Cross-Party Inquiry into Homelessness releases report – Government must act

Written By: - Date published: 12:11 pm, October 10th, 2016 - 82 comments
Categories: cost of living, greens, labour, maori party - Tags: , ,

homeless-inquiry

Press release from the Labour Party website.

Labour, the Green Party and the Māori Party are calling on the Government to immediately adopt the 20 recommendations set out in today’s Ending Homelessness in New Zealand report.

This morning, the Cross-Party Inquiry into Homelessness has released its final report. Over the last several months the Inquiry has received hundreds of written and oral submissions from around New Zealand, which have been brought together into one report along with a set of 20 recommendations.

Notable recommendations include:

  • Rolling out Housing First as the primary response to severe homelessness.
  • Increasing the state housing stock.
  • Introducing systemic fix to the housing crisis: Build more affordable houses, reduce the cost of building a home, and tackle speculation in the property market.
  • Creating a national strategy to end homelessness.

“It is unacceptable that over 40,000 New Zealanders are homeless today. Labour believes that New Zealand is a stronger country, a better country, when everyone has a decent place to live,” said Labour Party Leader Andrew Little.

“Labour, the Greens, and the Māori Party have come together to present a solid plan to tackle homelessness. We need to build more affordable homes and more state houses. We need a Housing First approach to get a roof over people’s heads and then help with other issues they may have.

“We know how to fix this problem. The ball is now in National’s court. Will they act or will they continue to bury their heads in the sand?” said Mr Little.

“We’ve got people living on the street, in cars and garages, who need a proper roof over their heads. Our state housing stock has got to increase if we’re going to help people,” said Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei.

“Homelessness in New Zealand has built up to a crisis point because of our broken housing sector. The Government must build more affordable houses, reduce the cost of building a home, and tackle property speculation if we are to end homelessness,” said Mrs Turei.

“To end homelessness we need a clear national strategy, which includes all sectors and sets out the action that Government will take,” said Māori Party Co-leader Marama Fox.

“Throughout this inquiry, whānau have told us how they live day to day, balancing money between food, shelter, bills and other necessities. This report is the result of their generosity in sharing their stories and solutions with us,” said Ms Fox.

82 comments on “Cross-Party Inquiry into Homelessness releases report – Government must act ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. tc 1
    10 October 2016 at 12:27 pm

    Marama fox is on the problem not the solution side as her party voted to sell off state houses.

    Political opportunism and hypocrisy from the maori party, what they seem to do best.

  2. Michelle 2
    10 October 2016 at 3:22 pm

    Agree they can’t have it both ways sell and them cry wolf its one or the other Maori party

  3. Guerilla Surgeon 3
    10 October 2016 at 4:29 pm

    I don’t think they actually care. There are a lot of people on that side who believe that the poor deserve what they get. Or what they don’t get actually I guess. I’m sure they do in an academic sort of way, and I sure they’d probably be on very quickly if they look like losing votes, but the country as a whole has gotten much mean spirited since my day. We can thank Roger Douglas’s social engineering for that.

  4. right on 4
    10 October 2016 at 5:13 pm

    20 recommendations from left lacks credibility homelessness can be fixed over night get a job. people are homeless because they want to be its a life style choice or there on drugs there is no housing problem it all been made up by the labour party to make john key look bad it wont work because we can see through the spin

    [to comment on The Standard you need to use a consistent name and email address. You’re on the radar now as a troll. Read the site Policy on this and the general rules. Only warning. I’ll put you in moderation so we can see if you take notice, there will be a delay unit your comments appear – weka]

    • Macro 4.1
      10 October 2016 at 6:33 pm

      ” homelessness can be fixed over night get a job”
      🙄
      I would think you were saying this in jest if it was not so offensive.

    • Cinny 4.3
      10 October 2016 at 10:22 pm

      “there is no housing problem it all been made up by the labour party to make john key look bad”

      LMFAO !!!!!!!!!!! I guess that’s why the outgoing PM and co are furiously building houses… wait… it’s a housing challenge..

      You really need to inform all the media in NZ ‘right on’ we can’t have the newspapers and tv networks telling lies can we? Hey give talkback a ring, and tell them all about it.

      Toodles.

    • georgecom 4.4
      10 October 2016 at 10:43 pm

      that is exactly the spin the right would use. Spot on. Excellent piss take man. As if anyone should believe the type of rubbish. Thanks for the laugh as well, appreciate your tongue in cheek humour.

