Daily review 29/11/2021

Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, November 29th, 2021 - 37 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 …

37 comments on “Daily review 29/11/2021 ”

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  1. Dennis Frank 1
    29 November 2021 at 6:40 pm

    Good to see the High Court remains defiant in protecting the judiciary's privilege, letting Labour know they can proclaim govt transparency until they're blue in the face but it still won't allow that to happen in the justice system…

    Two criminal cases over allegations of unlawful donations to both the Labour and National parties will be heard together at a joint trial, the High Court has ruled. In a decision released today after a two-day hearing earlier this month, Justice Ian Gault granted the Serious Fraud Office's (SFO) application to join the two cases and hold a single 10-week trial. However, the reasons given in the judgment and submissions made by lawyers – which includes six Queen's Counsel – remain suppressed.

    Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern also indicated there needed to be legislative reform because of the number of cases involving political parties. "This isn't a good environment for anyone, for no political party, but nor for New Zealanders. They want to have confidence in the system, so let's look at the law," she said.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/sfos-national-and-labour-party-donations-cases-to-be-heard-together-high-court-rules/WO4DMJF543DD6XDUIPTCOQHS6Q/

    So the barbarians remain outside the gate but the PM has tossed them a bone to chew on. There needs to be reform, she admits, whilst carefully avoiding a declaration that she will deliver it. Cool, thinks the judiciary, dodged that bullet.

    Instead, Jacinda has invited the nation to look at the law as it stands. Disingenuous? Of course! The nation has never looked at a law before. The prospect of having to wade through an enormous amount of legalese has always been too powerful a deterrent. Might as well get kiwis to translate Sumerian cunieform tablets for light relief as a positive alternative. Shh! Don't tell her. She might say `let's do this'.

    • alwyn 1.1
      29 November 2021 at 6:54 pm

      I would have been a great deal happier if, instead of saying "They want to have confidence in the system, so let's look at the law" she had said "They want to have confidence in the system, so let's insist that political parties obey the law".

      But she doesn't want to do that does she? The law is for the common people, not for us superior creatures seems rather more her belief.

      • observer 1.1.1
        29 November 2021 at 7:27 pm

        That doesn't make any sense. How does this "insisting" happen? Within her own party, sure. But does a PM force other parties to obey the law? You'd say "over-reach", "arrogant interference", etc.

        And Dennis' is no better.

        The PM is asked a Q at a post-Cab, and she gives the non-committal answer that you'd expect any PM to give when asked about matters before the courts. And the quote is from May, not today (misleadingly reported there).

        And that's it.

      • Craig H 1.1.2
        29 November 2021 at 9:17 pm

        Following the law as written is imperative, but it's not unreasonable to ask if the settings are correct.

    • Ad 1.2
      29 November 2021 at 7:13 pm

      Don't be trite.

      Why should two entities have their cases joined into one trial? Would we do that to two opposing companies? Or two completely different murders? Would we even do that to two finance companies – even if there was similar fact evidence?

      Of course not. The SFO is being unjust.

      The SFO's Mr Gault has just ensured that they will get completely cleaned out whoever wins the next election.

      • Dennis Frank 1.2.1
        29 November 2021 at 7:38 pm

        Don't be trite.

        I tried not to be. I knew my duty was to criticise the establishment since their misbehaviour was so blatant. However I just didn't feel up to the task. Advanced age seems to be taking its toll. frown

        The currently fashionable ethos is to be kind, so I relaxed into a bit of kindly satire instead. Going with the flow, as it were. I'll endeavour to be more resolute in future, fwiw – perhaps tomorrow will find me feeling staunch again…

  2. Ad 2
    29 November 2021 at 6:44 pm

    Good to see the Police Commissioner concerned about the New Lynn and Glen Eden incidents over the last 24 hours, in which the Police shot a person dead, a house was burnt down, three Police injured by the gunman, and in New Lynn a burglar deliberately drove into a Policeman who is now in surgery.

    https://www.1news.co.nz/2021/11/29/police-commissioners-heart-sank-after-glen-eden-shooting/

    This is a seriously massive crimewave.

    As for any comment from any elected representative in the area – all Labour – tumbleweeds rolling past.

    • Anne 2.1
      29 November 2021 at 8:32 pm

      As for any comment from any elected representative in the area – all Labour – tumbleweeds rolling past.

      The matter is essentially sub judice Ad. Of course they are not going to comment. Mark Mitchell should never have committed to his twittering on the subject for the same reaason but then he was politicking. Big day tomorrow and in the days ahead. Some juicy porfolios in the offing. Pretty obvious which one he is after?

