A partial list of current scandals

Written By: - Date published: 9:01 am, June 18th, 2015 - 64 comments
Categories: accountability, national - Tags: , , ,

For those of you who are keeping score at home, these are just the current ones (that we know about):

Nick Smith – Auckland housing and cold hearted on state housing deaths.

Murray McCully – Saudi sheep bribe.

Bill English – Mismanagement of the economy.

Judith Collins – Defending the illegal export of kauri logs (her husband’s company again).

Steven Joyce – Crazy spending at MBIE.

Te Ururoa Flavell – Political interference at Maori TV.

Hekia Parata – Failure to govern Kohanga Reo.

John Key – Lied about Labour’s role in Saudi sheep deal.

John Key – All of the above.

64 comments on “A partial list of current scandals ”

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  1. lprent 1
    18 June 2015 at 9:08 am

    It is pretty freaky how hopelessly incompetent the ministers in this current government are. Even more weird is how many disgraced and failed ministers and MPs it has generated.

    I guess that the intakes that National and other parties did from 2005 onwards were selected from inferior sources.

    Certainly their previous cohort with English/Smith weren’t very good either, and it appears that most of the useful ones left early.

    • Tracey 1.1
      18 June 2015 at 9:16 am

      and they poll 50%…

      I cannot imagine such a litany of disasterous governance under Clark being as unscathed as this lot…

      And no, I haven’t forgotten their problem children…

      Lynn did you see that quote from English in 2014 when he was Housing Minister? The one where he says to get the land for the new housing they need to get permission from Iwi first? Reading this issue this past week or more its like he never said it… But he did.

      “English said he expected the Government to be in position to begin selling houses in the first quarter of 2015, although in many areas consultation with Iwi groups would have to be completed before any sales could be made given the land was subject to Treaty of Waitangi clauses granting Iwi Right of First Refusal (RFR) when Crown land is sold.’”

      http://www.hivenews.co.nz/articles/721-english-pushing-ahead-with-housing-nz-reforms

      • Rosie 1.1.1
        18 June 2015 at 10:51 am

        The above partial list of current scandals is almost an exact mirror of the points for discussion on the Scoop report this morning on Radio Active with Alistair Thompson and Grant Robertson.

        Not all topics covered but it sounded like an endurance race getting through what they did cover: Nick Smith/housing crisis, Saudi Sheep deal and high death rate of lambs (apparently 75%), Judith Collins/kauri logs, Stephen Joyce/MBIE, John Key/lies about Labour’s role in Saudi sheep trade, aaaaand back to the point you raise above, and have done so previously, about Nick Smiths statement about land earmarked for social housing being subject to TOW clauses, and Iwi’s first right of refusal.

        I’m sorry I didn’t catch the full discussion about this, was flitting in and out, getting ready for the day but Alistair Thompson had a definite air of WTF in his voice when he raised it. Grant Robertson responded by saying things get very confusing, complex and odd quite quickly when Nick Smith is involved.
        Both he and Grant Robertson mentioned what an appalling lack of good faith the govt had demonstrated towards Iwi and they agreed the govt could be skating on thin ice with this – they are more optimistic about the govt’s legal position than they should be.

    • Anne 1.2
      18 June 2015 at 5:22 pm

      I guess that the intakes that National and other parties did from 2005 onwards were selected from inferior sources.

      Its because its not what you know and how competent you might be that counts with the Tories. Its who you know and whether you come from a sufficiently moneyed background that is all important.

  2. sabine 2
    18 June 2015 at 9:14 am

    they are very very competend at enriching themselves at the cost of the taxpayer.

    We have to stop calling them incompetend, they are not. We also need to understand and accept that these people are not in Politics to advance this country or better it for all citizens, but to advance their own causes and to better themselves and their offspring.

    Once we come to peace with this reality we might be able to change something.

    The other day someone linked to the Q$A with Andrew Little. The last questions to be answered by JK he started like….I can say thisor that but what I can say….and the opposition laughed and hollered.
    They should have been silent, icy silence and just look at him. Let him say what he can say and then use it against him every single time.
    Btw. JK never answered that question, the holloring and the laughing gave him a way out.

    It is on purpose, by default, and they are very very competend at mismanaging the country.

    • vaughan little 2.1
      18 June 2015 at 9:44 am

      i love it when people mis-spell incompetent.

