Daily Review 25/01/2016

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 pm, January 25th, 2016 - 80 comments
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Ted Cruz

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 …

80 comments on “Daily Review 25/01/2016 ”

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  1. Ad 1
    25 January 2016 at 6:16 pm

    Difficult question:
    can policy ever again overcome charisma?

    • BM 1.1
      25 January 2016 at 6:20 pm

      No, the media won’t allow it.

      • mickysavage 1.1.1
        25 January 2016 at 7:02 pm

        Probably not because the right concentrate on focus group results and the media focus on personalities and not solutions to problems.

        • BM 1.1.1.1
          25 January 2016 at 7:10 pm

          The media concentrates on what sells copy or gets website hits

          Therefore, personality trumps policy every day of the week.

          if Labour ever wants to win, they need to get some one personable up front and for me that person is Stuart Nash.

          • weka 1.1.1.1.1
            25 January 2016 at 7:14 pm

            You don’t actually vote Labour though do you.

            • BM 1.1.1.1.1.1
              25 January 2016 at 7:17 pm

              No, but I might with some one like Stuart Nash in charge.

              Strikes me as sort of guy, you’d enjoy having a beer with.

              • weka …
                25 January 2016 at 7:30 pm

                I’m not sure if that’s an argument for Nash and the Pagani party or an argument against it.

                Definitely not the Labour party though.

                • BM …
                  25 January 2016 at 7:37 pm

                  It means he’d appeal to the middle.
                  Very important if you ever want to be in charge.

                  Andrew Little, nice guy, probably very intelligent, but a leader, 40 years ago yep, modern day not a chance.

                  • weka …
                    25 January 2016 at 7:55 pm

                    Yes, I know what it means. It means that if he were leader of Labour it’d be fucked and if he were leader of the Pagani party he’d just replace Dunne and Peters as holding the country to ransom.

                    • BM …
                      25 January 2016 at 8:23 pm

                      No, it means Labour may actually have a chance of winning.
                      He wouldn’t be Peters or Dunne, he’d be Key.

                      With Nash in charge I’d bet my balls Labour would be late 30% , maybe even 40% poll wise within a year of him becoming leader.

                    • weka …
                      25 January 2016 at 8:44 pm

                      Labour under Nash might win the election but it would be the end of Labour.

                  • mickysavage …
                    25 January 2016 at 8:03 pm

                    You are not the middle though BM. And I cannot think of a more damning indictment of Nash than the one that you just presented.

                    Sure he could not solve the world’s problems but he was good to have a beer with.

                    I have a former Australian brother in law I could say the same thing about. I would not trust him with the keys to the nation.

                    • alwyn …
                      25 January 2016 at 8:30 pm

                      I can’t stand the suspense.
                      Is he a former Australian or is he a former brother-in law?

                    • mickysavage []
                      25 January 2016 at 8:41 pm

                      Feck the latter …

                    • BM …
                      25 January 2016 at 8:32 pm

                      It’s not his job to solve world problems.
                      It’s his job to make NZ better for New Zealander not intellectually wank all over the world stage.

                    • weka …
                      25 January 2016 at 8:46 pm

                      “And I cannot think of a more damning indictment of Nash than the one that you just presented.”

                      Precisely. BM, you’re basically proposing that Labour become a right wing party and while I’m sure that would suit you it’s not actually what Labour voters want. Or members. Remember the last couple of leadership votes?

                    • BM …
                      25 January 2016 at 8:57 pm

                      I’m saying Labour needs to be initially a center party.

                      You can’t start right and then end up left straight away, you need to start from the middle first.

                    • weka …
                      25 January 2016 at 9:35 pm

                      Labour is already a centre party. You are suggesting that it moves right so that it can be Nact Lite. Do you really expect anyone here to take that suggestion seriously?

              • Muttonbird …
                25 January 2016 at 8:05 pm

                Strikes me as sort of guy, you’d enjoy having a beer with.

                – BM

                And that folks is the start and finish of the way a John Key voter thinks.

