Brian Tamaki really annoys Auckland by adding to traffic congestion

Written By: - Date published: 10:21 am, July 24th, 2022 - 53 comments
Categories: Hannah Tamaki, new conservatives, political parties, politicans, transport, uncategorized - Tags:

Brian and Hannah Tamaki and their supporters decided to disrupt the country in a major protest organised yesterday.  He must have been disappointed with the result.  Because although a few hardy protestors managed to disrupt Auckland by walking onto a motorway and by some others driving slowly.  The thinking behind it is hard to fathom.  There is nothing more likely to get you offside with Aucklanders than adding to congestion.

And looks like the rationale is to have yet another run at the elections next year.  And a mega merger of idiot parties is in the drawing board.  From the Herald:

Tamaki told Radio New Zealand he will soon make an announcement regarding three minor parties forming a coalition.

Tamaki said three minor parties have made the commitment to operate under a new umbrella.

“I’m in talks with others. So it looks like there’s going to be a new party on the block.

“We want to bring reform to this political establishment. It needs changing. We want to get it out of the hands of parties, and into the hands of people.”

Tamaki said he has no interest in personally running for Parliament, preferring to act in an advisory role to the new party.

The reason for the protest was to demand the Government resigns.  Comparisons were drawn with what is happening in Sri Lanka.  There are differences however.  One nation is besieged by debt caused in part by ridiculous tax cuts.  The other nation, Aotearoa, is doing perfectly well thank you very much with remarkably low debt levels given what we have been through in the past couple of years.

The matters Tamaki was protesting against included the high cost of living, understaffing of hospitals, GPs being overworked, education problems, three-waters legislation, a mental health crisis and under-resourced first responders.

It did not matter that there was a great deal of contradiction in their claims.  The high cost of living is predominately an internationally caused phenomenon, understaffing of hospitals and GPs being overworked are in part because we are in a one in 100 year pandemic and groups such as Destiny Church have been actively disrupting preventative measures such as the  vaccination roll out and mask wearing.  The mental health crisis is related.  If he has a better solution for Three Waters he should present it.  Presuming that Tamaki advocates for reduction in government spending to address inflation then this directly contradicts the steps necessary to address all of the other measures.

And for a more reasoned critique of Labour’s performance this year in these areas how about this analysis from Audrey Young in the Herald.  She points to the temporary measures designed to address cost of living pressures.  She reports significant implementation of Health policies.  In education the most important policy initiative that has been achieved in my view is the expansion of the the free healthy school lunches programme from 8,000 to 200,000 children.  And there is significant work being done on improving the plight of first responders.  Rome was not built in a day.

At the last election Vision NZ received 0.1% of the party vote.  I don’t think they pose much of a threat.  Especially if they continue to annoy the population at large with the sort of antics that they engaged in the sorts of antics that occurred on Saturday.

53 comments on “Brian Tamaki really annoys Auckland by adding to traffic congestion ”

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  1. Anne 1
    24 July 2022 at 11:01 am

    Jack Tame interview this morning with Dr Ashley Bloomfield on the eve of his retirement:

    https://www.tvnz.co.nz/shows/q-and-a/live

    The interview starts 19 mins 23 secs in.

    Compare the words of wisdom as uttered by "Bishop" Tamaki yesterday at the protest with Dr. Ashley Bloomfield today. One is a charlatan with a forked tongue and the other is a highly intelligent medical expert – a gentleman of real worth.

  2. Stuart Munro 2
    24 July 2022 at 11:52 am

    I'm not sure that I'd agree that cost of living issues are primarily international in origin, though clearly current inflation is not driven by local demand.

    Major components like cost of housing however, are driven by policies that were, in the long term, untenable, but were endorsed by Brash's zombies at Treasury without Labour demur. Immigration was also a non-trivial contributor to the debacle, together with the toothless (no disrespect to Cressida Cowell's character of that name) useless Commerce Commission.

    Tamaki is a curious pathology – but until real worker voices are structured into policy development it should be expected that increased pressure will find a way to vent through random orifices.

  3. mike 3
    24 July 2022 at 12:25 pm

    To paraphrase Tamaki – We have started a party 'to get out of the hands of parties'. Blimey! Is this guy real. Sadly he is. And, dangerously, the only vision he has for his VisionNZ party is theocracy. That's right, rule by priests. The ultimate aim? Bring back burning at the stake. It's been missed.

