‘Donations’ or bribes

Written By: - Date published: 9:58 pm, November 19th, 2019 - 95 comments
Categories: corruption, democracy under attack, Dirty Politics, politicans, Politics, Simon Bridges, winston peters - Tags:

It has been ironic looking at the basic hysteria that our media are having about the NZ First foundation and its loans to the NZ First party. I suspect that it is likely to be legal – but that is because our legal structure has been setup for bribing politicians.

After all we still currently have a outstanding Serious Fraud Office investigation into an allegation about the current parliamentary leader of the National party. He is accused of ordering the splitting up a 100k donation into a series of 14k and a 2k donation to deliberately conceal a large bribe / donation from businessman Zhang Yikun. 

“Jami-Lee Ross political donations complaint referred to Serious Fraud Office“

Basically as far as I can see, it is really hard to see the difference between the mechanism of concealment of the ‘loans’ of the NZ First Foundation and that of the leader of the National party allegedly ordering a split of a ‘donation’ to avoid transparency. The only real difference is that one appears to be unlawful and other does not – but may be unprovable beyond reasonable doubt.

Perhaps some outraged legal wizards can explain to me how they are different? Because I can’t see any frigging difference. Both attempt to conceal the identity of large donors from the public.

The problem is that our laws on donations to politicians and political parties is inherently flawed for the convenience of our makers of legislation. 

Perhaps we should just cut the gordian knot and just outlaw large donations concealed in any way. Anyone who makes a largish political donation to a political party must do it transparent – or face prison.  Any political party who accepts a donation outside of the legal bounds must be dis-established, their assets seized and their current officers get mandatory prison time without parole.

In other words, treat them like we do for the appointed judges of the legal profession and the senior police.

If only so we don’t have to go through the media frenzy that ultimately and inevitably results in the investigations finding that the ‘donations’ were lawful under our current corrupt legislation. So that means that the legislation needs to be changed, and for the interests of our democracy – retrospectively.

Just to make it more interesting – let start with a presumption of guilt. The accused have to prove the innocence. At the very least it’d make for a more interesting drama than our current repetitive media storyline.

Of course this may lower the quality of our prisoners. But hey – that is a price that I am willing to deal with.

95 comments on “‘Donations’ or bribes ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Incognito 1
    19 November 2019 at 10:55 pm

    Under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009, the Commissioner of Police has the power of civil forfeiture without the need for a criminal conviction and without any restrictions on what property or asset can be restrained. I can so no reason why not a similar approach can be taken with political parties and politicians, possibly through IRD.

  2. peterlepaysan 2
    19 November 2019 at 11:03 pm

    Who benefits from secrecy?

    All donors ( and their $amounts) should be publicly available.

    • Wairua 2.1
      20 November 2019 at 9:01 am

      Mr. Schrader, has the fire gone out in today’s film industry?

      Well, I don’t think the fire went out, really, what happened is that we have had an evolutionary shift in the nature of motion pictures. Everything that we learned in the first 100 years of movies no longer applies. We used to know what a movie was, we knew how you projected it, we knew how you saw it, we knew how long it was, we knew how to monetize it, we knew how to distribute it — we don’t know how to do any of these things anymore, they’ve all changed.

      https://the-talks.com/interview/paul-schrader/

    • Phil 2.2
      20 November 2019 at 9:55 am

      Hell must have frozen over, because I'm nodding in agreement and fully supporting a comment from Pete 🙂

      I would also go so far as banning any political donation that is not directly from a named and identified individual. Trusts are too easy a mechanism to hide the true source of funding and they have no place in the political process.

  3. Sacha 3
    19 November 2019 at 11:04 pm

    Some related argy-bargy today in #nzqt. Wonder why Nat members of the Justice electoral committee would be holding up an official report involving electoral donations?

    https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/hansard-debates/rhr/document/HansS_20191119_051450000/5-question-no-5-justice

    Hon ANDREW LITTLE: I think most members of the House, and many members of the public, are concerned enough about issues in our donations regime, which is why the Justice Committee, in conducting its inquiry into the last general election, considered that issue specifically. It's just disappointing that members opposite blocked that committee from reporting their report

    …

    Hon ANDREW LITTLE: … I'm awaiting the Justice Committee's report of their inquiry into the last general election. It's taking a long time, but I eagerly await that report.

