Dotcom developments

Written By: - Date published: 7:31 am, July 26th, 2013 - 104 comments
Categories: accountability, john key, Spying - Tags: , , ,

It’s no real surprise that the public trust Kim Dotcom more than John Key:

Public sides with Dotcom in poll

… At issue is whether the Prime Minister knew about Kim Dotcom before the raid on his Coatesville mansion in February last year.
John Key has always denied it, but Mr Dotcom says he has evidence to prove it.

A 3 News Reid Research poll asked the public who they believe; 52 percent said they believe Dotcom, while 34 percent believe Mr Key. The rest said they didn’t know or care.

For other coverage: John Key’s credibility takes a hit. A reminder to Key that his “popularity” as preferred PM is a politician’s “popularity” (he’s seen as the least bad option perhaps), not to be mistaken for the real thing.

In other Dotcom developments, check out this audio from last night’s anti GCSB Bill protest: Kim Dotcom reveals how John Key knew about him prior to the raid – Audio. Starting about 1:30 Journalist Selwyn Manning describes “some breaking news from Dotcom”:

Manning: He said that the New Zealand SIS back in mid 2010 … made a recommendation to the immigration minister … that he be blocked from getting residencey here in New Zeland. … Kim Dotocom said that information that has come through from his case through disclosure and legal means has shown that later in 2010 the Prime Minister John Key went to Hollywood and met with the movie brass over there. Now the very next day the SIS pulled its advisory and then supported his residency application. Now the implication there from Dotcom was that if this is true then the net seems to have been cast to basically capture him and the thing was in play …

Interviewer 1: [Recaps and questions why?]

Manning: The logic would suggest … was the SIS then turning it around so he would get residency here, he was then on safe New Zealand soil so the FBI could do what it did.

Interviewer 2: And catch him.

[… discussion …]

Interviewer 1: If that is the case, then John Key must have known.

Interesting.

104 comments on “Dotcom developments ”

  1. Tiger Mountain 1

    While Dottie may be a natural right winger or at least gravitate to the financial elite he may have learned a thing or two whilst a resident of ‘Boston Rd Flats’ with no Banksie is sight to bail him out. Not to mention all the rest of it–illegal surveillance, special gagging order via Bill English, lies, lies lies, erratic memories etc.

    A simple flow chart shows it all leads back to ShonKey knowing. This has to stick. Anne Salmond is onto it, anyone without the backbone to oppose the bill should never show their faces again at an ANZAC ceremony.

    My WWII era parents did not like my activist views but always encouraged me because “thats why your dad went to war” and they believed that.

  2. ghostwhowalksnz 2

    …late in 2010… ”

    Its a bit vague, you need to nail down the actual dates

    • David H 2.1

      Why Key is sure’er than sure, and positive that it was AFTER the raid in 2012 that he first heard of KDC.

      • Veutoviper 2.1.1

        Key has said on many occasions that it was the day BEFORE the raid – not after the raid. That is,he claims that the first he heard of KDC was on 19 Jan 2012.

        • David H 2.1.1.1

          Sorry my bad, I was about 2 days out. Unlike Key, who could be up-to 2 to 3 years out.

    • Veutoviper 2.2

      The timeline prepared by NZ First released in April 2013 covers this earlier period – with sources of the information.

      http://nzfirst.org.nz/sites/nzfirst/files/the_john_key-kim_dotcom_timeline_1.pdf

      NZF’s press release in April 2013 also raised the coincidence timewise between Key’s meeting with Hollywood bigwigs and the withdrawal of the SIS objections to KDC’s immigration application – so KDC’s statement last night was not actually a new revelation.

      In fact, NZF released a press statement in April 2013 re the SIS

      As it is relatively short, here is the release – copied from the NZF website

      “SIS OK Dotcom’s Residency Day After PM Met Hollywood Bigwig
      10 April 2013
      Andrew Williams
      New Zealand First says Prime Minister John Key needs to come clean about the full extent of his knowledge about the FBI investigation into Kim Dotcom.

      Andrew Williams MP today produced evidence that a director of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), Kevin Tsujihara, was part of Government talks on The Hobbit in October 2010.

      “Mr Key hosted Kevin Tsujihara at Premier House on 26 and 27 October 2010.

      “At the time, Mr Tsujihara was President of Warner Brothers Home Entertainment and oversaw Warner Bros’ anti-piracy operations. He is now the CEO.

      “It’s intriguing that on 28 October 2010 – a day after Mr Key met with Mr Tsujihara – the SIS lifted a hold on Kim Dotcom’s residency application.”

