ACT’s voodoo economics

Written By: mickysavage - Date published: 6:18 pm, August 3rd, 2014 - 53 comments
Categories: act, business, capitalism - Tags: jamie whyte

Not satisfied with playing the Maori bashing card and appealing to some people’s inherent racism ACT has released a further policy that will appeal to the right’s greed.

ACT has announced its policy on corporate tax and, surprise surprise, it wants to reduce it.

Great things are promised. By reducing the share that the wealthy contribute to the collective good apparently we will all be better off. According to Whyte European and American studies suggest cutting the rate by 10 percentage points will make economies grow by between 1 and 2 per cent extra a year, and each 1 per cent reduction in the rate will boost wages by between 0.3 and 0.5 per cent.

Huzzah!

Unfortunately for the poor this approach to economics does not apply to everyone. According to ACT and National paying poor people a living wage costs jobs but letting rich people keep more of the money helps us all.

The cuts are dramatic. The corporate tax rate would decrease from 0.28c in the dollar to 0.125c. My quick calculation is that this will reduce the tax take by about $5.5 billion. But ACT would have us believe that it will all be worth it.

From Stuff:

ACT says it can boost economic growth by a third with a policy to cut the company tax rate to 12.5 per cent.

Leader Jamie Whyte says this will increase investment, and job and GDP by one third, leading to higher wages.

He would fund the tax cut by slashing “corporate welfare,” worth about $1.5bn a year, and carbon trading, worth $164m.

If my figures are right there would still be a further $3.8 billion to find.

Of course the big issue is what does National think of this? National has been very careful to not announce policy so far. All that we know is that they will spend $360 million on improving top end pay for some teachers and $212 million on a roading boondoggle. You would normally think that they would not allow the rump of a far right party to force through doctrinaire right wing policy but it has happened before.

Update: ACT candidate Stephen Berry has provided me with some more details of the policy.

The cut in the first year will be to 20% at a cost of $3 billion.
The initial shortfall will be funded by further asset sales.
The 12.5% rate will not be reached until 2020 and they presume that the enhanced growth rate will fund this.

Still does not add up …

53 comments on “ACT’s voodoo economics ”

Comments are now closed

Sacha 1

3 August 2014 at 6:31 pm

Act are narcissitic nutjobs.
Let’s leave talking about them for the 1% who benefit from their lunacy.
Tamati 2

3 August 2014 at 6:34 pm

Ironic that you have tax dodger Penny Bright in the photo!
- mickysavage 2.1
  
  3 August 2014 at 6:58 pm
  
  He I did not think of that! Although she is a rates dodger rather than a tax dodger …
  - Clemgeopin 2.1.1
    
    3 August 2014 at 7:19 pm
    
    Huh? How does one do rates dodge?
    - karol 2.1.1.1
      
      3 August 2014 at 7:45 pm
      
      With a lot of hassle.
- lprent 2.2
  
  3 August 2014 at 7:44 pm
  
  Too subtle for you?
  - adam 2.2.1
    
    5 August 2014 at 12:35 am
    
    Iprent you know international law better than me – would not this new a.c.t policy make us a tax haven of sorts then? And, as such, is that not contrary to current treaty commitments?
CC 3

3 August 2014 at 7:14 pm

Isn’t this the sort of policy that did such magical things for the economy of Ireland that some financial genius by the name of Key rorted for a finance firm that went belly-up? Also, aren’t the Irish taxpayers still paying the debts they didn’t incur for this brilliant piece of economic theory? Perhaps someone with a superior and more detailed knowledge can fill in the blanks.
Clemgeopin 4

3 August 2014 at 7:17 pm

ACT’s economic maths is as bad as their selfish principles.

The 1% ACT is putting on a small stupid act.
ACT’s, master NATIONAL is putting on a bigger act!

Vote the ACT fellow in Epsom=Get National and ACT=Self inflicted wound into our Nation.

If I was there, I would watch which of the other candidates, Michael Wood (Lab),
Paul Goldsmith (Nat), Julie Anne Gentre (Greens) or any other non ACT candidate is leading, and would give my electorate vote to THAT particular candidate. I suspect that would most likely be Goldsmith, the cunning reluctant very silent bride!

Vote the National man, GOLDMITH in Epsom=Kick ACT and National out of Government! How cool is that!

I think Whyte needs about three years of rest and uncontaminated quality time using his brain and conscience to carefully do some serious philosophical thinking about basic human needs and values.
dave 5

3 August 2014 at 7:41 pm

Michael Wood is far the best candate but we need to electrate vote gold smith to get rid of national
- Gosman 5.1
  
  4 August 2014 at 8:49 am
  
  If Michael Wood is by far the best candidate why don’t people just vote for him?
  - Clemgeopin 5.1.1
    
    4 August 2014 at 9:50 am
    
    They will, if he has a good chance of winning. But when the enemy is indulging in dodgy shady stuff, people think smart and try to defeat such nefarious tactics. I am sure Key and Goldsmith will appreciate that.
    - Gosman 5.1.1.1
      
      4 August 2014 at 1:39 pm
      
      Are you implying that Michael Wood is unable to convince enough National party supporters to vote for him?
      - Clemgeopin 5.1.1.1.1
        
        4 August 2014 at 1:56 pm
        
        Will be very hard to do because lots of loyal Epsom National party supporters seem to be as obdurate as donkeys because even their own head hash honcho Key himself can’t even persuade them to vote for some low level ACT upstart anymore!
        
        Besides, Key has said that he himself will be voting for Goldsmith in Epsom! There you go!
BLiP 6

3 August 2014 at 7:58 pm

‘

Given that ACT is a subsidiary of National Ltd™ I can’t see how the latter is escaping from any fall out from this sort of ‘dog-whistling’. Regardless of what John Key says in public about how atrocious ACT’s Maori bashing and randian economics is, National Ltd™ is still prepared to publicly twerk its way around MMP in order to accomodate such ideology. As my ole mum used to say, you can judge the character of a person by the company they keep.

Steve Braunias nails it in his “ Secret Diary of Jamie Whyte . . .

. . . [ ] . . “Well,” I [Whyte] said, “that got them talking!” He said, “I want you to know I really appreciate the perception it gives that ACT is extreme, and National is moderate.”

“Please don’t slap my head,” I said.

“I was just giving it a pat,” He said.

The tea arrived. I said, “Shall we do welfare bashing next week? You hum it, and I’ll sing it!”

He put the cups on their saucers, and passed the sugar. I said, “I wonder if it’s stopped raining.”

He said, “Don’t open the curtains! Someone might see us.”

He poured the tea.
- Gosman 6.1
  
  4 August 2014 at 8:52 am
  
  Funnily enough Act is going to release a new policy on welfare reform shortly.
  - tricledrown 6.1.1
    
    4 August 2014 at 9:27 am
    
    goose welfare reform is ACT speak for CUTS $1.5 billion in cuts to welfare from the poorest to give to the richist, it will be regurgitated not new with Richard Pebble brain at the helm it will be old mutton dressed up as lamb.
    with a another sexual pervert Whyte racist supremacist nut job in charge.
    All the the company tax cuts we have had since the 1980s haven’t changed the unemployment figures yet.Its just a right wing con job!
    - Gosman 6.1.1.1
      
      4 August 2014 at 9:37 am
      
      What a bizarre little rant.
  - Clemgeopin 6.1.2
    
    4 August 2014 at 9:54 am
    
    How nice! I will be looking forward to it. So will all the rich pricks, I am sure!
  - Weepus beard 6.1.3
    
    4 August 2014 at 10:22 am
    
    The reform being to abolish welfare completely?
    - vto 6.1.3.1
      
      4 August 2014 at 10:36 am
      
      Probably mr beard. These loonies on the far right for some reason think humans are solitary animals ……..
      
      cant see the evidence for it myself…
      
      every time I look humans seem to love being together and acting as a group…..
    - Tracey 6.1.3.2
      
      4 August 2014 at 3:39 pm
      
      That is not new
      - Weepus beard 6.1.3.2.1
        
        4 August 2014 at 3:49 pm
        
        It’s unbelievable that someone could come along and make fair minded Kiwis take another look at Colin Craig and think he’s not that bad, but Jamie Whyte has done it.
Draco T Bastard 7

3 August 2014 at 8:19 pm

The cuts are dramatic. The corporate tax rate would decrease from 0.28c in the dollar to 0.125c. My quick calculation is that this will reduce the tax take by about $5.5 billion. But ACT would have us believe that it will all be worth it.

The idiots have been saying that sort of bollocks since the 19th century and it has never been as they say. Instead, countries end up going into even more debt to the rich and the banks to cover the deficit that they caused by cutting taxes. Then they demand that we cut services to live within our means while demanding that we make even bigger cuts to the taxes on the rich even more. Oh, and that we should sell our assets to the rich as well.

The only place that Acts policies, that National really like as well, are going to take us is back to feudalism with a few people owning everything and everyone else living only at the pleasure of those owners.
- Gosman 7.1
  
  4 August 2014 at 1:42 pm
  
  Yet the size of government as a percentage of GDP has not really changed dramatically over the past few decades. In short government is still receiving and spending the same proportion of the economic wealth of the nation.
Dialey 8

3 August 2014 at 8:23 pm

Economics: An ancient form of mysticism not unlike Astrology, Voodoo, and Crystal Ball Gazing and having approximately the same predictive ability. John Maynard Keynes, perhaps the most celebrated economist in history, once said that “if all the economists of the world were laid end to end, they would not reach a conclusion.”

