Eugenie Sage's members bill to ban mining on conservation land, as was Jacinda Arden's promise in 2017, has been voted down by the Labour party:
Aotearoa is home to many unique plants and animals that are only found here. If Labour isn’t going to support our bill to protect their habitats and the dramatic landscapes and natural features on public conservation land, they need to front up with a clear alternative plan,” says Green Party conservation spokesperson, Eugenie Sage.
“In 2017 the Labour Government promised that there would be no new mines on conservation land. My members’ bill, the Crown Minerals (Prohibition of Mining) Amendment Bill would have achieved exactly that. But tonight, Labour chose not to turn their fine words and promises into action. It is clearer than ever that we need more Green MPs sitting around the decision making table pushing the government to do the right thing.
“Only 50 percent of conservation land (in national parks, nature reserves and wildlife sanctuaries) is protected from mining. My bill would have ensured there are no new mines on public conservation land and no new coal mines on any land in Aotearoa. Last term, NZ First was a handbrake on implementing Labour’s promise. That excuse no longer applies, yet Labour has settled for sticking with the status quo.
This type of blocking of real action on climate change really is inexcusable. Remember this. This attitude extends to many of the other various crises that afflict our communities. We need those are prepared to take action.
The sweet spot for Labour is that nobody will hold them to account in parliament, I presume. Can you think of anyone who would dare?
So is Labour shameless or does it have a valid excuse? I suppose they would claim they've honoured Jacinda's promise so the legislation is non-essential. Even if enacted, National could easily repeal it.
An "anonymous source" has been accused of leaking Labour Caucus information. The person has alleged:
"We have known about Kiri Allan for two years".
Two possibilities.
1)The anonymous source is a Labour MP who has committed the ultimate sin of revealing something said in caucus without [presumably] including any proof of its accuracy. Someone with a grudge?
2) It is yet another manifestion of dirty politics NAct style.
How many of us predicted last year this election would be the dirtiest on record?
If you want to make such a serious charge against Te Pāti Māori then it is your duty to provide evidence of them "condoning abuse". There is none but that won't stop you from making it up.
I have not made a serious charge against Te Pati Maori. But I agree with Muttonbird that it is certainly not past the NActs to approach individuals for dirt on their political enemies.
There's a book called Dirty Politics by Nicky Hager that has been around for nearly ten years. Suggest you read it.
I have read Dirty Politics. They call it ratfucking in the USA. I've never seen any proof the labour are above it – actually seen enough, to know they are not.
If you had concerns about Muttonbird mentioning Meka Whaitiri then direct your spleen at that commenter not me. A hater if there was ever one. Feel sorry for you.
Deflection, deflection, deflection. You accused me of something that did not occur. You're MO will be noted by many. Say sorry and all will be forgiven.
You think Te Pāti Māori members are going to work with act or national, you have not been paying attention. I'd suggest you watch Whakaata Māori – Te Ao with Moana is very good start and will give you some insight.
My MO, is that I'm a bastard. That is known. And quite frankly, I can live with it. Having a spine and standing up to bullies and thugs makes me an ass in most eyes, and again I can live with it.
Politics for liberals (nat/act are liberals too) is personality politics, I'm not a liberal so I'm not trying to win you or anyone else with over with my personality or approach.
Just offering up a fundamentally different world view.
So have a great weekend and I'll leave it there. Feel free to write a response, but I won't be responding, as I think we are at cross purposes. Of which I will take responsibility for my part in that.
First he was a communist, then he was just a cornered rat.
Some advice if want to do the revolting French peasant raging against the regime and also provide a good "stir up". just consider yourself a stirrer in chief, a master of the house, Ratatouille is an option for those who want a meatless dish.
If you mean Whaitiri as the source, it can't be. The leak came from a current Labour MP about what happened at the most recent caucus meeting, on Tuesday.
It looks to me as though there are 2 people involved (though this might be journalistic legerdemain – and the source is both the one quoted and the leaker).
One first term MP who was "visibly emotional" and quoted as saying “We can't pretend that we haven't known about this for two years.” (it's not exactly clear in the context what "this" is)
And another MP who has leaked the story.
It seems likely that any one-term MP who was challenging the caucus in such frank terms – is probably one who has already decided to leave parliament – and wants to clear the decks before they go.
The leaker is more subtle. Reasons for leaking are more to do with undermining opponents (or people you see as opponents) within the caucus – there is little need for this if you're already leaving.
The National caucus leaked like a sieve prior to Luxon. And no one was calling it dirty politics.
I heard this story on Checkpoint. The leaker's reference (in the above link) to Kiri yelling at her caucus colleagues for two years seems surprising – along with the inference that they were supposed to tolerate it.
Likely to be a follow-up tomorrow, I suspect. A first-term MP, apparently unimpressed with Labour political culture condoning abuse.
A first-term MP, apparently unimpressed with Labour political culture condoning abuse.
If you want to make such a serious charge against Labour then it is your duty to provide evidence of them "condoning abuse". There is none but that won't stop you from making it up.
I presume the first termer got disillusioned by Labour's culture of cover-up. They probably went to parliament to represent Labour under the delusion that Labour were decent people. Discovering the truth was traumatic.
"emotional" first term MP" disillusioned by Labour's culture cover-up"?
You can read the mind of an anonymous leaker? And the author of the story is a former now defunct 'News of the World' journo trained in the art of tabloid fodder.
I'm not quite sure why you're so disbelieving of this story. As you, yourself, pointed out in 2020, all caucuses leak – when things aren't going well for them.
In regard to the chauffeur story in your link @3.2.1.1 that is another media beatup.
"A Government spokesperson said no “formal issues” were raised with Allan related to her use of ministerial transport and stressed that the emails related “to the organisation of travel by her office, not her interactions with drivers”.
"The concern around bookings was raised back in 2021, the year in which the Minister was undergoing treatment for cancer…"
It was described by Deputy PM, Carmel Sepuloni on TV1 as "an anonymous source" which suggests they do not know who the person is or whether 'the leaker' was indeed a member of their caucus. There was no mention of a second person being involved but in politics nothing is surprising.
All that means is that Sepuloni doesn't know the source. Unsurprising if it's a caucus leak – they wouldn't exactly go telling the Deputy PM that they were the anonymous leaker.
The article I leaked to strongly implied that the leaker and the person taking caucus to task for 'knowing about this for two years' – were separate people.
As I said, this could be journalistic ledgerdemain – but there is no intrinsic reason for them to be the same – the motivations look quite different.
Please note that 'implied' in my comment related to the existence of two people involved in this story (rather than one). Not whether or not the story was true.
And, no. There *can't* be any proof that the claims are true.
This is a leak from someone present at the caucus. By definition, there can't be proof. That didn't seem to stop TS chewing over every leak that came from the National caucus pre-Luxon.
You can, of course, assume that the journalist made the story up entirely. However, occam's razor says that it's much more likely that there was indeed a leaker.
So, since there is no proof, you don’t know. The 'claims' could have come from outside of the Labour Party though. As mentioned previously, it would not be the first time that the media have spread a lie.
"One National MP reflected on the caucus meeting saying, "It was a bit rich getting a lecture in loyalty and unity when those two [Collins and Brownlee] leaked so much in the past".
