Daily review 24/09/2020

Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, September 24th, 2020 - 68 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 …

68 comments on “Daily review 24/09/2020 ”

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  1. observer 1
    24 September 2020 at 6:46 pm

    Sometimes I get frustrated that Labour/Ardern don't fire more shots at National/Collins, but then I turn on the 6 pm news and I watch Collins shooting herself. Letting her do this is still Labour's best move.

    Sneer, smirk, snarl … and watch the votes slipping away.

    It's always a good pick-me-up at the end of the day, a cuppa and an eye roll.

  2. JohnSelway 2
    24 September 2020 at 6:47 pm

    This is going to sound weird coming from a leftie (but I’m not tribal left) but I am thinking I might vote for ACT. Here’s my reasoning… 1) I want Labour to face opposition. I view MMP as giving people the strategic ability to not just vote for they want to have as the PM but also to decide what opposition to face. I can’t stand the current state of National. 2) David Seymour, despite looking like an idiot has actually, in opposition, got a few things done, unlike National. 3) There are policies I think where Labour and ACT could actually find common ground. Euthanasia, drug reform, abortion etc so will be in a position to support some of labour’s policies but not enough power for them to enact the policies I don’t support (which is a majority of their economic policies.

    So yeah – those are my thoughts. I want vote strategically. And look before the the ad Homs, abuse, claims I’m not a lefty or that I’m an idiot or betraying left wing values let me say I want Ardern and Labour to hold all the cards but I also want there to be effective opposition. And I don’t want National involved.

    So those are my thoughts. If you just want to level abuse then I am not interested but if you want to discuss this rationally I am all ears

    • Nordy 2.1
      24 September 2020 at 6:54 pm

      Thanks JS for posing an interesting and genuine question. I'm not sure I can offer such a benign view of ACT and all that it stands for.

      I do agree that the liberterian view on personal freedom does at time intersect with left values, but DS in particular is such a 'smug' individual that thinking about all those tax payer $ supporting him and his friends is I think a step too far.

    • Andre 2.2
      24 September 2020 at 6:56 pm

      I felt that way in 2002, but I'm not feeling it this time around.

      In '02, it seemed like ACT actually was a party with a coherent philosophy of what it wanted to achieve, and actual philosophical grounding for where it opposed the government. This time around, it seems like whatever the cat dragged in is good enough to make it onto the list, so they end up with a gun nut at #3 plus a bunch of other cling-ons. So Seymour looks likely to go the way of the hairdo from Ohariu when he got a bunch of his cling-ons in off his coat-tails: nowhere useful.

      • observer 2.2.1
        24 September 2020 at 7:01 pm

        Yep. As a general rule, I'd say "Don't vote for people who aren't expecting – or even wanting – to be there". List-fillers make very bad MPs.

        In 2002 United Future's sudden surge brought in a candidate who wasn't even a citizen (so she had to quit).

    • observer 2.3
      24 September 2020 at 6:58 pm

      No abuse, but 2 points:

      1) We only get one vote (party). So the luxury of voting for an opposition to a government depends on others voting for that government. Big gamble, not one I'd recommend. (I mean, I guess I might do it if we had a 70% party, but we'll be nowhere near that).

      2) More importantly … please study the party lists carefully. Even if you like – or at least accept – David Seymour, then you don't get him multiplied, you get the add-ons. They will be who you are really voting for. Make sure you want them.

      (This always happens with people saying "I'm voting for Winston". Then they are shocked to discover they elected Richard Prosser or some other dangerous fruit loop).

    • Robert Guyton 2.4
      24 September 2020 at 7:03 pm

      It surely does sound weird, JohnSelway and your proposal to vote ACT relies upon your belief that TeamSeymour would be a good Opposition. Have you explored the line-up on offer from the ACT Party? Is there something or someone in that line-up that indicates capability to you? Enough experience to effectively do the job of Opposition? Seem to me to be rank amateurs and judging by the ACT party's history and ideals, likely to be pretty wonky folk smiley

    • Macro 2.5
      24 September 2020 at 7:09 pm

      And people in the States in 2016 voted for Trump for similar reasons – and look how that turned out.

    • anker 2.6
      24 September 2020 at 7:12 pm

      Of course your vote is your own John S. I am not sure why you have put it on the Standard that you are a leftie but might vote Act, so I am assuming you want others opinions on this. Forgive me if my assumption is incorrect.

