Bye bye democracy

Written By: - Date published: 12:50 pm, May 19th, 2009 - 51 comments
Categories: auckland supercity - Tags:

democracy-under-attack1

So what is this Transition Board thing that National and Act created by ramming through legislation in a huge rush last week last week and only to get cold feet over appointing its members? Basically, it gives five people (rightwing businessmen) who are appointed by the government the power to veto spending decisions made by the elected councils of the Auckland region. It goes like this –

super-city2

5 unelected appointees vetoing the decisions of a hundred-odd elected officials. Doesn’t sound like democracy to me.
-Marty G

51 comments on “Bye bye democracy ”

  1. Bye bye analytical posts at the Standard …

    Here’s a helpful link so you understand the meaning of transitional:

    http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/transitional

    The point of the transitional agency is to provide governance during a period of change. Dare I say it, but regardless of Labour’s plans (BTW what has Labour actually proposed??), there would need to be a similar transitional period.

    Ironically, the haste that is so despised can be seen as a feature not a bug – the shorter the transition, the sooner that the normal processes will take place.

    The people will still elect the mayor councillors etc but let’s not let facts get in the way of a beat up.

    The Nats have been woeful over the last week or two so I don’t see the need to concoct emotive beatups like this.

    • Tim Ellis 1.1

      Good points made Daveski. I don’t remember if Labour has said whether they support the Royal Commission’s proposals, or if they are in favour of a supercity at all, but the reality is that without a transition agency being established now, it wouldn’t be possible to have a supercity at the next local government elections.

      I suppose all of Labour’s filibustering really means that Labour doesn’t want a supercity by 2010, because there would be no means of implementing it if it doesn’t have a transition agency up and running now. Perhaps Labour’s problem is that they need another three years before they’re bold enough to think up what their policy might be.

      • Jasper 1.1.1

        Labour do support a supercity, just not the undemocratic farce that is now in place.

        No referendum, no supercity. That is the whole point Tim. Royal Commission report has been thrown out for Hide’s preferred plan.

        • Tim Ellis 1.1.1.1

          Thanks for the clarification, Jasper. So if Labour do support a supercity, they obviously don’t want that is ready by the 2010 elections, because there is no time to get the transitional arrangements up and running before then.

  2. Jasper 2

    What you don’t seem to get Daveski is that the unelected transitional authority also has the right to sell off any assets they see fit.

    • Tim Ellis 2.1

      What you don’t seem to get Daveski is that the unelected transitional authority also has the right to sell off any assets they see fit.

      I don’t think you’ve read the legislation Jasper. The transitional authority doesn’t own any assets. It can’t require any of the local authorities to sell assets. It has no power to sell anything on behalf of local authorities. In fact, local authorities aren’t even allowed to dispose of significant assets without the approval of the transitional authority.

      • Jasper 2.1.1

        Subsection 10 (3)
        For the purpose of performing its functions and duties, the Transition Agency has— (a) full capacity to carry on or undertake any activity, do any act, or enter into any transaction; and
        (b) for the purposes of paragraph (a), full rights, powers, and privileges.

        So “enter into any transaction” is giving them the right to sell anything they see fit.

        • Tim Ellis 2.1.1.1

          Those are functions and duties relating to its own activities. “enter into any transaction” means purchase an office printer for the transition agency. It doesn’t mean sell off auckland city council buildings or other assets that it doesn’t own, and doesn’t have any authority to sell.

          • Jasper 2.1.1.1.1

            Ah, no not specified as such, but in the bill as at 31 October territorial authorities cede their assets to the new Auckland Council.

            Only problem is that the territorial authorities have largely ceased to exist.

    • Daveski 2.2

      Jasper

      I made no such statement. I was arguing directly against the post which was making a number of blanket statements that are incorrect.

      Your point may be valid but it is a consequence of having sufficient powers to prevent existing bodies from being parochial and undermining the process.

      For all intents and purposes, it will still be business as usual.

