Daily review 29/07/2019

Written By: - Date published: 5:48 pm, July 29th, 2019 - 78 comments
Categories: Daily review - Tags:

 

Daily review is also your post.

This provides Standardistas the opportunity to review events of the day.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Don’t forget to be kind to each other …

78 comments on “Daily review 29/07/2019 ”

  1. Gabby 1

    Has kiwi barney buggered off?

  2. greywarshark 2

    A change from the Brit faces. They are dead set on leaving in October in their Brexit. Everything will be achieved then and apparently they don't want to clean up afterwards. We have little men and women to do that for us! https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/jul/29/boris-johnson-vote-leave-eu-exit

    Boris being passionate. Oh dear.

    https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-49146480

    • Dukeofurl 2.1

      NOT dead set on leaving . A permanent Irish backstop is unacceptable ( its was part of the deal negotiated by May that was rejected by the Commons)

      If The EU wants to support Ireland let they pay them directly , rather than a round about way of putting a border in the Irish Sea, and making Northern Ireland a part of Irish Republic – not that isnt eventually a good idea but not this way.

      After all the EU stiffed Ireland during the GFC banking crisis when they gave Ireland the impression if the bailed out their own banks they would get direct EU aid in return, the Germans especially reneged on that deal.

  3. ScottGN 3

    Somebody should tell Derek Cheng at the Herald that Labour + Greens at 49% in tonight’s Colmar Brunton would deliver a majority of seats for them in the parliament.

    • alwyn 3.1

      I think someone should remind you that the Greens normally drop below their polling numbers on election day. Last election was an exception of course and illustrated a miraculous effort by James Shaw to make people forget about the sometime leader, and benefit fraudster Meteria.

      Now with National at 45%, Labour at 43%, NZF at 3% and the Green Party at 4.5% who would form the Government?

      I wonder what Ms Ardern's numbers would have been if people had realised she was spending more time arranging glossy magazine covers than attending to the failures of the Government she purports to lead?

      • Charlie 3.1.1

        How about I remind you that National will will be in opposition for at least three terms. Get used to it and stop making dickhead comments here about our beautiful, intelligent leader.

        • MickeyBoyle 3.1.1.1

          Arrogance like that helps no one. This government needs to earn the right to govern again, not assume it is guaranteed. We mock Nationals born to rule ideals, let's not follow suit.

          • Charlie 3.1.1.1.1

            As a former Nashnil leader once said – the average voter wouldn't know a deficit if he tripped over one. You are as politically ignorant.

            • McFlock 3.1.1.1.1.1

              Pride goes before the fall. I recall after the nat victory in 2008 the news was doing a vox pop and some hick was claiming four terms for the nats.

              Labour and the greens need to keep their energy high and keep coming up with new ideas. Kiwibuild fizzled, but was at least and attempt. The state housing stock is growing again, and the trees and the rail seem to be coming along. The worst thing they can do is get "victory disease" and start coasting.

          • Louis 3.1.1.2.1

            No, this one "Prime Minister John Key says he will no longer answer questions about his actions without warning

            "http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8514821/John-Key-changes-tack-over-questioning

            Key storms out of media conferencehttp://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/5972674/Key-storms-out-of-media-conference

            • Shadrach 3.1.1.2.1.1

              The conversation wasn't about John Key. Funny how KDS still exists after all these years.

              • Louis

                It wasnt about "kds" did you get the point though? and where's the proof that "Jacinda Ardern has personally tried to prevent media from asking about the Ihumātao dispute" and its not a "charm offensive" either, the trip to visit NZ territory and its NZ citizens was planned months ago.

                • Shadrach

                  Jacinda Ardern has her own form for storming out of press conferences, and she is the PM NOW. Key has not been the PM for 3 years, but sure continue to obsess over him if you like.

                  As for proof of Ardern's hissy fit, didn't you read the article:

                  "Jacinda Ardern has personally tried to prevent media from asking about the Ihumātao dispute while on a charm offensive in the Pacific.

                  Her staff threatened journalists with restricted access to the PM if they did, forcing her Beehive team to intervene from Wellington.

                  After crisis calls from the capital, media were allowed a second shot."

                  Let's wait for the denial shall we?

                  [Provide “proof of Ardern’s hissy fit” or take it back unless you are proving that you are making up shit and shit stirring here, which will have a predictable consequence – Incognito]

                  • Incognito

                    See my Moderation note @ 4:23 PM.

                  • Shadrach

                    "Jacinda Ardern has personally tried to prevent media from asking about the Ihumātao dispute while on a charm offensive in the Pacific.

                    Her staff threatened journalists with restricted access to the PM if they did, forcing her Beehive team to intervene from Wellington.

                    After crisis calls from the capital, media were allowed a second shot."

                    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/07/prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-tried-to-prevent-media-asking-about-ihuma-tao.html

                    ‘Personally tried to…” That's a hissy fit. Most likely the result of not being able to handle the heat.
                    But surely you’re not going to do a Mallard are you and run interference for her?

                    • Incognito

                      hissy fit

                      noun informal•North American

                      an angry outburst; a temper tantrum.

