Drunk in charge of the country?

Written By: - Date published: 11:00 am, July 7th, 2011 - 74 comments
Categories: drugs, Parliament - Tags:

An alert reader sent us this video of Wayne Mapp swaying, slurring and rambling his way through Question Time.

Lockwood Smith had to interrupt him several times before he became completely incoherent. Was he drunk? It’s hard to explain his behaviour otherwise.

PS. What’s up with National ministers copying Key by wearing the silver fern lapel badge all the time? They say the patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel. It reminds me of the Republicans and, then, Democrats wearing flag lapel badges after 9/11. It also reminds me that Obama broke that practice and was praised for his courage.

lprent: 2340 – No Right Turn has this post to say on the matter

Earlier today, I posted a post alleging that Dr Wayne Mapp, Minister of Science and Innovation, was drunk in the House at Question Time on Wednesday. I have since been contacted by a member of the Press Gallery who was present in the House at the time, who says

I’d say I know Dr Mapp reasonably well and can tell when he’s had a few. In this case I’m 100 percent positive that he was absolutely sober.What I saw was someone, who doesn’t have a great reputation as a public speaker, trying to ham up an answer and not do it very well.

This person is obviously in a better position to judge things than I am from a video, and I see no reason to doubt them. So, my post was incorrect, and I apologise unreservedly to Dr Mapp for the error and for any slur on his character.

Quite frankly, who knows? But I’d generally trust I/S’s judgement. However I don’t appreciate Inventory2 being snide and repetitive about us not immediately following his judgement about what we should do here and when we should be onsite. 

74 comments on “Drunk in charge of the country? ”

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  1. ianmac 1
    7 July 2011 at 11:35 am

    Paula Bennet’s face is also a picture of intrigue. Perhaps she was being wafted with fumes?

  2. ianupnorth 2
    7 July 2011 at 11:48 am

    In the picture it looks like Todd McClay is asleep – well he is pretty docile at the best of times.

  3. bbfloyd 3
    7 July 2011 at 11:56 am

    this is clip instructive in more ways than one. it shows heather roy up as no more than a shallow party hack with no real function other than to repeat party political attack lines, as dictated to her while she speaks…

    mapp has always been an obnoxious buffoon. nothing new there.

    • felix 3.1
      7 July 2011 at 12:36 pm

      I think she’s upset about her VSM bill, but yeah, a total waste of space.

      There’s this thing that political observers like to do when an opponent leaves politics, and that’s to sing their praises as “one of the good ones” as a way to throw the remaining opponents into contrast.

      The narrative is along the lines of “(x) party used to have principled members like (a) but look at them now that she’s gone” etc. The right loves to do this with the greens. They did it with Donald, Fitzsimmons, Tanzcos, Bradford – all loathed and ridiculed in office – and they’ll be doing it with Locke soon, believe me. He’ll go from dangerous commie to principled activist overnight.

      I really hope we avoid this bullshit when Roy leaves.

      The obvious comparison will be with the mentalist Hilary Calvert, but remember: Roy believes all the same things as Calvert. She may not let the crazy out every time she speaks, but it’s all there.

      It’s fashionable to paint the ACT party as previously having a strong intellectual base but having lost its way into populism, as if the mentalists have taken over the party from the rational intellectuals. This rewriting of history needs to be examined.

      Who the fuck is supposed to be the “intellectual base” of ACT? Douglas? Prebble? Don’t make me laugh. All the way back through the party’s history we see nothing but an unbroken chain of Hilary Calverts, a long line of bigots and sociopaths in various degrees of concealment.

      Don’t believe the hype. They were always mentalists and Roy leaving changes nothing. She deserves to be remembered for what she was: A barking ideologue with no compassion or empathy for her fellow humans, and for her achievements: Nothing.

      edit: sorry, I seem to have strayed a bit from the topic…

      • Anne 3.1.1
        7 July 2011 at 4:52 pm

        All the way back through the party’s history we see nothing but an unbroken chain of Hilary Calverts, a long line of bigots..

