Christchurch RWC

Written By: - Date published: 7:03 am, March 16th, 2011 - 76 comments
Categories: brand key, disaster, john key - Tags: ,

I don’t think that anyone who has been paying attention to events in Christchurch could seriously have expected the city to host a major sporting event like the RWC within a few short months. The city is trashed, the stadium is trashed, no one can guarantee safety to the IRB, it isn’t going to happen.

I can understand Key being initially reluctant to admit this. If hosting was possible then yes the revenue would be a boost to the city. And yes it is quite a symbolic blow to Christchurch to lose the games. But for heaven’s sake. The infrastructure to collect the revenue isn’t there. Far too many Christchurch residents are too concerned about whether they can flush their toilets or drink their water to worry much about symbolism. And quite frankly I think most people would be angry if resources went in to repairing a stadium when there is much more basic infrastructure that needs to be restored first.

So what puzzles me is not Key’s initial reluctance, but his ongoing denial of these realities. Denial to the point where he seems to be the last person in the world maintaining any kind of illusions about Christchurch. Patrick Gower gently puts the boot in:

Christchurch’s Rugby World Cup hopes are effectively over, and Auckland looks set to be the big winner as contingency plans get underway to move the games north. But Prime Minister John Key is still reluctant to admit the existence of “Plan B”. …

Mr Key started the day saying it was time to be “realistic”. “But we all need to be realistic here,” he said on Firstline this morning. So two hours later, 3 News asked Mr Key what he meant. “I think the main point here is being not unrealistic,” he said. So it’s time to be either “realistic” or “not unrealistic”.

That might not make much sense, but it doesn’t sound good either. The seven games are all but gone. …

Having clearly decide the games should be taken away from Christchurch, the Government is concerned about the backlash. It is a hugely sensitive issue, and with the Christchurch memorial being held on Friday, it is trying to work the best way and best day to announced it.

If that is his reasoning then I think Key is in la la land. It’s obvious that the games can’t go ahead, and for that reason I wouldn’t expect any backlash at all from an announcement to that effect. Perhaps he doesn’t want to risk tarnishing Brand Key by being the one to confirm the bad news? Whatever the reason, the longer Key delays, the less like a leader he looks.

Update: Press conference at 3pm today confirmed the obvious, no games in Christchurch. Very sad for the city, but there are more important things going on right now…

All of my posts for March will finish with this note. While life goes on as usual outside Christchurch, let our thoughts be with those who are coping with the aftermath, with the sorrow of so many who were lost, and with the challenges ahead.

76 comments on “Christchurch RWC ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Tigger 1
    16 March 2011 at 7:57 am

    Let’s not forget, hosting the Cup will cost – millions to fix the stadium (anyone seen pics of the pitch – it’s like the local BMX track. Millions to house the guests in hired sea liners. Not to mention, how will they get to and from the accommodation to the games. And what will they do when the games aren’t on? Key just doesn’t want to be the one saying no. Where’s your great, decisive leader now, righties?

  2. pollywog 2
    16 March 2011 at 8:31 am

    Of course the games can be held in the Canterbury region, not just Christchurch, if the point of the games was to foster goodwill, in the interest of sportsmanship, with a view to finding an overall champion team…but it’s not is it ?

    It’s about generating as much revenue for the IRB and whoever else gets to clip the ticket on the way past and it matters fuck all that it’s a game of rugby that can be played on any back paddock or high school sports field.

    Symbolically, i’d like to see the games played in or around Christchurch and to hell with the 5 star accom and support services for the star players and their fatcat nob, corporate sponsors.

    It’s not about them. It’s about the game, 80 minutes on the field. A paddock, some paint, a couple of goal posts and some good keen Cantabrian supporters is all it’ll take.

    Wheres the fucking love ???

  3. lprent 3
    16 March 2011 at 8:31 am

    I’d speculate that it is mostly about when it will be announced. The accommodation is stuffed in ChCh. It could only handle token games. Probably what Key is hanging out for.

    More games in Auckland! Bugger. Now I really have to get out of town.

