Chhour needs to go
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10:52 am, August 16th, 2024 - 24 comments
Categories: act, community democracy, karen chhour, political parties, uncategorized, welfare -
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It is a time when you wish that Ipredict was still around. Who will be the next Ministerial scalp?
Will it be Nicole McKee who is attempting to smash through changes to the Arms law to allow really dangerous guns back and who refused to consult with the Police Association as part of the Government’s firearms registry reforms?
Maybe it was because the Police Association is a union. Any sort of union, even one that represents our boys and girls in blue, is clearly persona non grata to this Government.
But it was Karen Chhour’s latest outburst that has really rankled with the public.
From Glenn McConnell at Stuff:
Children’s Minister Karen Chhour was unapologetic as she confirmed contracts with front line providers would be cut, accusing some charities of wasting taxpayer money.
She said that money would be redistributed to other more worthy front line services. But Oranga Tamariki (OT) also confirmed on Wednesday that it would be contracting fewer frontline community organisations, and was budgeting about $100 million less for those services in the year ahead.
The minister has been under fire from OT staff, its community partners, and Māori over the changes she has been pushing for at the ministry. And this week, Starship Hospital – the country’s top medical facility for children – joined the chorus of critics.
But Chhour isn’t backing down. On Wednesday she accused some charities of treating OT as a “cash cow”, confirming contracts would be cut, and went on to dismiss concerns that Māori children could be put in harm when Treaty obligations are removed from the Oranga Tamariki Act.
She is obviously deeply upset because she was called a puppet by the Maori Party.
I am deeply upset that she is laying waste to the community sector who achieve a great deal with limited resources.
Chhour crossed the line when she said this:
Some of these services have for far too long been holding onto money. It does not belong to them. They don’t want to give it back. They haven’t produced the service. They should give it back. And I say that it is treating Oranga Tamariki like a cash cow.
But like her section 7AA claims no hard evidence to back up this outlandish claim was produced.
And at least one of the organisations had not only exceeded expectations but had actually put its own resources into the Oranga Tamariki Contract. From Nick Truebridge at Stuff:
Oranga Tamariki has been forced to apologise to an Auckland counselling provider that had its contract discontinued with four hours’ notice earlier this year.
Manukau’s Friendship House, which has offered counselling for two decades, was subsidised to provide the service for 250 families or individuals per year.
It’s chief executive Neil Denney told Stuff it delivered closer to 350 “units” last year. The organisation itself found 20% of the funding and had hired an extra councillor at its own expense.
But the provider’s counselling contract wasn’t renewed beyond June 30. Denney was advised on the afternoon of June 27, just hours before breaking for Matariki weekend.
No doubt Chhor has been told about organisations with money in the bank. But here is the thing. I know through my interactions with many organisations out west that they need those reserves. If an entity has less than a year’s turnover in the bank then they are one disaster away from folding. Properly resourced entities have more like six months turnover tucked away.
If Chhour has evidence of widespread mismanagement of contracts she should come up with it. Otherwise this looks like yet another reality free claim.
And this is a big smoke screen designed to hide $100 million in cuts to community organisations. All of this bluster hides that awful reality.
It is a shame that Ipredict is not still around. Otherwise I would be putting money on Chhour being the first to go.
24 comments on “Chhour needs to go ”
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- Chris Hipkins’ apology statement to state and faith-based care survivors
...1 week ago
- Release: Labour formally apologises to state and faith-based care survivors
Labour joins with the Government in unreservedly apologising for the abuse, neglect and trauma including torture in state and faith-based care and for ignoring the voices of survivors for too long. ...1 week ago
- Green Party stands in support of survivors of abuse in care
Today, the Green Party stands alongside the survivors of abuse in state care and faith-based care as the Government issues an historic apology. ...1 week ago
- Green Party calls for conscience vote on Treaty Principles Bill
The Green Party has written to the Speaker of the House requesting he enable a personal vote on the Treaty Principles Bill. ...1 week ago
- Govt move to exclude journalist risks chilling effect
The Green Party is alarmed by the Government’s move to exclude a journalist from covering this week’s apology for the survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care. ...1 week ago
- Without action, an apology will be empty air
For tomorrow’s apology to survivors of abuse in state and faith-based care to hold any water, the Government must not pursue the same policies that drove the abuse in the first place. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Concerns remain over tobacco interference
Concerns about the tobacco industry’s ability to interfere in government policy making remain, despite the inability of the Office of the Auditor-General to investigate the Government’s decision to halve the excise tax on heated tobacco products. ...2 weeks ago
- Urgent wake-up call on climate
The Climate Change Commission’s latest advice indicates Aotearoa needs to be stepping up on climate action. ...2 weeks ago
- Green MP’s Meme-ber’s Bill set to save the world
Break out the punchlines and dust off your meme folder: Green Party MP Kahurangi Carter’s Copyright (Parody and Satire) Amendment Bill was pulled from the Ballot yesterday. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Poroporoaki: Ta Robert (Bom) Gillies
Kua hinga te manawa kairākau o Te Rua Tekau Ma Waru Tiwhatiwha te po! Kakarauru i te po! Ka rapuhia kei hea koe kua riro! Haere e te Ika a Whiro ki o tini hoa kua ngaro atu ki te Pō ...2 weeks ago
- Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori call on the Prime Minister to block the Treaty Principles Bill
The opposition parties stand united for an Aotearoa that honours Te Tiriti, rather than seeking to rewrite it. Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori are working together against the Government’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour, Greens and Te Pāti Māori call on the Prime Minister to block the Treaty Principle...