  3. cocamc 3

    And Marty G – do you know how the transition members are? If so then please share cause as far as I know there has been no official annoucement

  4. Simon 4

    of course if the new structure isn’t in place by the next scheduled local elections, they could just extend the life of the (transitional) Junta…

    I’m sure rodders hasn’t thought of it…..yeah right!

    • Jasper 4.1

      they can

      10 (2)
      The Transition Agency is a body corporate with perpetual succession

  5. Pascal's bookie 5

    “BTW what has Labour actually proposed.”

    A referendum for starters.

    And of course it’s a feature not a bug, the more artificially created pressure there is to ‘return to a democratic process’, the easier it is to bulldoze through the desired structure with less actual debate and consultation. Glad you spotted that, it’s what folks here have been saying.

    And no one cares what you think of the Standard dave, less is more on that front as repition makes the complaint too obviously hackish.

    It’s like you’ve got nothing else to say anymore but “can’t defend tories, standard suxx, what would labour do, deflect, deflect”

    • Daveski 5.1

      PB Calm down mate

      The post is clearly wrong and it would be decent of you to acknowledge that. The transitional authority serves a short term purpose after which elections will be held. As I pointed out, if these changes aren’t “rammed” through OR elections postponed, it won’t be in place until 2013 and imagine the uproar then.

      It’s a reasonable question as to how else a transition could be effected.

      Your other comments aren’t particularly sporting given my normal contributions here. I have pointed out that there has been a culture change since the election – where in the past, there was a strong analytical presence (I think especially of SP) and scorn at opposition without policy, it has all changed since November.

      On one specific point I will pick you up. I have never adopted a Standard sux motto – far from it, I’ve been outspoken about the general climate here and the robust debate etc. Perhaps we should return to the topic which was the focus of my initial post.

      • Pascal's bookie 5.1.1

        In what way is the post wrong? Facts I mean. You have a different opinion about why things are being done the way they are. Fair enough, but so what? Just gainsaying so doesn’t prove so.

        I am calm, but you seem defensive. I was noting that most of your comments since the election have changed as well dave, just as posts here have changed in your view. Very often you start with your no doubt sincere concern that the Standard is slipping in your view. I was merely noting that I’m having similar thoughts about your commentary. Irony huh.

        Last year, when there was a lot of comment here asking for Nat policy, there was an election campaign on, and National was asking for votes. The question was what are we voting for? This government is only a few months old, and I think we can assume the next election is still some way off. You often like to lecture us that we don’t know why we lost, and that blah balah blah, to turn that around you don’t seem to realise the Labour is in opposition now. See how easy this is? And tiresome? That’s all I was saying.

        Anyway, enjoy your day.

        • Daveski 5.1.1.1

          Ironic indeed and I agree it is a matter of roles reversed.

          And with your last words, you underline the strength of this site as I have noted. I will likewise calm down and do some work.

      • r0b 5.1.2

        The post is clearly wrong

        How?

    • Tim Ellis 5.2

      Thanks, PB for the clarification. So Labour’s interests are dragging the transitional agency through a select committee process, meaning it wouldn’t be ready by September. And a referendum, to be held at some point in the future, with no response until some later point in the future.

      In short, Labour’s plans are for no supercity by 2010, because it wouldn’t be possible to have things up and running by then.

      It’s hard for voters to interpret what Labour’s policy is by their words. I guess we can only go by their actions.

      • Pascal's bookie 5.2.1

        No Tim, stop putting words in my mouth. Labour, it seems to me, seems to want to take the time to do it right, and use the democratic system we have to put the governments proposals through the hoops as it were. Checks and ballances Tim.

      • r0b 5.2.2

        Is it better to do it fast, or do it right?

        2010 is an arbitrary deadline, chosen only to create an artificial sense of urgency so this whole undemocratic boondoggle can be rammed through before the public wake up.

        • Daveski 5.2.2.1

          A quick final word on this topic.

          Yes 2010 is an arbitrary deadline and I think a root cause of the problem. Having said that, as I’ve noted below, an extended period of change leads to different problems.

