Announcement delayed

Written By: - Date published: 6:15 am, October 11th, 2017 - 70 comments
Categories: election 2017 - Tags: , ,

Widely reported last night:

Winston Peters: It won’t be known on Thursday who the new government is

Winston Peters says no announcement will be made about the next government on Thursday…

Peters said back in July that a decision would be made public on October 12 but on Tuesday night he said there were “other arrangements” to be made first.

“Our target is to complete all these discussions by Thursday night – nothing’s changed.”

Asked if an announcement was likely by Friday, Peters said, “no, I didn’t say that”.

“I’ve got other arrangements and people to first of all organise themselves and ourselves as well.”

Peters said an announcement would be made as soon as possible after Thursday night but it also “depends on other parties” and he couldn’t “answer for them”. …

Great news for all those who are enjoying the suspense!

70 comments on “Announcement delayed ”

  1. weka 1

    Personally, I don’t mind if they take another week. I’d rather the people who are going to be in charge of the country for the next three years took adequate time to get it right and start on a good footing, rather than rushing to some arbitrary time frame.

    • cleangreen 1.1

      100% behind WEKA on this;

      Because more time taken now even if it was a month will reap a better outcome for the left rather than rushing all those policies to quickly will cost mistakes and loss of some important policies we just cannot afford to leave out of the agreement.

      Transport freight, particularly (RAIL) which has strangely recently been shelved it seems by the media, is now needed to be brought forward and properly discused now, in light of the recent loss of 14 lives in the last four days is a very serious issue as the roads are now gridlocked with trucks and are becomming to dangerous to drive on now, as the roads are literally falling apart.

      So these kind of issues need to be discused completely with policies and that will take time so yes we all need to let the three parties to relax and go together to hatch a solid partnership to take over Government.

    • Xanthe 1.2

      I agree, take the time and do it right.
      Personally i think this period of talk and consideration of what is most important to nz citizens is a really positive thing and we will,have better more focused and coordinated govt from it. Of course the mefia (sic) will paint a different picture,

  2. Thinkerr 2

    Well, if he was meaning his discussions with National, the other party would need to be ACT. And Seymour has said enough to make that unlikely.

    So, I see this as a positive sign, albeit always aware that Winston sometimes surprises by pulling a rubber chicken out of the hat, instead of the fluffy bunny that everyone hoped for.

    • red-blooded 2.1

      Don’t read tooo much into it – “other parties” could just refer to National or Labour. They’ll both have internal processes to ratify any deal.

  3. outofbed 3

    Greens need to put any agreements to members

    • r0b 3.1

      Interesting.

    • rightofleftcentre 3.2

      Yes this is the ideal issue to put before a committee of hundreds and thousands…

      • red-blooded 3.2.1

        “Hundreds and thousands”? There’s a consultation team that’s already been picked to make the decision on behalf of Green members. It’s still quite big (I think Julie-Anne Genter said on Morning Report that is was about 120), but that’s hardly thousands!

        • tuppence shrewsbury 3.2.1.1

          A hand picked politburo who explicitly represent the choices of all green members? sounds democratic in the extreme

          • Paul Campbell 3.2.1.1.1

            I believe it’s a group of representatives elected by the rank and file, a parliament if you will.

            You’re thinking of the national party central committee who don’t go put coalition deals to their members at all

          • Macro 3.2.1.1.2

            Nope. The decision goes to regions and delegates are elected to represent the wishes of each region.
            But those who do not understand consensus decision making will never understand
            Consensus decision making is a creative and dynamic way of reaching agreement between all members of a group. Instead of simply voting for an item and having the majority of the group getting their way, a group using consensus is committed to finding solutions that everyone actively supports, or at least can live with.

  4. mickysavage 5

    Great graphic …

  5. Robert Guyton 6

    Wheels within wheels within wheels; false trails, reversed sign-posts, smoke of the wrong colour, bells rung backwards, yellow ribbons tied around the old Larch tree, winds that suck, not blow, Punxsutawney Winston pulling his head back in as the season’s not yet upon us…who could ever have guessed this would happen???
    Down to the quick we are!

  6. Peter 7

    Lets hope that it is in fact the new PM making the announcements about the new coalition government, not the leader of the 7% party.

  7. The decrypter 8

    If this practice of wink wink, nod nod is seen as just as a quirky Winston trait you just wait till he is at the top table with the big boys -and girl? There he will be unbearable.