The opposition parties stand united for an Aotearoa that honours Te Tiriti, rather than seeking to rewrite it. Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori are working together against the Government’s divisive Treaty Principles Bill. ...2 weeks ago
- NZ must pursue independent foreign policy
The Green Party says the need is greater than ever for Aotearoa New Zealand to pursue an independent foreign policy. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Winston Peters must apologise
The Deputy Prime Minister should apologise to the public servant he named and blamed for something they did not do, and for misusing the rules of Parliament. ...2 weeks ago
- Government action provides Southland farmers more time to meet plan requirements
The Government is taking action to ensure Southland farmers and growers are not affected by unreasonable regional farm plan deadlines, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard say.“Cabinet has agreed to provide more time for farmers and growers to comply with regional rules ...8 hours ago - Bill reaffirms Government’s commitment to crack down on serious youth offending
The Oranga Tamariki (Responding to Serious Youth Offending) Bill had its first reading at Parliament today. The Bill reaffirms the Government’s commitment to crack down on serious youth offending, Minister for Children Karen Chhour says. “In recent years we have seen an unacceptable spike in youth offending. “This Bill makes ...9 hours ago
- Critical milestones for earthquake buildings review
Fairer, more sensible rules about managing earthquake risks are a step closer with the passing of legislation and the appointment of an independent chair to provide expert advice, Minister for Building and Construction Chris Penk says. “The Government is committed to reinvigorating our cities and regions to support economic growth, ...9 hours ago
- State of the art radiology machine for Auckland
People in Northland and Auckland will benefit from a new machine for cancer treatment installed at the Regional Cancer and Blood Service at Auckland City Hospital. The MV5 linear accelerator, or LINAC machine, officially opened today targets cancer tumours with pinpoint accuracy. Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says this new, ...9 hours ago
- Foreign Minister to visit Europe
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will travel to Europe for high-level talks with France, Germany and the United Kingdom next week. "Since taking office almost a year ago, the Coalition Government has emphasised the importance we place on New Zealand's traditional and likeminded diplomatic and ...10 hours ago
- First arrests made under gang patch ban
Police have made their first arrests under the new gang patch legislation, with two gang members arrested, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “Just before 11 this morning, Police in Wairoa apprehended a gang member for wearing a patch to the supermarket. He has been arrested and will now face enforcement ...11 hours ago
- Better support for victims of sexual violence
The Government is proposing two major changes to name suppression laws that will put the views of victims of sexual violence first, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “We are committed to restoring law and order and these two proposed changes will help ensure the victims of crime are put at ...12 hours ago
- Government moving forward with Regional Deals
Cabinet has agreed to invite all regions to submit proposals for Regional Deals between central and local government that drive economic growth and deliver the infrastructure our country needs, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop say. Inviting all regions to propose a Regional Deal that boosts ...13 hours ago
- MSA pilot participant update
One of the ten young men selected to participate in the Military-Style Academy Pilot has allegedly reoffended. Children’s Minister Karen Chhour is disappointed but says it would be naïve to think that none of these young men would reoffend. “I’m saddened that this young person has not taken this opportunity ...13 hours ago
- Attendance rates increase, again
Associate Education Minister David Seymour says that school attendance is continuing to rise. In Term 3 of 2024 51.3 per cent of students attended school regularly, an increase of 5.3 percentage points from 46 per cent in Term 3 of 2023. “This Government has prioritised student attendance and it is ...15 hours ago
- Improving the lives of young New Zealanders
Ensuring New Zealand is the best place in the world for children and young people is the vision at the heart of the Government’s new Child and Youth Strategy, Child Poverty Reduction Minister Louise Upston says. “Childhood represents a huge opportunity to set people on a positive path towards living ...18 hours ago
- Government continues work to reinstate livestock exports by sea
The Government is reinstating the trade of livestock exports by sea while ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare, says Associate Minister of Agriculture Andrew Hoggard.“The Government will introduce legislation changes to reinstate the trade, enhance oversight, and strengthen requirements for exporters to identify risks and manage the welfare of ...1 day ago
- Speech to the National Quality Forum 2024