  5. alwyn 5
    10 October 2016 at 5:22 pm

    Your heading “Cross-Party Inquiry” seems most appropriate when one of the parties is headed by someone who is called by his detractors “Angry Andy”.
    Are the other parties equally at cross-purposes?

    • Macro 5.1
      10 October 2016 at 6:35 pm

      hahahaha…
      Get a life!

    • reason 5.2
      11 October 2016 at 10:44 am

      Key can get pretty angry and stupid after a boozy lunch as we’ve seen in parliament alwyn …..

      Here he’s acting like a happy drunk with who might be his lunchtime drinking Pal

      ” David Seymour: In what century did the wine-box inquiry take place?

      Rt Hon JOHN KEY: One so far back I can hardly remember it.”

      Keys Lawyer … “The PM asked me to contact you to arrange a meeting at your convenience with a small group of industry leaders who are keen to engage to explain how the regime works and the benefits to NZ of an industry which has been painstakingly built up over the last 25 years or so.”

  6. johnm 6
    10 October 2016 at 5:25 pm

    This government couldn’t act to anything remotely positive for ordinary kiwis: they are total incompetent layabouts except to feather their mates’ nest. And the kiwi sheep will vote them in another term! These web blogs are a waste of breath.

  7. Groundhog 7
    10 October 2016 at 7:20 pm

    There is no point in increasing the state housing stock when we currently have state houses of wrong configuration in the wrong areas. That is why social housing is the future, because private landlords take the capital risk, not the tax payer. The authors of this report clearly have little or no knowledge of what is really happening on the ground.

    • mauī 7.1
      10 October 2016 at 8:11 pm

      You mean they’re mostly in urban areas where land prices have risen substantially and the government and the real estate industry can cash in through selling.

      • Groundhog 7.1.1
        11 October 2016 at 9:48 am

        No, I mean private capital will move to where there is a return… in this case they will build houses in the places and configurations driven by the market, ie the tenants.

        • mauī 7.1.1.1
          11 October 2016 at 10:00 am

          Exactly, there’s no return in social housing that’s why state housing has been bulldozed. The state tenants wanted to stay put, that’s the market deciding for you.

          • Groundhog 7.1.1.1.1
            11 October 2016 at 10:21 pm

            State tenants don’t get to decide where they live, and neither should they. When you get a free house you have no right to live in a three bedroom house when you only have one child. Likewise if the house is located where there is no work, you should be required to move. That is the way people have lived for ever, there should be no special privilege for people in free housing.

            As to social housing, off course there is a return. What a silly suggestion. The private investor saves the taxpayer the investment capital, and so should always receive a return.

    • Brendon Harre 7.2
      10 October 2016 at 10:57 pm

      Your argument Groundhog doesn’t follow because the private sector are massively overbuilding 4-5 bedroom homes even though the big increase in households is for 1-2 people. So it is a false argument to say that the private sector is better at allocating resources in the housing sector.

      • Groundhog 7.2.1
        11 October 2016 at 9:46 am

        You’re wrong. There is huge growth in the 1-2 bedroom home sector, mainly for what are called ‘ancillary buildings’. The fact is no sector can respond immediately to rapid change, it just so happens that the private sector does it better.

    • UncookedSelachimorpha 7.3
      10 October 2016 at 11:30 pm

      “…because private landlords take the capital risk and will act to take the maximum profit possible, not the tax payer”

      FIFY

      Not just the Future of social housing, but The Brighter Future of social housing…

      • Groundhog 7.3.1
        11 October 2016 at 9:43 am

        That’s right. Risk and reward. That’s not the governments business, so they should get out of it completely. Besides, is you are advocating the government never sells state housing, there will never be a profit for the government anyway, so your argument collapses.

        • UncookedSelachimorpha 7.3.1.1
          11 October 2016 at 10:41 am

          The government’s business should be to seek good social outcomes.

          I am not advocating government profit here. My point is – keeping profit out of this completely, is a good idea. Why introduce another cost (private profit) into the equation?

          • Groundhog 7.3.1.1.1
            11 October 2016 at 10:25 pm

            Social housing IS a good social outcome. Keeping profit out of housing provision is a bad idea. Private sector profit is the price of not having to have the government invest in the risk of housing stock that potentially ends up the wrong size and the in the wrong location. It is a price well worth paying.

