Atlas smirked
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- Date published:
12:15 pm, January 7th, 2024 - 115 comments
Categories: act, Deep stuff, democracy under attack, election 2023, election funding, national, political parties, same old national, spin, tax, taxpayers union -
Tags: Atlas
This morning’s browse of twitter came up with this fascinating tweet from highly respected Guardian reporter George Monbiot.
You would think this was a wild and improbable conspiracy theory. But every fact in this column is checked and verified.
How the Atlas Network’s dark-money junktanks steer policy around the world.https://t.co/4iAtH1StVE— George Monbiot (@GeorgeMonbiot) January 6, 2024
I was always aware that the Atlas Network was a dark money right wing think tank that was active throughout the world but reading this story made me wonder about its effect on New Zealand politics.
Monbiot’s linked article concentrates on the election of Javier Milei as Argentinian President. But his comments could have been applied to the recent New Zealand election.
For instance he said this:
A crash programme of massive cuts; demolishing public services; privatising public assets; centralising political power; sacking civil servants; sweeping away constraints on corporations and oligarchs; destroying regulations that protect workers, vulnerable people and the living world; supporting landlords against tenants; criminalising peaceful protest; restricting the right to strike. Anything ring a bell?
This reads like a list of the Government’s policies. Just think of these:
- Nicola Willis implementing $7.4 billion of cuts in her recent mini budget.
- David Seymour gleefully announcing thousands of public service job cuts just before Christmas.
- It is too early for asset sales to be advanced although the prospect of hospital buildings being owned privately has been raised. And who can for get John Key’s privatisation of half of the power companies during his reign, a decision that has already cost the country more than was received.
- In terms of centralising political power already the unwinding of the three waters reforms and reversals of Health reforms will cause more power to be centralised.
- In terms of sweeping away business constraints National has promised a number of measures that are not in place as yet. This is despite New Zealand already being among the easiest places in the world to do business.
- The introduction of 90 day fire at will provisions and the removal of the Fair Pay system both enacted under urgency will have a significant effect on measures designed to protect workers rights. And how about changing the way benefit increases for everyone except superannuants are calculated so that over time there is more child poverty? Or how about increasing sanctions on beneficiaries?
- As for supporting landlords against tenants how about the reintroduction of no cause evictions and reduction of notice periods? And National’s pushing through of tax cuts for landlords with retrospective effect and the reduction of the bright line period will have landlords dancing in the streets.
- And in relation to destroying regulations that protect the living world this is a doozie. The legislation that wound back Resource planning to the old Resource Management Act contained a provision allowing for the Minister by regulation to override protective legislation. As pointed out by the Environmental Defence Society “[t]he Government now has the power to exempt parts of the country from any or all of the Resource Management Act requirements and allow destruction of our precious indigenous plants and animals and pollution of our rivers and coasts. This will be able to occur without proper consideration of the impact on nature and neighbouring communities.”
The only two areas not affected yet are the right to strike and criminalising peaceful protest. Every other policy that has been enacted or is in the process of being enacted is something that the Atlas Corporation would approve of.
Even some of the campaign techniques are similar. In the United Kingdom Liz Truss had a mini budget that was that good it sent the UK economy into involuntary spasms. Nicola Willis’s local version did not have such a dramatic effect at least not as yet.
And the way that Atlas and related organisations have placed themselves at the centre of debate is also unnervingly familiar.
From Monbiot:
Last year, the [Institute of Economic Affairs, one of the first members of the Atlas Network] was platformed on British media an average of 14 times a day: even more often than before the disaster it helped inflict on the UK. Scarcely ever was it challenged about who funds it or whom it represents.
Do you find yourself grinding your teeth every time the Taxpayers Union or the New Zealand Initiative get given air time to talk about something?
Monbiot says this about the funding of the Atlas aligned organisations:
Many refuse to divulge who funds them, but as information has trickled out we have discovered that the Atlas Network itself and many of its members have taken money from funding networks set up by the Koch brothers and other rightwing billionaires, and from oil, coal and tobacco companies and other life-defying interests. The junktanks are merely the intermediaries. They go into battle on behalf of their donors, in the class war waged by the rich against the poor. When a government responds to the demands of the network, it responds, in reality, to the money that funds it.
The dark-money junktanks, and the Atlas Network, are a highly effective means of disguising and aggregating power. They are the channel through which billionaires and corporations influence politics without showing their hands, learn the most effective policies and tactics for overcoming resistance to their agenda, and then spread these policies and tactics around the world. This is how nominal democracies become new aristocracies.
Which is eerily what is happening in New Zealand. From an article by David Williams in Newsroom:
As president and chair of World Taxpayers Associations (an Atlas Network partner), [Taxpayer’s head Jordan Williams] gets some travel expenses paid.
The Taxpayers’ Union has also won awards and travel scholarships from the Atlas Network, chaired by New Zealander Debbi Gibbs, daughter of the businessman Alan Gibbs, a long-time supporter of the Act party.
“We publicly disclose these,” Williams says of the Atlas money. “For example, our investigations co-ordinator recently won the Asia ‘Shark Tank Competition’ – successfully pitching a campaign idea in a Dragons’ Den-style event during the Asia Liberty Forum in Malaysia.”
The $US10,000 prize winner was Oliver Bryan, a former political advisor for a British Conservative Party politician.
“The prize money, and other Atlas funding, is small in terms of our overall budget. It has never constituted more than 1 or 2 percent of our annual income, and it is our only funding from overseas.” (This last statement jars with the earlier one about individual donations.)
The links between Atlas and the TPU are visible for all to see. On the Atlas Network website there is this article about the TPU:
An upcoming election is expected to deliver a government more favorable to market-based thinking in New Zealand, and the Taxpayers’ Union intends to work alongside the government to be at the forefront of policy development. They plan to work toward their mission by drafting parliamentary bills; shifting the Overton Window by utilizing popular support; campaigning against high taxes, government waste, and inflation; and publicizing high profile government employees or contractors who have had misleading or deceptive trade interactions. The Taxpayers’ Union aims, in the long run, to become the most popularly supported taxpayer and fiscally conservative pressure group in the world, and to establish New Zealand as a pro-freedom policy laboratory. In their words, they will “lead the world from the bottom of the world.”
And some of the articles will make you feel physically ill. Like this one describing Rogernomics and Ruthenasia as “an inspiring case study of fostering economic growth through rolling back government subsidies and protectionist import controls”. Or this one highlighting Jordan Williams and his attending the Smith Fellowship, described as being one of the hallmark programs of Atlas Network’s Leadership Academy. In 2017 he highlighted fundraising as a major challenge. Back then the TPU’s income was $355 thousand and it had cash reserves of $11,000.
This has increased dramatically. From public records we are aware that last financial year ending December 31, 2022 it received $2.826 million in income and had nearly a million dollars in cash in its bank accounts. The return for this year will be very interesting. The change in funding over 5 years is stark.
And as pointed out by David Williams this funding was used last year to pay for polling at the national and electorate level, the issuing of almost 100 press releases, hosting seven political debates, publishing four policy reports, starting a petition, drafting alternative legislation, and rolling out a debt clock gimmick all between August 1 and election day. If only the left had a similarly resourced entity to drive policy formation and public opinion.
Given British Tobacco’s involvement in the Taxpayer’s Union you have to wonder what influence it had in the Government decision to wind back New Zealand’s smoke free policy. Getting extra tax income and pleasing your sponsor may have been too tempting for the Government to ignore even if the cost is increased cancer rates and greater pressure on the health system.
Monbiot’s conclusion is just as relevant for New Zealand as it is for England.
These junktanks are like the spike proteins on a virus. They are the means by which plutocratic power invades the cells of public life and takes over. It’s time we developed an immune system.