Tēnā koutou katoa – it is a pleasure to be here today. I would like to begin by acknowledging the important leadership role you all play in ensuring a quality health system New Zealanders can trust. There is enormous clinical expertise in this room covering a wide range of disciplines. ...2 days ago
- New Zealand’s COP29 National Statement
Tēnā koutou katoa. Mr President, Excellencies, Delegates. New Zealand, and all nations represented here today, are already dealing with the impacts of climate change. Our households, businesses, and economies are bearing the costs of its effects. The choices we make now will shape the severity of these impacts for generations ...2 days ago
- Latest Quarterly Investment Report released
The Government has released its second Quarterly Investment Report (QIR) which shows substantial work still to be done by agencies to improve investment reporting and meet the Government’s expectations, Infrastructure and Acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “New Zealand has significant infrastructure and investment needs. The Government is determined to get ...2 days ago
- New Zealand supporting loss and damage fund
Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced New Zealand will contribute NZ$10 million to the new Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage while at the annual United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. “New Zealand is joining the global effort to address the significant challenge of responding to ...2 days ago
- Gang crackdown begins at stroke of midnight
The free ride for gangs is over when the clock strikes midnight tonight, with tough new laws officially coming into effect, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Police Minister Mark Mitchell say. “Gang patches will no longer be able to be worn in public. To earn the right to wear a ...2 days ago
- LGFA increases borrowing capacity to support high growth councils
The Government is welcoming the decision by the Local Government Funding Agency to increase access to financing tools for fast growing councils to support greater investment in critical infrastructure, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown says.“Communities across the country are facing an infrastructure deficit and significant population growth is projected in ...2 days ago
- Temporary Traffic Management costs revealed
The Government has revealed that over the past three years, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has spent an eyewatering $786 million of taxpayers’ money on road cones and temporary traffic management (TTM), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“When I became Minister, I was surprised to learn that that NZTA did ...2 days ago
- Jurisdiction of Disputes Tribunal to double
Legislation that will double the financial jurisdiction of the Disputes Tribunal from $30,000 to $60,000 has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith. “We need to improve court timeliness and access to justice so that Kiwis and get on with their lives. Court delays affect everyone, the ...2 days ago
- Protecting New Zealand from foreign interference
Legislation that will specifically criminalise foreign interference and strengthen espionage offences has passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “It is normal and appropriate for states to interact and work to influence one another. This encourages cooperation and can have mutually beneficial outcomes. “However, the reality ...2 days ago
- Significant milestone for Canterbury Road of National Significance
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed news that the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board has approved funding towards pre-implementation and early works on the State Highway 1 (SH1) Belfast to Pegasus Motorway and Woodend Bypass Road of National Significance (RoNS). “Reaching this significant milestone is a reflection of our Government’s ...2 days ago
- Health survey results to help drive change
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- Final push needed to get to Smokefree 2025
A renewed effort to get people to quit smoking will build on what has worked to date and target the groups who most need support, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello said today. “The latest New Zealand Health Survey results show the daily smoking rate at 6.9 per cent and we ...2 days ago
- New diplomatic appointments
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced four new diplomatic appointments. “Our diplomats play an important role in ensuring New Zealand’s interests are maintained and enhanced across the world,” Mr Peters says. “It is a pleasure to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign ...3 days ago
- Next steps for Regulatory Standards Bill
Regulation Minister David Seymour has today announced the next steps in the Government’s plan improve the quality of regulation by opening consultation on a proposed Regulatory Standards Bill. “New Zealand's low wages can be blamed on low productivity, and low productivity can be blamed on poor regulation,” says Mr Seymour. ...3 days ago
- Red Tape Tipline goes live
Minister for Regulation David Seymour has today announced that the Ministry for Regulation’s Red Tape Tipline is now live. “We want to hear about your red tape horror stories. From today, New Zealanders will have a say on how they are regulated through an online portal,” says Mr Seymour. The ...3 days ago
- Youth Parliament 2025 announced
