Corrupt

Written By: - Date published: 9:33 pm, April 29th, 2010 - 148 comments
Categories: benefits, welfare - Tags: ,

After attacking solo mothers Jennifer Johnston and Natasha Fuller by releasing their private financial details back in July last year Paula Bennett spoke with Johnston and, somewhat oddly, received an apology form her. At the time I thought the sudden turnaround was a bit fishy.

Now TV3 has evidence that Bennett has met with Fuller more recently and may have offered her cash to withdraw her complaint to the privacy commissioner. It’s a bit confused but it looks like the evidence has come from Fuller who has had to go to ground after Bennett set the bene-bashing dogs on her.

If it is proven that Bennett has tried to bully or buy Fuller’s silence she should be sacked for corruption. It’s that simple.

Of course this last minute desperate buy-off attempt means it’s likely the privacy commissioner is close to ruling and that ruling is not likely to be good for Bennett so we may see the back of this unpleasant Muldoonist bully yet.

148 comments on “Corrupt ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. bobo 1
    29 April 2010 at 9:40 pm

    Will she still be a cabinet minister by the weekend? We all know how low Keys standards are with sacking ministers that is…. spin dr’s will be up late tonight…

  2. the sprout 2
    29 April 2010 at 9:42 pm

    Hmm, she should look worried.
    At last, the first evidence of perceptiveness from the Puppet.

  4. Jim Nald 4
    29 April 2010 at 9:50 pm

    When I grow up, I wanna be like her

    • the sprout 4.1
      29 April 2010 at 10:03 pm

      already too late Jim, you appear to be literate and you can’t unlearn that without significant brain damage.

      • Jim Nald 4.1.1
        29 April 2010 at 10:10 pm

        aaawww

        i wanna be ambitious!
        ambitiously bullying
        i wanna be fresh!
        freshly corrupt
        i wanna be bold!
        boldly buying off those dang problems
        i wanna have standards!
        standards so high that i can crawl under without a spine
        i wanna be ass pee rational!
        see! i’m getting there

        captcha: appreciated
        (amazing crystal ball)

  5. Quoth the Raven 5
    29 April 2010 at 10:07 pm

    I glanced at the front page here for a moment and I thought I saw Gaddafi, but I looked again and realised it was Bennett.I think it’s just the glasses that got me. Take a look.

  6. toad 6
    29 April 2010 at 10:14 pm

    Amazing how the Muldoon analogies to the current government are starting to proliferate.

    Frog just made one here too.

  7. JAS 7
    29 April 2010 at 10:16 pm

    Looks like fortunes (captcha) could be changing for Ms Bennett.

  8. Tim Edgar 8
    29 April 2010 at 10:24 pm

    When are the nats and their cronies going to learn you cant push the ordinary NZer around. I bet that plenty of pressure ,has been put on the poor woman, to let the beast from out west, of the hook.

    Its not just her that’s corrupt either. Hide and his mob are steering the path of Auckland down an all too familiar track.

    Its time to say enough is enough!

    • Dirk D 8.1
      30 April 2010 at 11:12 am

      What a load of bollix!

      You labour people always attack the individual and not the issue. Wasnt it Natasha Fuller who was rorting the system? Getting plenty of cash for popping out kids and where pray tell is the father? No amount of scrutiny there huh, not to mention the fact she was once a labour party ‘cronie’ as you put it anyway.

      Paula Bennett has done superbly in the social development role and i reckon she will have an increased majority next year to boot.

      As for your ‘beast’ comment. Sick, plain old sick.

      [lprent: No Fuller was not ‘rorting’ the system. She was using it exactly as was intended. At least until Bennett cut the facilities that were designed to get people off the DPB and into work when their kid-raising was done.

      The rest of your comment shows the same level of idiocy and misinformation. Perhaps you should use your brain and think before writing rather than looking like another idiot troll. ]

      • Dirk D 8.1.1
        30 April 2010 at 12:34 pm

        According to my mate David, you people are stiring up trouble over lies anyway.

        http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2010/04/no_money.html#comments

        Is that all you pathetic labour people have these days, editorial beat-ups from you mates in the left wing msm.

        God im sick of the wingers, the faster we cut govt spending the faster the economy will grow and then maybe the poor old taxpayer can get some relief.

        Long live a strong National Government and its revered leader, John ‘da man with da plan’ Key

        [lprent: Writes like a mindless troll with delusions of fawning minionhood (a bit like Baldrick from Blackadder). Obviously has never developed the skills required for independent thought. ]

        • Bright Red 8.1.1.1
          30 April 2010 at 1:01 pm

          “God im sick of the wingers”

          prefer props?

          Actually, this guy reads like parody. It’s quite hard to tell.

          There was some organisation, can’t remember which, that got so extreme in its doctrine that any new applicant would invariably be rejected: either they were not doctrinely correct or they were as extreme or more so and the existing members thought they were taking the piss.

          • Pascal's bookie 8.1.1.1.1
            30 April 2010 at 1:05 pm

            “Actually, this guy reads like parody”

            Agreed.

            This…

            “fact she was once a labour party ‘cronie’ as you put it ”

            is just too too special.

            • Dirk D 8.1.1.1.1.1
              30 April 2010 at 1:57 pm

              If you want to play the man then have at it. At least i dont debase myself by choosing a name that is associated with sin.

              I bet you were one of those folks who made coin off the inside knowledge of the Storm salary cap breach.

              If i was in power i would place a new excise tax on gambling, just so you were put out of business.

              As for bright red (crayon – yeah you seem like a child), yes i am a fan of forward play. I feel too much razzle dazzle football is played these days. Just look at the Bulls, Stormers and Reds, all built upon a sound forward pack.

              By the by, none of you have apologised to Paula yet for your slanderous comments. We are waiting.

              [lprent: Sounds like troll, has pretensions to be Baldrick, and has no idea of the law on slander with respect to politicians. Normally I’d start warning or banning him about now (but it doesn’t look like he has read my notes yet). But I haven’t seen anyone who has been so pathetically amusing for a while. Lets play with the wee troll for a while. I wonder if it can be trained out of the bad habits it has picked up at other blogs, like not using their brain, and not listening… ]

            • Pascal's bookie 8.1.1.1.1.2
              30 April 2010 at 10:01 pm

              At least i dont debase myself by choosing a name that is associated with sin.