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The Government’s rewrite of the Marsden Fund’s investment plan and terms of reference demonstrates a complete lack of understanding and risks undermining the breadth of research that is essential for the wellbeing and prosperity of New Zealanders, said NZCTU Te Kauae Kaimahi Acting President Rachel Mackintosh. “Humanities and social science ...7 days ago
- Thursday 5 December
The Government has announced further changes to the personal grievance regime that will make it even tougher for workers, and changes to the Marsden Fund investment plan to stop funding for humanities and social sciences research. Workers at Kinleith mill are worried that they will lose even more jobs. A ...1 week ago
- Can desalination quench agriculture’s thirst?
This article by Lela Nargi originally appeared in Knowable Magazine, a nonprofit publication dedicated to making scientific knowledge accessible to all. Sign up for Knowable Magazine’s newsletter. Ralph Loya was pretty sure he was going to lose the corn. His farm had been scorched by El Paso’s hottest-ever June and ...1 week ago
- A housing market with bits tacked on doesn’t need many (if any) pure scientists
The humanities and social sciences panels of The Marsden fund will be disbanded and no longer supported, because “real impact on our economy will come from areas such as physics, chemistry, maths, engineering and biomedical sciences,” said Judith Collins. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMorena. Long stories short in Aotearoa’s ...1 week ago
- Release: National Party urged to support modern slavery legislation
Labour is urging the Prime Minister to walk the talk and support legislation combating modern slavery. ...5 hours ago - Release: Labour has lost confidence in the Speaker
The Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament made an unprecedented decision on the government amendment to the Fast Track Approvals Bill last night. ...5 hours ago
- One year on, still no progress on new ferries
Today’s announcement from the Government on its plan for new ferries throws more uncertainty on the future of the country’s rail network. ...24 hours ago - Release: Nicola Willis’ smaller ferries will cost more
After wasting a year, Nicola Willis has delivered a worse deal for the Cook Strait ferries that will end up being more expensive and take longer to arrive. ...1 day ago
- Bill to sanction unlawful occupation of Palestine
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick has today launched a Member’s Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as the All Out For Gaza rally reaches Parliament. ...1 day ago
- Release: Labour fully supports greyhound racing ban
The Government has done the right thing in moving to ban greyhound racing. ...2 days ago
- Greyhound racing industry ban marks new era for animal welfare
After years of advocacy, the Green Party is very happy to hear the Government has listened to our collective voices and announced the closure of the greyhound racing industry, by 1 August 2026. ...2 days ago
- Rangatahi voices must be centred in Government’s Relationship and Sexuality Education refresh
In response to a new report from ERO, the Government has acknowledged the urgent need for consistency across the curriculum for Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools. ...2 days ago
- Govt introduces archaic anti-worker legislation
The Green Party is appalled at the Government introducing legislation that will make it easier to penalise workers fighting for better pay and conditions. ...3 days ago
- Winston Peters – Kinleith Mill Speech
Thank you for the invitation to speak with you tonight on behalf of the political party I belong to - which is New Zealand First. As we have heard before this evening the Kinleith Mill is proposing to reduce operations by focusing on pulp and discontinuing “lossmaking paper production”. They say that they are currently consulting on the plan to permanently shut ...3 days ago - Swarbrick calls on Auckland Mayor to end delay of revival of St James Theatre
Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick, has written to Mayor Wayne Brown requesting he stop the unnecessary delays on St James Theatre’s restoration. ...4 days ago
- He Ara Anamata: Greens launch Emissions Reduction Plan
Today, the Green Party of Aotearoa proudly unveils its new Emissions Reduction Plan–He Ara Anamata–a blueprint reimagining our collective future. ...4 days ago
- Fossil fuel lobbyist appointment to EECA board called out
The Green Party condemns the Government’s appointment of a fossil fuel lobbyist to the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority Board. ...6 days ago
- Release: Boot camps must be shut down today
The Prime Minister has committed to shut down his government’s boot camps if there is evidence of harm to children – so he must do that today. ...6 days ago
- Greens echo OECD call for electricity market reform
The Green Party has welcomed the OECD urging the Government to re-examine separating ‘gentailers’ to make a fairer electricity market for New Zealanders. ...6 days ago
- Release: Govt breaks Auckland housing promise
Housing Minister Chris Bishop has confirmed National has broken yet another election promise. ...7 days ago
- Government smokescreen to downgrade climate ambition
Today the ACT-National Coalition Agreement pet project’s findings on “no additional warming” were released. ...1 week ago
- Release: Health NZ admits errors led to claimed deficit
Health New Zealand has exaggerated its deficit to justify job cuts. ...1 week ago
- Release: More cuts to research, science and innovation sector
The Government’s latest round of cuts to research and innovation targets the long-established and successful Marsden Fund. ...1 week ago
- Govt guts funding for social sciences and humanities
The Government’s decision to axe all Humanities and Social Science research funding through the Marsden Fund is a massive step backwards. ...1 week ago
- You can’t bank on pine trees in a climate crisis
Today’s Government announcement to limit farm forestry conversions tinkers around the edges, instead of focusing on the real problem and stopping pollution at the source. ...1 week ago
- Release: Nicola Willis being sneaky with new taxes
Nicola Willis is refusing to rule out putting sneaky new taxes on Kiwi households. ...1 week ago
- Release: Govt benefit target even further out of reach
Christopher Luxon has once again failed to read the room and claimed success while life gets harder for everyday Kiwis. ...1 week ago
- Govt continues to punch down
The Government’s new initiative to get people off the benefit won’t address the core drivers of poverty such as low incomes, lack of access to adequate housing and lack of employment opportunities. ...1 week ago
- Release: Labour urges ACC to pull investments in Israel’s illegal settlements
Labour is urging ACC to divest from companies identified by the United Nations as complicit in the building and maintenance of Israel’s illegal settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. ...1 week ago
- Release: Further evidence to stop school lunch cuts
A new report provides further proof that David Seymour should not be messing with the free school lunch programme. ...1 week ago
- Jamie Arbuckle: Inquiry into Banking Competition
This week was the start of the bank inquiry hearings into banking competition. The inquiry was confirmed in the NZ First/National Coalition agreement. 140 submissions were received on the inquiry, and we will hear from over 60 submitters including all the major banks. ANZ, New Zealand's largest bank, was first ...1 week ago
- Casey Costello: What Once Was…
Entering politics is a privilege afforded to very few and, as the saying goes, with great power comes great responsibility. Being an MP is a call to service. Whatever your politics you have a duty to show up. Whatever your party's policy, you have made a promise to those who ...1 week ago
- Casey Costello: International Day of Older Persons
Throughout New Zealand it is difficult to think of a sports club, charity, church group, festival, foundation, or service organisation that does not owe its existence, effectiveness, or success to the contribution of older New Zealanders. October 1st is International Day of Older Persons so please take a moment to consider ...1 week ago
- NZ First Member’s Bill To Disestablish Auckland Transport
Today New Zealand First has introduced a Member’s Bill that will restore democratic control over transport management in Auckland City by disestablishing Auckland Transport (AT) and returning control to Auckland Council. The ‘Local Government (Auckland Council) (Disestablishment of Auckland Transport) Amendment Bill’ intends to restore democratic oversight, control, and accountability ...1 week ago
- Tanya Unkovich: It’s time to start the debate on palliative care as a ‘right’
There is one topic that is the great human leveller, and that is of death and dying. One day, we will all have to face it, and I am of the belief that being able to pass away with grace and dignity is a vital, basic, human right. How we ...1 week ago
- Mark Patterson: Farmers understand we have their backs
Spring is here which means the start of the A&P show season. Those treasured community days where town meets country. There's no rural-urban divide here, just a chance to meet up with family and old friends and celebrate all things that make rural New Zealand so special. I'm embarking on ...1 week ago
- Release: A Labour Government will not join AUKUS
New Zealand will not sign up to the nuclear-powered pillar one, or the pillar two of AUKUS under a Labour Government. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour will build Dunedin Hospital
Labour will build Dunedin Hospital as it was committed to prior to election 2023. ...2 weeks ago
- Chris Hipkins: Speech to Labour Party Conference 2024
E ngā mana, e ngā reo, e ngā iwi, e rau rangatira ma Tena koutou tēnā koutou tēnā koutou katoa ...2 weeks ago
- Luxon Folds on ACT’s Treaty Principles Bill
Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader, Debbie Ngarewa-Packer, is calling Luxon’s leadership a joke after it was revealed this morning on Q+A that ACT’s Treaty Principles Bill was not a bottom line. "New Zealand officially has a laughing-stock Prime Minister whose leadership folded as he trades away the rights of tangata whenua ...2 weeks ago
- Prime Minister shirks responsibility on global climate commitment