                      "I screamed and kicked the furniture and threw a hissy fit"

                      Where is your “proof of Ardern's hissy fit”? If you cannot provide it, just say so, and then decide whether you take back your earlier allegations or not. I don’t care either way …

                    • Shadrach

                      I've given you proof. Here's another definition for you:

                      "noun. A sudden outburst of temper, often used to describe female anger at something trivial. "

                      https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=hissy%20fit

                      Fits her outburst at being uncomfortably challenged perfectly.

                      Merriam Webster defines hissy fit as ‘tantrum’.
                      That fits perfectly as well.

                      Why do I get the feeling you don’t want to explain JA’s behaviour at trying to shut down the media? Is it really that you are running interference for her? Or you don’t believe the media reports? Which is it?

                    • Incognito []

                      Why do I get the feeling that you are wasting my time and trying to attribute hidden motivations to me?

                      As far as I can tell, there is one media report in which it is alleged that the PM “tried to prevent media from asking about the Ihumātao dispute while on a charm offensive in the Pacific”. Do I believe that one media report? Should I?

                      There is no mention in that report of a “hissy fit”, “tantrum”, “outburst”, “anger”, et cetera. It is not in the media report that you linked to. Therefore, I don’t have to believe something that is not even in the report and you created a strawman.

                      In other words, you made up shit, with a slightly sexist and misogynistic undertone, I may add. BTW, I don’t think I have to explain anything but nice try nevertheless.

                      I think you are playing a futile game because the PM’s staff did grant an interview, according to that media report.

                      Why do I get the feeling my next response to you will be as Moderator because I have run out of patience and will no longer give you a chance to redeem yourself? I am starting to think that I have been too lenient with some commenters here.

                      Let’s see if you can make a wise decision …

                    • Shadrach

                      I made up nothing. I quoted directly from a media report, one that seems for all purposes to be reliable. The fact that questions were later taken on the subject seems to have been due to the involvement of the PM's Beehive advisors, a level of protection being afforded to Jacinda Ardern that some in the media are now openly discussing.

                      The PM's reaction fits the definition of hissy fit. My ascribing motive to you is a natural response to your sensitivity to my comments. Far worse is said here about other figures without your type of reaction. The PM is IMHO the only thing standing between Labour and electoral defeat. She is not, and should not be, immune from criticism.

        • SHG 3.1.1.3

          Hey, Shaw isn't ugly but I'm not sure I'd call him "beautiful"

      • Pat 3.1.2

        4.5%?…what poll are you looking at?

      • ScottGN 3.1.3

        And you need reminding that Greens always tick back up on their election night result once Specials are counted and have always gained a seat off National.
        Given where Labour is polling now, 6-8% for Greens will be enough to deliver a Labour Greens government.
        National’s ceiling seems to be 45% and it isn’t enough.

        • Charlie 3.1.3.1

          No mates Nashnil are doomed….forever a high polling opposition…ha bloody ha!!!!

      • Dennis Frank 3.1.4

        Greens scored 6%, actually. Colmar Brunton are in danger of losing credibility, since the polling by both parties put National under 40% a few days back. And NZF haven't done anything to piss people off & explain their drop.

        https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/national-top-nz-first-drops-in-latest-1-news-colmar-brunton-poll

        • alwyn 3.1.4.1

          " since the polling by both parties put National under 40% a few days back"

          You have some evidence for this claim do you? An informant in the National Party. Some proof that the Labour Party leak to Newshub was genuine, rather than their usual b*s, perhaps.

          You really shouldn't make things up you know. Just because you want something to be true doesn't mean it is.

          • Dennis Frank 3.1.4.1.1

            Both were reported in the media, then commented on here. You weren't paying attention, obviously. Hardly a coincidence that they both agreed. Normally that's taken as evidence of a trend. Kinda like police citing two witnesses confirming each other. Feel free to dismiss both as anecdotal, but they do actually co-construct social reality when they back each other up like that. Independently.

            • alwyn 3.1.4.1.1.1

              Well I've hunted for anything at all like that and the only claim I can find is this.

              "But Newshub was leaked years of National Party internal party polling which shows that on March 6 last year, just after Bridges took over, National dipped slightly below 40 to 39 percent."

              Is that what you regard as evidence? A claim from a left wing acolyte about a number that is supposed to have happened 17 months ago and that is supposedly showing a trend today? Do you actually have anything else except something that probably came, and was probably made up by, that twit Jami-Lee Ross who O'Brien so greatly admires?

              Come on. To make the claims that you do you must surely have something, anything to back them up rather than just the Tova O'Brien fantasies.

              • Dennis Frank

                That may have been one of them. I agree the way the media spin the interpreting of polls often creates a false impression. I don't take them seriously, just see them as approximate indicators of the public mood at the time. Since perception is reality for so many on both sides of left/right nowadays, poll-reporting does construct our social reality more than it ought to. So I tend to comment on those impressions created in the group mind. I agree they are illusory, but they are also influential. So I don't share your view that any right/wrong framing applies to these situations. I've seen statistics as a dodgy discipline since I studied it at the University of Auckland long ago.

      • ScottGN 3.1.5

        It was a Skype photo apparently, probably took all of five minutes. Less time than it took for Key to mince down the catwalk eh?

