Dirty Politics was in the public interest

Written By: - Date published: 12:11 pm, October 30th, 2015 - 46 comments
Categories: Dirty Politics, journalism, law - Tags: , , , ,

Today’s anonymous editorial in The Herald makes for interesting reading:

Dirty Politics passes public interest test

Blogger Cameron Slater and author Nicky Hager …

How I hate seeing these two compared in any way!

… have much in common, even beyond the emails one wrote and the other obtained, possibly illegally, now the Supreme Court has ruled computer files are property.

Both claim to be journalists, and both have found their work subject to the scrutiny of the High Court.

The difference being that Hager really is a journalist, one of the best we have.

Both have cited a clause of the Evidence Act as a shield to protect their sources. In both cases, the sources provided a tranche of emails on which the reporting was based.
…
Police have accepted Hager is a journalist. In Slater’s case, Justice Asher also found he was a journalist but focused on the work he produced.

He found a journalist’s protection of sources should “promote the free flow of information, a vital component of any democracy”, adding, “This factor would appear to have particular relevance where the facts and opinion that are the subject of the communications are of public interest and significance.” … There is no magic shield called journalism behind which journalists can hide their sources. The only shield available is that of justice, and a wider public interest, as highlighted by Justice Asher.

Slater’s was a defamation case. Hager’s is a criminal investigation. Justice Asher found Slater’s work – at least in relation to the case before the court – did not meet the test of public interest. Did Dirty Politics serve the “public interest”?

Putting aside political allegiances, the book did shine a light on aspects of the modern political world which had previously been in shadow. As a result, the public is better informed about the way our democracy operates. … since his book served a public interest, free speech should prevail.

The right conclusion in the end – Hager’s Dirty Politics served a genuine public interest, and should be legally protected as such.

46 comments on “Dirty Politics was in the public interest ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Tracey 1
    30 October 2015 at 12:25 pm

    self interest is enormously motivating. the herald can see that IT may be adversely affected if Haver is found to have been receiving stolen property… it reads like a concession made through gritted teeth hence it could, with a straight keyboard, compare slater and hager and find them similar.

    • dukeofurl 1.1
      30 October 2015 at 12:31 pm

      And every other ‘tip off’ they get from others.

      Even say an email saying MBIE is spending heaps on donuts and a spa bath for CEO, that would be ‘property that belongs to others’, which they have illegally received.

      • Tracey 1.1.1
        30 October 2015 at 3:32 pm

        I have been thinking about the implications for publishing Leaked documents if Hager is convisted of receiving stolen property?

        It would mean the police would have to look at a complaint of a document taken without permission… IF governments dont lay such a complaint could we assume it was a deliberate act by the owner of the document?

    • billmurray 1.2
      31 October 2015 at 6:45 pm

      I agree , the pox on both of them.

  2. Anne 2
    30 October 2015 at 12:34 pm

    It might have been “the right conclusion in the end” but my goodness what went before is open to much debate.

    The attempt to equate Slater with Hager was beyond belief! In a technical sense they were partly correct, but in reality there couldn’t be two people so different.

    One is internationally recognised as a top-notch author and investigative journalist. The other is a grubby little muckraker who has contributed nothing to the overall illumination of the populace.

    One is an intelligent and honest person whose intentions are honourable. The other is a lying, cheating bastard who has no moral compass whatsoever.

    • Tautoko Mangō Mata 2.1
      30 October 2015 at 12:50 pm

      +100, Anne

    • Wainwright 2.2
      30 October 2015 at 1:29 pm

      The Herald is desperate not to give Hager the mana of a journalist. That’s why they try to pretend he’s on the same level as Slater.

    • Tracey 2.3
      30 October 2015 at 3:34 pm

      And whether you like Hager or not he doesn’t appear to be solely motivated by self interest, Slater appears almost entirely so motivated, based in part on the Dirty Politics revelations.

