Bouquets for the new government

Written By: - Date published: 6:15 am, November 9th, 2017 - 64 comments
Categories: Mining, wages, welfare, workers' rights - Tags: , , , ,

Highlighting some of the good stuff and moves in the right direction,

https://twitter.com/suebr/status/927702284892385280

From Stuff,

That would likely include reducing the level of data collected, so vulnerable people could not be identified at an individual level and removing the reporting on welfare liability dependency, the new Social Development Minister has confirmed.

Social investment is based on an idea that Government spending should be judged on its ability to avoid further Government spending down the track.

“We don’t agree with New Zealanders being deemed potential liabilities for the state. With that negative stigma put on New Zealand citizens, with them being deemed potential risks and predictive risk modelling used to assess risk,” said Sepuloni.

So glad we are done with the old creepy, stalker government for now.

 

The Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage has today confirmed that the new Government will strengthen the protection for public conservation land by making it off-limits for new mining.

“Public conservation lands are set aside for nature to thrive and for New Zealanders and visitors to enjoy. Mining, especially open-cast mining runs counter to that. It destroys indigenous vegetation and habitats, permanently changes natural landscapes and can create sizeable waste rock dumps with a risk of acid mine drainage polluting waterways.

“New Zealanders expect to see our conservation lands and their wild landscapes and indigenous plants and wildlife protected from being dug up by bulldozers and diggers.

 

 

64 comments on “Bouquets for the new government ”

  1. Sanctuary 1

    I was struck how the Herald gave great moment to English’s “fiery” first speech as opposition leader, but didn’t bother with the PM’s reply – which apparently was very good. Expect more bias by omission from the right wing press over the next three years. In fact,l I expect the National opposition will be treated as if it is still the government by the pale, stale, male, FPP obsessed, MSM dinosaurs for the next three years.

    • tracey 1.1

      Yeah that seems to be a pattern. I do not recall Mr Key being relegated so quickly in 2008 ( but concede he may have been because it was 9 years ago and memory fades). Ardern’s reply was equally worthy of highlighting. Especially when you apply the journalist code requirement for balance.

      I also note that English is getting used to criticise Labour policy on TV before a Labour MP is shown explaining it

    • Ed 1.2

      The Herald is a Tory tabloid rag. What do you expect?
      Fortunately it is becoming less relevant.
      Younger folk do not read it.

    • cleangreen 1.3

      National = ‘The negative party.’

  2. eco maori 2

    This data collection drive that national was on was not about providing us with better public services . It is all about having levers to pull to control us look at Kharl WiRepa a talented young Kiwi Maori cultured person who we should have helped climb his ladder of life .
    He had to be creative to survive the welfare system national/Key designed to control and suppress OUR people which just happens to be predominately Maori who need this help to survive. He broke through nationals tentacles of suppression to FAME just to have them grease his lifes ladder and pull him down PS I hope someone heard my calls to help Kharl as he is a talented Person. Then we have Winston Peters incident well just before that happened I predicted bull would throw anyone under the bus and wallar this is easy to see.
    Its good to see some CEO stepping OUR coalition government need to clean all the dust / shit out of OUR cupboards . And put people in that are there to serve the public positively and not just there back pocket/ national. Ka pai

    • cleangreen 2.1

      Yep eco maori ,

      National Party HQ intellegence was run from the ‘infamous’ Steven Joyce insprired “do everything agency” MBIE, ‘Ministry of Bussiness Innovation and Employment’ which is/was (we hope shortly to be broken up by labour/ NZF) an intellegence collection and command centre for the ruling National Party, – so Labour/NZF need to de-construct ths evil agency ASAP.

      Labour lead policy will be stymied by this evil agency if labour do not break (MBIE) ‘Ministry of Bussiness Innovation and Employment’ up again and restore those agencies as seperate icons of our democracy again not to be controlled by one MP as Steven Joyce did with pure unbridled malice.

  3. Grey Area 3

    I commented the day the new government was sworn in how good it was even then to have a “government for all New Zealanders”. After nine oppressive years of lies, obfuscation, corruption and incompetence I feel like the drapes have been pulled back and the windows thrown open.

