Budget summary

Written By: - Date published: 7:54 am, May 17th, 2013 - 120 comments
Categories: budget 2013 - Tags:

Nothing on poverty. Nothing on affordable housing. House prices forecast to keep rising. Attacks on local democracy. More fear into the lives of the poor (reviewable tenancies). Stealth privatisation of state housing, sorry, ‘social housing’. A ‘surplus’ of 0.03% of GDP. Weak growth outlook. $200b national debt. And a promise of 171,000 more jobs that’s just as credible as the last one.

120 comments on “Budget summary ”

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  1. Tracey 1
    17 May 2013 at 8:24 am

    I am not an accountant and actually have numerical dyslexia, so numbers aren’t my thing, so please bear with me. Corrections welcomed.

    If we have a surplus in 2014/2015 of $79m and we have government borrowings at (say) $40b, then if we apply the surplus to the principle we will then owe $40b less $79m. Am I right so far?

    What is the interest on government borrowing by 2014/2015? Does anyone know?

    I am struggling to completely understand how reaching this surplus in 2014/2015 is worth being the number one, and seemingly only, major economic recovery target of the government?

    Is there anything to the idea that reaching that point in 2014/2015 is a great success for NZers and our economy or is it a partial smokescreen?

    • Lanthanide 1.1
      17 May 2013 at 11:54 am

      Yes Tracey you’re correct.

      I won’t answer your specific questions but I’ll just lay out how this government borrowing malarky works.

      So basically the government says “give us $100m today, and in 10 years time we’ll pay you back $110m”. These are government bonds, essentially a promissory note by the government to pay back the original money + some specified interest on a given date. After you’ve bought these bonds, imagine they’re like a piece of paper, you can sell this piece of paper to someone else on the bond market. So in my example here, there’s a 10% return after 10 years.

      Say there’s only 2 years left on the bond timeline and you have this piece of paper that says “in 2 years time, the government will pay you $110m”, which you ‘paid’ $100m for 8 years ago. Depending on what the interest rates are like now, and what they’re projected to be in the future, you might try and sell this note to someone else on the market, who might pay you $105m for it. This may not seem like a good deal for you: if you just hold onto the note for 2 more years, you’ll get an extra $5m vs selling it now. But it’s all about money: maybe you really need $105m today and can’t wait for another 2 years, or maybe you see some other investment you want to put your money in today that you think will give you a better return in that same time period. Similarly the person who buys the note off you might want to buy a government bond because they’re considered to be ‘safe’ investments, or a myriad of other reasons for buying it – maybe they think interest rates are about to plummet and this $5m return in 2 years for $105m purchase price seems like a good deal to them.

      Normally bonds are sold in much smaller units than this, like $10,000 or $50,000, the above is just a simple example. Also this idea of bond buying and selling is somewhat irrelevant to my point but I just wanted to throw it in there to give a better picture.

      So the real thing about government borrowing, is what happens at that 10 year mark when they have to pay $110m back to the bond holder? What if they don’t have $110m to give back, because there’s no surplus? Well, they issue another bond! So now the government says “if someone pays me $110m today, then in 10 years time I’ll pay you back $120m”. This “rolling over” of the debt continues for as long as the government needs it to. Maybe instead after 10 years the government actually has $50m that they can pay back towards the $110m, then they would only need to issue new bonds worth $60m into the market, and promise to pay back $66m in 10 years time.

      Basically the government borrows money and promises to pay it back in the future + interest. When that future finally arrives, they must pony up with the money: either they have the money and can hand it over (eg, they were running budget surpluses and weren’t spending the money on hospitals, schools, roads, etc), or they need to borrow more to pay back the first person. This gives rise to the interesting question of “what if you’re left carrying the can when the government doesn’t have the money and no one is willing to lend it to them anymore?” – the government defaults on the debt, which has been the type of worry that’s been going on in the Eurozone for the last several years.

      • Draco T Bastard 1.1.1
        17 May 2013 at 2:27 pm

        And then there’s this interesting correlation:
        Keith Rankin: The Global Debt Crisis

        These charts show, for every year from 2001 to 2010, private sector surpluses matched by public sector deficits. This means the private sector (firms and households together) are net savers (ie net lenders), meaning they attempt fewer goods and services than their incomes entitle them to. (These private surpluses accumulate to create a “global savings glut”.) For the private sector to succeed in its attempts to run large surpluses, the public sector must comply by running large deficits. By definition, the combined surpluses of the private sector must equal the combined deficits of the world’s governments. The reality is that, in most years, households and businesses lend to governments because there are limited “investment opportunities” in the private sector.

        The Zero Sum Game of the economy and the dead weight loss of profit.

        Why is this government running such massive deficits when it really doesn’t have to?

        IMO, to help boost profit in the private sector.

      • freedom 1.1.2
        17 May 2013 at 2:46 pm

        which leads us all back to that age old question . . .why not just print what we need under the same criteria, and we could even pay the interest to ourselves? Of course I am ignoring that all important fact that Central Banks magically pull real bonafide 100% authentic legit NZ dollars out of thin air where as we, being NZ, would pull fake NZ dollars out of thin air?

        Money is Debt and Debt is a lie and nothing changes

    • bad12 1.2
      17 May 2013 at 12:35 pm

      Actually you do not need a degree in accountancy to see the 2013 Budget as the Bullshit it actually is,

      English claims He is on track to have a small surplus in the years 2014/15, that’s an outright lie from the Minister when He at the same time claims the National Government will be borrowing $100 million weekly into 2016 where the Government debt will have reached 80 billion dollars…

      • Lanthanide 1.2.1
        17 May 2013 at 12:51 pm

        “English claims He is on track to have a small surplus in the years 2014/15, that’s an outright lie from the Minister when He at the same time claims the National Government will be borrowing $100 million weekly into 2016 where the Government debt will have reached 80 billion dollars…”

        You’ve made that same claim elsewhere, but it doesn’t make any sense at all. Have you got anything to back up your claim?

        • DR 1.2.1.1
          17 May 2013 at 2:00 pm

          He does make sense. How can one end up in surplus while borrowing along the way? Maybe the exact details are not true but he is just making a point, which is basically what Bill English plans to do.

          With all the tax cuts and frugal measures the National government has promised before, they just found out it is impossible not to borrow. Another one of their promises broken.

          • Lanthanide 1.2.1.1.1
            17 May 2013 at 2:30 pm

            I’m saying what he is attributing to Bill English doesn’t make sense.

            Why would Bill say “we are in surplus” and then say “we are going to borrow 100m a week”? bad12 has claimed that Bill has said this, I’m asking for evidence that he’s said it because it is so obviously on the face of it wrong that I think perhaps bad12 misunderstood or incorrectly conflated separate things.