    Hon Dr Nick Smith: Was he involved in any discussions or actions with Labour members of the Justice Committee in their decision on 1 October to block the Electoral Commission and justice officials reporting on the unusually high level of anonymous donations to New Zealand First?

    …

    Hon Dr Nick Smith: Does he agree with the Prime Minister’s statement that political donations need to comply with the spirit, as well as the intent, of our electoral laws?

    Hon ANDREW LITTLE: Yes, and that’s why I remain concerned about those who as Ministers have travelled overseas to solicit overseas support for their political purposes.

    • lprent 3.1
      20 November 2019 at 2:59 am

      The national members are probably trying to figure out how many fourteens go into one hundred and have forgotten how to get a remainder.

      Or they are trying to figure out a way to make that lawful even under our useless existing electoral law.

      There is a reason why politicians have the same kinds of trust ratings as used car salesmen or bloggers. All I can say is that there were only a few of the arsehole bloggers and they’re mostly bankrupt now. I helped on that.

    • KJT 3.2
      20 November 2019 at 9:35 am

      Wasn't it two Indians to one Chinese?

  4. Stuart Munro. 4
    20 November 2019 at 6:29 am

    It's a great idea.

    And it might begin to clean up the suppurating cesspool of corruption that is the Gnats. It is desirable to have a rightwing opposition even to an enlightened government. Due to corruption the Gnats are presently incapable of fulfilling that function.

    Which is not to say that members of other parties have not flirted with corruption far, far too often.

    • AB 4.1
      20 November 2019 at 9:31 am

      "It is desirable to have a rightwing opposition even to an enlightened government."

      Agreed – I think the Labour Party would be a very useful moderating force in that role.smiley

      • KJT 4.1.1
        20 November 2019 at 9:33 am

        Burn. But true.

      • Stuart Munro. 4.1.2
        20 November 2019 at 10:14 am

        If we characterize Rogergnomics as an unseemly scramble to the right in pursuit of corporate largesse, there is no reason to suppose Labour could not scramble equally quickly to the left once that gravy train became untenable.

        • Gosman 4.1.2.1
          20 November 2019 at 10:40 am

          Ahh… so your real motivation for doing this is ideological not because you think it will mean there is a fairer system overall.

          • Sacha 4.1.2.1.1
            20 November 2019 at 10:44 am

            Believing power should not follow the largest chequebook can be strongly motivated by a sense of fairness. Believing that those with the gold should rule seems harder to paint that way, though I respect there are other reasons people hold to it.

  5. Blazer 5
    20 November 2019 at 8:11 am

    You have got to bear in mind the likes of Earl Hagaman(deceased)who would donate 100k to the Natz with no expectations,merely because 'he liked them'!

    • lprent 5.1
      20 November 2019 at 8:35 am

      Yes? so what? and whoever they were?

      I am sure that he could find some other place to offload money to. Plunket perhaps?

      Are you suggesting that we should maintain a corrupt donations/bribe system for the convenience of the dead?

      How about considering the living for a change? What I see is the living wealthy manipulating the legislative branch to screw the poor. Let's fix that..

      Besides if I was a suspicious person, I could speculate on favours past. Or a donation to benefit his kids..

      • Blazer 5.1.1
        20 November 2019 at 9:06 am

        The fact that he is now dead is quite irrelevant.

        'So what' is about the optimum extent of your comprehension,but a handy, but useless retort…all the same.

      • Gosman 5.1.2
        20 November 2019 at 9:26 am

        Where is the evidence that any of these donations are leading to outcomes that you suggest?

        • KJT 5.1.2.1
          20 November 2019 at 9:32 am

          What is your evidence, it didn't? There are some very strange coincidences if it was not for favors received.

          If it “looks like a duck…….

          • Gosman 5.1.2.1.1
            20 November 2019 at 9:55 am

            Coincidences such as ?

            • Dukeofurl 5.1.2.1.1.1
              20 November 2019 at 10:08 am

              Does the name Murray McCully ring a bell?