  4. Ad 4
    24 July 2022 at 12:29 pm

    They should be treated the same as the several hundred cyclists who took over the same bridge.

    No one on the left called for those cyclists to be arrested.

    The hard right is uniting while the hard left is in disarray. So the last thing the Auckland left would need is a fast dose of hypocrisy.

    • Anne 4.1
      24 July 2022 at 2:30 pm

      No one on the left called for those cyclists to be arrested.

      You reckon? I remember watching the video and feeling very frustrated that the police were standing around and letting it happen. I'll bet I wasn't the only 'leftie' who felt the same way.

    • Herodotus 4.2
      24 July 2022 at 2:32 pm

      Because white middle class wearing Lycra is acceptable, the police/ govt would lose at lot of public support should they have acted in a similar manner as they are proposing here, those middle class need to feel that they can protest take over the harbour bridge with immunity.

    • Incognito 4.3
      24 July 2022 at 2:47 pm

      Was the Tamaki Gang demonstrating for an extra lane on the M-way they walked on?

      Had they announced (e.g. informed Police) they were going to walk on that M-way?

      Is lycra worse than leather when staging a protest?

    • Clive Macann 4.4
      25 July 2022 at 3:54 pm

      "No one on the left called for those cyclists to be arrested."

      Hmm, unless you have SPOKEN and LISTENED to EVERY leftie then you have no right to speak for them ALL.

      Talk about being self entitled, Ad.

  5. Sanctuary 5
    24 July 2022 at 12:36 pm

    Tamaki's rhetoric is getting close to committing treason under the crimes act IMHO.

  6. Barfly 6
    24 July 2022 at 3:02 pm

    If Tamaki was on fire I wouldn't even piss on him.

  7. woodart 7
    24 July 2022 at 3:35 pm

    its a great service that tamaki is doing . he will vacuum up much of the wacko vote that would otherwise gravitate to act . hopefully he will align with a conservative party/ groundswill, and further hoover votes away from act/national. should be entertaining viewing as assorted oddballs jockey for position in this unholy alliance. billy and jl ross should get involved. maybe the corpse of don brash?

    • Ikey 7.1
      24 July 2022 at 9:43 pm

      Conclusion based on your likely scenario is another coalition with Labour, not going to happen.

  8. weka 8
    24 July 2022 at 4:13 pm

    Maybe winning over Aucklanders isn't the point? Maybe the point is to attract the disaffected, and to create more political strife so that the number of disaffected grows? Trumpian. The chaos serves the cause. Even if he never gets anywhere near power, it will help National to have more people hating Labour. I'm sure he prefers a Nat government to a L/G one.

    • roblogic 8.1
      24 July 2022 at 10:44 pm

      It's not an honest political protest, the point is to troll Aucklanders and make the church members feel like they are actually doing something.

      Destiny should stick to its social programs and service to the community, that is a far better ministry than this (heretical) Dominionist political posturing.

      So many scenes from “The Life of Brian” are applicable here. But Tamaki’s movement is not funny, it is taking a dark turn, going down a destructive path of QAnon/MAGA mindfucks

  9. BAW 9
    24 July 2022 at 4:25 pm

    Nat voter here.

    But they won….

    The vax mandates are being shut down, the vax pass is gone, and mask mandates are being ignored.

    If he wants Jacinda gone then he is going to need the Nats. Problem is that his small party will get less than 5% and thus take votes away from the Nats. I see an own goal here. Of course he makes things worse if he tarrs the Nats with his brand.

    • Incognito 9.1
      24 July 2022 at 7:24 pm

      But they won….

      Are you serious?

    • mickysavage 9.2
      24 July 2022 at 8:45 pm

      I hope they get 4.8% of the vote and no electorate seat.

      The christian conservative movement has from my point of view been really successful because it has never won seats in Parliament and has always marooned a number of votes. Long may it continue.

      Of course a major reason has been that the movement is full of hypocrites.

    • Clive Macann 9.3
      25 July 2022 at 3:59 pm

      "They won".

      Seriously, how/why did you come up with that?

      All those things you mentioned were always going to be removed at the time the Govt and Medical advisors were best.

