Brownlee as Foreign Minister as successful as you’d expect

Written By: - Date published: 12:16 pm, May 5th, 2017 - 77 comments
Categories: Gerry Brownlee, national, useless - Tags: , , ,

What a surprise – Gerry Brownlee’s Aussie trip nothing but a fizzer

For a few days this week, the New Zealand Government hinted it would be taking a tougher stand on Australia’s approach to New Zealanders, apparently angered by the sudden and unexplained cutting of tertiary education support.

Throughout all its time in power, the National government had blamed the predicament of New Zealanders in Australia on Helen Clark, who it alleged had failed to defend New Zealand’s interests.

Now, confronted by a series of announcements that constituted the greatest attack on Kiwis in Australia since 2001, Bill English had the chance to demonstrate his government was made of sterner stuff.

He suggested that he wanted to take Australia to task, not only for the events of the last few weeks, but for its attitude to New Zealanders more broadly.

It was announced that Gerry Brownlee would be dispatched to express New Zealand’s displeasure and even the Australia media began to wonder how this might rock the relationship.

In the end, though, it was a fizzer. Arriving in Sydney on Thursday morning, Brownlee immediately folded.

During his press conference with Julie Bishop, the New Zealand Government’s flaccid response was on full display.

Brownlee just stood there, mouthing platitudes about how close the relationship was and how we were all such great mates.

There was no sign of any fight in the man. He didn’t even criticise Australia’s policy that would see Kiwis in Australia forced to pay university fees many times higher than their Australian classmates.

Audrey Young can’t bring herself to be quite so blunt, but oh dear – Gerry Brownlee’s debut as Foreign Minister not quite a triumph (Don’t worry people, the Nats have an answer for us! Want to study in Australia? Then become an Australian – Paula Bennett. Excellent.)

And then – Brownlee statements about UN’s Israel resolution at odds with Prime Minister’s

Comments by new Foreign Minister Gerry Brownlee on New Zealand co-sponsoring a UN motion condemning Israel’s settlements in Palestinian territory are at odds with comments by Prime Minister Bill English.

and

However Brownlee broke the cardinal rule of any foreign minister – which is never to be out of step on any foreign affairs issue with the Prime Minister, who is ultimately the Chief Foreign Minister. Never ever, not even by a whisker.

So, pretty much as expected then. Such is the depth of National’s talent pool.

77 comments on “Brownlee as Foreign Minister as successful as you’d expect ”

  1. Keith 1

    Dear oh dear oh dear, the Nat’s have been bloody pathetic on Australia. And the buffoon Brownlee was only ever going to bring incompetence and unjustified arrogance to the role anyway. That and he can bypass security checks because he is above the law I suppose.

    And fuck the how close we are/best mates bullshit, I am over it and for Gods sake Jerry, no one believes that anymore.

    At the joint press conference Brownlee should have said we are ending the non reciprocated relationship with Australia and we will be treating them like we treat any other foreign country with no privileges, just like they do us. Oh and the “Anzac spirit”, yeah well, that died in 2001. Fuck you Aussie.

    In the very least we remain dignified rather than looking like the lickspittles we currently do.

    • Johnr 1.1

      I’m with you Keith. I’ve worked with them, I’ve worked for them, I’ve employed them and done business with them. Quite frankly I find them a nasty race of people. Being retired, the only protest I can make is to ensure that I don’t spend any money in their businesses or purchase any Aus products.

      • WILD KATIPO 1.1.1

        Well typically , – I like the Ocker,…

        But you don’t trust their bullshit either.

        Traditionally its a big , hot , tough bloody country,… and I can respect that .

        But that doesn’t excuse the propensity they’ve got for spinning bullshit. Then again , – we are not above that bullderdust crap ourselves . Just look at the weakarse chumps we’ve had in parliament over the last 3 decades…

        You’ll get the picture…

        …………………………………………………………………..