“The modern conservative is engaged in one of man’s oldest exercises in moral philosophy: that is the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.” – John Kenneth Galbraith

“…free enterprise, a term that refers, in practice, to a system of public subsidy and private profit, with massive government intervention in the economy to maintain a welfare state for the rich.” – Noam Chomsky

For other pithy definitions go to: http://www.skeptic.ca/Curmudgeon_Business.htm
joe90 9

3 August 2014 at 8:46 pm

Same old Laffer claptrap.

http://www.vox.com/2014/7/8/5868717/sam-brownback-kansas-tax-cut

http://www.itep.org/debunkinglaffer/

Conclusion
Whether looking at income levels, unemployment rates, or economic
output per person, states with “high rate” income taxes have economies
that equal or surpass those in states lacking an income tax. The
most commonly cited analysis purporting to show the opposite

http://www.itepnet.org/pdf/junkeconomics.pdf
- joe90 9.1
  
  3 August 2014 at 9:00 pm
  
  This too – Kansas: Libertarian, Supply-Side Economics FAIL
  
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMq_92ky0M8
Jim in Tokyo 10

3 August 2014 at 10:27 pm

From the Herald story announcing the policy:

“In 1999, GDP per person was 25% higher in Australia than in New Zealand. Today it is 65% higher. No single measure could do more to promote the economic welfare of New Zealanders than cutting the company tax rate.”

Last time I looked, the corporate tax rate in Australia was still 30%, and has been for a decade?

It takes a specific kind of voodoo economist to deliver those lines in one breath without specific reference to Australia’s actual tax structure.

How does Whyte manage to pass himself as an academic philosopher? The chump should have failed logic 101.
- One Anonymous Bloke 10.1
  
  4 August 2014 at 7:43 am
  
  To pass as a philosopher he had to move to New Zealand and hope we wouldn’t notice he was lying about his credentials.
- Tracey 10.2
  
  4 August 2014 at 3:41 pm
  
  Gosman will be along to correct whytes wrong headed thinking.
  - Jim in Tokyo 10.2.1
    
    4 August 2014 at 3:59 pm
    
    I’ve had a go at fixing up the flawed logic:
    
    “In 1999, GDP per person was 25% higher in Australia than in New Zealand. Today it is 65% higher. No single measure will close this gap completely, but a good start towards promoting the economic welfare of New Zealanders would be to raise the company tax rate to 30c in line with Australia and adopt a more steeply progressive individual tax curve by copying Australia’s generous $18,200 tax-free threshold and 45c top tax rate”
Clemgeopin 11

3 August 2014 at 11:00 pm

Along with all the other extremist ACT policies, today’s policy is another one that does not add up! I wonder if the Epsom voters are smart enough to think through all this, including who to vote for when they are so spoiled for choice with lots of cats and some dogs, some rich pricks and ordinary folk as their electorate candidates, some with strong coat tails, some with long legs and huge ear rings, and some with the smell of an oily rag. I am glad that Key and Harre are voting for Goldsmith!

Here is a special dedication to EPSOM. Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfNl0uEPU1M
RedbaronCV 12

4 August 2014 at 8:02 am

And the main benenficiary of this rate is overseas owners who take the profits offshore.
Locally owned companies eventually , to get the money out, wind up paying tax at individual or trust rates.
Overseas owned compnaies just send a minimally taxed dividend offshore.
- Draco T Bastard 12.1
  
  4 August 2014 at 9:44 am
  
  Dividends needs to be taxed the same as personal income. If that means that foreign shareholders in NZ companies have an IRD number so that they can be taxed correctly then so be it.
tricledrown 13

4 August 2014 at 9:58 am

Gooseman where is ACTs Whytes evidence (its non existant Goosy provide the evidence instead of regurgitating the pure voodoo BS because you can’t read and study economics you can only read the ACT propaganda headlines) because of all the economic studies I have read and that is 20 or 30 times more than Richard Pebble brain Jamie Whyte and your self combined their is absolutely no peer reviewed evidence that backs ACT bullshit economics quite the reverse GOOSEMAN.
States of the United States that have low taxes have the highest unemployment highest rates of poverty lowest economic growth poorest infrstucture, while States of the United States that have high taxes have the lowest unemployment lowest rates of poverty and highest economic growth.
The higher Taxed States can afford to invest in education , research and development , quality infrastructure, while low tax states which leave it to the free market to invest wisely with their taxes they don’t pay fail to see the long term benefits of research and development no or crumbling infrastructure (IE 70,000 bridges need replacing) and cheap education etc .
You end up with the Lada economy cheap and nasty if you want your economy to grow you have to invest heavily companies are risk averse and pay dividends for short term gain so over the long term dividends decline the business fails to adapt because it is purely focused on profits!
While govts that invest in good research infrastructure and education capability help take the risk fear away from companies !
- Gosman 13.1
  
  4 August 2014 at 1:48 pm
  
  Here’s an interesting recent study on countries in Eastern Europe and their recent growth and what drives it.
  
  http://www.google.com/url?url=http://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/McKinsey/dotcom/Insights/Economic%2520Studies/A%2520new%2520dawn%2520-%2520Reigniting%2520growth%2520in%2520Central%2520and%2520Eastern%2520Europe/MGI_CEE_A_new_dawn_Full_report_Dec_2013.ashx&rct=j&frm=1&q=&esrc=s&sa=U&ei=euXeU6KiJ4nZoATBrIDICw&ved=0CDoQFjAG&usg=AFQjCNHAnyyPNi5GFwXBJMwWU0xI7mtNDA
- Gosman 13.2
  
  4 August 2014 at 1:58 pm
  
  Here’s another article on various taxes inpact on economic growth.
  
  http://www.dbresearch.com/PROD/DBR_INTERNET_EN-PROD/PROD0000000000295266/The+impact+of+tax+systems+on+economic+growth+in+Europe%3A+An+overview.pdf
  - tricledrown 13.2.1
    
    4 August 2014 at 11:38 pm
    
    what about the huge subsidies these countries get from the EU idiot no mention their goose cherry picking facts goose.
    - tricledrown 13.2.1.1
      
      4 August 2014 at 11:48 pm
      
      not mention goose workers are leaving eastern European states in droves to work in western European states under mining wages in these countries.
      Race to the bottom economics.
      Ireland had the same situation 35 years ago with huge subsidies they were able to cut taxes and undercut everyone else until the bubble burst and now western European countries are subsidizing eastern European countries at the expense of their own economies!
      free Market .
      goosy their is no free market its an utopic illusion fostered by Koch heads
  - tricledrown 13.2.2
    
    5 August 2014 at 12:12 am
    
    Gooseman how much economic growth in Eastern Europe 1.4% is is expected this year but the Eastern European economies are expected to go back into recession after being in recession for the previous 7 Quarters.
Cancerman 14

4 August 2014 at 10:12 am

Mickey you need to put a $ in front of those tax rates or remove the decimal place. It’s incorrect otherwise and arguably misleading.
- mickysavage 14.1
  
  4 August 2014 at 10:22 am
  
  I thought it was clear but I have amended.
Th 15

4 August 2014 at 12:39 pm

” ACT says it can boost economic growth by a third with a policy to cut the company tax rate to 12.5 per cent. Leader Jamie Whyte says this will increase investment, and job and GDP by one third, leading to higher wages………………………………………..Company tax is a “terrible drag” on growth and wages while raising “relatively little” revenue, he argued. ”

So how does the tax be a “terrible drag” when raising “relatively little” revenue?

I would think that a tax that was a “terrible drag” would mess with investment decisions due to the massive transfer of funds from company coffers to the Inland Revenue coffers.

Wouldnt it?
Gareth 16

4 August 2014 at 12:48 pm

If his asserted benefits were actually true, then surely we should abolish the company tax rate altogether. Then we’d achieve a living wage without needing any other legislation to mandate it and our economic growth rate would be through the roof.

I wish he’d explain what’s stopping him from realising the greatest gains for ordinary NZers and advocate half measures instead.
- Gareth 16.1
  
  4 August 2014 at 12:52 pm
  
  Can someone tell me if there’s a way to put a /sarc tag with brackets on my comment? HTML disappears anything I put in pointy brackets.
  - lprent 16.1.1
    
    4 August 2014 at 2:54 pm
    
    There is a cleaner on all comments that disappears anything that it disapproves of. Tell me what you want and I’ll add it if I approve of it…
    
    Ideally tell me a smiley image and I’ll add one of those.
    - Gareth 16.1.1.1
      
      5 August 2014 at 7:58 am
      
      I was trying for this: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=%3C%2Fsarcasm%3E
      
      If you can show me a sarcastic smiley, I’m happy to use that instead.
Tracey 17

4 August 2014 at 3:42 pm

what assets will they sell?
- Gosman 17.1
  
  4 August 2014 at 3:56 pm
  
  Some or all of the billions of dollars of commercial assets that the State has a controlling interest in.
  - tricledrown 17.1.1
    
    5 August 2014 at 9:35 am
    
    Goosy no reply to declining static growth in Eastern Europe

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Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
3 days ago

National commit to fund a mental approach to birth control.
Are women the new Māori?Since Christopher Luxon has been leader National have shown they’re prepared to throw Māori under a bus. Be it not wanting them to have a seat at the table on water management, referring to the Treaty as a “little experiment”, or the monocultural candidate selection polices ...
Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
3 days ago

Verrall enthuses about the beneficial effects of tax breaks while O’Connor muses on a fertiliser t...
Buzz from the Beehive An email from Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta had yet to be posted on the government’s official website, when Point of Order made its morning check on our ministers and what they are (officially) up to. She was providing us with an account – a ...
Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
3 days ago