      I personally couldn't vote for a party that's policies I find repugnant. Seymour is the one MP who voted against the gun law changes. Who wants to slash benefits cut govt spending. But if those policies sit o.k. with you, by all means you are entitled to give ACT your vote. But maybe you support these policies?

      I can understand a left wing person voting Green with the view that they want an opposition to hold Labour to account. This would be a good option. And Greens need your vote more than ACT. And Greens are a left wing party so more likely reflect your left wing sentiments.

      Acts deal in Epsom guarantees them a seat and this playing the system even if its legal is another thing that turns me off ACT.

      I want Labour to govern alone, so they can just get on and do it. After Covid I completely trust them to make good decisions for the country. I think Jacinda has shown outstanding leadership and her team Parker, Robertson, Woods, Hipkins, Faafoi to name a few, have served us well.

      • JohnSelway 2.6.1
        24 September 2020 at 9:19 pm

        Yes – I wanted to see what other people thought. And I agree – many of ACT's policies I do not support but I feel on issues where Labour and ACT agree (which are few I admit) they could work together. And I don't think ACT will get the numbers to really put forward and achieve what I don't agree with.

        Basically I would rather a few ACT MP's rather than more National. It is a strategic vote for me, rather than a vote for who I prefer to win and more who they will be up against in Parliament. I would rather it 5 ACT mp's than 20 National.

        • Drowsy M. Kram 2.6.1.1
          24 September 2020 at 9:50 pm

          "I would rather it 5 ACT mp's than 20 National." Fair enough JS, but those aren't your only options. Lefties such as youself can also cast their party vote for a left-of-centre party such as Labour or the Greens. A genuine lefty deliberately gifting their party vote to ACT is like the Greens gifting their parliamentary Question Time allocation to National/ACT – an odd move, difficult to fathom.

    • Incognito 2.7
      24 September 2020 at 7:26 pm

      Aren’t you taking the duality of Parliament a little too far when you seem to imply that the Government is as good as the Opposition?

      I reckon you should vote for a strong coalition government in the first place and one that best aligns with your personal core values and aspirations for the future for yourself and for the people.

      Try to influence things that you can influence directly rather than through some intermediate. In other words, keep it as simple as possible, but no simpler.

      • JohnSelway 2.7.1
        24 September 2020 at 9:23 pm

        No I don't think the government is as good as the opposition. But I want an opposition to be able to find areas of common ground (such as drug reform and abortion) rather than a party, like National, that define themselves as "we are the opposite of Labour".

        I hope I am making myself clear but understand I might not be.

        I am enjoying the sharing of ideas however rather than hostility.

        • Incognito 2.7.1.1
          24 September 2020 at 11:00 pm

          I am enjoying the sharing of ideas however rather than hostility.

          Yes, very refreshing change 🙂

        • PaddyOT 2.7.1.2
          24 September 2020 at 11:19 pm

          How does voting for the opposition on the Right, in order to hold to account your desired party on the Left, actually work in producing real outcomes ?

          When the Opposition does not hold the numbers to vote down or even change the left's Bill at each reading , we just have an expensive exercise paying out thousands of dollars to run Parliament just to let Seymour have time to express his fuckwittery. (Using my rights here according to Seymour's definition of freedom of speech in my opinion of him as a fuckwit ) and playing by ACT's own theory…

          In 2011, ACT accused Labour of wasting $435000 every hour? Labour holding the opposition to account supposedly, but to zilch effect as ACT's Volunteer Student Membership Bill passed anyway.

          http://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/5097079/Labour-filibustering-costs-453-000-hr-ACT

          Casting your vote to two opposing party's ideologies.. not sure how that keeps the Government straight. It would have to work on the assumption that ACT policy represents common good, honesty and sanity.

          The shifting with the wind, Slimy Seymour in June, … Labour a disaster, should have closed the border in January as ACT pushed for. Today, his assness enjoying freedom, skydives as his campaign tactic and says open the border for tourists. This is right at the time that Covid is resurging in those same high value tourists' countries of origin.

          https://www.euronews.com/2020/09/23/is-europe-having-a-covid-19-second-wave-country-by-country-breakdown

          Chris Baillie, ACT Party's candidate for Nelson, “a teacher best known in Nelson circles for leading a ‘Climate Hysteria Skeptics’ group at his school. Baillie, ( set to come into parliament on Seymour's coat tail) says ACT was “the party of common sense”. ???? Baillie responded to criticism over his views on climate change, saying rational discussion of the issue was being clouded by a wave of hysteria. By inference everybody except ACT is hysterical and irrational !