    • red-blooded 8.1

      He wasn’t unbearable the last time he held a ministerial position. He did the job just fine and worked with the wider team. So long as there’s some room for NZF to keep their own identity, things should be OK. He’s done this before, after all. The first time he tried to tie everything down too much in a formal coalition; the next time he gave himself and his party a bit more leeway by becoming a minister outside cabinet. Hopefully, he’s learned from these experiences.

    • cleangreen 8.2

      ” this practice of wink wink, nod nod is seen as just as a quirky Winston trait”

      Hardly !!!; – as the whole National party have been dishing this crap out to us, as brain wash fodder for nine years decrupter, – get it right!!!!!!

  8. Skinny 9

    “I’ve got other arrangements and people to first of all organise themselves and ourselves as well.”

    Well that is pretty clear Peters is giving Labour’s ‘Left arm’ the Greens time to put the deal to their membership to vote on, hopefully in agreement.

    I have gotten to know Peters well enough campaigning over a number of years in recent times. He has already made his mind up, well actually National have made that very easy. Also people can say what they like about Jones, however make no mistake he hasn’t entered politics again to prop up a rĂŠgime he can not ethically support. My only real concern is Labour and are they prepared to accept and adopt the real policy platform Peters wants implemented??

    • weka 9.1

      What policy of NZF’s would Labour have a problem with?

      • Skinny 9.1.1

        Well you would be better off directing that question to Savage or some other party puppets that lurk in here.
        Off the top of my head Labour and Greens Rail thinking is on a different track to NZ First. L/G and Goff are planning on light rail to the Auckland airport. Peters will want to bin that idea in favour of of the more robust option of heavy rail.

        Also I don’t think Labour were expecting to move into the electrification of Auckland to Tauranga and probably Northland too. This will all mean funding ourselves not loaning from overseas, and forget about foreign PPP’s that will be a no go area for Peters. He is all about make New Zealand great again so it is Kiwi build.

        • weka 9.1.1.1

          Are you saying that Labour should adopt NZF policy as is?

          Afaik micky doesn’t speak for the Labour Party, so a reminder to take some care in how you characterise authors here.

          • Skinny 9.1.1.1.1

            It is a negotiation Labour will be crunching what they can live with and what they can’t. If they can’t then they are sitting over in opposition which will suit Ardern being a bit ‘lite weighted’.

            Oh for goodness sake don’t wave a stick at me. Savage would be more in tune with policy than me, I am no policy wonk. Either you want the insight on man of the moment or not? I doubt you have many that can text him and he calls back within the hour bothering to comment in here lol. There is a couple of funny guys like WK and ED that amuse me enough to make the odd comment.

            • weka 9.1.1.1.1.1

              “It is a negotiation Labour will be crunching what they can live with and what they can’t.”

              No shit. I think that’s a given. You said,

              “My only real concern is Labour and are they prepared to accept and adopt the real policy platform Peters wants implemented??”

              I still don’t know what you mean by that.

              • Skinny

                Well OK let me spell it out since you are having problems working it out yourself.

                Putting an end to the ‘ failed neo liberal’ path that the establishment parties Labour & National have traversed since 1984.

                • weka

                  Lol, ok, yes I didn’t pick that from your original comment. We’ll see. Peters is a centrist. If he was really intent on ending neoliberalism he’d be happier to work with parties left of Labour. So while I think he does want to see an end to parts of the neoliberal project, there are limits on how far he will go with that. And let’s not forget he’s been a key part of the neoliberal establishment for many years.

                  What Labour will do is going to be interesting. Best bet I can see is to push them left in whatever way we can. I’m sure NZF will help with that, and I think they will hinder it in ways too.

                  • Skinny

                    Great we are on the same page finally. I admit I do speak in riddles at times. It is a bit tricky framing details.
                    The biggest problem Peters has is combating the influence of China. Both National & Labour are heavily committed politically, any push back will be swiftly met with economic repercussions. The only way to weave a way out of this mess is for Peters to take the trade portfolio, he knows this so that should be taken as a non negotiable position.

        • WILD KATIPO 9.1.1.2

          … ” This will all mean funding ourselves not loaning from overseas, and forget about foreign PPP’s that will be a no go area for Peters ” …

          Excellent ! … the less emphasis on foreign PPP’s the better!

          We did it before ourselves and the place prospered , – and we can do it again.