              Does the $7.5 mill of aid money to the island, that after Scenic won the bid, went to upgrading the 'resort' ring another bell.

              Where are the recent big donations , not feel so generous anymore?

  6. ianmac 6
    20 November 2019 at 9:16 am

    Simon was "Kimmed" this morning. Kim Hill asked innocent questions of Bridges about his belief that the Electoral Commission was "toothless" and how was the Police investigation into his splitting of donations to hide donations from rich people. Poor old Simon stumbled and pleaded that because he had no legal practising certificate, the allegations were really the press allegations, not his.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/audio/player?audio_id=2018723025

  7. Gosman 7
    20 November 2019 at 9:24 am

    "Perhaps we should just cut the gordian knot and just outlaw large donations concealed in any way. Anyone who makes a largish political donation to a political party must do it transparent – or face prison. Any political party who accepts a donation outside of the legal bounds must be dis-established, their assets seized and their current officers get mandatory prison time without parole."

    There is no way that would get past Parliament without massive amount of objections. Trying to do so without broad cross party support will be incredibly divisive.

    Do you remember the Electoral Finance Act? That will be a Child's birthday party in comparison to the Shi# storm that attempting to push through legislation like that would lead to.

    • KJT 7.1
      20 November 2019 at 9:27 am

      Labor tried to get big money out of politics in Clarks time. Remember the screams of "democracy under attack" from National, when the ability of the rich to buy the Government they wanted, was threatened.

      It is a pity we need to force politicians to act ethically with rules. It brings up questions about their suitability.

      It shouldn’t be too much to ask, that they act honestly while in Parliament. Even if we cannot stop the retirement “Directorships” in firms MP’s have enriched when in Government.

      • Gosman 7.1.1
        20 November 2019 at 9:54 am

        I know, how about you look to set up a board of "concerned citizens" that can vet the politicians and political parties? In that way you can be assured of getting the politics that meets YOUR standards.

    • AB 7.2
      20 November 2019 at 9:38 am

      I remember the Brooks Brothers Riot in response to the Electoral Finance Act. You don't make an omelette without stopping the weasels eating all the eggs in the first place.

      • Gosman 7.2.1
        20 November 2019 at 9:53 am

        Did you also remember the Labour party losing the very next election and then changes being made to the EFA?

        • AB 7.2.1.1
          20 November 2019 at 10:21 am

          I do. Labour's attempted reform to electoral finance was technocratic tinkering and too easily vilified as self-serving. Doomed to failure in the face of a well-organised and well-funded opposition with supporting voices all through the media establishment. No contest. That' no reason for surrendering though.

          • Gosman 7.2.1.1.1
            20 November 2019 at 10:25 am

            Let me get this straight. You admit that the last efforts to reform the way political parties are financed was mere tinkering and it eventually lead in part to the defeat of the government who pushed it but you still think it is worth spending precious political capital to go even FURTHER. Is that your position?

            • AB 7.2.1.1.1.1
              20 November 2019 at 11:58 am

              Nope. The conditions under which it was last attempted were not propitious. Nor were the proposals themselves structured in a way that would garner widespread support – they were over-complicated and therefore easily lied about. Conditions and tactics can change. We never give up.

              • Gosman …
                20 November 2019 at 1:25 pm

                Why were the last changes overly complicate? Ask yourself that question. There is likely a very good reason for it.

    • Stuart Munro. 7.3
      20 November 2019 at 10:11 am

      There is no way that would get past Parliament without massive amount of objections.

      You know, they might be unwontedly quiet. They know voters will punish corruption if its adherents are dumb enough to self-identify.

      • Gosman 7.3.1
        20 November 2019 at 10:14 am

        Yeah they would if you can convince them that it is a massive problem and restricting people donating to politics will stop this. Good luck in winning that PR battle.

        • Stuart Munro. 7.3.1.1
          20 November 2019 at 10:17 am

          Let the issue in the news, and even the toxic scumbags of National will be reluctant to defend their sleazy practices – at least in public.

          • Gosman 7.3.1.1.1
            20 November 2019 at 10:23 am

            What does let the issue in the news mean? It was in the news in the past. Do you remember the Owen Glenn funding for NZ First issue back in 2007/2008? It received plenty of coverage.

