Another world is possible

Written By: - Date published: 7:02 am, September 28th, 2019 - 55 comments
Categories: activism, climate change - Tags: , , , ,

https://twitter.com/tweetwithkieran/status/1177394961139978241

Yesterday, 170,000 New Zealanders took to the streets as part of the global Climate Strike. This is one of the biggest protest mobilisations we’ve had. To put it into perspective,

170,000 is also a curious number for NZ at 3.5% of the population. Erica Chenoweth, a political scientist at Harvard University, wrote a book about successful historical protest movements and what worked.

Looking at hundreds of campaigns over the last century, Chenoweth found that nonviolent campaigns are twice as likely to achieve their goals as violent campaigns. And although the exact dynamics will depend on many factors, she has shown it takes around 3.5% of the population actively participating in the protests to ensure serious political change.

Chenoweth asserted

the notion that no government can withstand a challenge of 3.5% of its population without either accommodating the movement or (in extreme cases) disintegrating.

In her TED talk, Chenoweth notes that non-violent resistance has become more common and more effective in the past 50 years, and points to the inclusive nature of these movements: elderly, disabled people, women and children can all take part, and the movements tend to cross divisions of class, politics, gender, age and so on. This makes sense to me, because once you have broad engagement across a population, those people are also our law and policy makers and other power holders in society (journalists and MSM editors, educators, business people, politicians). Parliament is full of people just as scared about climate catastrophe as the people on the street.

This is how change happens. It’s important to note that success is dependent on the active and sustained participation of that 3.5% of the population. While I don’t believe we can rely on parliament to lead on climate action, I can’t help but think of the potential for a growing movement over the next year leading into the 2020 general election.

I’m also wondering about the potential of the Climate Strike numbers happening at the start of our local body elections and hope we can see sustained local movements building on the actions this week. Even if we don’t see this reflected in the voting now, the same kinds of pressure and engagement needs to happen at the local level.

Dunedin had 6% of its population march yesterday.

The last time that happened was when 10,000 people took to the street to protest the closing of neurology services in the city. They won. To get 9,000 people yesterday suggests a shift happening on climate action in not just the progressive parts of the community but the more conservative parts too.

Auckland’s march yesterday was 4.5% of the local population, Nelson 3.8%. Wellington was 18%. These are big, hopeful numbers. In part because, as Chenoweth reports,

… the visibility of civil resistance actions allows them to attract more active and diverse participation from [these] ambivalent people.

More and more people know that we can’t just go back to our ordinary lives and hope that climate change will do away. We’re on a tipping point of climate action being mainstreamed.

Also heartening were the number of businesses who closed in solidarity with the Climate Strike and to allow workers to march. Social enterprise support organisation Ākina Foundation recruited 267 NZ businesses this week to take part. Here too is change happening, because business owners and managers are also people increasingly concerned about climate action and the wellbeing or their children and grandchildren.  This is exactly the kind of movement we need at this point, because these are the people who will implement our climate mitigation and adaptation strategies once we are ready to change.

______________________________________________________________________________

By the way, because apparently some people haven’t been paying attention, School Strike 4 Climate NZ’s list of demands is:

  1. that parliament declares a climate emergency
  2. that all parties support and pass an ambitious Zero Carbon Act
  3. that the government ceases all exploration and extraction of fossil fuels
  4. that the government invests in building a renewable and regenerative economy now
  5. that the government gives practical effect to its responsibilities through the Pacific

 

55 comments on “Another world is possible ”

  1. Robert Guyton 2

    "It has now reached the stage where it is getting totally out of hand"

    A glimmer of understanding from someone who trolled here not so long agosmiley

    • Pat 2.1

      who's that quote from?

      • weka 2.1.1

        Our own Boris Gosman?

        • Pat 2.1.1.1

          oh…so no one of any influence then

          • Robert Guyton 2.1.1.1.1

            I chose not to link to the blog as it's entirely empty of content smiley

            • greywarshark 2.1.1.1.1.1

              Ooh – do we get 3 guesses and a chocolate fish?

              • Robert Guyton

                I've forgotten the forgettable. Can't remember the unmemorable.

                • greywarshark

                  True, there is too much to think about, have to prioritise the good, the useful, the ideas and people with integrity, and let the detritus fall away. We have to think about triage in these coming days and years, there is only so much ability of each individual to use what their talents are, and time is limited and conditions not always amenable for action and processing new information and monitoring already implemented ideas and systems.