Well, yes, every comment you make is reinforcing the point that all caucuses leak, when things aren't going well for them.
And, that you're perfectly happy to comment on leaks that come from the 'other' (however you define it) side, without requiring some arbitrary (and unachievable) standard of proof.
Kiri had been the author of her own misfortune. That’s not dirty politics. Irrespective of what political party is in power. It’s unacceptable for a cabinet minister to, crash their state provided car, test positive for alcohol, and get arrested all in one night.
The rest is par for the course, there has been talk about her behaviour, directed at public servants, now it appears she may have bullied junior Labour Party MP’s as well. it’s normal for those who have been on the receiving end of a bully to take delight in the bullies downfall.
That said, it’s over she’s left Parliament. I just hope that the bloke who’s vehicle was damaged gets it fixed with out being out of pocket.
The global Tax Justice Network's report said multinationals shifted about $2.5 billion earned in New Zealand overseas last year, and in doing so the country missed out on about $270 million in taxes.
The chairperson of Tax Justice Aotearoa, an affiliate of the network, Glenn Barclay, said… "It is time for the government, whoever wins the election, to take a stand on international tax abuse."
I predict Labour will pretend this hasn't happened. The PM lacks sufficient spine to combat the capitalists.
I agree the improved performance of the department is absolutely spiffing, but strangely it seems to have absolutely nothing to do with the cited report. 🙄
The report you cite is trivial at a few hundred million tax take compared to the multi-billion improvement in the actual tax performance of the government.
Why you come on here with your tiresome weak bullshit I seriously don't know.
You're just not using your brain properly. Any tax rip-off scheme operated successfully by global capitalism is tax-payer money that the govt loses. That means less ability of the state to provide for the resilience infrastructure spending that is essential now.
I understand that the congenital inability of Labour folk to connect cause and effect is endemic, but they do have the potential to get over that. To retain their voter support, doing so will be necessary for them. It's actually in our national interest that they do…
It requires global accord to make real change (as to the way corporates do their accounting)
What any party can do (in this area) is bring in progressive taxation on companies, which allows us to place a higher tax on banks and supermarkets than we do on local smaller developing businesses.
NEW: The conventional wisdom is that parents have grown increasingly furious with public schools. But it's actually people without school-age children who are particularly skeptical of public schools, multiple surveys show.
The heiress to one half of the throne of them and also ourselves, does not show much appreciation for jewellery, one of the methods by which wealth and power is displayed.
If only she were able to cast aside these royal/state trinkets and help others with ownership of the necessities of life.
Meanwhile, in the realm of celebrity … there are plans to transmit across media culture the feminist/empowerment anthems of Taylor Swift, and make them part of meta-feminism (which is only going to confuse the meaning of the term further), according to this Herald article at least.
The Sun reports that Swift has even held a meeting with Succession writer Alice Birch to chat about a possible new “meta-feminist” TV show.
One wonders if a woman (or all women) with the capability to succession to inheritance will be accompanied by Swift anthems as her (their) theme music.
I certainly prefer the reflective catharsis of Swift's "It's me, my, I'm the problem it's me"
to the astonishing unrepentant egoism of Cyrus's "I can buy myself flowers. Write my name in the sand, Talk to myself for hours, Say things you don't understand"
I am sure there will be mention of it between ZB mouth in print, the remnant of the Roundtable intellectual class before they also go the way of Garth, or their NZ Initiative X generation replacements, Prebble and Soper, or at least a story about the fine of some Swede.
But maybe not, this is the classless medium that published an editorial in 2005, that voters must prevent a Labour-Green coalition government. It's love of Kiwi iwi politics and an across the board tax cut fully on display. It's last hymn to its love affair with National's 1990's ECA precariat regime.
Good on Gareth Hughes telling it like it is. From the link:
This difficult job is then all played out in the full glare of the media, attacked constantly by bad faith actors in a toxic social media environment.
It's draining having to be constantly “on guard” and parsing how every word or phrase could be interpreted. Even taking your dog to work can result in ridiculous headlines. The abuse particularly Māori and female politicians receive online is shocking.
It doesn't need to be like that and once upon a time it wasn't like that.
I can remember Warren Freer, former cabinet minister and longtime MP for Mt Albert telling his local committee that all the ballyhoo we see in the debating chamber does not extend to the rest of parliamentary life. He said some of the best friends he made came from the National benches and they stayed friends long after they left parliament.
The extent of the toxic atmosphere seems to me to be a combination of the cynical 'gotcha' journalistic attitude that exists today together with the advent of social media where misinformation and disinformation flourishes with no consequence.
I think the paragraph about Warren Freer is still largely the case – this episode of Gone By Lunchtime (Spinoff political pundit podcast) has Kiri Allan, Erica Stanford and Chloe Swarbrick in a live event as a five-year follow-up to the three of them writing Parliamentary diaries for The Spinoff in 2017. There was a lot of friendly camaraderie in that, and they were clear that outside the debating chamber, there are still good working relationships and friendships in and around Parliament (including the three of them).
I agree Craig H. There is still respect and friendship particularly among the women in parliament – or most of them. That has been notable just in the last few days. But there is still an enhanced toxic atmosphere elsewhere. The main culprits don't need to be named. They are obvious to anyone who goes looking. And of course they are being aided and abetted by the tabloid media hell bent on destroying this government as much for the fun of it as anything.
to Anne at 11.1.1.1: in regard to the main culprits being 'obvious to anyone who goes looking '. The culprits you mention , by their disgusting behaviour , must now be plainly obvious to many more than before their innate nastiness was released.
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Do the 31,000 signatures of the OISM Petition Project invalidate the scientific consensus on climate change? Climatologists made up only 0.1% of signatories ...
In the 1980s and early 1990s when I wrote about Argentine and South American authoritarianism, I borrowed the phrase “cultura del miedo” (culture of fear) from Juan Corradi, Guillermo O’Donnell, Norberto Lechner and others to characterise the social anomaly that exists in a country ruled by a state terror regime ...
In the week of Australia’s 3 May election, ASPI will release Agenda for Change 2025: preparedness and resilience in an uncertain world, a report promoting public debate and understanding on issues of strategic importance to ...
Chris Bishop has unveiled plans for new roads in Tauranga, Auckland and Northland that will cost up to a combined $10 billion. Photo: Lynn GrievesonLong stories short from Aotearoa political economy around housing, poverty and climate in the week to Saturday, April 26:Chris Bishop ploughed ahead this week with spending ...
Unless you've been living under a rock, you would have noticed that New Zealand’s government, under the guise of economic stewardship, is tightening the screws on its citizens, and using debt as a tool of control. This isn’t just a conspiracy theory whispered in pub corners...it’s backed by hard data ...
The budget runup is far from easy.Budget 2025 day is Thursday 22 May. About a month earlier in a normal year, the macroeconomic forecasts would be completed (the fiscal ones would still be tidying up) and the main policy decisions would have been made (but there would still be a ...
On 25 April 2021, I published an internal all-staff Anzac Day message. I did so as the Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs, which is responsible for Australia’s civil defence, and its resilience in ...
