Daily Review 16/05/2017

Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, May 16th, 2017 - 49 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 …

49 comments on “Daily Review 16/05/2017 ”

  1. Anne 1

    Yet again!

    http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-classified-information-russia-intel-white-house-minister-ambassador-lavrov-kislyak-isis-a7737706.html

    In his meeting with Mr Lavrov, Mr Trump was said to have boasted about his inside knowledge of the looming threat. “I get great intel. I have people brief me on great intel every day,” Mr Trump reportedly said.

    Like he’s talking about the women he meets:

    “I meet great women in this job. Some of them have great legs”.

    Shishhhh

    • Cemetery Jones 1.1

      All good by me. So much good video of militants getting BTFO by Russia and Syria, long may it continue.

  2. Andre 3

    Why the motherfucker resigning really is our best hope to be rid of him.

    https://www.vox.com/2017/5/15/15644826/trump-ryan-mcconnell-congress-impeach-end-presidency

    But if he did resign, would he go meekly with some excuse like “medical reasons” or would he try for a blaze of glory with a line like “The only people willing to waste their time working for me in government are idiots and losers so I can’t be bothered anymore. Your loss, suckers”

    • BM 3.2

      There’s millions and millions of Trump believers out there who categorically believe there are forces in play desperately trying to take down Trump, he’s their man and they’ll fight for him if required.

      If Trump is forced out the US could fall apart.

      • Andre 3.2.1

        Yep. I’m surprised the Vox piece didn’t talk about that aspect. But if Republicans vote to impeach Trump, they will wear the rage of Trumpkins forever. Which I’m sure they’re keenly aware of.

        • BM 3.2.1.1

          The Trumpkins are really unhinged.

          It’s actually quite disturbing to see intelligent thinking people switch off the logical part of their brain when there’s anything remotely negative about Trump.

          it’s like Christians having their faith in God questioned, the shutters go down and that’s it all information is blocked.

          • mickysavage 3.2.1.1.1

            If that happens, and I agree it is a possibility the democrats should apologise for their timidity and their careerism and the republicans should apologise for their stupidity and their attempt to garner the support of fundamentalist christians for their plans of neoliberalism dominance.

      • Draco T Bastard 3.2.2

        There’s millions and millions of Trump believers out there who categorically believe there are forces in play desperately trying to take down Trump, he’s their man and they’ll fight for him if required.

        Yes, it’s well known that authoritarian followers always defend their leaders no matter what the leader does. We see it so much from the RWNJs on this sight as well.

        If Trump is forced out the US could fall apart.

        That could do the world a whole lot of good.

      • Muttonbird 3.2.3

        A bit melodramatic isn’t it? You’ve been watching too many hollywood movies.

    • Draco T Bastard 3.3

      “We have no way to know what was said, but protecting our nation’s secrets is paramount,” House Speaker Paul Ryan’s spokesperson said in a statement. “The speaker hopes for a full explanation of the facts from the administration.”

      Such meetings should be fully recorded for both sight and sound.

      He acknowledged that it was in the president’s right to declassify classified information — however “disturbing.”

      but surely there should be some sort of process to it rather than just having the president blurt whatever whenever?

      And, of course, Republicans are the majority party in the House and Senate.

      Which means that neither house will hold the other accountable until the brown stuff hits the whirly thing.

      So much for the power of multicameral houses to bring about better decisions.

      But the matter is in Ryan and McConnell’s hands, and no one else’s. As long as they remain on Trump’s side, the president is going nowhere.

      Which tells us that there’s a major problem with bringing political criminals to court.

      • Andre 3.3.1

        I’ve long thought there might be merit in having two equal versions of things like the Oversight Committee, one controlled by the majority party and one controlled by the minority or opposition party. Both versions with equal tools and powers like subpoena power.

        • Draco T Bastard 3.3.1.1

          And what happens when they come up with contradictory answers?

          • Andre 3.3.1.1.1

            At least some light has been shone into murky corners for the voters to see what’s there and help them make up their minds.

            With the present system the majority party has the power to turn off the lights when they start getting near something nasty.

    • Ad 3.4

      The Democrats in government are so crap and hated, Trump needs to stay in power for at least a full term for any meaningful opposition to the Republicans to arise.

