Auckland Council Elections

Written By: - Date published: 8:43 pm, August 16th, 2013 - 28 comments
Categories: auckland supercity, C&R, local body elections, local government, Politics - Tags:

Super City Rodney Hide

I thought I would do some posts about the Auckland super city elections.  This is the first of five intended posts and will deal with the Mayoral candidates.  The other four will deal with the Councillor elections on the North Shore, out west, in Auckland Istmus and in Manukau.  These elections are potentially the most important as a majority on Council can frustrate the most progressive of Mayor’s policy platforms.

Nominations are closed and the candidates have been announced.

There are 17 candidates for Mayor.  Len Brown should be safe.  He has raised some concern amongst the left but my own view is that overall he has done well and deserves support.  John Palino is probably going to be a distant second although John Minto’s principled campaign should deservedly attract some attention and a second place for him would be a tremendous result.  His proposal for free public transport ought to attract proper debate and consideration and I wish him well.

The other candidates should not trouble the statisticians.  Penny Bright will be there and her energy and commitment should be respected.  Uesifili Unasa may sap support for Len amongst Pacifica but to be frank I am still struggling to work out what his beef with Len is.

The rest will generally not be known.  There is a member of the Communist League and a Christian who is against abortion.  David Willmot is apparently roads first.  It would help if his website actually contained something and his campaign video from last time needs to be seen to be believed.

Reuben Shadbolt’s qualification to be Mayor is apparently that he is Tim Shadbolt’s son.  Our elected representatives should have greater qualifications than this.  Reuben is also seeking a seat on the Whau local board.  It may be that he thinks that the publicity of a Mayoral campaign will get him elected onto the local board.

Other candidates include Stephen Berry, a libertarian, who is standing for the affordable party.  The party’s website at the time of writing says that they are still seeking candidates.  Someone should tell them that nominations have closed.

I am afraid that I do not know any of the other candidates.

So it looks like the result is a forgone conclusion.  This could be bad in that the elections are important and a predictable Mayoral contest will suppress voter turnout.

The really interesting aspect is that there is no Community and Resident candidate.  It appears that C&R are in some difficulty.  In a city where the vast majority of Parliamentary seats are held by National you have to wonder why they do not have a Mayoral candidate.

28 comments on “Auckland Council Elections ”

  1. jaymam 1

    I’ve not seen any left-wing candidates for Orakei. So are we just leaving it to C&R, with no-one else to counter their views?

    P.S. is everyone going into the moderation queue or is it just me?

    [Not sure what happened there jayman but I agree your comment should have gone straight through. But the last time the left nearly won in Orakei was in 1987 and those were strange times … – MS]

    • Michael Wood 1.1

      Dorthe Siggard is a good progressive candidate in Orakei.

      • jaymam 1.1.1

        It appears that some officious bastard (possibly from the Council) has decided to knock down the sole left-wing billboard in my area, probably under the wrong impression that the billboard is in the wrong place. In fact the area for billboards has been wrongly described, so all the other billboards are in the wrong place as well.
        Considering that all the C&R billboards everywhere didn’t comply for the font size and so now the font size rule has been rescinded after their billboards were put up, that’s a bloody cheek, and just a continuation of the right-wing bias of Auckland Council.
        I shall be photographing anyone who knocks down the billboard again, if I see it happening. I have warned the Council that they are wrong and should not be knocking down billboards.

  2. tc 2

    I reckon C&R figure there is more to be made from niggling away like they have been with banksy junior brewer positioning himself to go up next time unless he gets a comfy mp gig like goldsmith did.

    • mickysavage 2.1

      Yep TC. I must acknowledge that C&R realise that the Mayoral position is important but Council still decides most things. So a solid majority of right wing Councillors could still do a lot of damage.

      I get the impression that the Government’s grudging support for the inner city loop was the kiss of death for them. They had been so opposed to it on the basis that it could not be justified then the Government accepted that the justification was actually really strong, too strong to ignore …

    • tc 2.2

      I meant to edit this in but didnt get an option….
      C&R have no need to be in mayoral robes when rortney and the hollowmen effectively handed akl over with supershity structure, job done so let len play around the nats do as the nats wish as nick smith has demonstrated.

      • mickysavage 2.2.1

        Yep. That is why I used the graphic for this post. Democracy may be kicking into action but the Hide designed super city is still dominating …

        • Colonial Viper 2.2.1.1

          You gotta love the Righties for institutionalising their Tory systems in place.

          A few lessons for the Left to learn there, methinks.

          • Tiger Mountain 2.2.1.1.1

            Yes Mark Ford leaves a trail of sackings and disrupted lives in his wake one way or another where ever he goes. And Rodneys virtually impenetrable CCOs have been the sting in the tail from the super city.