                  I suggest start limiting fictional television, a large part of which is accompanied by advertisements. It is highly coloured which increases the trip into unreality, and limits the time for living and using your own agency. The news is interesting to see the field of action where things are happening. But reading and radio and news clips will give you more bang for each minute of attention.

                  I did think this morning that we should give attention to our farming community in a supportive way as we demand they make changes, and into the future. It would be wise to listen to the Country news on RadioNZ each Saturday morning earlyish, and I think it is repeated. We need to understand our farmers, and their difficulties, and support them in their efforts, always thinking about crops and weather and animals. Apparently they are anxious about the new water rules, and there have been meetings of 300 etc. The genuine farmers, living on his or her farm, taking part in life in New Zealand should be our brothers and sisters, town and country combining together.

  2. WeTheBleeple 3

    The 'authority' of uneducated self-absorbed parenting is finally being called into question. Right (and left) wing adults are being rightfully questioned. This is a generation that seeks real answers, and rather than knee-jerk rebelling via drinking and stupid antics are instead mobilising against the utter BS we've all been dragged into (the BAU rat-race).

    Travelling in to the march on a crowded bus, there were maybe two kids burrowed into their phones the rest were lively, engaged, funny… They are smart, energised, organised, and they do us all proud.

    Even the online debate has changed. No longer a solitary voice in a desert of dumbass… many friends I'd never have guessed (Bikers, farmers, business owners, nat voting types) are joining the debate calling out the more vacuous/vicious trolls and gremlins where they spring up.

    Now watch as the ideas start being generated. The beach clean up, plantings and hikoi yesterday all prime examples of self-mobilised movement for change. Not only are the kids engaged, they're wanting and willing to muck in and get things done. It's not just that we support them or get out of the way: also, that we support them or get left behind.

    • Robert Guyton 3.1

      At yesterday's climate march in Invercargill, the roving reporter sidled-up to ask me my opinion:

      "Environment Southland councillor Robert Guyton, who is vocal about Southland declaring a climate state of emergency, says it's a shame that it has come to high school students to find leadership.

      "This something Environment Southland should be doing. We were elected to do this and we neglected to follow it up, so this is what happens.""

      https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/116158479/southland-students-want-climate-state-of-emergency-declared
      At the march’s end, there were speakers speaking; I encouraged the crowd, thinking especially of there younger ones, to learn to grow and plant trees and when they had done one round of that, to do another and another. Marching’s important but when you get back home and have poured over all of the platforms reporting on the day, looking to see if you’re part of a “thing”, it’s really useful to have something actual to do; sow a seed, plant a pit, get something growing.

      • greywarshark 3.1.1

        I was wondering – if I want to plant a tree, do something to act not just think. Where do I go. I just can't plant trees in my back yard, no room, have one already and they can be too shade producing in some places and people don't want to trim, cut them down when they have negative effects on light, sun and health.

        So what do you suggest – I was wondering about speaking to local Councils, getting a designated spot, with protocols on how to do it, requiring a position two paces from the nearest one, dig and plant properly put a post up with the name on the tree, shrub in permanent marker etc. Also to make a note for oneself of where it is amongst the plantings, and go and give it water regularly while young, and in summer with about 5 litres of water to spread round it,

        It is good to get the itch to plant a tree, it is where and how so that it can grow and be part of a healthy woodland. Do you think that would be a sensible approach to take to Council?

        • Cricklewood 3.1.1.1

          Don't ask, just do. Find some wasteland, empty land, road reserve etc and start planting. Plant small and in autumn. You'll be amazed how quick a small plant will establish. Just wander around and trample down any weeds occasionally they'll act as a mulch layer.

        • solkta 3.1.1.2

          Have you joined Forest and Bird?

          • greywarshark 3.1.1.2.1

            Have you? And how would that help with what I asked about?

            And Cricklewood you aren't being intelligent. Trees popping up everywhere will be as useful as wilding pines. People won't know what they are. They may be poisonous. They may be a nuisance. And maybe the weeds are more useful, and wanted as part of establishing a better greensward like a 'ley' I think they call it. Some people when they feel justified about something, can go OTT. I think that there needs to guidance about tree planting otherwise it could be as practical as releasing rabbit calcivirus by the eager and pretty ignorant.

            • Cricklewood 3.1.1.2.1.1

              You're wrong there Grey. Any tree is a good tree, if you aren't sure what to plant go with a native or ask your local nurseryman for trees which do well in your area provide fodder for birds etc.

              Where in the country are you I can point you to a good nursery.

