Alt COP26: “Get in line or get out of the way”

Written By: - Date published: 10:00 am, November 2nd, 2021 - 30 comments
Categories: climate change, COP26, sustainability - Tags: , , , , , ,

Expect lots of blather at the UN climate conference COP26 from the neolib boys who think they know how to run the world and are instead killing it (Fuck Boris) – if we’re lucky, a bit more slowly. Back home, Labour are going to try and buy our way out of our obligations.

In case it’s not obvious what the problem is here: the world (thanks overdeveloped nations) is so far behind on GHG reduction to avert the worst of climate change that we need to radically stop burning fossil fuels (and other GHGs releasing) in a very short space of time. If you’re not on board yet with this simple fact, please do some reading, it’s a mainstream understanding now, backed by science.

Paying people in other countries to not to chop trees down so that we can keep emitting GHGs is tap dancing on the head of a pin while rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic and robbing Peter to pay Paul as if this will stop the ship from sinking (while the Musk rats abandon the sinking ship and head for Mars). Labour inches us forward at snail’s pace. Complex and complete fuckups require mangled metaphors, sorry.

Idiot/Savant at No Right Turn on why Labour are doing this.

And even then, they’re still planning on “meeting” more than two thirds of the target by buying credits from overseas (which, based on past experience, will turn out to be pure fraud). And the reason they’re doing that is a refusal to confront the dairy industry and force it to reduce its emissions like the rest of us.

And that’s Jacinda’s “nuclear-free moment”: spin and PR and funny accounting. Not the honest, ambitious government we hoped for and need. We deserve better than this. The planet deserves better than this. But we are clearly not going to get real climate action under this chickenshit government.

As an aside, to be clear, this isn’t Green Party policy, it’s pure Labour. James Shaw is Climate Minister, but sits outside of the majority governing Labour Cabinet who are the ones making the decisions (thanks left wing voters).

Matthew Whitehead nails the stupidity even from a neoliberal perspective,

If we pay someone overseas to not chop their trees down, this deprives that landbase from counting those carbon credits. The @RAZwaan tweet suggests that if you account all that globally it doesn’t even work (or hasn’t in the past). But even if that accounting did work, it’s still a nonsensical solution given the state of climate change.

What we actually need is two things:

  • rapid decrease in industrial GHG emissions
  • and restoring ecologies to protect the natural carbon cycle as well as the biodiverse systems that all of life is dependent upon

Planting trees and maintaining climax forests is what we should be doing as a baseline for the health of all life. Our GHG reductions need to be on top of that. If we don’t use a healthy environment as a baseline, we can never catch up on both the climate and the ecology crises. Continuing to treat the environment as a big bag of resources that we can manage is a death warrant. We’re just not good at it, and it’s antithetical to life which isn’t a grab bag, but a whole planet of interconnected systems.

Who will have the guts and vision to transition us to real action? I’m way less interested in the COP neoliberal pin head dancing than I am in who is speaking truth to power and presenting ideas and experience that might change the above.

For those feeling hopeless and frustrated, that want to see what actually works, what we can do that is worthy and life affirming and effective, this five minute speech, at the opening of COP26, by Māori activist India Logan-Riley, is outstanding,

Particularly pertinent is the argument that indigenous activists have been saying for a while,

… this history shows us that hands and minds made this present world, and so it is also hands and hearts and minds that can remake it. And it is indigenous and frontline communities that are leading this remaking. We’re keeping fossil fuels in the ground and stopping fossil fuel expansion. We’re halting infrastructure that would increase emissions and saying no to false solutions.

In fact in the US and Canada alone, indigenous resistance has stopped or delayed greenhouse gas pollution equivalent to at least one quarter of annual emissions.

What we do works.

In the face of mediocre leadership, indigenous peoples shine through. This is all to say that climate change is the outcome of the colonial project.

My bold. Logan-Riley ends with the fine sentiment “get in line or get out of the way”. The most appalling thing about our situation (apart from the whole death cult thing) is that we have many people working on the solutions that work, we’re just not giving them the power to use those on broad scales.

Part of what is important here is that Māori have lived experience of catastrophic environmental change forced upon them, and how to change that. This is a great gift to the west if we would recognise it.

They also have a world view that is the systems thinking absolutely necessary to get us out of this mess. Key to decolonisation is understanding that the western mind tends towards linear and reductionist thought process. Systems thinking is about the relationships between all the things. Carbon credit systems are complicated, but they’re still a linear, disconnected solution that ignores the whole system.

