A few random predictions for 2022

Written By: - Date published: 11:30 am, January 1st, 2022 - 117 comments
Categories: australian politics, boris johnson, climate change, jacinda ardern, labour, national, uk politics, uncategorized - Tags:

Happy new year everyone.

A few random predictions for this year …

  1. Auckland Council, New Zealand and the world will continue to dither about climate change.  We are running out of time.  The world is full of good intentions but the only thing that matters is actually reducing CO2 and Methane emissions.    A prediction and a somber one, this year the world will not get close to meeting agreed greenhouse gas emission goals.
  2. Omicron COVID will hit New Zealand some time during the year. Our vaccination response will continue to be impressive and will mean that we are preserved the worst of its effects.  ANd another prediction, the country will hit 90% booster coverage by August.
  3. Chris Bishop and National will continue to claim that we need to loosen MIQ while blaming Labour for every time an individual Public Servant makes a slight mistake.
  4. National will have a relatively stable year with no leadership challenges and leaking will reduce to levels that allow for the continuation of rosy media relationships and no more.
  5. Labour’a polling will increase as Kiwis realise that the response to COVID continues to be strong.  National’s support will improve at the cost of ACT’s support. The Greens’ support will remain stable. New Zealand First will continue to threaten the margin of error.
  6. Jacinda Arden will marry Clarke Gayford. Current arrangements suggest that electoral considerations are not the primary concern.  The right will go to town on the event however and attempt to reduce its effect.
  7. In Auckland Phil Goff will not seek re-election as Mayor and open up an intense process for selection of the progressive candidate for his successor.  David Shearer’s name has been floated with a couple of recent media puff pieces about him.  I suspect the polling will not be helpful.  If this is not done correctly and the best candidate not selected the right could win the Mayoralty and this would be a disaster for the city.
  8. In Australia Scomo will lose the election this year and Anthony Albanese and Labor will succeed.  Scomo’s reign will hapefully be over.  But Labor will not have a comprehensive plan to address climate change and mining magnates will continue to exercise far too much power.
  9. In England Boris Johnson will continue to stumble from self inflicted wound to self inflicted wound.  Labour’s recent rise in the opinion polls will hold steady, not out of a sense of excitement but because too many Britons realise what a total cluster Boris is.

Feel free to contribute predictions in the comments.  A chocolate fish will be awarded to the most outlandish prediction that proves to be correct.

117 comments on “A few random predictions for 2022 ”

  1. Visubversa 1

    David Shearer should NOT stand for the Auckland Mayoralty. He is a nice chap – but he is a rubbish politician. He has an extensive skill base, but the sort of things you need for a successful Mayoralty are not in it. He was not even a particularly good Electorate MP – didn't do his research properly and did not consult widely enough.

  2. miravox 2
    • Kamala Harris will become the first female president of the USA.
    • Boris 'retires'
    • Three waters will succeed (more hope than belief on this one)
    • Subliminal 2.1

      Kamala will be replaced as VP by someone considered to be electable or with the "right" power base in preparation for the moving aside of Biden in much the same manner as happened to Spiro Agnew by Gerald Ford before ditching Nixon

  3. Macro 3

    I predict that I will probably get my hair cut this year whether I need to or not.

  4. millsy 4

    Democrats will be wiped out in the mid terms, by a record margin, setting up GOP control of Congress for decades and allowing the imposition of a free market white supremacist theocracy.

    Chris Luxon will make an Orewa style speech, and his party will surge in the polls as a result.

    An 'antivax' party will be formed to contest the 2023 election, with the crazies sidelined.

    Labour will quietly drop KiwiBuild, and the fair pay agreements.

    Right wing candidates will sweep the local elections, including Auckland Council. Farmers and farmer backed candidates will gain control of the regional councils, who will make money and profit the order of the day.

    We will have our hottest winter on record, with temperatures of 20 degrees or more lasting well into June or July. Cicadas will still be heard in parts of the country as late as May.

    And of course, all my predictions will be wrong as always

  5. Ad 5

    Late Jan government announces $12b partial tunneled light rail for Auckland.

  6. Ad 6

    Late Feb Omicron breakout hits Auckland: red light and hard border 4 weeks

  7. Ad 7

    March 6 people including 1cop shot dead by gangs.