  3. Pete 3

    Should be an interesting contest down here in Dunedin this year. We use STV as our voting system for the council and the Greens are fielding a candidate, Aaron Hawkins, for mayor. His is the only electoral advertising I’ve seen so far, and his party has a strong activist base. I think they could field a lot more campaigners than Dave Cull, the current mayor. Given that Alliance-affliated Sukhi Turner won three terms, standing down in 2004, we might see a return to the left.

    Also of note, Pete George is running for council too (Edit and mayor as well).

    • mickysavage 3.1

      I agree that contests throughout the country are important. Maybe we could persuade r0b or someone else to post on the Dunedin contests.

      Wow and Pete is running for Mayor? If he could persuade Dunne to oppose the GCSB at its third reading he could have a chance …

  4. Craig Glen viper 4

    ” Uesifili Unasa may sap support for Len amongst Pacifica but to be frank I am still struggling to work out what his beef with Len is.”

    Maybe the Minister actually likes workers and thinks they deserve a decent wage MS, or maybe he can’t stand sellouts. Len does not deserve your support in my view Lens proved he is a Labour Party member for expediency only he is as bad as a scab as far as Im concerned, and Im looking forward to telling him to.

    • Murray Olsen 4.1

      Agreed. I can’t see how Len Brown can be considered remotely left wing after the way he sold out the wharfies. His stand on housing is less than inspirational as well. The South Aucklanders I know feel totally used, as if they were just his stepping stone on the way to greater things.

      I’d love to see John Minto get in. Local body elections can be full of surprises. Naturally he wouldn’t have much support inside council, but John knows how to work in that sort of situation without selling out.

  5. millsy 5

    Some questions that you all should be asking your candidates:

    1) What services would you like to see cut?
    2) What is your view on the outsourcing of council activities?
    3) What is your view on the sale of council assets?
    4) What you you see as ‘core council’ activities
    5) Are you a member of any political party?

    On the topic of outsourcing, it is interesting that there are a lot of smaller councils that have still kept their road maintainance and civil engineering services in-house, by the way of council owned contruction companies.

    Examples are Waitomo District Council, which owns Inframax, and the Tararua District Council and Central Hawkes Bay District Council which jointly own Infracon.

  6. Tanz 6

    Hide and the superciry. Auckland is suffering for that,, is it not.

  7. tc 7

    One issue that will hurt any new mayor is the mess the systems and processes of the merged former councils are still in.
    Wth makay as CEO and fords IT hatchett man from watercare installed the lid and spin on that will not go where it belongs being the transition authority who bullied, fudged, ignored solid advice then ran out of dosh and walked away leaving it supershitys issue.

  8. Jenny 8

    John Palino is probably going to be a distant second although John Minto’s principled campaign should deservedly attract some attention and a second place for him would be a tremendous result. His proposal for free public transport ought to attract proper debate and consideration and I wish him well.

    MICKYSAVAGE

    If the struggle for second is really between John Minto and John Palino. Personally I can’t understand why anyone would vote for Palino. Palino’s campaign is very well funded. Despite that, from what I can tell apart from supplying lots of vague waffle, where there is any detail, it is not much different to that being promoted by the incumbent, Len Brown.
    Supporters of those policies would be much better voting Len Brown for Mayor.

    Apart from signalling more freedom for developers. Polino puts up no detailed policy under the headings of transport and housing, the two big issues in this campaign. Surely, policy should be the first thing a candidate should be standing for. That they have policies and issues they want to promote different to the incumbent and that is why they are standing.

    Minto has lots of well thought out and costed policy and programs; from ending traffic congestion, to rental housing shortages, corporate feather bedding by council corporate managers over a living wage for council employees, and industrial relations. (Brown’s weakpoint)

    Minto’s downfall as compared to Palino is, Minto has no money behind his campaign.

    Palino has lots of money but no distinct policy.

    So really second place will be a contest between, on one hand, a candidate sincerely promoting public policy he thinks will be for the benefit of Aucklanders, and on the other, a candidate with the money to buy an election.

    If money wins. This will be a sad day for our democracy.

  9. A bit of history………….

    Don’t forget Greg, that when I stood for the Water Pressure Group, in the Avondale/Mt Roskill by-election, following the death of Phil Raffills, we got nearly 6,500 votes?

    Came second – about 700 votes behind Noelene Raffills.

    City Vision polled about 2,500 votes.

    I stood, because Water Pressure Group members were sick of the treachery of some City Vision Councillors, who had signed pledges opposing Metrowater, but then had ended up supporting Metrowater……

    Remember this?

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK0111/S00029/local-body-election-challenge-decision-due-wed.htm
    ___________________________________________________________________________

    Why I’m standing for Mayor of Auckland Council:

    I’m a proven and experienced ‘anti-corruption’ and ‘anti-privatisation Public Watchdog’.

    I will expose and stop corrupt corporate control.

    My track record stands for an open, transparent and democratically-accountable Auckland.

    I will open the books.

    Who really runs Auckland?

