Corporatism.

Written By: - Date published: 12:35 pm, August 1st, 2018 - 44 comments
Categories: business, capitalism, Economy, infrastructure, International, Left, liberalism, Privatisation, uk politics - Tags: , , ,

A wee word on Serco.

They operate in NZ and have this on their vacancies page (Justice and Immigration)

At Serco, you’ll be part of a team of more than 50,000 people delivering essential services on behalf of governments and organisations around the world. We apply world’s best practice, insights and technology across six key sectors: Citizen Services, Defence, Healthcare, Immigration, Justice and Transport.

Now here’s wee insight into how they ‘provide’ those essential services.

HUNDREDS of asylum seekers are to be locked out of their homes in a shock move officials fear will cause a humanitarian crisis on Scotland’s streets. A private firm housing thousands of refugees in Glasgow says it will start evicting up to 300 people who have been told they cannot stay in Britain. Serco will issue a first six “lock change” notices on Monday giving residents a week to get out with nowhere else to go.

Better then that, it seems that (and putting aside the fact winter’s not far away and asylum appeals take time to process) –

The council [Glasgow City]  is barred from housing failed asylum seekers and charities who are legally allowed to do so simply lack the capacity to put so many people up.

Liberalism. Gotta love it.

The sooner the UK elects a Corbyn led Labour government that embraces social democratic sensibilities, the better. And the quicker NZ utterly rejects political parties that continue pandering to liberal sensibilities, and the more timely we are in getting well and truly off the path, that sooner or later, will have us wading through shite like that illustrated above,, the better it will be for us here too.

Public services being given out to private providers whose bottom line is always some financial bottom line is an abhorrence that has have no place in civilised society – None.

44 comments on “Corporatism. ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Adrian Thornton 1
    1 August 2018 at 12:55 pm

    I couldn’t agree more that the sooner Corbyn is elected the better, unfortunately we a long long way from that paradigm, one of Arderns most vocal supporters that new Labour liberal centrist, Mike Williams is a staunch supporter of Serco (and Judith Collins funnily enough) and the Serco model, I am not sure what influence he still has, but would be surprised if he didn’t have some sway in Labour?

  2. Gosman 2
    1 August 2018 at 1:17 pm

    “The council [Glasgow City] is barred from housing failed asylum seekers and charities who are legally allowed to do so simply lack the capacity to put so many people up.”

    That seems to be a central government issue. It has nothing to do with Serco.

    • KJT 2.1
      1 August 2018 at 1:21 pm

      “Gassing people was a central Government issue”.

      The guards were “just following orders”.

    • Tricledrown 2.2
      1 August 2018 at 1:55 pm

      Gossipboy Serco pays of Tory politicians in high places to win contracts.
      It’s deeply embedded with right wing govts grifting and greasing.
      This companies objective is bully the poor and downtrodden.
      Tory ruling class agenda.

    • Patricia Bremner 2.3
      1 August 2018 at 2:05 pm

      United Nations !!! Serco are plainly breaking Internationally agreed Law, and so is the Glasgow Council.

    • Draco T Bastard 2.4
      1 August 2018 at 7:41 pm

      Why is Glasgow City barred from supplying social housing?

      Wouldn’t have anything to do with guaranteeing Serco a profit would it?

      • Bill 2.4.1
        1 August 2018 at 9:08 pm

        I’m just guessing here. But I’d punt it’s something to do with EU rules/regulations that forbid (what I’ll call) contracting back in of privatised services.

        Those same rules/regulations that are the road block to a UK Labour government re-nationalising rail without some form of Brexit; to gifting a Dutch company carte blanche on the chopping down of trees in Sheffield(?); the running down of ferry services to the Western Isles….etc.

        Liberalism and corporatism – forget some “necessary” latter day Mussolini – one begets the other.

  3. Bewildered 3
    1 August 2018 at 1:40 pm

    Private sector compettion keeps the public service honest, efficient and innovative to do otherwise makes for great plays like Gliding on or leads to excessive demand for brown cardigans, short sleeve shirts, walk socks and smart shorts 😊

    • Adrian Thornton 3.1
      1 August 2018 at 2:04 pm

      I think you will find most of the most important innovations, historically have come from state funded institutions.