THOMAS CRANMER: Minister awaits review into DOC funding hole
Multiple reviews are examining options to address a $25M to $40M funding hole in its operating budget and a reported $300M, 70,000 hour maintenance backlog for huts, tracks and visitor assets. Thomas Cranmer writes – Following Friday’s revelation that Budget 2023 has left the Department of Conservation ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
3 days ago

Brighter signs from economy pre-election
Property values fell a further 0.7% in May from April across Aotearoa, but Core Logic sees evidence in the data “the current downturn is winding up.” Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: There are fresh signs this morning the housing market-with-bits-tacked-on economy is brightening up going into winter, and just ...
The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
4 days ago

NZ Politics Daily: 1 June 2023
FOREIGN AFFAIRS, SPY AGENCIES Thomas Manch (Post): New Zealand’s search for security as a new era of great-power competition arrives(paywalled) Thomas Manch (Post): Defence Minister Andrew Little to meet Chinese Defence Minister Li Shangfu in Singapore Alexander Gillespie (North & South): The Awkwardness of AUKUS (preview) Christine Rovoi (Stuff): Pacific takes ...
Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
4 days ago

The future of the Medium Density Residential Standards
This is a cross post by Malcom McCracken at Better things are possible. It was from between when National signalled their change in housing policy but before they announced it but highlights why the Medium Density Residential Standards are important. Yesterday, the leader of the National Party, Christopher Luxon, ...
Greater AucklandBy Matt L
4 days ago

Evaluation of GCM simulations with a regional focus.
Do the global climate models (GCMs) we use for describing future climate change really capture the change and variations in the region that we want to study? There are widely used tools for evaluating global climate models, such as the ESMValTool, but they don’t provide the answers that I ...
Real ClimateBy rasmus
4 days ago

Climate Adam: We're NOT about to pass the 1.5 degree climate change limit
This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Adam Levy. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). The world is getting hotter and the headlines are scary. So does climate change mean the world is about to pass ...
Skeptical Science
4 days ago

Climate Change: He waka eke noa is dead, hurrah!
Politik (paywalled) reports that He waka eke noa, the farmers' scam to have the rest of us subsidise their emissions forever, so they can keep on destroying the planet, is dead: Reality appears to be about to shatter Jacinda Ardern's dream that New Zealand could lead the world in ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
4 days ago

Mātauranga Māori will propel Pāpāmoa school kids’ science learning (in te reo) and give lift-o...
Buzz from the Beehive Two ministerial press statements today draw attention to the Government’s incorporation of mātauranga Māori in its science policies and programmes. One of these announced the launch of the national space policy, which will oblige our space boffins to bring indigenous knowledge into their considerations. The ...
Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
4 days ago

The Stations of the Chris
The Stations of the Cross, as all of us know from our devout and Godly ways, is a series of fourteen stations that depict the final hours in the story of Christ our Lord - appearing before Pilate, shouldering the wooden cross, whistling the Monty Python tune, so on and ...
More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
4 days ago

The Stations of the Chris
The Stations of the Cross, as all of us know from our devout and Godly ways, is a series of fourteen stations that depict the final hours in the story of Christ our Lord - appearing before Pilate, shouldering the wooden cross, whistling the Monty Python tune, so on and ...
More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
4 days ago

Trivial, but telling
The Herald reports on a trivial but telling incident from Parliament: Labour Cabinet Minister Kiri Allan read the wrong speech at the third reading of a freedom camping bill in Parliament last night. She re-read almost word for word a speech given at the Self-contained Motor Vehicles Legislation bill’s ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
4 days ago

BARRIE SAUNDERS: Exiting the constitutional rabbit hole
Barrie Saunders writes – Very well-intentioned politicians, judges and others have taken New Zealand down into a Treaty rabbit hole, from which few know how to exit without creating more social divisions. The modern interpretations of the Maori version of Treaty have set aside a common understanding of ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
4 days ago

House prices primed to surge 10-20% if National wins
It’s like deja-vu all over again. House prices are primed to surge 10-20% soon after any clear National-ACT win on October 14. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: There are increasing signs in economists’ forecasts, auction clearance rates, migration rates, divergent tax policies and house building rates that a clear ...
The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
4 days ago

NZ Politics Daily: 31 May 2023
BILINGUAL ROAD SIGNS, TE REO MĀORI Jo Moir (Newsroom): National getting sucked into regressive race debate Glenn McConnell (Stuff): Luxon’s familiar issue: Another awkward week struggling with Māori politics Amelia Wade, Jamie Ensor and Jenna Lynch (Newshub): Watch: ‘His view’s different to mine’ – National MPs react to te reo ...
Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
5 days ago

Removing the Takanini Level Crossings
Another of the interesting items at the Auckland Transport board meeting yesterday was about the plans for removing the remaining four road level crossings on the Southern Line in Takanini at Spartan Rd, Manuroa Rd, Taka St and Walters Rd. The board were asked to approve a business case for ...
Greater AucklandBy Matt L
5 days ago

Hive Talking.
I did something yesterday that I hadn’t done in ages. Watch Oral Questions in parliament. I’m not sure what happened in all the episodes I missed, but nothing much seemed to have changed.For those unfamiliar, Question Time takes place in parliament at 2pm each Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of the ...
Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
5 days ago

Luxon’s Lack Of Political “Muscle Memory”.
Slow Learner: Effective leaders develop a political “muscle memory” of their own. The National Party should get one.SPEAKING IN PUBLIC tops most people’s list of fearful situations. There are some careers, however, for which public fluency is a non-negotiable pre-requisite. There’s little point in pursuing an acting career, for example, ...
Bowalley Road
5 days ago

Reality shatters Ardern’s dream
Reality appears to be about to shatter Jacinda Ardern’s dream that New Zealand could lead the world in showing how to deal with farm emissions. The Government is facing a breakdown in negotiations over its much-vaunted He Waka Eke Noa deal with farmers to price greenhouse gas emissions and ...
PolitikBy Richard Harman
5 days ago

ERO Looking Into the “Emotional & Physical Safety of All Students” at Bethlehem Coll...
Hi,Webworm won a Voyager media award over the weekend for “Best Team Investigation”! This would not have been possible without readers. Without you. Thank you.Also, there’s a new Flightless Bird out today, where I look at drug rehab clinics in Florida. I talk to three former addicts, and their stories ...
David FarrierBy David Farrier
5 days ago

At a glance – How reliable are climate models?
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
Skeptical Science
5 days ago

Govt is open about NZ’s science relationship with China – but a ministerial statement on defence...
Buzz from the Beehive The Government is coy about some aspects of its relationship with China – and with the United States. Earlier this month, the PM spent a hectic 23 hours in Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, where he responded to the superpower security deal just ...
Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
5 days ago

The imaginary world of the 6pm news
What do Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings and your daily newspaper all have in common? They all tell tales of imaginary worlds.In Game of Thrones the honourable Stark family find themselves in deadly conflict with the ruthless House of Lannister.In the NZ Herald the Rt Hon Chris Hipkins finds himself ...
More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
5 days ago

The imaginary world of the 6pm news
What do Game of Thrones, Lord of the Rings and your daily newspaper all have in common? They all tell tales of imaginary worlds.In Game of Thrones the honourable Stark family find themselves in deadly conflict with the ruthless House of Lannister.In the NZ Herald the Rt Hon Chris Hipkins finds himself ...
More than a fieldingBy David Slack
5 days ago

Some sensible suggestions on reining in the spies
In 2022 the government announced a periodic review of the Intelligence and Security Act, the legislation governing New Zealand's spies. Yesterday the review presented its report, Taumaru: Protecting Aotearoa New Zealand as a Free, Open and Democratic Society. Its a chunky read, and I'm not finished yet, but from the ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
5 days ago

THOMAS CRANMER: John Tamihere and the Waipareira Trust
The Charities Services decision to require the Waipareira Trust to claw back $385,000 of interest-free loans from John Tamihere brings renewed attention to the links between Whānau Ora and the Trust. Thomas Cranmer writes – Revelations earlier this month in the Herald that the social services charity Waipareira ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
5 days ago

Climate Change: Vapourware is not a policy
RNZ reports that the government is throwing more money at researching a methane vaccine to reduce agricultural emissions. That's not a problem, but then there's this: A methane vaccine for livestock could be a breakthrough tool for farmers to reduce agricultural emissions - but it is still at least ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
5 days ago

Gordon Campbell on sending mixed messages out on purpose
National has developed a novel election strategy. It involves being both for and against almost every issue that comes down the pike. The use of te reo on public signage? Recently National Party leader Christopher Luxon came out against the bi-lingual use of te reo in the naming of government ...
Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
5 days ago

NIMBYs push to dump MDRS totally and stop greenfields' houses too
Anti-densification residents’ and ratepayers’ groups are cock-a-hoop over National’s partial backflip on MDRS over the weekend and have ramped up their campaigns to stop densification in their areas. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTL;DR: NIMBY groups are cock-a-hoop this morning, calling on councils and the Government to completely abandon the MDRS housing ...
The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
5 days ago

NZ Politics Daily: 30 May 2023
ELECTION, PARLIAMENT Chris Trotter (Interest): Luxon’s lack of political ‘muscle memory’ Toby Manhire (Spinoff): Can you stomach five more months of sausage roll politics? Simon Wilson (Herald): National, Act and the battle over race (paywalled) Tim Hurdle (Post): Micro-parties hold the key to unlocking October’s general election (paywalled) Gordon Campbell: On National‘s aversion ...
Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
6 days ago

