Economic sabotage

Written By: - Date published: 12:54 pm, April 23rd, 2013 - 185 comments
Categories: capitalism, class war, energy, labour, national - Tags: , , ,

The Nats don’t seem to be able to debate the Labour / Green electricity sector plans rationally. Here we are five days later and still the best that they can muster is desperate ranting.

It started with Joyce’s “the commies are coming” press release:

Labour and the Greens have jumped the shark with a half-baked Soviet Union-style nationalisation “plan” for electricity in New Zealand, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says.

“This is truly wacky and desperate stuff obviously made up in the last minute in the Koru Lounge between comrades Norman and Shearer,” Mr Joyce says.

This 1970’s scaremongering is so laughably hysterical and crude that it has found no resonance at all with the electorate. But instead of trying something more rational the Nats are doubling down on the stupid with an extra twist to the rhetoric:

Opposition accused of economic sabotage

Labour and the Greens are being accused of deliberately sabotaging the economy by proposing a Soviet-style, state-owned electricity provider.

Economic sabotage no less! Surprised that it took them five days to come up with it – it’s such an obvious (and stupid) line of attack that I covered it in the first post on NZ Power at the time it was announced:

It isn’t an ambush and it isn’t “sabotage”. It will be put to the electorate in 2014, and investors have plenty of advance warning, time to respond.

We only get NZ power if the electorate votes for it. It isn’t sabotage to curb the ever increasing prices of the failed market model, it is cleaning up the mess.

If you want the real party of economic sabotage – look to the Nats. Their misguided and discredited austerity budgets have been stifling the economic recovery in NZ for four years now – just ask the record number of Kiwis leading the exodus to Australia.

185 comments on “Economic sabotage ”

  • Comments are now closed

    • framu 1.1
      23 April 2013 at 1:05 pm

      how?

      that clip doesnt prove anything near what you want it to

      • BM 1.1.1
        23 April 2013 at 1:09 pm

        There’s no other way you could take that.
        The body language speaks volumes.

        • felix 1.1.1.1
          23 April 2013 at 2:04 pm

          I’m a little dense. Could you please spell out – without saying “speaks for itself” or “obvious innit” or “everyone knows” – what’s in the video that indicates economic sabotage?

          • Mary 1.1.1.1.1
            23 April 2013 at 4:20 pm

            Because Clint said “that’s not why we did it” and because we know the Greens are all liars that means it is why they did it, so it’s economic sabotage. Easy.

        • framu 1.1.1.2
          23 April 2013 at 2:18 pm

          as felix said – seeing as were all a bit dense can you point it out?

    • Draco T Bastard 1.2
      23 April 2013 at 1:13 pm

      That’s probably because you’re delusional, seeing things that aren’t there.

      BTW, which important bit was cut out of that video?

      • Jackal 1.2.1
        23 April 2013 at 7:13 pm

        The edit looks to have been made before Farrar uploaded his version of the 3 News report, so I guess we’ll never know. However considering Patrick Gower also says:

        A Labour Greens government would bring back state control of electricity busting up the market and the profitability of power companies.

        …We can assume that the report was edited to make the Greens look as bad as possible, which isn’t very bad in my opinion compared to Keys blatant lying.

        We’re talking about policy affecting 7% of $10 Billion in revenue generated by power companies in 2012… That’s hardly going to touch profitability. In fact revenue grew by an average 18.6% last year, meaning profits should be positively influenced by revenue growth of around 11.6% per year in the future.

        The right wings fear mongering is entirely baseless!

    • TheContrarian 1.3
      23 April 2013 at 3:27 pm

      I also fail to see the “economic sabotage”.

      That is just Hughes being a mutant.

      • BM 1.3.1
        23 April 2013 at 3:36 pm

        He was asking a rhetorical question, you can see it in his face.
        The greens knew this sort of announcement would create chaos, that’s why they did it.

        Lots of dumb arses in NZ who are easily bribed, the greens and labour know that, the market knows that as well, hence the reaction.

        • felix 1.3.1.1
          23 April 2013 at 3:46 pm

          lolwut? You think he did that on purpose? Asked for a line from an adviser on camera to make a rhetorical point?

          Are you fucking insane?

          If that’s not what you mean then as before, spell it out.

          • BM 1.3.1.1.1
            23 April 2013 at 4:03 pm

            I think he thought TV3 wouldn’t run with it.
            The greens have had a very easy ride with the TV3 news dept, probably because Campbell and few others are major green party supporters.

            Unfortunately for Hughes and the greens that wasn’t the case this time.

            • Pascal's bookie 1.3.1.1.1.1
              23 April 2013 at 4:18 pm

              That’s right mate, it’s all a communist plot. They’re all in on it too.

            • Colonial Viper 1.3.1.1.1.2
              23 April 2013 at 4:18 pm

              Actually, TV3 and Campbell live are major Communist Party supporters. Did you not realise?

              • framu …
                23 April 2013 at 4:45 pm

                so they arent all under the bed at all!!!!!!!

                you mean theyre out walking about and hiding in plain sight

            • TheContrarian 1.3.1.1.1.3
              23 April 2013 at 4:36 pm

              Errr, what?

            • felix 1.3.1.1.1.4
              23 April 2013 at 5:25 pm

              So BM I assume that’s a “No, I can’t explain how this is economic sabotage because I don’t really understand what just happened”.

              Thanks for clarifying mate.

            • Matthew Whitehead 1.3.1.1.1.5
              23 April 2013 at 6:44 pm

              LOL, TV3 in the tank for the greens… this whole saga is essentially one big series of “Wingnuts say the darndest things.” XD

              Just because you’re used to watching your washed out conservative friends on TV1 does not mean the somewhat less unreasonable people with TV3 are crazy leftists.

          • infused 1.3.1.1.2
            23 April 2013 at 8:10 pm

            Pretty much everyone thinks that felix.

            Even the partner was blown away by his interview. “What a dick” is all she had to say.

            He should speak more often.

            • felix 1.3.1.1.2.1
              24 April 2013 at 10:00 pm

              lolz, no-one believes he said any of that thinking it would end up on tv.

              Not even BM, and certainly not you.

        • framu 1.3.1.2
          23 April 2013 at 4:34 pm

          see, if youd gone with

          “what a twit – he doesnt know what hes meant to say and had to check – ergo their centrally controlled communists”

          i would have called you crazy but awarded some points for a logical, if somewhat tenuous, pathway

          but your real explanation – wha????

        • Clockie 1.3.1.3
          23 April 2013 at 5:30 pm

          BM. Don’t take up poker professionally. You won’t be any good at it.

    • Murray Olsen 1.4
      23 April 2013 at 3:50 pm

      ???????
      Is that actually the link you wanted to put up?