          Seymour has his eye on those Southern pristine landscapes for minerals though, so needs a climate denier – Baillie .

          https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/122761558/election-2020-act-wants-to-unwind-the-governments-climate-and-energy-efforts.

          Seems ACT's slogan of " Change your Future " means 'fuck the RMA, fuck stewardship, fuck CC.'

          In another example of polar opposites, Labour reiterates today its intentions to toughen up ' hate speech' laws.

          Today, Seymour who thinks it was just a bit of fun when near Waitangi day he publishes his slogan MAGA- Make Aoteroa Great Again , is now cynically scaremongering with his prophecy of the demise of our freedoms under Labour.

          " This is a deeply concerning development that will undermine our fundamental right to freedom of expression….ACT will continue to defend the critical principle that nobody should ever be punished on the basis of opinion."

          https://www.act.org.nz/hate_speech_laws_divisive_and_dangerous

          Imagine speaking time in Parliament with Seymour's version of free speech. ? We want just the right type of immigrants…

          I think printing down a big TV size poster of Seymour and taping it to the wall right where you make your breakfast for 3 weeks will help decide a vote for ACTZ as that's what we'd all have to look at for 3 more years.

    • Tony Veitch (not etc.) 2.8
      24 September 2020 at 8:16 pm

      Frankly, I think you should party vote Green – first to secure a coalition with Labour and to drag Labour left. Then your party vote may do some good.

      A party vote for Act??? No way.

      • JohnSelway 2.8.1
        24 September 2020 at 9:24 pm

        There are reasons I have that make me not want to vote Greens but I'd rather not have that be the focus of this conversation. Perhaps another thread another day.

    • Stuart Munro 2.9
      24 September 2020 at 8:49 pm

      I have some sympathy with libertarian sentiments, as a part of the parliamentary discourse – at least in principle, because it rarely rises that high.

      I'm not sure ACT reaches that standard unfortunately. Libertarianism has points to make across the political spectrum, but ACT have chosen to be the Advocacy for Corporate Tax-evaders more often than defenders of individual right.

      I wouldn't dream of telling you how to vote except to hope that it brings you, and the rest of NZ citizens joy. For me Seymour does not, and I'm hoping Marie Kondo has a way to be rid of him. But he's not the worst on offer – that might be Billy TK and Trumpetistas – great gods and little fishes help us.

      • JohnSelway 2.9.1
        24 September 2020 at 9:25 pm

        " but ACT have chosen to be the Advocacy for Corporate Tax-evaders more often than defenders of individual right. "

        I agree which is why I want ACT to have a voice but not the ability to make law on their own

        • McFlock 2.9.1.1
          24 September 2020 at 9:41 pm

          Frankly, I'd prefer it if tax evaders didn't have a voice in parliament.

          • JohnSelway 2.9.1.1.1
            24 September 2020 at 9:51 pm

            Come election day my decision may very well have changed. But I did want to float this idea and my reasoning for discussion because when I found my view changing I was interested to hear other thoughts. However I could very easily find myself with 2 ticks labour

    • Gabby 2.10
      24 September 2020 at 9:32 pm

      If enough ppl think your way, that could work out pretty good for the Coq.

    • Treetop 2.11
      25 September 2020 at 6:32 am

      Seymour has got exposure with a private members bill. I wrote to a Labour MP early in the month who I thought would be the right person to do a private members bill, I have not recieved a reply.

    • Muttonbird 2.12
      25 September 2020 at 1:21 pm

      Is this some sort of joke?

      'I'm a lefty but I'm going to vote ACT because Labour are too good.'

      Seriously.

  3. JanM 3
    24 September 2020 at 6:51 pm

    Gosh – that's raising strategic voting to an art form! lol

  4. Pat 4
    24 September 2020 at 6:52 pm

    "The Government has passed a law that puts agricultural emissions into the ETS in 2025 if another pricing mechanism is not worked out beforehand, or at 2022 if the Government of the day decides not enough progress has been made on the alternative pricing mechanism.

    National would scrap that 2022 review.

    It would also make seven changes to the Zero Carbon Act, the wide-ranging climate target law it supported the passage of."

    Climate change?…what climate change?