    Seeing the National Party thrashing around in parliament like a vindictive dinosaur is disappointing but not surprising. I have no expectation that they can in any way grow up and engage with the political process in the best interests of all New Zealanders. A dinosaur doesn’t change its scales and they are still the same nasty bunch, they’ve just changed seats.

    They will still need to watched as getting hit by a dinosaur tail still hurts but hopefully the more they show their nasty side in the House the more people will see them for the sort of people they are.

    I watch Parliament TV occasionally and find it enlightening especially for getting a feel for the nature of the people found there. As result some people go up in my estimation (like Tracey Martin did yesterday) and some go down. If you want to see the true nature of people like English and Key, watch them speaking in parliament. The mask they display elsewhere slips and you get a glimpse of the real nature behind it.

    It is so refreshing to have a government doing stuff and so far doing the right stuff. The list is extensive already but yesterday for example Ardern indicated there could be enquiry into the NZDF over Operation Burnham and their actions following it. We all know there should have been already as it is the right course of action but not under English.

    And she hinted that there is an issue with the state of New Zealand’s education property portfolio which has come to light with the change in government and I’m sure there will be more of that sort of thing.

    I still have grave reservations that Labour may let us down over TPPA-11 but otherwise “let the sunshine in”.

    • weka 3.1

      There’s also no indication that they will raise benefits so I don’t see them as governing for all NZers. But yes, having the sunshine is a huge relief. I don’t remember if it was like this in 1999.

      • Grey Area 3.1.1

        I was quoting Ardern and I have my reservations too but I am just enjoying the moment. Mind you I learned a bitter lesson after listening to Barack Obama’s first inauguration speech with such a sense of hope and expectation.

      • Kay 3.1.2

        @Weka, I think it’s easier if we just go on the assumption of no benefit increase, it’s pretty well understood Lab (and probably NZF) have no interest in going down that path. If for any reason something eventuates in the next 3 years then consider it a pleasant surprise. One of the few things I do remember post 1999, aside from the sheer relief that the nightmare of the Natz were finally gone- Labour’s total betrayal of beneficiaries and that I’ve been a loyal Green voter ever since.

        Other than that, also enjoying the bits of sunshine 🙂

        • weka 3.1.2.1

          Yes, it’s hard to not have the same feeling about this time re beneficiaries, and it’s hard to get across to other people why that is so and why it’s important.

        • Tracey 3.1.2.2

          It is going to be hard to achieve poverty reduction targets without increasing benefits… which includes to the Disabled communities.

          Consider for a moment if you are born with a disability not caused by medical misadventure what are your entitlements? Then consider if you are working and have an accident rendering you disabled you get 80% of your wage plus adaptive costs etc…

          So why are those born with disabilities not getting at least 80% of the average wage? I use average because our last govt based everything on rose coloured averages.

          Kay am I right in suggesting a gaping disparity exists in this regard?

          • Kay 3.1.2.2.1

            Tracy, a very gaping disparity and getting bigger all the time.
            I’ve long given up trying to understand the logic but will never forgive the system that lets this happen.

            Also remember that it’s not always disabilities people are born with- a good example is something like MS. Not covered by ACC so once you can’t work anymore you’re be relegated to a regular benefit with a nightmare to get any help with your wheelchair/caring etc. As opposed to someone who paralysed themselves (avoidably) from speeding or drunk driving…

            • weka 3.1.2.2.1.1

              Seriously bad and something no politician appears to have on their radar politically. Mind you, I used to say that about abatement rates and not so long ago. Things can change fast.

              People who don’t have income or have low income are badly hit too. Someone paralysed in a car accident who earns a $100,000 salary is far better off than someone with the same kind of injury from the same kind of accident but who was a student at the time. I’ve known self-employed people to get screwed too, because the year before the accident they weren’t working much and were doing other things with their life and so ended up with 80% of not enough to live on long term.

              A big mess.

      • marty mars 3.1.3

        Have they said they won’t raise benefits?