          To digress but not deflect slightly, a root cause of the timing problem is our three year election cycle for both central and local government. In my view, our decision making would be markedly improved if there was a 4 year cycle (you can keep a three year cycle for labour if you like ;))

      • inpassing 5.2.3

        In your mind, Tim, what’s with this 2010 elections timeframe..?

        Do you buy it wholesome..? or in part..? if so what and where do ‘democratic’ limitations impose themselves..

        And what of future ratepaying funders.. whether at large (let’s say residential) or specific (let’s say the business community..?

        • Tim Ellis 5.2.3.1

          Interesting questions inpassing.

          There is always going to be a period of limbo between the work of the current councils and the new Auckland Council. That’s what the transitional agency is set up to work through. We are already seeing a number of council projects that face uncertainty, and will continue to have uncertainty, until a transitional agency is set up to approve them.

          Labour’s proposal for a referendum and select committee process for the transitional agency would place even more uncertainty on these capital projects. We’re not just talking a couple of months here. If the transitional agency isn’t up and running soon, then they won’t hit the 2010 deadline for local authority elections. That would mean the new council couldn’t be set up until 2013. That would mean an extra three years of limbo.

          There are tight time frames involved with the There is time for consultation on the powers of the Auckland Council itself which will follow the normal select committee process. But if Labour had its way (and it seems to change fairly regularly), there wouldn’t be an auckland council in time for the next local body elections. I think that kind of feet-dragging is damaging for Auckland.

          • r0b 5.2.3.1.1

            You didn’t answer the question Tim. Is it better we do this fast, or do it right?

            2010 is arbitrary, and being used only to create false urgency.

            But if Labour had its way (and it seems to change fairly regularly)

            Pick one line of pin and stick with it Tim. Can you point to examples of Labour’s policy statements, and how they’ve changed?

          • Tim Ellis 5.2.3.1.2

            It is better to do it quickly and right, r0b. If there isn’t a transition agency up and running very soon, then it won’t be able to be done at all by 2010.

            I don’t think 2010 is arbitrary. It’s to coincide with the local body elections. If the 2010 deadline isn’t met, then it will be pushed out to 2013. That creates three more years of limbo for Auckland.

            The Labour Party might be used to pushing difficult issues out into the long term (like scheduling a royal commission to report back just after the general election) but this government is intent on getting things done. I don’t expect the Labour Party to get with the programme, but they will be a long time in opposition if instead of advocating a policy, they simply try and block everyone else’s.

            Labour seem to have a lot of problems putting together a clear message on the supercity at the moment r0b.

          • r0b 5.2.3.1.3

            It is better to do it quickly and right, r0b.

            Starting to look like that’s impossible Tim. At least, you can’t get there from here.

            That creates three more years of limbo for Auckland

            It creates three more years of democracy for Auckland. And anyway, it’s easy enough to extend or transition from 2010 to whatever date chosen. We’re talking about decades of future – why rush for 2010?

            this government is intent on getting things done.

            So intent on getting things done that it is in severe violation of democratic process. Nice try at spin, but once again, more important to get it right than get it fast. Unless blind-siding democracy is your real goal of course.

            Labour seem to have a lot of problems putting together a clear message on the supercity at the moment r0b.

            Pick one line of spin and stick to it Tim. Could we have links please to these Labour statements of policy that you say keep changing?

          • inpassing 5.2.3.1.4

            Thanks for your 4.52pm response, Tim.

            I’m curious about your “limbo” w/o a TA, as you say. Howso..? What would this look like..? in local authority actions terms..?

            Right and quick (relating rob’s point) appears adroit, but denies expression to what has clearly been a pre-emptive assault on local authority democracy. Do you see this, accept it as perhaps risk against ‘quick’ process?

            What risk/s of a consequential nature do you perceive arising… and how might any such risks relate to your sense of ‘right’..?

  6. Pat 6

    PB – it becomes tiresome that for 12 months or more the Left have been issuing dire warnings on the Evil Key (Evil Key-nival!) and still it goes on unabated. Fair enough I suppose if it spins your wheels, but you can’t expect the NZ public to take it seriously when there has been no substance to any of it. The polls suggest the conspiracy theories from the Left are having little effect.

