Auditor General rules on Dirty Politics allegation

Written By: - Date published: 8:33 am, May 16th, 2015 - 46 comments
Categories: Abuse of power, food, national, national/act government, Politics, same old national - Tags: , , , ,

katherine_rich_N2

One of the inquiries into issues arising from Dirty Politics has come to a very unsatisfactory conclusion.

Concerns were raised by the Greens about former National MP Katherine Rich.  She is now the chief executive of the Food and Grocery Council whose roles include lobbying for the alcohol, tobacco and grocery-food industries.  The alleged conflict related to her appointment to the Health Promotion Agency, a government quango whose job is to promote health, wellbeing and healthy lifestyles, the pursuit of which requires people to consume less of her sponsors’ products.

Rich is mentioned in Dirty Politics.  One of the allegations made is that Tony Falkenstein, an anti obesity campaigner, was targeted by the Whaleoil blog and attacked at the request of Rich.

The background is described in the Herald:

In Dirty Politics, Hager claimed Mr Falkenstein was written about after his name appeared on an advertisement seeking out people with Type 2 Diabetes. The advertisement, which sought people for a possible Australian class action against soft drink companies, was sent by Mrs Rich to Mr Graham, and then to Slater for his website, he claimed.

Mr Hager claimed emails showed website posts attacking Mr Falkenstein included the line “3 hits smashing him good and proper” with each described as a “KR hit”.

Mr Hager claimed another email had Mr Graham telling Slater: “Coke keeps sending stuff to KR expecting her to do something (where we come in). Hit pending.” Mr Hager claimed at least one post was also written on Fonterra’s behalf, again through the Food and Grocery Council. A spokeswoman for Coca-Cola said it would take “a bit of time” to respond to the allegations and offered no further comment. A Fonterra spokesman said “we have never, directly or indirectly, requested or paid for posts on the Whale Oil blog”.

Maybe this was Cameron just big noting.  But the allegations are that serious they need to be investigated properly.

The Greens complained to the Auditor General and managed to persuade her to conduct an investigation.

Putting to one side the use of Slater to conduct smears on health advocates Rich’s involvement on the HPA takes some understanding.  Letting someone representing Coke or the alcohol or tobacco industies have a say in promoting healthy lifestyles would be akin to allowing Mobil to dictate climate change policies.

The Auditor General announced her decision into the investigation this week and decided that no conflict exists.  She did not see the need to interview Mrs Rich and determined that section 62(3)(ca) of the Crown Entities Act 2004 resolved things.  This section states that a person does not have conflict of interest only because they have “past or current involvement in the relevant sector, industry, or practice”.

This is a very brave decision because it appears that Ms Rich has never declared an interest in any matter. Ever.

This is startling.  It is one thing to be appointed to a position with the potential for conflict.  It is another for a conflict of interest to have never been acknowledged.

Section 62(2)(d) of the Crown Entities Act 2004 says that someone has a conflict in a matter if they may be directly or indirectly interested in the matter.  The FGC must be interested in the activities of the HPA.  The way I see it nothing could be clearer.  And section 62(3)(ca) cannot have been intended as a blanket protection for appointees with industry connections.  It is merely saying that in general those connections do not of themselves create an interest.  But it is not difficult to imagine a situation where decision concerning a campaign has a direct effect on a personal interest.  And in this situation an interest should have been acknowledged.

Anyone so interested must disclose it.  And they are not meant to vote or even take part in the discussion concerning any matter they have an interest in.

An interesting feature of the decision is that the section the Auditor General was relying on was inserted into the Act with effect from July 18, 2013.  Rich was appointed to the HPA on June 19, 2012.  The protection afforded by this particular section was not there for the first 13 months of her term.

The Auditor General decided that the Dirty Politics allegations were out of scope as these were allegations made about her acting in a personal capacity.  I guess a comment about the appropriateness of her continued role in the position would be out of scope but you have to wonder at her suitability to continue given what has been alleged.

The issue is important.  The HPA has a vital role to play in helping New Zealand deal with obesity and related health effects.  Allowing someone linked to Coca Cola or the Tobacco or Alcohol industries to make decisions about the shape of campaigns leaves you with the strong impression that the HPA will be doing less than what it should be.

46 comments on “Auditor General rules on Dirty Politics allegation ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. locus 1
    16 May 2015 at 9:18 am

    call me a cynic …. but only a year to push for a place on the honours list

  2. Differentview 2
    16 May 2015 at 9:58 am

    The term “regulatory capture” is now well understood in US politics. I guess it needs to be better understood here, before we end up where they are.

    • Sans Cle 2.1
      16 May 2015 at 11:25 am

      What legal recourse is there in NZ to do anything about “regulatory capture”?
      If there are no proper checks and balances, no second chamber for governance oversight, what can we do when we perceive such injustice?

      • Colonial Rawshark 2.1.1
        16 May 2015 at 12:08 pm

        The US has a “second chamber”; all it means in practice is that the corporations have to pay out to a second lot of pollies with insider trading info, campaigning funds, and post public office board positions.

        If you want to sort the system out you need to limit the size, power and money of the trans-nationals, especially the banks.

        • Sans Cle 2.1.1.1
          16 May 2015 at 12:24 pm

          A second chamber can slow the regulatory process down, so at least there is a chance of some form of democratic discussion – leading to greater transparency.
          ‘Democracy’ in NZ’s Parliament (at least at question time) is a tragic joke, so a second chamber replicating that process would not be useful.
          I would like to see a second chamber that has an explicit focus on the future of NZ – society 50 to 100 years from now. Then we may get better decisions.
          Not sure how the AG’s investigation into Katherine Rich would be linked or pan-out in a long-term focused second chamber; but perhaps the Rich case would link to declining governance standards, myopic investigations all eroding the very tenets of (perceived) democracy.