      Publishing something you didnt write on behalf of another but in your name, for example

    • North 2.4
      30 October 2015 at 11:06 pm

      Anne……that is a seminal expression of the contrast between Hager and SlaterPorn. Thank you ! As a recently anointed pensioner applying the considerable wisdom implied by that status, it is not missed that one is a gentleman……the other an unsavoury thug.

      • Anne 2.4.1
        31 October 2015 at 8:54 am

        As a not quite so recently anointed pensioner, thank-you North for the compliment.

        I see the thug is now calling for the worshippers of Islam to be killed before (he claims) they kill us – the incitement of violence by those with a mob mentality such as his own. I recall a previous well known mob called “Rob’s Mob” which was the brain-child of his father, Slater Senior. However I don’t think they were exhorted to go around killing people.

    • billmurray 2.5
      31 October 2015 at 6:50 pm

      You are wrong in your praise of Hager, he purposely helped John Key to get elected for his twenty pieces of silver.

  3. Northsider 3
    30 October 2015 at 1:26 pm

    “…….the book did shine a light on aspects of the modern political world which had previously been in shadow.”
    The book was about how John Key and the National party operates: Herald trying to let the Nats off by saying it is a global phenomenon.

    • Tracey 3.1
      30 October 2015 at 3:35 pm

      Imagine if the time, money and energy spent by National finding ways to get around the rules and avoid muck being linked to them was spent finding ways to enhance the lives of the most vulnerable of kiwis?

  4. ianmac 4
    30 October 2015 at 3:52 pm

    “Political roundup: Libertarians against dirty politics -Bryce Edwards.”
    Not sure if this has already been noted. Bryce Edwards has put up a column:
    Activists of the left and right are united against what they see as dirty politics from the New Zealand Police and Westpac bank. The Police and Westpac are accused of breaching Nicky Hager’s privacy, in what many believe to be a concerted state campaign to undermine an investigative journalist who has been a thorn in the side of the government…..

    The commentary is pretty united that Hager/police/Westpac were wrong
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11537615

    • whateva next? 4.1
      30 October 2015 at 5:31 pm

      well lets hope Key (who is steering this obviously) is driven by the populace vote, although he’s caught in his own trap now.

      • Gas Kranken 4.1.1
        31 October 2015 at 2:27 pm

        As the book itself revealed we are talking about a Black Ops room operating out of the Prime Minister’s department charged with the task of employing an attack blogger to do the National Party’s dirty work while a large core of Key’s supporters perceive him as a bloody good bloke that they would love to have round for a barbie and a beer. He is the master web weaver and he has created a trap, a trap that he believes he has coated in 100% pure NZ butter and has continually slid out of whilst trying to clamp the steel jaws of that same trap around those who expose him. I believe he will be caught in the trap he has made for himself because eventually this contest will change from an electoral one to one of credibility and Key has consistently attacked Nicky’s credibility and just like the NZ defence force lost the case they fought against Jon Stephenson, Key will eventually lose his case against Nicky.

  5. David H 5
    30 October 2015 at 5:35 pm

    This could be the thing that stirs the public interest

  6. Aaron 6
    30 October 2015 at 5:37 pm

    I’m glad you posted this – I couldn’t get past the part where they put Slater and Nicky in the same sentence!

  7. On the fence 7
    30 October 2015 at 5:57 pm

    As a right winger I agree with this post. It was in the publics interest to know the information put out in dirty politics. I don’t happen to agree everything in the book but I believe the Nz public are better informed as a result. Putting slater in the same category however is just plain fucked up. I don’t think at any time was he acting in the publics interest.

    In a final point however is it actually legally defined what “public interest” is/means? I find the term can be open to interpretation when you look at both ends of the political spectrum.

    • RedLogix 7.1
      30 October 2015 at 6:12 pm

      Thanks for this. Yes this ‘public interest’ idea can be quite tricky to pin down in the detail, but the wider picture is quite simple.

      It’s best understood when you ask “what purpose is being served here?” And while each end of the political spectrum will apply their preferred framework to it – the answer is usually not too hard to discern.