            • UncookedSelachimorpha 7.3.1.1.1.1
              11 October 2016 at 11:46 pm

              Without adding the burden of private profit, we can build more houses.

              The government can borrow at lower cost than private investors – so we can build more houses.

              People seeking profit do not necessarily seek the best social outcome (e.g. think Serco) – they seek…profit.

              • Groundhog …
                13 October 2016 at 7:11 pm

                With the profit element, the private sector can build houses cheaper, as they do roads, hospitals, schools etc etc.

                Profit is only a burden for the envious.

                • UncookedSelachimorpha …
                  13 October 2016 at 10:16 pm

                  Sloganeering I see.

                  Profit is a burden for everyone who pays it, envious or not.

                  Healthcare in the USA is predominately private and is one of the costliest and least efficient systems in the world, e.g.
                  http://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/issue-briefs/2015/oct/us-health-care-from-a-global-perspective

                  There is no evidence private roads are more efficient, better for tax payers or nations – in fact the opposite may well be true, e.g.
                  http://www.uspirg.org/reports/usp/private-roads-public-costs

                  • Groundhog …
                    16 October 2016 at 1:05 pm

                    Profit is not a burden to anyone. It is part of the price of a good or service. Only those with an entitlement mentality want something for nothing.

                    As to your examples, good cherrypicking. NZ’s healthcare system is one of the best in the world, becasue it combines private and public provision. And you’re welcome to advocate for the removal of private capital from all provision of public services, but first you’ll need to find the money to fund all the schools, hospitals etc etc currently funded by private enterprise. Good luck with that.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 7.4
      11 October 2016 at 10:12 am

      “Risk”.

      Government (the biggest player in the NZ market economy) invests in social housing because not doing so increases the risk to citizens – the associated long-term costs far outweigh the investment.

      On the one hand we get fewer dead children, and on the other we save money long term.

      Or so the numerate people say.

      • Macro 7.4.1
        11 October 2016 at 10:28 am

        I don’t know why we indulge the idiot…
        Like the Chump he has no answers – just repeats dogma learned from Yr 10 Economics.

      • Groundhog 7.4.2
        11 October 2016 at 10:25 pm

        We have tens of thousands of government owned houses, and we have dead children. Dead children are not the governments problem, they are the parents.

      • Groundhog 7.4.3
        13 October 2016 at 7:13 pm

        There is absolutely no evidence that government increasing spending on housing means less dead children. The government doesn’t kill children, parents and caregivers do. Back in your box.

        • One Anonymous Bloke 7.4.3.1
          13 October 2016 at 7:41 pm

          Yawn. Treasury calls it “morbidity with a social gradient”, and all you can do is whinge and wail your denial on a blog.

          • Groundhog 7.4.3.1.1
            16 October 2016 at 1:07 pm

            Cite the evidence. Or back in your box.

            Meanwhile, educate yourself with this…http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/85332788/This-is-how-you-fix-child-poverty-in-NZ?cid=app-iPhone

            • One Anonymous Bloke 7.4.3.1.1.1
              16 October 2016 at 1:08 pm

              Whingy whiny whinger wails denial on a blog, gets laughed at.

              • Groundhog …
                16 October 2016 at 4:43 pm

                No-ones laughing. Back in your box.

                • One Anonymous Bloke …
                  16 October 2016 at 6:31 pm

                  It’s a tragedy that your argument is an opinion, and Treasury have more credibility for you. No, wait, it’s comedy 😆

                  • Groundhog …
                    18 October 2016 at 7:14 pm

                    There is ample evidence that what your claiming is not causation. Back in your box.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      24 October 2016 at 10:52 am

                      🙄

                      In fact, The Lancet, Treasury, UNICEF, the WHO, the World Bank, the IMF, have drawn specific links between housing and morbidity: they are the ones paying attention to facts, and you are the one wailing your ignorance and denial on a blog 😆

                    • Groundhog …
                      24 October 2016 at 12:29 pm

                      Who argued there are no links? Do you do thick as a stand up? My argument is simply that this is a matter of personal responsibility. NZ has one of the most generous welfare systems in the world, near full employment, and near free education and healthcare. There is no excuse for children dying in NZ. None.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      24 October 2016 at 12:48 pm

                      You can’t have blame without excuses. I suggest you learn to live without either of them: facts and understanding are far more useful.

