Another day and more Simon Bridges f*&k ups

Written By: - Date published: 2:30 pm, November 19th, 2018 - 54 comments
Categories: cost of living, making shit up, Media, national, phil twyford, Simon Bridges, spin, tax, the praiseworthy and the pitiful, you couldn't make this shit up - Tags:

The media must feel like this is becoming a daily event, where they beat up on Simon Bridges because of the crazy things he says …

The latest episode includes his brazen claim that the increases in rentals are all Labour’s fault because of tax rises.

TVNZ did not respond positively …

From the article:

National leader Simon Bridges blames new taxes and regulations introduced by the current government for rents rising two-and-a-half times faster this year than under National, though he struggled to name the taxes behind the rise.

Under the previous National government, rents rose $12 to $13 per annum compared with a $30 rise this year.

Mr Bridges said the cumulative effect of a bunch of regulations and taxes was behind the rise, causing some landlords to exit the market and supply of rental properties to be reduced.

“You’ve got the extension to the bright-line test, you’ve got a potential capital gains tax, there’s another one there if I catch my breath and think about it,” he said on Breakfast.

“You’ve got a bunch of regulations, whether it’s healthy homes, whether it’s residential tenancy act, I’m not saying they and every single part of them are terrible but what you do see cumulatively when you do those things, is tax, cost that goes on landlords.”

Pressed on further taxes, Mr Bridges asked Breakfast co-host Jack Tame: “Are you saying there are not new taxes?”

“You can’t even name them,” Tame replied.

“Well I have, (brightline) is effectively is an extension of a tax, there’s others there is well,” Mr Bridges said.

The bright line test was actually imposed by National. Sure Labour has extended the period that it will apply to but this should actually slow down the sale of rental properties, not speed them up.

And Twyford’s comment, that it is a supply problem and will take time to resolve is much more coherent.

Bridges other faux pas is to refuse to apologise for what happened at Pike River.  How difficult is it to give an apology?

On the 8th anniversary of the explosion …

From Radio New Zealand:

… Mr Bridges told Morning Report he didn’t believe the families were owed an apology from the current or previous government.

“I don’t think so,” he said, “because I think what is true is the one thing that honours the legacy of these 29 men and their families best is what happened with the Royal Commission with an independent health and safety taskforce and then the most comprehensive health and safety changes in the history of New Zealand, particularly in mining, but in others areas as well.

“I think that’s what honours the legacy of these men,” he said.

“In terms of the re-entry of the mine, we wanted to do it, but the advice was universal and clear that it wasn’t the thing to do.

“If he (Mr Little) has different information, that is good, I’m not against that but safety must be at the front of this,” Mr Bridges said.

However the head of the Pike River Families Group Committee, Carol Rose, said while the previous National government took steps to change health and safety regulations, it did nothing to bring the bodies of the 29 men home.

“I was a little bit offended to hear him talking about the legacy to those 29 men. We felt the National government did everything they could do to prevent the reclamation of the drift and the recovery of any of the bodies.

“The families have not only been let down, it’s every worker in New Zealand that has been let down by that National government. It’s about every New Zealander having the confidence that the government of the day will do its best to keep everybody safe in the workplace and if things do go wrong, they’ll do everything they can to find out what happened, why it happened and how they’ll stop it from happening again,” she said.

If he is looking for Government action that caused or contributed to the whole fiasco there are many examples.  For one how about Worksafe’s decision to withdraw the prosecutions against Boss head Peter Whittall, a decision the Supreme Court ruled to be illegal?

And to top things off he has claimed that most Pike River miners families oppose the re-entry.  Good luck proving that.

Some advice for Simon, if you are going to go out and blame Labour for things make sure that you at least have a coherent explanation for it.  And learn to eat humble pie.  It will make you look more like a human.

54 comments on “Another day and more Simon Bridges f*&k ups ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Pete 1
    19 November 2018 at 2:41 pm

    Big ups to those on here helping Simon Bridges carry on his campaign. His campaign of making himself look like a blithering idiot.

    He doesn’t need help mind you since he is doing such a great job of it all by himself but he surely will be happy that his efforts are not going unnoticed.

    • k 1.1
      19 November 2018 at 7:19 pm

      Simon Bridges represents National perfectly and is the best leader that National can find for themselves at present. Perhaps 2029 may see someone better qualified emerge.

    • Kat 1.2
      19 November 2018 at 7:28 pm

      Makes you wonder if all those pro National people at RNZ and TVNZ realise what they are doing, most likely they are as oblivious as Simon Bridges.

  2. BM 2
    19 November 2018 at 3:32 pm

    Both RNZ and TVNZ will have to get the chop next time National gets in, they’re just mouthpieces for the Labour government, state media has to be neutral, both TVNZ and RNZ are failing so dismally at that, it’s almost reaching levels Putin wouldn’t be comfortable with.

