Cameron Slater’s shame: his latest moneymaker

Written By: - Date published: 9:12 am, January 19th, 2010 - 100 comments
Categories: crime - Tags: ,

Cameron ‘Whaleoil’ Slater has launched ‘SHAME’. It’s supposedly a lobby group to get suppression laws changed. Really, it looks like a money making scheme for the workshy Slater.

SHAME seems to have no members apart from Slater. He says “We are fortunate to be supported by Michael Laws and John Banks, plus many others.” Note: Banks and Laws are not members. They’re “supporters”. I’ll bet you now there are no ‘members’ other than Slater. Certainly, the SHAME site offers no way for you to join. Doesn’t even raise the possibility.

What you can do on the site is donate. It’s all you can do. Apart from read the ‘about’. There are four links to the donation page on the front page alone.

Who are you donating to? SHAME won’t say. It doesn’t look like SHAME has any legal status. It is not a company. Not a society. Not a trust. It is a scam. It is Slater. “If you give money to SHAME, it looks like the money will go straight to Slater. What is to stop him spending it on himself?”

Slater lived on income insurance for many years until the insurance company stopped his payments. Now he is on the sickness benefit. To maintain his lifestyle he needs another source of income. Hence, SHAME.

There’s no point engaging in Slater’s ‘arguments’ since this entire campaign is just another money-making/attention-getting venture for him, but here I go.

SHAME stands for Suppression Helps Abusers Make Excuses. No, suppression doesn’t. It protects the identities of sexual abuse victims. Also, in some cases, people have been a accused of a particularly damning crime but have the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. Because those people would unfairly bear the stain of the offence if they are later found not guilty. These suppression orders are made by trained, experienced judges in light of the facts. Not dickhead bloggers.

In his about page for SHAME, Slater writes:

“We belive [sic] that the ONLY solution to our suppression laws [is] a simplification removing name suppression for all except for victims and to add the suppression of the nature of the relationship between the offender and the victim.” Slater misses the point that the suppressed names are of ‘accused’ not ‘offenders’. I expect he doesn’t understand the difference. He also ignores the fact that he has revealed the identities of accused whose names were suppressed to protect the identity of the victims.

“People are n’t [sic] interested in the lurid details of the victim they are interested in the names of offenders. If something becomes a secret then people want to know that secret.” So, what? People are fascinated by crime porn. We know that. That fascination doesn’t outweigh the right of the victims to privacy.

“Slater (who has strangely taken to referring to himself in the third person) doesn’t really give a damn about suppression laws. He is exploiting victims of sexual crime for no higher purpose than money and the attention he craves.

100 comments on “Cameron Slater’s shame: his latest moneymaker ”

  1. gitmo 1

    This just appears to be another rant and borderline slanderous… why do you hate Slater so much that you’d continue to post about him in such a way ?

    This site is loosing whatever mojo it had and descending into a teenage bitching fest.

  2. Sanctuary 2

    “…SHAME seems to have no members apart from Slater…. …Certainly, the SHAME site offers no way for you to join. Doesn’t even raise the possibility…

    …What you can do on the site is donate. ..”

    Clearly modelled on Family First then.

  3. sweetd 3

    Agree with Gitmo, this is less about SHAME and more about your hatred of Whale. I suspect if anybody else had started a group like this you wouldn’t care less.

    • felix 3.1

      I suspect if anybody else had started a group like this you wouldn’t care less.

      The main thrust of the post is that its not a group. Slater has pretended to start a group.

  4. snoozer 4

    this guy really is a con-artist eh?

    First he is ripping off an insurance comapny for income insurance that he wasn’t entitled to. Now, he’s trying to get Kiwis concerned about sex crime to fund his lifestyle.

  5. Seti 5

    So beneficairy bashing is okay providing its on the opposite hue?

    • felix 5.1

      Explain what you mean by “beneficairy bashing”. Show your working and any relevant examples. Your answer should be more than “beneficiary bashing means using the word beneficiary”.