    Try googling http://www.committeeforauckand.co.nz/membership

    How?

    Through ‘Council Controlled Organisations’ (CCOs), where unelected businesspeople run the Auckland region like a business, by business, for business.

    It’s time to cut out the consultants and private contractors.

    Public monies should benefit the public majority.

    Rates, housing, transport and water services must be ‘cost-effective’ and affordable.

    We need a nationally-coordinated population, migration and employment strategy.

    ‘Market-led’ Auckland growth, pushing rezoning and housing intensification, is decimating communities against their wishes.

    Who benefits?

    Property developers, speculators and overseas investors.

    Following the ‘precautionary principle’ and ‘wellness’ model, will achieve a genuinely ‘clean, green’ New Zealand.

    We the people must take back our Auckland region from corporate control!
    ………………..
    ___________________________________________________________________________

    PS: If I thought any of the other Mayoral candidates could do a better job, I’d walk away now.

    I don’t – so I’m not.

    Kind regards,

    ‘Her Warship’ 🙂

  10. Did any of the other Mayoral candidates oppose the $UPERCITY from Day One?

    http://www.stopthesupercity.org.nz/

    It’s not complicated.

    The mechanism for the corporate takeover of the Auckland region has been through CCOs.

    ‘Council Controlled Organisations’ (CCOs), which are actually Corporate Controlled Organisations.

    CCOs must go.

    Council services must come back ‘in-house’, under the ‘public service’ model, and be directly under the control of elected representatives.

    Mayoral candidates who are not opposed to CCOs – just don’t get it.

    Mayoral candidates who have no or little local government background or experience, arguably cannot be expected to have a good grasp of the real underpinning issues, the problems or the solutions.

    As a tradesperson, with Advanced Trade in Sheetmetal Engineering, I understand the concept of ‘doing an apprenticeship’.

    When it comes to local government, I have been actively involved as a ‘community activist’ / Public Watchdog, since 1997, when Metrowater was inflicted upon us by Auckland City Council.

    Having had thus over 15 years experience, I have ‘done my time’, and am no ‘Johnny come lately’ – meant of course, in a caring way 🙂

    Cheers!

    Penny Bright

  11. Daveosaurus 11

    Reuben Shadbolt’s qualification to be Mayor is apparently that he is Tim Shadbolt’s son. Our elected representatives should have greater qualifications than this

    But it’s apparently still considered an adequate qualification for this country’s Head of State.

    It’s really time that a certain sector of NZ society got dragged, kicking and screaming, out of the 19th century…

  12. What, you really think John Minto could get second?

    Be honest, now.

    • QoT 12.1

      Oh fuck off, Brett. Micky’s post quite clearly states:

      John Palino is probably going to be a distant second although John Minto’s principled campaign should deservedly attract some attention and a second place for him would be a tremendous result.

      If you have difficulty with the longer words I suggest googling them.

      • Brett Dale 12.1.1

        qot:

        I read it, Savage was clearly suggesting, Minto could place second. I very much doubt that he will get anywhere near second place.

        • mickysavage 12.1.1.1

          As Qot said I stated that Palino would probably come second. He would be the weakest mayoral candidate the right have run for the Auckland Mayoralty ever, so I would not describe him as a shoe in for second.

          • Brett Dale 12.1.1.1.1

            You also said that it would be a great result for Minto if he gets second, I took it, that you
            think he is a chance to do this.

  13. karol 13

    I agree it’s all in the local boards/ward, and also with those above saying that Hide’s shadow has poisoned the whole Auckland Council set up.

    So Younger Shadbolt is standing for the Whau ward – and like his dad has a tendency to violence, according to the Herald.

    Looks like some Labour candidates in there, so look forward to your take on the battle for the wards/boards, micky.

    “Community Independents”, “progressive independents”, “totally independent”, “Community First”??? What can that all mean? How progressives are the “progressive independents”?

    Why don’t people choose names that give more of an indication of policy and approach to them?

    • Rupert 13.1

      I used to live across the road from Reuben Shadbolt. I’d rather have a TV chef for a mayor than a guy who used to stand on his balcony yelling at primary school kids.

      More recently, Reuben showed up at a meeting of the North Shore branch of the NZ Association of Rationalists & Humanists to try to get support for an atheist party. He was disruptive, and several of the attendees felt physically threatened. He also has some fringe medical beliefs that did not go over well with the rationalist side of the meeting.

      So, no, not getting my vote, regardless of parentage.

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    1 day ago
  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    1 day ago
  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    2 days ago
  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    2 days ago
  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    3 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    3 days ago
  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    3 days ago
  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    4 days ago
  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    4 days ago
  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    4 days ago
  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #15
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 7, 2024 thru Sat, April 13, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week is about adults in the room setting terms and conditions of ...
    5 days ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago
  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago
  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago
  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago
  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago
  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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