Dead man walking

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, May 20th, 2020 - 106 comments
Categories: bill english, brand key, Christopher Luxon, election 2020, john key, Judith Collins, national, polls, same old national, Simon Bridges, uncategorized - Tags:

The vultures are gathering.  When you are the leader of a party whose basic membership qualification is that they have to believe they are born to rule failure is not tolerated.

The media is reporting that there will be a vote of no confidence held in Simon Bridges’ leadership at next Tuesday’s National caucus meeting.  The threat of so many MPs losing their jobs is too much to allow.

Yesterday Jim Bolger publicly endorsed Todd Muller for leader.  John Key previously confirmed that Chris Luxon was his pick.  All we need is for Bill English and Jenny Shipley to come out publicly and choose a successor and Bridges’ humiliation will be complete.

How dysfunctional National has become is confirmed by this Henry Cooke Stuff article which shows how bad things have become.  From the article:

One National MP who spoke to Stuff on the condition of anonymity said that Bridges’ low ratings in the preferred prime ministerial poll made it difficult to see him running a winning election campaign.

“It’s hard to see how he can fight an election campaign when only four-and-a-half per cent of people want him to be prime minister,” the MP said.

Another said the problem was that the public was actively hostile to Bridges’ being the person bringing National’s message to them.

“The problem is the phone isn’t being picked up,” this MP said.

Several saw Bridges’ comment concerning the Prime Minister dying her hair on Newshub on Tuesday night — a joke that he didn’t dye his hair himself — as a particularly egregious example of poor leadership.

But others see the transaction cost of possibly bloody leadership contest as far too high.

Another National MP, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the last thing the party needed was a public battle about itself while the country was focused on coronavirus.

“The more you focus on internal ructions the more the country thinks you’re not talking about them,” the MP said.

“That’s just not going to help us.”

The leading contenders are Todd Muller, Judith Collins and Mark Mitchell.  I am not sure who for but David Bennett is one of the MPs doing the numbers.  The idiot replied to an email to give away the game.  Note to all MPs.  Never ever email anything that you do not want to see on the leading page of any news blog.

Bennett is now in a marginal seat and has sunk to particular depths by running a petition against a planned Kainga Ora development on the basis that poor people would be living there the development is medium density.

And the factions are interesting. I spent quite a bit of time analysing Labour’s ABC faction back in the day. Nowadays there is an ABBA faction, the Anyone But Bridges Alliance. I wonder if they will be Bridges Waterloo?

All eyes will be on Thursday’s Colmar Brunton result. If it is better then the Reid Research poll Bridges can spin it either as an improvement or the Reid Research poll being an aberration even though it appears to match what is happening in private polling.

If it is not then unless the dominant view is to just get the campaign over and change leaders after the election then Bridges is toast.

Update: Newshub has claimed that there are two MPs that are challenging the leadership, Todd Muller and Nikki Kaye.

106 comments on “Dead man walking ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Tony Veitch (not etc.) 1
    20 May 2020 at 7:34 am

    Oh dear, how sad. Never mind. Poor Simon, poor simple Simon.

  2. Sanctuary 2
    20 May 2020 at 7:36 am

    The vultures are gathering, they are just wondering which of them is going to be the first to check if the corpse is really dead.

  3. Andre 3
    20 May 2020 at 7:46 am

    Hey Nats, just cool it willya? The country needs Simon exactly where he is.

    • Tiger Mountain 3.1
      20 May 2020 at 8:16 am

      Mr Bridges is a classic case of genuinely being neither qualified, nor temperamentally suited, to national political leadership. I cite his Northland “no bridges” pork barreling and his undermining of colleagues per the “JLR tapes”, and his discordant mis-speaks during C19.

      Please National-keep him on!

      It is tempting to submit to the news cycle “blood in the water” take and see this as really important-but it is just the Nats doing what they need to do to best represent local and international finance capital. Maybe enough New Zealanders will see through it and realise that the NZ National Party represents those that see the Govt. action to stall Covid 19, as not much more than a barrier to profits and increased shareholder value.