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/122873541/election-2020-national-promises-farmers-return-of-foreign-workers-and-a-rollback-of-regulations-on-water-and-climate

  5. Grafton Gully 5
    24 September 2020 at 6:57 pm

    I bullied and was bullied and I saw it and the anger and hatred remain and Judith Collins going public and gloating her bullying can trigger it in me but I have a calmness now that protects me. For my brothers and sisters out there who know about this KIA KAHA she and her kind will bend in the end towards the peace we all crave – in our own ways.

  6. ianmac 6
    24 September 2020 at 7:06 pm

    Most farmers are reasonable pragmatic people. Many have fitted in with the Water improvement goals. So what do they think of the Judith wrecking ball who wants to paint farmers as a miserable bunch of bullied pathetic people who think in 1950s terms?

    Wish we could talk to the progressive innovative ones.

  7. mauī 7
    24 September 2020 at 8:11 pm

    I'm calling bullshit on Todd Muller's mental health issues. He's been an MP for 6 years – so knows the pressures of politics and he was high up in Fonterra so familiar with leadership too.

    On 27 May, 5 days into being selected as leader, most of which was a honeymoon period announcing his party list, and only after his first couple of media interviews he says he starts having health issues. I cannot see it.

    • observer 7.1
      24 September 2020 at 8:30 pm

      I thought it was a credible and insightful account of his experience.

      Sure, it's an election campaign, so we can be suspicious, but there's no real gain for him or National here to be reminded of his leadership (except that his party was polling better then than now).

      Party leader is far more stressful than minor MP or manager.

      • anker 7.1.1
        24 September 2020 at 8:41 pm

        I agree Observer. Most likely Mullers mental health issues were real. He looked like a possum in the headlights as time progressed when he was leader. So panic attacks, social anxiety credible to me.

        I think what strikes me is that he had so little self awareness to propel himself into the top job, when he was so ill equipped for it. Poor judgement at best. Arrogance at worst

        • Incognito 7.1.1.1
          24 September 2020 at 11:12 pm

          I think what strikes me is that he had so little self awareness to propel himself into the top job, when he was so ill equipped for it.

          The Peter Principle meets the Dunning-Kruger Effect.

      • mauī 7.1.2
        24 September 2020 at 9:36 pm

        Anyone can write an account of what it's like with mental health issues. I would be more convinced if I saw/heard an interview with him.

        His departure had to be explained at some point and this clears the air for voters who wondered what happened to him a couple of weeks out from voting.

        The other thing is would anyone trust National not to use mental health for political advantage. Remember.. it was just two months ago that the head of the Mental Health Foundation said this about them,

        "Both Falloon and Collins released statements pointing almost exclusively to his state of mental wellbeing. MHF says that was wrong.

        "Initially, no, I don't think that was a very appropriate use of mental health," MHF chief executive Shaun Robinson says."

        https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/07/andrew-falloon-using-mental-health-during-resignation-not-acceptable-mental-health-foundation.html

        • McFlock 7.1.2.1
          24 September 2020 at 9:46 pm

          They literally announced that the party leader wasn't fronting to media because he needed a lie down.

          I don't think they were playing the long game, there. And for what – to go through a sham vote and elect Collins?

      • Incognito 7.1.3
        24 September 2020 at 11:09 pm

        Party leader is far more stressful than minor MP or manager.

        So true, when that Party is a gang of fearful conniving back-stabbers, some of who are the Godparents of DP.

    • Pat 7.2
      24 September 2020 at 8:38 pm

      Its an (unfortunate) example of how anyone is only a moment away from success (or coping) to failure (not)

    • Robert Guyton 7.3
      24 September 2020 at 8:39 pm

      Ever experienced a panic attack?

      They sneak up on you and they're not a picnic in the park.

      Todd Muller's description rang entirely true to me.

    • RedLogix 7.4
      24 September 2020 at 8:45 pm

      I've had a small number of panic attacks in my life. They have each been triggered when I pushed something I thought I could do a bit too far.

      In hindsight it was always my subconscious forcing me to listen.

      In that light I found Todd's account perfectly authentic.

    • Ad 7.5
      24 September 2020 at 8:58 pm

      Well, since you're calling crisis on someone's mental health confession in the middle of Mental Health Awareness Week,

      https://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/home/our-work/category/16/mental-health-awareness-week

      it's worth reminding that the theme this year is "Reimagine Wellbeing Together – He Tirohanga Anamata". His story is pretty much the brave and hard choice of reimagining yourself away from that which is damaging you and toward a new life.