              Guerrilla gardening for the win. Reckon ive snuck over a 1000 trees into public spaces over the last 10 years or so… some are quite large now.

            • solkta 3.1.1.2.1.2

              Fuck. You ask for advice as to how to link in to tree planting programs. I suggest the very long established organisation that exists to do that along with other initiatives and you respond with "have you?" What is wrong with you?

              Why do you come here and ask stupid questions and then not bother to follow up when people reply?

              Forest & Bird is defending nature on land.

              Our branches are involved in practical projects to restore nature – trapping predators, removing weeds and planting trees.

              https://www.forestandbird.org.nz/what-we-do/land

              • greywarshark

                You dopey person. I was asking Robert how an ordinary person who wanted to work with Council would go about it.

                Forest and Bird is good. But that wasn't what I was asking. Not everyone knows about F & B. And you just said have I joined Forest and Bird. That costs money, it is a barrier in the way of someone just wanting to plant a tree as suggested. And I notice some random people here thinking that it’s okay to shove one in anywhere. Please co-operate with your local Council and get them to start plots for a successful result for your community from your good-hearted action. It is theoretical saying that any tree is a good tree, only from the planets POV but we still have to live in it. Perhaps you can find a way to help by putting in four in a square as posts in which tree huts can be built?

                Why don't you come down off your high horse. You like putting one sentence replies as if there can be no question that you know and have the perfect answer to what is raised. I don't see you always explaining why, what is in your mind. Just a didactic approach .

        • Graeme 3.1.1.3

          Down here we've got the Wakatipu Re-forestation Trust They collect local seed, raise the seedlings in their nursery and then plant them out in project areas around the district. And an army of volunteers who do an amazing amount of work

          Last weekend around 90 of us had 1100 plants in the ground by smoko.

          • greywarshark 3.1.1.3.1

            One hour! Good organisation. What would be a modern replacement for smoko – kambucha? Or traditional hot scones and lemonade?

  3. Cinny 4

    Yesterday while walking past the protest in Motueka an old man said to me…. 'haven't they got anything better to do?'

    My response was… 'I don't know, saving the planet is kind of important'

    Old man turned away and stomped off. Lololz was pretty funny.

    What I'd like to see is a list of companies who cause the most damage being actively circulated via the media and social media. And people boycotting those companies. We all need to walk the talk to make change. Our consumerism is what is killing the earth.

    • greywarshark 4.1

      I think we should report which companies are aiming high, and what others are doing to improve and encourage them by listing them with priority to the best achievers, when looking for product and services; still be concerned about price, but be looking among the top listers. More will be prodded to make import change. The faults of the ones who show unconcern and resistance to becoming responsible should also be noted under the tick list.

    • Robert Guyton 4.2

      The Invercargill protest was smaller than those in other centres, but we had no grumpy bystanders; on the contrary, the tooting and waving from passing vehicles was surprising!

      Our policeman minder was very pleasant, stepping in to over-ride the traffic lights and giving us all friendly waves as we filed through.

      • Cinny 4.2.1

        Good stuff Robert that's wonderful to hear such fantastic support especially for Southland, awesome. 🙂

        We had a couple of hundred in Motueka, I was thrilled at the turn out, good on them. No police minder, they just marched up and down the footpath of our main st and everyone came out of their places of work to watch and show their support. It was awesome.

        The old man, was amusing because he was soooo stereotypical. Super funny.

    • weka 4.3

      I saw a reference to the list of NZ companies responsible for the most emissions. I'm curious now too who they are.

      • weka 4.3.1

        Here we go. No surprises which is the top company.

        By trawling company reports, Emissions Trading Scheme documents, and international carbon disclosure files, Stuff was able to tally the annual emissions for 10 companies which are likely to be the highest emitters in New Zealand.

        Combined, they produced an estimated 54.5 million tonnes of greenhouse gases, roughly two-thirds of the national total.

        https://twitter.com/wekatweets/status/1177741150716739584

        https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/114431409/nzs-biggest-greenhouse-gas-emitters-and-their-struggle-to-pollute-less

        • weka 4.3.1.1

          Scratch that, the figures are probably useless,

          For example, Z Energy reported just over 13m tonnes of emissions in 2018, but when Stuff asked BP for its New Zealand emissions, it reported just 4200 tonnes. BP was only counting the emissions from powering its stores, car washes, and offices. It wasn't including any emissions from the burning of the millions of litres of petrol it sold.

          Figures reported to the Carbon Disclosure Project in 2016 by BP's global arm showed the purchase of nearly 4.5m tonnes of carbon offsets under the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme, giving a stronger indication of how much of an impact the British company has in New Zealand.

