A culture of intimidation

Written By: - Date published: 9:35 am, April 16th, 2015 - 61 comments
Categories: Abuse of power, Dirty Politics, national, uncategorized - Tags: , ,

National has a long history of attacking and intimidating people who are expressing inconvenient opinions. It’s a culture that brought us dirty politics, and one of its recent manifestations was the attempt to silence a roading advocacy group during the Northland by-election.

Back in January, New Zealander of The Year Dame Anne Salmond wrote:

Over the past decade or so, politicians seeking to uphold their own power have abused democratic freedoms in New Zealand. Journalists including Jon Stephenson (for reporting on New Zealand’s involvement in Afghanistan), Andrea Vance (over a suspected leak of a report about the GCSB spy agency), and Nicky Hager (for exposing scurrilous relationships between senior politicians and muck-raking bloggers) have been intimidated and attacked.

While our leaders do not shoot people, they work with others to try to ruin the lives and careers of those who disagree with them. The means may be different, but the intent is the same. One way or another, their critics (however valid their points of view might be) must be silenced.

It is not just outspoken individuals who are at risk. Institutions that are the bulwarks of our democracy have been undermined. Since the 1980s, the civil service, which is supposed to offer informed, impartial advice to politicians, has been brought under ministerial control, and instead of serving civil society now largely serves its political masters. …

And so to the most recent case in point:

Rape prevention group ‘told not to speak out’

The departing head of a rape prevention group says she was told its funding was at risk if she continued to speak out against Government policy.

Rape Prevention Education executive director Dr Kim McGregor said the comment came in a phone call from a public servant and she was shocked by it.
…
“I had a phonecall when I was at RPE and our funding was threatened because we were being advocates, we were speaking out against Government and that was quite shocking to me at the time.”

This is disgusting. National is leading by example in creating a culture of intimidation and fear. Is this really New Zealand?

61 comments on “A culture of intimidation ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. CnrJoe 1
    16 April 2015 at 9:42 am

    Planet Key.
    no toilets so no shit to see here.
    Flags! Prince Harry!

  2. SMILIN 2
    16 April 2015 at 9:54 am

    Fascism ring a bell anywhere you bet or any other form of totalitarianism
    There is plenty of examples in this govt, Vote Labour for a fairer govt

  3. Chooky 3
    16 April 2015 at 9:54 am

    +100 great Post…says it all….commitment to New Zealand women and girls and children and male victims and human rights is a very low priority of this John Key Nact government

    ….and ponder this Rape is a weapon of war and used in war to suppress and torture and humiliate opposition

    RAPE IS A WAR CRIME

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wartime_sexual_violence#Crimes_against_humanity_and_war_crimes

    http://www.rescue.org/blog/confronting-rape-a-weapon-war

    • Murray Rawshark 3.1
      16 April 2015 at 3:01 pm

      They’ve even changed things so that being sexually attacked is a war crime. Think of how FJK, through his proxy Whalespew, used Tania Billingsley to attack the Greens. She was attacked and it was used to fuel a war on her and the Green Party. Somehow it doesn’t at all surprise me that a rape prevention group would also be attacked. We have a sick, sick regime.

      • Chooky 3.1.1
        16 April 2015 at 5:20 pm

        yes that attack on young Tania Billingsley, who had the courage to come forward, was an absolute disgrace !

        …I would think that a number of aware , intelligent Nactional Party people must be getting quite uncomfortable by now

        ….no wonder Winston hit the big time in Northland….shades of things to come

  4. saveNZ 4
    16 April 2015 at 9:54 am

    Disgusting.

    I’m surprised the tax payers union aka right wing dirty politics action group haven’t already stolen the rape funding for the oppressed Mens group or men sexually violated or the like.

    That’s how they transfer the funding.

    Speak out, no more funding, instead a new ‘right wing’ funding body taking the tax payers dollars run by National cronies.

    All seeking to destroy the fabric of our society in NZ, wipe out the vulnerable and destroy empathy by flooding conflicting messages via MSM on the populous.

