waqairadovu in Suva Fiji’s coalition government has come under scrutiny over allegations of human rights violations. Speaking at the commemoration of International Human Rights Day in Suva on Tuesday, the chair of the Coalition of NGOs, Shamima Ali, claimed that — like the previous FijiFirst administration — the ...1 hour ago
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The Prime Minister's comments come a day after the government announced its alternative ferry replacement project, which has been criticised for a lack of specific detail. ...2 hours ago
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Paul Hoglund says he's been offered less than his property is worth and he isn't going anywhere. "I've got nothing to lose". ...4 hours ago
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Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp');Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions.The post Newsroom daily quiz, Thursday 12 December appeared first on Newsroom. ...9 hours ago
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The Greens have, rightly, called this an "omnishambles" which is consistent with the post above.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/536384/interislander-replacement-opposition-astounded-disgusted-over-omnishambles
Labour delivered on a quality $3 billion (or less) solution for a critical long term transport link between the islands. Luxon's warring coalition has delivered nothing.
But it can afford to spend $22 billion on Roads of (National) Party Significance.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/budget-2024-extra-1b-for-roads-of-national-significance-leaves-green-party-transport-expert-dumbfounded/IUGPJHAFOVCTZPOPQFS46IXAH4/
Oops….Roads of National (Party) Significance.
If we are now told by Willis ports and private interests will have to stump up some of the land side costs, why on earth didn't she propose this for iRex before scrapping iRex b/c of land side costs?
And like the scrapped Auckland airport rail, a significant part of the cost over the lifetime of iRex would have been paid for by export customers and foreign tourists.
The country is beginning to see how amateur these clowns are with the big issues and the economy. That includes Treasury.
This means that the COC can avoid talk of privatisation – for now. But in a few years if still in office call for bids. So easy to sell a company.
Makes more likely that ACC or NZSuperfund can take a solid % of the new company, so that Peters can go over project budget and Willis protects her 2025 Budget.
As Chewie on BHN pointed out – the 3 ferries are nearing 30 years old, and will be replaced by 2 ferries of a similar size which could last for another 30 years.
Does that mean there has been no growth factored into their (ACT-led govt) calculations for 60 years? Has NZ not got bigger, population-wise, economy-wise?
A text-book example of short term thinking.
This ACT-led CoC couldn’t manage a piss-up in a brewery!
Labour could add another ferry that was rail capable if two non rail-capable ferries are ordered. Three ferries would make sense.
But Winston seemed pretty keen on rail-capable on RNZ this morning and there is a major rift in the COC brewing here.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018968071/winston-peters-on-replacing-interislander-ferries
100% Mad Hatters' Tea Party.
There is a cost.
1.more occasions when the Aratere is not available in future years 2026-2029
2.port-side space/facility (land etc) of truck to ferry transfer of rail freight (not required when Aratere is around).
(includes KiwiRail offsite storage yard area cost subsidy of the Cook Strait operator).
3.road costs, congestion.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/529180/government-did-not-consult-with-rail-users-before-cancelling-interislander-upgrade-industry-expert
The next Labour government will probably look for a rail enabled second hand ferry (temporary use) before buying a new one.
The Picton to Blenheim road is already a nightmare to drive. Busy and twisty. Adding lots more trucks to this would not be a good idea.
The Ports of Marlborough is a Marlborough Council owned company on behalf of the people of Marlborough province / district. There aren’t many of us, maybe 70,000 or about 25,000 ratepayers and now we are being expected to pay for this huge bulge of shitfuckery by the way of a new port on behalf of the other 5.43 million NZers. National have now quite happily dumped a bill of up to half a billion bucks on this small cohort of people, an unusually large percentage of whom are on fixed incomes.
What sort of hand washing arseholery is this, quite aside from this being the tacit admission that whatever second-hand rust buckets they do end up salvaging off some breakers yard in South Asia somewhere it’s this admission that they STILL need the new infrastructure identical to the one they cancelled , to get the whole sorry mess to work. What a deceitful bunch of idiotic dickheads have we been saddled with.
I don’t need to wish a pox on their houses because they have done that for themselves.
Start donating now to the left wing party of your choice because we will have an election before Peters gives up his Deputy PMship.
Yes I agree. Looks like Winnie is coming out of the 'agreement'.
As another Top of the Souther, how do we go about seceding from the North Island? We have plenty of electricity to sell back to them at a premium!!!
Given that PoM lives off Strait traffic – as do almost all Picton residents – maybe it's time they did pay a chunk of the port upgrades.
