Civil war breaks out in National’s ranks

Written By: - Date published: 1:07 pm, October 15th, 2018 - 235 comments
Categories: national, same old national, Simon Bridges - Tags:

Simon Bridges is due to go live right now with the conclusions of the leak enquiry.

Jami Lee Ross has responded by effectively announcing war.

Stay tuned … will be updated with developments.

Update:  I missed this tweet.  Clearly Lee Ross must have leaked the news about the donations to Newshub.

There has to be a formal inquiry into this allegation.

235 comments on “Civil war breaks out in National’s ranks ”

  1. Carolyn_Nth 1

    In his announcement that JLR is the leaker, he says JLR is lashing out, caucus will decide, but suspension is an option.

  2. Robert Guyton 2

    “Lashing out” or “spilling the beans”?

  3. Robert Guyton 3

    Simon had no idea, though, that Jami-Lee’s need for “time out” was in any way connected to the leaking. No idea. How could someone with so little nous be the leader of the National Party???

    • Tricledrown 3.1

      Anonymous texts with no number how does that happen you can’t send a text without your number.

      • Craig H 3.1.1

        I assume there are apps which can conceal these things, or otherwise use a burner phone.

  4. Dennis Frank 4

    It all depends whether he’s a lone wolf, or has a group in caucus that will support him. If he’s positioning himself as a leadership contender, why go on sick leave?? Bridges reiterated just now that that was unconnected to the leaker identity. Can’t see why anyone would believe him!

    • Dukeofurl 4.1

      Ross was a former Senior Whip, so Im thinking hes part of a cabal.

      Not surprising that hes fallen out with Bridges , as he was a ‘numbers man’ for Bridges leadership. probably had high hopes for him and made promises to other MPs that werent fulfilled.
      Oh dear.

      • Dennis Frank 4.1.1

        Yes, good point. A cabal would be more effective if covert (trad conspiracy theory) but in the Nats looser groupings seem the norm, gathering around opinion-leaders rather than ideology. Perhaps Wayne will offer an opinion?

    • Treetop 4.2

      ….why go on sick leave??

      To get out of the way. To give Bridges rope. Bridges fumbled with why JLR went on leave and now the public know why Bridges would not let go of the leaker inquiry as it comes down to Bridges or JLR.

      For me this comes down to last one standing JLR or Bridges.

      Does JLR want to be the new National party leader or is he working with the next National party leader contender?

      • Dukeofurl 4.2.1

        hes Mcullys replacement within the caucus as the ultimate backroom operative- unelectable as a leader as well.

        But even McC wouldnt go so far as to ‘bring down a leader’ with his reveal on the donations saga.

        What else does he know , from his time as senior whip.

      • Dennis Frank 4.2.2

        Tactical retreat is often a good idea but rarely seen to manifest in politics via headlines! Has to be more to it, I reckon. Weird thing about it is none of the Newshub poll contenders seem viable leaders. Why replace one nonentity with another? Labour spent enough years doing that race to the bottom to teach the lesson to any observer with a working brain.

    • Michelle 4.3

      Maybe he is sick of leaking so he need leak leave for his leaking disease.

      • cleangreen 4.3.1

        Michelle 4.3

        “Maybe he is sick of leaking so he need leak leave for his leaking disease”.

        Ha ha Michelle, that was worth reading as I giggled afterwards. – Thanks for that.

    • Chris 4.4

      I didn’t think anyone could be a better leader than Bridges, but now it’s been mentioned, yes, Ross is definitely that person.

  5. Gosman 5

    This is actually quite damaging for Bridges. I can’t see how he will rebuild his leadership after this. His handling of Lee-Ross’s personal leave situation makes dealing with this revelation difficult. I foresee a leadership challenge or a leadership resignation in less than 6 months.

    • chris73 5.1

      Agreed, unfortunately

      • Chris 5.1.1

        Yes, it is unfortunate. But there will be other people in National who’ll be able to do the job as well as Bridges.

    • Dennis Frank 5.2

      Remarkably cautious of you! Could easily happen tomorrow. If JLR is on the same page as other opinion-leaders in caucus, very likely will.

    • Robert Guyton 5.3

      Hang in there, Simon!

    • mickysavage 5.4

      Bridges best chance is for Lee Ross to implode. Which may be possible if Lee Ross has anything further to come out.

      • Dukeofurl 5.4.1

        Jamie-Lee first names , and Ross is the surname isnt it.?

      • Gosman 5.4.2

        Ross’s political career is dead. He looks like he has decided to take Bridge’s career with him. The trouble is the way Bridge handled the leave situation is that he can’t cruicify Ross, which is the only way I see that he could have survived this. Although there is one small chance people might take pity on him for having to deal with such a rogue character. Relying on pity is never a good look for a leader though

        • shadrach 5.4.2.1

          Hi Gosman. IMHO Bridges could turn this to his advantage by putting his leadership on the line at tomorrow’s caucus as follows:

          1. Call for an immediate vote of confidence in his leadership.
          2. Call for JLR’s immediate suspension from caucus.

          That would take huge courage, and could cost him the leadership, but it would it buy him significant public and caucus support if he was successful.

          • Gosman 5.4.2.1.1

            The trouble is coming down harshly on Ross could backfire in the public’s mind and it seems as though there may well be a deeper level of opposition to him in the caucus. He isn’t going to win this faction over by destroying the career of Ross. That would probably just make him a martyr

            • shadrach 5.4.2.1.1.1

              It could backfire, but IMHO Bridges is at the point of having to take a risk.

            • Chris 5.4.2.1.1.2

              Doesn’t look like Bridges is likely to treat Ross as the vulnerable person with serious health concerns. But then again, Ross looks like he’s denying it’s him. Oh…what to do?

          • Kevin 5.4.2.1.2

            Public support? The public don’t like him. Period.

        • woodart 5.4.2.2

          way better than” my kitchen is a survivor without talent”though. natz are following the same internal self destructive wonderfulness of aus,u.s and england. great entertainment for humans.

    • ankerawshark 5.5

      Gone by xmas if not before

      Does anyone know when the next poll result is due? Surely this will dent Nationals popularity.

      Simon has been a disaster. None of the past Labour leaders, Goff et al come close

    • Dukeofurl 5.6

      Will Ross dig his heels in and refuse to go – much as Williamson V English 15 yrs ago.

      or has Ross ‘crossed over’ and now supports Collins and will be her stalking horse?

      • Sacha 5.6.1

        Ross was in the Collins faction before helping Bridges take the leadership anyway.

        • Dukeofurl 5.6.1.1

          Thats what I thought – he used to be in the Collins Coterie- but then drifted.
          Well rewarded by Bridges for his support, but he must have made promises to other MPs , as the numbers guys do, that Bridges didnt deliver on.
          or it could be a plain old personality clash as Bridges let the fancy office suite go to his head and forget those who put him there

    • infused 5.7

      He was always an idiot. It was just a matter of time – like I stated.

      Although, I think this is lee-ross just lashing out.

    • alwyn 5.8

      Do you mean the way that Phil Goff resigned within a couple of months of Chris Carter undermining him?

      Ross has got to be kicked out of the National Caucus. He is in exactly the same position as Carter was and the reasons are exactly the same as the ones that one-time Labour Party President explained for Carter being dumped.
      https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10679982

      Isn’t it funny how the Labour Party stooges here regard this as showing weakness by Bridges but dumping a couple of Cabinet Ministers showed “strength” by the Peters-appointed PM?

      • woodart 5.8.1

        whats it like alwynge, running flat chat, putting out fires, while yelling,’look over there’…?

    • Michelle 5.9

      the whole thing is quite damaging for national gosman not just soimon

    • cleangreen 5.10

      100% Gosman, @ 5.4.2.1.1

      Simon Bridges time is up; – he is gone very soon now.

    • Skinny 5.11

      No one will want to be leader for a year or so after this sad saga. Especially when the next poll will see Natcorp drop down into the mid 30’s.

  6. Anne 6

    Jamie says he and Simon fell out earlier this year. Oh dear, its pistols at dawn I think.

    • Robert Guyton 6.1

      They fell out, but Simon didn’t suspect him of leaking?
      He knew and hence the investigation. Playing hardball. Looks nasty.

    • OnceWasTim 6.2

      Earlier this year when Soimon got himself a new little cadet licker (Simeon)

  7. chris73 7

    While it’d obviously be better coming from Labour this is still pretty interesting. I do enjoy and good political blood letting 🙂

    • roy cartland 7.1

      I agree. Now *this* is more like the scandals of old… petty, pointless and riveting!

      • Dennis Frank 7.1.1

        Petty & pointless only if it’s just male rivalry. If JLR is on common ground with others, we need to see what that is and why to judge political import. Hope their caucus meeting will illuminate that via subsequent reporting, but if they keep it in-house we’ll have to hope for another leaker…

    • Anne 7.2

      It’s your side’s turn now 73. We had ours back in the the early to mid second decade. 😉

  8. Jimmy 8

    National in self destruct mode

  9. Kat 9

    Since the halcyon Holyoake years National has progressively turned into the rotten apple it is today. Rotten to the core. No wonder Winston looks back in disdain.

    • woodart 9.1

      good comment kat. natz of today are a commodity for sale, with very few principles they would die in a ditch for. a very poor descendant of a once good party. old time natz must either be very ashamed, or have altsheimers….

