Daily review 10/02/2020

Written By: - Date published: 5:51 pm, February 10th, 2020 - 95 comments
Categories: Daily review - Tags:

Daily review is also your post.

This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Don’t forget to be kind to each other …

95 comments on “Daily review 10/02/2020 ”

  1. adam 1

    Looking good for Sinn Féin. Left wing populism winning – who would have thought it.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-51432660

    • Muttonbird 1.1

      Great news.

      Seems a direct (if partial) rejection of Ireland's medium term history of accomodating tax-dodging multinationals. Where those multinationals find a cheap haven, the poor in other tax jurisdictions suffer. Pretty selfish behaviour from Ireland’s right wing governments but who is surprised?

      Also heartening is the increased support for Sinn Fein's mission – Irish reunification. Hope to see this in 5 years.

      Soon Britain will consist of just England and Wales!

      • Chris T 1.1.1

        Your problem is a lot of the people in your dream united Ireland don't.

        Yay. Back to the troubles and rioting

        • Muttonbird 1.1.1.1

          It only takes a majority. The pendulum seems to be swinging in that respect.

          Momentum is a wonderful thing. And I think England's decision to Brexit accelerated that momentum.

          Seriously though, Ireland should be united. The circumstances behind the partition simply do not apply now.

        • SPC 1.1.1.2

          Not if the united Ireland retained a NI parliament and allowed people to retain a British passport.

    • ScottGN 1.2

      They only fielded 42 candidates in the 40 multi-member seats out of a possible 160 TDs in the Dail. So while they have a higher primary vote than either Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil they won’t have as many TDs when it’s all counted.

    • SPC 1.3

      Nothing wrong with getting the most first preference votes. But they cannot form a government if they have less than 40 seats and need 81 to have a majority.

      Only Fianna Fail (most elected) can form the next government, they have 3 choices for coalition Fine Gael, Sinn Fein or everyone else (Greens, Labour, Social Democrats and a lot of independents – a lot of cats to herd together).

  2. Muttonbird 2

    Farrar watch:

    This clown is losing it. He's asking for the Prime Minister to suspend Winston Peters, "as he is now under Police investigation."

    A bare-faced lie.

    • james 2.1

      Actually – you are the bare faced liar.

      Hes not asking for the PM to do anything

      He asked "Will the Prime Minister suspend the Deputy Prime Minister as he is now under Police investigation? Of course not."

      You cant even lie well – fakenewsMcMutton

      • Muttonbird 2.1.1

        He is by asking the question, of course.

        Farrar is claiming Winston Peters is under Police investigation.

        That is a lie for political gain.

        Try spin your way out of it if you must.

        • James 2.1.1.1

          Nope he’s not asking for the prime minister to do anything.

          you rant and rave and lie – but it’s there for all to see. Your a liar.

          just like you were happy to call a guy who never raped anyone a rapist.

          you should try being more honest.

          [a bit less of the abuse please. There’s plenty of politics to address instead – weka]

          • Muttonbird 2.1.1.1.1

            There has been a curious development in right wing social media campaigning led by the likes of Topham Guerin who assisted with Scomo's and Bojo's campaigns.

            One of the tactics is to dumb down their social media posts and memes, deliberately using poor or overly simple grammar, and employing the dreaded comic sans font.

            It's been suggested that this is a way to pit working class left-wing folk against the so called liberal elite. It’s a way to appeal to under-educated people.

            I have wondered in my own way (and been suspended for it) whether you deliberately employ this practice also.

            Do you deliberately mis-spell and post dumb stuff for effect?

            Or is that just you?

          • weka 2.1.1.1.2

            mod note for you James.

      • Robert Guyton 2.1.2

        Farrar is claiming the PM will not. Speculation. Designed to undermined the PM's credibility.

        "Will the Prime Minister suspend the Deputy Prime Minister as he is now under Police investigation? Of course not."

        My bold.

      • SPC 2.1.3

        He said that Peters was under police investigation.

        The investigation is over the NZF party’s handling of donations.

    • SPC 2.2

      The Electoral Commission could have just said these matters need further investigation. But they have categorically stated it is their belief that donation returns from NZ First broke the law.

      Which is untrue.

      “The Commission does not have the investigative powers to form a view about whether this failure to transmit and the non-disclosure means offences have been committed.”

      • James 2.2.1

        Not quite. They clearly said:

        Based on the information available, we have formed the view that the New Zealand First Foundation has received donations which should have been treated as party donations for the New Zealand First Party. In the Commission’s view, the donations were not properly transmitted to the Party and not disclosed as required by the Electoral Act 1993.

        so they are clear they believe their actions were not in keeping with the act

        The Commission does not have the investigative powers to form a view about whether this failure to transmit and the non-disclosure means offences have been committed. These matters have therefore been referred to the New Zealand Police, which have the necessary powers to investigate the knowledge and intent of those involved in fundraising, donating, and reporting donations.

        so it looks like they are investing who had knowledge and the intent. There could be some very worried Nz first people.

        thinknof all those ex insiders who are happily going to throw Winston under the bus.