      Had nothing to do with Tamaki and his cohorts. LOL

  10. Anne 10
    24 July 2022 at 4:40 pm

    Bryan Gould says it all:

    "So, now we know for sure. The “protesters” who defiled the grounds of parliament and who (according to their own account) intended to create in three of our major cities “maximum disruption and inconvenience” to other citizens, are not interested in democracy – indeed, quite the contrary. Their objective, quite clearly, is to deny and defy the outcome of a democratic election and to overturn an elected government.

    The issues which they had earlier claimed were those that motivated them – vaccination and other measures to counter the covid pandemic – are no longer live issues. The only remaining issue is their overall hostility to our elected government and their willingness to use any means, including assaults on the rights and freedoms of other citizens, to establish a regime of indeterminate character but which would clearly not be democratic or respectful of the rights of others.

    In some ways, the leaders of the so-called protesters have done us all a favour by making their nefarious objectives so clear. If the issue and choice that now confronts us is to decide between Jacinda Ardern and her elected government on the one hand and Brian Tamaki and his Destiny Church on the other, the response is surely a no-brainer. The “protesters” may have unwittingly shot themselves in the foot by showing their hand so clearly."

    See side-bar for original.

  11. mauī 11
    24 July 2022 at 6:09 pm

    6 years ago many on here were supportive of the TPP protests that caused traffic chaos in the name of sovereignty and freedom… Hmm, sound familiar..

    .https://thestandard.org.nz/daily-review-04022016/

    • Incognito 11.1
      24 July 2022 at 6:15 pm

      You can shove your false equivalences, troll.

      • RedLogix 11.1.1
        24 July 2022 at 7:08 pm

        Tough day?

      • mickysavage 11.1.2
        24 July 2022 at 8:53 pm

        It is a valid point. Happy to let this discussion develop because I do need to understand why one is ok and the other is not.

        • Incognito 11.1.2.1
          24 July 2022 at 9:39 pm

          Sure, but that’s a different set of questions and the presumed equivalence of the causes/goals is irrelevant – we have the right to protest but we don’t have the right to walk on M-ways to cause traffic chaos; it was not hikoi. It is very easy to argue major and fundamental differences between the two protests that make any further comparison a rather strenuous exercise in mental gymnastics, IMO. Would it be valid argument in Court to compare with the TPPA protest, for example, if it were to come to charges?

          I’ll let mauī explain although I doubt anything will be forthcoming from that troll and anyway, this is your Post.

    • Rosemary McDonald 11.2
      24 July 2022 at 6:29 pm

      Those were the days… I wonder how many hanging around here on TS now were actually there in Auckland that day?

      God…I so remember Labour hopefuls during that campaign telling us they'd fight the TPPA to the bitter end.

      What a joke they turned out to be.

      • Anne 11.2.1
        24 July 2022 at 8:21 pm

        Rosemary re-writes history yet again?

        There may have been a small number of LP members who opposed the TPPA , but my recollection is: Labour did not oppose the agreement. However they may have wished to change an aspect or two of it. Labour have been instrumental in negotiating and signing most of the trade treaties we have with other countries.

        • Rosemary McDonald 11.2.1.1
          24 July 2022 at 9:13 pm

          Rosemary re-writes history yet again?

          There may have been a small number of LP members who opposed the TPPA , but my recollection is: Labour did not oppose the agreement.

          All very muddled and confusing at the time it was Anne, and I can see where it might make for difficult remembering…

          https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/76377266/andrew-little-and-labour-make-a-hash-of-selling-partys-tppa-stance

          Finally, after a caucus retreat in the Wairarapa earlier this week, Little emerged with a clearly-packaged sound bite; the party could not support the TPP as it stood and would vote against any enabling legislation that cut across New Zealand's right to pass laws in its own best interest.

          Some made their stance quite clear….

          Labour has joined the campaign to oppose the deal as the focus turns to the signing in Auckland next week.

          Mr Goff, a former leader and former Trade Minister and now an Auckland mayoral candidate, and David Shearer, also a former Labour leader, last night told the Herald they both still supported the TPP.

          https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/mps-break-ranks-on-tpp/LQVMCWHJ7QGIW25P3VYKMAPQD4/

          And sometimes there were some quite definite statements made…

          In its minority report, the Labour Party expressed strong opposition to the TPP, saying the Government had failed to effectively represent the long-term interests of New Zealanders.