              Ignorant fuck. For the record, I’m not a gambler, not that that’s a sin. Neither is porn diggler, but aping the seventies possibly is.

              • Olwyn …
                30 April 2010 at 10:24 pm

                You have an excellent and enviable name – it is the name next door to the Euthyphro problem.

          • NickS 8.1.1.1.2
            30 April 2010 at 5:21 pm

            Actually, this guy reads like parody. It’s quite hard to tell.

            Allow me to introduce to Poe’s Law then:

            Without a winking smiley or other blatant display of humor, it is impossible to create a parody of Fundamentalism that SOMEONE won’t mistake for the real thing.

            Applies quite nicely to political satire/parodies as well.

      • the sprout 8.1.2
        30 April 2010 at 4:59 pm

        You labour people

        😆 what a twat

        • Jim Nald 8.1.2.1
          30 April 2010 at 5:15 pm

          @ the sprout
          I’ve been biting my tongue so far but feel now I should disabuse that DD dork of his biased preconceived notion. Actually, my family are National Party voters; I voted National at the recent election – with every passing day and week, we’ve all felt more and more let down by them. I feel we should no longer be quiet but must speak out more.
          The Govt can try to dodge the foolish Paula Bennett-Johnston/Fuller incident any which way they like but we are of the opinion that Paula has been wrong and she has behaved disgracefully.

          Oh and by the way, if it ever comes down to it, not a cent of taxpayers’ money should be used to bail her out of this by trying to buy off fairness and justice.

  9. Lizzy 9
    29 April 2010 at 10:24 pm

    It was always wrong to give her the big chair for being young, brown 1/2 pie and common (I see you chewing gum in the house). Nikki was youth Spokesperson in opposition, Nikki has the skills and should not have been traded in for the younger gruntier model in the first place. Give is substance over tacky style anyday. Also darn stupid how Chester was sidelined from Police so the Collie could have it. Bad bad decisions.

  10. John Dalley 10
    29 April 2010 at 10:40 pm

    Please, please, please, someone have a tape of the alleged bribery.
    Apparently Privacy Commissioners report is due out tomorrow?

    • Jim Nald 10.1
      29 April 2010 at 10:45 pm

      oh puhleaze

      the lady protesteth “Absolutely not”

      and protesteth “Not in any form”

      and protesteth “not in any type of conversation”

      and protesteth “not face to face”

      and protesteth “not in writing”

  11. John Dalley 11
    29 April 2010 at 10:45 pm

    Listening to the Bennett interview, it makes me wonder that if Bennett had nothing to fear, why meet with Johnston. Suspicious don’t you think.

  12. well, well, well (3 holes in the ground) 12
    29 April 2010 at 10:49 pm

    nat spin:

    Aaawww look – Paula just offered to pay for her studies afterall – isn’t she lovely. This ‘bribery’ notion is just a big ol misunderstanding. And Natasha Fuller being ever-so-grateful, well of course she would withdraw her complaint.

    captcha: embarrassed

  13. Craig Glen Eden 13
    29 April 2010 at 10:57 pm

    I have said it from the moment she won her seat, she is a stupid bully and I stand by it. I don’t care what party they belong to people like Bennett don’t deserve to be in Parliament.
    If theirs evidence JD you can be sure it will be held back so Bennett pulls the rope nice and tight.

    • HitchensFan 13.1
      30 April 2010 at 10:53 am

      I have always said it too, Craig Glen Eden. Can’t wait to see the back of her.

      THE DREAM IS OVER, PAULA

  14. Luke.xensen 14
    29 April 2010 at 11:12 pm

    Her look on the last couple of seconds of the Campbell live interview was golden.
    Was when the camera turned away a little, and Bennett though it had stopped and her smile rapidly dissapeared and became an angry frown.
    Maybe we need a new facebook group to complement the ‘Clare Glare’.

  15. MS 15
    29 April 2010 at 11:19 pm

    captcha says it best: USELESS

  16. Akldnut 16
    29 April 2010 at 11:24 pm

    WTF Bennett claims that it’s ok to stay silent while working through a process that’s unresolved yet she opened her big fat mouth when it came to revealing private information about Jennifer Johnston and Natasha Fuller.

    If she did the same now it would be all over. Hypocrite!!! Big fat unconvincing hypocrite!!!

  17. felix 17
    29 April 2010 at 11:40 pm

    The mouth says “no” but the nodding says “yes”.

    And there’s sharp intake of breath she learned from John Key at the end – trying to suck the lies back in.

    Byebye Paula. It’s been real.

  18. ianmac 18
    29 April 2010 at 11:43 pm

    Hope you don’t mind but published this on the wrong post.
    John Key said today that he had no problem with Paula Bennett’s attempt to bribe Natasha Fuller yesterday. He thought it was careless of her to get caught but her biggest mistake actually was in not offering a big enough sum, actually and he would be quite willing to chip in a few bucks to help out. When asked if this was a case was serious enough for the Minister to step down, he thought actually that it was a minor matter actually and that he was quite relaxed about it all actually.
    “Actually,’ said Minister Bennett. “I really think that you people should actually respect my privacy. Privacy is every person’s right and it would be cruel, unjust, and and unfair to actually betray that trust, actually..’
    (Just a bit of satire actually. 🙂 )

    • Jim Nald 18.1
      29 April 2010 at 11:53 pm

      Do you think they would both be ambitious with the truth?

      captcha: suspects
      (!!!!!!!!)

  19. Fisiani 19
    29 April 2010 at 11:50 pm

    best comedy blog in town

    • the sprout 19.1
      30 April 2010 at 7:38 am

      you won’t be laughing by the end of today 😆

      • Tigger 19.1.1
        30 April 2010 at 8:28 am

        Yep, watching someone crap themselves silly on national TV is a riot! Just seeing the jittering tension in her mouth as she spews out that stream of bewildering nonsense was better than anything in the Comedy Fest!

    • Maynard J 19.2
      30 April 2010 at 8:31 am

      But it was surgical corruption fisiani! Haven’t you seen modern, surgical corruption techniques in action?