            Yes, Bill English is full of shit, but I just don’t believe he’d have said this, because the media would have picked it up.

            • freedom 1.2.1.1.1.1
              17 May 2013 at 2:38 pm

              he said it in parliament yesterday didn’t he?
              Something along the lines of ‘will continue to borrow $300m a month ?’

        • bad12 1.2.1.2
          17 May 2013 at 3:39 pm

          Sure i have, read or listen to English’s budget speech yesterday, one followed the other, firstly it was blah blah ”on track for Government surplus in 2013/14” two breaths later Bill was telling all who have not the ears to hear nor the eyes to read along with the comprehension and it would seem the attention span necessary that ”we will be borrowing $100 million a week into 2016 and that Government debt will rise to $80 billion dollars…

          • Lanthanide 1.2.1.2.1
            17 May 2013 at 3:49 pm

            Here it is:
            http://www.beehive.govt.nz/speech/finance-minister-budget-speech

            Relevant quotes, I think:

            We are on track to get back to surplus by 2014/15.

            And we are on track to reduce government debt to 20 per cent of GDP by 2020.

            Budget forecasts show an operating surplus before gains and losses of $75 million in 2014/15.

            A few paragraphs later:

            But I would remind everyone that forecasts and projections are, by definition, about the future. While the fiscal outlook has improved markedly over the last few years, a lot of work is needed to make the forecasts a reality, particularly when it comes to reducing debt.

            Taking on more debt has been appropriate to support the economy and cushion New Zealanders and their families from a number of major shocks including the recession, the global financial crisis and the Canterbury earthquakes. And, as a percentage of New Zealand’s GDP, our level of debt is still well below most of the countries we typically compare ourselves with.

            But, in dollar terms, net government debt is still rising by around $130 million a week and is expected to reach $70 billion in 2016/17, which is the equivalent of around $15,000 for each and every New Zealander.

            So, I don’t think Bill is saying what you think he’s saying. I don’t think Bill is saying “we will be in surplus, and also borrowing $130m a week and debt will be $70 billion”.

            I think Bill is saying “we will be in surplus. At the moment we are borrowing $130m a week, and even with our surplus, we will still be at $70 billion deficit in 2016-2017”.

            I think he has phrased it very poorly and whoever edited/proof-read his speech should be shot for not picking up how poorly it comes across, but it does make sense if you look at it long enough.

            • freedom 1.2.1.2.1.1
              17 May 2013 at 3:55 pm

              I don’t think Bill is saying “we will be in surplus, and also borrowing $130m a week and debt will be $70 billion”.

              If, any time soon, they were going to stop borrowing $130 million a week, then Blinglish and Shonkey would be running guided tours past thirty foot high flashing neon letters on parliament steps

              • bad12 …
                17 May 2013 at 4:05 pm

                Off of the top of my head i think the Government debt at present is in the high 40’s, 47-48 billion,

                It seems that we are being Conned big time about this ‘grand financial management’ and this ‘surplus in 2014/15’, of course when the proverbial hits the fan down the track when the media wakes up to it, English will just point to the budget and say i told you so in 2013…

            • bad12 1.2.1.2.1.2
              17 May 2013 at 3:58 pm

              You will have to ask English for an exact translation, i for one are not privy to what goes on in Bill’s head,

              However, in plain english the two points of discussion are an oxymoron, Bill cannot have a surplus occurring in 2014/15 while Government debt is rising by $130 million into 2016/17,

              That is just utter and total Bullshit…

              • Draco T Bastard …
                18 May 2013 at 12:59 am

                +1

              • Lanthanide …
                18 May 2013 at 11:49 am

                “However, in plain english the two points of discussion are an oxymoron, Bill cannot have a surplus occurring in 2014/15 while Government debt is rising by $130 million into 2016/17,”

                You’re correct. And that’s why he didn’t say that.

                • bad12 …
                  18 May 2013 at 1:21 pm

                  i disagree with your interpretation of what English said in His budget speech, the specifics are that Bill says the Government will have a balanced budget in 2014/15,

                  For such a situation to occur in 2014/15 i think you are agreeing that the Government would have ceased borrowing at the present rate of $130 million dollars a week,

                  However English is not saying that such borrowing will have ceased in 2014/15 when He claims that the Government will have a surplus,

                  English is saying that borrowing will continue at $130 million a week until 2016/17 where it will have reached $70 billion it’s there in plain view,

                  For the books to be balanced in any logical meaning of the phrase the borrowing of $130 million weekly would have to have ceased at 2014/15 where English is claiming that that situation will have been reached,

                  Why then are the budget figures of a $70 billion Government debt being shown as at 2016/17 and not at 2014/15 when this ‘magical surplus’ will have been said to have been attained,

                  The best con tricks are those that bedazzle us in plain sight and i would suggest that English is conning us all with this budget, and what Bill is really saying is that the Governments revenue from all sources in 2014/15 will match it’s expenditure BUT this will not be inclusive of the $130 million currently being borrowed weekly…

        • bad12 1.2.1.3
          17 May 2013 at 3:50 pm

          I would suggest you look closely at the budget speech that is exactly what English said, the fact that the dead heads in the media haven’t picked up on it is par for the course but you will find that Bill made both the ”on track for small surplus in 2013/14” and the borrowing $100 million weekly into 2016 where government debt will be $80 billion” in that same budget speech,

          Nonsensical as it sounds, who am i kidding, it’s utter Bullshit from English and no wonder the Slippery little Shyster we have as Prime Minister is so smuggly pleased with English to slide such a sleight of hand into the budget…

    • Rhinocrates 1.3
      17 May 2013 at 12:36 pm

      numerical dyslexia

      “Dyscalculia”, FWIW. Got it myself.

  2. Rich the other 2
    17 May 2013 at 10:28 am

    Election winner, watch the left squirm.

    When the left demonstrate genuine concern about social issues they may get some traction.
    The green/labour opposition are more interested in undermining real progress than committing to any genuine effort to improving social discrepancy’s.

    Their opposition to the motor way development north of Auckland is a prime example.
    It should be renamed, the road to prosperity .
    .

    But NO the greens oppose this and countless other developments around the country.

    • One Anonymous Knucklehead 2.1
      17 May 2013 at 10:39 am

      The road to prosperity 😆 comedy gold.

      Yes, it’s true, The Greens are coming for your developments! Scary bogeymen eeeekkkk!

      Reality check. Oops.

    • fender 2.2
      17 May 2013 at 10:41 am

      Hi Steven Joyce……you need some new lines.