    • Chris 3.2
      20 May 2020 at 1:32 pm

      The nats probably get a lot of their advice from this site. "Hey, on TS they all want Simon to stay and if he has to go they want either Collins or Bennett. I think Todd's our man."

  4. Incognito 4
    20 May 2020 at 8:01 am

    This is nothing new, as internal polls appear to have shown a downward slide for some time. Apart from some leak here and there, every now and then, and apart from Matthew’s Magic Numbers, the National Caucus apparently did not know anything because Simon doesn’t share those poll results with them. It’s a cunning strategy: ignorance is bliss and what you don’t know, doesn’t hurt me. In many ways, it sums up the National Party perfectly; they cannot be trusted with power.

    • Sacha 4.1
      20 May 2020 at 8:46 am

      Hiding internal party polls from colleagues should be enough reason to dump the chump.

  5. Sanctuary 5
    20 May 2020 at 8:03 am

    National's problem is they don't seem to have anyone who can read the room, or the zoom.

    I think they've spent the last three years in their offices being radicalised by Fox News.

    • In Vino 5.1
      20 May 2020 at 9:53 pm

      Rude of me to cut in at such a late hour on this thread, but has nobody else noticed the clear threat?

      Todd M plays the role of Little – acts as stodgy, uninspiring leader, but then at late moment stands aside just as Little did. Suddenly, an inspirational Nikki Kaye with compliant media steps in with inspirational interviews. etc, to match what Jacinda did at last election.

      National have confidence in Nikki – she has already beaten Jacinda twice in electorates!

      I personally find Nikki rather vacant, but with compliant right-wing media playing along, this is the threat I see if Todd and Nicki emerge as new Opposition leaders.

      • observer 5.1.1
        20 May 2020 at 10:00 pm

        That's taking conspiracy/fantasy to new levels.

        3 leaders in 4 months is electoral suicide. And Jacinda took over 6 years later (in government terms) than Nikki Kaye would be doing. No comparison really.

        Why would Kaye throw away her career when she would have a far better chance in 2023 or even later?

  6. Peter 6
    20 May 2020 at 8:26 am

    The election will be close. Unfortunately it could close so much that David Bennett gets in.

    • Tricledrown 6.1
      20 May 2020 at 8:50 am

      National seem to think we can bring in overseas students most likely from China by July, if Simon Bridges was any decent sort of leader he would be more in control of his cabinet as well as his mouth.

  7. Treetop 7
    20 May 2020 at 8:47 am

    A great heading "Dead Man Walking"

    Just where Bridges will end up in the National caucus after the vote for leader is what I want to know. Probably Bennett will be replaced as deputy leader as well.

  8. Ad 8
    20 May 2020 at 8:52 am

    Nikki will lose Auckland Central on current polling. Plus she's better as a Deputy than as leader: too Auckland, too liberal.

    Todd Muller would helpfully use the next term unifying that solid blue rural countryside, with no further rump resistance from NZF.

    • Anne 8.1
      20 May 2020 at 10:14 am

      Jim Bolger, the highly respected elder statesman has set the scene for a Todd Muller leader and Nikki Kaye deputy leader.

      A city/regional mix which will go down well with their supporters. Watch their polling numbers rise rapidly. The coalition govt. will need to work hard to win the election despite their current polling.

      • Enough is Enough 8.1.1
        20 May 2020 at 1:31 pm

        I agree Anne.

        My prediction (based on my man in the street observations) is if they stick with Bridges, polling will stay where it is. Perhaps Nats will inch up to 35, but Jacinda will have an absolute majority (which isn't good if we want a transformational government, because as we need the Greens at the cabinet table with some power).

        The Muller/Kaye ticket will entrench the rural vote (which Bridges can't do), and attract back some of the liberal vote that is flirting with Labour.

