About Karen Chhour’s future
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11:06 am, August 3rd, 2024 - 27 comments
Categories: act, crime, Maori Issues, maori party, Parliament, political parties, Social issues, uncategorized -
Tags: karen chhour
Act minister Karen Chhour has recently adopted the mantle of victimhood and claimed that she has been under attack and feels unsafe in Parliament.
From Radio New Zealand:
“It no longer feels like I can walk [Parliament’s] corridors without fear of personal attacks from either other members around the House or even from outside the House as well,” Chhour said.
“It just feels like this environment is so toxic. How can we actually do our job? How can we actually do what we need to do in this place if we fear what we say is going to cause that kind of retaliation and it’s not going to be called out?”
She is apparently referring to Te Paati Māori MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi who in the House in May of this year referred to her as a puppet.
During a debate Kapa-Kingi said this:
“E te Minita, ka aroha ki a koe kua karetaohia e tō pāti. Kia kaha rā”
[To the Minister, how sad that you have been made a puppet by your party. Be strong.]
If this caused Chhour angst then perhaps politics is not for her. Because being described as a puppet is on the scale of things a pretty controlled insult. Far worse is said in Parliamentary debates.
At a personal level I have sympathy for Chhour. Workers should not be subject pressure or bullying or personal attacks.
But she is no ordinary worker. She is a highly paid politician who is primarily responsible for getting through some really regressive policies.
And she shows no particular skills. She seems to have been picked for her job because of her back story and not for her abilities. She is someone who had a difficult childhood and some exposure to the workings of Oranga Tamariki many many years ago when it was called Child Youth and Family.
She is now at the sharp edge of decision making about how the modern system, which is considerably different to the system that she was exposed to, will operate in the future.
Can I say this as delicately as possible but her long term campaign against section 7AA is completely, completely misguided. Contrary to her and her party’s assertion this section does not require Māori kids to be taken away from well intentioned Pakeha couples. It requires Oranga Tamariki to engage properly with Iwi Authorities and to have a proper plan for dealing with Māori kids in trouble. Given that most kids in care are Māori and that historical approaches have not worked and that Iwi Authorities have been doing outstanding work the Minister’s stance is retrograde.
Her solution has attracted negative comments from radical left wing organisations like the New Zealand Law Society. In its submission it said:
The New Zealand Law Society does not agree that repeal of section 7AA will improve the well-being and best interests of children and young people. Nor will it address any perceived undermining of welfare and best interests due to cultural considerations. There is no evidence that section 7AA is responsible for undermining the safety of children.
Or how about this:
The Cabinet Paper concludes that section 7AA creates a conflict for Oranga Tamariki when making decisions in the best interests of the child or young person. In our view, there is no evidence to support this proposition. Section 4A makes it clear that in all matters relating to the administration or application of the Act the well-being and best interests of the child or young person are the first and paramount consideration, having regard to the principles set out in sections 5 and 13. It is clear from these sections that Oranga Tamariki has a duty to ensure the safety of children and young people and that this duty is not overridden by the requirements in section 7AA.
And there is also this:
In the Cabinet Paper, the Minister states that section 7AA has ‘negatively impacted on caregivers’, and that ‘some caregivers have suggested that section 7AA has resulted in a requirement for culturally appropriate environments, which is valued more that children’s welfare.’ The Law Society is not aware of evidence to support the notion that there have been a significant number of removals of children from caregivers because the caregivers were “deemed to be the wrong ethnicity”.
The best resourced most capable and best qualified union to talk about legal matters has spoken. There is no justification for the repeal of section 7AA.
The Waitangi Tribunal formed the same opinion and wanted to talk to Chhour to ask her for her justification and she refused to do so.
In a carefully worded interim decision concerning the repeal of section 7AA the Tribunal raised three matters:
First, we are concerned that the government’s singular focus on implementation of a commitment made in one of the coalition agreements has caused it to disregard its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi, and this needs to be corrected before proceeding further. The second is a concern that this rushed repeal of section 7AA will cause actual harm. The third is to draw to the government’s attention a more principled way forward, already available under the Act. This is the periodic review of the legislation and policy provided for in section 448B of the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989.
Even the regulatory impact statement attached to the bill concedes “[t]here is no empirical evidence to support the notion that section 7AA has driven practice decisions that have led to changing care arrangements”.
And the last time Chhour tried to get section 7AA repealed this time through a private member’s bill 12 months ago National MP Tama Potaka said “[i]t would be contradictory of us to dismiss this provision entirely, which is intended to be a genuine option to address and meet the best interests of the child in State care”. He said that National would amend rather than repeal the section.
Clearly Chhour is under some distress. Her recent interview with Tova O’Brien did not go well. And she expressed some emotion in complaining about people claiming she is not Māori enough and is not the right sort of traumatised person. She is right. Those sorts of criticisms are disrespectful and unhelpful.
But here is the thing. What she and this Government are changing will directly affect many, many people. Kids will be thrown into boot camps when there are much better options. Social workers and caregivers and the recipients of their aroha are being directly affected by this Government’s decision to cut their funding. And Iwi authorities’ mana will be lessened and marginalised when they present the best option we have to do something meaningful for Māori kids in trouble.
And she is part of a Government that has marginalized Te Reo and Te Ao Māori. And her party wants to foist on us a crap referendum based on a bullshit interpretation of Te Tiriti that will divide the country and set race relations back decades for kicks and political advantage. Please understand my complete lack of sympathy for her plight.
She may disagree and think that her proposal is best, despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary. She may get upset that large sectors of the community disagree with her. She may be incensed that someone called her a puppet.
But her job is really important. If she cannot listen to the criticism, weigh up the evidence and come up with what is best for us all and instead get upset because people are getting fed up with her then she needs to think about a different job.
And coming from a member of the Act Party is a bit rich. This is the party which demanded an urgent debate on the day that Kiri Allan crashed. It is part of a movement that hounded Jacinda Ardern from the Prime Minister’s position, that attacked Nanaia Mahuta mercilessly, that reduced Clare Curran to tears in the house, and that piled the pressure onto Golriz Ghahrahman until she cracked.