      • prism 2.2.1
        17 May 2013 at 10:50 am

        Joyce’ll be able to perform Putting on the Ritz at the new casino and conference opening. (Goes together like coffee and cream doesn’t it.) Oh darling what shall I spend my millions on – ooh I know a Casino and Conference centre. So trendy.

        • fender 2.2.1.1
          17 May 2013 at 10:58 am

          Word on the streets is that ‘Putting on the Ritz’ will be renamed ‘Legging up the Rich’.

    • Tracey 2.3
      17 May 2013 at 11:51 am

      LOL @ motorway to wellsville = development of north auckland.

      Deepening the harbour at Marsden Point might have been money much better spent

      • Colonial Viper 2.3.1
        17 May 2013 at 11:53 am

        Someone should ask RTO what the point of roads is as more and more NZers give up their cars.

        • James 2.3.1.1
          17 May 2013 at 11:55 am

          yeah – they are giving them up in droves. not.

          • Colonial Viper 2.3.1.1.1
            17 May 2013 at 12:20 pm

            Yes they are James, and that trend is going to accelerate over the next 10 years.

            • felix 2.3.1.1.1.1
              17 May 2013 at 12:36 pm

              Worth remembering that James has a slightly different viewpoint, observing the situation from the inside of his colon.

              • James …
                17 May 2013 at 2:35 pm

                sigh … pitty that it almost impossible to have a reasoned conversation on here. Any differing view is met with childish crap like that.

                • freedom …
                  17 May 2013 at 2:51 pm

                  you yourself could have presented some evidence to back up your claim of sustained numbers but instead chose to basically poke out your tongue in a churlish manner

                  so maybe the high horse is not for you
                  “Any differing view is met with childish crap like that.” complete rubbish IMHO

                  maybe you just need to front up with real dialogue or meander back to the blubber or wherever you normally dwell

                  BTW owning a car and using a car are very different things. I own a car but it has not been on the road for over two years, I am not the only one in this situation.

            • James 2.3.1.1.1.2
              17 May 2013 at 2:34 pm

              I honestly doubt you are correct. Even people I know that use a bus (Northern Link) – still have cars.

              NZ as a whole is not suited to not having a car.

              • karol …
                17 May 2013 at 2:37 pm

                It’s not so much that cars will become extinct, but that fewer people will own them, and of those that own them, fewer will use them. Car-sharing may become more prominent.

                And for transport systems suited to NZ: bring back the waka, I say!

                • ghostrider888 …
                  17 May 2013 at 2:42 pm

                  They are not really that reliable it appears karol; and what with increasingly low river flows…

              • Lanthanide …
                17 May 2013 at 3:52 pm

                Kms driven has been flat for several years now. It’s only a matter of time until that shows up in flat car usage/ownership and eventual decline. Petrol isn’t going to get any cheaper.

          • Draco T Bastard 2.3.1.1.2
            17 May 2013 at 3:10 pm

            http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/8574458/Greens-query-need-for-new-highways-as-car-use-falls
            http://transportblog.co.nz/2013/02/11/you-know-youre-winning-when/

            That’s just two. If I was feeling more charitable in educating you I’d find more (Google is your friend). The trend in developed countries worldwide is the same – use of private vehicles is declining.

            I Honestly doubt…

            You can honestly doubt as much as you like, the facts say that you’re wrong.

            NZ as a whole is not suited to not having a car.

            And there’s a reason for that – stupid governments have made it that way. They’ve built cities dependent upon having a car rather than building up the far more efficient public transport.

        • cricklewood 2.3.1.2
          17 May 2013 at 4:32 pm

          To fit all the buses that we will take, transport woes solved

      • KJT 2.3.2
        18 May 2013 at 11:57 am

        Don’t need to deepen Marsden Point. Already deep enough.

        Which is why spending on improving road, AND rail/coastal shipping, links to Marsden Point makes good sense.

        And just improving them to Wellsford, does not!

    • Rogue Trooper 2.4
      17 May 2013 at 12:59 pm

      Bernard Hickey on “have we turned the corner?”
      -1/2 of economic upturn due to Act of God (Christchurch)
      -structural problems not fixed
      -speculative investment, pre-occupation with housing
      -pre-occupation with consumption
      -overseas borrowing remains in a holding pattern

      -Superfund contributions delayed for another two years; not planning for the future.

      Need new dick-jockeys!

    • DR 2.5
      17 May 2013 at 2:03 pm

      It’s an election winner to fools like you who don’t understand economics and finance. And in fact, it is the Nats who are increasingly contributing to social discrepancy, widening the divide between the rich and the poor.

    • Draco T Bastard 2.6
      17 May 2013 at 2:34 pm

      Private cars are the most inefficient form of transport known to man. They are a complete waste of space.

      Trains are more efficient than trucks and can easily be electric thus saving on importing fuel. We can also make them here – we have the technology, we have the skills and we have the resources.

      Your “road to prosperity” is, as a matter of fact, a road to poverty as it uses up all the limited resources we have indiscriminately resulting in us being poor.

      • dumrse 2.6.1
        17 May 2013 at 8:13 pm

        The private car may very well be inefficient but, it is not influenced by any overarching UNION activity.

        • Draco T Bastard 2.6.1.1
          18 May 2013 at 1:01 am

          No, it’s influenced by the oil cartel that want us to use more fuel.

        • Murray Olsen 2.6.1.2
          18 May 2013 at 8:07 pm

          The wood between your ears is controlled by Fletchers and you don’t seem to have a problem with that.

  3. Johnny 3
    17 May 2013 at 10:28 am

    Standard and Poors assessment – negative

    ‘Standard & Poor’s has revised its outlook on eight New Zealand banks from stable to negative, citing rising economic risks. “We believe New Zealand’s economic vulnerabilities, including a material dependence on external borrowings, persistent current account deficits, and recent strong growth in house prices, could escalate,” it said. “In our view, this increases the risk of a deterioration in New Zealand banks’ credit qualities.”‘

  4. Johnny 4
    17 May 2013 at 10:30 am

    Australian Treasurer’s assessment – negative

    “New Zealand Budget
    Mr HOCKEY (North Sydney) (14:48): My question is to the Treasurer. I refer the Treasurer to the New Zealand budget released a few hours ago that forecasts faster economic growth, falling unemployment and a budget surplus one year earlier than Australia. How can the Treasurer insist that the government’s budget of deficits, higher unemployment and slower economic growth is unavoidable when New Zealand has been able to deliver an earlier surplus without a major resources industry and with a strong New Zealand dollar?