    • Patricia Bremner 3.2
      1 August 2018 at 2:13 pm

      You are bloody Bewildered mate!! Don’t you see humour is sometimes used to bring services into disrepute, before they are underfunded made to fail, then chopped up into cheap parcels for private sharks to gleefully pounce on as wonderful “money making” entities.

      I’m watching silly Aussies not listening to Kiwis and Irish settlers who are constantly pointing out that selling off Government owned entities leads to poverty for the many and riches for the few.

      But as Aussies want to be Americans, they are real gungho!!

    • Stuart Munro 3.3
      1 August 2018 at 4:11 pm

      The private sector, once it secures public funding, immediately becomes as bad or worse than the public service it replaces, with the added bonus of declining service levels and faux commercial secrecy being invoked to conceal underperformance.
      Public Private Partnerships can only be a good thing when operating standards are strictly enforced, which, outside Asia would be the exception not the rule.

    • KJT 3.4
      1 August 2018 at 5:14 pm

      The private sector makes for underpaid,over worked staff, and over paid shareholders and executives. And increased costs, in oversight and regulation, to keep them honest
      When has privatisation resulted in lower costs and greater efficiencies?
      Still waiting for Bradfords, cheaper power, BTW.

    • Draco T Bastard 3.5
      1 August 2018 at 7:55 pm

      BS.

      Research has shown that the public sector does things better for less with more innovation and less bureaucracy.

      https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21929310-200-state-of-innovation-busting-the-private-sector-myth/

      IMAGES of tech entrepreneurs such as Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs are continually thrown at us by politicians, economists and the media. The message is that innovation is best left in the hands of these individuals and the wider private sector, and that the state – bureaucratic and sluggish – should keep out. A telling 2012 article in The Economist claimed that, to be innovative, governments must “stick to the basics” such as spending on infrastructure, education and skills, leaving the rest to the revolutionary garage tinkerers.

      Yet it is ideology, not evidence, that fuels this image. A quick look at the pioneering technologies of the past century points to the state, not the private sector, as the most decisive player in the game.

      Whether an innovation will be a success is uncertain and it can take longer than traditional banks or venture capitalists are willing to wait. In countries such as the US, China, Singapore and Denmark the state has provided the kind of patient and long-term finance new technologies need to get off the ground. Investments of this kind have often been driven by big missions, from putting a human on the moon, to solving climate change. This has required not only funding basic research – the typical “public good” that most economists admit needs state help – but applied research and seed funding too.

      Every technology that makes the iPhone a smartphone owes its vision and funding to the state

      Boeing ford 3m Bell Labs MIT .,,,,,could go on for ever

      No, really, you couldn’t. All of them are dependent upon government funding at the very least and, more often than not, government research (The Entrepreneurial State by Mariana Mazzucato).

      Your ideology is wrong and has been proven so by reality.

      • Bewildered 3.5.1
        1 August 2018 at 8:47 pm

        No one is arguing collaboration: by private and public sector likewise ideas and research on thier own are just that’ you need to turn research and ideas into useful products , innovate on initial findings: market: distribute manufacture: build supply chains etc etc all done by the private sector The value chain as identified by Michael porter is more than just research Again I am afraid Draco reality and searching for truth to back your ideology on your keyboaRd proves you wrong again

        • Draco T Bastard 3.5.1.1
          1 August 2018 at 9:25 pm

          market: distribute manufacture: build supply chains etc etc all done by the private sector

          Except for the fact that they, you know, aren’t.

          It almost always comes down to the state doing the investment over decades that brings about the innovation and even products. The private sector just surfs on that taking all the gains.

        • Ad 3.5.1.2
          1 August 2018 at 9:52 pm

          It’s sad the way our economy has gone since Porter was really influential here.

          Real estate. Dairy. Tourism. And the public sector.