    • Mary 1.5
      23 April 2013 at 4:02 pm

      Are you saying the opposition parties aren’t allowed to announce policy? The Greens/Labour announcement is surely nothing more than telling the public what they will do. I would’ve been happier if they’d said straight away that they’d nationalise the power companies, but they didn’t. Would you’ve been happier if they’d done that? What is the real beef the right has with the Labour/Greens announcement? Is it really about the timing? Or is it about what it’s doing to the asset sales policy? Labour/Greens are part of the opposition. They have not just a right but a duty to challenge government policy they don’t agree with. Joyce and Key and Bridges are comparing the Labour/Greens announcement with North Korean politics, but the reality is that the Nats’ criticisms of what the announcement is doing to one of their policies is in fact more akin to the totalitarianism we see in North Kora because they’re in effect attempts at crushing democracy. Get over it, BM, if Labour and the Greens didn’t make the announce you’d be critical of that, too, for not having a policy. Now they’ve got one it’s economic sabotage, which it isn’t, of course. It’s called bad policy sabotage, being carried out within our free and democratic political system, and is what any Opposition worth it’s weight should be doing.

    • Clockie 1.6
      23 April 2013 at 5:15 pm

      BM. Define your terms. You (and your ilk) are using sabotage as a synonym for subversion and making it sound as though it is analogous to treason. The NZ Power announcement isn’t subversion of the State. It is quite simply (at this stage) a policy announcement. All concerned can now carry out their decision making with that information in mind. All opposition parties in all democracies that I know of have always been free to announce their policy settings at any time they wish. It is then up to the electorate to decide whether they actually get the opportunity to enact those policies. Question is; are you feeling lucky? Are you feeling lucky enough to go and buy MRP shares? Or do you think maybe the opposition might become the Government on the back of this and possibly other similar policies. You’d whine more if they didn’t announce the policy until after the share float wouldn’t you? If they do become Govt, tough titty. That’s democracy. Find something else to do with your money but don’t expect us all to cower and cringe if you threaten to take it off-shore.

  2. Mike 2
    23 April 2013 at 1:16 pm

    If it really was ECONOMIC SABOTAGE!!!!!!1!11 then wouldn’t Labour have waited until after the three share floats to announce this policy?

    And there is an easy way to stop the ‘sabotage’, postpone the sales, hold an election and see who really has a ‘mandate’

    • Pascal's bookie 2.1
      23 April 2013 at 1:21 pm

      Exactly Mike.

      This sabotage line has the potential to bite National hard. They are comitted to the MRP sale, but if the left holds up in the polls then selling anymore would just be an act of spite before they are slung out of office. Sabotage indeed.

    • Tamati 2.2
      23 April 2013 at 1:47 pm

      It’s economic sabotage because Labour is decreasing the value of the Crown’s own assets. Labour should have privatized the remaining 49%, then announced the single payer model. Ensuring maximum returns to the Crown and cheaper power to consumers.

      • framu 2.2.1
        23 April 2013 at 2:12 pm

        ouch! – can you imagine the reaction?

        it would be thermonuclear

        • Colonial Viper 2.2.1.1
          23 April 2013 at 2:33 pm

          Typical corporate type M&A strategy

          Surely what is good for the private sector goose is good for the public sector gander?

      • geoff 2.2.2
        23 April 2013 at 2:38 pm

        Except for the fact that it is the announcement of the policy that will probably get Labour into government. They can’t privatise the remaining 49% unless they’re in power.

      • Rob 2.2.3
        23 April 2013 at 3:03 pm

        Ensuring maximum returns to the Crown and cheaper power to consumers.

        How????

        You cant have both, unless you run the assett into the ground as you wont be funding any new capacity or even keeping up basic maintenance.

        Oh I see you will just rack up taxes. Fabulous.

        • Colonial Viper 2.2.3.1
          23 April 2013 at 3:10 pm

          Taxes are fine mate, its how civilisation and the economic/social commons is funded.

          Ensuring maximum returns to the Crown and cheaper power to consumers.

          Here’s a small clue for you…the Government is supposed to look after the welfare of the people. Not act as a rentier capitalist.

          • Rob 2.2.3.1.1
            23 April 2013 at 3:13 pm

            Here is a clue for you, taxing the general population into subsistance isnt looking after the people either.

            • Draco T Bastard 2.2.3.1.1.1
              23 April 2013 at 3:34 pm

              Yeah, that’s why we of the left want to decrease the regressive taxes of electricity.

              • Rob …
                23 April 2013 at 4:02 pm

                I think you would find most people would like a reduction, but you are exclusive to your chosen left (whatever that is) segment. What people do not want is to be taxed heavily to support the govt controlled electricity prices and to have an industry that no one wants to invest in the also has to be maintained by tax payer funding as well. It does not make sense.

                • geoff …
                  23 April 2013 at 5:18 pm

                  Who’s talking about taxing everyone? Let’s just tax the fuck out of the wealthy.
                  Sounds good, eh?

                • Draco T Bastard …
                  23 April 2013 at 6:07 pm

                  What people do not want is to be taxed heavily to support the govt controlled electricity prices and to have an industry that no one wants to invest in the also has to be maintained by tax payer funding as well.

                  Um, what? The profits that the power companies achieve are a tax – a very heavy tax in fact.

                  I’m pretty sure that the taxpayers were quite happy investing in power generation through their taxes. I’m sure that they’d be more than happy to do so again.

                  The problem is that the private sector doesn’t want to do the investing but they do want the monopoly returns that the infrastructure generates after the taxpayers have done it.

                  BTW, after the taxpayers built all the infrastructure it’s actually morally wrong for anybody, including the government, to profit from it. Which is why they should be a government service that runs at break even or, perhaps, a slight loss. And, yes, the difference would be made up by taxes. All major capital investment would be done from taxes.

                  • Rob …
                    24 April 2013 at 8:21 am

                    Great so lets lower one set of tax (elec charges) and lets rachet up the others , net result more tax, but very cleverly hidden and disguised. This is why there is no trust in Labour.

                    • Draco T Bastard …
                      24 April 2013 at 9:08 am

                      …net result more tax, but very cleverly hidden and disguised. This is why there is no trust in Labour.

                      Strange, last time I looked I’m not Labour, don’t for speak for Labour and the tax rates were publicly available and not hidden.

                      No matter what happens, we do need to pay for things. If we keep capitalism and the poverty that comes with it then the people who will be paying the most will be the capitalists because it’s a) their fault that we have poverty and b) they’re the ones benefiting most from the infrastructure that the community builds.

                • tricledrown …
                  23 April 2013 at 10:49 pm

                  infrastructure that has an income !
                  your an idiot rob!
                  command an control economies are growing faster than laissez fare austerity driven economies in fact all bean counting austere govts are in recession and we would be to if not for our accidental Keynesian economy .ChCh has saved our bacon proving Keynesian policies work !

                  • Rob …
                    24 April 2013 at 8:23 am

                    I actually think you are confused, the two great examples of stimulous payments (ie Aus and USA) over the last 6 years show they achieved nothing.

                    • Draco T Bastard …
                      24 April 2013 at 9:10 am

                      The only people that the US and UK have stimulated is the rich which is why it didn’t work. The insurance payouts to Chch are far broader and so actually work.