      • Ad 2.1.1
        29 November 2021 at 8:37 pm

        Seriously calling out your bullshit there. MPs don't comment about murders in their area. Since when?

        Didn't stop Mayor Goff last week on growing gang violence. Didn't stop Deborah Russell or Kay Thomas reassuring us two weeks ago that nothing was wrong.

        But now that it' completely out of control they go to ground.

        We even have the Waitakere Local Board Chair – of which Glen Eden is part – as author and editor on this site.

        … and we cup our ear waiting for leadership …

        • Anne 2.1.1.1
          29 November 2021 at 9:06 pm

          Who says they have gone to ground? It only happened a matter of hours ago. How do you know they haven't been fully booked with meetings and associated activity and haven't had time to publicly comment. They are very busy people you know.

          It is also courteous procedure to leave initial statements to both the police minister and police commissioner. In the coming days when the facts become clearer, I have no doubt both national (small n) and local politicians will be publicly expressing their shock and anger about what happened. In fact they have probably already done so but in a non-public capacity. Its not for them to jump on the bandwagon and submit official statements at this stage.

        • Pete 2.1.1.2
          29 November 2021 at 9:29 pm

          It's good you put "But now that it'(sic) completely out of control they go to ground."

          It accentuates the fact you are talking nonsense. If it was completely out of the control the cops wouldn't have been anywhere near where they were injured. And they certainly wouldn't have been trying to deal with miscreants on behalf of you and me.

          Maybe the politicians are waiting for the dust to settle, the full facts to come out and making reasoned comments rather than jumping in to keep those company who want play political games with lashings of hysteria.

      • Sabine 2.1.2
        29 November 2021 at 9:07 pm

        Well, just to be fair, what did Deborah Russel say? Or is she still in so much back pain that she can't possibly comment? New Lynn is her electorate.

  3. Anker 3
    29 November 2021 at 7:02 pm
    • It’s very, very serious. I hope the policemen are ok. And other victims of this violence.

    a real problem here

  4. joe90 4
    29 November 2021 at 7:17 pm

    Enough beer with vodka chasers and my bike turns into one of these.

  5. observer 5
    29 November 2021 at 7:51 pm

    Simon Bridges wants a contest, not a stitch-up: claims to be confident ahead of the vote tomorrow.

    Whatever you think of Bridges (disclosure: not a lot) he's got a point here. If it's an election, then have a proper one. Luxon's approach seems to be … get gifted the job thanks to Key and Collins, then after he's crowned he will speak from his mountaintop.

    • observer 5.1
      29 November 2021 at 8:24 pm

      Tweet of the day (from https://twitter.com/POLITIKwebsite):

      "Since he became an MP Chris Luxon has asked 7 questions and spoken twice in the general debate. Barry Soper asks more than that in one press conference."

    • alwyn 5.2
      29 November 2021 at 8:39 pm

      Bridges is an idiot. He can't, at least in my view, expect to lead National to victory in 2023. Luxon can and were he to be elected unopposed will. Bridges' unelectability is partly due to Collins' smear but it is also because the panicking party chose to dump him only about 18 months ago. I think he should withdraw, support Luxon and take the Finance job. He still has the time to succeed Luxon after he is PM from 2023 to say 2031.

      Forcing a vote isn't serving New Zealand or his party.

      What do you have against stitch-ups? How do you think Ardern got the job without an election by the 3 groups in the Labour Party? She did it because there was a stitch-up. Worked for them didn't it? Plus of course they gave Winston "perks" Peters everything he asked for without even having the sense to ask for anything at all in return.

      • observer 5.2.1
        29 November 2021 at 8:53 pm

        False comparison, as you know. Who was Ardern's rival? None.

        Everyone in that caucus was pleased with the outcome. Tomorrow, half of this caucus won't be. And honestly, if you haven't grasped that yet, wait and see what happens when Judith and her supporters get the promised rewards from Luxon. Maureen Pugh, for goodness' sake. Labour couldn't have written a better script.

        • Sabine 5.2.1.1
          29 November 2021 at 9:39 pm

          Well you could say that initially her rival was Mr. Little then man who thankfully decided that he was not cut for the job. She was gifted Mt. Albert to have an electorate and presented to the public a few weeks before election. 🙂 and thanks to Winston got the job.

          Now for the N's – sadly for NZ – they are fucked beyond believe, and this will give rise to ACT, which again, will not work well for NZ. (NZ should have a decent party in opposition, but then sometimes we only get what we have, or maybe even deserve).

