Colin Craig vs The Civilian

Written By: - Date published: 10:22 pm, April 23rd, 2013 - 63 comments
Categories: blogs, conservative party - Tags: , ,

The Civilian is a new satirical blog that has making waves lately. If you haven’t visited The Civilian yet you should – add it to your bookmarks! Because after all, you know a blog has really made it when it provokes a bizarre and heavy-handed overreaction:

Colin Craig threatens satirical website

Conservative Party leader Colin Craig has threatened a satirical news website with defamation after claiming it published a story designed “to make him look ridiculous”.

The Civilian yesterday uploaded a story about Maurice Williamson’s “big gay rainbow” speech, in which the Pakuranga MP admitted “he looks pretty stupid this morning after a series of floods in the Nelson, Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions appeared to contradict his assertion that nothing bad would come of the passing of gay marriage legislation”.

It also featured fake quotes from Mr Craig, having him say “God painted a giant rainbow across the sky, which was a message that he would never again flood the world, unless we made him very angry. And we have.”

Mr Craig hasn’t seen the funny side however, and today through his lawyers at Chapman Tripp threatened editor Ben Uffindell with defamation unless he removed the quote, posted a retraction and paid him – a millionaire businessman – $500 for his legal troubles.

Well now if that doesn’t quadruple the readership of The Civilian I don’t know what will! Bloggers have been quick to respond, starting with The Civilian himself:

Thank you for your email. The Civilian was horrified to learn that it had misquoted Mr. Craig in the article in question, and if you visit our website, you will see that we have taken urgent action to rectify our terrible mistake.

We would never dream of making Mr. Craig look ridiculous. Indeed, we’re quite content to leave that up to him.

Danyl at Dimpost totally dominated the discussion with his response (my eyes are still watering). And I’d love to tell you what Imperator Fish thought, but unfortunately his thoughts have been [redacted].

I think we bloggers should all give a round of applause to Colin. So many of us struggle and toil in obscurity, never noticed. But because of Colin at least one blog, The Civilian, is assured of the praise and thanks of a grateful nation…

Update: Lyndon Hood – In defense of Colin Craig

63 comments on “Colin Craig vs The Civilian ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. BLiP 1
    23 April 2013 at 10:45 pm

    ‘

    So, Colin Craig never said . . .

    . . . “Williamson likes to talk about big gay rainbows,” said Craig, “but it would help if he understood what the rainbow actually means. After Noah’s flood, God painted a giant rainbow across the sky, which was a message that he would never again flood the world, unless we made him very angry. And we have” . . .

    . . . poor ole Colin, perhaps we can all help. I suggest calling in Barbara Steisand to help him out. The more times the statement is repeated on the more forms of intertubes media the better. For Colin’s sake, of course.

  2. McFlock 2
    23 April 2013 at 10:55 pm

    Freedom of speech and satire is a basic right, as long as it doesn’t make millionaires look ridiculous. The Great Conservative (GC) would be fine with respectful satire, but this went too far.
    burn them!

  3. GregJ 3
    24 April 2013 at 2:40 am

    Colin Craig: Proof that even God likes a joke – just like the rest of us.

  4. andy (the other one) 4
    24 April 2013 at 7:31 am

    Even the Herald are trolling Craig.

    What Colin Craig did not say in the satirical post on the Civilian:

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10879437

    • David H 4.1
      25 April 2013 at 12:11 pm

      And I did notice that they didn’t put up a comments section. Now that would have been interesting.

  5. mickysavage 5
    24 April 2013 at 8:16 am

    Hehe. Craig has succeeded beyond his wildest dreams in drawing attention to himself.

    Wonder if it will help the Conservative Party’s standing? Maybe this is part of a cunning plan to increase exposure? After all in MMP terms it does not hurt a party’s standing if 90% of the population think its leader is a dick …

  6. lprent 6
    24 April 2013 at 8:41 am

    Dimpost’s satirical Michelle Hewitson style “interview” with Colin Craig is also inspired. For instance….

    Craig denies that his statements on contemporary morality are dominated by his religious upbringing, or the fact that I was kneeling on his throat while grating his nipples with a citrus zester. ‘I stand by my statements, no matter how much blood I’ve lost,’ he explains, a little defiant. ‘And I’m very proud of my background,’ he adds, rubbing vinegar on his lacerated chest. ‘I’m not a regular church-goer, but I cherish the Baptist values I was raised with, and the Scottish emphasis on frugality which has been passed down to me.’

    The interview that danyl was parodying is here.

    Has Mr Crag (that is his name according to his dumbarse lawyer John McKay) never heard of the Striesand effect?