      • weka 2.1.1
        18 June 2015 at 9:56 am

        or misspell ;-p

        • adam 2.1.1.1
          18 June 2015 at 12:59 pm

          Hey when you can’t see the difference between any of the vowels when you write them it makes spelling difficult. My family spent years to get me to be able to spell. It’s odd I see them fine when I read, but spelling – I have to memorise the shape of each word. I was lucky that a therapist at Massey University said she could get me to spell. I can see words as shapes to spell – one reason I love standard fonts on web pages – if lynn changed the font here – my spelling would fall over. Oddly, when I read, I see the letters. So most of the time when I reread what I write, I can fix my spelling. To all the people who pick on people with spelling difficulties.

          spilling mey priva prevlega er thet yie fiil sopirir buceisa yie cin spill.

    • Hanswurst 2.2
      18 June 2015 at 9:54 am

      They are in a situation (read: media environment) in which their competence or otherwise is politically all but irrelevant, since the aims of those in government and of those reporting the government’s actions are largely in accord with one another.

    • John Shears 2.3
      18 June 2015 at 11:10 am

      Yes I heard that exchange and thought there should have been a point of order or supplementary question.

    • saveNZ 2.4
      18 June 2015 at 3:55 pm

      +1 Sabine!

      Not incompetence, an agenda.

      The only one in opposition who knows whats going on, is Winston.

      Get with it, Greens and Labour, there are greater things at risk here than just damp homes and poverty. Go a bit deeper for Gods sake, start tackling the MASTER AGENDA. Stop complaining about symptoms and start trying to tackle the source and make the links between all the terrible things going on and statistics and be effective to get them into a sound byte of dirty despicable deeds.

  3. T Chris 3
    18 June 2015 at 10:21 am

    And yet they still poll at nearly 50%

    And think it would be more productive for Labour to concentrate on why they are polling so low and why Little is as low as Winston Peters

  4. heather 4
    18 June 2015 at 10:27 am

    The list is endless
    I think you forgot Anne Tolley and her closure of Relationship Services, 7000 files files still lying unattended to.
    Also the proposed introduction of Social Bonds, we pay our taxes are as a community are entitled to the provision of social services, we do not expect these to provided by Serco or the like.

    • adam 4.1
      18 June 2015 at 1:03 pm

      I wondering why Tolley was left of the list as well.

      I agree the bonded system is a death in care crisis just waiting to happen. Serco, have such a great track recorded on deaths in custody – who would have thought it.

  5. maui 5
    18 June 2015 at 10:35 am

    I just googled National Party scandal to try and remember some more. What about Maurice Williamson defecting to Act? Could just be a slow burning scandal.

    • Matthew Hooton 5.1
      18 June 2015 at 10:55 am

      Maurice Williamson thinking about defecting to Act is not a scandal. It has been BaU for 20 years.

    • mary_a 5.2
      18 June 2015 at 1:22 pm

      @ maui # (5) – and let’s not forget Maurice Williamson’s involvement (read attempted interference) in the Dongua Liu case, by “advising” police of Liu’s financial position!

      Speaking of which, it’s interesting to note Liu got off charges connected to the assault of his partner and her mother, through lack of evidence and witnesses.

      Then there’s John Banks not having to face charges re his mayoral electoral campaign donations scandal!

      My point in the two latter instances is this. Both Liu and Banks had fairly close NatzKEY connections!

  6. Ad 6
    18 June 2015 at 10:45 am

    Gradually accelerating corrosion through Ministerial incompetence is the best chance of changing government. Nothing will dislodge Key, except more crap Ministerial decisions.

    I predict more stories coming from:
    – the economy, through dairy-driven rural stress
    – trade, through failure to deliver multi-party deals
    – health, as further Health Boards crack and crumble
    – electricity, as line renewal charges bite
    – housing, the gift that keeps on giving

    The really competent Ministers like Bennett will survive, Brownlee will rise again as Christchurch re-launches, Bridges and Kaye will rise further, but as LPrent points out above, the loss of Power and Ryall is really showing. They have a very long and vulnerable cabinet and caucus tail.

    • Capn Insano 6.1
      18 June 2015 at 10:56 am

      How has Bennett been competent?

      • Colonial Rawshark 6.1.1
        18 June 2015 at 12:03 pm

        She’s run big difficult portfolios for years, and come through with nary a scandal. One to watch out for.

        • Capn Insano 6.1.1.1
          18 June 2015 at 12:09 pm

          I see. I was thinking about any WINZ-related issues.

          • Colonial Rawshark 6.1.1.1.1
            18 June 2015 at 12:14 pm

            A big organisation with lots of unhappy staff and lots of unhappy “clients.” Yet she has kept a lid on it all this time.

            • Hateatea 6.1.1.1.1.1
              18 June 2015 at 7:11 pm

              No, she didn’t. She released confidential information about beneficiaries who were denied training incentive allowance to complete their studies even though that was what she used to obtain her own tertiary qualification when she was a sole parent.