          In saying that, no one is electing anyone for another two years so who knows what will be. could be that Ms. Arrn might even decide that it is time to move to greener and more exiting opportunities elsewhere. Who knows. All this kerfuffle is just a wee storm in a tea cup. Much ado about nothing.

      • Pete 5.2.2
        29 November 2021 at 9:31 pm

        Stitch ups? Is that how Mark Mitchell got to be a candidate in his electorate in the first place?

  6. bwaghorn 6
    29 November 2021 at 8:28 pm

    Just incase any one else is scratching their heads on the vax passport.

    I managed to down load it to my Google drive then linked it to home screen and made it available offline , I think that's me sorted.

    • weka 6.1
      29 November 2021 at 11:08 pm

      can you not just screen shot it?

      • bwaghorn 6.1.1
        30 November 2021 at 6:28 am

        Never thought of that ,have to get junior on the job for that ,

        Its a bit odd that there isnt simple instructions on the email as to what to do with it, and why it's not just able to be part of the tracer app is beyond me.

        • weka 6.1.1.1
          30 November 2021 at 9:15 am

          they can't send it to the tracer app for privacy reasons. And if they did lots of people (including myself) would stop using the app because we use it on the basis there is no connection with the MoH unless we choose.

          • bwaghorn 6.1.1.1.1
            30 November 2021 at 11:45 am

            Maybe it could have been an option, I'm so boring now days any spying on me would lose the will to live quickly.

            • weka 6.1.1.1.1.1
              30 November 2021 at 11:50 am

              lol. It's more a matter of trust and public health. You might not care, but if the people that do stop using the app that's a serious problem for the MoH (and NZ)

  7. Ad 7
    29 November 2021 at 8:32 pm

    Positional jockeying in the German Green Party as the Ministerial jobs get dished out.

    Germany′s Green party sees old divisions flare up | Germany | News and in-depth reporting from Berlin and beyond | DW | 28.11.2021

    Since they've committed to wipe out all coal in 9 years, they need to be convincing from the start. But they are fully and resolutely a part of the coalition government.

  8. Dennis Frank 8
    29 November 2021 at 8:33 pm

    Omicron is an anagram for Moronic.

    Kiwiblogger comment, sure to get the conspiracy theorists fired up, as in `if you believe in this thing you are'…

    Skeptiks will claim that it's just a coincidence. They always do.

    This from another contributor: “Whenever I see a photo of Luxon I am reminded of Humpty-Dumpty. Sorry, but I can’t help it.”

  9. Pete 9
    29 November 2021 at 9:19 pm

    Popular journalist and staunch anti-vaxxer dies of Covid-19
    "A well-known Pukekohe newspaper editor who steadfastly refused to get vaccinated has died of Covid-19.

    Rex Warwood, 80, succumbed to the virus in Auckland’s North Shore Hospital on Saturday.

    “Basically, Rex was a very stubborn, very opinionated man, and unfortunately for Rex one of the things he was very, very vocal on, and if you search Facebook you can find this …but he actually said, ‘I don’t know why everyone’s pandering to this pandemic, what pandemic?’ That was his view point, his was very much a stance of anti-vax.”

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/300465994/popular-journalist-and-staunch-antivaxxer-dies-of-covid19

    • Rosemary McDonald 9.1
      30 November 2021 at 8:22 am

      Haven't the time right now to do a deep dive into Mr. Warwood's journalistic archive but I wonder if he was actually an "anti-vaxxer"ie; he did not believe in having any vaccine whatsoever, or he had an arguably justifiable hesitancy around having the Pfizer product forced upon him.

      There is a very definite difference between the two, and it is sheer laziness (or something) that so called journalists so readily throw out the 'anti-vaxxer' slur without trying to ascertain if he rejected all vaccines.

      A shame that MSM seem happy to drag this fellow's name through the mud while his family grieves.

      SSDD.

  10. Fireblade 10
    29 November 2021 at 10:12 pm

    Since Jacinda Ardern became PM she has faced four leaders of the National Party, soon it will be five. It's a sad reflection on the state of the Nats and their useless leadership and ego-driven infighting.

    If the new leader can't build a cohesive loyal team with sensible policies (without reducing ACT's vote) the party will be toast. The new leader has a huge amount of work to do.

  11. weka 11
    29 November 2021 at 11:11 pm

    This would have to be one of the weirdest things I've read in a while (Luxon not Sachdeva)

    https://twitter.com/SamSachdevaNZ/status/1465149804372119554

  12. Jenny How to get there 12
    30 November 2021 at 5:41 am

    Not wishing to offend.