          "As it stands, we cannot support the ratification of the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement," the Labour Party said.

          New Zealand had "weakened" its sovereignty for relatively small gains, Labour said.

          The $2.7 billion boost to the economy amounted to a 0.9 per cent lift to GDP in 15 years' time. The New Zealand economy was projected to rise by 47 per cent over this period, Labour said.

          The Green Party and New Zealand First also expressed their opposition to the agreement in their minority reports.

          https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/trade-minister-disappointed-at-labours-tpp-vote/4BZM3GG2Q3U6BRSBHZBZDSRZVY/

          But changes were made… maybe…and Labour happily added a letter or two and signed…https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/01/labour-insists-decision-to-sign-tpp-is-not-a-u-turn.html

          Did we ever get to see the full text? So much secret squirrel stuff going on…

          https://theconversation.com/new-zealand-is-overdue-for-an-open-and-honest-debate-about-21st-century-trade-relations-160922

          Before the 2017 election, with the TPPA’s public support in tatters, the Labour Party was keen to paint itself as part of the increasingly popular movement against corporate-led globalisation.

          Its minority report to the select committee noted:

          The Labour Party wishes to protest in the strongest terms at the government’s failure to effectively represent the long-term interests of New Zealand in the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations.

          And yet when the incoming Trump Administration stepped back from the TPPA in early 2017, Labour turned cheerleader for a slightly modified CPTPP agreement.

          In government Labour argued the necessary changes had been made to make the agreement acceptable, but in reality hardly anything had changed.

          • lprent 11.2.1.1.1
            24 July 2022 at 11:57 pm

            Sigh… You really need to look at a timeline for the TPPA.

            Think of it as several different agreements.

            The original TPPA before the US hopped on to it was fine as far as I was concerned.

            The TPPA with the US involved was a useless mess, especially with questions of intellectual property rights including the pharmaceuticals, and in the arbitration regime associated with that. Basically it traded everyone else in the NZ economy off for a minimal access for farmers to the restrictive US farmed goods market.

            We ratified that pile of crap in 2016. Fortunately Trump (as chief idiot of the USA) dumped that version after 2016 by making it clear that he wouldn’t ratify it. Best decision that he could have made for the benefit of the citizens of New Zealand.

            The CPTPP is the agreement that was actually signed. It got rid of most of the issues that I had with the TPPA, That was signed in late 2018 by the more rational states of the TPPA and came in effect at the end of 2018.

            I can live mostly with that agreement. Almost all of the most objectionable clauses in it were removed, albeit with a pious note that they might be negotiated in if the US decided to try to join. Jane Kelsey points out that

            A few provisions, mainly on intellectual property rights, were suspended but not withdrawn, while a series of side letters of questionable legal value meant investors from Australia and Peru could not challenge New Zealand laws or decisions directly in dubious offshore tribunals.

            But that isn’t correct. For the US to come into the CPTPP, they’d have to negotiate those back in, or to get the CPTPP suspended and revert back to the TPPA. As she points out later, there are 11 countries who would have to be convinced

            In short, I would describe your characterisation of Labour position and that of its MPs as a a dumb fantasy by someone who hasn’t bothered to actually followed the negotiations on the TPPA/CPTPP.

            In government Labour argued the necessary changes had been made to make the agreement acceptable, but in reality hardly anything had changed.

            That is a statement that simply indicates that you don’t know anything about the differences between the 2016 TPPA (which I opposed) and the CPTPP that I could live with. The few minor suspensions were exactly the ones that I and many others in the Labour party and many of the business community outside of agriculture opposed.

            The end result of the CPTTP wasn’t that different in effect from some of the previous FTAs between members of the CPTPP. Its effect was to cause a slow reduction in tariffs across the region, with minimal overrides on local laws. The intellectual property restrictions that I viewed to be a active economic constraint on NZ were largely suspended. The investor-state provisions were scaled back as well.

            Prove me wrong – list them and explain what the effect of each of the changes was. There was information about it from 2017-19.

            What Jane Kelsey does have entirely correct is this….

            The CPTPP risks becoming another merry-go-round in the largely secretive circus of free trade agreements. Countries seem willing to climb on board without prior public scrutiny or any compelling rationale.

            It’s time to pull back the curtains and have an open and honest debate about the kind of trade relations New Zealand and other nations really need for the 21st century.