      “It would be astonishing if the Prime Minister – who is also the Minister in charge of the Security Intelligence Service – was not informed of this decision.

      “The fact that it happened a day after Mr Key met a representative of the MPAA, a group which is known to have been lobbying the US Government to arrest Mr Dotcom, makes it virtually impossible to believe.

      Mr Williams says the Prime Minister has so far refused to confirm that Mr Tsujihara was also at a private dinner he attended in Hollywood last year, citing privacy concerns.

      “But Mr Key has admitted that the Dotcom case was discussed at that dinner.”

      Mr Williams says a timeline prepared by New Zealand First – collated from Parliamentary Questions, OIA requests and media reports – leading up to Dotcom’s arrest in January 2012 reveals an extraordinary set of facts.

      “Our timeline also shows that Mr Key met with the SIS on 12 October 2010. That was a day before the SIS put a hold on Dotcom’s residency application.

      “How on earth could they not have told him?” says Mr Williams.”

      EDIT – snap. Karol at 5.1.1 and I were obviously commenting at the same time.

  3. martin 3

    @ghost.
    The day after the Hollywood exec meeting was the date

  4. karol 4

    Has the statement from Kim Dotcom about the 2010 developments, been removed from the video on demand version of the meeting last night. I can’t find it.

    Part 1 of the video on The Daily blog, ends at about 1hr 22 mins. Part 2 is 8 mins long. The KDC statement came after Cunliffe’s statement, which was at about 1hr 14 mins. Anthony says the KDC statement is at 1 hr 30.

    • Veutoviper 4.1

      I have just rechecked the Daily Blog video and KDC’s statement re the 2010 developments starts about 1 hr 33 mins. There are a couple of questions between Cunliffe’s statement and KDC’s revelations.

      The video I just watched goes on well past 1 hr 22 mins right to the end of the meeting and some time afterwards when everyone is mixing around.

    • karol 5.1

      Thanks. KDC’s statement about the SIS is at 1hr 33mins.

      Just a general statement. The SIS initially blocked KDC’s application fro residency saying there was an FBI investigation against him. Late in 2010 Key met with Hollywood people, including the MPAA, and the next day the SIS reversed its decision and granted KDC and wife residency.

      • karol 5.1.1

        Andrew Williams, NZ First has the timeline here:

        Andrew Williams MP today produced evidence that a director of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), Kevin Tsujihara, was part of Government talks on The Hobbit in October 2010.

        “Mr Key hosted Kevin Tsujihara at Premier House on 26 and 27 October 2010.

        “At the time, Mr Tsujihara was President of Warner Brothers Home Entertainment and oversaw Warner Bros’ anti-piracy operations. He is now the CEO.

        “It’s intriguing that on 28 October 2010 – a day after Mr Key met with Mr Tsujihara – the SIS lifted a hold on Kim Dotcom’s residency application.”

        So, KDC’s statement isn’t actually new information.

  5. Roflcopter 6

    So… no “smoking gun”, just more weasel words from DotCon the convicted fraudster.

    • One Anonymous Knucklehead 6.1

      He has stated repeatedly that he will present the evidence in court next year. In the meantime he clearly has every intention to keep the pot simmering.

      I encourage you to put your faith in your dear leader, John Key. Stake your reputation on his good faith and trustworthy character, it’s a sure thing, honest, no really, truly.

      • Winston Smith 6.1.1

        I encourage you to put your faith in your dear leader, John Key. Stake your reputation on his good faith and trustworthy character, it’s a sure thing, honest, no really, truly.

        – Better than relying on Dot Con

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 6.1.1.1

          Well then, I guess when someone starts relying on him you’ll have a point.

          • Winston Smith 6.1.1.1.1

            Seems to be the left relying on Dot Con which is a pretty sad state of affairs for the left

            • One Anonymous Knucklehead 6.1.1.1.1.1

              No, it doesn’t seem that at all. Not even to you: you’re just trying (and failing) to score what you imagine will be a hit.

            • tracey 6.1.1.1.1.2

              Given your very low opinion of dotcom if it turns out key has lied about this matter, what
              will your opinion be of the pm then?

            • tracey 6.1.1.1.1.3

              Given your very low opinion of dotcom if it turns out key has lied about this matter, what
              will your opinion be of the pm then?

    • Santi 6.2

      We must be scraping the bottom of the barrel to have any faith in a convicted fraudster and con-man like the infamous KDC.