            • Stuart Munro. 7.3.1.1.1.1
              20 November 2019 at 10:31 am

              Rubbish. A narrow look at an isolated instance – not a broad coverage, though even so it nearly ended NZF. A better example would be the review of MP expenses that cost Jones his marriage and much of his credibility. All MP expenses were looked at, and they have become a little more circumspect as a result.

              • Gosman …
                20 November 2019 at 10:38 am

                Except that involved MP's spending taxpayers money not members of the public gifting their own money to Political parties. There is quite a difference. The voluntary nature of donations make it less easy to try and shame people.

                • Stuart Munro. …
                  20 November 2019 at 10:48 am

                  You're being loose with your definitions there:

                  It isn't taxpayers' money, it is citizens' money.

                  And of course the foreign nationals and corporates who have been propping up the sleazy Right in NZ are not properly described as the public, but as malicious, probably criminal, aliens.

                  • Gosman …
                    20 November 2019 at 11:17 am

                    Probably criminal, aliens?!? Better check under your bed for some of those criminal aliens….

                    • Stuart Munro. …
                      20 November 2019 at 11:25 am

                      Alien is a legal term, as surely even you are aware.

                      Aliens have no business interfering in a democracy – nor do corporations. One person one vote, not one dollar one vote.

                    • Gosman …
                      20 November 2019 at 11:31 am

                      I knew what you meant. My comment still stands.

          • Incognito 7.3.1.1.2
            20 November 2019 at 10:28 am

            This is a PR battle and you’ll notice that defending is losing. So, they will deny any wrongdoing and pretend everything is allowed and within the Law. This is the yardstick of the Right and they’ll stick to it because they have an invested interest in this and because they had a big hand in writing the Law as it stands. Morality and ethics, transparency, and accountability are not enshrined in (the) Law. Just rights and breaches of those rights, IMHO.

            • Gosman 7.3.1.1.2.1
              20 November 2019 at 10:34 am

              If it isn't allowed then you are free to take a private prosecution if the Police won't.

              • Stuart Munro. …
                20 November 2019 at 10:42 am

                Unlike the recipients of improperly obtained corporate largesse, I am scarcely in a position to indulge in vanity lawsuits. There are however remedies more traditional within democracies that may suffice.

                • Gosman …
                  20 November 2019 at 11:16 am

                  Except people like me will oppose you on those and given the results of the past attempts in this area it will likely not get the outcome you expect. Feel free to go ahead though. Left wing regulation over reach always provides fodder for right wingers.

                  • Stuart Munro. …
                    20 November 2019 at 11:28 am

                    What makes you suppose my solution is regulation?

                    Constant shaming of corrupt MPs is reasonably effective – even if they, like you, are sociopathic enough to ignore it, their voters aren't.

                    No fodder for you here sunshine – try working for a living.

              • Incognito …
                20 November 2019 at 11:38 am

                You know, this line is starting to grate on me because it doesn’t address anything I said in my comment. In fact, you use it repeatedly to deflect and shut down the discussion. Similarly, you keep wishing ‘good luck’ to those who are not happy with the current situation and are trying to come up with suggestions for improvements. I’m concluding that your comments contribute very little and in fact waste our time. In other words, you’re trolling. I’m going to put on my Moderator hat soon because my patience is running out rapidly. Consider this a warning.

                • Gosman …
                  20 November 2019 at 12:09 pm

                  You are seemingly trying to reopen the debate that ran over a decade ago around the EFA. I am merely pointing out that it wasn't very successful for the left. I am also not sure what the actual problem you are worried about here. I keep asking what policies exactly have been implemented as a result of this 'undue' influence from anonymous 'big' money donors.Can you advise me of some?

        • AB 7.3.1.2
          20 November 2019 at 12:03 pm

          "restricting people donating to politics"

          Interesting framing. How about instead: "protecting the principle behind one person one vote – namely that each citizen has equal influence over the outcome of elections"?

    • Psycho Milt 7.4
      20 November 2019 at 11:31 am

      Do you remember the Electoral Finance Act? That will be a Child's birthday party in comparison to the Shi# storm that attempting to push through legislation like that would lead to.

