An angry little sadsack

Written By: - Date published: 11:30 am, September 3rd, 2009 - 66 comments
Categories: local government, racism - Tags: ,

I know a dude who went to law school. In one of his lecture theatres was this ‘old guy’ who was always whining (especially about anything to do with Maori), couldn’t keep up with the material, and always seemed intent on making himself the centre of attention.

Finally, the dude leaned over to his mate one day: ‘who is that guy?’. The response: ‘that’s Michael Laws, he was an MP’.

It seems Laws never finished his law degree. Instead, he went off to inflict himself and his frequent racism on the people of Whanganui and anyone else who would listen.

Now the sadsack is taking out his anger on Maori kids. Some 12 year-old kids from a kura kaupapa in Otaki wrote to him saying he should change the name of his city to include the ‘h’. (is it sad or good that we live in a country where that’s a national issue?). Laws responded:

‘when your class starts addressing the real issues affecting Maoridom particularly the appalling rate of child abuse and child murder within Maori society, then I will take the rest of your views seriously’.

He added: ‘Perhaps sacking your teacher for allowing such misapprehension to flourish?’

In handwriting at the bottom of his letter, Mr Laws wrote: ‘PS Controlling your anger might be a start!”

In Laws’ world, you’re not allowed an opinion on spelling place-names unless you also have a solution to murder and child abuse. The irony, of course, is that Laws himself has been the one failing to address real issues as mayor. Instead, he’s devoted his mayoralty to using a trivial spelling disagreement as a platform for more self-exposure.

lprent:

The letters are at RoarPrawn in her post “Hang your head in shame Micheal Laws” with a followup in “We are sorry“. How often is it that we agree with BustedBlonde?

66 comments on “An angry little sadsack ”

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  1. the sprout 1
    3 September 2009 at 11:39 am

    the more i hear of laws, the more i’m inclined to believe he’s become quite unhinged.

    he’s alwas been provocative, and i guess being a talkback host doesn’t do much for developing your rational faculties, and he’s suffered some serious personal stressors in the last few years.

    but the man is supposed to be a leader. i really don’t think he’s fit for the job.

  2. BLiP 2
    3 September 2009 at 12:25 pm

    Laws is a product of the Muldoon School of Political Science and trained at the feet of Professor Winston Peters. The reaching into the irrational psyche of all New Zealanders and giving permission to hate without reason has always been a vote winner.

    • the sprout 2.1
      3 September 2009 at 1:01 pm

      very true indeed

    • Rex Widerstrom 2.2
      3 September 2009 at 5:03 pm

      I think that’s a little unfair BLiP. I interviewed Muldoon several times, first when I was but a callow youth. That interview won an award and so I was interviewed by The Listener. Not being as savvy about the ways of these journo types back then, when I thought the interview was over I let rip on how rude Muldoon had been in not showing me out of his office (I actually walked into a storage cupboard). They published it. Boxed in the middle of the page, in case anyone missed it.

      When next I interviewed him, while still at school, I was a tad nervous about what might happen, specially at the end. Without saying he’d seen my comments, Muldoon got up, walked to the door, opened it, did a slight bow, and growled “So kind of you to have come” as he ushered me out.

      He could have called me a mouthy 15 year old upstart and written me a nasty letter. Instead he actually managed a joke, and won my respect from that day onward.

      Journalists, opponents, and more than a few people in his own party, yes. A child – never. The same applies to Winston. Under extreme provocation I’ve never seen him anything other than gracious and polite to the public.

      I’m sure that the primary motivator for both was that it’s better politics to use honey than vinegar.

      But aside from that, when it comes to sheer bile, Lhaws is in a class of his own and neither Peters nor Muldoon deserve to be included in it.

      Lhaws is, in fact, the only person I’ve ever heard referred to by another person — one not at all given to hyperbole but who knows him well — as “evil”. Even though she said it post my run-in with him in NZF I scoffed. Having seen him in action in Wanganui, on on Radio (for the) Dead, I begin to wonder if she didn’t choose exactly the right descriptor…

      • Pascal's bookie 2.2.1
        3 September 2009 at 5:32 pm

        Awesome comment Rex, and a great Muldoon story. Thanks.

