Daily review 22/11/2019

Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, November 22nd, 2019 - 53 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 …

53 comments on “Daily review 22/11/2019 ”

    • Dukeofurl 1.1

      Thats even funnier when you realise the National Party Foundation has prices for 'a brick'

      BUY A FOUNDATION BRICK

      LEVELS 2 – 4: $500+, $1000+, $5000+

      I would think the beehive basement has been well and truly 'mined' by now.

      Not that the Tory rag Stuff will say anything like that, just platitudes from Bridges

      • weka 1.1.1

        Do they give people an actual brick? Or is a wall being built somewhere?

        • bwaghorn 1.1.1.1

          Just another brick in the wall

        • Sacha 1.1.1.2

          Still recruiting wombats.

        • Anne 1.1.1.3

          A former Auckland Labour Party luminary came up with that idea once. We were all supposed to buy a brick for I dunno… think it was a $1000 and it would have our name engraved on it. Most of us came to the conclusion we did not want to buy a bloody brick at that price.

          The idea was shelved.

    • gsays 1.2

      Thanks weka, that is brilliant.

  1. Buster12 2

    Good, now hopefully the piece of shit is named and never let out of jail.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/117069680/grace-millane-murder-trial-latest-updates

    • weka 2.1

      name suppression stands, and reasons for that are suppressed too.

      https://twitter.com/Alisonmau/status/1197738204473856000

    • McFlock 2.2

      thank fuck

    • Sacha 2.3

      Nope. Moderators here will need to be vigilant.

    • Dukeofurl 2.4

      10 years isnt the standard no parole period any more , its more like 17-18 years

      This was just last week

      20 years and 17 years 9 months

    • Incognito 2.5

      Quite simply put, anybody who puts this site at legal risk receives an instant permanent or at least a lengthy ban, regardless of who they are. This applies to this case and in general.

      • weka 2.5.1

        I haven't been able to find the details of the name suppression order online. Anyone?

        • lprent 2.5.1.1

          Details of suppression orders are typically not put online.

          In the usual obsolete way that the law has, they are targeted at the people present in court – including media.

          However they apply to everyone.

    • Sacha 2.6

      Agree. I've suggested that to mods.

    • roblogic 2.7

      I think the suppression order is only temporary.

    • "I strangled her to death by accident" has to be the most fucked-up defence seriously contemplated by a jury since they banned the "I had to kill him because he was gay" defence. I feel embarrassed for my country that this will be getting so much coverage in the UK.

      • aom 2.8.1

        Oh you sexual puritan PM! Guess you never even wanked since you seem totally ignorant of some of some people's sexual preferences. By the way, does the name Peter Plumley-Walker ring a bell? In this case, the defence was far from 'fucked-up' in that the scenario presented was quite probable, particularly when there was evidence that the victim was not averse to BDSM practices and also had not been under any coercion regarding the 'hook-up'. Fortuitously, there was evidence to support the contention that the death was not accidental in the minds of the jury members, but this was not a certainty. It is difficult to understand the relevance of your, "I had to kill him because he was gay" comment. Are you saying that any death related to sexual acts is comparable to gay bashing murders? Hopefully you will not die of a heart attack while in flagrante delicto. Under your perverted legal interpretation, your sexual partner could end up being incarcerated for a long time because of your over-excitement.

        • Psycho Milt 2.8.1.1

          Bullshit. There's a world of difference between indulging someone's kink for playing at having their breath cut off and spending upwards of five minutes strangling them to death, including at least a couple of minutes spent continuing to strangle them after they've lost consciousness. That doesn't happen by accident any more than being stabbed multiple times happens by accident.

          It is difficult to understand the relevance of your, "I had to kill him because he was gay" comment.

          I don't see why. It's not that long ago that male defendants were succeeding in court with the defence that they panicked and killed a man for wanting to have sex with them. We put a stop to that defence, and we could put a stop to this as well if we wanted to.

          • Psycho Milt 2.8.1.1.1

            On reflection, feel I should add: there's zero evidence that Grace Millane asked to have her breathing restricted, just a self-serving claim to that effect by a proven liar. Comparing her to Peter Plumley-Walker is insulting.

