Daily review 21/05/2019

Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, May 21st, 2019 - 76 comments
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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 …

76 comments on “Daily review 21/05/2019 ”

  1. Cinny 1

    Dang, looks like someone got a bit excited lmao, imagine the size of that seagull lololz. Who is the bloke in the pic please?

  2. AB 2

    Golriz Ghahraman gets security escort – the number of threats she has received has spiked. AOC and Ilhan Omar anyone? Young, leftish (though not very) women of colour. So let's not get smug about how much better than the 'Muricans we are.

      • greywarshark 2.1.1

        National used to say any time there was a protest against their government that it was just 'Rent-a-Crowd'. Very dismissive and demeaning. But this USA bunch seem to be possible contenders for turning out on order rather than deep integrity.

    • Sam 2.2

      Well, I dislike a lot of fucking things and I'm not shy to make it known. That this could get me in trouble infuriates me. I'm not advocating harm to anyone. I'm not supporting genocide or pedophilia or some nasty shit, I'm sharing my opinions and thoughts – and you can ignore them, or tell me you hate me back, or shout me down or what ever.

      But legal trouble?

      Get fucked.

      That's one area I envy our colonial cousins.

      • JanM 2.2.1

        What are you trying to say? If you are trying to make a case for abusing someone going about their legitimate business because you don't happen to like something about them, then I Think most civilised people would disagree with you.

        • Sam 2.2.1.1

          Depends on what you view as hate speech. So Andrew Little reaches out to Golriz and her first act as a newly minted MP was to accuse Andrew of criminality. I mean, I've dealt with more angry attacks, insults, and the like from being active on The Standard than I ever did on Kiwi Blog.

          I don't cry about how I deserved a fucking safe space. And if we want to hold an honest conversation about race? I trust the woke radical leftists barely more than I trust the right wing ninjas. After all, to the woke left, we're not real minorities. We're privileged. We are practically white people in their eyes.

      • Macro 2.2.2

        So you don't think politicians who get death threats should get security?

        I take it you have never heard of Jo Cox then ?

        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jo_Cox

        • Sam 2.2.2.1

          It used to be that politicians getting egged was an acceptable form of communication between the public and politicians but getting punched, or God forbid assassinated over climate change, counter terrorism or the farming / gun lobby still has zip fuck all to do with feelings, genitals, skin colour or your fav outrage of the moment what ever the fuck.

          • Macro 2.2.2.1.1

            Well, what that response has to do with anything I'm buggered if I know. Maybe in your mind you are making sense, but I'm sorry, what ever your attempting to communicate is being lost in a bucketful of verbiage and obscenity.

            • McFlock 2.2.2.1.1.1

              If I might be of assistance…

              I speak fluent obscenity.

              I believe Sam is trying to respectfully put forward the proposition that while women (especially women of colour) might not be the most senior, prominent, or vocal politicians speaking out on a diverse range of issues, it's pure coincidence that they bear the brunt of the worst of the vitriol, hate, and murder.

            • Sam 2.2.2.1.1.2

              piss off McTrash. I mean oi, Macro. What do you want me to do about that? Provide you a link for an online dictionary or what…,

              Now try and follow the bouncy ball. Golriz is a Green MP. Green Politics is explicitly non-violent and NOW Golriz has a security detail so by that logic somethings a bit screwy with her politicking of non-violence.

              • George

                Or is it Vivian….? 🤔

              • Macro

                I'm not sure what sort of demented logic could lead you to that conclusion. But I must give you credit for being a first class idiot.

                • Sam

                  I don't think Golriz is that special. In fact I think her surporters (that's people like you, Marcro) reach far to easily for state intervention and sate violence and that means Golriz is executing the politics of non-violence rather poorly. Remember this all kicked off because some idiot in the Greens bullshitted about Golriz legal history. So fuck off with your fake outrage.

                  • Macro

                    Well Spam I don't think your that special either, so arse off and stop spreading shit around here.

                    • Sam

                      And here is another example of an idiot that is talented in the art of explaining how virtuous and confused it is.