    • Lanthanide 3.1
      16 March 2011 at 9:45 am

      Rent your house out to tourists and rent a holiday home in some place nice. Surely you could telecommute for work?

      • Vicky32 3.1.1
        16 March 2011 at 6:16 pm

        I wish I could do that! I have no interest in thugby and I am dreading the RWC… but my house is a HNZ one…
        Deb

  4. toad 4
    16 March 2011 at 8:43 am

    …“realistic” or “not unrealistic”…

    Reminds me of the infamous quote from the corrupt and bigoted former Queensland Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen:

    There are two very good reasons we will not be doing that. The first is that it would not be right, and the second is that it would be wrong.

  5. big bruv 5
    16 March 2011 at 9:02 am

    Christ!…the left get more desperate with each passing day.

    Good luck in politicising the earthquake and the certain loss of RWC games in Christchurch, trying to blame John Key for the loss of games should see the entire city turn blue come November.

    Keep it up..remember, John Key eats babies, he also caused the earthquake.

    • Rob 5.1
      16 March 2011 at 9:12 am

      Allah!…. the right gets more spooked with the thought of losing the election with each passing day.

      Good luck in trying to turn commentary about a leader’s ability to lead into a simplistic the left blames DonKey for the earthquake … should see the entire country turn red come November

      • toad 5.1.1
        16 March 2011 at 9:19 am

        Or green, perhaps, given some of the stupid utterances from Goff of recent times.

      • r0b 5.1.2
        16 March 2011 at 9:23 am

        Heh – nice one Rob. Excellent handle too by the way!

      • big bruv 5.1.3
        16 March 2011 at 1:08 pm

        Rob

        Over 10,000 people showed what they think of Key’s leadership at the Basin Reserve last Sunday.

        You guys are so blinded by small minded hatred that you refuse to see that the people love him, he is the most popular PM in living memory.

        Going after Key is not going to win you guys the election, and, please…nobody is spooked by Labour and nobody is spooked by Goff.

        • RobC 5.1.3.1
          16 March 2011 at 1:43 pm

          Big Bruv

          Over 10,000 showed what they thought of a worthwhile fundraising event.

          You guys are so blinded by a large lead in the polls that you refuse to see that the people are beginning to tire of him, he is the most popular PM in living memory in danger of losing an unloseable election.

          I do agree – going after Key is not going to win Labour (bad assumption on your part saying “you guys”) the election. Please, if you’re not spooked then fk off back to Kiwiblog and let us enjoy our supposed small minded hatred amongst ourselves.

          PS: I’ve changed my handle – too many friggin Rob’s on this site

        • r0b 5.1.3.2
          16 March 2011 at 5:00 pm

          I’ll never understand the boner that you rwnjs have for Key.

          And just for the record, he isn’t “the most popular PM in living memory”. Key peaked at 58%, guess which recent Labour PM peaked at 59…

          • Pete 5.1.3.2.1
            16 March 2011 at 5:06 pm

            58% is a lot of people to be classified as RWNJ – in fact from what I’ve seen the real RWNJs are not in that 58%, Key is nowhere near radical enough for them.

  6. grumpy 6
    16 March 2011 at 9:12 am

    The glee in which Australian and then Auckland media and business interests pounced on Christchurch’s hosting of RWC games (even before the final tremors were felt) was obscene.

    6 months is a long time and anyone who has lived here since the September quake knows liquifaction is quite quickly cleaned up. The actual damage to the pitch is superficial. The damage to buildings at AMI is likely to be relatively minor.

    As for accommodation, apart from a few hotels, most are OK but inside the cordon. Grand Chancellor is buggerred and so too (probably) the Copthorne, the rest seem to be either OK or minor damage (easily fixed before the RWC).

    • Tigger 6.1
      16 March 2011 at 11:07 am

      Yes, but we’re talking about limited resources being used to, for example, clean up a rugby field rather than, say, for roading, water, housing. I’m not saying it’s all about necessities only, but there has to be some type of grading of problems. And to me RWC is a luxury and surely luxuries can’t be afforded at present.

      • grumpy 6.1.1
        16 March 2011 at 11:55 am

        Nah, The resources needed to sort out AMI are minimal. The issue is the accommodation in the central city.