        Big job governing everyone – be good to start with the most vulnerable and then sort others.

        I like a lot of these early moves – a government of action and change is needed to fix the gnat bullshit.

        • weka 3.1.3.1

          I think when you start saying these vulnerable people here are worthy, but we’re not even going to talk about these vulnerable people over here that we don’t have a plan for (and by plan I mean not even a hint of one), and you do that in a bene-bashing, Painter on the roof culture, then there is a fundamental problem. It’s Labour’s version of the deserving poor. It’s dangerous, it’s unfair, and it runs counter to the idea that everyone deserves help.

          I want a government that has a baseline of every NZ deserves a life of meaning and free from poverty. How the detail is worked out over time is a different matter. I’m not seeing that baseline from Labour.

          • marty mars 3.1.3.1.1

            I agree that the vulnerable need support and a platform to ensure their voices are heard. I want them heard.

            I do think that whilst this labour party has its whakapapa this iteration is unique and must forge its own path. To learn from the past – to create a better future. So yes it is the same party of douglas and the painter on the roof, it is also different.

            Big chance for this government to really help so many who most need the help. I hope they step up and truely do what needs to be done to change the toxic narratives around those, we as a society, financially support.

            • weka 3.1.3.1.1.1

              Kei te pai. I think it’s possible they will change and I really hope those of us who are concerned about the benefit issues are wrong.

              • Yep me too. It would be horrible for them to fail on this.

              • I also want to say

                Beneficiary voices are some of the most unheard in our society. When those voices do speak up they can be often discarded or disregarded which can further alienate and ‘other’ people. I want to listen and hear from people worried about these issues and I don’t want to shut down the debate. Thank you to everyone who has been able to talk and thanks weka for raising these important issues via posts.

                • weka

                  Cheers marty, really appreciate that. My hope is that we can find some good discussion space for both the people that are cheering Labour on and those that are actually quite fearful of what is going to happen.

            • Tracey 3.1.3.1.1.2

              One way the vulnerable could be heard was through their union but successive govts eroded that

          • AB 3.1.3.1.2

            Weka, agree totally with you sentiments in that last paragraph.
            A bit of semantic nit-picking. I don’t like the phrase ‘vulnerable people’. I think it carries the taint of social investment theory. The implication is that the vulnerability is intrinsic to the person – that the person is not quite right, not quite ‘up to it’ somehow.
            Unless we convey the idea that these are completely normal people who are made vulnerable by the way we organise our economy and society, then I feel we are doing the enemy’s work for them.

            • Matthew Whitehead 3.1.3.1.2.1

              That’s certainly the messaging the National party has infected it with, but all vulnerable generally means is that they’re people who need some help to deal with their problems. That’s not a bad thing, especially if they admit it and if the community is prepared to help.

              The problem right now is that last bit- we’re not really willing to help enough for people who need permanent support, or for those who need medium-term support to get back on their feet. Core benefits might be adequate for some people’s short-term needs, if they have savings. But they’re not livable.

            • weka 3.1.3.1.2.2

              Thanks, I hadn’t realised that about National’s social investment theory. Do they use the term ‘vulnerable’?

              The problem for me is that as someone with a disability I am vulnerable, and it’s the inability of the state to acknowledge that that is a big part of the problem. Like Matt says, some people need help. Not to get themselves out of a situation but because they themselves are not able to manage on their own. National, and Labour to an extent, see welfare as wrong, that everyone should be able to get back on their feet and then they won’t need help any more. That paradigm damages people who can’t work (short, medium or long term/permanent).

              Vulnerable means able to be harmed. I use it because I am pushing back against the culture that says we should all man up/pull ourselves up by out bootstraps. Vulnerability is an asset to society, because it is tied to compassion, and we are woefully wrong to be stigmatising and punishing people for it.

              This by the way is part of why I am stoked to see Mallard with that baby in his arms.

              Having said that, I agree with you about normal. I use social theories of disability to understand disability, and thus so much of disability is created by society and as you say the way we organise.