                    • tricledrown …
                      24 April 2013 at 10:15 am

                      Rob you obviously know nothing about the Australian or US economies!
                      The republicans have stymied all stimulus through the house of representatives ever since the stimulus has stopped grown has slowed and stopped read some news before making uninformed comments!
                      like wise the Labor govt in Australia has stopped all stimulus as well because of knife edged majority they are hamstrung!
                      With the likelihood of a conservative govt taking power in September the beaned brained bean counters of the right wing will put Austerity to the for claiming the Australian govt is in serious debt, when in fact the Australian govt has one of the lowest debts of any govt!

                    • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                      24 April 2013 at 10:19 am

                      Aussie debt one of the lowest in the world? Not if the Right win the election it won’t be.

              • dumrse …
                23 April 2013 at 9:40 pm

                Decreased quite a bit in your nine years didn’t it?

            • Colonial Viper 2.2.3.1.1.2
              23 April 2013 at 4:16 pm

              Here is a clue for you, taxing the general population into subsistance isnt looking after the people either.

              Hey buddy, please don’t worry, I’m sure the top 2% won’t have to give up their new Audis, their holiday bachs in Queenstown, nor their regular summer skiing in Aspen.

              PS it is rentier capitalism which is pushing most people back to week to week subsistence.

              • Rob …
                23 April 2013 at 4:20 pm

                I am not worried about the top two , although you probably should be buddy. Maybe your lording it up lifestyle might have to change. Actually how do you feel about being a part of the 1%.

                I am actually concerned about the next 75% who actually pay the taxes.

                • geoff …
                  23 April 2013 at 5:26 pm

                  Don’t be such a disingenuous twat, Rob. The population in NZ is struggling to pay crazy prices for basic necessities on shit wages, and all because of the rent-seeking tory economy we live in. Nothing to do with income tax.
                  For you to blow on about taxes is completely missing the point AND ignoring a wealth of economic history which categorically shows that progressive tax systems allow economies to grow the most rapidly and provide the best standard of living for their citizens.

                  • Rob …
                    24 April 2013 at 8:24 am

                    Yes little to do with income tax now, because it is at a sustainable rate. Lets not stuff it up eh.

                    • Draco T Bastard …
                      24 April 2013 at 9:13 am

                      Income tax is always sustainable as long as the person has enough to live on afterwards.

                      The highest growth has always come when we’ve had the highest income taxes and that’s repeated around the world.

                    • geoff …
                      24 April 2013 at 9:00 pm

                      Only sustainable in the sense that if it were higher for low income earners they’d be starving in the streets. If it’s so fucking sustainable then how come they need to subsidise business with working for families? If employee rights were restored and wages reflected returns from productivity gains, as they used to, then we should all be able to pay our way for the system.
                      You’re only looking at a part of the problem and not considering the whole picture.

                • Colonial Viper …
                  23 April 2013 at 6:30 pm

                  I am actually concerned about the next 75% who actually pay the taxes.

                  I would support tax increases on the top 2% in order to give tax breaks to the bottom 75%.

                  From what you wrote, you would agree?

          • mkesh 2.2.3.1.2
            23 April 2013 at 3:18 pm

            In fact government should be protecting the commons from being grabbed by rentiers.

        • felix 2.2.3.2
          23 April 2013 at 6:23 pm

          “Ensuring maximum returns to the Crown and cheaper power to consumers.

          How????”

          By not selling our energy assets. Duh.

      • Arfamo 2.2.4
        23 April 2013 at 6:31 pm

        National giving huge tax cuts to the wealthy, having to borrow massively from overseas and slash government spending to make up the massive unexpected revenue shortfall, and increasing GST and a whole raft of regressive and hidden taxes on the lower paid while desperately trying to flog off taxpayer owned assets to private profiteers – that’s the real economic sabotage.

    • Rich the other 2.3
      23 April 2013 at 2:11 pm

      That’s the problem, like it or not they do have a mandate.
      This policy was well debated at the last election , the nat’s won.
      What’s wrong with the govt implementing its voter approved policy ??.
      Wouldn’t they be crucified by there supporters if they didn’t honour their policy’s.

      • One Anonymous Knucklehead 2.3.1
        23 April 2013 at 2:14 pm

        No. They wouldn’t. Glad I could clear that up for you.

      • framu 2.3.2
        23 April 2013 at 2:18 pm

        i know there many who will always see it one way (or the other), but..

        1) every poll ever taken by anyone has roughly 70% opposed
        2) elections arent single issue decisions
        3) getting the most votes under MMP doesnt guarantee that any party will form the govt
        4) all the mandate is, is a mandate to govern. This means that they get to advance their policy platform, but they still have to go through the democratic process each and every time for each piece of proposed legislation
        5) winning elections AND THEN forming the govt, doesnt give you the power to force a policy – it only gives you a pretty good assurance that you will have the required numbers – but under MMP thats a much more fluid situation

      • Draco T Bastard 2.3.3
        23 April 2013 at 3:35 pm

        What’s wrong with the govt implementing its voter approved policy ??

        What voter approved policy?

        Most people are against assets sales which means selling them is unapproved.

        • Rich the other 2.3.3.1
          23 April 2013 at 3:59 pm

          Sorry draco BUT,
          A majority voted for selling at the last election , like it or not , that’s what happened.
          The coalition was formed with no coalition members objecting to the sell policy.
          Clearly the voters thought selling was preferable to a green/labour government, nothing has changed since then.

          • Pascal's bookie 2.3.3.1.1
            23 April 2013 at 4:10 pm

            A majority voted for selling at the last election , like it or not , that’s what happened.
            The coalition was formed with no coalition members objecting to the sell policy

            Does that mean that opposition parties cannot release policy?

            Clearly the voters thought selling was preferable to a green/labour government, nothing has changed since then.

            Well there hasn’t been an election since then if that’s what you mean.

            • Rich the other 2.3.3.1.1.1
              23 April 2013 at 5:01 pm

              Pascal’s bookie,
              The green/labour circus can release intended policy but this is a fairy tale designed to commit Economic sabotage, nothing else.

              An election isn’t due for some time, this govt has about 18 months before the next election which is plenty of time to implement the govts sell policy.
              When its complete and 49% of each of the various assets are sold NZ will have about 650000 new share holders who won’t be interested in loosing their money.
              Vote green/labour they won’t, get used to it.

              • Matt …
                23 April 2013 at 5:04 pm

                I imagine there will be about 3.x million other New Zealanders who aren’t interested in subsidizing the 650,000’s investment.

              • Pascal's bookie …
                23 April 2013 at 5:24 pm

                *laugh*

                How does the economic sabotage line work with that fantasy bubs?

                Game it out.

                National are running the sabotage line hard. It only works if people think the policy will work in reducing prices (otherwise there’s no sabotage) and if people think Lab/Green are likely to win (otherwise there’s no damage).

                So when it comes to the next float, the question will ne why is National selling?