You’ve likely noticed that the disgraced blogger of Whale Oil Beef Hooked infamy, Cameron Slater, is still slithering around the internet, peddling his bile on a shiny new blogsite calling itself The Good Oil. If you thought bankruptcy, defamation rulings, and a near-fatal health scare would teach this idiot a ...
The Atlas Network, a sprawling web of libertarian think tanks funded by fossil fuel barons and corporate elites, has sunk its claws into New Zealand’s political landscape. At the forefront of this insidious influence is David Seymour, the ACT Party leader, whose ties to Atlas run deep.With the National Party’s ...
Nicola Willis, National’s supposed Finance Minister, has delivered another policy failure with the Family Boost scheme, a childcare rebate that was big on promises but has been very small on delivery. Only 56,000 families have signed up, a far cry from the 130,000 Willis personally championed in National’s campaign. This ...
This article was first published on 7 February 2025. In January, I crossed the milestone of 24 years of service in two militaries—the British and Australian armies. It is fair to say that I am ...
He shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.Age shall not weary him, nor the years condemn.At the going down of the sun and in the morningI will remember him.My mate Keith died yesterday, peacefully in the early hours. My dear friend in Rotorua, whom I’ve been ...
The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-hosts & talking about the week’s news with regular and special guests, including: on news New Zealand abstained from a vote on a global shipping levy on climate emissions and downgraded the importance ...
Hi,In case you missed it, New Zealand icon Lorde has a new single out. It’s called “What Was That”, and has a very low key music video that was filmed around her impromptu performance in New York’s Washington Square Park. When police shut down the initial popup, one of my ...
A strategy of denial is now the cornerstone concept for Australia’s National Defence Strategy. The term’s use as an overarching guide to defence policy, however, has led to some confusion on what it actually means ...
The IMF’s twice-yearly World Economic Outlook and Fiscal Monitor publications have come out in the last couple of days. If there is gloom in the GDP numbers (eg this chart for the advanced countries, and we don’t score a lot better on the comparable one for the 2019 to ...
For a while, it looked like the government had unfucked the ETS, at least insofar as unit settings were concerned. They had to be forced into it by a court case, but at least it got done, and when National came to power, it learned the lesson (and then fucked ...
The argument over US officials’ misuse of secure but non-governmental messaging platform Signal falls into two camps. Either it is a gross error that undermines national security, or it is a bit of a blunder ...
Cost of living ~1/3 of Kiwis needed help with food as cost of living pressures continue to increase - turning to friends, family, food banks or Work and Income in the past year, to find food. 40% of Kiwis also said they felt schemes offered little or no benefit, according ...
Hi,Perhaps in 2025 it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the CEO and owner of Voyager Internet — the major sponsor of the New Zealand Media Awards — has taken to sharing a variety of Anti-Muslim and anti-Jewish conspiracy theories to his 1.2 million followers.This included sharing a post from ...
In the sprint to deepen Australia-India defence cooperation, navy links have shot ahead of ties between the two countries’ air forces and armies. That’s largely a good thing: maritime security is at the heart of ...
'Cause you and me, were meant to be,Walking free, in harmony,One fine day, we'll fly away,Don't you know that Rome wasn't built in a day?Songwriters: Paul David Godfrey / Ross Godfrey / Skye Edwards.I was half expecting to see photos this morning of National Party supporters with wads of cotton ...
The PSA says a settlement with Health New Zealand over the agency’s proposed restructure of its Data and Digital and Pacific Health teams has saved around 200 roles from being cut. A third of New Zealanders have needed help accessing food in the past year, according to Consumer NZ, and ...
John Campbell’s Under His Command, a five-part TVNZ+ investigation series starting today, rips the veil off Destiny Church, exposing the rot festering under Brian Tamaki’s self-proclaimed apostolic throne. This isn’t just a church; it’s a fiefdom, built on fear, manipulation, and a trail of scandals that make your stomach churn. ...
Some argue we still have time, since quantum computing capable of breaking today’s encryption is a decade or more away. But breakthrough capabilities, especially in domains tied to strategic advantage, rarely follow predictable timelines. Just ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Pearl Marvell(Photo credit: Pearl Marvell. Image credit: Samantha Harrington. Dollar bill vector image: by pch.vector on Freepik) Igrew up knowing that when you had extra money, you put it under a bed, stashed it in a book or a clock, or, ...
The political petrified piece of wood, Winston Peters, who refuses to retire gracefully, has had an eventful couple of weeks peddling transphobia, pushing bigoted policies, undertaking his unrelenting war on wokeness and slinging vile accusations like calling Green co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick a “groomer”.At 80, the hypocritical NZ First leader’s latest ...
It's raining in Cockermouth and we're following our host up the stairs. We’re telling her it’s a lovely building and she’s explaining that it used to be a pub and a nightclub and a backpackers, but no more.There were floods in 2009 and 2015 along the main street, huge floods, ...
A recurring aspect of the Trump tariff coverage is that it normalises – or even sanctifies – a status quo that in many respects has been a disaster for working class families. No doubt, Donald Trump is an uncertainty machine that is tanking the stock market and the growth prospects ...
The National Party’s Minister of Police, Corrections, and Ethnic Communities (irony alert) has stumbled into yet another racist quagmire, proving that when it comes to bigotry, the right wing’s playbook is as predictable as it is vile. This time, Mitchell’s office reposted an Instagram reel falsely claiming that Te Pāti ...
In the week of Australia’s 3 May election, ASPI will release Agenda for Change 2025: preparedness and resilience in an uncertain world, a report promoting public debate and understanding on issues of strategic importance to ...
In a world crying out for empathy, J.K. Rowling has once again proven she’s more interested in stoking division than building bridges. The once-beloved author of Harry Potter has cemented her place as this week’s Arsehole of the Week, a title earned through her relentless, tone-deaf crusade against transgender rights. ...
Health security is often seen as a peripheral security domain, and as a problem that is difficult to address. These perceptions weaken our capacity to respond to borderless threats. With the wind back of Covid-19 ...
Would our political parties pass muster under the Fair Trading Act?WHAT IF OUR POLITICAL PARTIES were subject to the Fair Trading Act? What if they, like the nation’s businesses, were prohibited from misleading their consumers – i.e. the voters – about the nature, characteristics, suitability, or quantity of the products ...
Rod EmmersonThank you to my subscribers and readers - you make it all possible. Tui.Subscribe nowSix updates today from around the world and locally here in Aoteaora New Zealand -1. RFK Jnr’s Autism CrusadeAmerica plans to create a registry of people with autism in the United States. RFK Jr’s department ...
We see it often enough. A democracy deals with an authoritarian state, and those who oppose concessions cite the lesson of Munich 1938: make none to dictators; take a firm stand. And so we hear ...
370 perioperative nurses working at Auckland City Hospital, Starship Hospital and Greenlane Clinical Centre will strike for two hours on 1 May – the same day senior doctors are striking. This is part of nationwide events to mark May Day on 1 May, including rallies outside public hospitals, organised by ...
Character protections for Auckland’s villas have stymied past development. Now moves afoot to strip character protection from a bunch of inner-city villas. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong stories shortest from our political economy on Wednesday, April 23:Special Character Areas designed to protect villas are stopping 20,000 sites near Auckland’s ...