  6. felix 6

    The second comment on his site reads The whale rocks! posted by admin

  7. big bruv 7

    It needs to be pointed out that not all of us on the right support Slater or SHAME.

    I favour blanket name and detail suppression in all instances until the accused has had his/her day in court.

    Where I do agree with Slater is in the area of name suppression once the accused has been found guilty, this should never be allowed to happen.

    • Richard 7.1

      Even if naming convicted people identifies victims, or punishes the offender out of proportion to their crime?

      • big bruv 7.1.1

        Richard

        Naming the criminal need not identify the victims as per the Caphill case.

        As for punishing the offender out of proportion, yes, tough luck for the criminal.

        • Richard 7.1.1.1

          Yes, you are right in some cases identifying the offender does not identify the victim (such as apparently the Caphill). But in some cases identifying the offender does identify the victim. That’s why in those cases suppression could still be valid after conviction. I think that’s why a blanket rule that suppression ceases after conviction is unworkable.

          Punishing offenders out of proportion to their offense is not just and undermines the rule of law.

    • lprent 7.2

      bb: I agree with most of that (and that is a surprise), and it was the case until somewhere in the 70’s (from memory).

      However I disagree with
      <…area of name suppression once the accused has been found guilty, this should never be allowed to happen.

      Imagine that someone was convicted of kiddie fiddling his daughters in a high profile case. Releasing the name and details of the offender then re-victimizes the victim. Absolute rules like that a real problem. I’d prefer to leave that decision up to the judge, ideally with a review period (family may change name etc…)

      • Rex Widerstrom 7.2.1

        Releasing the name and details of the offender then re-victimizes the victim.

        I don’t for one moment disagree with the need to respect the wishes of the victim in this matter.

        However, it also annoys me intensely that society’s response to anything with “sex” in it is still a Puritanical mixture of disapproval and titllation such that a victim of a sex offence is left feeling they have something shameful to hide.

        We really, really need to grow TF up.

  8. Mako 8

    It’s interesting that Slater has previously insisted that his reason for publishing identifying information was his belief that the law was wrong. Yet on Breakfast this morning, he claimed to have taken this stance only once charged by the police. This would seem to confirm that his original motives were not as principled as he now claims them to have been.

    BTW, I wonder if he’s had a spot of media training recently? If so, I can probably guess from whom.

      • Rex Widerstrom 8.1.1

        Well according to Mako he was caught in a blatant and stupid lie in the midst of a scheme aimed at personal enrichment, so yes.

        I expect any moment now the secretary / treasurer will be revealed to be one Antoinette Beck, Australian university student, and oddly uncontactable.

  9. toad 9

    The “How to donate” page says:

    Through our Bank Account (coming soon)

    Thank you in advance for your kind donation, through The Whale’s court cases and through our lobbying we WILL change this law.

    That’s interesting on 2 counts.

    1) The “organisation” obviously doesn’t have a bank account yet. The paypal payment facility is presumably sendiong credit card payments directly to Slater rather than to the “organisation”.

    2) It appears to be funding Slater’s legal defence as well as his lobbying.

  10. Pete 10

    It really irritates me that he’s called a “high-profile” blogger on Stuff et al too.

    I guess in the village that is New Zealand that this is so, but still, it does many decent bloggers a dis-service…

  11. torydog 11

    wow as if the group wasnt cool enough he has to get Laws and Banks…geez sounds like a well reasoned group of intelligent thinkers…….!

    Spose John will be donating a significant amount to save buddy from what he deserves.

    AND what ever happend to innocent until proven guilty???? Why the need to have private info released about a person before they go through due process……god we sure are under tory rule now!

  12. Scott 12

    I don’t particularly like Slater, but Z that’s one mean post. Calling someone a “welfare queen” does you a disservice.

    Why stoop to his level? He’s clearly got to you.