      Yep. And if we want a useful indicator of which parties are benefiting from bribery donations, we just have to look at which parties generated the EFA shitstorm.

  8. Dukeofurl 8
    20 November 2019 at 9:26 am

    The US system is quite low personal limits on donations , something around US$2500 per candidate.

    Even if you gave $10 for a T shirt or 'Yard sign' your name , address and employer is required and will be made public.

    The employer part is too make sure that, say the owner of a Chinese restaurant doesnt have a big number of his employees also donate amounts to the same candidate ( This is what happened to NSW Labour party recently).

    US is also to make transparent business owners and their senior employees who donate to a congressman or senator who has oversight on their business.

    In spite of all that , the US has many loopholes , such as PACs who advertise in support or opposition to particular candidates.

    AS well the major parties have Congress and Senate campaign committees who fund raise big $$$ and contribute money to vulnerable election races , but only if you largely follow party line in Votes. The donors are hidden behind the Campaign committee name.

    Its complicated , but I hope I have the details right.

  9. michelle 9
    20 November 2019 at 9:44 am

    Why don't we just get rid of all donations as national have already shown they can rort the system by using a Chinese NZ owned company to donate funds so we either change the rules or get rid of the problem. This might create a more level playing field.

    • Gosman 9.1
      20 November 2019 at 9:57 am

      And waiting for the call for State funding of political parties in 3…2…1…

      • Dukeofurl 9.1.1
        20 November 2019 at 10:10 am

        They are funded now , millions every year, plus at election time too. They are a bit like schools what ever is provided is never enough
        US has it !

        • Sacha 9.1.1.1
          20 November 2019 at 10:13 am

          Like 'integrated' schools, they trouser the funding without changing their character much in exchange.

          • Gosman 9.1.1.1.1
            20 November 2019 at 10:21 am

            Would you like them to change their character as a result of receiving State funding?

            • Sacha 9.1.1.1.1.1
              20 November 2019 at 10:26 am

              Politicians – you bet!

              • Gosman …
                20 November 2019 at 10:35 am

                I bet you would too. Typical totalitarian leftist.

                • Sacha …
                  20 November 2019 at 10:37 am

                  Surely there is an equivalent notion of 'social contract' in your world.

                  • Gosman …
                    20 November 2019 at 11:19 am

                    I generally prefer to let the democratic process weed out those that do not meet my definition of 'good character'. I don't think it is a clever idea to try and decide for others (with a few exceptions).

                    • Sacha …
                      20 November 2019 at 11:30 am

                      If that approach worked, politicians would be better regarded than used car dealers. Yet here we are.

                    • Wensleydale …
                      20 November 2019 at 1:59 pm

                      Given your fervent support of National, your definition of 'good character' probably needs taking out to the back paddock and shooting.

            • Dukeofurl 9.1.1.1.1.2
              20 November 2019 at 12:57 pm

              "The latest annual report of the Parliamentary Service – just published – shows that the most recent “Party and Member Support” budgets for the parties totalled $122 million.

              Individual parliamentary budgets were as follows:

              National, $65.1m; (more than labour because Ministers funded separately)

              Labour, $43.7m;

              New Zealand First, $6.2m;

              and the Greens, $5.8m.

              Amongst other things, these budgets pay for about 402 parliamentary staff working for the parties and their MPs.

              $122 mill state funding for parties for one year.

  10. Sacha 10
    20 November 2019 at 10:26 am

    Concise backstory by RNZ's Jane Patterson: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/403667/nz-first-s-political-donations-a-creeping-feeling-of-deja-vu

    Swirling rumours of dodgy dealings over political donations, Winston Peters full of bluster and denial, and potentially a drawn-out series of combative but ultimately meaningless exchanges with the parliamentary press gallery.

    • weka 10.1
      20 November 2019 at 10:41 am

      "It's hard to avoid the conclusion he could have avoided much of this had he admitted early to a mistake with the donation, and just amended the pecuniary interest register accordingly."

      As hard as political culture is, I think people are way more forgiving when people front up and be honest and admit mistakes. But only if they do it from the start.

      Fingers crossed that Ardern and Labour have some decent strategy here and don't go down the Clark route.