    What is Omicron, where did it come from, and how dangerous is it? (newatlas.com)

    Why is it called Omicron?

    “Two letters were skipped – Nu and Xi – because Nu is too easily confounded with “new” and Xi was not used because it is a common surname….

    Un-said, the name of the supreme ruler of China for life, President Xi.

    Maybe they should have called the new dangerous variant, BidenXi to offend these two global hegemons equally.

  13. Jenny How to get there 13
    30 November 2021 at 5:53 am

    Omicron [BidenXi] could be anything from catastrophic to inconsequential. And that makes it challenging to communicate to people how worried they should be.

    • Sabine 13.1
      30 November 2021 at 8:34 am

      i am wondering what we are gonna call the NZ variant that could come out of Delta. 🙂 I think we will know half way through summer?

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    The cows will keep burping and farting and climate change will keep accelerating - but farmers can stop worrying about being included in the ETS. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: My six things to note in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Wednesday, June 12 were:The ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • Six ideas to secure Te Huia’s Future
    This is a guest post by our friend Darren Davis. It originally appeared on his excellent blog, Adventures in Transitland, which features “musings about public transport and other cool stuff in Aotearoa/ New Zealand and around the globe.” With Te Huia now having funding secure through to 2026, now is ...
    Greater AucklandBy Darren Davis
    5 days ago

  • The methane waka sinks
    In some ways, there may be less than meets the eye to the Government announcement yesterday that the He Waka Eke Noa proposal for farmers to pay for greenhouse gas emissions has been scrapped. The spectre of farmers still having to pay at some point in the future remains. That, ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • At a glance – Does positive feedback necessarily mean runaway warming?
    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Climate Change: Farmers get what they wanted – for now
    Since entering office, National has unravelled practically every climate policy, leaving us with no effective way of reducing emissions or meeting our emissions budgets beyond magical thinking around the ETS. And today they've announced another step: removing agriculture entirely. At present, following the complete failure of he waka eka noa, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • Presumed Innocent?
    The blue billionaireDistraction no interactionOr movement outside these glazed over eyesThe new great divideFew fight the tide to be glorifiedBut will he be satisfied?Can we accept this without zoom?The elephant in the roomNot much happens in politics on a Monday. Bugger all in fact. Although yesterday Christopher Luxon found he ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on our doomed love affair with oil and gas
    What if New Zealand threw a fossil fuel party, and nobody came? On the weekend, Resources Minister Shane Jones sent out the invitations and strung up the balloons, but will anyone really want to invest big time in resuming oil and gas exploration in our corner of the planet? Yes, ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    6 days ago

  • Building better housing insights
    This is a guest post by Meredith Dale, senior urban designer and strategist at The Urban Advisory. There’s a saying that goes something like: ‘what you measure is what you value’. An RNZ article last week claimed that Auckland was ‘hurting’ because of a more affordable supply of homes, particularly townhouses ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    6 days ago

  • Putin would be proud of them
    A Prime Minister directs his public service to inquire into the actions of the opposition political party which is his harshest critic. Something from Orban's Hungary, or Putin's Russia? No, its happening right here in Aotearoa: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Public Service Commission will launch an ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    7 days ago

  • Resources for debunking common solar and wind myths
    This is a repost from a Yale Climate Connections article by SueEllen Campbell published on June 3, 2024. The articles listed can help you tell fact from fiction when it comes to solar and wind energy. Some statements you hear about solar and wind energy are just plain false. ...
    Skeptical Science
    7 days ago

  • Juggernaut
    Politics were going on all around us yesterday, and we barely noticed, rolling along canal paths, eating baguettes. It wasn’t until my mate got to the headlines last night that we learned there had been a dismayingly strong far right result in the EU elections and Macron had called a ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 days ago

  • Numbers Game.
    Respect Existence, Or Expect Resistance? There may well have been 50,000 pairs of feet “Marching For Nature” down Auckland’s Queen Street on Saturday afternoon, but the figure that impresses the Coalition Government is the 1,450,000 pairs of Auckland feet that were somewhere else.IN THE ERA OF DRONES and Artificial Intelligence, ...
    Bowalley Road
    7 days ago

  • Media Link: AVFA on post-colonial blowback.
    Selwyn Manning and I discuss varieties of post colonial blowback and the implications its has for the rise of the Global South. Counties discussed include Palestine/Israel, France/New Caledonia, England/India, apartheid/post-apartheid South Africa and post-colonial New Zealand. It is a bit … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    7 days ago