          • Draco T Bastard 1.1.1.1.2
            25 January 2016 at 7:32 pm

            Thank you for explaining, in clear and concise terms, why journalism shouldn’t be done by for profit corporations.

    • Thinking Right 1.2
      25 January 2016 at 7:35 pm

      I’m presuming you are referring to the conundrum the left appear to be in in how to defeat Key/Nats.

      Personally I don’t think the left will gain the government benches until they achieve the following:

      1 Crave competence in their MP’s above all else. Forget filling quotas etc. elect people who have a proven track record of achieving in their particular field of expertise. i would add to this – divest MP’s who’s only achievement in life has been to work the political system in order to attain the Parliamentary Gravy Train.

      2 Competent Leadership. No one would accuse of Helen Clark of overflowing with charisma however she got elected 3 times on the back of a perceived ability to get things done. She had the ability (as does Key) that she could answer questions about most Government portfolios even if she wasn’t the relevant Minister.
      ( I cringe when I think of Goff and Cunliffe struggling to answer questions about various portfolios during election campaigns)
      I believe the Parliamentary Leader needs to be a Jack of All Trades and have the ability to herd a Caucus of Egos in a somewhat unified direction.

      3 Dead wood clearing. I know the right has harped on about this since 2008. Labour has never been able to tell the likes of Goff, Mallard, and King to take a hike. It is like they hang on to their Parliamentary jobs with a death grip – this is suffocating Labour.

      4 Policy. Obviously I am not the one to tell Labour what policies to put up but I suggest that they need to be relevant to 2016 NZ not harking back to a yesteryear which is gone forever. I suggest that the voting public have a 5 second attention span towards a policy point – in that 5 seconds they decide if they like it or not. Once they make up their minds – tis very hard to change them.

      • Ad 1.2.1
        25 January 2016 at 8:53 pm

        Key – Little

        Corbyn – Cameron

        Trudeau – other guy

        Trump – Hillary

        Blair – Corgi guy

        Etc

      • One Anonymous Bloke 1.2.2
        25 January 2016 at 9:03 pm

        1. work the political system in order to attain the Parliamentary Gravy Train. Sounds like good advice until you consider the rank hypocrisy – cf: Blabbermouth Lusk’s insights into the National Party’s “lucrative business careers”.

        As for the “merit” argument it’s flawed: whatever your opinion of the Greens you can’t fault their talent pool: clearly quota are not the problem.

        3. An inevitable artifact of FPP. Who can tell whether it is a bad thing or a good thing?

        4. a yesteryear which is gone forever. This isn’t the first time financial and labour markets have been liberalised munted by faith-based incompetence and greed. Who’s trying to turn the clock back again? I can see few reasons why the solution this time won’t borrow some ideas from the past.

        • Colonial Viper 1.2.2.1
          25 January 2016 at 11:30 pm

          As for the “merit” argument it’s flawed: whatever your opinion of the Greens you can’t fault their talent pool: clearly quota are not the problem.

          You are right, competence isn’t the issue for the Greens.

          The Greens have softed out in order to gain the comfortable middle class Prius/Volt aspiring voter.

          The 1970s Values Party were far harder core on their principles despite the world being in a far more disastrous shape today.

          • weka 1.2.2.1.1
            25 January 2016 at 11:35 pm

            If the GP had stuck to the expression of the values of the Values Party, they probably wouldn’t even be in parliament. NZ had it’s chance to vote for the GP when it was more radical and it didn’t. Or are you suggesting that it would be better if the GP were still on 5%?

            I’ve said this to you before – much of the Values Party ethics and principles are still there in the GP charter etc. When NZ is ready for those things, they ready and waiting. I’m guessing you’ve never voted for them.

            • Colonial Viper 1.2.2.1.1.1
              25 January 2016 at 11:59 pm

              Much of the original Labour Party ethics and founding principles are still in their constitution and other documents.

              Need I say more.

              If the GP had stuck to the expression of the values of the Values Party, they probably wouldn’t even be in parliament. NZ had it’s chance to vote for the GP when it was more radical and it didn’t.