    • Macro 9.2

      If anyone was a rotten apple – corrupt to the core – it was Holyoake. Just look at the fleecing of the public purse – and the lining of his own pocket in Kinloch.
      http://werewolf.co.nz/2012/04/public-office-private-gain/

      • Kat 9.2.1

        Hard to find the perfect PM Macro, although I have to agree with the Hon Shane Jones when in reference to Jacinda Ardern he said “something special has been uncorked here bro”………

  10. Anne 10

    Does anyone else get a faint sniff of whale oil in all of this?

  11. Chris T 11

    Two ways this can go really

    The most likely. Bridges is ditched

    The remote possibility. He actually comes out better.

    Depends on how much back up he has.

  12. ScottGN 12

    JLR claims to have a taped conversation that he alleges has Bridges discussing unlawful activity that he was involved in??

  13. dV 13

    Can The make Lee Ross resign if he doesnt want to?
    He is an electorate MP.

    If he goes the will be a by election
    So the cost will be ca 500k +

    FOR info that was going to be released in 3 days!!!!!

    • Dukeofurl 13.1

      Using the Waka jumping law he can !
      Supend him from caucus, send a letter to the Speaker sayings hes ‘defrocked’

      RFOL.

      • Gabby 13.1.1

        That would be bowel-cloggingly rich, given their highly principled opposition to it.

        • Dukeofurl 13.1.1.1

          Likely he will give JLR 2 options.

          1) A $200k golden parachute to tide you over till you find your feet, but you must quit now
          2) Threaten to use the Waka jumping law which means he gets nothing. ( Only at general election time do ex Mps get 3 months pay after election date.)

  14. ankerawshark 14

    Yes ScottGN. If that is true about the tape this is going to get very dirty and Bridges is done for, which is the most likely option anyway.

  15. Draco T Bastard 15

    Jami-Lee Ross
    @jamileeross

    When I started to become expendable, I confronted him with evidence that I had recorded him discussing with me unlawful activity that he was involved in. Working on his instruction, he asked me to do things with election donations that broke the law.

    If such evidence exists he needs to go to the police.

    Mandatory screenshot.

  16. arkie 16

    Paging Muttonbird to collect their Prognostication Award…

    https://thestandard.org.nz/jami-lee-ross-takes-time-out/#comment-1531031

  17. Sanctuary 17

    I wish to fund both sides of this civil war., but only enough so that neither side can achieve a decisive victory.

    Kinda like Syria.

  18. AB 18

    I didn’t like it when the media were swarming over Shearer and Cunliffe predicting their demise, and I don’t like this either. I would rather have National panned for their obsolete ideology rather than because their leader is a dipstick.
    The real task is to render core National Party beliefs unthinkable for the vast majority.

    • UncookedSelachimorpha 18.1

      100%

      National’s rump support is for their dreadful ideology, not the dreadful people.

    • Treetop 18.2

      I do not have your blind faith. English had to go over the Barclay tapes as it was the only thing he could do to shut the matter down and personally be rid of it.

      If JLR has a tape what is his tactic going to be? Sacrifice himself to take Bridges down. I think this is what is probably rattling JLR.

      Bridges may resign as leader, if he does where does this leave JLR? Both are not right.

  19. Fireblade 19

    This could be the end of Bridges, Bennett and Lee-ross.

  20. Nick 20

    ’embarrassing’….. Famous quote.

  21. Nick 21

    The saddest bit is both of these guys have powerful influence on the country. Neither deserve it.

  22. Gabby 22

    Where are Jason Evil and Simon Lush?

  23. James 23

    This whole thing has been handled worse than a clusterfuck – both will get what they deserve. #TheyAreTheWeakestLinkGoodbye

  24. Ngungukai 25

    Some serious blood letting going on within National Party, not a good look for Slimey Wedges ? Jamie Lee-Ross appears to be seriously pissed off ?

    Winston may have been right Wedges gone by Xmas ?

    • Chris T 25.1

      ” Jamie Lee-Ross appears to be seriously pissed off ?”

      I think we should remember that there were mental issues going on, albeit according to the police, not self harming.

      I think he is just trying to burn the house down behind him as he goes down.

      • Sanctuary 25.1.1

        Of course! The man is mad!

        Isn’t that smear a bit, well, Soviet for you righties?

        • Chris T 25.1.1.1

          It would be if I said he was mad

          I didn’t

          • Sanctuary 25.1.1.1.1

            So much passive aggressive going on in this one,

            • Chris T 25.1.1.1.1.1

              Lol

              ??

              “Sanctuary
              15 October 2018 at 1:52 pm
              I wish to fund both sides of this civil war., but only enough so that neither side can achieve a decisive victory.

              Kinda like Syria.”

          • Tricledrown 25.1.1.1.2

            Implied Chris T but you are also writing the fact he is on a destructive path because of his mental health issues without knowing what type of issues he is facing.
            So you are trying to paint JLR as say a borderline personality or something similar.
            Chris T you speak with forked tongue
            It hasn’t worked for Bridges he will be gone by lunchtime.

      • Treetop 25.1.2

        If burning the house down is the case then JLR is unwell. If he is being unfairly targeted then the person doing this is making him unwell.

        Bridges had other avenues and options he could have taken to deal with the leak. Bridges was unable to predict the outcome and it was foolish of him to pursue it.

      • Tricledrown 25.1.3

        Bridges is trying to paint JLR as unhinged.
        Which has backfired.
        Bridges expenses debacle could have been handled a lot better.
        All Bridges had to do was ignore the leak and says it was going to released next weak with a bit spin thrown in and his leadership wouldn’t be in question.
        But he has behaved like an arrogant bully and has no one to blame but himself.
        National are to blame for rushing leadership change putting an arrogant school boy in charge was a mistake as was Bennett who looks like death warmed up.
        Collins is well out in front and can handle all the issues with ease ie lying consummately.
        Bridges shoots himself in the foot while barking at cars.

        • woodart 25.1.3.1

          love it..lying consummatley… collins has the chinese yen behind her, natz are a commodity for sale, witness a nonvoting cult, sorry religion giving dosh for ???. yen will outvote kiwi $$$ in the natz conscience… natz conscience, now thats a conundrum..expect to see many more “new” New Zealanders standing behind next weeks natz leader in promo pictures…. thats the sad thing, angry old white guys still think they matter……..

          • Tony Veitch [not etc.] 25.1.3.1.1

            The Chinese currency is the yuan, not the yen (Japanese)

            Apart from that minor quibble, I agree entirely!

          • patricia bremner 25.1.3.1.2

            Woodart. “nat’s conscience now that’s a conundrum” Oxymoron came to mind. I agree as to motivations. $$$$$ follow the money!!

      • Fireblade 25.1.4

        Chris T and the other right wing psychopaths were blaming Clare Curran and Trevor Mallard. The right has no credibility.

    • cleangreen 25.2

      Ngungukai @ 25

      Winston Peters is always right.,

      Winston has been inside the ‘toxic culture of parliament’ for so many years that he has a mirror view of what is about to happen next.

      Bet the bank on it.

  25. Stuart Munro 26

    Some people do not strive for greatness, they have it thrust upon them. Now is the time Paula, to stand up for your party. (rofl)

    • Tricledrown 26.1

      Paula Bennett is finished unelectable.

      • Stuart Munro 26.1.1

        I was thinking more of the operatic possibilities than pragmatic ones I confess. The final aria “I hope you die you miserable bastards” would almost write itself. Ebben n’andro lontana would come pretty close though, if it came to that.

        • Tony Veitch [not etc.] 26.1.1.1

          Wonderful!

          And let’s hope that somewhere in this whole sorry, delightful and entertaining saga, there is room for Sidney Carton’s last words in the Tale of Two Cities:

          “It is a far, far better thing I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.”

          [NB – not death, just one, or both, out of parliament!]

          • Stuart Munro 26.1.1.1.1

            I really fancy Gerry for the role of Brunnhilde too. Maybe Ray Columbus was a little tough on him back in the day, and he just needed a few more life miles to develop his vibrato.

        • Anne 26.1.1.2

          The most glorious soprano of all time.

          • Stuart Munro 26.1.1.2.1

            Wilhelmenia Wiggins Fernandez is pretty good for this piece – but that opinion may be shaped somewhat by sentimental associations with her role in Diva.

            These of course I would not willingly contaminate with imagery of the deputy leader of the opposition.

            • Anne 26.1.1.2.1.1

              I will have to amend my comment to:

              The two most glorious sopranos of all time. That was beautiful.

      • cleangreen 26.1.2

        100% correct Paula Bennett is gone to.

        Many hate her so much now.

  26. Ngungukai 27

    Paula or Judith need to step up to the plate and stop the rot ?

    • Michelle 27.1

      But how can they ( judeath and pull the benny) stop the rot when they are the rot.

    • Treetop 27.2

      Parliament sits tomorrow, I will be glued to the TV screen.

      • mary_a 27.2.1

        Treetop (27.2) … be interesting to see who will be sitting where on the Opposition benches when Parliament commences on Tuesday afternoon.

        According to SB, tomorrow morning Natz caucus will be discussing JLR’s future as an MP. Then it could well be SB’s head on the chopping block, as his leadership begins to be questioned.

        Expect to see Natz playing musical chairs very soon, perhaps as early as tomorrow.

  27. ianmac 28

    But what if the phone calls were coincidental? What if there is a real Leaker not yet named?
    To be convicted because they couldn’t find anyone else is a bit thin.
    Mr Ross would become a very vengeful man!
    The Avenger is Arisen!