      • Sacha 10.1.1
        20 November 2019 at 10:46 am

        Indeed. Wish there was evidence we could trust their brains trust.

        • Dukeofurl 10.1.1.1
          20 November 2019 at 1:06 pm

          Admit a mistake ? Like Bridges didnt

          More like push the electorate officials under a bus

          "In the process of preparing both the local candidate and party returns, as required by the Electoral Act, two donations were incorrectly attributed to Mr Bridges' candidate return by the local Tauranga Electorate Committee,'' a National Party spokesman said."

          https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/368688/simon-bridges-amended-electoral-donation-return-insider-claims

          Love the byline on this story and the mysterious person who knew so much about Bridges and donations

          'A National Party insider has told RNZ News that Simon Bridges amended his personal electoral donation return to remove two donations totalling $24,000. – Jo Moir Political Reporter

          Later events showed exactly who the 'insider' was , who is now definitely on the outside and the less than savoury methods he used.

    • ianmac 10.2
      20 November 2019 at 11:54 am

      Since quoting Patterson why not include

      But as with internal political scandals, National will have to step carefully as its nose is not completely clean.

      For years it used blind trusts to transfer donations to the party itself, a practice that ceased with a law change. Even now there is still an active Serious Fraud Investigation into the National Party relating to the disclosure of donations.

      • Sacha 10.2.1
        20 November 2019 at 12:01 pm

        Since quoting Patterson why not include

        Because others can always pick out parts like you’ve just shown. I'm not keen on pasting big chunks of an article someone can easily go and read – as regulars can attest. 🙂

  11. Sacha 11
    20 November 2019 at 11:12 am

    One thing I had not thought of before – if donations are made totally transparent, will more of them tend to go to both current major parties (bob each way), thus locking in less funding for smaller ones?

    • weka 11.1
      20 November 2019 at 11:20 am

      why would that happen?

      • Sacha 11.1.1
        20 November 2019 at 11:26 am

        If you are say a company or wealthy person trying to hide your political leanings to avoid blowback, it would be more efficient to donate to only the most likely major parties in each bloc.

  12. Sacha 12
    20 November 2019 at 11:23 am

    Not good for our democracy, either way:

    https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/20-11-2019/one-possibility-is-nz-first-has-broken-electoral-law-the-other-possibility-is-worse

    If what has been reported is both true and not a breach of the rules for political donations, then New Zealand’s reputation for being squeaky clean looks like a joke, writes electoral law expert Andrew Geddis.

    …

    Everyone else, from the Act Party to the Greens, has had at least the occasional donor wanting to give them a big enough sum for their name and address become public.

    And knowing their name and address, we then can see if that donor gets anything for its generosity. Which is how things should be in a properly transparent, clean political process.

  13. observer 13
    20 November 2019 at 11:46 am

    Everyone is missing the real story here, which is that Simon Bridges genuinely believes that Jacinda Ardern has invented time travel. Wow! She's an impressive PM but even that might be beyond her talents.

    Bridges has attacked Ardern today for "hanging out with Steven Colbert" when she should be dealing with the NZF donations story that broke … er, two days ago.

    Simon, let me explain this very slowly. Past tense. Present tense. She was meeting Colbert in Auckland, a month ago. She isn't now. He's been back in New York for weeks. Just because it's on your screen now, that doesn't mean it's actually happening now. (Your mind must explode when they show Simpsons reruns).

    Television, eh? What sorcery!

  14. Sacha 14
    20 November 2019 at 11:52 am

    This really does sound like funding campaign expenses without declaring them, and it may have already been a bridge too far for some: https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/117529946/what-nz-first-slush-fund-was-spent-on-campaign-hq-staff-overtime-and-a-shredder

    In October 2019, Lester Gray resigned from his position as NZ First Party president after refusing to sign off on its financial statements. Gray said in a letter to the NZ First board that he had not been shown documentation he requested and therefore could not sign off the returns.

    "I refuse to sign off the 2019 financial reports with the information I have been provided," he wrote to the board. "As president, the limited exposure I have had to party donations and expenditure leaves me in a vulnerable position.