              Sadly, the Green Party wasn’t willing to wait for the times to catch up to where they were at 15 years ago. All around the world today, voters are voting in droves for the “radical” option (sometimes left wing, sometimes right wing).

              The Greens made the wrong strategic decision, in other words, by heading straight towards the safe middle of the road mainstream.

              • McFlock …
                26 January 2016 at 12:03 am

                Hmmm.

                It sounds like you’re really getting keen on joining the Greens, CV.

                lol just saw below – snap 🙂

              • weka …
                26 January 2016 at 12:41 am

                “Need I say more.”

                I think so. The two very obvious differences between the LP and the GP are that the GP don’t have an entrenched stand off between the neoliberals and lefties (nor the history that Labour has with the electorate). The other is that the GP has a different set of structures that mean that it can still work according to those principles. As far as I can tell that’s not true for Labour eg Labour MPs can do what they like so there really isn’t a lot that the party can do until the neoliberal MPs are gone and replaced with ones that want to work with the values.

                There is no evidence that the GP made a mistake to become more mainstream. I also don’t think they are ever going to be the left wing saviours that some say they want them to be. if you look at their kaupapa they are positioning themselves outside the traditional left/right divide. Not because they’re actually right wing, but because they’ve long recognised that that dichotomy is not workable within their values. As for making good choices, how interesting that they now are on 11% at a time when so many voters also don’t relate to the left/right divide.

                “The Greens made the wrong strategic decision, in other words, by heading straight towards the safe middle of the road mainstream.”

                Except they’ve not really done that. Here’s the other difference from Labour. The GP are still largely working from within their values and principles. So while they have gone mainstream on things like presentation and marketing, their policies and ways of working as still not that conventional. You can soundbite the criticism to being about Prius drivers, but in fact the GP members and voters are reasonably broad. I know you want a party that will represent the working classes, but that’s not the GP and never was going to be, despite them having the best policies on offer currently. And the criticism of them for not being a working class party falls flat in an age of MMP.

                “btw I believe I am like the vast majority of NZers, who will probably never ever vote Green other than as a one off only protest vote, etc.”

                Perhaps, but a far more interesting dynamic to me is why people like yourself won’t vote for them despite you apparently approving of their principles and much of their policy. Like I said, until NZ decides that it wants what the GP has on offer and is willing to put it’s money where it’s mouth is, the GP have pretty narrow options and they all involve becoming more mainstream. Time is running out.

                • Colonial Viper …
                  26 January 2016 at 12:57 am

                  the Greens are a bad cultural fit for me, plus their policies neither give me the benefits of a burn it all and enjoy it now approach, nor a more radical alternative approach which is going to actually deal with the problems we are facing. it’s watered down pretence in other words, just like Labour does, but in a different direction.

                  • weka …
                    26 January 2016 at 11:09 am

                    Interesting CV. It’s easier for me because while the GP aren’t radical enough for me they’re a pretty easy cultural fit. However that’s not why I vote for them (or anyone) and I think one of the things we have to get past is this idea that political parties are there to serve our personal needs (culturally, via direct benefits etc). I vote pragmatically. At this stage of the game that’s down to Labour or the GP and I’ve made the case elsewhere for why voting Green in 2017 is the better strategic move. It’s not about where I feel comfortable or what suits or matches my politics. It’s about what’s going to do the best good.

                    Even if the GP do peak at 13%, NZ is still far better off having another Green MP in parliament than another Labour one (or god forbid another National one from people not voting). For all sorts of reasons. That might not match your personal values or agenda or politics (or indeed even mine), but it’s a pretty hard one to argue against (by all means have a go).

                • Colonial Viper …
                  26 January 2016 at 12:59 am

                  btw i reckon the Greens will hit a max of 13% next election, and probably not even get that. Totally plateau’d out.

            • Colonial Viper 1.2.2.1.1.2
              26 January 2016 at 12:03 am

              btw I believe I am like the vast majority of NZers, who will probably never ever vote Green other than as a one off only protest vote, etc.