          The digital realm stuff LPrent has been working on for decades – with fuck all assistance from the state – continues to lead NZ’s recent productivity charge away from those stale top four areas.

      • Ad 3.5.2
        1 August 2018 at 9:00 pm

        We’ve had a state-driven innovation system since World War 1 and our performance delivering competitive innovation is mediocre.

        Some states have been better at it than others.

        We like to think of ourselves as small-state innovative shizzle.
        In our big-state, militarized state, monetarist state, and MMP mild state forms of innovation system, we ain’t.

        • Draco T Bastard 3.5.2.1
          1 August 2018 at 9:27 pm

          The best state provided and directed innovation is, as a matter of fact, from the US.

          Yes, our innovation wasn’t great but it took a step backwards after the introduction of neo-liberalism.

          • Ad 3.5.2.1.1
            1 August 2018 at 9:45 pm

            The US innovation system is driven by state military funding to military-dominant subcontractors. Their system is certainly the biggest, but by no means the best.

            Israel, Japan, Singapore, Finland, France, Germany – even Denmark – have strong innovation systems with sustained good results.

            Whatever rose colored glasses you have about our own innovation system historically, it never amounted to much. If you knew anything about the history of our innovation system you would know that the U.S. would never be the model that any sensible NZ government would use to improve it.

          • Bewildered 3.5.2.1.2
            1 August 2018 at 10:11 pm

            Is a matter of fact interviewing your keyboaRd Draco. Your absolutism on this matters well as well as other matters of fact is quite commendable

        • KJT 3.5.2.2
          1 August 2018 at 9:43 pm

          In agricultural innovation we do rather well.

          Our lack of innovation in other fields,i comes from the decision to concentrate State innovation funding on agriculture.

          • Ad 3.5.2.2.1
            1 August 2018 at 9:46 pm

            Saying New Zealanders do well in agricultural innovation is like saying Eskimos have done great things with ice.

            • KJT 3.5.2.2.1.1
              1 August 2018 at 9:49 pm

              Sounds good, but not true.

              There is a long list of Kiwi agriculture innovation.

              • Ad …
                1 August 2018 at 9:53 pm

                I know I’m exaggerating for effect and there are great things we continue to do in agriculture, and great people working hard at them.

          • greywarshark 3.5.2.2.2
            2 August 2018 at 10:47 am

            KJT
            the problem is often that we don’t pay proper attention (and take appropriate action to implement response on the ground) to our scientists findings and innovations. I thought of the comments wben reading this from Dennis Frank No.2 in Open Mike 2/8.

            “New Zealand’s competitive research model – where individual teams of scientists beaver away inside separate Crown Research Institutes – is one of the major roadblocks we face in saving kauri. While CRI business managers protect their intellectual property, scientists are being gagged. She claims MPI asked her to review all kauri dieback science three years ago and then told her not to tell anyone the results. Without collaboration, says Black, how can scientists know what has already been proved? “We could all be working on the same things, and how would we know?””

            Have a look at the whole comment for wider grasp but he makes a good point.

            • KJT 3.5.2.2.2.1
              2 August 2018 at 10:49 am

              I agree.

              NZ science has gone backwards since it was squeezed into a competitive corporate model.

              In addition to the worldwide problem of ‘for profit’ journals gatekeeping information on, usually, publicly funded, science.

              • greywarshark …
                2 August 2018 at 11:33 am

                I don’t know if my experience matches your comment KJT as i don’t know if the Smithsonian is a forprofit or notforprofit, but I couldn’t access something I thought would be useful to the consideration of our problems with irrigation.

                I had an old copy of the Smithsonian that covered the decline of a major river flowing through USA which comes out as a trickle. I wanted to access some of it online and put a link to it but either I was blocked, or it wasn’t digitised suitable for my computer system or at all. Or
                I had to pay and I was doing common-good study and didn’t have the money to pay for work I ws doing for free.