    Mr SWAN (Lilley—Deputy Prime Minister and Treasurer) (14:48): I really do thank him for this question—I really do. The fact that he could somehow say that the performance of the New Zealand economy is a better performance than the performance of the Australian economy leaves me completely dumbfounded. The fact is our economy is 13 per cent larger than it was prior to the global financial crisis.

    Mr SWAN: Thank you, Speaker. Unlike the shadow Treasurer I am proud of what our country has achieved over the past 5½ years: 960,000 jobs. How have we done that? Because we have got a responsible level of debt, we have got a good fiscal policy which has been given the tick by the major ratings agencies and we are making major investments in our future—major investments in economic infrastructure, major investments in schooling—and, of course, making our country fairer. We can do all of these things if we have got a detailed plan.

    In our budget we have put out a detailed plan about how we are going to grow our economy, how we are going to be a smarter economy to take advantage of the Asian century and how we can make our society fairer. We have done that within a responsible fiscal policy. Our performance across any range of indicators is far better than New Zealand’s. So I feel very sorry for the shadow Treasurer, who wants to keep running our country down. He does not get the basis of our economic strength. He does not understand what we need to do to keep our economy strong. Of course, they will invent any reason to avoid laying out a detailed plan for the future.

    Mr SWAN: Well, they will invent any reason, Speaker, for refusing to put out a detailed plan. That is why we have had the fiscal fearmongering in here today. They want to use the excuse of debt—which is low by any standard and far lower than New Zealand’s—so they are not going to tell the Australian people what they would do if they were elected after September. We know they have got a secret plan for savage cuts. We know that, and all of their economic questions asked in this House go to the very core proposition I have just put. When they come in here and say it is a big-spending government—which it is not—that is just code for saying that if they were in power they would slash and burn when it comes to health, education and jobs. That is why you will not see a detailed plan from the Leader of the Opposition tonight.”

    • Murray Olsen 4.1
      18 May 2013 at 8:20 pm

      Hockey lies about the Australian economy too. It’s no wonder he can’t tell when English is lying.

  5. Poission 5
    17 May 2013 at 10:31 am

    “A ‘surplus’ of 0.03% of GDP”

    An order of magnitude smaller then the standard error in a 3 sigma system. or to put it another way, the predicted budget surplus has no statistical ( or scientific ) significance .

    • Johnny 5.1
      17 May 2013 at 10:35 am

      Cullen ran $1 billion contingencies, the Nats $300 mil so it’s all smoke and mirrors anyway

  6. Johnny 6
    17 May 2013 at 10:34 am

    New Zealanders assessment – negative

    50,000 move to Australia and 26% of kiwis change cities and towns in five years. Yes. Five years of National budgets have made NZ the world’s most mobile population with 26% of people moving city in the last 5 years, on a par with developing warn torn countries like Syria, but well above rich developed stable countries. Looking for jobs and houses that are hard to find.

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2325396/New-Zealanders-mobile-nation-quarter-swapped-cities-past-years.html

    • James 6.1
      17 May 2013 at 11:56 am

      and you dont think that something like the Chch earchquake had something to do with people moving?

  7. burt 7
    17 May 2013 at 10:40 am

    The other budget options….

    This could be us NZ … All we need to do is let the gummit own and run everything using monopoly and regulation – because it always fails is the Green/Labour way.

    • One Anonymous Knucklehead 7.1
      17 May 2013 at 10:49 am

      We need better wingnuts, or they need better lines are something. Take this cretin, for example: his comment is so bad it’s not even wrong; it bears no relationship, none, to Labour or Green policy.

      Poor Burt is only parroting Matthew Hooten, so I suppose we should feel sorry for him, but wouldn’t it be great if once, just one time, a wingnut could produce a reality-based challenge in a policy debate?

      • felix 7.1.1
        17 May 2013 at 10:54 am

        Trouble is no-one votes for them when they honestly express their philosophy and policy ideas.

      • prism 7.1.2
        17 May 2013 at 10:56 am

        The trouble with Burt and his ilk is that they want to be bulls but are at the bottom of a bear pit and can only see a small piece of sky to orient themselves to and they can’t climb out. They have been so long trapped, they now know no other outlook.

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 7.1.2.1
          17 May 2013 at 11:12 am

          I mean, I don’t support the National Party, but at least I know what their policies are.

      • Rhinocrates 7.1.3
        17 May 2013 at 1:14 pm

        We need better wingnuts… only parroting Matthew Hooten

        There’s your problem right there.

        Hoots, because he himself has the “Ooh, shiny shiny money!” reflex, assumes that everyone else does too, so as I found, in the space of a quarter of an hour his racism becomes “some of my best friends are blah blah waffle”. People like that assume that we’re all idiots like them.

        As you said, we need better wingnuts.

        However, the far right don’t care in the least about debate – they don’t want debate at all, so they try to forestall it with slogans. They think it’s all about getting the memes out there.

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 7.1.3.1
          17 May 2013 at 3:14 pm

          I watched Hooten yell and interrupt incessantly on Citizen A this morning, and I wondered why Bomber let him get away with it. I mean what’s the point of having a chair if you’re just going to let one side get away with a Gish gallop? Keith Locke pointed out that Hooten repeated lies at high volume, so Bomber sat their and made faces at the camera while Hooten gave a repeat performance.

          Slack. A perfect opportunity to attack Hooten where he is weakest: on his integrity, gone begging like the opportunity to reframe the debate for a change.

          Stephen Sackur set a benchmark by demolishing Key on Hardtalk, demonstrating what happens when you do a live reality check on a liar. How hard is it to treat Hooten the same way?

          • Murray Olsen 7.1.3.1.1
            18 May 2013 at 8:28 pm

            To be fair, Bomber can’t quite seem to get his head around the idea that a non baby boomer could be part of the problem. Keith would be too old to be seen as an ally.

      • Draco T Bastard 7.1.4
        17 May 2013 at 3:20 pm

        …but wouldn’t it be great if once, just one time, a wingnut could produce a reality-based challenge in a policy debate?

        It would but, as reality always proves them wrong, don’t hold your breath.

    • karol 7.2
      17 May 2013 at 11:38 am

      Read Gordon Campbell’s analysis of the budget and learn – this is what a well-founded left wing view looks like – unlike the diversionary, bad faith spin that is the government’s approach.

