Daily Review 31/07/2017

Written By: - Date published: 5:30 pm, July 31st, 2017 - 103 comments
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Daily review is also your post.

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

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

Don’t forget to be kind to each other …

103 comments on “Daily Review 31/07/2017 ”

  1. Anne 1

    Just listened to Andrew Little on Checkpoint.

    How about we forget that he’s a naturally reticent speaker. Forget that he’s no show pony like John Key was – and Winston Peters still is – and concentrate on what he says for a change.

    How about the MSM do an honest job for a change and highlight what he and Labour stand for… what their policies are… and how it will change the lives of so many people for the better. How about they stop this interminable gotcha claptrap that is slowly crippling this country. How about they do the job they are supposed to do and keep the public informed so that they are able to make rational decisions for a change.

    Asking too much I know.

    Andrew Little talks to John Campbell.

    • Reality 1.1

      And how about it be highlighted by MSM that Bill English has a stodgy personality and is not a riveting speaker.

      • Anne 1.1.1

        Precisely Reality. The hypocrisy of the Right and their MSM acolytes is staggering almost beyond words.

        • Dazzer 1.1.1.1

          Funniest post ever … you demand the media focus on the Labour’s message not personality … but then want to focus on English’s stodgy personality. Love you work!

          • Violet 1.1.1.1.1

            “Demand”? No, dreaming of real journalism and admitting that is too much to ask. Then, accepting we sadly live in a time of crap msm, further horrified by the awful bias. Simple really.

          • greywarshark 1.1.1.1.2

            Love you too Dazzer – great of you to drop in and give us your valuable feedback.

    • Bill 1.2

      I dunno Anne. That definitely wasn’t a “gotcha” interview, and yet…

      something like the entire first half of it was conducted from the back foot, and it ended with a stated determination to lead NZ Labour into the election which…well does the gap between that, and a determination to be the next PM of New Zealand need to be spelled out?

      I really wish the interview hadn’t oozed defeat, but it did. And it’s going to get worse if the soft bagging of the Greens carries on. He should have been pointing out how irrelevant the shift in voting intentions within any Labour/Green bloc is, not doing the woe is unto us it’s all the fault of the Greens (and NZF) for grabbing headlines routine.

      • Anne 1.2.1

        That definitely wasn’t a “gotcha” interview, and yet…

        I was referring to the general gotcha claptrap that has permeated throughout the MSM – Newshub in particular – not the linked interview. Its just so puerile and pathetic and its getting worse.

    • weka 1.3

      I thought the interview with Dann yesterday was interesting. If you ignore the MSM stuff and just listen, some things come through. One is that Labour are now willing to say that if people want to change the govt they need to vote Labour not NZF. The other is that he is a fighter.

      Little looked worn out, so I hope he can rally his own reserves and Labour say this again and again but stronger and clearer.

      All the positioning stuff seems fine to me, and they’ve got decent enough policy.

  2. Cynical jester 3

    This time tomorrow Jacinda Ardern will be leader of the labour party, as someone whose been calling for littles resignation for well over a year this is bittersweet as at best we hold our current seats.

    Little is half as popular as cunliffe. Should have been arsed out a long time ago.

    • Alan 3.1

      Promoting Jacinda Ardern to leader is like taking a shy third former and making her Head Girl – not good for the individual and very bad for the organisation she is supposed to lead.

      • Psycho Milt 3.1.1

        She’s 37. Comparisons with a third-former are ridiculous, unless you similarly want to compare Bill English to the dull boy who’s been made prefect.

        • Alan 3.1.1.1

          her age is irrelevant, it is her leadership experience that matters – she has none.

          • Robert Guyton 3.1.1.1.1

            Y’a mean, Alan, she’s not yet been Prime Minister?
            Have you checked to see if she’s lead any organisations before? Bet you’ll be surprised. And spare a thought for Deputy Paula while you’re at it.

          • weka 3.1.1.1.2

            “she has none”

            I always find this an odd argument. You don’t have experience therefore can’t have the job, but how do you get the experience without having the job?

        • greywarshark 3.1.1.2

          Yeah she’s older than Princess Di if that is the type you are referring to.
          That lady was a dazzler but there were too many things against her, and she needed more for her.