      • Patricia Bremner 3.1.6

        A woman is doing an article on Women and Leaders causing change.

        Alwyn has a fit. lol lol

  4. ianmac 4

    Did anyone hear Winston on the "National Cancer Scheme."

    No wonder the radio program gave him just 2:35 of which the interviewer used up nearly 2minutes.

    Simon's hypocrisy is alive and well.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/audio/player?audio_id=2018706277

    • alwyn 4.1

      At this time in the evening Winston is often fairly hard to follow.

      What is this supposed hypocrisy that seems to concern you?

      Personally I think it is an excellent idea. I would think it can be achieved, which will be a great deal more than any of the crazy proposals, such as KiwiBuild that the Labour Party announced from the Opposition seats.

      • Charlie 4.1.1

        Because National withdrew funding from the existing cancer organisation dickhead.

        • MickeyBoyle 4.1.1.1

          And Labour gave neoliberalism to NZ. Parties can change, and the cancer announcement is great, no matter which side it came from.

          • ScottGN 4.1.1.1.1

            The cancer announcement is bollocks really. As Winston pointed out 50 million a year is chump change.

            • alwyn 4.1.1.1.1.1

              To Winston it certainly is.

              When you demand, and get, a billion a year as a slush fund to give out to you supporters $50,000,000.00 to spend on something useful would certainly seem like a risible sum. It wouldn't even pay the bill for one of the all weather race tracks he is getting the taxpayer to provide to his mates in the Racing fraternity I should think.

              Unfortunately it is us "chumps", the New Zealand taxpayers, who have to cough up the money for those pals of his who keep him the racehorse owners fraternity.

              • marty mars

                I was with you until this untidy effort

                Unfortunately it is us "chumps", the New Zealand taxpayers, who have to cough up the money for those pals of his who keep him the racehorse owners fraternity.

                It doesn't make sense buddy – slow it down, and think it through a bit more before posting.

                • solkta

                  So you think we should have a Minister for Racing?

                  https://www.beehive.govt.nz/portfolio/labour-led-government-2017-2020/racing

                  And that the Crown should pay for race tracks?

                  An all-weather training and racing track at Awapuni is on acting Prime Minister Winston Peters' list to receive some money from the provincial growth fund.

                  The minister for racing announced to a racing industry meeting in Invercargill on Wednesday there would be money to help build three synthetic tracks.

                  One of them would be in the South Island, one in Waikato, and the other "probably" at Awapuni.

                  https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/racing/105626030/hopes-raised-for-allweather-racing-track-at-awapuni

                • alwyn

                  Yes, I see. The word "in" should have between "him" and "the". It should have read.

                  "Unfortunately it is us "chumps", the New Zealand taxpayers, who have to cough up the money for those pals of his who keep him in the racehorse owners fraternity".

                  He doesn't really have the money to own horses on his own and needs to be invited into syndicates to own them.

                  • marty mars

                    sounds like you missed out – sour grapes eh

                    • alwyn

                      Not at all.

                      When I think about racehorse ownership I am reminded of the comment by Stan Goosman, who was an MP during my childhood and a noted and very successful racehorse owner.

                      He was the first owner, if my memory is correct, to win a million pounds in stakes from his horses. When he was asked what he would do with the money his response was along the lines that people had to remember that it had cost him two million pounds to do it.

                      I went to a racecourse once and had a bet on a horse. That was a Melbourne Cup meeting when I lived there. Going to the Melbourne Cup once was one of those bucket list things if you lived in the City. I had one bet on a horse in the cup. $10 to win and $10 to place I think it was. I had to have it explained to me how you made a bet with a bookmaker. The horse ran third and I had a profit. I stopped immediately so I can claim to have made money from gambling.

                      Owning racehorses was never something I have dreamed of though. That is a mugs game.

                    • marty mars

                      yes I was never into horses although my brother and mother both enjoyed the gee gees including part ownership – they seemed to get a real buzz from it – gambling is one vice I do not seem to suffer from

  5. ScottGN 5

    I sense the evil hand of Michelle Boag in this deeply cynical manoeuvre to have Banks consider standing in the Auckland Mayoral election primarily as a spoiler to take votes off Goff and make it easier for Tamihere.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/395284/john-banks-out-of-race-to-be-auckland-mayor

    • ianmac 5.1

      I am sure Banks has decided to drop the plan. Announced early in the week.

      • ScottGN 5.1.1

        Yeah Banks said he wasn’t going to stand because he was taking more votes off Tamihere than Goff.

  6. Fireblade 6

    Act are still polling 1%. The pink logo, freedom, pro-gun, free speech party crap is a total fizzer.

    • Stuart Munro. 6.1

      Half of that 1% is rounding. ACT is on media life support. So are the Gnats, poor babies.

      • Sacha 6.1.1

        Incredible that they can find even 5 people in 1000 who admit supporting that dead horse.

    • Puckish Rogue 7.1

      Be nice if they actually showed the results but at least Judes holding strong at 6% but I expect that to go up as the election draws nearer

      • ScottGN 7.1.1

        Gotta love your devotion Puck! Next election isn’t going to be Jude’s moment to shine though and she knows it.