  28. Reality 29

    Like a b-grade movie! Was JLR put on leave by mutual agreement between him and Soimon or on Soimon’s orders? More to this saga still to come out.

    • Draco T Bastard 29.1

      Like a b-grade movie!

      It was the mole with the leaking fountain pen in the office.
      Followed by the rat with the knife in the kitchen.
      Assisted by the ex-dancer in the ballroom and the hare in the entranceway while exiting.

  29. Booker 30

    Time to get some popcorn 🙂

  30. millsy 31

    Not too sure what was hoped to be achieved from all this. Bridges probably has less then 24 hours left as National leader, and JLR is all but out the door as an MP.

  31. Dennis Frank 32

    In regard to a smoking gun, the report from PricewaterhouseCoopers Consulting doesn’t find proof, just sufficient evidence to identify the likely leaker:

    38. With one exception, our examination did not identify any evidence to suggest that any National Party MP is the Text Message Sender.

    39. The exception is Mr Ross, who communicated with: a) Reporter B, five times on 23 August 2018, whose employer RNZ then on 24 August 2018 reported information from a “source” about the fact of the subject text and its content. Note that Mr Ross has communicated with Reporter B on multiple occasions; b) The Speaker, on 23 August 2018, who on 24 August 2018 announced that the Inquiry had been called off because he was satisfied that the leak was a National Party matter. From the information in the dataset the only other time that Mr Ross has called the Speaker was once, in February 2018; and c) A senior Police Officer from the policing area in Mr Ross’ electorate on the same day (19 August 2018) that the Police reported to the National Party Leader that they had identified and spoken to the Text Message
    Sender. There is no evidence in the dataset recording that Mr Ross communicated with this Police Officer prior to 19 August 2018.

    40. This evidence is not conclusive.

    https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/PWC-Investigation-Report.pdf

    • Dukeofurl 32.1

      I remember that RNZ story which indicated a ‘source’ had indicated the text had occurred.
      My conclusion was that another MP was supporting the leaker, not that the leaker was trying to whip up interest in the txt, after Bridges and Mallard didnt reveal anything about the txt.

      Seems like the enquiry has used corroborating evidence, as it would be highly unlikely an experienced MP would have ‘fingerprints’ over any leak via the email or phone system

    • woodart 32.2

      40. this evidence is not conclusive…standard right wing practice…”how much justice can you afford ,son?”

    • Treetop 32.3

      Labour are going to be dragged into the JLR v Bridges stoush as Mallard received a text from JLR. The RNZ reporter received a text as well. And the police received a text as well.

      A transcript of the contents of texts and phone calls with the named above will determine JLR’s involvement.

  32. newsense 33

    Weighting on the endless reports of National as a bunch of disloyal infighters who couldn’t organise a picnic after picking a new leader and then trying to ditch him moments later. A bit Australian.

  33. Tricledrown 34

    Bridges has opened a whole new hornets nest.
    Now Bridges is stuck between a rock and a hard place.
    This is a gift that keeps giving Bridges should know better to make claims that can’t be held up as evidence in court.
    If he hadn’t taken it personally he would look stronger.

    • Dukeofurl 34.1

      Doesnt need evidence that would ‘hold up in court’, as Ross isnt being charged with any offence.
      Ross hasnt admitted to directly leaking , but the circumstances of his admitted falling out with Bridges fits the story that the leak info has came up with.

  34. Tricledrown 35

    Next step JLR sues Bridges for deformation.

    • Carolyn_Nth 35.1

      Sounds painful.

    • Dukeofurl 35.2

      Politicians are a special class so have a higher hurdle to cross in damage to their reputation. As well Bridges has a defence of ‘based on honest opinion’- the report which points to JLR

  35. Ross 36

    If Jamie has mental health issues, as the leaker claims to have, I am surprised he would repeatedly put his head above the parapet and tweet like a bird. I doubt mental health issues are involved.

  36. Michael 37

    It couldn’t have happened to a nicer bunch. No wonder the “business community” think so highly of them.

    • woodart 37.1

      “business community”whoever they are, love the natz, cause they know they can be bought, but :business community” can be outspent, like shonky cult/religions….suckers!!!

  37. Ngungukai 38

    JLR is obviously not happy that Slimey Wedges has come out into the Public Arena and broadcast that JLR has mental health issues, I would also be pissed off if I was JLR ?

  38. Delia 39

    This is the arrogant, born to rule party now going rogue…few could cope with losing the election..Opposition just about kills them. No humility, now in house wars break out.

  39. woodart 40

    party for sale, ….will go to highest bidder, prefer to be paid in yen, everything must go. principles and morals already gone. you are bidding for name and logo, comes with unthinking angry old white royalty, sorry , loyalty, not much else……..

  40. mary_a 41

    For someone who was “required” (own choice, forced, pushed, threatened) to take leave on health grounds, JLR’s recent tweets don’t seem to indicate he is ill in any way.

    But who knows. This is Natz after all!

  41. Herodotus 42

    This family is very unfortunate, bad things seem to follow the JLR family.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11768249
    “A byelection estimated to cost ratepayers more than $100,000 will be held in February to replace her.”
    If another by election, the only good thing will be that both local and central govts can say that they have spent a lot of $$ in the area !!!
    2 By elections in only a few years + 1 more ???

    • Katipo 42.1

      Wonder if an ousted JLR would stand as in independent or for another party in a By-election?

  42. Dean Reynolds 43

    Over on Kiwiblog & Whaleoil, the Nats’ comments reflect a Party in hysterical meltdown – good to see

    • woodart 43.1

      on a completley unrelated(but just as funny) topic, eminenem will be playing at the caketin soon, wondering if there will be a bag of natz dollars at the door for him??

    • Cinny 43.2

      lmao, popcorn time.

  43. Ad 44

    With the inevitable Botany by-election, the best thing Labour and the Greens could do is not stand a candidate. The National majority is so strong there it would be better to just let them fluff around between them and Act.

    We could have a two-fer from Jamie and his wife 😉

    Thank god that “Party Hopping” legislation got passed in time!

    • Dennis Frank 44.1

      Would be interesting to know the extent of his support in Botany. If most voters in that electorate are Chinese, my pick is that they vote National on auto-pilot, and if he knows that he probably won’t bother to stand again. Would be even more interesting to know if that National branch is still supporting him.

      Incidentally, just heard Richard Harman telling Jim Mora’s Panel that today’s tweets from JLR will be viewed as way more serious than his being fingered as the leaker, in the Nat caucus meeting tomorrow. He’s right (alleging Bridges did something illegal) and JLR taping his conversations with his leader will also be controversial. Harman reckons suspension of JLR tomorrow is almost certain.

      • Ngungukai 44.1.1

        National could win Pakuranga without standing a candidate due to the high number of new immigrants of Asian extraction in the Pakuranga Electorate, as previously mentioned they vote National on autopilot. 90% of new Asian immigrants voted National at the 2017 General Election I was told if I am correct ?

      • gsays 44.1.2

        I am not being cheeky when I ask this, doesn’t Labour have an Asian Mp that could stand there?
        You know conservative enough to appeal to the electorate but left enough for the education and health for all to resonate.

    • Herodotus 44.2

      In here press conference just ended our PM mentioned that Labour always does its best in any by election into putting every effort to win. And giving the voter choice. So I gather by our PM’s statement should there be one that Labour will be standing, even given your great advice
      https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12142696

    • Gabby 44.3

      They could campaign on the slogan, ‘you don’t have to be crazy to vote nats, but it helps’.

  44. rod 45

    Where’s Hosking when the Natz need him?

  45. Brian Tregaskin 46

    If its true Jamie has the audio recording as proof
    Jamie should then start a new party National 2.0 before the Waka jumping laws take effect ;
    he could be the new Winston Peters. Rob Muldoon
    If its not true and no audio recording materialises -who knows what do with him.

  46. Gosman 47

    What is interesting is if we are to believe Ross there was nothing really wrong with him and Bridges pushed him to step down for medical reasons. If so, then the ’embarrassing’ condition that Bridges blurted out as the reason for the leave was merely Bridges making up something. This suggests that Bridges was seriously annoyed at Ross and wanted him humiliated. That suggests a degree of vengefulness that is ugly.

    • woodart 47.1

      a degree of vengefulness that is normal for the right… there ,fixed it for you.

      • Gosman 47.1.1

        Hardly. Left and right would probably have the same degree of vengeful people.

        • woodart 47.1.1.1

          the natz dont like loosing, or sharing, and always deflect and look for revenge. your many posts prove this.

    • cleangreen 47.2

      Yes Gosman;

      Those ‘Young Turks’ are bloody vicious are’n’t they?

      As a 74 yr old i am shocked how viscous they really are today.

      I was raised on Sid Holland and Walter Nash.

    • Ross 47.3

      What is interesting is if we are to believe Ross there was nothing really wrong with him and Bridges pushed him to step down for medical reasons.

      But the leaker said he was unwell, Bridges didn’t say it. So if Ross is the leaker, his mental health problems seem to have cleared up remarkably quickly. Or there’s a more plausible explanation…the leaker never had mental health problems but thought that by using that excuse his identity wouldn’t be revealed.