              • Poission …
                26 January 2016 at 12:25 am

                it is often the case that the third party vote,or the rejection of incumbents inso far is not on policys but on the electorates having enough of the persistent platitudes.

                Woodrow Wilson for example on the New Freedom (1913)

                Now this has come about naturally; as we go on we shall see how very naturally. It is no use denouncing anybody, or anything, except human nature. Nevertheless, it is an intolerable thing that the government of the republic should have got so far out of the hands of the people; should have been captured by interests which are special and not general. In the train of this capture follow the troops of scandals, wrongs, indecencies, with which our politics swarm.

                There are cities in America of whose government we are ashamed. There are cities everywhere, in every part of the land, in which we feel that, not the interests of the public, but the interests of special privileges, of selfish men, are served; where contracts take precedence over public interest. Not only in big cities is this the case. Have you not noticed the growth of socialistic sentiment in the smaller towns? Not many months ago I stopped at a little town in Nebraska, and while my train lingered I met on the platform a very engaging young fellow dressed in overalls who introduced himself to me as the mayor of the town, and added that he was a Socialist. I said, “What does that mean? Does that mean that this town is socialistic?” “No, sir,” he said; “I have not deceived myself; the vote by which I was elected was about 20 per cent. socialistic and 80 per cent. protest.” It was protest against the treachery to the people of those who led both the other parties of that town.

                http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14811/14811-h/14811-h.htm

    • Pascals bookie 1.3
      25 January 2016 at 7:39 pm

      It’s not binary eh, but yeah it can.

      cf, George W Bush, charismatic as fuck, destroyed by catalcsymic policy failures to the point that his base is spitting on his brothe and he is having to sit on his hands because he can’t, even as a very recent former president who once had record approvak ratings, do anything to help.

      Charisma is agreat thing for them to have, but it’s capital. Key doesn’t really spend his, he husbands it. Right wingers like him right now because he is beating the left, not because he is doing any great rw things.

      To stay popular he’s been compromising rw policy all to hell: raising benefits, the ridic half arse and economically pretty silly ‘MOM model’, U-turning on mining and RMA;

      he isn’t actually getting a lot done structurally, (and yes, I know about the welfare stuff English has been working on, but mush of that can be co-opted by a progressive govt fairly easily by removing the more punitive aspects that are not actually core to the ‘investment’ philosophy of the reforms).

      Once he stops beating the left, or gets bored, that’s when the rw will start to assess his record based on policy

      • Lanthanide 1.3.1
        25 January 2016 at 9:42 pm

        I hope you’re right.

      • Colonial Viper 1.3.2
        25 January 2016 at 11:32 pm

        I think your analysis is a bit out.

        The truly right wing/neoliberal set don’t really like the John Key/Bill English combination; they are simply tolerated.

  3. joe90 3
    25 January 2016 at 7:29 pm

    ‘Y’all Qaeda’ and the Mormon connection.

    For nearly seven hours last week, we were granted a rare level of access. The militant leaders allowed us past the media staging area to roam, without escorts, through the compound—including in buildings the Bundys had kept off-limits to most other press.

    But a spot in the prayer circle with Bundy? No dice.

    As the mother and kids entered the headquarters, this observer could see Bundy form a circle with five children and two adults and bow his head to pray.

    Snatches of conversation could be heard: Bundy explaining his political system, called the five circles of authority, which laid out the power of local and federal governments under the authority of God.

    http://www.wweek.com/2016/01/13/bundyland/

  4. Draco T Bastard 4
    25 January 2016 at 7:35 pm

    Education is for everyone. We all benefit from having a well-educated population. Even the mega-wealthy, who think that because they can afford to pay for their children’s education everyone else should be able to do the same, need the services of an educated workforce. It is thanks to our public education system that there are people out there who know how to make a trim latte just right, to prune the roses, create the perfect water feature, fly planes and helicopters. Not to mention teachers, nurses, plumbers, electricians, doctors, rubbish collectors, cleaners, care workers.