      • vto 6.2.1

        We have scraped the bottom of the barrel to put faith in a lying money-trader who keeps shitting on those less fortunate. Scum.

      • tricledrown 6.2.2

        Santi or a money trader who worked for Merrill Lynch the most corrupt corporation ever!

      • One Anonymous Knucklehead 6.2.3

        Well then Santi, when someone puts their faith in him you’ll have a point.

      • Huginn 6.2.4

        “we”?
        Santi, you are a sad, sad sock puppet

  6. One Anonymous Knucklehead 7

    One huge question the post leaves unanswered: does Mr.com have proof that Key ordered the SIS to pull its advisory?

    I mean, it’s obvious that’s what happened, but without a paper trail (or Warren Tucker in the dock giving evidence to that effect), Key will survive.

  7. martin 8

    Knucklehead, it was the day after he met Hollywood execs.
    The SIS isnt releasing the docos as Dotcom said they sadly for him sight “national security”

    • One Anonymous Knucklehead 8.1

      He also says he has proof Key lied, and he’ll present it in court.

      • Roflcopter 8.1.1

        Which has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that he’s wanted for repeated copyright infringements…

        He’s like Hone Harawira in court over the last few days, trying to dance around the outside with all manner of theatrics, and like Hone he’ll be told by those who are there to consider his case, that the theatrics are irrelevant to the reasons he is before them.

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 8.1.1.1

          What lovely ad hominem drivel. I expect you find it compelling.

        • lprent 8.1.1.2

          I realize that you cannot prevent yourself from being an idiot, but you could at least inform yourself about what he is charged with. Try Wikipedia. Even you can probably achieve that.

          It isn’t copyright violations. It is a mixture of conspiracy and “racketeering” charges that are do nebulous that every businessman in the world could get charged with something similar. Moreover the US courts probably don’t have any authority to make them. In other words it is a political charge made by someone with political clout.

          Has very little to do with parking a car over a driveway.

        • martin 8.1.1.3

          The copyright issue has nothing to do with whether the PMs lying

      • weka 8.1.2

        “He also says he has proof Key lied, and he’ll present it in court.”

        Yes. Given that both KDC and Key seem confident in their positions, one has to wonder what the evidence is and where it came from. Maybe KDC has a Hollywood mole (ha!) and has something from the meeting. SIS documents seem unlikely. Otherwise I suspect he will present circumstantial evidence rather than proof.

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 8.1.2.1

          Perhaps Paul Davison will figure out a way to put Warren Tucker in the dock 🙂

          • yeshe 8.1.2.1.1

            dog tucker — what marvelous fun that would be !

            and maybe PD has already figured it out ?

        • Winston Smith 8.1.2.2

          Given that one is a con-man wanted for questioning in the US and the other is the PM of NZ using occams razor I’d say the simplest answer is Dot Con is full of shit because he knows the media (duly supported by the left) will eat up anything he says

          • One Anonymous Knucklehead 8.1.2.2.1

            I don’t know about anyone else, but I don’t need Kim.com’s help getting a poor impression of John Key: John Key does that all on his own when he has none fifty thousand yeah a hundred thousand shares on camera and he can’t hide those lyin’ eyes, when he slits his throat, when he can’t recall which of his lawyers helped screw his pants on this morning.

            But none of the ad hominem crap you or I can muster matters one little bit. What matters is what’s in those disclosure documents.

            Tick tock.

            • Winston Smith 8.1.2.2.1.1

              You may not need Dot cons help but Labour certainly need him

              “But none of the ad hominem crap you or I can muster matters one little bit. What matters is what’s in those disclosure documents.”

              – I agree

              • One Anonymous Knucklehead

                Labour needs him? Again you are overstating your case. If Key weren’t in the gun over Kim.com it would be something else tripping him up. You can’t tell that many lies for too long before they catch up with you no matter what you’re doing. As Felix (and vto?) have said “He will fail at the peak – it’s written in his character.”

                • Winston Smith

                  Labour need him beacuse:

                  A. They have no money and are hoping Dot Con gives them some
                  B. No one seems to care what Shearer says but do when Dot Con speaks
                  C. Labour are (at worst) going backwards or (at best) flat lining so need Dot Con because he seems to be the only one scoring major points

                  “He will fail at the peak – it’s written in his character.”