      This point is important for the long term:

      As mentioned, the Budget signalled that the rationale for cost cutting and austerity will shift over the next couple of years from producing a (virtually meaningless) surplus to attaining an (equally meaningless) reduction in the Crown debt ratio. Both goals are excuses for the National/Act pursuit of small government, and a reduction in the quality and range of public services that the public can expect governments to deliver. …

      Worldwide, the arguments in favour of continued austerity are looking more and more threadbare. The prevailing myth that the governments of Spain, Ireland and Italy spent themselves into their current situation simply doesn’t stack up, as this article shows.

      ie the days of (the contradictory sham of) “neoliberalism” are coming to an end.

      I also am with Campbell on his analysis of the symbolism of the budget day ritual, which is really a PR event staged for politicians and the media. I would add, it’s a ritual bowing down to the alleged “superior knowledge” of the accountants and economists on how to manage a country, and at odds with a democracy of, by and for the people.

      • Colonial Viper 7.2.1
        17 May 2013 at 11:44 am

        We must bend and break the people of the nation in order to bring confidence to the big banks, financial capitalists and other investors. Bringing confidence to beneficiaries, the working poor, struggling small businesses and contractors – nah.

        • johnm 7.2.1.1
          17 May 2013 at 12:22 pm

          Hi CV
          100% right! Eventually this attitude leads to social disaster as is now happening in the U$K and N$Z is doing the same. Ultimately a country is about people not profit.

          • Tim 7.2.1.1.1
            17 May 2013 at 3:20 pm

            Why is it that those shire volk SEEM incapable of learning from history? (scuse the term – I’m NOT necessariyl a fan on Bomber Bradley, but at least he speaks more sense than most supporting the current junta)

            It just seems to me – from whatever perspective your ‘bent’ is, that the further the oppression applied to that newly-invented Precariat class (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRNhtGtO9pg – what’s the bet the so-called wingnuts won’t bother), plus the growing number beneath them (described as the Under), the more violent the rev will be.

            And what so much frikken worse, is that there is actually a ‘tune=tie’ tah eknowledge, think about, and make an attempt to fix. It’s just that its not within the capability of a man driven by ideology, a coward (as in He – labelled’ the Smoilin Essessen’ that never did any of the dirty work Homself, but rather reloid on the esprayshnul peons beneath)!

            The only thing I can come up with (as to a WHY), is that there are too many in the political class that aren’t actually that bright.

            There’s a Pulla Bent (who quite obviously worships the Ruthenasia). Satisfoid that she’s cum iv age, nodding for the captured 4th Estate cameras that bring us parliamentary proceedings, cutting out a true Public Service broadcaster dedicated to the principles of a 4th Estate – the telling grimaces, those peculiar little reactions, the images that might embarass are regularly ignored! (might have to blame Labour for that).

            Then there’s a Gubbamint whip – seen seated behoin the ‘men thet matta’ – NODDING in agreement at times she thinks she’s being noticed – regularly clad in politically correct rainbow fashion.
            Then the white-haired git to her left that I once knew in a former life who’s as shallow as a used-car salesman trying to sell us a lemon.
            A really fik-as-shit foinence Minsta – completely and utterly ideologically driven – if only because its all he knows. Knowledge in his case consists of an education half a century ago, augmented by spin doctor and media ‘specialist’ training.

            The list goes on.

            I often wonder why those that ekshly have a bit of nouse persist in their allegiance and blind fucking faith (The Finlaysons for example), alongside their realisation that – though they may have the intelligence to question the merits of their colleagues – they realsise their longevity is nearing an end, and challenging the preset settings on the National Party amplifier will only result in their being labelled as a bitter old queen by their compatriots.

            Christ we need a recolution!

            I’ll probably be long gone when it happens, but loik the Pantene lady says – if we stick to the present coordinates: “It WILL happen”

        • Tim 7.2.1.2
          17 May 2013 at 2:40 pm

          but yeah… but nah!

      • Draco T Bastard 7.2.2
        17 May 2013 at 3:28 pm

        I also am with Campbell on his analysis of the symbolism of the budget day ritual, which is really a PR event staged for politicians and the media. I would add, it’s a ritual bowing down to the alleged “superior knowledge” of the accountants and economists on how to manage a country, and at odds with a democracy of, by and for the people.

        QFT

        Ensure that everyone knows what resources we have available to us and I’m we’d end up with a better budget and economy than what we get listening to the people at the top of the present hierarchy.

    • Draco T Bastard 7.3
      17 May 2013 at 3:19 pm

      Yeah, it failed so badly last time that we had working trains, a good road system, a telecommunications system that didn’t need government funding, power generation and reticulation, an excellent health service…

      Oh, wait…

      • UpandComer 7.3.1
        17 May 2013 at 7:25 pm

        Oh god. What are you on about now.

        Reading this blog is terrific. I read Kiwiblog for information, and this blog for entertainment.

        • Draco T Bastard 7.3.1.1
          18 May 2013 at 1:03 am

          Really, your powers of logic are so mediocre that you can’t even follow the numbers from 7 to 7.3?

  8. Penny Bright 8
    17 May 2013 at 10:55 am

    The need for ‘affordable housing’ in Auckland.

    Where is the ‘National’ growth strategy?

    Why does all this ‘growth’ have to come to Auckland?

    Who benefits from all this Auckland ‘growth’ apart from property developers, speculators and overseas investors?

    Where did the Auckland ‘million people in 30 years’ mantra come from, upon which this Auckland DAFT LUNATIC plan is purportedly based?

    Penny Bright

    ‘Anti-corruption / anti-privatisation’ campaigner

    2013 Auckland Mayoral candidate

    http://www.occupyaaucklandvsaucklandcouncilappeal.org.nz

    • James 8.1
      17 May 2013 at 11:57 am

      I personally blame the bludgers who dont pay their rates.

      • felix 8.1.1
        17 May 2013 at 12:33 pm

        Good of you to put your contempt for political protest on the record, James.

        Now we know exactly how seriously to take any political protestations from you.

        • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 8.1.1.1
          17 May 2013 at 12:57 pm

          I think James was expressing his contempt for people who don’t pay their taxes. Not for those who protest.

          How do you feel about people who don’t pay their taxes, Felix?

          • Rogue Trooper 8.1.1.1.1
            17 May 2013 at 1:03 pm

            I observe that you never challenge the objective economic commentary on the New Zealand economy yourself; too taxing?

          • Rhinocrates 8.1.1.1.2
            17 May 2013 at 1:28 pm

            How do you feel about millionaires who “avoid” tax?

            • TheContrarian 8.1.1.1.2.1
              17 May 2013 at 2:58 pm

              Millionaires should pay their due taxes, as Penny Bright fucking should too

          • Colonial Viper 8.1.1.1.3
            17 May 2013 at 1:30 pm

            How do you feel about people who don’t pay their taxes, Felix?