Artificial intelligence is poised to significantly transform the Indo-Pacific maritime security landscape. It offers unprecedented situational awareness, decision-making speed and operational flexibility. But without clear rules, shared norms and mechanisms for risk reduction, AI could ...
For what is a man, what has he got?If not himself, then he has naughtTo say the things he truly feelsAnd not the words of one who kneelsThe record showsI took the blowsAnd did it my wayLyrics: Paul Anka.Morena folks, before we discuss Winston’s latest salvo in NZ First’s War ...
Britain once risked a reputation as the weak link in the trilateral AUKUS partnership. But now the appointment of an empowered senior official to drive the project forward and a new burst of British parliamentary ...
Australia’s ability to produce basic metals, including copper, lead, zinc, nickel and construction steel, is in jeopardy, with ageing plants struggling against Chinese competition. The multinational commodities company Trafigura has put its Australian operations under ...
There have been recent PPP debacles, both in New Zealand (think Transmission Gully) and globally, with numerous examples across both Australia and Britain of failed projects and extensive litigation by government agencies seeking redress for the failures.Rob Campbell is one of New Zealand’s sharpest critics of PPPs noting that; "There ...
On Twitter on Saturday I indicated that there had been a mistake in my post from last Thursday in which I attempted to step through the Reserve Bank Funding Agreement issues. Making mistakes (there are two) is annoying and I don’t fully understand how I did it (probably too much ...
Indonesia’s armed forces still have a lot of work to do in making proper use of drones. Two major challenges are pilot training and achieving interoperability between the services. Another is overcoming a predilection for ...
The StrategistBy Sandy Juda Pratama, Curie Maharani and Gautama Adi Kusuma
As a living breathing human being, you’ve likely seen the heart-wrenching images from Gaza...homes reduced to rubble, children burnt to cinders, families displaced, and a death toll that’s beyond comprehension. What is going on in Gaza is most definitely a genocide, the suffering is real, and it’s easy to feel ...
Donald Trump, who has called the Chair of the Federal Reserve “a major loser”. Photo: Getty ImagesLong stories shortest from our political economy on Tuesday, April 22:US markets slump after Donald Trump threatens the Fed’s independence. China warns its trading partners not to side with the US. Trump says some ...
Last night, the news came through that Pope Francis had passed away at 7:35 am in Rome on Monday, the 21st of April, following a reported stroke and heart failure. Pope Francis. Photo: AP.Despite his obvious ill health, it still came as a shock, following so soon after the Easter ...
The 2024 Independent Intelligence Review found the NIC to be highly capable and performing well. So, it is not a surprise that most of the 67 recommendations are incremental adjustments and small but nevertheless important ...
This is a re-post from The Climate BrinkThe world has made real progress toward tacking climate change in recent years, with spending on clean energy technologies skyrocketing from hundreds of billions to trillions of dollars globally over the past decade, and global CO2 emissions plateauing.This has contributed to a reassessment of ...
Hi,I’ve been having a peaceful month of what I’d call “existential dread”, even more aware than usual that — at some point — this all ends.It was very specifically triggered by watching Pantheon, an animated sci-fi show that I’m filing away with all-time greats like Six Feet Under, Watchmen and ...
Once the formalities of honouring the late Pope wrap up in two to three weeks time, the conclave of Cardinals will go into seclusion. Some 253 of the current College of Cardinals can take part in the debate over choosing the next Pope, but only 138 of them are below ...
The National Party government is doubling down on a grim, regressive vision for the future: more prisons, more prisoners, and a society fractured by policies that punish rather than heal. This isn’t just a misstep; it’s a deliberate lurch toward a dystopian future where incarceration is the answer to every ...
The audacity of Don Brash never ceases to amaze. The former National Party and Hobson’s Pledge mouthpiece has now sunk his claws into NZME, the media giant behind the New Zealand Herald and half of our commercial radio stations. Don Brash has snapped up shares in NZME, aligning himself with ...
A listing of 28 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 13, 2025 thru Sat, April 19, 2025. This week's roundup is again published by category and sorted by number of articles included in each. The formatting is a ...
“What I’d say to you is…” our Prime Minister might typically begin a sentence, when he’s about to obfuscate and attempt to derail the question you really, really want him to answer properly (even once would be okay, Christopher). Questions such as “Why is a literal election promise over ...
Ruth IrwinExponential Economic growth is the driver of Ecological degradation. It is driven by CO2 greenhouse gas emissions through fossil fuel extraction and burning for the plethora of polluting industries. Extreme weather disasters and Climate change will continue to get worse because governments subscribe to the current global economic system, ...
A man on telly tries to tell me what is realBut it's alright, I like the way that feelsAnd everybody singsWe are evolving from night to morningAnd I wanna believe in somethingWriter: Adam Duritz.The world is changing rapidly, over the last year or so, it has been out with the ...
MFB Co-Founder Cecilia Robinson runs Tend HealthcareSummary:Kieran McAnulty calls out National on healthcare lies and says Health Minister Simeon Brown is “dishonest and disingenuous”(video below)McAnulty says negotiation with doctors is standard practice, but this level of disrespect is not, especially when we need and want our valued doctors.National’s $20bn ...
Chris Luxon’s tenure as New Zealand’s Prime Minister has been a masterclass in incompetence, marked by coalition chaos, economic lethargy, verbal gaffes, and a moral compass that seems to point wherever political expediency lies. The former Air New Zealand CEO (how could we forget?) was sold as a steady hand, ...
Has anybody else noticed Cameron Slater still obsessing over Jacinda Ardern? The disgraced Whale Oil blogger seems to have made it his life’s mission to shadow the former Prime Minister of New Zealand like some unhinged stalker lurking in the digital bushes.The man’s obsession with Ardern isn't just unhealthy...it’s downright ...
Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is climate change a net benefit for society? Human-caused climate change has been a net detriment to society as measured by loss of ...
When the National Party hastily announced its “Local Water Done Well” policy, they touted it as the great saviour of New Zealand’s crumbling water infrastructure. But as time goes by it's looking more and more like a planning and fiscal lame duck...and one that’s going to cost ratepayers far more ...
Donald Trump, the orange-hued oligarch, is back at it again, wielding tariffs like a mob boss swinging a lead pipe. His latest economic edict; slapping hefty tariffs on imports from China, Mexico, and Canada, has the stench of a protectionist shakedown, cooked up in the fevered minds of his sycophantic ...
In the week of Australia’s 3 May election, ASPI will release Agenda for Change 2025: preparedness and resilience in an uncertain world, a report promoting public debate and understanding on issues of strategic importance to ...
One pill makes you largerAnd one pill makes you smallAnd the ones that mother gives youDon't do anything at allGo ask AliceWhen she's ten feet tallSongwriter: Grace Wing Slick.Morena, all, and a happy Bicycle Day to you.Today is an unofficial celebration of the dawning of the psychedelic era, commemorating the ...
It’s only been a few months since the Hollywood fires tore through Los Angeles, leaving a trail of devastation, numerous deaths, over 10,000 homes reduced to rubble, and a once glorious film industry on its knees. The Palisades and Eaton fires, fueled by climate-driven dry winds, didn’t just burn houses; ...