      • Andre 3.4.1

        Well, there’s still the paradox of how almost everyone hates Congress, but almost always re-elect their incumbent.

        I reckon the best scenario for Dems is Trump stays in past the 2018 midterms, which spook the Repugs enough that they evict Trump in 2019 thereby earning the eternal wrath of the Trumpkins. But I’m not sure that’s the best scenario for America’s long term future.

        • Ad 3.4.1.1

          Unless the Democrats really gain some ground in the mid-terms – which is pretty unlikely given the seats in play – I see good ground for a strong Independent presidential candidate rising. Enter ……………. The Rock

  3. joe90 4

    Mutti has a word with the Donald.

    Merkel: "What did I tell you about the Russians?"Trump: "Don't tell them secrets."Merkel: "What did you tell them?"Trump: "Everything." pic.twitter.com/qLJJbxulZF— Alex Cavendish (@PrisonUK) May 15, 2017

  4. greywarshark 5

    If there is one word that I think denotes how screwed up people are about things that are important and should be respected it is the word “Motherfucker”. It seems that it’s regarded as a brave, forthright word that puts somebody in their place who deserves a big kick. But actually the kick rebounds onto women especially mothers who are shown to be just pawns in men’s competitive, brawling games.

    Can this disgusting, demeaning heading be removed. Or can someone who has the technical ability to replace it with some other word with dirty connotations like ‘Resign Chief Turd’.?

    • Rosemary McDonald 5.1

      I second that.

      Thanks greywarshark.

      • greywarshark 5.1.1

        Rosemary Mc
        You know what things are important, such as on a left-wing blog one of the main writers and a person of standing choosing to endorse that disgraceful term, just because the common people use it. It’s not that it is commonly used, it is more something that those with no boundaries or respect for others use.

        To me it is worse than many of the things hotly argued here, on the basis that they demonstrated a rape culture mentality. Just a trio of us have commented about this blog on the Standard.

    • Incognito 5.2

      Resign Pompous POTUS

      Resign Preposterous POTUS

      Don Begone

      Dump Trump

      Bump Trump

      Jump Trump

      • greywarshark 5.2.1

        Thanks Incognito and Rosemary
        Can we have some acknowledgement that the above slogan is not acceptable.
        Or be equally derogatory and have Resign Fatherfucker.

        I know it is encouraging violence (which the bent would probably consider worse than defrocking mothers) but Thump Trump could come next, or Resign Poxy POTUS.

        [I chose the graphic. The phrase is part of the vernacular. I’m happy to use the alternative. My view is that it does not encourage violence but expresses extreme disgust – MS]

        • Incognito 5.2.1.1

          @ MS, it is not as if it is Mother’s Day today, is it?

          I personally dislike the (American) slang and the crass vulgarity but Hey, that’s just my opinion.

        • greywarshark 5.2.1.2

          MS
          ‘vernacular’
          noun: vernacular; noun: the vernacular
          1.
          the language or dialect spoken by the ordinary people of a country or region.

          I think some people are more ordinary than others.

          You demonstrate how far we have all gone from having respect for others, and particularly people who are generally good people but not feted much, and rather vulnerable to the vagaries of the fickle, materialistic and unempathetic in society, mothers.

          Mothers aren’t just objects to adopt sentimental attitudes to on ‘their Day’. Mothers may be seen as pathetic to some, often objects of scorn or blame to the psychopath but don’t bite the hand that made you and feeds you should be the attitude widely held in a practical, if not principled, society.

  5. Muttonbird 6

    It’s almost as if the Nats deliberately got Ngaro to throw the dead cat in order to distract from the Labour Party congress…

  6. Muttonbird 7

    Oh dear.

    A European advocacy group has ranked New Zealand 158th out of 165 countries on children’s rights.

    Ethiopia is ranked 137th on child rights, ahead of New Zealand.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11857119

    • Muttonbird 7.1

      I spent 6 weeks in Thailand recently for work and 2 days in Hokianga this last Sunday and Monday, also for work.