        • Muttonbird 2.2.1.1

          Yet Farrar, and yourself dutifully following him, is claiming already Peters had knowledge and intent and that he is under Police investigation.

          The SFO has set itself a very high bar indeed when they refused to charge Simon Bridges over an identical situation.

          • James 2.2.1.1.1

            Refused to charge bridges over an identical situation??

            really. Back it up – I tell you what – I’ll bet you a months ban you can’t back that up.

            Edit – just seem weka’s comment. I won’t edit comment as we know how much you like that.

          • James 2.2.1.1.2

            Hey muttonbird – you seem to have gone quiet.

            to help this is what NZFirst are accused of – can you show where They refused to charge bridges for the identical situation?

            ”Based on the information available, we have formed the view that the New Zealand First Foundation has received donations which should have been treated as party donations for the New Zealand First Party. In the Commission’s view, the donations were not properly transmitted to the Party and not disclosed as required by the Electoral Act 1993.”

            [you’re in premod until I see links for quotes in two comment now, as requested below. Long term commenters shouldn’t need reminding about this, and my patience is wearing thin having to spend moderator time on this and putting out a flame war. – weka]

            • Robert Guyton 2.2.1.1.2.1

              Why oh why won't the SFO listen to David Farrar??

              Why????

            • weka 2.2.1.1.2.2

              another mod note.

            • James 2.2.1.1.2.3

              I had thought that you were asking quotes where muttonbird was making claims that are demonstrably false. I offered him to back them up with a bet of a months ban but s/he seems to have gone quite when asked to back it up.

              as for backing up my quotes. Apologies for not putting the link https://elections.nz/media-and-news/2020/statement-on-donations-enquiries/

              both came from the same statement. I did not link it as it was the statement specifically being discussed. Where I was replying to SPC who also quoted from here (without linking).

              • weka

                Thanks. I’m basically at the end of my patience with this stuff, and pretty fucked off that the time spent on various moderations last night could have been used to put a post up. Making notes in the back end so that if regulars do this stuff again, I’ll just be issuing short bans. Everyone knows what the deal is with quoting and linking, Incog and I have been giving direction on this for months. The onus is on commenters to read through comments and check what is going on so we don’t have to. Commenting here is a privilege, not a personal argument platform.

        • weka 2.2.1.2

          If you're going to quote, you have to provide a link. Please do so now for both quotes.

        • SPC 2.2.1.3

          They certainly did not categorically say that there had been a breaking of the law – given they were not sure that offences were committed

        • Sacha 2.2.1.4

          they believe their actions were not in keeping with the [A]ct

          Which does not establish the legs of an offence under that dratted law, including intent.

          Nice try on Farrar's part though. Must have been some foaming Natbois out there today splunking all over their keyboards.

          • SPC 2.2.1.4.1

            I made a bit of a mess on that blogpost. I felt it a public service to prevent them from getting their hopes back up after the latest poll … .

      • weka 2.2.2

        If you're going to quote, you have to provide a link. Please do so now for both quotes.

  3. Muttonbird 3

    And there it is on Day 1. The 'some of my best friends are Maori(s)' line.

    The first of the witnesses for the plaintiff was Sir Robert Jones himself, who talked about having "numerous Māori friends".

    Could this walking skeleton be any more unaware? Any less relevant?

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/409187/sir-bob-jones-maori-gratitude-day-column-clearly-tongue-in-cheek-lawyer

  4. Muttonbird 4

    And answer me this. Why is Mr Bob Jones allowed to use emotive language in his testimony, yet the defendant is constrained to official lawyer terms (at this point)?

    "Despite my life-long involvement with writing, I have enormous difficulty expressing the sheer degree of anger I feel about Maihi's unforgivable and disgraceful, personal attention-seeking efforts at my expense."

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/409187/sir-bob-jones-maori-gratitude-day-column-clearly-tongue-in-cheek-lawyer

    As for the reference to attention-seeking, what has Mr Bob Jones done absolutely all his life?

    To me this is and open and shut case for the defence but the justice system is heavily weighted in favour of the powerful…

    • Blazer 4.1

      Jones has a good record in defamation cases.

      His connections are impeccable.

      I always think of all the investors he stiffed in RJI and the ludicrous excuses he offered.

      As for philandering…well …best we wait till the litigious old hypocrite tips over before we ..expand.

    • gsays 4.2

      "Despite my life-long involvement with writing, I have enormous difficulty expressing the sheer degree of anger I feel about Maihi's unforgivable and disgraceful, personal attention-seeking efforts at my expense."

      And yet, he believes in free speech.