    In many ways Key and Hide have staked their political careers on the Supercity, because if they f*ck it up they will lose the Auckland centre vote in 2011. It is complete BS to suggest that they are gearing up the Supercity to slash and burn, cut and run, and fleece the city coffers for a small cabal of mates. It makes for a good conspiracy theory, though.

    • Pascal's bookie 6.1

      Maybe they are not right wingers Pat it’s true, but I suspect Hide at least has an ideology.

    • inpassing 6.2

      In many ways Key and Hide have staked their political careers on the Supercity, because if they f*ck it up they will lose the Auckland centre vote in 2011. It is complete BS to suggest that they are gearing up the Supercity to slash and burn, cut and run, and fleece the city coffers for a small cabal of mates. It makes for a good conspiracy theory, though.

      Pat, the above an example of oneway traffic behind which accountability and responsibility can be (and has been elsewhere the case) disposed of.

      Does it not enter your head that make rich quick is the high risk play in accessing the prime and profitable components of Auckland’s assets and earnings..?

      Faced with make rich slow and a rapidly global call to greater governance regulation wheresoever the need arises (and yes, enzed also if only to play along or parallel trading partners etc) it would not constitute conspiracy theory to assert how today’s imprudent dramatic political dynamics will surely fall for their consequences on others. Successors. Not perpetrators.

      QED: make rich quick, and to hell with socialized losers!!

  7. Maynard J 7

    Daveski I looked at the ‘transitional’ link you gave and there was no mention of ‘undemocratic’, ‘unelected’, ‘veto powers’ or any of the other features of this specific ‘Transitional’. Not very analytical of you. Why not try to justify the terms of transition if you support it, using better justifications that ‘fast is good’. An armed coup would be a million times faster than some PC transition agency, shall we dial one of them up?

    Tim, I don’t imagine Labour or anyone else wants a supercity by 2010 if this is the price to pay. ‘bold’ is your new adjective you are going to use everytime urgency or other unnecessary and undemocratic measures are used? Ok spin, but it does not quite wash. Labour’s ‘actions’ were to set up a Royal commission. National’s have been to ignore it and pick a new scheme out of Hide’s arse. I know which action I prefer.

    • Daveski 7.1

      Let’s keep to the facts.

      During the transitional stage (key word that), ultimate power rests with the agency. After that, the elected bodies have all the power. Quite simple.

      This is not what the original post implies and completely overlooks the fact that this is transitional.

      The other issue is more interesting and perhaps could be a worthy post. On the other hand, is the quick method which has the benefit of reducing long term uncertainty. The alternative is to drag it out for say 5 years and I can only imagine the uproar if that occurred.

      With change, speed is important. People don’t like change (we can agree on this) to the longer the period of change the worse it is.

      As I understand it, the changes to local govt in the late 1980s helped lose Labour an election yet no one would want to go back to the way it was previously.

      • Maynard J 7.1.1

        Why not spell out the proposal and the time line, let the public decide on it or at least have some input, and then set up a transitional agency so everyone knows what they are going to do? What would it matter if from start to finish it was five years?

        Simple. Fast is not better.

      • r0b 7.1.2

        This is not what the original post implies and completely overlooks the fact that this is transitional.

        You mean apart from the place in the very first line where it refers to “Transition Board thing”?

      • Zaphod Beeblebrox 7.1.3

        I agree that the TA is unlikely to want to get involved with controversial decisions, after all its members are only human and would not like their names dragged through the political mud.

        Any decisions they make could easily be reversed by the elected council any way, so they will be as restrained by existing councils when making decisions with long term consequences. The TA and the existing councils will also need each other to get things done, by picking fights they will get nothing done so I cannot see too many major clashes- unless Rodney starts interfering.