    Covid Royal Commission announced

  8. Gezza 8

    Chris Luxon will poll well for the first few months in 2022 but then get caught out by the media making one policy promise to one audience and the opposite policy promise to another. He will then attempt to explain how they are in fact the same policy & there is no contradiction, and make the problem worse.

    After this, most voters will realise that he has no political principles & is not worth listening to. National voters will hope he continues to follow Sir John's every word of advice and he & National will still poll reasonably well because of this – but still some way behind Labour.

    There will be some major leak by a disgruntled member of the National caucus that will cause Luxon embarrassment & require a National MP to be disciplined by the loss of a spokesperson role.

  9. Ad 9

    April Robertson and ACC Chair announce worker insurance. Key employers delighted.

    Unemployment hits 3% flat but the poor are queuing around blocks.

  10. Ad 10

    May Highest spending budget in 50 years.

    Labour back to 45%.

    PM pregnant again.

  11. #3 above, a certainty, Micky. It's the only think the Natz know how to do.

    Watch for an ice-free Arctic, probably not September this year, but who knows. If it occurs, all hell will break loose with the climate.

  12. Ad 12

    June 6 people shot dead by gangs including 1 Police.

    Australia asks for permanent squadron in Darwin and we agree.

  13. Blazer 13

    Pfizer launch their new drug-Trycoxagen in NZ.

    Lesbian numbers….plummet.

  14. Ad 14

    July National 41%, ACT

    Rural economy boom.

  15. Ad 15

    August South Island super snowstorm, Omicron breakout in Queenstown, Police border at the Crown Range.

    Massive Southland floods.

    Water asset shift occurs with no operational issues.

    • Graeme 15.1

      More like covid turns up in wastewater testing at multiple tourist centres across the country next week.

      Mask use and scanning rates approach 100% the next day, nationwide.

      Very few cases result.

  16. Treetop 16

    That homelessness will increase due to rent rises. That more people will live in rentals which are not up to standard.

    The standard of rentals need to be seriously looked at when it comes to noise with shared walls which are substandard. If the Tenancy Act thinks it is ok for shower water to hit your lounge wall at 11.30 pm – 12 midnight and start again at 7 am this is depriving a person of sleep and reasonable quiet and enjoyment of the tenancy. The property manager said people can shower when they want. The landlord needs to move the shower and complaining is a waste of breath.

    A heat pump cannot be installed due to shared walls with two other properties.

    Landlords have too much power when it comes to inconsiderate tenants.

    When the outside tap is fixed my hose is going to go on at 7 am and hit the metal fence every night I am kept up.

  17. Ad 17

    Sept anti-vaxxer unemployed groups roam Northland and South Waikato serving on cashies.

    Highest cause of death for males under 50 is suicide.

  18. Ad 18

    October National launches tax policy: wipe Working for Families but 0% tax on first 45k. Wipes $180k tax. Property mortgage interest fully claimable.

    National+Act = Labour+Greens.

  19. Ad 19

    Nov Chloe takes over from Davidson, Greens lift to 11% average.

    Government signals all vehicles to be charged RUC with Reggo wiped, Ak petrol tax wiped, congestion charging announced in Ak and Welly and Chch for 2025.

  20. Ad 20

    December Ardern signals Retirement so Robertson can have a run. Mahuta Deputy.

    National Labour still neck and neck.

    Robertson prepares pre-Xmas bonus $500 cash to each family earning jointly under $200k.

    • alwyn 20.1

      Grant justifies his offer because, under his watch and due to his actions, the "living wage" has reached $106.25 / hour.

  21. RedLogix 21

    Jan 1 – our beloved Ad gets smashed by lunchtime devil

  22. Blazer 22

    Mr Fishfinger Party is established in NZ with a manifesto to make fish and houses affordable for…all.

    • Treetop 22.1

      I see at the motel near me occupients who would be homeless were it not for a motel unit with a bar fridge. The bar fridge is substandard, just as well there is a supermarket close by.

      Housing needs to be affordable on all levels and not be intrusive. Unfortunately the health system will need a lot of resources to clear up the backlog. Until Omicron and further Covid mutations come and go the cost to business, the health system, education being disrupted, disability, anxiety and a probable rise in crime is unknown.

      • Blazer 22.1.1

        I am ..flummoxed..lost for words!-this is a bad start to…2022.

        • Treetop 22.1.1.1

          There is no more pre Covid way of living. I do not yet know what I really think about those who try to live in a previous pre pandemic world and are not adapting to being restricted on health grounds. Everything has got harder to do and has become less certain.