                      Wail some more denial, and I’ll laugh at you some more.

                    • Groundhog …
                      24 October 2016 at 1:10 pm

                      ” I suggest you learn to live without either of them: facts and understanding are far more useful.”

                      I agree. The facts are as I stated. That’s how I understand the extent of the issue we face breaking the cycles of some peoples lives.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      24 October 2016 at 1:56 pm

                      That is indeed the extent of your understanding.

                      Asthma, Bronchiolitis, Pneumonia, Rheumatic fever. All are directly linked to poor quality housing; prevention is better than cure.

                      Or we can leave it to the market and add cholera to the mix.

                    • Groundhog …
                      25 October 2016 at 10:39 am

                      “All are directly linked to poor quality housing; prevention is better than cure.”

                      You may be right. So why aren’t parents deploying the prevention? Too many cigarettes? Too much alcohol? Who knows, but the help is certainly there if they ask and have the desire to make it work.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      25 October 2016 at 2:53 pm

                      Meanwhile, on Earth, an illiterate innumerate is flailing and failing to shift the goalposts away from the quality of housing stock, then in his twisted hatred, blaming the victims.

                      Or so it might seem at first sight. In reality, it may simply be that this handicap is brain damage caused by repeating lies.

                      Sympathy is a more charitable response. Still, brain damage, eh.

                    • Groundhog …
                      25 October 2016 at 3:40 pm

                      “… blaming the victims.”

                      What victims? In NZ we are rewarded for our own endeavour. We also provide those less well of with substantial subsidies towards their living. That’s fair enough, but are you suggesting poor economic outcomes just randomly happen to people without any culpability? I know you’re thick, but surely not that thick.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      25 October 2016 at 3:54 pm

                      poor economic outcomes just randomly happen to people

                      For example, whether you are born with a silver or plastic spoon in your mouth, or no spoon at all (beware!). All of these starts in life are random; only a fool would declare they have no impact on economic outcomes.

                      It’s a touchy subject among “business” people: the role of chance. The self-attribution fallacy is so seductive.

                      You really need to drop this blame-excuse model you’re lugging around if you want to be free of that handicap.

                    • Groundhog …
                      25 October 2016 at 4:06 pm

                      “For example, whether you are born with a silver or plastic spoon in your mouth, or no spoon at all (beware!). ”

                      So basically you are a determinist. Born poor, always poor. John Key does’t exist. Nor does Michael Campbell. Nor Jamie Beaton. How long a list do you want? it’s the same pathetic handwringing that denies Maori economic potential and relegates non-white progress in a wave of racism.

                      “You really need to drop this blame-excuse model you’re lugging around if you want to be free of that handicap.”

                      I live in the real world. It’s tough, but at least I acknowledge it. You live in a parallel universe where reality is not within your grasp.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      25 October 2016 at 4:10 pm

                      Meanwhile, on Earth, mentioning the random chances that affect economic outcomes does not equal “once poor, always poor”.

                      Only a fool would think it did.

                      Is that pathetic strawman the limit of your imagination?

                    • Groundhog …
                      25 October 2016 at 4:13 pm

                      “…mentioning the random chances that affect economic outcomes…”

                      …is a chardonnay socialists veiled attempt at excusing a lack of initiative. Hiding behind your beamer?

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      25 October 2016 at 4:17 pm

                      There you go on about excuses again. Boring. Already covered. Asked and answered. Are you a goldfish, or do you just mimic their attention span?

                    • Groundhog …
                      25 October 2016 at 8:27 pm

                      “Already covered. ”

                      The day you claim to have ‘covered’ anything with your irrational diatribes is a day to laugh out loud.

  8. marty mars 8
    10 October 2016 at 8:04 pm

    “Labour, the Green Party and the Māori Party are calling on the Government to immediately adopt the 20 recommendations set out in today’s Ending Homelessness in New Zealand report.”

    This is good. I hope they can work together to make a difference for our growing numbers of homelessness.

  9. Cinny 9
    10 October 2016 at 10:42 pm

    Looking forward to Parliament in the morrow.

    Would be fantastic to end homelessness in NZ, an admirable goal for any country to have. Only a selfish person would disagree, everyone should have a home to live in.

    Landlords are making a fortune via us the taxpayer’s from government funded accommodation supplements, due to the high cost of housing; meanwhile people are suffering, and where are the houses?