        New Right Fight – Who are the New Right?
        http://www.newrightfight.co.nz/pageA.html

        Thule Society – Wikipedia
        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thule_Society

        Young Hitler – Excerpts Appendix | The Thule Society
        http://www.younghitler.com/thule_society.htm

      • Mister Smokey 1.1.2

        “Nasty race of people,” eh?

        Nice little generalisation there. Let’s get specific:

        I bet any particular Aussie will be glad to see the last of a misery-guts, bleating kiwi like you, mate.

        • keepcalmcarryon 1.1.2.1

          Thought the same as you Mister Smokey. People have a habit of taking their own bullshit with them wherever they go..

    • Morrissey 1.2

      Oh and the “Anzac spirit”, yeah well, that died in 2001.

      Actually it was killed twenty years earlier than that….

  2. roy cartland 2

    People have been referring to him as the top ‘diplomat’.

    • Top bloody bullshit artist , more like.

      The chump barges his way through an airport security door then gets promoted to Minister of Defense ?!!?

      WTF ?!!?

      Yeah right ! , – thats really the guy we want in that position !!!

      Now he’s cowtowing to the Aussies because he knows Aussie banks own his shit neo liberal govt – yeah hes really a stand alone statesman mate.

      About as much as Neville Chamberlain was in standing up to Shitler.

  3. Antoine 3

    The interesting discussions will not be going on in the public eye

    Unclear how much progress we can realistically expect however, we don’t have much leverage

    • We don’t have that much leverage because our fucking main banks in NZ are just about ALL Australian bloody owned.

      That’s why.

      Anyone could tell that useless blimp Brownlee was all bluster and no substance. And just like all the rest of these neo liberal arsewipes , – there is NO WAY they will rock the boat in any significant way.

      They are nothing but weak , deceitful political whores with no spine or backbone to represent the people who elected them.

      And Brownlee’s no exception.
      ………………………………………………………………….

      New Right Fight – Who are the New Right?
      http://www.newrightfight.co.nz/pageA.html

      Thule Society – Wikipedia
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thule_Society

      Young Hitler – Excerpts Appendix | The Thule Society
      http://www.younghitler.com/thule_society.htm

  4. Muttonbird 4

    They, coalition government and the National government seem to be dismantling the AUS-NZ relationship one gesture at a time.

    When will they move on the special category visa?

    And CER itself?

    • At such time as NZ self determination is all but symbolic.

      And we are almost at that point now.

      Its called being ‘ bought and sold’.

      Never mind, – we can still buy that flat top TV at cheap Asian sweatshop imported prices, cant we …

      ( BTW , – I haven’t had a TV since around 2009 , – and I haven’t missed a trick of whats going on in New Zealand however, – and if anything, – I am far more educated and disgusted at what I see going on in the name of our national sovereignty than I ever was having one. )

  5. how brownlee got any reputation other than as an incompetent buffoon is beyond me – I can’t think of anything he has got right – but at least he isn’t as dim as bennett – there are knives, spoons and forks missing from that cutlery drawer.

    • tc 5.1

      He’s a bully as is bennett, it’s the only ability a national minister really needs along with minimal media savvy.

      The real work’s done by others, there’s a reason the consultants budgets ballooned like Gerry’s arse over the shonky reign. These are the worker ants with zero exposure and no public responsibilities just going about their very well remunerated chores.

      Blinglush, Findlaysoon and Bovver boy joyce check most of their homework probably.

      • marty mars 5.1.1

        imagine that pack of dingbats checking your shit out – what a nightmare – no wonder this gnat gnash pack are so lost and incompetent

        • WILD KATIPO 5.1.1.1

          Yep ,… and all these dullards do is follow on in the tradition of these shithead subversives:

          New Right Fight – Who are the New Right?
          http://www.newrightfight.co.nz/pageA.html

          Thule Society – Wikipedia
          https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thule_Society

          Young Hitler – Excerpts Appendix | The Thule Society
          http://www.younghitler.com/thule_society.htm

          Which means , that they sacrifice being seen as actual people of initiative and are quite happy to look and act like the impotent useless post neo liberal troughers they actually are.