The Minister for Youth Matt Doocey has today announced the eleventh Youth Parliament will be taking place in 2025. “Youth Parliament offers a unique youth development opportunity to young people from across New Zealand to experience the political process and learn about how government works,” says Mr Doocey. “The two-day ...3 days ago
- Police stats show promising change
After nearly a year in Government, Kiwis have seen significant change across law and order with promising early results shown across some Police statistics, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “In August 2023, I told New Zealanders that if they had not started to see a change in public safety within ...3 days ago
- Better coordination of anti-scam efforts
With the launch of Fraud Awareness Week, the Government is committing to new coordination efforts across industry and government to combat online scams, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Online financial scams are a growing problem for New Zealand. New data released today shows that Kiwis lost nearly ...4 days ago
- Minister to consider 7AA select committee report
Minister for Children Karen Chhour will consider the recommendations made by the Social Services and Community Committee in its report back to Parliament on the Oranga Tamariki (Repeal of Section 7AA) Amendment Bill. “I want to thank the people who made submissions and those who appeared before the committee in ...4 days ago
- Defence Minister to attend ASEAN meeting
Defence Minister Judith Collins will this week attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in Vientiane, Laos. “We need to take every opportunity to engage with our international partners, given the increasingly unstable geo-political situation,” Ms Collins says. “New Zealand has a long-standing commitment to this ...4 days ago
- Launching the White Ribbon Ride
The Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, Karen Chhour, was on hand to wish riders well at the start of the North Island leg of the White Ribbon Ride in Whakatāne this morning. The ride helps mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, ...4 days ago
- Construction to begin on next stage of Papakura to Drury
Construction on the next stage of the SH1 Papakura to Drury project will begin early next month, with the contract for works awarded to Fulton Hogan, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. "SH1 Papakura to Drury is a key project that will drive economic growth and productivity, reduce congestion, and enable people ...6 days ago
- NZ signs trade deal with Costa Rica, Iceland and Switzerland
Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has signed a pioneering trade agreement that prioritises New Zealand’s sustainable exports at a ceremony during APEC in Peru today. “The Agreement on Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS), between Costa Rica, Iceland, and Switzerland was concluded in July of this year and opens up significant ...6 days ago
- Government and iwi work together on aquaculture
Five new Aquaculture Settlement Areas will help ensure Ngāi Tahu shares in the opportunities aquaculture offers for Southland’s economy, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. “The Aquaculture Settlement Areas (ASAs) I’m announcing today set aside space so the Crown and Ngāi Tahu can assess their potential for aquaculture development. ...6 days ago
- Government launches review to ensure electricity market is fit-for-purpose
The terms of reference for a review of the performance of the electricity market have been released. The review, initiated by the Coalition Government during the power crisis in winter will look at whether current regulations and market design support economic growth and access to reliable and affordable electricity, Energy Minister ...7 days ago
- Speech to Social Investment Hui: Jack and his whānau need our help
Kia ora koutou katoa. Nau mai, haere mai, piki mai. Ki te mihi atu ahau, ki te manwhenua nei, Te Atiawa, Ngāti toa rangatira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou katoa. Thank you, Andy, for your introduction. Let me acknowledge you as the new Chief Executive of the Social Investment ...7 days ago
- Minister of State for Trade heads to Brisbane for PACER Plus meeting
Minister of State for Trade Nicola Grigg has travelled to Australia to attend the PACER Plus Ministers Meeting in Brisbane. “Trade plays a critical role in driving employment, economic growth, and improving the standards of living in the Pacific Region. The Government is strongly committed to supporting Pacific Island countries ...7 days ago
- Proposals to modernise conservation released
Toitū te taiao – Our environment endures The Government is consulting on proposals to modernise New Zealand’s conservation management system, aiming to protect relevant natural areas while supporting sustainable growth in tourism and regional economies, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says. “Today, the Department of Conservation – Te Papa Atawhai is ...7 days ago
- Grattan on Friday: Marles plays a defensive bat on nuclear as the government rushes to get though la...
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The Chhour woman is extraordinarily ignorant and dangerous. She is unfit to hold any ministerial portfolio. The sooner she is removed the better. The same goes for the McKee woman. She is a 'puppet' for the gun lobby and therefore also unfit to hold a ministerial portfolio.