            I had a close look at the TTPA, and as she said – much of it isn’t public. The economic forecasts by MFAT were a work of PR fiction that didn’t appear to have any basis in any commercial world that I know.

            But it really doesn’t help having a lazy person slagging off a political party using links from before 2017. They were all about a agreement that never got implemented.

            TPPA is not the the same as the CPTPP. Which is what your obnoxious and stupid rant appeared to conflate. You sounded exactly like brain dead parrot repeating something that they read back in 2016. Perhaps you should look at the situation that is actually in place now rather than living in the damn past.

            • Rosemary McDonald 11.2.1.1.1.1
              25 July 2022 at 8:27 am

              Sigh… The key word in Anne's comment at https://thestandard.org.nz/brian-tamaki-really-annoys-auckland-by-adding-to-traffic-congestion/#comment-1901894 is "history".

              And the accusation that I was "re writing" the same in saying that in 2016 Labour was opposed to the TPPA .

              I responded with links to just some of the news articles from the time that support my claim.

              And a more recent article from someone who might have a clue or two on the matter.

              Which is what your obnoxious and stupid rant appeared to conflate. You sounded exactly like brain dead parrot repeating something that they read back in 2016. Perhaps you should look at the situation that is actually in place now rather than living in the damn past.

              There seems to be an acceptance of personal attacks on commenters here on TS when there are disagreements…it is clear to see where that culture originates.

              It was a discussion about the anti-TPPA protest in Auckland in 2016 and the stance that Labour took at that time.

              • lprent …
                25 July 2022 at 2:16 pm

                The stance that Labour took at the time was to do with the TPPA. Your links just show that as a parliamentary party they didn't support the TPPA going forward in the form it had at the time.

                They specified the specific parts of the agreement that they had issues with. Which were based around intellectual property provisions, the investor-state form, and some specific issues related to the treaty of Waitangi. All of which were removed, suspended, or significantly changed.

                Yet you highlighted this…

                In government Labour argued the necessary changes had been made to make the agreement acceptable, but in reality hardly anything had changed.

                Why? That was complete bullshit. The Labour parliamentary party had made clear in the select committee minority report exactly what sections of the treaty worried them. Those that caused them to oppose the ratification of the TTPA – something that I can't remember them doing in any previous trade treaty in my lifetime – including problematic ones like CER. Those same sticking points for the TPPA were the exactly the parts that were changed in the CPTTP.

                I can understand Jane Kelsey's position. She doesn't particularly trust any trade treaty from CER onwards – so she highlights the flaws in each treaty, and she does it in detail. Critics of that type of useful.

                But there simply was no 'u-turn' by Labour. Neither you nor Jane Kelsey have managed to or even attempted to make a case for it as far as I can see. You simply projected your desired outcomes and criticised that Labour didn't follow them. Neither of you bothered to look at what Labour members of parliamentarians were worried about and what they objected to.

                For a starter neither of you bothered to even list the things that got changed – against the objections written in the minority select committee report or the stated objections of the Labour party as a whole. You only have to look at what remits got passed at NZLP conferences.

                There seems to be an acceptance of personal attacks on commenters here on TS when there are disagreements…it is clear to see where that culture originates.

                Consider that I spent quite a lot of time working against Labour supporting the TPPA from very early on in the negotiations. Amongst other things I spent a period of time talking to Phil Goff about my objections to it during one of the conferences. I spent time writing about my objections to it here and spending time discussing it. Personally I can't remember you managing to say anything of relevance during that period. basically shouting slogans is the trait of a idiotic parrot rather than someone thinking about the topic.

                I consider that your lying about where the NZLP position was, where it went to by ratification time, and where the CPTPP wound up is a direct personal attack on me and my integrity. As well as for everyone inside Labour who thought about the issue and actively worked on changing the mind of the NZLP and the parliamentary party.

                You have to remember that when TPPA was first opened up to US inclusion that the parliamentary party was largely in favour of it regardless of the potential down sides. It wasn't the mindless career outsiders like Bomber (or yourself probably) who changed their position against the worst aspects of the US TPPA. It was almost entirely opposition by NZLP members, and the dedicated work of researchers like Jane Kelsey who did that.

                Now I'm sure that it was a matter of simple thoughtlessness and laziness that caused you to offend me like that. Besides the stated policy on this side is robust debate. That doesn't preclude stating opinions on someone else position.