Let Parliament be a respectful place where MPs are courteous to each other, where law changes are considered seriously and where decisions are based on a proper analysis of the evidence and where everyone works for the common good. We do not have that right now. We have a far right party damaging our legal system based on hunches, ill informed reckons and the desire to create chaos for political advantage.
No wonder people are angry.
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When the Government says it has reduced the number of people in emergency housing, what it means is it is stopping people from accessing it in the first place. ...16 hours ago
- Govt’s child wellbeing strategy ‘shallow and shameful’
The Government is turning its back on children by not only weakening child poverty reduction targets, but also removing child mental wellbeing as a priority focus in their Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy. ...17 hours ago
- Release: A historic win for Samoan communities
Labour warmly welcomes the Restoring Samoan Citizenship Bill as it passes its third reading, before becoming law. ...18 hours ago
- Government plan to reinstate live animal exports a “national disgrace”
The Government has taken a giant step backwards by reinstating live animal exports. ...1 day ago
- Pasifika justice as Member’s Bill passes final reading
Teanau Tuiono’s Member’s Bill, the Citizenship (Western Samoa Restoration) Amendment Bill, has passed its third reading and will become law. ...1 day ago
- Release: Minister of Education thinks New Zealand ends at the Bombay Hills
The Minister of Education has shown complete disregard for rural communities and their school bus routes in Question Time today. ...1 day ago
- Economists sound alarm on Government’s slash-and-burn approach
A group of prominent economists has released an open letter to the Government, raising grave concerns about the far-reaching consequences of its fiscal policy. ...1 day ago
- Release: Smoking numbers up under Costello’s watch
National’s repeal of Labour’s smokefree legislation has taken New Zealand further away from achieving a Smokefree 2025 and a smokefree generation. ...2 days ago
- Release: Call for Palestine recognition by NZ, Australian and Canadian MPs
Parliamentarians from Australia, Canada and New Zealand have written an open letter to their respective Prime Ministers calling on them to recognise Palestine. ...2 days ago
- Justice Select Committee opens floor for Treaty Principles submissions
Today, the Justice Select Committee has decided to officially open submissions for the controversial Treaty Principles Bill. ...3 days ago
- Power of the people on full display as hīkoi approaches Parliament
Today, Hīkoi mō te Tiriti arrived in Wellington, with thousands gathering to march in unity against the divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...3 days ago
- Hypocrisy as Te Whatu Ora contractor bill balloons
Te Whatu Ora’s bill for contracting and consulting staff has ballooned by nearly 20 percent under the National Government, breaking a promise they made during the election campaign to cut contractors. ...4 days ago
- Release: Growing pressure to scrap Section 7AA Repeal Bill
The newly released Section 7AA Repeal Bill's select committee report is further evidence that the Government should scrap it. ...4 days ago
- Government’s move to monetise access to nature a slippery slope
The Green Party is voicing serious concerns over the Government’s proposal to charge for access to public conservation land, released today. ...7 days ago
- Green Party condemns the passage of Treaty Principles Bill
The Green Party condemns the passing of the Treaty Principles Bill at first reading, and is clear that the fight is not over. ...1 week ago
- Stand Up for Te Tiriti
Te Tiriti o Waitangi is our country’s founding document. It forms the basis of the relationship between Māori and the Crown – and the Aotearoa New Zealand we live in today. ...1 week ago
- Release: Over 15,000 sign Labour’s open letter to Luxon
As the hīkoi to Parliament continues, Labour has sent an open letter to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in a last-ditch attempt to get him to kill the Treaty Principles Bill. ...1 week ago
- Fast Track Bill threatens environment, climate and reputation
The fast-track legislation passing its second reading in Parliament is another step towards environmental ruin. ...1 week ago
- Greens join King’s Counsel in calling for Treaty Principles Bill to be abandoned
The Prime Minister must answer the call from a group of senior lawyers of the King’s Counsel to abandon the divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...1 week ago
- Chris Hipkins’ apology statement to state and faith-based care survivors
...1 week ago
- Release: Labour formally apologises to state and faith-based care survivors
Labour joins with the Government in unreservedly apologising for the abuse, neglect and trauma including torture in state and faith-based care and for ignoring the voices of survivors for too long. ...1 week ago
- Green Party stands in support of survivors of abuse in care
Today, the Green Party stands alongside the survivors of abuse in state care and faith-based care as the Government issues an historic apology. ...1 week ago
- Green Party calls for conscience vote on Treaty Principles Bill
The Green Party has written to the Speaker of the House requesting he enable a personal vote on the Treaty Principles Bill. ...1 week ago
- Govt move to exclude journalist risks chilling effect
The Green Party is alarmed by the Government’s move to exclude a journalist from covering this week’s apology for the survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care. ...2 weeks ago
- Without action, an apology will be empty air
For tomorrow’s apology to survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care to hold any water, the Government must not pursue the same policies that drove the abuse in the first place. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Concerns remain over tobacco interference
Concerns about the tobacco industry’s ability to interfere in government policy making remain, despite the inability of the Office of the Auditor-General to investigate the Government’s decision to halve the excise tax on heated tobacco products. ...2 weeks ago
- Urgent wake-up call on climate
The Climate Change Commission’s latest advice indicates Aotearoa needs to be stepping up on climate action. ...2 weeks ago
- Green MP’s Meme-ber’s Bill set to save the world
Break out the punchlines and dust off your meme folder: Green Party MP Kahurangi Carter’s Copyright (Parody and Satire) Amendment Bill was pulled from the Ballot yesterday. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Poroporoaki: Ta Robert (Bom) Gillies
Kua hinga te manawa kairākau o Te Rua Tekau Ma Waru Tiwhatiwha te po! Kakarauru i te po! Ka rapuhia kei hea koe kua riro! Haere e te Ika a Whiro ki o tini hoa kua ngaro atu ki te Pō ...2 weeks ago
- Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori call on the Prime Minister to block the Treaty Principles Bill
The opposition parties stand united for an Aotearoa that honours Te Tiriti, rather than seeking to rewrite it. Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori are working together against the Government’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori call on the Prime Minister to block the Treaty Principle...