          The above sites explain magnificently why these neo liberal scum act the way they do. They are nothing more than expensive tax payer funded parasites. This latest show of complete useless impotence by Brownlee was entirely predictable and par for the course in the the post neo liberal era.

          They’ve got nothing we want , nothing we need.

          And Ill ram the point home by using an Australian song to further show their self abasement’s .

          Fuck off , Brownlee .

          Cold Chisel (Jimmy Barnes) – You Got Nothing I Want [Bubanee …
          Video for you got nothing i want you tube▶ 3:23

  6. Draco T Bastard 6

    Why are we even bothering to try to negotiate?

    Australia has been quite clear for years that they really don’t want Kiwis there and have been unilaterally reducing the agreements that we have with them concerning free movement between the two countries.

    Given this the only option we have is to cancel all those agreements as Australia has made clear that they want to do.

    • Enough is Enough 6.1

      I agree Draco.

      Australia is free to do what they like. I don’t think we should be going over there and crying. We should simply be tearing up the Agreement as it is clearly not working as intended.

      • WILD KATIPO 6.1.1

        And giving the old heave ho to their bullshit monopoly’s they have here with their banks taking all the profits out of NZ as well.

        That’d make the arrogant fucks scream and our neo liberal politicians scream even louder.

        Whaddya think about getting all nationalist now, then, eh ?

    • Yeah, this is essentially the exact same policy as “opening our markets up” ahead of everyone else in that it’s supporting New Zealand being a pushover in world affairs. Even if we would value the agreement about sharing services with each others’ citizens, we should mirror Australia’s move as a signal that we require them to honour their part of the agreement if we’re to honour ours.

  7. mosa 7

    Australia is a bully and knows darn well that this government in particular is all words and no action.

    It’s always different when they come knocking on our door for something and expect to get it and its done by their rules and their conditions and we are to do as we are told.

    If this was genuine ” mateship ” then Australia have a funny way of treating their friends.

    Brownlee can be assertive when required.

    Well Gerry when are you going to start.

    • Probably in the years to come when hes retired from parliament and drawing the pension paid for by us and interviewed by Guyon Espiner.

  8. National’s candidacy for foreign minister is interchangeable because they’re all going to be strategic catamites for NATO without much differentiation. Question is, now that Goff and Shearer are gone, can Labour do any better?

    • Goff and Shearer were both loved by the neo liberals in Labour and National.

      Hell’s bells , – they were the neo liberals pin up poster boys FFS !!!

      It was probably the greatest thing Labour could of ever have done in getting rid of both of them and stop being associated with them – Goff with his sell out free trade support of the TTPA and Shearer with his support for private fucking army’s.

      The more these scumbags are diminished , the better Labour has a chance at getting balance restored back into this country.

  9. JOHN IRVING 9

    Maybe it’s our own fault for allowing NZ citizenship for new immigrants to be a backdoor into Australia

    • Whispering Kate 9.1

      Have just seen your comment John Irving and have repeated it in my own – I agree with what you say.

    • You’ve smacked the hammer fair on the nail , John Irving.

    • JC 9.3

      Where do All our immigrants come from…..

      http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/92217629/Where-have-New-Zealands-migrants-come-from-in-the-last-four-decades

      Seems like they’re concerned about the French, and all those Samoans.. if I;ve interpreted things correctly at a glance… And it’s not Fake …

      • WILD KATIPO 9.3.1

        I would advocate a per annum fixed number of migrants from EACH country. And then a total ceiling of ALL immigrants per annum. And that to be monitored not only quarterly , but monthly to keep a lid on immigration.

        Doesn’t matter where you come from.

        And after that , – once that target is reached , applications declined temporarily unless there is a pressing reason to not do so , using that sliding and flexible scale that accommodates the total per / annum migrant numbers , – and avoiding any fixed quota from any one group that can be manipulated.