    • Bright Red 12.1

      Slater hasn’t worked for the last ten years. He rants on about ‘bludgers’ but he’s one himself.

      I think it’s fair that it gets pointed out.

      • Scott 12.1.1

        I understand the hypocrisy issue, but maybe there’s a good reason for him to be on on a sickness benefit. None of us know the full details of his medical condition. Calling him a “welfare queen” merely demeans others on welfare.

        • lprent 12.1.1.1

          I’d agree with that. Using it as a phrase of opprobrium isn’t particularly useful, although it is usually used from the right that way.

          However Z wrote the post. He is always a bit extreme in wording for my personal taste. But not enough for me to start censoring. Also it is Cameron. After years of being denigrated by the guy, I really have little sympathy.

          • Scott 12.1.1.1.1

            Fair enough. I’m not suggesting you censor the post. And it’s not Slater I was worried about, but others who might be on welfare.

            • lprent 12.1.1.1.1.1

              That is why I wasn’t happy with that wording. Z will probably get some stick for it.

              But I think that I might also send him some pointed comment about using wingnut terminologies. Bad enough looking at them when I read the incoming links.

        • dontsurf 12.1.1.2

          His insurance company certainly thinks he’s fit to work.

          And from his quite prolific output, it certainly doesn’t sound like he spends all day in bed.

          What depressed person willingly invites this kind of attention on them? He’s not depressed. He’s a bludging motherfucker. He thinks the world owes him a favour, when what the world really owes him is a good kick in the balls.

  13. sweetd 13

    Pete

    he is high profile in NZ. He uses his real identity, and like David Farrar, Russel Brown and Bernard Hicky to name a few, is being used as a go to guy for comments and thus appears on TV and radio. Something that can never happen with the standard with its grouping of hidden ID’s, Lprent being the exception.

    • Bright Red 13.1

      Lynn and Rochelle. But you’re right, the standard does need a public face.

      • Tigger 13.1.1

        So the fact that the poster at the Standard aren’t media whores is a bad thing?

        • felix 13.1.1.1

          I don’t think it’s a bad thing at all, however Red has a point. It would be good if someone were available to the media in the way Clinton Smith used to be.

          • Tigger 13.1.1.1.1

            It’s a co-op site isn’t it? How can one person speak for a community unless employed/elected to do so? I agree, great to see more left wing pundits being interviewed so perhaps if it was made clear they were a writer on the Standard and not speaking for the Standard…

          • lprent 13.1.1.1.2

            Don’t look at me. I’m more likely to rip reporters heads off.

            However rocky is pretty good on the media

            • rocky 13.1.1.1.2.1

              LOL yes I think keeping lprent away from the tv cameras is a smart move! He didn’t do too bad in that SST Anthony Hubbard story about a year ago though.

              It’s entirely possible to have someone anonymously commenting to the media (no tv of course though)… perhaps putting up a cellphone number for media to call that one of the main writers can use wouldn’t be a bad idea. It does frequently annoy me how the media always write about The Standard without comment from our side.

              • felix

                It does frequently annoy me how the media always write about The Standard without comment from our side.

                Me too. Just need one person available for comment.

                As for your uncle, he’s not too bad on the radio.

    • Richard 13.2

      Don’t be ridiculous, the media is perfectly able to interview people operating under pseudonyms if they want to.

      Madonna, Bono, Marilyn Munroe, Marilyn Manson.

  14. tc 14

    Ignore him, like badly behaved children are, the fact he gets cover/copy by banks/laws/TVNZ just shows what tub thumping morons we have in our extremely mediocre media….no critical analysis just provide a soapbox for the loons.

    I have the rule “IF Laws THEN Ignore”……he’s a Howard stern wannabee without the big bucks and intellect……just the way Radio Live like ’em.