    That means that I actually wind up agreeing with stupid (also known as Whaleoil) who said

    What a bunch of amateur numpties. This is what the corporate weasel lawyer looks like:


    Corporate Weasel Lawyer John McKay

    How embarrassing,welcome to more embarrassment Colin Craig and John McKay.

    I can’t believe that you advised your client to embark on such a folly, what a dick.

    • Roy 6.1
      24 April 2013 at 10:05 am

      I am stunned to find myself agreeing with Whaleoil. I think I had better take tomorrow off work.

      • Tim 6.1.1
        24 April 2013 at 11:46 am

        Take a Pharmac approved anti-depressant, a cup of tea, and have a lay down – that icky feeling when having to agree with someone like ‘dear ole Cam’ will dissipate after a few showers. Btw, you can probably obtain a shitload of anti-bacterial if you just visit the entryway to the local supermarket for a ‘browse’.
        ‘Dear ole Cam’ is egotistically driven, so you can be sure he’s currently weighing up which side of history, and which side of ideology he needs to be on to ensure he doesn’t become completely irrelevant. That tipping point, whereby Madge Majority’s awareness of their having been royally ripped hasn’t YET been reached – but that is the trend. I hope it’s sooner than later. The later it is, the more likely the more violent it will be.

        • Tim 6.1.1.1
          24 April 2013 at 11:48 am

          Actually – now I think about it, the ‘fat fuck’ could be confused with a Mussolini if you take account of time and place

    • Ennui 6.2
      24 April 2013 at 11:13 am

      MacKays photograph does weasels a disservice.

  7. leftriteleft 7
    24 April 2013 at 9:13 am

    Oh how fragile our politicians are becoming. If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. See ya, goodbye.

    • Populuxe1 7.1
      24 April 2013 at 11:50 am

      Calling Colin Craig a politician is like saying John Key understands small business…

      • Lanthanide 7.1.1
        24 April 2013 at 12:22 pm

        “Calling Colin Craig a politician is like saying John Key understands business…”

        Fixed that for you.

  8. TheContrarian 8
    24 April 2013 at 9:51 am

    The Civilian is no more a blog than The Onion.

    • Colonial Viper 8.1
      24 April 2013 at 10:10 am

      Hard to tell if that’s criticism or credit 🙂

      • TheContrarian 8.1.1
        24 April 2013 at 10:19 am

        It’s neither – I like The Civilian. But I wouldn’t consider it a ‘blog’ anymore than I would consider The Onion a blog.

        • freedom 8.1.1.1
          24 April 2013 at 11:09 am

          http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog

          oh mary mary, you having a tough day in the garden?

          In what way does the Civilian not qualify as a blog?
          or are you simply falling into the elitist trap that words only mean what you decide they mean because you are too lazy to add an identifier to your subject term
          i.e: a political blog, or a hotairballooning blog or a rwnjfubar blog

          as for the Onion, in this day and age it basically qualifies as a fully legit news service 🙂

          • TheContrarian 8.1.1.1.1
            24 April 2013 at 11:51 am

            I view and read The Civilian as a satirical newspaper in the same fashion as The Onion.

            You wanna call it a blog go right ahead, sweet heart.

        • felix 8.1.1.2
          24 April 2013 at 11:19 am

          burt used to bitterly complain that No Right Turn didn’t count as a blog because I/S turned off the comments section because burt and his mates ruined it.

          He didn’t know what “blog” means either.

      • Tim 8.1.2
        24 April 2013 at 11:54 am

        It’s a definite CREDIT – if you subscribe to monitoring MSM for the purposes of daily ‘theme park-type’ amusement.
        TINA ffs!

  9. tricledrown 9
    24 April 2013 at 10:21 am

    Their goes any chance of national finding a moderate right wing party to support it in power!
    All Colin Craig will do now is take valuable national votes and prevent National from gaining power!
    Good onya Colin we don’t need an opposition when you have politically naive idiots likeYouself!

  10. infused 10
    24 April 2013 at 10:38 am

    Pretty bizarre…

  12. Brett Dale 12
    24 April 2013 at 11:05 am

    Why would anyone care what that homophobic bigot has to say?

    • Colonial Viper 12.1
      24 April 2013 at 11:08 am

      I’m not sure, but oddly enough the Right Wing seem to.

      • Tim 12.1.1
        24 April 2013 at 12:03 pm

        Tipping………tipping…….tipping.

        The Cuba Street bucket – despite its atrocity has survived for – how long?

        BTW – I’ve changed my mind – I think we should keep it, as errrgly and horrific as it is. It could become a symbol of neo-liberalism: A trukle dearn, an occasional splash down that misses its mark on nearly every occasion, the occasional wet of the surrounding audience. It’s a fucking masterpiece – horrid as it is to watch.
        I’m hoping Cameron Slater might come to bath in its waters and it beauty

      • Brett Dale 12.1.2
        24 April 2013 at 3:20 pm

        The extreme right wing might, most centre right people, dont.