        There’s ways and means to go about this sort of bullshit , and one of the ways to destroy neo liberalism and its exploitation of migrants and fuck over the rest of us at the same time is to jettison their platitudes about ‘ skilled workers’… we already have ‘ skilled workers’ here in NZ , and if we aint got em , we can train em.

        That’ll ensure all these cheap shit arse NZ employers and foreigners coming over here and exploiting other migrants wont be able to screw us all ( including foreign migrant ‘business people ‘ ) up the arse like they have been.

    • keepcalmcarryon 9.4

      +1

  10. Whispering Kate 10

    Nobody is asking exactly why Australia is putting in these punishing laws. Maybe its because we, in New Zealand are inviting immigrants in from all over the world and many of them, when they get citizenship then cross the ditch and go and reside in Australia. Its not exactly PC but I wonder if European New Zealanders would be welcome but they have to cover everybody and so that’s why everybody is getting the same deal.

    This happened once before and the open entry was tightened up and was one of the reasons we ended up having passports as Australia was getting in people it didn’t want arriving from our shores. Why can’t Australia just have the guts and say so – we don’t want undesirable immigrants coming into Australia we have enough on our plate with our off-shore jails holing up refugees wanting to live with us. Unpalatable and racist but they are not exactly the nicest of people these days.

    It’s pretty obvious we are not wanted over there, if I was a resident I would want to return to New Zealand and cut my losses.

    Why we acquiesce so readily all the time over Australia is a puzzle – we are an independent nation and could just have trade deals with them like we do with other countries – this ANZAC brotherhood thing is just a nonsense these days. Gerry is an ass at the best of times – why did we think he would be any better in this new role. He is a laughing stock and embarrassment.

    • simbit 10.1

      What’s a ‘European NZer’?

      • WILD KATIPO 10.1.1

        What isn’t ?

      • Whispering Kate 10.1.2

        A European New Zealander is quite plainly a white New Zealander, repugnant as it is to say it – and Australia should have the guts to say it as they mean it. What else is the reason for putting these sanctions into place. You asked for it – that is what they are want – its not my own opinion – I think its disgusting – a sort of ethnic cleansing – just because they haven’t a mature attitude to a diverse society doesn’t mean they have to punish us over here. Happy now?

        • WILD KATIPO 10.1.2.1

          Originally part of John Howard’s govt’s fears were the mass immigration of the Hong Kong Chinese.

          They saw that under Helen Clark’s govt that they were at risk from in particular ‘ Hong Kong Chinese’ using NZ to get citizenship , then ,… after 2 years , … leaving NZ and heading to Australia, – using NZ as the back door way of getting into Australia.

          At that time , tensions between Mainland China and Hong Kong were quite high.

          Coupled with the fact that at that time also,… there was a political storm over KIWI’s heading to the Gold Coast and just going on the dole and surfing , whatever… although they were small in numbers compared to KIWI’s who were working and contributing.

          It was a combination of both Howard’s populist vote catching and Clark’s adherence to the neo liberal ” brain drain and we need more skilled migrants” that culminated in the punitive and discriminatory laws Australia adopted against New Zealanders since 2001.

          And this is why New Zealanders should always be aware of these scumbags whenever they enter into a modern discussion about the impotence of our neo liberal govt’s and their seeming lack of effectiveness :

          New Right Fight – Who are the New Right?
          http://www.newrightfight.co.nz/pageA.html

          Thule Society – Wikipedia
          https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thule_Society

          Young Hitler – Excerpts Appendix | The Thule Society
          http://www.younghitler.com/thule_society.htm

    • Uh, no, it’s because the Australian government is convinced it needs to cut costs, and cutting benefits from NZers in Oz is much more popular than cutting them from Australians. You’re just transferring the same logic to potential immigrants to NZ, and while I think we should turn that tap down a bit, I think it should be about domestic infrastructure and how immigration is going to cities when actually it would be far more useful if it was targeted at the regions instead.