    • BM 3.2

      I reckon Jacinda will be gone sometime during the next electoral term, she’s off to have babies.

      THat’s why she’s not interested in the leadership.

    • Janet 3.3

      I have no problem with Andrew Little. He leads by consensus and that is good. My problem is the word LABOUR. So old and out of date that word. Labour needs a new name that says “we stand for an egalitarian society” because that is what National is destroying in New Zealand.

    • Louis 3.4

      Bet that doesn’t happen Cynical.

  3. Tautoko Mangō Mata 4

    We have suffered in the last 2 elections from dirty tricks in which the media were (only sometimes) an unwitting part. We can’t afford to have this election hijacked by the media.

    Listen up, Paddy Gower, Corin Dann, etc. This election is not about all about YOU. It is not a circus with you as the ringmaster, We have a country which has huge problems to solve. The climate change is going to have an enormous effect on our land, and we need to start planning NOW for the huge impact of rising sea levels, warming seas. The very lives of many of our people will depend on the choice of government in this election and their plans (or lack of plans) for the future. For other people the choice of government is literally life and death for them. For those who cannot access help for their mental health problems soon enough, time is running out. How many more children are going to get rheumatic fever and require heart valve operations? How many more people will die before they can get operations in Dunedin?
    How many more roads will be built while rail is in neglected in Auckland?

    We want you to ask about POLICIES. We want you to stop obsessing about polls. We want you to stop asking politicians how they feel. We want you to clarify the policy information so that voters can make a fair, educated choice.

    • BM 4.1

      Certain elements of the MSM want Labour gone as the main left wing party and replaced by the Greens, which is why you’re seeing this piling into Labour.

      MOU = the worst tactical decision ever.

      • newsense 4.1.1

        The worse decision was to prevaricate about supporting Metiria and not pump a hand on a lecturn and say- we are having good times but we can have that and not hate the poor, not demonise the poor, not make them into criminals just to provide for their own family.
        In a government I lead we will have prosperity without the meanness of spirit, aspiration without the snobbery and anger, compassion and confidence in the ability of New Zealanders to build and grow businesses.
        Not in God’s own country will we stand by while families live in cars and people die living on the street. Like the Liberals and the First Labour Government we say enough. Enough teaching our children to walk past the homeless, teaching them to blame those who have misfortune, enough teaching them that we owe no service to the country that got us here, that we owe no service to our society, that we don’t need to invest in our housing, our education and our health services and that all we need is a little bit of a tax cut. We are one people, one country, one tribe, but we are not all equal. We need to help our weakest and we should judge our society on how we judge them. And by that measure our country, lead by these heartless hounds who say with all honesty have not knowingly cheated to get ahead, is very poor indeed.

        And the people they are suggesting should lead the party instead won’t make anything better.

        The swing to Metiria was because of this. Being racist hasn’t split off votes from NZ first, because Labour isn’t racist. Believing in a kind of austerity hasn’t split off voters from National, because they already have austerity. Labour needs to come out swinging, look at the full reason they are failing and it is the whole leadership team and its failure over two cycles to come out swinging strongly and genuinely as Labour.

    • Louis 4.2

      I like what you say Tautoko but Paddy Gower, Corin Dann and people like them dont care.

    • Venezia 4.3

      Well said. I have been home most of today and found it unbelievable how that poll result dominated the news with broadcasters’ breathless statements about Andrew Little talking of resigning. There are so many important challenges facing this country, but they get crowded out because some functionary at RNZ national decided that this was leading the news all day.

      • greywarshark 4.3.1

        We’re lucky there wasn’t a school shoot out in the USA, we’d never have heard anything about us only the USA.

  4. Tautoko Mangō Mata 5

    This is MMP.

    • Alan 5.1

      Winstone loathed the Alliance, remember that?
      Then he loathed the Greens.
      And the current Green party is doing a very good impersonation of the old Alliance.
      Yes, this is MMP

  5. Cynical jester 6

    Alternatively Little goes to caucus tomorrow morning challenges them to make a move, announces a press conference and makes it look like hes about to resign, the press attention will be crazy, instead of resigning does a firey angry speech about why he wants to be pm and uses the attention to announce a policy on Marijuana reform or something equally controversial but popular and radical. This would result in littles face being all over the news.