  15. Juana 15

    You are a lying piece of trash.
    You act as though you have the moral high ground yet lie through your teeth throwing unfounded accusation after unfounded accusation at my husband.
    Everything you have stated in this post about WO is a lie.
    Bet you won’t publish this because this is about your jealousy and hate not reasoned debate or fairness.

    [lprent: What you think is your problem. Just attacking the writer without addressing the points raised is normally a bannable offense. But since you have an interest I’ll let it through.

    But as a suggestion, you should really provide some details about what you found objectionable rather than just doing blanket statements. Then you might get some discussion on those points rather than simply being ignored. This isn’t gotcha – act according to the policy. ]

  16. toad 16

    Juana, it might help if you point out what the “lies” are and why they are lies – ie what the correct information is. Just accusing someone of lying doesn’t really add anything to the debate.

    If Z has stated things as fact that are not, tell us what they are and what the real facts are.

    • lprent 16.1

      Ditto – I made exactly that point when moderating the comment. I always find it irritating when people make blanket statements without bothering to get to the essential detail.

  17. Tigger 17

    The black/white approach to suppression that Slater espouses (it’s never black and white), the confusion between being accused of a crime and being convicted are truly alarming. It’s more of the mob rule that National is encouraging…I expect torches and pitchforks and an angry mob descending on Parliament any time soon.

    Any truth to the rumour that Slater’s next website will be Burn Witch, Burn – devoted to burning suspected witches at the stake?

  18. rocky 18

    Because those people would unfairly bear the stain of the offence if they are later found innocent.

    Just to be pedantic – people aren’t found innocent in court, they are found not guilty. It is an important distinction.

    I don’t want to see everyone get name supression if found not guilty, but in some cases it is warranted. I supported those who were charged after breaching the name supression in the Louise Nicholas trial.

    Judges aren’t always right. Slater’s problem is he doesn’t seem to have any concrete values behind his stance.

  19. Juana 19

    ‘Cameron ‘Whaleoil’ Slater has launched ‘SHAME’. It’s supposedly a lobby group to get suppression laws changed. Really, it’s a money making scam for Slater ‘

    A totally unfounded and slanderous accusation.

    ” It doesn’t look like SHAME has any legal status. It is not a company. Not a society. Not a trust. It is a scam. It is Slater. If you give money to SHAME, you are giving money straight into Slater’s wallet to do what he chooses with it.’

    A totally unfounded and slanderous accusation

    Slater used to rip off an insurance company but they stopped his payments.

    A totally unfounded and slanderous accusation.

    ‘Now he is on the sickness benefit.’

    ( the only correct thing stated in your tirade thus far.)

    To maintain his lifestyle he needs another source of income. Hence, SHAME.

    A totally unfounded and slanderous accusation

    ‘Slater (who has taken to referring to himself in the third person as his grip on reality loosens further) doesn’t really give a damn about suppression laws. He is exploiting victims of sexual crime for no higher purpose than money and the attention he craves.’

    A totally unfounded and slanderous accusation

    Well, I hope that clears it up for you Toad. Though most intelligent readers would have been quite clear on the slanderous, malicious lies I was referring to.

    • Marty G 19.1

      Juana/Slater.

      It’s obvious that it’s you.

      You made nearly identical points in your threatening email and we’ve given you our response.

      (don’t worry, viewers, we might publish the emails later)

      • Juana 19.1.1

        Yet another slanderous and totally unfounded statement from you!
        I have NEVER e-mailed you. I have only ever commented on your website.
        Where is the soap? Someone needs to wash your mouth out with it.
        Can you even lie straight in bed?

        • Rob 19.1.1.1

          @juana perhaps stick to you husbands blog and comment and rave on that…… he needs the comments # based on todays post..

          It will be interesting how Cameron keeps up the momentum until he next appears in court…

    • No sorry your response does not do it for me Juana, you have proved nothing.

      Just responding to a so called slanderous comment with a repeated sentence
      “A totally unfounded and slanderous accusation” does nothing. Surely you understand that or don’t you?