  4. 'that all parties support and pass an ambitious Zero Carbon Act'..

    i noted the other day that the british labour party conference pledged 'to de-carbonise britain by 2030'..

    my takeaway from this is : 'good on them..!'..

    and meanwhile back here it makes our 'carbon-neutral by 2050'…seem somewhat paltry/nowhere near enough..

    so cd the greens have a re-think on that one..and also pledge 'to de-carbonise' nz by 2030..

    this would also be a useful tag for j.a. to frame the required political action around..?

    the size of this march/and the percentages required for change cited above – tell us (and j.a.) that the seachange-moment of enough of the general public 'getting it' and demanding change – so many have been waiting for – is here..

    and will not go away – will not be silenced by political inaction/more of 'the same'..

    and most certainly just can't be ignored..

    so j.a./grns etc must be perceptive enough to know that vague promises to do something by 2050…is no longer enough..not for the planet – not for the people marching..

    so i look forward to hearing their program – to de-caronise nz – by 2030..

    and of course..even promising this – will see this govt re-elected with an enlarged majority..with a groundswell of support from a politically energised young..

    and the tories denialism/do-nothing pledges being rejected y those of their own – with half a brain..and them turning to lab/grns for just those environomental reasons/imperatives..

    bridges/the denialists – are on a road to nowhere – destination: political-irrelevence..

    (and can i just note that ‘de-carbonise’ is much more powerful/palpable that the (effete) ‘carbon-neutral..esp as the latter allows pollutors to buy ‘credits’ to keep polluting..
    that ain’t good enough – any more..

  5. Stuart Munro. 7

    Learning to change the world when they are young will create a politically powerful generation; the age of flatulent old fools like Gerry Brownlee is drawing to a close, and we might actually get some things done for a change.

  6. if 'the march' – as we can now call it – has a spotify playlist..

    this would be on it..?

    you'd think..?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVYbt5IPvP4

    (elton and ringo are also good on this..)

    • Duncan 8.1

      My favourite song of all time. Some similarity in the facial appearance of Marc Bolan and Greta.

      Personally I have never seen a reason to get excited about humanities direction until Greta announced a purpose and anger that to me is refreshing.

      I just hope the left pick up on it, unite, get angry, and force change.

      There is no time left for petty arguments or platitudes.

  7. Tiger Mountain 9

    The young people yesterday learnt some important things, such as–how to take direct action and defy authority–whether that be Principals, BOTs, parents, peers not into it, media lines, or grumpy old blokes in denial.

    It was an awesome, creative, feel good day of people acting together. Not National’s version of “ordinary New Zealanders”, but the real thing!

    More militant action including particularly non students, will now be required to get Government and corporates to act.

    • weka 9.1

      More non-violent, sustained and persistent action I think.

      • phillip ure 9.1.1

        @ weka..

        'more non-violent, sustained and persistent action'

        yes..but it must be remembered that if these polite protests are just ignored by our political leaders..

        this will escalate into more disruptive actions..that could well spill over..

        so best we just live up to our reputation for commonsense and leading..

        and do just that…

        • weka 9.1.1.1

          My position at the moment is we should do all the things that are needed. Polite ain't it. The strikes are good and necessary, but we also need Extinction Rebellion and other actions that are willing to disrupt the status quo. We also need solid work within the culture that give people pathways to action of building resilient and sustainable communities.

          I'm ok with disruption, because I believe we will have far, far worse disruption if we don't act now, and the need is urgent. I think that intentional disruption needs to be well thought out and implemented. ER used Chenoweth's work in developing their strategies and kaupapa.

          • Adam Ash 9.1.1.1.1

            Agree with you there Weka.
            The government needs to revisit its zero carbon policies and strengthen them substantially to get change happening.

            The tax-the-bad actions and give-the-tax-to-the-good actions has very little net cost to the state, but can cause significant change.

            Government needs to strongly promote uptake of EVs (including getting a basic Everyman's-EV manufactured under license here to replace fossil clunkers for the commute, children to school and shopping trips), and also require installation of heat pumps in every home to replace log and multi-fuel burners for most home heating (leaving the burners installed for emergency use). These two actions would be hugely useful to reduce household emissions.

            Usefully, both obtaining an EV and installing a heat pump can see a reduction in household expenditure for travel and heating, while helping the climate, and providing safer and warmer lives.

            So when the children come home from school, they can ask their parents; "Where is the EV? Where is the heat pump?"