    This could be the making of the man. Labours current policies are boring they need some radical announcements that will get people talking about them

    • Alan 6.1

      the problem with that approach is that anything radical will likely have a strong left wing edge to it – net result, he drags a few back from the greens and zero from the centre or right.

      • adam 6.1.1

        And how has 9 years of going for the radical center worked out for labour??!? Like pretty much all the traditional left parties – all but dead…

    • Gabby 6.2

      While he’s talking to caucus he could ask who’s going to contradict policy next, so he can figure out how to pretend it’s all fine. Or give them notice they’re on their own.

  6. Ad 7

    Hang in there Andrew Little.

    You are a good man.

    New Zealand needs a good man as Prime Minister and I hope you make it.

    • Louis 7.1

      I agree Ad. Would rather have Andrew Little as PM in a coalition govt with the Greens than another horrifying 3 years of the Bill and Nat show. How many deaths in the streets will it take before people wake up to stop the current madness?

    • weka 7.2

      +1000.

    • RedLogix 7.3

      On reflection I agree Ad.

      If Little cut loose and campaigned like he had nothing to lose, he just might win it.

      • Anne 7.3.1

        I’m sure he has the nous to do it but it depends on whether his caucus members have the nous to back him up.

        • weka 7.3.1.1

          Yeah, that’s the sense I have. Nash breaking ranks today is not a good sign.

          • Incognito 7.3.1.1.1

            Puddleglum has written the first blog in a long time and it’s well worth the read: http://www.thepoliticalscientist.org/whos-afraid-of-radical-politics/

            Anyway, I have taken the quote/Leunig cartoon at the very end and ‘butchered’ it to:

            Labour is being threatened by a dark force. We must help Labour. What is this dark force which threatens Labour?
            It’s Labour …

            PS if this is not permissible, for any reason, please delete forthwith.

            [lprent: Not a problem. I presume you’re worried about astroturfing. It follows the site rules by being in the right kind of post (OpenMike or Daily Review) and you explained what it was, why you thought it was important, and provided a link. Even when I’m on a irritable rampage at reading crap, I wouldn’t give this a glance. ]

          • newsense 7.3.1.1.2

            Nash can fuck right off.

    • Incognito 7.4

      Agreed! I was thinking the exact same thing about hanging in there.

    • Cinny 7.5

      Yes, yes for sures agree with you Ad

  7. “As recent anthropological research has pointed out:

    Keeping the playing field level was a matter of survival. These small-scale, nomadic foraging groups didn’t stock up much surplus food, and given the high-risk nature of hunting – the fact that on any given day or week you may come back empty-handed – sharing and cooperation were required to ensure everyone got enough to eat. Anyone who made a bid for higher status or attempted to take more than their share would be ridiculed or ostracised for their audacity. Suppressing our primate ancestors’ dominance hierarchies by enforcing these egalitarian norms was a central adaptation of human evolution, argues social anthropologist Christopher Boehm. It enhanced cooperation and lowered risk as small, isolated bands of humans spread into new habitats and regions across the world, and was likely crucial to our survival and success.”

    Puddleglum – clever thinking, always.
    http://www.thepoliticalscientist.org/whos-afraid-of-radical-politics/

  8. scotty 10

    IMHO, I reckon Labour/Greens should follow Winston’s lead and ditch the budget responsibility agreement, the media/Nats would hate it, the subsequent squealing would highlight , Nationals position as being out of step with Lab/Green/NZ1st (the majority). Double down by bringing forward the free tertiary policy.

    • weka 10.1

      Pretty hard to back track on such a major policy. What would they say made them change their mind?

      • scotty 10.1.1

        National’s neglect leading to the appalling state of NZ infrastructure – needing urgent action.(and it does)
        Housing, Water, Rail, Health, Education., the list is massive

  9. Union city reds 11

    Wonder if David Cunliffe is having a naughty chuckle to himself, or shedding a bitter little tear, right about now?