      While I didn’t get to many very remote places in Thailand apart from an area North of Chiang Mai near the Myanmar border, I saw that a similar amount of material poverty exists in both countries and I’d say that because of the climate in Thailand, the disadvantaged there are better off than the disadvantaged in NZ with respect to what is considered ‘housing’ in Northland.

      I saw a good effort with schooling in both countries, kids laughing on an open topped bus in the highlands of North Thailand, and a good bus (better than my own kid’s school bus at one of the highest achieving decile 8 schools in Auckland) picking up individual children on metal roads at Mangungu on the Hokianga Harbour.

      NZ’s GDP per capita is USD37K and Thailand’s just USD5K yet their somewhat remote villages in my view have a better quality of life that do those forgotten people of Northland.

  7. Muttonbird 8

    If you want to know what really gets me mad it’s soft, journalism school reporting like this from the oily one, well known National Party supporting RWNJ, Claire Trevett.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11857144

    This thing is relevant to the current discussion around corruption in the current government with respect to NGOs being cut off if they step out of line with National Party policy, no matter how ham-fisted and ill-directed it might be.

    Nowhere in the article does Trivet nail Tolley to the mast on this screw up. To Trevit, Tolley is an innocent and exasperated bystander (rather than the architect of the whole shebang) even though we hear that National Party ministers breathe over their ministries like Darth fucking Vader.

    Nowhere does Treveeit ask Tolley or the government why their ministries are struggling to implement this weird ‘social investment’ approach in actual management realities, or what it’s even meant to achieve apart from ‘doing some stuff for poor people on the cheap’. Rather she just goes with the line that ‘it’s all one person at the the ministry’s fault, and Datacom.’

    The only time this National Party suck up Claire trevitt addressed the screw up that is Bill Englishes stupid and rushed think-a-thon on what to do with poor people is a pathetic and robotic paragraph at the end.

    • Ed 8.1

      You only get Trevett’s position if you toe the neoliberal establishment’s line.

  8. Muttonbird 9

    Even thought there’s no credit line, this cut and paste job must be the ‘work’ of Bryce Edwards because it’s his sit-on-the-fence, come to no conclusions style of opinion.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11856955

    I wonder how much he gets paid for this shit.

  9. joe90 10

    .
    Other than the usual over promise under deliver on jobs and regional benefits bullshit, the despoiling of another pristine place, and discharged, and likely tropical, ballast water swimming with invasive exotic marine organisms, what could possibly go wrong?.

    //

    The consents are renewals of permits first given 25 years ago during the first Gulf War, and were granted without public notification.

    Greens environment spokesperson Eugenie Sage said it was outrageous that an area many New Zealanders cared about would be affected in this way without anyone getting a say.

    Ms Sage said the area included sensitive habitats for Hector’s dolphin, penguins and Haast kiwi, and the council had not properly considered the risks.

    The regional council said it was confident it had given thorough regard to the risks.
    Eugenie Sage.

    The company wants to set up the water exporting facility to take water from two alpine lakes and pipe it to tankers for export.

    The project involves redirecting up to 800 litres a second from Tuning Fork Creek to an export facility at Neils Beach.

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/330920/west-coast-water-export-project-approved

    • Jenny Kirk 10.1

      This is appalling – given all the information that has been made public about the despoiling of NZ’s waterways in recent years. And here it comes again – whatever they do, however careful they say they will be – this will ruin these beautiful waterways and the creatures which abide within them. We have lousy laws which makes this sort of thing so easily available to exploiters.

    • bwaghorn 10.2

      imagine what it could do for the west coast if they got 10 cents a litre, better than mining coal.

      • joe90 10.2.1

        No royalties payable on water so the only ones benefiting would be those directly involved.

        • bwaghorn 10.2.1.1

          i know , but a government with balls would stick it on export water tomorrow.

  10. greywarshark 11

    I see the image of the briefcase is still at the head of this post. I see the same words remain. Please remove it asap. When you get time that is. When it suits, if it suits.

      • greywarshark 11.1.1

        I’d like to thump people who put up slick sexist phrases because everyone else is doing it. Just no respect, and I expected better from Micky Savage.

    • Bill 11.2

      It’s gone greywarshark.