If someone planting a forest to draw down carbon then clearcuts that forest 30 years later for timber, and plants a new forest, and counts the carbon figures in all that, that’s a reductionist, disconnected model. It ignores the life in the forest that is essential for ecosystem stability, it ignores the people who live in the area who are dependent upon that stability as well as all the ecology outside the forest likewise dependent, it ignores the natural carbon cycle by stealing from the future, it’s ignores the massive benefits of climate forests for their own sake, and it ignores how all those things interrelate. We need to be reforesting because forests themselves give us life in multiple ways.

This doesn’t mean we can never fell trees for human use. It means that the starting points in how we design and approach landcare need to change radically. Post-carbon farming is going to be utterly dependent on nature for its ability to produce food for humans in a climate changed world, so if you’re still not getting it, think about how we are going to eat in future generations (or even our own) if we don’t have an environment to grow that food in.

There is something else here. The reason why so many humans traditionally relate to the land as a mother or similar is because when we are living in everyday, conscious understanding of that interdependency we naturally act to save it because it is also an act of self-preservation. Only crazy people believe that humans sit outside of the natural world. Many people also have a deep love of nature of its own sake, and understand that this is central to who we are as humans.

The biggest problem we have with COP is that it is based in a profound disconnect from nature. The humans that are deeply connected with nature are the ones bringing the sustainable, resilient and real options to the table.

30 comments on “Alt COP26: “Get in line or get out of the way” ”

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  1. Tiger Mountain 1
    2 November 2021 at 10:54 am

    So well put WEKA, mangled metaphors and all…

    Indigenous people are disregarded and brutalised all over the world. Initially because they were seen as barriers by colonists to territory and resource acquisition, and then racism and genocide arising from white supremacism was applied–because such populations often support non growth living systems in sync with natural resources.
    Anathema and incompatible with the internal laws of capitalism and finance capital.

    Any bad actions by indigenous populations are usually down to desperation after environmental destruction or being taught warped values by experts!

    The suits are full of shit on Climate Disaster and the NZ Govt. is terrified of taking on industrial dairying–and in fact they don’t really want to when it comes down to it as intervention conflicts with the neo liberal state and lighter than air style regulation of markets.

    • Michael 1.1
      2 November 2021 at 11:15 am

      The reason the govt won't take on neoliberalism is because it knows most of us don't want it to. We are comfortable with consumer capitalism, paid for by increasing individual and collective debt to neoliberal financiers, even though we know we are killing the only world we can survive upon. It's a bit much to ask our political representatives to do anything beyond a bit of lip service towards any program that challenges our fundamental social and economic arrangements.

      • weka 1.1.1
        2 November 2021 at 12:58 pm

        completely agree. This is on the people of NZ. If we wanted to do something about climate change we'd be voting Green or Māori Party.

    • Obtrectator 1.2
      2 November 2021 at 5:27 pm

      This is likely to be an unpopular opinion with some, but perhaps I should point out that the true indigenes of New Zealand were its bird population, with giant moa and Haast's eagle at the top of the food chain. As soon as a more "advanced" species found their way there ….

      • Tiger Mountain 1.2.1
        3 November 2021 at 9:32 am

        Heh, I suspect any unpopular reaction will be down to your “stealth” Māori bash…

        • Obtrectator 1.2.1.1
          3 November 2021 at 1:27 pm

          It was not specifically a "Maori bash" – the arrival of humans of any colour or culture would have had the same result.

  2. Ad 2
    2 November 2021 at 12:47 pm

    James Shaw is a total supporter of the carbon trading system.

    It's essential within his State Sector Decarbonisation Fund:

    Budget boosts Carbon Neutral Government commitment | Beehive.govt.nz

    It's an essential part of his Green Investment Finance fund:

    Foundations laid for strong climate action | Beehive.govt.nz

    Its deep within Shaw's financial market reporting requirements of the Financial Sector (Climate Related Disclosure and Other Matters) Bill.

    NZ becomes first in world for climate reporting | Beehive.govt.nz

    Shaw continues to lead the recent reforms to our ETS:

    Emissions pricing reaches significant milestone | Beehive.govt.nz

    And it's fully throughout the Climate Change Blueprint that Ardern and Shaw launched together.

    Achievable blueprint for addressing climate change released | Beehive.govt.nz

    This is Green policy, Labour policy, and government policy – as James Shaw said "Every Minister is a climate change minister".