                And you’ve said it yourself, they’ve got the 18 months and they are going to do it because they can. The economic case for the sales was marginal at best, and now they are saying it’s been sabotaged.

                The responsible thing to do, if the policy has really been sabotaged, is to go to the country and see what they want. If National wins, no sabotage eventuates as the risk would be gone.

                That’s where the conversation is heading fool, if it’s sabotaged, why are you still selling? Oh yeah, because you can because you were elected and so you’ll do it out of arrogant spite even though the markets (political and financial) think it’s risky.

                If National wants an election based on that, let’s go.

                • Rich the other …
                  23 April 2013 at 6:21 pm

                  Pascal’s bookie,
                  you’ll have to do better than this.
                  The sabotage is in the attempt to collapse the value of mrp.
                  The share price has a range between $2.20 and $2.80, if demand determines $2.20 then the shares will have been devalued by .60c which equates to hundreds of millions of dollars.
                  That’s economic treason to our country.

                  The taxpayer will have to make up the short fall in the budget or borrow .

                  Why would the govt go to the country , this was a major policy for the winning party at the last election, the responsible thing to do is to get on with what they were elected to do.

                  • Colonial Viper …
                    23 April 2013 at 6:34 pm

                    But the conditions and risks of the sale has changed, and as you have pointed out, in fact significantly worsened.

                    What responsible government would still go ahead blindly, without taking the new environment into account?

                    • Rich the other …
                      23 April 2013 at 6:52 pm

                      Colonial V,
                      Conditions might have changed , that’s why the price has a 60c variation.
                      At the end of the day I think the losers will be green/labour ,the timing of their announcement says it all ,SABORTAGE.
                      I can’t vote for that lot next time and I am a traditional labour voter,( we were in short supply last time).

                    • Colonial Viper …
                      23 April 2013 at 6:58 pm

                      So the National Government will keep blundering ahead, even though the conditions and risks have changed?

                  • Pascal's bookie …
                    23 April 2013 at 6:47 pm

                    You’re not thinking clearly Rich t’other.

                    Any devaluation in the shares is caused not by Labour speaking, but by the possibility of their policy being brought in. It is fully within National’s power to alleviate that risk by delaying further floats until after an election.

                    If National wins that election, the sales can go ahead and the Crown will get those ‘hundreds of millions of dollars’.

                    National will need to come up with a much better reason to cement those losses in than ‘but but we won you have to let us’ that just makes them look like they are so sure they are going to lose the election that it is worth paying those hundreds of millions of tax payers dollars just to get get some shareholders votes locked in.

                    The idea that it is responsible to push ahead with a ‘sabotaged’ policy, when confirming the will of the country would remove that sabotage is simply arrogant partisan lunacy.

                    The country has a decision to make about this Lab/Gre policy. If they like it, that will effect the value of the SOE gentailers. It is not responsible to sell those gentailers until that decision has been made.

                    • Rich the other …
                      23 April 2013 at 7:13 pm

                      Pascal’s bookie
                      Why should they delay anything ,they have a real mandate, get on with it.
                      This approach by green/labour will decrease the opening share price and increase the investors profits.
                      Smarten up ,stop whinging and buy some shares.

                    • Pascal's bookie …
                      23 April 2013 at 7:24 pm

                      The should delay the sales until after an election in order to avoid locking in unnecessary losses to the Crown of hundreds of millions of dollars.

                      Your position here (that they should press ahead and lock in losses to the Crown so that shareholders make a windfall profit if national wins the next election) looks to be far closer to ‘economic treason’ than anything Lab/Greens have done.

                      See how the conversation goes Rich?

                  • Lanthanide …
                    23 April 2013 at 7:06 pm

                    Erm, no, it’s economic treason to go ahead with asset sales that have been proven to cost the country more in lost dividends compared to the interest costs.

                    National is committing economic treason, not Labour.

                • dumrse …
                  23 April 2013 at 9:45 pm

                  And you would have a dollar to win on your Sheep dip would you?

              • geoff …
                23 April 2013 at 7:14 pm

                “fairy tale designed to commit Economic sabotage, nothing else.”

                What a load of shit. Go and listen to Dr Geoff Bertram on radio nz for the truth. He’s been studying the electricity market for 20 years and he thinks that the plan has great merit, provided they get the details right.

                http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/ntn/ntn-20130423-0908-the_state_of_state_asset_sales_percent_differing_electricity_policies-048.mp3

                If you still think the way you do after listening to that then clearly you’re fond of cartels and monopolies and think the vast majority of people should be getting screwed over.

          • framu 2.3.3.1.2
            23 April 2013 at 4:54 pm

            “A majority voted for selling at the last election ”

            no they didnt, they voted for parties with a range of policies

            unless of course you can prove that evey vote for national and act was cast because of their privitisation policy

            • Rich the other 2.3.3.1.2.1
              23 April 2013 at 5:21 pm

              framu,
              Why do you assume only nat/coalition voters want the partial privitisation.
              I know some labour voters who think its a good idea, your assumption that only nat voters approve of this particular policy is wrong , as you noted , voters make decisions on a range of policy’s .

              • Colonial Viper …
                23 April 2013 at 6:36 pm

                You silly billy

                Plenty of National voters think that asset sales are a dumb idea, one which sells out our country.

              • framu …
                24 April 2013 at 7:54 am

                “Why do you assume only nat/coalition voters want the partial privitisation.”

                im not – which is is kind of the point – your the one claiming a vote for nact was a vote for asset sales remember. Im saying people vote for a party for a whole bunch of reasons and its foolish to try and attribute motive in a uniform manner

                “I know some labour voters who think its a good idea,”

                and did they vote labour?

                so whats that about?

                kinda blows a whole in your single policy mandate routine

            • infused 2.3.3.1.2.2
              23 April 2013 at 8:16 pm

              No, Key said last election was on asset sales. Stop being so stupid.

              • Colonial Viper …
                23 April 2013 at 8:21 pm

                irrelevant. last election was a long time ago and market conditions have changed.

                • infused …
                  23 April 2013 at 8:24 pm

                  Not irrelevant. It’s the same argument everyone is using, which is completely wrong. The country had the opportunity to vote for any party they wanted. Full well knowing voting National was a vote to sell assets – regardless of the market conditions.

                  • Pascal's bookie …
                    23 April 2013 at 8:40 pm

                    Listen to yourself.

                    Are you really suggesting that National should just go right ahead and sell, no matter what has changed?

                    No one is saying they can’t go ahead. They are saying that they should consider delaying it. The most anyone is saying is that based on National’s belief that NZ Power has sabotaged the sale, they should delay the sales until after that uncertainty has been resolved.

                    Why should they lock in losses? If National wins the next election, any ‘sabotage’ on the price will be felt in the Crown’s accounts, purely because National will have locked it in there for no good reason other than ‘We won an election, so there’.