      • Tigger 19.2.1

        Juana seems very concerned about slander. I wish Slater had an inkling of such concern.

        • Juana 19.2.1.1

          Slater, as you refer to Wo takes the consequences of his actions.
          I sincerely hope this Z coward is ready to do the same.

        • Juana 19.2.1.2

          No, I am quite satisfied now that they have heavily edited the original post to make it clear that their viewpoint is not based on facts but their biased opinion only. They reconsidered when faced with the reality of the consequences of their actions.

          [lprent: Bullshit. There were a number of comments including mine that were a bit peeved about some of the language in the post for reasons that had bugger all to do with wee johnnie. They denigrated other people on welfare and with other issues. I suspect that Z got a few e-mails apart from Camerons futile blustering. I got a txt about some changes.

          If you are so ignorant as to want to try and sue, then do so using a cached version. I suspect a lawyer will have a lot of fun laughing. There was nothing actionable about either version.

          Basically claiming a ‘victory’ just makes you look like a ridiculous and rather pathetic fool. ]

      • Lukas 19.2.2

        And you will of course be demanding the same level of proof from Z?

    • lprent 19.3

      Based on what I know, and my undoubted biases about Cameron. I’d think those are reasonable suppositions from the facts.

      You’d have to actually show some kind of reason why those things are incorrect, ideally with proof, rather than simply stating it as your opinion. After all this is the standard that Whale demands of himself.

      Of course I view anything that Cameron says as probably being bullshit. I’ve seen what he has written about me, this site, and the writers here. Not to mention the same things about many of my friends. It is 95% speculation/innuendo and 5% fact.

      • ben 19.3.1

        So the poster must prove a negative, Lynn? That their goal is not to maintain a lifestyle? I am looking forward to seeing the Standard held to account.

        • lprent 19.3.1.1

          ben: In the case of Cameron, my view is that before I believe his story he should prove it.

          After all he has never believed what I’ve said (just search his site), why should I treat him any differently than he’d treat me. It is obviously the standard of behaviour that he prefers.

          On the other hand, if you ever look back through the stuff I’ve written here. You’ll generally find that I tend to take people at their word unless they have done something that proves otherwise. I’ll often poke the borax at their ideas, beliefs, opinions, and ‘facts’ – but that is normal debate. Of course I’m not perfect – who in hell is. But that is my normal mode of operation. The exception is of course when it comes to issues that relate to the operation of this site – ie part of the duty.

          Cameron doesn’t perceive that as being his mode of operation. So I’ll follow his expected rule set with respect to him. That is I don’t believe anything that he says unless it is evidentially nailed down.

    • rob 19.4

      Juana

      please prove that you can join the organisation SHAME, and its not just Cameron and you..

      If you/WO want to get support, perhaps help clarify why many of the points are as you put it

      “A totally unfounded and slanderous accusation”

    • dontsurf 19.5

      Quick, Juana! Call the cops! Again… because you’re incapable of settling your own disputes, and you’re a massive fucking hypocrite and your support base is drying up like your insurance payments.

      That’s a completely founded and true statement, by the way. You know, just to counter your intended riposte.

      [lprent: That is heading over the bounds because it is a pointless flame starter. Calm down (or else). ]

      • dontsurf 19.5.1

        It was Lyn, yes. If it helps, I’m partially sorry.

        [lprent: No problem – just a warning.

        BTW Could you please call me Lynn with 2 n’s. My partners name is Lyn and it always seems a bit weird to be referred to as her. ]

  20. ben 20

    Who are you donating to? SHAME won’t say. It doesn’t look like SHAME has any legal status. It is not a company. Not a society. Not a trust. It is a scam. It is Slater. “If you give money to SHAME, it looks like the money will go straight to Slater. What is to stop him spending it on himself?’