The opposition parties stand united for an Aotearoa that honours Te Tiriti, rather than seeking to rewrite it. Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori are working together against the Government’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- NZ must pursue independent foreign policy
The Green Party says the need is greater than ever for Aotearoa New Zealand to pursue an independent foreign policy. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Winston Peters must apologise
The Deputy Prime Minister should apologise to the public servant he named and blamed for something they did not do, and for misusing the rules of Parliament. ...2 weeks ago
- Government action provides Southland farmers more time to meet plan requirements
The Government is taking action to ensure Southland farmers and growers are not affected by unreasonable regional farm plan deadlines, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard say.“Cabinet has agreed to provide more time for farmers and growers to comply with regional rules ...10 hours ago - Bill reaffirms Government’s commitment to crack down on serious youth offending
The Oranga Tamariki (Responding to Serious Youth Offending) Bill had its first reading at Parliament today. The Bill reaffirms the Government’s commitment to crack down on serious youth offending, Minister for Children Karen Chhour says. “In recent years we have seen an unacceptable spike in youth offending. “This Bill makes ...10 hours ago
- Critical milestones for earthquake buildings review
Fairer, more sensible rules about managing earthquake risks are a step closer with the passing of legislation and the appointment of an independent chair to provide expert advice, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The Government is committed to reinvigorating our cities and regions to support economic growth, ...11 hours ago
- State of the art radiology machine for Auckland
People in Northland and Auckland will benefit from a new machine for cancer treatment installed at the Regional Cancer and Blood Service at Auckland City Hospital. The MV5 linear accelerator, or LINAC machine, officially opened today targets cancer tumours with pinpoint accuracy. Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says this new, ...11 hours ago
- Foreign Minister to visit Europe
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Europe for high-level talks with France, Germany and the United Kingdom next week. "Since taking office almost a year ago, the Coalition Government has emphasised the importance we place on New Zealand's traditional and likeminded diplomatic and ...12 hours ago
- First arrests made under gang patch ban
Police have made their first arrests under the new gang patch legislation, with two gang members arrested, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “Just before 11 this morning, Police in Wairoa apprehended a gang member for wearing a patch to the supermarket. He has been arrested and will now face enforcement ...13 hours ago
- Better support for victims of sexual violence
The Government is proposing two major changes to name suppression laws that will put the views of victims of sexual violence first, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “We are committed to restoring law and order and these two proposed changes will help ensure the victims of crime are put at ...14 hours ago
- Government moving forward with Regional Deals
Cabinet has agreed to invite all regions to submit proposals for Regional Deals between central and local government that drive economic growth and deliver the infrastructure our country needs, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop say. Inviting all regions to propose a Regional Deal that boosts ...14 hours ago
- MSA pilot participant update
One of the ten young men selected to participate in the Military-Style Academy Pilot has allegedly reoffended. Children’s Minister Karen Chhour is disappointed but says it would be naïve to think that none of these young men would reoffend. “I’m saddened that this young person has not taken this opportunity ...15 hours ago
- Attendance rates increase, again
Associate Education Minister David Seymour says that school attendance is continuing to rise. In Term 3 of 2024 51.3 per cent of students attended school regularly, an increase of 5.3 percentage points from 46 per cent in Term 3 of 2023. “This Government has prioritised student attendance and it is ...16 hours ago
- Improving the lives of young New Zealanders
Ensuring New Zealand is the best place in the world for children and young people is the vision at the heart of the Government’s new Child and Youth Strategy, Child Poverty Reduction Minister Louise Upston says. “Childhood represents a huge opportunity to set people on a positive path towards living ...19 hours ago
- Government continues work to reinstate livestock exports by sea
The Government is reinstating the trade of livestock exports by sea while ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare, says Associate Minister of Agriculture Andrew Hoggard.“The Government will introduce legislation changes to reinstate the trade, enhance oversight, and strengthen requirements for exporters to identify risks and manage the welfare of ...1 day ago
- Speech to the National Quality Forum 2024
Tēnā koutou katoa – it is a pleasure to be here today. I would like to begin by acknowledging the important leadership role you all play in ensuring a quality health system New Zealanders can trust. There is enormous clinical expertise in this room covering a wide range of disciplines. ...2 days ago
- New Zealand’s COP29 National Statement
Tēnā koutou katoa. Mr President, Excellencies, Delegates. New Zealand, and all nations represented here today, are already dealing with the impacts of climate change. Our households, businesses, and economies are bearing the costs of its effects. The choices we make now will shape the severity of these impacts for generations ...2 days ago
- Latest Quarterly Investment Report released
The Government has released its second Quarterly Investment Report (QIR) which shows substantial work still to be done by agencies to improve investment reporting and meet the Government’s expectations, Infrastructure and Acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “New Zealand has significant infrastructure and investment needs. The Government is determined to get ...2 days ago
- New Zealand supporting loss and damage fund
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced New Zealand will contribute NZ$10 million to the new Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage while at the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. “New Zealand is joining the global effort to address the significant challenge of responding to ...2 days ago
- Gang crackdown begins at stroke of midnight
The free ride for gangs is over when the clock strikes midnight tonight, with tough new laws officially coming into effect, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Police Minister Mark Mitchell say. “Gang patches will no longer be able to be worn in public. To earn the right to wear a ...2 days ago
- LGFA increases borrowing capacity to support high growth councils
The Government is welcoming the decision by the Local Government Funding Agency to increase access to financing tools for fast growing councils to support greater investment in critical infrastructure, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says.“Communities across the country are facing an infrastructure deficit and significant population growth is projected in ...2 days ago
- Temporary Traffic Management costs revealed