                  • Draco T Bastard …
                    24 April 2013 at 9:18 am

                    IIRC, National said that they won’t sell unless they get a good price, ergo, as they won’t get a good price (and never would actually) they should keep their word and not sell.

                    • Jim Nald …
                      24 April 2013 at 9:23 am

                      So they say. That will be another one to add to the litany of lies.

                    • Colonial Viper …
                      24 April 2013 at 9:24 am

                      Unfortunately, a good price for their bankster and investor mates is as cheap as possible.

    • Sweetd 2.4
      23 April 2013 at 2:49 pm

      Are we back this this mandate thing again. So, lets see labour get over 50% of the vote else they can’t do anything, seems fair don’t it?

      • felix 2.4.1
        23 April 2013 at 3:35 pm

        No that’s not how it works at all. Parliament is sovereign. If National have the numbers in Parliament to sell assets then they can.

      • Akldnut 2.4.2
        23 April 2013 at 3:38 pm

        Fair would be Labour using the same rules of demanding shit thru bogus mandates because National and their of less than 50% of the vote did for it for 2 terms and reversing everything National has done at our expense then smack the shit out of Tax dodgers starting from the top downward – not the bottom upward.

        Starting with Multi-Multi Millionaires and moving straight over to the opposition and their backers whom most would be amongst the first group anyways then heading downward the rest.
        Now that would be fair

  3. Ennui 3
    23 April 2013 at 1:25 pm

    You know the bastards are beat when the spin word “Soviet” surfaces. More idiocy from Joyce, a clever man who does not have a clue who or what he represents when he makes such statements.

    If Joyce wanted to find some economic saboteurs he might just have a look at the people who put money into SCF knowing the government was going to guarantee it, or perhaps the mates of Shonkey who trade derivatives on Wall St. Myopia I can excuse but Joyce takes selective vision to a new height.

  4. Ad 4
    23 April 2013 at 1:30 pm

    Just totally agree with this post, but needs more analysis. Don’t have to agree with the Green/Labour tactics but National promised for two elections that we would be a richer country because of what they did. The legacy of the Clark years IMHO is holding up pretty well.

    Convention Centre/Cycleway/huge mine/financial services centre/exporting boom anyone?

    • Colonial Viper 4.1
      23 April 2013 at 1:36 pm

      Building economic and industrial capability is a long, expensive process of investment in technology, infrastructure and in people. Unfortunately, the right wing view that the government has little to no role in that process, other than being hands off and staying far away. Throughout the world, that’s not a model which has worked.

  5. ropata 5
    23 April 2013 at 1:52 pm

    First came rogernomics, then ruthanasia, now bilbo english is cutting the throat of our economy with asset sales & austerity.

    Since 2008 the NACToid/MUF miscreants have given us nothing but unrestrained casino capitalism, speculation and rent seeking.

    They only get away with their corrosive agenda by circumventing democracy and lying to the public, and liberal use of media distractions and photo ops.

  6. burt 6
    23 April 2013 at 1:59 pm

    Well I guess since Labour stole National policies in 1984 – there is no reason why they can’t re-try failed Muldoon style policies. They got Muldoon elected – they might get Labour elected…

    It’s about being popular enough to rule – thats all Muldoon wanted and it worked for him…

    History repeats – only the flag colour changes.

    • Colonial Viper 6.1
      23 April 2013 at 2:34 pm

      burt’s forgotten that the world has actually moved on, both in political economics and in analytical policy understanding.

      • burt 6.1.1
        23 April 2013 at 2:44 pm

        CV

        burt’s forgotten that the world has actually moved on

        Monopoly price control and regulation … I suspect It’s Labour who have forgotten the world has moved on…

        But I guess if National policy is multiple companies and competition then the natural “opposition” to that is a monopoly and price control. So if nothing else we can at least say Labour are good at being opposition….. With policies like this – long may that last.

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 6.1.1.1
          23 April 2013 at 2:55 pm

          I’m glad you don’t like this policy. Keep panicking. Tick tock 2014.

          • Rob 6.1.1.1.1
            23 April 2013 at 4:41 pm

            Yep, actually I have learnt something good from David Shearer, you will be pleased knuckledrager. Best set up an off shore bank account and get the good stuff out of here, as once these goons get in it will pretty sad around here.

        • Draco T Bastard 6.1.1.2
          23 April 2013 at 3:46 pm

          Monopoly price control and regulation

          Steve Keen has already proved that the price on the ‘free-market’ is the same as the price of a monopoly because the competitive firm and monopolies use the same pricing formula. If they didn’t they wouldn’t have a profit.

  7. One Anonymous Knucklehead 7
    23 April 2013 at 2:06 pm

    You only have to look at what the serious players are saying to realise that people like Burt, BM, John Key and Steven Joyce are full of shit:

    Morningstar, which is not involved in the power company float, still recommends investors subscribe to the share offer.

    Analyst Nachiket Moghe said the firm’s low-cost hydro and geothermal generation portfolio, as well as its retail dominance in the Auckland market, gave it a “narrow economic moat … in the oligopolistic New Zealand electricity market”.

    He estimated the firm would generate a return on invested capital of 12.5 per cent on average over the next five years.

    Economic sabotage yielding a 12.5% return.

    Keep panicking, trash. You’re gone in 2014.

    • Colonial Viper 7.1
      23 April 2013 at 2:35 pm

      Rentiers always want private returns in excess of 20% pa; no wonder Joyce Key etc are upset

    • burt 7.2
      23 April 2013 at 8:58 pm

      Wow, I get lumped in with the PM and the Minister for Economic Development and all I did was remind this thread that Muldoon was infamous for price control, regulation and state control.

      Is it really that hard to remember the reasons why his policies did so much damage to this country ?

      Potentially it is when Labour and the Greens start wheeling out his failed policies of the past as fresh new ideas.

      • Colonial Viper 7.2.1
        24 April 2013 at 10:35 am

        burt

        let’s hope for another nation builder, one with a vision for NZ’s infrastructure and its engineering and technical prowess.

    • tricledrown 7.3
      24 April 2013 at 10:30 am

      So why kunckledragger would you sell an asset returning 12.5% a year to pay debt costing 5.5% pa its a dumb idea and i,m glad you have pointed it out it means if mighty river power is sold off the tax payers are loosing 7% per year!
      So the govt will have to borrow or tax more to make up the shortfall!
      Great argument knuckle dragger!

  8. One Anonymous Knucklehead 8
    23 April 2013 at 3:12 pm

    Most of us are going to have more cash in our pockets. The investors will still be making 12% returns. Fewer profits will go offshore.

    Win win win.

    The whinging wingnuts will keep panicking. Win 🙂

  9. tsmithfield 9
    23 April 2013 at 3:13 pm

    So what do you say to Labour-voting kiwisavers who have had their savings reduced due to the drop in prices of in Trustpower etc? Take one for the team?

    • One Anonymous Knucklehead 9.1
      23 April 2013 at 3:16 pm

      They’ll see the difference in their powerbills and the economic boost as more cash stays onshore.