      If people were polled about surgical corruption they’d surely support it.

  20. sukie Damson 20
    30 April 2010 at 12:00 am

    Really, is there any need for this report tomorrow? One minute into this John Campbell interview Paula explains away her actions with her usual watertight clarity and eloquence.

    JC” .. which [parts of the Privacy Act/Cabinet Manual] allow you to release this information ?”

    PB “its’ um, its a… theres definitely a piece in it that addresses this very thing and it went back from years ago”

  21. JAS 21
    30 April 2010 at 12:19 am

    LOL @ captcha “process” Paula’s favourite word of the day!

    Seriously, if this is in fact true, I can see no other option but her standing down.

    What would that do to her much touted scholarship?

  22. Jum 22
    30 April 2010 at 12:33 am

    If Bennett goes we know Collins will be waiting in the wings. Now she’s effectively silenced prisoners’ voices, she’ll be looking to ‘shut up’ the beneficiaries.

  23. Jim Nald 23
    30 April 2010 at 12:35 am

    Stand down or not either way, do you think NZ can keep up the top spot for Transparency International’s 2010 rating?

    I hope we’re not closing the gap with Somalia (number 180):
    http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys_indices/cpi/2009/cpi_2009_table

  24. OliverI 24
    30 April 2010 at 3:01 am

    Just watched the video, by proof do you mean – nothing?

  25. tsmithfield 25
    30 April 2010 at 5:47 am

    She has made a public denial. Her biggest worry is if evidence does actually come out that she offered money then telling lies in public would be a mandatory sacking. To be honest, nodding yes while saying no never looks very good though.

    However, unless there is some objective evidence of an offer being made it is hard to see how she can be proved to have lied or offered money.

    If she went through the right channels though, it wouldn’t even necessarily be a bribe or corruption if she had offered to settle out of her own money (public money obviously would be corruption):

    Here is a document that sets out the scope of the privacy act and the commissioner in this respect.

    Quoting from this document:

    The characteristics of the Privacy Commissioner’s involvement would be a specialist knowledge of the act and how other complaints under it have turned out, an inquisitorial (as opposed to adversarial) inquiry conducted in private, and a conscious search for a basis on which the matter might be settled by agreement.

    Therefore, it seems that one of the roles of the commission is to work with the parties to achieve a settlement. Thus, if this was the process that had been invoked, Bennett could have simply said,
    “we are discussing the matter within the scope of the privacy act and that is the only comment I am willing to make”.

    But now she has specifically denied offering money, it becomes a matter of what evidence there is to support the allegation. It may well be that an offer was never specifically made but that the wording of the conversation left the door open to the possibility.

    • tsmithfield 25.1
      30 April 2010 at 5:59 am

      Additional to my comment above, a discussion might have ensued as follows:

      Bennett: “What would it take to make this go away”
      Johnston: “$100,000”
      Bennett: “I will take that under consideration”.

      In the wording of this scenario it would be possible to deny making a specific offer for money, as the suggestion of money to settle the matter would have come from the complainant, although the possibility of money was certainly implied. This might be why Bennett was confident enough to issue a denial while looking quite guilty about doing so.

      • The Voice of Reason 25.1.1
        30 April 2010 at 7:01 am

        I’m kinda with you on this TS. I suspect Bennett has had a conversation along the lines you outline and is hoping like hell that doing so doesn’t constitute offering a bribe at worst or compromising her Ministerial position at best.

        However, I would have thought merely raising it personally with the victim should be enough in itself to end her career. The usual go in these situations is to use an intermediary to negotiate (think John Key’s work as Brash’s bag man with the Brethren). National’s spinners are working hard overnight to squash the story (“The minister has respected this process and the people in this process throughout. She has negotiated her way through the process in good faith.”), but I don’t think it’s going to go away.

        Is this the most corrupt Government NZ’s ever had or is it just the most incompetent?

        • tsmithfield 25.1.1.1
          30 April 2010 at 7:18 am

          Its interesting that there is a specific process the privacy commissioner can guide to bring about a settlement. It appears from what Bennett was saying that they were both acting within that process. So, I think it is quite possible to reach a settlement within that process without any hint of corruption.

          The questions from the interviewer were very specific about whether Bennett had made an offer. In that context she may have been quite entitled to disclose what she didn’t do as that is not breaching the privacy of the discussions.

          If, on the other hand, the interviewer had been a bit broader and asked whether there had been any discussions about a financial settlement then I suspect Bennett would have simply answered as she had through the rest of the interview about respecting the privacy of the process.

          How do you think Johnston comes out of this? If these are discussions that are within the privacy commission framework, then surely there can be nothing more private. Was Johnston disclosing information therefore treating the Privacy Commission with contempt? She might have scored an own goal with this one.

          • The Voice of Reason 25.1.1.1.1
            30 April 2010 at 7:26 am

            Excellent last para, TS. I think we really should switch the focus to the victim. That’s this Government in a nutshell, eh?

            • tsmithfield 25.1.1.1.1.1
              30 April 2010 at 7:37 am

              Just being objective about this.

              It might be that the PC was going to rule in Johnston’s favour, but now might consider that there has beeen a breach in the other direction and so the ledger has been squared off.

              • Marty G …
                30 April 2010 at 8:30 am

                attacking the victim is was you scumbags do every time.

                you don’t even know her name but you have no shame in attacking her.

          • In The Know 25.1.1.1.2
            30 April 2010 at 8:08 am

            It is about Fuller, not Johnson.

  26. mickysavage 26
    30 April 2010 at 7:07 am

    There is nothing in the Herald today about this but they do mention Bennett in the House yesterday responding about the bullying of a 78 woman by WINZ.

    AMAZING.

  27. mach1 27
    30 April 2010 at 7:13 am

    Something here Micky.

  28. mach1 28
    30 April 2010 at 7:17 am

    Nice one aunty Tari.

    captcha: isolate

  29. Fijoa muncher 29
    30 April 2010 at 7:30 am

    Clearly someone here is lying. Not so sure the evidence (??) points to Paula Bennett tho.

    TV3 certainly didn’t seem to have any evidence to that effect.