              The turnover of staff in CYF is also attributable, at least in part, to her regime. Of course, Tolley is keeping up the pressure on MSD.

          • saveNZ 6.1.1.1.2
            18 June 2015 at 3:57 pm

            What about the deaths of 2 WINZ officers? Surely murder is a scandal?

            Or is that part of the new regime of collateral damage in social services as the masses arm themselves to get a bed?

    • Tracey 6.2
      18 June 2015 at 11:12 am

      …Over time, every position in the hierarchy will be filled by someone who is not competent enough to carry out his or her new duties.

      The Peter Principle was first observed by Dr. Laurence J. Peter and published in his book “The Peter Principle” in 1968. Dr. Peter also states that a promotion to the higher-ranking job position may not necessarily reveal the employee’s incompetence, but rather the new position may require different skills the employee does not possess. Dr. Peter sums up the Peter Principle with the saying: “the cream rises until it sours.” The Peter Principal can be a problem for businesses which can be solved through continued education. Even with proper employee training, the Peter Principal predicts the employee will eventually get to a position where they are incompetent because of further promotion.

      Read more: http://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/peter-principle.asp#ixzz3dMdDdmFV

      • Colonial Rawshark 6.2.1
        18 June 2015 at 12:04 pm

        So will this happen to Labour first or to National first.

        • Tracey 6.2.1.1
          18 June 2015 at 12:17 pm

          It’s already happened to Labour and National is well underway…

          • Colonial Rawshark 6.2.1.1.1
            18 June 2015 at 12:29 pm

            sounds more than plausible

            • Tracey 6.2.1.1.1.1
              18 June 2015 at 12:33 pm

              for two different reasons…

              Labour Party dont all agree they stand for
              National Party is built on the very narrow foundation of financial self interest – money first and last –

              • AmaKiwi …
                18 June 2015 at 11:28 pm

                Tracey wrote, “National Party is built on the very narrow foundation of financial self interest – money first and last –”

                I think it is POWER before money. National MPs have not been caught stealing from the pubic purse. They use power to steal from the public purse and “legally transfer” it to “their own kind.”

                One could say it is the same thing. But I think when they lift their glasses for a toast at the end of the day it is more like, “Today we stole some more public property and gave it to our rich mates.”

                I think their goal is to shrink the size of government to virtually nothing.

                • Tracey …
                  19 June 2015 at 11:11 am

                  There is always quid pro quo… it’s not always obvious until they leave politics.

                  Shipley went to Chairships (Mainzeal, Oravida, Financial Services Council (The council, which represents investment and life insurance companies, )), Clark went to United Nations.

          • dukeofurl 6.2.1.1.2
            18 June 2015 at 12:41 pm

            happened to Green MP Graham Kennedy

            “…decision to turn a decades‑long diplomatic career into a political one was not taken lightly. But sitting in UN headquarters in New York in January 2005….”

            Rose to the top…. soured and jumped to Greens and now is simply out of his depth.

      • Ad 6.2.2
        18 June 2015 at 1:50 pm

        GDP current quarter at .2% growth will send a shockwave through Cabinet, together with nearly a full cent drop in the dollar today.

        The dude Key really needs to run the ruler over is Joyce:
        his MBIE super-Ministry has simply not delivered a visible difference for the economy, its Safety legislation is close to death, its RMA reforms buried for another term, its irrigation+dairy plan just stinking around their necks.
        Plus he lost an unloseable by-election up north.

        Joyce needs the hard ruler run over his performance review.

        • linda 6.2.2.1
          18 June 2015 at 7:56 pm

          dude key has squandered the breathing room we had from the gfc to make necessary structural changes and investment for the future and we told you so in 2011 ,2014 life in new Zealand is about to get very hard and a lot people have already hit the wall

      • Johan 6.2.3
        19 June 2015 at 9:35 am

        Why is everyone pointing fingers at National or Labour politician concerning their competency level? Do these people actually make party policy? I don’t think so, they all rely on their advisors for direction. eg Nick Smith is just not very good at projecting himself, he fails when more spin and cunning is needed, unlike John Key. We all know a former Labour leader who fits in the Nick Smith mould, who to everyone has no leadership qualities.

  7. Sable 7
    18 June 2015 at 11:11 am

    Ah but will the public ever get to hear the whole story beyond sites like this one? If I were a betting man…..

  8. meconism 8
    18 June 2015 at 12:23 pm

    and don’t forget, Mike Sabin,

    • saveNZ 8.1
      18 June 2015 at 3:59 pm

      Mike Sabin = Scum

      The Nats are even turning of themselves with dirty politics.

      No Nat seat is now safe from some interloper wanting to get into politics to enrich themselves and take (dear I say) more deserving Nats places.