                Stuff we need to know shouldn’t be shut off so that people face barriers to the knowledge. After all the neo lib model is based on the idea that we should all have perfect knowledge of things so that we can make our choices and democratic business then follows those choices. That’s how it is supposed to work isn’t it. However I think they call that a theory, which hasn’t been proved to scientific level of rigour. We are taking part in an experiment folks. How do you feel at the present, we will take your temperatures again in another six months?

                Then I wonder can we call the experiment off? Did we sign away our rights to a life where we can say no to being forced to accept ultimate control or decision making for us, with technological presumptions and pronouncements replacing our assessments? Or is it like the cookie statement that continuing use of this program amounts to acceptance of our terms and conditions – just keeping on living shows accord with government’s procedures? Voting confirms it, rather than indicates that you intend to exercise your right to self-determination. The withdrawal of real respect for people’s sometimes erratic thinking and its replacement by the state and Hal or Holly, the giant computer, could be an explanation of why we can’t get any movement on euthanasia – we cannot be given the right to actually show we can think rationally and choose to remove ourselves from the milling milieu.

    • ropata 3.6
      2 August 2018 at 12:07 pm

      Yes lets trust the private sector to deliver more great outcomes like the GFC, the NZ Housing crisis, Pike river, Christchurch non-rebuild, polluted waterways, etc etc

  4. greywarshark 4
    1 August 2018 at 7:46 pm

    Corporatism Ebert?

    What the NZ Law Society says about subcontractors being at riak.
    In a booming market, like all good Ponzi schemes, the use of project cashflows in this way can be managed; in a flat or declining market, as the failure of Mainzeal in 2013 has shown, such behaviour is not sustainable. The first indicator is usually a subcontractor complaining it has not been paid from monies already certified and released.
    https://www.lawsociety.org.nz/practice-resources/practice-areas/construction-law/subcontractor-direct-payment-provisions

    These subcontractor guys need an advocate, a minder, someone to make sure that they aren’t just used with lack of responsibility by their head honcho and the lead company.

    What can I find out about Ebert.
    Some Google headings wiped.

    http://www.kdebert.lk/about-us/profile
    In 1950, K.D. Ebert registered himself as a construction contractor under the Public Works Department and undertook construction work on as many projects as buildings, roadways and water supply work.
    K.D. Ebert and Sons Holdings (Pvt) Limited
    Under his prolific leadership the company grew from strength to strength and successfully completed the construction of diverse civil engineering projects ranging from buildings, road construction, bridge construction and water supply work.
    Later K.D. Ebert and Sons expanded as K.D. Ebert and Sons Holdings (Pvt) Limited and obtained the government registration from CIDA with grading C1.

    History
    Mirage Apartments Parnell – apparently successful.
    http://www.themirage.co.nz/page.php?ref=history
    Stage 1 – (construction of tower 88) commenced in June 2001 and was completed in July 2002. With stage 2 commencing in February 2002 and completed in March 2003.

    Further in 2002 a lawsuit. Marion Square Apartments Wellington
    http://tvnz.co.nz/content/134565/2591764/article.html
    The apartments were built by Ebert Construction on behalf of Ebert New Zealand Limited.
    But after a series of contract disputes, Ebert NZ changed its name to Trebe New Zealand Limited. And it is Trebe that has gone into liquidation.
    Building disputes consultant Geoff Bayley says it is a process that has been used more and more recently as companies try to side-step liability.

    The Subcontractors Federation says the Ebert name change appears to be a classic case of a phoenix company rising from the ashes.
    The federation says the change of names within the Ebert companies is misleading because creditors cannot know who they are dealing with.

    And the federation has called on the Ministry of Commerce to consider legal action which sends a message to the business community that phoenix companies are unacceptable

    Ebert has been involved for a while in claim with many legal difficulties:

    The High Court decision, Sanson v Ebert Construction Ltd [2015] NZHC 2014, holding that payments by a financier to a contractor under a direct payment agreement may be clawed back by liquidators of the developer will reportedly be appealed.
    A brief overview of the High Court decision can be found in our last Update.