    Slater lived on income insurance for many years until the insurance company stopped his payments. Now he is on the sickness benefit. To maintain his lifestyle he needs another source of income. Hence, SHAME.

    There’s no point engaging in Slater’s ‘arguments’ since this entire campaign is just another money-making/attention-getting venture for him, but here I go.

    High time The Standard got done for libel, methinks. I am no defender of Slater and I don’t care who you are writing about: but what you write here is probably libelous and certainly malicious, and therefore probably illegal. You’re free to be dishonest all you like in this country, thankfully, but you are not free to libel others. Would be nice to see the Standard held to account.

    • Bright Red 20.1

      being malicous is not illegal. Free speech and all that.

      And I can’t see how it is defamatory to state some facts, raise some questions, and come to logical conclusions from them. Yes, even if some damning language is used, as long as the conclusions are defendable interpretations of the facts.

      Considering what you turn a blind eye to all the time from Whale, I think it’s a bit rich to go crying ‘defamation’ now.

      • Juana 20.1.1

        Z has no facts.
        Logical conclusions? Yeah right!
        WO is on a sickness benefit THEREFORE he must be a thief out to con the system.
        What a poor liberal Z does make.

        • Pascal's bookie 20.1.1.1

          That’s not the argument Z makes though Juanna.

          Here are the premisses

          – Wo has money probs at the mo

          -Wo has set up a group seeking donations

          -the group seems to have no official status, or any members other than Wo

          This raises the question of where the money goes, if not to, Wo.

          One quick question, is it safe to assume that donations to SHAME will be helping with Wo’s legal fees?

          • Pascal's bookie 20.1.1.1.1

            Sorry about the typo’s, Juana. Particularly in your name. (Too slow to edit a correction).

          • Bright Red 20.1.1.1.2

            The SHAME website says that the money will be used to pay his legal fees and for ‘lobbying’, which I take to mean paying for Slater’s coffees with Nats and trips to wellington.

            Juana (who is Mrs Slater, I think) – ‘welfare queen’ is just an insulting term for beneficiary. One that is often used by the Right. I think Zet is taking the piss and exposing Whale’s hypocrisy.

            Actually, I see that sentence has changed.

      • ben 20.1.2

        Red, you are right, truth is a defence, and if Z is speaking truth then there is no libel. If it is made up, on the other hand, this is textbook libel and The Standard as publisher is liable.

        • Scott 20.1.2.1

          I would find it truly ironic if Cameron Slater, of all people, were to sue someone for defamation.

        • Bright Red 20.1.2.2

          It doesn’t look made up. Check out the companies and trusts websites for yourself. No registered organisation.

          From the fact that this isn’t an organisation with any legal personality, the obvious conclusion is that any money you give will be going to a bank accounted administered solely by Slater with no controls over what he spends the money on.

          And given Slater’s income has taken a dive recently, I think one can conclude where the money would go.

          I think it’s called honest opinion.

          • ben 20.1.2.2.1

            Given all the invective it looks plain malicious to me. Would be good to see this tested in court.

            [lprent: Bearing in mind the way that the defamation laws operate and who Cameron is, I suspect that he would have a hard time proving damage (apart from anything else). He does more of it to himself than anyone else could possibly hope to challenge – even Z. ]

            • Scott 20.1.2.2.1.1

              I wouldn’t hold my breath. I suspect (and hope) the courts have better things to do than settle disputes between angry bloggers.

            • Bright Red 20.1.2.2.1.2

              ben using malicious language isn’t illegal.

              Freedom of speech, heard of it?

              • ben

                Sigh.

                It is illegal if you publicly tarnish the reputation of another and what you say is untrue.

                Speech is limited in some ways in this country, this is one of them.

                • lprent

                  Sigh.

                  The test is damage, not tarnishing reputation. In this case, you’d have to argue that Cameron takes little if any damage to his reputation. He only has a bad rep.