      • Duncan 9.1.2

        weka,

        I remember you three or four years ago saying we should not over emphasise the threats of climate change because it would scare people and turn them off wanting to change.

        And nothing happened in the interim.

        People need to get organised, coherent, face the facts and do something about it.

        And Greta has provided the impetus.

        And her anger gives me hope, and I believe we need to channel that and do something rather than sit around accepting incremental change.

        There is no better opportunity offered than what has just been gifted to the left.

        Make the most of it.

        • weka 9.1.2.1

          "I remember you three or four years ago saying we should not over emphasise the threats of climate change because it would scare people and turn them off wanting to change."

          I think you are mistaken. More likely I was saying that we should be careful about not focusing on messages that provoke fear responses that then turn people off. Nothing wrong with being afraid of CC when looking it in the face, but there are problems with the fearmongering approach of say Macpherson or telling people we are all going to die. People need to know the truth (which isn't Macpherson) but they also need pathways to action.

          A huge amount has happened in the interim. Greta Thunberg, Extinction Rebellion, a change in government in NZ with the Green Party in positions of power (not enough, but it's still a huge change from 3 or 4 years ago). Various MSM deciding to tell the truth about CC, and to limit deniers. A number if IPCC reports that are no longer tiptoeing around the crisis. All of that is momentum, and I agree there is great opportunity here.

          Maybe you are agreeing with me that we are at a tipping point? I've never argued for incremental change as the solution to CC. I've argued that the people who are doing incremental change like the Greens need to be supported and they need us outside of parliament to force the agenda. I've also argued that we have choices about where we intervene in the big societal changes and which way the tipping point goes.

    • Matiri 9.2

      Yes. Students used to be militant, the Student Union when I was at college was a hotbed of thoughtful and lively talk, and dissent. And the music to match! Student debt and tuition fees killed all that.

      And the problem with Greta.
      https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/27/the-greta-thunberg-problem-so-many-men-freaking-out-about-the-tiny-swedish-climate-demon

    • Sacha 9.3

      More militant action including particularly non students, will now be required to get Government and corporates to act.

      Nope. From the original post above:

      Looking at hundreds of campaigns over the last century, Chenoweth found that nonviolent campaigns are twice as likely to achieve their goals as violent campaigns.

  8. greywarshark 10

    I've just been listening to some lively Celtic music on a Womad series I think. It seems to me that humans are too wonderful and creative and imaginative and clever and silly to pass away. I think it is a bit like the Hobbits – we are on a journey to achieve an important outcome, and have to go through dangerous ventures and badlands and find fraternal brothers and sisters to mix and mingle with.

    We all need to have a trusting relationship with each other, sticking roughly to good guidelines to follow. And throw away capitalism – keep it's combining ethos and for the rest concentrate on having a wee home, work, food, good cheer, kindness, music and theatre, a look around the rohe, reciprocal hospitality and help, some physical games, a card game where someone always cheats, and regular socialising with less alcohol and drugs. And reducing all the negatives and high expectations, go for simplicity and colour and a laugh in the eyes of good people as we craic or crack on, as the ex-Brits say. Nau mai. Haere mai.

  9. mosa 11

    Nothing will change until neo liberal policy and approach is dismantled.

    Climate protests are great but are not addressing the real blockwall of allowing any of these demands too be seriously addressed.

    If only the protest was targeting the devil in the room.

  10. greywarshark 12

    Here is how to make a better world, it is not impossible. Barbara Sher

    (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2rG4Dg6xyI
    Isolation is the dream-killer, not your attitude

    Wish/Obstacle – we are problem-solving animals.

  11. cleangreen 13

    I saw very little of the marches around NZ for climate action, as we walked among the almost 1000 in Napier Friday sadly, – as the media coverage was scant.

    The media has a short attention span like a young child. The media is less able to even comprehend good from bad as even young children can.

    This says a lot about the 'hollow mafia media'scam bubble today.

  12. aom 14

    Top marks to Miriama Kamo and the Sunday team with their 'climate catastrophe' segment. There are few things more inspiring than to see young people respond to being treated as the adults in the room. The strike leaders certainly made the dead-headed politicians with their pathetic soundbites look trite and inconsequential. Hopefully the Air NZ representative is as genuine as she appeared, and that the airline is true to her words. The next generation to inherit the world are without doubt more wise, informed and committed that too many of their resource exploitative seniors.