      The primary rationale for journalism is ‘the speaking of truth to power’. If you can fit inside that criterion I’d argue you’re on pretty safe ground to claim a public interest defense.

    • billmurray 7.2
      31 October 2015 at 6:59 pm

      Your are about as much as a right -winger as my arse is on a bad day.

    • Draco T Bastard 7.3
      31 October 2015 at 7:10 pm

      I think you’ll find that the concept of Public Interest is very contextual. Different contexts will give a different answer but, IMO, it really comes down to a single question: Should the public know about this?

  8. BM 8
    30 October 2015 at 6:21 pm

    Even though I can’t stand the prick according to Slater, Hager only published stuff which could have been damaging to National every thing else was left out.

    Because of that, Dirty politics wasn’t so much public interest journalism but more of a hit piece done by a well known left wing political activist.

    Therefore Hager maybe pushing it up hill if he’s relying on a public interest defense.

    • ian 8.1
      30 October 2015 at 6:22 pm

      Either way- I will support him.

      Whatever you do- I will support him.

      I want to ‘know him’.

    • On the fence 8.2
      30 October 2015 at 7:51 pm

      What does it matter that Hager only published information damaging to national? As a voter it allowed me to make a more informed choice when I voted. I found the timing of the book release odd and many thought that it was to damage nationals election chances. I’ve always believed it would have sold better during this time and a little bit of the above. But many righties would have cried foul regardless of the release date so again? Meh.

      Would I love to know if Hager had dirt on labour or someone else on the left? Yep. Do I suspect that labour have skeletons in their closet they want to hide? Yep. Do I think it was a little biased? Probably. Can I prove any of it? Not a snowballs chance in hell. But then again he has the right to free speech as well. Journalism aside he can say what he wants.

      I voted national on the last 2 elections but that doesn’t my opinion that Hager was within the publics interest releasing this material. It didn’t change my vote but it certainly made me think before I cast it.

      • Anne 8.2.1
        30 October 2015 at 8:08 pm

        I voted national on the last 2 elections but that doesn’t [alter] my opinion that Hager was within the publics interest releasing this material. It didn’t change my vote but it certainly made me think before I cast it.

        And that was exactly what Hager was aiming to do. Get people thinking. He said so on numerous occasions.

        Good comment On the fence and I agree dirty politics is not just confined to National. They’re just very good at it and do it more often than the other parties.

      • Tracey 8.2.2
        1 November 2015 at 6:50 pm

        If Labour had skeletons Slater would know by now and would have published them ll. He is not one to show restraint in that regard.

    • North 8.3
      30 October 2015 at 11:23 pm

      Hager apparently did leave out some incendiary ‘dirty shit’ about some (right-wing) actors which came to him in the source material. Left it out on the principled basis that its publication was superfluous to the point.

      How typically SlaterPorn to “claim’ that Hager published only material adverse to the National Party. Which is to float that there was stuff adverse to others. Without having to verify that. The cynically advised allusion is thought to be enough.

    • McFlock 8.4
      31 October 2015 at 12:49 am

      lol
      because Hager only published information relating to the government, his actions must therefore not have been in the public interest.

      Do you need to warm up before bending over backwards like that, or is it some form of permanent deformity?

      • Tracey 8.4.1
        1 November 2015 at 6:51 pm

        It’s incredible how many people still have not taken the time to find out what “public interest” actually means as a legal defence.

    • Gas Kranken 8.5
      31 October 2015 at 4:13 pm

      So who makes up the Lefts black ops crew? And who do they use as their attack blogger and paid shill?

      • Whateva Next 8.5.1
        31 October 2015 at 5:30 pm

        Key’s gang (including their black ops crew) are a sensitive lot, and would consider ANY form of questioning an smear attempt.

        Narcissistic Insult: Bulletin from reality that, while capable of smartening us up, offends our ego. To avoid such insults, we cling to our illusions and limit our intelligence and inner freedom.

    • David H 8.6
      1 November 2015 at 11:51 am

      And if Nicky released everything he had, you would be calling him every kind of bastard under the sun for releasing the private details about the whaleslug.. Can’t haver it both ways. Which is what you want.