  • Policy by panic
    Back in March, Ombudsman Peter Boshier resigned when he hit the statutory retirement age of 72, leaving the country in the awkward (and legally questionable) position of having him continue as a temporay appointee. It apparently took the entire political system by surprise - as evinced by Labour's dick move ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    7 days ago

  • PSA: NZ's Richest Company, Zuru, Sucks
    Hi,Today the New Zealand press is breathlessly reporting that the owners of toy company Zuru are officially New Zealand’s wealthiest people: Mat and Nick Mowbray worth an estimated $20 billion between them.While the New Zealand press loses its shit celebrating this Kiwi success story, this is a Webworm reminder that ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 week ago

  • Bernard's Dawn Chorus and pick 'n' mix for Monday, June 10
    TL;DR: The six things to note in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty in the past day to 8:36 pm on Monday, June 10 were:20,000 protested against the Fast-track approval bill on Saturday in Auckland, but PM Christopher Luxon says ‘sorry, but not sorry’ about the need for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • In Defence of Kāinga Ora
    Given the headlines around the recent findings of the ‘independent’ review of Kāinga Ora by Bill English, you might assume this post will be about social housing, Kāinga Ora’s most prominent role. While that is indeed something that requires defending, I want to talk about the other core purpose of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    1 week ago

  • Baby You're A Rich Man
    “How does it feel to beOne of the beautiful peopleNow that you know who you areWhat do you want to beAnd have you traveled very far?Far as the eye can see”Yesterday the ACT party faithful were regaled with craven boasts, sneers, and demands for even more at their annual rally.That ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • Stopping a future Labour government from shutting down gas exploration
    A defiant Resources Minister Shane Jones has responded to Saturday’s environmental protests by ending Labour’s offshore oil exploration ban and calling for long-term contracts with any successful explorers. The purpose would be to prevent a future Labour Government from reversing any licence the explorers might hold. Jones sees a precedent ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 week ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #23
    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, June 2, 2024 thru Sat, June 8, 2024. Story of the week Our Story of the Week is Yale Climate Connection's Resources for debunking common solar and wind myths, by ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • Fission by the river
    This is where we ate our lunch last Wednesday. Never mind your châteaux and castles and whatnot, we like to enjoy a baguette in the shadow of a nuclear power plant; a station that puts out more than twice as much as Manapouri using nothing more than tiny atoms to bring ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • Fact Brief – Is the ocean acidifying?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by John Mason in collaboration with members from the Gigafact team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is the ocean acidifying? Acidification of oceans ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • 20,000+ on Queen St.
    The largest protest I ever went on was in the mid 90s. There were 10,000 people there that day, and I’ve never forgotten it. An enormous mass of people, chanting together. Stretching block after block, bringing traffic to a halt.But I can’t say that’s the biggest protest I’ve ever been ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • Josh Drummond's Columns
    Hi there,I wanted to put all of Josh Drummond’s Webworm pieces all in one place. I love that he writes for Webworm — and all of these are a good read!David.Why Are So Many “Christians” Hellbent on Being Horrible?Why do so many objectively hideous people declare themselves “Christian”?Meeting the Master ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 week ago

  • Bernard’s Saturday soliloquy and weekend Pick ‘n’ Mix for June 8/9
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: On reflection, the six things to note in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty this week were:The Government-driven freeze in building new classrooms, local roads and water networks in order to save cash for tax cuts is frustrating communities facing massive population ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • The no-vision thing
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past somewhat interrupted week. Still on the move!Share Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • When Journalists are Disingenuous
    Hi,One of the things I like the most about Webworm is to be able to break down the media and journalism a little, and go behind the scenes.This is one of those times.Yesterday an email arrived in my inbox from journalist Jonathan Milne, who is managing editor at Newsroom.I don’t ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 week ago

  • Me, elsewhere: Just say you’ll do the thing
    Wrote something over at 1/200 on a familiar theme of mine: The way we frame the economy as a separate, sacred force which must be sacrificed to, the way we talk about criminals as invaders who must be repelled, the constant othering of people on the benefit, people not in ...
    Boots TheoryBy Stephanie Rodgers
    1 week ago

  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted
    A nice bit of news today: my 4600-word historical fantasy-horror piece, A Voyage Among the Vandals, has been accepted by Phobica Books (https://www.phobicabooks.co.uk/books) for their upcoming Pirate Horror anthology, Shivering Timbers. This one is set in the Mediterranean, during the mid-fifth century AD. Notable for having one of history’s designated ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago

  • Ministerial conflicts of interest
    Since the National government came to power, it has been surrounded by allegations of conflicts of interest. Firstly, there's the fast-track law, which concentrates power in the hands of three Ministers, some of whom have received donations from companies whose projects they will be deciding on. Secondly, there's the close ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • The 2024 Budget Forecasts Are Gloomy Prognosis About The Next Three Years.
    There was no less razzamatazz about the 2024 Budget than about earlier ones. Once again the underlying economic analysis got lost. It deserves more attention.Just to remind you, the Budget Economic and Fiscal Update (BEFU), is the Treasury’s independent assessment and so can be analysed by other competent economists (although ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago

  • A government that can't see twenty feet ahead
    There are two failings that consistently characterise a National government. One is a lack of imagination, the other is their willingness to look after their mates, no matter what harm it might do to everyone else.This is how we come to have thousands of enormous trucks carving up our roads. ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • A post I hope is incorrect
    In May, we learned that National MP David MacLeod had "forgotten" to declare $178,000 in electoral donations. Filing a donation return which is false in any material particular is a crime, and the Electoral Commission has now referred MacLeod to police, since they're the only people who are allowed to ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • Māori Cannot Re-Write New Zealand’s Constitution By Stealth.
    The Kotahitanga Parliament 1897: A Māori Parliament – at least in the guise of a large and representative body dedicated to describing the shape of New Zealand’s future from a Māori perspective – would be a very good idea.THE DEMAND for a “Māori Parliament” needs to be carefully unpicked. Some Pakeha, ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago

  • Cowpats and Colonials.
    Dumbtown, is how my friend Gerard refers to people like ZB listeners - he’s not wrong.Normally on a Friday I start by looking at Mike Hosking’s moronic reckons of the week which he vomits down the throats of his audience like helpless baby birds in a nest, grateful for the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • Gordon Campbell on cutting the sick leave of vulnerable workers
    Should sick leave be part and parcel of the working conditions from Day One on the job, just like every other health and safety provision? Or should access to sick leave be something that only gradually accumulates, depending on how long a worker has been on the payroll? If enacted ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    1 week ago

  • Nobody Move: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    “So long as we live in a democracy, economic policy can never be anything other than social-democratic.”“HEH!”, snorted Laurie, as he waved his debit card over the EFTPOS machine. “Same price as last week. I guess budgets aren’t what they used to be.”“I wouldn’t know,” replied the young barman, wearily, ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago

  • High Court Judge appointed
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Auckland King’s Counsel Gregory Peter Blanchard as a High Court Judge. Justice Blanchard attended the University of Auckland from 1991 to 1995, graduating with an LLB (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts (English). He was a solicitor with the firm that is now Dentons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Health workforce numbers rise
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says new data released today shows encouraging growth in the health workforce, with a continued increase in the numbers of doctors, nurses and midwives joining Health New Zealand. “Frontline healthcare workers are the beating heart of the healthcare system. Increasing and retaining our health workforce ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government to overhaul firearms laws
    Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee has today announced a comprehensive programme to reform New Zealand's outdated and complicated firearms laws. “The Arms Act has been in place for over 40 years. It has been amended several times – in a piecemeal, and sometimes rushed way. This has resulted in outdated ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government delivers landmark specialist schools investment
    The coalition Government is delivering record levels of targeted investment in specialist schools so children with additional needs can thrive. As part of Budget 24, $89 million has been ringfenced to redevelop specialist facilities and increase satellite classrooms for students with high needs. This includes: $63 million in depreciation funding ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Major health and safety consultation begins
    A substantial consultation on work health and safety will begin today with a roadshow across the regions over the coming months, says Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden.  This the first step to deliver on the commitment to reforming health and safety law and regulations, set out in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Growing the potential of New Zealand’s forestry sector in partnership
    Forestry Minister Todd McClay, today announced the start of the Government’s plan to restore certainty and confidence in the forestry and wood processing sector. “This government will drive investment to unlock the industry’s economic potential for growth,” Mr McClay says. “Forestry’s success is critical to rebuilding New Zealand’s economy, boosting ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government cancels forestry ETS annual service charges for 2023-24
    Annual service charges in the forestry Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) will be cancelled for 2023/24, Forestry Minister Todd McClay says. “The sector has told me the costs imposed on forestry owners by the previous government were excessive and unreasonable and I agree,” Mr McClay says. “They have said that there ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Speech to the LGNZ Infrastructure Symposium
    Introduction Thank you for having me here today and welcome to Wellington, the home of the Hurricanes, the next Super Rugby champions. Infrastructure – the challenge This government has inherited a series of big challenges in infrastructure. I don’t need to tell an audience as smart as this one that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government boosts Agriculture and food trade with China
    Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard welcomed outcomes to boost agricultural and food trade between New Zealand and China. A number of documents were signed today at Government House that will improve the business environment between New Zealand and China, and help reduce barriers, including on infant formula ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • NZ and China launch Services Trade Negotiations
    Trade Minister Todd McClay, and China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, today announced the official launch of Negotiations on Services Trade between the two countries.  “The Government is focused on opening doors for services exporters to grow the New Zealand’s economy,” Mr McClay says.  As part of the 2022 New Zealand-China Free Trade Agreement Upgrade ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Prime Minister Luxon meets with Premier Li
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang at Government House in Wellington today.  “I was pleased to welcome Premier Li to Wellington for his first official visit, which marks 10 years since New Zealand and China established a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” Mr Luxon says. “The Premier and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Government and business tackling gender pay gap
    The coalition Government is taking action to reduce the gender pay gap in New Zealand through the development of a voluntary calculation tool. “Gender pay gaps have impacted women for decades, which is why we need to continue to drive change in New Zealand,” Acting Minister for Women Louise Upston ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Funding Boost for Rural Support Trusts
    The coalition Government is boosting funding for Rural Support Trusts to provide more help to farmers and growers under pressure, Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson announced today. “A strong and thriving agricultural sector is crucial to the New Zealand economy and one of the ways to support it is to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Latest data shows size of public service decreasing
    Spending on contractors and consultants continues to fall and the size of the Public Service workforce has started to decrease after years of growth, according to the latest data released today by the Public Service Commission. Workforce data for the quarter from 31 December 23 to 31 March 24 shows ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Speech to the Law Association
    Thank you to the Law Association for inviting me to speak this morning. As a former president under its previous name — the Auckland District Law Society — I take particular satisfaction in seeing this organisation, and its members, in such good heart. As Attorney-General, I am grateful for these ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • 25 years on, NZ reaffirms enduring friendship with Timor Leste
    New Zealand is committed to working closely with Timor-Leste to support its prosperity and resilience, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “This year is the 25th anniversary of New Zealand sending peacekeepers to Timor-Leste, who contributed to the country’s stabilisation and ultimately its independence,” Mr Peters says.    “A quarter ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Inquiry requested into rural banking
    Promoting robust competition in the banking sector is vital to rebuilding the economy, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says.  “New Zealanders deserve a banking sector that is as competitive as possible. Banking services play an important role in our communities and in the economy. Kiwis rely on access to lending when ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Ministry for Regulation targets red tape to keep farmers and growers competitive
    Regulation Minister David Seymour, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds, and Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard have today announced a regulatory sector review on the approval process for new agricultural and horticultural products.    “Red tape stops farmers and growers from getting access to products that have been approved by other OECD countries. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Government to reverse blanket speed limit reductions
    The Coalition Government will reverse Labour’s blanket speed limit reductions by 1 July 2025 through a new Land Transport Rule released for public consultation today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  The draft speed limit rule will deliver on the National-ACT coalition commitment to reverse the previous government’s blanket speed limit ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Chair appointments for NZSO, CNZ and NZ On Air
    Minister Paul Goldsmith is making major leadership changes within both his Arts and Media portfolios. “I am delighted to announce Carmel Walsh will be officially stepping into the role of Chair of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, having been acting Chair since April,” Arts Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Carmel is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Government focus on long-term food, fibre growth