      • BLiP 2.2.2
        3 September 2009 at 5:44 pm

        Yeah, okay, point taken – and a good read too. Thanks.

        • Macro 2.2.2.1
          4 September 2009 at 8:38 pm

          I’ve a good Muldoon story too! But I’d better not tell it here! (Just what is the limitation on what can be said about Cabinet Economic Committee meetings – not a lot I suspect?)

  3. grumpy 3
    3 September 2009 at 12:42 pm

    Clearly, Laws is not normal – but the citizens of Wanganui like him (a bit like Tim Shadbolt).

    It would be informative to see the original letters – perhaps you guys or DPF could put them up, then we can all be the judge.

  4. Brett Dale 4
    3 September 2009 at 12:44 pm

    The people of Wanganui voted and didn’t want a spelling change to the name Wanganui, it seems this teacher is against democracy, I wonder if a kid at this school who agreed with laws would of been allowed to write a letter of support?

    • BLiP 4.1
      3 September 2009 at 1:06 pm

      It would seem Laws hates democracy. Just because the “people have voted” doesn’t mean dissent is or should be silenced. Respondng to the democratic protest of the children with a tirade about “baby bashing Maori” is a lesson in real-politik – but talking to children like that is sending the message: dissent and you will be pillioried.

      What a wonderful lesson those childen would have learned about taking part in the democratic process from Laws. No doubt he feels enabled to behave like that thanks to the example set by National Ltd’s Basher Bennett.

    • Bright Red 4.2
      3 September 2009 at 1:10 pm

      Should everyone who ever had an opinion that wasn’t in keeping with the majority just shut the hell up?

      You’re against free speech brett?

    • Nick 4.3
      3 September 2009 at 1:52 pm

      I wonder if a kid at this school who agreed with laws would of been allowed to write a letter of support…

      It’s would have Brett. Back to school for you.

      • Macro 4.3.1
        4 September 2009 at 8:43 pm

        Brett – every student in the class wrote a different letter, but all were along the same lines – they all expressed their disappointment with the decision not to include the letter “h”.

  5. ghostwhowalks 5
    3 September 2009 at 12:50 pm

    Even sadder than Laws is the advertising ( or lack of it- they were using the fact that ZB has tons more as a selling more)- a succession of potions for erectile dysfunction and those who are confined to chairs by lack of mobility and a web site for ‘working girls’.
    The change when he is away and replaced by his standins Hay & Fagin is like another world.
    The hedge funds that own the debt that the business was bought with might decide Laws is too much ‘overhead’ and choose his standins permanently

  6. The Voice of Reason 6
    3 September 2009 at 12:51 pm

    Laws is an egotist, with little or no regard for the consequences of his diatribes. His racism is very thinly disguised (his description of a pacific islander as a fat brown slug comes to mind). His campaign against gang patches has had no effect, except to give Whanganui the undeserved label of a gang city. Bear in mind that his mentor in politics was Winston Peters and you’ll get the picture.

    He is not beyond bullshitting and media manipulation if it will help win sympathy. A couple of examples; some wit added a ‘h’ to the large steel sign outside the Wanganui Council chambers. Laws went on radio saying they should give themselves up because the council had CCTV footage of the action and the perp’s would be easily identified. Actually, they didn’t, as the one external camera doesn’t film the council building but rather strangely points in the direction of the front door of the Irish bar across the road.

    Secondly, when stones were thrown through an empty bedroom in his house (a cowardly act, IMO), he was quick to place the blame on pro ‘h’ troublemakers (ie maori). He had photos taken with his partner dressed like Mother Theresa and kids toys placed on the window sill, to heighten the effect. It would have been more believable if the toys faced into the room, rather than out to the street, but spin is spin, eh.

    His Vision grouping on the council has seriously fractured, and is no longer a majority in council. Conservatives still have the numbers in toto, hence the gang patch bylaw passing, but there is likely to be one credible right candidate up against him at the next election and possibly one from the left, too.

    Whanganui is a left leaning city, as MP Chester Borrows knows only too well and Laws’ mayoralty is an abberation. If it were not for the platform his radio show provides, the constant stream of self promoting council publications and the daily photos in the local paper, he wouldn’t be there. With a bit of luck and a some serious graft, after the next council elections he won’t be.