      Maui, for your sake I sure hope no one treats any breakdown or crisis you have, like the way you are treating Todd Muller.

    • Treetop 7.6
      24 September 2020 at 8:58 pm

      Have you ever had panic attacks?

      They can be debilitating and they are not just anxiety. Public speaking as the leader could trigger them. I saw Muller go tense and have brain block. I am no expert but I suffered the entire 1980s due to a CIB incident in February 1979 which triggered them. Panic attacks can be the result of a phobia e.g. public speaking, seeing a clown, heights, in closed space.

      Muller does not owe anyone an explanation where his mental health is concerned.

    • Patricia Bremner 7.7
      24 September 2020 at 9:47 pm

      Todd had not experienced the feral side of media, the relentless pressure of others' expectations. That usually happens to people who are promoted beyond their abilities, and he became the deer in the headlights. He could not ad lib, so the panic set in. I am ashamed to say I called him stunned mullet.

      My husband did not believe me when I said Kirwan had had an attack of self doubt and a sense of disorientation during that rugby game. "He is World famous " he said. "That is why, the question "Am I good enough?" is only asked by people who want to please.

      It does happen.

      • Treetop 7.7.1
        24 September 2020 at 10:08 pm

        I agree with most of what you wrote in paragraph one. I differ when it comes to the feral side of the media. His own caucus members were the most feral and the media reported this.

        No one will know what the outcome would have been had key caucus members not have been slithering poisonous snakes.

  8. bruce 8
    24 September 2020 at 8:19 pm

    TVNZ may have included this for some balance may be only the odd bad apple but the result is shown to have quite major effects.

    https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/new-footage-south-island-farms-reveal-cows-living-in-knee-high-winter-mud

    • greywarshark 8.1
      24 September 2020 at 9:32 pm

      People who love their cows talk about their patience – and also their strong urge to lie down and rest and chew their cud. Which of course they can;t do when they are standing in not just on, mud. Are these farmers or farm rentiers, looking to run their operations from an air-conditioned building and an expansive office chair, pressing buttons at the start and end of the day that operate the gates and prods?

      • Gabby 8.1.1
        24 September 2020 at 9:42 pm

        They're not doing the soil any favours either. Not sure that a lot of Southland is ideal cattle country what with it being almost permanently waterlogged.

        • woodart 8.1.1.1
          24 September 2020 at 10:44 pm

          tradionally , southland was most suited to growing swedes, now it seems that rednecks are the crop of choice.

  9. Uncle Scrim 9
    24 September 2020 at 9:07 pm

    I have a question. Do people think NZ's media has ever, will ever, adapt to MMP, 24 years on, and for even five minutes drop the two-horse race, boxing and sporting metaphors about Labour and National leaders going 'head to head' etc. Admittedly, we may be in one of the most FPTP of all MMP elections, and Labour certainly won't mind a presidential-style contest (nor will National when they are polling so badly), but it is really shocking to see both TVNZ and TV3's advertising for leaders' debates – pretty much pro-wrestling style. And why do we even have leaders' debates with just two people? Obviously I know why, but honestly I'd rather see Ardern and Collins deal with whackjobs like Te Kakiha than it be treated as a simple binary choice for PM. Okay maybe not Te Kakiha but a debate with Ardern, Collins, Peters, Shaw and Seymour seems a perfectly valid TV show right?

    • woodart 9.1
      24 September 2020 at 10:59 pm

      good point uncle, but think the media target the lowest I.Q. voters with simple win-lose good -bad choices. to put out programmes or even columns with multiple choices confuse many viewers-voters. those tv1 leaders debates are a sham, too lightweight to be taken seriously. even having them with all of the party leaders currentley in parliament(*which they should do), would still be a circus, all sound bites and slogans.

      • Uncle Scrim 9.1.1
        25 September 2020 at 9:10 am

        Yeah I agree. I'd rather see Campbell/Gower etc interview each leader one-on-one for 30-45 minutes, no interruptions from others, just probing questions and trying not to let them waffle.