    • Charlie 7.2

      3.1% error margin, just add that onto the coalition and its all sweet.

    • Fireblade 7.3

      Simon's doing a good job; up 1%. Well done.

    • mauī 7.4

      Brunton is shilling for the elite.

  7. chris T 8

    I guess we now know which of those last two polls was rogue.

    • ScottGN 8.1

      No we don’t know that at all actually. We simply know that Colmar Brunton is consistent. That’s not to say it isn’t consistently rogue.

      • chris T 8.1.1

        "That’s not to say it isn’t consistently rogue."

        Mr Oxymoron called and said to say "Hi"

        • ScottGN 8.1.1.1

          Haha. Fair cop. My point still stands though. All this poll does is point to Colmar Brunton’s methodology producing consistent results. There’s nothing to suggest that TV3s poll is a rogue.

  8. James 9

    ”Jacinda Ardern has personally tried to prevent media from asking about the Ihumātao dispute while on a charm offensive in the Pacific.

    Her staff threatened journalists with restricted access to the PM if they did, forcing her Beehive team to intervene from Wellington.

    After crisis calls from the capital, media were allowed a second shot. “

    Most open government huh?

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/07/prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-tried-to-prevent-media-asking-about-ihuma-tao.html

    Threatening media – oh well done Jacinda

    • Charlie 9.1

      C'mon jimmy you can troll better than that.

    • ScottGN 9.2

      TV3 offered no evidence that Ardern ‘personally’ tried to prevent questions about Ihumātao. And when she was asked she said she didn’t know what the questioner was talking about. So unless you’re inferring she outright lied…

      • James 9.2.1

        When she was asked she said that she didn’t know what the questioner was talking about ?

        situation normal then.

    • ScottGN 9.3

      And Tova opining on the 6 o’clock news doesn’t actually make anything fact. She’s learnt her lessons at The Sun well it would seem.

      • Anne 9.3.1

        Some of the conspiracy theories that girl comes up with makes me wonder about her sometimes. Does she actually believe them or is someone feeding her the lines from behind the camera?

    • Naki man 9.4

      No spin doctor there to feed her the lines.

    • mauī 9.5

      The media should be sent to build sea walls for Tokelau as punishment. How dare they ask such questions.

    • chris T 9.6

      TBF, no one likes their birthday long weekend holiday with their dad ruined by the pesky media.

    • Gabby 9.7

      Once she's said, farcanal I don't know, it's a far kin minefield, we're all walkin on eggshells here, there's not much else to say is there jimbo.

  9. peterlepaysan 12

    Polls are SO boring. Election day can be interesting. Otherwise consult you lotto ticket for possible future political results.

    It is media selling bait. YAWN.