    Also the audacity of that fuckwit Little demanding National apologizes, after his involvement in Pike River, Christ, what a delusional knob end.

    • mickysavage 2.1
      19 November 2018 at 3:51 pm

      Little had no involvement in Pike River. You are clearly confused.

      • Mr Marshy 2.1.1
        19 November 2018 at 5:03 pm

        You are clearly confused. EPMU ring any bells?

      • shadrach 2.1.2
        19 November 2018 at 9:17 pm

        No involvement? Are you serious?

        I’ll steal from BM’s reference on another thread (https://nzagainstthecurrent.blogspot.com/2017/10/andrew-little-and-pike-river-fatally.html)

        “As national secretary of the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU – now E tu) Little jumped to the defence of Pike River Coal management, even though the EPMU represented approximately half of the 140 strong workforce at Pike River. But Little’s view that everything was fine at Pike River was contradicted by miner Brent Forrester. He told TVNZ’s Sunday (December 5 2010) that he once helped organise a walkout of some ten miners to protest the lack of basic emergency equipment, including stretchers and an emergency transport vehicle. He also said they had received no support from the EPMU. Little’s apparent lack of concern about what was happening at Pike River and his willingness to believe what management told him, was also highlighted by Gerry Morris of Greymouth, a former writer for Coal magazine. He told the NZ Herald that he had heard regularly from contractors at the mine that “over the last two or three years that this mine is unsafe, there’s far too much gas, there’s going to be a disaster here one day”.”

        • mickysavage 2.1.2.1
          19 November 2018 at 9:28 pm

          All you right wingers referring to a single leftist blog ad holding it up as conclusive proof.

          Blog posts to you are not things to consider and think about. They are weapons to use if they back your side.

          The post is poorly written and rather weird in its conclusion.

          Do you have anything else?

          • Mr Marshy 2.1.2.1.1
            20 November 2018 at 9:40 am

            You really dont like facing facts do you. This has nothing to do with a blog post. Any Google search on Littles involvement in this can show his dismissal of safety concerns. This from Wikipedia :

            Several commentators criticised successive National and Labour Party governments for deregulating safety in the mining sector and some also argued that the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU), which had several members at Pike River, did not do enough to prevent the tragedy.[86][87][88] In the days after the explosion, EPMU leader Andrew Little (who later became Labour Party leader) said there had been no problems at Pike River Coal and defended its safety record.

            So before you start bleating about right wingers, do some research.

            • mickysavage 2.1.2.1.1.1
              20 November 2018 at 9:49 am

              I am struggling with saying “there had been no problems”, if that did happen, being equated with “being involved in Pike River”. See the problem?

              • shadrach …
                20 November 2018 at 10:18 am

                You said “Little had no involvement in Pike River.” That is patently untrue. Little was National Secretary of the Union who represented half of the workers at Pike. He made repeated public statements supporting Pike’s safety, and failed to support those who spoke up with concerns. Of course he was ‘involved’ in Pike. And now he is seeking the limelight. I wonder if that’s guilt or just posturing?

                • te reo putake …
                  20 November 2018 at 11:41 am

                  Bullshit. See my earlier comment. Little had nothing to do with Pike River. He answered questions at the time about what the union knew as accurately as he could. He was, at the time, the national secretary, not the local organiser. The company went out of its way to keep the union out of the mine and deliberately kept them in the dark about safety concerns.

                  Andrew Little is many things, but his not a mind reader.

                  • shadrach …
                    20 November 2018 at 3:03 pm

                    “Little had nothing to do with Pike River. ”

                    https://nzagainstthecurrent.blogspot.com/2014/12/how-andrew-little-failed-pike-river.html
                    “After the first explosion the EPMU strongly defended the management of PRC. EPMU National secretary Andrew Little (now a Labour MP) told the New Zealand Herald on November 22 2010 that there was “nothing unusual about Pike River or this mine that we’ve been particularly concerned about”. He then appeared on TVNZ’s Close Up to again defend PRC management. He told Close Up that underground mining was inherently unsafe and the risk of gas explosions, particularly on the West Coast, was high. While the industry was aware of the risks and took the necessary precautions, unfortunately these kinds of incidents still happened, he argued. On November 26, 2010 the Dominion Post ran an article that denounced ‘wild’ rumours that the mine was not safe. It declared that “Any suggestion of obvious or known safety lapses does not find traction with unionised staff or union leader Andrew Little.””

                    Andrew Little was donkey deep in Pike. It seems you are content with participating in a whitewash of his culpability. I’m calling you on it.

                    “The company went out of its way to keep the union out of the mine and deliberately kept them in the dark about safety concerns.”
                    Really? And yet an Australian gas drainage engineer visited the mine in 2009 and warned about the safety standards. And what about the group of workers who walked off the job to protest the lack of basic emergency equipment? Was that a mystery to the EPMU?

                • Gabby …
                  20 November 2018 at 6:12 pm

                  Gotta quote or two there shadders?