    Thankful to these parties for going out and talking to the people, creating recommendations to solve this snowballing issue.

    How different are the recommendations compared to the governments investigation of the same?

    Governments plan is not working, it’s failing. Time for a change.

  10. jcuknz 10
    11 October 2016 at 8:41 am

    I thought Bennet’s comment “We are already doing these suggestions” to be quite true…. the problems and solutions are obvious to anybody BUT … like most things this government is doing too little rather too late in the piece.

    • Stuart Munro 10.1
      11 October 2016 at 8:57 am

      Tell the truth – the government is basically doing nothing.

      Nothing is the only thing they’re good at.

  11. Dhirendra Singh 11
    11 October 2016 at 8:48 am

    The cross-party report blows the issue of homelessness out of proportion and ignores looking into the causes. Lack of education, poor parenting, high alcohol consumption and drugs, broken families, family violence, lack of interest in looking for and finding jobs are the basis causes. No landlord wants to have their properties rented out to people who are into drugs and cannot afford to make regular rent payments. So education and jobs are the key. The National Government is not only working very hard on increasing social housing supply but also doing its best to address the basics which will in the long term prevent people getting into the homeless situation in the first place. No government can do everything on its own as its resources cannot be stretched beyond limits. Community organisations and other non-governmental must also play a part. To conclude, there is no housing crisis in New Zealand. Labour, Greens and Maori Party are just blowing it up to score some political points.

  12. reason 12
    11 October 2016 at 3:39 pm

    Lynch mob sterotypes from Mike Sabin, paula bennet and tolley are used to demonize and evict tenants from ‘toxic’ state houses, which are non-toxic…..

    As an example if a child were prescribed the prescription medicine Desoxyn http://www.healthyplace.com/other-info/psychiatric-medications/methamphetamine-desoxyn-full-prescribing-information/ …..

    and if we dissolved their daily dosage of 25mg into enough liters of water ….we could make a solution to spray and contaminate the surface area for approximatly 50,000 ‘ failed meth tests…. and up to $600,000,000 of ‘decontamination’ costs if we had sprayed this incredibly diluted childs dose of prescription medicine onto interior new zealand house walls ….$600 million worth of ‘cleanup’ from a small amount of childs prescription medicine .

    For even more stupid numbers consider that a 400mg or 500 mg overdose of Desoxyn may not be a fatal dose and kill a child ……. but at current testing levels its enough to contaminate 1 million homes ……….. do we have that many homes in NZ?

    Its a shame they have created and funded a scam industry to waste millions and millions on …

    I guess it serves Bennett and the nats purposes …………………Housing is for speculators

    There is no such thing as debt in john keys book ………… only leveage

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Long stories short, here’s the top six news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer:The month of August was 1.49˚C warmer than pre-industrial levels, tying with 2023 for the warmest August ever, according ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to Sept 7

    The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-hosts and talking about the week’s news with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on the latest climate science on rising temperatures and the debate about how to responde to climate disinformation; and special guest ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Have We an Infrastructure Deficit?

    An Infrastructure New Zealand report says we are keeping up with infrastructure better than we might have thought from the grumbling. But the challenge of providing for the future remains.I was astonished to learn that the quantity of our infrastructure has been keeping up with economic growth. Your paper almost ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    6 days ago
  • Councils reject racism

    Last month, National passed a racist law requiring local councils to remove their Māori wards, or hold a referendum on them at the 2025 local body election. The final councils voted today, and the verdict is in: an overwhelming rejection. Only two councils out of 45 supported National's racist agenda ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • Homage to Simeon Brown

    Open to all - happy weekend ahead, friends.Today I just want to be petty. It’s the way I imagine this chap is -Not only as a political persona. But his real-deal inner personality, in all its glory - appears to be pure pettiness & populist driven.Sometimes I wonder if Simeon ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • Government of deceit

    When National cut health spending and imposed a commissioner on Te Whatu Ora, they claimed that it was necessary because the organisation was bloated and inefficient, with "14 layers of management between the CEO and the patient". But it turns out they were simply lying: Health Minister Shane Reti’s ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • The professionals actually think and act like our Government has no fiscal crisis at all

    Treasury staff at work: The demand for a new 12-year Government bond was so strong, Treasury decided to double the amount of bonds it sold. Photo: Lynn GrievesonMōrena. Long stories short; here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Friday, September ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 6-September-2024

    Welcome to another Friday and another roundup of stories that caught our eye this week. As always, this and every post is brought to you by the Greater Auckland crew. If you like our work and you’d like to see more of it, we invite you to join our regular ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    6 days ago
  • Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies; Excerpt Four.