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    The government has made it abundantly clear they’re addicted to the smell of new asphalt. On Tuesday they introduced a new term to the country’s roading lexicon, the Roads of Regional Significance (RoRS), a little brother for the Roads of National (Party) Significance (RoNS). Driving ahead with Roads of Regional ...
    1 day ago
  • School Is Out.
    School is outAnd I walk the empty hallwaysI walk aloneAlone as alwaysThere's so many lucky penniesLying on the floorBut where the hell are all the lucky peopleI can't see them any moreYesterday morning, I’d just sent out my newsletter on Tama Potaka, and I was struggling to make the coffee. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • How Are You Doing?
    Hi,I wanted to check in and ask how you’re doing.This is perhaps a selfish act, of attempting to find others feeling a similar way to me — that is to say, a little hopeless at the moment.Misery loves company, that sort of deal.Some context.I wish I could say I got ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • The Rings of Power: Season Two Teaser Trailer
    I have hitherto been fairly quiet on the new season of Rings of Power, on the basis that the underwhelming first season did not exactly build excitement – and the rumours were fairly daft. The only real thing of substance to come out has been that they have re-cast Adar ...
    2 days ago
  • At a glance – What ended the Little ice Age?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    2 days ago
  • Talking Reo with the PM
    “The thing is,” Chris Luxon says, leaning forward to make his point, “this has always been my thing.”“This goes all the way back to the first multinational I worked for. I was saying exactly the same thing back then. The name of our business needs to be more clear; people ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Waitangi Tribunal’s authority in Chhour case is upheld – but bill’s introduction to Parliament...
    Buzz from the Beehive It’s been a momentous few days for Children’s Minister Karen Chhour.  The Court of Appeal has overturned a High Court decision which blocked a summons order from the Waitangi Tribunal for her. And today she has announced the Government is putting children first by introducing to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • Australia jails another whistleblower
    In 2014 former Australian army lawyer David McBride leaked classified military documents about Australian war crimes to the ABC. Dubbed "The Afghan Files", the documents led to an explosive report on Australian war crimes, the disbanding of an entire SAS unit, and multiple ongoing prosecutions. The journalist who wrote the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • Some “scrutiny”!
    Back in February I blogged about another secret OIA "consultation" by the Ministry of Justice. This one was on Aotearoa's commitment in its Open Government Partnership Action Plan to "strengthen scrutiny of Official Information Act exemption clauses in legislation" (AKA secrecy clauses). Their consultation paper on the issue focused on ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • TVNZ is loss-making, serves no public service due to bias, and should be liquidated
    Rob MacCulloch writes –  According to the respected Pew Research Centre, “In seven of eight [European] countries surveyed, the most trusted news outlet asked about is the public news organization in each country”. For example, “in Sweden, an overwhelming majority (90%) say they trust the public broadcaster SVT”. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • The conflicted Covid Chair
    David Farrar writes –  Kata MacNamara reports:    Details of Tony Blakely’s involvement in the New Zealand Government’s response to the pandemic raise serious questions about the work of the Covid-19 Royal Commission of Inquiry over which he presides. It has long been clear that Blakely, a ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Attacking the smartest and most resilient people in the room is never a good idea
    Chris Trotter writes – Are you a Brahmin or a Merchant? Or, are you merely one of those whose lives are profoundly influenced by the decisions of Brahmins and Merchants? Those are the questions that are currently shaping the politics of New Zealand and the entire West. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • A fortune-telling failure, surely, if the tarot cards can’t see a bulldozer coming
    RNZ reports –  It’s supposed to be a haven of healing and spiritual awakening but residents of the Kawai Purapura community say they’ve been hurt and deceived. It’s the successor to the former Centrepoint commune, and has been on the bush block opposite Albany shopping centre since 2008. It ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • The climate battleground heats up
    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. Usually we have a video chat to go with this wrap, but were unable to do one this week. We’ll be back next week.Several reports ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Bernard’ s Dawn Chorus & Pick ‘n’ Mix for Tuesday, May 14
    The Transport Minister has set a hard 'fiscal envelope' of $6.54 billion for transport capital spending. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The economy is settling into a state of suspended animation as the Government’s funding freezes and job cuts chill confidence and combine with stubbornly high interest rates to ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on why anti-Zionism is not anti-Semitic
    To be precise, the term “anti- Zionism” refers to (a) criticism of the political movement that created a modern Jewish state on the historical land of Israel, and to (b)the subjugation of Palestinians by the Israeli state. By contrast, the term “anti-Semitism” means bigotry and racism directed at Jewish people, ...
    2 days ago
  • Climate change is making hurricanes more destructive
    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Because hurricanes are one of the big-ticket weather disasters that humanity has to face, climate misinformers spend a lot of effort muddying the waters on whether climate change is making hurricanes more damaging. With the official start to the hurricane ...
    2 days ago
  • Wayne Brown’s PT Plan
    Yesterday the Mayor released what he calls his “plan to save public transport” which is part of his final proposal for the Council’s Long Term Plan (LTP). This comes following consultation on the draft version that occurred in March which showed, once again, that people want more done on transport, especially ...
    2 days ago
  • Potaka's Private Universe.
    And it's a pleasure that I have knownAnd it's a treasure that I have gainedAotearoa’s coalition government is fragile. It’s held together by the obsequious sycophancy of Christopher Luxon, who willingly contorts his party into the fringe positions of his junior coalition partners and is unwilling to contradict them. The ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Our slow regional councils
    The Select Committee hearing submissions on the fast-track consenting legislation is starting to become a beat-up of regional councils. The inflexibility and slow workings of the Councils were prominent in two submissions yesterday. One, from the Coromandel Marine Farmers Association, simply said that the Waikato Regional Council’s planning decisions were ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • Ministers are not above the law after all
    Back in April, the High Court surprised everyone by ruling that Ministers are above the law, at least as far as the Waitangi Tribunal is concerned. The reason for this ruling was "comity" - the idea that the different branches of government shouldn't interfere with each other's functions. Which makes ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • NZTA takes the wheel after govt gives it the road map for regional roads (and puts a speed governor ...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Tolling was mentioned when Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced the government was re-introducing the Roads of National Significance (RoNS) programme, with 15 “crucial” projects to support economic growth and regional development across New Zealand. All RoNS would be four-laned, grade-separated highways, and all funding, financing, and ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Change in Catalonia?
    or the past 14 years, ever since the Spanish government cheated on an autonomy deal, Catalonia has reliably given pro-independence parties a majority of seats in their regional parliament. But now that seems to be over. Catalans went to the polls yesterday, and stripped the Catalan parties of their majority. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • Having an enrolment date is not depriving anyone of a vote
    David Farrar writes –  Radio NZ report: Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins said the Electoral Commission should make sure the system ran smoothly and “taking away the right of thousands of people to vote” was not the answer. “Thousands of people enroled and voted on the day. If ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Perhaps house prices don’t always go up