  47. veutoviper 48

    For anyone interested, the Electoral (Integrity) Amendment Bill (aka the waka jumping bill) received Royal Assent on 3 October 2018 and came into effect the following day 4 October 2018 – despite National’s filibustering against the Bill and taking up over 13 hours of Parliamentary time in debate against it over the last month or so.

  48. Morrissey 50

    Jami-Lee Ross? Even David Shearer kicked his ass.

    Mayor Len Brown was relaxed, affable and confident. And, surprisingly and most gratifyingly, so was Labour leader David Shearer. He was at ease and in command throughout the program; in fact he was likable. He did not stammer or forget what he was saying, and he spoke clearly. When he smiled, it was a genuine smile, not the anxious forced rictus grin we have seen too often. Late in the program, he provided the highlight of the evening when he pulled rank and firmly squashed National lightweight Jami-Lee Ross.
    Jami-Lee Ross was exactly how he always is: smarmy, nasty, arrogant and bumptious. But worst of all—and this proved to be his undoing—he was disrespectful. Throughout the hour, he referred to Shearer as “this guy”, and to Shearer and Norman as “these guys”. To compound this display of offhand disrespect, every sentence he uttered started with “Look”. I was impressed with the way Shearer handled himself in this difficult situation; not only did he have to deal with Ross’s vexatious and ridiculous comments, but he also had to contend with Chapman’s offensive and partial behavior. While Chapman’s childishness was something he just had to put up with, he did not have to let Ross go unchallenged. Twice during the early part of the program, he effectively refuted Ross’s nasty comments, then at the end he put Ross firmly in his place—right at the bottom of the pecking order.

    Read more…

    https://morrisseybreen.blogspot.com/2018/03/jami-lee-ross-meets-his-nemesis-david.html

  49. toad 51

    What’s the bet the invisible hand of The Rt Hon. Judith Collins-Thatcher is behind all this?

  50. Rae 52

    One of the biggest tells with the Nats is how, standing by Bridges’ side, Paula Bennett looks like she’d rather be anywhere else but there. Talk about a just swallowed a dead rat.

  51. ianmac 53

    Bridges explanation was a bit too smug for my liking.
    What if JLR is really suffering a mental breakdown hence his paranoia approach to Bridges? What if JLR’s attack and general threat is a manifestation of his mental health.

    If so, then Bridges’s apparent confidence, will be based on knowledge of JLR’s state. Bridges could win points with this.
    (Bridges has been given public speaking coaching for his presentation, perhaps over the weekend?)

    • (Bridges has been given public speaking coaching for his presentation, perhaps over the weekend?)

      So what . He still comes across as a widget, and nothing he can do will ever detract from what people see as his foolishness. Imagine calling for an inquiry into something that was going to be openly disclosed three days later and making a circus of it…

      • ianmac 53.1.1

        “given public speaking coaching for his presentation,given public speaking coaching for his presentation,…”
        My point is that he seems to sure of himself with the end view of being vindicated.

        • WILD KATIPO 53.1.1.1

          Yes I understand what you were saying, and yes he might seem sure of himself but no one else is. He’ll be gone by the next 12 months.

          • ianmac 53.1.1.1.1

            WK. I meant in relation to the leak. I suspect that his self assurance means that he would escape ridicule because he knows full well what JLR’s problem is and he can turn it to his advantage – maybe.

          • Ngungukai 53.1.1.1.2

            Nah Winston reckons b4 Xmas ?

  52. mosa 54

    I don’t think Bridges has to worry about being involved in alleged illegal activity because the National party is above the law and has a complaint police force at its disposal to see that it stays that way.

  53. Carolyn_Nth 55

    Whenever I watch Bridges make today’s statement, I get transfixed by an immobile Bennett beside him, trying to look serious and severe.

    The checkpoint guy just commented on the “unblinking” Bennett.

  54. bwaghorn 56

    Oh my oh my now that has brightened my day no end .
    🤣🤣🤣

  55. mosa 57

    No Right Turn
    Monday, October 15, 2018

    Leaks, dirt, and ethics
    So, National leader Simon Bridges thinks he has found his leaker: the same MP he granted leave to a few weeks ago for “embarrassing personal health reasons. Given that the leaker supposedly sent text messages to Bridges and the Speaker claiming to be mentally fragile, I’m not sure how much I really want to go near this. But earlier today Jami-Lee Ross tried to pre-empt things with a series of tweets claiming he was being stitched up, including this one:

    Jami-Lee Ross

    @jamileeross
    When I started to become expendable, I confronted him with evidence that I had recorded him discussing with me unlawful activity that he was involved in. Working on his instruction, he asked me to do things with election donations that broke the law.

    12:55 PM – Oct 15, 2018
    173
    131 people are talking about this
    Twitter Ads info and privacy

    Which is presumably related to this morning’s revelations about a “clerical error” around donations. But if its more than that, and Ross does in fact have such recordings, he should release them. Because sitting on solid evidence of unlawful activities and corrupt electoral practices by a politician, presumably as “insurance” or “leverage”, is not just unethical, but also being an accessory after the fact.
    Posted by Idiot/Savant at 10/15/2018 01:30:00 PM

    Labels: Crime, Election Funding, National, Simon Bridges

    Links to this post
    Create a Link

    Older Post Home

    Irredeemably Liberal

    No Right Turn

    • Ngungukai 57.1

      I am interested to know what “the embarassing personal health reasons are” as Mental Health is not an embarassing personal health issue ?

      Mental Health problems are a major issue world wide and are not embarassing, poor mental health is a serious issue for the individual and the families concerned IMHO.

  56. mary_a 58

    Now Si how about those dodgy donations, dodgy as in hmm 🤔 as well as dodging from one account to another

  57. Craig Glen Eden 59

    What a mess. So according to Bridges, Jamie-Ross was unwell so he goes on sick leave. Now the National caucus is going to discuss the sick guys position in the National Oposition. But hang on isn’t he sick and has personal issues? Like wasn’t that the reason he was put on sick leave? Gee so either Bridges was lying about Jami-Lee having issues or National are really mean and kicking a sick guy when he is down. Either way Bridges and National are stuffed. Imagine being a National MP and needing sick leave in the future. 🔥🔥

    • Gabby 59.1

      Or Weewoss has been fibbing.

    • mauī 59.2

      His illness is an embarrassing one and any sight of him in public would likely make him more ill. He fingers are ok because he can still tweet, thank god.

  58. UncookedSelachimorpha 60

    The danger is – National might clean out these incompetents, and find an electable ‘winner’ for Crosby Textor to pump up – sooner rather than later. A Richie McCaw or similar (as an example, I don’t actually know about his politics). National is the party for ‘winners’, and this has often worked for them at the ballot box.

    Of course in reality, a handful of winners relies on having a large number of ‘non-winners’, but people can be encouraged to look past that with some carefully selected soundbites and copyright-infringing advertising.

    While us progressives want an outcome that works well for everyone.

    Hopefully National will keep gargling on these stale leader dregs for some time to come.

    • gsays 60.1

      I like the image of gargling on unpleasant folk.
      However as was stated up thread, it’s the politics Tories vote for not the personalities witness Theresa May, Shipley,

  59. Brian Tregaskin 61

    Exclusive Bretheran rearing their heads again — “this has elements of Noelle McCarthy and the classic 95bFM Breakfast Brash interview she did that changed the outcome of the 2005 Election”

  60. nzsage 62

    Interesting how the MSM are reporting on this. Had it been Labour then I’m convinced headlines of “disarray”, “disaster” and “unelectable” would abound.

    Instead, we get “MP’s must back Bridges” See: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/107850211/national-leader-simon-bridges-needs-his-mps-100-per-cent-behind-him

    and;

    “National Party MP Maggie Barry stands behind leader Simon Bridges, attacks MP Jami-Lee Ross” See: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12142832

    The MSM are not even trying to hide their loyalties to the Natz anymore, all the more reason the left need to get the message across via social media, other online media and The Standard!

  61. Brian Tregaskin 63

    Amazing tech is here to counter NZ MSM
    https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2011/jul/28/data-journalism
    https://powerbi.microsoft.com/en-us/datajournalism/
    Embrace it learn how to use it to counter:)

  62. Ken 64

    Two words….Exclusive Bretheren.

  63. Jenny 65

    Someone didn’t tell News Hub about the recently enacted Waka Jumping Law.

    Mr Ross is the MP for Botany, Auckland. If he’s expelled from the party he could quit and cause a by-election, or stay on as an independent.

    News Hub, October 15, 2018

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/10/sooner-rather-than-later-winston-peters-says-ross-saga-will-end-simon-bridges-leadership.html

    Under the bill, lawmakers who quit or are expelled from their party will also be ejected from Parliament. Electorate MPs could seek to win their way back in through a by-election.

    Radio NZ, September 27, 2018

    https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/367427/waka-jumping-bill-passes-into-law-after-heated-debate

    There is no ifs or buts about it, if Ross is expelled from his party he loses his seat.

    Previously Ross could have chose to stay on as an independent.
    But under the Waka Jumping Law Ross cannot choose to stay on as an independent.
    If Ross is expelled from his party, there will be a by-election in Botany whether Ross agrees or not.
    He has no say in the matter.

    Ross’s only choice if he is expelled from his party, (and parliament), will be to choose if he wants to run against his old party in the resulting by-election, either as an independent, or for another party, (that is if there is any political party politically amoral or mercenary to want to have him as their candidate, looking at you BNZ).