  13. gobsmacked 13
    24 April 2013 at 11:17 am

    I’m afraid MickeySavage (above) is probably close to the mark. Now that Marriage Equality is done and dusted, Craig has lost his platform. So he needs to keep himself in the media, by any means possible. He can afford to waste money on lawyers, if it reminds people his party (i.e. himself) exists. 5% will do.

    Expect to see a lot more of this headline-hogging nonsense from Craig over the next 18 months. It would be nice to see the media saying “But you don’t represent anybody at all, so we won’t bother with your latest stunt”. Nice, but unlikely.

    Colin Craig Headline Predictor – “Party leader slams skimpy outfits on Shortland Street!”. “Top politician says Marmite makes you gay!” etc, etc …

  14. ghostrider888 14
    24 April 2013 at 11:32 am

    12:16 A fool shows his annoyance at once, yet a prudent man overlooks an insult.

    14:24 The wealth of the wise is their crown, but the folly of fools yields folly.

    17:10 A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool.

    oh Dora, sigh. ( for the tree was born in a thunderstorm, grow grow the lightning tree)

  15. karol 15
    24 April 2013 at 11:35 am

    Craig has now withdrawn the threat of defamation action, as reported by RNZ.

    • McFlock 15.1
      24 April 2013 at 1:43 pm

      Ah, his point has been made.

      I suppose the point is that in a fit of pique he will drop more money than many people get in a week on a threatening letter that doesn’t even spell his name correctly.

  16. Matthew Hooton 16
    24 April 2013 at 12:16 pm

    Right, left or just weird, they never learn.
    Labour calls Don Brash racist after he gives a speech on race. He goes up in the polls.
    National calls Labour/Green communist after they issue an electricity policy. They will go up in the polls.
    CCCP sues The Civilian for a blog post. Its readership leaps ahead of The Standard and maybe even Whaleoil.

    • Te Reo Putake 16.1
      24 April 2013 at 2:10 pm

      It wasn’t Labour ‘calling’ Brash racist that moved National in the polls.

      Brash actually was racist. He gave a racist speech in hope of appealing to rednecks and the dullwitted. The racist speech itself lifted National in the polls, not the reaction to it. Happily, he was found out, just in time, to be corrupt as well as racist and that latter failing tipped the balance in favour of returning the Clark Government.

      You didn’t crayon the Orewa speech by any chance, did you, Matthew?

      • mickysavage 16.1.1
        24 April 2013 at 2:25 pm

        Actually my recollection of the Hollow men is that Matthew opposed the Orewa speech and all strength for him for doing so.

        • Rhinocrates 16.1.1.1
          24 April 2013 at 5:24 pm

          He also said that all the maori in Labour are stupid – and he specifically said maori – on Nine to Noon a while back. Apparently he thinks Louisa Wall is stupid.

          Coming from a man whom his own clients and colleagues according to The Hollow Men call “thick and full of himself”, that’s a bit rich.

          • Matthew Hooton 16.1.1.1.1
            24 April 2013 at 6:02 pm

            TRP: talk to any serious pollster and they will tell you Brash got no bounce in the polls from his Orewa speech until his opponents attacked him, including and especially when they compared him with Pauline Hanson. That is not so say I liked the speech – I am just telling you what the data showed.
            Rhino: not sure when, if at all, i said Maori labour mps were stupid. But I certainly think that after NZ1 won the Maori seats in 1996 and then the Maori and Mana parties emerged, as a general rule, labour Maori mps have been absolutely useless.

            • Te Reo Putake 16.1.1.1.1.1
              24 April 2013 at 6:28 pm

              Matthew, as sombody once said; bugger the pollsters. Wikipedia gets it right on Orewa.

              http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orewa_Speech

            • Rhinocrates 16.1.1.1.1.2
              24 April 2013 at 7:05 pm

              labour Maori mps have been absolutely useless.

              But the white ones have been better, eh? You just conformed my original accusation. So Louisa Wall is stupid and useless, in your not so humble opinion.

              Come on, compare:

              clear, limited to those… as a general rule

              Both can’t be true at once – so which is the lie? Can you even lie straight in bed if you reveal in one post the one before was a lie?

              Keep digging Hoots, as Kathryn Ryan said when you declared that women who become pregnant should leave their jobs.

              Sexist and racist. Cool!

            • felix 16.1.1.1.1.3
              24 April 2013 at 9:05 pm

              “talk to any serious pollster and they will tell you…”

              We don’t really get the opportunity around here.