              • Marty G

                Yeah, ben, and that’s different from being malicious. It has to be defamatory within the legal definitions.

        • Jewish Kiwi 20.1.2.3

          Another thing about libel cases, is that plaintiffs must establish that they have a reputation which has been harmed.

          Sir Edmund Hillary he aint.

      • ben 20.1.3

        It may well be rich, but it doesn’t matter what Slater does. The law does not consider two wrongs make a right.

        • Scott 20.1.3.1

          Maybe so, but on the other hand the chances of a blowhard pottymouth winning a substantial damages award when served with some of his own medicine are probably next to nil.

        • Marty G 20.1.3.2

          Actually, ben. Defamation is part of equity isn’t it? And what’s the phrase ‘you must come to equity with clean hands’?

          Or is defamation part of tort (does the distinction even matter anymore?). If so, I’m sure the same principle applies. If you’ve behaved like a dick to people, you can’t be surprised and run crying to the law if they’re rude back.

          • ben 20.1.3.2.1

            No court is going to consider the question of whether person A has been libelled is helpfully informed by whether person A has previously been rude to person B. The court will say that is a matter for person B to separately take up.

            capcha: liable

            • Marty G 20.1.3.2.1.1

              ben. you actually don’t know anything about this topic do you? The context in which comments take place does matter. Courts aren’t stupid and blind. If it’s an exchange of insults that has been going on for some time and one party suddenly cries ‘defamation’ the courts look at the context and say ‘well, you were an active part of this, you’re not a victim’

  21. Rob 21

    does this group make Cameron “the head of SHAME”? or the leader of SHAME?

    “oh, the irony” (I sound just like Cameron there!!!)

    On a serious note, given that his group doesnt seem to show really what they stand for, and that no one can join except for a facebook page, and that he isnt exactly charismatic when fronting the media….
    I hope people who do take the suppresion issues seriously perhaps approach there local MP, or an existing group rather than throwing money at the Cameron and Juana Crisco Club fund…

  22. Parnell Boy 22

    Does this mean Banks is trying to distance himself from Slater?

    http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/newsdetail1.asp?storyID=169475

    Or does Banks support making it easier for sexual abuse victims to be identified or not?

  23. Babar 23

    this post is far more illuminating of zetetic’s character than of cameron slater’s. ymmv

  24. Descendant Of Smith 24

    It does seem a little unusual that someone who is unfit to work puts himself about like this. If only that much energy went into getting better or working part time. Maybe his wife / partner could go to work instead.

    While I totally defend his right to a benefit if he is unwell with that does go a responsibility to try and get better where possible. Maybe in his case it’s not possible – I don’t know.

    If he does intend to use any of that donated money for personal use then one assumes he needs to tell on himself to WINZ and have his benefit reduced. At least it’ll save the tax payer some money.

  25. Snifternz 25

    [deleted]

    [lprent: You’re still banned. Adding another month for having to clean up the pending. Next time I’ll drop you into auto-spam. ]

  26. since when did master slater of we’llallbefooked become the whale jeesh

  27. randal 27

    this stuff is better than all the books in the library.
    keep it up.
    when can I get a bound copy?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Open access notables Improving global temperature datasets to better account for non-uniform warming, Calvert, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society: To better account for spatial non-uniform trends in warming, a new GITD [global instrumental temperature dataset] was created that used maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to combine the land surface ...
    1 week ago

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

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

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

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

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

    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
    24 hours 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 ...
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    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. ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

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

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

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

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

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

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
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    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
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    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
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    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
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    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
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    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
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    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
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    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
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    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
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    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
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    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
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    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
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    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
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    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
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    4 days ago
  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
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    5 days ago
  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

    Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum.  While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation.  “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan.  “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
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    5 days ago
  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

    The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
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    7 days ago
  • Nine priority bridge replacements to get underway

    The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
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    1 week ago
  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

    New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
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    1 week ago
  • 'Pacific Futures'

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

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