The Government has revealed that over the past three years, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has spent an eyewatering $786 million of taxpayers’ money on road cones and temporary traffic management (TTM), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“When I became Minister, I was surprised to learn that that NZTA did ...2 days ago
- Jurisdiction of Disputes Tribunal to double
Legislation that will double the financial jurisdiction of the Disputes Tribunal from $30,000 to $60,000 has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. “We need to improve court timeliness and access to justice so that Kiwis and get on with their lives. Court delays affect everyone, the ...2 days ago
- Protecting New Zealand from foreign interference
Legislation that will specifically criminalise foreign interference and strengthen espionage offences has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “It is normal and appropriate for states to interact and work to influence one another. This encourages cooperation and can have mutually beneficial outcomes. “However, the reality ...2 days ago
- Significant milestone for Canterbury Road of National Significance
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed news that the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board has approved funding towards pre-implementation and early works on the State Highway 1 (SH1) Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass Road of National Significance (RoNS). “Reaching this significant milestone is a reflection of our Government’s ...2 days ago
- Health survey results to help drive change
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says findings from the annual Health Survey highlight the need to continue driving better health outcomes for New Zealanders. The New Zealand Health Survey is an annual snapshot of key metrics measured from July 2023 – July 2024. Findings released this morning include: In 2023/24, ...3 days ago
- Final push needed to get to Smokefree 2025
A renewed effort to get people to quit smoking will build on what has worked to date and target the groups who most need support, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello said today. “The latest New Zealand Health Survey results show the daily smoking rate at 6.9 per cent and we ...3 days ago
- New diplomatic appointments
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced four new diplomatic appointments. “Our diplomats play an important role in ensuring New Zealand’s interests are maintained and enhanced across the world,” Mr Peters says. “It is a pleasure to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign ...3 days ago
- Next steps for Regulatory Standards Bill
Regulation Minister David Seymour has today announced the next steps in the Government’s plan improve the quality of regulation by opening consultation on a proposed Regulatory Standards Bill. “New Zealand's low wages can be blamed on low productivity, and low productivity can be blamed on poor regulation,” says Mr Seymour. ...3 days ago
- Red Tape Tipline goes live
Minister for Regulation David Seymour has today announced that the Ministry for Regulation’s Red Tape Tipline is now live. “We want to hear about your red tape horror stories. From today, New Zealanders will have a say on how they are regulated through an online portal,” says Mr Seymour. The ...3 days ago
- Youth Parliament 2025 announced
The Minister for Youth Matt Doocey has today announced the eleventh Youth Parliament will be taking place in 2025. “Youth Parliament offers a unique youth development opportunity to young people from across New Zealand to experience the political process and learn about how government works,” says Mr Doocey. “The two-day ...3 days ago
- Police stats show promising change
After nearly a year in Government, Kiwis have seen significant change across law and order with promising early results shown across some Police statistics, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “In August 2023, I told New Zealanders that if they had not started to see a change in public safety within ...4 days ago
- Better coordination of anti-scam efforts
With the launch of Fraud Awareness Week, the Government is committing to new coordination efforts across industry and government to combat online scams, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Online financial scams are a growing problem for New Zealand. New data released today shows that Kiwis lost nearly ...4 days ago
- Minister to consider 7AA select committee report
Minister for Children Karen Chhour will consider the recommendations made by the Social Services and Community Committee in its report back to Parliament on the Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill. “I want to thank the people who made submissions and those who appeared before the committee in ...4 days ago
- Defence Minister to attend ASEAN meeting
Defence Minister Judith Collins will this week attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in Vientiane, Laos. “We need to take every opportunity to engage with our international partners, given the increasingly unstable geo-political situation,” Ms Collins says. “New Zealand has a long-standing commitment to this ...4 days ago
- Launching the White Ribbon Ride
The Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, Karen Chhour, was on hand to wish riders well at the start of the North Island leg of the White Ribbon Ride in Whakatāne this morning. The ride helps mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, ...4 days ago
- Construction to begin on next stage of Papakura to Drury
Construction on the next stage of the SH1 Papakura to Drury project will begin early next month, with the contract for works awarded to Fulton Hogan, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. "SH1 Papakura to Drury is a key project that will drive economic growth and productivity, reduce congestion, and enable people ...6 days ago
- NZ signs trade deal with Costa Rica, Iceland and Switzerland
Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has signed a pioneering trade agreement that prioritises New Zealand’s sustainable exports at a ceremony during APEC in Peru today. “The Agreement on Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS), between Costa Rica, Iceland, and Switzerland was concluded in July of this year and opens up significant ...6 days ago
- Government and iwi work together on aquaculture
Five new Aquaculture Settlement Areas will help ensure Ngāi Tahu shares in the opportunities aquaculture offers for Southland’s economy, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. “The Aquaculture Settlement Areas (ASAs) I’m announcing today set aside space so the Crown and Ngāi Tahu can assess their potential for aquaculture development. ...7 days ago
- Government launches review to ensure electricity market is fit-for-purpose
The terms of reference for a review of the performance of the electricity market have been released. The review, initiated by the Coalition Government during the power crisis in winter will look at whether current regulations and market design support economic growth and access to reliable and affordable electricity, Energy Minister ...7 days ago
- Speech to Social Investment Hui: Jack and his whānau need our help
Kia ora koutou katoa. Nau mai, haere mai, piki mai. Ki te mihi atu ahau, ki te manwhenua nei, Te Atiawa, Ngāti toa rangatira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa. Thank you, Andy, for your introduction. Let me acknowledge you as the new Chief Executive of the Social Investment ...7 days ago
- Minister of State for Trade heads to Brisbane for PACER Plus meeting