  7. ConorJoe 7
    3 September 2009 at 12:52 pm

    From the dompost, Laws – “I think it’s wrong for kids to be angry about something inanimate, don’t you?”
    Ay?
    One suspects he didn’t finish his degree ’cause he couldn’t finish the degree.
    He operates at the level of the kids he is tussling with.

  9. Steve 9
    3 September 2009 at 1:16 pm

    Maori using children as pawns to push their personal agenda?
    How sad

    • Bright Red 9.1
      3 September 2009 at 1:21 pm

      that’s your line? pathetic steve

      • Steve 9.1.1
        3 September 2009 at 1:30 pm

        That’s what it is all really about, banging the Maori drum, nothing else.
        Michael Laws just made the children aware that they were coned by the school and teacher.

        • Pascal's bookie 9.1.1.1
          3 September 2009 at 1:39 pm

          Good oh. So we just get to make up what it’s all ‘really’ about now. Cool.

          Your comments are really about how scared you are of brown people and the temporary relief from that fear Michael Lhaws gives you. It’d be sad if it weren’t so fuckn ugly.

        • checker 9.1.1.2
          3 September 2009 at 1:41 pm

          Steve are you retarded ?

          The kids are in a dual language school and maybe just maybe this is an issue that they would be interested in – why the fuck would Laws reply in such a manner to 11 and 12 year olds who had written to him – if he hasn’t got anything useful to say to a group of children apart from his bizarre rant he should STFU rather than let his ego get out of control – seems to be a common problem amongst Mayors in this country.

          PS I support him on his patch ban but on this he has failed miserably.

          • Steve 9.1.1.2.1
            3 September 2009 at 2:06 pm

            Maybe I am retarded. Every time I mention “Maori Bullshit” it upsets a group of Maori good – Pakeha bad people. They dislike it when people like Michael Laws give them the truth.

            • checker 9.1.1.2.1.1
              3 September 2009 at 2:49 pm

              What’s Maori bullshit about a group of kids writing to the mayor ?

              What truth did Michael Laws give them in relation to the letters they wrote ?

              Do you think it’s reasonable for him to say in response to their letter about the spelling of W(h)anganui ……

              “”when your class starts addressing the real issues affecting Maoridom particularly the appalling rate of child abuse and child murder within Maori society, then I will take the rest of your views seriously’.

              If any school my kids go/went to received a letter like that from the Mayor I’d be questioning whether the Mayor was on the turps even Winston at his most ludicrous wouldn’t have spouted this kind of crap.

        • Ron 9.1.1.3
          3 September 2009 at 6:16 pm

          what? are you suggesting the teachers gave the kids marijuana?

  10. Craig Glen Eden 10
    3 September 2009 at 1:29 pm

    The sad thing is when adults don’t allow kids to express political opinion. Like all things kids like adults learn as we go and in my view we should(adults) be encouraging children to learn about politics,and express their views. Hell many adults are so politically stupid because they have never fostered a interest in politics let alone be involved in a party.
    Laws is the sad looser here, I just hope the kids don’t get to disillusioned.

    I guess sadly the first lesson is a bully is a bully no matter what job he holds!

    • Noko 10.1
      3 September 2009 at 1:39 pm

      It’s fairly clear why, I mean kids don’t know what they’re talking about do they? They should just get back to playing their PS2 games and talking about bashing a mate of theirs. They don’t know anything, and probably won’t ever because of their left-leaning teachers indoctrinating them.

      Just kidding, fuck this ageist bullshit.

  11. toad 11
    3 September 2009 at 1:56 pm

    Even Farrar thinks Laws has gone too far with this one.

    I would have put the word “bigoted” somewhere in the post title though Zet.

  12. Brett Dale 12
    3 September 2009 at 2:01 pm

    Bright red:

    Its mostly lefties that hate free speech, they are ones that scream shut up, if someone has a different opinion than them

    Nick”

    would of, would have, whats the difference?

    • BLiP 12.1
      3 September 2009 at 2:12 pm

      would of, would have, whats the difference?

      Indicates someone not thinking about what they are writing and far better able to talk than listen.

    • fraser 12.2
      3 September 2009 at 3:05 pm

      brett – you do realise youve just called redbaiter a leftie? 🙂

  13. felix 13
    3 September 2009 at 3:08 pm

    would of, would have, whats the difference?