    Internal versus external security. Regardless of who rules, large countries can afford to separate external and internal security functions (even if internal control functions predominate under authoritarian regimes). In fact, given the logic of power concentration and institutional centralization of … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    6 days ago
  • A Hole In The River

    There's a hole in the river where her memory liesFrom the land of the living to the air and skyShe was coming to see him, but something changed her mindDrove her down to the riverThere is no returnSongwriters: Neil Finn/Eddie RaynerThe king is dead; long live the queen!Yesterday was a ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • Bright Blue His Jacket Ain’t But I Love This Fellow: A Review and Analysis of The Rings of Power E...

    My conclusion last week was that The Rings of Power season two represented a major improvement in the series. The writing’s just so much better, and honestly, its major problems are less the result of the current episodes and more creatures arising from season one plot-holes. I found episode three ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    6 days ago
  • Who should we thank for the defeat of the Nazis

    As a child in the 1950s, I thought the British had won the Second World War because that’s what all our comics said. Later on, the films and comics told me that the Americans won the war. In my late teens, I found out that the Soviet Union ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    7 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #36 2024

    Open access notables Diurnal Temperature Range Trends Differ Below and Above the Melting Point, Pithan & Schatt, Geophysical Research Letters: The globally averaged diurnal temperature range (DTR) has shrunk since the mid-20th century, and climate models project further shrinking. Observations indicate a slowdown or reversal of this trend in recent decades. ...
    Skeptical Science
    7 days ago
  • Join us for the weekly Hoon on YouTube Live at 5pm

    Photo by Jenny Bess on UnsplashCome and join us for our weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream for our chat about the week’s news with special guests:5.00 pm - 5.10 pm - Bernard and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    7 days ago
  • Media Link: Discussing the NZSIS Security Threat Report.

    I was interviewed by Mike Hosking at NewstalkZB and a few other media outlets about the NZSIS Security Threat Report released recently. I have long advocated for more transparency, accountability and oversight of the NZ Intelligence Community, and although the … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    7 days ago
  • How do I make this better for people who drive Ford Rangers?

    Home, home again to a long warm embrace. Plenty of reasons to be glad to be back.But also, reasons for dejection.You, yes you, Simeon Brown, you odious little oik, you bible thumping petrol-pandering ratfucker weasel. You would be Reason Number One. Well, maybe first among equals with Seymour and Of-Seymour ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 days ago
  • A missed opportunity

    The government introduced a pretty big piece of constitutional legislation today: the Parliament Bill. But rather than the contentious constitutional change (four year terms) pushed by Labour, this merely consolidates the existing legislation covering Parliament - currently scattered across four different Acts - into one piece of legislation. While I ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    7 days ago
  • Nicola Willis Seeks New Sidekick To Help Fix NZ’s Economy

    Synopsis:Nicola Willis is seeking a new Treasury Boss after Dr Caralee McLiesh’s tenure ends this month. She didn’t listen to McLiesh. Will she listen to the new one?And why is Atlas Network’s Taxpayers Union chiming in?Please consider subscribing or supporting my work. Thanks, Tui.About CaraleeAt the beginning of July, Newsroom ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Inflation alive and kicking in our land of the long white monopolies

    The golden days of profit continue for the the Foodstuffs (Pak’n’Save and New World) and Woolworths supermarket duopoly. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMōrena. Long stories short; here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Thursday, September 5:The Groceries Commissioner has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The thermodynamics of electric vs. internal combustion cars

    This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler I love thermodynamics. Thermodynamics is like your mom: it may not tell you what you can do, but it damn well tells you what you can’t do. I’ve written a few previous posts that include thermodynamics, like one on air capture of ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago
  • Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies: Excerpt Three.

