ACT’s dodgy backroom deals?

Written By: - Date published: 3:43 pm, March 5th, 2009 - 63 comments
Categories: act, law and "order" - Tags: , , ,

This is interesting. From the Greens’ Metiria Turei:

Last night on TVNZ7’s political show Backbenches, Rodney Hide commented that ACT had supported the Whanganui [Gang Insignia] Bill to “get Three Strikes through”.

In 2006 Mr Hide was positively sneering at Chester Borrows attempt to ban gang patches. Now it seems ACT has done a backroom deal with National, exchanging the party’s own principles to advance its legislative agenda,” said Mrs Turei.

The Three Strikes Bill has already had its first reading, so one can only assume that when Mr Hide says ‘get Three Strikes through’ he means National will support ACT in passing the Bill into law.

Of course, at this stage any speculation about a quid pro quo on the three strikes bill is just that, but it wouldn’t be the first time we’ve seen ACT, and Rodney Hide in particular, engaging in grubby backroom deals to advance their agenda.

You’ve also got to wonder what National must be thinking if it’s agreed to push through a law that breaches the Bill of Rights Act just so it can tell gang members in Whanganui what they can wear.

Hopefully the media will be asking some questions.

63 comments on “ACT’s dodgy backroom deals? ”

  1. gingercrush 1

    Annette King was trying to push this in the house. I just don’t think her attempts worked very well.

    • Ianmac 1.1

      Today in the House, Michael Cullen donated a supplementary question to Rodney so that he could clarify. Rodney said thankyou very much then used his free question to ask an unrelated question to Min of Corrections.

      • gingercrush 1.1.1

        Yeah that was weird. When Cullen goes, its going to be a huge blow to Labour. And I don’t know if Labour understands how important Mallard is for them now and in the future. Perhaps, they should treat him better than they are currently. It should have worked. Kings questions to Collins, they just didn’t. Which is strange, because I consider King’s ability as a political to be stellar and her ability to deflect questions was extremely good. But so far, since in opposition her performance hasn’t been good.

  2. Quoth the Raven 2

    Hopefully the media will be asking some questions.

    You’re dreaming.

  3. George Darroch 3

    Hopefully the media will be asking some questions.

    Don’t hope, it’s bad for you.

    Proverbs 13:12 – Hope deferred makes the heart sick

  4. Check out what Mulholland thinks of it:

    ACT Shits on Freedom of Expression with other supporters (lindsay, MikeE) sounding off against it.

    • Felix 4.1

      Yep, there’s trouble brewing alright.

      • Pascal's bookie 4.1.1

        Between that and this I’m gonna run out of popcorn.

        • George Darroch 4.1.1.1

          Thank goodness for schadenfreude.Which it appears is the word of the moment. We’re not at war humour levels yet, but give it a matter of time.

          Labour had a terrible record on human rights last time around. You could tell it was bad, because most of the time they had National voting with them to take rights away from ordinary citizens. Now we have Phil “Hardline” Goff steering the ship, we can’t expect any real change or opposition to these laws.

  5. vidiot 5

    No different to the back room deal Winston Peters had with the last government. Do you expect politicians to have principles & honor these days ? Life is all about compromises, I guess this u-turn (flip flop) etc is one of them for Rodney & co.

    • Tane 5.1

      No different to the back room deal Winston Peters had with the last government.

      That’s what I find so hypocritical, after all Rodney’s moralising over the Peters fiasco last year he’s found to be engaging in the same kind of grubby politics himself.

      • EverlastingFire 5.1.1

        Labour supported this at one time, and now they don’t.

        I also found this comment pretty amusing “Ms Turei says ordinary citizens will suffer if the ban goes ahead.” I see losers walking around this gang patches, not ordinary citizens.

        Btw, it’s spelled “Wanganui”

        • Tane 5.1.1.1

          I spell it ‘Whanganui’. And by the way, “EverlastingFire”? wtf? Who calls themselves that?