    • Tracey 8.7
      1 November 2015 at 6:50 pm

      Again you misunderstand (as does Slater) what the definition of public interest is. he doesn’t have to publish everything but what he did publish was int he public interest. He had personal information that could have embarrassed Slater but DID NOT publish it because it was not in the public interest. Something Slater has been unable to control himself around.

      So no, Hager is NOT pushing it uphill on establishing “public interest” because it is directly related to the machinery of Government, of which National is integral and Labour is not.

      It’s like Slater, and you, have no memory of Corngate.

      • BM 8.7.1
        1 November 2015 at 7:17 pm

        According to Slater he also had info that could have been embarrassing to the parties on the left, but he chose to leave that out.

        If he was doing public interest journalism he would have included Slaters dealings with the left wing parties as well,but since he didn’t it reads more like a political hit piece especially when you take into account the timing of when dirty politics was released.

        • Tracey 8.7.1.1
          3 November 2015 at 8:40 am

          Again you misunderstand (as does Slater) what the definition of public interest is. he doesn’t have to publish everything but what he did publish was int he public interest. He had personal information that could have embarrassed Slater but DID NOT publish it because it was not in the public interest. Something Slater has been unable to control himself around.

          So no, Hager is NOT pushing it uphill on establishing “public interest” because it is directly related to the machinery of Government, of which National is integral and Labour is not.

          It’s like Slater, and you, have no memory of Corngate.

  9. reason 9
    30 October 2015 at 7:06 pm

    Basing an opinion on the statement ……”according to Slater” ……. leads most reasonable people to believe the opinion is shit

    Why would you take anything that super creep states as being genuine ? ….

    It all sound like excuses excuses from you …………. why not just admit you hate Hager and approve of nationals dirty politics if it enables them to ‘win’ ….. Cam slater the lost sole certainly does.

    Do you hate him because he’s made the opinions and beliefs you both share unpopular ???

  10. Tory 10
    30 October 2015 at 10:25 pm

    Reason: Hager is a dick and Slater posts some interesting articles. Dirty Politics was Labours wet dream. Feeling better?

    • North 10.1
      30 October 2015 at 11:39 pm

      Angry Tory.
      Frightened Of The Story.
      Consequently Roary.
      Ignoramus Tory !

    • Whateva Next 10.2
      31 October 2015 at 5:54 pm

      As above Tory, Dirty Politics was a Narcissistic Insult to the Nats/Slater:

      Narcissistic Insult: Bulletin from reality that, while capable of smartening us up, offends our ego. To avoid such insults, we cling to our illusions and limit our intelligence and inner freedom.
      You seem to be proving the point

  11. millsy 11
    31 October 2015 at 7:31 pm

    No one has really challenged Nikki Kaye’s involvement at the fringes — having that dinner with all those right wing internet trolls.

  12. reason 12
    31 October 2015 at 7:52 pm

    About the only thing I’d believe from lost sole slaters mouth is if he said he gets nervous around west coasters ……………….

    But to get around Torys intellectual argument ……. summed up as “dick”

    An interesting short read regarding Nickys book onNationals dirty politics can be had at wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirty_Politics

    From the page ………..”WhaleOil was hacked some time after he posted a blog post with the headline “Feral dies in Greymouth, did world a favour.” Three other children in this family had already been killed in accidents and the post provoked a ‘furious public reaction’. ( John key commiserated with Cam over this )

    Lets hope Judith crusher collins ‘press secretary’ does get up to their wiki editing/sanatizing tricks……………… again

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    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    4 days ago