    The notion of geopolitical  “periphery.” The concept of periphery used here refers strictly to what can be called the geopolitical periphery. Being on the geopolitical periphery is an analytic virtue because it makes for more visible policy reform in response … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    1 week ago
  • Venus Hum

    Fill me up with soundThe world sings with me a million smiles an hourI can see me dancing on my radioI can hear you singing in the blades of grassYellow dandelions on my way to schoolBig Beautiful Sky!Song: Venus Hum.Good morning, all you lovely people, and welcome to the 700th ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • I Went to a Creed Concert

    Note: The audio attached to this Webworm compliments today’s newsletter. I collected it as I met people attending a Creed concert. Their opinions may differ to mine. Read more ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 week ago
  • Government migration policy backfires; thousands of unemployed nurses

    The country has imported literally thousands of nurses over the past few months yet whether they are being employed as nurses is another matter. Just what is going on with HealthNZ and it nurses is, at best, opaque, in that it will not release anything but broad general statistics and ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 week ago
  • A Time For Unity.

    Emotional Response: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon addresses mourners at the tangi of King Tuheitia on Turangawaewae Marae on Saturday, 31 August 2024.THE DEATH OF KING TUHEITIA could hardly have come at a worse time for Maoridom. The power of the Kingitanga to unify te iwi Māori was demonstrated powerfully at January’s ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • Climate Change: Failed again

    National's tax cut policies relied on stealing revenue from the ETS (previously used to fund emissions reduction) to fund tax cuts to landlords. So how's that going? Badly. Today's auction failed again, with zero units (of a possible 7.6 million) sold. Which means they have a $456 million hole in ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago
  • Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies: Excerpt Two.

    A question of size. Small size generally means large vulnerability. The perception of threat is broader and often more immediate for small countries. The feeling of comparative weakness, of exposure to risk, and of potential intimidation by larger powers often … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    1 week ago
  • Nicola Willis’s Very Unserious Bungling of the Kiwirail Interislander Cancellation

    Open to all with kind thanks to all subscribers and supporters.Today, RNZ revealed that despite MFAT advice to Nicola Willis to be very “careful and deliberate” in her communications with the South Korean government, prior to any public announcement on cancelling Kiwirail’s i-Rex, Willis instead told South Korea 26 minutes ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Satisfying the Minister’s Speed Obsession

    The Minister of Transport’s speed obsession has this week resulted in two new consultations for 110km/h speed limits, one in Auckland and one in Christchurch. There has also been final approval of the Kapiti Expressway to move to 110km/h following an earlier consultation. While the changes will almost certainly see ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    1 week ago
  • What if we freed up our streets, again?

    This guest post is by Tommy de Silva, a local rangatahi and freelance writer who is passionate about making the urban fabric of Tāmaki Makaurau-Auckland more people-focused and sustainable. New Zealand’s March-April 2020 Level 4 Covid response (aka “lockdown”) was somehow both the best and worst six weeks of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    1 week ago
  • No Alarms And No Surprises

    A heart that's full up like a landfillA job that slowly kills youBruises that won't healYou look so tired, unhappyBring down the governmentThey don't, they don't speak for usI'll take a quiet lifeA handshake of carbon monoxideAnd no alarms and no surprisesThe fabulous English comedian Stewart Lee once wrote a ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Five ingenious ways people could beat the heat without cranking the AC

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Daisy Simmons Every summer brings a new spate of headlines about record-breaking heat – for good reason: 2023 was the hottest year on record, in keeping with the upward trend scientists have been clocking for decades. With climate forecasts suggesting that heat waves ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago
  • No new funding for cycling & walking

    Studies show each $1 of spending on walking and cycling infrastructure produces $13 to $35 of economic benefits from higher productivity, lower healthcare costs, less congestion, lower emissions and lower fossil fuel import costs. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMōrena. Long stories short; here’s my top six things to note ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • 99

    Dad turned 99 today.Hell of a lot of candles, eh?He won't be alone for his birthday. He will have the warm attention of my brother, and my sister, and everyone at the rest home, the most thoughtful attentive and considerate people you could ever know. On Saturday there will be ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • Getting the healthcare you need, when you need it

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Associate Minister of Finance David Seymour is encouraged by significant improvements to overseas investment decision timeframes, and the enhanced interest from investors as the Government continues to reform overseas investment. “There were about as many foreign direct investment applications in July and August as there was across the six months ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • New Zealand to join Operation Olympic Defender

    New Zealand has accepted an invitation to join US-led multi-national space initiative Operation Olympic Defender, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. Operation Olympic Defender is designed to coordinate the space capabilities of member nations, enhance the resilience of space-based systems, deter hostile actions in space and reduce the spread of ...
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