  13. velcro 15

    Lenin’s ‘useful idiots’. Misinformed, manipulated hence misguided

  14. Adam Ash 16

    The funny thing is Velcro, that these misinformed, manipulated misguided people are only asking that the world becomes a place where humans have far less impact on the environment that we do currently. They want us to move away from the dark satanic mills of the past and present into a future where we are all gainfully employed and living in a better place, and doing that in a way which ensures economic stability and environmental and social harmony.

    Surely you would accept that a) these are worthwhile objectives for any social movement, and b) if we continue as we are the present unhappy state of the environment and associated miserable social situations will only continue to get worse and the widening gap between haves and have not will see increased tension and violence?

    Where, then, is the downside of following the lead of these 'misguided' souls? Our present 'system' has got us into a mess and cannot get us out of it. Should we not embrace a global effort to make things better, even if you disagree with their climate views?

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    Bryce Edwards writes – Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    14 hours ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' at 10:10am on Tuesday, March 19
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Gavin Jacobson talks to Thomas Piketty 10 years on from Capital in the 21st Century The SalvoLocal scoop: Green MP’s business being investigated over migrant exploitation claims Stuff Steve KilgallonLocal deep-dive: The commercial contractors making money from School ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    14 hours ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things on Tuesday, March 19
    It’s a home - but Kāinga Ora tenants accused of “abusing the privilege” may lose it. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Government announced a crackdown on Kāinga Ora tenants who were unruly and/or behind on their rent, with Housing Minister Chris Bishop saying a place in a state ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    15 hours ago
  • New Life for Light Rail
    This is a guest post by Connor Sharp of Surface Light Rail  Light rail in Auckland: A way forward sooner than you think With the coup de grâce of Auckland Light Rail (ALR) earlier this year, and the shift of the government’s priorities to roads, roads, and more roads, it ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    16 hours ago
  • Why Are Bosses Nearly All Buffoons?
    Note: As a paid-up Webworm member, I’ve recorded this Webworm as a mini-podcast for you as well. Some of you said you liked this option - so I aim to provide it when I get a chance to record! Read more ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    18 hours ago
  • Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6.06 pm on March 18
    TL;DR: In my ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Monday, March 18:IKEA is accused of planting big forests in New Zealand to green-wash; REDD-MonitorA City for People takes a well-deserved victory lap over Wellington’s pro-YIMBY District Plan votes; A City for PeopleSteven Anastasiou takes a close look at the sticky ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Peters holds his ground on co-governance, but Willis wriggles on those tax cuts and SNA suspension l...
    Buzz from the Beehive Here’s hoping for a lively post-cabinet press conference when the PM and – perhaps – some of his ministers tell us what was discussed at their meeting today. Until then, Point of Order has precious little Beehive news to report after its latest monitoring of the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • Labour’s final report card
    David Farrar writes –  We now have almost all 2023 data in, which has allowed me to update my annual table of how  went against its promises. This is basically their final report card. The promise The result Build 100,000 affordable homes over 10 ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • “Drunk Uncle at a Wedding”
    I’m a bit worried that I’ve started a previous newsletter with the words “just when you think they couldn’t get any worse…” Seems lately that I could begin pretty much every issue with that opening. Such is the nature of our coalition government that they seem to be outdoing each ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Geoffrey Miller writes – Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on Dune 2, and images of Islam
    Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture ...
    2 days ago
  • New Rail Operations Centre Promises Better Train Services
    Last week Transport Minster Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre. The new train control centre will see teams from KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail working more closely together to improve train services across the city. The Auckland Rail Operations Centre in ...
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things at 6.36am on Monday, March 18
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in an exit interview with Q+A yesterday the Government can and should sustain more debt to invest in infrastructure for future generations. Elsewhere in the news in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 6:36am: Read more ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. It is more than just a happy ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    2 days ago
  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to March 25 and beyond
    TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Bitter and angry; Winston First
    New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • Out of Touch.
    “I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The bewildering world of Chris Luxon – Guns for all, not no lunch for kids
    .“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    3 days ago
  • Expert Opinion: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
    3 days ago
  • Manufacturing The Truth.
    Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet –  is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
    3 days ago
  • A Powerful Sensation of Déjà Vu.
    Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
    3 days ago
  • Can you guess where world attention is focussed (according to Greenpeace)? It’s focussed on an EPA...
    Bob Edlin writes –  And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Further integrity problems for the Greens in suspending MP Darleen Tana
    Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Greens’ transparency missing in action
    For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    5 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    6 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    6 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    6 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Government moves to quickly ratify the NZ-EU FTA
    "The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago
  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
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    5 days ago
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