  3. repateet 3
    16 May 2015 at 10:33 am

    “… allegations made about her acting in a personal capacity…”

    Here we go again with the “I was not acting as Prime Minister at the time” scenario.

    • Murray Simmonds 3.1
      27 May 2015 at 2:23 pm

      Yep exactly right repateet and others.

      “Officer, officer, I did not shoot that man. It was just my rifle acting in its personal capacity as a gun . . . . and well, yeeesss, my finger WAS on the trigger at the time that the gun discharged itself . . . but that was just my finger acting in its personal capacity as a finger . . . ”

      And so we go on!

  4. Richard Christie 4
    16 May 2015 at 11:19 am

    The Auditor General decided that the Dirty Politics allegations were out of scope as these were allegations made about her acting in a personal capacity. I guess a comment about the appropriateness of her continued role in the position would be out of scope but you have to wonder at her suitability to continue given what has been alleged.

    I wondered if the “she” in this paragraph referred to Rich or the AG.

    Then I realised that it made sense either way.

  5. tc 5
    16 May 2015 at 11:54 am

    Colour me surprised, the Nats only allowed this to proceed knowing that the AG would narrow the focus play the ‘personal capacity’ card that shonky has made popular and hey presto there’s no conflict of interest.

    A theme emerging with these sorts of whitewashes is the lack of interviewing key parties to avoid potential hiccups should they not get their story aligned, my how convenient.

    • Colonial Rawshark 5.1
      16 May 2015 at 12:09 pm

      The right wing have very good lawyers in very tall glass buildings that look out over every city in the nation.

    • RedLogix 5.2
      16 May 2015 at 12:34 pm

      This idea that you can somehow evade the rules around conflict of interest by simply declaring that you were acting in your ‘personal capacity’ is absolutely fucking insane. It’s a complete inversion, perversion and murdering of the English language.

      Every grown up in public life understands that conflicts of interest WILL occur. It’s normal. All capable people in business or politics will have multiple interests and roles, and from time to time they will present a conflict. There is nothing wrong with this.

      It is how you handle them which matters. You must be alert to them arising, they must be declared early and a plan put in place to manage the specific situation. Not all conflicts of interest are the same, nor do all demand complete withdrawal – but there must be a clear and legally defend-able process in place.

      Anything lower standard simply opens the door to corruption. Which is precisely what our Prime Minister has signaled when he used this ‘personal capacity’ defense – after he was found out. While Key may well have made an argument defending that specific incident – the Prime Minister is the person at the top. It is this person who sets the tone and standards – not only within government and public service – but more widely across the entire business community. This is why it mattered a great deal.

      • felix 5.2.2
        16 May 2015 at 1:00 pm

        How would the personal capacity angle even apply here?

        Are we to believe she works for the FGC by day for money, and then runs smear campaigns for them by night as a hobby?

        And even if that made sense, which it doesn’t, how could it possibly not represent a conflict with her HPA role to be attacking health promoters in her spare time?

        It’s nonsense.

        • Colonial Rawshark 5.2.2.1
          16 May 2015 at 1:25 pm

          It’s nonsense.

          And the AG would know that. It seems to me like this tidy answer on Rich has been very strenuously goal-seeked, even to the point of absurdity. Perhaps there is more conflicted judgement going on here than simply Katherine Rich’s.

          • Sacha 5.2.2.1.1
            16 May 2015 at 2:41 pm

            Here is the letter in question:
            http://oag.govt.nz/media/2015/health-promotion-agency

            The Auditor-General used the phrase “private capacity” – not clear whether it means wearing the private-sector FGC hat or personal.

            She could have at least interviewed Hager you’d think, rather than completely ignoring the reason why the conflict of interest accusations got enough air so that the OAG was approached in the first place.

            Rich’s conduct seems relevant no matter what hat she was wearing. If the allegations are true, do we want people sitting on oversight boards of public agencies at the same time as they actively undermine the agency’s objectives? Most people understand you don’t appoint a fox to guard the henhouse.

        • emergency mike 5.2.2.2
          16 May 2015 at 3:56 pm

          “Are we to believe she works for the FGC by day for money, and then runs smear campaigns for them by night as a hobby?”

          Well put felix. I guess it could be said that when she is acting in her ‘personal capacity’ it’s outside the scope of the inquiry in a ridiculous ‘thats her own business’ way. How convenient. And as you say, totally implausible.

          “And even if that made sense, which it doesn’t, how could it possibly not represent a conflict with her HPA role to be attacking health promoters in her spare time?”

          It’s about as clear a conflict as can be imagined. But in light of the scope of the whitewash above, I thus assume it would be her boss, John ‘Deals Over Dinner’ Key who would make the call as to whether some one who attacks health promoters in their personal capacity is really the best choice for the health promotion agency.

          It appears he not bovvered about it so I guess it’s all fine.

  6. greywarshark 6
    16 May 2015 at 12:06 pm

    AG MO SNAFU

  7. Sirenia 7
    16 May 2015 at 12:27 pm

    Just more unethical behaviour from an unethical government and its allies. Even if a conflict of interest is merely perceived it should be declared. Why don’t they get it?

  8. Clemgeopin 8
    16 May 2015 at 2:24 pm

    What is wrong with the Auditor general? Is this outfit supposed to work in the best interest of the people of the country or is it there to primarily work for the interest of the government and the big business? At the very least, Tony Falkenstein, Katherine Rich and the Whale oil’s Slater should have been interviewed. This is a half baked incomplete investigation and a very poor decision. A disgrace!

