corruption
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Nats still involved in dodgy donations
Written By: - Date published: 8:30 am, April 16th, 2009 - 38 comments
The Herald covers some of the donations to parties and candidates before the election. One of the big donors was the Road Transport Forum, the trucking lobby, who were behind the famous ‘truck strike’. They’re getting value for money eh? National’s Transport Minister Steven Joyce has taken half a billion out of public transport and […]
Higher education
Written By: - Date published: 4:40 pm, April 7th, 2009 - 32 comments
Turns out Richard Worth’s not the only one with a passion for flying. Tertiary Education Minister Anne Tolley has been joyriding in helicopters at the taxpayers’ expense.
How much is a lie worth?
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 pm, April 2nd, 2009 - 29 comments
Labour revealed in parliament today that Richard Worth has another secret shareholding that created conflict of interest when he carried out ministerial duties on his trip to India. After Key gave him the famous ‘bollocking’ on Monday, Worth can have been under no illusion that there wasn’t a conflict of interest with these shares. He had repeated opportunities […]
Mayday Mayday, Worth’s bought it and I’m losing altitude – Groser out
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, April 1st, 2009 - 36 comments
Richard Worth, OBE, is now in very serious trouble having been snared in what looks like untruths about using his Ministerial portfolio to further the interests of a company he had a private commercial interest in. It’s pretty blatant and really Key won’t be able to get away with keeping him on for much longer. […]
What’s Labour got up its sleeve?
Written By: - Date published: 4:09 am, April 1st, 2009 - 20 comments
When you were perusing yesterday’s Hansard (don’t lie, you were) did you notice this question from Pete Hodgson to Richard Worth amongst the questions about his India shenanigans? Hon Pete Hodgson: Does the Minister still receive any form of income from Simpson Grierson; if not, when did he last receive any income from Simpson Grierson? […]
Sean Plunket, “interviewer”
Written By: - Date published: 11:44 am, March 31st, 2009 - 19 comments
I’ve just listened to Sean Plunket interview Goff this morning. It was actually less of an interview and more an exercise in running cover for Richard Worth. And of course it’s not the first time Plunket has gone feral when National has been in trouble. A couple of weeks ago, he was demanding Labour produce […]
Worth’s story unravels
Written By: - Date published: 3:54 am, March 31st, 2009 - 57 comments
Despite getting a “bollocking” from John Key, Richard Worth last night denied that he had been acting as a minister when he went around India promoting flight training provided by a company he had shares in. Unfortunately for Worth, they have the internet in India too: Indian Express 28 Feb 2009 ‘My personal commitment to […]
“Corrupt!”
Written By: - Date published: 4:19 pm, March 30th, 2009 - 62 comments
National rode to power off the back of years of rhetoric accusing the last Labour government of corruption. Who can forget the screams from the Nats? – “Corrupt! Corrupt! Corrupt!” they cried. The boys in blue were going to deliver us a new era of transparency and accountable government. Interesting then to see a report […]
Sensible Sentencing Trust and GEO Group, a deafening silence
Written By: - Date published: 1:00 pm, March 11th, 2009 - 33 comments
Yesterday Tane did an excellent post speculating on links between the Sensible Sentencing Trust and GEO Group. GEO Group derived from the notorious Wackenhut Corrections and it now wants to run privately run and publically funded prisons in NZ. In the US, the GEO Group supports organizations preaching almost exactly the messages as the SST […]
Private prisons and the ‘tough on crime’ lobby
Written By: - Date published: 10:25 am, March 10th, 2009 - 31 comments
One of the features of a privatised prison system is the potential for corruption of the political process by the commercial interests of private prison operators. Thanks to Tom in the comments it’s come to light that GEO Group, the company formerly known as Wackenhut and main contendor for National’s privatised prisons, has funded ‘tough […]
Left to the market
Written By: - Date published: 2:10 pm, February 12th, 2009 - 34 comments
Two Pennsylvania Judges have been accused of taking bribes from private prison operators to ensure a reliable stream of prisoners. To quote Associated Press: In one of the most shocking cases of courtroom graft on record, two Pennsylvania judges have been charged with taking millions of dollars in kickbacks to send teenagers to two privately […]
Pork barrelling from the Nats
Written By: - Date published: 9:26 am, November 5th, 2008 - 26 comments
One of the virtues of New Zealand government has long been that we avoid US-style pork barrel politics. The Government sets the direction of policy and priorities but doesn’t interfere with specific projects. The principle is that the experts, not the elected officials, should decide the details of specific projects. For instance, the Government might […]
Dunne’s deal?