          • aom 2.8.1.1.2

            Don't be an idiot PM! The defence was not necessarily invalid or as you say, "fucked up". It was properly presented and appropriately tested in the Mullane case – hence the guilty verdict.

            I'm surprised that as the royal we, you managed to put a stop to the "I had to kill him because he was gay" defence. Wasn't it something to do with judicial direction to temper the influence of homophobic jurors?

            • Psycho Milt 2.8.1.1.2.1

              "We" as in the people of New Zealand, via our constituted authorities.

              A defence that the victim effectively consented to their murder may not be invalid under NZ law right now, but it should be. "Accidentally" strangling someone to death is like "accidentally" stabbing them a dozen times with a knife – there's no plausible "accident" there.

              • aom

                So why bother with the inconvenience of evidence or trials – Duterte no doubt has a job for you. Thank goodness your concepts of 'justice' don't have a place in NZ. By the way, consent to a dangerous sexual act is not the same as consenting to being murdered. Actually, wasn't that properly raised for the consideration of the jury?

                • weka

                  we live in a society that can't even manage consent for non-dangerous sex across the population*, I think arguing that consent is the relevant issue here misses the elephant in the living room.

                  *by which I mean men.

                • So why bother with the inconvenience of evidence or trials

                  Because it has to be established that the accused is in fact the murderer. If the accused admits to being the murderer but pleads not guilty, as this one did, the trial should be pretty short because the defence of "I strangled her to death by accident" shouldn't be available.

                  And if that were to make men feel that squeezing women's throats during sex just wasn't worth the thrill any more, I'm not seeing any down side to that.

                  By the way, consent to a dangerous sexual act is not the same as consenting to being murdered.

                  First, there's no evidence Grace Millane consented to a dangerous sexual act. Second, yes that was considered by the jury and rightly rejected on the basis that, even if the accused didn't have intent to kill he was reckless in continuing to do something that was likely to kill his victim.

              • Craig H

                The Crimes Act says people can't consent to being killed, so in a sense, that's provided for. The issue here is where the line is drawn on what people can consent to. Can someone consent to sexual activity that may result in death? Common law on the issue is that consent to bodily harm requires a public interest test, so surgery is fine, but BDSM has not been heavily tested in this area, and while light pressure on the neck is not bodily harm, it's a fine line between that and unconsciousness, which is probably not acceptable.

          • KJT 2.8.1.1.3

            But it is still a defense for women "I killed him because he tried to have sex with me against my will".

            Men being raped, is still treated as a joke.

        • weka 2.8.1.2

          "Are you saying that any death related to sexual acts is comparable to gay bashing murders?"

          no, but I am close to saying that any man who chooses to have sex that involves strangulation of his partner, should know that they will not be able to use 'sex gone wrong' as a defence and can expect to face a murder charge. It then becomes a simple choice of is this pleasure worth the risk?

          My reason for this is that there is an emerging trend of women being murdered and this defence being used. You can have a look at the UK, where the law is different than in the NZ and there are greater numbers of this defence being used.

          https://wecantconsenttothis.uk/ (content warning for descriptions of extreme sexual and physical violence against women)

          People's kink is a personal thing but at at societal level I don't think the right to one kind of pleasure trumps the right to be free from the risk of murder. People in the kink and BDSM communities are saying that there are safe ways to do this sex act, so it's on individuals to learn those skills if they want to do it. Watching something on youtube probably doesn't count.

          I also think it's on those communities to speak out against the act as something for lay people to do and to push back against things like sharing on social media how to strangle women without killing them. I have no doubt that people skilled in this kink know what they are doing, but likewise I have no doubt that there are sadistic fucks doing it without regard for the wellbeing of their partner or motivated by the need to cause harm. That latter group not being restricted to the men who kill their partners.

          There's also the issue of the number of women feeling pressured to have this kind of sex. There's a societal balance to be had between promoting sex positivity and not promoting violence or degradation of women. The latter is already a significant problem, exacerbated by the kinds of porn that many men are using, and it's obvious that strangulation is now a part of that dynamic. Don't believe me? Spend some time online listening to what women are saying.

          • Rosemary McDonald 2.8.1.2.1

            Thanks for putting this information out here weka. I too have been noticing an increasing number of reports internationally along the 'consensual rough sex gone bad' defense line and I have the sense that it is a significant part of the increase in misogynistic trends.