    "This type of operation does not align with my moral and business practice values, and I am therefore not able to support the party any longer."

    • Sacha 14.1
      20 November 2019 at 11:55 am

      The apparent laundering reminds me of those comments from Bridges to Ross about keeping the $100k donation away from the main Nat campaign funding pool so it could be spent on ads without the party bosses interfering.

      And echoes of 1980s Roger Douglas pocketing millions of grateful corporate dollars directly to bankroll campaigning on his own terms without those pesky accountable Lab party officials getting in the way.

      • Dukeofurl 14.1.1
        20 November 2019 at 12:48 pm

        The reason why you wont hear too much in the media about the murky side of Bridges and that donation is this:

        "Bridges' valve burst Wednesday evening when he phoned around political editors to warn them he had been defamed and his reputation damaged."

        In effect he was saying repeat this and you have defamed me …hint financial consequences

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    Laptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 hours ago

  • How to Right-Click on a Laptop
    Right-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 hours ago

  • Where is the Power Button on an ASUS Laptop?
    Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 hours ago

  • How to Start a Dell Laptop: A Comprehensive Guide
    Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 hours ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Serious populist discontent is bubbling up in New Zealand
    Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    2 hours ago

  • How to Take a Screenshot on an Asus Laptop A Comprehensive Guide with Detailed Instructions and Illu...
    In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 hours ago

  • How to Factory Reset Gateway Laptop A Comprehensive Guide
    A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 hours ago

  • The Folly Of Impermanence.
    “You talking about me?”  The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
    Bowalley Road
    4 hours ago

  • A crisis of ambition
    Roger Partridge  writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 hours ago

  • Have 308 people in the Education Ministry’s Curriculum Development Team spent over $100m on a 60-p...
    Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 hours ago

  • 'This bill is dangerous for the environment and our democracy'
    Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 hours ago

  • The Bank of our Tamariki and Mokopuna.
    Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 hours ago

  • The worth of it all
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    10 hours ago

  • What is the Hardest Sport in the World?
    Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    12 hours ago

  • What is the Most Expensive Sport?
    The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    12 hours ago

  • Pickleball On the Cusp of Olympic Glory
    Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    12 hours ago

  • The Origin and Evolution of Soccer Unveiling the Genius Behind the World’s Most Popular Sport
    Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    12 hours ago

  • How Much to Tint Car Windows A Comprehensive Guide
    Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    12 hours ago

  • Why Does My Car Smell Like Gas? A Comprehensive Guide to Diagnosing and Fixing the Issue
    The pungent smell of gasoline in your car can be an alarming and potentially dangerous problem. Not only is the odor unpleasant, but it can also indicate a serious issue with your vehicle’s fuel system. In this article, we will explore the various reasons why your car may smell like ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    12 hours ago

  • How to Remove Tree Sap from Car A Comprehensive Guide
    Tree sap can be a sticky, unsightly mess on your car’s exterior. It can be difficult to remove, but with the right techniques and products, you can restore your car to its former glory. Understanding Tree Sap Tree sap is a thick, viscous liquid produced by trees to seal wounds ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    12 hours ago

  • How Much Paint Do You Need to Paint a Car?
    The amount of paint needed to paint a car depends on a number of factors, including the size of the car, the number of coats you plan to apply, and the type of paint you are using. In general, you will need between 1 and 2 gallons of paint for ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    12 hours ago

  • Can You Jump a Car in the Rain? Safety Precautions and Essential Steps
    Jump-starting a car is a common task that can be performed even in adverse weather conditions like rain. However, safety precautions and proper techniques are crucial to avoid potential hazards. This comprehensive guide will provide detailed instructions on how to safely jump a car in the rain, ensuring both your ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    12 hours ago

  • Can taxpayers be confident PIJF cash was spent wisely?
    Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund — When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayers’ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund — and ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    18 hours ago

  • EGU2024 – An intense week of joining sessions virtually
    Note: this blog post has been put together over the course of the week I followed the happenings at the conference virtually. Should recordings of the Great Debates and possibly Union Symposia mentioned below, be released sometime after the conference ends, I'll include links to the ones I participated in. ...
    Skeptical Science
    20 hours ago

  • Submission on “Fast Track Approvals Bill”
    The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    21 hours ago