    Come on Brett – one is correct use of language, the other means nothing at all.

    There are three official languages in this country that I’m aware of. Your sentence makes no sense in any of them.

    I hope you’re not expecting us to learn a new language just to communicate with you, Brett – that could be construed as being a bit racist. (not by sensible people of course, but certainly by the batshit-paranoid definitions of racism I’ve seen you use in the past.)

  14. no leftie 14
    3 September 2009 at 3:48 pm

    Call me a cynic but has it dawned on anyone that Michael Laws has another job – where they’ve just started counting the listeners again. So every time he gets a mention in the media, be it for banning gang patches or W(h)anganui, there’s the off change people might tune in.

  15. Brett Dale 15
    3 September 2009 at 4:09 pm

    Three official languages??? I thought we only had two.

  16. roger nome 16
    3 September 2009 at 4:18 pm

    Be fair BliP – Brett knows that money=good and maaries=bad – what more is there to know about New Zealand?

    • Pascal's bookie 16.1
      3 September 2009 at 4:36 pm

      Key = Obama?

      • lukas 16.1.1
        3 September 2009 at 5:19 pm

        apart from their ratings

        • BLiP 16.1.1.1
          3 September 2009 at 5:34 pm

          Lukey-Pukey back again to snipe.

          All very well being able to express dissent here, isn’t it, when comments on your own site are deleted because they don’t fit with your broken arse world view. And you have the bare arse cheek to claim “the most insightful commentary you are likely to come across ”

          You are a true reflection of your chosen party.

          Still, what can one expect from someone who goes around kicking in windows at public hospital emergency departments? Fucking vandal. Hope you get done.

    • BLiP 16.2
      3 September 2009 at 4:41 pm

      Yeah, true. Plus, given the example of his political masters in relation to understanding those on the margins, why should he know anything about Sign Language?

  17. Daveski 17
    3 September 2009 at 5:00 pm

    teeth gritted … Zet’s best post yet … teeth not gritted

    Laws is a self serving idiot.

  18. Brett Dale 18
    3 September 2009 at 5:51 pm

    ROGER:

    Please pick my post where I suggested that money is good and marries are bad?

    What is a marrie by the way?

    I’m for gay marriage by the way.

  19. Brett Dale 19
    3 September 2009 at 5:55 pm

    Sign Language?

    A basic thing of our country?

    Im guessing more kiwis wouldn’t know this?

  20. Westminster 20
    3 September 2009 at 7:02 pm

    We only have two “official” languages: Maori and Sign Language. Weirdly, I guess because it’s the lingua franca, English is not deemed in law to be official. It’s obliquely referred to in lots of pieces of regulation which require forms, words and phrases to be expressed in English…but it’s not actually defined as being an official language. So, it’s Sign and Maori that are the two official languages.

    • BLiP 20.1
      3 September 2009 at 7:06 pm

      Another one! Good grief! According to the government, English is an official language. Unless, of course, “de facto” doesn’t count any more.

      • felix 20.1.1
        3 September 2009 at 7:24 pm

        English is not deemed in law to be official.

        Assuming that’s true, I’m not too surprised. All sorts of “default settings” are missing from the statute books. Interesting though.

        No more English for me tonight then, just NZSL. I’m signing to Brett right now.

  21. Westminster 21
    3 September 2009 at 7:35 pm

    Blip – I wasn’t disputing that English is an important language in NZ. If you’re going to play pedant read carefully before you reply. English is not defined as an official language. That’s all I am saying. Regardless, back to the topic at hand – Michael Laws should be ashamed of himself and the people of Whanganui should be collectively embarassed.

    • The Voice of Reason 21.1
      3 September 2009 at 8:15 pm

      “and the people of Whanganui should be collectively embarassed”

      They are, Westminster. Every morning at 9.

  22. greenfly 22
    3 September 2009 at 7:59 pm

    “Angry little sadsack” – poetry that!

  23. Brett 23
    3 September 2009 at 8:39 pm

    I can’t understand why Maori are complaining about the way Wanganui is spelt?, they didn’t even have a written language so how can you complain how the names spelt.