Written By: - Date published: 9:58 am, November 3rd, 2008 - 37 comments
The revelations in today’s Dompost that Peter Dunne’s United party took a donation from the Vela family shows again what a messy business donations can be. The Vela family opposed New Zealand following a new UN fishing agreement. Ross Meurant, acting for the Velas met with Dunne, days later he issued a press release opposing […]
The H-fee explained
Written By: - Date published: 6:00 pm, October 29th, 2008 - 161 comments
A little more detail to flesh out Tane’s post. The core of the H-fee story is this: In 1987, head of Equiticorp Allan Hawkins illegally helped Elders Merchant Finance in New Zealand with the takeover of another company. In return, Elders paid Hawkins $66m through a series of sham foreign exchange transactions. There were two so-called […]
Update on Brownlee
Written By: - Date published: 5:20 pm, October 28th, 2008 - 37 comments
There are substantive policy issues such as National’s privatisation plans for the prisons that need to be covered but, first, an update on Gerry Brownlee’s conflict of interest. According to the NZPA: Brownlee said his shareholding (496 shares, worth around $4,000 during 2002-2003) was too small to amount to a pecuniary interest. – Pecuniary interest is […]
Standard scoop: Another senior Nat failed to disclose conflicts
Written By: - Date published: 10:39 am, October 28th, 2008 - 34 comments
Last month, Key lied when he was asked whether he had more Tranzrail shares, over which he had failed to declare his conflict of interest. On Sunday, it was revealed on The Standard that Key had also held shares in Fletcher Challenge Forests, which was campaigning for the Government to buy the rails off Tranzrail, […]
Key – Undisclosed conflict of interest
Written By: - Date published: 1:40 pm, October 27th, 2008 - 31 comments
National’s response to my revelation on The Standard that John Key owned shares had undisclosed conflicts of interest with Fletcher Challenge Forests is to deny the conflict. Let me restate the core conflict suscinctly: John Key owned shares in Fletcher Challenge Forests. Fletcher Challenge Forests was a major user of Tranzrail, it depended on Tranzrail […]
Standard Scoop: Key exposed again on secret shares and Tranzrail
Written By: - Date published: 9:00 pm, October 26th, 2008 - 145 comments
When the Tranzrail shares came to light, Key was asked whether he had any other undisclosed shares entailing a conflict of interest. He said he didn’t. That was not true. National Party Leader John Key failed to disclose his conflict of interest arising from his share holding in Fletcher Challenge Forests while using his privileges […]
Diversion tactics
Written By: - Date published: 1:28 pm, September 24th, 2008 - 87 comments
Key’s three defences on the share scandal are ‘no-one asked how many shares I had’, ‘it didn’t matter how many shares I had’, and ‘Labour is spending all their time researching me’. It’s classic distraction stuff. Let’s break it down. ‘No-one asked me how many shares I had’ – Yes, Fran Mold did on Monday […]
Did you pay the tax, John?
Written By: - Date published: 6:38 am, September 24th, 2008 - 34 comments
Generally, when you buy capital and later sell it, there is no tax payable on any profit. Unless you buy with the propose of selling the capital for a profit. That being the case, your buying and selling of the capital is engaging in an activity to generate income and tax is payable. It is […]
John’s lying eyes
Written By: - Date published: 4:35 pm, September 23rd, 2008 - 18 comments
All it takes is Youtube, some video editing software, and imagination to make great vids, as this video we have just been sent from ‘johnnyfivestrive’ shows:
Damned by his own words
Written By: - Date published: 2:40 pm, September 23rd, 2008 - 53 comments
Michael Cullen’s office has just released a damning exchange between John Key and Richard Prebble that shows John Key not only fully understood the requirement for him to disclose potential conflicts of interests such as his shareholding in Tranzrail, but even used ownership of Tranzrail shares as a hypothetical example of the need to disclose […]
One News footage
Written By: - Date published: 11:58 am, September 23rd, 2008 - 51 comments
For those who missed it, here’s the video from last night’s One News investigation into John Key’s TranzRail dealings. The first clip details Key’s abuse of his positition as an MP for personal financial gain, and the second clip has him lying about his shareholding, then quickly correcting himself when he realises he’s been busted.
Can he look himself in the mirror?