    Don Brash writes –  There was a rather revealing headline in the Herald on Sunday today (12 May). It read “One in 8 Auckland homes on market were bought during boom, may now sell for loss”. The first line of text noted that “New data shows one in ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Can’t read, can’t write, can’t comprehend – and won’t think…?
    Mike Grimshaw writes –  At a time when universities are understandably nervous regarding the establishment of the University Advisory Group (UAG) and the Science System Advisory Group (SSAG) it may seem strange – or even fool-hardy – to state that there are long-standing issues in the tertiary sector ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Time for some perspective
    Lindsay Mitchell writes –  A lack of perspective can make something quite large or important seem small or irrelevant. Against a backdrop of high-profile, negative statistics it is easy to overlook the positive. For instance, the fact that 64 percent of Maori are employed is rarely reported. For ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Will NZ Herald’s ‘poor journalism’ cost lives?
    Earlier this year, the Herald ran a series of articles amounting to a sustained campaign against raised pedestrian crossings, by reporter Bernard Orsman. A key part of that campaign concerned the raised crossings being installed as part of the Pt Chevalier to Westmere project, with at least 10 articles over ...
    3 days ago
  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to May 19 and beyond
    TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to May 19 include:PM Christopher Luxon is expected to hold his weekly post-cabinet news conference at 4:00pm on Monday.Parliament is not sitting this week. It resumes next week for a two-week sitting session up to and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Webworm Popup Photos!
    Hi,Thanks to all the beautiful Worms who came to the LA Webworm popup on Saturday.It was a way to celebrate the online store we launched last week — and it was super special.As I talk about a lot, I really value our community here — and it was a BLAST ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    3 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #19
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, May 5, 2024 thru Sat, May 11, 2024. (Unfortunate) Story of the week "Grief that stops at despair is an ending that I and many others, most notably ...
    4 days ago
  • The Gods Must Be Woke.
    Last night the largest solar storm in decades resulted in Aurorae being seen across Aotearoa, causing many to ask why?Why was the sky pink? What was all this stuff about the power grid? Have we, as so many have wondered since the election, reached the end of days?I had a ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • More road
    We have been on the road in England, squeezing down narrow lanes, flying up the M6, loving hedgerows and villages and cathedrals, liking the 21st century less.There have been moments when it’s felt like a movie trope. The pub in Exford, lovely seventeenth century bar, almost more dogs than people, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Seeing the Aurora Australis
    There’s a solar-storm on at the moment, and since the South Island is having a day and night with clear skies, that means Aurorae. I have just got back from a midnight visit to Tunnel Beach – southwards-looking over the Sea, and without the light pollution. Quite a few others ...
    5 days ago
  • Welcome to the current welfare mess
    Michael Bassett writes – I’m not sure that it’s much comfort to anyone to know that the post-Covid surge in violent crimes, gang activity, ram raids, random shootings, thuggery and stabbings is occurring in other countries as well as New Zealand. These days, wagging school, out-of-control welfare and ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • A shovel-ready autopsy
    Oliver Hartwich writes –  Cast your mind back to mid-December. A new Prime Minister had just been sworn in, the new Government started its 100-day programme, and Christmas was only days away.Amid all the haste, a report landed that would have deserved our attention.I am talking about the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Why we almost blacked out and how to fix it
    TL;DR: An unseasonally early icy blast at the same time as some long-overdue maintenance almost caused Aotearoa-NZ’s electricity system to black out this week. That’s because a quadropoly of gentailers1 have prioritised paying dividends from their rising profits and adding debt over investing in 1.5 GigaWatts of new wind farms ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • What Is Instagram Trying To Sell Us?
    Hi,Before we crack into today’s Webworm, I wanted to acknowledge the fact that Israel is pushing into Rafah. Over 100,000 Palestinians are now attempting to flee the one place that was deemed “safe”.Trouble is, the place they’re fleeing to is already destroyed. Total annihilation is the end goal here.“Israel is ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago
  • Precious Little Excitement: Warner Brothers, Peter Jackson, and Gollum
    Back in February 2023, I made the cardinal mistake of getting my hopes up. Warner Brothers declared that fresh Middle-earth movies were in the works: https://phuulishfellow.wordpress.com/2023/02/24/it-never-rains-but-it-pours-warner-brothers-and-impending-tolkien-adaptations/ My assumption, based on which rights were available, and what had already been done, was that this was a stab at either the Angmar ...
    6 days ago
  • Do We Need a Population Census?
    ‘It has been said that figures rule the world. Maybe. I am quite sure that it is figures which show us whether it is being ruled well or badly.’ GoetheI was struck at a recent conference on equity for the elderly, how many presenters implicitly relied upon Statistics New Zealand. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    6 days ago
  • No, the govt will not be cutting back on every budget – and the Defence vote is among those to be ...
    Buzz from the Beehive Reporting on defence spending late last year, RNZ said the coalition government will have to make some tough calls this term to help the force address staff shortages and ageing infrastructure. “These are huge, huge amounts of government spending. It’s a significant proportion of the government’s ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • The Treasury and productivity
    Late last week The Treasury released a new 40 page report on “The productivity slowdown: implications for the Treasury’s forecasts and projections” (productivity forecasts and projections that is, rather than any possible fiscal implications – the latter will, I guess, be articulated in the Budget documents). In short, if (as it has) ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • The Controller and Auditor-General’s role
    Peter Dunne writes –  I am always wary when I hear that the Controller and Auditor-General has commented on or made recommendations to the government about an issue of public policy that does not relate strictly to public expenditure. According to the legislation, the role of the Controller ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • More harm than good
    How Labour’s and National’s failure to move beyond neoliberalism has brought NZ to the brink of economic and cultural chaos   Chris Trotter writes –  TO START LOSING, so soon after you won, requires a special kind of political incompetence. At the heart of this Coalition ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Real reason Waitangi Tribunal could not summons Chhour
    And why did the Crown not challenge the Tribunal’s jurisdiction?   Gary Judd writes –  Retired District Court Judge, David Harvey, has posted on his A Halflings View Substack an excellent summary of Justice Isacs’ judgment declining to uphold the witness summons issued by the Waitangi Tribunal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Losing confidence in the integrity of NZ elections
    Bryce Edwards writes – Do you believe New Zealand runs its general elections fairly and competently? As a voter, can you be confident that the votes on your ballot will be counted towards the final result?As a political scientist, I’ve been asked these questions many times and ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Macklemore's Pro-Palestinian Protest.
    Macklemore isn’t someone I’d usually think about. Sure I liked his big hit from a few years back, everybody did it was catchy and cool with some memorable lines. But if I was going to think of artists who might speak out on political matters or world events, he wouldn’t ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on miserly school lunches, and the banning of TikTok’s Gaza coverage
    Another week goes by in the Luxon government’s efforts to roll back the past 70 years of social progress. The school lunches programme is to be downgraded by $107 million, and women need bother their heads no longer about pay equity, let alone expect ACC to provide adequate sexual violence ...
    6 days ago