      • tsmithfield 9.2.1
        23 April 2013 at 3:27 pm

        Sure, it wouldn’t be an issue if it was just a market fluctuation. However, this proposal is likely to have a long-term effect on the value of the companies, thus is likely a real loss of wealth for kiwisavers.

        • r0b 9.2.1.1
          23 April 2013 at 3:33 pm

          The market reaction so far has been a blip not a catastrophe. THe most dangerous time is now past, and things will probably head back to normal, with this “risk” factored in with all the others. And long term? See the BERL report – economic benefits outweigh costs big time…

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 9.2.1.2
          23 April 2013 at 6:20 pm

          “A real loss of wealth” offset by lower power bills and fewer profits going offshore.

    • Karen 9.3
      23 April 2013 at 3:28 pm

      That sounds a bit hysterical. Surely Trustpower’s not the only place kiwisaver funds can be invested? Anyway, they’ll be saving on power bills, so it’ll all even out in the end!

      • tsmithfield 9.3.1
        23 April 2013 at 3:47 pm

        Thats what you would like to think. Perhaps you would like to answer my second question below.

    • Rob 9.4
      23 April 2013 at 4:43 pm

      So what do you say to Labour-voting kiwisavers who have had their savings reduced due to the drop in prices of in Trustpower etc?

      “Suck that bitches, ye haa.”

      • Clockie 9.4.1
        23 April 2013 at 5:23 pm

        What percentage of an individuals funds do you reckon would be invested in Trustpower then? How much difference do you think it will make on each Kiwisavers bottom line?

    • cardassian 9.5
      23 April 2013 at 11:00 pm

      I’m a kiwisaver. Must say I’m willing to take this policy and a savings reduction over asset sales and a higher return.

  10. tsmithfield 10
    23 April 2013 at 3:25 pm

    Do you think they will enjoy the brown-outs and power shortages that seem to be expected under the California model that the left has promoted as a exemplar of the intended policy.

    And given that the new entity will be both a monopoly buyer and seller of electricity, then what is there to stop future governments from milking this entity through dividends from increased power prices as they have already been doing with the SOEs?

    • Dv 10.1
      23 April 2013 at 3:49 pm

      How did Enron do in California?

    • ianmac 10.2
      23 April 2013 at 3:54 pm

      Don’t quite buy that TS.
      If we have that Market Force with an elected Democratic Government then surely a Major Economic Crash could not and would not happen.
      If you have the Right to Marry regardless of gender, then the World will crash and burn, and (…future governments from milking this entity through dividends ….) and next minute, men will be marrying their dogs. Logical eh?

    • Matt 10.3
      23 April 2013 at 4:34 pm

      Douchebag, that page simply discusses the procedures in the event of something going wrong. It’s like saying the safety briefing on an Air New Zealand flight is because they’re prone to crashing.

      • tsmithfield 10.3.1
        23 April 2013 at 4:45 pm

        Not so.

        Here is a quote from the document:

        To understand the situation facing California, there are three terms that need to be defined- blackouts, brownouts, and rotational outages or “rolling blackouts.” A rotational outage or “rolling blackout” is when the utility company shuts off the power to an area, turns it back on, and then shuts the power off in a different area. The power outage typically lasts 60 to 90 minutes.

        Sounds like brown outs/black outs are frequent and expected.

        • Colonial Viper 10.3.1.1
          23 April 2013 at 4:51 pm

          Useless and irrelevant. This nation has always managed its core infrastructure better than the Americans. Because we still believe in public utilities.

          • Matt 10.3.1.1.1
            23 April 2013 at 4:59 pm

            Yes, New Zealand, world model for infrastructure.

            What?

            • Colonial Viper 10.3.1.1.1.1
              23 April 2013 at 6:38 pm

              Yep it is.

              • Matt …
                23 April 2013 at 8:31 pm

                Right, could you pass that along to the National Infrastructure Unit, and RadioNZ who just had a feature on this topic a few weeks ago, or authors of the infrastructure comparison conducted by NZCID, or the latest World Economic Forum report on global competitiveness where NZ infrastructure ranked 47th. Oh, and maybe tell Stephen Fry.

                Awesome, thanks.

        • Matt 10.3.1.2
          23 April 2013 at 4:57 pm

          As someone who is from there, they are neither.

          It was only ever so during the ill advised semi-privatisation scheme where unscrupulous private producers were allowed to game the system and soak electricity users for massive, overinflated profit.

          Oh..

        • rosy 10.3.1.3
          23 April 2013 at 5:51 pm

          Still reads like Enron to me- the corrupt model that was replaced. The latest pic or mention of a blackout on that page is 2003. If you have evidence that the post-Enron model is responsible for rolling black/brownouts I’m keen to see it.

    • Karen 10.4
      23 April 2013 at 4:56 pm

      Personally I don’t believe the govt should sell the SOEs at all because any profits ‘milked’ would all be returned eventually to the taxpayer via govt spending on health, education, infrastructure etc.

      Remember also that if a future govt can ‘milk’ the entity, then so will the private investors who hold the 49% stake – and where will that money end up? Overseas probably.

  11. felix 11
    23 April 2013 at 4:22 pm

    Anyone who has watched or participated in these forums over a reasonably long period of time knows that there are certain commenters who act as pretty good weather vanes for various winds.

    tsmithfield is one of them, and the general rule is that if he dislikes something you can be fairly sure it represents a transfer of money or power away from the elites and toward the ordinary people.

  12. tsmithfield 12
    23 April 2013 at 4:41 pm

    It seems to me that the left’s definition of “hysteria” is “any cited evidence that clearly demonstrates that their beloved policy is in fact a crock of shit.

    • Pascal's bookie 12.1
      23 April 2013 at 5:01 pm

      You mean like Stalin Albania Sabotage North Korea Life Savings half baked soviet evidence?

      • tsmithfield 12.1.1
        23 April 2013 at 7:10 pm

        I was thinking more in terms of other stuff I have already pointed out:

        Such as:

        1. Labour via David Parker pointing out that the centralised purchasing of power is a no-go back in 2006.

        2. Exemplars of the proposed model that the left have promoted in fact are actually very poor examples. For instance, KEPCO being 49% private-owned as per the National share sale plan, and KEPCO owning its own generation capacity, quite unlike the model the left is proposing. Now I have pointed out how California is less than glamorous in its ability to provide constant power, supporting the contention from the right that the model the left is proposing will eventually result in an unreliable power supply.

        3. Asking the very reasonable question about why the proposed model should be any different to the SOE model where governments can milk dividends at whatever rate they want. So there is no guarantee of long-term benefits to consumers.

        So, how does any of that qualify as “hysteria”?

        • Colonial Viper 12.1.1.1
          23 April 2013 at 7:24 pm

          1) 7 years ago is a long time, in politics and in economics
          2) Single buyers have more buying power, it’s that simple. California is irrelevant to NZ.
          3) Governments can milk citizens as much as they want. That’s just the way it is.