    A world where only the wealthy can access a decent education is not a good place for anyone. Education should have a big sign across it CAPITALISTS KEEP OUT. There is no place for market forces ideology in the education system. Education is purely and simply for the common good. No money needs to change hands.

    Free education. No fees, no loans, no debt. Enjoy!

    Simple truth.

  5. b waghorn 5
    25 January 2016 at 8:30 pm

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/294915/maori-veteran's-pension-cut-off
    national the party that screws war vets , heartless fuckers.

    • Anne 5.1
      25 January 2016 at 9:29 pm

      I’m speechless – almost. But also, what does it say about the “Ministry of Social Development”?

      • weka 5.1.1
        25 January 2016 at 9:41 pm

        The issue is whether the cutting of a benefit under those circumstances (and the reinstatement) is discretionary via policy rather than mandated in law. If it’s the latter then WINZ have their hands tied (probably). If it’s the former, then they’re just nasty fucks.

        • Anne 5.1.1.1
          25 January 2016 at 10:25 pm

          If it’s the former, then they’re just nasty fucks.

          And racist too.

        • One Anonymous Bloke 5.1.1.2
          25 January 2016 at 10:27 pm

          If the government employs nasty fucks that’s on the government. The Minister’s personal responsibility.

          I expect Labour did it too. /sarc

          • weka 5.1.1.2.1
            25 January 2016 at 11:15 pm

            My experience of WINZ is that they’ve always had a proportion of staff who are just plain nasty and punitive irrespective of who was in government. But under Labour the percentage dropped either due to different hiring practices, or more likely, due to those staff needing to hide their nastier inclinations due to a change in culture. Ultimately it shouldn’t matter what the personal feelings of staff are about beneficiaries, the policy directions from management should make it clear what can and should be done.

            Given how appalling the Bennett remoulding of WINZ is I’d guess that the pressure on staff is horrible too, so even the good people might be finding it difficult to do the right thing.

            • Colonial Viper 5.1.1.2.1.1
              25 January 2016 at 11:33 pm

              Go to a UBI and get rid of 95% of “WINZ”

              • weka …
                25 January 2016 at 11:37 pm

                May as well use WINZ to administer a UBI. They will also be necessary to manage the supplementary benefits, so the culture and management issues still need to be addressed.

                • Colonial Viper …
                  25 January 2016 at 11:49 pm

                  Indeed, but you can jettison most of WINZ, including the problem managers/supervisors.

                  • weka …
                    26 January 2016 at 12:43 am

                    The problem managers exist because of the governments and how they manage the culture. It’s not as straight forward as you suggest. In a UBI system there might be less staff overall, but I’m not sure the % of nasty people would necessarily decrease. Plenty of bigotry of sick people and solo parents still left to go around.

              • maui …
                25 January 2016 at 11:45 pm

                The UBI is very appealing, but what say NZ hit the economic doldrums, would a Government still be able to fund it?

                • Colonial Viper …
                  25 January 2016 at 11:54 pm

                  Hi maui,

                  There are a few different ways to answer this question.

                  If NZ communities found themselves in an economic downturn (as many areas outside the big cities are right now) why not use a UBI to help get money moving through those local economies where it can actually do some good for struggling Kiwis?

                  Also, a Government spending NZ dollars into the NZ economy doesn’t destroy them or somehow make those NZ dollars disappear. The government will collect up those same dollars very quickly via various taxes.

                  • maui …
                    26 January 2016 at 8:00 am

                    Thanks CV, makes sense, although it does sound a bit too good to be true for me. It would be good if there was a case study of an economy being bought out of depression in this way and how it faired in the long run.

                • Draco T Bastard …
                  26 January 2016 at 12:05 am

                  A government can always fund that which is produced by the countries resources.

                • gsays …
                  26 January 2016 at 7:00 am

                  hi maui
                  re affording a ubi two things:
                  the scf bailout, money was found in quick smart time.

                  a financial transaction tax, .1% on every $ that changes hands.
                  gets rid of gst and income tax and brings in all that speculation activity.