    • Pete 65.1

      Wasn’t it the Waka Jumping Bill that had the National Party anti anti anti and stonewalling on?

      • Dennis Frank 65.1.1

        Yeah, Henry Cooke on Stuff had this re how Bridges handles it: ” The National Party’s constitution is silent on the issue of expelling or suspending MPs from caucus, meaning the caucus itself can decide the process for doing so – likely through a vote. National MPs cannot stay on as part of the caucus if they are expelled from the party itself, but that’s a separate process involving the board.”

        “You might assume that the freshly-minted waka jumping law would mean that if Ross left the caucus he would also leave Parliament. But unless Bridges explicitly writes to the Speaker asking to expel Ross then he can technically stay on in Parliament as an independent MP. Using the waka jumping law could be quite a bad look for a leader who so vociferously opposed the the bill so recently to make use of it.” https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/107864417/what-we-should-find-out-about-the-jamilee-ross-crisis-engulfing-the-national-party-and-simon-bridges-today

      • Jenny 65.1.2

        Pete 65.1
        15 October 2018 at 10:26 pm
        Wasn’t it the Waka Jumping Bill that had the National Party anti anti anti and stonewalling on?

        Indeed it was.

        Which is why the Nats may be tippy toeing around Ross.

        But I suspect that much of this may have been parliamentary theatre, and that deep down the Nats actually approve of keeping authoritarian party control of MPs.

        Maybe the Nats fear a by election in Botany. Which is why they haven’t acted to expel Ross from their party. Maybe the threat of him standing as an independent is what Ross is holding against them? I have no doubt Ross would lose, (though Trump proved almost everyone wrong on that one). But there is a real possibility that Ross could split the Right Wing vote.

        If Labour put up a Credible candidate, the Greens stood down, and both put there efforts into a powerful joint electoral campaign, they could seriously dent the, (admittedly large), National Party majority in Botany.

  64. Jenny 66

    Indeed it was.

    Which is why the Nats may be tippy toeing around Ross.

    But I suspect that much of this may have been parliamentary theatre, and that deep down the Nats actually approve of keeping authoritarian party control of MPs.

    Maybe the Nats fear a by election in Botany. Which is why they haven’t acted to expel Ross from their party. Maybe the threat of him standing as an independent is what Ross is holding against them? I have no doubt Ross would lose, (though Trump proved almost everyone wrong on that one). But there is a real possibility that Ross could split the Right Wing vote.

    If Labour put up a Credible candidate, the Greens stood down, and both put there efforts into a powerful joint electoral campaign, they could seriously dent the, (admittedly large), National Party majority in Botany.

  65. Dennis Frank 67

    Tracey Watkin hones in on the motives: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/107850211/national-leader-simon-bridges-needs-his-mps-100-per-cent-behind-him

    ” Ross was Bridges’ numbers man in the recent leadership contest – despite previously been seen as an ally of rival Judith Collins. Bridges rewarded Ross with a huge promotion to the front bench and the prized transport portfolio. The promotion placed him in Bridges’ inner circle and gave him a key role in the party’s strategy and policy development.”

    “But Ross wanted more, according to insiders, and demanded the role of Senior Party Whip as well, a position that pays extra. Bridges was under pressure to share the spoils after getting pledges of support from MPs and said no.”

    • Muttonbird 67.1

      More than most Watkins runs the National Party line. The piece you link to is factual and empty of the opinion she usually populates her article with. It’s in clear support of National and Bridges and promotes that Ross is a crazed lone wolf.

      Watkins is clearly a National Party aligned journalist.

  66. Sacha 68

    Danyl provides the sharpest analysis so far (and concise), explaining why Bridges has behaved so foolishly: https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/15-10-2018/one-little-leak-has-plunged-simon-bridges-into-a-deep-political-nightmare/

    That’s why from Bridges perspective it was obvious that Labour was the leaker. And if he could prove it — it was probably just some staffer but maybe the Speaker of the House was involved! Maybe even someone in Ardern’s office! — then that would be a devastating blow to the government. So Bridges had everything to gain and, he must have figured, nothing to lose by vigorously prosecuting the investigation into the leak.

  67. Sacha 69

    Detail about the Nat party management failures for many moons around their rogue MP’s aggressive behaviour: https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2018/10/15/277466/for-jami-lee-ross-the-charge-sheet-is-long

    The caucus meeting could have some awkward moments. Some of the conduct Ross is accused of – one person told Newsroom there were as many as four allegations, and all were ‘correct’ – would in normal circumstances remain private.

    Add in the extent of head office involvement last year in squelching the Botany bushfires.

    Then stir in yesterday’s almost extortionate claims about secret taping of the leader …

  68. Brian Tregaskin 70

    Right now Ross needs to stand up and not take this crap from National Party aligned journalists. Ross can change the course of history and fight back big time. I see Ross as the next Winston Peters.

    • Dennis Frank 70.1

      So does that mean you don’t think he’s the texter who has mental health problems? Depends if the tape revealing Bridges’ discussing illegal behaviour is real or not! For JLR to have any sort of political future, he must establish credibility fast.

    • Sacha 70.2

      Ah, another historic Botany connection. Sadly Ross has way less political talent so he’d better have a plan B career.

  69. Observer Tokoroa 71

    Magical Simon

    Mr Bridges is a genius at creating scenes. He then blames them on Labour and his friend Mallard.

    He is “full of sound and fury signifying nothing”. But the National Party and the Wealthy adore him.

    A pity he does nothing for New Zealand. Not that I am implying the wealthy ever do anything, except for themselves and the very exclusive Brethren.

CommentsOpinions

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

FeedsPartyGovtMedia

  • Vegas Baby

    Good morning, lovely people. Don’t worry. This isn’t really a newsletter, just a quick note. I’m sitting in our lounge, looking out over a gloomy sky. Although being Rotorua, the view is periodically interrupted by steam bursting from pipes and dispersing—like an Eastern European industrial hellscape during the Cold War.Drinking ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 hours ago
  • Why Entrust Needs New Leadership

    I am part of a new team running in the Entrust election in October. Entrust is a community electricity trust representing a significant part of Auckland, set up to serve the community. It is governed by five trustees are elected every three years in an election the trust itself oversees. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    8 hours ago
  • London Bridge is falling down

    In the UK, London is the latest of council groups to signal potential bankruptcy.That’s after Birmingham, Britain’s second largest city, went bankrupt in June, resulting in reduced sanitation services, libraries cut, and dimmed streetlights.Some in the city described things as “Dickens” like.Please, Sir, Can I have some more?For families with ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    8 hours ago
  • Govt may kick elderly out of hospitals

    The Government is considering how to shunt elderly people out of hospitals, and also how to cut their access to other support. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Monday, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    8 hours ago
  • Getting the nephs off the couch

    The so-called “Prince of the Provinces”, Shane Jones, went home last Friday. Perhaps not quite literally home, more like 20 kilometres down the road from his house on the outskirts of Kerikeri. With its airport, its rapidly growing (mostly retired) population, and a commercial centre with all the big retail ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    10 hours ago
  • De moralibus orcorum: Sargon of Akkad, Rings of Power, Evil, and George R.R. Martin

    I have noted before that The Rings of Power has attracted its unfortunate share of culture war obsessives. Essentially, for a certain type of individual, railing on about the Wokery of Modern Media is a means of making themselves a online livelihood. Clicks and views and advertising revenue, and all ...
    16 hours ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #37

    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, September 8, 2024 thru Sat, September 14, 2024. Story of the week From time to time we like to make our Story of the Week all about us— and ...
    18 hours ago
  • Salvation For Us All

    Yesterday, I ruminated about the effects of being a political follower.And, within politics, David Seymour was smart enough on Friday to divert attention from “race blind” policies [what about gender blind I thought - thinking of maternity wards] and cutting school lunches by throwing meat to the media. Teachers were ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 day ago
  • A warm embrace

    Far, far away from here lives our King. Some of his subjects can be quite the forelock tuggers, but plenty of us are not like that, and why don't I wheel out my favourite old story once more about Kiwi soldiers in the North African desert?Field Marshal Montgomery takes offence ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • Literal clowns are running the place, we must put a timeout on this stupidity… right Aotearoa?

    These people are inept on every level. They’re inept to the detriment of our internal politics, cohesion and increasingly our international reputation. And they are reveling in the fact they are getting away with it. We cannot even have “respectful debate” with a government that clearly rejects the very ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    2 days ago
  • Fact brief – Does manmade CO2 have any detectable fingerprint?

    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park from the Gigafact team in collaboration with John Mason. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Does manmade CO2 have any ...
    2 days ago
  • Judge Not.

    Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Matthew 7:1-2FOUR HUNDRED AND FORTY men and women professing the Christian faith would appear to have imperilled their immortal souls. ...
    2 days ago
  • Managed Democracy: Letting The People Decide, But Only When They Can Be Relied Upon To Give the Righ...

    Uh-uh! Not So Fast, Citizens! The power to initiate systemic change remains where it has always been in New Zealand’s representative democracy – in Parliament. To order a binding referendum, the House of Representatives must first to be persuaded that, on the question proposed, sharing its decision-making power with the people ...
    2 days ago
  • Looking For Labour’s Vital Signs.

    Flatlining: With no evidence of a genuine policy disruptor at work in Labour’s ranks, New Zealand’s wealthiest citizens can sleep easy.PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN has walked a picket-line. Presidential candidate Kamala Harris has threatened “price-gauging” grocery retailers with price control. The Democratic Party’s 2024 platform situates it well to the left of Sir ...
    2 days ago
  • Forty Years Of Remembering To Forget.