  9. Differentview 9
    16 May 2015 at 2:58 pm

    Colonial Rawshark had it right: “If you want to sort the system out you need to limit the size, power and money of the trans-nationals, especially the banks.”

    No regulatory system can produce a level playing field between the All Blacks and a college team. Corporations outgun the ordinary folk even worse than that image, because besides being huge, they have no conscience and no compassion. Faced with the need to exercise either, their executives would claim that they have no authority to do other than maximize shareholder value.

    But corporations have a couple of even greater advantages than even very wealthy humans: they do not sleep or need rest, are potentially immortal, can change their identities at will, and can exist simultaneously in many places at once. Just like us humans and deserving the same rights? Not hardly.

    A size limit on corporations would produce local entities nearer to the human scale, and also encourage the creation of more corps, which would compete with each other. The only problem then is international competition from the behemoths that would still exist elsewhere. Answer: no TPP or similar treaties, trade restrictions where appropriate; we run our own society our own way, Pharmac and all.

  10. Penny Bright 10
    16 May 2015 at 3:00 pm

    In my considered opinion, NZ Auditor-General Lyn Provost is the LAST person who should be making decisions on ‘conflicts of interest’ – she obviously doesn’t have a clue.

    Why do I think so?

    Seen this?

    http://www.parliament.nz/resource/en-nz/50DBSCH_SCR6208_1/2064c8e8f81a4c81dde4ec2a87469884ce2f8642

    “The Finance and Expenditure Committee has considered Petition 2011/101 of Penelope Mary Bright and 13 others, requesting

    That the House conduct an urgent inquiry into why New Zealand Auditor-General Lyn Provost did not disclose that she was a shareholder in Sky City Entertainment Group Ltd at the time she declined to conduct an urgent investigation into the failure of the Organised and Financial Crime Agency of New Zealand to carry out “due diligence” on the increased risk of money-laundering arising from the New Zealand International Convention Centre (Bill) 2013.

    We have no matters to bring to the attention of the House. ”
    ______________________________________________________________________________________

    I wasn’t even asked to give evidence in support of this petition.

    Only Auditor-General Lyn Provost was asked to provide information for this Finance and Expenditure Select Committee.

    In my considered opinion, Auditor-General Lyn Provost is corrupt, I think she is ‘unfit for duty’ and should be sacked, and I have told her so – to her face.

    In my considered opinion, New Zealand is rotten with corruption and corrupt ‘conflicts of interest’, and it reaches to the highest levels of Government, as shown by this above-mentioned Finance and Expenditure Select Committee Report.

    FYI

    http://www.investigatemagazine.co.nz/Investigate/4817/auditor-general-asked-about-her-sky-city-conflict-of-interest/
    Penny Bright

    Auditor-General asked about her Sky City conflict of interest

    February 3, 2014 iwishart

    Auditor-General Lyn Provost has been asked to explain a conflict of interest between her private investment in Sky City casino shares, and her November 2013 decision to turn down a request for an investigation into aspects of the Sky City casino convention deal controversy.

    Public finances and accountability watchdog Penny Bright, who polled fourth in the Auckland super-city mayoral campaign, sent an email to the Office of the Auditor-General on 8 November last, seeking an investigation into whether the Police organised crime agency OFCANZ “could or should have carried out some work to assess the effect of the [convention centre Bill] on the risk of money laundering in New Zealand”.

    OFCANZ had previously stunned commentators by revealing it had failed to investigate the money laundering implications of the deal, despite having a statutory responsibility.

    Bright complained to the Audit Office about the failure of a public agency to do its job, and her letter was answered by Controller and Auditor General Lyn Provost who wrote, “the Auditor-General’s power to carry out an inquiry is a discretionary one. Large inquiries involve a substantial investment of resources by this office and the entity we are inquiring into.

    “We receive a number of requests for inquiries each year and must choose carefully which matters warrant that level of detailed scrutiny. Our focus is on the use of public resources, and significant financial, accountability or governance issues in a public entity.”

    Having set the context, Lyn Provost then declined to investigate, despite the ‘accountability’ issue, saying it intruded on government policy and was therefore beyond the scrutiny of her office.

    What Ms Provost did not declare in her letter to Penny Bright is that she held shares in Sky City casino. Ms Provost had previously recused herself from involvement in a prior case involving Sky City for that reason.

    Provost is also a former Deputy Commissioner within the New Zealand Police who worked alongside the team responsible for OFCANZ.

    InvestigateDaily has sought comment from Ms Provost. Late today she responded with the following:

    “The particular inquiry request fell outside my mandate in the Public Audit Act as I cannot inquire into matters of policy.
    As the reason for declining to inquire was a matter of law not judgement, I replied myself. I also took the opportunity to reinforce our criteria for inquiries.

    “I have and will continue to stand aside on appropriate matters.”
    ______________________________________________________________________________________

    Penny Bright

    http://www.pennybright4mayor.org.nz

    • Chooky 10.1
      16 May 2015 at 8:10 pm

      +100 Penny …more conflicts of interest and corruption exposed

      …where is the Labour Party?…and NZF?…and the Greens ….and Mana/Int on this?

    • Melanie Scott 10.2
      17 May 2015 at 1:11 pm

      Demands for investigation, censure and action in relation to behaviour of Council in Kaipara were similarly batted away by the same party. We received an ‘apology’, but no investigation, censure or action.

  11. Tracey 11
    16 May 2015 at 3:01 pm

    I have not read the AG;s decision in full.