                  – Far be it from me to disagree with Felix and VTO however being that the Left have tried (and failed miserably) to pin something, anything on John Key and dent his popularity for years I’ll go with history on this and say that Key is a helluva lot smarter then most give credit for and more cunning then most

                  Hes the most popular and effective post-MMP leader we’ve had for a reason and the left consistantly underestimate him to their peril

          • vto 8.1.2.2.2

            Winston Smith, you do know John Key is a compulsive liar don’t you.

            • Winston Smith 8.1.2.2.2.1

              Of course, he is a politician after all

              • weka

                Cop out and disingenuous. Show me a Green MP who has lied as often as Key has (or lied at all in fact). You should be able to pull up a list like BLiP’s one about Key’s lies for each MP in parliament.

  8. Wayne 9

    Why is this evidence.

    It is really just a hypothesis. Which is that John Key goes to Hollywood, that he is told that KDC should be extradited, that a direction is then given to SIS to withdraw their objection, presumably by John Key.

    But there is no evidence presented here that supports this hypothesis.

    But seriously, do you really think John Key would act like this? Do you really think Hollywood moguls would even raise KDC with the PM?

    • One Anonymous Knucklehead 9.1

      I’m not expecting to see any actual evidence until election year. This is just Kim.com telling us what he knows.

    • vto 9.2

      Fascinating isn’t it Wayne how your government has intertwined the forces of capital and government to an extent far greater than ever seen before in New Zealand.

      This is fascism.

      Can you handle that? Has it even occurred to you? What do you intend to do about this?

      • vto 9.2.1

        Hello Wayne?

      • Santi 9.2.2

        This is fascism you said..

        Take a deep breath and sit down, calm down. Anger is bad for your health.

        • weka 9.2.2.1

          “Anger is bad for your health.”

          Only if you don’t express it a useful way.

          Marginialising other people’s politics by calling them emotional…. bad for the soul (assuming you have one).

    • karol 9.3

      Key didn’t meet with the Hollywood execs in Hollywood but at Premier House in NZ. It was part of the Hobbit discussions (see my link & quote above.

    • weka 9.4

      “But seriously, do you really think John Key would act like this? Do you really think Hollywood moguls would even raise KDC with the PM?”

      Wow, that would have to be one of hte most naive comments I’ve seen in a while.

    • tricledrown 9.5

      Wayne they didn’t talk about a small bunch of unionists working on th hobbit films either1

      • Wayne 9.5.1

        But the Hobbitt was the known public purpose of the meeting. Getting the Hobbit movies made here was a Govt priority and that was plain to everyone.

        What is being suggested here is that as a side issue, KDC was also mentioned, that the FBI wanted to extradite him, and the only thing in the way was uncertainty about KDC’s residency status. And this about a guy the PM had never heard of until that moment (this being the timeline alleged by KDC).

        Effectively a request to the PM, “PM, can you also sort this out for us, the problem is the SIS”

        • weka 9.5.1.1

          What makes you think that JK hadn’t heard of KDC until that meeting?

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 9.5.1.2

          Perhaps they read the Wikipedia article on the SIS and figured that, as the responsible minister, Key would be the right person to raise the issue with.

          I expect that’s naïve of me, imagining that Ministers might expect to take questions about their portfolio.

          “Well, copyright infringement is just one lawyer’s opinion and I can show you another who’ll give you a counterview.”

          Then again why bother asking him: his word ain’t worth shit.

        • karol 9.5.1.3

          According to the NZ First press release, not only was Dotcom’s residency granted the day after the PM met Hollywood execs (over the Hobbit), but also this:

          “Our timeline also shows that Mr Key met with the SIS on 12 October 2010. That was a day before the SIS put a hold on Dotcom’s residency application.

          Coincidence that both happened the day after Key had these meetings?

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 9.5.1.4

          Who said they asked him to “sort this out”, Dr. Mapp? Maybe they said “That megaupload thing, that’s all in hand, thanks for your help, John, get your guy to come by later and we’ll see you right.”

          But it really doesn’t matter how the subject came up does it?

        • vto 9.5.1.5

          “But the Hobbitt was the known public purpose of the meeting”

          wtf does that have to do with anything worthwhile or relevant to the issue?

          And further, tell us what both the unknown public purpose was and the non-public purpose was.

    • Veutoviper 9.6

      But seriously, do you really think John Key would act like this? Do you really think Hollywood moguls would even raise KDC with the PM?

      Yes.

      Why? Because as well as meeting with Hollywood moguls here in NZ in Oct 2010, Key also met with them in Hollywood in Oct 2012 (and that is just the meetings we know about!)

      Prior to the Oct 2012 meetings (just after Key had publicly apologised to KDC) Key was adamant the KDC would not be discussed at those meetings. In the event, it transpired that they DID discuss KDC.