        The Copthorne is said to be on a lean, the Grand Chancellor is about to be demolished. So Hotel (part of the Novotel Group) is right under it so could be damaged in the demolition. Most of the others are pretty much OK but being in the locked down area have not started fixing yet. Fixing the infrastructure will sort out the RWC and vice versa.

        • lprent 6.1.1.1
          16 March 2011 at 12:21 pm

          Yep. That is my understanding as well. The stadium is not a major issue. The problem is how do you accommodate the influx of visitors in a city where the the infrastructure is fragile. How do you stop the diversion of effort going from the existing citizens to visitors within the available timeframes.

          Why would you even try?

          • grumpy 6.1.1.1.1
            16 March 2011 at 12:28 pm

            It appear the infrastructural issues are mainly in the East and do not so much affect the Central City.
            Power cables are munted, the 66kV oil filled cables need overseas expertise since Orion made it’s local expert workforce redundant. The “T” joints to houses have pulled apart so whole suburbs need new cables laid underground.
            Sewerage and water, although more damage are not as technical to fix. The central city’s problems are removing broken buildings, infrastucture as such is not a badly stuffed as the suburbs.
            I (and engineers I have spoken too) can’t see it as being insurmountable in time for RWC.

  7. Lanthanide 7
    16 March 2011 at 9:50 am

    “And quite frankly I think most people would be angry if resources went in to repairing a stadium when there is much more basic infrastructure that needs to be restored first.”

    Yes, that’s a facet of the issue. But if the stadium and pitch hadn’t been seriously damaged, then it would have been much more feasible, yes? And they probably didn’t have a really good picture of just what the damage and repair costs would be until early last week, I would guess.

    So in terms of timing, I don’t think they’re really being too far off. Key should’ve come out and said something this last Monday, though. With the Friday memorial coming out he’s really stuffed.

    If he is in fact holding out for some of the minor games (which I think is a high probability) but knows that the semi-finals and English hosting is gone, he should have said that the big games were gone on Monday and said “we still hold hope for hosting the smaller games, and the state of them will be advised within the next 2 weeks”. Then if there was bad news on that front he could delay it till next week, and if there was good news he could have announced it on Friday.

  8. ianmac 8
    16 March 2011 at 9:55 am

    There has to be a plan for Key avoiding giving an answer. I wonder why? It may be that if he hangs back for a few more days, the population gets used to the idea of Christchurch losing the games. When finally it is announced Key can say we fought hard for a solution for Christchurch but by then the issue has been diffused by gradual acceptance.
    If Key had done his usual and blurted out an answer it would have hurt him. Sadly he is learning to be a bit more cautious about off the cuff comments.

  9. Rich 9
    16 March 2011 at 10:06 am

    It would be a nice gesture if say 30% of the seats for the finals and semis of the RWC were given free to Christchurch people on a ballot basis. Something to look forward to,

    If the RWC was actually the international *sporting* event it claims to be (as opposed to a money making business venture subsidised by the NZ taxpayer), the IRB would do this.

  10. Tel 10
    16 March 2011 at 11:19 am

    Here’s how Keyster is going to play it out:

    He’ll go live on TV1 (because Rick Ellis wants to have Keyster’s baby, but that’s just a rumour) and announce blubbing to the nation that there was nothing he could do to save the situation. That nasty Thugby Board threatened to pack up their Subbuteo game and take it to another town without his knowledge or approval. What we can’t see at this point is the bucket of freshly chopped onions directly below Keyster purposely out of shot as he feigns remorse and tears for the poor people of Christchurch, who wont be able to get their pre November dose of panem et circenses.

  11. randal 11
    16 March 2011 at 11:43 am

    maybe I will and maybe I wont.
    we will move on and rugby will be the winner on the day.
    full credit to the earthquake.

  12. gobsmacked 12
    16 March 2011 at 12:02 pm

    Key has already told us the answer. But nobody noticed, including John Key.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10712554

    NZ Herald reports:

    “Yesterday Mr Key said he hoped to make a recommendation to the IRB – who make the final decision – and announce the outcome by the end of this week.