        It will be game on, but not to the extent where we will lose

        • Anne 8.1.1.1
          20 May 2020 at 3:59 pm

          Yep. That's my take too.

          I don't think it does any political party good to have too easy a ride. It just makes for arrogance and complacency which is in nobody's interest.

  9. Muttonbird 9
    20 May 2020 at 8:58 am

    This hair dye comment has to be one of his worst stumbles, and there have been a few!

    It shows how venal he is and how completely out of touch with what the public think of JA's performance.

    Perhaps Bridges reads Kiwiblog every night and is stuck in that unfortunate bubble thinking that's what most Kiwis really think.

    Bridges’ childish hair dye quip goes against basic decency but worse, it completely misses the truth that 95% of Kiwi's thinks JA and her government got the pandemic response right and, as the face of the response, Ardern has worked extremely hard for NZ.

    The comment seems to brag that he's feeling fine but Ardern is aging and spent. Ardern is the person with the weight of a nation on her shoulders, not Bridges, and I think she made this point in Parliament recently.

    You's expect the hair dye comment from a teenage bully. I fear that is where Simon Bridges' development as a person stopped.

  10. te reo putake 10
    20 May 2020 at 8:59 am

    The coup plotters appear to have coalesced around Todd Muller for leader, Nikki Kaye for deputy. Bridges, on RNZ, confirmed that there will be a vote on Tuesday, however he refused to name the challengers.

    Judith Collins is out.

    • Enough is Enough 10.1
      20 May 2020 at 9:07 am

      He confirmed the same to Hosking, so its going to be a busy weekend for the Nats.

      • Muttonbird 10.1.1
        20 May 2020 at 9:13 am

        Did Hosking deride Bridges and the National Party the way he did Shearer, Cunliffe, Little and the Labour Party?

        • roblogic 10.1.1.1
          20 May 2020 at 10:09 pm

          Nah he's just waiting for his talking points from Farrar to recycle, or a heavenly oracle from the arse of Sir John Key

    • RedBaronCV 10.2
      20 May 2020 at 9:15 am

      Todd & Nikki would be far too left wing for most of the Nats wouldn't they? I can already hear them on Nikki – far too pretty.fluffy/barbie to be a Nat leader. They need to keep Simon!!!

      • Enough is Enough 10.2.1
        20 May 2020 at 9:17 am

        That's the point though isn't it. They need to win back voters who have jumped to Labour in the past 6 weeks. A hard right duo won't do that.

      • Incognito 10.2.2
        20 May 2020 at 9:22 am

        A more collaborative and less antagonistic and polarising approach might go down better with the electorate. This doesn’t mean that National will turn left or green on Tuesday but more that it will show a different side of face and persona. We might even get a real contest in the coming Election!

        • KJT 10.2.2.1
          20 May 2020 at 10:12 am

          Well. You would think so.

          But election coming up. National has to pretend to care about people.

          They are the two, they have, who could give that perception.

          Though Muller is already bleating about "villianising" farmers by expecting them to pay for their own pollution. So expect more polarisation, and “othering”..

      • RedBaronCV 10.2.3
        20 May 2020 at 9:56 am

        I can't see these two as anything more than face time to hide the real agenda.We need the honest Simon!

    • Treetop 10.3
      20 May 2020 at 9:42 am

      Collins out for leader but what about deputy leader?

    • coge 10.4
      20 May 2020 at 5:57 pm

      There is a very good reason Judith has stayed out of this. It's a badly timed pantomime. There will not be a change in leadership.

  11. Reality 11
    20 May 2020 at 9:14 am

    Bridges’ latest foot in mouth was to call Paula by her well known name of Paula Benefit.

  12. Stephen D 12
    20 May 2020 at 9:16 am

    The Nats have a couple of choices.

    1.Stick with Simon and sacrifice a bunch of lower list MPs.

    2.Roll Simon for a leader who will pick up the party vote in the short term, then get rolled during BBQ season. Judith, Mark?