      I do not have time right now to google links to the many articles that appeared at the time of the 2012 meetings – but there were numerous articles both here in NZ (Stuff, Herald etc) and in the US on the meetings and the fact that KDC was discussed.

      So, Dr Mapp, I appreciate that as a former Minister in the current government, you are trying to defend your party and PM. But stop the BS.

    • Sable 9.7

      No one believed our own government illegally spied on its own citizens either and yet here we are. Kim Doctom has if nothing else proven himself a lot more astute than Keys and he has been able to back up everything he has said so far. Keys on the other hand has been left looking like an idiot again and again with nothing by rhetoric to back up his dubious claims….

  9. martin 10

    Wayne.
    Of course not.
    The Hollywood execs never wanted a case bought against him to protect their copyrights on the internet.

  10. Santi 11

    In suggest NZ deports KDC back to his native Germany. Have a safe flight, fraudster.

    • weka 11.1

      Yeah, pity he’s a resident with legal rights in NZ. Damn law.

      • Richard Christie 11.1.1

        Ah, the rich irony in that the SIS withdrawal of objection led to DC’s residency.

        The sting that went bad.

    • amirite 11.2

      I suggest NZ to deport Santi to the Stupid camp. The sooner, the better.

    • Sable 11.3

      Yes and he will probably get a fair trial too. No chances of that in this totalitarian shit hole.

    • Sable 11.4

      Yes and he would probably get a fair trial too. No chances of that in this totalitarian shit hole.

  11. tricledrown 12

    Grinch where do we send a corrupt lying ponzi scheming money trader to then.

  12. Sable 13

    Keys behavior comes as no surprise, what does surprise is that people still support him. I think this speaks volumes about how little we have come to expect from our government.

    As to Kim Dotcom, my advice, if you can, fly to Russia and join Edward Snowden, you wont get fair or legal treatment in this country. Its now no more than a satellite state of the USA.

    • Wayne 13.1

      I am pretty sure Judge Winkelmann would be offended to read that she is not giving “fair or legal treatment” to KDC.

      • Veutoviper 13.1.1

        Despite my response to you at 9.6 above, I agree with you on this comment.

        So far in the KDC case, Judge Winkelmann has proved herself to be an excellent judge.

      • tracey 13.1.2

        Thank god for the courts which recently a couple of ministers questioned because they disagreed with their rulings.

  13. infused 14

    Have to bookmark this thread for next years. Hilarious.

    • One Anonymous Knucklehead 14.1

      Yeah, because then if he can’t prove Key knew you’ll be able to concoct some more witless fiction how everyone was relying on him, eh, and you’ll give yourself a little pat on the back and tell yourself how witty and clever you are, and generally be boorish and vacuous as usual.

      Yawn.

    • Sable 14.2

      There wont be a next year. If you post comments in the coming months that upset Emperor Keys expect square jawed goons on your doorstep and a one way ticket to a super max prison (read dungeon).

    • tracey 14.3

      Thank god he didnt sign a painting for a charity auction cos that would be truly awful.

    • tracey 14.4

      Thank god he didnt sign a painting for a charity auction cos that would be truly awful.

    • tracey 14.5

      Thank god he didnt sign a painting for a charity auction cos that would be truly awful.

    • Pascal's bookie 14.6

      Have to bookmark this thread for next years. Hilarious.

      Hilarious.

      http://thestandard.org.nz/war-talk/#comment-615629

  14. karol 15

    Selwyn Manning has responded to my comments about what is/isn’t new about Dotcom’s statement last night:

    Hi Karol,

    Yes that is true regarding the timeline. But the important new fact is as you note that KDC was citing the SIS documentation recommending to the Minister of Immigration that his application for residency be declined, and according to KDC the reason given was because he was under FBI investigation.

    And then later in 2010, the SIS reversed that recommendation the day after the Prime Minister met with the Hollywood brass. The SIS and the Prime Minister in charge of the SIS should explain what caused it to reverse its recommendation all-the-while knowing KDC was still under FBI investigation.

    If all this does stack up, the Prime Minister does have a lot of explaining to do as to how he could possibly not know of KDC at that time. The timeline and the SIS reversal have become an important element in the saga.

  15. vto 16

    Why does John Key want to listen to and record every single communication and conversation of mine?

    The arsehole hasn’t answered this question.

    • weka 16.1

      He doesn’t, he wants the spooks to.