  10. greywarshark 10
    24 September 2020 at 9:39 pm

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2018765475/dr-ashley-bloomfield-explains-covid-19-infected-family-s-travel

    I think we have to pop these offenders in cells for their isolation. The whole country is endangered, jobs, health, GDP, when these yoiks go off on a break. They need to be fined also with instant fines that hurt. And no being nice to Maori or pakeha, rich or poor, bung them into a caged facility and let them do their yards where they aren't costing us time and money while they flutter around like Large White Cabbage Butterflies.

    Has anyone seen these around lately? Or did we get clear of them?

    • SPC 10.1
      24 September 2020 at 10:20 pm

      We are lucky the interface in Taupo occured at Level 2, at Level 1, as Seymour and Peters wanted, this would have been worse.

      This is still close to a scenario that would scare the epidemiologist and a Finance Minister the most.

      The two worst case scenarios that might still occur from this.

      1. We go to 2.5 nationwide and delay the election to November
      2. We go to Level 2, until the election on the 17 th of October and then on until December (it takes longer to stamp out at Level 2).
    • RedBaronCV 10.2
      24 September 2020 at 11:30 pm

      If they had respected Auckland's alert levels then they would not have been meeting with all those 18 contacts from around the country in Taupo. And BTW aren't children supposed to be at school during the term. Not having holidays and playing truant?

  11. SPC 11
    24 September 2020 at 10:10 pm

    The PM would not campaign for a CGT on winning in 2020 without need for NZF in a coalition, but she will for hate speech legislation. ACT and NZF will be fighting over the spoils of this on the right and National in the centre.

    https://twitter.com/NewshubPolitics/status/1309021635916242946

    The Imam conflating free speech with hate speech is a gift to the PM’s opponents.

  12. mpledger 12
    24 September 2020 at 10:36 pm

    The man who developed covid-19 out of quarantine after testing negative in quarantine twice is a bit of a problem. It could be that he caught it off someone else in quarantine or that it just developed slowly in him. However, the other thing it could be is a change in covid-19 – that he may have a new strain that takes longer to become symptomatic/ observable/ measurable by testing – if so, then the sooner it gets genome sequenced the better and the MoH might have to think about the length of time people stay in quarantine.

  13. mpledger 13
    24 September 2020 at 10:38 pm

    The All Blacks should say screw you and get their players home by Christmas. Actually, if the Aussies won't budge on the date then the All Blacks should stay home. In a year like this families should come first.

  14. ianmac 14
    24 September 2020 at 11:17 pm

    It may be that Judith Collins is breaking down. Teary when talking about stress in the farming world yesterday and getting teary again today:

    She even got a bit emotional when she heard the Greens' statement in a press conference and said, with voice breaking, "It was hard to find anything nice to say about that."

    And not getting the following that she hoped for. Add Jacinda staying calm and in control in spite of jibes.

    I wonder if Judith cannot cope with her poor Leadership and will not last the distance. I don't mean that I think being a teary woman is so bad, so much as being a teary experienced hard nosed politician. Watch this space – or not.

    • Graeme 14.1
      25 September 2020 at 7:22 am

      I've wondered the same, and watched the decline from a quite vibrant and youthful woman 3 months ago to someone resembling the worst of Muldoon. She can still turn the vibrant youthful thing on for a while, but it's only for set pieces now, and is obviously painted on now.

      I saw a similar decline with Todd Muller, who ended up paying a heavy price for attempting to do more than he was able. It's distressing that people will do that to themselves but we don't personally see it coming.

      This will probably be Collin's first experience of political failure from a completely personal perspective. Up until now her setbacks could have been rationalised by it being another, more senior or powerful, person who rejected her, they became someone to undermine and defeat, now it's the public who are rejecting her and there's no one else to blame.

      I hope she doesn't have a crisis, no one deserves that, especially in a public way, but it's looking likely.

    • Gabby 14.2
      25 September 2020 at 2:15 pm

      Or she's turning on the crocodile waterworks. Poor poor farmers. Poor wee Codger.

    • mary_a 14.3
      25 September 2020 at 3:59 pm

      ianmac (14) … Judith Collins is attempting to present a facade of being nice and humane, when those particular traits are completely alien to her. Her "smiles"/grimaces are in line with the snarling facial expressions of a mad, rabid dog! It's so obvious she has been told by her advisers to be more like Jacinda, which in Collins' case is absolutely impossible! So I'd say the tears and sudden caring attitude (towards the farmers of course) are false.