Four eighty-year-old books which are still vitally relevant today. Between 1942 and 1945, four refugees from Vienna each published a ground-breaking – seminal – book.* They left their country after Austria was taken over by fascists in 1934 and by Nazi Germany in 1938. Previously they had lived in ‘Red ...
Good Friday, 18th April, 2025: I can at last unveil the Secret Non-Fiction Project. The first complete Latin-to-English translation of Giovanni Pico della Mirandola’s twelve-book Disputationes adversus astrologiam divinatricem (Disputations Against Divinatory Astrology). Amounting to some 174,000 words, total. Some context is probably in order. Giovanni Pico della Mirandola (1463-1494) ...
National MP Hamish Campbell's pathetic attempt to downplay his deep ties to and involvement in the Two by Twos...a secretive religious sect under FBI and NZ Police investigation for child sexual abuse...isn’t just a misstep; it’s a calculated lie that insults the intelligence of every Kiwi voter.Campbell’s claim of being ...
New Zealand First’s Shane Jones has long styled himself as the “Prince of the Provinces,” a champion of regional development and economic growth. But beneath the bluster lies a troubling pattern of behaviour that reeks of cronyism and corruption, undermining the very democracy he claims to serve. Recent revelations and ...
Give me one reason to stay hereAnd I'll turn right back aroundGive me one reason to stay hereAnd I'll turn right back aroundSaid I don't want to leave you lonelyYou got to make me change my mindSongwriters: Tracy Chapman.Morena, and Happy Easter, whether that means to you. Hot cross buns, ...
Te Pāti Māori are appalled by Cabinet's decision to agree to 15 recommendations to the Early Childhood Education (ECE) sector following the regulatory review by the Ministry of Regulation. We emphasise the need to prioritise tamariki Māori in Early Childhood Education, conducted by education experts- not economists. “Our mokopuna deserve ...
The Government must support Northland hapū who have resorted to rakes and buckets to try to control a devastating invasive seaweed that threatens the local economy and environment. ...
New Zealand First has today introduced a Member’s Bill that would ensure the biological definition of a woman and man are defined in law. “This is not about being anti-anyone or anti-anything. This is about ensuring we as a country focus on the facts of biology and protect the ...
After stonewalling requests for information on boot camps, the Government has now offered up a blog post right before Easter weekend rather than provide clarity on the pilot. ...
More people could be harmed if Minister for Mental Health Matt Doocey does not guarantee to protect patients and workers as the Police withdraw from supporting mental health call outs. ...
The Green Party recognises the extension of visa allowances for our Pacific whānau as a step in the right direction but continues to call for a Pacific Visa Waiver. ...
The Government yesterday released its annual child poverty statistics, and by its own admission, more tamariki across Aotearoa are now living in material hardship. ...
Today, Te Pāti Māori join the motu in celebration as the Treaty Principles Bill is voted down at its second reading. “From the beginning, this Bill was never welcome in this House,” said Te Pāti Māori Co-Leader, Rawiri Waititi. “Our response to the first reading was one of protest: protesting ...
The Green Party is proud to have voted down the Coalition Government’s Treaty Principles Bill, an archaic piece of legislation that sought to attack the nation’s founding agreement. ...
A Member’s Bill in the name of Green Party MP Julie Anne Genter which aims to stop coal mining, the Crown Minerals (Prohibition of Mining) Amendment Bill, has been pulled from Parliament’s ‘biscuit tin’ today. ...
Labour MP Kieran McAnulty’s Members Bill to make the law simpler and fairer for businesses operating on Easter, Anzac and Christmas Days has passed its first reading after a conscience vote in Parliament. ...
Nicola Willis continues to sit on her hands amid a global economic crisis, leaving the Reserve Bank to act for New Zealanders who are worried about their jobs, mortgages, and KiwiSaver. ...
To sleep, perchance to dreamIn the shadowy chambers of Lord Winston,The great clock strikes thirteen.All remains untouched, covered with dust,As it has done since the 1970s,In a simple world where boys were boys,Ladies were mini-skirted and compliant ladies,And Italian law students ruled the streetsIn their wide lapel zoot suits.King Lux ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will launch another push on health on Sunday, announcing a re-elected Labor government would set up a free around-the-clock 1800MEDICARE advice line and afterhours GP telehealth service. The service would ...
Asia Pacific Report Activists for Palestine paid homage to Pope Francis in Aotearoa New Zealand today for his humility, care for marginalised in the world, and his courageous solidarity with the besieged people of Gaza at a street theatre rally just hours before his funeral in Rome. He was remembered ...
By Susana Suisuiki, RNZ Pacific presenter The doors of St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican have now been closed and the coffin sealed, ahead of preparations for tonight’s funeral of Pope Francis. The Vatican says a quarter of a million people have paid respects to Pope Francis in the last ...
By Susana Suisuiki, RNZ Pacific presenter The doors of St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican have now been closed and the coffin sealed, ahead of preparations for tonight’s funeral of Pope Francis. The Vatican says a quarter of a million people have paid respects to Pope Francis in the last ...
When Professor David Krofcheck got an email congratulating him on winning the Oscar of the science world, he dismissed it as a hoax.“I thought it was a scam, I thought it was a phishing email,” recalls Krofcheck, nuclear physicist at Auckland University.“Yeah right, I’ve won the 2025 Breakthrough Prize in ...
Once or twice a week, Dr Margaret Henley rolls up the door on a windowless storage locker in central Auckland, pulls her plastic chair up to a picnic table and sifts through the history of netball in New Zealand.She works alongside netball archivist and statistician Todd Miller, together trawling through ...
Corin DannThe time is 7:36am on Wednesday, April 23, and you’re listening to Morning Report, New Zealand’s voice of the educated left on good incomes. I’m joined now by acting Prime Minister Winston Peters. Good morning Mr Peters.Winston PetersIt was, until I saw you. I much prefer your brother.Corin DannLiam ...
Madeleine Chapman reflects on the week that was.I’ve been re-watching Girls lately, the HBO classic that perfectly captures millennial women in the most painful way. I highly recommend it especially if you haven’t watched it before. Every character on the show is deeply flawed and frustrating in their own ...
With the double-header long weekend comes a welcome chance to escape streaming slop, writes Alex Casey. Over Easter I texted my husband Joe a sentence that perhaps nobody in human history has ever texted: “hurry up geostorm is starting”. No punctuation, no capitalisation, not because I was trying to ...
April 27 is Moehanga Day, the anniversary of the day in 1806 when Ngāpuhi warrior Moehanga became the first Māori to visit England. This is his story. The wooden ship sailed down the River Thames, past smoke stacks and brick factories, until it reached a wharf in industrial south London. ...
Heidi Thomson on how her husband’s illness and Daniel Kalderimis’s book Zest have enhanced her understanding of George Eliot’s great novel.Sometimes a book finds you at just the right time. In early December my husband John had a stroke. At the time we were both reading George Eliot’s Middlemarch, ...
The musician, actor and star of upcoming documentary Marlon Williams: Ngā Ao E Rua – Two Worlds takes us through his life in television. Musician Marlon Williams has been on our My Life in TV wish list ever since he revealed during his My Boy tour that he wrote ‘Thinking ...