  • New Zealand calls for calm, constructive dialogue in New Caledonia
    New Zealand is gravely concerned about the situation in New Caledonia, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.  “The escalating situation and violent protests in Nouméa are of serious concern across the Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.  “The immediate priority must be for all sides to take steps to de-escalate the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    52 mins ago
  • New Zealand welcomes Samoa Head of State
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met today with Samoa’s O le Ao o le Malo, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, who is making a State Visit to New Zealand. “His Highness and I reflected on our two countries’ extensive community links, with Samoan–New Zealanders contributing to all areas of our national ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago
  • Island Direct eligible for SuperGold Card funding
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has announced that he has approved Waiheke Island ferry operator Island Direct to be eligible for SuperGold Card funding, paving the way for a commercial agreement to bring the operator into the scheme. “Island Direct started operating in November 2023, offering an additional option for people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 hours ago
  • Further sanctions against Russia
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters today announced further sanctions on 28 individuals and 14 entities providing military and strategic support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.  “Russia is directly supported by its military-industrial complex in its illegal aggression against Ukraine, attacking its sovereignty and territorial integrity. New Zealand condemns all entities and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago
  • One year on from Loafers Lodge
    A year on from the tragedy at Loafers Lodge, the Government is working hard to improve building fire safety, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “I want to share my sincere condolences with the families and friends of the victims on the anniversary of the tragic fire at Loafers ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • Pre-Budget speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Ka nui te mihi kia koutou. Kia ora and good afternoon, everyone. Thank you so much for having me here in the lead up to my Government’s first Budget. Before I get started can I acknowledge: Simon Bridges – Auckland Business Chamber CEO. Steve Jurkovich – Kiwibank CEO. Kids born ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • New Zealand and Vanuatu to deepen collaboration
    New Zealand and Vanuatu will enhance collaboration on issues of mutual interest, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “It is important to return to Port Vila this week with a broad, high-level political delegation which demonstrates our deep commitment to New Zealand’s relationship with Vanuatu,” Mr Peters says.    “This ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Penk travels to Peru for trade meetings
    Minister for Land Information, Chris Penk will travel to Peru this week to represent New Zealand at a meeting of trade ministers from the Asia-Pacific region on behalf of Trade Minister Todd McClay. The annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade meeting will be held on 17-18 May ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Minister attends global education conferences
    Minister of Education Erica Stanford will head to the United Kingdom this week to participate in the 22nd Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (CCEM) and the 2024 Education World Forum (EWF). “I am looking forward to sharing this Government’s education priorities, such as introducing a knowledge-rich curriculum, implementing an evidence-based ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Education Minister thanks outgoing NZQA Chair
    Minister of Education Erica Stanford has today thanked outgoing New Zealand Qualifications Authority Chair, Hon Tracey Martin. “Tracey Martin tendered her resignation late last month in order to take up a new role,” Ms Stanford says. Ms Martin will relinquish the role of Chair on 10 May and current Deputy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Joint statement of Christopher Luxon and Emmanuel Macron: Launch of the Christchurch Call Foundation
    New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and President Emmanuel Macron of France today announced a new non-governmental organisation, the Christchurch Call Foundation, to coordinate the Christchurch Call’s work to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online.   This change gives effect to the outcomes of the November 2023 Call Leaders’ Summit, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Panel announced for review into disability services
    Distinguished public servant and former diplomat Sir Maarten Wevers will lead the independent review into the disability support services administered by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. The review was announced by Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston a fortnight ago to examine what could be done to strengthen the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Minister welcomes Police gang unit
    Today’s announcement by Police Commissioner Andrew Coster of a National Gang Unit and district Gang Disruption Units will help deliver on the coalition Government’s pledge to restore law and order and crack down on criminal gangs, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. “The National Gang Unit and Gang Disruption Units will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • New Zealand expresses regret at North Korea’s aggressive rhetoric
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today expressed regret at North Korea’s aggressive rhetoric towards New Zealand and its international partners.  “New Zealand proudly stands with the international community in upholding the rules-based order through its monitoring and surveillance deployments, which it has been regularly doing alongside partners since 2018,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • New Chief of Defence Force appointed
    Air Vice-Marshal Tony Davies MNZM is the new Chief of Defence Force, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. The Chief of Defence Force commands the Navy, Army and Air Force and is the principal military advisor to the Defence Minister and other Ministers with relevant portfolio responsibilities in the defence ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government puts children first by repealing 7AA
    Legislation to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act has been introduced to Parliament. The Bill’s introduction reaffirms the Coalition Government’s commitment to the safety of children in care, says Minister for Children, Karen Chhour. “While section 7AA was introduced with good intentions, it creates a conflict for Oranga ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Defence Minister to meet counterparts in UK, Italy