      • saveNZ 8.1.1
        18 June 2015 at 4:02 pm

        Sorry I was thinking of Sabins Scum mate, Mark Mitchell and how he got into the MP seat.

  10. Tracey 10
    18 June 2015 at 4:48 pm

    speaking of Williamson it seems he doesnt like being treated how he and his former cabinet colleagues treat the rest of us…

    http://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/69501535/Simon-Bridges-attacked-by-Maurice-Williamson-over-Auckland-transport-woes

  11. emergency mike 11
    18 June 2015 at 5:16 pm

    I have a theory that National has decided to go ‘all in’ on scandals. Key has decided to pump a new National party scandal every week, blame each one on Laaaabour, and hope that the sheer number of scandals, resignations, and sackings causes the public to become to confused to attribute any meaning nor incompetence to it. It might be working.

    • maui 11.1
      18 June 2015 at 5:58 pm

      Maybe this is what they learned from the Dirty Politics scandal last election. Even during the worst scandal that gets thrown at them the people will rally behind them. Does seem a little risky in conventional politics, but maybe this is a dawn of a new scandal packed era.

    • sckiwireddevil 11.2
      18 June 2015 at 9:56 pm

      Agree. They know we are too passive to protest. They will continue to test the waters. They have crossed the line in the sand, pun intended, and we have no response. They know this. How far can they go? How far will they take us? Will it all end in tears? …….nah, they will still stay fuckwits, are they will still fuck us up, cause that is what they do……Enough.

  12. Jevon 12
    18 June 2015 at 6:22 pm

    What about a certain ex National MP on trial for [r0b: deleted]?

  13. Hateatea 13
    18 June 2015 at 7:12 pm

    What about the 10 Northland bridges?

  14. linda 14
    18 June 2015 at 8:22 pm

    i think this music is very appropriate for national government

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MK6TXMsvgQg

  15. RedBaronCV 15
    18 June 2015 at 8:25 pm

    What about the push to “improve the broadband rollout ” by just allowing private companies to dig up private land without notice and lay cables anywhere they like. On the back of a few anecdotes Nact are proposing just this – supposedly lack of land owner consent is inhibiting 5% of dwellings being hooked up. But there is no substance backing up the need for this change , and is it going to be extended to other types of cabling, power lines etc – so it becomes a back door way of undermining the RMA.
    Where are the complaining farmers because once this stuff is down then access has to be given forever & a day for maintenance.

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  • BRYCE EDWARDS: The vested interests shaping National Party policies
      Bryce Edwards writes – As the National Party gets closer to government, lobbyists and business interests will be lining up for influence and to get policies adopted. It’s therefore in the public interest to have much more scrutiny and transparency about potential conflicts of interests that ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • LINDSAY MITCHELL: A conundrum for those pushing racist dogma
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – The heavily promoted narrative, which has ramped up over the last six years, is that Maori somehow have special vulnerabilities which arise from outside forces they cannot control; that contemporary society fails to meet their needs. They are not receptive to messages and ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • CHRIS TROTTER:  The greater of two evils
    Not Labour: If you’re out to punish the government you once loved, then the last thing you need is to be shown evidence that the opposition parties are much, much worse.   Chris Trotter writes – THE GREATEST VIRTUE of being the Opposition is not being the Government. Only very ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • The Hoon around the week to Sept 30
    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:Labour presented a climate manifesto that aimed to claim the high ground on climate action vs National, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • Litanies, articles of faith, and being a beneficiary
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past two weeks.Friday 29Play it, ElvisElection Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Litanies, articles of faith, and being a beneficiary
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past two weeks.Friday 29Play it, ElvisElection Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • The ‘Recession’ Has Been Called Off, But Some Households Are Still Struggling
    While the economy is not doing too badly in output terms, external circumstances are not favourable, and there is probably a sizeable group of households struggling because of rising interest rates.Last week’s announcement of a 0.9 percent increase in volume GDP for the June quarter had the commentariat backing down ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    5 days ago