    Can’t but wonder how low the price of mincemeat would have fallen to after him dealing to dopey Bill in a few leadership debates.

  10. patricia bremner 12

    Instead of talking to each other, send a message of support to Andrew.

    (My national voting brother-in-law says he received a request for a donation by Judith
    Collins.)?????

    Lets support Andrew on NZ labours’ facebook and donate!!!!!

    We DON”T need a new Leader. We need to get policy out there!!!!!!!

    • lprent 12.1

      I scraped around last night and did exactly that and donated 3.36 times the monthly operational costs for this site. A considerable sacrifice I thought until I was given today 2/3rds of the amount as a reward for obsessive work a few months ago in the form of a prezzy card.

      Oh well there is always next month to be more sacrificial.. Maybe I’ll donate to the greens then. 😈

    • Sam C 12.2

      You’ve had 3 years to get policy out there and sway the vote. What makes you think $20 here or there with 8 weeks to go is going to make a difference?

      Supporting Andrew on Facebook won’t make him PM, sadly for you.

      • Ed 12.2.1

        Any left wing party trying to get policy out has to deal with the neoliberal media wanting to talk about ……polls……….Personalities….polls…..leadership…….personalities…polls….

        • Sam C 12.2.1.1

          Msm… blah… Radio Nz bias.. blah… picking on Labour… blah.. picking on Metiria even though it bumped the Greens… blah…

          • Stuart Munro 12.2.1.1.1

            The MSM is certainly hostile to the left – and to any kind of social or moral standards for that matter. I just hope the incoming government returns the favour.

          • Ed 12.2.1.1.2

            You know it.
            Watch Chomsky if you don’t

          • Ed 12.2.1.1.3

            Or watch this
            ALL GOVERNMENTS LIE: Truth, Deception, and the Spirit of I.F. Stone

        • adam 12.2.1.2

          “Any left wing party trying to get policy out has to deal with the neoliberal media wanting to talk about ……polls……….Personalities….polls…..leadership…….personalities…polls….”

          Then don’t.

          It’s all getting rather silly – you want cut through – give the media what it want’s – ratings.

          Why at the 11th hour are people moaning, we all know it goes on. Say stuff that will get the media attack dogs attacking, say the things people actually want to hear.

      • lprent 12.2.2

        In my experience giving cash leading into an election to a political party tends to be way more productive than that the much large amounts that I routinely donate to political parties over the previous 2.75 years. I do have to admit that it is way easier albeit less productive than giving my skilled hours.

        I guess that is why the inherently lazy, shiftless and apparently untalented National and Act supporters (like yourself?) prefer doing it that way.

        • Sam C 12.2.2.1

          Well, I guess with 8 weeks to go, your hard earned dosh may help to purchase some new hoardings for the new Labour leader to be announced tomorrow.

          I hope you’ve programmed your donations accordingly lprent.

          • adam 12.2.2.1.1

            What is it with the turds repeating the same attack line.

            It’s like a round robin of dumb, and dumber.

            • lprent 12.2.2.1.1.1

              Yeah, they really seem to have reached their peak of commenting sophistication in 2008. Probably need soem time in opposition to encourage them to start learning again. eh?

              Earning: Vegans should now avert their eyes….

              They do seem to respond well to accurate assessment about their probable abilities. It is like sishing in the Kaipara used to be like. Foolish fish rising to take the barbed bait (and whining as they bleed out for breakfast)

            • Sam C 12.2.2.1.1.2

              What’s the attack line Adam?

              Do you seriously think Little will still be Labour leader this time tomorrow?

              I don’t.

              That’s not an attack line. That’s a subjective statement based on what’s happened over the past couple of days.

        • Sam C 12.2.2.2

          Yes, we’re all lazy, shiftless and apparently untalented, lprent.

          Luckily we’re left under no illusion about how (very self deprecatingly) you are amazing, skilled and probably the biggest computer aficionado since Steve Jobs. Or not.

  11. newsense 13

    Ahh….brilliant.

    Undermine the leader and get round the party.
    Keep voting until we get the right result, yeh? If you can’t convince the people, marginalise them.

    Might be time to vote for the Greens and join them after all.