                  • maui …
                    26 January 2016 at 8:09 am

                    Good points gsays, I wonder about the FTT as a source of funding though, if things got really bad people wouldn’t be making eftpos transactions – they wouldnt have the money and they’d be much more likely to use the black market and cash.

                    • Molly …
                      26 January 2016 at 8:38 am

                      I thought gsays was talking about a financial transactions tax on trading and financial products. He can correct me if I am wrong, but I always think of Bill Nighy’s explanation when I think of this type of tax:

                      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYtNwmXKIvM

                    • Molly …
                      26 January 2016 at 8:44 am

                      I let the Youtube run in the background and a follow-up item came up which I had not seen before:

                      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ghKdH1iJBc

                    • gsays …
                      26 January 2016 at 6:48 pm

                      hi maui and molly,
                      i was thinking of trading and financial products, as well as wages, purchases etc.

                      if things are ‘that’ bad then the ‘black’ market will grow.
                      rather than seen as a bad thing i see it as a positive as we are doing things for each other and being more helpful as opposed to ‘selling our labour’ to an employer who then handles tax on behalf of the state.

                      good clips molly.

                      or as either cv or draco often point out, let the state print and issue funds.

        • b waghorn 5.1.1.3
          26 January 2016 at 6:42 am

          Your riight the winz workers hands are tied ,but what a commentary that story is on how nz is becoming a cold heartless place to live.

          • weka 5.1.1.3.1
            26 January 2016 at 12:31 pm

            As it turns out, WINZ workers’ hands aren’t tied in this case, they had discretion they just used to wrongly. Part of the cold heartlessness 🙁

    • Rosemary McDonald 5.2
      25 January 2016 at 10:16 pm

      Add my voice to this…the man is eighty nine fucking years old….jesus bloody wept…

      Eighty nine….

      And look…Kaitaia cops not issuing tickets to drivers failing to stop for 3 seconds at a stop sign, or prosecuting some unfortunate bus driver who got stuck in a hole on Ninety Mile…

        • Jenny Kirk 5.2.1.1
          25 January 2016 at 10:44 pm

          I am really puzzled by this matter as well, Rosemary Anne and others.
          Is NZ Super a benefit, or is it a “right”?
          You don’t have to go thru beaurocratic hoops to get it, you just have to be aged 65 and be a NZer, or sufficient years as a resident.

          What is more, WINZ has separate office spaces for those on NZ Super, separate from all those on benefits. So NZ Super recipients are treated differently from people on benefits.

          If it is a “right” to which all NZers are entitled – presumably WINZ do not need to regard it in the same way as a benefit which does have a penalty if a person on a benefit is arrested.

          Has WINZ overstepped the mark on this case? Certainly sounds like it.

          • Rosemary McDonald 5.2.1.1.1
            25 January 2016 at 11:17 pm

            Just what I was thinking. I understood that there were sanctions on Jobseeker Allowance recipients and perhaps eve SLP recipients…”if you can do the crime you can bloody well work”…but an eighty nine year old Nat Super recipient?

            Selwyn Clarke is an activist from way back…Bastion Point, no less. He was the guy that tossed the table at the Statoil meeting.

            And Sam Kuha http://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503450&objectid=11078184
            remember?

            They have some staunch kaumatua in the Far North.

            Quite often they step outside the ‘accepted’ Maori representation.

            I don’t know…and it kinda concerns me as some of us older folk feel we can be a bit more involved now that the kids are grown and at least the super was safe….is there a message being sent, you think?

          • weka 5.2.1.1.2
            25 January 2016 at 11:23 pm

            That’s a bloody good point Jenny. Are we about to find out that Super is not an entitlement but is instead discretionary?