          • tsmithfield 12.1.1.1.1
            23 April 2013 at 7:52 pm

            1) Nah. 1970 is a long time ago. And that is where it looks like the left is heading.
            2) Single sellers have a lot of power too. That is what the new entity will be. Which is why it is such a bad deal for consumers.
            3) But at least taxes are upfront and quantifiable. Very hard to know whether taxpayers are being rorted or not under the proposed model.

            • felix 12.1.1.1.1.1
              23 April 2013 at 7:55 pm

              lol.

              Most seem to agree that it’s very, very easy to know whether we’re being rorted under the current model though.

              • Colonial Viper …
                23 April 2013 at 9:28 pm

                Oh we’re definitely being rorted under the current electricity regime. Or should I say, being Rogered.

        • rosy 12.1.1.2
          23 April 2013 at 7:37 pm

          “I was thinking more in terms of other stuff I have already pointed out:”

          And people have argued your points, without you going back to support your position. Suggest you go back and read the threads, not just what you wrote.

          • tsmithfield 12.1.1.2.1
            23 April 2013 at 7:53 pm

            Just countering the “hysteria” meme the left is pushing at the moment. Anyway, I don’t think any of the points I have made thus far have been adequately answered.

            • felix 12.1.1.2.1.1
              23 April 2013 at 7:56 pm

              Thanks for that fascinating ruling Mr Speaker.

              • rosy …
                23 April 2013 at 8:38 pm

                I just looked it up and it’s that JOYCE19765a ruling where ‘If I said it it must be true’ requires no evidence and the KEY19765b ruling where opinion carries the same weight as evidence and requires no further clarification.

        • Matt 12.1.1.3
          23 April 2013 at 8:39 pm

          The only thing you’ve pointed out is that you have a reading disability, and Colonial Viper has demonstrated that he doesn’t even agree with the people who conceived NZ Power as to what is relevant.

          Double score!

  13. pollywog 13
    23 April 2013 at 7:03 pm

    I was looking for my travel bag today cos i’m heading off for a week. So i look under the bed and whaddayaknow ?

    This fucking cossack jumps out and starts dancing round the room.I said “dude, wrong country mate” and showed him the door.

    • Lanthanide 13.1
      23 April 2013 at 7:20 pm

      Haha.

    • burt 13.2
      23 April 2013 at 9:06 pm

      Yep, that’s what Muldoon said while implementing price controls, regulation favouring state run monopolies and restricting free trade with increased tariffs and taxes.

      Funny how his legacy is cast as right wing because he implemented his policies under a National government.

      Followers of a flag never seem to get past what they think the flag stands for no matter him many times they have it thrown in their face. Those failed policies of the National government under Muldoon could be repeated under Labour – but the ideologues think that being implanted under Labour will make them good – how myopic and stupid can people be …

      • mickysavage 13.2.1
        23 April 2013 at 9:08 pm

        So Muldoon was really a left winger? He was such a shyte leader and suppressed free speech and collective activity but he was a socialist?

        Burt you really need to check your links to reality.

        • burt 13.2.1.1
          23 April 2013 at 9:20 pm

          Excluding the suppression of collective activity …

          How myopic and stupid can people be … Thanks Micky … You prove my point !

  14. tsmithfield 14
    23 April 2013 at 9:13 pm

    Oh, and here is another bit of “hysteria” from someone who should know what they are talking about.

    • Colonial Viper 14.1
      23 April 2013 at 9:25 pm

      There’s no need to worry about destroying “shareholder value” when those shareholders maintain their value by ripping off NZ consumers and small businesses.

      • tsmithfield 14.1.1
        23 April 2013 at 9:27 pm

        Of course, I guess it is no problem to you that a lot of those who are losing shareholder value will be battlers who have built up kiwisaver nest eggs.

        • Pascal's bookie 14.1.1.1
          23 April 2013 at 9:43 pm

          Still in ChCh Tarqui?

          Walk around the battler’s hang outs and see how much of a fuck they think this government gives about their nest eggs.

        • rosy 14.1.1.2
          23 April 2013 at 9:47 pm

          The real battlers are those that can’t afford to build up their Kiwisaver nest eggs. They’re too busy working two jobs to pay the power bill after they joined Kiwisaver because their employers were going to contribute 4 percent. Only they found that incentive was taken away and at the same time GST increased and their income tax cut didn’t cover it.

          Btw I don’t think anyone has argued the NZ Power won’t affect shareholder value. You haven’t actually read the posts you’re commenting on if you think that NBR link changes anything.

          • Colonial Viper 14.1.1.2.1
            23 April 2013 at 10:05 pm

            To achieve socialised changes to help NZ, financialised leverage and shareholder value must be destroyed.

            That happens because that private value is returned to the commons.

            To Marx, this is nothing more than the ever present but often disguised tension between capital and labour, becoming obvious to all once more.

            • tsmithfield 14.1.1.2.1.1
              23 April 2013 at 10:30 pm

              Soooo….were you the architect of this new policy CV. It looks to me that it has your fingerprints all over it. 🙂

              • geoff …
                23 April 2013 at 10:50 pm

                I’m curious to know what sort of value is it if $600 million of it gets spooked and fucks off on the news of a possible policy from a party that’s not even in power. Probably not the sort of value I’d want my retirement savings stored in.

                In reality of course pension funds put money into government bonds when they near maturity so that they aren’t subjected to the volatility of the sharemarket so tsmithfield’s argument is, as usual, completely stupid.

                • Colonial Viper …
                  23 April 2013 at 10:55 pm

                  Now you’re asking very dangerous questions…they don’t usually let ordinary people see the truth of what goes on behind the capitalist free market curtain 😉

        • Shaz 14.1.1.3
          23 April 2013 at 10:58 pm

          a) they are all forewarned – and they could invest anywhere in the tradeables economy whose success doesn’t disadvantage the 3.6M New Zealanders who will not or cannot invest in MRP
          b) advocating private wealth and public squalor. Yuk – not attractive.
          c) The usual rubbish about trickle down wealth and rising tide raising all the boats that is cited by Conservatives as the rationale for capitalism are both contra-indicated by public asset sales.

  15. Pascal's bookie 15
    23 April 2013 at 9:41 pm

    Yeah Yeah tories. Blah blah.

    Cut to the chase, snap election or not?

  16. dumrse 16
    23 April 2013 at 9:50 pm

    I agree, let’s go to the polls now. Labor have an outstanding team with the best Leader they have had in years. Plenty of Union funds in the bank account to fight with…………. On on let’s just do it.

    • vto 16.1
      23 April 2013 at 9:55 pm

      Nup, not until you wankers promise not to fiddle the polling booths again. Meantime we’ll just keeping announcing new policies to sink your precious capital values. Suck it up sucker.

      • Colonial Viper 16.1.1
        23 April 2013 at 10:03 pm

        Fictitious speculative electronically generated volatile capital value. Not actual real world sustainable economic value.