  5. The Murphey 5
    16 April 2015 at 9:59 am

    The NACT government enjoy defunding and threatening to defund victim support groups

    It has been a regular occurrence of the past 7 years and while not a new scenario to this government it certainly has a sense of being ramped up in recent times

  6. Sanctuary 6
    16 April 2015 at 10:02 am

    The problem is the blurring of the lines between the “National party” and “The Government”. It is born from Key’s corporate authoritarianism and his contempt for democracy and the Westminster system, and it has has always been there.

  7. One Anonymous Bloke 7
    16 April 2015 at 10:05 am

    a phone call from a public servant

    The National Party’s enablers, these unelected thugs. Until their crimes attract serious consequences nothing will change. Dr. McGregor must be supported if she chooses to name her assailant.

    • tracey 7.1
      16 April 2015 at 10:13 am

      and if we do not, we need to instal a mechanism to ensure that EVERY call made in and out of Parliament is recorded. So it can be retrieved in case of an investigation. The initial investigation can preserve confidentiality until such time as some wrong doing is established. Include cell phones. Anyone receiving or making a call on a device NOT programmed to record, and in the absence of a genuine technical failure, is instantly dismissed (including MPs). NOT OIA-able but able to be privately investigated by a person/body so appointed?

      • One Anonymous Bloke 7.1.1
        16 April 2015 at 10:30 am

        Intimidating someone into silence – or the attempt to do so – is already a crime, ie: a police matter. I don’t believe that treating civil servants as though they are all National Party criminal scum is the best course of action.

        • tracey 7.1.1.1
          16 April 2015 at 10:34 am

          It is about protecting people. If everything is recorded then it protects people as much as it assuming they are “scum”. Funny thing is that whenever I rtalk ethics in this forum about out MPs I get instant criticism from some quarters.. I assume those people would be fine with a system like I am suggesting?

          • One Anonymous Bloke 7.1.1.1.1
            16 April 2015 at 10:39 am

            Mass surveillance has a chilling effect on free speech. There are better ways to deal to National Party gang members.

            • tracey 7.1.1.1.1.1
              16 April 2015 at 10:42 am

              The thing is everything they write down has to be kept for Public record purposes. Now phone calls are made to avoid (in some cases) the kind of accountability required of those working at the behest of the people. The “surveillance” is of professional not personal issues. Is it unreasonable surveillance to make people keep every document they create in the public service?

              • One Anonymous Bloke …
                16 April 2015 at 10:48 am

                Not to mention surveillance is illegal without a warrant. Good luck getting a warrant that covers the Beehive.

                It’s a terrible idea, which would be used by the National Party to further extend its intimidation of public servants.

                • tracey …
                  16 April 2015 at 10:55 am

                  Did you deliberately choose to not answer why you think it is not “surveillance” to keep every piece of written information created by public servants but it is if their work calls of the transfer of the same and similar information is recorded?

                  I have worked in organisations which do record all incoming and outgoing calls, especially if their phone is routed through the internet. Without agreement it is not able to be used against someone in a legal case etc. Many organisations record the calls coming in for “quality” assurance purposes.

                  I seem to recall our PM deleted stuff off his phone and breached the Public Records Act…

                  • One Anonymous Bloke …
                    16 April 2015 at 3:24 pm

                    Welcome to the New Zealand government. If you know the extension number of the person you wish to speak to, please enter it now followed by the hash key. Otherwise please hold the line to speak to the operator. Just so you’re aware, we monitor all your calls.

                    Seriously? You want to lobby a Green MP about say, the Oravida pollution that’s killing the local wildlife, and they’re recording everything you say.

                    Whatever the merits, the fishhooks are outrageous.

                  • weka …
                    16 April 2015 at 3:27 pm

                    “Many organisations record the calls coming in for “quality” assurance purposes.”

                    Can you give some examples where it’s not call centres for the organisation?

                    eg I think the WINZ call centre records calls, but I don’t think the case managers or managers have their calls recorded.

                    Did you deliberately choose to not answer why you think it is not “surveillance” to keep every piece of written information created by public servants but it is if their work calls of the transfer of the same and similar information is recorded?