When she walked dripping into the lounge, hair wet from the shower, she took one look at Hamish and dropped her towel.He was holding her phone.—How long has it been going on for?His blue eyes blazed. She wanted to pluck them out and blow on them gently, cool them off. ...
A citizens’ assembly of 100 Porirua locals has provided the city council with more than a dozen recommendations about how to tackle climate change and make sure the region is resilient to worsening extreme weather events.Ranging from expanding access to renewable energy and incentivising the planting of native trees through ...
Comment: Democracy globally is in crisis. Around the world we are seeing the rise of nationalism and declining trust in democratic institutions. Politicians, even in Aotearoa, undermine the authority of core institutions like the media and the courts, which are critical for a functioning democracy. To live well together, in ...
Journalist Rod Oram, who died last year, would have been delighted to see the commitment to addressing climate change shown by the 23-year-old winner of a prize established in his memory.Mika Hervel, a student at Victoria University of Wellington, is today named winner of the Rod Oram Memorial Essay Prize, ...
COMMENTARY:By Nour Odeh There was faint hope that efforts to achieve a ceasefire deal in Gaza would succeed. That hope is now all but gone, offering 2.1 million tormented and starved Palestinians dismal prospects for the days and weeks ahead. Last Saturday, the Israeli Prime Minister once again affirmed ...
An ocean conservation non-profit has condemned the United States President’s latest executive order aimed at boosting the deep sea mining industry. President Donald Trump issued the “Unleashing America’s offshore critical minerals and resources” order on Thursday, directing the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to allow deep sea mining. The ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra In this election, voters are more distrustful than ever of politicians, and the political heroes of 2022 have fallen from grace, swept from favour by independent players. A Roy Morgan survey has found, for ...
By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor The former head of BenarNews’ Pacific bureau says a United States court ruling this week ordering the US Agency for Global Media (USAGM) to release congressionally approved funding to Radio Free Asia and its subsidiaries “makes us very happy”. However, Stefan Armbruster, who has ...
ER Report: Here is a summary of significant articles published on EveningReport.nz on April 25, 2025. Labor takes large leads in YouGov and Morgan polls as surge continuesSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Adrian Beaumont, Election Analyst (Psephologist) at The Conversation; and Honorary Associate, School of Mathematics and Statistics, The University of Melbourne With just eight days until the May 3 federal election, and with in-person early voting well under way, Labor has taken a ...
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington.AUCKLAND1 Butter by Asako Yuzuki (Fourth Estate, $35) Fictionalised true crime for foodies. 2 Sunrise on ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Taneshka Kruger, UP ISMC: Project Manager and Coordinator, University of Pretoria Healthcare in Africa faces a perfect storm: high rates of infectious diseases like malaria and HIV, a rise in non-communicable diseases, and dwindling foreign aid. In 2021, nearly half of ...
Australia and New Zealand join forces once more to bring you the best films and TV shows to watch this weekend. This Anzac Day, our free-to-air TV channels will screen a variety of commemorative coverage. At 11am, TVNZ1 has live coverage of the Anzac Day National Commemorative Service in Wellington. ...
Our laws are leaving many veterans who served after 1974 out in the cold. I know, because I’m one of them.This Sunday Essay was made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.First published in 2024.As I write this story, I am in constant pain. My hands ...
An MP fighting for anti-trafficking legislation says it is hard for prosecutors to take cases to court - but he is hopeful his bill will turn the tide. ...
NONFICTION1 No Words for This by Ali Mau (HarperCollins, $39.99)2 Everyday Comfort Food by Vanya Insull (Allen & Unwin, $39.99)3 Three Wee Bookshops at the End of the World by Ruth Shaw (Allen & Unwin, $39.99)
This Anzac Day marks 110 years since the Gallipoli landings by soldiers in the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps - the ANZACS. It signalled the beginning of a campaign that was to take the lives of so many of our young men - and would devastate the ...
The violent deportation of migrants is not new, and New Zealand forces had a hand in such a regime after World War II, writes historian Scott Hamilton. The world is watching the new Trump government wage a war against migrants it deems illegal. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials and ...
While Anzac Day has experienced a resurgence in recent years, our other day of remembrance has slowly faded from view.This Sunday Essay was made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand. Original illustrations by Hope McConnell.First published in 2022.The high school’s head girl and ...
A new poem by Aperahama Hurihanganui, about the name of Aperahama and Abby Hauraki’s three-year-old son, Te Hono ki Īhipa (which translates to ‘The Connection to Egypt’). Te Hono ki Īhipa what’s in a name? te hono – the connection to your tīpuna, valiant soldiers of the 28th Māori Battalion ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp');Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions.The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 25 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
Czechs know.
Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs
@CzechMFA
Chronic problems of Czechia: we don’t kidnap children, bomb hospitals, and occupy neighbours. Get out of Ukraine
https://twitter.com/CzechMFA/status/1683867382069051394
Eugenie Sage's members bill to ban mining on conservation land, as was Jacinda Arden's promise in 2017, has been voted down by the Labour party:
https://www.greens.org.nz/labour_must_deliver_on_no_new_mines
This type of blocking of real action on climate change really is inexcusable. Remember this. This attitude extends to many of the other various crises that afflict our communities. We need those are prepared to take action.
The sweet spot for Labour is that nobody will hold them to account in parliament, I presume. Can you think of anyone who would dare?
So is Labour shameless or does it have a valid excuse? I suppose they would claim they've honoured Jacinda's promise so the legislation is non-essential. Even if enacted, National could easily repeal it.
thanks. I put the press release into a post.
https://thestandard.org.nz/greens-labour-must-deliver-on-no-new-mines/
Hot off the press!
An "anonymous source" has been accused of leaking Labour Caucus information. The person has alleged:
"We have known about Kiri Allan for two years".
Two possibilities.
1)The anonymous source is a Labour MP who has committed the ultimate sin of revealing something said in caucus without [presumably] including any proof of its accuracy. Someone with a grudge?
2) It is yet another manifestion of dirty politics NAct style.
How many of us predicted last year this election would be the dirtiest on record?
Meka Whaitiri? Seems like one to hold a grudge, and certainly open to advances from the offices of Chris Bishop and Simian Brown.
… and David Seymour.
If you want to make such a serious charge against Te Pāti Māori then it is your duty to provide evidence of them "condoning abuse". There is none but that won't stop you from making it up.
I have not made a serious charge against Te Pati Maori. But I agree with Muttonbird that it is certainly not past the NActs to approach individuals for dirt on their political enemies.
There's a book called Dirty Politics by Nicky Hager that has been around for nearly ten years. Suggest you read it.
An apology is in order.
Your and muttonbirds comment was out of order.
Offer some proof or retract.
I have read Dirty Politics. They call it ratfucking in the USA. I've never seen any proof the labour are above it – actually seen enough, to know they are not.
If you had concerns about Muttonbird mentioning Meka Whaitiri then direct your spleen at that commenter not me. A hater if there was ever one. Feel sorry for you.
Irony is lost on some…
https://thestandard.org.nz/daily-review-26-07-2023/#comment-1961753
Deflection, deflection, deflection. You accused me of something that did not occur. You're MO will be noted by many. Say sorry and all will be forgiven.