    Food and fibre export revenue is tipped to reach $54.6 billion this year and hit a record $66.6b in 2028 as the Government focuses on getting better access to markets and cutting red tape, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones say. “This achievement is testament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Govt consulting on cutting red tape for exporters
    A new export exemption proposal for food businesses demonstrates the coalition Government’s commitment to reducing regulatory barriers for industry and increasing the value of New Zealand exports, which gets safe New Zealand food to more markets, says Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard.  “The coalition Government has listened to the concerns ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • New Zealand and Philippines elevating relationship
    New Zealand and Philippines are continuing to elevate our relationship, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “The leaders of New Zealand and Philippines agreed in April 2024 to lift our relationship to a Comprehensive Partnership by 2026,” Mr Peters says. “Our visit to Manila this week has been an excellent ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Paid Parental Leave increase to help families
    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister, Brooke van Velden says paid parental leave increase from 1 July will put more money in the pockets of Kiwi parents and give them extra support as they take precious time off to bond with their newborns. The increase takes effect from 1 July 2024 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Defence increases UN Command commitment
    The number of New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel deployed to the Republic of Korea is increasing, Defence Minister Judith Collins and Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced today.  NZDF will deploy up to 41 additional personnel to the Republic of Korea, increasing the size of its contribution to the United ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • New Zealand to attend 'Summit on Peace in Ukraine' in Switzerland
    New Zealand will be represented at the Summit on Peace in Ukraine by Minister Mark Mitchell in Switzerland later this week.    “New Zealand strongly supports Ukraine’s efforts to build a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace,” Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Minister Mitchell is a senior Cabinet Minister and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Big step forward for M.bovis programme
    Farmers’ hard work is paying off in the fight against Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) with the move to a national pest management plan marking strong progress in the eradication effort, says Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard.  “The plan, approved by the Coalition Government, was proposed by the programme partners DairyNZ, Beef ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Build To Rent opening welcomed by Housing Minister
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Housing Minister Chris Bishop formally opened a new Build to Rent development in Mt Wellington this morning. “The Prime Minister and I were honoured to cut the ribbon of Resido, New Zealand’s largest Build to Rent development to date.  “Build to Rent housing, like the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Agriculture to come out of the ETS
    The Government will deliver on its election commitment to take agriculture out of the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS) and will establish a new Pastoral Sector Group to constructively tackle biogenic methane, Coalition Government Agriculture and Climate Change Ministers say. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says New Zealand farmers ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Luxon Tokyo-bound for political and business visit
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will travel to Japan from 16-20 June, his first visit as Prime Minister.   “Japan is incredibly important to New Zealand's prosperity. It is the world’s fourth largest economy, and our fourth largest export destination.  “As you know, growing the economy is my number one priority. A strong economy means ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Bayly travels to Singapore for scam prevention meetings
    Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Andrew Bayly, travels to Singapore today to attend scam and fraud prevention meetings. “Scams are a growing international problem, and we are not immune in New Zealand. Organised criminal networks operate across borders, and we need to work with our Asia-Pacific partners to tackle ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • More help for homeowners impacted by severe weather
    People who were displaced by severe weather events in 2022 and 2023 will be supported by the extension of Temporary Accommodation Assistance through to 30 June 2025. Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says the coalition Government is continuing to help to those who were forced out of their ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government to reverse oil and gas exploration ban
    Removing the ban on petroleum exploration beyond onshore Taranaki is part of a suite of proposed amendments to the Crown Minerals Act to deal with the energy security challenges posed by rapidly declining natural gas reserves, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “Natural gas is critical to keeping our lights on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand and Malaysia to intensify connections
    New Zealand and Malaysia intend to intensify their long-standing, deep connections, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “Malaysia is one of New Zealand’s oldest friends in South-East Asia – and both countries intend to get more out of the relationship," Mr Peters says.   "Our connections already run deep and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Ending contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua
    The end of Contracted Emergency Housing (CEH) motels in Rotorua is nearing another milestone as the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announces it will not renew consents for six of the original 13 motels, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. The government is committed to stop using CEH ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • First Home Grant closure exemptions
    The Government is providing a narrow exemption from the discontinuation of the First Home Grant for first home buyers who may face unfair situations as a result, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “The First Home Grant scheme was closed with immediate effect on 22 May 2024, with savings being reprioritised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Faster consenting for flood protection projects in Hawke's Bay
    Work to increase flood resilience in Hawke’s Bay can start sooner, thanks to a new fast consenting process, Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery Mark Mitchell and Environment Minister Penny Simmonds say.  “Faster consenting means work to build stop banks, spillways and other infrastructure can get underway sooner, increasing flood ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Judge Craig Coxhead and Nathan Milner newest Māori Land Court appointments
    Tangata tū tangata ora, tangata noho tangata mate. Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka today announced acting Deputy Chief Judge Craig Coxhead as the new Deputy Chief Judge, and Nathan Milner as Judge of the Māori Land Court. "I want to congratulate Judge Coxhead and Mr Milner on their appointments ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government signs Indo-Pacific Economic agreements to boost trade
    Trade Minister Todd McClay and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts, today signed three Indo Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) agreements that will boost investment, grow New Zealand’s digital and green economies and increase trade between New Zealand and the 14 IPEF partners. IPEF’s partners represent 40 per cent of global GDP ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Government signs Indo-Pacific Economic agreements to boost trade and cooperation
    Trade Minister Todd McClay and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts, today signed three Indo Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) agreements that will boost investment, grow New Zealand’s digital and green economies and increase trade between New Zealand and the 14 IPEF partners. IPEF’s partners represent 40 per cent of global GDP ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

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