                    People treat voice and written text differently. We need written records because written communication is usually more formal, and it’s the way that we have a shared understanding and evidence of what has been said.

                    We also have histories of people in positions of authority who abuse their power by writing things in files that negatively affect clients/patients etc. In the days before people had easy access to written information about themselves a lot of damage was done.

                    On the other side of that is what OAB is talking about. When you record everything someone says it creates a climate of fear/anxiety/hypervigilance and then cognitive dissonance, and suppresses not just free speech but creativity and healthy psychological functioning. I can imagine some situations where recording everything is useful, but doing it across the board is harmful IMO.

                    There are other ways to address the problems with the govt threatening social agencies. I don’t think hyper surveillance is the way to do it because it is part of their kaupapa of fear and control.

                    • weka …
                      16 April 2015 at 3:36 pm

                      Having said that, I have no problem at all in that situation if the social agency records the call 😈

                      What I do when people in power abuse their power is ask for their name and position, and then ask them to repeat what they’ve just said in writing or in the presence of someone else. I also usually ask for the name of their boss. And make a note of the time and date of the call/conversation. Amazing how that changes people’s behaviours.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      16 April 2015 at 3:45 pm

                      Thanks Weka, you put it all so well.

                      And yes, as a wise man once said, when a bully steps forward, step forward first.

                      As for changed behaviour, sometimes: bullies still find targets, and will have come up against people they can’t bully before. It’s a good idea to go one step further than recording their behaviour and share your concerns.

      • Murray Rawshark 7.1.2
        16 April 2015 at 3:03 pm

        The calls will already be recorded. No doubt we could ask the NSA if we could have the transcripts back.

        • One Anonymous Bloke 7.1.2.1
          16 April 2015 at 3:32 pm

          Not without a warrant.

          I suppose getting a warrant would be up to the police, investigating allegations of issuing threats (section 307A of the Crimes Act?).

          • Murray Rawshark 7.1.2.1.1
            16 April 2015 at 3:39 pm

            Your faith in authority is touching.

            • One Anonymous Bloke 7.1.2.1.1.1
              16 April 2015 at 3:49 pm

              😆

              Who said anything about faith. The law is the law. You think they’ll apply it selectively? So do I. Shine a strong light on them as they do so and hold them to account.

              • Colonial Rawshark …
                16 April 2015 at 4:07 pm

                Hold whom to account? How? And if they fail to act, which journalist or newspaper are you going to go to in order to “shine a strong light” on them?

                In NZ we still have some partially working levers of democracy. But not for long though, by the looks of it.

                • cogito …
                  16 April 2015 at 5:13 pm

                  Well said. NZ is descending into totalitarian fascism, led by a bunch of thugs and propagandists reminiscent of the 1930s.

                  • One Anonymous Bloke …
                    16 April 2015 at 6:23 pm

                    And look what happened to them. When a bully steps forward, step forward first.

  8. tracey 8
    16 April 2015 at 10:09 am

    Who is surprised? Really? Please post if you are surprised? They also cut funding to avery successful high school girls self defence programme which as increasing girls self confidence and also saw sexual abuse reported in higher numbers. There is too much pretense about wanting to change the attitude toward girls and women in this country, and too much speed to disconnect sexual violence toward women and children with lower level attitudes (verbal and emotional which don’t involve sexual abuse). People need to visit the site of http://rpe.co.nz/ and read the actual programmes they deliver, not the ones people IMAGINE they deliver.

    IT IS A CONTINUUM.

    Until THAT is accepted, little progress will be made.

    • tinfoilhat 8.1
      16 April 2015 at 10:16 am

      Disgusted but not surprised.

      It would be great if Dr McGregor could name and shame this bully, however, i expect if they were removed another of the same ilk would take their place.

      • tracey 8.1.1
        16 April 2015 at 10:34 am

        and the MP behind the real intimidation would get off scot-free

        • One Anonymous Bloke 8.1.1.1
          16 April 2015 at 10:44 am

          I bet the cowardly thug enabler would squeal under pressure.