                I said for instance

                In short, I would describe your characterisation of Labour position and that of its MPs as a a dumb fantasy by someone who hasn’t bothered to actually followed the negotiations on the TPPA/CPTPP.

                And as anticipated – you clearly had and still have no idea what those positions were during the TPPA debates.

                Prove me wrong – list them and explain what the effect of each of the changes was. There was information about it from 2017-19.

                Ha! Just because you have absolutely no idea what those are, doesn't seem to prevent you from mindlessly insulting those who actually do.

                But it really doesn’t help having a lazy person slagging off a political party using links from before 2017. They were all about a agreement that never got implemented.

                Which you appear to have proved again in your reply.

                You sounded exactly like brain dead parrot repeating something that they read back in 2016. Perhaps you should look at the situation that is actually in place now rather than living in the damn past.

                Well these weren't insults – they appear to be accurate assessments of your comment and your probable level of avoidance / response.

                Perhaps if you simply thought about what you were writing and dealt with criticism of your position without falling into victim mode you'd draw a less robustly nuanced responses.

    • Mike the Lefty 11.3
      25 July 2022 at 8:34 am

      Well Maui the protests you refer to were well organized. The organizers co-ordinated with police to keep the disruption contained. Compare that with Vision NZ supporters who wander all over the road like Brown's cows abusing police and by-standers alike and leaving rubbish everywhere.

      Such nice folks!

  12. Mike the Lefty 12
    24 July 2022 at 10:04 pm

    Vision NZ needs to be renamed "Tunnelvision NZ".

  13. Peter 13
    25 July 2022 at 10:00 am

    I was pleased to hear Phil Goff say of Tamaki's comment "angry, self-entitled dick heads," that Tamaki should look in the mirror.

  14. Barfly 14
    25 July 2022 at 11:18 am

    At this point Tamaki's efforts are a minor annoyance- A future where someone organises a "counter-protest" could well end up in a riot

  15. observer 15
    25 July 2022 at 11:38 am

    The weather in Auckland has been terrible over the past few days (link: looking out the window).

    But it relented briefly, for Brian Scamaki's mob to have a stroll on Saturday. This proves that Old God takes his instructions from Bigger God Brian.

  16. Maurice 16
    25 July 2022 at 11:48 am

    Just wait till Farmers bring their protest to the motorways … and leave manure everywhere!

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    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 26, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Transport: Simeon Brown announced $802.9 million in funding for 18 new trains on the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines, which ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Radical law changes needed to build road

    The northern expressway extension from Warkworth to Whangarei is likely to require radical changes to legislation if it is going to be built within the foreseeable future. The Government’s powers to purchase land, the planning process and current restrictions on road tolling are all going to need to be changed ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #30 2024

    Open access notables Could an extremely cold central European winter such as 1963 happen again despite climate change?, Sippel et al., Weather and Climate Dynamics: Here, we first show based on multiple attribution methods that a winter of similar circulation conditions to 1963 would still lead to an extreme seasonal ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • First they came for the Māori

    Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedFirst they came for the doctors But I was confused by the numbers and costs So I didn't speak up Then they came for our police and nurses And I didn't think we could afford those costs anyway So I ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Join us for the weekly Hoon on YouTube Live

    Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on UnsplashWe’re back again after our mid-winter break. We’re still with the ‘new’ day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when we have our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Will the real PM Luxon please stand up?

    Notes: This is a free article. Abuse in Care themes are mentioned. Video is at the bottom.BackgroundYesterday’s report into Abuse in Care revealed that at least 1 in 3 of all who went through state and faith based care were abused - often horrifically. At least, because not all survivors ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Will debt reduction trump abuse in care redress?

    Luxon speaks in Parliament yesterday about the Abuse in Care report. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:PM Christopher Luxon said yesterday in tabling the Abuse in Care report in Parliament he wanted to ‘do the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Olywhites and Time Bandits

    About a decade ago I worked with a bloke called Steve. He was the grizzled veteran coder, a few years older than me, who knew where the bodies were buried - code wise. Despite his best efforts to be approachable and friendly he could be kind of gruff, through to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Why were the 1930s so hot in North America?