    Nash auditioning to be the leader of NZ first? Ahh…Simon Wilson the new Josie Pagani. Such a pity. “Nash would be a big, bold call” Lol except “it’s hard to pinpoint any quality new ideas he’s produced.”

    Ardern/Hipkins possibly. drop Nash hard and fast. Little attorney general. Robertson has not impressed. He hasn’t damaged any of the Nats Finance ministers. He is Little’s finance guy. He’s gotta wear that. He’s a key player in this leadership team.

  12. newsense 14

    Anyone in the know want to tell us what the fuck is really going on and why us two tickers should still do it?

    • Union city reds 14.1

      Electorate vote labour, as they’re either first or second place, and disregard traditional, historical reasons, party vote for the most left leaning party who you see as able to push the progressive cause. Imo, the greens.
      Don’t feel bad for deserting labour in supporting the greens. You’re making the best decision. They’ve had eight and a half years and wasted them with internal division and ego driven politics.
      Just don’t be a loser and vote Top or NZ1st and misguidedly think you’re doing the right thing to oust the government.

      • newsense 14.1.1

        Not a chance of the latter, mate.

        Slowly coming around to the possibility of a Grant leadership if he can sell the whole thing better. Well, not hating it if it can change the government. Bring several positives and the possibility of selling a decent manifesto better.

        I should be out door knocking for Labour.

        I should go be pissed off elsewhere on the internet. or not on the internet at all.

        FFS Labour. The votes aren’t leaving the left. They’ve gone to a party that’s put its beating heart out there for a Labour cause. Don’t panic. Don’t go- we should not be Labour and we should ditch the Greens. The votes may come back. They are still in the coalition. National has lost voters. They are vunerable. That’s why the attacks are coming in.

        You ceded leadership of the left for a bit. Don’t be sad about that. Respect it. Praise Metiria for looking after hers, as many have. Say why you will decrease poverty and increase the kind of social mobility that Metiria embodies and why this is important to Kiwis and why a government that demeans NZ workers and brings in near slave labour in some cases can f- right off. Labour inspectorate cases seemingly rushing in now there’s an election on eh?

        • Union city reds 14.1.1.1

          I hear you, but reality bites and says labour are as left wing as my right nut. lol.

          Time will come when the greens are the biggest left wing group in parliament. I suggest getting in on the ground floor to claim bragging rights.

          But if you want to chose a party that goes through leaders like I do knickers after a week on the curry, so be it, just don’t get scared when you have to play second fiddle to a team that have had no rankles, dramas, and internal divisions while they claim to be acting in the interests of the common people on the street.

          I can wait for the tide to change, but only ’cause I know it’s coming sooner rather than later. All depends on when you old hat, died in the wool guys feel brave enough to make the change. 😉

    • Adrian 14.2

      It’s simple Newsense, the Nats can’t win it from here and English has admitted it, so they’ve released their media hounds on on Little and Labour.

  13. swordfish 15

    Newshub-Reid Research poll – July 2017 ~ July 2014

    ….….….….….….….….. . …. 2014 ………..….….. 2017
    National…. …. …. . .…. … 49% ………..….…… 45% …. – 4

    Labour…. …. …. ….…. …. 27% ………..……….. 24% ….. – 3

    Greens …. …. …. …. …. .. 12% ………..………..13% ….. + 1

    NZ First …. …. …. …. …. . . 4% ………..……….. 13% ….. + 9

    • swordfish 15.1

      Newshub-Reid Research poll

      Opposition Leader Performance Rating

      Cunliffe during 2014 election campaign
      July 2014

      Performed
      Well 27
      Poorly 53
      Net Score – 26

      August 2014

      Performed
      Well 22
      Poorly 56
      Net Score – 34

      Sep (1) 2014

      Performed
      Well 33
      Poorly 48
      Net Score – 15

      Sep (2) 2014

      Performed
      Well 41
      Poorly 46
      Net Score – 5

      Sep (3) 2014

      Performed
      Well 41
      Poorly 46
      Net Score – 5

      Little
      July 2017

      Performed
      Well 30
      Poorly 46
      Net Score – 16

      ________________________________________________________

      Cunliffe ~ Little
      July 2014 ~ July 2017

      Performed
      Well 27 ………. . . . . . 30
      Poorly 53 ……. . . . .. 46
      Net Score – 26 …. – 16

  14. Cinny 16

    The whole poll thing on talkback today, what I found really messed up is it appears many NZers don’t like honesty. That’s fucked up.