Minister of State for Trade Nicola Grigg has travelled to Australia to attend the PACER Plus Ministers Meeting in Brisbane. “Trade plays a critical role in driving employment, economic growth, and improving the standards of living in the Pacific Region. The Government is strongly committed to supporting Pacific Island countries ...7 days ago
- Proposals to modernise conservation released
Toitū te taiao – Our environment endures The Government is consulting on proposals to modernise New Zealand’s conservation management system, aiming to protect relevant natural areas while supporting sustainable growth in tourism and regional economies, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. “Today, the Department of Conservation – Te Papa Atawhai is ...7 days ago
- Grattan on Friday: Marles plays a defensive bat on nuclear as the government rushes to get though la...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Richard Marles is an ambitious man who hasn’t given up the dream of one day reaching the top job. But, despite being deputy prime minister, his profile is much lower than that of Treasurer Jim ...3 hours ago - NEW POLL: Kiwis Overwhelmingly Support MPs’ Expenses Transparency Law Change
62% of respondents support the extension of the OIA to cover MPs’ spending, compared to just 13% opposed and 24% were unsure. ...5 hours ago - The House: Meanwhile, a week of passing law
The political week has been packed with worthy distractions, but all week Parliament has focused on passing new laws. Here are the highlights. ...6 hours ago - The biggest difference between Hīkoi mō te Tiriti and past hīkoi: More support from non-Māori
Analysis - The diversity of voices during the hīkoi was noticeable - from tangata moana to young immigrants to elderly Pākehā from the South Island. ...6 hours ago
- The House: Samoan citizenship restoration – ‘It means we belong to this land’
When the bill to restore NZ citizenship to some Samoans passed this week, Parliament's galleries were full to the brim with members of the community. ...7 hours ago
- More Delays In Action On Use Of Puberty Blockers With Children
Women’s Rights Party Co-leader Jill Ovens says the Ministry has put New Zealand children at risk by continuing to allow “off-label” prescribing of puberty blockers at far higher rates than other similar countries. ...8 hours ago
- Police Minister adamant he wasn’t aware of gang members training at gun clubs
That is despite two papers from police that raised the matter with him. ...8 hours ago
- Shorten declares himself ‘a proud moderate’, saying Australians ‘in the middle’ shouldn’t ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Bill Shorten has declared himself “a proud moderate” in a valedictory speech declaring parliament has the responsibility to ensure the extremes of left and right do not set the terms of political debate. Shorten, ...9 hours ago
- New ‘best practice’ principles for superannuation products are coming. We asked a panel of exper...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Matt Garrow, Editorial Web Developer Studio Romantic/Shutterstock We all know how important it is to save enough money for retirement – but what about spending it wisely when we get there? Even for those who have built up a suitable ...9 hours ago
- Government accused of betraying Kiwis’ trust over lack of consultation on live exports
The government has always vowed to reinstate live exports by sea, which was banned by the previous Labour government. ...9 hours ago
- 7 things you can do if you think you sweat too much
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michael Freeman, Associate Professor of Dermatology, Bond University ERIK Miheyeu/Shutterstock Sweating is our body’s way of cooling down, a bit like an internal air conditioner. When our core temperature rises (because it’s hot outside, or you’re exercising), sweat glands all ...9 hours ago
- Phenergan for under 6s is now banned due to hallucination fears. Here’s what to use instead
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nial Wheate, Professor of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Macquarie University Australia’s drug regulator has issued a safety warning over the medicine Phenergan and related products containing the antihistamine drug promethazine. The Therapeutic Goods Administration said the over-the-counter products should not be given to children ...9 hours ago
- A new stage adaptation of Peter Carey’s Jack Maggs is a delightful homage to theatrical storytelli...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Catherine Campbell, Lecturer, Performing Arts, UniSA Creative, University of South Australia Matt Byrne/STCSA Jack Maggs is a delight and a homage to theatrical storytelling in Australia. Based on Peter Carey’s bestselling novel, Jack Maggs follows the ex-convict as he lands ...9 hours ago
- The government has introduced laws for its social media ban. But key details are still missing
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Daniel Angus, Professor of Digital Communication, Director of QUT Digital Media Research Centre, Queensland University of Technology Ron Lach/Pexels The federal government today introduced into parliament legislation for its social media ban for people under 16 years. Communications Minister Michelle ...10 hours ago
- Archives NZ, National Library to cut 27 roles
The Department of Internal Affairs wants to bring the two organisations under the joint leadership of the Chief Archivist and National Librarian. ...10 hours ago
- Gang patch ban: Members warn of potential for violence to ‘erupt’ as new laws enforced
"I can't see this lasting unless they have a budget to lock fullas up in jail which I think is absolutely stupid, really it's ludicrous," Ngavii Pekapo, who set up a Mongrel Mob chapter 54 years ago, says. ...10 hours ago
- ACT leader David Seymour raises doubts about Waikato medical school
Government documents show ACT leader David Seymour told the government he was "dissatisfied" with a cost-benefit analysis. ...10 hours ago
- National’s Erica Stanford allegedly calls Labour’s Jan Tinetti a ‘stupid bitchR...
The Education Minister has apologised in Parliament for her remark. ...10 hours ago
- Labour backs new Police Commissioner – but warns against routine arming
The alternative to policing by consent would be a police state, which New Zealanders don't want, the party says. ...12 hours ago
- Youth on boot camp pilot re-offended five weeks after release
Children's Minister Karen Chhour said while it was disappointing, it would naïve to think none of the participants would lapse. ...12 hours ago
- In photos: People of the hīkoi, and why they marched
Hikoi mō Te Tiriti has come to an end, going down in history as the largest march to Parliament in Aotearoa. ...12 hours ago
- ‘Everything is becoming a culture war’: Jon Ronson on conspiracies and cycleways
Ahead of his appearance in Aotearoa, the acclaimed British journalist, podcaster and documentarian talks to Stewart Sowman-Lund about why people are still fascinated by the fringes. The last place I would expect to find Jon Ronson is relaxing in the countryside. The iconic British journalist and writer is best known ...13 hours ago - Kia kaha Lebanon: NZ media only tell half your story of struggle
The United States has vetoed a UN Security Council ceasefire resolution — for the fourth time — in Israel’s war on Gaza, while Hezbollah demands a complete ceasefire and “protection of Lebanon’s sovereignty” in any deal with Israel. Amid the death and devastation, Joe Hendren reflects on his time in ...13 hours ago
- ‘Deserves a Bafta’: After the Party premieres in the UK to five-star reviews
The acclaimed New Zealand drama has just premiered on TV in the United Kingdom, and the five-star reviews are already flowing in. Six months after it was called a “blistering” “tour de force” by Australian critics, and nearly a year since The Spinoff declared it the best drama New Zealand ...13 hours ago