May-23 AT Board Meeting
It’s been two months but today the Auckland Transport board meet for again. There’s a lot on the agenda so I can’t cover it all in this post but here are some of the highlights from their regular board papers. The open session starts at 9am and can be watched on ...
Greater AucklandBy Matt L
6 days ago

California bill would hit oil companies with $1 million penalty for health impacts
This story by Aaron Cantú was originally published in Capital & Main and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. Monic Uriarte was thrilled to get approved for an affordable apartment in Los Angeles’ University Park, close to USC. But soon after she and her ...
Skeptical Science
6 days ago

The housing policy that was too good for us
This incomplete picture speaks of everything we love most about a summer holiday in Aotearoa: The bach, the beach, the barbecue, the sand, the christmas ham sandwiches, the serenity.We love it, don’t we, Aotearoa? Getting away to somewhere warm and quiet with a high tide and a hammock. And if ...
More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
6 days ago

Overseas-focused ministers busy with trade and security issues
Buzz from the Beehive Ministers who took time out from the Labour Party congress to attend to portfolio duties were focused largely on promoting the country’s interests overseas. The statements with the widest implications dealt with: Trade – Damien O’Connor joined ministerial representatives at a meeting in Detroit, USA, ...
Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
6 days ago

Gordon Campbell on National‘s aversion to transparency
In the last year of a second term in government. the election outcome shouldn’t even be close. All that’s required for a competent Opposition to be streets ahead in the polls, is an ability to look like a credible government-in-waiting. Instead, we’ve got a very tight contest. There’s a reason ...
Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
6 days ago

Erase this odious debt!
The Herald reports that WINZ debt has reached the staggering total of $2.4 billion, with the usual racism and sexism in who owes and how much they pay: Anti-poverty groups say the poorest Kiwis are caught in a debt trap as the total amount of money owed to the ...
No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
6 days ago

The Super Issue.
There was a poll last week which asked if now was the right time for a tax cut. Which is quite an odd thing to ask really, don’t you think?We’ve got to pay back the money used to keep paying people and stop businesses going under during the pandemic. Our ...
Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
6 days ago

BRIAN EASTON: The economic runup to the election
The Treasury released its budget economic forecasts. What do they say about the economy over the next four months? Brian Easton writes – Let me begin me with an irritation. One post-budget headline was ‘Treasury optimistic over recession risk in Budget 2023‘. Treasury being optimistic is almost an ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
6 days ago

What do Māori get from the Budget? Not as much as last year, sorry, but $825m more than the rest o...
The question posed in a Te Karere TVNZ headline – Budget 2023: How much was given to Māori? – was partly answered on the same day by a OneNews headline – Budget delivers hundreds of millions for Māori. The New Zealand Herald put a more precise figure on it: Budget 2023 breakdown: ...
Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
6 days ago

Inside National's housing backflip + twists & rolls
As a politician swallowing a rat under a very public spotlight, Chris Bishop gave a spirited and relatively smooth account of himself yesterday. File Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Chris Bishop has detailed National’s new housing policy for Election 2023 that confirms a National Government would not force councils ...
The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
6 days ago

NZ Politics Daily: 29 May 2023
LABOUR PARTY CONGRESS Luke Malpass (Stuff): Labour congress lays bare Chris Hipkins’ and Labour’s election strategy Claire Trevett (Herald): Labour Party Congress: Energy for Chris Hipkins in election year but where were the new ideas? (paywalled) Newshub: Labour leader Chris Hipkins challenges National-ACT in speech setting forth plan for future Dan ...
Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
7 days ago

Nationals Housing Policy Backtrack
After signalling it a week ago, yesterday National launched their new housing policy which abandons their support for the Medium Density Residential Standards (MDRS) that they had worked with the government to deliver back in 2021 and shifts the focus to more sprawl. Overall there are three key areas National ...
Greater AucklandBy Matt L
7 days ago

Luxon’s audacity
The audacity of National’s “u-turn” over housing intensification is an extraordinary slap in the face for Chris Bishop and Nicola Willis. If it does nothing else, it raises questions about their political judgement, not for the first time.. Some in the Caucus have still not forgiven them for their ...
PolitikBy Richard Harman
7 days ago

2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #21
A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, May 21, 2023 thru Sat, May 27, 2023. This week, several shared articles did quite well on our Facebook page: The Upper Atmosphere Is Cooling, Prompting New Climate Concerns, At a ...
Skeptical Science
7 days ago

A Postscript to the Scribes Bookshop Closure
Back in December 2020, one of Dunedin’s local icons was closing its doors. Scribes Bookshop: https://phuulishfellow.wordpress.com/2020/12/03/dunedin-bookwormery-mourns-the-demise-of-scribes-bookshop/ It’s a strange thing to explain to people outside Dunedin – a secondhand bookshop, of all things, forming a part of North Dunedin cultural identity. But such was Scribes, and such is, ...
A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
1 week ago

Tākuta Ferris to stand in Te Tai Tonga
Today, Te Pāti Māori announce Takuta Ferris will contest the Te Tai Tonga seat at this year’s General Election. “Takura ran for the Te Tai Tonga seat for Te Pāti Māori in 2020. It takes tremendous courage and commitment to put your hand up for another round in the ring ...
Māori Party
4 hours ago

Repeating Mass Immigration Mistakes For Same Result
Focussed immigration has always been essential to our future, but New Zealanders need to be aware of the immediate dire situation our government is putting us in with a predicted record of one hundred thousand new immigrants moving to New Zealand in this year alone. That means we will have ...
NZ First Press Release
2 days ago

Heather Te-Au Skipworth to stand in the General Seat in Tukituki
Today, President of Te Pāti Māori, John Tamihere has confirmed that Heather Te-Au Skipworth will stand for Te Pāti Māori in the Tukituki electorate this election. ...
Māori Party
3 days ago

New Zealand First Secure 1800 New Frontline Police – Not Labour
During New Zealand First coalition negotiations our policy was to train and resource 1800 new frontline police. We secured this coalition policy win to ensure our streets had a police force that could tackle crime - after years of neglect. Remember those previous nine years of neglect saw a ‘tag ...
NZ First Press Release
3 days ago

STUFF's 'Fact Checking' Is Stuffed
Katie Kenny from Stuff published an article today with a lazy attempt at so-called ‘fact checking’ my recent comments on the World Health Organisation’s concerning new regulations being developed. What is most surprising is that throughout this entire ‘fact checking’ process, Kenny never once rang me asking for my side ...
NZ First Press Release
4 days ago

Greens back striking secondary teachers
The Green Party backs secondary teachers resuming strike action. ...
Greens
4 days ago

Chris Hipkins: Speech to the Labour Party Congress 2023
Chris Hipkins addressed the Labour Party Congress in Wellington. Read the Labour Leader’s speech here. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

National’s backtrack forces another visionless, shambolic policy
The National Party has released another confused and rushed policy that will only further worsen the inequality that is driven by unaffordable housing. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Grant Robertson: Speech to the Labour Party Congress 2023
Welcome to sunny and calm Wellington, which I know those of you who are visiting would of course expect to be the case. It’s been a busy week since we put forward the 2023 Budget. Labour MPs have been out across the motu giving the good oil on the Budget. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Carmel Sepuloni: Speech to the Labour Party Congress 2023
Kia orana, Talofa lava, Mālo e lelei, Taloha ni, Fakaalofa lahi atu, Noa’ia e mauri, Ni sa bula vinaka, Kia ora, Tena Koutou Katoa. Labour Party President Jill Day, Prime Minister Hipkins, Party faithful, delegates and comrades, whānau and friends, it’s a privilege to be here today. I begin my ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Kelvin Davis: Speech to the Labour Party Congress 2023
One of my kaumātua up North stood before the Waitangi Tribunal and said: ‘He aha kē ahau, te tangata kore hara i mua i te Atua, e tu nei kia whakawaatia e koe, te tangata tāhae, te tangata hara, te tangata kore tikanga? Ko koe kē te tika, kia tū ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

W.H.O. Director General Seeking Powers To Override Sovereign States
New Zealanders will be highly concerned that the World Health Organisation proposes to effectively take control of independent decision making away from sovereign countries and place control with the Director General. W.H.O International Health Regulations on future outbreaks of disease aim to give the Director General extraordinary and wide-sweeping powers. ...
NZ First Press Release
1 week ago

We don’t need to engineer a recession, Government can tax wealth
The Green Party is calling on the Government to take responsibility for reducing inflation by taxing wealth instead of leaving RBNZ to continue hiking the Official Cash Rate. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Enough posturing, let’s get on and build enough public housing
The Green Party is urging the Government to take its own advice and come up with a long-term plan to build thousands more public homes. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Green Party unveils its list for the 2023 election
The Green Party has released its list of candidates for the 2023 election. With a mix of familiar faces, fresh new talent, and strong tangata whenua voices, this exceptional group of candidates are ready to set the direction of the next Government. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Beyond the Farm Gate Lurks Separatism
Thank you for your invitation to be here, after yesterday's budget, and for the opportunity to talk with you. In the economic and social turmoil following the arrival of COVID 19 in New Zealand many concerns emerged. How would we keep our economy going and maintain our exports which are ...
NZ First Press Release
2 weeks ago