              • Incognito

                When you think about, it is really about improving the conditions for those whom are colloquially called “vulnerable”. In contrast, National’s focus appeared to be on the actual people, their choices & responsibilities. So, instead of talking about “vulnerable people” perhaps we ought to talk about “people in sub-optimal conditions”, which would shift the focus to conditions as the key issue? Sub-optimal should not be seen as a euphemism for precarious, dangerous, threatening, for example; it can encompass a much wider range of needs and rights. It might carry less stigma and be more inclusive …

                • weka

                  It still leaves the problem of vulnerable being somehow wrong though. So we can fix the situations and if the person still isn’t ok there is something wrong with them. I’m not sure that the framing is the issue so much as the core values. If people think being dependent is wrong, then dependent people will always be at risk. It’s this distinction I will be looking for from Labour. They’re talking some good talk at the moment, but I will be very interested for instance to see what they do with the WINZ transformation, and whether those core issues remain.

                  For me it’s an absolute no brainer. If you accept that there are people who can’t supplement their income with work, then you either give them enough to live meaningful lives, or you say that they’re not entitled to freedom from poverty. Labour could very easily increase SLP and do so in the context of re-educating NZ on what that means while playing a longer game pushing back against the Painter on the roof stuff. But they will then have to fix access to SLP and on and on it goes.

                  Better to just start with the premise that all NZers deserve good lives. At the moment they are saying that but it’s not actually reflected in policy because they are intentionally excluding classes of people.

      • cleangreen 3.1.4

        Me either Weka I do not recall it was like ‘a door being swung open’ in 1999.

        I was a Green Party member then and in the old reminants of the ‘alliance Party and we felt warmer that at least, then as we had a new labour government that may push our policies then.

        But jacinda has really openned the door, and invited us in fully here.

        She is a real joy bless her, and the National Party are very bitter now and scarred shitless at her sold stance to represent all kiwis wishes and not just the rich now, so good on her.

        I loved her note to us this morning here is a copy,

        I feel warmer today thanks to Jacinda.
        Letter from Jacinda; 9/11/17.
        Dear ……………….,
        With the opening of Parliament today, the Government began our legislative agenda. This is where the real change begins.
        I want the way this Government runs to be different. It will be a Government of transformation. We’ll put people right at the heart of our agenda ¬– every decision will be assessed on its impact on people and at every turn, our Government will be guided by kindness and compassion.
        As well as our values, we laid out our policy plans for the term today. They’re firmly focussed on making New Zealanders’ lives even better. We will fix the housing crisis, build up our education system, ensure everyone can get the healthcare they need, take action on climate change, develop our regions and raise everyone’s incomes.
        We have the plan and the policies to do all this.

      • beatie 3.1.5

        The following excerpt is from a panel discussion on disability issues and benefit reform, held on September 6th and attended by NZ First candidate Talani Meikle, Grant Robertson (Labour), Mojo Mathers (Greens) and Nationals Nicola Willis.

        I heard the discussion on RNZ and I was struck by Robertson’s grudging response, BUT he did say it.

        ”Robertson was less clear than Mathers in his initial answer on whether Labour would increase the rate of supported living payments, but when pressed for a ‘yes or no’ answer by moderator Susie Ferguson, said: “Yes.”.”

        https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2017/09/06/46460/labour-would-restructure-work-and-income

        • weka 3.1.5.1

          Thanks for that. Robertson is reported as talking about SLP, which is great but it still leaves many disabled people in poverty because the state puts barriers in the way of getting onto SLP. So I guess the next question for Labour is what they will do about that and the designated doctor system that is currently used to deny disabled people that income (they end up on the dole instead, albeit with a temporary but ultimately perpetually renewed exemption from work requirements).

          Did RNZ play the whole meeting, or was it covered in a report? I’d like to see if I can track it down.

  4. DH 4

    It’s a relief they’re canning big data. It was never going to solve any of society’s problems, all I saw was a makework scheme for overpaid beancounters.