    • weka 5.3
      25 January 2016 at 11:27 pm

      ok, according to this, whether a benefit is stopped or not on the basis of a warrant is discretionary,


      If a person receiving a benefit has an arrest warrant, Work and Income will tell them that their benefit may be reduced or stopped unless it’s cleared or they’ve taken all reasonable steps to clear it.

      http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/documents/brochures/welfare-reform-changes-overview-july-2013.pdf

      and this,

      http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/individuals/brochures/warrants-to-arrest.html

      • Jenny Kirk 5.3.1
        26 January 2016 at 8:32 am

        Yes, Weka – the brochure is clear “a beneficiary” is likely to get their benefit stopped if they are arrested.
        BUT – is a NZ superannuitant a “beneficiary” or a “pensioner”?
        I would have thought there is a distinct difference between the two, and the 89 year old superannuitant should not have had his super stopped.

        This sort of nonsense needs sorting out promptly because like Rosemary says many older people are appalled at what is going on in this country and doing what they can to protest about it ….. and should not lose their super if they transgress the law.

        • weka 5.3.1.1
          26 January 2016 at 9:57 am

          I had a quick look on the WINZ website last night. Superannuation eligibility is dependent on two things: age and residency/citizenship. WINZ have Super listed under main benefits, so yes it looks like it is considered just another benefit.

          http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/map/income-support/main-benefits/new-zealand-superannuation/qualifications.html

          My previous links are important because they show that this is a policy issue not a legislative one, which means that individual staff can use discretion i.e. they’re not legally obligated to cut a benefit for someone who has an outstanding warrant. Which begs the question of why they chose to in this case.

    • Draco T Bastard 5.4
      26 January 2016 at 12:03 am

      It’s basically National making sure that anyone who stands up to them can have everything taken away from them.

  6. weka 6
    25 January 2016 at 9:36 pm

    Bloody good description of the mire that is water in NZ.

    Blame is complicated, I wonder if stopping this shameful environmental abuse will be as complicated? Accountants and banks encouraged farmers to convert sheep farms to dairying, local governments have allowed resource consent and water rights, central government allowed and encouraged unsustainable growth. Land is being farmed intensively that never should have been. As a result rows of trees planted by New Zealand’s first farmers have been removed to make way for centre pivots that deliver precious water to the parched soils. Soil erosion results with sedimentation build up making a perfect environment for algae to flourish and river flows are compromised. Some dairy farmers wanted to make a living, and some were driven by greed. Some are doing a fantastic job planting riparian strips, showing best practice animal care and management, and 100% compliance with regional council rules. Others I believe are not, and don’t care.

    More at https://www.facebook.com/choosecleanwaternz/posts/1690903644528249

  7. fisiani 7
    26 January 2016 at 4:14 pm

    Is Andrew Little for or against the TPPA? serious question. He waffled this morning on National Radio for six minutes but was unable to answer the question.

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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago

  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Government redress for Te Korowai o Wainuiārua
    The Government is continuing the bipartisan effort to restore its relationship with iwi as the Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill passed its first reading in Parliament today, says Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith. “Historical grievances of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua relate to 19th century warfare, land purchased or taken ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Focus on outstanding minerals permit applications
    New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals is working to resolve almost 150 outstanding minerals permit applications by the end of the financial year, enabling valuable mining activity and signalling to the sector that New Zealand is open for business, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.  “While there are no set timeframes for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Applications open for NZ-Ireland Research Call
    The New Zealand and Irish governments have today announced that applications for the 2024 New Zealand-Ireland Joint Research Call on Agriculture and Climate Change are now open. This is the third research call in the three-year Joint Research Initiative pilot launched in 2022 by the Ministry for Primary Industries and Ireland’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Tenancy rules changes to improve rental market
    The coalition Government has today announced changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to encourage landlords back to the rental property market, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “The previous Government waged a war on landlords. Many landlords told us this caused them to exit the rental market altogether. It caused worse ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Boosting NZ’s trade and agricultural relationship with China
    Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay will visit China next week, to strengthen relationships, support Kiwi exporters and promote New Zealand businesses on the world stage. “China is one of New Zealand’s most significant trade and economic relationships and remains an important destination for New Zealand’s products, accounting for nearly 22 per cent of our good and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Freshwater farm plan systems to be improved
    The coalition Government intends to improve freshwater farm plans so that they are more cost-effective and practical for farmers, Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay have announced. “A fit-for-purpose freshwater farm plan system will enable farmers and growers to find the right solutions for their farm ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • New Fast Track Projects advisory group named
    The coalition Government has today announced the expert advisory group who will provide independent recommendations to Ministers on projects to be included in the Fast Track Approvals Bill, say RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones. “Our Fast Track Approval process will make it easier and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Pacific and Gaza focus of UN talks
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters says his official talks with the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York today focused on a shared commitment to partnering with the Pacific Islands region and a common concern about the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.    “Small states in the Pacific rely on collective ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Government honours Taranaki Maunga deal
    The Government is honouring commitments made to Taranaki iwi with the Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill passing its first reading Parliament today, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “This Bill addresses the commitment the Crown made to the eight iwi of Taranaki to negotiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Enhanced partnership to reduce agricultural emissions
    The Government and four further companies are together committing an additional $18 million towards AgriZeroNZ to boost New Zealand’s efforts to reduce agricultural emissions. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says the strength of the New Zealand economy relies on us getting effective and affordable emission reduction solutions for New Zealand. “The ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • 110km/h limit proposed for Kāpiti Expressway
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) will begin consultation this month on raising speed limits for the Kāpiti Expressway to 110km/h. “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and this proposal supports that outcome ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand Biosecurity Awards – Winners announced
    Two New Zealanders who’ve used their unique skills to help fight the exotic caulerpa seaweed are this year’s Biosecurity Awards Supreme Winners, says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard. “Strong biosecurity is vital and underpins the whole New Zealand economy and our native flora and fauna. These awards celebrate all those in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Attendance action plan to lift student attendance rates
    The Government is taking action to address the truancy crisis and raise attendance by delivering the attendance action plan, Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced today.   New Zealand attendance rates are low by national and international standards. Regular attendance, defined as being in school over 90 per cent of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • World must act to halt Gaza catastrophe – Peters
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has told the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York today that an immediate ceasefire is needed in Gaza to halt the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe.    “Palestinian civilians continue to bear the brunt of Israel’s military actions,” Mr Peters said in his speech to a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Speech to United Nations General Assembly: 66th plenary meeting, 78th session
    Mr President,   The situation in Gaza is an utter catastrophe.   New Zealand condemns Hamas for its heinous terrorist attacks on 7 October and since, including its barbaric violations of women and children. All of us here must demand that Hamas release all remaining hostages immediately.   At the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government woolshed roadshow kicks off
    Today the Government Agriculture Ministers started their national woolshed roadshow, kicking off in the Wairarapa. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay said it has been a tough time for farmers over the past few years. The sector has faced high domestic inflation rates, high interest rates, adverse weather events, and increasing farm ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • PM heads to Singapore, Thailand, and Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will travel to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines this week (April 14-20), along with a senior business delegation, signalling the Government’s commitment to deepen New Zealand’s international engagement, especially our relationships in South East Asia. “South East Asia is a region that is more crucial than ever to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Prime Minister launches Government Targets
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced further steps to get New Zealand back on track, launching nine ambitious Government Targets to help improve the lives of New Zealanders. “Our Government has a plan that is focused on three key promises we made to New Zealanders – to rebuild the economy, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Natural hydrogen resource should be free of Treaty claims entanglement
    Natural hydrogen could be a game-changing new source of energy for New Zealand but it is essential it is treated as a critical development that benefits all New Zealanders, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones is seeking to give regulatory certainty for those keen to develop natural, or geological, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government responds to unsustainable net migration
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand on stage at global Space Symposium
    Space Minister Judith Collins will speak at the Space Symposium in the United States next week, promoting New Zealand’s rapidly growing place in the sector as we work to rebuild the economy. “As one of the largest global space events, attended by more than 10,000 business and government representatives from ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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