    People ringing in saying, oh Andrew shouldn’t have said anything… are they for reals? Dang, they need help, as does the likes of Garner running the narrative with his poll.

    Andrew has never been in it for himself, he’s not that kind of man, team player all the way, kudos to him for that, his honesty with Labour and the NZ public in the weird world of polls makes a refreshing change.

    Andrew I really admire your integrity among other things, and am backing you all the way.

    Question please…. Why does both the leader and the deputy of NZ’s 2nd largest party feature on the preferred PM poll, but only the leader of largest party features on said poll and nationals deputy is nowhere?

    Maybe newshub and the like could do a story on why paula bennett does not appear to feature in any poll, anywhere?

    • newsense 16.1

      Labour need to be talking about how unpopular Bennett is A LOT. Why would you want to elect a government like that?

      the slipperiness of Bill Clinton with the heartlessness of …Bennett.

      • Robert Guyton 16.1.1

        On his lonesome

        “Andrew Little and Jacinda Ardern look well together, sharing the Labour Party billboard, Leader and Deputy, side by side.

        The Green leaders too, Metiria Turei and James Shaw make a happy pair on their billboard, along with their binding message “Great together”.

        National’s billboards however, have Bill English standing without support, alone.

        Why hasn’t deputy Paula Bennett joined him on the campaign?

        Her face is missing from the picture. Bill looks abandoned.”

        The Southland Times – letters to the editor 31/7/2017

        • Stuart Munro 16.1.1.1

          He is abandoned – and Paula could never take John’s place.

          • Union city greens 16.1.1.1.1

            She could be, but she’d have to get twice as sleazy and ten times as popular.

          • chris73 16.1.1.1.2

            and Paula could never take John’s place.

            No one could ever takes Sir Johns place…

        • Ffloyd 16.1.1.2

          Paula Bennett cannot afford to be a focus of attention. Her ‘harassment’ by a member of the public is too recent. She will be keeping well away from the media. The old adage ‘where there is smoke there is fire’ always has an element of truth in it. I would like to see her have an in depth interview regarding her views on lying and fraud, pertaining to Turei’s admittance of the same. Possibly birds of a feather. Who knows? All imo.

  15. exkiwiforce 17

    Good god, I can’t believe what I’ve been reading and listen too since this morning! Is this shit real or is it my brain tricks on me and I know they (Weather Boffins) are calling for a early build (going to be a real stinker) up to the wet season so I may have gone troppo a little early well I have loaded a trailer full fencing gear this arvo.

    Little should go for broke either you are with or you are on your own? Where’s Churchill (yeah I know a few here hate him, but Little needs to deliver a Churchill style speech to those political middle class toff’s who infect our great party) when you need him!

    An DS from my Army times said: Politics is war and War is Politics by other means and either side must be bold in attack and steely neve in defence as a poker player ie know when hold them and know when to fold them. ( A bit of Clausewitz and Kenny Rogers)

    One last comment from me. Would Labours Finance spokesman (was he a member of the ABC mob?) currently lack luster over the last couple mths, would be so stupid at this stage of the election to try and trip up Little as I believe he had caucus support and Little had party support like the last poor bloke?

    The very last comment, do you think I should come home when I get my Med Discharge from the ADF and kick some of these clowns from the middle class toff’s up the ass and ask those team you are on.

    • Stuart Munro 17.1

      Certainly by deepsea fishing standards there’s a few that ought to be overhauled with a deck spanner. I think they listen too much to the vermin on the right – we want Andy angry – way too many suicides and kids in poverty is not a coffee table conversation – it’s war.