Deflection, oh dear, you really missed the irony…
You think Te Pāti Māori members are going to work with act or national, you have not been paying attention. I'd suggest you watch Whakaata Māori – Te Ao with Moana is very good start and will give you some insight.
My MO, is that I'm a bastard. That is known. And quite frankly, I can live with it. Having a spine and standing up to bullies and thugs makes me an ass in most eyes, and again I can live with it.
Politics for liberals (nat/act are liberals too) is personality politics, I'm not a liberal so I'm not trying to win you or anyone else with over with my personality or approach.
Just offering up a fundamentally different world view.
So have a great weekend and I'll leave it there. Feel free to write a response, but I won't be responding, as I think we are at cross purposes. Of which I will take responsibility for my part in that.
Mate, aspersions about MW are likely wrong, but are made because of the waka jumping – and have nothing to do with TPM.
ratfucking is ratfucking.
Stop over-reacting like a cornered Putin.
I offended you, poor wee thing.
Is this what you see in the mirror?
Wait first I'm a putin puppet, now I'm a communist.
Can you even function without master telling you what to think…
First he was a communist, then he was just a cornered rat.
Some advice if want to do the revolting French peasant raging against the regime and also provide a good "stir up". just consider yourself a stirrer in chief, a master of the house, Ratatouille is an option for those who want a meatless dish.
If you mean Whaitiri as the source, it can't be. The leak came from a current Labour MP about what happened at the most recent caucus meeting, on Tuesday.
Link?
TV1 are not that quick off the mark. Have a look see. It might be there now.
Can't find your 1News link – but here's the Post with what looks like the same story.
https://www.thepost.co.nz/a/politics/350042179/emotional-labour-mp-raises-kiri-allan-concerns
It looks to me as though there are 2 people involved (though this might be journalistic legerdemain – and the source is both the one quoted and the leaker).
One first term MP who was "visibly emotional" and quoted as saying “We can't pretend that we haven't known about this for two years.” (it's not exactly clear in the context what "this" is)
And another MP who has leaked the story.
It seems likely that any one-term MP who was challenging the caucus in such frank terms – is probably one who has already decided to leave parliament – and wants to clear the decks before they go.
The leaker is more subtle. Reasons for leaking are more to do with undermining opponents (or people you see as opponents) within the caucus – there is little need for this if you're already leaving.
The National caucus leaked like a sieve prior to Luxon. And no one was calling it dirty politics.
I heard this story on Checkpoint. The leaker's reference (in the above link) to Kiri yelling at her caucus colleagues for two years seems surprising – along with the inference that they were supposed to tolerate it.
Likely to be a follow-up tomorrow, I suspect. A first-term MP, apparently unimpressed with Labour political culture condoning abuse.
If you want to make such a serious charge against Labour then it is your duty to provide evidence of them "condoning abuse". There is none but that won't stop you from making it up.
No need to invent anything. It suffices to quote Andrea Vance:
I presume the first termer got disillusioned by Labour's culture of cover-up. They probably went to parliament to represent Labour under the delusion that Labour were decent people. Discovering the truth was traumatic.
Oh, the alleged words of an
You can read the mind of an anonymous leaker? And the author of the story is a former now defunct 'News of the World' journo trained in the art of tabloid fodder.
I'm not quite sure why you're so disbelieving of this story. As you, yourself, pointed out in 2020, all caucuses leak – when things aren't going well for them.
https://thestandard.org.nz/leak-leak-leak-leak/#comment-1707601
It seems highly unlikely that the journalist has made this up out of whole cloth.
Not the first time media have spread a lie
https://www.1news.co.nz/2020/06/23/tale-of-homeless-man-sneaking-into-managed-isolation-hotel-may-be-urban-myth-dr-bloomfield/
Note the word 'claim"
"It's an anonymous source that has leaked, supposedly leaked something," Sepuloni said.
https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/07/26/claims-labour-caucus-is-leaking-in-wake-of-kiri-allans-fall/
In regard to the chauffeur story in your link @3.2.1.1 that is another media beatup.
"A Government spokesperson said no “formal issues” were raised with Allan related to her use of ministerial transport and stressed that the emails related “to the organisation of travel by her office, not her interactions with drivers”.
"The concern around bookings was raised back in 2021, the year in which the Minister was undergoing treatment for cancer…"
"Bookings are made by staff, not ministers"
That sort of attitude explains the misrepresentation in your 7.18pm post then.
It was described by Deputy PM, Carmel Sepuloni on TV1 as "an anonymous source" which suggests they do not know who the person is or whether 'the leaker' was indeed a member of their caucus. There was no mention of a second person being involved but in politics nothing is surprising.
All that means is that Sepuloni doesn't know the source. Unsurprising if it's a caucus leak – they wouldn't exactly go telling the Deputy PM that they were the anonymous leaker.
The article I leaked to strongly implied that the leaker and the person taking caucus to task for 'knowing about this for two years' – were separate people.
As I said, this could be journalistic ledgerdemain – but there is no intrinsic reason for them to be the same – the motivations look quite different.
Thanks, have corrected the typo.
No I haven't – timer ran out….
The article I linked to…..
'implied' there is no proof that the claims are true though and the article you linked to contained another media beat-up by way of the chauffeur,
Please note that 'implied' in my comment related to the existence of two people involved in this story (rather than one). Not whether or not the story was true.
And, no. There *can't* be any proof that the claims are true.
This is a leak from someone present at the caucus. By definition, there can't be proof. That didn't seem to stop TS chewing over every leak that came from the National caucus pre-Luxon.
You can, of course, assume that the journalist made the story up entirely. However, occam's razor says that it's much more likely that there was indeed a leaker.
So, since there is no proof, you don’t know. The 'claims' could have come from outside of the Labour Party though. As mentioned previously, it would not be the first time that the media have spread a lie.
"One National MP reflected on the caucus meeting saying, "It was a bit rich getting a lecture in loyalty and unity when those two [Collins and Brownlee] leaked so much in the past".
"Judith has been disloyal to everyone"
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/07/still-leaking-details-of-national-party-leadership-caucus-meeting-revealed.html
Well, yes, every comment you make is reinforcing the point that all caucuses leak, when things aren't going well for them.
And, that you're perfectly happy to comment on leaks that come from the 'other' (however you define it) side, without requiring some arbitrary (and unachievable) standard of proof.
Your opinion is incorrect.
Kiri had been the author of her own misfortune. That’s not dirty politics. Irrespective of what political party is in power. It’s unacceptable for a cabinet minister to, crash their state provided car, test positive for alcohol, and get arrested all in one night.
The rest is par for the course, there has been talk about her behaviour, directed at public servants, now it appears she may have bullied junior Labour Party MP’s as well. it’s normal for those who have been on the receiving end of a bully to take delight in the bullies downfall.
That said, it’s over she’s left Parliament. I just hope that the bloke who’s vehicle was damaged gets it fixed with out being out of pocket.
Not sure what happens there as Kiris / govt insurance may not pay out as she was over the limit to drive. Will he have to claim on his own insurance and pay his excess? Would he be able to claim the excess back off government / Kiri?