  5. Macro 7

    Great jubilation here in the Coromandel wrt the canning of mining in the Conservation Estate. Many people over the past 9 years have been protesting weekly if not daily over the continued trashing of conservation land by miners in our region over a few ounces of gold and silver. We don’t need the bloody stuff – there are thousands of tonnes of it locked up in bullion safes around the world – so its simply bullshit to insist that we need to mine more. If its needed for practical purposes – use the stuff we already have!
    Well done Eugene. A win for sense.

    • weka 7.1

      Oh yes! Remembering how much time and energy has been sucked up having to push back against really stupid shit, and what that time and energy can be used for now instead!

  6. cleangreen 8

    They should use the holes those mines they have dug out now to house the national party and give their homes to the poor homeless now as it was the National Party that allowed those holes/mines to be dug in the first place right?

    • The decrypter 8.1

      I’m sure james would lay a claim to one of those vacant holes. Has anyone told him about them? maybe he will read about them here.

      • cleangreen 8.1.1

        The decrypter,

        Yes we should advise all National cling-on’s like james that they should move ‘underground now’ and use the holes they dug for their habitation as the homeless need their homes now.

      • Robert Guyton 8.1.2

        What would I do, td, in James’ absence? A bridge without a troll is like the National Party; hollow, man!

        • The decrypter 8.1.2.1

          Robert please–a hole man –a hole, not a bridge,– I just don’t know— modern youth , –a summer home for james , Like Siberia in some ways.

  7. mac1 9

    Another bouquet from me goes to the new Prime Minister who sent a substantial and thoughtful message to a local interfaith meeting between Christian and Muslims in Blenheim. This was greeted with a substantial and spontaneous clapping at its conclusion. A smaller bunch of flowers to the local National MP who attended and spoke- smaller because it’s his electorate but good on him though.

    Not so many bouquets though to some local Christian churches who did not even advertise the event. This area is becoming more and more diverse, and entrenched social and religious conservatism is still with us.

    Reflecting the shrinking and changing nature of our society, the local news did not attend. Very rarely do reporters attend events outside business hours.

  8. Brigid 10

    I can’t get over how gorgeous that photo is.
    Here it is again.
    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DOGkN3YUQAARvOk.jpg:large

  9. McFlock 11

    I’m still cautiously optimistic, but now also quite cheerful.

    TPP issue remains, but apparently Trudeau won’t be signing the tpp at apec if it’s a shit deal for Canada, so there might be more hope on that front for us, too – makes it easier if it doesn’t look like we’d be the only hold-out.

  10. piper 12

    Trev,knowin inside the house and elsewhere as the duck,has had a shaky day as as he continued to attempt to rule the house with the contest between Bridges and Jones was all to be arguement without Bridges being pulled up to ask the speaker supplementary question.is on the hoof listening comment.

  11. piper 13

    Duck,how long have you wished,and given,shame your wording indigenous reading was total shame.Duck,respect,how long you been saying its me,now it is,respect for the reo,without the card fluent should your dream be.Chose to do it fluent,or not.

  12. piper 14

    It is not good our speakers pronunciation of Maori.

  13. piper 15

    Shall or should we aid that.

  14. cleangreen 16

    Happy days folks.

    Jacinda is overseas sticking up for our best interests, and will not sign the TPPA if it has ISDS and any other controls to errode our democracy in it as Canada and other countries are not signing it if these draconian clauses are still in that awful corporate controlled agreement that we should never call “a free trade agreement” as it is not.

    • Alan 16.1

      you are going to be so disappointed ……….

    • weka 16.2

      Afaik, the only thing Labour are objecting to is the ISDS clauses. I’ve not seen them say they are renegotiating other aspects. Please let us know if you know different.

  15. piper 17

    Labour now you have that thing,know control,patrinisation,no,social care is in the wind,all is possible,please a pakeah with enough care to pronounce Maori.

  16. Angel Fish 18

    Treat citizens like humans!
    What an idea!

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

  • Government moves to quickly ratify the NZ-EU FTA
    "The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 hours ago
  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
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  • Statement to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
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  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
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  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
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