The geography of this country demands coastal shipping (preferably NZ run as Michael Wood and some industry figures were organising) and robust maritime transport between the two main Islands. Climate disaster, and crumbling roading demands an improved rail network, not expanded trucking.
The CoC lot have totally botched this on ideological grounds at the risk of severing reliable NI/SI ferry connection. What's more, a Wahine disaster MkII could easily happen with powerless, rudderless vessels floating in Cook Strait in rough weather. Many may likely not risk “cruising on the InterIslander” these days.
Labour got a good deal in mid COVID for new ferries and these effwits have shown again exactly where they stand on public infrastructure–nowhere!
Just to remind everyone that our country's financial future is controlled by Nicola Willis, graduated with a degree in ENGLISH LITERATURE.
So embarrassing, she is a f#cking amateur.
…and they had the cheek to attack Robertson's excellent tenure as finance minister.
…and the money given in tax cuts (the majority going to those that least need it) could have funded IREX (and Dunedin and other hospitals) several times over. Oh, and landlords.
IMO Willis is just another puppet getting their strings pulled so no financial experience was required.
The plan is to plunder and her world class arrogance will probably see her remain in the role until the hollowmen throw her under a bus she will not see coming.
Best FM in a long time according to Luxon, does no one tell him anything?
Willis was once an English protege (both literature), before being prepped with real world experience off-farm at Fonterra.
Your criticism sounds compelling and persuasive. However, Willis was elected as List MP for National, not as Minister of Finance as such. Obviously, the PMC rules the roost in all Ministries and government agencies.
She gives Eng Lit graduates a bad name – by her total lack of irony, reflection, sense of ambiguity, doubt, humility, sensitivity to human character or precision with words and meanings.
A friend of mine, just happened to be at university with her, and said she was most horrible person in class. This was said unprompted and well before she was even an MP.
I should catch up and ask if she thinks she has improved any.
So the future of the (maybe) rail ferries appears to hang on the personal conflict between the two deputy PMs, both who want to be the cock of the walk.
So once again, where is Luxon? You know LUXON, the one that is supposed to be our PM, our leader?
It is no wonder that nobody outside government (except National Party apologist Nick Legatt) has voiced any confidence in the outcome.
We have Seymour's ministry of nothing, Winstone's as Minister of Trains (will he have a Ministry of Officials?) and a Procurement Company — bureaucracy gone mad! I guess Luxton will be away soon to his holiday pad in Hawaii avoiding any questions for a while.
Gordon Campbell:
Ultimately, you have to go back to the mid-1970s and the decision by Robert Muldoon to cancel the previous Labour government’s national superannuation fund to find a decision that’s as bad as this ferries decision, and as short-sighted.
Similarly, this ideologically-driven decision by Willis and her coa;ition colleagues is going to have dire consequences for generations to come. Elsewhere, governments resign after displaying incompetence of this magnitude.
https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL2412/S00018/gordon-campbell-on-the-governments-ongoing-ferries-disaster.htm
There is a vast library of archive material, going back decades, where National party leaders and spokespeople mock the idea that Winston Peters has any grasp of finance, or should be in charge of anything. (Whether they were right or wrong is not the point, it was what they said and believed. They despise him).
I bet they cringe when they hear Luxon sing his praises now.
Nicola Willis presents as extremely arrogant. I'm sure many people work or have worked with colleagues who are deluded, incompetent self-promoters, sometimes progressing to roles beyond their capabilities, who then cause disruption and dysfunction in the workplace.
Willis's and her colleagues' repeated attacks on the previous Government are transparent attempts to deflect from the Coalition's chaotic, socially destructive policies.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/top/536369/ferry-plan-reveal-i-ve-delivered-finance-minister-nicola-willis-declares-though-details-are-scarce
"….It is still not clear, however, what the cost of the ferries will be, who will build them, or whether they will be rail-enabled.
But Finance Minister Nicola Willis is notching it up as a big success.
"I've delivered. I've discharged my duty to the New Zealand people," she said. "You were landed with an absolute dog of a project and a new government is going to clean it up."….
Yeah. I couldn't believe the total unawareness of that statement – she has delivered nothing! She like the rest of her colleagues live in la la land. The haven't a clue and yet think they are the most amazing people on the planet. Just totally unbelievable, that we as a country have allowed these clowns to "govern" our country.
Big Hairy News have a confab with Craig Rennie, a Seaman's Union rep, Craig Findley, and Labour's Tangi Utikere on this ferry issue (from 6 min). Good to see a range of info from smart people.
BHN also sell "Nicky No-boats' merch. They were going to change it to Nicky- two boats when the news came out that the government were calling a press conference on this, but the current T-shirts are just fine (and spotted in the Halls of Power, too).