    The Beginning of the End: Rogernomics became the short-hand descriptor for all the radical changes that swept away New Zealand’s social-democratic economy and society between 1984 and 1990. In the bitterest of ironies, those changes were introduced by the very same party which had entrenched New Zealand social-democracy 50 years earlier. ...
    2 days ago
  • Kōrero Mai – Speak to Me.

    Good morning all you lovely people. 🙂I woke up this morning, and it felt a bit like the last day of school. You might recall from earlier in the week that I’m heading home to Rotorua to see an old friend who doesn’t have much time. A sad journey, but ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Winning ways

    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on anything you may have missed. Street architecture adjustment, KolkataShare Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • 48 seconds on a plan that would reverberate for a million years

    Despite fears that Trump presidency would be disastrous for progress on climate change, the topic barely rated a mention in the Presidential debate. Photo: Getty ImagesLong stories short, here’s the top six news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Using blunt instruments and magical thinking to ignore evidence of harm

    The abrupt cancellations and suspensions of Government spending also caused private sector hiring, spending, and investment to freeze up for the first six months of the year. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāThis week we learned:The new National/ACT/NZ First Coalition Government ignored advice from Treasury that it didn’t have to ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Is This A Dagger Which I See Before Me: A Review and Analysis of The Rings of Power Episode 5 (Seaso...

    Another week of The Rings of Power, season two, and another confirmation that things are definitely coming together for the show. The fifth Episode of season one represented the nadir of the series. Now? Amid the firmer footing of 2024, Episode Five represents further a further step towards excellent Tolkien ...
    3 days ago
  • In Open Seas; A Book

    The background to In Open Seas: How the New Zealand Labour Government Went Wrong:2017-2023Not in Narrow Seas: The Economic History of Aotearoa New Zealand, published in 2020, proved more successful than either I or the publisher (VUP, now Te Herenga Waka University Press) expected. I had expected that it would ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    3 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to Sept 13

    The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-hosts and talking about the week’s news with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on the latest climate science on rising temperatures and the climate implications of the US Presidential elections; and special guests Janet ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Do or do not. There is no try

    1. Upon receiving evidence that school lunches were doing a marvellous job of improving outcomes for students, David Seymour did what?a. Declared we need much more of this sort of good news and poured extra resources and funding into them b. Emailed Atlas network to ask what to do next c. Cut ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Dangerous ground

    The Waitangi Tribunal has reported back on National's proposed changes to gut the Marine and Coastal Area Act and steal the foreshore and seabed for its greedy fishing-industry donors, and declared it to be another huge violation of ti Tiriti: The Waitangi Tribunal has found government changes to the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • Climate Change: National wants to cheat on Paris

    In 2016, the then-National government signed the Paris Agreement, committing Aotearoa to a 30 (later 50) percent reduction in emissions by 2030. When questioned about how they intended to meet that target with their complete absence of effective climate policy, they made a lot of noise about how it was ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • Treasury warned Govt lower debt limits meant less ‘productivity-enhancing investment’

    Treasury’s advice to Cabinet was that the new Government could actually prudently carry net core Crown debt of up to 50% of GDP. But Luxon and Willis instead chose to portray the Government’s finances as in such a mess they had no choice but to carve 6.5% to 7.5% off ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Is the Media Complicit?

    This is a long read. Open to all.SYNOPSIS: Traditional media is at a cross roads. There is a need for those in the media landscape, as it stands, to earn enough to stay afloat, but also come across as balanced and neutral to keep its audiences.In America, NYT’s liberal leaning ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    3 days ago
  • Black Friday

    It's Black Friday, the end of the weekYou take my hand and hold it gently up against your cheekIt's all in my head, it's all in my mindI see the darkness where you see the lightSong by Tom OdellFriday the 13th, don’t be afraid.No, really, don’t. Everything has felt a ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 13-September-2024

    Ooh, Friday the thirteenth. Spooky! Is that why certain zombie ideas have been stalking the landscape this week, like the Mayor’s brainwave for a motorway bridge from Kauri Point to Point Chev? Read on and find out. This roundup, like all our coverage, is brought to you by the Greater ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    3 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #37 2024

    Open access notables Early knowledge but delays in climate actions: An ecocide case against both transnational oil corporations and national governments, Hauser et al., Environmental Science & Policy: Cast within the wide context of investigating the collusion at play between powerful political-economic actors and decision-makers as monopolists and debates about ‘the modern ...
    4 days ago
  • What it is

    I liked what Kieran McAnulty had to say about the Treaty Principles bill this morning so much I've written it down and copied it out for you. He was saying that rather than let this piece of ordure spend six months in Select Committee, the Prime Minister could stop making such ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • A government-funded hate campaign

    Cabinet discussed National's constitutionally and historically illiterate "Treaty Principles Bill" this week, and decided to push on with it. The bill will apparently receive a full six month select committee process - unlike practically every other policy this government has pushed, and despite the fact that if the government is ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • How Substack works to take (some) craziness out of America’s elections

    I spoke with Substack co-founder yesterday, just before the Trump-Harris debate, about how Substack is doing its thing during the US elections. He talks in particular about how Substack’s focus on paid subscriptions rather than ads has made political debate on the platform calmer, simpler, deeper and more satisfying ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Kamala Harris Did Something Unthinkable

    Hi,Yesterday me and a bunch of friends gathered in front of the TV, ate tortillas, drank wine, and watched the debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.Some of you may have joined in on the live Webworm chat where we shared thoughts, jokes and memes — and a basic glee ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    4 days ago
  • Kamala Harris Did Something Unthinkable

    Hi,Yesterday me and a bunch of friends gathered in front of the TV, ate tortillas, drank wine, and watched the debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.Some of you may have joined in on the live Webworm chat where we shared thoughts, jokes and memes — and a basic glee ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    4 days ago
  • Kamala Harris Did Something Unthinkable

    Hi,Yesterday me and a bunch of friends gathered in front of the TV, ate tortillas, drank wine, and watched the debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.Some of you may have joined in on the live Webworm chat where we shared thoughts, jokes and memes — and a basic glee ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    4 days ago
  • David Seymour is such a loser

    For paid subscribersNot content with siphoning off $230,000,000 of taxpayers money for his hobby projects - and telling everyone his passion is education and early childcare - an intersection painfully coincidental to the interests of wealthy private families like Sean Plunkett’s1 backers, the Wright Family, Seymour is back in the ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Cross-party consensus: there’s no pipeline without good faith

    There’s been a lot of talk recently about a cross-party agreement to develop a pipeline for infrastructure, including transport. Last month, outgoing CRL boss Sean Sweeney talked about the importance of securing an enduring infrastructure programme. He outlined the high costs of the relentless political flip-flopping of priorities, which drives ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • Voters love this climate policy they’ve never heard of

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Karin Kirk The Inflation Reduction Act is the Biden administration’s signature climate law and the largest U.S. government investment in reducing climate pollution to date. Among climate advocates, the policy is well-known and celebrated, but beyond that, only a minority of Americans ...
    4 days ago
  • ACC wants to administer inflation at more than double the RBNZ’s target rate

    ACC levies are set to rise at more than double the inflation rate targeted by the RBNZ. Photo: Lynn GrievesonKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Thursday, September 12:The state-owned monopoly for accident insurance wants ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Harris vs Trump

    We’ve been selected to rock your asses 'til midnightThis is my term, I've shaved off my perm, but it's alrightI solemnly swear to uphold the ConstitutionGot a rock 'n' roll problem? Well we got a solutionLet us be who we am, and let us kick out the jams, yeahKick out ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Treaty Bill “a political stunt”

    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon appears to have given ACT Leader David Seymour more than he has been admitting in the proposals to go forward with a Treaty Principles Bill.All along, Luxon has maintained that the Government is proceeding with the Bill to honour the coalition agreement.But that is quite specific.It ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • An average 219 NZers migrated each day in July

    Kia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Wednesday, September 11:Annual migration of New Zealanders rose to a record-high 80,963 in the year to the end of July, which is more than double its pre-Covid levels.Two ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • What you’re wanting to win more than anything is The Narrative

    Hubris is sitting down on election day 2016 to watch that pig Trump get his ass handed to him, and watching the New York Times needle hover for a while over Hillary and then move across to Trump where it remains all night to your gathering horror and dismay. You're ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • National’s automated lie machine

    The government has a problem: lots of people want information from it all the time. Information about benefits, about superannuation, ACC coverage and healthcare, taxes, jury service, immigration - and that's just the routine stuff. Responding to all of those queries takes a lot of time and costs a lot ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Christopher Luxon: A Man of “Faith” and “Compassion” Speaks on the Treaty Pr...