                      No no one cares about me you woketard. You started out by claiming to know what I was thinking like a little bitch and now your agenda is clear. It was just an excuse to catch feelings and reasons and when instructed to fuck off you fail at that aswell.

                    • Macro

                      I wonder why no one cares Sam? Perhaps you should look in the mirror.

                    • Sam

                      do you honestly need to broadcast your wonder and amazement? I was saying before you rudely interrupted or I was implying that Golriz is wrong about her hate speech stance because it's not illegal to explain to stupid people that I'm fucked off.

                    • marty mars

                      hey scam – why did you cross the road?

                    • Sam

                      to doggy style your 20 year old daughter.

                      [Take the rest of the day off and clean up your act – Incognito]

                    • Incognito []

                      See my Moderation note @ 10:03 AM.

    • Anne 3.1

      Did I hear correctly? Farage lashed out at his bodyguard and called him " a complete failure" for not stopping the milk-shake thrower. Well, if he's so clever why didn't he duck out of the way? He was just as much a failure as the guard.

      Reminds me of John Key when a distressed individual tried to jump over the Debating Chamber balcony and he (Key) lashed out at Labour leader Phil Goff by making a 'cut throat gesture' to him as if he (Goff) was to blame.

      • McFlock 3.1.2

        Technically Farage is correct, but he was probably advised at least once that a public walkabout when you're a career knob-head is hazardous to your dry-cleaning bill.

        Milkshake Man did a pretty good job, though: didn't focus on Farage until he'd found the gap. Even did an oblique intercept course so it looked like he was going somewhere else, rather than trying to close distance.

        • RedLogix 3.1.2.1

          Cheerfully endorsing assaults on politicians probably won't end well.

          • McFlock 3.1.2.1.1

            As long as they stick to cake ingredients, it's a laugh. The other lot use cars and guns.

            • RedLogix 3.1.2.1.1.1

              If some dork starts working through the Edmonds Cookbook on Jacinda the cookie will crumble differently.

              • McFlock

                If I start getting outraged and call a milkshake "assault" just because it's a leftish person being inconvenienced, feel free to bookmark this discussion and call me a hypocrite.

                I had a mate who reckoned he was once part of a protest that egged Holyoake. Throw food not bombs.

  3. marty mars 4

    wtf is going on here? – this is a very strange situation and there must be more to it.

    Te Papa's world-leading mollusc expert of 50 years has been beaten in a job contest by a researcher who finished his doctorate three years ago.

    The decision has stunned scientists, with one calling it "a f…ing joke".

    Mollusc scientist Bruce Marshall was one of two internationally renowned experts made redundant in Te Papa's controversial restructure. The most prolific namer of species in Te Papa's history, Marshall applied for several replacement positions as part of the restructure, but was told he was not suitable.

    However, just weeks after axing the celebrated scientist, Te Papa advertised for a curator of molluscs, raising questions over whether Marshall's redundancy was genuine. Stuff understands Marshall applied for the new job, but has lost out to post-doctoral researcher Rodrigo Salvador.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/science/112851714/worldleading-te-papa-mollusc-expert-misses-out-on-curator-job

    • BM 4.1

      Cheaper, get someone from overseas for half the cost

      Seems that all the higher skilled jobs are going to foreigners and New Zealanders only get hired for the low paid low skilled jobs.

      Personally, I think it's shit and was hoping this government would have done something about it, that was one of their election promises, cut back on immigration levels, New Zealanders first.

      The fact that immigration is still around record levels tells me those were rather hollow words and Labour is no different to National.

      • Andre 4.1.1

        Salvador had been working at Te Papa since December 2017 as a post-doctoral researcher. So unless this was planned when they took him on 18 months ago, it's not quite a case of just getting someone from overseas.

        Could be just as simple as cost-cutting and ageism, though.

        • BM 4.1.1.1

          The guy is from Latin America which is what I thought.

          Currently NZ is being flooded by Latin Americans because it's so easy to get in NZ especially on a student visa.

          Do your 20 hours a week and when that's done start applying for jobs.