    3.Roll Simon for a leader who will take the loss, and rally the troops for a decent tilt at 2023. Todd or Nikki

    Senior caucus members probably want 1 or 3. Lower list MPs Judith. She might not win the election, but they know at least she'd take the fight to Jacinda.

    • Stephen D 12.1
      20 May 2020 at 9:56 am

      With Judith and Mark apparently not standing, looks like 1 or 3.

      Risk a bloodbath with Simon or let the Todd/Nikky ticket have a go, and give them next term to turn things around.

  13. Tricledrown 13
    20 May 2020 at 9:25 am

    The boy who cried Wolf was crying on National Radio this morning.Claiming crying foul he wasn't getting the exposure that Jacinda was getting.

    Absolute bollocks he got to much exposure by trying Trumpish tactics he got all the attention alright but the more they saw of simple Simon the less they liked.

    • Treetop 13.1
      20 May 2020 at 10:00 am

      Politics is a dirty business when a party leader is being rolled. Possibly had Bridges not have been distracted with his position as leader he might have been seen to have performed better during the Covid-19 crisis which is hopefully at the tail end.

    • Chris 13.2
      20 May 2020 at 4:54 pm

      His troubles were caused by too much exposure, not too little. If he'd kept his head down, worked hard on his wee committee, put his election campaign on hold and came up with constructive ideas that showed a little national unity instead of ferociously attacking anything that moved he'd still be leader now. Poor bugger. It shouldn't have been that difficult for him. Would be interesting to know the advice he received.

  14. ianmac 14
    20 May 2020 at 9:37 am

    I seem to remember a time when Key was supportive of the Labour leader, Little I think, and of course he knew that it would be good for the National Party for Little to continue as Leader. Funny that the boot is now on another backside.

    Labour backs Bridges! Please stay on Simon.The country needs you!

  15. swordfish 15
    20 May 2020 at 9:45 am

    All eyes will be on Thursday’s Colmar Brunton result. If it is better then the Reid Research poll Bridges can spin it either as an improvement or the Reid Research poll being an aberration even though it appears to match what is happening in private polling.

    I think the differences will be relatively mild. Based on the House Effects of the various Pollsters currently making it into the news in one form or another (Reid Research, Colmar Brunton, UMR), I'm guessing the imminent Colmar Brunton will be somewhere in the region of:

    Lab 54%

    Green 6%

    NZF 3.3%

    (Govt 63.3%)

    Nat 34%

    ACT 1.4%

    (Oppo 35.4%)

    Other 1.8%

    [Lab lead over Nats = 20 points]

    [Govt lead over Oppo = 28 points]

    (And, no, collectively those figures don't quite = precisely 100% … but then Colmar Bruntons rarely do given their rounding of all ratings over 5%)

    Guesstimate: based largely on the average CB vs RR differentials for each Party in polls conducted around the same time over the entire period since the election of the Ardern Govt … but with slight weighting given to the most recent differentials + some weighting given to UMR vis-a-vis both CB & RR.

    • lprent 15.1
      20 May 2020 at 12:16 pm

      Lab 54%
      Nat 34%

      That sounds about right based on the the usual differentials. I would have picked Lab 53%, Nat 35%.
      Come the election, more like Lab 49% and Nat 39% depending on exactly how bad this leadership spill is.

  16. Incognito 16
    20 May 2020 at 9:49 am

    I cannot wait for the National Party (and a few others, for that matter) to rejuvenate and reinvent itself as a modern centre-right party equipped to deal with the pressing issues of today and tomorrow. Bring it on!

  18. roblogic 18
    20 May 2020 at 9:58 am

    Bomber turns into a SiBri supporter?! I'm sure his motives are pure 😛

    https://twitter.com/CitizenBomber/status/1262820691503546368?s=20

    • Incognito 18.1
      20 May 2020 at 10:03 am

      No, no, no, Martyn!

      Is there even a pointing having Simon Bridges anymore?

      Please keep up.