          • Skinny 9.1.1.3.1

            Oh Carol please no need to spread ‘fake news’ neither Labour or the Greens mentioned Northland in their ‘golden triangle’ puff pieces. Keep it factual rather than making it up.

      • SpaceMonkey 9.1.2

        Probably any of the economic ones.

    • 🙂

      That crossed my mind last night,… sort of a wee extension for everybody to get into position as it were , Skinny ,… just a hunch.

    • cleangreen 9.3

      100% Skinny.

      Labour and NZF are closely aligned but the Greens must acept to work with them both for our common good of “changing government.”

      I have attended four meetingsd of NZF where Winston has publically spoken.

      And at all his message has sent the message that he needs to change the government to change the course of destruction and wholesale selling of our country.

      Winston is now on a mission it is clear.

      • Macro 9.3.1

        I think you would find (if you were in fact to do a little investigation on these matters instead of spouting off the top of your head) that there are many NZF policies that are more closely aligned with the Greens than with Labour.
        The major sticking points for both Labour and the Greens are the Repeal of the Section 59 of the Crimes Act amendment (the so called “anti-smacking”), and the abolition of the Maori Seats.
        Labour are ambivalent wrt TPPA whereas the Greens and NZF are totally opposed.
        Labour are ambivalent wrt Charter schools, whereas the Greens and NZF are totally opposed.
        There are a number of of other policy points upon which NZF and the Greens are in firm agreement.
        Even on Climate change as Lprent detailed in a post here a few days ago the NZF policy holds many points upon which the Greens could find agreement.
        You point to the need to rebuild NZ Rail – a major plank of NZF policy. The Greens are in total agreement with that, and have argued continuously for shifting our transport back to rail for years.

        • cleangreen 9.3.1.1

          Macro, I should know about the greens I was one 15yrs ago!!!

          Yes some NZF policies are closer to greens current polices, but as I said before, “the Greens must accept to work with them both for our common good of “changing government.”

          It is now in the Greens hands if they are prepared to give a little to join with NZF and Labour to remove this toxic government or we will blame the Greens as we then enter TPPA and are all stuffed.

          • Macro 9.3.1.1.1

            If you were truly a Green member – and not just a Green voter – then you would understand the concept of consensus decision making. Which is not authoritarian in any way shape or form. The Greens are far more adept at working towards a common solution, than either the Labour Party or NZF. If Winston is to take the attitude of “my way and no one else’s” – then any “coalition” formed can hardly be expected to last more than 6 months, before the other parties have had enough.
            So No! It is not just in the Green’s hands to accept any terms unconditionally, and any sensible person would understand that.

          • weka 9.3.1.1.2

            I’m also puzzled by what you mean. The Greens have been consistently talking all year about the willingness to work with Labour and if necessary NZF, as well as communicating they fully understand the need to compromise on policy. In what way do you see them not working for the common good? It’s built into their DNA.

    • veutoviper 9.4

      In terms of NZF, Peters has said that the final decision rests with the NZF Board etc so NZF also need time to go through their own hoops in accordance with the NZF Constitution.

      However, there is an interesting conundrum with this as who this bunch of unelected (by the voters of NZ) officials are is rather unclear, despite the fact that it seems they will be making the final decision of the composition of our next government. In other words, the composition of Parliament has been decided by the voters; but the composition of the government will supposedly be decided by the NZF Board.

      Guyon Espiner raised this on Twitter and the fact that these people are not all identified on the NZF website.

      Concurrently, the NBR have also been seeking this information as per this article yesterday (also published on Scoop)

      https://www.nbr.co.nz/article/nz-first-board-membership-closely-guarded-ahead-coalition-consultations-b-208620

      Actually it is not long so here it is in full as it is self explanatory:

      NZ First board membership closely guarded ahead of coalition consultations

      By Pattrick Smellie

      Oct. 10 (BusinessDesk) – New Zealand First party president Brent Catchpole has reluctantly agreed to make public the membership of the party’s board of directors, who leader Winston Peters has said will be consulted before any government formation proposal is settled.

      Unlike the National and Labour parties, NZ First’s website gives no details on the membership of its non-parliamentary governance structures although the Electoral Commission carries the party’s constitution, which opens with a commitment to “open and accountable government” and “consensus”.

      The constitution details the composition of a 12-member board that includes the party leader, Winston Peters and his deputy, Ron Mark, as well as the president (Catchpole), vice-presidents for the North and South Islands, a party secretary (Anne Martin, listed on the commission’s website), a treasurer, an ex officio director-general, and six elected representatives.