    Defence Minister Judith Collins will this week travel to the UK and Italy to meet with her defence counterparts, and to attend Battles of Cassino commemorations. “I am humbled to be able to represent the New Zealand Government in Italy at the commemorations for the 80th anniversary of what was ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Charter schools to lift educational outcomes
    The upcoming Budget will include funding for up to 50 charter schools to help lift declining educational performance, Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced today. $153 million in new funding will be provided over four years to establish and operate up to 15 new charter schools and convert 35 state ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • COVID-19 Inquiry terms of reference consultation results received
    “The results of the public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has now been received, with results indicating over 13,000 submissions were made from members of the public,” Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says. “We heard feedback about the extended lockdowns in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • The Pacific family of nations – the changing security outlook
    Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, other Members of Parliament Acting Chief of Defence Force, Secretary of Defence Distinguished Guests  Defence and Diplomatic Colleagues  Ladies and Gentlemen,  Good afternoon, tēna koutou, apinun tru    It’s a pleasure to be back in Port Moresby today, and to speak here at the Kumul Leadership ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZ and Papua New Guinea to work more closely together
    Health, infrastructure, renewable energy, and stability are among the themes of the current visit to Papua New Guinea by a New Zealand political delegation, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Papua New Guinea carries serious weight in the Pacific, and New Zealand deeply values our relationship with it,” Mr Peters ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Driving ahead with Roads of Regional Significance
    The coalition Government is launching Roads of Regional Significance to sit alongside Roads of National Significance as part of its plan to deliver priority roading projects across the country, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “The Roads of National Significance (RoNS) built by the previous National Government are some of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • New Zealand congratulates new Solomon Islands government
    A high-level New Zealand political delegation in Honiara today congratulated the new Government of Solomon Islands, led by Jeremiah Manele, on taking office.    “We are privileged to meet the new Prime Minister and members of his Cabinet during his government’s first ten days in office,” Deputy Prime Minister and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • New Zealand supports UN Palestine resolution
    New Zealand voted in favour of a resolution broadening Palestine’s participation at the United Nations General Assembly overnight, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The resolution enhances the rights of Palestine to participate in the work of the UN General Assembly while stopping short of admitting Palestine as a full ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Speech to the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium
    Introduction Good morning. It’s a great privilege to be here at the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium. I was extremely happy when the Prime Minister asked me to be his Minister for Infrastructure. It is one of the great barriers holding the New Zealand economy back from achieving its potential. Building high ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • $571 million for Defence pay and projects
    Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced the upcoming Budget will include new funding of $571 million for Defence Force pay and projects. “Our servicemen and women do New Zealand proud throughout the world and this funding will help ensure we retain their services and expertise as we navigate an increasingly ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Climate change – mitigating the risks and costs
    New Zealand’s ability to cope with climate change will be strengthened as part of the Government’s focus to build resilience as we rebuild the economy, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “An enduring and long-term approach is needed to provide New Zealanders and the economy with certainty as the climate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Getting new job seekers on the pathway to work
    Jobseeker beneficiaries who have work obligations must now meet with MSD within two weeks of their benefit starting to determine their next step towards finding a job, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “A key part of the coalition Government’s plan to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Accelerating Social Investment
    A new standalone Social Investment Agency will power-up the social investment approach, driving positive change for our most vulnerable New Zealanders, Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis says.  “Despite the Government currently investing more than $70 billion every year into social services, we are not seeing the outcomes we want for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Getting Back on Track
    Check against delivery Good morning. It is a pleasure to be with you to outline the Coalition Government’s approach to our first Budget. Thank you Mark Skelly, President of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, together with  your Board and team, for hosting me.   I’d like to acknowledge His Worship ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • NZ – European Union ties more critical than ever
    Your Excellency Ambassador Meredith,   Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassadors from European Union Member States,   Ministerial colleagues, Members of Parliament, and other distinguished guests, Thank you everyone for joining us.   Ladies and gentlemen -    In diplomacy, we often speak of ‘close’ and ‘long-standing’ relations.   ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Therapeutic Products Act to be repealed
    The Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) will be repealed this year so that a better regime can be put in place to provide New Zealanders safe and timely access to medicines, medical devices and health products, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The medicines and products we are talking about ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Decisions on Wellington City Council’s District Plan
    The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, today released his decision on twenty recommendations referred to him by the Wellington City Council relating to its Intensification Planning Instrument, after the Council rejected those recommendations of the Independent Hearings Panel and made alternative recommendations. “Wellington notified its District Plan on ...
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