            SSDD, but now being packaged differently.

            • weka 2.8.1.2.1.1

              Yep. Time we went for nuance and got past the binary thinking that this a sex positivity vs prudery issue. We can't have a sex positive culture when rape culture misogyny not only exists but is developing new forms off the back of sex positive culture.

              • Rosemary McDonald

                Firstly…aficionados of 'kink' need to understand that there is very little new or innovative in what they're into. It has, quite possibly, been done before .

                Secondly, there needs to be some serious thinking and discussion of what is acceptable kink, and what is rape and abuse and murder in disguise.

    • Naki man 2.9

      I am pretty sure anyone who wants to know his name already does

      [Don’t play with fire because you and others might get burned – Incognito]

    • Craig H 2.10

      Standard is life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 10 years. I'm not sure if there is anything about this crime that dictates a sentence outside that, but wouldn't surprise me if the actions afterwards earn him longer.

      • Dukeofurl 2.10.1

        Not 'standard' 10 years anymore its more like 17-18 years

        A sentence last week for murder for 2 defendants gave 20 yrs and 17 yrs 9 months

        • Craig H 2.10.1.1

          One of them had a first strike, and they committed murder as part of a robbery, so they automatically met the criteria for minimum of 17 years non-parole.

          • Dukeofurl 2.10.1.1.1

            Nothing to do with previous first strike

            The legislation says

            104 Imposition of minimum period of imprisonment of 17 years or more

            (1) The court must make an order under section 103 imposing a minimum period of imprisonment of at least 17 years in the following circumstances, unless it is satisfied that it would be manifestly unjust to do so:

            (a) if the murder was committed in an attempt to avoid the detection, prosecution, or conviction of any person for any offence or in any other way to attempt to subvert the course of justice; or

            (b) if the murder involved calculated or lengthy planning, including making an arrangement under which money or anything of value passes (or is intended to pass) from one person to another; or

            (c) if the murder involved the unlawful entry into, or unlawful presence in, a dwelling place; or

            (d) if the murder was committed in the course of another serious offence; or

            (e) if the murder was committed with a high level of brutality, cruelty, depravity, or callousness; or

            (ea) if the murder was committed as part of a terrorist act (as defined in section 5(1) of the Terrorism Suppression Act 2002); or

            (f) if the deceased was a constable or a prison officer acting in the course of his or her duty; or

            (g) if the deceased was particularly vulnerable because of his or her age, health, or because of any other factor; or

            (h) if the offender has been convicted of 2 or more counts of murder, whether or not arising from the same circumstances; or

            (i) in any other exceptional circumstances.
            https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_imprisonment_in_New_Zealand

            • Craig H 2.10.1.1.1.1

              I read the sentencing order, the first strike definitely had an impact. In part, because the previous convictions were used as a reason to uplift the sentence, but also because of section 86E of the Sentencing Act:

              "When murder is a stage-2 or stage-3 offence

              (1) This section applies if—

              (a) an offender is convicted of murder; and

              (b) that murder is a stage-2 offence or a stage-3 offence.

              (2) If this section applies, the court must—

              (a) sentence the offender to imprisonment for life for that murder; and

              (b) order that the offender serve that sentence of imprisonment for life without parole unless the court is satisfied that, given the circumstances of the offence and the offender, it would be manifestly unjust to do so.

              (3) If the court does not make an order under subsection (2)(b), the court must give written reasons for not doing so.

              (4) If the court does not make an order under subsection (2)(b), the court must,—

              (a) if that murder is a stage-3 offence, impose a minimum period of imprisonment of not less than 20 years unless the court is satisfied that, given the circumstances of the offence and the offender, it would be manifestly unjust to do so; and

              (b) if that murder is a stage-2 offence, or if the court is satisfied that a minimum period of imprisonment of not less than 20 years under paragraph (a) would be manifestly unjust, order that the offender serve a minimum period of imprisonment in accordance with section 103.

              (5) If, in the case of a stage-3 offence, the court imposes under subsection (4)(a) a minimum period of imprisonment of less than 20 years, the court must give written reasons for doing so.