      And you may be right that there may be some racist motivations in that they might value white New Zealanders more than non-white ones, but we shouldn’t consider that acceptable and kowtow to their logic like you suggest. We should respond in kind or cancel the agreement altogether until Australia is willing to live up to its obligations.

      • WILD KATIPO 10.2.1

        Problem being that Australians are , numerically here in NZ , just a small percentage , – so Canberra would have weighed that up and sacrificed those small numbers for political expediency.

        But do you want to know how to REALLY fuck the Australians off ?

        Kick out their banking interests here and put a surcharge on every Australian company here as well…. as in a taxation.

        We could even specifically target Australian businesses. Hell , – we are a sovereign nation , – we can do whatever the hell we please .

        The hell with them.

        That’ll get their arrogant arses whinging and crying pretty smartly , – and you’d soon see a reversal of using KIWI’s as their political footballs ,… the useless manipulative shits.

        • Mosa 10.2.1.1

          Spot on W.K

        • Oh, going after the banks is good. I’m not a huge fan of tariffs specifically against Aus, as if we’re going to re-institute any it should be generally against everyone we don’t have FTAs with. Australia is one of the nations we do, and tariffs against them is essentially revoking the core of the CER agreement with took over and expanded on our initial FTA. That is definitely escalating the insult back at them at a level where it would just cause a reciprocal response from Aus, like punching someone who tickled you, as the agreement is worth almost $7b to the Australian economy.

          Even the going after the banks might be viewed in Australia as escalating above the level of the action they took given how important they view bankers, but it’s at least arguable. Of course, it will never happen under the current government, so it’s academic, but it could be an effective negotiating tactic if we ever need it when Labour’s back in office.

          I suggested a reciprocal cut to our side of the agreement because I knew that was all we could really expect National to do, but I agree even that is pretty kind to Australia given how asymmetric these arrangements are between us, but at least it’s something that there’s a persuasive argument for within a National cabinet.

      • Antoine 10.2.2

        Cancelling the agreement sounds like a terrible idea that would leave NZers in Aust much worse off

        • WILD KATIPO 10.2.2.1

          So who’s side are YOU on?

          Kick the arses of the Australian banks and see how fast they change their tune regarding KIWI’s in Aussie… I’d give it a month before they’d put pressure on the dipshit who’s currently PM over there. And throw a tax on all Aussie company’s operating over here. That’d fix the bastards quick smart.

          It’d be like prising open one of their undersized clams they put on their barbies. Weak as shit once you cracked it.

          You’d soon see a smart reversal of using KIWI’s as a political lever in Australia for their shitty wannabe banker boys over here.

          Appeal to their basic sense of convict greed and call their bluff.

          I’d give it a month to get the desired results , tops.

        • Sure, it would. But the issue is if we make no response, Australia realises it can continue coming after agreed benefits for kiwis with no consequence, which in the long term could have much worse effects than simply cancelling shared education services until we can get Australia to actually stick to its obligations.

          • Antoine 10.2.2.2.1

            Above all else, we don’t want to turn this into a tit for tat exchange of removing concessions. It’ll turn into a race to the bottom (of ‘no special relationship’). Better to do nothing at all than that.

    • Venezia 10.3

      And …..In the Radio NZ National news excerpt I heard Brownlee referred to Julie Bishop as “Prime Minister Bishop”.

  11. NZJester 11

    Brownlee’s run as Foreign Minister is already a mess. Such is the depth of National’s talent pool.

    I think you misspelled “cesspool” as “talent pool”.

  12. Honestly this is better than I expected from Brownlee. I am pleasantly surprised he only appeared weak and didn’t also manage to accidentally insult someone, but that’s because I feel I have appropriately low expectations of him as a minister.