        • Akldnut 5.1.1.2

          Btw, it’s spelled “Wanganui

          Only to those people who are and have refused to be culterally sensitive for the last 100 or so years.

          WHANGANUI

          Just another righting the wrong

    • MikeE 5.2

      Just because the other side does it, doesn’t make it alright.

      ” * Goebbels was in favor of free speech for views he liked. So was Stalin. If you’re in favor of free speech, then you’re in favor of freedom of speech precisely for views you despise. Otherwise, you’re not in favor of free speech.
      o Noam Chomsky, Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media (1992).”

  6. Edna 6

    IrishBill: Dad, you are banned.

  7. check out the bit when this came out at BB last night. about three quarters of the way through chapter 2 of the episode http://tvnzondemand.co.nz/content/back_benches/ondemand_video_skin?tab=&sb=date-descending&e=back_benches_s2_ep2#ep_back_benches_s2_ep2

    He’s an angry man.

  8. Monty 8

    So when Labour do back room deals (and deny it) then that is fine – Rodney admits dealing and you find your daily Whing.

    Deals are a reality of politics. I am sure there will be many more – including dare I say it deals with Labour. Personally I hope the Nats never deal anything with Labour – just starve them of oxygen for the next 12 years – but reality is that in order to get legislation through deals will be done. In fact when deals aren’t done it is probably a sign the Government is tired and arrogant and then deserves to be tossed out by the people (just like Labour became so arrogant and tired and were well tossed out by the people) –

    That and Mike Williams buggered it all up for labour with his obsession with John Key

  9. monty, so Labour was doing dirty deals but doing dirty deals is ok now but not doing dirty deals is bad because it show’s your’e tired and arrogant, as did the dirty deal allegedly made at the end of laobur’s term with Winston?

    Sounds complicated.

    IrishBill: and they’re done dirt cheap. Sorry couldn’t help myself.

  10. Ianmac 10

    Actually isn’t wheeling and dealing how MMP works?
    And the flow on from a Ban the Patches could be very dangerous. Is it the patch that is harmful or the behaviour of the wearer? The first case before a judge could be interesting.

  11. sweeetdisorder 11

    Was Cullens and Labours ass spanked today!!!! When offered the opportunity by Cullen to explain the imagined ‘backroom deal’, once Anette King actually managed to ask the correct person, Rodney Hide shits on labour and asks a totally different question that goes on to prove how his bill is better and would have saved lives.

    Hon Dr Michael Cullen: I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I inform the House that the Labour Party is prepared to make one of its supplementary questions available to Mr Hide, if he would care to ask a question.

    Hon Rodney Hide: First of all, may I beg the indulgence of the House to thank Michael Cullen for that—

    Mr SPEAKER: The member must ask his question.

    Hon Rodney Hide: Can the Minister confirm that if “three strikes and you’re out’ had been in place, 78 New Zealanders would be alive now rather than their having been killed, which is what happened under the previous Government’s law and order legislation?

    Hon JUDITH COLLINS: Certainly, if those offenders had been incarcerated, then, clearly, those 78 New Zealanders would now be alive.

    • George Darroch 11.1

      Where’s her evidence? Cause there isn’t any that three strikes laws save more lives.

      Collins thinks it’s simple – more people in prison means less crime, cause they’re locked up – as if that was the only consideration, and murderous crime was not a dependent variable of a range of factors affecting criminal activity. Munter. Phil Goff is a munter too.

      This will cost us huge amounts which could be spent on crime prevention and rehabilitation that really does save lives.

      More people will die needlessly, and that is a tragedy.

      • dytap 11.1.1

        Locking the worst of the recidivists up is crime prevention.

      • Mike Collins 11.1.2

        “Where’s her evidence? Cause there isn’t any that three strikes laws save more lives.”

        So what are you saying here? That the scumbags will break out of prison after they’ve committed their third strike, to commit murders?

        Mate I don’t want to break out the crayons for you, but their are more than 77 families of people killed by people who wouldn’t have been, had three strikes law been on the books in the last few decades.

        Won’t save lives my arse.