    NZ is small. With a tendency to rely on a small group to rotate onto Boards and other higher level positions COI is a real problem.

    It appears that the legislation was written to acknowledge this possibility, not to dismiss all behaviour because of it. The AG by relying on

    “a person does not have conflict of interest only because they have “past or current involvement in the relevant sector, industry, or practice”

    would, imo, be correct IF there was not the alleged behaviour in the other role.

    That section, imo, is merely saying that just cos you hold two positions that may/appear to contradict each other is not sufficient to determine on a COI level BUT it DOES suggest that if there is something else then the clause falls away. as a blanket protection Note the word “only”.

    IOW, IF you hold a position in the same industry AND you have done something else then this section does not give you a get out of jail free card. IF, for example, in your other industry position you deliberately set out to smear the character of someone you disagree with in the Health promotion industry, then this could mean you have not the professional integrity to hold simultaneous positions.

    That is my read ing of it anyway.

    • Sacha 11.1
      16 May 2015 at 3:21 pm

      That is the logical problem in her decision that caught my eye too.

    • mickysavage 11.2
      16 May 2015 at 3:36 pm

      The funny thing Tracy is that the section they relied on was only enacted 13 months after Rich had been appointed. Presumably before then the situation would have been different.

      I do not think it decides matters anyway. If it was true they may as well take out all of the rules against conflict.

  12. Reddelusion 12
    16 May 2015 at 3:40 pm

    This dirty politics is about as interesting as fast and furious 8. Move on pleeeeeease

    • mickysavage 12.1
      16 May 2015 at 3:44 pm

      Why delusion? Don’t you think there should be a discussion about the abusive political practices that Dirty Politics showed existed?

    • Sans Cle 12.2
      16 May 2015 at 3:58 pm

      Reddelusion, clearly it is interesting enough for your to comment on it! lol
      If I read something that I am not interested in, I gloss over it, perhaps forget it within a few minutes. I wouldn’t dream of commenting on something that doesn’t interest me!
      I have decided to reply to you, because that tactic of feigning disinterest is of interest to me – and also at the heart of political subversion, and democratic subversion of the freedom to discuss what people like!
      Asking people to stop discussing something just draws attention to the subject and to the motivation of the person requesting the cessation of debate.
      So you have my attention, and I would like to ask you:
      1. Why should discussion cease, if people suspect corruption at the highest level of governance?
      2. Were you paid to comment on this blogpost, or are you here in a recreational/ voluntary-sharing-of-ideas-in-good-faith capacity?
      3. Do you have any conflict of interest in the further investigation of the content of Dirty Politics?

  13. Reddelusion 13
    16 May 2015 at 3:56 pm

    Based on responses to this post ( less mine) 23 as a measure of interest, the answer is no. dirty politics is not new, there is no such thing as clean politics, dirty politics is simply opposition claiming foul over anything they can as they are not in power. National do the same in opposition, predictable but boring

    • whateva next? 13.1
      16 May 2015 at 4:59 pm

      (Red.)..delusion, a fixed and firm belief, not amenable to reason. It is clear that this fits well, and you will not be able to debate this issue, just continue to believe what you chose, so why then enter into discussion with people who wish to discuss politics?

    • mickysavage 13.2
      16 May 2015 at 6:09 pm

      Delusion this is Saturday which is normally a very quiet day. I am surprised this post has attracted the attention that it has.

  14. Once was Tim 14
    16 May 2015 at 6:44 pm

    I’m not sure why the surprise. It’s disgusting I know, but it’s the inevitable result of corporatisation of the Public Service ….. and so far, I don’t see any on the ‘left’ of politics advocating doing anything about it …… except maybe (and strangely enough) Winnie.
    We no longer seem to have public servants these days – merely peons doing their best under “CEO’s” running their various little feifdoms that happen to be owned by the public.
    Why are we expecting anything else whilst this continues to run?
    PoliceCorp anyone?

    ….. oh btw ….. I’m not suggesting Winnie is ‘left’ exactly, but strangely enough he does have more of a concern about many of the things that used to upset us – AND the normalisation of corrupt corporate culture when applied to a public

    • felix 14.1
      16 May 2015 at 7:16 pm

      Yep, Winston has always seen through that particular bullshit in a way that I wish the Labour party would.

    • Macro 14.2
      16 May 2015 at 8:45 pm

      I don’t see any on the ‘left’ of politics advocating doing anything about it

      Oh! the Greens see through it all right – and rail against it – but get little traction from the MSM unfortunately. Winston has the MSM’s ear. That’s why you hear him.

    • Sacha 14.3
      16 May 2015 at 9:28 pm

      Auditor-General was pretty useful office previously.

  15. Macro 15
    16 May 2015 at 8:38 pm

    If anyone was under the mistaken impression that this was not the most incompetent and corrupt administration NZ has ever had the misfortune to suffer they should be under no illusions now.

  16. Reddelusion 16
    16 May 2015 at 8:56 pm

    Wow big call Marco, NZ economic performance under national, in contrast to other OECD nations and record immigration would seem to suggest otherwise

    Your free to leave, Venezuela Cuba Peru North Korea are waiting, maybe we could swap, all NZ hard lefties could head over to these socialist paradises and we take their citizens who just want the opportunity what country like NZ provide, rather than whinge whinge and externalise every issue they have on the government

    • mickysavage 16.1
      16 May 2015 at 9:04 pm

      Hey in Aotearoa under Michael Cullen nine budget surpluses, under National 7 budget deficits.

      Come on delusion, argue with that.

      Can we get a better class of wing nuts?