    And Ebert has no doubt been affected by leaky buildings liability findings:

    Appeal on the eligibility of a leaky building claim made beyond 10-year limit heard in Court of Appeal
    An appeal against a High Court decision made in September last year, which held that apartment owners could join a leaky building lawsuit after the expiry of the 10-year limit on claims by ‘piggy backing’ on claimants within the same complex who had met the deadline, was heard in the Court of Appeal on 9 February 2016. At the time of writing, the Court of Appeal has yet to make its decision.
    A copy of the High Court decision, Auckland Council v Weathertight Homes Tribunal [2015] NZHC 2098 can be found here.

    Advice – Contractors bulletin for 2017 and how to de-risk contracts. Ideas on how to arrange affairs sensibly by management firm.
    https://minterellison.co.nz/our-view/construction-bulletin-what-will-2017-mean-for-you

  5. Blazer 5
    1 August 2018 at 8:55 pm

    Meanwhile ‘Honest Eric’ suffers a minor setback in his quest for $$$$.
    Hanover Finance was quite lucrative eh Eric.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=12099161

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    Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago

  • “Feel good” school is out
    Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago

  • 6 Months in, surely our Report Card is “Ignored all warnings: recommend dismissal ASAP”?
    Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic “plan“, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy. Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    3 days ago

  • Bread, and how it gets buttered
    Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
    Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago

  • Justice for Gaza?
    The New York Times reports that the International Criminal Court is about to issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over their genocide in Gaza: Israeli officials increasingly believe that the International Criminal Court is preparing to issue arrest warrants for senior government officials on ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • If there has been any fiddling with Pharmac’s funding, we can count on Paula to figure out the fis...
    Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • FastTrackWatch – The case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Monday, April 29
    TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on Iran killing its rappers, and searching for the invisible Dr. Reti
    span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    3 days ago

  • Auckland Rail Electrification 10 years old
    Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago

  • Coalition's dirge of austerity and uncertainty is driving the economy into a deeper recession
    Right now, in Aotearoa-NZ, our ‘animal spirits’ are darkening towards a winter of discontent, thanks at least partly to a chorus of negative comments and actions from the Government Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Disability Funding or Tax Cuts.
    You make people evil to punish the paststuck inside a sequel with a rotating castThe following photos haven’t been generated with AI, or modified in any way. They are flesh and blood, human beings. On the left is Galatea Young, a young mum, and her daughter Fiadh who has Angelman ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Of the Goodness of Tolkien’s Eru
    April has been a quiet month at A Phuulish Fellow. I have had an exceptionally good reading month, and a decently productive writing month – for original fiction, anyway – but not much has caught my eye that suggested a blog article. It has been vaguely frustrating, to be honest. ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    3 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #17
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 21, 2024 thru Sat, April 27, 2024. Story of the week Anthropogenic climate change may be the ultimate shaggy dog story— but with a twist, because here ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Pastor Who Abused People, Blames People
    Hi,I spent about a year on Webworm reporting on an abusive megachurch called Arise, and it made me want to stab my eyes out with a fork.I don’t regret that reporting in 2022 and 2023 — I am proud of it — but it made me angry.Over three main stories ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    4 days ago

  • Vic Uni shows how under threat free speech is
    The new Victoria University Vice-Chancellor decided to have a forum at the university about free speech and academic freedom as it is obviously a topical issue, and the Government is looking at legislating some carrots or sticks for universities to uphold their obligations under the Education and Training Act. They ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Winston remembers Gettysburg.
    Do you remember when Melania Trump got caught out using a speech that sounded awfully like one Michelle Obama had given? Uncannily so.Well it turns out that Abraham Lincoln is to Winston Peters as Michelle was to Melania. With the ANZAC speech Uncle Winston gave at Gallipoli having much in ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • 25
    She was born 25 years ago today in North Shore hospital. Her eyes were closed tightly shut, her mouth was silently moving. The whole theatre was all quiet intensity as they marked her a 2 on the APGAR test. A one-minute eternity later, she was an 8.  The universe was ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Fact Brief – Is Antarctica gaining land ice?
    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 in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is Antarctica gaining land ice? ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Policing protests.
    Images of US students (and others) protesting and setting up tent cities on US university campuses have been broadcast world wide and clearly demonstrate the growing rifts in US society caused by US policy toward Israel and Israel’s prosecution of … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    5 days ago