        • George Darroch 11.1.2.1

          Those who have studied the effect of three strikes laws on violent crime have found no significant positive relationship.

          To quote just one study: “three-strikes in California had no discernible positive or negative effects in terms of crime”

          Is that so hard for you to understand?

          There are some positive papers (particularly from the late 90s), more which state no effect on violent crime and some negative (that various crimes escalated). Hardly a stellar record. When compared to non-3strikes states, US states that used these laws saw no comparative decrease in violent crime. Some did much worse.

          Here’s a tip, if you want to be informed about things, use Google Scholar. It’s free, and not particularly hard to use.

          While ACT’s law is somewhat different, Collins cannot claim with confidence that this law will result in less murders and violent crime. Yes, those in prison cannot commit these crimes while they are there, but to ignore all other factors as Collins does is just idiocy. I expect it from people on the internet to say this stupid shit, but not her… well, come to think of it, yes her.

          • Mike Collins 11.1.2.1.1

            I agree to an extent. Yes there are many factors which make up crime. As a society we can not afford to ignore these. However there are bad eggs out there. We would be safer if they are in prison.

            Just because we take an approach of getting tough on the recidivist threats in our society, it doesn’t follow that we ignore the causes of crime or the progression of crimes in their seriousness.

        • killinginthenameof 11.1.2.2

          By “more than 77 families” do you mean 78 families?

    • Felix 11.2

      Brilliant.

      Hide gets a free question and all he could think of was a question which had already been asked (and answered) only minutes earlier.

      What a waste. What a dick.

  12. sweeetdisorder 12

    Felix

    I think that the opposite is true, Hide gets given a question by labour, and seeks to rub their nose in it. Pretty much flying his colours and showing what ship they are attached to.

    Poor move by labour and one I suspect they will not be in hurry to repeat

    • Felix 12.1

      Of course you think that. You’re a moron.

      • sweeetdisorder 12.1.1

        And you are a fuckwit.

        • Billy 12.1.1.1

          This is great. Like the old days. Felix, make a sex joke about his Mum.

          [lprent: I’m sure that inciting is offensive in my eyes]

          • Felix 12.1.1.1.1

            Ah I remember those days like it were just yesterday. But no, I’m not going near his Mum.

            Which as it happens is the usual response she elicits.

            [lprent: Bad bad boy…..]

  13. Ianmac 13

    sweetdisorder: If some kind person gave you a few dollars to buy a pie because you were broke, and you went off and drank it all, would you:
    a. Think how clever you were to fool the giver
    b. Think what a loser the giver was
    c. Think that you could get away with it again
    d. Think that you yourself was a dishonest cheating louse.

  14. sweeetdisorder 14

    Ianmac

    I assume you are drawing a parable to the events in parliament today.

    Your fable would assume that you know the other person was broke.

    • IrishBill 14.1

      Rodney’s not broke. Just morally bankrupt.

      • Mike Collins 14.1.1

        Is that how you say “I disagree with him”?

        Rodney is one of the most principled people I know.

        • Quoth the Raven 14.1.1.1

          I thought this was about Act throwing its principles out the window. That is if you believe they had any principles to begin with.

          • Mike Collins 14.1.1.1.1

            Wow you guys still really haven’t come to grips with losing the election have you? You are in permanent attack mode but aren’t very good at it.

            Had ACT thrown its toys out of the cot here and stuck to principle, you would be jumping up and down at it as proof positive of a disunited government.

            Instead ACT decided it wanted to get some of its promises in place, and that to do so some horsetrading needed to occur. It’s not rocket science guys but you act as if it is an abomination.

          • Felix 14.1.1.1.2

            But that’s exactly the point, Mike.

            You can either sell out your principles for the sake of pragmatism or sell out the government for the sake of principle – but you can’t do both.

            So far it seems the pragmatic route is being taken, not the principled one.

  15. Ari 15

    Only if they never escape or are paroled, and even a life sentence only lasts 20 years.