            How do you feel about the top 5% who could pay significantly higher taxes, but instead get generous tax cuts for the rich?

            • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 8.1.1.1.3.1
              17 May 2013 at 1:34 pm

              Well, Felix? So many questions for you to answer.

              • ghostrider888 …
                17 May 2013 at 1:41 pm

                the questions are in your court, slippery one.

              • Rhinocrates …
                17 May 2013 at 1:42 pm

                Missing the point, I see. The title of “Gormless” certainly fits.

                So Gormless, how do you feel about the rich and their tax cuts and their “avoidance”, or trickle-up facilitated by their accountants?

                • James …
                  17 May 2013 at 2:39 pm

                  You guys crack me up.

                  Blight dosnt pay taxes she legally has to pay.

                  Do you find that acceptable?

                  Its a simple yes / no answer.

                  Tax minimization is a completely different matter – and given that 1/2 of the labour caucus do it with trust etc perhaps – slack should be given – after all its legal.

                  • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                    17 May 2013 at 2:46 pm

                    Its (sic) a simple yes no answer.

                    I’m sure you’d love that to be true: these stupid false dichotomies are the stock-in-trade of idiots who can’t form an argument.

                    Newsflash Einstein: no-one is obliged to dumb their comments down to your level. Felix already gave you a better answer than you deserve.

                  • ghostrider888 …
                    17 May 2013 at 3:02 pm

                    btw, think of cracking up as Nut Gacking

                  • Tim …
                    17 May 2013 at 4:32 pm

                    If its within her means – YES – i.e. as long as she’s first able to adequately feed herself, put a decent roof over her head, have the freedom of movement, support any of her dependents (if she has any), and express her political views – ALL in the same manner that those she protests about EXPECT as of their right.

                    IF she hasn’t paid taxes as I think you’re suggesting, then fear not James – there’ll be mechanisms of a democratic state apparatus (not yet completely dismantled by your friends) that will no doubt catch up with her, and allow you to feel better.

    • ratesarerevolting 8.2
      17 May 2013 at 1:03 pm

      Len brown is a fucking cunt !

      • Rhinocrates 8.2.1
        17 May 2013 at 1:29 pm

        Has anyone seen Brown and Shearer in the same room at the same time? Admittedly, Brown seems able to construct a sentence instead of turning a phrase into a fractal of incomprehensibility, but that could be a disguise…

        • tinfoilhat 8.2.1.1
          17 May 2013 at 1:33 pm

          They do bear striking similarities in their levels of oblivion to their own incompetence.

          • Rhinocrates 8.2.1.1.1
            17 May 2013 at 1:55 pm

            Gilmore has illustrated the awfulness of the Tories, but it has been pointed out often that politics, in being”depoliticised” has driven away those who might actually contribute. Politics now is seen as a gravy train for potential candidates, not an opportunity to serve. Both Shearer and Gilmore demonstrate this, as do the arselickers and careerists like “Chippy”.

            The biggest threat to democracy, I believe, is mediocrity combined with careerism. These scum cease being “representatives” and instead want only a cushy seat and the prospect of positions on corporate boards (look at Key -all he wants is a knighthood and position as CEO in a company, be it a maker of dishwashing liquid or nerve gas). If they have a tiny smidgen of self awareness, they try to cling on to their parliamentary seats and meal tickets at Bellamy’s at all costs to their constituents and their integrity.

            Look at Shearer or Key – what do they want for anyone other than themselves? Look at their “colleagues”, who want to usurp them, Robertson or Collins? What do they want except glitter and baubles for themselves? What do they want for anyone else apart from themselves?

            • ghostrider888 8.2.1.1.1.1
              17 May 2013 at 2:01 pm

              warming to the Greens myself; saw Julie-Anne on U. last night; a bit dry, yet genuine.

            • tinfoilhat 8.2.1.1.1.2
              17 May 2013 at 2:09 pm

              I agree with you, being a Green activist myself I’m sad to say that I see some of the same tendencies in Russell.

            • UpandComer 8.2.1.1.1.3
              17 May 2013 at 7:28 pm

              I agree with you actually re Collins and Robertson, both awful people, overrated and as conniving as each other.

              But Key? Why should he care to be a CEO? As for Shearer, he actually similarly won’t need money given his millions of untaxed US dollars just lying around courtesy of the UN.

  9. Tracey 9
    17 May 2013 at 11:41 am

    Burt, I suspect you genuinely hold the views you do but ask you this, are you int he group below the 1% aspiring to what they have achieved and/or believing you can get there too? If you are you may be the victim of the 20th and 21st centuries biggest con.

    There is no evidence you are better off today than ten years ago, but heaps of evidence that those telling you, you are or will, are.

    • burt 9.1
      17 May 2013 at 2:07 pm

      are you int he group below the 1% aspiring to what they have achieved and/or believing you can get there too?

      Nope.

  10. Poission 10
    17 May 2013 at 1:03 pm

    One of the foremost problems in the budget is a that it is a WAG.

    As it is a ubiquitous problem for all budgets we can use Broadbent of the BOE to reduce the problem from the pseudo scientific fallacies spread by the media commentators (aka spin)

    The introductory paragraph is a post on its own.

    http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/publications/Documents/speeches/2013/speech653.pdf

    • Rogue Trooper 10.1
      17 May 2013 at 1:15 pm

      I heard one commentary that another “Novopay” -like debacle will blow this surplus forecast out of the water;
      anyway, in a related vein;

      Larry Murhpy, HOD, Property Studies, AU;
      -rental WOFs need to be extended to the private sector
      Recent research into Landlord MO (rentier behaviour) found, generally,
      -only seeking return
      -followed by capital gain
      therefore, generally
      -low maintenance expenditure.

      The 270,000 children living in relative poverty projects to a $6-8B cost to the economy

      Child Poverty Action Group- budget full of “hype”
      Hone- “they are full of sh*t”
      Gower- “ain’t much in it” (wait ti’ next year).

      but wait, the DPS got an increase to the budget (typical photo of no-balls Key in The Dominion Post).

  11. ghostrider888 11
    17 May 2013 at 1:30 pm

    The other side of me will comment on the State Housing moves;
    -53,200 on notice; 1000 dumped 15/16, 2000 16/15
    -Accommodation “subsidizing” of the private “rentier” landlord
    -only a WOF being proposed for HNZ properties, not private rentals.

    “A big response was needed, and hasn’t happened”-Major Campbell Roberts.

    Larry Murphy, HOD, Property Studies, AU
    -moving sectors for these state tenants is disruptive for communities
    -less security of tenure
    -education disruptions
    -weaker health networks
    -higher rents
    -MSD discretion on rental offers.

    but thats OK, New Zealand is receiving an epidemic of synthetic drugs passed off as ecstasy.