In an interview with Q&A this morning, the Prime Minister refused to say whether he would commit to meeting the Paris Agreement, the international climate agreement which commits all countries to act locally to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: All workers deserve fair treatment
The Government’s latest change to the Employment Relations Act has no justification apart from making it easier to sack employees without having to follow due process. ...2 weeks ago
- COURT OF APPEAL RULING: SFO METHODS “OVERREACH, UNLAWFUL, OPPRESSIVE”
Today the Court of Appeal has found the Serious Fraud Office has been acting indiscriminately and unlawfully throughout an eight year long investigation. The SFO has shown their incompetence and arrogance and shown to be abusing their authority to conduct its own overreaching and unlawful fishing expeditions. The Court of Appeal said the SFO has relied on its misuse of compulsory interview ...2 weeks ago
- Covid Inquiry report underlines need to invest in Health
The Green Party says the report from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Covid-19 Response underlines the need for proper investment in our health system so we are prepared for future pandemics. ...2 weeks ago
- Independent review of ACC announced
ACC Minister Matt Doocey has today announced an independent review of ACC because of concerns about declining rehabilitation rates and increasing costs. “ACC provides critical support to New Zealanders in times of need, but I am concerned that ACC’s performance has been declining for a decade. Rehabilitation rates are down, ...2 hours ago - New research to aid tourism and hospitality sector
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Matt Doocey today announced investment in a suite of new surveys and research which will help fill critical gaps in tourism and hospitality sector data. “Government investment totalling around $3 million will fund essential research including a domestic visitor survey, tourism sentiment survey, new research into ...4 hours ago
- Seafood sector a ‘Kiwi success story’
New Zealand’s seafood exports are set to hit a record $2.2 billion in the year to June 2025, and increase to $2.4b the following year, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. “Our seafood sector is a Kiwi success story. The sector’s hard work, healthy demand, tight global supply and ...5 hours ago
- Food and Fibre sector set to break records
New Zealand’s food and fibre exports are forecast to hit $56.9 billion by 30 June 2025 and climb to a record $58.3 billion the following year, showcasing the strength and resilience of the sector, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced today. “The hard work and innovation of our world ...7 hours ago
- Thai Foreign Minister to visit
Thailand’s Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa will visit New Zealand this week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced. “Thailand is an important economic and security partner for New Zealand in Southeast Asia,” Mr Peters says. “The visit is another important step as our two countries work to lift our relationship to a ...21 hours ago
- New ferries will ensure safe, resilient connection
The Government is establishing a new company to procure two new ferries to ensure a safe, reliable and commercially viable ferry service, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. “This decision will ensure New Zealand has a safe, reliable and resilient service to move people and freight between the North and South ...1 day ago
- Milestone for Iwi Māori Partnership Boards
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says Iwi Māori Partnership Boards have taken a major step as part of the Government’s commitment to the health of Māori communities. Minister Reti has now received 15 IMPB community health plans, representing the vision and plans of the boards for health and wellbeing in ...1 day ago
- New seafood processing factory opens in Porirua
A new seafood processing factory in Porirua north of Wellington will bring export revenue, jobs and opportunities for the community, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The Wellington Kaimoana Hub, a joint venture between Māori owned seafood companies Moana New Zealand and Port Nicholson Fisheries, was formally opened by ...1 day ago
- Gisborne receives mental health beds boost
Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey today opened Gisborne Hospital’s new acute mental health unit, Te Whare Awhi Ora, and says the region will be better served by a bigger, more therapeutic acute mental health unit.“I have been clear that we need to build a strong mental health and addiction ...1 day ago
- Our journey towards net zero
The Government has unveiled its second Emissions Reduction Plan, outlining a path to keep New Zealand on track to meet its climate change targets while supporting the economy to thrive, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The plan sets the foundation to meet our net zero 2050 target as early ...1 day ago
- Repealing advertising restrictions for media
Legislation that will repeal all advertising restrictions for broadcasters on Sundays and public holidays has been introduced to Parliament today, Media Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Traditional media outlets are operating in an extremely difficult environment and as the Government we must ensure regulatory settings are enabling the best chance of ...2 days ago
- Government announces future of greyhound racing in New Zealand
Racing Minister Winston Peters has announced the Government’s plans to end greyhound racing in New Zealand. “This is not a decision that is taken lightly but is ultimately driven by protecting the welfare of racing dogs. “Despite significant progress made by the greyhound racing industry in recent ...2 days ago
- Government cuts red tape for food exporters
The Government is delivering on its commitment to cut red tape and increase the value of exports by making it easier for exporters to deliver safe New Zealand food to more markets, says Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard. “Food exports are the bedrock of our economy, so when industry asked ...2 days ago
- Relationships & Sexuality Education refresh
The Government welcomes a new report which confirms the way Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) is taught in schools isn’t fit for purpose, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “In a world that’s rapidly changing, young people deserve every opportunity to be equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to ...2 days ago
- Applications open for mental wellbeing campaigns
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey announced that applications will open today for the $5 million Mental Health Promotion Fund for organisations to run campaigns that promote mental wellbeing while at the Digital Mental Health Summit. “Strengthening the focus on prevention and early intervention is one of my key priorities. Our ...2 days ago
- Raising the visibility of New Zealand’s ethnic communities
A first-of-its-kind report launched today lays the groundwork for growing the visibility of New Zealand’s ethnic communities through data, Ethnic Communities Minister Melissa Lee says. “Too often and for too long, ethnic communities have largely been invisible in public sector data. As a result, their voices have not always been ...3 days ago
- Pay deductions for partial strikes to be reintroduced
Changes to collective bargaining will help rebalance the rights and consequences of industrial action, Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says. A bill to allow for pay deductions in response to partial strikes will be introduced today. “Partial strikes are industrial actions that normally involve turning up to ...3 days ago
- Strategic leasing another tool in the infrastructure procurement belt
The Government is issuing strategic leasing guidance to agencies to ensure more efficient use of taxpayer dollars where the private sector is better placed to own and maintain infrastructure, Infrastructure Under-Secretary Simon Court says. “On a basic level, strategic leasing is like any other government leasing arrangement, where the government ...3 days ago
- Next steps for banking competition
The Government is pushing ahead with moves to increase banking competition by boosting Kiwibank and taking steps to ensure the Reserve Bank places greater importance on competition in the sector, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. “The change will enable the New Zealand-owned bank to more vigorously compete against the ...3 days ago
- New campaign promotes alcohol-free pregnancies
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has launched a new public health campaign to prevent fetal alcohol spectrum disorder by promoting alcohol-free pregnancies. FASD is the leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disorders in New Zealand, causing lifelong physical, behavioural, learning and mental health problems. “The impact of FASD in ...3 days ago
- New Climate Change Commission Chair appointed
Rt Hon Dame Patsy Reddy has been appointed as the new chair of the Climate Change Commission, the independent Crown entity that provides the Government advice, monitoring and reporting to support New Zealand’s transition to a climate-resilient, low emissions future, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “I’m pleased that Dame ...3 days ago
- Commonsense changes to insulation standards
The Government is proposing commonsense changes to reduce the upfront cost of building, while maintaining robust energy efficiency standards, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “We know from a social investment point of view that Kiwis do much better when they have access to affordable, insulated, secure housing. “However, ...3 days ago
- Racing Act changes to boost racing industry sustainability
Racing Minister Winston Peters has announced the introduction of legislation to amend the Racing Industry Act 2020 which will extend TAB NZ’s current land-based monopoly for sports and racing betting to online. The Racing Industry Act established TAB NZ for the purposes of funding the racing industry. It provides ...4 days ago
- New members appointed to EECA Board
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has today announced two new appointments to the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority (EECA) Board.John Carnegie and Vijay Goel have both been appointed as members for three-year terms which will begin on 6 January 2025 and end on 5 January 2028.“As Minister for Energy, my goal ...6 days ago
- JOINT STATEMENT ON AUSTRALIA-NEW ZEALAND FOREIGN AND DEFENCE MINISTERIAL CONSULTATIONS (ANZMIN) DECE...
1. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Rt Hon Winston Peters MP and Minister of Defence Hon Judith Collins KC MP hosted Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence the Hon Richard Marles MP and Minister for Foreign Affairs Senator the Hon Penny Wong on 6 December in ...6 days ago
- Swift avian influenza response in Otago on track
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says good progress is being made in the response to the detection of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) in Otago, but there is more work to do. “Rigorous testing and monitoring continue to show no confirmed signs of the disease in chicken farms outside of Mainland ...6 days ago
- Funding for Hawke’s Bay water security project
Up to $3 million from the Regional Infrastructure Fund has been allocated for pre-construction development of the Tukituki Water Security Project in Hawke’s Bay, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. The grant for the project, which is being co-funded by the Tukituki Water Security Project, is limited to work to ...6 days ago
- Waimārama ban on taking pāua to continue
A two-year temporary closure banning the take of pāua from Waimārama south of Hastings will support efforts by local iwi to rebuild pāua stocks, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The closure includes Waimārama Beach and Ocean Beach, two beaches popular with holidaymakers and recreational fishers. Ngāi Hapū o ...6 days ago
- Appointments to the New Zealand Post board
Four new appointments have been made to the New Zealand Post Ltd (NZ Post) board, Acting State-Owned Enterprises Minister Chris Bishop says. “NZ Post is one of New Zealand’s largest State-owned enterprises with revenue of around $1.2 billion and total assets of around $1.5 billion. It is the designated universal ...6 days ago
- Government to partner with private sector to plant trees on low value Crown land
Ministers responsible for Climate Change, Forestry, Conservation and Land Information today announced that Cabinet has agreed to explore public-private partnerships to plant trees on Crown land, supporting New Zealand’s climate change targets and creating more jobs. Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says that nature-based solutions is a key part to ...7 days ago
- International data confirms maths transformation
New international data validates the Government’s plan to transform maths education in New Zealand, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “The Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) is the longest-running, large-scale international assessment of mathematics and science and takes place every four years. While 2023 results show an improved ...7 days ago
- Government partners to boost rural productivity in Hawke’s Bay
The Government is partnering with Hawke’s Bay farmers and the Regional Council to improve farm productivity and build resilience against adverse weather events, Minister of Agriculture Todd McClay announced today at a ceremony in Hawke’s Bay. “The Government is co-investing $995,000 to grow the Land for Life (LFL) pilot programme ...7 days ago
- Peters visit to New Caledonia concludes
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed his visit to New Caledonia, New Zealand’s closest neighbour. “Over the last few days, we have listened to and learned from a wide range of people in New Caledonia - so that we can better understand the acute challenges it faces,” Mr Peters says. ...7 days ago
- More charter schools to open Term 1 2025 announced
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that Christchurch North College, The BUSY School, Te Rito, Te Kura Taiao, Ecole Francaise Internationale Auckland and North West Creative Arts College will open in term one 2025 as charter schools. “This announcement is another significant step in the Government’s efforts to ...7 days ago
- New chair appointed to Heritage New Zealand
Dame Jo Brosnahan DNZM QSO has been appointed chair of the Heritage New Zealand Board, Arts Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Dame Jo has extensive governance and business experience which has been recognised in various Honours, notably in 2023 when she was made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order ...1 week ago
- Survey results to drive change for tourism and hospitality workforce
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Matt Doocey has welcomed the data released today about the hospitality and tourism workforce. “Two of my key priorities include supporting the people who make up the tourism and hospitality workforce and growing the value of international tourism. In order to grow New Zealand’s international tourism ...1 week ago
- Upgrading substations to improve reliability for Wellington metro rail
Wellington commuters will benefit from a $137.2 million funding boost that will deliver long overdue upgrades to substations on the city’s metro rail network and improve the reliability of services, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Our Government is committed to delivering infrastructure that reduces congestion, boosts productivity to support economic growth, ...1 week ago
- Record $434 million in community grants from Lotto NZ
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says Lotto NZ has granted $434 million to the community in the past financial year, an increase of 15 percent from the previous year. “It’s fantastic to see an increase in funding going to important community projects, providing opportunities for New Zealanders to ...1 week ago
- Major review of competition to lift productivity
The Government has launched an ambitious review of New Zealand’s competition rules to combat monopolies and improve economic productivity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Improving competition is one of the most important ways to boost productivity and lift living standards,” Mr Bayly says. “When competition is working ...1 week ago
- NZ-Australia Ministers to discuss foreign policy, defence
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Defence Minister Judith Collins will host the second Australia and New Zealand Foreign and Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ANZMIN) in Auckland tomorrow. “The ANZMIN is an important trans-Tasman forum for strengthening our alliance relationship and developing shared approaches to foreign policy, security, and ...1 week ago
- Watch live: Christopher Luxon faces questions after ferry announcement
The Prime Minister's comments come a day after the government announced its alternative ferry replacement project, which has been criticised for a lack of specific detail. ...54 minutes ago - Solicitor-General reissues prosecution guidelines after backlash
"I realised that I could have done better with the way that I had worded that particular part," Solicitor-General Una Jagose told politicians after backlash. ...1 hour ago
- Review into ACC announced, levies to increase
The ACC minister announced an independent review, while levies are to rise by 5 percent a year for three years. ...1 hour ago
- Deliberate disinformation campaigns are a public health risk – but NZ has no effective strategy to...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Helen Petousis-Harris, Associate Professor in Vaccinology, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Shutterstock/Melnikov Dmitriy The recently released Royal Commission of Inquiry report about New Zealand’s COVID response highlights the harmful impact of misinformation and disinformation on public health. While ...1 hour ago - The Spinoff’s best NZ book covers of 2024
In which Claire Mabey judges this year’s New Zealand books by their covers. Among a sea of books some are more alluring than others, like tropical fishes glinting. The art of the book cover is a serious matter: the cover has to help the book stand out as well as ...2 hours ago - Will Taxpayer Bailouts Of Failing Skifield Never End?