    I think Paula Bennett looked to be genuinely trying to do the right thing in a tricky legal situation while an investingation is still going – surely she would have been in more trouble if she’d blurted out what went on?

    • mickysavage 29.1
      30 April 2010 at 7:40 am

      They do. They have emails and Paula asked to see them. She is obviously worried. What is the bet she has been using a private account to communicate and is worried that these emails may now be in TV3’s hands?

    • Marty G 29.2
      30 April 2010 at 8:09 am

      The right thing for a minister to do when an official information is ongoing into her behaviour is to not interfere with that investigation or attempt to bribe the complainant into dropping the complaint so the investigation will disappear.

  30. JAS 30
    30 April 2010 at 7:31 am

    So Key just confirmed the meeting did take place, (on breakfast) and that an agreement has been reached, but denies money being offered.

    He thinks the meeting appropriate – unbelievable.

    • tsmithfield 30.1
      30 April 2010 at 7:39 am

      Read my posts above. There is a privacy commission process specifically for this purpose. Nothing untoward about resolving issues within that process.

      You’re probably better to focus on whether Bennett lied about offering money.

      • Marty G 30.1.1
        30 April 2010 at 8:06 am

        Bennett is trying to end the privacy commissioner process before the report comes out. If you had watched the articles you would have seen that Fuller has been asked to withdraw her complaint. If she does that, no report.

      • Pascal's bookie 30.1.2
        30 April 2010 at 8:18 am

        Nothing untoward about resolving issues within that process.

        snort.

        Apart from the fact that this particular case isn’t about, for example, an individuals details being misused by a telemarketer.

        This case is and always has been about more than just the individual. It’s a minister of the crown we are talking about.

        If the Minister misused information for political purposes then that is a serious issue irrespective of any settlement. If there was a need for a settlement, then that certainly implies she was out of order.

        • tsmithfield 30.1.2.1
          30 April 2010 at 8:59 am

          Marty, PB, read my first post. The commissioners role is to bring about a settlement. Therefore, the terminating of the decision process is obviously implied if an agreement is reached beforehand. So I don’t see any problem here. Neither do I see it as anything untoward to seek a settlement if it is within Privacy Commission processes.

          Two questions for you:

          1. Should negotiations within the framework of the PC remain private unless there is agreement from both sides to make the information known?
          2. Would you both be bleating if Bennett had released information about what was going on in that process without Johnston’s consent?
          3. If so, is Bennett actually a victim on this occasion as it appears Johnston has released information without her consent? Remember, you can’t have it both ways.

          • Marty G 30.1.2.1.1
            30 April 2010 at 9:07 am

            A minister should not interfere in an investigation into her actions. Let alone try to make that investigation go away with money.

            The actions of a minister are always legitimate public knowledge. The private information of a private citizen is not.

            And you don’t even now the name of the complaint yet it doesn’t stop you attacking her. It’s disgraceful.

            • tsmithfield 30.1.2.1.1.1
              30 April 2010 at 9:27 am

              Marty, “And you don’t even now the name of the complaint yet it doesn’t stop you attacking her. It’s disgraceful.”

              Fair point. Should have picked the right name out of the article.

              Marty “A minister should not interfere in an investigation into her actions. Let alone try to make that investigation go away with money.”

              Except this is all part of due process.

              Let me remind you again:

              The characteristics of the Privacy Commissioner’s involvement would be a specialist knowledge of the act and how other complaints under it have turned out, an inquisitorial (as opposed to adversarial) inquiry conducted in private, and a conscious search for a basis on which the matter might be settled by agreement.

              .

              So, how about actually answering the questions I asked

          • Pascal's bookie 30.1.2.1.2
            30 April 2010 at 9:25 am

            1) Not necessarily.

            2) As above

            3) See 1,2.

            In any case:

            This case is and always has been about more than just the individual. It’s a minister of the crown we are talking about.

            If the Minister misused information for political purposes then that is a serious issue irrespective of any settlement. If there was a need for a settlement, then that certainly implies she was out of order.

            • Pascal's bookie 30.1.2.1.2.1
              30 April 2010 at 9:44 am

              And your quoted document just shows how desperate you are.

              It’s hardly an authoritative description of PC ‘process management’

              It’s a 13 year old discussion paper. I mean really tarquin. Desperate much?

              • tsmithfield …
                30 April 2010 at 10:04 am

                Since you are having a wee cry about it, is this more to your liking? Its from the FAQ section of the Privacy Commissioner Website :

                As long as the complaint involves a Privacy Act matter, the Commissioner will often try to settle the complaint by conciliation and mediation. Many privacy complaints can be solved without a formal investigation.

                And:

                No. The Privacy Commissioner cannot fine or prosecute anyone. Instead, the Privacy Act aims to settle privacy disputes, often after investigation, and aims to educate people on how to comply with the Act.

                So exactly how has anything Bennett has done fallen outside this process?

              • Pascal's bookie …
                30 April 2010 at 10:11 am

                What you are alleging is that Bennett interfered with the process. However, I think the evidence is she participated in a specified process. There is a big difference.

                Where do I allege that?

                What I am saying is that:

                This case is and always has been about more than just the individual. It’s a minister of the crown we are talking about.

                If the Minister misused information for political purposes then that is a serious issue irrespective of any settlement. If there was a need for a settlement, then that certainly implies she was out of order.

                What you seem to be saying, but please correct me if I’m wrong, is that there is a due process for Ministers to follow if they wish to misuse information for political purposes, and that Bennet has behaved quite properly in her role as Minister of the Crown.

              • tsmithfield …
                30 April 2010 at 10:15 am

                PB”If there was a need for a settlement, then that certainly implies she was out of order.”

                No it doesn’t. Settlements are often reached when it is unclear what the outcome will be. Bennett might have thought she had a 90% chance of being found right. But she may have wanted to hedge against the 10% possibility of being found wrong.

                The fact that Key has said there was no financial settlement involved suggests that this may well be the case. If it was the other way around, I would suggest that there would be considerable sums of money changing hands.

              • Pascal's bookie …
                30 April 2010 at 10:15 am

                This particular instance is about whether or not a Minister has misused information for political purposes.