        There was one exception felix, Patricia Schnauer. My understanding: she was well liked and respected by all sides of the House. Although a staunch conservative, she was sane and sensible. Interestingly, she only lasted Act’s first term in parliament then she resigned from politics altogether.

  4. felix 4
    7 July 2011 at 12:04 pm

    As with the silver fern pins, Key sets the example and his ministers follow suit.

    Key hardly ever turns up to the house sober.

    • higherstandard 4.1
      7 July 2011 at 12:07 pm

      “Key hardly ever turns up to the house sober.”

      Well, would you ?

      • Colonial Viper 4.1.1
        7 July 2011 at 12:10 pm

        He’s really bored with his job now and has higher offers on the table.

      • Craig Glen Eden 4.1.2
        7 July 2011 at 12:33 pm

        “Key hardly ever turns up to the house sober.”

        “Well, would you ?”

        Not if like Wayne Mapp I had to sit next to Paula Benefit, drugs I would have thought would be a necessity.

    • ianmac 4.2
      7 July 2011 at 12:20 pm

      There have been several occasions in recent times when John Key has turned up in the House sober.

    • bbfloyd 4.3
      7 July 2011 at 12:22 pm

      i can’t remember a time when i have seen him less than slightly affected by the booze.

    • the pink postman 4.4
      7 July 2011 at 3:17 pm

      now some of you will remember that a nfew months aom I

    • the pink postman 4.5
      7 July 2011 at 3:26 pm

      Well felix some of our readers may remember that a few monts ago I thought that Key had a drink problem. its my opnion that he does not get drunk as such but has more than he should . Just observe his actions and note that he is often photographed hold a glass of wine. As regards to the Silver Fern I also mentioned this some time ago because this is identical to gthe

    • Idiot/Savant 4.6
      7 July 2011 at 4:28 pm

      Key hardly ever turns up to the house sober.

      Got video for that? I’d like some evidence before sticking someone with that.

      • felix 4.6.1
        7 July 2011 at 4:49 pm

        http://inthehouse.co.nz/search/apachesolr_search/john%20key

        Just my opinion of course, I haven’t actually tested his blood.

        • Idiot/Savant 4.6.1.1
          7 July 2011 at 5:00 pm

          I was hoping you’d have a specific video or two, as, you know, actual evidence?

          • felix 4.6.1.1.1
            7 July 2011 at 5:03 pm

            Sorry, I don’t have evidence for any of my opinions.

            But in my opinion Key is half cut in most of those clips.

            • higherstandard 4.6.1.1.1.1
              7 July 2011 at 5:10 pm

              In my opinion Trevor Mallard is rubbing deep heat onto his testicles on a daily basis.

              I also suspect that Russell Norman keeps a gerbil on his person.

              • Colonial Viper …
                7 July 2011 at 5:15 pm

                Suspect or know first hand??? 😛

                • higherstandard …
                  7 July 2011 at 5:19 pm

                  Suspicion and knowledge go hand in glove.

                  • McFlock …
                    7 July 2011 at 6:03 pm

                    Well, the glove would explain why his hands don’t stink of deep heat.

                    All in all, though, I’m not entirely sure Key is frequently drunk in the House. My personal opinion of his performances there is that he’s just a loud, rambling, slightly thick (or merely highly conceited, which can look like the same thing) braggart who has poor enunciation and frequently seems oblivious to subtlety.

                    I shudder to think what he’d be like when he’s pissed.  

            • Idiot/Savant 4.6.1.1.1.2
              7 July 2011 at 5:46 pm

              But in my opinion Key is half cut in most of those clips.

              Which specific ones? What’s the basis in each for drawing that conclusion?

              While I’m not fond of Key, this is a serous allegation, and its not something people should chuck about willy-nilly.

              • felix …
                7 July 2011 at 6:51 pm

                What’s the basis? ffs, the basis is that I’ve spent my whole life around pissheads of all degrees and I think Key behaves like one in the house.

                The fact that it’s hard to get a photo of him outside the house without a drink in his hand might lend weight to my reckoning or it might not.