Budget 2023: More cost of living support
At the heart of Budget 2023 is a cost of living package, designed to ease the pressure on New Zealanders in the face of global inflation and the challenges of rebuilding from extreme weather events. It provides practical cost of living relief across some of the core expenses facing Kiwis ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Highlights of Budget 2023
Budget 2023 delivers practical cost of living support for New Zealanders today and makes targeted investments to build a better future. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Greens welcome much needed investment but Labour can go further for Te Ao Māori & Pasifika in t...
Today the Green Party’s Te Mātāwaka (Māori and Pasifika) caucus supported the 2023 Budget, but there’s still room for improvement. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Free prescriptions important step forward
The Green Party is today welcoming free prescriptions. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Long-term commitment needed on public housing
Budget 2023’s investment in public housing falls short of what’s needed. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

ECE extension Green win nearly 10 years in the making
The Green Party is today celebrating Budget 2023 funding extending free ECE to two year olds. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Green initiative addresses both climate and inequality
A long standing Green Party policy has been extended yet again in this year’s Budget. This will deliver warmer homes for thousands of people, lower power bills, and cut climate pollution. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Greens on board with more affordable buses and trains
The Green Party is fully on board with free bus and train travel for under 12s and half price travel for under 25s - next stop, free travel for all under 18s, students, and apprentices. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Budget 2023 falls short of what’s needed
Today’s Budget makes good progress on climate and inequality, but falls short of what’s needed to fix both. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Flood and Cyclone recovery package covers the basics
Earlier this week, the Prime Minister announced a billion dollar flood and cyclone recovery package as part of Budget 2023. This is about doing the basics - repairing and rebuilding what has been damaged and making smart investments, including $100 million of protection funding to ensure future events don’t cause ...
Labour Blog
3 weeks ago

Closer defence cooperation between New Zealand and Japan
The Defence Ministers of New Zealand and Japan have signed a statement of intent for closer defence cooperation between the two Pacific regional partners. Andrew Little and H. E. Yasukazu Hamada met to sign the ‘Statement of Intent on Defence Cooperation in Maritime Security, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief and ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
6 hours ago

SPEECH: To the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue 2023 by the Honourable Andrew Little MP, New Zealand Ministe...
New Zealand’s most recent defence assessment identified climate change and geostrategic competition as the two greatest security challenges to our place in the South Pacific. To the first issue, partners engaging and re-engaging with Pacific Island Countries are finding that climate change is a security and existential threat in our ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Govt supporting more rangatahi into training and employment opportunities
The government is continuing to support rangatahi in providing more funding into Maori Trades training and new He Poutama Rangatahi programmes across Aotearoa. “We’re backing 30 new by Māori for Māori Kaupapa employment and training programmes, which will help iwi into sustainable employment or progress within their chosen careers” says ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Energy self-sufficient marae reopens with support of Government investment
Murihiku Marae was officially reopened today, setting a gold standard in sustainable building practices as well as social outcomes for the people of Waihōpai Invercargill, Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan says. “The marae has been a central hub for this community since the 1980’s. With the support of $9.65 million ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

First major Whangārei public housing project in a generation complete
The first major public housing development in Whangārei for decades has reached completion, with 37 new homes opened in the suburb of Maunu today. The project on Tapatahi Crescent and Puriri Park Road, consists of 15 one-bedroom, 4 two-bedroom, 7 three-bedroom, 8 four-bedroom and 3 five-bedroom homes, as well as ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Trade Minister to represent New Zealand trade interests abroad
Trade and Export Growth Minister Damen O’Connor will depart tomorrow for London to represent New Zealand at the Commonwealth Trade Ministers’ Meeting and then to Paris to vice-chair the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting. “My travel to the United Kingdom is well-timed, with the United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (UK FTA) ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Bill to boost national fuel resiliency introduced
The Fuel Industry (Improving Fuel Resilience) Amendment Bill would: boost New Zealand’s fuel supply resilience and economic security enable the minimum stockholding obligation regulations to be adapted as the energy and transport environment evolves. “Last November, I announced a six-point plan to improve the resiliency of our fuel supply from ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Faster ACC payment top-ups and fairer system
The Government is making sure those on low incomes will no longer have to wait five weeks to get the minimum weekly rate of ACC, and improving the data collected to make the system fairer, Minister for ACC Peeni Henare said today. The Accident Compensation (Access Reporting and Other Matters) ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Compulsory code of conduct for school boards introduced
A compulsory code of conduct will ensure school board members are crystal clear on their responsibilities and expected standard of behaviour, Minister of Education Jan Tinetti said. It’s the first time a compulsory code of conduct has been published for state and state-integrated school boards and comes into effect on ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Speech to the New Zealand Federation of Commercial Fishermen annual conference.
Tena koutou katoa and thank you, Mayor Nadine Taylor, for your welcome to Marlborough. Thanks also Doug Saunders-Loder and all of you for inviting me to your annual conference. As you might know, I’m quite new to this job – and I’m particularly pleased that the first organisation I’m giving a ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Govt to support councils with buyout and better protection of cyclone and flood affected properties
The Government will enter into a funding arrangement with councils in cyclone and flood affected regions to support them to offer a voluntary buyout for owners of Category 3 designated residential properties. It will also co-fund work needed to protect Category 2 designated properties. “From the beginning of this process ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Government delivers changes to reduce pokies harm
The Government has announced changes to strengthen requirements in venues with pokie (gambling) machines will come into effect from 15 June. “Pokies are one of the most harmful forms of gambling. They can have a detrimental impact on individuals, their friends, whānau and communities,” Internal Affairs Minister Barbara Edmonds said. ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Government delivers 1800 additional frontline Police
The total Police workforce is now the largest it has ever been. Police constabulary stands at 10,700 officers – an increase of 21% since 2017 Māori officers have increased 40%, Pasifika 83%, Asian 157%, Women 61% Every district has got more Police under this Government The Government has delivered on ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Minister Mahuta talks Pacific ambitions at the first Korea-Pacific Leaders’ summit
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon Nanaia Mahuta met with Korea President Yoon, as well as Pacific Islands Forum Secretary General Henry Puna, during her recent visit to Korea. “It was an honour to represent Aotearoa New Zealand at the first Korea – Pacific Leaders’ Summit. We discussed Pacific ambitions under the ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Government drives $2 billion of business research and development
The Government’s Research and Development Tax Incentive has supported more than $2 billion of New Zealand business innovation – an increase of around $1 billion in less than nine months. "Research and innovation are essential in helping us meet the biggest challenges and seize opportunities facing New Zealand. It’s fantastic ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Achieving lift off: National Space Policy launched
The next ‘giant leap’ in New Zealand’s space journey has been taken today with the launch of the National Space Policy, Economic Development Minister Barbara Edmonds announced. “Our space sector is growing rapidly. Each year New Zealand is becoming a more and more attractive place for launches, manufacturing space-related technology ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

New science and creative technologies wharekura announced
A new Year 7-13 designated character wharekura will be built in Pāpāmoa, Associate Minister of Education Kelvin Davis has announced. The wharekura will focus on science, mathematics and creative technologies while connecting ākonga to the whakapapa of the area. The decision follows an application by the Ngā Pōtiki ā Tamapahore ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Freedom Camping changes a win for the environment
Protecting the environment by establishing a stronger, more consistent system for freedom camping Supporting councils to better manage freedom camping in their region and reduce the financial and social impacts on communities Ensuring that self-contained vehicle owners have time to prepare for the new system The Self-Contained Motor Vehicle ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Speeding up the family court, reducing stress on families
A new law passed last night could see up to 25 percent of Family Court judges’ workload freed up in order to reduce delays, Minister of Justice Kiri Allan said. The Family Court (Family Court Associates) Legislation Bill will establish a new role known as the Family Court Associate. The ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

UK FTA delivers benefits from today
New Zealand businesses will begin reaping the rewards of our gold-standard free trade agreement with the United Kingdom (UK FTA) from today. “The New Zealand UK FTA enters into force from today, and is one of the seven new or upgraded Free Trade Agreements negotiated by Labour to date,” Prime ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

Next steps to reform outdated surrogacy law
The Government will reform outdated surrogacy laws to improve the experiences of children, surrogates, and the growing number of families formed through surrogacy, by adopting Labour MP Tāmati Coffey’s Member’s Bill as a Government Bill, Minister Kiri Allan has announced. “Surrogacy has become an established method of forming a family ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

Defence Minister to attend Shangri-La Dialogue
Defence Minister Andrew Little departs for Singapore tomorrow to attend the 20th annual Shangri-La Dialogue for Defence Ministers from the Indo-Pacific region. “Shangri-La brings together many countries to speak frankly and express views about defence issues that could affect us all,” Andrew Little said. “New Zealand is a long-standing participant ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

New Zealand–China science relationship affirmed
Research, Science and Innovation Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall and the Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Wang Zhigang met in Wellington today and affirmed the two countries’ long-standing science relationship. Minister Wang was in New Zealand for the 6th New Zealand-China Joint Commission Meeting on Science and Technology Cooperation. Following ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

Supporting a strong future for screen sector
5 percent uplift clearer and simpler to navigate Domestic productions can access more funding sources 20 percent rebate confirmed for post-production, digital and visual effects Qualifying expenditure for post-production, digital and visual effects rebate dropped to $250,000 to encourage more smaller productions The Government is making it easier for the ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

Minister Sepuloni to attend 61st Anniversary of Samoa’s Independence
Deputy Prime Minister and Associate Minister of Foreign Affairs (Pacific Region) Carmel Sepuloni will represent New Zealand at Samoa’s 61st Anniversary of Independence commemorations in Apia. “Aotearoa New Zealand is pleased to share in this significant occasion, alongside other invited Pacific leaders, and congratulates Samoa on the milestone of 61 ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
6 days ago