                Whether or not, as a matter of fact the Minister breached the privacy act. Any settlement aimed at preventing the facts of the matter becoming public would seem to be problematic when working out whther she is fit to be a Minister.

                Your mileage obviously varies.

              • Pascal's bookie …
                30 April 2010 at 10:22 am

                “Bennett might have thought she had a 90% chance of being found right. But she may have wanted to hedge against the 10% possibility of being found wrong.”

                Or it could have been 50/50, 60/40, whatever.

                What level would you be comforatble with for a Minister of the Crown breaching the privacy act for political purposes?

                And while you are answering, another. Is there any evidence that this was part of any Privacy Commission process?

              • tsmithfield …
                30 April 2010 at 12:04 pm

                The point I was making is that a settlement is not the same as an admission of guilt, so I don’t think there are any conclusions can be drawn in that respect.

                So far as being part of the Privacy Commission process goes, this is what Bennett says numerous times in her interview that you can access from one of the early links above.

              • Pascal's bookie …
                30 April 2010 at 12:27 pm

                that’s cool, I agree there is room for some small amount of doubt. Though I think on ballance of probabilities it is not at all unreasonable to infer guilt.

                What level of doubt are you comfortable with for a Minister of the Crown breaching the privacy act for political purposes?

            • tsmithfield 30.1.2.1.2.2
              30 April 2010 at 9:49 am

              Perhaps you would like to explain your answers to my questions.

              What you are alleging is that Bennett interfered with the process. However, I think the evidence is she participated in a specified process. There is a big difference.

              Can you provide any evidence that Bennett has done any more than participate in a legitmate process?

              • Bright Red …
                30 April 2010 at 10:19 am

                My 2 cents.

                a minister should not be meeting with someone who has taken an official complaint against her. I don’t care if that’s something the privacy commissioner might recommend in other circumstances – with a minister things are different.

                How can meeting with Fuller and offering her money just before the last opportunity to make the report go away be anything other than an attempt to suppress that report and an admission of wrongdoing?

                Are you denying that by offering her money Bennett is implicitly admitting that she was wrong to release Fuller’s private information, ts?

              • tsmithfield …
                30 April 2010 at 11:00 am

                BR,

                Firstly, it is denied that money was ever offered. Not the same as “discussed”. Bennett was specifically asked if she had offered money.
                Secondly, we don’t know the context of any meeting that took place. Perhaps Bennett was invited to go. Perhaps lawyers from both sides were present.
                Thirdly, reaching a settlement is not the same as an admission of guilt.

              • Bright Red …
                30 April 2010 at 12:57 pm

                I love how you make up details that suit you, ts. It’s like being read a fairytale.

              • tsmithfield …
                30 April 2010 at 1:05 pm

                So, which of those do you think are a fairytale and why, BR? Don’t be shy now.

  31. the sprout 31
    30 April 2010 at 7:43 am

    a classic tell how she nods every time she attempts a denial!
    then shakes her head when saying how she ‘respects’ her victim!
    awesome incompetence.

  32. vto 32
    30 April 2010 at 7:59 am

    What about the Privacy Act and the Police recruitment ads?????

    “get better work stories..”

    • Craig Glen Eden 32.1
      30 April 2010 at 9:08 am

      Note to Bennett, Prime Ministers office is distancing it self very quickly from you oh shit!

  33. Joe Bloggs 33
    30 April 2010 at 8:46 am

    There is not a single shred of “evidence” presented in the TV3 piece. There are only allegations and questions…

    Nor is there any denial from Bennett that she met privately with Fuller – just a straight “neither confirm nor deny”.

    What “evidence”, Bill? Or is that another UMRism?

    • Pascal's bookie 33.1
      30 April 2010 at 9:07 am

      Here you go.

      • Joe Bloggs 33.1.1
        30 April 2010 at 11:05 am

        no evidence there either – just more allegations.

        Show me the evidence.

      • tsmithfield 33.1.2
        30 April 2010 at 11:06 am

        “A monetary settlement was discussed and the idea of Fuller dropping her complaint was floated.”

        Watch the interview. Bennett was clearly asked if she had OFFERED a financial settlement. That is clearly different to what is stated in the article above.

  34. Craig Glen Eden 34
    30 April 2010 at 9:44 am

    JB watch the article again and the links TV3 are saying they have emails, oh shit yeah! Thats why Bennett’s position of not confirming or denying is stupid. Bennett is driven by self interest not through any privacy principle.

    So lets draw the dots, reports due out which does not show Bennett in a good light, Nats decide lets try and shut it down by reaching an agreement with complainant. If it works great, if it dosnt well we did nothing wrong because the aim of the authorities role is to get resolution. HMMM.

    Key alleges on (Morning Breakfast) he new nothing about Bennett’s contact with complainant until Bennett told him on Wednesday night????? Bennett wont talk further until she has seen the emails which TV three has. So Bennett has been in touch JB unless Key is lying about his phone call from Bennett. Watch the big sigh from Bennett at the end of the TV 3 clip JB, OH shit its all turning to custard, enjoy your weekend.

    • Joe Bloggs 34.1
      30 April 2010 at 11:23 am

      TV3 are saying they have emails

      didn’t realise Nicky Hager was working at TV3 these days…

  35. ianmac 35
    30 April 2010 at 10:31 am

    It is just possible that there is not really an issue here. The original Bennett release of info against Jennifer and Natasha was to be despised.
    But since the complaint lies with the Privacy Commission whos job it is to attempt to resolve a complaint rather than prosecute, then maybe this will legitamately die as an issue. (Which pisses me off excessively!) It is true that Bennett made the visit. She may have been criticised if she didn’t!??
    However the Perception is what really matters but apart from TV3 the story is just not out there in the public forum. It might be a near miss. Bugger!

  36. WillieMaley 36
    30 April 2010 at 10:58 am

    Has TV3s political editor commented on this?

  37. big bruv 37
    30 April 2010 at 11:00 am

    Hmmm, lets see, who will the public get behind.

    A DPB bludger with a left wing political agenda or a very popular minister….?

    This is another battle that you fools do not want to start, the public (save the 29% who are Labour cheer leaders) will be right behind Bennetts efforts to expose people like Fuller, the only mistake Bennett made was offering an apology.