          • tracey 8.1.1.1.1
            16 April 2015 at 10:56 am

            They would deny and that seems to satisfy this country. Prove it, they would say A disgruntled employee you say? Bah.

            • One Anonymous Bloke 8.1.1.1.1.1
              16 April 2015 at 3:36 pm

              It’s a serious allegation made by a respected member of the community and deserves proper investigation. Put the squealer in the dock.

    • Heather Grimwood 8.2
      16 April 2015 at 7:48 pm

      In support of your comment re cutting of funds to girls’ self-defence programme Tracy : I well remember the sadness with which we saw the original need for these programmes. I remember over the decades protesting on behalf of women that they had every right to expect to be safe in their homes, or when walking home as could their brothers and other men. It is a right that has taken and is taking/wasting huge energy to achieve. IT IS DEFINITELY A CONTINUUM and one which it is frightening to see is of small consequence to our cabinet. WHERE ON EARTH IS THE VOICE OF THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN IN THESE DECISIONS ???

  9. vto 9
    16 April 2015 at 10:15 am

    Also David Carter threatening other regional councils with Ecan-type coups if they didn’t get into line

  10. AmaKiwi 10
    16 April 2015 at 11:05 am

    Power corrupts and ultimate power corrupts ultimately.

    In NZ we have no counter balance to the dictatorial power of parliament (the PM’s cabal).

    The only alternative to dictatorship is control by the people (participatory democracy, binding referendums). We are a long way from the NZ public demanding such changes.

  11. Colonial Rawshark 11
    16 April 2015 at 11:19 am

    Rape Prevention Education executive director Dr Kim McGregor said the comment came in a phone call from a public servant

    And this is what happens when you fill up the public service with venal, unprincipled, careerist types.

    • tracey 11.1
      16 April 2015 at 11:53 am

      Or sack so many of their colleagues they fear the dole queue more than doing the right thing. I can only imagine the culture in our PS under this government… self preservation amongst intimidation

    • AmaKiwi 11.2
      16 April 2015 at 1:02 pm

      “this is what happens when you fill up the public service with venal, unprincipled, careerist types”

      Unfair! What protection can you and I offer to someone in public service who wants to speak up against the PM’s Cabal? None!

      So the public employee has three choices: keep your mouth shut and be bullied; leave the public service; or speak up and be exiled to a dead end government office in a freezing wasteland like Dunedin.

      • Chooky 11.2.1
        16 April 2015 at 2:19 pm

        +100 Amakiwi…the public service used to be filled with very principled and intelligent types who took their role to serve New Zealanders and New Zealnad very seriously

        • Colonial Rawshark 11.2.1.1
          16 April 2015 at 4:14 pm

          I’m not disagreeing with your comment “used to be filled with very principled and intelligent types who took their role to serve New Zealanders and New Zealnad very seriously”. But that old public service culture has been eroded to destruction now.

      • Colonial Rawshark 11.2.2
        16 April 2015 at 4:20 pm

        Unfair! What protection can you and I offer to someone in public service who wants to speak up against the PM’s Cabal? None!

        So the public employee has three choices: keep your mouth shut and be bullied; leave the public service; or speak up and be exiled to a dead end government office in a freezing wasteland like Dunedin.

        I don’t disagree with you. Whistleblowers usually know that they are permanently ending their careers. That’s why so few people step out of the long grey line.

        History is full of episodes where people continued to ‘just do their jobs’ even though their job was some small or peripheral part of something hugely abusive, repugnant or barbaric. Yes, the people in those jobs had families to feed, mortgages to pay and careers to consider. And that’s exactly how the wheels of these terrifying systems keep turning.

        • AmaKiwi 11.2.2.1
          16 April 2015 at 11:15 pm

          CV, you surprised me. I expected you to disagree with my characterization of Dunedin as “a freezing wasteland.” I threw it in there for your benefit. Actually, I think it’s a more human place to live than where I live.

  12. Sable 12
    16 April 2015 at 1:54 pm

    National are importing the worst aspects of US politics and its only getting worse.

    • AmaKiwi 12.1
      16 April 2015 at 11:18 pm

      Wait ’til we adopt the American police policy of shooting at least one unarmed Black (or brown) man per week.