      My apologies…to you and the others who were offended. I saw it and thought wtf, but just couldn’t be bothered going through the whole rigmarole of laying out all that was wrong with the phrase or doing anything about it….hoped it would just slip oon by and disappear. Sorry MS – hope you don’t take it personally (if you even notice) . Just doing it and a wee bit pissed off with myself for not speaking up or doing something about it at the time.

      • greywarshark 11.2.1

        Thanks Bill
        I was a bit sick at seeing it and it is good to know you saw the fault. I am not sympathetic to finding fault with some present feminist complaints but acknowledging and respecting each other’s natural and good persona is important.

        Also r0b
        Your headline on the budget is carefully worded, sensitivity shown there.
        I haven’t read it yet, so hope that it does do something for all mothers (and women who need support too, also the men who are also in the line needing support.)

  11. millsy 12

    Donald Trump is impeached, found guilty, resigns and we get….President Mike Pence, devout adherence to the church of neo-liberalism and hard right Christian Dominionism.

    Nice work guys, great effort. Also coming up, we have Paul Ryan, who wants to party like it’s 1799 with the size of government to match – a small army, a small navy, a couple of post offices, a few tax collectors and a weather station or two. And next up, Orrin Hatch, who wants to remotely fry your computer for downloading music from torrent site.

  12. Adrian Thornton 13

    @millsy, exactly right, do people understand that when they get rid of Trump, then they bring in some one smarter ,some one who will be just as bad if not worse, just a better salesman….
    And all the while the Democrats take no responsibility for losing the most winnable election in modern US history ..
    Still have not got rid of the corrupt Donna Brazile
    Hillary still blaming the Russians
    Obama taking $400, 000 from Wall St

    This is where progressives should be focused, reforming their sick and diseased party which has absolutely zero credibility, then start on bring down The Republicans.

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    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
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    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    4 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    5 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    5 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    5 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • There’s a name for this
    Every year, in the Budget, Parliament forks out money to government agencies to do certain things. And every year, as part of the annual review cycle, those agencies are meant to report on whether they have done the things Parliament gave them that money for. Agencies which consistently fail to ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • Echoes of 1968 in 2024?  Pocock on the repetitive problems of the New Left
    Mike Grimshaw writes – Recent events in American universities point to an underlying crisis of coherent thinking, an issue that increasingly affects the progressive left across the Western world. This of course is nothing new as anyone who can either remember or has read of the late ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Two bar blues
    The thing about life’s little victories is that they can be followed by a defeat.Reader Darryl told me on Monday night:Test again Dave. My “head cold” last week became COVID within 24 hours, and is still with me. I hear the new variants take a bit longer to show up ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 13
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Angus Deaton on rethinking his economics IMFLocal scoop: The people behind Tamarind, the firm that left a $500m cleanup bill for taxpayers at Taranaki’s Tui oil well, are back operating in Taranaki under a different company name. Jonathan ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
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    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
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    5 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
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    5 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
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    6 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
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    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Fresh produce price drop welcome
    Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024.  “Lower fruit and vege ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Statement to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
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    6 days ago
  • Speech to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68)
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government backs rural led catchment projects
    The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
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    6 days ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction.   Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
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    7 days ago
  • Commission’s advice on ETS settings tabled
    Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
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    1 week ago
  • Government lowering building costs
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    1 week ago
  • Trustee tax change welcomed
    Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
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    1 week ago
  • Minister’s Ramadan message
    Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness.  It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister appoints new NZTA Chair
    Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
    Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology.  It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Progress continues apace on water storage
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government agrees to restore interest deductions
    Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government has agreed to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties. “Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The Government’s restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax code,” says ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister to attend World Anti-Doping Agency Symposium
    Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Switzerland today to attend an Executive Committee meeting and Symposium of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Mr Bishop will then travel on to London where he will attend a series of meetings in his capacity as Infrastructure Minister. “New Zealanders believe ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Pacific Language Weeks celebrate regional unity
    This year’s Pacific Language Weeks celebrate regional unity and the contribution of Pacific communities to New Zealand culture, says Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti.  Dr Reti announced dates for the 2024 Pacific Language Weeks during a visit to the Pasifika festival in Auckland today and says there’s so ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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