Lets cut to the chase….the entire coalition is unfit to be in govt……that's putting it "simply" so Luxon can understand……
I say to you… keep it simple… then I might understand.
well stated. the talent is pretty thin in the COC caucus. ACT getting a number of portfolios exposes the govt to the paucity of talent in their party. there may well be nothing left below Chhour
While I do agree about Chhour and McKee having to go, everyone overlooks the fact that neither is a member of the Natz Party – Luxon can't sack them (in theory he can but in reality he can't).
Why – two reasons: because both are members of Act and Seymour won't allow it no matter how dismally and unethically they perform and 2, because Luxon is all about clinging on to power, and to cross David might result in an implosion.
By any standards, Shane Jones and Casey Costello should have been shown the door too, but they enjoy the same level of protection.
Exactly TV
The other part to it is, she isn't actually making mistakes. She is doing exactly what these evil fuckers stand for.
No one will sack her for doing what everyone on the right is applauding
Yep
She is doing exactly what these evil fuckers stand for.
I couldn't say it any clearer than you have
Divide and rule.
That is how they operate.
It is only when the opposition unites that they will back down.
This.
true, but there may also be no 'talent' in the national party left to replace Chhour. Melissa Lee wasn't replaced, might just be nothing left of substance for Luxon to grasp for.
I wouldn't bet on it Micky – She is doing her master's bidding. And we've gotta fund those tax breaks for the wealthy somehow.
There is only one way to get rid of these tyrants and it's 2 years away. What sort of a country we will have then is anyones guess – but it won't be pretty.
Interestingly, I read in a comments section that the accurate translation of the ‘puppet sentence’ from Maori to English is something like "ACT have made a puppet of you."
This transforms the statement from a direct personal attack on Chhour to a political attack on ACT, and is subtly, but importantly, different. Although Chhour and ACT have made PR hay from their interpretation.
And I can betcha Chhour will not be dumped until she can carry all the shit of nasty, cruel changes that are still to come, probably around 6 months before the next election. Although, sadly, TS won’t be around for me to say ‘I told you so’.
We have to face these people have been given directives. They will meet them or be replaced by someone who will. There is no democratic basis to this Government. They are a cabal of wreckers. The objective is to strip public assests and to do that first they are destaffed and underfunded and as a last resort anybody with knowledge is removed, so the sales can begin. Oh they will come up with friendly names, Public Private Enterprises.. but we Know money is being funnelled away from the Public to the Private. It happens every time with these people.
Chhour is a gift. You go girl.
Yes she, and
Upston are swinging opinions our way Hey Hey!!
The clock is ticking!!! 2 years!!!!
Chhour and McKee are the result of the dark places the Right and their donors were prepared to go to in order to get rid of Labour. We can criticise Chhour and McKee, but this is on Luxon. Someone who was not a vulgar, energiser bunny propagandist for doubling down on the stupidest ideas of the 80's and 90's would have refused to work with ACT. Luxon didn't do that, and now his coalition with ACT will likely stain his personal reputation and shorten the life of his administration.
Exactly. All of this shitfest NZ is dealing with is sheeted back to CLuxon. This incompetent, shallow, prime example of the Dunning-Kruger effect over-reached himself and because he was willing to sell his soul for the baubles/kudos of being PM, unleashed Mr 8% and the Atlas Network on Aotearoa New Zealand.
We are now paying the price for CLuxon's incompetence and lack of balls. If he had integrity and a functioning values system he could have saved us from the horror show that is our shabby country in 2024.
A puppet?
How nasty.
I could think of lot worse and accurate things to call Minister Chhour.
Wackadoodle ideologist bent on punishing children for their parents' alleged sins rather than helping them.
Yes, her, and Nicole (gun lady) McKee, Casey (love tobacco) Costello, Todd (big pharm man) Stephenson; and all those unknowns who crept in on ACT's and NZ First list with a mission funded by Business interests. And of course Seymour and Chris Topher- and Winston (times up) Peters. The list is long.
Never in my years have I ever seen a government so openly contemptuous of people who work charitably. To dump on charity workers – most of whom who work for nothing or almost nothing – is totally despicable.
And never have I seen a government so bent on its own delusions of ideology as this one. Exceeds even the Rogernome government in callous disregard for the equality and humanism that as a society we have tried, even if not always successfully, to build.
A huge mismatch here. National minister for mental health Matt Doocey, who seems well intentioned and as yet not out of his depth as Shane Reti is showing, wanting to provide more mental health support. Chhour seemingly making up shit, or at least providing no examples or evidence of her claims organisations hanging onto govt funds, and cutting mental health & counselling funding. Money not spent at the top of the hill will result in more need for ambulences at the bottom.