      The American Civil War (1861-1864) to free Afro-Americans is not yet over . . . and the outcome is not clear.

  13. Che Soffe 13
    16 April 2015 at 4:21 pm

    Not surprising at all. Key doesn’t give a stuff about victims of crime. We saw that with Sabin and we see that again here.

  14. keyman 14
    16 April 2015 at 5:55 pm

    you are either with us or your the enemy ,people need to think before they speak,
    if you speak out against John key you are an enemy an economic vandal and traitor to new Zealand think before you speak.

  15. whateva next? 15
    16 April 2015 at 6:02 pm

    As soon as Key got elected with his swanky style, I knew the culture in my workplace would shift from decent values and communication/respect, to one of looking over the shoulder and protecting yourself, and it did. It always does with competition and being fiscally driven values of a National government.
    All we can do is wait until people realise there is a better way, cooperation and the “the whole is greater than the sum of the parts” produces good will and a determination to work cohesively.
    In my area of work, cooperation and communication saves lives, audits just take more time away from busy people.

    • AmaKiwi 15.1
      16 April 2015 at 9:16 pm

      @ whateva next?

      You are out of step. The new government motto is “save money, not lives.”

  16. SHG 16
    17 April 2015 at 12:39 am

    How brave of her to sweep it under the carpet until the group couldn’t afford her any more.

  17. jenny kirk 17
    17 April 2015 at 8:27 am

    This is what happened to the Problem Gambling Foundation. Anyone who speaks out about current govt policy will be shut down ……… how on earth did we, in NZ, get to this state of affairs !

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    I live my life (woo-ooh-ooh)With no control in my destinyYea-yeah, yea-yeah (woo-ooh-ooh)I can bleed when I want to bleedSo come on, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)You can bleed when you want to bleedYea-yeah, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)Everybody bleed when they want to bleedCome on and bleedGovernments face tough challenges. Selling unpopular decisions to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Casey Costello gaslights Labour in the House

    Please note:To skip directly to the- parliamentary footage in the video, scroll to 1:21 To skip to audio please click on the headphone icon on the left hand side of the screenThis video / audio section is under development. ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    3 days ago
  • Why is the Texas grid in such bad shape?

    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Headline from 2021 The Texas grid, run by ERCOT, has had a rough few years. In 2021, winter storm Uri blacked out much of the state for several days. About a week ago, Hurricane Beryl knocked out ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on a textbook case of spending waste by the Luxon government

    Given the crackdown on wasteful government spending, it behooves me to point to a high profile example of spending by the Luxon government that looks like a big, fat waste of time and money. I’m talking about the deployment of NZDF personnel to support the US-led coalition in the Red ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:40 am on Wednesday, July 24 are:Deep Dive: Chipping away at the housing crisis, including my comments RNZ/Newsroom’s The DetailNews: Government softens on asset sales, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • LXR Takaanini

    As I reported about the city centre, Auckland’s rail network is also going through a difficult and disruptive period which is rapidly approaching a culmination, this will result in a significant upgrade to the whole network. Hallelujah. Also like the city centre this is an upgrade predicated on the City ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    3 days ago
  • Four kilograms of pain

    Today, a 4 kilogram report will be delivered to Parliament. We know this is what the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care weighs, because our Prime Minister told us so.Some reporter had blindsided him by asking a question about something done by ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, July 24, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Beehive: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to use PPPs to fund, build and run a four-lane expressway between Auckland ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Luxon gets caught out

    NewstalkZB host Mike Hosking, who can usually be relied on to give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon an easy run, did not do so yesterday when he interviewed him about the HealthNZ deficit. Luxon is trying to use a deficit reported last year by HealthNZ as yet another example of the ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • A worrying sign

    Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Are we fine with 47.9% home-ownership by 2048?

    Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloitte report for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Let's Win This

    You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Waimahara: The Singing Spirit of Water

    There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’s Oliver LewisScoop: Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announced the Board of Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • HealthNZ and Luxon at cross purposes over budget blowout

    Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

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