      However, BusinessDesk’s search for the identities of other NZ First board members hit a few roadblocks.

      Peters’ press secretary not unreasonably declined to respond as it was a party political matter and referred the question to party secretary Anne Martin, who passed on the party email address for Catchpole, a former NZ First MP and current Papakura community board chair.

      Two emails to that address went unanswered, but Catchpole’s contact details showed up on the Auckland Council community boards website.

      Contacted by that route, he was not enthusiastic about releasing the names of the governing members of the political party holding the key to whether or not the National or Labour Party will lead the next government, with a deadline of Thursday imposed by Peters for a decision.

      “That’s not information many members of the board would want passed out,” said Catchpole. For some, it was “personal” that they were members of the NZ First board although their membership was “not a secret” and their identities would become clear once they had been consulted and a government formed.

      “You’ll no doubt see them all when that happens,” said Catchpole, whose main concern appeared to be a media attempt to contact the board ahead of the confidential coalition talks being concluded.

      There had once been a list of the board on the party’s website but it had been removed, he said.

      Perhaps sensing a mismatch between the public interest in who will help the NZ First leadership decide which way to jump and not releasing their names, Catchpole undertook to check his party email overnight and “follow up your request”.

      Asked whether that meant the list would be supplied, Catchpole said: “I can send that to you. Yes.”

      So we wait with bated breath to find out the names of the missing links in the NZF Board composition.

      • Skinny 9.4.1

        All good in theory, however being a practical man Peters will assemble the decision making board. He will outline the offerings from the 2 parties, the puppets will all marvel at the splendid array of offerings Peters has screwed out of National & Labour/Greens.

        Winston’s handful of MP’s will all outline the various scripts they have been given. In the end it is 6 of 1 and a half dozen of the other. The general consensus will be Winston we will leave the final choice up to you. With that his trusted lawyer will present 2 sets of papers for them all to sign.

        And just like the rest of the Nation we see and hear Peters final decision at the biggest press conference held here in modern times.

        • veutoviper 9.4.1.1

          LOL! Probably!

          But it is a bit on the nose not to have info in the public domain on the make-up of the Board and other officials who (supposedly) will make the decision.

          As an ex public servant of many years in Wellingon, I worked closely with those in the Parliamentary precinct, including a number of secondments there. Had many dealings on and off over the years with Winston – frustrating as hell at times, but also usually enjoyable, with lots of laughs as well. And as a woman, I never ever found him misogynistic; in fact, quite the opposite in ensuring I got a voice at meetings etc. One of those people I was happy to work alongside, but would never work under.

          • Skinny 9.4.1.1.1

            Yes well you more than most know the score. And quite rightly a totally different situation working alongside, opposed to having the puppet master pulling the strings. 🙂

  9. Meh .

    We have decided to provide you with some soothing music instead until normal transmission resumes during this interlude. Please enjoy.

    Strangers in The Night – Frank Sinatra – YouTube

  10. Cinny 11

    The good news is they are obviously thinking it through and making sure any loose ends are tied up, that’s not a bad thing at all.

    In that case one more sleep until season 3 of Mr. Robot starts

    Three more sleeps until we have a new government.

  11. Incognito 12

    I have no problem whatsoever with Friday 13th.

    • cleangreen 12.1

      Incognito; – Only if you are superstitious!!!!!!!!!

      Winston is too widely travelled to bother with witchcraft, are you?
      Anyway he wont be finished by friday so sit on your corner stool for the final result.

      • The decrypter 12.1.1

        Ok Rip van Winkle, will do.

      • Incognito 12.1.2

        Nah, I am not superstitious, just a little worried about those meteorites crashing into my lounge trying to kill me 😉 They’re after me, them space rocks with their smoky tails of ice crystals that glitter in the dark; spooky stuff really …

        What was the question again?

        • Andrea 12.1.2.1

          They said it would fly past above the usual orbit of the space junk/satellites. Close – and no smoky tails. This time.

  12. Karen 13

    I don’t care how long it takes as long as we get a result that will make NZ a better place.

    Just looked at this clip:

    https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/watch-jacinda-arderns-emotional-embrace-tearful-mother-15-year-old-suicide-victim

    The fate of some of these politicians will be pivotal to what kind of country we end up with. My hope is that Jacinda will be PM and Julie-Anne Genter (standing behind her) will be Transport Minister, because that will mean Labour and The Greens are both part of the new government. And the callous Jonathan Coleman will no longer be Minister of Health.