          Do I take a trip?

          Do I have a hospital procedure?

          Do I buy a house?

          Do I have a baby?

          Do I close my business?

  23. pat 23

    Most outlandish prediction?…..the USD will cease to be the worlds reserve currency

    • Peter 1 23.1

      I agree with this one but not till 2025 up to 2031. my belief comes from reading the 4th

      wave.

      • pat 23.1.1

        Its going to happen ….but happening in 2022 is 'outlandish'.

        Having said that , confidence can dissapear rapidly so its not beyond the bounds of possibility….the main retardent is the lack of a viable alternative.

  24. Blazer 24

    Red has an..epiphany ..and puts empathy..above..apathy.cheeky

  25. Byd0nz 25

    I predict Ad has even more predictions.

  26. Bill 26

    Democratic Party will get wiped in the mid-terms. (Unless he dies) Trump will be back in time for '24.

  27. Bill 27

    The "vaccine pass" gets a crucial add on that will essentially lock NZ into the "social credit" pathway that the government's Covid response has opened up

    • RedLogix 28.1

      The most realistic predictions so far. Sorry to say.

      While NZ politics are important to us personally, our real fate lies in decisions made far away.

      • Ed 28.1.1

        While NZ politics are important to us personally, our real fate lies in decisions made far away.

        Totally agree, Red, with this point.

        The harder prediction is which area will be the trigger first. I think it will be the Donbass.

    • Patricia Bremner 28.2

      munitions stocks will soar.

  28. Puckish Rogue 29

    My predictions:

    Corrections will get a pay raise of more than the current offer of 3% over 2 years, there'll also be major agitation for going on strike (ok the agitation will be coming from me and I'll get voted down but still)

    Democrats will get absolutely decimated in the mid terms, like record decimated.

    NZ cricket will continue its winning ways

    I'll probably get banned again at some point

  29. Stuart Munro 30

    A new ultraright party will form targeting corruption, but not in expectation of receiving their share like ACT and National troughers. They will target gross instances like the $50 million spent not planning a cycling bridge, and they will take legal action to recover a reasonable proportion of the public money that disappeared in that exercise.

    The Taxpayers Union response will be uncharacteristic, some would say guilty, silence.

  30. Puckish Rogue 31

    The Lord of The Rings TV series is going to absolutely suck giant donkey dick

    The Winds of Winter will not be released this year (it won't actually ever be released but it certainly won't be this year)

  31. Koff 32

    I predict that within a few days time, two impossibly glamorous scientists will discover that a huge comet, nicknamed COVID-22, will collide with the Earth in exactly six months, 12 days, 3 hours and 10 minutes (approximately), potentially obliterating the Earth. The scientists will try and convince the world's governments and peoples to take this seriously but the ensuing period will just go to show that the human species is totally unsuitable to live on planet Earth. A totally mad zillionaire will convince the U.N. that masks, mRNA vaccines and social distancing won't be of any value, but he can intercept the comet on its way to mine its exceptionally valuable minerals to be used in electric vehicle batteries. Just "don't look up" he will say to deter detractors. The plan will inevitably not succeed and the comet will smash Earth to smithereens on schedule. The only upside is that this will end the pandemic.

  32. Puckish Rogue 33

    Evidence to show collusion between pharmaceutical companies, media conglomerates, big tech corporations and governments will start to leak out

    The majority of the population will not believe it

  33. Robert Guyton 34

    Not one mention of the changing climate, the extinction of species, the rapidly diminishing forests, the failing fish populations…sigh…

    • alwyn 34.1

      I predict that none of Robert's worries will ever be heard of again, but Robert will still be unhappy…sigh…

  34. swordfish 35

    .

    Suffering from terminal colorectal cancer … just hoping to make it to 2023 … hoping the Kainga Ora scandal is revitalised through Jan, Feb & March … to the extent that we can force the eviction of my parents' psychopathic / sociopathic neighbour … I don't want to die with them still in this fucking intolerable situation … feel total solidarity with all the victims of these violent out-of-control anti-socials … and a profound anger at their paternalistic Woke protectors who will gaslight the innocent, law-abiding victims every step of the way … and, on a whole different dimension, hoping to be able to make some sort of intellectual contribution before the bucket is unceremoniously kicked … especially in decisively challenging some baseless orthodoxies (sitting on weak evidential foundations) of both New Zealand historiography & political thought … and want to travel the beautiful, beautiful South Island (uplifts the spirit every time) as extensively as possible while I still have my energy & strength.