Govt backs retailers with expansion of fog cannon programme
The Government is continuing to support retailers with additional funding for the highly popular Fog Cannon Subsidy Scheme, Police and Small Business Minister Ginny Andersen announced today. “The Government is committed to improving retailers’ safety,” Ginny Andersen said. “I’ve seen first-hand the difference fog cannons are making. Not only do ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
6 days ago

Government will consider recommendations of Intelligence and Security Act review
The Government has received the first independent review of the Intelligence and Security Act 2017, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says. The review, considered by the Parliamentary Intelligence and Security Committee, was presented to the House of Representatives today. “Ensuring the safety and security of New Zealanders is of the utmost ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
6 days ago

Govt expresses condolences on the passing of HRH Princess Sui’ilikutapu
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has expressed condolences on behalf of New Zealand to the Kingdom of Tonga following the death of Her Royal Highness Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili. “New Zealand sends it’s heartfelt condolences to the people of Tonga, and to His Majesty King Tupou VI at this time ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
6 days ago

Govt expresses condolences on the passing of HRH Princess Siu’ilikutapu
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has expressed condolences on behalf of New Zealand to the Kingdom of Tonga following the death of Her Royal Highness Princess Mele Siu’ilikutapu Kalaniuvalu Fotofili. “New Zealand sends it’s heartfelt condolences to the people of Tonga, and to His Majesty King Tupou VI at this time ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
6 days ago

Security support to Solomon Islands extended
Defence Minister Andrew Little and Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta have today announced the extension of the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) deployment to Solomon Islands, as part of the regionally-led Solomon Islands International Assistance Force (SIAF). “Aotearoa New Zealand has a long history of working alongside the Royal Solomon ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
6 days ago

Minister Mahuta to attend the first Korea-Pacific Leaders’ Summit
Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta will travel to the Republic of Korea today to attend the Korea–Pacific Leaders’ Summit in Seoul and Busan. “Korea is an important partner for Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific region. I am eager for the opportunity to meet and discuss issues that matter to our ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Agreement between Indo-Pacific partners for supply chain resilience
Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O’Connor joined ministerial representatives at a meeting in Detroit, USA today to announce substantial conclusion of negotiations of a new regional supply chains agreement among 14 Indo-Pacific countries. The Supply Chains agreement is one of four pillars being negotiated within the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Celebrating Samoa Language Week 2023
Our most spoken Pacific language is taking centre stage this week with Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa – Samoa Language Week kicking off around the country. “Understanding and using the Samoan language across our nation is vital to its survival,” Barbara Edmonds said. “The Samoan population in New Zealand are ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Nationwide test of Emergency Mobile Alert system
Over 90 per cent of New Zealanders are expected to receive this year’s nationwide test of the Emergency Mobile Alert system tonight between 6-7pm. “Emergency Mobile Alert is a tool that can alert people when their life, health, or property, is in danger,” Kieran McAnulty said. “The annual nationwide test ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Whakatōhea and the Crown sign Deed of Settlement
ENGLISH: Whakatōhea and the Crown sign Deed of Settlement A Deed of Settlement has been signed between Whakatōhea and the Crown, 183 years to the day since Whakatōhea rangatira signed the Treaty of Waitangi, Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Andrew Little has announced. Whakatōhea is an iwi based in ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

New Chair appointed to New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO
Elizabeth Longworth has been appointed as the Chair of the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO, Associate Minister of Education Jo Luxton announced today. UNESCO is the United Nations agency responsible for promoting cooperative action among member states in the areas of education, science, culture, social science (including peace and ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Tourism transformation starts with people
Tourism and hospitality employer accreditation scheme to recognise quality employers Better education and career opportunities in tourism Cultural competency to create more diverse and inclusive workplaces Innovation and technology acceleration to drive satisfying, skilled jobs Strengthening our tourism workers and supporting them into good career pathways, pay and working conditions ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Tourism transformation starts with people
Tourism and hospitality employer accreditation scheme to recognise quality employers Better education and career opportunities in tourism Cultural competency to create more diverse and inclusive workplaces Innovation and technology acceleration to drive satisfying, skilled jobs Strengthening our tourism workers and supporting them into good career pathways, pay and working conditions ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Te ao Māori health services more accessible for whānau
Greater access to primary care, including 193 more front line clinical staff More hauora services and increased mental health support Boost for maternity and early years programmes Funding for cancers, HIV and longer term conditions Greater access to primary care, improved maternity care and mental health support are ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Te ao Māori health services cheaper and more accessible for whānau
Greater access to primary care, including 193 more front line clinical staff More hauora services and increased mental health support Boost for maternity and early years programmes Funding for cancers, HIV and longer term conditions Greater access to primary care, improved maternity care and mental health support are ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Act's David Seymour promises to 'dial up the brew'
Act’s plan to cut red tape and regulation was not a snappy soundbite policy, but while party faithfuls may need to re-read the fine print on what David Seymour announced today, they left the annual conference feeling confident ahead of this year’s election A sold-out party conference this year for Act left ...
Newsroom
3 hours ago

Te Pāti Māori selects Tākuta Ferris for Te Tai Tonga
Te Pāti Māori has chosen Tākuta Ferris as its general election candidate for Te Tai Tonga. ...
Radio NZ – political
5 hours ago

Taxpayers’ Union Welcomes ACT Policy Announcement To Reduce Red Tape
Commenting on ACT’s ‘Policing Red Tape and Regulation’ policy announcement, Taxpayers’ Union Campaigns Manager, Callum Purves, said: “Red tape and regulation are some of the biggest hand brakes on New Zealand’s prosperity. They make it more ...
Scoop politics
6 hours ago

Speech: David Seymour, A Time For Truth
Real Change Now, SkyCity Theatre, 4 June 2023 Introduction Thank you, and what a show! Is it too late to call it ‘ACT’s got talent?’ It’s just as well, ACT’s talent is as real as the problems New Zealand faces. Simon Court is a civil engineer. ...
Scoop politics
6 hours ago

ACT To Police Red Tape And Regulation In Government
New Minister and Ministry of Regulation to police red tape and hold Ministers and departments accountable Regulatory Standards Bill to require regulation meets good lawmaking principles Strong enforcement mechanisms to police new and existing regulations ...
Scoop politics
6 hours ago

ACT Party conference: A new ministry to sort 'jungle of red tape', 'speaking out&#039...
This proposed ministry would be given the powers to evaluate new regulatory proposals, review red tape and change laws to remove surplus regulation. ...
Radio NZ – political
6 hours ago

Record Crowd Demands Real Change
Over 600 people crammed into the SkyCity Theatre today to demand real change as ACT MPs and candidates outlined a fresh vision for New Zealand. “The size of this crowd, and the enthusiasm they showed for ACT’s people and policies, shows that ...
Scoop politics
6 hours ago

Te Pāti Māori Announce Te Tai Tonga Candidate, Takuta Ferris
Today, Te Pāti Māori announce Takuta Ferris will contest the Te Tai Tonga seat at this year’s General Election. “Takura ran for the Te Tai Tonga seat for Te Pāti Māori in 2020. It takes tremendous courage and commitment to put your hand ...
Scoop politics
6 hours ago

A balm for everyone who survived the misogyny of the 2000s
Claire Mabey reviews Josie Shapiro’s debut novel Everything is Beautiful and Everything Hurts, winner of the inaugural Allen & Unwin Fiction Prize. The aggressive misogyny of the early 2000s is the skeezy world in which Josie Shapiro’s quietly magnetic character, Mickey Bloom, comes of age. As a reader of the ...
The SpinoffBy Claire Mabey
13 hours ago

A little-discussed but significant AI danger
Jack Santa Barbara asks if we've created a 'doomsday machine' by bringing artificial intelligence to a growth economy Comment: If you have the sense the world is fraying at the edges and things are getting worse faster than they are getting better, you wouldn’t be alone. Various scholars and organisations have ...
Newsroom
16 hours ago

The politics of home ownership
How political parties have influenced our desire to own our own homes, says Professor Sebastian Kohl Opinion: In the late 20th Century, in most countries and even cities in the world, the majority of residents were homeowners. Some 20 years later that picture has shifted considerably, leading many to question whether ...
Newsroom
16 hours ago

An Ode for .. Wayne Brown
Bard Billot on the barbarian Brown Last one out, turn off the lights Some months had passed Since Alaric the Brown had stormed the gates Of the Mighty Cosmopolis of Auk, Burning and Thrashing and Laying Waste. Now Alaric wandered his vast estates As the passion and ...
Newsroom
16 hours ago

The Sunday Essay: Fragile tissue
If I moved through the world with pulsing red lines across my body, would that allow others to see the reality of my pain? The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand. Original illustrations by Ned Wenlock. I sit on a grey plastic chair, ...
The SpinoffBy Amelia Jacobson
17 hours ago

When did The Kardashians get so bleak?
From body horror to beige homeware, Alex Casey counts all the ways The Kardashians makes for a joyless watch in 2023. Watch enough seasons of reality TV and you will start to see parallels with the real seasons. In summer, where anything feels possible and everyone is merrily bashing around ...
The SpinoffBy Alex Casey
17 hours ago

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown denies forwarding abusive emails to councillors
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown says he did not forward councillors a string of abusive emails that called them "dip shits", saying they were sent by staff "in a fit of excitement". ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Hipkins faces grilling from students over University of Otago staff cuts
By Tess Brunton, RNZ News reporter New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins faced a grilling by University of Otago students during his trip to Ōtepoti yesterday. Students, staff and community members have been fighting against the university’s request for staff to consider redundancies in a bid to save $60 million. ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
1 day ago