  12. Penny Bright 12
    17 May 2013 at 4:14 pm

    Press Release Sue Henry Spokesperson Housing Lobby:

    “Charity treachery sells out State Housing tenants.”

    17 May 2013

    “The relentless budgetary attacks on State housing tenants and their families, clearly highlights the treacherous role private sector charities have played in the housing policy-making process,”
    says Housing Lobby Spokesperson Sue Henry.

    (April 2010 Housing Shareholders Advisory Group Report )

    http://www.dbh.govt.nz/UserFiles/File/Publications/Sector/pdf/vision-for-social-housing-nz.pdf

    http://www.dbh.govt.nz/social-housing-nz

    “Government have successfully used the private social housing sector as the mechanism to privatise the State housing stock and land these homes sit on.”

    “It was a sad day when people like Major Campbell Roberts from the Salvation Army, were on the same Board sitting beside property developers to form policies for temporary tenancy agreements, which, if implemented, will invariably create transcience and homelessness.
    ( #1 EVIDENCE)”

    “* Promoting submerging the housing subsidy into into the Ministry of Social Development did not work in the 1990’s due to the widening gap between the accommodation supplement and the ‘market’ rents – with a cap on subsidies, combined with over-inflated property values, this will have huge negative impacts on State housing tenants.”

    “* As will retrospectively extending the assessments on long-term existing tenants.
    This effectively equates to a sophisticated form of elder abuse and bullying , impacting on elderly pensioners, widows of Returned Servicemen, the disabled, and the vulnerable, who are legitimately in these homes.”

    “SOLUTIONS:

    * Tenure protection must be immediately reinstated for these State housing tenants.

    * State housing must be provided by central government, not privatised by stealth, by hanging the portfolio over to non-accountable, non-transparent, duplicated ‘social’ housing providers,” concluded Sue Henry.

    #1 EVIDENCE

    (April 2010 Housing Shareholders Advisory Group Report )

    http://www.dbh.govt.nz/UserFiles/File/Publications/Sector/pdf/vision-for-social-housing-nz.pdf

    “Appendix 2: Housing Shareholders Advisory Group

    Members

    Alan Jackson (chair) is former senior vice president in the Auckland office of The Boston Consulting Group. He is also a director of Fletcher Building and a trustee of The Icehouse business growth centre in Auckland. Dr Jackson has significant experience in change management with expertise in resources, diversified industrials, building products and construction sectors.

    Major Campbell Roberts is the director of the New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga
    Territory Social Policy and Parliamentary Unit of the Salvation Army. He is also a trustee of the New Zealand Housing Foundation, a director of the Centre for Housing Research Aotearoa New Zealand and the Auckland Housing Trust. Major Roberts is a media spokesperson, writer and speaker and has experience on issues of poverty and social housing.

    Andrew Body is a director of Crown Fibre Holdings and various private sector companies. He has 20 years experience as an investment banker, focussing on strategic and transactional advice to owners and managers of businesses. Mr Body has experience across a wide range of sectors in the New Zealand economy including the property sector.

    Martin Udale is an independent consultant with more than 30 years experience in the New Zealand, UK and Australian property markets, including developing some of the first office parks in Sydney and Brisbane. He was most recently the chief executive of McConnell Property, and has also been director of corporate advisory with CRI, an Australian property development and services group, specialising in partnering with asset owners to create value from underused assets.

    Diane Robertson is head of the Auckland City Mission and is the first non-clergy female City Missioner. She previously had roles on the Committee for Auckland, the Auckland University Community Advisory Board, Springboard Trust, Robin Hood Foundation, Child Poverty Action Group and the New Zealand Institute. Ms Robertson’s experience is in social and emergency housing issues.

    Brian Donnelly is executive director of the New Zealand Housing Foundation. He is also a director of the Centre for Housing Research Aotearoa New Zealand (CHRANZ), a trustee of the Queenstown Lakes District Community Housing Trust, a member of the Social Entrepreneur Fellowship and chair of the Wilson Home Trust. He has experience in social housing issues, including operating and managing a social housing organisation.

    Paul White is the Principal of Torea Tai Consultants, specialising in consultancy on Maori development, housing and strategic planning. He is also the chair of Te Waka Pupuri Putea (an Iwi asset holding company) and a council member of FITEC, the forestry sector training organisation. Mr White has previously been chief executive of Ngai Tahu Development Corporation and a member of the Housing New Zealand Board. He has experience in the operation and management of housing. ”
    _________________________________________________________

    Sue Henry
    Spokesperson
    Housing Lobby

  13. hoom 13
    17 May 2013 at 5:25 pm

    Did they really try to pull the 170,000 new jobs line again?

  14. karol 14
    17 May 2013 at 7:35 pm

    I was pretty disturbed by the indications of where the government is going with their food in schools on Campbell Live tonight.

    It’s all about business, and maybe a little about involving charities like KidsCan. But if business were generally paying higher wages, and doing less profiteering, there’d be less people struggling to make ends meet.

    And as for the “post budget breakfast”. I’m not so familiar with it. But the indications were that the breakfast was about English giving a speech to “business” people.

    As many here have said: government should be for the people, and not for what is acceptable to the business elites.

    Harawira has already put up a bill for feeding the kids. Why doesn’t Key just get on board with that? Harawira is more in touch with the people most affected than Key’s business cronies.

  15. ak 15
    17 May 2013 at 10:51 pm

    “So I put up fuckin totally nothing and got someone else paying off my house for me ha”

    “Nah I got good tenants they’re maoris, bloody good people tho”

    “Not really, no maoris, that’s the first thing she said, but yinno, never say it out loud ha ha”

    “Course they’ll keep going up in value, always have havent they, better than a bank, fucksake”

    “Nah nah not really, what can they do? They usually just pay up or fuck off, and I keep the bond ha ha”

    “Ha ha fuck off, you sound just like me ex ha ha

  16. ak 16
    17 May 2013 at 11:05 pm

    Nah yeh yeah yeah yeah nah there’s something fuckin wrong yeah nah fuck you’re right yeah nah

  17. Yes 17
    18 May 2013 at 8:42 pm

    Labour fudge every budget and falsified numbers eg like ACC funds. National has sorted that mess out. Labour policy put so many on dependancy that when the money runs out like an world wide recession labour to give so many people a back bone.

    Answer me this..if labour was so dam good why did they not insulate NZ from economic shocks like the credit crunch.