Written By: - Date published: 9:30 am, September 23rd, 2008 - 28 comments
John Key on August 30 “The appointment of a minister to Cabinet has to be done on the basis that as Prime Minister I can look that person in the eye and have confidence that I can rely on their word.” Also, I know it’s small change to Key but to those of us who aren’t […]
Hand in the till
Written By: - Date published: 6:51 pm, September 22nd, 2008 - 189 comments
One News has just run the revelation that John Key lied to the public and to Parliament about the extent of his shareholding in Tranzrail while using his position to ask questions about the Government’s intentions for rail. More importantly, it seems he met with Rail America in his capacity as National’s transport spokesperson to […]
- Parody and satire bill would allow us to safely poke fun at the world
Analysis: The Green Party’s Copyright (Parody and Satire) Amendment Bill would be a welcome change to New Zealand’s copyright law. The bill was pulled out of the ballot late last week. It aims to allow comedians to use copyright protected material to poke fun at the world. Lampooning our politicians, designing memes that ...1 week ago - Pacific foundation fights on after Govt funding cuts
‘Let’s take a risk,’ chief executive says of decision to continue Pacific trust’s work after losing state funding The post Pacific foundation fights on after Govt funding cuts appeared first on Newsroom. ...1 week ago
- The big apology is here, but the big action is yet to come
Comment: On Tuesday, Una Jagose will stand before survivors at Parliament.The Solicitor-General is one of seven key public sector leaders who will apologise on behalf of their departments to those who have suffered abuse while in state care.The others are the heads of Oranga Tamariki (Andrew Bridgman), Health (Diana Sarfati), ...1 week ago
- Hīkoi mō te Tiriti day one: ‘Lets make this hīkoi build a nation’
Since setting off Monday morning numbers have swelled from a couple hundred to well over 1000 people, demonstrating their opposition to the coalition government's controversial Treaty Principles Bill and other policies impacting Māori. ...1 week ago - Barring Aaron Smale from the abuse in care apology is a very, very bad joke
The grim irony of prohibiting a journalist who has shown such tenacity in the face of an obstructive state. The story of abuse in New Zealand state and faith-based care is a long and sorry dirge of ignominy. To which can now be added: the decision to deny Aaron Smale ...1 week ago - Why I made a ‘punk rock’ documentary about gender in Aotearoa
Perrin Hastings, creator and host of The Gender Agenda, shares their personal journey to making a new local series about gender for rangatahi. From a very young age, I knew I was going off-script. I would sit and study television shows where gay characters were punchlines. If there was a ...1 week ago
- Open Letter Against Oceana Gold And Fast Track Expansion
“Oceana Gold have opted to use the Fast Track legislation to go ahead with the Waihi North gold mining project at Waihi and in the conservation forest at Wharekirauponga. ...1 week ago
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Sanctions would likely require a law change, but there’s another path the government could consider if it chooses to take a tougher line. The decision by Israel’s parliament to designate the United Nations’ Palestinian relief agency UNRWA a “terrorist organisation” has been condemned by many governments, with claims it will ...1 week ago
- For abuse in care survivors, an apology without action means nothing
Tomorrow, the prime minister will deliver a national apology for abuse that occurred in state and faith-based care. But for survivors, redress and accountability still look to be a long way off, writes Steve Goodlass. As we drew closer to the date of the public apology, the response minister Erica ...1 week ago
- Inside the urgent race to solve homelessness in Aotearoa
As homelessness hits an all-time high, New Zealand’s frontline organisations are embracing unconventional and innovative strategies. Joel MacManus takes a closer look at the crisis and meets the people who claim to have the cure. Photos taken by David Jensen on an outing in Wellington, October 2024. The names of ...1 week ago
- Hīkoi (v.24)
A poem by Ātea editor Liam Rātana. We should write something about it— strange if we didn’t. You’d want something insightful, wouldn’t you, something about feet moving, fists pounding, flags waving, horns honking, voices shouting loud enough to wake even the deepest sleep. We’re always angry, ready to mobilise, ...1 week ago
- The ferry to Russell
In an effort to squeeze in as much public transport as possible to the last day of my trip, I caught the ferry from Paihia to Russell/Kororāreka The crossing took 17 minutes and cost me $17 for a return trip. There are three ferry companies operating services across the bay. ...1 week ago
- The longest commute, day seven: To the end of New Zealand’s public transport network
Joel MacManus attempts to travel from the bottom to the top of the country without a car or plane. Today: the last hurrah. The mission: Get from Stewart Island to Cape Reinga as fast as possible using only public transport. Wherever I can, I’ll travel by train. In areas that ...1 week ago
- I’m not allowed to bike to Cape Reinga
Mad Chapman has vetoed my plan to bike the last leg from Kaitaia to Cape Reinga. It’s a bit hypocritical coming from someone who once rode an Onzo bike from Mt Eden to Huntly for a story, but she’s all responsible now that she’s the editor. Please, if you have ...2 weeks ago
- The Bay of Islands
I’ve made it to Paihia but something terrible has happened that could put this entire trip in jeopardy. I need to go make some calls. I’ll fill you in soon. ...2 weeks ago