                  • shadrach …
                    21 November 2018 at 8:59 am

                    “Every mine on the West Coast takes great care when it goes into production and I don’t think Pike River is any different from that. They’ve had a good health and safety committee that’s been very active. So there’s nothing before now that’s alerted us to any greater risk of this sort of incident happening than at any other time.”

              • Mr Marshy …
                21 November 2018 at 1:26 pm

                Every time you reply and try and defend Little, you lose any more credibility that you may have had. Little was ultimately the guy in charge of the workers welfare here and he knows it.

            • Gabby 2.1.2.1.1.2
              20 November 2018 at 6:11 pm

              You got a quote there messes mash?

          • shadrach 2.1.2.1.2
            20 November 2018 at 10:13 am

            And Brent Forrester? Gerry Morris? Are they part of some right wing conspiracy to undermine Andrew Little?

    • Anthony Rimell 2.2
      19 November 2018 at 4:06 pm

      From BM: “Both RNZ and TVNZ will have to get the chop next time National gets in, they’re just mouthpieces for the Labour government, state media has to be neutral, both TVNZ and RNZ are failing so dismally at that, it’s almost reaching levels Putin wouldn’t be comfortable with.

      Also the audacity of that fuckwit Little demanding National apologizes, after his involvement in Pike River, Christ, what a delusional knob end.”

      BM: please go and take the meds you need. The only delusional and offensive knob-end in this is you.

      Fact: those of us who have worked in/ with mining know that it is the right thing to do to get to the bottom of what happened in 2010. If that means going into the mine and assessing the crime scene (because it IS a crime scene), then so be it. No-one is claiming it’s totally safe: what we’re saying is that it needs to be done.

      Fact: Rob Fyfe has also called on the previous Government to apologise. Anyone who knows Rob’s cv knows he’s a genuine independent (both National and Labour have drawn on his skill base.) Agree or disagree: but dont ignore that it’s not just a political call.

      Fact: RNZ and TNZ were hardly Labour-friendly before or since the election. Any number of articles could be cited. If Bridges could not name a tax that supported his argument, it’s hardly a sign of biased news: more a case of Bridges being monumentally un-prepared, as usual.

      Fact: National dropped the ball on this from the start. They could step up now and accept this. But, with supporters like you they wont. Thankfully also, with supporters like you, real Kiwis will ensure the Gnats are kept as far from the levers of power for years to come.

      Begone, shrill.

    • Pete 2.3
      19 November 2018 at 4:36 pm

      Next time you hear someone from RNZ or TVNZ giving a Minister a hard time keep chanting that they’re just mouthpieces for the Labour government. And ‘Putin, Putin, Putin.’

      Next time you hear someone from RNZ or TVNZ letting Simon Bridges mouth mindless cliches without questions eliciting sensible justification from him, chant that they’re just mouthpieces for the Labour government. And ‘Putin, Putin, Putin.’

      At the end of whichever event chant ‘delusional knob end fuckwit’ several thousand times. Use a mirror for that last bit.

    • marty mars 2.4
      19 November 2018 at 4:50 pm

      Lol splutter went the bman.

      Gnats will never apologise – too weak, too cowardly. Lol I hope the polls show them what decent kiwis think of them and drop them into the teens.

    • Ed 2.5
      19 November 2018 at 5:19 pm

      I disagree.
      I would take back airwaves from private corporations.
      Close down ZB and other hate speech.
      Return airwaves to grassroot community organisations.

      • solkta 2.5.1
        20 November 2018 at 9:30 am

        I wonder if Radio Hauraki would become pirates again.

        • gsays 2.5.1.1
          20 November 2018 at 1:43 pm

          if pirates stop playing ads and ditched the egos then it would be a marked improvement.

          • joe90 2.5.1.1.1
            20 November 2018 at 1:47 pm

            You need a bit of Brian in your life.

            http://www.brianfm.com/

            • gsays 2.5.1.1.1.1
              20 November 2018 at 2:52 pm

              Cheers Joe, looks like my cup of tea. I will be sure to check it out.
              The reception for radio control gets a little sketchy in the country on beautiful days like today.

          • solkta 2.5.1.1.2
            20 November 2018 at 1:55 pm

            Never listen to it now. I can’t understand why people choose to listen to the same music their whole lives. I have lots of classic rock in my collection for when i want it.

            • gsays 2.5.1.1.2.1
              20 November 2018 at 2:54 pm

              I am the same, sometimes (building sites for example) I don’t contract the radio and am subjected to ugly radio.

    • Ed 2.6
      19 November 2018 at 5:21 pm

      I disagree.

      TVNZ and RNZ are both mouthpieces for the neoliberal establishment.
      I would take back airwaves from private corporations.
      Close down ZB and other hate speech.
      Return airwaves to grassroot community organisations.