  • Open letter to Hon Paul Goldsmith
    Barrie Saunders writes – Dear Paul As the new Minister of Media and Communications, you will be inundated with heaps of free advice and special pleading, all in the national interest of course. For what it’s worth here is my assessment: Traditional broadcasting free to air content through ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: FastTrackWatch – The Case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its arguments for such a bold reform. ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    5 days ago

  • Luxon gets out his butcher’s knife – briefly
    Peter Dunne writes –  The great nineteenth British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, once observed that “the first essential for a Prime Minister is to be a good butcher.” When a later British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, sacked a third of his Cabinet in July 1962, in what became ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • More tax for less
    Ele Ludemann writes – New Zealanders had the OECD’s second highest tax increase last year: New Zealanders faced the second-biggest tax raises in the developed world last year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says. The intergovernmental agency said the average change in personal income tax ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Real News vs Fake News.
    We all know something’s not right with our elections. The spread of misinformation, people being targeted with soundbites and emotional triggers that ignore the facts, even the truth, and influence their votes.The use of technology to produce deep fakes. How can you tell if something is real or not? Can ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Another way to roll
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Share ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Simon Clark: The climate lies you'll hear this year
    This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Cutting the Public Service
    It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    6 days ago

  • Luxon’s demoted ministers might take comfort from the British politician who bounced back after th...
    Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious:  we live in a troubled ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • This is how I roll over
    1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • The Waitangi Tribunal is not “a roving Commission”…
    …it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisition   NOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes –  The High Court ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Is Oranga Tamariki guilty of neglect?
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same? Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Three Strikes saw lower reoffending
    David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Luxon’s ruthless show of strength is perfect for our angry era
    Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • 'Lacks attention to detail and is creating double-standards.'
    TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • One Night Only!
    Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago

  • What did Melissa Lee do?
    It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #17 2024
    Open access notables Ice acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment: In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
    Skeptical Science
    7 days ago

  • Maori Party (with “disgust”) draws attention to Chhour’s race after the High Court rules on Wa...
    Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days ago

  • Who’s Going Up The Media Mountain?
    Mr Bombastic: Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
    Bowalley Road
    7 days ago

  • “That's how I roll”
    It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • “Comity” versus the rule of law
    In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • Streamlining Building Consent Changes
    The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.      “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago

  • Minister acknowledges passing of Sir Robert Martin (KNZM)
    New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago

  • Speech to New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Parliament – Annual Lecture: Challenges ...
    Good evening –   Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago

  • Accelerating airport security lines
    From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago

  • Community hui to talk about kina barrens
    People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago

  • Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into force
    Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago

  • Mining resurgence a welcome sign
    There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passes first reading
    The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government to boost public EV charging network
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure.  The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Residential Property Managers Bill to not progress
    The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Independent review into disability support services
    The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Justice Minister updates UN on law & order plan
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Ending emergency housing motels in Rotorua
    The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Trade Minister travels to Riyadh, OECD, and Dubai
    Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Education priorities focused on lifting achievement
    Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • NZTA App first step towards digital driver licence
    The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say.  “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Supporting whānau out of emergency housing
    Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Tribute to Dave O'Sullivan
    Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Speech – Eid al-Fitr
    Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government saves access to medicines
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff.    “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Pharmac Chair appointed
    Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Taking action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
    Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says.  “Every day, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • New sports complex opens in Kaikohe
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Diplomacy needed more than ever
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges.    “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address, Buttes New British Cemetery Belgium
    Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service.  It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk Bair
    Distinguished guests -   It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders.   Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, Türkiye
    Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia.   Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • PM announces changes to portfolios
    Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New catch limits for unique fishery areas
    Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
    Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing  At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin    Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho    Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.    I am delighted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
    The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New diplomatic appointments
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