    • xtasy 17.1
      18 May 2013 at 10:44 pm

      Yes: Hah, are you for real? I came back to New Zealand after a few years in Europe in 2005. The media was full of reports about economic growth Nirwana style, “experts” like economists of the leading banks, Treasury officials, journalists writing on economic and business matters were all praising Labour and their near full employment record for the country.

      The only worry that “some” had was the housing bubble.

      Otherwise it was all about concerns about not enough skilled workers being available, to keep feeding the then believed endless growth to be expected in the Asia Pacific region, of which New Zealand was benefiting.

      There were very few, if any, voices showing concern about giant housing and other bubbles developing, and that was more or less so worldwide.

      National only tried to get traction with voters by playing the race card (Brash’s Orewa speech), by ridiculing supposed “nanny state” policies and by demanding tax cuts for workers and business people.

      I do not remember anyone in National raising concerns about budgets not being balanced or in surplus under Labour, or about a possible end to the growth period that most felt would continue for many, many years.

      So what “mess” are you on about, but the one invented by Key, English and Ryall, to tell voters after they got into government, to use as propaganda to introduce cutting and slashing of state jobs, of state services, of so much else.

      As much as I am highly critical of Labour’s caucus at present, about their not convincing leader, I must stay on factual records, that Labour did quite well economically, when they ran the country. And that recession only started a few months before the GFC, because every boom cycle must come to an end at some stage. Pull the wool over other people’s eyes, dear friend, you are not fooling most readers here!

      Labour left a sound set of accounts for NatACT to take advantage of, when crisis struck!

      • pollywog 17.1.1
        19 May 2013 at 10:24 am

        UpandComer (414) Says:
        May 19th, 2013 at 5:51 am
        http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2013/05/real_fiscal_restraint.html#comments

        …pen a letter of thanks to Bill English.

        Thank Mr English for his foresight, prudence and work through almost every sector of government in his career. Perhaps you have a relative like myself who is mentally ill.

        Thank Bill for being the guy who pushed through the communities initiatives that got those people out of their prison-like institutions and into healthy full lives, and who took the crap when a few of these ppl did bad things.

        Thank Bill for the massive decreases in the criminal increase in cost of living, inflation, interest rates and power prices that characterised Labour’s tenure.

        Thank Bill for his intellectual prowess in the areas of welfare, housing, education, health, tax policy, local government, and Maori policy.

        Thank Bill for getting the country through it’s toughest years in a very, very long time, and in particular for being the guy who has taken the arrows and set the agenda that got us away from the abyss that was the 2008 report on the state of the NZ economy.

        Your’s sincerely, a high information voter exasperated at your ignorance and baaing. “WHERE”S THE JOBS” Polly blurts like an idiot.

        Well, there are a hell of a lot more of them here, then elsewhere in the world, thanks to Bill.

        Anyone know a sincere Chinese ghost writer willing to write me a thank you note to Bill English ?…I’ll have a whiparound at the local shelter to pay for it !

    • KJT 17.2
      19 May 2013 at 9:58 am

      They did!

      Even Bill English admitted it.

      “Labour left NZ in a good position”.

      In fact NZ has only weathered the GFC so far due to Cullens refusal to spend the money, on the tax cuts national advocated and later carried out, by the way, and Paul Keating’s regulation of the Australian banks, which prevented them going the same way as New Zealand’s finance companies.

      • pollywog 17.2.1
        19 May 2013 at 10:30 am

        UpandComer (414) Says:
        http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2013/05/real_fiscal_restraint.html#comment-1144111

        Cullen paid down most of his debt right at the very end. He’d been figuring out as many ways as he could to spend money and had been pretty successful, but most of the debt decreases as a % had occurred because the economy had grown, not because he’d paid much of it off.

        His debt pay-off wasn’t principled, it was, like the trainset purchase that is costing hundreds of unnecessary millions that might have gone into, I don’t know, food in schools, a way to clean out the books to the greatest extent possible to go with the rest of Labour’s blessings in 2008.

        So before you cast aspersions on Bill English, please go and educate yourself, and maybe go to finishing school as well, because your awful blurts, whimsical grasp of history and current affairs, and pseudo-aggression is sth(sic).

        Mr Cullen himself despised about some of his own colleagues and constituents.

        Just ask some of your friends, it’s very easy to be in charge of money when there’s ‘heaps’ it’s a bit harder for guys like Bill when there isn’t any.

        /sarc QFT 🙂

  18. xtasy 18
    19 May 2013 at 1:25 am

    The lies in the NZ media never cease to amaze me:

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8686417/Key-talks-up-Asian-opportunities

    Key glorifies the Asian opportunities of exporting yet more milk powder, baby formula, raw logs and fish to China, while NZ meat is held at the border for an abject failure by export administrators, not informing Chinese authorities that there is now a Primary Industries ministry, replacing MAF in responsibilities.

    Yeah, failure again, and lies galore, where Key’s speech at Vector Arena last Friday is commented on with mention of “multiple” arrests of protestors. Hey, I was there, there were no multiple arrests at all, only one person was finally forced to the ground by three cops, and handcuffed and arrested under dubious reasons.

    So why do NZ media get away with lying to us. It is because so many in the public tend to give them “credit” they do not deserve. NZ is still considered an honest and integre society, but is this really so? My personal experience and that of many others is very different to that.

    There were also not just two dozen people outside Vector Arena in late morning and lunchtime on Friday, there were at least three to four dozen, and many others watching and supporting a vocal protest against a useless budget that delivers none to poor and needy, but gives more rights, benefits and powers to those already in power, in business and this rotten state we have now.

    See some links about what happened, but these are just glimpses, not showing the true scale of what went on there. The MSM do not want the truth to be reported on, as they are all in majority corporate owned and servants to the business and present government circles. Expect no truth from them, they ar e misleading and lying:

    http://www.3news.co.nz/Police-restrain-anti-poverty-protesters/tabid/370/articleID/298153/Default.aspx

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/multimedia/tv/national/79409.html

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/budget-2013/135392/anti-poverty-protesters-clash-with-police

    http://www.radiolive.co.nz/VIDEO-Protests-at-PMs-post-Budget-speech/tabid/504/articleID/35448/Default.aspx

    There was much more to what happened, but even Radio NZ put out a dismal report, not representing the truth. So we know, the National Party have their new bosses running Radio NZ.

    • xtasy 18.1
      19 May 2013 at 1:35 am

      Further to my comment: That one person that was initially arrested with brute force was later released without any charge laid. Well, it seems that the police realised they had no reason to arrest the young person from the start. So you damned MSM get your records straight and do not misinform the public, thanks!

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    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 ...
    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
    21 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

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    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 ...
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