    • He’s short tempered, unteachable , concerned only with retaining his own seat ( literally ) displays the propensity to just being a yes ‘ man to USA foreign policy , protects the interests of foreigners above the interests of New Zealanders and adheres to the 5 eyes party line so as to be seen as not ‘ rocking the boat’ and agreeing with USA / Israeli treatment of the Palestinians …

      What a useless wanker.

      Hes one particular National party neo liberal coward that deserves special attention in the lead up to this September general election. The grossly built slob has been studiously hiding in the background all this time during Keys skiving off down the back alleys and English’s being dumped in the deep end….

      Bennett’s been neutralized , now its Gerry’s turn ,.. or Jerry or however else you want to spell the useless rotund buggers name.

      • Unlike Nick Smith, Brownlee appears to really have the reverse-midas touch as a Minister, and the sooner he can be replaced by someone else and relegated either to the back bench, opposition, or political dustbin, the better.

        I’m also a little careful not to attack him on his weight. It’s not okay when the right attack women MPs on their appearance or weight, so at least for consistency we shouldn’t tolerate it with Brownlee, either. It’s unimaginative and he’s been so destructive as a Minister that there’s plenty of substantive things to mock him on. Even though I know he personally has a sense of humour about it, it sends the wrong message to other people struggling with their weight at the very least.

      • Whispering Kate 12.1.2

        Watch it Wild Katipo you will be ticked off for fat shaming by the moderators for describing Jerry as a “grossly built slob” – its not PC on this site and you will be reprimanded!!

        • WILD KATIPO 12.1.2.1

          Yeah mate , – equally I could be ticked off for saying hes got a bloated sense of his own self importance – which is far far worse.

          • Tony Veitch (not the partner-bashing 3rd rate broadcaster 12.1.2.1.1

            I especially like Chris Hipkins, as reported on RNZ – and I paraphrase:

            “Rather than talk tough, Brownlee lay down and let Bishop tickle his tummy!”

            And, to be fair, there’s a lot of tummy to tickle!

          • marty mars 12.1.2.1.2

            If you can’t put your argument without alluding to his body shape or some other such rubbish you don’t have an argument you are just ranting like a child in other words it is childish. And hurtful and ignorant and arrogant and no better than any bigot.

  13. Smilin 13

    How about they give us back our banks and all the rest they got in the rogering douglass paranoid fire sale
    Really what a pack of c…..
    We might get to keep some of the money they skim off us

  14. tinfoilhat 14

    Good grief..bigotry, fat shaming, misogyny, some of the commentary at The Standard is quite sickening.

    • repateet 14.1

      Go over to Kiwiblog – you can have that and more, and more , and more …

    • Hang on a minute, … Bigotry ?…. misogyny ?

      It was me who might have overstepped the mark for ‘ fat shaming ‘ ,… but bigotry ? misogyny ?

      Please explain … where ?

      And btw … I recall bloated well fed NAZI Waffen SS officers being forced by the US Marines to help in the cleaning up of Auschwitz and all those emaciated corpses ,.. perhaps I let that memory overrun a bit when I recalled poor New Zealanders dying in cold , damp mouldy run down State houses recently,… so perhaps I should have been a little less generalizing. But at least I can admit my error.

      But referring to Australian exclusion of NZ’s as NOT being bigoted?

      And wheres the ‘ misogynistic ‘ bit ???

      • WILD KATIPO 14.2.1

        And you think I’m joking about what I said above ?!!?

        Huh ?!!?

        German civilians visit the Buchenwald concentration camp in Weimar …
        Video for german citizens forced to see concentration camps▶ 2:53

        Want any more proof of your namby pamby denials of dealing with modern day pseudo NAZI’s ???

        Well here’s some just for you.

        New Right Fight – Who are the New Right?
        http://www.newrightfight.co.nz/pageA.html

        Thule Society – Wikipedia
        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thule_Society

        Young Hitler – Excerpts Appendix | The Thule Society
        http://www.younghitler.com/thule_society.htm

        • WILD KATIPO 14.2.1.1

          Want another reminder about who Max von Thurn und Taxis was , – and his sponsoring of von Hayek and the Mont Pelerin Society ? … and how Max von Thurn und Taxis sponsored the Thule society ?