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    The ‘50 Shades of Green’ farmers’ protest in 2019 was heavy on climate change denial, but five years on, scepticism and criticism about the idea that pine forests can save us is growing across the board. File photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top six news items of note in climate ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    23 hours ago
  • What makes us tick

    This morning the sky was bright.The birds, in their usual joyous bliss. Nature doesn’t seem to feel the heat of what might angst humans.Their calls are clear and beautiful.Just some random thoughts:MāoriPaul Goldsmith has announced his government will roll back the judiciary’s rulings on Māori Customary Marine Title, which recognises ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 day ago
  • Foreshore and seabed 2.0

    In 2003, the Court of Appeal delivered its decision in Ngati Apa v Attorney-General, ruling that Māori customary title over the foreshore and seabed had not been universally extinguished, and that the Māori Land Court could determine claims and confirm title if the facts supported it. This kicked off the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the Royal Commission report into abuse in care

    Earlier this week at Parliament, Labour leader Chris Hipkins was applauded for saying that the response to the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care had to be “bigger than politics.” True, but the fine words, apologies and “we hear you” messages will soon ring ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: In news breaking this morning:The Ministry of Education is cutting $2 billion from its school building programme so the National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government has enough money to deliver tax cuts; The Government has quietly lowered its child poverty reduction targets to make them easier to achieve;Te Whatu Ora-Health NZ’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Weekly Roundup 26-July-2024

    Kia ora. These are some stories that caught our eye this week – as always, feel free to share yours in the comments. Our header image this week (via Eke Panuku) shows the planned upgrade for the Karanga Plaza Tidal Swimming Steps. The week in Greater Auckland On ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 day ago
  • God what a relief

    1. What's not to love about the way the Harris campaign is turning things around?a. Nothingb. Love all of itc. God what a reliefd. Not that it will be by any means easye. All of the above 2. Documents released by the Ministry of Health show Associate Health Minister Casey ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • Trust In Me

    Trust in me in all you doHave the faith I have in youLove will see us through, if only you trust in meWhy don't you, you trust me?In a week that saw the release of the 3,000 page Abuse in Care report Christopher Luxon was being asked about Boot Camps. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 26

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking about the Royal Commission Inquiry into Abuse in Care report released this week, and with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on a UN push to not recognise carbon offset markets and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 26, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Transport: Simeon Brown announced $802.9 million in funding for 18 new trains on the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines, which ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Radical law changes needed to build road

    The northern expressway extension from Warkworth to Whangarei is likely to require radical changes to legislation if it is going to be built within the foreseeable future. The Government’s powers to purchase land, the planning process and current restrictions on road tolling are all going to need to be changed ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #30 2024

    Open access notables Could an extremely cold central European winter such as 1963 happen again despite climate change?, Sippel et al., Weather and Climate Dynamics: Here, we first show based on multiple attribution methods that a winter of similar circulation conditions to 1963 would still lead to an extreme seasonal ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • First they came for the Māori

    Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedFirst they came for the doctors But I was confused by the numbers and costs So I didn't speak up Then they came for our police and nurses And I didn't think we could afford those costs anyway So I ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Join us for the weekly Hoon on YouTube Live

    Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on UnsplashWe’re back again after our mid-winter break. We’re still with the ‘new’ day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when we have our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Will the real PM Luxon please stand up?

    Notes: This is a free article. Abuse in Care themes are mentioned. Video is at the bottom.BackgroundYesterday’s report into Abuse in Care revealed that at least 1 in 3 of all who went through state and faith based care were abused - often horrifically. At least, because not all survivors ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Will debt reduction trump abuse in care redress?

    Luxon speaks in Parliament yesterday about the Abuse in Care report. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:PM Christopher Luxon said yesterday in tabling the Abuse in Care report in Parliament he wanted to ‘do the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Olywhites and Time Bandits

    About a decade ago I worked with a bloke called Steve. He was the grizzled veteran coder, a few years older than me, who knew where the bodies were buried - code wise. Despite his best efforts to be approachable and friendly he could be kind of gruff, through to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Why were the 1930s so hot in North America?

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters and Bob Henson Those who’ve trawled social media during heat waves have likely encountered a tidbit frequently used to brush aside human-caused climate change: Many U.S. states and cities had their single hottest temperature on record during the 1930s, setting incredible heat marks ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • Throwback Thursday – Thinking about Expressways

    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    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 ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    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 ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    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 ...
    Bowalley Road
    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

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