- Drugs are getting cheaper and easier to find in Aotearoa
New Zealanders are drinking and smoking less, but most other recreational drugs are becoming cheaper, more popular and more available, two new reports show. Two significant new surveys about drugs in Aotearoa were released this week, offering a rare insight into New Zealanders’ choice of substances, which ones are becoming ...14 hours ago
- COP29: ‘climate finance’ for the Pacific is mostly loans, saddling small island nations with mor...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Steven Ratuva, Director, Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies, University of Canterbury Lenora Qereqeretabua, the deputy speaker of Fiji’s Parliament, at the COP29 climate summit. IISD/ENB/Mike Muzurakis, CC BY-SA As this year’s UN climate summit reaches its final stage of negotiations, Pacific ...14 hours ago
- Review: The magic of Wicked and the curse of corporate greed
The new movie musical is undoubtedly a fun watch, but it’s also proof that bigger isn’t always better, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund. Contains minor spoilers for Wicked. There’s no doubt that Wicked is going to be huge. No other pop culture event this year, save from maybe Charli XCX’s Brat, has ...15 hours ago
- Dame Jacinda Ardern to be given United Nations leadership award
She will get the champion for global change award from the United Nations Foundation at a ceremony in New York tomorrow. ...16 hours ago
- NZ will resume live animal exports – to low demand
Analysis: NZ is lifting what was supposed to be a permanent ban on live animal exports. But it’s not the lucrative industry it once was. The post NZ will resume live animal exports – to low demand appeared first on Newsroom. ...16 hours ago - Financial forms of family violence affect one in seven of us – but the law is lagging
There are calls for New Zealand’s Family Violence Act to name economic harm as a standalone type of violence, rather than a subcategory of psychological abuse, to bring it in line with the United Kingdom and Australia. Economic harm – restricting access to, sabotaging or exploiting another person’s financial resources, ...16 hours ago
- Downside Risks To Treasury’s Economic And Fiscal Forecasts
New Zealand is currently running a structural fiscal deficit, with expenditure exceeding revenue. Economic growth falling short of expectations has been making it harder for the Government to bring the books back into balance. ...17 hours ago
- Science continues to exclude Indigenous communities. Fixing this benefits everyone
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jordan Peter Anthony Pitt, Associate Dean of Indigenous Strategy and Services (Faculty of Science), University of Sydney An enduring challenge facing science around the world is how to best include and engage Indigenous communities. In Australia, for example, 0.5% of Indigenous ...18 hours ago
- Why is cricket so popular on the Indian sub-continent?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Vaughan Cruickshank, Senior Lecturer in Health and Physical Education, University of Tasmania Cricket originated in England, but has been spread worldwide by British soldiers and settlers in the past few hundred years. It is now the second most popular sport in ...18 hours ago
- Disinformation and deepfakes played a part in the US election. Australia should expect the same
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Renee Barnes, Associate professor of Journalism, University of the Sunshine Coast Mladen Zivkovic/Shutterstock As America takes stock after Donald Trump’s re-election to the presidency, it’s worth highlighting the AI-generated fake photos, videos and audio shared during the campaign. A slew ...18 hours ago
- Is thunderstorm asthma becoming more common?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kira Morgan Hughes, PhD Candidate in Allergy and Asthma, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University When spring arrives, so do warnings about thunderstorm asthma. But a decade ago, most of us hadn’t heard of it. So where did thunderstorm asthma ...18 hours ago
- Overwhelmed by ever more clothing donations, charities are exporting the problem. Local governments ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yassie Samie, Postdoctoral Researcher in Fashion and Textiles, RMIT University anna.spoka/Shutterstock What happens to your clothes after you don’t want them any more? Chances are, you will donate them to op shops run by a charity organisation. There are more ...18 hours ago
- Friendly fire: a nuclear push by allies at COP29 poses a sticky problem for Albanese
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Quiggin, Professor, School of Economics, The University of Queensland IndustryAndTravel/Shutterstock Prime Minister Anthony Albanese didn’t see this coming. At the global COP29 climate talks in Baku, the Australian government was indirectly criticised by two allies, the United States and the ...18 hours ago
- Nugget Is Dead brings queer love, multiculturalism and Aussie flair to the Christmas movie formula
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Phoebe Hart, Associate Professor, Film Screen & Animation, Queensland University of Technology Julia Firak Stan’s new Christmas film Nugget is Dead is a colourful production that follows the rules of the seasonal genre film to a tee – with an Aussie ...18 hours ago
- Help Me Hera: Should I cut contact with my ex-stepdad?
My parents are finally getting divorced. So why do I feel like my stepdad’s feelings are still my problem? Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nz Dear Hera My parents recently announced their separation. This in itself isn’t a problem. I’ve already gone through this once before in my early childhood, so ...18 hours ago
- New Zealand Drops In Global Ranking On Climate Action
If the government won’t hold polluters to account, then people will. People are increasingly taking to the streets and the courtrooms, putting their bodies on the line to shut down polluting industries. This will only escalate further unless New ...18 hours ago
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Good summary. I can't see any reason for the repeal of that section, especially when there is absolutely no substantive justification for its repeal.
As far as I can see it appears to have been done, at best, by one person supported by her populist party, against the advice of almost everybody actually involved in the awful process of trying to protect an raise children with family issues.
I suspect that this is primarily a donor issue. A shit load of money wound up in the Act coffers to support this change.
It is in the Coalition Agreement between National and ACT:
https://assets.nationbuilder.com/nationalparty/pages/18466/attachments/original/1700778592/National_ACT_Agreement.pdf?1700778592 [pg. 9]
Yeah, but given the preponderance of Maori in child care and the clear evidence that the many previous practices only make the problems worse, why just put a explicit repeal in if they have absolutely no workable plan.
Because they don't beyond some waffle. The only coherent plans across of all three coalition parties are to reduce monitoring of the problems (aka deregulation), boot camps which are always a failure, and charter schools which are usually an expensive failure. None of which address known problems with taking children into care.
The ONLY justification that I can see from Act has been that 7AA upsets some foster parents. Which seems to me to be is probably where Act's financial interest probably comes from, hooked into their Hobson's choice stupidity.