              (6) If, in the case of a stage-2 offence, the court makes an order under subsection (4)(b) and the offender does not, at the time of sentencing, have a record of final warning, the court must—

              (a) warn the offender of the consequences if the offender is convicted of any serious violent offence committed after that warning; and

              (b) record that the offender has been warned in accordance with paragraph (a).

              (7) It is not necessary for a Judge to use a particular form of words in giving the warning.

              (8) On the entry of a record under subsection (6)(b), the offender has a record of final warning.

              (9) The court must give the offender a written notice that sets out the consequences if the offender is convicted of any serious violent offence committed after the warning given under subsection (6)(a)."

              The judge found that a sentence of life without parole would be manifestly unjust, but landed on 20 years 9 months after considering all the factors.

  2. burt 3

    Is this a caption contest? If it is I'm in;

    Taxpayers pay to promote fishing show.

  3. weka 4

    Alwyn, all that was necessary was for you (or anyone) to point out that I'd missed one.

    I'm not a lawyer, so I err on the side of caution. Two mods have pointed out the need for caution here. Repeating what I had just deleted from your previous comment is either incredibly stupid or you think you get to decide what puts the site at risk (you don't). Do that again and expect a ban.

    • alwyn 4.1

      Yes. That was all I was trying to show.

      I'm glad to see you have removed all the offending comments.

      • weka 4.1.1

        I need you to acknowledge what I just said. You cannot repeat something that has been deleted by a mod, even to tell a mod to remove another comment. It puts the site at risk. You're in premod until this gets sorted out.

        • alwyn 4.1.1.1

          Well can you please tell me how I can try and bring something to the attention of a moderator without it appearing on the blog?

          Would it work if I was to corrupt the Mail address? If I put xxxxx@windowslive.com say would it get flagged to be looked at without going straight to the blog? After all that would be flagged as being a new commentator wouldn't it and go into moderation automatically.

          Then I could say something like –

          "Don't publish this.

          Look at comment by Fred. He appears to me to be breaching the suppression order when he says xyz."

          Would that get to a moderator and only a moderator? If it did it would seem to let me give a warning without making it public.

          Or does just warning a moderator count as breaching a suppression order and get everyone in trouble?

          I realise what you are on about. The problem I had was that you deleted my comment, which was fine by me, but you had missed the other ones that were even more explicit and that I was trying to bring up as being, possibly, out of line.

          I thought I should make another attempt to warn you. The alternative is simply to take no action at all when a warning of some kind is appropriate.

          [you seem to still be missing the key point here. Commenters ARE NOT ALLOWED to repost material that has been deleted, especially where it was deleted because it put the site at risk. If you do it is likely you will get a long ban. The only reason you haven’t is because the two mods looking at this think it’s better for the community for this exchange to be instructional.

          There is zero problem with pointing out to moderators any problematic comment. Just don’t copy and paste or paraphrase it. In this case a simple reply to me saying “comment x.x.x seems to be an issue as well” or similar would have worked. Giving a link to the specific comment always helps.

          Yes, making a comment with a changed name or email address will drop it into moderation (assuming it’s not been used before). Please don’t put legally problematic content in that comment, but as above give a reference to the comment you want the mods to look at, a link is best. Don’t tell mods what to do, instead let them know there is a potential problem. – weka]

  4. A 5

    "Crime, once exposed, has no refuge but in audacity." — Roman historian Tacitus

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  • Further integrity problems for the Greens in suspending MP Darleen Tana
    Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Greens’ transparency missing in action
    For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    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
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    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
    4 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
    4 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
  • AT Need To Lift Their Game
    Normally when we talk about accessing public transport it’s about improving how easy it is to get to, such as how easy is it to cross roads in a station/stop’s walking catchment, is it possible to cycle to safely, do bus connections work, or even if are there new routes/connections ...
    6 days ago
  • Christopher's Whopper.
    Politicians are not renowned for telling the truth. Some tell us things that are verifiably not true. They offer statements that omit critical pieces of information. Gloss over risks, preferring to offer the best case scenario.Some not truths are quite small, others amusing in their transparency. There are those repeated ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    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
    4 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
    6 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
    20 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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government lowering building costs
    The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    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
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  • Progress continues apace on water storage
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