- The longest commute, day six: It’s back to the bus for Joel
Joel MacManus attempts to travel from the bottom to the top of the country without a car or plane. Today: I enter the north. The mission: Get from Stewart Island to Cape Reinga as fast as possible using only public transport. Wherever I can, I’ll travel by train. In areas ...2 weeks ago
- The Weekend: I don’t know how to travel
Madeleine Chapman reflects on the week that was. This week we’ve been talking all about travel, from Joel trying his darnedest to get from the bottom to the top of the country without a car or plane, to our senior writers detailing their greatest ever trips. What has become immediately ...2 weeks ago
- ‘Such a thrill’: Chelsie Preston Crayford on seeing a sitcom legend in the flesh
The star of A Remarkable Place to Die reflects on her life in television. It’s been a big year for Chelsie Preston Crayford, whose previous screen credits include Nude Tuesday, Eagle vs Shark and Underbelly: Razor. In Dark City: The Cleaner, she paced the suburban streets of Christchurch as the ...2 weeks ago
- Behind the mic: Why Aotearoa needs more Māori music managers
Despite the success of reo Māori music, a shortage of Māori music managers means many Māori artists struggle to thrive in the business side of the industry. The Māori music scene in Aotearoa is arguably as strong as it has ever been. Reo Māori waiata are topping the charts, and ...2 weeks ago
- Toi Te Mana: The landmark indigenous history of Māori art has arrived
Two authors of an extraordinary new book on the history of Māori art, Deidre Brown and Ngarino Ellis, discuss how they approached it, and why. Māori art is one of the great art traditions of the world. That kaupapa was the starting point for a project we began 12 years ...2 weeks ago
- On being undeniably, irretrievably old
David Hill is in his ninth decade. In a touching tribute to his late friend, he challenges some myths about ‘old farts’. The Spinoff Essay showcases the best essayists in Aotearoa, on topics big and small. Made possible by the generous support of our members. I‘m past The Birthday. Not “the ...2 weeks ago
- ‘So simple, so sweet, so pure’: Rita Mae’s perfect weekend playlist
Singer-songwriter Rita Mae shares her perfect weekend playlist. “Gritty, bold, and to-the-point” is how Tāmaki Makaurau indie darling Rita Mae describes her upcoming project. The singer-songwriter’s second EP, Kiss the Sky, will be released into the world on November 15. “[Kiss the Sky is] about desire and greed, it’s about ...2 weeks ago
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Proxies, including those based on ethnicity, play an important role in a fair and equitable resource allocation system, write public health academics Tim Tenbensel and Monique Jonas. The government’s recent directive that public services should be prioritised “on the basis of need, not race” will make it harder and more ...2 weeks ago
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Is New Zealand’s prison system about safety, or just punishment? And what are the social and financial costs of prioritising retributive justice? What if our hunger for punishment is costing us more than we realise? In this week’s episode of When the Facts Change, Bernard Hickey sits down with ...2 weeks ago
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The Commission’s Rongomau Taketake Indigenous Rights Governance Partner, Dayle Takitimu, said the Government had completely ignored the Waitangi Tribunal’s recommendations in its interim report Ngā Mātāpono, including for the Bill to be abandoned. ...2 weeks ago
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Tara Ward watches TVNZ’s sleek and scenic new murder-mystery series. This is an excerpt from our weekly pop culture newsletter Rec Room. Sign up here. It’s a beautiful day in Central Otago for a car to plummet off a cliff. Somewhere deep inside Skipper’s Canyon, a car leaves the road and ...2 weeks ago
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Summer’s coming. It’s time to brush the dried grass out of your tent, and more importantly, brush up on your campsite manners. Ah, the joys of sleeping in a nylon dome. No ventilation, no insulation and no soundproofing. That little rock that wiggles its way through your long sponge masquerading ...2 weeks ago
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- Stage set for Treaty Principles Bill showdown
The controversial proposed legislation has been introduced to parliament just a week out from its first reading, writes Stewart Sowman-Lund in today’s extract from The Bulletin. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. ...2 weeks ago
- The longest commute, day five: The long train to Auckland
Joel MacManus attempts to travel from the bottom to the top of the country without a car or plane. Today: the longest single trip on his journey. The mission: Get from Stewart Island to Cape Reinga as fast as possible using only public transport. Wherever I can, I’ll travel by ...2 weeks ago
- Elemeno P just released a song for the first time in 13 years – but is it real?
On Wednesday, kiwi legends Elemeno P dropped a new song. ‘Shiver’ either marks a huge change in direction, unfettered use of AI, copyright infringement or an upload error. Gabi Lardies investigates. “Woah this build up is crazy.” I’m watching my colleague listen to a song I’ve been replaying all morning. ...2 weeks ago
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Vic Books closed down in January 2023, but its website and Twitter handle have risen from the dead. What’s going on? On October 10 this year, the dormant Vic Books Twitter handle rose like Lazarus with the following message: “Vic Books will be returning soon – your beloved bookstore now ...2 weeks ago
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