    • weka 2.1
      2 November 2021 at 12:57 pm

      all those links are from 2021, when Shaw is outside of Cabinet and Labour have a majority government. They demonstrate that he is doing his job properly to make small gains against the odds and despite Labour's entrenched centrist position. They don't demonstrate Green Party policy. And they don't demonstrate that we are anything close to doing what is needed to avert climate and ecological disaster.

      See if you can find the bit in Green Party policy that supports us reducing our GHGs by 7% and making up the rest from fudging numbers, and international horse trading.

      • Ad 2.1.1
        2 November 2021 at 2:26 pm

        They are links to 2021 when James Shaw is the Minister of Climate Change, representing New Zealand on behalf of the government at COP 26, and James Shaw is the co-leader of the Green Party.

        All of these policies are policies that the Green Party Co-Leader is writing, forming, negotiating, putting into practice, fronting to the public and to international leadership and on which the Green Party has voted into law and into Budget each time.

        It’s the portfolio that the Green Party agreed to carry out – as the Green Party.

        So it really is Green Party policy. Clearly not all Members like yourself agree with it, but that’s really just tough because that’s what the Green Party are voting for.

        • weka 2.1.1.1
          2 November 2021 at 2:59 pm

          this is tedious, we're going round in circles. We all know Shaw is Climate Minister. He's not in cabinet. Labour get to make the decisions. I'm sure he has input, but he has little power. If you think he has the power to change Labour policy and decisions he disagrees with, please explain how within the structures and process of current parliamentary systems.

          All of these policies are policies that the Green Party Co-Leader is writing, forming, negotiating, putting into practice, fronting to the public and to international leadership and on which the Green Party has voted into law and into Budget each time.

          Yes, he is writing what he can get past the Labour cabinet. He's not writing what the GP want. He is being pragmatic. It's not the same thing.

          Green Party policy is developed by the members, to change it the party has to go through a process. Go read it. MPs are empowered to make decisions within their parliamentary roles, but there is clear discrepancy between policy and what happens in reality in parliament. This you actually know, so I don't know why I am having to explain it. It's MMP 101. It happens with all small parties.

          • weka 2.1.1.1.1
            2 November 2021 at 3:01 pm

            and that's not to diss Shaw and his team. I trust he is getting what he can. But it's ridiculous to suggest that the snail's pace NZ is moving at is Green Party policy rather than being about Labour. To suggest such is just ignorant of how MMP governments work.

            Equally, he can't come out and say, hey we wanted to do this but Labour wouldn't let us. For pretty obvious reasons.

            • Ad 2.1.1.1.1.1
              2 November 2021 at 4:00 pm

              Green Party policy may or may not be the same as what James Shaw does as both leader of the Green Party and as responsible Minister. But that's got zero relevance to anything in parliament.

              If the Green Party were dissatisfied we would have heard about it. So far it's you.

              If you think he's powerless and needs to speak out more, he should take lessons from Peter Dunne, Laila Harre, Shane Jones or Winston Peters. They got billions, and they negotiated live in the media That's MMP 101.

              You could always just tell him you're not happy. He will probably respond that he's doing really well within his portfolio, and of course he'd like to go further. That's just patting the supporter on the head.

              James Shaw isn't speaking out because this is his policy right to the core. He built it, wrote it, negotiated it. He's not complaining precisely because he's getting his portfolio responsibility done.

              This really is James Shaw policy. And it is also government policy.

              • Obtrectator …
                2 November 2021 at 5:34 pm

                If you think he's powerless and needs to speak out more, he should take lessons from Peter Dunne, Laila Harre, Shane Jones or Winston Peters. They got billions, and they negotiated live in the media That's MMP 101.

                Um yes, and where are they all now? Maybe Shaw is playing a long game, one that ensures he and his party will be able to continue sticking around, ready for when their time does come. A lot of noise and flurry that achieves some short-term gains at the expense of one's later disappearance from the scene may be good tactics, but it's pretty ineffectual strategy.

                • Ad …
                  2 November 2021 at 6:05 pm

                  All of those characters have retired with massive policy gains and projects delivered. Good politics is good delivery.

                  We're still waiting on Shaw's plan the Commission said he was supposed to have ready for December – but now due in the 2022 Budget. Gotta be able to show something for it after 7 years as Co-Leader, 3 terms as climate spokesperson and 1.5 terms as CLimate Change Minister.

                  Anything would be good.

                • weka …
                  2 November 2021 at 6:16 pm

                  spot on. They are playing the long game. They want change not power, and this is how they're getting it at the moment.

                  It's a nonsense to say that Labour aren't controlling the agenda here when they have a majority government. Bizarre.