    Having NZF as part of the government is not what I wanted but hopefully not too many dead rats will have to be swallowed. There is an argument that it would be better for the left if they waited but I do not agree. Too many people will suffer in the meantime.

    • … ” There is an argument that it would be better for the left if they waited but I do not agree. Too many people will suffer in the meantime ” …

      100% . The time is now. Though frankly , I’m glad it could include NZ First , purely for their anti neo liberalism and strong emphasis on what their title is – New Zealand First.

      Its high time we got that back and took a pride in who we are again.

    • cleangreen 13.2

      I would like Winston as associate minister of finance and the new “Minister of rail”!!!!

      As we again own the rail Winston would make sure it ran better by sacking all the senior National installed “cling-ons”.

      My list for hiring are;

      CEO Peter Reidy & his partner KR board vice chair (contraversial) Paula Rebstock, and their partner in crime “operations manager” David Gordon;

      As they are incompetent, and have almost destroyed our publically owned Kiwirail system single handed.

      • veutoviper 13.2.1

        Hiring or firing? Presume you mean firing? Please, please – and firing from every other appointment they and similar people are currently in thanks to National.

      • cleangreen 13.2.2

        Correction thanks veutoviper!!!!
        My list for firing are;

        CEO Peter Reidy & his partner KR board vice chair (contraversial) Paula Rebstock, and their partner in crime “operations manager” David Gordon;

        As they are incompetent, and have almost destroyed our publically owned Kiwirail system single handed.

        These people are simply hired to destroy our assets for another fire sale.

        • Anne 13.2.2.1

          Helen Clark wasted no time firing the chaff of 1999 – Christine Rankin been the most rancid.

          If Winston goes with Lab/Greens, it will be interesting to see whether he/they will exhibit the same determination to rid this country of the National Party chaff who currently run nearly all of our public institutions.

  13. Robert Guyton 14

    Are we going with feelings?
    NZF/Labour/Green.

    • cleangreen 14.1

      Robert we are going with hopes and prayers of course.

    • Feelings? ,… feelings? … nothing more than feelings?

      And don’t start up with anymore about Winston’s ‘ bottom lines ‘ either !

      ( and try to ignore the pukey visuals… ick ! )

      Feelings – Morris Albert – YouTube

    • Incognito 14.3

      NZF/Labour/Green=mixed feelings

      NZF/National-ACT=feeling sick

      Did you mean “expectations” rather than “feelings”?

  14. timeforacupoftea 15

    I reckon that no politicians should be paid from election night until the new gov’t is assembled.

    That may speed the process up a tad !

    • Andrea 15.1

      I’m sure we can run a long time without a central government. It’s not the figureheads that move the boats along…

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    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 Thursday, July 25 are:News: Why Electric Kiwi is closing to new customers - and why it matters RNZ’s Susan EdmundsScoop: Government drops ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Possum: Demon or Friend?

    Hi,I felt a small wet tongue snaking through one of the holes in my Crocs. It explored my big toe, darting down one side, then the other. “He’s looking for some toe cheese,” said the woman next to me, words that still haunt me to this day.Growing up in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Not a story

    Yesterday I happily quoted the Prime Minister without fact-checking him and sure enough, it turns out his numbers were all to hell. It’s not four kg of Royal Commission report, it’s fourteen.My friend and one-time colleague-in-comms Hazel Phillips gently alerted me to my error almost as soon as I’d hit ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Thursday, July 25, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day were:The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry published its final report yesterday.PM Christopher Luxon and The Minister responsible for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • A tougher line on “proactive release”?

    The Official Information Act has always been a battle between requesters seeking information, and governments seeking to control it. Information is power, so Ministers and government agencies want to manage what is released and when, for their own convenience, and legality and democracy be damned. Their most recent tactic for ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • 'Let's build a motorway costing $100 million per km, before emissions costs'

    TL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:Transport and Energy Minister Simeon Brown is accelerating plans to spend at least $10 billion through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to extend State Highway One as a four-lane ‘Expressway’ from Warkworth to Whangarei ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Lester's Prescription – Positive Bleeding.

    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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
    15 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
    18 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
    19 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
    21 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
    23 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 PokapĹŤ Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours 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 ManawatĹŤ 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

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