    • Maynard J 37.1
      30 April 2010 at 11:22 am

      A minister who cocks up and then, perhaps, offers your money to pay for it. Your taxes. Yet you suck it up like a little B**ch. You’re going pretty cheap aren’t you?

    • HitchensFan 37.2
      30 April 2010 at 11:31 am

      “A popular Minister”??????

      LOL! Who are you kidding?? I have heard nothing but contempt for her from across the political spectrum!

    • Akldnut 37.3
      30 April 2010 at 12:41 pm

      BB ………..a very popular minister .?

      Which distorted, delusional universe do you live in.

      It’s obvious she’s in save arse mode and her actions are to close down the enquiry.
      which of the last govt could have done that with rightwing wingnuts having a major breakdown because of it.

      Captcha – acceptable (not in my lifetime)

      • uke 37.3.1
        30 April 2010 at 1:49 pm

        “expose people like Fuller”

        You mean who wanted the same hand-up benefit that Bennett herself took advantage of (then slashed)?

  38. tc 38
    30 April 2010 at 11:22 am

    Yeah BB their guru Muldoon never would of so why should they…..hear that….it’s the sound of the arrogant/undemocratic/bullying facade cracking…..it’s 2010 not 1970 but the nat playbook remains unchanged.

    • big bruv 38.1
      30 April 2010 at 11:29 am

      Ha ha, it seems you have a selective memory when it comes to politicians arrogance.

      If you ask me Bennett is bending over backwards to appease this bludger, an arrogant stance would have been to tell her to piss off (pity she did not do that).

      Can I assume you were just as angry with the supreme arrogance shown by Clark and Cullen?, or the undemocratic passing of some bills that the Labour party never campaigned on?, or the rampant corruption of the Clark government…..

      • Bored 38.1.1
        30 April 2010 at 11:37 am

        I dont have a clue whether Bennett is corrupt, or whether she is up against people with an agenda. What is obvious from this and other events is that Bennett is terminally stupid, to the extent that she is totally out of her depth. She has proven that she does not have the ability to fulfil her role and responsibility to the electorate as a minister. This trait is not unique to National, what does stand out is that Key unlike Clark tolerates incompetence.

  39. Bored 39
    30 April 2010 at 11:39 am

    PS BB what the f**k do you mean by “the rampant corruption of the Clark government ..”? Give us some clear examples

    • tsmithfield 39.1
      30 April 2010 at 12:06 pm

      You are joking, right?

      Hint: Jail

      • Bored 39.1.1
        30 April 2010 at 12:14 pm

        TS you really are a fuckwit. Field got dealt to by labour aswell as the Courts.

        • tsmithfield 39.1.1.1
          30 April 2010 at 12:23 pm

          So, Bored, was Field behaving corruptly while within the Labour Government?

          Doesn’t really matter what Labour did after the event (although they did put up an impotent enquiry designed not to get any answers in the first instance).

          The point is that he was behaving corruptly while in the Labour Government. Given that he was part of that government, the Labour government had a degree of corruption within it. I don’t see how you can walk away from that absolutely clear fact.

          • Maynard J 39.1.1.1.1
            30 April 2010 at 12:42 pm

            “The rampant corruption”

            becomes

            “a degree of corruption”

            and conceeded to be a weak one at that, one which was dealt with.

            Don’t play all your cards at once, tsf 😉

            • tsmithfield 39.1.1.1.1.1
              30 April 2010 at 1:01 pm

              No I wouldn’t dream of playing all my cards at once Maynard.

              Remember this guy, Maynard. Still haven’t seen an adequate explanation from Labour as to why Jones, Cunliffe et al. gave this guy citizenship when Internal Affairs strongly recommended against it for very good reasons. Turns out he was donating truckloads to Labour at the time too…hmmmm.

              • Maynard J …
                30 April 2010 at 2:25 pm

                Phew, before the court case with this one…showing your hand too early? I guess we’ll have to see what happens with PB though eh, pot n kettle & all…

            • tsmithfield 39.1.1.1.1.2
              30 April 2010 at 3:04 pm

              The fact that it is now before the courts is not really the issue.

              The issue is that Labour politicians granted this guy citizenship when he had a clearly dodgy background to say the least, and against the strong advice of Internal Affairs. And, coincidently the guy was donating who knows how much money to Labour at the time.

              • Maynard J …
                30 April 2010 at 4:11 pm

                “donating who knows how much money to Labour at the time”

                Surely the electoral commission?

                But, you know, glad being before the couts isn’t an issus. It wouldn’t be good if Labour started making offers to try and make it “go away” before it went to court, or some form of report about it came out…that sort of thing.

            • insider 39.1.1.1.1.3
              30 April 2010 at 3:37 pm

              David B-P interfering in employment issues in his ministry…?

              That said Clark dealt with it when his head was presented on a platter.

              • Herodotus …
                30 April 2010 at 4:10 pm

                Corruption – Wiki
                Political corruption: the abuse of public power, office, or resources by government officials or employees for personal gain, e.g. by extortion, soliciting or offering bribes.[2]
                Perhaps based on this Trevor M attack in parliament of M.Senchel and anyone else who hides behind Parliament priviledge, All those Mp;’s who have abused travel, accommodation and other allowances/perks. As I take it personal gain can also cover NOT incurring costs for the MP
                This site appears to mis use the term corruption just like many misuse “Racists”. They have become very emotive words that have little bearing on their actual meaning.
                And anyone defending their side is being extremely naive as i am sure with some knowledge we would be severly shocked as to the goings on by all.

      • Bright Red 39.1.2
        30 April 2010 at 12:21 pm

        Field got the punishment he deserved. Starting with being sacked by Clark in 2005.

        Bennett should get what she deserves too.

        Wouldn’t you say, ts?

        • tsmithfield 39.1.2.1
          30 April 2010 at 12:25 pm

          Slight difference between Bennett outing some overpaid beneficiaries who were happy to publicize their entitlements anyway and someone who was committing immigration fraud, don’t you think, BR. If you think the two are equivalent then it speaks more about left-wing morality than anything else.