      • Chris 18.1.1
        20 May 2020 at 1:39 pm

        Yes there is. What would you prefer? Another good old kiwi bloke who can really relate to honest hard working kiwis? We had almost nine years of that and look what happened. And they may've just found themselves another one.

        • Incognito 18.1.1.1
          20 May 2020 at 7:50 pm

          I’d prefer a decent Opposition that is not continuously trying to punch below the belt and above its weight and showing they’re living proof of the Peter Principle. People who lack talent and skills often resort to bullying, dirty games, and throwing mud at others in the hope that some will stick and taint them. The National Party lacks talent and courage and it is stale and beyond the pale. That said, the Labour Party better have a good look in the mirror too and not rely on current polling and the star power of one person.

  19. RedBaronCV 19
    20 May 2020 at 10:06 am

    Looks like round 70% of the country wants Simon . 63% on the govt benches and 4% who think he would be a great PM. That.'s real popularity for a Nat leader.

  20. Muttonbird 20
    20 May 2020 at 11:27 am

    Far out. That caucus must hate each other's guts.

    Massive split in ideology and some genuine disunity being thrashed out in public.

    Collins and Mitchell, the far right of the party firmly backing Bridges, while the slightly more palatable centre right clearly think Bridges is a chump. The country agrees!

    Good times.

  21. Hooch 21
    20 May 2020 at 11:29 am

    Todd who? I think if they roll Bridges they’ll stay at or worse in the polls. It would show that they are a scrambling rabble and ununified, although that ship has probably sailed now that they are publicly trying to knife him. I find it hard to see how Nationals rabid rump, who refer to Ardern as Cindy amongst other misogynistic terms, would accept Kaye, a young successful woman like Ardern, who many see as one of the lefter leaning National mps.

    • Muttonbird 21.1
      20 May 2020 at 12:00 pm

      Be a good outcome if Bridges wins the leadership vote and he and his far right wing mates punish Kaye so much that she decides to jump ship to Labour.

      She'd be a great Labour MP and I'm not entirely sure why she isn't.

  22. Stephen D 22
    20 May 2020 at 11:41 am

    How do the Nats go about compiling the order for the List?

    That will be a fun series of meetings!

  23. ianmac 23
    20 May 2020 at 11:54 am

    Would Muller really consider being Leader? About 3 months in the job. Then losing the election. Luxton elected MP then promoted to Leader. What should Todd do?

  24. dv 24
    20 May 2020 at 12:00 pm

    Judith said Simon won't be rolled, and she is not standing.

    • lprent 24.1
      20 May 2020 at 12:09 pm

      Better hunting after the lost election?

    • Peter 24.2
      20 May 2020 at 12:44 pm

      Judith said he won't be rolled?

      Headline: 'Judith Collins says no-confidence vote would fail'

      Body: National MP Judith Collins says she will not be challenging leader Simon Bridges – and does not believe a no-confidence vote against him would pass.'

      Does what she said match what she actually said? Does her saying she thinks a no-confidence vote won't succeed equal a definitive 'wont be ruled?

      And to cap it all off she's just a bird on a power line looking down at what's happening:

      "I am just focused on the job and I am not part of anything that is going on. I am keeping myself well out of everything."

      Ah, the vision! A bird on the wire actually being a lying cow!

    • Enough is Enough 24.3
      20 May 2020 at 2:04 pm

      Judith has a rock solid fan club out in punter land, who make up a noisy portion of Nat supporters.

      That support does not translate to caucus support though. More chance of Auckland congestion ever being fixed than there is of Judith getting the numbers.

  25. AB 25
    20 May 2020 at 12:13 pm

    Would be fun to watch Nikki Kaye spinning frantically to reconcile National's fundamentally sociopathic vision with her 'liberal' credentials. The waffle and illogic of it would be epic if she was ever faced with a decent interviewer. Big 'if' that.

    • Enough is Enough 25.1
      20 May 2020 at 2:09 pm

      The National Party are the kings of PR and bullshit.