    Synopsis: Today - we explore two different realities. One where National lost. And another - which is the one we are living with here. Note: the footnote on increased fees/taxes may be of interest to some readers.Article open.Subscribe nowIt’s an alternate timeline.Yesterday as news broke that the central North Island ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Member’s Day

    Today is a Member's Day. First up is the third reading of Dan Bidois' Fair Trading (Gift Card Expiry) Amendment Bill, which will be followed by the committee stage of Deborah Russell's Family Proceedings (Dissolution for Family Violence) Amendment Bill. This will be followed by the second readings of Katie ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Northern Expressway Boondoggle

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has been soaring high with his hubris of getting on and building motorways but some uncomfortable realities are starting to creep in. Back in July he announced that the government was pushing on with a Northland Expressway using an “accelerated delivery strategy” The Coalition Government is ...
    5 days ago
  • Never Enough

    However much I'm falling downNever enoughHowever much I'm falling outNever, never enough!Whatever smile I smile the mostNever enoughHowever I smile I smile the mostSongwriters: Robert James Smith / Simon Gallup / Boris Williams / Porl ThompsonToday in Nick’s Kōrero:A death in the Emergency Department at Rotorua Hospital.A sad homecoming and ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Question Two of The Kākā Project of 2026 for 2050 (TKP 26/50)

    Kia ora.Last month I proposed restarting The Kākā Project work done before the 2023 election as The Kākā Project of 2026 for 2050 (TKP 26/50), aiming to be up and running before the 2025 Local Government elections, and then in a finalised form by the 2026 General Elections.A couple of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Why is God Obsessed with Spanking?

    Hi,If you’ve read Webworm for a while, you’ll be aware that I’ve spent a lot of time writing about horrific, corrupt megachurches and the shitty men who lead them.And in all of this writing, I think some people have this idea that I hate Christians or Christianity. As I explain ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago
  • Inside the public service

    In 2023, there were 63,117 full-time public servants earning, on average, $97,200 a year each. All up, that is a cost to the Government of $6.1 billion a year. It’s little wonder, then, that the public service has become a political whipping boy castigated by the Prime Minister and members ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • New Models Show Stronger Atlantic Hurricanes, and More of Them

    This is a re-post from This is Not Cool Here’s an example of some of the best kind of climate reporting, especially in that it relates to impacts that will directly affect the audience. WFLA in Tampa conducted a study in collaboration with the Department of Energy, analyzing trends in ...
    6 days ago
  • Where ever do they find these people?

    A riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma, is how Winston Churchill described the Soviet Union in 1939.  How might the great man have described the 2024 government of New Zealand, do we think? I can't imagine he would have thought them all that mysterious or enigmatic. I think ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • Motorway madness

    How mad is National's obsession with roads? One of their pet projects - a truck highway to Whangārei - is going to eat 10% of our total infrastructure budget for the next 25 years: Official advice from the Infrastructure Commission shows the government could be set to spend 10 ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • Our transport planning system is fundamentally broken

    Ever since Wayne Brown became mayor (nearly two years ago now) he’s been wanting to progress an “integrated transport plan” with the government – which sounded a lot like the previous Auckland Transport Alignment Project (ATAP) with just a different name. It seems like a fair bit of work progressed ...
    6 days ago
  • Thou Shalt Not Steal

    And they taught usWhoa-oh, black woman, thou shalt not stealI said, hey, yeah, black man, thou shalt not stealWe're gonna civilise your black barbaric livesAnd we teach you how to kneelBut your history couldn't hide the genocideThe hypocrisy to us was realFor your Jesus said you're supposed to giveThe oppressed ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • How mismanagement, not wind and solar energy, causes blackouts

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections In February 2021, several severe storms swept across the United States, culminating with one that the Weather Channel unofficially named Winter Storm Uri. In Texas, Uri knocked out power to over 4.5 million homes and 10 million people. Hundreds of Texans died as a ...
    6 days ago
  • The ‘Infra Boys’ Highway to Budget Hell

    Chris Bishop has enthusiastically dubbed himself and Simeon Brown “the Infra Boys”, but they need to take note of the sums around their roading dreams. Photo: Lynn GrievesonMōrena. Long stories short, here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Tuesday, September ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Media Link: “AVFA” on the politics of desperation.

    In this podcast Selwyn Manning and I talk about what appears to be a particular type of end-game in the long transition to systemic realignment in international affairs, in which the move to a new multipolar order with different characteristics … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    7 days ago
  • The cost of flying blind

    Just over two years ago, when worries about immediate mass-death from covid had waned, and people started to talk about covid becoming "endemic", I asked various government agencies what work they'd done on the costs of that - and particularly, on the cost of Long Covid. The answer was that ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    7 days ago
  • Seymour vs The Clergy

    For paid subscribers“Aotearoa is not as malleable as they think,” Lynette wrote last week on Homage to Simeon Brown:In my heart/mind, that phrase ricocheted over the next days, translating out to “We are not so malleable.”It gave me comfort. I always felt that we were given an advantage in New ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Unstoppable Minister McKee

    All smiles, I know what it takes to fool this townI'll do it 'til the sun goes downAnd all through the nighttimeOh, yeahOh, yeah, I'll tell you what you wanna hearLeave my sunglasses on while I shed a tearIt's never the right timeYeah, yeahSong by SiaLast night there was a ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Could outdoor dining revitalise Queen Street?

    This is a guest post by Ben van Bruggen of The Urban Room,.An earlier version of this post appeared on LinkedIn. All images are by Ben. Have you noticed that there’s almost nowhere on Queen Street that invites you to stop, sit outside and enjoy a coffee, let alone ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    1 week ago
  • Hipkins challenges long-held Labour view Government must stay below 30% of GDP

    Hipkins says when considering tax settings and the size of government, the big question mark is over what happens with the balance between the size of the working-age population and the growing number of Kiwis over the age of 65. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMōrena. Long stories short; here’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Your invite to Webworm Chat (a bit like Reddit)

    Hi,One of the things I love the most about Webworm is, well, you. The community that’s gathered around this lil’ newsletter isn’t something I ever expected when I started writing it four years ago — now the comments section is one of my favourite places on the internet. The comments ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 week ago
  • Seymour’s Treaty bill making Nats nervous

    A delay in reappointing a top civil servant may indicate a growing nervousness within the National Party about the potential consequences of David Seymour’s Treaty Principles Bill. Dave Samuels is waiting for reappointment as the Chief Executive of Te Puni Kokiri, but POLITIK understands that what should have been a ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 week ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #36

    A listing of 34 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, September 1, 2024 thru Sat, September 7, 2024. Story of the week Our Story of the Week is about how peopele are not born stupid but can be fooled ...
    1 week ago
  • Time for a Change

    You act as thoughYou are a blind manWho's crying, crying 'boutAll the virgins that are dyingIn your habitual dreams, you knowSeems you need more sleepBut like a parrot in a flaming treeI know it's pretty hard to seeI'm beginning to wonderIf it's time for a changeSong: Phil JuddThe next line ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies: Excerpt Six.

    The “double shocks” in post Cold War international affairs. The end of the Cold War fundamentally altered the global geostrategic context. In particular, the end of the nuclear “balance of terror” between the USA and USSR, coupled with the relaxation … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    1 week ago
  • Buried deep

    Here's a bike on Manchester St, Feilding. I took this photo on Friday night after a very nice dinner at the very nice Vietnamese restaurant, Saigon, on Manchester Street.I thought to myself, Manchester Street? Bicycle? This could be the very spot.To recap from an earlier edition: on a February night ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago
  • Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies, Excerpt Five.

    Military politics as a distinct “partial regime.” Notwithstanding their peripheral status, national defense offers the raison d’être of the combat function, which their relative vulnerability makes apparent, so military forces in small peripheral democracies must be very conscious of events … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    1 week ago
  • Leadership for Dummies

    If you’re going somewhere, do you maybe take a bit of an interest in the place? Read up a bit on the history, current events, places to see - that sort of thing? Presumably, if you’re taking a trip somewhere, it’s for a reason. But what if you’re going somewhere ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Home again

    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on anything you may have missed. Share Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago
  • Dead even tie for hottest August ever

    Long stories short, here’s the top six news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer:The month of August was 1.49˚C warmer than pre-industrial levels, tying with 2023 for the warmest August ever, according ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Asia Foundation Board appointments announced

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced the appointments of Hone McGregor, Professor David Capie, and John Boswell to the Board of the Asia New Zealand Foundation.  Bede Corry, Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade, has also been appointed as an ex-officio member. The new trustees join Dame Fran Wilde (Chair), ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 hour ago
  • Endeavour Fund projects for economic growth

    New Zealand’s largest contestable science fund is investing in 72 new projects to address challenges, develop new technology and support communities, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins says. “This Endeavour Fund round being funded is focused on economic growth and commercial outputs,” Ms Collins says. “It involves funding of more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • Parihaka infrastructure upgrades funded

    The Government will provide a $5.8 million grant to improve water infrastructure at Parihaka in Taranaki, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka say. “This grant from the Regional Infrastructure Fund will have a multitude of benefits for this hugely significant cultural site, including keeping local ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • Serious assaults down 22% in Auckland CBD

    Cross-government action to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour in Auckland is getting traction, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. “Our central cities should be great places to live and work, but in recent years they have become hot spots for crime and anti-social behaviour. In Auckland, businesses and residents suffered as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • Increased certainty for contractors coming

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says upcoming changes to the Employment Relations Act will provide greater certainty for contractors and businesses. “These changes to legislation are necessary to ensure businesses and workers have more clarity from the start of their contracting arrangement. It is an ACT-National coalition ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Draft critical minerals list released for consultation

    A draft list of minerals deemed essential to New Zealand’s economy and strengthening its mineral resilience has been released for consultation, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The draft Critical Minerals List identifies 35 minerals essential to economic functions, are in demand internationally, and face high risk of supply disruption domestically ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Government eliminates $190 million in trade barriers to boost the economy