    • The Murphey 16.2
      16 May 2015 at 9:08 pm

      Q. Why do you lot repeat the same lines ?

      Q. Does it feel good carrying out the ‘assigned tasks’ ?

      Q. Which country are you located ?

      Q. Do your family / friends know of the ‘assigned tasks’ you carry out ?

      Q. What other ‘assigned tasks’ do you perform ?

      Q. Do you understand the difference between ‘your and you’re’ ?

      • Chooky 16.2.1
        16 May 2015 at 10:04 pm

        his/her English grammar is very poor …obviously NOT a New Zealander …and obviously NOT well educated….so he/she should just be ignored….a foreign t..l and friend of Jonkey Nact….looking out to rort New Zealanders and New Zealand

    • Macro 16.3
      16 May 2015 at 10:09 pm

      You affection for your dear leader is touching red. Have you a pony tail he can pull?

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    Descending Into The Dark: The ideological cadres currently controlling both Labour and the Greens are forcing “justice”, “participation” and “democracy” to make way for what is “appropriate” and “responsible”. But, where does that leave the people who, for most of their adult lives, have voted for left-wing parties, precisely to ...
    Bowalley Road
    2 days ago

  • The New “Emperor’s New Clothes”.
    “‘BUT HE HASN’T GOT ANYTHING ON,’ a little boy said ….. ‘But he hasn’t got anything on!’ the whole town cried out at last.”On this optimistic note, Hans Christian Andersen brings his cautionary tale of “The Emperor’s New Clothes” to an end.Andersen’s children’s story was written nearly two centuries ago, ...
    Bowalley Road
    2 days ago

  • BRYCE EDWARDS: The vested interests shaping National Party policies
      Bryce Edwards writes – As the National Party gets closer to government, lobbyists and business interests will be lining up for influence and to get policies adopted. It’s therefore in the public interest to have much more scrutiny and transparency about potential conflicts of interests that ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • LINDSAY MITCHELL: A conundrum for those pushing racist dogma
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – The heavily promoted narrative, which has ramped up over the last six years, is that Maori somehow have special vulnerabilities which arise from outside forces they cannot control; that contemporary society fails to meet their needs. They are not receptive to messages and ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • CHRIS TROTTER:  The greater of two evils
    Not Labour: If you’re out to punish the government you once loved, then the last thing you need is to be shown evidence that the opposition parties are much, much worse.   Chris Trotter writes – THE GREATEST VIRTUE of being the Opposition is not being the Government. Only very ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • The Hoon around the week to Sept 30
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:Labour presented a climate manifesto that aimed to claim the high ground on climate action vs National, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Litanies, articles of faith, and being a beneficiary
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past two weeks.Friday 29Play it, ElvisElection Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Litanies, articles of faith, and being a beneficiary
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past two weeks.Friday 29Play it, ElvisElection Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • The ‘Recession’ Has Been Called Off, But Some Households Are Still Struggling
    While the economy is not doing too badly in output terms, external circumstances are not favourable, and there is probably a sizeable group of households struggling because of rising interest rates.Last week’s announcement of a 0.9 percent increase in volume GDP for the June quarter had the commentariat backing down ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    3 days ago

  • Climate Change: The wrong direction
    This week the International Energy Association released its Net Zero Roadmap, intended to guide us towards a liveable climate. The report demanded huge increases in renewable generation, no new gas or oil, and massive cuts to methane emissions. It was positive about our current path, but recommended that countries with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • “Racism” becomes a buzz word on the campaign trail – but our media watchdogs stay muzzled when...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Oh, dear.  We have nothing to report from the Beehive. At least, we have nothing to report from the government’s official website. But the drones have not gone silent.  They are out on the election campaign trail, busy buzzing about this and that in the hope ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Play it, Elvis
    Election Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t have time for. You’re welcome, etc. Let us press on, etc. 1.  What did Christopher Luxon use to his advantage in ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Pure class warfare
    National unveiled its fiscal policy today, announcing all the usual things which business cares about and I don't. But it did finally tell us how National plans to pay for its handouts to landlords: by effectively cutting benefits: The biggest saving announced on Friday was $2b cut from the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • Ask Me Anything about the week to Sept 29
    Photo by Anna Ogiienko on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session for paying subscribers about the week that was for an hour, including:duelling fiscal plans from National and Labour;Labour cutting cycling spending while accusing National of being weak on climate;Research showing the need for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Weekly Roundup 29-September-2023
    Welcome to Friday and the last one for September. This week in Greater Auckland On Monday, Matt highlighted at the latest with the City Rail Link. On Tuesday, Matt covered the interesting items from Auckland Transport’s latest board meeting agendas. On Thursday, a guest post from Darren Davis ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    3 days ago