  • Climate Change: The wrong direction
    This week the International Energy Association released its Net Zero Roadmap, intended to guide us towards a liveable climate. The report demanded huge increases in renewable generation, no new gas or oil, and massive cuts to methane emissions. It was positive about our current path, but recommended that countries with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • “Racism” becomes a buzz word on the campaign trail – but our media watchdogs stay muzzled when...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Oh, dear.  We have nothing to report from the Beehive. At least, we have nothing to report from the government’s official website. But the drones have not gone silent.  They are out on the election campaign trail, busy buzzing about this and that in the hope ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • Play it, Elvis
    Election Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t have time for. You’re welcome, etc. Let us press on, etc. 1.  What did Christopher Luxon use to his advantage in ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Pure class warfare
    National unveiled its fiscal policy today, announcing all the usual things which business cares about and I don't. But it did finally tell us how National plans to pay for its handouts to landlords: by effectively cutting benefits: The biggest saving announced on Friday was $2b cut from the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • Ask Me Anything about the week to Sept 29
    Photo by Anna Ogiienko on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session for paying subscribers about the week that was for an hour, including:duelling fiscal plans from National and Labour;Labour cutting cycling spending while accusing National of being weak on climate;Research showing the need for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • Weekly Roundup 29-September-2023
    Welcome to Friday and the last one for September. This week in Greater Auckland On Monday, Matt highlighted at the latest with the City Rail Link. On Tuesday, Matt covered the interesting items from Auckland Transport’s latest board meeting agendas. On Thursday, a guest post from Darren Davis ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    5 days ago

  • Protest at Parliament: The Reunion.
    Brian’s god spoke to him. He, for of course the Lord in Tamaki’s mind was a male god, with a mighty rod, and probably some black leathers. He, told Brian - “you must put a stop to all this love, hope, and kindness”. And it did please the Brian.He said ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Labour cuts $50m from cycleway spending
    Labour is cutting spending on cycling infrastructure while still trying to claim the higher ground on climate. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Labour Government released a climate manifesto this week to try to claim the high ground against National, despite having ignored the Climate Commission’s advice to toughen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • The Greater Of Two Evils.
    Not Labour: If you’re out to punish the government you once loved, then the last thing you need is to be shown evidence that the opposition parties are much, much worse.THE GREATEST VIRTUE of being the Opposition is not being the Government. Only very rarely is an opposition party elected ...
    Bowalley Road
    5 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #39 2023
    Open access notables "Net zero is only a distraction— we just have to end fossil fuel emissions." The latter is true but the former isn't, or  not in the real world as it's likely to be in the immediate future. And "just" just doesn't enter into it; we don't have ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Chris Trotter: Losing the Left
    IN THE CURRENT MIX of electoral alternatives, there is no longer a credible left-wing party. Not when “a credible left-wing party” is defined as: a class-oriented, mass-based, democratically-structured political organisation; dedicated to promoting ideas sharply critical of laissez-faire capitalism; and committed to advancing democratic, egalitarian and emancipatory ideals across the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    6 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • Hipkins fires up in leaders’ debate, but has the curtain already fallen on the Labour-led coalitio...
    Labour’s  Chris Hipkins came out firing, in the  leaders’ debate  on Newshub’s evening programme, and most of  the pundits  rated  him the winner against National’s  Christopher Luxon. But will this make any difference when New  Zealanders  start casting their ballots? The problem  for  Hipkins is  that  voters are  all too ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    6 days ago

  • Govt is energising housing projects with solar power – and fuelling the public’s concept of a di...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Not long after Point of Order published data which show the substantial number of New Zealanders (77%) who believe NZ is becoming more divided, government ministers were braying about a programme which distributes some money to “the public” and some to “Maori”. The ministers were dishing ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • MIKE GRIMSHAW: Election 2023 – a totemic & charisma failure?
    The D&W analysis Michael Grimshaw writes –  Given the apathy, disengagement, disillusionment, and all-round ennui of this year’s general election, it was considered time to bring in those noted political operatives and spin doctors D&W, the long-established consultancy firm run by Emile Durkheim and Max Weber. Known for ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • FROM BFD: Will Winston be the spectre we think?
    Kissy kissy. Cartoon credit BoomSlang. The BFD. JC writes-  Allow me to preface this contribution with the following statement: If I were asked to express a preference between a National/ACT coalition or a National/ACT/NZF coalition then it would be the former. This week Luxon declared his position, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • California’s climate disclosure bill could have a huge impact across the U.S.
    This re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Andy Furillo was originally published by Capital & Main and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. The California Legislature took a step last week that has the potential to accelerate the fight against climate ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Untangling South East Queensland’s Public Transport
    This is a cross post Adventures in Transitland by Darren Davis. I recently visited Brisbane and South East Queensland and came away both impressed while also pondering some key changes to make public transport even better in the region. Here goes with my take on things. A bit of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    6 days ago

  • Try A Little Kindness.
    My daughter arrived home from the supermarket yesterday and she seemed a bit worried about something. It turned out she wanted to know if someone could get her bank number from a receipt.We wound the story back.She was in the store and there was a man there who was distressed, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • What makes NZFirst tick
    New Zealand’s longest-running political roadshow rolled into Opotiki yesterday, with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters knowing another poll last night showed he would make it back to Parliament and National would need him and his party if they wanted to form a government. The Newshub Reid Research poll ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • September AMA
    Hi,As September draws to a close — I feel it’s probably time to do an Ask Me Anything. You know how it goes: If you have any burning questions, fire away in the comments and I will do my best to answer. You might have questions about Webworm, or podcast ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago

  • Bludgers lying in the scratcher making fools of us all
    The mediocrity who stands to be a Prime Minister has a litany.He uses it a bit like a Koru Lounge card. He will brandish it to say: these people are eligible. And more than that, too: These people are deserving. They have earned this policy.They have a right to this policy. What ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 days ago

  • More “partnerships” (by the look of it) and redress of over $30 million in Treaty settlement wit...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point of Order has waited until now – 3.45pm – for today’s officially posted government announcements.  There have been none. The only addition to the news on the Beehive’s website was posted later yesterday, after we had published our September 26 Buzz report. It came from ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days ago

  • ALEX HOLLAND: Labour’s spending
    Alex Holland writes –  In 2017 when Labour came to power, crown spending was $76 billion per year. Now in 2023 it is $139 billion per year, which equates to a $63 billion annual increase (over $1 billion extra spend every week!) In 2017, New Zealand’s government debt ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago

  • If not now, then when?
    Labour released its fiscal plan today, promising the same old, same old: "responsibility", balanced books, and of course no new taxes: "Labour will maintain income tax settings to provide consistency and certainty in these volatile times. Now is not the time for additional taxes or to promise billions of ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    7 days ago

  • THE FACTS:  77% of Kiwis believe NZ is becoming more divided
    The Facts has posted –        KEY INSIGHTSOf New Zealander’s polled: Social unity/division 77%believe NZ is becoming more divided (42% ‘much more’ + 35% ‘a little more’) 3%believe NZ is becoming less divided (1% ‘much less’ + 2% ‘a little less’) ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the cynical brutality of the centre-right’s welfare policies
    The centre-right’s enthusiasm for forcing people off the benefit and into paid work is matched only by the enthusiasm (shared by Treasury and the Reserve Bank) for throwing people out of paid work to curb inflation, and achieve the optimal balance of workers to job seekers deemed to be desirable ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    7 days ago

  • Wednesday’s Chorus: Arthur Grimes on why building many, many more social houses is so critical
    New research shows that tenants in social housing - such as these Wellington apartments - are just as happy as home owners and much happier than private tenants. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The election campaign took an ugly turn yesterday, and in completely the wrong direction. All three ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    7 days ago

  • Bennie Bashing.
    If there’s one thing the mob loves more than keeping Māori in their place, more than getting tough on the gangs, maybe even more than tax cuts. It’s a good old round of beneficiary bashing.Are those meanies in the ACT party stealing your votes because they think David Seymour is ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago

  • The kindest cuts
    Labour kicks off the fiscal credibility battle today with the release of its fiscal plan. National is expected to follow, possibly as soon as Thursday, with its own plan, which may (or may not) address the large hole that the problems with its foreign buyers’ ban might open up. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 week ago

  • Green right turn in Britain? Well, a start
    While it may be unlikely to register in New Zealand’s general election, Britain’s PM Rishi Sunak has done something which might just be important in the long run. He’s announced a far-reaching change in his Conservative government’s approach to environmental, and particularly net zero, policy. The starting point – ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    1 week ago

  • At a glance – How do human CO2 emissions compare to natural CO2 emissions?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • How could this happen?
    Canada is in uproar after the exposure that its parliament on September 22 provided a standing ovation to a Nazi veteran who had been invited into the chamber to participate in the parliamentary welcome to Ukrainian President Zelensky. Yaroslav Hunka, 98, a Ukrainian man who volunteered for service in ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    1 week ago

  • Youth justice programme expands to break cycle of offending
    The successful ‘Circuit Breaker’ fast track programme designed to stop repeat youth offending was launched in two new locations today by Children’s Minister Kelvin Davis. The programme, first piloted in West and South Auckland in December last year, is aimed at children aged 10-13 who commit serious offending or continue ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago

  • Major milestone with 20,000 employers using Apprenticeship Boost
    The Government’s Apprenticeship Boost initiative has now supported 20,000 employers to help keep on and train up apprentices, Minister for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni announced in Christchurch today. Almost 62,000 apprentices have been supported to start and keep training for a trade since the initiative was introduced in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago

  • Government supporting wood processing jobs and more diverse industry
    The Government is supporting non-pine tree sawmilling and backing further job creation in sawmills in Rotorua and Whangarei, Forestry Minister Peeni Henare said.   “The Forestry and Wood Processing Industry Transformation Plan identified the need to add more diversity to our productions forests, wood products and markets,” Peeni Henare said. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago

  • Government backing Canterbury’s future in aerospace industry
    The Government is helping Canterbury’s aerospace industry take off with further infrastructure support for the Tāwhaki Aerospace Centre at Kaitorete, Infrastructure Minister Dr Megan Woods has announced. “Today I can confirm we will provide a $5.4 million grant to the Tāwhaki Joint Venture to fund a sealed runway and hangar ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago

  • Updated forestry regulations increase council controls and require large slash removal
    Local councils will have more power to decide where new commercial forests – including carbon forests – are located, to reduce impacts on communities and the environment, Environment Minister David Parker said today. “New national standards give councils greater control over commercial forestry, including clear rules on harvesting practices and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago

  • New Zealand resumes peacekeeping force leadership
    New Zealand will again contribute to the leadership of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, with a senior New Zealand Defence Force officer returning as Interim Force Commander. Defence Minister Andrew Little and Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta have announced the deployment of New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • New national direction provides clarity for development and the environment
    The Government has taken an important step in implementing the new resource management system, by issuing a draft National Planning Framework (NPF) document under the new legislation, Environment Minister David Parker said today. “The NPF consolidates existing national direction, bringing together around 20 existing instruments including policy statements, standards, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government shows further commitment to pay equity for healthcare workers
    The Government welcomes the proposed pay equity settlement that will see significant pay increases for around 18,000 Te Whatu Ora Allied, Scientific, and Technical employees, if accepted said Health Minister Ayesha Verrall. The proposal reached between Te Whatu Ora, the New Zealand Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • 100 new public EV chargers to be added to national network
    The public EV charging network has received a significant boost with government co-funding announced today for over 100 EV chargers – with over 200 charging ports altogether – across New Zealand, and many planned to be up and running on key holiday routes by Christmas this year. Minister of Energy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Safeguarding Tuvalu language and identity
    Tuvalu is in the spotlight this week as communities across New Zealand celebrate Vaiaso o te Gagana Tuvalu – Tuvalu Language Week. “The Government has a proven record of supporting Pacific communities and ensuring more of our languages are spoken, heard and celebrated,” Pacific Peoples Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Many ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • New community-level energy projects to support more than 800 Māori households
    Seven more innovative community-scale energy projects will receive government funding through the Māori and Public Housing Renewable Energy Fund to bring more affordable, locally generated clean energy to more than 800 Māori households, Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods says. “We’ve already funded 42 small-scale clean energy projects that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Huge boost to Te Tai Tokerau flood resilience
    The Government has approved new funding that will boost resilience and greatly reduce the risk of major flood damage across Te Tai Tokerau. Significant weather events this year caused severe flooding and damage across the region. The $8.9m will be used to provide some of the smaller communities and maraes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Napier’s largest public housing development comes with solar
    The largest public housing development in Napier for many years has been recently completed and has the added benefit of innovative solar technology, thanks to Government programmes, says Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods. The 24 warm, dry homes are in Seddon Crescent, Marewa and Megan Woods says the whanau living ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Te Whānau a Apanui and the Crown initial Deed of Settlement I Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me...
    Māori: Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna te Whakaaetanga Whakataunga Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna i tētahi Whakaaetanga Whakataunga hei whakamihi i ō rātou tāhuhu kerēme Tiriti o Waitangi. E tekau mā rua ngā hapū o roto mai o Te Whānau ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Plan for 3,000 more public homes by 2025 – regions set to benefit
    Regions around the country will get significant boosts of public housing in the next two years, as outlined in the latest public housing plan update, released by the Housing Minister, Dr Megan Woods. “We’re delivering the most public homes each year since the Nash government of the 1950s with one ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Immigration settings updates
    Judicial warrant process for out-of-hours compliance visits 2023/24 Recognised Seasonal Employer cap increased by 500 Additional roles for Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement More roles added to Green List Three-month extension for onshore Recovery Visa holders The Government has confirmed a number of updates to immigration settings as part of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Poroporoaki: Tā Patrick (Patu) Wahanga Hohepa
    Tangi ngunguru ana ngā tai ki te wahapū o Hokianga Whakapau Karakia. Tārehu ana ngā pae maunga ki Te Puna o te Ao Marama. Korihi tangi ana ngā manu, kua hinga he kauri nui ki te Wao Nui o Tāne. He Toa. He Pou. He Ahorangi. E papaki tū ana ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Renewable energy fund to support community resilience
    40 solar energy systems on community buildings in regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and other severe weather events Virtual capability-building hub to support community organisations get projects off the ground Boost for community-level renewable energy projects across the country At least 40 community buildings used to support the emergency response ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • COVID-19 funding returned to Government