    But saddened that I’ll probably never get back to Blighty & Europe again … always wanted to travel Iceland & the Faroes & see more of Norway … wanted to see the west coast of Scotland & the Hebrides again … but pretty much resigned that I never will … bugger.

    • Puckish Rogue 35.1

      Damn dude I'm sorry to hear that. I always enjoyed your analysis of the polls.

    • RedLogix 35.2

      Oh fuck. I don't trust myself to type anything useful at the moment.

    • Anker 35.3

      Swordfish, I am truly sorry to hear this. So hard living with this diagnosis and at this point of time, so difficult to travel. I hope you have good people around you, giving you love and support.

      And I hope your parents issue with the anti social tennants gets solved very soon. I am hoping the legal action is successful.

      Take care. I am so sorry.

    • Ad 35.4

      You are a fighter for your mum and dad, and a terrific contributor here.

      May you rage against the dying of the light.

    • Hetzer 35.5

      No real words to say Swordfish that dont seem trite.

      I hope you can enjoy and experience as much as you want, while you can, and go well.

      Those subhumans who live next door to your parents will live their usual short and brutish lives. I just hope for your peace and your parents peace that situation is resolved soon.

    • Treetop 35.6

      Kainga Ora need to build retirement style complexes so elderly tenants are not harassed by neighbours who cause unwanted disruption in homes at any time. The law needs to be tightened when it comes to neighbours who you want to run from and cannot because of having no where else to go.

      The person in your parents neighbourhood is impacting your health, something which you can do without. Sorry to hear of your medical situation.

      You need to see your MP and go to every political parties housing MP and have privacy on this matter.

      • Puckish Rogue 35.6.1

        That's not a bad idea

      • RedLogix 35.6.2

        Kainga Ora need to build retirement style complexes so elderly tenants are not harassed by neighbours who cause unwanted disruption in homes at any time.

        These complexes are well established here in QLD. They're typically rent controlled to $250pw for a single bed unit and age restricted to 55 and over.

        The link I gave is just one random example of many. We've visited quite a few now and are generally quite impressed.

        • Treetop 35.6.2.1

          Makes a lot of sense so the elderly can have some peace and security.

        • Graeme 35.6.2.2

          Once upon a time Councils provided housing for the elderly at affordable rates. They weren't that flash, but were more than adequate. Somewhere along the line Councils decided housing the elderly wasn't their job and the housing got sold off to private providers. And that was the end of that.

          • weka 35.6.2.2.1

            I expect the property value of social housing in places like Queenstown was eye watering. National sold off the state houses there too.

            • Graeme 35.6.2.2.1.1

              Surprisingly QLDC still owns elderly housing in Arrowtown. Four units that were built in 70's, quite small but much appreciated by the inhabitants. They are an artifact of the old Arrowtown Borough and the cunning buggers sited them on a bit of reserve in Caenarvon St below the War Memorial. Any mention of rationalisation requires immediate ritual disembowelment on the Village Green

          • Treetop 35.6.2.2.2

            The council and housing just where to start.

            Some proper bylaws when it comes to human noise. Subdivided homes with shared walls. Not funny when your bedroom is the size of an office and another tenant with a separate lease has their bed up next to your bedroom wall. Sleeping in the lounge is preferable, but has its own problems.

            The council need to provide a service for tenants so they can have their home appraised for noise. Stuff like strong water flow hitting the plastic in the shower cubicle, heavy footsteps, squeaky bed legs and spring sounds from a mattress everytime the neighbour turns over. Wardrobe and bathroom sliding doors which bang through the bedroom. Whisper quiet extractor fans are a saviour as 1 – 2 hours a day of vibration /humming has now stopped.

            Some people cannot wear earplugs as they hear a sound like a heart beat.

        • Patricia Bremner 35.6.2.3

          Over 55s one of Australia's better notions.
          We have a popular Village out Rotorua East.

      • Patricia 2 35.6.3

        They used to do this – villages for the elderly worked well for years. However slowly but surely younger people (usually with mental health and / or addiction issues) were moved in. And then with current housing shortages it became open slather and no care has been taken with placement of tenants.

    • Gezza 35.7

      Very sorry to hear this news of your condition, swordfish. I can identify with your situation.