  • Top 10 news links for Wednesday, Nov 29
    TL;DR: Here’s my pick of top 10 news links elsewhere for Wednesday November 29, including:The early return of interest deductibility for landlords could see rebates paid on previous taxes and the cost increase to $3 billion from National’s initial estimate of $2.1 billion, CTU Economist Craig Renney estimated here last ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • Smokefree Fallout and a High Profile Resignation.
    The day after being sworn in the new cabinet met yesterday, to enjoy their honeymoon phase. You remember, that period after a new government takes power where the country, and the media, are optimistic about them, because they haven’t had a chance to stuff anything about yet.Sadly the nuptials complete ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • As Cabinet revs up, building plans go on hold
    Wellington Council hoardings proclaim its preparations for population growth, but around the country councils are putting things on hold in the absence of clear funding pathways for infrastructure, and despite exploding migrant numbers. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Cabinet meets in earnest today to consider the new Government’s 100-day ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • National takes over infrastructure
    Though New Zealand First may have had ambitions to run the infrastructure portfolios, National would seem to have ended up firmly in control of them.  POLITIK has obtained a private memo to members of Infrastructure NZ yesterday, which shows that the peak organisation for infrastructure sees  National MPs Chris ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • At a glance – Evidence for global warming
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Who’s Driving The Right-Wing Bus?
    Who’s At The Wheel? The electorate’s message, as aggregated in the polling booths on 14 October, turned out to be a conservative political agenda stronger than anything New Zealand has seen in five decades. In 1975, Bill Rowling was run over by just one bus, with Rob Muldoon at the wheel. In ...
    Bowalley Road
    5 days ago

  • Sanity break
    Cheers to reader Deane for this quote from Breakfast TV today:Chloe Swarbrick to Brook van Velden re the coalition agreement: “... an unhinged grab-bag of hot takes from your drunk uncle at Christmas”Cheers also to actual Prime Minister of a country Christopher Luxon for dorking up his swearing-in vows.But that's enough ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Sanity break
    Cheers to reader Deane for this quote from Breakfast TV today:Chloe Swarbrick to Brook van Velden re the coalition agreement: “... an unhinged grab-bag of hot takes from your drunk uncle at Christmas”Cheers also to actual Prime Minister of a country Christopher Luxon for dorking up his swearing-in vows.But that's enough ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • National’s murderous smoking policy
    One of the big underlying problems in our political system is the prevalence of short-term thinking, most usually seen in the periodic massive infrastructure failures at a local government level caused by them skimping on maintenance to Keep Rates Low. But the new government has given us a new example, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • NZ has a chance to rise again as our new government gets spending under control
    New Zealand has  a chance  to  rise  again. Under the  previous  government, the  number of New Zealanders below the poverty line was increasing  year by year. The Luxon-led government  must reverse that trend – and set about stabilising  the  pillars  of the economy. After the  mismanagement  of the outgoing government created   huge ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    5 days ago

  • KARL DU FRESNE: Media and the new government
    Two articles by Karl du Fresne bring media coverage of the new government into considerations.  He writes –    Tuesday, November 28, 2023 The left-wing media needed a line of attack, and they found one The left-wing media pack wasted no time identifying the new government’s weakest point. Seething over ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • PHILIP CRUMP:  Team of rivals – a CEO approach to government leadership
    The work begins Philip Crump wrote this article ahead of the new government being sworn in yesterday – Later today the new National-led coalition government will be sworn in, and the hard work begins. At the core of government will be three men – each a leader ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Black Friday
    As everyone who watches television or is on the mailing list for any of our major stores will confirm, “Black Friday” has become the longest running commercial extravaganza and celebration in our history. Although its origins are obscure (presumably dreamt up by American salesmen a few years ago), it has ...
    Bryan GouldBy Bryan Gould
    6 days ago

  • In Defense of the Media.
    Yesterday the Ministers in the next government were sworn in by our Governor General. A day of tradition and ceremony, of decorum and respect. Usually.But yesterday Winston Peters, the incoming Deputy Prime Minister, and Foreign Minister, of our nation used it, as he did with the signing of the coalition ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • Top 10 news links at 10 am for Tuesday, Nov 28
    Nicola Willis’ first move was ‘spilling the tea’ on what she called the ‘sobering’ state of the nation’s books, but she had better be able to back that up in the HYEFU. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Here’s my pick of top 10 news links elsewhere at 10 am ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • PT use up but fare increases coming
    Yesterday Auckland Transport were celebrating, as the most recent Sunday was the busiest Sunday they’ve ever had. That’s a great outcome and I’m sure the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    6 days ago