      But I reckon with all this confusion around what Key knew and when, and given his poor memory, the easiest solution going forward is for everything Key says and does to be recorded. No more confusion, simple.

      • One Anonymous Knucklehead 16.1.1

        Paging Dr. Nixon.

      • vto 16.1.2

        Why does John Key want the government to listen to and record every single communication and conversation of mine?

        The arsehole hasn’t answered this question.

        • ropata 16.1.2.1

          Key did raise the spectre of terrorism in the select committee; asking Thomas Beagle of Tech Liberty what he would do if there was a bombing.

          http://youtu.be/zNG-ZdAoUtA?t=10m45s

          Beagle’s response was that it is a hypothetical scenario and does not justify a bill which effectively puts a camera in everyone’s home

          • Arfamo 16.1.2.1.1

            Well the US’s now multiple internal security agencies have this kind of monitoring capability and how well did it work to prevent the Boston Bombings?

      • Richard Christie 16.1.3

        Now there is an idea for a web protest.

        Designate a week and encourage every citizen to cc all electronic communication to the GCSB.

        Probably won’t result in denial of service but it may make a point.

        • weka 16.1.3.1

          Someone else had the idea to cc John Key.

          Nice bit of protest, but would need smart organising (and legal advice).

  16. Bearded Git 17

    Looking at the many right-wing responses above, you know they are on the wrong side of this issue. Talk about panic. Key’s credibility, such as it ever was, is sinking fast.

    • infused 17.1

      There’s no panic at all… it’s you lot jumping up and down as if you’ve won lotto… but when you get the ticket read, you find all you’ve won is another ticket.

    • Huginn 17.2

      Definitely. This hysterical stream of toxic vileness directed at Dotcom is very interesting

      They’ve got a real problem on their hands because Dotcom is a really good fit with the Libertarian Right – which has a well defined philosophical position on the state’s use of computational methodologies which goes back at least to Hayek’s early work.

      It’s the Road to Serfdom that Papa Fredie warned them about all those years ago.

      The problem for the Nats is that there’s nowhere for these guys to go since John Banks and Garth McVicar took over Act – and they’re never, ever going to vote for Colin the Conservative because they’re not . . . conservative.

      National has snuffed out its partners so that it can present us with a single political solution, the last thing want now is for these guys to develop an independent political identity

  17. RedBaronCV 18

    So the GCSB are going to record evrything Key does and says? Premier House will be bugged?
    No more convenient brain fades and since they have nothing to hide they will release it all??

  18. Don't worry be happy 19

    Dot com met with John Banks right? Several times?

    Dot com is techno savvy to say the least.

    John Banks is shall we say ‘talkative’…and into promoting his importance, perhaps about his relationship/influence with the PM.

    It’s perfectly legal to record a conversation in NZ if one party is aware that the conversation is being recorded and not at all difficult to do.

    Wheeling and dealing with powerful politicians with spooks in their pay for a safe place for himself and his family I’m picking KDC has been very careful and protective of some fascinating listening for us all in Court.

  19. Rodel 20

    Quite like the dotcom stuff but still think anyone who gave John Banks $50,000 needs to be extradited somewhere.