  5. Fireblade 5

    Why is Simon wearing a cycle helmet with feathers stuck on it?

  6. Sabine 6

    @ weka

    i have answered one of your comments on the offending comment of mine.

    I stated that it was my comment, and that i had no idea where the 2 came from. It is clearly a comment of mine considering the tone and comment. 🙂

    i will not wait several days for the reply system to work to show me where you have left three comments as that would be a bit much.

    essentially you can leave my comments in moderation or you can release them.

    • weka 6.1

      Sabine, you're not causing offense, it's just that there are two different Sabine comments going on, from two different email addresses and IP addresses. I need to know if you are the other one i.e. are you also commenting from a different device using a different email and internet access. Please see here (link was missing from my last comment sorry).

      https://thestandard.org.nz/will-bernie-sanders-unseat-donald-trump/#comment-1683703

      • weka 6.1.1

        In the meantime, because this is driving me nuts, I will amend the other commenter to Other Sabine, so we can all tell the difference.

        • weka 6.1.1.1

          You can also see that the gravatars (coloured design beside your name) are two different colours. The system is recognising two different IDs because of the email addresses.

        • Sabine 6.1.1.2

          again Weka, it is me. It is my comment. I wrote it. and for some reason there was a 2 next to my name and i have no idea how that happened.

          This is exactly what i have already told you.

          And fwiw, i suggest that next time rather then put a commentator in moderation simply leave your questions as to the person under the comment and allow for a public answer – after all you are publicly commenting. Also you should be able to check IP adresses and email addresses if you suspect foul play.

          Last, The tap 'reply' that allows us to see if someone answered does not always show replys in real time and thus it can be a hard time finding several comments of several thread by a moderator as we are all aware as this is often enough discussed.

          As for the gravatars i have no idea i don't pay attention to them.

          And yes, sometimes i comment from home and sometimes i comment from work and these are the only two devices i have and thus you should have two IP adresses with my name and one email address – and even if there is a second email address i would guess that one two starts with ‘Sabine’.. Good Grief.
          I have used this name here ever since i started, it is my name and sometimes accidents happen, but this is no reason to keep a poster who is not accused of an infraction in purgatory just because not enough mea culpa and chest beating has been given.
          [Snip. Peace and mungbeans to you all. Sabine the machine automatically puts comments into moderation if it detects a change in the email or commenter’s name – MS]

          • weka 6.1.1.2.1

            I’m pretty unwell this week, I don’t have the energy to read that sorry. It’s a pretty simple request: are you using two different email addresses to comment on TS or not? If so, this caused some problems because we can’t initially tell if it’s a new commenter using the same name. We don’t allow two people to use the same commenting handle. My request is a routine moderator request trying to sort that out.

            Moderation for many of us basically comes down to not having to spend time on moderation. You ended up in premod because I was spending too much time in the clunky back end system on my slow internet connection trying to figure out what was going on.

            My suggestion is people start taking moderation seriously. I don’t take moderation action lightly and I’m pretty good at explaining what is going on for those that ask. When people do that things can get cleared up quickly. Reacting against something that isn’t happening and having a go at me just prolongs things and makes me way less likely to spend the time helping someone out.

            This isn’t personal to you and wasn’t any kind of punishment. I am however getting increasingly frustated at the long term regulars here thinking that somehow moderation or the site rules don’t apply to them. My tendency atm is to moderate to lessen the work for moderation.

    • weka 6.2

      Ok, it looks to me like you are the same person. I'm going to link and show you what I mean. Please choose ONE email address and stick to it. If you need help with that, ask, but it looks like you are commenting from two different devices that have the different email addresses pre-loaded.

      Lavender Sabine,

      https://thestandard.org.nz/daily-review-10-02-2020/#comment-1683954

      Marine Sabine,

      https://thestandard.org.nz/will-bernie-sanders-unseat-donald-trump/#comment-1683501

  7. Sacha 7

    Latest (text-only) summary from RNZ News on Concert FM saga: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/409210/prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-frustrated-by-rnz-concert-proposal-timing

    Ends with lawyer Chris Finlayson citing those well-known NZ musicians Brahms and Amy Winehouse.

    • Ad 7.1

      I'm enjoying seeing Minister Fa'afoi growing in stature and responsibility, but this is a real bad'un. I'd like to blame it on Stiassny's involvement, since he was the one who precipitated the ongoing tragedy at NZTA as Chair.

      Ardern is moving fast because RNZ is the loyal older segment with a massive collective voting base … and we are pissed.

      RNZ and TVNZ have been working with the Minister on several reviews including one big Cabinet options paper last year, and another one this year.

      So there is utterly no excuse for RNZ to make a massive programming change while the terms of the review are getting clarified, and the business case for (whatever it is) is just getting underway.