“It’s time for the abuse of taxpayer money to stop, and start investing in things that will actually benefit hardworking Kiwis.” ...2 hours ago - Hundreds more jobs set to go at Health New Zealand
Two more units are facing major cuts, RNZ understands. ...2 hours ago
- Modern Slavery Legislation Drafted To Drive Cross Party Political Support For NZ Law
A team of independent experts has drafted legislation ready for immediate introduction to Parliament in a bid to fast-track progress on modern slavery laws with cross-party backing. ...3 hours ago
- A brief history of celebrity cameos on Shortland Street
Ahead of Conan O’Brien’s Shortland Street cameo tonight, Alex Casey looks back at some of the more memorable cameos to grace Ferndale. Nothing signals the festive season better than a tall redhead American late show host visiting our favourite fictional hospital. Tonight, Conan O’Brien will don a pair of grape ...3 hours ago
- Bypass property negotiation sours over price dispute
Paul Hoglund says he's been offered less than his property is worth and he isn't going anywhere. "I've got nothing to lose". ...3 hours ago
- David Seymour wrong on cost of ferry replacement project, says Winston Peters
"He's wrong on the figures that he's used, he's wrong on the question of privatisation and he's wrong on the question of what it's going to cost," the new rail minister says. ...4 hours ago
- ‘A virtual seat at the family table’: why older people are among the biggest users of social med...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bernardo Figueiredo, Associate Professor of Marketing, RMIT University Andrii Iemelianenko/Shutterstock The Australian government’s recent decision to ban under 16s from social media has focused attention on the harms it can cause – especially for young people. But young people are ...5 hours ago
- These 3 simple actions can save you money and help make the most of your rooftop solar
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Dani Alexander, CEO, UNSW Energy Institute, UNSW Sydney Shutterstock Four million Australian households and businesses have rooftop solar installed, making us the world leader in the technology. Much of the electricity generated is used to power our homes, and any ...5 hours ago
- Help Me Hera: How do I navigate Auckland traffic without going insane?
The selfishness of this city’s drivers never fails to ruin my day. How do I get from A to B without wishing punishment and retribution on my fellow commuters? Want Hera’s help? Email your problem to helpme@thespinoff.co.nz Help Me Hera! Why do I see Auckland driver behaviour (not letting people merge, tailgating, etc) ...5 hours ago
- Own goal? Govt sets new $4b goalpost for ferries
This new Number of the Day is based on 42 very, very costly words in an old Treasury report, and some ‘spotty’ costings out of China and Korea The post Own goal? Govt sets new $4b goalpost for ferries appeared first on Newsroom. ...5 hours ago - Family and sexual violence: Government’s action plan makes little progress
Nationwide efforts to combat family and sexual violence are not getting results, with government agencies blamed for poor access to services. ...5 hours ago
- Why Australian politicians are flocking to ‘Little Red Book’ to engage with Chinese voters
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Wanning Sun, Professor of Media and Cultural Studies, University of Technology Sydney Runrun2/Shutterstock Wen Li, a graduate student living in Brisbane, ran for the seat of Mansfield as a Greens candidate in the recent Queensland election. Li promoted his policies on ...5 hours ago
- Many Australians are recording their visits to the doctor – some without permission
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Megan Prictor, Senior Lecturer in Law, The University of Melbourne Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock You’re at a doctor’s appointment where you are told you might have a serious illness. You will have to undergo several different tests to get a firm diagnosis. ...5 hours ago
- Don’t understand your child’s report? Ask their teacher these questions instead
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonathan Heard, Research Fellow, Educational Monitoring and Research Division, Australian Council for Educational Research Fizkes/ Shutterstock As school wraps up, families around Australia will be receiving their children’s school reports for the second half of 2024. This is the ...5 hours ago
- ‘Is this all there is?’ Retirement can be a painful transition if we don’t adjust our thinking
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Susan Moore, Emeritus Professor, Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University of Technology SeventyFour/Shutterstock This article is part of The Conversation’s Retirement series where experts examine issues including how much money we need to retire, retiring with debt, the psychological ...5 hours ago
- The sharp, smart humour of Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein – and Gene Wilder’s genius performan...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Chris Thompson, Lecturer in Theatre, Australian Catholic University In the mid 1970s, Hoyts Cinema Centre in Bourke Street Melbourne (the first multi-screened cinema in Victoria) was my go-to place for new release movies. In addition to three different screens, there was ...5 hours ago
- Military personnel leave cancelled over Christmas to cover strikes
Defence Minister Judith Collins has invoked a rarely-used power to fill holes left by striking civilian staff. ...5 hours ago
- An ‘announcement of an announcement’ of two new boats
The wait for replacement Interislander ferries will drag on until 2029, as ministers reveal a plan to buy two smaller ships, reports Joel MacManus reports from parliament. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Crown company created to procure two new Interislander ferries by 2029 The long-awaited ...6 hours ago
- Communities swamped by torrent of new water reforms
Without the fire and fanfare of the previous Govt’s three waters reforms, the coalition has this week quietly introduced a 100,000-word whale of a water services bill The post Communities swamped by torrent of new water reforms appeared first on Newsroom. ...7 hours ago
- From elusive principles to the year’s biggest loser – 2024 had it all
A lighthearted celebration: Newsroom’s political team awards the coveted annual political prizes – from Biggest Loser to Teen Choice The post From elusive principles to the year’s biggest loser – 2024 had it all appeared first on Newsroom. ...7 hours ago
- Coalition ‘wasted a whole year’ on ferries – Maritime Union
"This would have to be, if not the number one, then the number two biggest political clanger of the last 20 or 30 years." ...7 hours ago
- National Iwi Chairs Forum Open Letter To King Charles
Signatories hope the letter will resonate with King Charles’s sense of justice and intervene to support a peaceful resolution to the damage this government is creating across communities. ...8 hours ago
- Interislander replacement: Opposition ‘astounded’, ‘disgusted’ over ‘o...
The government's ferry announcement has done little to placate the opposition parties, even prompting calls for Nicola Willis to resign. ...8 hours ago
- The world in 2024, in one sentence
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New Zealand Initiative
[Bugger now fixed – MS]
But the people voted for this Government and the people's vote must be respected!
New Zealander's voted for change: it's what we wanted!
*whines
To my mind, this is the most important post you have submitted on this site mickysavage.
You have confirmed my long held suspicion that NZ and NZ politics is being seriously manipulated by forces beyond our shores.
Ironic isn't it! The conspiracy nutbars (sorry weka but that is what they are) are correct about the existence of an international web of organisations intent on manipulating social and political discourse. The trouble is, it's their own supporting groups (see NZ Taxpayers Union etc.) and their wealthy overseas enablers who are the culprits.
It is a societal cancer on a global scale and requires a major international effort to counter the damage being done before it becomes terminal.
What to do about this?
This.
https://emergencemagazine.org/interview/an-ethics-of-wild-mind/
Thanks Anne
Sometimes posts take a long time to form. This just poured out onto the page. I always knew that the left had problems but I did not think the right was this organised or focussed.
The question will be what does the left do.
"The question will be what does the left do."
FFS. I was hoping you could give us a steer, this shit is real.
Yes exactly Micky. That will be an interesting discussion. Meanwhile, did anyone see the "God made Trump" video? I thought it was a spoof, until I checked and stopped laughing quickly. This is where we go in our little country and it is what I fear most. All the actors are in place and power now, including Seymour who mentioned “his friends at Atlas” in a Waitangi Day speech.
https://www.indy100.com/politics/god-made-trump-truth-social
In our little country of ca. 5.3 million wee souls, we already have political players with a Messiah complex, so it wouldn’t take a big leap of faith to imagine one with a God complex arising in Godzone.
"It is a societal cancer on a global scale and requires a major international effort to counter the damage being done before it becomes terminal."
Anne, the only way I have to be part of a major international effort was to be there yesterday marching in solidarity with Palestinians against genocidal Israel. As for Aotearoa New Zealand, it may be part of "societal cancer on a global scale" but we have to somehow claim our country back from this awful extreme right wing coalition. Any ideas?
Agree with what anne said..
This is important information..and must be disseminated widely…
I have long thought that national is act with the mask on…and act are national with the mask off..
And this post brings that clearly into focus…and/but is so much darker/dangerous to our democracy..
It may be timely for Monbiot to remind everyone about libertarian think tanks and their influence but it is hardly a revelation, he (and others) have been drawing attention to the fact for years, if not decades…..and everyone knows who the likes of the Taxpayers Union and the NZ Initiative advocate for.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/07/us-billionaires-hard-right-britain-spiked-magazine-charles-david-koch-foundation
https://www.monbiot.com/2018/12/10/you-want-it-darker/
Either you’re missing the point(s) or you’re downplaying it or a bit of both. At least you didn’t fob it off as some kind of grief vibe.