          And how the Thule society created the ‘ workers division called the NSDAP , – which later became the NAZI party ???

          Well here is the end results of Max von Thurn und Taxis handiwork just for you.

          Keep in mind , Max von Thurn und Taxis attended the 1989 Mont Pelerin Society conference in Christchurch to judge, first hand, the results of the “worlds most radical free market revolution” , – with ROGER DOUGLAS as the guest NZ speaker.

          .Colonel Sears compels Nazi officials to tour Ohrdruf concentration …
          Video for Colonel Sears compels Nazi officials to tour Ohrdruf concentration camp near Weim…HD Stock Footage▶ 3:25

          My God , – you’ve all been had and had royally by these chumps.

      • Psycho Milt 14.2.2

        I recall bloated well fed NAZI Waffen SS officers being forced by the US Marines to help in the cleaning up of Auschwitz…

        Well, you may imagine you do, but actually you’ve made it up. The Waffen SS were combat troops (hence the “Waffen” in the name), not concentration camp guards, they weren’t “bloated,” because combat is physically demanding, and the US Marines never made anyone clean up Auschwitz because it’s in Poland. Fact-free ranting just makes you look overly-excitable.

        • peterlepaysan 14.2.2.1

          Actually ,no.
          Most but not all Waffen SS groups were deployed as armed fighting troops.

          Many were de[ployed to supervise concentration camp duties. Many were used in the night of long knives destroying Hitlers SA supporters.

          The Waffen were Hitlers and Himmlers personal praetorian guard.
          Yes they did take part in the concentration camp atrocities.

          • Psycho Milt 14.2.2.1.1

            If you mean some of the Waffen SS who were wounded and rendered combat-unfit were redeployed to the Algemeine (General) SS and used as camp guards, sure. Auschwitz was run by a unit of the Algemeine SS, not the Waffen SS – having combat troops run it would have been ridiculous.

  15. The Weatherman 15

    He let’s the last Hungarian live, in Vietnam…. then….

    See you soon, Gerry.

  16. He let’s the last Hungarian live, in Vietnam…. then….

    See you soon, Gerry!

    • Brownlee is just a follower , nothing more.

      A Quisling .

      Like a lot of those currently in the National party, … and those that show any gumption , – like Collins – are proven to be just as oafish and riddled with self interest and unfit for ‘leadership’ as Jenny Shipley was .

      This is a party to be despised and ridiculed.

      They have no answers. They have no social conscience nor capacity to deal with issues that affect thousands of their own countrymen and women. They have no regard or concern for them. All of their policy’s are geared towards advancing either foreign interests or those nationals that are affiliated with those foreign interests.

      They have no moral compass. They are as ruthlessly led as the dictates they accept from think tanks such as the Mont Pelerin Society and as lacking in basic values as any common garden variety thief or petty conman.

      They have proven they are subversives. Amply. Time and again they have demonstrated their contempt for our national sovereignty by subjecting our best interests in exchange for the interests and benefits of those who are not New Zealanders by birth.

      It is time we destroy them and others like them at the polls this coming September elections as a future warning to all who aspire to be just like them.

      They are a cancer to any social democracy.

  17. Wayne 17

    Wild Katipo,

    Getting a bit carried away aren’t you?

    The Lab/Gr package will never succeed by adopting such absurd hyperbole.

    Basically you are saying to all those who National that they are stupid dupes. Probably not the best way to win their votes.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 17.1

      It’s a hard conclusion to dismiss, given what we now know about the amygdala’s role in propaganda, and the National Party’s well-documented propensity for lying.

  18. peterlepaysan 18

    Does anyone know if gerry is deigning to visit that unenlightened, ignorant, economically retarded country known as Finland?