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    Chris Trotter writes – IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in acknowledgement of electoral victory: “We’ll govern for all New Zealanders.” On the face of it, the pledge is a strange one. Why would any political leader govern in ways that advantaged the huge ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    15 hours ago
  • Paula Bennett’s political appointment will challenge public confidence
     Bryce Edwards writes – The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    15 hours ago
  • Business confidence sliding into winter of discontent
    TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 10:06am on Wednesday, May 1:The Lead: Business confidence fell across the board in April, falling in some areas to levels last seen during the lockdowns because of a collapse in ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    17 hours ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the coalition’s awful, not good, very bad poll results
    Over the past 36 hours, Christopher Luxon has been dong his best to portray the centre-right’s plummeting poll numbers as a mark of virtue. Allegedly, the negative verdicts are the result of hard economic times, and of a government bravely set out on a perilous rescue mission from which not ...
    18 hours ago
  • New HOP readers for future payment options
    Auckland Transport have started rolling out new HOP card readers around the network and over the next three months, all of them on buses, at train stations and ferry wharves will be replaced. The change itself is not that remarkable, with the new readers looking similar to what is already ...
    19 hours ago
  • 2024 Reading Summary: April (+ Writing Update)
    Completed reads for April: The Difference Engine, by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling Carnival of Saints, by George Herman The Snow Spider, by Jenny Nimmo Emlyn’s Moon, by Jenny Nimmo The Chestnut Soldier, by Jenny Nimmo Death Comes As the End, by Agatha Christie Lord of the Flies, by ...
    1 day ago
  • At a glance – Clearing up misconceptions regarding 'hide the decline'
    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 ...
    1 day ago
  • Road photos
    Have a story to share about St Paul’s, but today just picturesPopular novels written at this desk by a young man who managed to bootstrap himself out of father’s imprisonment and his own young life in a workhouse Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Paula Bennett’s political appointment will challenge public confidence
    The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill English, Simon Bridges, Steven Joyce, Roger Sowry, ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    1 day ago
  • NZDF is still hostile to oversight
    Newsroom has a story today about National's (fortunately failed) effort to disestablish the newly-created Inspector-General of Defence. The creation of this agency was the key recommendation of the Inquiry into Operation Burnham, and a vital means of restoring credibility and social licence to an agency which had been caught lying ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Winding Back The Hands Of History’s Clock.
    Holding On To The Present: The moment a political movement arises that attacks the whole idea of social progress, and announces its intention to wind back the hands of History’s clock, then democracy, along with its unwritten rules, is in mortal danger.IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in ...
    1 day ago
  • Sweet Moderation? What Christopher Luxon Could Learn From The Germans.
    Stuck In The Middle With You: As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
    1 day ago
  • A clear warning
    The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Poll results and Waitangi Tribunal report go unmentioned on the Beehive website – where racing tru...
    Buzz  from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example.  This shows National down ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • Listening To The Traffic.
    It Takes A Train To Cry: Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
    1 day ago
  • Comity Be Damned! The State’s Legislative Arm Is Flexing Its Constitutional Muscles.
    Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
    1 day ago
  • Ending The Quest.
    Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
    1 day ago
  • Will political polarisation intensify to the point where ‘normal’ government becomes impossible,...
    Chris Trotter writes –  New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Tuesday, April 30
    TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:30am on Tuesday, May 30:Scoop: NZ 'close to the tipping point' of measles epidemic, health experts warn NZ Herald Benjamin PlummerHealth: 'Absurd and totally unacceptable': Man has to wait a year for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
    Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Worst poll result for a new Government in MMP history
    Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Pinning down climate change's role in extreme weather
    This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
    2 days ago
  • Serving at Seymour's pleasure.
    Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Webworm LA Pop-Up
    Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • “Feel good” school is out
    Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • 6 Months in, surely our Report Card is “Ignored all warnings: recommend dismissal ASAP”?
    Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic plan, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy. Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    2 days ago
  • Bread, and how it gets buttered
    Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
    Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    2 days ago
  • Justice for Gaza?
    The New York Times reports that the International Criminal Court is about to issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over their genocide in Gaza: Israeli officials increasingly believe that the International Criminal Court is preparing to issue arrest warrants for senior government officials on ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • If there has been any fiddling with Pharmac’s funding, we can count on Paula to figure out the fis...
    Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • FastTrackWatch – The case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Monday, April 29
    TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on Iran killing its rappers, and searching for the invisible Dr. Reti
    span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
    3 days ago
  • Auckland Rail Electrification 10 years old
    Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
    3 days ago
  • Coalition's dirge of austerity and uncertainty is driving the economy into a deeper recession
    Right now, in Aotearoa-NZ, our ‘animal spirits’ are darkening towards a winter of discontent, thanks at least partly to a chorus of negative comments and actions from the Government Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Disability Funding or Tax Cuts.
    You make people evil to punish the paststuck inside a sequel with a rotating castThe following photos haven’t been generated with AI, or modified in any way. They are flesh and blood, human beings. On the left is Galatea Young, a young mum, and her daughter Fiadh who has Angelman ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Of the Goodness of Tolkien’s Eru
    April has been a quiet month at A Phuulish Fellow. I have had an exceptionally good reading month, and a decently productive writing month – for original fiction, anyway – but not much has caught my eye that suggested a blog article. It has been vaguely frustrating, to be honest. ...
    3 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #17
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 21, 2024 thru Sat, April 27, 2024. Story of the week Anthropogenic climate change may be the ultimate shaggy dog story— but with a twist, because here ...
    3 days ago
  • Pastor Who Abused People, Blames People