The points have been made and known for years..as the linked Monbiot articles from 2018 show
A lot of information that is new to me in this article a definite FFS moment
If it is new to you then I would suggest you havnt been a close reader of this site for very long….but it is good that you have now found the information, it is the one reason I persist with this site, as every once in a while someone posts something I would not have found in the other sites i frequent.
@ pat..
Aah..!..yes..it has been said before…but the point is that now that they are clearly winning..eh..?
And that is the difference..
"…but the point is that now that they are clearly winning..eh..?"
In case nobody had noticed they have been running things since the end of Bretton Woods…or perhaps a few years after to allow them to get their feet under the table and really take control of capital movement.
And its all been said before, the only difference is that some whose noses are now out of joint suddenly decide it’s important….somewhat belatedly.
I'm with Pat on this.
It's true right wing think tanks have been known about for years but the increase in network organisation and funding in this part of the world is new, described by MS here:
It's clear some people don't read the post before commenting.
Fill your boots…there is nothing new….you think this is a revelation?…its been happening for 40 years (probably more)…what do you think the fight is?…beating up some fascists in the street?….no it it is a fight against the resources of the elites,,,same as it ever was.
Wake up
Fair enough .Have a go at this Atlas network. But you need to find some actual link with NZ rather then a reckon. Apart from Britain – there is a global move to the right – which you understandably oppose. But there have been similar global movements to the left. NZ may be islands geographically, but we are not divorced from global political trends
We all know how you feel about things, John. Your Twitter feed says much about how you feel.
[No, ‘we’ don’t all know how Mr Drinnan feels about things (FFS) nor do ‘we’ care. What ‘we’ do know now is how you feel about him or his Twitter feed rather, which ‘we’ care even less about.
Address the contents of Posts and comments and don’t play the man/woman. This is your only warning – Incognito]
Mod note
Ok then. Sorry about that.
Hi John what do you think about the clear links to TPU shown by the Atlas Network website? And are you at least intrigued about TPU’s growth in funding?
crickets
Always is.
John, all the links are given in the original post. Example
https://www.desmog.com/atlas-economic-research-foundation/
(Image via @JohnDyerCauston)
A conspiracy by those with capital to organise a global move to the right – international markets to destroy national unions, groups to feed media narratives …
Ruth Richardson is on the board of the Tax Payers Union. Casey Costello resigned from the board so she could concentrate on the 2023 election – she is now a first time MP for New Zealand First and a cabinet minister – Customs, Seniors and Associate Minister for Health (smokefree legislation), Immigration and Police.
That NZ First, a party that has historically more or less stood for expansionary fiscal and monetary policy has a member of the Taxpayer's union on its list underlines the massive shift to the right the party has undertaken in the past few years.
But of course we should have known. Winston Peters started out on the right of the National Party.
Ruth Richardson was instrumental in assisting Argentina down the libertarian road some 20 plus years ago.
Casey Costello, a first time MP catapulted straight into a ministerial role. That tells me, its no longer what you know but who you know that counts. Any Tom, Dick, Harry or Mary with no political knowledge or experience will be let loose over the masses to the detriment of an entire nation.
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/minister/biography/casey-costello
OMG Hobson’s Pledge. Isn’t that Brash’s crowd of miscreants?
Yep – Brash's crowd.
Nice work Mickey and George but only adds to my bad case of post election Left Melancholy.
Melancholy? So, we're fucked then, That's a shame.
Glad you've picked this up Micky. Obtrectator posted the Monbiot article link last night in OM and thought it might get missed.
I followed his post this morning with this:
Taxpayers Union and Atlas Network
NZ is after Lithuania.
Ta I am sort of surprised they are so blatant about it.
Okay, So now what do we do about it? We are in deep shit.
I'm not ms. I have watched normally rational and intelligent (but politically uninformed) relatives of mine fall hook, line and sinker for the NAct lines.
So Anne, what do we do about it?
What needs to happen is:
Labour, Greens and TPM have to set aside their differences and work together as a close-knit team. Under the current circumstance, policy differences are a luxury they can't afford. Better to wait for better times to iron out those differences.
As far as I can see that is the only way to counter the onslaught of right-wing, libertarian rhetoric and action. We can't match their bottomless cookie jar, but together the progressive parties can out-wit them in other areas because they are largely visionless and not very bright.
When you think about it, NZ's proudest moments since WW2 have occurred under Labour or Labour-led governments, I refer to the Norman Kirk Govt. and the fight against French nuclear testing in the South Pacific and the Lange Govt.'s anti-nuclear stance both of which were well and truly vindicated. There was the Helen Clark era. during which we saw the first ever successful trade deal with China and also her refusal to send fighting troops to Iraq which was also well and truly vindicated. Finally the Ardern Govt. – together with the former Director General of Health, Ashley Bloomfield and his team – became internationally lauded for their outstanding success in saving… probably many thousands of lives during the pandemic years.
The above gives me some hope that together the Opposition parties can bring back democratic governance for all NZers in the not too distant future.
I agree that should be one part of response to the NAF government Anne. I hope they are already talking.
Congratulations Anne on your concise outlined plan to counter the dire and dismal outlook Micky has painted.
The current government are not experienced, the majority not too quick. With a joint, well organized opposition, your plan has to work.
Well described, Heather.
They used smart people from over the sea to win the election, but they themselves are not too bright, imo, hence they have an Achilles heel.
The now-Opposition looks hungry for the opportunity to eviscerate the shallower Ministers who will only be able to bluster and block for so long.
A prominent economist with whom I am acquainted told Nic Willis that it's time to get out of campaign mode, actually get a handle on her portfolio and begin to govern.
Applies to the whole coalition. But they are not capable, as the public will begin to see over the coming months/years
As others have noted ‘these are not serious people’.
Thank-you Heather Tanguay. A coming together of the Oppo. parties is only the start of course. There will need to be action taken but that can only be determined in response to Govt. action and rhetoric.
No pussy footing around any more Labour.
The last time either the Greens, Labour, or Maori Party put out a media release it was December 21st.
Since December 21st ACT have put out 11 media releases, and the government 9.
This is a lazy Opposition so far and this government certainly isn't.
There's no evidence since October's election that Hipkins or Shaw or Davidson or Waititi have picked up the phone to each other or organised anything together.
So best of luck with your thoughts.
If you want this to happen, email them and call their office and ask them what the hell they think they are getting paid for.
December 21st on?
Holiday time; people seek entertainment.
Keep your powder dry til it's ready to go off with a bang!
This government is defining the 2024 terms of media discussion, not the Opposition. National and ACT are not on holiday.
Stop making excuses for laziness.
The discussion points from NACTNZF are ideological and broad. Countering those would be vaguely met by the public. It's when the details of their actions become available for debate that the fur will fly.
– Mickysavage
https://thestandard.org.nz/atlas-smirked/
Same funding for ACT and TPU. They are pretty much the same organisation. Labour certainly needs be funded better.
Sorry are all the unions asleep as well?
Seriously there's no left-leaning academic that Labour/Greens/TPM staff can call on to get on the media?
Not a single Councillor on a Green or Labour or City Vision ticket that can’t take a moment off adding another layer of sunscreen?
Has every single aid agency or housing trust in the country taking 3 Amyltriptelene?
Pessimism is the thing you sniff after you've dug your own grave.
Astonishing that ALL of those you list are being "lazy".
Sounds like an existential paralysis.
Or perhaps they're waiting for the opportune moment…
When the other team has their collective peckers up and are firing on pure adrenaline, is the worst time to take it to them, if you have the option of strategic delay… imo.
Recharging and reconnecting with the people/voters is vital for survival. Have those critical conversations and listen to people and their concerns and then organise and collaborate. No point planting (sour) grapes in the middle of Summer.
Phone? Email? Ok, boomer.