  16. Quoth the Raven 16

    Mike – So you admit they haven’t stuck to their principles – so in other words Wodney is unprincipled.

    Act – The conservative party.

    • Mike Collins 16.1

      No Rodney is principled. If you want to read between the lines, read this – he is smart because he was able to achieve something important for ACT voters. That he had to swallow a rat to do so does not make him unprincipled.

      Think of it this way. Your options are:

      a) Do not horsetrade. You don’t get what you wanted but you don’t have to give something up also.

      b) Horsetrade and get a policy win, the benefits of which outweigh the drawbacks of what you had to give up.

      I think anyone in the business of achieving things for their constituency would look at option b as preferable. Indeed many people would view you as unprincipled for not seizing the opportunity when presented. You guys laugh at the Libertarianz for being principled because they won’t achieve anything. Now you are laughing at pragmatism – I think you’re just suffering from losing the election. You know your job is to criticise but you haven’t quite figured out how to do it yet – and there is no consistency to your outbursts.

      BTW – writing Wodney is about as pathetic as writing Klark.

    • Mike Collins 16.2

      Sorry QtR,

      Did respond but in moderation. Think I know why so will repost the substantive part of my comment and hope one of the moderators will fix up the rest when they see I haven’t been outlandish…

      No Rodney is principled. If you want to read between the lines, read this – he is smart because he was able to achieve something important for ACT voters. That he had to swallow a rat to do so does not make him unprincipled.

      Think of it this way. Your options are:

      a) Do not horsetrade. You don’t get what you wanted but you don’t have to give something up also.

      b) Horsetrade and get a policy win, the benefits of which outweigh the drawbacks of what you had to give up.

      I think anyone in the business of achieving things for their constituency would look at option b as preferable. Indeed many people would view you as unprincipled for not seizing the opportunity when presented. You guys laugh at the Libertarianz for being principled because they won’t achieve anything. Now you are laughing at pragmatism – I think you’re just suffering from losing the election. You know your job is to criticise but you haven’t quite figured out how to do it yet – and there is no consistency to your outbursts.

      • Felix 16.2.1

        No, we’re laughing because you’re behaving pragmatically but still talking principles.

        Pass the popcorn please.

        • Mike Collins 16.2.1.1

          Glad you’re enjoying the show. Tell you what – this government stuff is much better than opposition and using laughing as your weapon. At the end of the day it is still our laws getting passed – not yours. Laugh all you like, it’s all you can do 🙂

          • IrishBill 16.2.1.1.1

            And they had the temerity to call the left arrogant. This all bodes well for 2011.

          • Felix 16.2.1.1.2

            1. What we’re talking about here is National’s law being passed, not yours – one which you guys have been very vocal about opposing.

            2. What makes you think I want to pass laws, Mike? I’ll leave that to you authoritarians thanks.

          • Quoth the Raven 16.2.1.1.3

            Quite right. Oughtn’t you be saying repeal laws, Mike?

          • Mike Collins 16.2.1.1.4

            Yep fair call – repeal laws. Plenty of stupid ones there.

          • Pascal's bookie 16.2.1.1.5

            So Mike , seems the only ACT laws getting passed are the gimpy reactionary tory ones. Be honest. ACT’s reason for being is the economic neo liberal stuff.

            You hooked up with the SST ’cause they had a mailing list and a fan base of disgruntled one issue voters that you could buy with a number 5 list spot. Shock horror, the embarrassment ends up in parliament. And here you are defending all this pants.

            Yes there is a liberal argument for strong law enforcement. But not when there are lots of illiberal laws on the books. You”ve got to get rid of those first, otherwise you’re just an authoritarian. Now you’re banning clothing for fuck sake. How’s the drug decriminalisation looking?

            I remember election before last getting a leaflet from Franks, that I wish I hadn’t binned, banging on about how ACT would defend my freedom of religion which he though was being oppressed by civil unions. There was something about gun rights as well. A big issue in Newtown I assure you. Can’t believe he got so badly spanked. Campaign might’ve worked better in Alabama. Just sayin’.