      Hope your parents' situation with their anti-social is resolved for them and you early this year. It is a situation of a type that was starting to get coverage in the media in 2021 and hopefully this will continue in 2022 with the government and MSD deciding to toughen their policy & move such disruptive people out of communities they are making life hell for.

    • weka 35.8

      So sorry to hear that. Wishing you the strength and fortitude you need for all that Swordfish.

      Do the SI sooner rather than later. It's a completely different place while there are no mass tourists around.

    • Treetop 35.9

      I woke up questioning the council by laws. If a person has an annoying barking dog 24/7 the council dog control unit will visit the owner of the dog.

      Where I am staying this happened before Christmas. I am also looking after a small dog who cries when they know you are about to leave.

      I really hope that in 2022 people can have more peace in their home and the process for having control in their home from human noise has a proper solution.

    • mickysavage 35.10

      Bugger. Go well Swordfish.

    • Patricia Bremner 35.11

      Swordfish, we are shattered for you in many ways. You are a valued member here.

  35. Pete 36

    My prediction is the mass who believe Trump won the last election will not change their minds and will rabbit on and continue to show their absolute stupidity.

  36. I predict that everything I do this year will be an utter success. Or more.

  37. mikesh 38

    Maoridom will regain ownership of NZ's rivers, and demand that the state recover full ownership of the electricity companies.

    "We allow free use of the rivers for generating purposes to benefit the community, not to benefit private shareholders" they will say.

    • Kiwijoker 38.1

      Bring it on!

    • ghostwhowalksnz 38.2

      Owning the fisheries didnt mean the catching of fish became a public entity.

      Thats a mistaken belief that Maori interests will believe in a public benefit when if what you described happened ( a big if) its far more likely the iwi will just charge rent for the benefit of its members

      • mikesh 38.2.1

        I didn't say they would succeed; but in any case attempting to extract income their taonga, I believe, would be inconsistent with te tirity, which seems to be more about ensuring that colonization does not interfere with the Maori way of life.

  38. Blade 39

    Labour has a major cabinet reshuffle this year when the shite massively hits the fan that's still on HP. With limited talent to reshuffle, some very strange choices will be made. That will be fodder for our media who increasingly become toxic towards Labour.

    • Gezza 39.1

      “That will be fodder for our media who increasingly become toxic towards Labour.

      I think you will be proven correct there. Towards the end of 2021 they seem to have become somewhat bored with the Jacindamania that characterised much of their reporting on the 2017 coalition government, when Winston Peters & Shane Jones could be the focus of negative reporting.

      Last year’s final few months, particularly 1ewes at 6 tv reporting, & even some Stuff writers, seemed to become increasingly critical of the Labour government.

      Now I believe they are looking for clicks & viewers – & if they can’t find a government controversy to report on, they’ll likely create some.

      And, at the risk of being accused of sexism, some female reporters may not be able to resist the green-eyed monster when it comes to reporting on the to-date hugely successful & popular Ardern.

      I’ll be interested to see if they also look to attack Luxon & Seymour. Just for clicks.

      Unless Shaw & Davidson royally stuff up (Davidson seems to have learned from the fiasco of reclaiming the C word) I think they’ll leave the Greens alone & probably give them neutral to supportive reporting. (Though Shaw has been getting a wee bit of media stick for not being Green enuf on Climate Change.)

      • Blade 39.1.1

        ''Last year’s final few months, particularly 1ewes at 6 tv reporting, & even some Stuff writers, seemed to become increasingly critical of the Labour government.''

        When these organisation become more critical of the Left. you know you they have a problem.

        ''And, at the risk of being accused of sexism, some female reporters may not be able to resist the green-eyed monster when it comes to reporting on the to-date hugely successful & popular Ardern.''

        Females, for all their nurturing instincts, can be the nastiest creatures towards each other. It's not sexism, it's fact.

        ''I’ll be interested to see if they also look to attack Luxon & Seymour. Just for clicks.''

        Oh, geez, it's almost a given on current form that the Right will shoot themselves multiple times in the foot before the next election. They would be better just to STFU, and let Covid and the economy deal to the Left.

    • Treetop 39.2

      A new minister of police and minister of justice is required. Both current ministers were way to quiet when it came to calling out the horrific abuse which went on at Lake Alice and how Crown Law stymied the investigations.

    • Christopher Randal 39.3

      "That will be fodder for our media who increasingly become toxic towards Labour."