          Get a job, get a different visa and then off to Australia

          • Sabine 4.1.1.1.1

            well, is it not national that constantly whinges how we need that imported workforce cause our own are 'damn near hopeless"?

            Or are you unhappy that some of the migrants are actually educated, skilled and thus a competition to you? Because you never had any issue with the cheap workforce that was imported in great numbers under National – you know the cafe managers, baristas, cow shed cleaners and the like?

            Scared of the competition?

            • Pat 4.1.1.1.1.1

              more afraid of the opposition benches I suspect

            • BM 4.1.1.1.1.2

              I couldn't give a fuck about what National says or any other political party, they're all scum bags who are only concerned with their political careers, not what's good for the country.

              Labour and NZ First know that the student visa is being used as a back door for foreigners to come here and work but they're doing nothing about it.

              Young New Zealanders can't compete because they don't have the experience and are being forced into low paid jobs because businesses are only interested in hiring foreigners who have more experience and skills that they gained back in their home country.

              I think it’s just shit and has to stop.

              • Sabine

                i don't disagree with you,

                but i am surprised as to how you have changed your tune.

                and i don't disagree with you, they are all the same, its just that labour is 'kinder' and is on record of not fucking the country up beyond believe for tax cuts and national is.

                but one thing you can't change, immigration of labour – be it cheap or skilled.

                it is going to happen world wide, it is happening world wide, and you too have that option to go overseas and see if you can make a. more money, b. get more skills, c. make a live there.

                such is life.

                • BM

                  To be honest I actually thought that overseas people were coming here and filling vacant positions that couldn't be filled by New Zealanders. There were all sorts of hurdles that had to be crossed before they could come work in NZ.

                  I've found out that really isn't the story at all and that the real truth is that New Zealanders are getting passed over for highly skilled foreigners who can come in here on student visas with years of experience back in their home countries.

                  Once their course is completed they can apply for full-time work, New Zealanders can't compete and are getting shut out of all the high skill jobs because they don't have the “start now” experience that employers want.

                  All politicians know this, yet they allow it to happen, what a pack of fucking scum bags.

                  • Stuart Munro.

                    Noticeably, you did not 'find out' while the last government were doing it. Yes, it needs cleaning up. Never should have been allowed to happen – gross negligence on the part of the previous government, shambling onward under this one.

                  • Sabine

                    the fact of the matter is that politicians are cynical. They are not leaders. They are not visionaries, they essentially are for the largest part not even able to see a future for their own children.

                    Like many they think that what is good for them is good for their children and grandchildren. Yeah, right Tui. A lot of bollocks that is but then people vote for them over and over again.

                    Sadly we have three choices, odious, not so odious and pie in the sky useless but needed for a coalition.

                    Us NZ'lers need to start build community on the ground level up. We need to be the change that the country needs. Its not that politicians are fucking scum bags its that they are ordinary, un-imaginative and often times so high educated that the most common sense thing is something they can't bend their mind around. As i often say, all the education that money can buy but nothing learned nor understood.

                    Hence instead of needed transformation we get tax cuts we can't afford for nine years from the one party and a few crumbs every now and then for nine years from the other party, meanwhile the country slowly but surely drowns in poverty, homelessness, hunger, anger and misery. .

                    We are governed by technocrats not humans, and the voters need to realise that. We sadly only ever get to vote for the lesser evil.

                  • AB

                    Interesting to see that you know longer believe that globalised labour markets are an unalloyed good. One little brick in the neoliberal wall down. Any thoughts about globalised capital flows?

                    • BM

                      I never believed that globalised labour markets were great? why would I, that’s just a race to the bottom?

                      I have no issue with immigrants moving here and bringing skills that can't be found in NZ, they're a real asset to NZ.

                      The way it should be working is that you apply to immigration, you get vetted and if you have valuable skills that are in short supply, you are allowed in.

                      That is not happening because of the student visa which is being used as a back door into NZ and allowing people with more experience to compete directly with New Zealanders for positions that can be easily filled by New Zealanders.