                • pat …
                  2 November 2021 at 6:28 pm

                  "Winning slowly is the same as losing"

                  Bill McKibben

                  "If we don’t win very quickly on climate change, then we will never win. That’s the core truth about global warming."

                  https://world.350.org/pittsburgh/bill-mckibben-winning-slowly-is-the-same-as-losing/

        • Bearded Git 2.1.1.2
          2 November 2021 at 3:06 pm

          This a Labour government …100 per cent Labour around the cabinet table….Shaw and the rest of the Greens have been sidelined by Labour and so are doing their best with hands tied

          • Ad 2.1.1.2.1
            2 November 2021 at 4:04 pm

            That just disrespects the actual work and skill Shaw has brought to the portfolio.

            Imagine if James had been responsible for the mess in immigration, local government, or transport. He'd be given a solid roasting.

            He's taken a small portfolio within a fairly minor Ministry (MfE) and got a huge amount of legislation, an entire cross-government workstream, and a really big budget bid in play for 2022.

            That actually takes a lot of skill. He sure hasn't been sidelined. In fact right now he's centre stage.

  3. Tricledrown 3
    2 November 2021 at 12:47 pm

    Until we feel consequences of human induced climate change attitudes won't change.

    Politicians have elections to win until more people vote green .Climate action will be a very hard sell.Putin and Xaoping didn't show.

    So the attitude of the majority is why should we change when no one else is.

    • Brigid 3.1
      2 November 2021 at 2:50 pm

      Xi Jinping will address cop26 by written statement.

      Who is Xaoping?

      • RedLogix 3.1.1
        2 November 2021 at 6:25 pm

        Well even the Guardian has noticed that Xi Xinping really hasn't done anything new.

        The ABC digs a little deeper.

        As China's economy continues to grow, the challenge of keeping on the lights will only become pressing.

        The coal production boost for the coming northern hemisphere winter, along with growing fears about insufficient energy supply, means the nation is increasing its use of coal at a time when other nations are already reducing it.

        More than 230 coal-fired power plants are also under construction or planned in the coming years, according to the Global Coal Plant tracker.

        The new plants have a planned energy capacity greater than the rest of the world's new coal-fired power plants combined.

        Why exactly are you so keen to give the CCP a free pass on this?

        • Brigid 3.1.1.1
          2 November 2021 at 7:46 pm

          Where have I given the 'CCP (sic) a free pass on this''? I haven't read his statement yet.

          You may be satisfied with the Guardian's report. I will read the original statement.

          FYI

          His name is (in English) Xi Jinping. He is the President of the People's Republic of China. The Guardian manages to spell his name correctly. This seems to be beyond you, along with your inability to name the country correctly.

  4. Foreign Waka 4
    2 November 2021 at 12:57 pm

    https://wwf.panda.org/discover/knowledge_hub/where_we_work/amazon/amazon_threats/other_threats/logging_amazon/

    https://theconversation.com/climate-explained-what-would-happen-if-we-cut-down-the-amazon-rainforest-150054

    https://www.rainforest-rescue.org/topics/palm-oil

    Climate is regulated by circulation and exchange of water in all its forms through air and ground. No amount of planting in NZ will make a difference if we don't stop the deforestation of the last remaining Rainforests the world over.

    https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/great-pacific-garbage-patch/

    Next to the strong reduction of consumerism that causes the sea to be come a grave for all water animals as well as humans as the circulation (see above) wont work.

    The issue here is that all people need to survive and many have to toil in those industries causing the destructing as they need to feed their family and have a roof over their head.

    And this essentially what it is about. If for the sake of being “right” people are being made to suffer you have no buy in of any group. And hungry people will take to the pitch forks, literally.

    True, NZ has to contribute in deed and words. But it doesn't have to hold the burden of the world. As long as we talk about race and people dividing policies, nothing will happen due to the always successful blame game. Divide and conquer.

    Industry, be it forestry, farming, agriculture, mining etc.. need to be brought to a table and discuss how they can provide solutions. No one is interested in divisive hate propaganda such as is being placated lately. I am convinced that 98% of people would follow any path that provides a solution on reasonable terms. The 2% greedy to the hilt just need to accept that the majority wants a future.

  5. RosieLee 5
    2 November 2021 at 1:31 pm

    Let's start by totally banning palm kernel imports and enforcing sustainable stocking levels.

    Let's start by banning the buying up of carbon credits in other countries just to make the numbers look good. I cannot believe that we are considering this.

    Let's start by enforcing the fencing off and planting of waterways. It's not happening in a meaningful way.