                I haven’t taken notes because I don’t really give a crap – if you do then you find the evidence.

                Me, I reckon the way Key is running the country it wouldn’t matter if he was dropping shrooms on the daily. (which could actually be an improvement, as long as he lays off the piss first)

                • higherstandard …
                  7 July 2011 at 7:15 pm

                  mmmmmmmmmm shrooms

                • just saying …
                  7 July 2011 at 8:07 pm

                  I said this very early on.
                  Like you I grew up with a piss-head.
                  This is just my opinion and isn’t even partisan. It’s not uncommon in parliament – all sides.
                  He’s just got all the signs.

                  • oscar …
                    7 July 2011 at 8:27 pm

                    and keys daddy was an alcoholic too. The cap doesn’t fall far from the bottle.

                • Craig Ranapia …
                  7 July 2011 at 9:23 pm

                  What’s the basis? ffs, the basis is that I’ve spent my whole life around pissheads of all degrees and I think Key behaves like one in the house.

                  Well,. Felix, if I wasn’t perfectly well-aware that George Hawkins (barely) survived a stroke and Matt McCarten has a severe speech defect I might surmise that they sound three-quarters cut all the time. Then again, I’m not a spiteful jerk either. Oh, and I know quite a bit about pissheads because I spent a lot of time (and money) in their company before I got sober.

                  • felix …
                    7 July 2011 at 10:19 pm

                    Yeah you might surmise that if you were a fucking moron. I didn’t though, did I?

                    ps I’m glad to hear you got sober. Now you can introduce yourself as the only gay christian recovering addict in the village. Dick.

                • travellerev …
                  8 July 2011 at 8:16 am

                  I’ve been thinking about the whole does John Key drink or not thing and here’s my two cents:

                  To be a good Wall street investment banker you have to have an aggressive Apha personality with addictive tendencies(Merrill Lynch was known as one of the most sexist and female unfriendly banks at the time of John working there which ties in with his unwillingness to support equal pay for women etc).

                  Cocaine use and booze and strip clubs and outdoing each other in these vices are extremely common on Wall street and since John has already admitted to strip clubs and has been photographed with alcohol in hand we can safely surmise he was involved in these parts of the Wall street cult of macho behaviour.

                  His father was an alcoholic and that indicates that John could have inherited his addictive personality. Given that he has worked in an environment in which addiction is rive chances are he will abuse alcohol regularly.

                  Here is a film called Inside job: an analysis of the financial crisis and what lead up to it.

                  It has some interesting things to say about the personality traits of the people involved in the bankster business and I always thought there was something off centre about John’s squeaky clean no alcohol image.

                  To hear he often drinks during the day (If only a glass of wine for lunch) sits perfectly right with me.

                  • higherstandard …
                    8 July 2011 at 9:14 am

                    I’ve been thinking about the whole 9/11 thing and have come to the conclusion that you have been drying and smoking your own faeces for many a moon.

                    • travellerev …
                      8 July 2011 at 9:26 am

                      HS, you are getting worse and for those of you who think 3 buildings explode into pyroclastic flows in free fall speed after two of them have been hit by a plane with most of the fuel burning off outside the buildings in mere seconds here is a question:

                      If the steel in the buildings had gotten so hot that it melted allowing for the buildings to explode the way they did then how come this lady Edna Cintron was able to hold on to a steel beam while standing in the hole made by one of the planes after the fire had died down and just before the building exploded? 

                    • higherstandard …
                      8 July 2011 at 9:39 am

                      I had a bit of a pyroclastic flow this morning – outstanding beef vindaloo last night.

                    • travellerev …
                      8 July 2011 at 9:56 am

                      Jeez HS, down to the poopoo jokes now? Get a life why don’t you.

              • vto …
                7 July 2011 at 9:27 pm

                Mr Idiot, it sounds like you take this blogging thing far too seriously.

                It aint people making these allegations it is felix, one of many cyber creations created in that small tiny gap between our ears. People have arms and legs and a body and a bit of a head. And blood and guts. You should learn the difference.