      What part of their 'public' persona would lead you to suggest they have a fundamentally sociopathic vision?

  26. Dean Reynolds 26
    20 May 2020 at 2:14 pm

    It's always entertaining watching our betters behaving just like the rest of us

  28. observer 28
    20 May 2020 at 2:40 pm

    It has to be Muller. Not a saviour, not an election winner, but simply to change the narrative, and give National a chance of denying Labour an overall majority.

    I don't agree with the conventional wisdom that he would only get "one shot" – i.e. an election defeat automatically means an opposition leader has to be dumped afterwards. If National under Muller recover so there's a caucus of 50+, then he will have saved a lot of MPs who were facing unemployment. They would have no cause to get the knives out.

  30. roblogic 30
    20 May 2020 at 3:08 pm

    WANTED: Crony capitalist operation seeks slick new front-man for PR campaign. Experience asset stripping small nations preferred

  31. Fireblade 31
    20 May 2020 at 3:26 pm

    Bwahahaha!

    National MP calls Todd Muller "pale stale and male".

    Meanwhile, Simon Bridges is considering calling an emergency caucus meeting this Friday to try and squash the leadership challenge.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300016914/simon-bridges-considering-early-caucus-meeting-to-head-off-leadership-challenge

  32. observer 32
    20 May 2020 at 3:46 pm

    Monday: poll tells National MPs that daily personal attacks on PM really, really, really isn't working for them.

    Wednesday: So let's keep doing it!

    Who will decide Bridges' fate? Matt King, Simeon Brown, Stuart Smith and all the other Nats who use social media to show how much they don't get it. Bridges is only the symptom, the disease is much worse.

  33. Sacha 33
    20 May 2020 at 4:26 pm

    Bridges gets his Friday showdown, fresh off the next poll: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300016914/national-caucus-will-meet-on-friday-to-decide-simon-bridges-fate

    The National Party caucus will hold an emergency meeting on Friday to hold a vote on Simon Bridges’ leadership.

    The rest of the story is rehashed equivocation from the earlier one.

  34. observer 34
    20 May 2020 at 4:26 pm

    Update:

    6 pm Thurs: TVNZ poll.

    noon Fri: National caucus meeting brought forward 3 days – now confirmed. Classic "put up or shut up" move by leader.

    More MPs now publicly backing Bridges, odds on survival shift to better than even.

  35. observer 35
    20 May 2020 at 4:53 pm

    This is changing by the minute …

    Now Muller claims HE has the numbers. Letter sent to caucus.

    Stay tuned, this is the best soap opera in years!

  36. georgecom 36
    20 May 2020 at 5:12 pm

    will be a pity if Bridges loses, I am very comfortable with him continuing where he is.

    if he gets rolled I hear rumours he might start a bungy and boat anchor manufacturing business. should be quality products given Simons talent for making things plummet.

    “Bridge Anchors, guaranteed to drop”
    “Bridges Bungys, guaranteed to go all the way down”

  37. Sacha 37
    20 May 2020 at 5:16 pm

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300017132/national-leadership-todd-muller-emails-challenge-to-caucus-saying-national-cant-win-under-simon-bridges

    "It is essential that National wins this election," Muller wrote.

    "I share the view of the majority of my colleagues that this is not possible under the current leadership."

    • observer 37.1
      20 May 2020 at 5:19 pm

      Which means Muller cannot campaign for National or hold a portfolio if Bridges keeps the leadership. Backbench electorate MP at best.

      No way he or Kaye can say "Simon's the man!" without the voters laughing.

      (edit)

      From Sacha’s Stuff link –

      He wrote that Labour had failed in every task it had set itself and the consequences of it being re-elected would be “catastrophic for two generations.”

      So he can’t read the NZ room either. Only the National room.

    • AB 37.2
      20 May 2020 at 6:47 pm

      "the consequences of [Labour] being re-elected at this time will be catastrophic for two generations."