    Let's start by inspecting and enforcing of conditions around effluent and waste water disposal.

    This massive talkfest in Glasgow will result in sweet FA – it's nothing more than a junket. How much is it costing?

    • Foreign Waka 5.1
      2 November 2021 at 2:27 pm

      RosieLee, I fully agree.

    • Maurice 5.2
      2 November 2021 at 2:28 pm

      Exactly who is going to "enforce" any of these?

      At one Farmer's meeting it was reputedly said: 'There are not enough of you'

      • Foreign waka 5.2.1
        2 November 2021 at 6:41 pm

        Well, this is the problem in one sentence. WHY would we need to excessively control, check and enforce anything? The situation is so dire that any farmer of repute working the land will or ought to know that their kids can look forward to a killer time to take over their job. On land or sea.

        Palm kernel controlled via import control

        Carbon credits via government controls

        Fencing and waterways via DOC

        If all else fails, than fees on every m2 of farmland to create a fund repairing the damage will do what words obviously cannot.

        Like this one:

        https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/126860610/why-was-300kg-of-crayfish-dumped-to-rot

        How about putting a price on each cray (commercial) plus GST, an environmental fee, a fee related to age of the animal and charge the proprietor. It takes up to 11 years for a cray to mature.

        Just to reiterate on my previous comment:

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T48_SrFCdaQ

        • Maurice 5.2.1.1
          2 November 2021 at 11:23 pm

          "Palm kernel controlled via import control"

          That would end up at the WTO as it has with the EU in the case of the oil.

          https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/malaysia-escalate-eu-palm-oil-dispute-wto-2021-05-28/

          Besides which cows would starve.

          "Carbon credits via government controls"

          Already Farmers are gaming that system with the consequences that huge tracts are being planted with non-native mono-culture Pine trees – as one instance.

          "Fencing and waterways via DOC"

          ROFL – DOC cannot even look after Crown Land let alone Farm Land

          "If all else fails, than fees on every m2 of farmland to create a fund repairing the damage will do what words obviously cannot."

          Ah! More Tax – many farms are so negatively geared that they pay little tax now and I am sure the Banks will have something to say about wanting their interest first!

          • Foreign Waka 5.2.1.1.1
            3 November 2021 at 7:36 am

            Essentially, all of this is just creative accounting. This will not see the environment improve anytime soon.

            If cows starve than ecological NZ has an unsustainable number of it. Farmers have negatively geared because of forecasts increasing the heard even more so. The pines are just planted for carbon credits and yes you guessed it, increasing the bottom line. We are talking about the same folks that releases viruses into the environment because they "know better" than science. Only to find a few years later that the rabbits are back, more and stronger. The wisdom of those connected to the land… yeah right.

            But we needn't worry, the land is being sold under our feet and we will not have any say of any environmental damage caused.

            Not that there is substantial effort to make things better, but ROI overrides everything.

            https://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/assets/WRC/WRC-2019/tr0737.pdf

            https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/317103/foreigners-continue-to-invest-heavily-in-nz-farms

            And yes, if a tax is needed to force a change so be it. It has worked with smoking, fuel and any other "behavior" regulator.

  6. Koff 6
    2 November 2021 at 4:27 pm

    Protesters in Glasgow are sending a clear message to the Cop 26 participants in the main hall, singing "You can shove your climate crisis up your arse". Good to see Greta Thunberg smiling as she sings along.

    https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/greta-thunberg-glasgow-sing-climate-crisis-cop26-b1949431.html

    Big demo with striking Glasgow workers planned for Friday by climate protesters. Mass action on the streets is the only way timid politicians are going to take any action.

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

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

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

  • The Hoon around the week to Sept 30
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:Labour presented a climate manifesto that aimed to claim the high ground on climate action vs National, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

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

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

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

  • Climate Change: The wrong direction
    This week the International Energy Association released its Net Zero Roadmap, intended to guide us towards a liveable climate. The report demanded huge increases in renewable generation, no new gas or oil, and massive cuts to methane emissions. It was positive about our current path, but recommended that countries with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 days ago

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

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

  • 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    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 ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    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 ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    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. ...
    Skeptical Science
    7 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 ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    7 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
    7 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
    7 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
    1 week 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
    1 week ago

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

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

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

  • New community-level energy projects to support more than 800 Māori households
    Seven more innovative community-scale energy projects will receive government funding through the Māori and Public Housing Renewable Energy Fund to bring more affordable, locally generated clean energy to more than 800 Māori households, Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods says. “We’ve already funded 42 small-scale clean energy projects that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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
    5 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
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