    • Michelle 2.7
      20 November 2018 at 9:22 am

      You sound like sour grapes BM and I think you will be waiting a long time for the next time national get in cause at the moment they are currently being exposed for the bunch of condescending a.. wholes they are and their policies that have benefitted a few.

    • Delia 2.8
      20 November 2018 at 11:59 pm

      I know it is hard to be on the losing team, but try and control that temper, you could get high blood pressure and I would say you have got another eight years to go, off feeling out of sorts BM

  3. ianmac 3
    19 November 2018 at 3:43 pm

    Simon has been practising words like “Safety.”
    “Its all about safety you know. We looked at the safety aspect and safety was our reason for avoiding action because our Party is very aware of the need for safety you know. And of course if Andrew knows things about safety that we don’t know good on him. But be warned if the recovery goes wrong we will pounce on the lack of safety and give Andrew hell and ask him to resign. If it goes well we will be very pleased with the use of what we had planned on doing with due regard for safety. That’s the Reality you know.”

  4. Cinny 4
    19 November 2018 at 3:47 pm

    I missed simon’s media this morning.

    Cheers for the TVNZ interview link, Jack Tame cracking up laughing so funny.

  5. Michelle 5
    19 November 2018 at 3:59 pm

    They (national should be apologising to the whole country for telling lies and making false promises as we the 99% are still waiting for our brighter bullshert future john

    • Bewilderd 5.1
      19 November 2018 at 4:27 pm

      I would say a few more kiwis than 1 percent are doing ok, 2 percent doing it tough, 20 percent just have a over inflated view of entitlement The rest just get on with and own their circumstances with out the need to be a victim

      • patricia bremner 5.1.1
        20 November 2018 at 5:41 pm

        Bewildered.. such certainty is amazing!! “2% ???? doing it tough”

        What about those whose farms have micoplasma bovis?

        What about those who are on a benefit?

        Have you considered those on waiting lists for operations or treatment?

        How about Manuka honey producers threatened by wind borne myrtle rust?

        Or the relatives and friends of the road carnage victims?

        Or those affected by Fletchers’/ (corporate) behaviour?

        Oh but to be sure, you “get on with it without needing to be a victim.”

        What a foolish unfeeling thing to say. You and Simon have a great deal in common.

  6. marty mars 6
    19 November 2018 at 4:47 pm

    Desperately seeking traction little simon the engine that couldn’t tooted his wee horn and rang hus wee bell and spun hos wee wheels really really fastly vroom vroom went simons weeeeee engine…

  7. adam 7
    19 November 2018 at 10:41 pm

    As in complete market failure in relationship to rents is a good topic to discuss. Oh wait simon was happy with that, he was just trying to score points.

  8. Ken 8
    20 November 2018 at 12:20 am

    NZ really does deserve a better opposition.

  9. Naki man 9
    20 November 2018 at 1:43 pm

    I am not a fan of Simon Bridges but in this case he is absolutely correct and Tame is as usual being a complete cock.

  10. patricia bremner 10
    20 November 2018 at 2:51 pm

    Simon says “Let me catch my breath”

    Is that after writing 42 000 questions Simon?

    Or running to keep up with Jacinda?

    Or making up excuses for your errors?

  11. Observer Tokoroa 11
    20 November 2018 at 3:05 pm

    Hi Naki man

    What’s this about your cock? You and Bridges have the same ones? Strange.

    You both should watch what you do with your dirty cocks. Both of you are polluted.

    It’s all that very carcinogenic Diesel that you suck in.

    New Zealanders don’t want your Oils and Pollution.

  12. A 12
    20 November 2018 at 7:51 pm

    I think this site needs a Simon Bridges appreciation thread.

  14. Tamati Tautuhi 14
    23 November 2018 at 4:54 am

    What about a Slimey Wedges Fan Club ?

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    It looks like the new ministerial press secretaries have quickly learned the art of camouflaging exactly what their ministers are saying – or, at least, of keeping the hard news  out of the headlines and/or the opening sentences of the statements they post on the home page of the governments ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • Xmas  good  cheer  for the dairy industry  as Fonterra lifts its forecast
    The big dairy co-op Fonterra  had  some Christmas  cheer to offer  its farmers this week, increasing its forecast farmgate milk price and earnings guidance for  the year after what it calls a strong start to the year. The forecast  midpoint for the 2023/24 season is up 25cs to $7.50 per ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • MICHAEL BASSETT: Modern Maori myths
    Michael Bassett writes – Many of the comments about the Coalition’s determination to wind back the dramatic Maorification of New Zealand of the last three years would have you believe the new government is engaged in a full-scale attack on Maori. In reality, all that is happening ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • Dreams of eternal sunshine at a spotless COP28
    Mary Robinson asked Al Jaber a series of very simple, direct and highly pertinent questions and he responded with a high-octane public meltdown. Photos: Getty Images / montage: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR The hygiene effects of direct sunshine are making some inroads, perhaps for the very first time, on the normalised ‘deficit ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • LINDSAY MITCHELL: Oh, the irony
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Appointed by new Labour PM Jacinda Ardern in 2018, Cindy Kiro headed the Welfare Expert Advisory Group (WEAG) tasked with reviewing and recommending reforms to the welfare system. Kiro had been Children’s Commissioner during Helen Clark’s Labour government but returned to academia subsequently. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Transport Agencies don’t want Harbour Tunnels
    It seems even our transport agencies don’t want Labour’s harbour crossing plans. In August the previous government and Waka Kotahi announced their absurd preferred option the new harbour crossing that at the time was estimated to cost $35-45 billion. It included both road tunnels and a wiggly light rail tunnel ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    4 days ago