      I'm wondering how much more toxic they can get.

      The Herald is actively trying to overthrow the Government and now Stuff, giving the lie to Sinead's claim to being unbiased and absolutely truthful, is doing the same

  39. Robert Guyton 40

    From Facebook:

    "Aren't you terrified by what 2022 might bring? everything is so messed up…"

    "I think it will bring flowers".

    "Yes? WHY?"

    "Because I'm planting flowers" (plants flowers).

    • Dennis Frank 40.1

      smiley I think it will bring interesting new concepts in our minds, provided that we sow interesting mental seeds therein…

      • Robert Guyton 40.1.1

        We must become for focused…by blurring our vision (with poetry, music, art and dance 🙂

        Dissolving mechanical, crystalline thinking requires the solvent that is creativity.

        Imo.

    • Blade 40.2

      Yep… sounds like Bambi's mum wrote that.

      • Robert Guyton 40.2.1

        Bambi, to the surprise of many, was male.

        Bambi's mum…wasn't…

        • Blade 40.2.1.1

          Absolute genius. I learn something every day!

          You can be as creative as you want within your sphere of activity. But until the great amorphous mass of non-thinking humanity follow your lead, it will be for naught, global wise. In the meantime you shouldn't cast your pearls before swine. The mass of humanity doesn't like pearls…or the people who cast them.

          • Dennis Frank 40.2.1.1.1

            Sheeple follow a leader? An antiquated notion. Nowadays they're more like sheep so herding them just requires a bit of strategic barking now & then…

            • Robert Guyton 40.2.1.1.1.1

              Point-of-language there, Dennis:

              Sheep flock, not herd; flocks of sheep, not herds of sheep.

              How then, could anyone herd sheep?

              (also the reason why nobody can herd cats and why there is no traditional clothing worn by catherds).)

              Footnote: here in Southland, sheep-farmers go out and look the sheep.

              Apparently, that's what sheep farmers and shepherds (oops!) did in Scotland, back in the day 🙂

          • Robert Guyton 40.2.1.1.2

            The "great amorphous mass…" won't follow a lead until you display full, open-hearted creativity, modelling what you hope-for in others.

            Imo.

  40. weka 41

    The pandemic doesn't end (sorry)

    The Thwaites doomsday glacier (the size of the UK) breaks off the Arctic ice sheet, cementing in near future sea level rise of half a metre.

    Chloe Swarbrick starts gaining in preferred PM polls

    Chocolate fish prediction: the Greens go fuck it, and spend the last 18 months kind of in government going hard on climate change, in the community, media, and pushing Labour. Major last dash effort to shift the NZ public to taking climate change seriously at the polls. Spurred on by the Greens, a new NZ climate movement arises, with a grand amalgamation of the big NGOs, Iwi, and on the ground activists. Protests break out all over the country.

  41. Robert Guyton 42

    "Spurred on by the Greens, a new NZ climate movement arises, with a grand amalgamation of the big NGOs, Iwi, and on the ground activists. Protests Celebrations break out all over the country."

  42. Patricia Bremner 43

    Onslow project gets the nod.

    A third food retailer enters the market.

    NZ sends vaccine to island groups.

    A new Reserve is devised to assist fish stocks.

    Banks have to work with customers to avoid fire sales after a housing market adjustment.

    Omicron becomes the variant world wide heralding the end of the pandemic.

    The new Health system is bedded in

    Two members of Labour retire at the 2023 election.

    NZ manufacturing increases.

    Dental work for beneficiaries and people earning under $40 000 is free for 4 visits for repair or new work.