  5. Jim Nald 5
    7 July 2011 at 12:15 pm

    Ok ok now, which bottles did he crawl out from?

    I can hear the schphheereet, herrmm, ‘spirit’ in his voice from here.

  6. Red Rosa 6
    7 July 2011 at 12:25 pm

    Richard Nixon was the first president to wear a US flag in his lapel…nice precedent…;)

    But as for the NZ Nats – is it the Silver Fern or the White Feather?

  7. Jono 7
    7 July 2011 at 12:26 pm

    Doesn’t give my opponents much time either..

  8. sally 8
    7 July 2011 at 12:33 pm

    When I was working in Parliament just after the 2002 election, Key quickly developed a reputation for being pissed in the House.

    As for Mapp – him being tanked has given him more attention than anything else he has done since the Nats came back into power.

    • travellerev 8.1
      7 July 2011 at 1:42 pm

      Hello, they made a big issue about John Key never drinking more than a beer at the best of times on rare occasions?

      • Colonial Viper 8.1.1
        7 July 2011 at 5:53 pm

        There was a semi formal gathering that Key was at not long ago where he made a point of hanging out with the teetotallers.

        • McFlock 8.1.1.1
          7 July 2011 at 6:04 pm

          protesting too much, you think?

        • higherstandard 8.1.1.2
          7 July 2011 at 7:17 pm

          I’ve also noticed him hanging out with gays at the big gay out……… clearly he is a batty boy

          • McFlock 8.1.1.2.1
            8 July 2011 at 12:03 am

            That’s as may be, but sexual orientation is not known to affect one’s ability to competently run a country.
             

  9. gareth 9
    7 July 2011 at 1:18 pm

    I’m not allowed to turn up for work pissed for a multitude of reasons not least performance issues and safety. In fact it would be the fast way out of a job and I would certainly be sent home to sober up.

    How can it be acceptable for ministers who supposedly run the country to turn up under the influence. Seems to be that it’s been happening for years, Bout time for compulsory drug and alcohol testing in the house?

    There’d be a helluva story if someone credible was brave enough to pick it up and run with it… I can just see a minister been put on the spot with an alcohol sniffer on his way to the debating chamber with cameras rolling… or perhaps a sniffer disguised as a microphone to catch them unaware?

    • Luxated 9.1
      7 July 2011 at 4:00 pm

      I like the disguised microphone idea, just wave one about without anyone in front of it and most MPs will sprint towards it.

  10. Lyall 10
    7 July 2011 at 1:31 pm

    Lianne Dalziel might be worried, I agree. What with being convicted for drunk driving previously.

    • Jilly Bee 10.1
      7 July 2011 at 3:56 pm

      Lyall, if I was a resident of Christchurch [Eastern Suburbs] I think I may be imbibing a bit of Dutch courage at times too.

  11. vto 11
    7 July 2011 at 1:38 pm

    Mapp should be a poster boy for our chronic Elder Drinking Culture Problem.

  13. Redbaron77 13
    7 July 2011 at 2:35 pm

    There may be a geniune medical reason for the honourable members’s poor diction other than what it appears to be. Fortunately all sides including the Govt-In-Waiting worked co-jointly in the spirit of multi-partisanship to maintain the dignity of the house…

  14. the pink postman 14
    7 July 2011 at 3:18 pm

    now some of you may remember that a few months ago

  15. jackal 15
    7 July 2011 at 3:27 pm

    Random testing?

  16. Frank Macskasy 16
    7 July 2011 at 4:12 pm

    His facial expression at 2:55 is a giveaway.

  17. SHG 17
    7 July 2011 at 4:50 pm

    Everyone, please, the correct terminology is “tired and emotional”.

  18. Craig Glen Eden 18
    7 July 2011 at 5:56 pm

    Theres been a couple of times that I have thought Keys had a bigger liquid lunch than he should off in question time.Have no proof sadly but I am suspicious, not that he would be the first and he certainly wont be the last, just saying.

  19. dad4justice 19
    7 July 2011 at 8:07 pm

    Big Gerry Brownarse can down 6 jugs in an hour then tell the people of Christchurch that all is well.