  • Protest at Parliament: The Reunion.
    Brian’s god spoke to him. He, for of course the Lord in Tamaki’s mind was a male god, with a mighty rod, and probably some black leathers. He, told Brian - “you must put a stop to all this love, hope, and kindness”. And it did please the Brian.He said ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Labour cuts $50m from cycleway spending
    Labour is cutting spending on cycling infrastructure while still trying to claim the higher ground on climate. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Labour Government released a climate manifesto this week to try to claim the high ground against National, despite having ignored the Climate Commission’s advice to toughen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • The Greater Of Two Evils.
    Not Labour: If you’re out to punish the government you once loved, then the last thing you need is to be shown evidence that the opposition parties are much, much worse.THE GREATEST VIRTUE of being the Opposition is not being the Government. Only very rarely is an opposition party elected ...
    Bowalley Road
    3 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #39 2023
    Open access notables "Net zero is only a distraction— we just have to end fossil fuel emissions." The latter is true but the former isn't, or  not in the real world as it's likely to be in the immediate future. And "just" just doesn't enter into it; we don't have ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Chris Trotter: Losing the Left
    IN THE CURRENT MIX of electoral alternatives, there is no longer a credible left-wing party. Not when “a credible left-wing party” is defined as: a class-oriented, mass-based, democratically-structured political organisation; dedicated to promoting ideas sharply critical of laissez-faire capitalism; and committed to advancing democratic, egalitarian and emancipatory ideals across the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Hipkins fires up in leaders’ debate, but has the curtain already fallen on the Labour-led coalitio...
    Labour’s  Chris Hipkins came out firing, in the  leaders’ debate  on Newshub’s evening programme, and most of  the pundits  rated  him the winner against National’s  Christopher Luxon. But will this make any difference when New  Zealanders  start casting their ballots? The problem  for  Hipkins is  that  voters are  all too ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    4 days ago

  • Govt is energising housing projects with solar power – and fuelling the public’s concept of a di...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Not long after Point of Order published data which show the substantial number of New Zealanders (77%) who believe NZ is becoming more divided, government ministers were braying about a programme which distributes some money to “the public” and some to “Maori”. The ministers were dishing ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • MIKE GRIMSHAW: Election 2023 – a totemic & charisma failure?
    The D&W analysis Michael Grimshaw writes –  Given the apathy, disengagement, disillusionment, and all-round ennui of this year’s general election, it was considered time to bring in those noted political operatives and spin doctors D&W, the long-established consultancy firm run by Emile Durkheim and Max Weber. Known for ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • FROM BFD: Will Winston be the spectre we think?
    Kissy kissy. Cartoon credit BoomSlang. The BFD. JC writes-  Allow me to preface this contribution with the following statement: If I were asked to express a preference between a National/ACT coalition or a National/ACT/NZF coalition then it would be the former. This week Luxon declared his position, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • California’s climate disclosure bill could have a huge impact across the U.S.
    This re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Andy Furillo was originally published by Capital & Main and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. The California Legislature took a step last week that has the potential to accelerate the fight against climate ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Untangling South East Queensland’s Public Transport
    This is a cross post Adventures in Transitland by Darren Davis. I recently visited Brisbane and South East Queensland and came away both impressed while also pondering some key changes to make public transport even better in the region. Here goes with my take on things. A bit of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    4 days ago

  • Try A Little Kindness.
    My daughter arrived home from the supermarket yesterday and she seemed a bit worried about something. It turned out she wanted to know if someone could get her bank number from a receipt.We wound the story back.She was in the store and there was a man there who was distressed, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • What makes NZFirst tick
    New Zealand’s longest-running political roadshow rolled into Opotiki yesterday, with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters knowing another poll last night showed he would make it back to Parliament and National would need him and his party if they wanted to form a government. The Newshub Reid Research poll ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • September AMA
    Hi,As September draws to a close — I feel it’s probably time to do an Ask Me Anything. You know how it goes: If you have any burning questions, fire away in the comments and I will do my best to answer. You might have questions about Webworm, or podcast ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago

  • Bludgers lying in the scratcher making fools of us all
    The mediocrity who stands to be a Prime Minister has a litany.He uses it a bit like a Koru Lounge card. He will brandish it to say: these people are eligible. And more than that, too: These people are deserving. They have earned this policy.They have a right to this policy. What ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • More “partnerships” (by the look of it) and redress of over $30 million in Treaty settlement wit...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point of Order has waited until now – 3.45pm – for today’s officially posted government announcements.  There have been none. The only addition to the news on the Beehive’s website was posted later yesterday, after we had published our September 26 Buzz report. It came from ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • ALEX HOLLAND: Labour’s spending
    Alex Holland writes –  In 2017 when Labour came to power, crown spending was $76 billion per year. Now in 2023 it is $139 billion per year, which equates to a $63 billion annual increase (over $1 billion extra spend every week!) In 2017, New Zealand’s government debt ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • If not now, then when?
    Labour released its fiscal plan today, promising the same old, same old: "responsibility", balanced books, and of course no new taxes: "Labour will maintain income tax settings to provide consistency and certainty in these volatile times. Now is not the time for additional taxes or to promise billions of ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • THE FACTS:  77% of Kiwis believe NZ is becoming more divided
    The Facts has posted –        KEY INSIGHTSOf New Zealander’s polled: Social unity/division 77%believe NZ is becoming more divided (42% ‘much more’ + 35% ‘a little more’) 3%believe NZ is becoming less divided (1% ‘much less’ + 2% ‘a little less’) ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the cynical brutality of the centre-right’s welfare policies
    The centre-right’s enthusiasm for forcing people off the benefit and into paid work is matched only by the enthusiasm (shared by Treasury and the Reserve Bank) for throwing people out of paid work to curb inflation, and achieve the optimal balance of workers to job seekers deemed to be desirable ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    5 days ago

  • Wednesday’s Chorus: Arthur Grimes on why building many, many more social houses is so critical
    New research shows that tenants in social housing - such as these Wellington apartments - are just as happy as home owners and much happier than private tenants. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The election campaign took an ugly turn yesterday, and in completely the wrong direction. All three ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • Bennie Bashing.
    If there’s one thing the mob loves more than keeping Māori in their place, more than getting tough on the gangs, maybe even more than tax cuts. It’s a good old round of beneficiary bashing.Are those meanies in the ACT party stealing your votes because they think David Seymour is ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • The kindest cuts
    Labour kicks off the fiscal credibility battle today with the release of its fiscal plan. National is expected to follow, possibly as soon as Thursday, with its own plan, which may (or may not) address the large hole that the problems with its foreign buyers’ ban might open up. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • Green right turn in Britain? Well, a start
    While it may be unlikely to register in New Zealand’s general election, Britain’s PM Rishi Sunak has done something which might just be important in the long run. He’s announced a far-reaching change in his Conservative government’s approach to environmental, and particularly net zero, policy. The starting point – ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    6 days ago