    • The Voice of Reason 23.1
      3 September 2009 at 9:01 pm

      Not just maori, Brett.

      It’s about respect, understanding history, showing a willingness to partner with tangata whenua, putting community ahead of self and leaving ego at the door. The river is already spelled correctly, the electorate too. When I was a kid there use to be a city up north called Wangarei. Can’t find it on the map now. Whanganui is coming, no matter how many racist grippers stand in the way.

  24. Westminster 24
    3 September 2009 at 8:51 pm

    Yeah, that’s right, Brett. Stone age people saved from their own squalor by superior Europeans, eh? Good stuff. So, is it as cold there in your neck of the 19th century as it is here today in the 21st?

  25. Galeandra 25
    3 September 2009 at 9:50 pm

    they didn’t even have a written language so how can you complain how the names spelt.

    and no written histories, dictionaries of language biography whakapapa… no songs stories waiata….. I don’t know why all the mokopuna take books to te kura ,and have to write te reo……

    C’mon Brett get real, get over it, accept the wonderful welcome you received to Te Ika back in the day from generous hearted people, proud of ‘their’ pakeha. Whanganui’s a lovely place and I always stop there on the way home to the Naki ……

  26. sunny 26
    7 September 2009 at 2:51 pm

    Try taking the ‘surplus’ h out of Christchurch and see how people feel!

    As for Laws at uni…wasn’t he at Otago at some point around 1981 and very involved with a pro Springbok Tour group (SPIR I think it was called) ?

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    I live my life (woo-ooh-ooh)With no control in my destinyYea-yeah, yea-yeah (woo-ooh-ooh)I can bleed when I want to bleedSo come on, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)You can bleed when you want to bleedYea-yeah, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)Everybody bleed when they want to bleedCome on and bleedGovernments face tough challenges. Selling unpopular decisions to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Casey Costello gaslights Labour in the House

    Please note:To skip directly to the- parliamentary footage in the video, scroll to 1:21 To skip to audio please click on the headphone icon on the left hand side of the screenThis video / audio section is under development. ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    3 days ago
  • Why is the Texas grid in such bad shape?

    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Headline from 2021 The Texas grid, run by ERCOT, has had a rough few years. In 2021, winter storm Uri blacked out much of the state for several days. About a week ago, Hurricane Beryl knocked out ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on a textbook case of spending waste by the Luxon government

    Given the crackdown on wasteful government spending, it behooves me to point to a high profile example of spending by the Luxon government that looks like a big, fat waste of time and money. I’m talking about the deployment of NZDF personnel to support the US-led coalition in the Red ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:40 am on Wednesday, July 24 are:Deep Dive: Chipping away at the housing crisis, including my comments RNZ/Newsroom’s The DetailNews: Government softens on asset sales, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • LXR Takaanini

    As I reported about the city centre, Auckland’s rail network is also going through a difficult and disruptive period which is rapidly approaching a culmination, this will result in a significant upgrade to the whole network. Hallelujah. Also like the city centre this is an upgrade predicated on the City ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    3 days ago
  • Four kilograms of pain

    Today, a 4 kilogram report will be delivered to Parliament. We know this is what the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care weighs, because our Prime Minister told us so.Some reporter had blindsided him by asking a question about something done by ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, July 24, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Beehive: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to use PPPs to fund, build and run a four-lane expressway between Auckland ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Luxon gets caught out

    NewstalkZB host Mike Hosking, who can usually be relied on to give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon an easy run, did not do so yesterday when he interviewed him about the HealthNZ deficit. Luxon is trying to use a deficit reported last year by HealthNZ as yet another example of the ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • A worrying sign

    Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Are we fine with 47.9% home-ownership by 2048?

    Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloitte report for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Let's Win This

    You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Waimahara: The Singing Spirit of Water

    There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’s Oliver LewisScoop: Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announced the Board of Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • HealthNZ and Luxon at cross purposes over budget blowout

    Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 19

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent talking about the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s release of its first Emissions Reduction Plan;University of Otago Foreign Relations Professor and special guest Dr Karin von ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #29 2024

    Open access notables Improving global temperature datasets to better account for non-uniform warming, Calvert, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society: To better account for spatial non-uniform trends in warming, a new GITD [global instrumental temperature dataset] was created that used maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to combine the land surface ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

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