      What did it matter to ya
      When you got a job to do you got to do it well
      You got to give the other fella hell…

  16. joe90 18

    Ayn Rand’s hobby was pissing and moaning to the FBI about books she thought were seditious.

    https://www.muckrock.com/news/archives/2016/aug/03/ayn-rands-date-j-edgar-hoover/

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    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the Royal Commission report into abuse in care

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Some of the recent announcements from the government have reminded us of posts we’ve written in the past. Here’s one from early 2020. There were plenty of reactions to the government’s infrastructure announcement a few weeks ago which saw them fund a bunch of big roading projects. One of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Thursday, July 25 are:News: Why Electric Kiwi is closing to new customers - and why it matters RNZ’s Susan EdmundsScoop: Government drops ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Possum: Demon or Friend?

    Hi,I felt a small wet tongue snaking through one of the holes in my Crocs. It explored my big toe, darting down one side, then the other. “He’s looking for some toe cheese,” said the woman next to me, words that still haunt me to this day.Growing up in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Not a story

    Yesterday I happily quoted the Prime Minister without fact-checking him and sure enough, it turns out his numbers were all to hell. It’s not four kg of Royal Commission report, it’s fourteen.My friend and one-time colleague-in-comms Hazel Phillips gently alerted me to my error almost as soon as I’d hit ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Thursday, July 25, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day were:The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry published its final report yesterday.PM Christopher Luxon and The Minister responsible for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • A tougher line on “proactive release”?

    The Official Information Act has always been a battle between requesters seeking information, and governments seeking to control it. Information is power, so Ministers and government agencies want to manage what is released and when, for their own convenience, and legality and democracy be damned. Their most recent tactic for ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • 'Let's build a motorway costing $100 million per km, before emissions costs'

    TL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:Transport and Energy Minister Simeon Brown is accelerating plans to spend at least $10 billion through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to extend State Highway One as a four-lane ‘Expressway’ from Warkworth to Whangarei ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Lester's Prescription – Positive Bleeding.

    I live my life (woo-ooh-ooh)With no control in my destinyYea-yeah, yea-yeah (woo-ooh-ooh)I can bleed when I want to bleedSo come on, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)You can bleed when you want to bleedYea-yeah, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)Everybody bleed when they want to bleedCome on and bleedGovernments face tough challenges. Selling unpopular decisions to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Casey Costello gaslights Labour in the House

    Please note:To skip directly to the- parliamentary footage in the video, scroll to 1:21 To skip to audio please click on the headphone icon on the left hand side of the screenThis video / audio section is under development. ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    3 days ago
  • Why is the Texas grid in such bad shape?

    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Headline from 2021 The Texas grid, run by ERCOT, has had a rough few years. In 2021, winter storm Uri blacked out much of the state for several days. About a week ago, Hurricane Beryl knocked out ...
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on a textbook case of spending waste by the Luxon government

    Given the crackdown on wasteful government spending, it behooves me to point to a high profile example of spending by the Luxon government that looks like a big, fat waste of time and money. I’m talking about the deployment of NZDF personnel to support the US-led coalition in the Red ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:40 am on Wednesday, July 24 are:Deep Dive: Chipping away at the housing crisis, including my comments RNZ/Newsroom’s The DetailNews: Government softens on asset sales, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • LXR Takaanini

    As I reported about the city centre, Auckland’s rail network is also going through a difficult and disruptive period which is rapidly approaching a culmination, this will result in a significant upgrade to the whole network. Hallelujah. Also like the city centre this is an upgrade predicated on the City ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    3 days ago
  • Four kilograms of pain

    Today, a 4 kilogram report will be delivered to Parliament. We know this is what the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care weighs, because our Prime Minister told us so.Some reporter had blindsided him by asking a question about something done by ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, July 24, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Beehive: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to use PPPs to fund, build and run a four-lane expressway between Auckland ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Luxon gets caught out

    NewstalkZB host Mike Hosking, who can usually be relied on to give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon an easy run, did not do so yesterday when he interviewed him about the HealthNZ deficit. Luxon is trying to use a deficit reported last year by HealthNZ as yet another example of the ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • A worrying sign

    Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Are we fine with 47.9% home-ownership by 2048?

    Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloitte report for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Let's Win This

    You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Waimahara: The Singing Spirit of Water

    There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’s Oliver LewisScoop: Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announced the Board of Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • HealthNZ and Luxon at cross purposes over budget blowout

    Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

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