  • The Case for a Universal Family Benefit
    One Could Reduce Child Poverty At No Fiscal CostFollowing the Richardson/Shipley 1990 ‘redesign of the welfare state’ – which eliminated the universal Family Benefit and doubled the rate of child poverty – various income supplements for families have been added, the best known being ‘Working for Families’, introduced in 2005. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    22 hours ago

  • A who’s who of New Zealand’s dodgiest companies
    Submissions on National's corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law are due today (have you submitted?), and just hours before they close, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has been forced to release the list of companies he invited to apply. I've spent the last hour going through it in an epic thread of bleats, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago

  • On Lee’s watch, Economic Development seems to be stuck on scoring points from promoting sporting e...
    Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago

  • New Zealand has never been closed for business
    1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago

  • Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • Melissa Lee and the media: ending the quest
    Chris Trotter writes –  MELISSA LEE should be deprived of her ministerial warrant. Her handling – or non-handling – of the crisis engulfing the New Zealand news media has been woeful. The fate of New Zealand’s two linear television networks, a question which the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago

  • The Hoon around the week to April 19
    TL;DR: The podcast above features co-hosts and , along with regular guests Robert Patman on Gaza and AUKUS II, and on climate change.The six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago

  • The ‘Humpty Dumpty’ end result of dismantling our environmental protections
    Policymakers rarely wish to make plain or visible their desire to dismantle environmental policy, least of all to the young. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago

  • Nicola's Salad Days.
    I like to keep an eye on what’s happening in places like the UK, the US, and over the ditch with our good mates the Aussies. Let’s call them AUKUS, for want of a better collective term. More on that in a bit.It used to be, not long ago, that ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago

  • Study sees climate change baking in 19% lower global income by 2050
    TL;DR: The global economy will be one fifth smaller than it would have otherwise been in 2050 as a result of climate damage, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and published in the journal Nature. (See more detail and analysis below, and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago

  • Weekly Roundup 19-April-2024
    It’s Friday again. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week on Greater Auckland On Tuesday Matt covered at the government looking into a long tunnel for Wellington. On Wednesday we ran a post from Oscar Simms on some lessons from Texas. AT’s ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    1 day ago

  • Jack Vowles: Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  The data is from February this ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    1 day ago

  • Clearing up confusion (or trying to)
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago

  • How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log iPhone Without Computer
    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A Step–by–Step Guide Losing your iPhone call history can be frustrating, especially when you need to find a specific number or recall an important conversation. But before you panic, know that there are ways to retrieve deleted call logs on your iPhone, even without a computer. This guide will explore various methods, ranging from simple checks to utilizing iCloud backups and third–party applications. So, let‘s dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. That‘s why they introduced the “Recently Deleted“ folder for various apps, including the Phone app. This folder acts as a safety net, storing deleted call logs for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. Here‘s how to check it: Open the Phone app on your iPhone. Tap on the “Recents“ tab at the bottom. Scroll to the top and tap on “Edit“. Select “Show Recently Deleted“. Browse the list to find the call logs you want to recover. Tap on the desired call log and choose “Recover“ to restore it to your call history. 2. Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you might be able to retrieve your deleted call log from a previous backup. However, keep in mind that this process will restore your entire phone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, potentially erasing any data added since then. Here‘s how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose “Erase All Content and Settings“. Follow the on–screen instructions. Your iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen. Choose “Restore from iCloud Backup“ during the setup process. Select the relevant backup that contains your deleted call log. Wait for the restoration process to complete. 3. Explore Third–Party Apps (with Caution): ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
    Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
    Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    2 days ago

  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    2 days ago

  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    2 days ago

  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago

  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
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  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
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  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
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  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
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  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
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  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
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  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
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  • Government backing mussel spat project
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  • Government focused on getting people into work
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  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
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  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
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  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
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  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
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  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
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    3 days ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
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  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
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    3 days ago

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
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    4 days ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
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  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
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  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
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    5 days ago

  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
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  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
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  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
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  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
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  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
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    5 days ago

  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
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  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
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    6 days ago

  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
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  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
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  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
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  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
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  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
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  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
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  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
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  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
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