    “We all acknowledge it’s challenging, but that doesn’t mean it’s not impossible,” Key said yesterday.

    If your English is better then the Prime Minister’s, you’ll understand what he said. Obviously he didn’t.

    I wonder if John Key’s linguistic incoherence will make him the first leader in NZ’s history to start a war by mistake? (“I am not considering rejecting a decision to send in troops …” )

    • Rob 12.1
      16 March 2011 at 12:19 pm

      His use of double-negatives is funny (as noted in the post when asked to explain what he meant by realistic … “I think the main point here is being not unrealistic,”)

  13. Stan 13
    16 March 2011 at 12:18 pm

    Key is doing his usual non-committal stuff waiting for someone else (IRB?) to make the call. That way, he avoids being the bearer of bad news and can shift the blame. Leadership? What’s that? Where’s his “Buck stops here” sign that US President Harry Truman had on his desk?

    • grumpy 13.1
      16 March 2011 at 12:36 pm

      The IRB will go with the money. Christchurch had to fight like hell to get any real games as the IRB got into bed with NZRFU Auckland interests.

      The IRB’s first preference will be to move the games to Sydney, the NZRFU will have to fight hard to keep them in NZ, let alone Christchurch.

      They should be kept in the South Island, if not Christchurch, then jointly between Christchurch and Dunedin.

      • Lanthanide 13.1.1
        16 March 2011 at 12:47 pm

        Dunedin doesn’t have the capacity to host the semi-finals. With CHCH losing out most of it’s accommodation, they don’t either.

        • grumpy 13.1.1.1
          16 March 2011 at 12:59 pm

          Christchurch has not lost “most of it’s accommodation”, as a local you should know better.

  14. gobsmacked 14
    16 March 2011 at 12:50 pm

    So now we know:

    “Rugby World Cup Minister Murray McCully will front for media at 3pm in Christchurch this afternoon to announce what the Government thinks should happen to the games. ” (Stuff reports)

    Murray McCully. Not John Key. The Brand must be protected at all costs, and is only for Good News. When Key doesn’t front, you know what’s coming.

    So, Christchurch RWC is a goner.

    • Carol 14.1
      16 March 2011 at 3:26 pm

      gobsmacked, that explains the quaestions from labour int he House today. They were asking a series of supplementaries relating to this:

      http://parliamenttoday.co.nz/2011/03/questions-for-oral-answer-march-16/

      2. Hon PHIL GOFF to the Minister for the Rugby World Cup: What advice has he, his Government or Rugby New Zealand 2011 been given on Christchurch’s ability to host Rugby World Cup matches later this year?

      Joyce answered on behalf of the minister (if I recall correctly). He kind of sidestepped the question and said that the meeting about it was not finished. The speaker responded to Labour points of order that this must mean there hadn’t yet been any decisions/advice. Labour was implying that the Minister and Key already knew what the decision is.

      • Armchair Critic 14.1.1
        16 March 2011 at 3:31 pm

        Labour was implying that the Minister and Key already knew what the decision is.
        And clearly they did know what the decision would be.
        The evasion by Mr Joyce was very effective, and I asked myself whether Labour had picked the correct battle. In a couple of days no one will care whether National knew or not.

      • gobsmacked 14.1.2
        16 March 2011 at 3:35 pm

        John Key couldn’t be in the House. Or in Christchurch. Was he washing his hair?

        Two press conferences:

        The Hobbit, last year. Timed to go live in the 6 pm news. With John Key – and nobody else.

        Today. Everybody else (McCully, Snedden, Parker, IRB guys, etc). John Key disappears.

        • Herodotus 14.1.2.1
          16 March 2011 at 3:46 pm

          There was a meeting of the AMI trust on Monday just gone. The outcomes of that meeting were in enbargo until 3:00 today. Have not heard of any outcomes.
          So since Monday afternoon there was a few in the know. Now do we expect that a question in parliament like this to be answered, when there is already in place an agreement to withhold the info until a specified date and time.
          To some it could be seen as cheap politickin in a time that is not warrented

        • Jim Nald 14.1.2.2
          16 March 2011 at 9:47 pm

          Hey Mayor Bob Parker & Friendz
          Are you reading this?
          Are you feeling screwed by Key?
          Welcome to the crowd.