  43. georgecom 44

    significant reduction in sheep numbers

    unemployment to virtually nil

    huge increase in drug rehab programmes virtually eliminates addicts

    same with mental health, depression virtually non-existent

    SIS & GCSB disestablished

    sexism and racism becomes socially unacceptable

    covid unrest dissipates

    everyone has a bed to sleep in and feels safe

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    Note: As a paid-up Webworm member, I’ve recorded this Webworm as a mini-podcast for you as well. Some of you said you liked this option - so I aim to provide it when I get a chance to record! Read more ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    9 hours ago
  • Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6.06 pm on March 18
    TL;DR: In my ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Monday, March 18:IKEA is accused of planting big forests in New Zealand to green-wash; REDD-MonitorA City for People takes a well-deserved victory lap over Wellington’s pro-YIMBY District Plan votes; A City for PeopleSteven Anastasiou takes a close look at the sticky ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    21 hours ago
  • Peters holds his ground on co-governance, but Willis wriggles on those tax cuts and SNA suspension l...
    Buzz from the Beehive Here’s hoping for a lively post-cabinet press conference when the PM and – perhaps – some of his ministers tell us what was discussed at their meeting today. Until then, Point of Order has precious little Beehive news to report after its latest monitoring of the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • Labour’s final report card
    David Farrar writes –  We now have almost all 2023 data in, which has allowed me to update my annual table of how  went against its promises. This is basically their final report card. The promise The result Build 100,000 affordable homes over 10 ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • “Drunk Uncle at a Wedding”
    I’m a bit worried that I’ve started a previous newsletter with the words “just when you think they couldn’t get any worse…” Seems lately that I could begin pretty much every issue with that opening. Such is the nature of our coalition government that they seem to be outdoing each ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Geoffrey Miller writes – Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on Dune 2, and images of Islam
    Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture ...
    1 day ago
  • New Rail Operations Centre Promises Better Train Services
    Last week Transport Minster Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre. The new train control centre will see teams from KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail working more closely together to improve train services across the city. The Auckland Rail Operations Centre in ...
    1 day ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things at 6.36am on Monday, March 18
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in an exit interview with Q+A yesterday the Government can and should sustain more debt to invest in infrastructure for future generations. Elsewhere in the news in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 6:36am: Read more ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. It is more than just a happy ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    1 day ago
  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to March 25 and beyond
    TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Bitter and angry; Winston First
    New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    1 day ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    1 day ago
  • Out of Touch.
    “I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The bewildering world of Chris Luxon – Guns for all, not no lunch for kids
    .“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    3 days ago
  • Expert Opinion: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
    3 days ago
  • Manufacturing The Truth.
    Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet –  is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
    3 days ago
  • A Powerful Sensation of Déjà Vu.
    Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
    3 days ago
  • Can you guess where world attention is focussed (according to Greenpeace)? It’s focussed on an EPA...
    Bob Edlin writes –  And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Further integrity problems for the Greens in suspending MP Darleen Tana
    Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Greens’ transparency missing in action
    For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    4 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    5 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    5 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    5 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • There’s a name for this
    Every year, in the Budget, Parliament forks out money to government agencies to do certain things. And every year, as part of the annual review cycle, those agencies are meant to report on whether they have done the things Parliament gave them that money for. Agencies which consistently fail to ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • Echoes of 1968 in 2024?  Pocock on the repetitive problems of the New Left
    Mike Grimshaw writes – Recent events in American universities point to an underlying crisis of coherent thinking, an issue that increasingly affects the progressive left across the Western world. This of course is nothing new as anyone who can either remember or has read of the late ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Two bar blues
    The thing about life’s little victories is that they can be followed by a defeat.Reader Darryl told me on Monday night:Test again Dave. My “head cold” last week became COVID within 24 hours, and is still with me. I hear the new variants take a bit longer to show up ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 13
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Angus Deaton on rethinking his economics IMFLocal scoop: The people behind Tamarind, the firm that left a $500m cleanup bill for taxpayers at Taranaki’s Tui oil well, are back operating in Taranaki under a different company name. Jonathan ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • AT Need To Lift Their Game
    Normally when we talk about accessing public transport it’s about improving how easy it is to get to, such as how easy is it to cross roads in a station/stop’s walking catchment, is it possible to cycle to safely, do bus connections work, or even if are there new routes/connections ...
    6 days ago
  • Christopher's Whopper.
    Politicians are not renowned for telling the truth. Some tell us things that are verifiably not true. They offer statements that omit critical pieces of information. Gloss over risks, preferring to offer the best case scenario.Some not truths are quite small, others amusing in their transparency. There are those repeated ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • Funding hole for tax cuts growing by the day
    The pressure is mounting on the Government as it finalises its Budget Policy Statement, but yet more predicted revenue ‘goes missing’. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Climate Commission has delivered another funding blow to the National-ACT-NZ First coalition Government’s tax-cutting plans, potentially carving $1.4 billion off the ‘climate ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Luxon’s brave climate change promise
    The Government now faces the prospect of having to watch another tax raise the price of petrol when, only six days ago, it abolished the Auckland Regional Fuel tax. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon argued that the regional fuel tax imposed costs on lower-income people with less fuel-efficient vehicles  and that ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
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