So where is the plan to fix the obvious issues with children who wound up with badly monitored bad fostering causing widespread abuse. Have they read the abuse in care report, or even its summary. The level of systematic abuse from the kinds of care done outside family groups was and almost certainly still is horrendous. In my view it is worse than the abuse inside families. Especially when you look at how it impacts largely on Maori and Polynesian.
Do Act like torturing children? Because I can't see any other reason for repealing 7AA
I agree parliamentary debate should be respectful. It's just hard to swallow coming from an ACT Minister whose party last week complained of racism when a couple of Select Committee members opposed ACT MP Laura Trask leading a subcommittee on Section 7aa, supposedly on the grounds of her being pakeha. Not true of course, as Carmel Sepuloni, who is on the Committee said. Laura Trask is a novice MP, who has now been parachuted in to chair part of a very delicate and controversial policy, which Karen Chhour is responsible for. Don't tell me this isn't about a power grab by ACT and crying in the corridor because she doesn't like the inevitable push back is pathetic. She has power. Power as a Minister, power with a huge salary and staff, power to change lives for the better or the worst. All I can see is the worst part of it.
A few years ago when she was in Opposition, I came across one of the many multitudes of press releases the ACT MPs were required to churn out on a daily basis. Something to do with unemployment (I think she was their welfare spokesperson?)
I decided to email her about it, not expecting a reply at all, but she did reply, and we maintained a very civil correspondence whilst agreeing to disagree. Given I can never get replies from the Greens- the party I vote for- but I got a response from my natural enemy, well she gets credit for that. But not my vote!
Also completely agree with this post.
Bugger Me.
A piece of fluff from Kapa-Kingi and the world has fallen.
But crickets from our main stream press about the deep racism and retrograde nature of Chour's law change and the continuation of negative impacts it will bring.
What a truly fucked up time we live in. When a ugly retrograde piece of legislation can be forced through, because of someones feelings got hurt.
The cultural change in acceptable behavior has shifted this week with the Privileges Committee scolding Genter for honestly being a good hardass.
Chhour complaining is part of the change of what's acceptable.
Same with those limp-wristed fools in the Green Party complaining about the weakest of slights once actual party discipline comes down. So pathetic.
So long as you're not punching people, I expect power to be contested very hard.
Bring back the 'Duck'……………….
Eventually the issue of 7AA comes down to the ineptitude of one Christoper Luxon. It seems that there is little support for the removal of 7AA and yet the top notch Luxon Negotiator was out-shone by a very minor party.
Great summary of the issue thanks Mikysavage.
Great post Micky. This is all Seymour’s fault-he chose the wrong person to front this issue. This is only going to get worse.
If he had any sense he would replace her with himself now, but he is not used to managing a caucus that is in government and he would hate to admit he got this badly wrong.
Far from a piece of fluff, this is punching below the belt.
“If Section 7AA were around in Karen Chhour’s time, she would have been raised Māori, she would have been raised being connected to her whakapapa and having a knowingness of her Māoritanga. Instead, she was raised Pākehā with a disconnection and disdain for her… people."
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/350362931/act-mp-karen-chhour-breaks-down-tears-over-unsafe-workplace
Doesn't mean I am in favour of the repeal of 7A. To sheet these actions to Chhour's door is drawing a long bow.
It was done and dusted for Luxon and crew to get power, as pointed out by Incognito above. (Comment 1.1)
I heard Chhour on RNZ on this subject, she didn't convince me of it's appropriateness but came across as a committed, compassionate human being
I think that Karen Chhour is a driver of this particular repeal rather than merely a party puppet.
She introduced the private member’s Bill on 22 Sep 2022.
It was rejected at the First Reading in Parliament on 23 Jul 2023 with both National and ACT MPs voting in favour.
https://bills.parliament.nz/v/6/3e5bd3e0-b189-4110-b3d8-7e8345384863?Tab=history
I like to think that it was no issue to put it into the Coalition Agreement.
None of this justifies playing the person but even taking out/down the person, if this is even a deliberate strategy by some opponents, won’t change the course of what the coalition is doing.
If I have time, I’ll follow-up with my own perception and assumptions of some of the reasons that might be driving Chhour and also the coalition parties in their war against ToW (as an umbrella term) and the NZ version of Project 2025.
Thanks for expanding on that, it sheds a bit more light on the issue.
She's not as 'pawnish' as I thought.
I would be interested to read yr views as to her motivation.
From where I sit, it seems like trying to lessen a rigid adherence to orthodoxy that has occasionally not served the child well.
Chhour is definitely not a pawn; she's far too smart for that. And I agree with your comment that comes across as committed and compassionate. For some reason opposition parties have chosen to make this particularly personal. (Applause in Parliament as Karen Chhour condemns personal attacks from Te Pāti Māori about her upbringing | Newshub). Willow-Jean Prime called her a 'sell out'. Kelvin Davis said that Chhour needed to 'leave her Pākehā world'. And so on. Debbie Ngarewa-Packer's 'white tears' social media posts last week continued the same theme. These attacks appear to be both patterned and coordinated, and they seem intended to paint her as a 'lesser' Māori.
There may be good reasons to oppose the removal of 7aa, but while Labour and TPM continue to 'punch below the belt', they will fail to make that case.
Chhour is definitely not a pawn; she's far too smart for that.
Can you provide proof? Her take on the legal issues is appallingly bad. So bad no one I know supports it.
For some reason opposition parties have chosen to make this particularly personal … Willow-Jean Prime called her a 'sell out'. Kelvin Davis said that Chhour needed to 'leave her Pākehā world'. And so on.
Have you been around? These criticisms are really tame and Kelvin had the decency to apologise.
There may be good reasons to oppose the removal of 7aa, but while Labour and TPM continue to 'punch below the belt', they will fail to make that case.
Labour is not punching below the belt. How about you respond to the case they have made instead of alleging they have not done so.,
You can start with this – https://www.labour.org.nz/news-release_govt_s_stubbornness_will_harm_m_ori_children
You're implying smart = intelligent. I can't make a jugdgement on her intelligence. However I know people who work or have worked with her, and the word they use to describe her is 'smart'.