Yes email and phonecall. Those are easiest to log and prove that you have been responded to.
Alternatively keep making comments here and presume it means you’re doing something political other than more bitching and moaning.
Have you looked at Social media at all?
Anyway, Scoop is a good aggregator of press releases and the likes.
https://info.scoop.co.nz/New_Zealand_National_Party [last entry 12 Oct]
https://info.scoop.co.nz/New_Zealand_Labour_Party [last entry 20 Dec]
https://info.scoop.co.nz/Green_Party [last entry 21 Dec]
https://info.scoop.co.nz/New_Zealand_First_Party [last entry 3 Oct]
https://info.scoop.co.nz/ACT_New_Zealand [last entry 8 Jan; 11 entries since 21 Dec]
https://info.scoop.co.nz/Te_Pati_Maori [last entry 20 Dec]
https://info.scoop.co.nz/New_Zealand_Government [last entry 1 Jan; 9 entries since 21 Dec]
https://info.scoop.co.nz/New_Zealand_Council_of_Trade_Unions [last entry 20 Dec]
https://info.scoop.co.nz/Public_Service_Association [last entry 20 Dec]
It always help to look a little further than your nose is long and see a slightly bigger picture.
Their politics of persuasion is like opium for the masses. As long as we have some kind of democratic system, they only need to convince enough people to be in power and control. This is the intrinsic flaw in and of the (democratic) system as we know and have it, at present. For progressive change to happen people have to believe in it, at least enough to imagine it, as people always follow their beliefs. This is where the power of persuasion comes in and the influence of Randian thought and ideas become evident.
All the more reason for a combined effort from the Opposition parties to out-do the Randian followers and win back the naive and gullible from their opium induced political coma.
It shouldn't surprise anyone with at least a few clues that National follow closely the line set for them by overseas greedy right-wingers whose mission in life is to make life as idilic for themselves and simultaneously as hard for others, as possible.
National never had an original thought throughout its existence. Its policies are always reactive, retrograde and overseas-sourced, never progressive – with the one exception being when they electrified the main trunk line under Muldoon.
We can't expect any better than the current crop of NACTs, they have the mentality of Vogons wanting to construct a hyper gallactic bypass.
All they want to do is tear things down, never build them up. This current lot have already started. They cannot stand the workers of this country having a share of economic prosperity. Which is why they chopped the Fair Pay Agreements, and allowed the Reserve Bank to hike interest rates to the point where people lose their jobs and home. And it really sickens me that people who say they used to be on the left or Labour supporters voted for them.
So I don't know what we do about about it, Millsy. Do you?
you wait…..the dolphins will leave…………
Fantastic post Mickey. I agree with Anne; a very important piece of work.
Cheers Mike. Also rather depressing …
Depressed is how I was feeling yesterday reading your post and other articles and blogs. Sorry for being a bit snippy @mickysavage.
But early to be patting people on the back, Mike. What do we do about it?
I'm not sure what the story is here?
The policies listed as shared goals between the government and Atlas are just bog standard base center right neoliberal policies that every center party around the world has believed in since the 80s.
Bolger, Shipley and Key were all believers. There's no conspiracy here.
Labour and its affiliates are also a part of numerous global organisations and think tanks, as are the Greens and all consult with various global organisations and consultants.
This is not new, it's been around around since the days of the socialist international.
Of course right wing parties and think tanks around the world have policy overlap.
There is no conspiracy theory needed to explain Labours defeat. The global economy tanked and they'd been in for two terms so it was aidious.
The fact that Labour were trounced so historically, getting their lowest number of electorates in the partys history and when non voters are counted getting support from less than a fifth of all eligible voters isn't a global networks fault but labours fault.
They were elected to fix the housing crisis and make home ownership a possibility for every young kiwi and they made it even more unrealistic for young kiwis to ever own a home and it's now so bad that young kiwis can't even find a home to rent in any NZ city over 100k.
They overpromised, severely underdelivered were ludicrously overexposed and took the cowards way out on every popular populist position from drug reform, to tax reform, to consumer and duopoly reform, to housing and capital reform.
They got arrogant stopped debating and stopped listening, pissed off the left, they pissed off the right and the center had had enough of them.
Then their popular leader left and was replaced by a Keir Starmer knock off that spent the entire year ruling anything anyone wanted out and dealing with the fall out of the fast and loose cabinet leadership style of his predecessor who allowed far too many rank arrogant incompetents into cabinet and let far, far too many failures and bad behaviours go unpunished.
Who would want to vote for that party? Especially when their answer to any and all popular policies with voters on the left and right was "not under our watch, you'll have a cheap apple in two years and you'll be happy"
About one fifth of the country evidently.
No conspiracy needed.
But Corey what the fuck do we do about it? Labour can't save us because we know they are embedded in the system. Criticism doesn't cut it. Do you have an actual solution?
Someone hasn't read "Dirty Politics" or "The Hollow Men" or "Only Their Purpose is Mad"
This is not a democratic movement.
It's a class war enacted by the 1% against people's movements and democracy itself
So Roblogic, what do we do? We know we're being screwed.
Tell the truth. Regroup. Strategise. Take the wins, be realistic about the losses. Keep fighting
Organise unify just like they do get people on the ground social media etc.
Labour got 27% National got 38%. If NZF had elected to go with the Left Hipkins would be PM….hardly a trouncing.*
Michael Wood was a highly competent minister. Quite why he didn't sort out his personal shareholding details remains a mystery but one thing is clear, it was not in order for him to make personal monetary gain.
*And watch this space…Peters may yet bring down this coalition of cuts….he really hates Seymour.
NZ First has moved to the right.
NZ First has been paid to move to the right FIFY
The funding is the issue. Do we want a democratic system which gives such an inbuilt advantage to the right?
Yes agree ; I hope when the donations information comes out someone does a deep dive into those who supported NAF with large amounts of money, including a free plane for David Seymour.
Hi Darien, I appreciate yr contributions to TS and larger public service.
Surely what yrself and Mickey are dancing around is public/state funded elections.
Like lobbyists, 'donations' to political parties pervert democracy.
If political donations are to continue, they are not to be spent in say, the final six months before the election date.
Political donations are a tiny amount of the spend of those promoting the neolib agenda….the work has been done (and paid for) well in advance of the elections…and oddly enough ,I suspect if you stripped away all the deception and misinformation, most would still choose what is offered by the neolibs…and that is the real problem…we are actively choosing what they offer to our (offsprings) detriment.
And that is what upsets the opponents and makes them advocate for authoritarianism…to their detriment .
Thanks. I agree but we have never been able to get state funding across the line. I suppose we are better off than some countries (ie the US) because TV and other public media advertising is State funded, but doesn't now take account of the huge amount of advertising that takes place elsewhere. I can't remember if I saw any political advertising on tv this time around because I hardly ever watch anyway. As for political donations, yes this is an area crying out for reform. I agree with Pat. Much money is spent outside the election period – basically we had a full on advertising campaign for the last two years from National and ACT. And lobbyists ? I never as an MP took any notice of them anyway!
i so wish i could disagree….like many they lost my vote to the greens…..totally incompetent in the eyes of many, perhaps after we have been royally screwed ove the population will welcome them back…..if its not to late and damage is repairable.
Of course those who care about the direction of these islands say No! So with a limp, neoliberal centrist Labour Party what advice do you have for us, Micky?
"Chippy" can't save us. Labour can't save us. Time to man up, bro. Any ideas?
Aotearoa NZ is in deep shit.
This was meant to be reply to @mickysavage.
No @ Bearded Git, Michael Wood was not a highly competent Minister. Like you I don't understand how someone who appeared to be a competent Minister imploded.
I agree it wasn't for personal gain. Hubris?
Fucked if I know.
Doesn't matter, Wood let down those of us who care.
A competent Minister wouldn't have screwed up multiple times.