        Why the rush? The big bang approach simply leads to confusion, chaos and poor decision making. I would have thought an incremental transfer or responsibilities could occur to regional government would be the logical approach- transferring the activities with the biggest marginal benefit first leaving decisions of what to do with more local significance for later.
        Is there any need to throw the baby out with bathwater?

  8. Chris Diack 8

    The TA authority can’t sell what it doesn’t own it doesn’t own Council assets.

    Of course the biggest privatiser is Mayor Bob Harvey (former President of the Labour Party) who wants to liberate public assets in Waitakere into private hands.

    Regarding Labour’s preposterous claims about a referendum of course the Royal Commission recommended against one and of course in favour of At Large seats (which Labour opposes). Thus Labour strongly disagrees with the Royal Commission on at least two significant counts.

    More interestingly, Labour could have made the Royal Commission findings subject to a referendum but strangely given its loud concern for democracy now did not do so at the time of establishing the Royal Commission. Anyone of Labour’s frontbench who were in Cabinet on the day that Helen Clark announced the Royal Commission could have requested a referendum at the morning Cabinet meeting did they?

  9. ak 9

    But gee aren’t we lucky to have a staunch independent fourth estate keeping an eye on all of this for us.

    Labour passed a law stopping wealthy cabals from drenching us with propaganda prior to an election, and we got full red-front-page screams and pictures of Lenin alongside the PM…

    Barely 18 months after electors have chosen their local leaders, National rams this obvious and dictatorial breach of contract with voters through and it’s “Greens to help implement cycleway policy”….

    Meanwhile, Winnie was pack-raped for months for an alleged fib, while North sails on unchastened…..

    It’s a blatant information monopoly, in the icy grip of the “free marketeers”. Supergranny for the super-city.

  10. Tom Semmens 10

    What is so magical about the 2010 date? What is it about 2010 that the gerrymandered oligarchy has to be in place by then? Whats the damned hurry, unless it is a blitzkrieg by plutocratic shysters who know that if people get time to organise their coup d’etat will fail?

    Here is an alternative timeline for you:

    – Select committee

    – Referendum at the same time as the next local body elections – which would also stop this appalling legislative destruction of the current democratically elected councils.

    – Super City (if Super City wins) and elections held by 2013-14.

    That allows all the current structures and planning to transition smoothly without any need for ACT’s plan – a plan that frankly is more and more resembling the sort of hard right fascist coup you’d expect somewhere like Paraguay, complete with our own little capering Mussolini, every day.

  11. Natpicker 11

    History teaches that Hitler seized power, WRONG he was democratically elected in the system of the day. Then he used his majority to force through the unnacceptable, junked democracy and gave everything to his mates……our own Jonkee and his mate Wodders were also elected with a majority in the democratic process of our day……I wonder what they will do next????????

    • bilbo 11.1

      Comparing the Nats with Hitler is about as sensible as comparing the previous government with Stalin.

      Both this Nat government and the previous Labour government have far more in common with each other than they have (or will ever have) in common with Hitler, Stalin or other silly comparisons people frivolously enjoy making.

      • Natpicker 11.1.1

        Got your attention, no its not sensible EXCEPT that they all share the same disregard for democracy, AND all aimed at the same thing, unfettered power.

        • bilbo 11.1.1.1

          What fucking twaddle.

          • inpassing 11.1.1.1.1

            so kind of you to admit in passing, bilbo, how Milton Friedman got it wrong..

            implication is such an astute prejudicial force wouldn’t you agree..!

          • Pascal's bookie 11.1.1.1.2

            ayek also is quoted as preferring (economic) liberalism (his def.) over democracy, given the choice.

  12. Akldnut 12

    I’m still waiting for a line like “We wont sell any assets in the first term”

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

  • Government moves to quickly ratify the NZ-EU FTA
    "The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Fresh produce price drop welcome
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  • Statement to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
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  • Speech to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68)
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
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    6 days ago
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    7 days ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction.   Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
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  • Commission’s advice on ETS settings tabled
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  • Government lowering building costs
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  • Trustee tax change welcomed
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  • Minister’s Ramadan message
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  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
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