            Of course , that was when ACT was trying to wheedle the hunting-shooting-fishing vote, and the Christians on the QT. They’ve been kicked to the curb now, and you’ve got all these lock’em up and starve ’em peeps. Classy.

            What are going to do in a few years, before anyone has got their third strike yet, and there is a shock horror crime from someone that the SST wants locked up forever?

            Can you assure us that the criteria for a strike won’t be loosened? After all, there will always be a victim the SST can point to and say “They would have been spared if we weren’t so soft”.

            Your SST mates aren’t going to go away mate, and you’ve got them thinking they’re winners. Thanks for that. “Classic Liberal”.

            That’s the deal you’ve made, and what have the Liberals in ACT got out of it?

          • Felix 16.2.1.1.6

            You could start with that bloody ridiculous one that you guys voted for the other day – the one which Heather Roy said was

            …nothing more than a ploy to give the appearance of action – a ploy that will yield no results or benefit to New Zealand society…

            and

            …wrongly-focussed, token-ist and entirely predictable…

            and

            …just more law – we don’t need more laws…

            And then ACT dropped their principles, bent over and voted in favour.

    • George Darroch 16.3

      – the reACTionary party

  17. ak 17

    Here’s a wee suggestion for the Standardistas – every time on these threads that a tory finally admits defeat by resorting to “we won, nyah nyah nyah”, post a wee red flag (a la trademe) after his comment. Maybe colour-coded for “achievement” – “limit met” perhaps, or the “reductio ad masturbatum” badge. (pity burt’s away, he’d be a gold member in no time)

  18. gingercrush 18

    IrishBill – Not really. Many of the left still believe that somehow National stole the election. And still believe that Labour with allies was meant to have a fourth term. Even now the left seem to blind and accuse the media of not performing its job and National undergoing some huge PR exercise. When really its a National Party that hasn’t done too much wrong. Until the left has a hard look at themselves and why they’re in opposition now. Its hard to see why John Key and National won’t get a second term or even a third term.

    The sad thing is. From 1999-2003 Labour did extraordinary while National did really badly. And yet the left itWhat its doself in many ways fell apart with the Alliance going and Labour for some reason refusing to work properly with the Greens. The left could have established themselves as the natural government. But Key has the opportunity and more importantly the ability to prevent that from happening. While, the left scorn the relationship between the Maori party and National. Its the type of relationship Helen Clark could never seem to do with her natural allies such as the Greens and the Alliance. Instead she spurned them and later the Maori party for fake relationships with United Future and New Zealand First.

  19. Ari 19

    IrishBill – Not really. Many of the left still believe that somehow National stole the election.

    Do they actually believe that, or were they venting? And if so, how are you going to prove it? Take a poll?

    I would have preferred Labour had a fourth term, but I don’t think anyone was robbed, and I don’t know anyone who does.

    Its the type of relationship Helen Clark could never seem to do with her natural allies such as the Greens and the Alliance. Instead she spurned them and later the Maori party for fake relationships with United Future and New Zealand First.

    Good luck making it last- National is increasingly looking like it believes that the centre ground is for getting into government, (and that it doesn’t matter once the coalition ink is dry) and seems to have no problem embarrassing the Maori Party by making them unnecessarily vote for its tax cuts that hurt the majority of Maori.

    I’ve been one of those consistently saying that Labour wasn’t “entitled” to the support of the Maori Party, (And likewise for the Greens) but I still can’t see how you’d argue that National’s relationship with the Maori Party is anything to be envious about. Getting someone onside with your coalition is easy- it’s keeping them there after the election and not losing votes for “your side” in the next one that’s the hard part, where Labour actually has a track record to some decree and National does not.

  20. mike 20

    “Backroom deal” the term is so synonymous with labour it’s not funny.