  • At a glance – How do human CO2 emissions compare to natural CO2 emissions?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • How could this happen?
    Canada is in uproar after the exposure that its parliament on September 22 provided a standing ovation to a Nazi veteran who had been invited into the chamber to participate in the parliamentary welcome to Ukrainian President Zelensky. Yaroslav Hunka, 98, a Ukrainian man who volunteered for service in ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    6 days ago

  • Always Be Campaigning
    The big screen is a great place to lay out the ways of the salesman. He comes ready-made for Panto, ripe for lampooning.This is not to disparage that life. I have known many good people of that kind. But there is a type, brazen as all get out. The camera ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • STEPHEN FRANKS: Press seek to publicly shame doctor – we must push back
    The following is a message sent yesterday from lawyer Stephen Franks on behalf of the Free Speech Union. I don’t like to interrupt first thing Monday morning, but we’ve just become aware of a case where we think immediate and overwhelming attention could help turn the tide. It involves someone ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Competing on cruelty
    The right-wing message calendar is clearly reading "cruelty" today, because both National and NZ First have released beneficiary-bashing policies. National is promising a "traffic light" system to police and kick beneficiaries, which will no doubt be accompanied by arbitrary internal targets to classify people as "orange" or "red" to keep ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • Further funding for Pharmac (forgotten in the Budget?) looks like a $1bn appeal from a PM in need of...
    Buzz from the Beehive One Labour plan  – for 3000 more public homes by 2025 – is the most recent to be posted on the government’s official website. Another – a prime ministerial promise of more funding for Pharmac – has been released as a Labour Party press statement. Who ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: The Vested interests shaping National Party policies
    As the National Party gets closer to government, lobbyists and business interests will be lining up for influence and to get policies adopted. It’s therefore in the public interest to have much more scrutiny and transparency about potential conflicts of interests that might arise. One of the key individuals of ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    6 days ago

  • Labour may be on way out of power and NZ First back in – but will Peters go into coalition with Na...
    Voters  are deserting Labour in droves, despite Chris  Hipkins’  valiant  rearguard  action.  So  where  are they  heading?  Clearly  not all of them are going to vote National, which concedes that  the  outcome  will be “close”. To the Right of National, the ACT party just a  few weeks  ago  was ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    6 days ago

  • GRAHAM ADAMS: Will the racists please stand up?
    Accusations of racism by journalists and MPs are being called out. Graham Adams writes –    With the election less than three weeks away, what co-governance means in practice — including in water management, education, planning law and local government — remains largely obscure. Which is hardly ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on whether Winston Peters can be a moderating influence
    As the centre-right has (finally!) been subjected to media interrogation, the polls are indicating that some voters may be starting to have second thoughts about the wisdom of giving National and ACT the power to govern alone. That’s why yesterday’s Newshub/Reid Research poll had the National/ACT combo dropping to 60 ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    6 days ago

  • Tuesday’s Chorus: RBNZ set to rain on National's victory parade
    ANZ has increased its forecast for house inflation later this year on signs of growing momentum in the market ahead of the election. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: National has campaigned against the Labour Government’s record on inflation and mortgage rates, but there’s now a growing chance the Reserve ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • After a Pittsburgh coal processing plant closed, ER visits plummeted
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Katie Myers. This story was originally published by Grist and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. Pittsburgh, in its founding, was blessed and cursed with two abundant natural resources: free-flowing rivers and a nearby coal seam. ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • September-23 AT Board Meeting
    Today the AT board meet again and once again I’ve taken a look at what’s on the agenda to find the most interesting items. Closed Agenda Interestingly when I first looked at the agendas this paper was there but at the time of writing this post it had been ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    6 days ago

  • Electorate Watch: West Coast-Tasman
    Continuing my series on interesting electorates, today it’s West Coast-Tasman.A long thin electorate running down the northern half of the west coast of the South Island. Think sand flies, beautiful landscapes, lots of rain, Pike River, alternative lifestylers, whitebaiting, and the spiritual home of the Labour Party. A brief word ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • Big money brings Winston back
    National leader Christopher Luxon yesterday morning conceded it and last night’s Newshub poll confirmed it; Winston Peters and NZ First are not only back but highly likely to be part of the next government. It is a remarkable comeback for a party that was tossed out of Parliament in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    7 days ago

  • 20 days until Election Day, 7 until early voting begins… but what changes will we really see here?
    As this blogger, alongside many others, has already posited in another forum: we all know the National Party’s “budget” (meaning this concept of even adding up numbers properly is doing a lot of heavy, heavy lifting right now) is utter and complete bunk (read hung, drawn and quartered and ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    7 days ago

  • A night out
    Everyone was asking, Are you nervous? and my response was various forms of God, yes.I've written more speeches than I can count; not much surprises me when the speaker gets to their feet and the room goes quiet.But a play? Never.YOU CAME! THANK YOU! Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • A pallid shade of Green III
    Clearly Labour's focus groups are telling it that it needs to pay more attention to climate change - because hot on the heels of their weaksauce energy efficiency pilot programme and not-great-but-better-than-nothing solar grants, they've released a full climate manifesto. Unfortunately, the core policies in it - a second Emissions ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand resumes peacekeeping force leadership
    New Zealand will again contribute to the leadership of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, with a senior New Zealand Defence Force officer returning as Interim Force Commander. Defence Minister Andrew Little and Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta have announced the deployment of New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 hour ago