  20. Inventory2 20
    7 July 2011 at 8:30 pm

    No Right Turn has apologised to Wayne Mapp. Will you guys have the grace to do likewise:

    Earlier today, I posted a post alleging that Dr Wayne Mapp, Minister of Science and Innovation, was drunk in the House at Question Time on Wednesday. I have since been contacted by a member of the Press Gallery who was present in the House at the time, who says

    I’d say I know Dr Mapp reasonably well and can tell when he’s had a few. In this case I’m 100 percent positive that he was absolutely sober.

    What I saw was someone, who doesn’t have a great reputation as a public speaker, trying to ham up an answer and not do it very well.

    This person is obviously in a better position to judge things than I am from a video, and I see no reason to doubt them. So, my post was incorrect, and I apologise unreservedly to Dr Mapp for the error and for any slur on his character.

    Should we hold our breath?

    • Craig Glen Eden 20.1
      7 July 2011 at 8:54 pm

      Right so this guys been a MP for how many years and he is no good at public speaking and thats why his speech is slurred. One word bullshit! Come on pull the other one. I will apologize if Wayne Mapp was admitted to Hospital having suffered a TIA or Stroke or if he admitted he had a couple and was on some med’s maybe.
      The fact that some media hack knows when Wayne’s had a few and he says he thinks Wayne has not had a few to many and we are suppose to apologize yeah what ever. So what was causing the sluuurred speech then because nervousness wont cause the speech to slur. Have a good look at Benefits face she knows he’s plastered and is doing her best to be the camera distraction.

      • Rich 20.1.1
        8 July 2011 at 9:16 am

        Yeah, that struck me. How do you get to be an MP and cabinet minister if you’re scared of public speaking and tend to slur a bit.

        I’d be more inclined to believe in a rogue batch of Bells Tea. Laced with ketamine or some such…

  21. Nick K 21
    7 July 2011 at 8:49 pm

    What IV2 said, and while you’re at it the Prime Minister also.

    • Colonial Viper 21.1
      7 July 2011 at 8:58 pm

      Who you got vouching for the PM?

    • Inventory2 21.2
      7 July 2011 at 9:38 pm

      I admire NRT for apologizing Nick. Sadly, Eddie’s not even in the same ballpark.

      [lprent: I realize that it appears to be essential to your world view that this is a job/life for us, but sadly it doesn’t pay enough. The site runs on a volunteer basis with people who have other things that they also do. I’ve been at Bryce Edwards lecture this evening followed by a knotty bug on the current project. It doesn’t look like Eddie has been on since posting. We’re kind of busy.

      Anyway, I’m tired of explaining these operational matters to you as you whine through one of your periodic episodes of faux outrage and I’m too tired to tolerate it. You are unwelcome here until after the election. That way I won’t have to listen to your whinging as you attempt to tell us how we should run this site. Count it as a self-martyrdom offense.

      In the meantime I’ll point NRT’s post out to Eddie which I would have done without the snide repetitions coupled with a attitude of ignorant (but pious) arrogance. ]

      • McFlock 21.2.1
        7 July 2011 at 11:50 pm

        Quick way to get a ban – gone by (liquid) lunchtime

      • Inventory2 21.2.2
        8 July 2011 at 5:33 am

        Touch a nerve, did I lprent? Good on you for the retraction, but it doesn’t undo the damage of all the comments that follow does it?

        • Blighty 21.2.2.1
          8 July 2011 at 9:22 am

          So Eddie raises a valid question that is supported by the evidence, which is gainsaid by someone else with no actual contravening evidence, and Eddie’s meant to apologise?

          Note that Eddie just asks if Mapp is drunk. Unlike NRT, who went on a whole rant on the issue.

  22. Craig Glen Eden 22
    7 July 2011 at 9:08 pm

    oh I forget IV2 yup start holding your breath, don’t let go now.

  23. Morrissey 23
    8 July 2011 at 11:00 am

    I think it’s more a case of stupid in charge of a country.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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