          • Pascal's bookie 39.1.2.1.1
            30 April 2010 at 12:36 pm

            overpaid? Cite.

            BR didn’t say what they did was equivalent. He said they both should get what they deserve.

            Here’s the nub of it. You think it’s ok for the Minister to break the law as long as the victim is someone you disapprove of. And you’ll go into bat for them running defensive spin. Just as you did with Worth for several days.

            That’s your morality on display.

          • Akldnut 39.1.2.1.2
            30 April 2010 at 1:39 pm

            TS – There’s still a big difference in your comparison, Field commited his faux par for (himself) personal gain, Fat mouth commited her fuckup on behalf of the Nats.

            Field tried to pervert the course immigration.
            Bennett is trying to pervert the course of Natural Justice.

            Both immoral – both should be punished. No-one here’s defending Field.
            One has been dealt to, now it’s tme for the next.
            She should have the good grace to fall on her sword

  40. Rharn 40
    30 April 2010 at 11:46 am

    After watching the vid links on this I can not help but notice that Bennet is all mouth when it suites her but clams up with the cannot comment due to ‘process’ when it does not.

    I wonder if and when she has been found gtuilty of breaching the privacy act whether Key will consider her actions of a ‘less than sufficient standard’ and sack her. I’m not going to hold my breath on this.

  41. gary 41
    30 April 2010 at 12:09 pm

    unfortunately it seems like this might of been a terrible piece of reporting.

    No mention of it in the midday 3news bulletin so far… would think it would be in the first few stories if there was anything to it.

    Young reporter not checking her facts and jumping in on conclusions perhaps?

    Still, not a good look for bennet to even be going near this woman in such secret circumstances. And very hyprocritical to go claiming a privacy issue when she wouldn’t discuss it last night when approached.

    I was hoping there would be something more in this story. can’t stand this woman.

  42. pollywog 42
    30 April 2010 at 12:27 pm

    I know TV adds 10 pounds but jeez Bunter Bennett’s piled it on since being allowed to trough it up at the big table.

    I’m always wary of obese people telling me how i should get my life in order, let alone some random westie solo mum showing the country how to act responsibly as minister for social development…NOT

    She always looks like she’s expecting others to say shit for her so she can just grunt and nod in the background. I mean really , is this the best Key’s got lined up in the back benches ?

    captcha : rejects ( nuff said)

  43. The Voice of Reason 43
    30 April 2010 at 12:32 pm

    Another lie from Bennett, faithfully repeated over at the sewer:

    “Ms Bennett says in this morning’s New Zealand Herald, the complainant was quoted as saying there had been no offer of money. When asked about the 3 News report, the complainant said: “None of that is true”.”

    Thats from a Ministerial press release this morning that Farrar has fallen for hook line and sinker. There is no such comment in the Herald this morning, at least as far as their website is concerned. I don’t have the physical copy, so if its in the paper proper, I’d be happy to withdraw, but from here this looks like the bullshit is mounting.

    “

  44. gingercrush 44
    30 April 2010 at 12:35 pm

    I wouldn’t read too much about it not being on Midday (or whatever the thing TV 3 has at 12). They may be waiting for their 6 News bulletin.

    Regardless, both Bennett and Fuller are rejecting the claims. TV 3 therefore must produce those emails or they need to apologise unequivocally. If they have evidence then show us. If not then they must apologise.

    • Bright Red 44.1
      30 April 2010 at 12:43 pm

      sorry, where is the link to Fuller rejecting the claims?

    • ak 44.2
      30 April 2010 at 12:58 pm

      Apologise my ample fanny – TV3 deserve a medal for finally doing their job properly. Forget about money – a Minister of the crown visiting a beneficiary days before the report was due out is nothing but an inappropriate act of desperate and arrogant bullying that no amount of bureaucratic “process-speak” and “offered-discussed” semantic sophistry can disguise.

  45. Bright Red 45
    30 April 2010 at 12:43 pm

    My bet is the emails were leaked from the Privacy Commission. 3News seems very informed about when the report is due etc

    I hate the condescending, ungenuine way Bennett talks. reminds me of Shipley but less articulate:

    “I suppose at this sort of stage I’m not prepared to comment on that. It’s a Privacy Commissioner process so we’re trying to keep it a bit private”

    she must think we’re idiots.

    • HitchensFan 45.1
      30 April 2010 at 12:52 pm

      Agreed. And every time the fat bogan says “The Dream is OVER, people” I just want to throw something at the television.

  46. Pascal's bookie 46
    30 April 2010 at 12:45 pm

    The point is about a Minister breaching the Privacy Act, and if that is acceptable.

    If it is not, someone needs to determine if she did breach that Act.

    As with the Worth case, this is about governance and John Key as it is about the Minister.

    National Party supporters should be just as concerned as any one else, if not more so. If you support the National Prty, you support what they do.

  47. graham 47
    30 April 2010 at 1:45 pm

    Who cares
    so she told the truth about a few bludgers
    so what
    in the words of the useless dr cullen
    we won you lost eat that

    • ianmac 47.1
      30 April 2010 at 1:51 pm

      In this context graham, that is a plainly stupid response.

      • big bruv 47.1.1
        30 April 2010 at 2:09 pm

        graham is right, defending DPB bludgers is not the way to see Labour rise in the polls.

        Fuller should be thankful she did not speak out against the previous government where to do so would guarantee that you were immediately attacked by every government agency possible as Clark did not stand for people attacking her corrupt government.

      • Pascal's bookie 47.1.2
        30 April 2010 at 2:34 pm

        Yeah. I totes remember when the EB had their tax records released, and I was shocked when Ian Wishart was snatched off the street by the SAS and thrown out a helicopter.

        Moron.

    • Pete 47.2
      30 April 2010 at 3:10 pm

      graham, can you please, (for the benefit of those not picking up what you’re putting down) define ‘bludger’? I for one am lost, must be getting thick in my old age.

      kthxbai

  48. Feral 48
    30 April 2010 at 2:37 pm

    What spiteful bigoted posts in this thread. Why attack Paula Bennet Personally?.
    I guess its the Labour Lynch Mob mentality at work again.