    The lifting of COVID-19 isolation and mask mandates in August has resulted in a return of almost $50m in savings and recovered contingencies, Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. Following the revocation of mandates and isolation, specialised COVID-19 telehealth and alternative isolation accommodation are among the operational elements ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Appointment of District Court Judge
    Susie Houghton of Auckland has been appointed as a new District Court Judge, to serve on the Family Court, Attorney-General David Parker said today.  Judge Houghton has acted as a lawyer for child for more than 20 years. She has acted on matters relating to the Hague Convention, an international ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Government invests further in Central Hawke’s Bay resilience
    The Government has today confirmed $2.5 million to fund a replace and upgrade a stopbank to protect the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant. “As a result of Cyclone Gabrielle, the original stopbank protecting the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant was destroyed. The plant was operational within 6 weeks of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Govt boost for Hawke’s Bay cyclone waste clean-up
    Another $2.1 million to boost capacity to deal with waste left in Cyclone Gabrielle’s wake. Funds for Hastings District Council, Phoenix Contracting and Hog Fuel NZ to increase local waste-processing infrastructure. The Government is beefing up Hawke’s Bay’s Cyclone Gabrielle clean-up capacity with more support dealing with the massive amount ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Taupō Supercars revs up with Government support
    The future of Supercars events in New Zealand has been secured with new Government support. The Government is getting engines started through the Major Events Fund, a special fund to support high profile events in New Zealand that provide long-term economic, social and cultural benefits. “The Repco Supercars Championship is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • There is no recession in NZ, economy grows nearly 1 percent in June quarter
    The economy has turned a corner with confirmation today New Zealand never was in recession and stronger than expected growth in the June quarter, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said. “The New Zealand economy is doing better than expected,” Grant Robertson said. “It’s continuing to grow, with the latest figures showing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Highest legal protection for New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs
    The Government has accepted the Environment Court’s recommendation to give special legal protection to New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs, Te Waikoropupū Springs (also known as Pupū Springs), Environment Minister David Parker announced today.   “Te Waikoropupū Springs, near Takaka in Golden Bay, have the second clearest water in New Zealand after ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • More support for victims of migrant exploitation
    Temporary package of funding for accommodation and essential living support for victims of migrant exploitation Exploited migrant workers able to apply for a further Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa (MEPV), giving people more time to find a job Free job search assistance to get people back into work Use of 90-day ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Strong export boost as NZ economy turns corner
    An export boost is supporting New Zealand’s economy to grow, adding to signs that the economy has turned a corner and is on a stronger footing as we rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle and lock in the benefits of multiple new trade deals, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. “The economy is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Funding approved for flood resilience work in Te Karaka
    The Government has approved $15 million to raise about 200 homes at risk of future flooding. More than half of this is expected to be spent in the Tairāwhiti settlement of Te Karaka, lifting about 100 homes there. “Te Karaka was badly hit during Cyclone Gabrielle when the Waipāoa River ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Further business support for cyclone-affected regions
    The Government is helping businesses recover from Cyclone Gabrielle and attract more people back into their regions. “Cyclone Gabrielle has caused considerable damage across North Island regions with impacts continuing to be felt by businesses and communities,” Economic Development Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Building on our earlier business support, this ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • New maintenance facility at Burnham Military Camp underway
    Defence Minister Andrew Little has turned the first sod to start construction of a new Maintenance Support Facility (MSF) at Burnham Military Camp today. “This new state-of-art facility replaces Second World War-era buildings and will enable our Defence Force to better maintain and repair equipment,” Andrew Little said. “This Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Foreign Minister to attend United Nations General Assembly
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will represent New Zealand at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this week, before visiting Washington DC for further Pacific focussed meetings. Nanaia Mahuta will be in New York from Wednesday 20 September, and will participate in UNGA leaders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Midwives’ pay equity offer reached
    Around 1,700 Te Whatu Ora employed midwives and maternity care assistants will soon vote on a proposed pay equity settlement agreed by Te Whatu Ora, the Midwifery Employee Representation and Advisory Service (MERAS) and New Zealand Nurses Association (NZNO), Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. “Addressing historical pay ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

  • New Zealand provides support to Morocco
    Aotearoa New Zealand will provide humanitarian support to those affected by last week’s earthquake in Morocco, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. “We are making a contribution of $1 million to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to help meet humanitarian needs,” Nanaia Mahuta said. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

  • Government invests in West Coast’s roading resilience
    The Government is investing over $22 million across 18 projects to improve the resilience of roads in the West Coast that have been affected by recent extreme weather, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed today.  A dedicated Transport Resilience Fund has been established for early preventative works to protect the state ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

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