  • The very opposite of social investment
    Nicola Willis (in blue) at the signing of the coalition agreement, before being sworn in as both Finance Minister and Social Investment Minister. National’s plan to unwind anti-smoking measures will benefit her in the first role, but how does it stack up from a social investment viewpoint? Photo: Lynn Grieveson ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • Giving Tuesday
    For the first time "in history" we decided to jump on the "Giving Tuesday" bandwagon in order to make you aware of the options you have to contribute to our work! Projects supported by Skeptical Science Inc. Skeptical Science Skeptical Science is an all-volunteer organization but ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Let's open the books with Nicotine Willis
    Let’s say it’s 1984,and there's a dreary little nation at the bottom of the Pacific whose name rhymes with New Zealand,and they've just had an election.Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, will you look at the state of these books we’ve opened,cries the incoming government, will you look at all this mountain ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • Climate Change: Stopping oil
    National is promising to bring back offshore oil and gas drilling. Naturally, the Greens have organised a petition campaign to try and stop them. You should sign it - every little bit helps, and as the struggle over mining conservation land showed, even National can be deterred if enough people ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • Don’t accept Human Rights Commission reading of data on Treaty partnership – read the survey fin...
    Wellington is braced for a “massive impact’ from the new government’s cutting public service jobs, The Post somewhat grimly reported today. Expectations of an economic and social jolt are based on the National-Act coalition agreement to cut public service numbers in each government agency in a cost-trimming exercise  “informed by” head ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • The stupidest of stupid reasons
    One of the threats in the National - ACT - NZ First coalition agreements was to extend the term of Parliament to four years, reducing our opportunities to throw a bad government out. The justification? Apparently, the government thinks "elections are expensive". This is the stupidest of stupid reasons for ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • A website bereft of buzz
    Buzz from the Beehive The new government was being  sworn in, at time of writing , and when Point of Order checked the Beehive website for the latest ministerial statements and re-visit some of the old ones we drew a blank. We found ….  Nowt. Nothing. Zilch. Not a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • MICHAEL BASSETT: A new Ministry – at last
    Michael Bassett writes – Like most people, I was getting heartily sick of all the time being wasted over the coalition negotiations. During the first three weeks Winston grinned like a Cheshire cat, certain he’d be needed; Chris Luxon wasted time in lifting the phone to Winston ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Luxon's Breakfast.
    The Prime Minister elect had his silver fern badge on. He wore it to remind viewers he was supporting New Zealand, that was his team. Despite the fact it made him look like a concierge, or a welcomer in a Koru lounge. Anna Burns-Francis, the Breakfast presenter, asked if he ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • LINDSAY MITCHELL:  Oranga Tamariki faces major upheaval under coalition agreement
     Lindsay Mitchell writes – A hugely significant gain for ACT is somewhat camouflaged by legislative jargon. Under the heading ‘Oranga Tamariki’ ACT’s coalition agreement contains the following item:   Remove Section 7AA from the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 According to Oranga Tamariki:     “Section ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • BRIAN EASTON:  Peters as Minister
    A previous column looked at Winston Peters biographically. This one takes a closer look at his record as a minister, especially his policy record. Brian Easton writes – 1990-1991: Minister of Māori Affairs. Few remember Ka Awatea as a major document on the future of Māori policy; there is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago

  • Cathrine Dyer's guide to watching COP 28 from the bottom of a warming planet
    Is COP28 largely smoke and mirrors and a plan so cunning, you could pin a tail on it and call it a weasel? Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: COP28 kicks off on November 30 and up for negotiation are issues like the role of fossil fuels in the energy transition, contributions to ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    7 days ago