                      Managers who make hiring decisions have little interest if the person is foreign or Kiwi or they care about is hiring someone with the most skills and as cheap as possible, that's how you hit your KPI's

                      It's a disappointing attitude but that seems to be the Kiwi way.

        • McFlock 4.1.1.2

          I guess cost-cutting, ageism, and empire building: the new guy now owes his career to management. He's not going to shit-talk them out of school.

          Meanwhile, Otago Museum gets the moa footprints because Te Papa snoozed 🙂

          • Sabine 4.1.1.2.1

            and only tourists get to see all that shit cause the rest of the country is too poor to travel to wellington or Otago Museum.

            great? innit?

    • Rosemary McDonald 4.2

      https://www.noted.co.nz/currently/social-issues/te-papa-shake-up-raising-alarm-among-experts/

      In response to the proposed loss of mollusc expert Bruce Marshall and fish expert Andrew Stewart, both internationally regarded in their fields, 50 local and international fish experts signed a petition warning of an “unavoidable decline in curation standard”. Giant-squid researcher Steve O’Shea was so appalled by plans to remove Stewart that he asked Te Papa to remove any reference to him in its colossal-squid display. Stewart has since been offered an assistant curator position.

      In a petition calling for an immediate halt to the restructuring and a moratorium on more changes, O’Shea wrote, “A problem exists if world-renowned researchers, people who have also built the collections, with decades of proven collection-management experience, are deemed surplus to requirements by persons with incomparable expertise and limited institutional and collection management knowledge.”

      University of Otago palaeontologist Nic Rawlence put it more bluntly: “This further reduction is the equivalent of getting rid of most of the Fellowship in Lord of the Rings: without the dwarf, elf, a kickass Aragorn and Gandalf’s knowledge about the ‘One Ring to rule them all’, Middle-earth would be screwed.”

      And Kim Hill did try to make Peterson explain himself here…https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/saturday/audio/2018692577/dr-dean-peterson-te-taiao-nature-exhibition-to-open

      • greywarshark 4.2.1

        From Radionz link above.

        Illinois-born Dr Dean Peterson joined Te Papa in 2016 and has spent three years developing the museum's largest redevelopment since it opened – Te Taiao Nature exhibition space, which will be open to the public for the first time on May 11th.

        Wants to stamp his own USA ideas on Te Papa does he? Do middle income NZs have to move out when they approach the salaries reserved for the overseas stars, or do they have to reapply at a lower pay grade?

        And clearing out resource people reminds me of scary RW throwing out scientific documentation in Toronto, must have had one of those house-cleaning tv gurus visit!

        In the first few days of 2014, scientists, journalists, and environmentalists were horrified to discover that the Harper government had begun a process to close seven of the 11 of Canada's world-renowned Department of Fisheries and Oceans libraries… https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/4w578d/the-harper-government-has-trashed-and-burned-environmental-books-and-documents

        Harper in 2014. In 2016 there was a flurry of concern over whether Trump's possible use of his royal powers to do similar in the USA. http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/scientists-scramble-secure-climate-data-fearing-trump-purge

        The Te Rapa Chief Executive comes from Wales. He's had a go at Health Board positions here….led Counties Manukau District Health Board from 2006 to 2017. Under his leadership, the CMDHB has been recognised as one of the highest performing health systems in Australasia

        Geraint Martin took up the role of Chief Executive of Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum in May 2017. The role combines his significant experience in leading Crown Entities with his personal passion for Arts and Culture and the positive social impact of institutions in shaping society. https://nzchinacouncil.org.nz/people/geraint-martin-2/

        Now he's one of the elite and wants to have a go at Arts and Culture and bring his management techniques to bear on Te Papa. It's part of the generic, one size fits all, have a go at any top government position. The elite in government seem to be well thought of because of overseas management experience, and so must be up to 'best practice' cliches. And they have had all the right education. Mrs Moss who runs Oranga Tamariki so well, has a special mention in her write-up because she got an expensive Swiss high-level management certification.

        What about the NZs. This cultural cringe we have goes on and on and those at the top of the Human Resources Agency in the State Services Commission are always seeking to boost their standing with furriners it seems to me.