  • Webworm Presents: Jurassic Park on 35mm
    Hi,Paying Webworm members such as yourself keep this thing running, so as 2023 draws to close, I wanted to do two things to say a giant, loud “THANKS”. Firstly — I’m giving away 10 Mister Organ blu-rays in New Zealand, and another 10 in America. More details down below.Secondly — ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    4 days ago

  • The Prime Minister's Dream.
    Yesterday saw the State Opening of Parliament, the Speech from the Throne, and then Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s dream for Aotearoa in his first address. But first the pomp and ceremony, the arrival of the Governor General.Dame Cindy Kiro arrived on the forecourt outside of parliament to a Māori welcome. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • National’s new MP; the proud part-Maori boy raised in a state house
    Probably not since 1975 have we seen a government take office up against such a wall of protest and complaint. That was highlighted yesterday, the day that the new Parliament was sworn in, with news that King Tuheitia has called a national hui for late January to develop a ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago

  • Climate Adam: Battlefield Earth – How War Fuels Climate Catastrophe
    This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Adam Levy. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). War, conflict and climate change are tearing apart lives across the world. But these aren't separate harms - they're intricately connected. ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • They do not speak for us, and they do not speak for the future
    These dire woeful and intolerant people have been so determinedly going about their small and petulant business, it’s hard to keep up. At the end of the new government’s first woeful week, Audrey Young took the time to count off its various acts of denigration of Te Ao Māori:Review the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Another attack on te reo
    The new white supremacist government made attacking te reo a key part of its platform, promising to rename government agencies and force them to "communicate primarily in English" (which they already do). But today they've gone further, by trying to cut the pay of public servants who speak te reo: ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • For the record, the Beehive buzz can now be regarded as “official”
    Buzz from the Beehive The biggest buzz we bring you from the Beehive today is that the government’s official website is up and going after being out of action for more than a week. The latest press statement came  from  Education Minister  Eric Stanford, who seized on the 2022 PISA ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • Climate Change: Failed again
    There was another ETS auction this morning. and like all the other ones this year, it failed to clear - meaning that 23 million tons of carbon (15 million ordinary units plus 8 million in the cost containment reserve) went up in smoke. Or rather, they didn't. Being unsold at ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell On The Government’s Assault On Maori
    This isn’t news, but the National-led coalition is mounting a sustained assault on Treaty rights and obligations. Even so, Christopher Luxon has described yesterday’s nationwide protests by Maori as “pretty unfair.” Poor thing. In the NZ Herald, Audrey Young has compiled a useful list of the many, many ways that ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    5 days ago

  • Rising costs hit farmers hard, but  there’s more  positive news  for  them this  week 
    New Zealand’s dairy industry, the mainstay of the country’s export trade, has  been under  pressure  from rising  costs. Down on the  farm, this  has  been  hitting  hard. But there  was more positive news this week,  first   from the latest Fonterra GDT auction where  prices  rose,  and  then from  a  report ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    5 days ago

  • ROB MacCULLOCH:  Newshub and NZ Herald report misleading garbage about ACT’s van Veldon not follo...
    Rob MacCulloch writes –  In their rush to discredit the new government (which our MainStream Media regard as illegitimate and having no right to enact the democratic will of voters) the NZ Herald and Newshub are arguing ACT’s Deputy Leader Brooke van Veldon is not following Treasury advice ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Top 10 for Wednesday, December 6
    Even many young people who smoke support smokefree policies, fitting in with previous research showing the large majority of people who smoke regret starting and most want to quit. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s my pick of the top 10 news and analysis links elsewhere on the morning of Wednesday, December ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • Eleven years of work.
    Well it didn’t take six months, but the leaks have begun. Yes the good ship Coalition has inadvertently released a confidential cabinet paper into the public domain, discussing their axing of Fair Pay Agreements (FPAs).Oops.Just when you were admiring how smoothly things were going for the new government, they’ve had ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Why we're missing out on sharply lower inflation
    A wave of new and higher fees, rates and charges will ripple out over the economy in the next 18 months as mayors, councillors, heads of department and price-setters for utilities such as gas, electricity, water and parking ramp up charges. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Just when most ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • How Did We Get Here?
    Hi,Kiwis — keep the evening of December 22nd free. I have a meetup planned, and will send out an invite over the next day or so. This sounds sort of crazy to write, but today will be Tony Stamp’s final Totally Normal column of 2023. Somehow we’ve made it to ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago

  • At a glance – Has the greenhouse effect been falsified?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • New Zealaders  have  high expectations of  new  government:  now let’s see if it can deliver?
    The electorate has high expectations of the  new  government.  The question is: can  it  deliver?    Some  might  say  the  signs are not  promising. Protestors   are  already marching in the streets. The  new  Prime Minister has had  little experience of managing  very diverse politicians  in coalition. The economy he  ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    6 days ago

  • You won't believe some of the numbers you have to pull when you're a Finance Minister
    Nicola of Marsden:Yo, normies! We will fix your cost of living worries by giving you a tax cut of 150 dollars. 150! Cash money! Vote National.Various people who can read and count:Actually that's 150 over a fortnight. Not a week, which is how you usually express these things.And actually, it looks ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • Pushback
    When this government came to power, it did so on an explicitly white supremacist platform. Undermining the Waitangi Tribunal, removing Māori representation in local government, over-riding the courts which had tried to make their foreshore and seabed legislation work, eradicating te reo from public life, and ultimately trying to repudiate ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • Defence ministerial meeting meant Collins missed the Maori Party’s mischief-making capers in Parli...
    Buzz from the Beehive Maybe this is not the best time for our Minister of Defence to have gone overseas. Not when the Maori Party is inviting (or should that be inciting?) its followers to join a revolution in a post which promoted its protest plans with a picture of ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Threats of war have been followed by an invitation to join the revolution – now let’s see how th...
     A Maori Party post on Instagram invited party followers to ….  Tangata Whenua, Tangata Tiriti, Join the REVOLUTION! & make a stand!  Nationwide Action Day, All details in tiles swipe to see locations.  • This is our 1st hit out and tomorrow Tuesday the 5th is the opening ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Top 10 for Tuesday, December 4
    The RBNZ governor is citing high net migration and profit-led inflation as factors in the bank’s hawkish stance. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s my pick of the top 10 news and analysis links elsewhere on the morning of Tuesday, December 5, including:Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr says high net migration and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • Nicola Willis' 'show me the money' moment
    Willis has accused labour of “economic vandalism’, while Robertson described her comments as a “desperate diversion from somebody who can't make their tax package add up”. There will now be an intense focus on December 20 to see whether her hyperbole is backed up by true surprises. Photo montage: Lynn ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • CRL costs money but also provides huge benefits
    The City Rail Link has been in the headlines a bit recently so I thought I’d look at some of them. First up, yesterday the NZ Herald ran this piece about the ongoing costs of the CRL. Auckland ratepayers will be saddled with an estimated bill of $220 million each ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    6 days ago

  • And I don't want the world to see us.
    Is this the most shambolic government in the history of New Zealand? Given that parliament hasn’t even opened they’ve managed quite a list of achievements to date.The Smokefree debacle trading lives for tax cuts, the Trumpian claims of bribery in the Media, an International award for indifference, and today the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • Cooking the books
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis late yesterday stopped only slightly short of accusing her predecessor Grant Robertson of cooking the books. She complained that the Half Yearly Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU), due to be made public on December 20, would show “fiscal cliffs” that would amount to “billions of ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • Most people don’t realize how much progress we’ve made on climate change
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The year was 2015. ‘Uptown Funk’ with Bruno Mars was at the top of the music charts. Jurassic World was the most popular new movie in theaters. And decades of futility in international climate negotiations was about to come to an end in ...
    Skeptical Science
    7 days ago

  • Of Parliamentary Oaths and Clive Boonham
    As a heads-up, I am not one of those people who stay awake at night thinking about weird Culture War nonsense. At least so far as the current Maori/Constitutional arrangements go. In fact, I actually consider it the least important issue facing the day to day lives of New ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    7 days ago

  • Bearing True Allegiance?
    Strong Words: “We do not consent, we do not surrender, we do not cede, we do not submit; we, the indigenous, are rising. We do not buy into the colonial fictions this House is built upon. Te Pāti Māori pledges allegiance to our mokopuna, our whenua, and Te Tiriti o ...
    Bowalley Road
    7 days ago

  • You cannot be serious
    Some days it feels like the only thing to say is: Seriously? No, really. Seriously?OneSomeone has used their health department access to share data about vaccinations and patients, and inform the world that New Zealanders have been dying in their hundreds of thousands from the evil vaccine. This of course is pure ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 days ago

  • A promise kept: govt pulls the plug on Lake Onslow scheme – but this saving of $16bn is denounced...
    Buzz from the Beehive After $21.8 million was spent on investigations, the plug has been pulled on the Lake Onslow pumped-hydro electricity scheme, The scheme –  that technically could have solved New Zealand’s looming energy shortage, according to its champions – was a key part of the defeated Labour government’s ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days ago