  • Top 10 news links at 10 am for Monday, Nov 27
    PM Elect Christopher Luxon was challenged this morning on whether he would sack Adrian Orr and Andrew Coster.TL;DR: Here’s my pick of top 10 news links elsewhere at 10 am on Monday November 27, including:Signs councils are putting planning and capital spending on hold, given a lack of clear guidance ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    7 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the new government’s policies of yesteryear
    This column expands on a Werewolf column published by Scoop on Friday Routinely, Winston Peters is described as the kingmaker who gets to decide when the centre right or the centre-left has a turn at running this country. He also plays a less heralded but equally important role as the ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    7 days ago

  • The New Government’s Agreements
    Last Friday, almost six weeks after election day, National finally came to an agreement with ACT and NZ First to form a government. They also released the agreements between each party and looking through them, here are the things I thought were the most interesting (and often concerning) from the. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    7 days ago

  • How many smokers will die to fund the tax cuts?
    Maori and Pasifika smoking rates are already over twice the ‘all adult’ rate. Now the revenue that generates will be used to fund National’s tax cuts. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The devil is always in the detail and it emerged over the weekend from the guts of the policy agreements National ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    7 days ago

  • How the culture will change in the Beehive
    Perhaps the biggest change that will come to the Beehive as the new government settles in will be a fundamental culture change. The era of endless consultation will be over. This looks like a government that knows what it wants to do, and that means it knows what outcomes ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    7 days ago

  • No More Winnie Blues.
    So what do you think of the coalition’s decision to cancel Smokefree measures intended to stop young people, including an over representation of Māori, from taking up smoking? Enabling them to use the tax revenue to give other people a tax cut?David Cormack summed it up well:It seems not only ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #47
    A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on the Skeptical Science  Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Nov 19, 2023 thru Sat, Nov 25, 2023.  Story of the Week World stands on frontline of disaster at Cop28, says UN climate chief  Exclusive: Simon Stiell says leaders must ‘stop ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • Some of it is mad, some of it is bad and some of it is clearly the work of people who are dangerous ...
    On announcement morning my mate texted:Typical of this cut-price, fake-deal government to announce itself on Black Friday.What a deal. We lose Kim Hill, we gain an empty, jargonising prime minister, a belligerent conspiracist, and a heartless Ayn Rand fanboy. One door closes, another gets slammed repeatedly in your face.It seems pretty ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • “Revolution” is the threat as the Māori Party smarts at coalition government’s Treaty directi...
    Buzz from the Beehive Having found no fresh announcements on the government’s official website, Point of Order turned today to Scoop’s Latest Parliament Headlines  for its buzz. This provided us with evidence that the Māori Party has been soured by the the coalition agreement announced yesterday by the new PM. “Soured” ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • The Good, the Bad, and the even Worse.
    Yesterday the trio that will lead our country unveiled their vision for New Zealand.Seymour looking surprisingly statesmanlike, refusing to rise to barbs about his previous comments on Winston Peters. Almost as if they had just been slapstick for the crowd.Winston was mostly focussed on settling scores with the media, making ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • When it Comes to Palestine – Free Speech is Under Threat
    Hi,Thanks for getting amongst Mister Organ on digital — thanks to you, we hit the #1 doc spot on iTunes this week. This response goes a long way to helping us break even.I feel good about that. Other things — not so much.New Zealand finally has a new government, and ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 week ago

  • Thank you Captain Luxon. Was that a landing, or were we shot down?
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Also in More Than A FeildingFriday The unboxing And so this is Friday and what have we gone and done to ourselves?In the same way that a Christmas present can look lovely under the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand welcomes European Parliament vote on the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement
    A significant milestone in ratifying the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was reached last night, with 524 of the 705 member European Parliament voting in favour to approve the agreement. “I’m delighted to hear of the successful vote to approve the NZ-EU FTA in the European Parliament overnight. This is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Further humanitarian support for Gaza, the West Bank and Israel
    The Government is contributing a further $5 million to support the response to urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel, bringing New Zealand’s total contribution to the humanitarian response so far to $10 million. “New Zealand is deeply saddened by the loss of civilian life and the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

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