    The Government has successfully removed trade barriers affecting nearly $190 million worth of exports to help grow the economy, Minister for Trade and Agriculture Todd McClay today announced.  “In the past year, we have resolved 14 Non Tariff Barriers (NTBs), returning significant value to kiwi exporters. These efforts directly boost our ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Reo Māori the ‘beating heart’ of Aotearoa New Zealand

    From private business to the Paris Olympics, reo Māori is growing with the success of New Zealanders, says Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka. “I’m joining New Zealanders across the country in celebrating this year’s Te Wiki o te Reo Māori – Māori Language Week, which has a big range ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Need and value at forefront of public service delivery

    New Cabinet policy directives will ensure public agencies prioritise public services on the basis of need and award Government contracts on the basis of public value, Minister for the Public Service Nicola Willis says. “Cabinet Office has today issued a circular to central government organisations setting out the Government’s expectations ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Minister to attend Police Ministers Council Meeting

    Police Minister Mark Mitchell will join with Australian Police Ministers and Commissioners at the Police Ministers Council meeting (PMC) today in Melbourne. “The council is an opportunity to come together to discuss a range of issues, gain valuable insights on areas of common interest, and different approaches towards law enforcement ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • New Bill to crack down on youth vaping

    The coalition Government has introduced legislation to tackle youth vaping, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products Amendment Bill (No 2) is aimed at preventing youth vaping.  “While vaping has contributed to a significant fall in our smoking rates, the rise in youth vaping ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Interest in agricultural and horticultural products regulatory review welcomed

    Regulation Minister David Seymour, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds, and Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard have welcomed interest in the agricultural and horticultural products regulatory review. The review by the Ministry for Regulation is looking at how to speed up the process to get farmers and growers access to the safe, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Bill to allow online charity lotteries passes first reading

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government is moving at pace to ensure lotteries for charitable purposes are allowed to operate online permanently. Charities fundraising online, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust and local hospices will continue to do ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Tax exempt threshold changes to benefit startups

    Technology companies are among the startups which will benefit from increases to current thresholds of exempt employee share schemes, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins and Revenue Minister Simon Watts say. Tax exempt thresholds for the schemes are increasing as part of the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2024-25, Emergency ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Getting the healthcare you need, when you need it

    The path to faster cancer treatment, an increase in immunisation rates, shorter stays in emergency departments and quick assessment and treatments when you are sick has been laid out today. Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has revealed details of how the ambitious health targets the Government has set will be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Targeted supports to accelerate reading

    The coalition Government is delivering targeted and structured literacy supports to accelerate learning for struggling readers. From Term 1 2025, $33 million of funding for Reading Recovery and Early Literacy Support will be reprioritised to interventions which align with structured approaches to teaching. “Structured literacy will change the way children ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Survivors invited to Abuse in Care national apology

    With two months until the national apology to survivors of abuse in care, expressions of interest have opened for survivors wanting to attend. “The Prime Minister will deliver a national apology on Tuesday 12 November in Parliament. It will be a very significant day for survivors, their families, whānau and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Rangatahi inspire at Ngā Manu Kōrero final

    Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini kē - My success is not mine alone but is the from the strength of the many. Aotearoa New Zealand’s top young speakers are an inspiration for all New Zealanders to learn more about the depth and beauty conveyed ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Driving structured literacy in schools

    The coalition Government is driving confidence in reading and writing in the first years of schooling. “From the first time children step into the classroom, we’re equipping them and teachers with the tools they need to be brilliant in literacy. “From 1 October, schools and kura with Years 0-3 will receive ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Labour’s misleading information is disappointing

    Labour’s misinformation about firearms law is dangerous and disappointing, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee says.   “Labour and Ginny Andersen have repeatedly said over the past few days that the previous Labour Government completely banned semi-automatic firearms in 2019 and that the Coalition Government is planning to ‘reintroduce’ them.   ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Govt takes action on mpox response, widens access to vaccine

    The Government is taking immediate action on a number of steps around New Zealand’s response to mpox, including improving access to vaccine availability so people who need it can do so more easily, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti and Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. “Mpox is obviously a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Next steps agreed for Treaty Principles Bill

    Associate Justice Minister David Seymour says Cabinet has agreed to the next steps for the Treaty Principles Bill. “The Treaty Principles Bill provides an opportunity for Parliament, rather than the courts, to define the principles of the Treaty, including establishing that every person is equal before the law,” says Mr Seymour. “Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government unlocking potential of AI

    Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins today announced a programme to drive Artificial Intelligence (AI) uptake among New Zealand businesses. “The AI Activator will unlock the potential of AI for New Zealand businesses through a range of support, including access to AI research experts, technical assistance, AI tools and resources, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government releases Wairoa flood review findings

    The independent rapid review into the Wairoa flooding event on 26 June 2024 has been released, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced today. “We welcome the review’s findings and recommendations to strengthen Wairoa's resilience against future events,” Ms ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Promoting faster payment times for government

    The Government is sending a clear message to central government agencies that they must prioritise paying invoices in a timely manner, Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Andrew Bayly says. Data released today promotes transparency by publishing the payment times of each central government agency. This data will be published quarterly ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Acknowledgement to Kīngi Tuheitia speech

    E te māngai o te Whare Pāremata, kua riro māku te whakaputa i te waka ki waho moana. E te Pirimia tēnā koe.Mr Speaker, it is my privilege to take this adjournment kōrero forward.  Prime Minister – thank you for your leadership. Taupiri te maunga Waikato te awa Te Wherowhero ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Interim fix to GST adjustment rules to support businesses

    Inland Revenue can begin processing GST returns for businesses affected by a historic legislative drafting error, Revenue Minister Simon Watts says. “Inland Revenue has become aware of a legislative drafting error in the GST adjustment rules after changes were made in 2023 which were meant to simplify the process. This ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Strong uptake for cervical screening self-test

    More than 80 per cent of New Zealand women being tested have opted for a world-leading self-test for cervical screening since it became available a year ago. Minister of Health Dr Shane Reti and Associate Minister Casey Costello, in her responsibility for Women’s Health, say it’s fantastic to have such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Ministry for Regulation’s first Strategic Intentions document sets ambitious direction

    Regulation Minister David Seymour welcomes the Ministry for Regulation’s first Strategic Intentions document, which sets out how the Ministry will carry out its work and deliver on its purpose. “I have set up the Ministry for Regulation with three tasks. One, to cut existing red tape with sector reviews. Two, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Māori Education Advisory Group established

    The Education Minister has established a Māori Education Ministerial Advisory Group made up of experienced practitioners to help improve outcomes for Māori learners. “This group will provide independent advice on all matters related to Māori education in both English medium and Māori medium settings. It will focus on the most impactful ways we can lift ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government welcomes findings of NZ Superannuation Fund review

    The Government has welcomed the findings of the recent statutory review into the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation and the New Zealand Superannuation Fund, Minister of Finance Nicola Willis says. The 5-yearly review, conducted on behalf of Treasury and tabled in Parliament today, found the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • First of five new Hercules aircraft takes flight

    Defence Minister Judith Collins today welcomed the first of five new C-130J-30 Hercules to arrive in New Zealand at a ceremony at the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Base Auckland, Whenuapai. “This is an historic day for our New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and our nation. The new Hercules fleet ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Have your say on suicide prevention

    Today, September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day, a time to reflect on New Zealand’s confronting suicide statistics, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “Every death by suicide is a tragedy – a tragedy that affects far too many of our families and communities in New Zealand. We must do ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Action to grow the rural health workforce

    Scholarships awarded to 27 health care students is another positive step forward to boost the future rural health workforce, Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “All New Zealanders deserve timely access to quality health care and this Government is committed to improving health outcomes, particularly for the one in five ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac delivering more for Kiwis following major funding boost

    Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour has welcomed the increased availability of medicines for Kiwis resulting from the Government’s increased investment in Pharmac. “Pharmac operates independently, but it must work within the budget constraints set by the Government,” says Mr Seymour. “When our Government assumed office, New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Sport Minister congratulates NZ’s Paralympians

    Sport & Recreation Minister Chris Bishop has congratulated New Zealand's Paralympic Team at the conclusion of the Paralympic Games in Paris.  “The NZ Paralympic Team's success in Paris included fantastic performances, personal best times, New Zealand records and Oceania records all being smashed - and of course, many Kiwis on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government progresses response to Abuse in Care recommendations

    A Crown Response Office is being established within the Public Service Commission to drive the Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care. “The creation of an Office within a central Government agency was a key recommendation by the Royal Commission’s final report.  “It will have the mandate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Passport wait times back on-track

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says passport processing has returned to normal, and the Department of Internal Affairs [Department] is now advising customers to allow up to two weeks to receive their passport. “I am pleased that passport processing is back at target service levels and the Department ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New appointments to the FMA board

    Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister has today announced three new appointments and one reappointment to the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) board. Tracey Berry, Nicholas Hegan and Mariette van Ryn have been appointed for a five-year term ending in August 2029, while Chris Swasbrook, who has served as a board member ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • District Court judges appointed

    Attorney-General Hon Judith Collins today announced the appointment of two new District Court judges. The appointees, who will take up their roles at the Manukau Court and the Auckland Court in the Accident Compensation Appeal Jurisdiction, are: Jacqui Clark Judge Clark was admitted to the bar in 1988 after graduating ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-09-16T02:47:13+00:00