      IMHO this must necessitate the RNZ Chair being called to the office for a Please Explain, followed by a public You Are On Notice.

      The whole of RNZ and its Board must surely see what is at stake at the moment.

      If they don't understand that, then it's time to remove and refresh the lot of them.

      • Sacha 7.1.1

        I'd like to blame it on Stiassny's involvement, since he was the one who precipitated the ongoing tragedy at NZTA as Chair.

        Nope. He was brought in to clean up the mess.

        • Ad 7.1.1.1

          Nope he made it far, far worse and it's still only starting to recover. Very slowly.

          • Sacha 7.1.1.1.1

            Worse than years of not performing their regulatory function?

            • Ad 7.1.1.1.1.1

              Yes. 3 CEOs in 3 years. 0 senior management remaining through that. Perpetual and fast and violent restructures. Spectacular waste of decades of I.P.

              And to "solve" the regulatory issues, NZTA are now fully captured by Meredith Connell. They can't get rid of them. Meredith Connell were personally required to come in by Michael Stiassny.

              The only place public transport has improved in NZ in this entire term as far as I'm aware is the Queenstown Airport-Queenstown bus. Otherwise it's become more expensive and no more reliable.

              And yes, that's this term.

      • Sacha 7.1.2

        I would agree RNZ's Board are skating on thin ice.

      • SPC 7.1.3

        A more corporate RNZ – broken in by funding restraint under the last government, aware of possible merger with the commercial TVNZ and thus armed with a focus on the future/youth market (another cutting back of historical RNZ) and presenting themselves ready and competent for the BRAND new world to come – just imagine the added value to their CV if they are in at the ground floor of this merged MEDIA giant.

        If they noticed the Labour manifesto, they must have thought they and Cabinet were above petty partisan politics – they were GOVERNMENT media.

        • Sacha 7.1.3.1

          To prepare for merged services with TVNZ they also need to move more operations to Auckland – such as a new youth channel team, just up the road from TVNZ's recording studios!

        • Ad 7.1.3.2

          Supposedly radio and tv will remain separate entities.

          But like you I'm deeply suspicious.

          The government has taken so long to gets its shit together on this and being just 7 months from election and 5 from its campaign, and taken two goes at Cabinet for it already, and will need to come back to Cabinet for a couple more.

          So no wonder people are already up in arms generating petitions.

          If they've got 20,000 on a petition just for Concert FM, imagine the beast they will awaken if they dick around with RNZ proper.

          My bet this whole idea gets well and truly kicked to the next government.

          If National gets in, it's dead as a doorknob.

          If Labour get back in, it will stay last on the legislative agenda for a fair old while.

          • Sacha 7.1.3.2.1

            Thanks, Clare Curran.

          • Ed1 7.1.3.2.2

            "If Labour get back in, it will stay last on the legislative agenda for a fair old while."

            Labour did not "get in" at the last election without two other parties – we do have three parties in Government. I believe that it has worked remarkably well, largely due to enough Leaders and MPs working hard to make it work. But when something controversial is put forward, it must satisfy three parties. That sometimes makes things a little slower than some would like, but it has been said that it is not just a "feature"of MMP, but is an advantage, as the need for discussion and compromise means that we get legislation that is more likely to represent the balance of views of New Zealanders. National lost support parties as they could not handle negotiations for support – they still think the largest party has a right to govern. Perhaps the words should have been "If Labour / NZ First / Greens get back in, it will stay . . ."

          • OnceWasTim 7.1.3.2.3

            Like you, I'm pleased to see Faafoi gain in stature as you suggest. Being charitable though, it's possible he's had a bit too much on his plate – like a couple of others and/or doesn't have that good a bullshit/trust detector.

            I'm not sure as far as broadcasting in general goes, the can can be kicked down the road for much longer especially when there are some viable solutions.

            At the back of my mind I'm wondering whether Jane Wrightson (formerly NZonAir) chose to get the hell out of it while the getting is good.

            Yesterday, I also came across a couple of other life-long Labour suppotas considering jumping ship over this whole debacle. The change in language/spin didn't go unnoticed either. 'Age' will be replaced by 'life-stages' for example, as either the back-peddling or doubling down begins

      • weka 7.1.4

        I'm pissed and I don't even listen to CFM. My parents do though, and I expect the optics of replacing the oldies with the young 'uns isn't going to play well for many either, nor dumping that shit into the generation war. Mindboggling that the board or management thought this was a goer.

  8. Sacha 8

    Toby Manhire on smells that linger: https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/10-02-2020/as-sfo-probes-nz-first-donations-ardern-is-visited-by-the-ghost-of-scandals-past/

    This time, in circumstances that are eerily similar, Jacinda Ardern told her post-cabinet press conference that she hadn’t discussed any stand-down.

    Still, the question Ardern will face, over and over again, is why she isn’t doing what Clark did.

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    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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

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