  • CHRIS TROTTER: The Maori Party and Oath of Allegiance
    If those elected to the Māori Seats refuse to take them, then what possible reason could the country have for retaining them?   Chris Trotter writes – Christmas is fast approaching, which, as it does every year, means gearing up for an abstruse general knowledge question. “Who was ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days ago

  • BRIAN EASTON:  Forward to 2017
    The coalition party agreements are mainly about returning to 2017 when National lost power. They show commonalities but also some serious divergencies. Brian Easton writes – The two coalition agreements – one National and ACT, the other National and New Zealand First – are more than policy documents. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago

  • Climate Change: Fossils
    When the new government promised to allow new offshore oil and gas exploration, they were warned that there would be international criticism and reputational damage. Naturally, they arrogantly denied any possibility that that would happen. And then they finally turned up at COP, to criticism from Palau, and a "fossil ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    7 days ago

  • GEOFFREY MILLER:  NZ’s foreign policy resets on AUKUS, Gaza and Ukraine
    Geoffrey Miller writes – New Zealand’s international relations are under new management. And Winston Peters, the new foreign minister, is already setting a change agenda. As expected, this includes a more pro-US positioning when it comes to the Pacific – where Peters will be picking up where he ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the government’s smokefree laws debacle
    The most charitable explanation for National’s behaviour over the smokefree legislation is that they have dutifully fulfilled the wishes of the Big Tobacco lobby and then cast around – incompetently, as it turns out – for excuses that might sell this health policy U-turn to the public. The less charitable ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    1 week ago

  • Top 10 links at 10 am for Monday, December 4
    As Deb Te Kawa writes in an op-ed, the new Government seems to have immediately bought itself fights with just about everyone. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Here’s my pick of the top 10 news and analysis links elsewhere as of 10 am on Monday December 4, including:Palau’s President ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Be Honest.
    Let’s begin today by thinking about job interviews.During my career in Software Development I must have interviewed hundreds of people, hired at least a hundred, but few stick in the memory.I remember one guy who was so laid back he was practically horizontal, leaning back in his chair until his ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • Geoffrey Miller: New Zealand’s foreign policy resets on AUKUS, Gaza and Ukraine
    New Zealand’s international relations are under new management. And Winston Peters, the new foreign minister, is already setting a change agenda. As expected, this includes a more pro-US positioning when it comes to the Pacific – where Peters will be picking up where he left off. Peters sought to align ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    1 week ago

  • Auckland rail tunnel the world’s most expensive
    Auckland’s city rail link is the most expensive rail project in the world per km, and the CRL boss has described the cost of infrastructure construction in Aotearoa as a crisis. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The 3.5 km City Rail Link (CRL) tunnel under Auckland’s CBD has cost ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • First big test coming
    The first big test of the new Government’s approach to Treaty matters is likely to be seen in the return of the Resource Management Act. RMA Minister Chris Bishop has confirmed that he intends to introduce legislation to repeal Labour’s recently passed Natural and Built Environments Act and its ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 week ago

  • The Song of Saqua: Volume III
    Time to revisit something I haven’t covered in a while: the D&D campaign, with Saqua the aquatic half-vampire. Last seen in July: https://phuulishfellow.wordpress.com/2023/07/27/the-song-of-saqua-volume-ii/ The delay is understandable, once one realises that the interim saw our DM come down with a life-threatening medical situation. They have since survived to make ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago

  • Chris Bishop: Smokin’
    Yes. Correct. It was an election result. And now we are the elected government. ...
    My ThinksBy boonman
    1 week ago