    I agree ginga – labour are in real trouble in the house when Cullen goes

  21. gingercrush 21

    Ari – Because Tax is an issue of confidence and supply. Both National and the Maori Party felt they needed to sign a confidence and supply agreement even though they could have had a different agreement. But because the Maori party signed such an agreement they had to support the legislation.

    mike – They still have Trevor Mallard. Who while a prick, certainly has great ability in the house. The only thing is Labour didn’t wish for him to return to the front bench. Indeed, one almost wonders why Mallard remains in the party.

    • Felix 21.1

      Because Tax is an issue of confidence and supply.

      I don’t think you know what c & s means.

  22. Ianmac 22

    For the sake of all of us I hope Nact+MP do a good job of governing.
    At the same time I hope that they stuff up in a very public way.
    Left brain. Right brain. No brain. Contradictory and confused am I. 🙂

  23. brick 23

    “Left brain. Right brain. No brain.”

    I know a dodgy doctor who can give you a real cheap lobotomy Ian.

  24. Akldnut 24

    Just hope the lobotomy’s not going to be funded by ACC cause if the doctor screws up and leaves you with some brains you won’t be able to put in a medical misadventure claim.

  25. randal 25

    act is supposed to be the party of the civil society
    well why dont they do something about the uncivil noise blight being perpetrated on new zealanders by petulant snotty ignorant boy wacers and their noisy uncivil cars or is that just too much for wodney and wodger to compwehend