            • mickysavage 16.1.1.1.1.4
              24 April 2013 at 9:14 pm

              Ohh Matthew and I was trying to be nice about you.

              Brash surged in the polls over a pretty short period of time. To say that it was because of the reaction to him rather than the speech suggests that you have magical powers of comprehension and knowledge of individuals reasons for changing their vote that I am pretty sure you do not have.

          • Matthew Hooton 16.1.1.1.2
            24 April 2013 at 6:05 pm

            Rhino: should also say my comments about labour Maori mps being useless was, I hope I made clear, limited to those representing the Maori seats. And I would absolutely stand by that.

            • Rhinocrates 16.1.1.1.2.1
              24 April 2013 at 6:21 pm

              Scuttle scuttle…

            • Rhinocrates 16.1.1.1.2.2
              24 April 2013 at 6:54 pm

              The fact is, Hoots said that all the smart maori had left Labour, leaving the dumb ones behind. It was a pretty obvious what the implication was. It was dog whistling.

              That’s how Hoots works – he won’t say out-and-out anything obviously racist, but he’s happy working with racists like Brash and Hide and probably convinces himself that they aren’t really racists since they forgive mallowpuffs for being brown because they’re white at the centre.

              Then there’s the shilling for work with the nutters at the Sounds Symposia, the people who were such an inspiration to Anders Brevik.

              If you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas, and since he keeps doing it, and starts whistling to them as well… I don’t think that Hoots’ attempts to pass himself off as a nice guy who somehow keeps finding himself entirely by accident working for racists really convinces anyone.

            • Rhinocrates 16.1.1.1.2.3
              24 April 2013 at 7:23 pm

              Come on Hoots, waiting…

              Two statements, a quarter of an hour apart on the very same thread. As a general rule, Labour’s MAORI MPs are useless versus I have always been at war with Eastasia, whoops, wrong reference… oh yes, only those representing the MAORI seats right now, at this very instant.

              One statement is a lie – which is it?

              I guess you’re disappointed that Kyle Chapman can’t afford your fees.

              Anyway, if you want to be a crypto-racist instead of an obvious racist, you’ve got to be a lot more subtle and consistent than that.

              Or has the cockroach scuttled under the fridge again?

              [lprent: You’re getting pretty close to the “owned/pwned” heresy.. It is advisable not to go there. People do other things apart from hanging around in this forum (I frequently find myself without time to do it myself). ]

              • Rhinocrates …
                24 April 2013 at 8:52 pm

                True, good point lprent. I too need my beauty sleep, perhaps more than others.

                I expect Hooton to explain the contradiction after a good night’s sleep, when he has free time. One of the contradictory things that he said is a racist lie – I just want to know which one was the racist lie. I’m sure that he will be able to explain tomorrow.

                So Hoots, “as a general rule” all MAORIS in Labour are stupid and useless as you claimed, so is Louisa Wall stupid and useless?

                Or is she one of the minority, as in “don’t get me wrong, some of my best friends are…”?

        • Pascal's bookie 16.1.1.2
          24 April 2013 at 5:31 pm

          lol. He any opposition was pretty timid. Didn’t stop supporting the campaign.

          • Rhinocrates 16.1.1.2.1
            24 April 2013 at 7:01 pm

            Nope. Maybe held a lavendar-scented designer hanky to his nose for a minute, but saw some cash and went “Oooh, shiny!”

  17. Tim 17
    24 April 2013 at 12:44 pm

    @ Mathew…. Ever considered they might call Don Brash racist -JUST because he is? – I mean rather than because of any political contect.
    It’s a bit like that sociology professsewer – the ultimate observationist that once piqued my interest as it pertained to fast cars – as in – maybe they don’t all have small dicks and penis envy. Maybe its just that they like fast cars and have an appreciation of the technological advance that sees them where they are.
    Never mind though aye – you’ve got a luvly little Kethlic Guuurl to prop you up once a week and contribute to you’re income, even tho’ you do have to put up with her chastising you from time to time.
    Keep with that gig aye! There’s even a pussy in comfort that’s there to ‘challenge’ you!. Oh – lest we forget – there’s an entire afternoon with much the same.

    I’m wondering whether I should coonvert to Catholisism or Judaism. It appears to me that one can be a cnut by day, just so long as you front up once a week (In private) and confess, or alternatively just be a cnut and get away with it on the basis of a sympathy trip

  18. Blue 18
    24 April 2013 at 1:39 pm

    Gee Tim, one could almost think you’re a bit of a lonely boy, if Hootens private life obsesses you so. Here’s a tip, if you weren’t so fucking boring, maybe you could score a nice catholic girl as well? Also leaving your mummies basement every now and then might also help.

  19. freedom 19
    24 April 2013 at 3:03 pm

    Scoop have also contributed

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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