Grey….I agree he screwed up on personal financial matters multiple times…inexplicable……lazy?…arrogant? ….and very damaging to Labour.
But prior to this he had been an eloquent and impressive minister touted as a future leader.
His behaviour may well have cost 2-3 percent at the election.
Fair enough. He did start out well. Puzzling how it all ended.
No puzzle. He and his wife were simply greedy and got caught.
That doesn't make sense. The inference is that by hiding their shareholdings from parliament's records they were in some way benefitting financially. Not true.
They would have made the income from the shares-not a huge amount- and paid any tax due on this whether they declared them to parliament or not.
I really think that they were just lazy and a trifle arrogant.
Mr Wood did a great job with bus drivers, delivering a substantial pay increase and changing the terms of how contracts were let, which had allowed the low paying parasites to dominate bus services for decades.
He was also instrumental in rejuvenating plans for NZ owned and operated Coastal Shipping in league with some of the NZ shipping companies and Maritime Unions.
Probably why he get railroaded. Cannot have bus drivers getting more money, or public transport focusing on service provision, not profit.
So in my opinion he became a target, as did all the successful ministers of the left.
"The Nact Act double act" run a 5th column to search out weaknesses in the opposing parties. They found and pressured those weak points.
The mote in their own eye gets white washed, and they apply one set of rules to themselves and a much harsher set to us, with much media help.
Nicky Hagar said they were "Hollow", well yes, but they are still dangerous. They appeal to themes such as freedom self help and initiative. They carefully gloss over care community and collective, selling that "professionals can do it better.' Meaning privatise gains and publicise the losses.
Anyone protesting is labeled as 'needing a cup of tea' We know this, yet how do we counter? We hold meetings fund raisers and raffles.
We set up our memes which counter theirs. "Better together" '"Fair share of the money" "A home not 200 houses' Repeated at every opportunity with Policy development to match.
Agitate for controlled financial support for parties.
Face that they ran a better advertising campaign using modern techniques and $9 a vote to one dollar odd for ours, and they won because they joined up to win, then divide the spoils.
There is a window before they become entrenched and we all become too frightened to appear above the parapet.
While acknowledging the wins, the ball was dropped with the 'accredited employer work visa scheme'. The system that had 40 Indian migrants in a squalid 3 bedroom house in Manurewa.
Not necessarily by the individual, more their trust/belief in the 'system', and the failure to have more audits. Modern slavery is a shameful moniker for a party called Labour.
This is one of the most important changes in direction they have to make to make a difference.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/496017/accredited-employer-work-visa-scheme-to-be-reviewed-after-whistleblower-s-allegations
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2018853993/workplace-relations-minister-confirms-govt-review-of-rse-scheme
I've never forgotten our statistics 101 lecturer, who foretold the introduction of what became eftpos but in those days where coins and banknotes were the only currency it sounded fantastic.
The relevance of that to today's world is his explanation of why NZ was chosen to roll it out to the world.
He told us NZ has a small population but other than that the features of our country and its population closely resemble most of the western world and many other countries besides.
Hence, we are a good test bed for new ideas and new technology. Before things get rolled out globally, we are useful as a representative sample to iron out any bugs and, just as important, how we react to things gives 'them' a chance to tweak the global rollout without too much opposition. Any opposition can be predicted, thanks to us, and a response prepared for.
Whenever global ideologies seem to find their way to NZ early in the piece, I always remember what my old stats lecturer said.
That is why Act got started here imo.
If you want to know how simplistic the right wing narrative can be – then read this.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/paula-bennett-is-the-gap-widening-between-left-and-right/KBQ3BB6IYNEWDHHA4EM6M7PO6Q/
https://liberation.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451d75d69e20134898fa54a970c-500wi
Together we can ride the sacred cow of 90's ideology to make a new world order, one capital voice to rule over all indigenous peoples.
Site hardware updates are mostly finished. I’ll stop dropping the site whilst you’re reading it 🙂
Have one hardware issue. I have a old LSI MegaRaid card in there that I use a archive store for JBODs on a ZFS array. The new Gigabyte motherboard doesn’t like card and doesn’t SCSI init it.
So I’ll need to take the site down sometime to pull the controller and drives to transplant to my workstation, which has a ASRock Rack workstation/server board that should be comfortable with HBA. Just have add some drive caddies for the added HDDs.
Sure if the mb does not like the card just hand the job over to an available workstation that can bus it with some added storage… .
You want an idea of what is required to contest this sort of thing?
Organisation. Sustained organisation. And this means all kinds of connections need to be made. Meet poor, middle class and rich people (one of these defectors from decadence types) alike who will stop this. Look for those who will work inside and outside of parliament. This is easier said than done. However, we should try to work throughout all levels of society to work against the worldwide reactionary right-wing pro-pollution, pro-austerity, anti-human, pro-Social Darwinist pro-capitalist organisers and their capitalist wealthy bosses through using think tanks, their wretched values and institutions and their media orgs to corrupt us into doing their bidding. They have already declared their war on us and we should return the declaration, because this is a class war that will take all aspects of our shared humanity and our backgrounds to counter them until they are unable to hurt humanity ever again.
This means activism. Sustained activism. Activism is not just slinging ideas, it takes all sort of things, from small acts of activism like putting up posters and talking with people you know right up till the big activisms like organising a protest or speaking against the powers that-be in a perilous place. We need to keep this sort of pace up, never stop. Get ourselves more embedded into our society like we were always meant to be in the first place. We were and are alienated from our own society by letting the capitalists and reactionaries rule us by taking more and more resources away from us that we could have used to improve and to look after ourselves.
What do we stand for? A new 21st century vision of an ecologically sound world that is accessible to all people physically and sensorally which is based in a proper wealth and resource based distribution that is shared between all of humanity in a solar system that we cherish.
In other words, all of us are part of this world and we in Aotearoa/New Zealand need to accept who we are then embrace our societal potential. We are the fortunate people of this gorgeous land of the long white cloud in the beautiful vastness of the Pacific Ocean near our lovely Pacific & Australian neighbours and it is time that we act like it. We need to make Aotearoa/New Zealand a land for all who treasure it, whether we are Maaori or Paakehaa or Pasifika or African or Asian or American or European or Martian or whoever we are. We are the guardians of this land, the ocean and the world. We need to act like it. We have that potential and we need to embrace it.
Time to fight back.
I should've posted this: https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-08-01-2024/#comment-1983770 here 🙂
Good stuff Rolling….let's make this a one term government
Can the next post be titled, "Atlas smacked"?
write a post!
Superb piece micky – the Powell Memo come to life
If the right-wing Government was to swiftly legalise cannabis, the left would be unable to rise again, ever.
Was Atlas a stoner?
You'd need something to take your mind off the enormous responsibility…
Perhaps Atlas was in the wrong job.
He had no choice. He shouldered his responsibility as best he could.
He had no choice as to holding up the sky…everything else?
But we should not be too pedantic as Atlas is a metaphor…and a misattributed one at that….the money men may believe they are responsible form human innovation, but they in fact exploit it..sadly however it does appear to recede when the exploiters are banished….therein lies the problem.
Well sort of…as we have run out of room for exploitation in any case.
"…sadly however it does appear to recede when the exploiters are banished…"
Does it??
Innovators have been innovating looooooong before Rand's darlings took the stage.
The inventor of the bow didn't demand his pound of flesh for his cleverness, nor did the person who noticed what yeast did to wet flour…
"The inventor of the bow didn't demand his pound of flesh for his cleverness, nor did the person who noticed what yeast did to wet flour…"
No, i suspect those individuals did not, but Rands lot made sure those innovations were available to as many as possible, to their own benefit…and therein lies the difference.
Is it innovation if nobody adopts it?…id suggest not.
Nobody adopted .. the bow? The clay pot? No uptake for flint knives, woven sandals or wooden combs, until a Randian stepped up to save humanity from its dimwittedness?