  • New national direction provides clarity for development and the environment
    The Government has taken an important step in implementing the new resource management system, by issuing a draft National Planning Framework (NPF) document under the new legislation, Environment Minister David Parker said today. “The NPF consolidates existing national direction, bringing together around 20 existing instruments including policy statements, standards, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago

  • Government shows further commitment to pay equity for healthcare workers
    The Government welcomes the proposed pay equity settlement that will see significant pay increases for around 18,000 Te Whatu Ora Allied, Scientific, and Technical employees, if accepted said Health Minister Ayesha Verrall. The proposal reached between Te Whatu Ora, the New Zealand Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago

  • 100 new public EV chargers to be added to national network
    The public EV charging network has received a significant boost with government co-funding announced today for over 100 EV chargers – with over 200 charging ports altogether – across New Zealand, and many planned to be up and running on key holiday routes by Christmas this year. Minister of Energy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Safeguarding Tuvalu language and identity
    Tuvalu is in the spotlight this week as communities across New Zealand celebrate Vaiaso o te Gagana Tuvalu – Tuvalu Language Week. “The Government has a proven record of supporting Pacific communities and ensuring more of our languages are spoken, heard and celebrated,” Pacific Peoples Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Many ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • New community-level energy projects to support more than 800 Māori households
    Seven more innovative community-scale energy projects will receive government funding through the Māori and Public Housing Renewable Energy Fund to bring more affordable, locally generated clean energy to more than 800 Māori households, Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods says. “We’ve already funded 42 small-scale clean energy projects that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Huge boost to Te Tai Tokerau flood resilience
    The Government has approved new funding that will boost resilience and greatly reduce the risk of major flood damage across Te Tai Tokerau. Significant weather events this year caused severe flooding and damage across the region. The $8.9m will be used to provide some of the smaller communities and maraes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Napier’s largest public housing development comes with solar
    The largest public housing development in Napier for many years has been recently completed and has the added benefit of innovative solar technology, thanks to Government programmes, says Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods. The 24 warm, dry homes are in Seddon Crescent, Marewa and Megan Woods says the whanau living ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Te Whānau a Apanui and the Crown initial Deed of Settlement I Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me...
    Māori: Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna te Whakaaetanga Whakataunga Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna i tētahi Whakaaetanga Whakataunga hei whakamihi i ō rātou tāhuhu kerēme Tiriti o Waitangi. E tekau mā rua ngā hapū o roto mai o Te Whānau ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Plan for 3,000 more public homes by 2025 – regions set to benefit
    Regions around the country will get significant boosts of public housing in the next two years, as outlined in the latest public housing plan update, released by the Housing Minister, Dr Megan Woods. “We’re delivering the most public homes each year since the Nash government of the 1950s with one ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Immigration settings updates
    Judicial warrant process for out-of-hours compliance visits 2023/24 Recognised Seasonal Employer cap increased by 500 Additional roles for Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement More roles added to Green List Three-month extension for onshore Recovery Visa holders The Government has confirmed a number of updates to immigration settings as part of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Poroporoaki: Tā Patrick (Patu) Wahanga Hohepa
    Tangi ngunguru ana ngā tai ki te wahapū o Hokianga Whakapau Karakia. Tārehu ana ngā pae maunga ki Te Puna o te Ao Marama. Korihi tangi ana ngā manu, kua hinga he kauri nui ki te Wao Nui o Tāne. He Toa. He Pou. He Ahorangi. E papaki tū ana ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Renewable energy fund to support community resilience
    40 solar energy systems on community buildings in regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and other severe weather events Virtual capability-building hub to support community organisations get projects off the ground Boost for community-level renewable energy projects across the country At least 40 community buildings used to support the emergency response ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • COVID-19 funding returned to Government
    The lifting of COVID-19 isolation and mask mandates in August has resulted in a return of almost $50m in savings and recovered contingencies, Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. Following the revocation of mandates and isolation, specialised COVID-19 telehealth and alternative isolation accommodation are among the operational elements ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Appointment of District Court Judge
    Susie Houghton of Auckland has been appointed as a new District Court Judge, to serve on the Family Court, Attorney-General David Parker said today.  Judge Houghton has acted as a lawyer for child for more than 20 years. She has acted on matters relating to the Hague Convention, an international ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government invests further in Central Hawke’s Bay resilience
    The Government has today confirmed $2.5 million to fund a replace and upgrade a stopbank to protect the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant. “As a result of Cyclone Gabrielle, the original stopbank protecting the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant was destroyed. The plant was operational within 6 weeks of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Govt boost for Hawke’s Bay cyclone waste clean-up
    Another $2.1 million to boost capacity to deal with waste left in Cyclone Gabrielle’s wake. Funds for Hastings District Council, Phoenix Contracting and Hog Fuel NZ to increase local waste-processing infrastructure. The Government is beefing up Hawke’s Bay’s Cyclone Gabrielle clean-up capacity with more support dealing with the massive amount ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Taupō Supercars revs up with Government support
    The future of Supercars events in New Zealand has been secured with new Government support. The Government is getting engines started through the Major Events Fund, a special fund to support high profile events in New Zealand that provide long-term economic, social and cultural benefits. “The Repco Supercars Championship is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • There is no recession in NZ, economy grows nearly 1 percent in June quarter
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