    [lprent: The trolls are out today, even under new names. But the gravator is the same? ]

    • Feral 48.1
      30 April 2010 at 3:23 pm

      I had to change it as there was someone else posting under the same name.
      However who the trolls are is a matter of opinion.
      This Lynch Mob Mentality seems to epitomize trolling

      • Maynard J 48.1.1
        30 April 2010 at 4:14 pm

        The Merrill Lynch Mentatilty is worse.

        Oh, and speaking of personal attacks…how about a minister abusing confidential Crown information to attack a private citizen? Give a toss there feral?

    • HitchensFan 48.2
      30 April 2010 at 3:25 pm

      whatever Feral. Never happens on the right, eh? That short, fat, bigoted plonker DPF and his gang of old bigots are always so polite. They never personalise anything, no……..

  49. eye saw 49
    30 April 2010 at 3:30 pm

    A bludger is someone who’s living the “dream”lifestyle.
    The dream perfect bludge.The dpb.
    Actually DPB means deprived poor bastards, administered by the dominating perfect bitch ,maula benefit.
    captcha design.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 27

    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 27 were:1. The Minister for Ford Rangers strikes againTransport Minister Simeon Brown was again the busiest of the Cabinet ministers this week, announcing an ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 mins ago
  • Ticket To Anywhere

    You got a fast carAnd I want a ticket to anywhereMaybe we make a dealMaybe together we can get somewhereAny place is betterYesterday’s newsletter, Trust In Me, on the report of abuse in state care, and by religious organisations, between 1950 and 2019, coupled with the hypocrisy of Christopher Luxon ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    46 mins ago
  • Stories of varying weight

    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on anything you may have missed. Share Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 hours ago
  • Balancing External Security and the Economy

    New Zealand is again having to reconcile conflicting pressures from its military and its trade interests. Should we join Pillar Two of AUKUS and risk compromising our markets in China? For a century after New Zealand was founded in 1840, its external security arrangements and external economics arrangements were aligned. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    18 hours ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: The unravelling of the offsets

    The ‘50 Shades of Green’ farmers’ protest in 2019 was heavy on climate change denial, but five years on, scepticism and criticism about the idea that pine forests can save us is growing across the board. File photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top six news items of note in climate ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    23 hours ago
  • What makes us tick

    This morning the sky was bright.The birds, in their usual joyous bliss. Nature doesn’t seem to feel the heat of what might angst humans.Their calls are clear and beautiful.Just some random thoughts:MāoriPaul Goldsmith has announced his government will roll back the judiciary’s rulings on Māori Customary Marine Title, which recognises ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    24 hours ago
  • Foreshore and seabed 2.0

    In 2003, the Court of Appeal delivered its decision in Ngati Apa v Attorney-General, ruling that Māori customary title over the foreshore and seabed had not been universally extinguished, and that the Māori Land Court could determine claims and confirm title if the facts supported it. This kicked off the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the Royal Commission report into abuse in care

    Earlier this week at Parliament, Labour leader Chris Hipkins was applauded for saying that the response to the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care had to be “bigger than politics.” True, but the fine words, apologies and “we hear you” messages will soon ring ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: In news breaking this morning:The Ministry of Education is cutting $2 billion from its school building programme so the National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government has enough money to deliver tax cuts; The Government has quietly lowered its child poverty reduction targets to make them easier to achieve;Te Whatu Ora-Health NZ’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Weekly Roundup 26-July-2024

    Kia ora. These are some stories that caught our eye this week – as always, feel free to share yours in the comments. Our header image this week (via Eke Panuku) shows the planned upgrade for the Karanga Plaza Tidal Swimming Steps. The week in Greater Auckland On ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 day ago
  • God what a relief

    1. What's not to love about the way the Harris campaign is turning things around?a. Nothingb. Love all of itc. God what a reliefd. Not that it will be by any means easye. All of the above 2. Documents released by the Ministry of Health show Associate Health Minister Casey ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • Trust In Me

    Trust in me in all you doHave the faith I have in youLove will see us through, if only you trust in meWhy don't you, you trust me?In a week that saw the release of the 3,000 page Abuse in Care report Christopher Luxon was being asked about Boot Camps. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 26

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking about the Royal Commission Inquiry into Abuse in Care report released this week, and with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on a UN push to not recognise carbon offset markets and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 26, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Transport: Simeon Brown announced $802.9 million in funding for 18 new trains on the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines, which ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Radical law changes needed to build road

    The northern expressway extension from Warkworth to Whangarei is likely to require radical changes to legislation if it is going to be built within the foreseeable future. The Government’s powers to purchase land, the planning process and current restrictions on road tolling are all going to need to be changed ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #30 2024

    Open access notables Could an extremely cold central European winter such as 1963 happen again despite climate change?, Sippel et al., Weather and Climate Dynamics: Here, we first show based on multiple attribution methods that a winter of similar circulation conditions to 1963 would still lead to an extreme seasonal ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • First they came for the Māori

    Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedFirst they came for the doctors But I was confused by the numbers and costs So I didn't speak up Then they came for our police and nurses And I didn't think we could afford those costs anyway So I ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Join us for the weekly Hoon on YouTube Live

    Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on UnsplashWe’re back again after our mid-winter break. We’re still with the ‘new’ day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when we have our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Will the real PM Luxon please stand up?

    Notes: This is a free article. Abuse in Care themes are mentioned. Video is at the bottom.BackgroundYesterday’s report into Abuse in Care revealed that at least 1 in 3 of all who went through state and faith based care were abused - often horrifically. At least, because not all survivors ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Will debt reduction trump abuse in care redress?

    Luxon speaks in Parliament yesterday about the Abuse in Care report. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:PM Christopher Luxon said yesterday in tabling the Abuse in Care report in Parliament he wanted to ‘do the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Olywhites and Time Bandits

    About a decade ago I worked with a bloke called Steve. He was the grizzled veteran coder, a few years older than me, who knew where the bodies were buried - code wise. Despite his best efforts to be approachable and friendly he could be kind of gruff, through to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Why were the 1930s so hot in North America?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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
    20 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

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

    Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum.  While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation.  “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan.  “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

    The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Nine priority bridge replacements to get underway

    The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

    New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-07-27T00:31:08+00:00