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    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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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 ...
    3 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 ...
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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 ...
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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 ...
    5 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
    5 days ago
  • Old habits
    Media awareness about global warming and climate change has grown fairly steadily since 2004. My impression is that journalists today tend to possess a higher climate literacy than before. This increasing awareness and improved knowledge is encouraging, but there are also some common interpretations which could be more nuanced. ...
    Real ClimateBy rasmus
    5 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
    5 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
    5 days 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
    5 days 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 ...
    6 days 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 ...
    6 days ago
  • Always Be Campaigning
    The big screen is a great place to lay out the ways of the salesman. He comes ready-made for Panto, ripe for lampooning.This is not to disparage that life. I have known many good people of that kind. But there is a type, brazen as all get out. The camera ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • STEPHEN FRANKS: Press seek to publicly shame doctor – we must push back
    The following is a message sent yesterday from lawyer Stephen Franks on behalf of the Free Speech Union. I don’t like to interrupt first thing Monday morning, but we’ve just become aware of a case where we think immediate and overwhelming attention could help turn the tide. It involves someone ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Competing on cruelty
    The right-wing message calendar is clearly reading "cruelty" today, because both National and NZ First have released beneficiary-bashing policies. National is promising a "traffic light" system to police and kick beneficiaries, which will no doubt be accompanied by arbitrary internal targets to classify people as "orange" or "red" to keep ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • Further funding for Pharmac (forgotten in the Budget?) looks like a $1bn appeal from a PM in need of...
    Buzz from the Beehive One Labour plan  – for 3000 more public homes by 2025 – is the most recent to be posted on the government’s official website. Another – a prime ministerial promise of more funding for Pharmac – has been released as a Labour Party press statement. Who ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: The Vested interests shaping National Party policies
    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 might arise. One of the key individuals of ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    6 days ago
  • Labour may be on way out of power and NZ First back in – but will Peters go into coalition with Na...
    Voters  are deserting Labour in droves, despite Chris  Hipkins’  valiant  rearguard  action.  So  where  are they  heading?  Clearly  not all of them are going to vote National, which concedes that  the  outcome  will be “close”. To the Right of National, the ACT party just a  few weeks  ago  was ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    6 days ago
  • GRAHAM ADAMS: Will the racists please stand up?
    Accusations of racism by journalists and MPs are being called out. Graham Adams writes –    With the election less than three weeks away, what co-governance means in practice — including in water management, education, planning law and local government — remains largely obscure. Which is hardly ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on whether Winston Peters can be a moderating influence
    As the centre-right has (finally!) been subjected to media interrogation, the polls are indicating that some voters may be starting to have second thoughts about the wisdom of giving National and ACT the power to govern alone. That’s why yesterday’s Newshub/Reid Research poll had the National/ACT combo dropping to 60 ...
    6 days ago
  • Tuesday’s Chorus: RBNZ set to rain on National's victory parade
    ANZ has increased its forecast for house inflation later this year on signs of growing momentum in the market ahead of the election. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: National has campaigned against the Labour Government’s record on inflation and mortgage rates, but there’s now a growing chance the Reserve ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • After a Pittsburgh coal processing plant closed, ER visits plummeted
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Katie Myers. This story was originally published by Grist and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. Pittsburgh, in its founding, was blessed and cursed with two abundant natural resources: free-flowing rivers and a nearby coal seam. ...
    6 days ago
  • September-23 AT Board Meeting
    Today the AT board meet again and once again I’ve taken a look at what’s on the agenda to find the most interesting items. Closed Agenda Interestingly when I first looked at the agendas this paper was there but at the time of writing this post it had been ...
    6 days ago
  • Electorate Watch: West Coast-Tasman
    Continuing my series on interesting electorates, today it’s West Coast-Tasman.A long thin electorate running down the northern half of the west coast of the South Island. Think sand flies, beautiful landscapes, lots of rain, Pike River, alternative lifestylers, whitebaiting, and the spiritual home of the Labour Party. A brief word ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • Big money brings Winston back
    National leader Christopher Luxon yesterday morning conceded it and last night’s Newshub poll confirmed it; Winston Peters and NZ First are not only back but highly likely to be part of the next government. It is a remarkable comeback for a party that was tossed out of Parliament in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago
  • 20 days until Election Day, 7 until early voting begins… but what changes will we really see here?
    As this blogger, alongside many others, has already posited in another forum: we all know the National Party’s “budget” (meaning this concept of even adding up numbers properly is doing a lot of heavy, heavy lifting right now) is utter and complete bunk (read hung, drawn and quartered and ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    7 days ago
  • A night out
    Everyone was asking, Are you nervous? and my response was various forms of God, yes.I've written more speeches than I can count; not much surprises me when the speaker gets to their feet and the room goes quiet.But a play? Never.YOU CAME! THANK YOU! Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 days ago
  • A pallid shade of Green III
    Clearly Labour's focus groups are telling it that it needs to pay more attention to climate change - because hot on the heels of their weaksauce energy efficiency pilot programme and not-great-but-better-than-nothing solar grants, they've released a full climate manifesto. Unfortunately, the core policies in it - a second Emissions ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    7 days ago
  • A coalition of racism, cruelty, and chaos
    Today's big political news is that after months of wibbling, National's Chris Luxon has finally confirmed that he is willing to work with Winston Peters to become Prime Minister. Which is expected, but I guess it tells us something about which way the polls are going. Which raises the question: ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    7 days ago
  • More migrant workers should help generate the tax income needed to provide benefits for job seekers
    Buzz from the Beehive Under something described as a “rebalance” of its immigration rules, the Government has adopted four of five recommendations made in an independent review released in July, The fifth, which called on the government to specify criteria for out-of-hours compliance visits similar to those used during ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days ago
  • Letter To Luxon.
    Some of you might know Gerard Otto (G), and his G News platform. This morning he wrote a letter to Christopher Luxon which I particularly enjoyed, and with his agreement I’m sharing it with you in this guest newsletter.If you’d like to make a contribution to support Gerard’s work you ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago
  • LINDSAY MITCHELL: Alarming trend in benefit numbers
    Lindsay Mitchell writes –  While there will not be another quarterly release of benefit numbers prior to the election, limited weekly reporting continues and is showing an alarming trend. Because there is a seasonal component to benefit number fluctuations it is crucial to compare like with like. In ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 week ago
  • BRIAN EASTON: Has there been external structural change?
    A close analysis of the Treasury assessment of the Medium Term in its PREFU 2023 suggests the economy may be entering a new phase.   Brian Easton writes –  Last week I explained that the forecasts in the just published Treasury Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update (PREFU 2023) was ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 week 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
    18 hours 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
    1 day 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
    4 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
    4 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
    5 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
    6 days 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
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