  15. Armchair Critic 15
    16 March 2011 at 3:14 pm

    So now we know.
    The money over-rides the spirit of the game.
    Murray McCully is explaining why they can’t do it right now.

  16. Colonial Viper 16
    16 March 2011 at 3:38 pm

    On Christchurch losing the RWC

    McCully: the Fall Guy
    John Key: Wave Bye Bye

  17. Pete 17
    16 March 2011 at 3:45 pm

    John Key gets criticised for being involved in sport and media on Sunday.
    John Key gets criticised for not being involved in sport and media today.

    Same old. Life goes on.

    Sad but inevitable news on the RWC for Christchurch.

    • gobsmacked 17.1
      16 March 2011 at 3:52 pm

      Pete, you think you’re being clever, but really you’re just being monumentally dull.

      Care to engage in debate at all? Do you think the PM should have fronted the decision today? Yes or no?

      • Pete 17.1.1
        16 March 2011 at 3:55 pm

        No. Why should he?

        Maybe he was doing something else like earthquake recovery planning.

        • gobsmacked 17.1.1.1
          16 March 2011 at 4:02 pm

          Or watching the flying pigs?

          You’re either incredibly naive, or a tedious troll. I’ll be generous and go for the former.

          Can I sell you a bridge? Special price for you!

        • Pascal's bookie 17.1.1.2
          16 March 2011 at 4:03 pm

          Do you think he would have fronted if the decision went the other way?

          • Pete 17.1.1.2.1
            16 March 2011 at 4:09 pm

            I have no idea and I don’t really think it matters. McCully is Minister of RWC and Minsiter of Earthquake so it was appropriate he was there. I don’t think the country will suffer drastically from Key’s absence, nor would it have if he was there.

            Do you think it matters that he wasn’t there?

        • Colonial Viper 17.1.1.3
          16 March 2011 at 4:06 pm

          Maybe he was doing something else like earthquake recovery planning.

          Or maybe he was just trying to avoid bad PR from this decision.

          Yeah that’s more likely, since the last time Key did earthquake recovery planning he was making up demolition numbers up off the top of his head.

  18. ianmac 18
    16 March 2011 at 4:07 pm

    McCulley: “Mr McCully announced the Government will grant $4.1 million to allow the turf repair work to commence immediately at AMI Stadium so it will be ready for next year’s season. ”
    Wow!
    That was quick and of course he has his priority right. Ummm. Sewer or Turf? Ummm Turf of course!

    • Bright Red 18.1
      16 March 2011 at 5:48 pm

      So, let me get this straight. The one year-long plan that the government has announced for the Chch recovery is the turf at AMI stadium.

      Where will the 100,000 families in damaged homes be in a year? Who knows!
      Will the turf at AMI stadium be fixed in a year’s time? Yes!

    • Colonial Viper 18.2
      16 March 2011 at 6:13 pm

      OMG.

    • KJT 18.3
      16 March 2011 at 8:30 pm

      I do not have much time for Key, but getting the stadium and other cultural icons back is just as important to the cities recovery.

  19. MrSmith 19
    16 March 2011 at 6:28 pm

    Just heard Key say “they expect to make another 10 mil moving the Canterbury games to Auckland” what an insensitive prick and does he love those round numbers, what a Zero he is, theirs a round number for you Wonkey, hope someone throws some eggs at him at the memorial .

    • KJT 19.1
      16 March 2011 at 6:54 pm

      I hope they still have $50 flights for Christchurch people to watch the match.

      • TonyP 19.1.1
        16 March 2011 at 8:18 pm

        I thought I heard on One News that the government was going to assist those with tickets for the ChCh games in some way to get to the rescheduled games.

  20. simon 20
    17 March 2011 at 3:11 pm

    A heart-warming royal foto-fest is far more preferable for the Minister of Paparazzi than a non-telegenic bad news story. Key’s persistent ‘optimism’ in spite of the facts proves him ever less connected, competent and qualfied for the enormous task at hand.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

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