Transparency PNG calls for further charges over ‘worrying’ Paraka case
RNZ Pacific Transparency International Papua New Guinea has welcomed the conviction of lawyer Paul Paraka as the police confirm they are widening the investigation into the fraud case. The NGO admits the depths of Paraka’s activities, revealed by the case, are very worrying. Paraka, who had operated his own eponymous ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
1 day ago

Focus on Politics: Politicians tackling AI, but will it be too late?
Government and the tech sector are considering principles for an AI strategy, but there seems little urgency from ministers and no sign of action before the election. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Focus on Politics: Politicians tackling AI, but will it be too late?
Government and the tech sector are considering principles for an AI strategy, but there seems little urgency from ministers and no sign of action before the election. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Why I wrote The Lighthouse Princess: An interview with Susan Wardell
Susan Wardell’s first picture book is nominated in two categories at this year’s New Zealand Book Awards for Children & Young Adults. She tells Claire Mabey about the genesis of the book, and what she thinks of the state of children’s publishing in Aotearoa. Claire Mabey: What was the inspiration ...
The SpinoffBy Claire Mabey
1 day ago

The most mindblowing moments from the first 26 years of Treasure Island
In June 1997, a new reality TV juggernaut arrived on New Zealand screens. Tara Ward and Alex Casey look back on a quarter-century of Treasure Island mayhem. Twenty-six years ago this month, we watched 12 fresh-faced New Zealanders arrive on a Fijian beach with nothing but their hopes and dreams ...
The SpinoffBy Tara Ward
2 days ago

Why building more won't make houses affordable
Governments around the world are searching for how to fix housing affordability, but the solutions will have to be local and community based, writes Nicole Gurran of the University of Sydney Opinion: From Sydney to San Francisco, the housing affordability crisis is affecting communities across the world. Younger generations priced out of ...
Newsroom
2 days ago

Bunge's bold football dream for Aotearoa
A lack of female football stars in the media didn't stop Claudia Bunge on her journey to the top; now the Football Fern hopes a new campaign helps girls see what they can become The first time Claudia Bunge watched a women’s football game, it featured some of the Football Ferns she now ...
Newsroom
2 days ago

The Week in Detail: Wallabies, AI, and the NZ Steel deal
Every weekday, The Detail makes sense of the big news stories. This week, it was joint winner of the Best Factual Podcast - Episodic at the NZ Radio Awards. This week, we looked at the threat wild pest wallabies pose to Aoraki Mt Cook, the scams targeting Pacific Islander communities, the long shadow over ...
Newsroom
2 days ago

Mayor’s councillor call-outs 'a mark of his desperation'
Councillors still weighing up their options before next week’s budget vote say there has been insufficient information, communication and time to assess the consequences of a full selldown of airport shares Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown is famous for his straight to the bone style of communication, but Thursday’s budget announcement ...
Newsroom
2 days ago

Short story: The heart-shaped bed, by Joy Holley
Love, Instagram, and a new bed, from a dazzling new short story collection Alice had wanted a heart-shaped bed since she was sixteen, which was when she had started wanting most of the things she wanted now. She had imagined she would meet some Lolita-loving, Sugar Daddy type who ...
Newsroom
2 days ago

‘It can happen to absolutely anyone’: A day in the life of a Pet Refuge caseworker
Every day, pets are being removed from domestic violence situations around the country. Alex Casey talks to one of the workers on the front line. This story contains discussion of domestic violence and emotional abuse, please take care. Alice Hayward has never been busier. As a caseworker for Pet Refuge, ...
The SpinoffBy Alex Casey
2 days ago

You are not serious people: the week in politics
As the country contends with a cost-of-living permacrisis and an election year, is it too much to ask that our politicians don’t spend a week playing petty games? It would be fitting to reflect on this week in politics by simply dropping this gif and, as with Succession itself, calling ...
The SpinoffBy Anna Rawhiti-Connell
2 days ago

Front of mind
As part of a weekly showcase of future leaders and inspirational young New Zealanders from the Hyundai Pinnacle Programme, Jennifer Palmer wants to know how we can treat neurodegenerative diseases more effectively | Content Partnership When Jennifer Palmer was growing up, her nickname was Chatterbox. “I’d always be saying, ‘Why? ...
Newsroom
2 days ago

Long Read: The Preppers Next Door
This is The Detail's Long Read – one in-depth story read by us every weekend. This week, we're diving into the back catalogues. It's The Preppers Next Door by Tom Doig, published in New Zealand Geographic magazine's November/December 2022 issue. You can read the full article, with accompanying photos by Cameron James McLaren, here. When Tom Doig ...
Newsroom
2 days ago

Author-poet condemns Papuan rebel threat to shoot NZ hostage pilot if denied talks
Asia Pacific Report An Australian author-poet and advocate for West Papuan independence has condemned a reported threat against the life of a New Zealand hostage pilot, Philip Mehrtens, held by Papuan liberation fighters and appealed to them to “keep Philip safe”. Jim Aubrey, a human rights activist who has campaigned ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
2 days ago

Fiji communities eager to meet ‘our PM’ Rabuka on NZ visit
RNZ Pacific Members of Fijian communities in Auckland and Wellington are eager to meet Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka next week when he arrives on his first official state visit to Aotearoa New Zealand. Rabuka and wife Sulueti are expected to arrive in Auckland on Monday before meeting with the local ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
2 days ago

Dialogue is vital ‘guardrail’ in dealing with China, Albanese tells international security forum
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has told a regional security forum that dialogue is a vital “guardrail” in dealing with China, and praised US President Joe Biden’s effort to establish “reliable and open” US-China channels of ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
2 days ago

Christopher Luxon proves to be a traffic-stopper in New Plymouth
The National leader hastily added a second session to the party's Get New Zealand Back on Track roadshow in the city today. ...
Radio NZ – political
2 days ago

Communities respond to government's buyout plans for storm-hit homes
Flood-ravaged West Aucklanders are rejoicing after the government announced it will offer buyout options to people whose land is too risky to rebuild on. ...
Radio NZ – political
2 days ago

Auckland mayor forwards emails calling councillors 'dip shits'
Wayne Brown has sent councillors copies of insulting emails from the public, including one that called them "dip shits", while the deputy mayor says the mayor is not making the budget process easier. ...
Radio NZ – political
2 days ago

No room at the inn for Luxon's Taranaki visit
The National Party wildly underestimated how popular its leader would be when he visited New Plymouth on Friday and had to turn people away at the door. Political editor Jo Moir found a patch of wall to lean against as Christopher Luxon got all sorts of questions and advice, not ...
Newsroom
2 days ago

Additional budget funds earmarked for USP arrears, says Prasad
By Repeka Nasiko in Lautoka The University of the South Pacific will be receiving additional funding from the Fiji government in the 2023-2024 national budget, says Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad. Speaking at a public consultation in Lautoka this week, he said the additional funding ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
2 days ago

PNG’s National Court orders state to justify Singapore gold deal
By Gorethy Kenneth in Port Moresby The National Court has ordered the Papua New Guinea government to disclose the full details of the gold refinery deal it entered into with a Singapore-based company, National Gold Corporation. The court ordered Prime Minister James Marape (first defendant), Planning Minister Renbo Paita (second ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
2 days ago

Latest Island Studies journal features social justice activism and advocacy
Asia Pacific Report A new edition of the Okinawan Journal of Island Studies features social justice island activism, including a case study of Aotearoa New Zealand’s Pacific Media Centre, in what the editors say brings a sense of “urgency” in the field of diversity, equity, and inclusion in scholarship. In ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
2 days ago

Sextortion now major issue in parts of Pacific, says research
By Lydia Lewis, RNZ Pacific journalist Preliminary findings of a yet-to-be released Transparency International survey has found sextortion — demanding sexual favours in return for public services — is a major issue in parts of the Pacific. Papua New Guinea, the Federated States of Micronesia and Solomon Islands have higher ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
2 days ago

NZ’s Media Freedom Council slams mayor Brown’s ban attempt as ‘insult to voters’
RNZ News New Zealand’s Media Freedom Council has called Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown’s exclusion of some media outlets from his budget speech today “unacceptable”. In an appearance at Auckland Transport’s Viaduct headquarters, Brown took time out of pitching his plan to sell the city’s holdings in Auckland Airport to complain ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
2 days ago

Duncan Graham: Compromise worked in Aceh – why not West Papua?
There are parallels between Indonesia’s Aceh where an Australian surfer faced a flogging, and West Papua where a New Zealand pilot may be facing death. Both provinces have fought brutal guerrilla wars for independence. One has been settled through foreign peacekeepers. The other still rages as outsiders fear intervention. By Duncan ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
2 days ago

‘Nature’s own Ozempic’ or berberine is all over social media. But does it really help you lose...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tina Hinton, Associate Professor of Pharmacology, University of Sydney Shutterstock The latest health trend on TikTok has been dubbed “nature’s own Ozempic”. It’s the herbal preparation berberine. Influencers have been enthusiastically claiming its success in helping them lose weight, ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
2 days ago

Think of solar panels more like apple trees – we need a fairer approach for what we use and sell
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Niraj Lal, Visiting Fellow at the ANU Centre for Sustainable Energy Systems, Australian National University Pixabay As we race to decarbonise by electrifying everything, solar panels – now cheaper per square metre than marine-grade plywood – will do much of ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
2 days ago

Government Makes Good On Its Commitment To Reducing Harm From Pokies
The Government has announced new regulations to ensure venues and gambling societies uphold their responsibilities to prevent problem gambling and gambling harm. These regulations will apply to pubs, clubs and TAB NZ venues and will come into effect ...
Scoop politics
2 days ago