        But can they be trusted these people at the top, to look after our taonga which includes information , records, historical stuff, and deeply experienced people? It would be ironic if rather well-supplied generic management was dispensing with unique priceless taonga. There have been shake-ups under National already, shifts around the Internal Affairs Department and archiving etc.

        I think we need to be alert to see what this iconoclastic, bombastic trend is leading to and be prepared to stop it.

    • Dennis Frank 4.3

      Intergenerational discrimination. The oldster had his half-century career, time to give the youngster a go. In a shrinking employment future, it makes sense to employers, I suspect. Could be more to it, as you say, but that's my guess.

      • Drowsy M. Kram 4.3.1

        Reckon more to it; philosophical incompatibilities evolving into 'interpersonal issues'?

        • WeTheBleeple 4.3.1.1

          Absolutely. This smacks of ego where the new upstart can't stand to be outshone by actual experts.

          The world is full of these hollowed out hacks.

    • A 4.4

      Te Papa needs a clean out of management and / or HR.

  4. Jum 5

    I hope they've got a 24/7 guard on the Pike Mine.

  5. Jum 6

    "Teen who raped, brutally assaulted 5yo granted parole

    Jamie Ensor, Lana Andelane

    2 hrs ago

    A man who raped and brutally assaulted a five-year-old girl in 2011 will be released on parole.

    Raurangi Mark Marino, who was 16 at the time, was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 2012 for burglary as well as the rape and aggravated wounding of a young girl at a Turangi campground.

    He first became eligible for parole in April 2015 and was granted parole with special conditions in April this year.

    He was last seen by the board in October last year, at which stage he had completed two rehabilitation programmes for sexual offending and drug use.

    "Marino was imprisoned at age 16; he is now 23. He will simply not be familiar with the community. He needs to have confidence that he can do the ordinary things in life, go to the bank, purchase food, and become familiar with the [withheld] residence he is to go to in."

    Marino had no previous criminal convictions prior to his offending in 2011. It is understood that the now 23-year-old had a violent upbringing with gang ties on both sides of the family."

    Just the sort of person who should be in a halfway-community-supervised housing block with gated security but with access to the psychological support and every-day living help in his environment. Parole onto the streets is useless and dangerous.

    Then go after the gang ties that produced and initiated this young man.

    • Sabine 6.2

      i just hope that the victim got the same support, the same rehabilitation, the same medical care ad attention so that she too can do ordinary things in life such as feel save at home, dare to leave the house, not have nightmares, not have issues with the other gender, and eventually live her life to the fullest.

      but then some pedophiles are obviously more precious then others.

    • A 6.3

      When you break into a caravan and rape a 5year old why tf is it important at all that you had no priors? He will reoffend. I have no faith in the systems that deal with sexual offending.

      Which reminds me…now Judith Collins is not minister of justice why doesn't the present minister reconsider the recommendations put forward by the law society around changes to the way sex crimes are prosecuted?

      • Sabine 6.3.1

        Who cares what Judith Collins is about, she had one car crushed and that was it.

        This whole article is rubbish, all i want to now is he a. registered sex offender for life, b. is the town aware that he was released, c. does he were an ankle bracelet for the reminder of this sentence, d. what services were and are still offered to the family of the now ten year old victim and the victim herself, cause she will be needing services more then the rapist.

        But lets bring up the most useless Justice Minister this country has ever had, the one that was under a government that cut police, increased poverty, defunded domestic violence shelters, defunded counseling for abuse survivors, defunded lifeline, defunded health care and mental healthcare and effectively did nothing much for anyone not a national party member and their particular little interests.

        Like literally what was the point of bringing the name of this odious person in this? the fact that the crime happened under Nationals tenure in parliament?

  6. ichey 7

    when is alfred ngaro going to have an abortion

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Headline from 2021 The Texas grid, run by ERCOT, has had a rough few years. In 2021, winter storm Uri blacked out much of the state for several days. About a week ago, Hurricane Beryl knocked out ...
    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
    18 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
    21 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
    21 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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