Just found this article.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/kiri-allan-crash-government-wont-say-who-pays-cites-privacy/N3IRI3JBUVHDHPRXHH5E2KZ4QE/
Here's something Labour will be dead keen to ignore: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/494515/nz-economy-270m-poorer-due-to-multinationals-exporting-earnings-think-tank-says
I predict Labour will pretend this hasn't happened. The PM lacks sufficient spine to combat the capitalists.
So you're not aware of where the IRD has become more efficient in its take then?
https://www.ird.govt.nz/about-us/tax-statistics/revenue-refunds/revenue-collected-2001-to-2022#:~:text=Aggregate%20Inland%20Revenue%20tax%20revenue,percentage%20growth%20in%20Nominal%20GDP.
2017 total tax take: $69 billion
2022 total tax take: $107.9 billion
Colour me surprised at your repetitive ignorance..
I agree the improved performance of the department is absolutely spiffing, but strangely it seems to have absolutely nothing to do with the cited report. 🙄
The report you cite is trivial at a few hundred million tax take compared to the multi-billion improvement in the actual tax performance of the government.
Why you come on here with your tiresome weak bullshit I seriously don't know.
Poor mans Pete George?
You're just not using your brain properly. Any tax rip-off scheme operated successfully by global capitalism is tax-payer money that the govt loses. That means less ability of the state to provide for the resilience infrastructure spending that is essential now.
I understand that the congenital inability of Labour folk to connect cause and effect is endemic, but they do have the potential to get over that. To retain their voter support, doing so will be necessary for them. It's actually in our national interest that they do…
It requires global accord to make real change (as to the way corporates do their accounting)
What any party can do (in this area) is bring in progressive taxation on companies, which allows us to place a higher tax on banks and supermarkets than we do on local smaller developing businesses.
Paywalled.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/government-mulled-google-facebook-big-tech-tax-to-help-news-media-companies/LTGMUFKI2JHYRB3ZCVPYDRRWFA/
Labour in UK position explains something about the problem taxing US based corporations (note the later story about their energy policy).
https://www.nationalworld.com/news/politics/labour-will-no-longer-increase-tax-on-us-tech-giants-two-weeks-after-visiting-googles-uk-hq-4200229
Parker representing Labour's position 2017-`
https://www.newsroom.co.nz/budget-google-is-not-paying-fair-share-of-tax-says-government
I wonder if Hipkins discussed with Albanese, managing their American corporate problem, before the meeting with the man from Foggybottom.
The 'cooker' effect.
Matt Barnum
@matt_barnum
NEW: The conventional wisdom is that parents have grown increasingly furious with public schools. But it's actually people without school-age children who are particularly skeptical of public schools, multiple surveys show.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/2023/7/25/23806247/parents-schools-covid-anger-polling-satisfaction
https://twitter.com/matt_barnum/status/1683903661716406287
So, there is a "rumour" an "anonymous rumour" Try harder. There are real things happening… don't feed the trolls and the mill.
The heiress to one half of the throne of them and also ourselves, does not show much appreciation for jewellery, one of the methods by which wealth and power is displayed.
If only she were able to cast aside these royal/state trinkets and help others with ownership of the necessities of life.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/princess-kate-called-a-disappointment-in-her-approach-to-jewellery-by-former-vogue-editor/ZVPHCHSSHZFRVPEG7BOL3QARBQ/
Meanwhile, in the realm of celebrity … there are plans to transmit across media culture the feminist/empowerment anthems of Taylor Swift, and make them part of meta-feminism (which is only going to confuse the meaning of the term further), according to this Herald article at least.
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/taylor-swift-could-be-turning-her-hit-break-up-songs-into-a-tv-series/VMGAETVIQ5C3HMP322GMLVPIHA/
One wonders if a woman (or all women) with the capability to succession to inheritance will be accompanied by Swift anthems as her (their) theme music.
https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=metafeminism
The chance of these two stories being published on the same day in the same place, makes one wonder, what really happens in media caucuses?
I certainly prefer the reflective catharsis of Swift's "It's me, my, I'm the problem it's me"
to the astonishing unrepentant egoism of Cyrus's "I can buy myself flowers. Write my name in the sand, Talk to myself for hours, Say things you don't understand"
Is there really a difference between dwelling on oneself as the problem and communing with oneself?
The only difference is identifying guilt with self.
Maybe it's a Christian differentation.
Meanwhile the world burns.
I am sure there will be mention of it between ZB mouth in print, the remnant of the Roundtable intellectual class before they also go the way of Garth, or their NZ Initiative X generation replacements, Prebble and Soper, or at least a story about the fine of some Swede.
But maybe not, this is the classless medium that published an editorial in 2005, that voters must prevent a Labour-Green coalition government. It's love of Kiwi iwi politics and an across the board tax cut fully on display. It's last hymn to its love affair with National's 1990's ECA precariat regime.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/world/2023/07/climate-change-role-in-heatwaves-sweeping-across-world-overwhelming-scientists-say.html
https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/300935783/study-finds-climate-change-fingerprints-on-july-heat-waves-in-europe-china-and-america
Now its why John loves Chris, birds of a feather, with the businessman MaX factor. He knows Luxon will one day be his neighbour in Hawaii.
Or as the anti-snob/patriot puts it, you know why they wanted me to host Traitor.
I stand with the former Football Fern on this one.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/fifa-womens-world-cup-2023/132619128/fifa-womens-world-cup-rosie-white-curious-to-see-if-rule-will-change-after-var-goal-call
FIFA has been getting important details wrong since 2000 – though Chloe Kelly tried to put things right at Wembley last year.
And also to be quoted for truth
https://www.stuff.co.nz/opinion/132613389/the-privilege-and-the-pain-of-serving-in-parliament
Good on Gareth Hughes telling it like it is. From the link:
It doesn't need to be like that and once upon a time it wasn't like that.
I can remember Warren Freer, former cabinet minister and longtime MP for Mt Albert telling his local committee that all the ballyhoo we see in the debating chamber does not extend to the rest of parliamentary life. He said some of the best friends he made came from the National benches and they stayed friends long after they left parliament.
The extent of the toxic atmosphere seems to me to be a combination of the cynical 'gotcha' journalistic attitude that exists today together with the advent of social media where misinformation and disinformation flourishes with no consequence.
I think the paragraph about Warren Freer is still largely the case – this episode of Gone By Lunchtime (Spinoff political pundit podcast) has Kiri Allan, Erica Stanford and Chloe Swarbrick in a live event as a five-year follow-up to the three of them writing Parliamentary diaries for The Spinoff in 2017. There was a lot of friendly camaraderie in that, and they were clear that outside the debating chamber, there are still good working relationships and friendships in and around Parliament (including the three of them).
I agree Craig H. There is still respect and friendship particularly among the women in parliament – or most of them. That has been notable just in the last few days. But there is still an enhanced toxic atmosphere elsewhere. The main culprits don't need to be named. They are obvious to anyone who goes looking. And of course they are being aided and abetted by the tabloid media hell bent on destroying this government as much for the fun of it as anything.
to Anne at 11.1.1.1: in regard to the main culprits being 'obvious to anyone who goes looking '. The culprits you mention , by their disgusting behaviour , must now be plainly obvious to many more than before their innate nastiness was released.
Yes, we want super humans, something we can not be.