Minister was warned in November over by-election day advertising – police
Police have confirmed they warned Education Minister Jan Tinetti over Facebook posts made during the Tauranga by-election last year. ...
Radio NZ – political
2 days ago

Australian Defence Force must ensure the findings against Ben Roberts-Smith are not the end of the s...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dean Aszkielowicz, Lecturer, Murdoch University On Thursday, Justice Anthony Besanko of the Federal Court dismissed defamation proceedings brought by former Special Air Service soldier Ben Roberts-Smith against several Australian news outlets. The court found that reporting by Nick McKenzie, Chris Masters ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
2 days ago

How should Australia capitalise on AI while reducing its risks? It’s time to have your say
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Toby Walsh, Professor of AI, Research Group Leader, UNSW Sydney Shutterstock The world missed the boat with social media. It fuelled misinformation, fake news, and polarisation. We saw the harms too late, once they had already started to have a ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
2 days ago

A New Petition Is Calling For A Community-led, Government-enabled, Values-based, National Food Strat...
The parliamentary petition calling for a national food strategy launched on the 1st of June and will remain open for signatures for eight weeks. The call is led by Eat New Zealand, Freedom Farms and Veterinarians for Animal Welfare Aotearoa (VAWA). ...
Scoop politics
2 days ago

Native raspberries, limes and geraniums: how did these curious plants end up in Australia?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Gregory Moore, Senior Research Associate, School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock While plants can’t walk, they can certainly travel. Some species have travelled vast distances over millennia, moving by different and varied modes. Some ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
2 days ago

Listen: How New Zealand’s internet could be about to change forever
Duncan Greive is joined by The Spinoff staff writer Shanti Mathias and The Bulletin editor Anna Rawhiti-Connell to discuss the Safer Online Services and Media Platforms document, and its implications for the future of digital media. For a very special episode of The Fold, Duncan Greive analyses the Safer Online ...
The SpinoffBy Anna Rawhiti-Connell
2 days ago

Ingredient of the week: Kūmara
Yes, they’re phenomenally expensive at the moment. But if you manage to track down a bargain or are keen on a splurge, there’s plenty of ways to make the kūmara worth it. As a child, there was no doubt in my mind: kūmara was the world’s best vegetable. This belief ...
The SpinoffBy Wyoming Paul
2 days ago

Ingredient of the week: Kūmara
Yes, they’re phenomenally expensive at the moment. But if you manage to track down a bargain or are keen on a splurge, there’s plenty of ways to make the kūmara worth it. As a child, there was no doubt in my mind: kūmara was the world’s best vegetable. This belief ...
The SpinoffBy Wyoming Paul
2 days ago

Exclusive: Wayne Brown forwarded councillors emails that called them ‘dip shits’
Wayne Brown called most of his councillors ‘financially illiterate’ during a press conference yesterday morning. He then went back to the office and sent them emails from constituents who called them ‘dip shits’. Auckland mayor Wayne Brown spent a good portion of Thursday morning berating his councillors. In a 9.30am press ...
The SpinoffBy Hayden Donnell
2 days ago

Exclusive: Wayne Brown forwarded councillors emails that called them ‘dip shits’
Wayne Brown called most of his councillors ‘financially illiterate’ during a press conference yesterday morning. He then went back to the office and sent them emails from constituents who called them ‘dip shits’. Auckland mayor Wayne Brown spent a good portion of Thursday morning berating his councillors. In an 8.30am press ...
The SpinoffBy Hayden Donnell
2 days ago

ECC Withdraws Pay Parity Legal Action After Significant Early Learning Investment Promise In Budget ...
Budget 2023’s promise of significant additional ECE funding has the potential to help many centres avoid financial unviability and hardship, as long as the current 20-hours conditions are kept, prompting the Early Childhood Council to withdraw its ...
Scoop politics
2 days ago

The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending June 2
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington. AUCKLAND 1 Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (Chatto & Windus, $37) Let’s get quizzical: ...
The SpinoffBy The Spinoff Review of Books
2 days ago

The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending June 2
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington. AUCKLAND 1 Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (Chatto & Windus, $37) Let’s get quizzical: ...
The SpinoffBy The Spinoff Review of Books
2 days ago

Two churches apply for judicial review of Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care
The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care is being challenged in court by two of the institutions it is investigating Two churches have filed applications for a judicial review of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, arguing that they don't bear responsibility for care of ...
Newsroom
2 days ago

Your weekend TV guide: Deadloch, The Idol, Medellin and Spider-Man
* This is an excerpt from Rec Room. Sign up for regular Friday dispatches here. It’s a long weekend for most, so you might be keen to try out some new shows. Whatever you do, don’t start with HBO’s Succession successor The Idol (Neon). Billed as an over-sexed journey into ...
The SpinoffBy Chris Schulz
2 days ago

Your weekend TV guide: Deadloch, The Idol, Medellin and Spider-Man
* This is an excerpt from Rec Room. Sign up for regular Friday dispatches here. It’s a long weekend for most, so you might be keen to try out some new shows. Whatever you do, don’t start with HBO’s Succession successor The Idol (Neon). Billed as an over-sexed journey into ...
The SpinoffBy Chris Schulz
2 days ago

Drivers and pedestrians are unsure who gives way at stop signs. A simple rule change can end this da...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Geoffrey Browne, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Melbourne School of Design, The University of Melbourne Shutterstock When a driver and a pedestrian approach a T-intersection, who has to give way? In newly published research we tested over 1,000 road users’ knowledge ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
2 days ago

The war in Ukraine is escalating and New Zealand will not escape the consequences
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Nicholas Khoo, Associate Professor of International Politics, University of Otago Getty Images Russia’s war with Ukraine is now at a critical turning point. The relentless missile and drone strikes on the capital Kyiv may look like a sign of strength, ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
2 days ago

Vast majority of New Zealanders believe trans people should be protected from discrimination – pol...
New Zealand scored highest in a recent global survey on protection against discrimination of transgender people, but for some, that sentiment did not extend to access to single-sex facilities. The latest global survey from Ipsos – the LGBT+ Pride 2023 survey – shows that 84% of New Zealanders believe transgender ...
The SpinoffBy Madeleine Chapman
2 days ago

Vast majority of New Zealanders believe trans people should be protected from discrimination – pol...
New Zealand scored highest in a recent global survey on protection against discrimination of transgender people, but for some, that sentiment did not extend to access to single-sex facilities. The latest global survey from Ipsos – the LGBT+ Pride 2023 survey – shows that 84% of New Zealanders believe transgender ...
The SpinoffBy Madeleine Chapman
2 days ago

Newsletter: June 02 2023 – Items of interest and importance today
New Zealand Politics Daily is a collation of the most prominent issues being discussed in New Zealand. It is edited by Dr Bryce Edwards of The Democracy Project. Today’s content MEDIA REGULATION AND CODE OF CONDUCT, BROADCASTING Glenn McConnell (Post): ‘The cost will be everyday Kiwis’: New media regulation concerns civil society (paywalled) ...
Evening ReportBy Bryce Edwards
2 days ago

Everything we know about the NZ takeover of The Office Australia
With at least four local actors in front of camera and two comedy vets behind the scenes, shouldn’t it be ‘The Office Australasia’? It’s The Office, with a twist. “We figured the world is ready for a loveable, flawed, lady boss”, said BBC Studios ANZ general manager Kylie Washington. Indeed, ...
The SpinoffBy Chris Schulz
2 days ago

Travel Exports Gain Reduces Trade Deficit In March 2023 Quarter
New Zealand’s trade deficit narrowed to $3.2 billion dollars in the March 2023 quarter, compared with $3.9 billion in the March 2022 quarter, according to data released by Stats NZ today. The main contributor to the narrowing of the deficit ...
Scoop politics
2 days ago

How much disaster relief fund cash has been spent
The disaster relief fund – administered by Red Cross New Zealand – was established to support victims of Cyclone Gabrielle and the other wild weather from earlier this year. Red Cross approved 67 new grants worth $3.49m over the last two weeks. That brings the total amount of money allocated ...
The SpinoffBy Tommy de Silva
2 days ago

Weird: The Kindle comes with a pen now
Amazon’s top-selling digital reading device now offers much more than just books on a screen. But is that a good thing? All day, I think about words. From the moment I open my laptop, I tap away at my keyboard, turning letters into words, words into sentences and sentences into ...
The SpinoffBy Chris Schulz
2 days ago

Te Pāti Māori confirms Heather Skipworth for Tukituki electorate
The seat is the first on the general roll contested by Te Pāti Māori this election, with Skipworth shifting her attention there after Meka Whaitiri defected to the party. ...
Radio NZ – political
2 days ago

Show Your Appreciation To Your Pet By NOT Feeding Them!
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Scoop politics
2 days ago

Climate Justice Group Cautions Unconstrained Renewable Energy Push
Climate Justice Taranaki criticises the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)’s proposals to enable vast expansion of renewable energy generation and transmission by removing policy barriers. “The proposed national policy statements ...
Scoop politics
2 days ago

Heather Te-Au Skipworth To Stand In The General Seat Of Tukituki For Te Pāti Māori
Today, President of Te Pāti Māori, John Tamihere has confirmed that Heather Te-Au Skipworth will stand for Te Pāti Māori in the Tukituki electorate this election. Heather Te-Au Skipworth was previously confirmed as the candidate for the Ikaroa-Rawhiti ...
Scoop politics
2 days ago

ACT’s voodoo economics

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