      I would refer Bridges to a delusional business numpty who can utter such drivel.

  38. Muttonbird 38
    20 May 2020 at 5:36 pm

    Incredible that Bridges (and Boag) would cry like a baby this morning about the PM getting all the coverage and him no air time, and then use the very same interview for Party specific purposes in trying to squash a coup.

  39. Fireblade 39
    20 May 2020 at 5:44 pm

    While the government is managing a global pandemic and keeping New Zealanders safe, the National Party is inwardly focused, stabbing each other in the back and plotting leadership coups.

    It's a disgusting display of arrogance by the National Party.

  40. Muttonbird 40
    20 May 2020 at 5:46 pm

    Bridges and Jami Lee Ross are so similar with their huge, cast-iron egos and their staggering lack of self-awareness it’s not hard to see why they were great mates.

    I should do Twitter.

    • I Feel Love 40.1
      20 May 2020 at 6:06 pm

      Don't have to join Twitter, just open it & watch it, fascinating to see stuff happening in real time, and the many, many nutbars (I'm wondering are the Maga anti vaxxers taking the anti lupus drug?).

  41. ScottGN 41
    20 May 2020 at 7:00 pm

    I love love the old girl who got vox pop’d on One News tonight, “why can’t Jacinda lead the National Party?”

  42. Graeme 42
    20 May 2020 at 8:22 pm

    In the fortnightly missive from Destination Queenstown

    TIA is hosting a Discussing Tourism webinar with Hon Simon Bridges and Hon Todd McClay tomorrow Thursday 21 May at 2pm. Hon Simon Bridges will discuss the work of the Epidemic Response Committee and next steps, as well as National’s views on the future of our tourism industry. Mr Bridges will be joined by National’s Tourism spokesperson Todd McClay. Click here to register.

    Should be entertaining if it goes ahead. Simon's ERC session on tourism today was a bit of a no-show

  43. Nic 181 43
    20 May 2020 at 8:37 pm

    Whilst I intensely dislike Mr Bridges, both personally and as a politician, I don’t want to see him rolled just yet. Better I think to have him go down with the ship. Any replacement after the election will struggle even more for relevance. Viva the struggle!!!

  44. observer 44
    20 May 2020 at 9:53 pm

    A quick trip around RW social media (ugh, I know) shows plenty of anger towards the challengers. Not necessarily Bridges fans, more "don't rock the boat". It's a familiar refrain to Labour ears from the Time Before Jacinda.

    Going to be a bloody Thursday. Only Colmar Brunton can Save Our Simon.

  45. mac1 45
    21 May 2020 at 8:48 am

    A muso's take on National's woes.

    Simon Bridges will need all his drumming skills to beat up his support to keep his job. At the moment he is arhythmic and out of sync. Will the C&W man Muller please the fans more?

    National seem to think they can combine C&W with Metro noise to get a sound that will please the punters. What will more likely happen is that they'll form separate bands.

    The National atonality extends to believing that Ardern's popularity is "Kumbaya" when it's actually more "Stand by Me" and "We are the Champions".

    Todd Muller will take National back to "Me and You and a Dog named Blue."

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  • 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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    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 ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    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 ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    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 ...
    Bowalley Road
    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
  • The Hoon around the week to July 19

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent talking about the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s release of its first Emissions Reduction Plan;University of Otago Foreign Relations Professor and special guest Dr Karin von ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #29 2024

    Open access notables Improving global temperature datasets to better account for non-uniform warming, Calvert, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society: To better account for spatial non-uniform trends in warming, a new GITD [global instrumental temperature dataset] was created that used maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to combine the land surface ...
    Skeptical Science
    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
    16 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
    19 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
    19 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
    22 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
    23 hours 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. ...
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    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

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
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    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
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    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
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    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
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    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
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    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
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    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
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    4 days ago
  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

    Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum.  While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation.  “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan.  “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

    The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Nine priority bridge replacements to get underway

    The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

    New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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