"These criticisms are really tame and Kelvin had the decency to apologise."
It's subjective whether they are 'tame'. It is not subjective that they are personal.
"Labour is not punching below the belt."
When Prime called Chhour a 'sell out', she was targeting her race. Davis was doing the same thing. These are low blows, and suggestive of a lack of actual argument.
"You can start with this –"
That doesn't provide any kind of 'case'. It's slogans. A case would be evidence that section 7aa, or it's repeal, actually makes a blind bit of difference. Young children died in the care of family before section 7aa, and they have continued to die after it.
Might have something to do with what’s happening in Parliament these days; leave your conspiracy theories for your SM accounts.
Okay then, make the case for or against instead of being a Chhour and ACT apologist.
"Might have something to do with what’s happening in Parliament these days…
Of course it will have something to do with what's happening in parliament. It's political. It’s an ideological difference, with one side playing the man. Or in this case woman.
"Okay then, make the case for or against instead of being a Chhour and ACT apologist"
What gives you that idea? I've been clear – children died before 7aa and have died since. At the hands of family whose care they should never have been placed in.
Trying to lessen a rigid adherence to orthodoxy. There were definitely instances where Maori children, settled and well attached, were removed from pakeha families, the very sad South Island case of 4 children being the most well known; strongly condemned by Kelvin Davis and Ta Mark Solomon. Seemed the work of over reactive social workers after the condemned removal of the infant in Hastings, staff or directors who did not seem to understand the vital importance of attachment. I do know of 2 other cases, causing heartbreak; I certainly hope this practice is not happening still. Maybe it’s unfortunate that Karen didn't dialogue with the Waitangi Tribunal for better understanding on both sides.
That would be appreciated Incognito. I have been trying to figure it out for some time. My original estimate was that overall theToW case is being conducted in a climate of spite and retaliation for them essentially rocking the Tory boat. Tory… as in right wing conservative Anglo Saxon angst at being challenged by what they generally regard as a inferior race. How Chhour fits into the strategy I don’t know.
"she is no ordinary worker. She is a highly paid politician who is primarily responsible for getting through some really regressive policies." MS
“It no longer feels like I can walk [Parliament’s] corridors without fear….." KC
When the powerful and privileged start playing the victim card, everyone else needs to be on guard.
In Chhour's interview with Tova she got a taste of boot camp culture and didn't like it. I feel a little sorry for her. She's just a puppet of Seymour's psueudo Darwinian philosophy and will be left by him to sink or swim. Real boot camp stuff eh?
I think Chour's desire to remove 7AA stems from cases like Moana. This little girls plight was commented on this site numerous times around the time of the case. I think it was Molly who said she knew of similar cases.
I have always thought Karen came across as vulnerable, which would make sense due to her background. I am not sure how I would describe the attacks on her other to say she is being targeted. And this is having an impact on her.
Having followed the case of Moana, I think it is so important that OT put safety above culture. Sometimes thankfully they are not mutually exclusive. But what happened to Moana is despicable.
On the one hand TPM don't make themselves look professional by making personal attacks (and, possibly) appearing to condone that kind of attitude from others. TPM seem to me to be trying to build support by social influence than professional politics, but I guess the rule book didn't anticipate that so it's not breaking any rules.
But ACT took on the same broad issues as Don Brash did with his Orewa speech, so why the backlash surprises them surprises me.
Like the nerd in the classroom who teases the poor kid with the torn jersey, then runs to the teacher when he gets his nose tweaked.
For decades a central message, albeit tacit perhaps, from the ACT party has been self reliance, standing on your own two feet, no one owes you a living, the realities of life, delivering a 'tough message', a hard message, getting tough, hardening up………I found chours reaction to be so unlike the standard ACT rhetoric and attitude
OK, have stared at this over the course of a week.
Summary: Karen Chhour:. With no education or prospects, was an apparel industry outworker, maybe former checkout operator, did ACT’s “politics” course, and was selected from the intake. Deprived background, emotionally fragile, no conceptual ability, black and white thinking, debating with her would be pointless, shooting her down inhumane. Believes completely that what she is doing is good. Dazzled by where she is standing fronting up this stuff. I do not believe she writes parliamentary bills.
Background: Seems to be about 43. Childhood between foster homes, homeless as an adult, unsure she would survive (tons on Google). No recorded education.
Linked-in says: 2005-10, Countdown ‘customer service’ (sic); 2019 to present, own company Kazzer Services. Listed as “New Zealand-made clothing and property management” – karen-chhour/interests says she owns no property except her own mortgaged home, so presumably home expenses go through.
Clothing – – NBR says act-list-mp-karen-chhour/ “Chhour contracts to clothing companies and sews their clothes, tags and presses them before sending them back ready to be displayed in clothing stores”. It's called outworking, a job frequently done by migrant workers.
ACT protegee: ‘Did a one year course in politics through the party’. Any relation to Seymour’s two-week Atlas MBA?
See ACT’s course (or semester?) my.act.org.nz/sopps “Practical Politics”. October intake is sold out, alarmingly. “Practical politics” – appears to work politics based on how to get power by inventing threats to scare people and demonising the other side. May be Atlas-Network-wide (e.g. nes-g.org/en/last-news/practical-politics-the-first-day. Run by Atlas Network in Georgia (Caucasus, not USA)
More ACT ‘education’ – spotify.com/show/ ‘Politics in Full Sentences’, a series of weekly podcasts “for those who love free markets and free minds”. Four years ago, but you can see the build up. Sinister.
But back to KC – – with what she represents, as ACT's creature, it's horrifically brilliant – a weapon of mass destruction that it would be cruel to oppose. .
Thanks for that reference. It does explain a lot about why Seymour was reasonably effective as an opposition operator, but is now proving to be so useless and under-trained at the process of government. He lacks the well-rounded education required. Probably too arrogant to understand his own lack of breadth.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/07/02/new-zealand-america-moving-trump/
https://admin.atlasnetwork.org/assets/documents/financials/22209874-Atlas-Year-in-Review-2008_1.pdf
Karen Chhour as well. Looks to me like she shouldn’t be anywhere near a ministerial role.