    Hi,I spent about a year on Webworm reporting on an abusive megachurch called Arise, and it made me want to stab my eyes out with a fork.I don’t regret that reporting in 2022 and 2023 — I am proud of it — but it made me angry.Over three main stories ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    3 days ago
  • Vic Uni shows how under threat free speech is
    The new Victoria University Vice-Chancellor decided to have a forum at the university about free speech and academic freedom as it is obviously a topical issue, and the Government is looking at legislating some carrots or sticks for universities to uphold their obligations under the Education and Training Act. They ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Winston remembers Gettysburg.
    Do you remember when Melania Trump got caught out using a speech that sounded awfully like one Michelle Obama had given? Uncannily so.Well it turns out that Abraham Lincoln is to Winston Peters as Michelle was to Melania. With the ANZAC speech Uncle Winston gave at Gallipoli having much in ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • 25
    She was born 25 years ago today in North Shore hospital. Her eyes were closed tightly shut, her mouth was silently moving. The whole theatre was all quiet intensity as they marked her a 2 on the APGAR test. A one-minute eternity later, she was an 8.  The universe was ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Fact Brief – Is Antarctica gaining land ice?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is Antarctica gaining land ice? ...
    4 days ago
  • Policing protests.
    Images of US students (and others) protesting and setting up tent cities on US university campuses have been broadcast world wide and clearly demonstrate the growing rifts in US society caused by US policy toward Israel and Israel’s prosecution of … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    5 days ago
  • Open letter to Hon Paul Goldsmith
    Barrie Saunders writes – Dear Paul As the new Minister of Media and Communications, you will be inundated with heaps of free advice and special pleading, all in the national interest of course. For what it’s worth here is my assessment: Traditional broadcasting free to air content through ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: FastTrackWatch – The Case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its arguments for such a bold reform. ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    5 days ago
  • Luxon gets out his butcher’s knife – briefly
    Peter Dunne writes –  The great nineteenth British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, once observed that “the first essential for a Prime Minister is to be a good butcher.” When a later British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, sacked a third of his Cabinet in July 1962, in what became ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • More tax for less
    Ele Ludemann writes – New Zealanders had the OECD’s second highest tax increase last year: New Zealanders faced the second-biggest tax raises in the developed world last year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says. The intergovernmental agency said the average change in personal income tax ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Real News vs Fake News.
    We all know something’s not right with our elections. The spread of misinformation, people being targeted with soundbites and emotional triggers that ignore the facts, even the truth, and influence their votes.The use of technology to produce deep fakes. How can you tell if something is real or not? Can ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Another way to roll
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Share ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • Simon Clark: The climate lies you'll hear this year
    This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
    5 days ago
  • Cutting the Public Service
    It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    5 days ago
  • Luxon’s demoted ministers might take comfort from the British politician who bounced back after th...
    Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious:  we live in a troubled ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • This is how I roll over
    1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • The Waitangi Tribunal is not “a roving Commission”…
    …it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisition   NOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes –  The High Court ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Is Oranga Tamariki guilty of neglect?
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same? Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Three Strikes saw lower reoffending
    David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Luxon’s ruthless show of strength is perfect for our angry era
    Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • 'Lacks attention to detail and is creating double-standards.'
    TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • One Night Only!
    Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • What did Melissa Lee do?
    It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #17 2024
    Open access notables Ice acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment: In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
    6 days ago
  • Maori Party (with “disgust”) draws attention to Chhour’s race after the High Court rules on Wa...
    Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days ago
  • Who’s Going Up The Media Mountain?
    Mr Bombastic: Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
    7 days ago
  • “That's how I roll”
    It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago
  • “Comity” versus the rule of law
    In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago
  • Aotearoa: a live lab for failed Right-wing socio-economic zombie experiments once more…
    Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder. In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    1 week ago
  • Water is at the heart of farmers’ struggle to survive in Benin
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére Sosou Market gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
    1 week ago
  • At a time of media turmoil, Melissa had nothing to proclaim as Minister – and now she has been dem...
    Buzz from the Beehive   Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • Minister acknowledges passing of Sir Robert Martin (KNZM)
    New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago
  • Speech to New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Parliament – Annual Lecture: Challenges ...
    Good evening –   Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago
  • Accelerating airport security lines
    From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago
  • Community hui to talk about kina barrens
    People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into force
    Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • Mining resurgence a welcome sign
    There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago
  • Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passes first reading
    The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government to boost public EV charging network
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure.  The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Residential Property Managers Bill to not progress
    The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Independent review into disability support services
    The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Justice Minister updates UN on law & order plan
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Ending emergency housing motels in Rotorua
    The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Trade Minister travels to Riyadh, OECD, and Dubai
    Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Education priorities focused on lifting achievement
    Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • NZTA App first step towards digital driver licence
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