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters and Bob Henson Those who’ve trawled social media during heat waves have likely encountered a tidbit frequently used to brush aside human-caused climate change: Many U.S. states and cities had their single hottest temperature on record during the 1930s, setting incredible heat marks ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • Throwback Thursday – Thinking about Expressways

    Some of the recent announcements from the government have reminded us of posts we’ve written in the past. Here’s one from early 2020. There were plenty of reactions to the government’s infrastructure announcement a few weeks ago which saw them fund a bunch of big roading projects. One of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Thursday, July 25 are:News: Why Electric Kiwi is closing to new customers - and why it matters RNZ’s Susan EdmundsScoop: Government drops ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Possum: Demon or Friend?

    Hi,I felt a small wet tongue snaking through one of the holes in my Crocs. It explored my big toe, darting down one side, then the other. “He’s looking for some toe cheese,” said the woman next to me, words that still haunt me to this day.Growing up in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Not a story

    Yesterday I happily quoted the Prime Minister without fact-checking him and sure enough, it turns out his numbers were all to hell. It’s not four kg of Royal Commission report, it’s fourteen.My friend and one-time colleague-in-comms Hazel Phillips gently alerted me to my error almost as soon as I’d hit ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Thursday, July 25, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day were:The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry published its final report yesterday.PM Christopher Luxon and The Minister responsible for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • A tougher line on “proactive release”?

    The Official Information Act has always been a battle between requesters seeking information, and governments seeking to control it. Information is power, so Ministers and government agencies want to manage what is released and when, for their own convenience, and legality and democracy be damned. Their most recent tactic for ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • 'Let's build a motorway costing $100 million per km, before emissions costs'

    TL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:Transport and Energy Minister Simeon Brown is accelerating plans to spend at least $10 billion through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to extend State Highway One as a four-lane ‘Expressway’ from Warkworth to Whangarei ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Lester's Prescription – Positive Bleeding.

    I live my life (woo-ooh-ooh)With no control in my destinyYea-yeah, yea-yeah (woo-ooh-ooh)I can bleed when I want to bleedSo come on, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)You can bleed when you want to bleedYea-yeah, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)Everybody bleed when they want to bleedCome on and bleedGovernments face tough challenges. Selling unpopular decisions to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Casey Costello gaslights Labour in the House

    Please note:To skip directly to the- parliamentary footage in the video, scroll to 1:21 To skip to audio please click on the headphone icon on the left hand side of the screenThis video / audio section is under development. ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    3 days ago
  • Why is the Texas grid in such bad shape?

    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Headline from 2021 The Texas grid, run by ERCOT, has had a rough few years. In 2021, winter storm Uri blacked out much of the state for several days. About a week ago, Hurricane Beryl knocked out ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on a textbook case of spending waste by the Luxon government

    Given the crackdown on wasteful government spending, it behooves me to point to a high profile example of spending by the Luxon government that looks like a big, fat waste of time and money. I’m talking about the deployment of NZDF personnel to support the US-led coalition in the Red ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:40 am on Wednesday, July 24 are:Deep Dive: Chipping away at the housing crisis, including my comments RNZ/Newsroom’s The DetailNews: Government softens on asset sales, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • LXR Takaanini

    As I reported about the city centre, Auckland’s rail network is also going through a difficult and disruptive period which is rapidly approaching a culmination, this will result in a significant upgrade to the whole network. Hallelujah. Also like the city centre this is an upgrade predicated on the City ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    3 days ago
  • Four kilograms of pain

    Today, a 4 kilogram report will be delivered to Parliament. We know this is what the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care weighs, because our Prime Minister told us so.Some reporter had blindsided him by asking a question about something done by ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, July 24, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Beehive: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to use PPPs to fund, build and run a four-lane expressway between Auckland ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Luxon gets caught out

    NewstalkZB host Mike Hosking, who can usually be relied on to give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon an easy run, did not do so yesterday when he interviewed him about the HealthNZ deficit. Luxon is trying to use a deficit reported last year by HealthNZ as yet another example of the ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • A worrying sign

    Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Are we fine with 47.9% home-ownership by 2048?

    Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloitte report for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Let's Win This

    You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Waimahara: The Singing Spirit of Water

    There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’s Oliver LewisScoop: Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announced the Board of Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • HealthNZ and Luxon at cross purposes over budget blowout

    Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
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    7 days ago
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    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
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  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
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