  • Ministers visit Hawke’s Bay to grasp recovery needs
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined Cyclone Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell and Transport and Local Government Minister Simeon Brown, to meet leaders of cyclone and flood-affected regions in the Hawke’s Bay. The visit reinforced the coalition Government’s commitment to support the region and better understand its ongoing requirements, Mr Mitchell says.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • New Zealand condemns malicious cyber activity
    New Zealand has joined the UK and other partners in condemning malicious cyber activity conducted by the Russian Government, Minister Responsible for the Government Communications Security Bureau Judith Collins says. The statement follows the UK’s attribution today of malicious cyber activity impacting its domestic democratic institutions and processes, as well ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Disestablishment of Te Pūkenga begins
    The Government has begun the process of disestablishing Te Pūkenga as part of its 100-day plan, Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills Penny Simmonds says.  “I have started putting that plan into action and have met with the chair and chief Executive of Te Pūkenga to advise them of my ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Climate Change Minister to attend COP28 in Dubai
    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will be leaving for Dubai today to attend COP28, the 28th annual UN climate summit, this week. Simon Watts says he will push for accelerated action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement, deliver New Zealand’s national statement and connect with partner countries, private sector leaders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • New Zealand to host 2024 Pacific defence meeting
    Defence Minister Judith Collins yesterday announced New Zealand will host next year’s South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting (SPDMM). “Having just returned from this year’s meeting in Nouméa, I witnessed first-hand the value of meeting with my Pacific counterparts to discuss regional security and defence matters. I welcome the opportunity to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Study shows need to remove distractions in class
    The Government is committed to lifting school achievement in the basics and that starts with removing distractions so young people can focus on their learning, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.   The 2022 PISA results released this week found that Kiwi kids ranked 5th in the world for being distracted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Minister sets expectations of Commissioner
    Today I met with Police Commissioner Andrew Coster to set out my expectations, which he has agreed to, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. Under section 16(1) of the Policing Act 2008, the Minister can expect the Police Commissioner to deliver on the Government’s direction and priorities, as now outlined in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • New Zealand needs a strong and stable ETS
    New Zealand needs a strong and stable Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) that is well placed for the future, after emission units failed to sell for the fourth and final auction of the year, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  At today’s auction, 15 million New Zealand units (NZUs) – each ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • PISA results show urgent need to teach the basics
    With 2022 PISA results showing a decline in achievement, Education Minister Erica Stanford is confident that the Coalition Government’s 100-day plan for education will improve outcomes for Kiwi kids.  The 2022 PISA results show a significant decline in the performance of 15-year-old students in maths compared to 2018 and confirms ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Collins leaves for Pacific defence meeting
    Defence Minister Judith Collins today departed for New Caledonia to attend the 8th annual South Pacific Defence Ministers’ meeting (SPDMM). “This meeting is an excellent opportunity to meet face-to-face with my Pacific counterparts to discuss regional security matters and to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the Pacific,” Judith Collins says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Working for Families gets cost of living boost
    Putting more money in the pockets of hard-working families is a priority of this Coalition Government, starting with an increase to Working for Families, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. “We are starting our 100-day plan with a laser focus on bringing down the cost of living, because that is what ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Post-Cabinet press conference
    Most weeks, following Cabinet, the Prime Minister holds a press conference for members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery. This page contains the transcripts from those press conferences, which are supplied by Hansard to the Office of the Prime Minister. It is important to note that the transcripts have not been edited ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Lake Onslow pumped hydro scheme scrapped
    The Government has axed the $16 billion Lake Onslow pumped hydro scheme championed by the previous government, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says. “This hugely wasteful project was pouring money down the drain at a time when we need to be reining in spending and focussing on rebuilding the economy and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ welcomes further pause in fighting in Gaza
    New Zealand welcomes the further one-day extension of the pause in fighting, which will allow the delivery of more urgently-needed humanitarian aid into Gaza and the release of more hostages, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said. “The human cost of the conflict is horrific, and New Zealand wants to see the violence ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Condolences on passing of Henry Kissinger
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters today expressed on behalf of the New Zealand Government his condolences to the family of former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who has passed away at the age of 100 at his home in Connecticut. “While opinions on his legacy are varied, Secretary Kissinger was ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Backing our kids to learn the basics
    Every child deserves a world-leading education, and the Coalition Government is making that a priority as part of its 100-day plan. Education Minister Erica Stanford says that will start with banning cellphone use at school and ensuring all primary students spend one hour on reading, writing, and maths each day. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • US Business Summit Speech – Regional stability through trade
    I would like to begin by echoing the Prime Minister’s thanks to the organisers of this Summit, Fran O’Sullivan and the Auckland Business Chamber.  I want to also acknowledge the many leading exporters, sector representatives, diplomats, and other leaders we have joining us in the room. In particular, I would like ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Keynote Address to the United States Business Summit, Auckland
    Good morning. Thank you, Rosemary, for your warm introduction, and to Fran and Simon for this opportunity to make some brief comments about New Zealand’s relationship with the United States.  This is also a chance to acknowledge my colleague, Minister for Trade Todd McClay, Ambassador Tom Udall, Secretary of Foreign ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • India New Zealand Business Council Speech, India as a Strategic Priority
    Good morning, tēnā koutou and namaskar. Many thanks, Michael, for your warm welcome. I would like to acknowledge the work of the India New Zealand Business Council in facilitating today’s event and for the Council’s broader work in supporting a coordinated approach for lifting New Zealand-India relations. I want to also ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Coalition Government unveils 100-day plan
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has laid out the Coalition Government’s plan for its first 100 days from today. “The last few years have been incredibly tough for so many New Zealanders. People have put their trust in National, ACT and NZ First to steer them towards a better, more prosperous ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • New Zealand welcomes European Parliament vote on the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement
    A significant milestone in ratifying the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was reached last night, with 524 of the 705 member European Parliament voting in favour to approve the agreement. “I’m delighted to hear of the successful vote to approve the NZ-EU FTA in the European Parliament overnight. This is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

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