  19. Skeptic 19

    An Act of Parliament passed by the House of Representatives of New Zealand/

    1. SHORT TITLE
    The short tile of this Act shall be the Mirror Image Act

    2. DEFINITIONS
    “people” shall mean homo sapiens sapiens mammals
    “citizens” shall mean people belonging to a country by birth or granting of citizenship
    “commerce” shall mean trade, industry, banking, farming of all descriptions
    “country” shall also mean state, nation, land or sovereign territory of any type

    3. PURPOSE
    The purpose of this Act shall be to automatically apply the laws and policies of any country as they apply to New Zealand and New Zealand citizens anywhere, to the country and citizens of those countries making those laws or policies.

    4. This Act shall bind the Crown.

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  • Stories of varying weight

    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on anything you may have missed. Share Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 hours ago
  • Balancing External Security and the Economy

    New Zealand is again having to reconcile conflicting pressures from its military and its trade interests. Should we join Pillar Two of AUKUS and risk compromising our markets in China? For a century after New Zealand was founded in 1840, its external security arrangements and external economics arrangements were aligned. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    17 hours ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: The unravelling of the offsets

    The ‘50 Shades of Green’ farmers’ protest in 2019 was heavy on climate change denial, but five years on, scepticism and criticism about the idea that pine forests can save us is growing across the board. File photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top six news items of note in climate ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    22 hours ago
  • What makes us tick

    This morning the sky was bright.The birds, in their usual joyous bliss. Nature doesn’t seem to feel the heat of what might angst humans.Their calls are clear and beautiful.Just some random thoughts:MāoriPaul Goldsmith has announced his government will roll back the judiciary’s rulings on Māori Customary Marine Title, which recognises ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    23 hours ago
  • Foreshore and seabed 2.0

    In 2003, the Court of Appeal delivered its decision in Ngati Apa v Attorney-General, ruling that Māori customary title over the foreshore and seabed had not been universally extinguished, and that the Māori Land Court could determine claims and confirm title if the facts supported it. This kicked off the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the Royal Commission report into abuse in care

    Earlier this week at Parliament, Labour leader Chris Hipkins was applauded for saying that the response to the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care had to be “bigger than politics.” True, but the fine words, apologies and “we hear you” messages will soon ring ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: In news breaking this morning:The Ministry of Education is cutting $2 billion from its school building programme so the National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government has enough money to deliver tax cuts; The Government has quietly lowered its child poverty reduction targets to make them easier to achieve;Te Whatu Ora-Health NZ’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Weekly Roundup 26-July-2024

    Kia ora. These are some stories that caught our eye this week – as always, feel free to share yours in the comments. Our header image this week (via Eke Panuku) shows the planned upgrade for the Karanga Plaza Tidal Swimming Steps. The week in Greater Auckland On ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 day ago
  • God what a relief

    1. What's not to love about the way the Harris campaign is turning things around?a. Nothingb. Love all of itc. God what a reliefd. Not that it will be by any means easye. All of the above 2. Documents released by the Ministry of Health show Associate Health Minister Casey ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • Trust In Me

    Trust in me in all you doHave the faith I have in youLove will see us through, if only you trust in meWhy don't you, you trust me?In a week that saw the release of the 3,000 page Abuse in Care report Christopher Luxon was being asked about Boot Camps. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 26

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking about the Royal Commission Inquiry into Abuse in Care report released this week, and with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on a UN push to not recognise carbon offset markets and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 26

    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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
  • The Hoon around the week to July 19

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent talking about the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s release of its first Emissions Reduction Plan;University of Otago Foreign Relations Professor and special guest Dr Karin von ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #29 2024

    Open access notables Improving global temperature datasets to better account for non-uniform warming, Calvert, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society: To better account for spatial non-uniform trends in warming, a new GITD [global instrumental temperature dataset] was created that used maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to combine the land surface ...
    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
    17 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
    19 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
    20 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
    22 hours ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

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