      • Pascal's bookie 16.1.2
        23 April 2013 at 10:05 pm

        Mate, I reckon if Nats are serious about this ‘sabotage’ bullshit they have to go to the country.

        At the moment they’ve got about a 5 point gap to close, and we’ll see what people reckon.

        Banksie has a court case hanging over him, which may be problematic conversation wise, but no worries.

        Colin Craig has been a bit unfortunate, but never mind.

        There’s always Winnie for Key to have cuppa with, we’ll see how that plays out.

      • big bruv 16.1.3
        24 April 2013 at 7:19 am

        “Nup, not until you wankers promise not to fiddle the polling booths again”

        You mean by offering free meals of KFC to voters in South Auckland?

        Or by introducing the corrupt Electoral finance act?

        Or by passing legislation to make your electoral crimes legal (Pledge card)

        Or, do those things fall under the category of “nobel corruption”?

  17. big bruv 17
    24 April 2013 at 5:36 am

    Of course it is economic sabotage, anybody who says it is not is a liar, or an idiot….or called Clint.

    I did note that one of the categories this post is tagged under is “class wars”. That always makes me laugh.

    Class wars only exists in the mind of lefties and lazy people. Those who push “class wars” want what others have without having to do any work or take any risk, in short they are almost always bludgers, morons and parasites…hence they vote for the left.

    Every few years the lefty pollies will make a song and dance about power prices (while ignoring the fact that under a Labour Green govt the prices increased by 70%) or welfare, or some other made up issue and once they do get into office they do nothing at all about those issues they were once so concerned about.

    • One Anonymous Knucklehead 17.1
      24 April 2013 at 7:07 am

      Of course it isn’t economic sabotage: as a result of this policy people will have more cash in their pockets, and fewer profits (I note that there will still be a 12% return on investment available) will head offshore. That will boost the economy, as BERL predict.

      “…do nothing at all…”

      The proof of the pudding is in the eating. 2014 tick tock.

    • Colonial Viper 17.2
      24 April 2013 at 9:44 am

      Of course it is economic sabotage, anybody who says it is not is a liar, or an idiot….or called Clint.

      Yes, it is economic sabotage. Against million dollar blind trusts and investment banksters looking for fat fees.

  18. halfcrown 18
    24 April 2013 at 9:42 am

    Just had a trip to the South Island. Visited Aromoana I now realise how fortunate we are in this country to have the so called economic saboteurs, like the ones who protested against the smelter Muldoon’s National government was planning to build there. I remember the same right wing shit by right wing fuckwit commentators like we have today with predictions of doom, if the smelter did not go ahead, with the same tired hackneyed phrases against the protesters or anyone who was prepared to stand up for what they thought was right and for the benefit of everyone. Through this economic sabotage by the then protesting commies, left wing lazy sods after your dollar, Stalinist idea’s, Afghanistan rebels, Taliban, Tanzania, Fred with his Fish & Chip shop or whatever label prats from the right wants to give, this beautiful place that supports a lot of wildlife was saved from having another right wing uneconomical disaster in the way of an aluminium smelter, that no doubt would have been heavily subsidised by cheap power paid for by New Zealanders.

  19. Ruobeil 19
    24 April 2013 at 10:38 am

    According to Annette King on ZB 8.15am this morning food is cheap (what happened to No GST on fruit and vegetables?) and so is water, rates and petrol…… wait

    Breaking News. Millions die around the world, from………….no electricity. LOL Priceless.

    So after spending so much time and taxpayers money running around the country how expensive fruit and vegetables are; as of this morning they aren’t. Does that include milk as well?

    • Colonial Viper 19.1
      24 April 2013 at 10:44 am

      No electricity, no refrigeration of food

      No electricity, no pumping at sewage processing stations or water reticulation

      No electricity, no surgical lights, medical equipment, respirators, autoclaves, forget xrays and MRIs

      No electricity, means reliance on dirty fuel sources at and around the home

      No electricity, no ability to communicate by mobile phone networks, disconnection from vital information and the internet.

      No electricity, economic activity and income dives, and poor people die faster.

      Does that include milk as well?

      No electricity, can’t produce, ship or store milk in volume for long distances or long periods.

      • Ruobeil 19.1.1
        24 April 2013 at 10:59 am

        Approximately 20% of the worlds population survive without electricity.

        I don’t know about you, but i could survive without electricity

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    In 2003, the Court of Appeal delivered its decision in Ngati Apa v Attorney-General, ruling that Māori customary title over the foreshore and seabed had not been universally extinguished, and that the Māori Land Court could determine claims and confirm title if the facts supported it. This kicked off the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the Royal Commission report into abuse in care

    Earlier this week at Parliament, Labour leader Chris Hipkins was applauded for saying that the response to the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care had to be “bigger than politics.” True, but the fine words, apologies and “we hear you” messages will soon ring ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: In news breaking this morning:The Ministry of Education is cutting $2 billion from its school building programme so the National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government has enough money to deliver tax cuts; The Government has quietly lowered its child poverty reduction targets to make them easier to achieve;Te Whatu Ora-Health NZ’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Weekly Roundup 26-July-2024

    Kia ora. These are some stories that caught our eye this week – as always, feel free to share yours in the comments. Our header image this week (via Eke Panuku) shows the planned upgrade for the Karanga Plaza Tidal Swimming Steps. The week in Greater Auckland On ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 day ago
  • God what a relief

    1. What's not to love about the way the Harris campaign is turning things around?a. Nothingb. Love all of itc. God what a reliefd. Not that it will be by any means easye. All of the above 2. Documents released by the Ministry of Health show Associate Health Minister Casey ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • Trust In Me

    Trust in me in all you doHave the faith I have in youLove will see us through, if only you trust in meWhy don't you, you trust me?In a week that saw the release of the 3,000 page Abuse in Care report Christopher Luxon was being asked about Boot Camps. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 26

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking about the Royal Commission Inquiry into Abuse in Care report released this week, and with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on a UN push to not recognise carbon offset markets and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 26, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Transport: Simeon Brown announced $802.9 million in funding for 18 new trains on the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines, which ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Radical law changes needed to build road

    The northern expressway extension from Warkworth to Whangarei is likely to require radical changes to legislation if it is going to be built within the foreseeable future. The Government’s powers to purchase land, the planning process and current restrictions on road tolling are all going to need to be changed ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #30 2024

    Open access notables Could an extremely cold central European winter such as 1963 happen again despite climate change?, Sippel et al., Weather and Climate Dynamics: Here, we first show based on multiple attribution methods that a winter of similar circulation conditions to 1963 would still lead to an extreme seasonal ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • First they came for the Māori

    Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedFirst they came for the doctors But I was confused by the numbers and costs So I didn't speak up Then they came for our police and nurses And I didn't think we could afford those costs anyway So I ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Join us for the weekly Hoon on YouTube Live

    Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on UnsplashWe’re back again after our mid-winter break. We’re still with the ‘new’ day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when we have our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Will the real PM Luxon please stand up?

    Notes: This is a free article. Abuse in Care themes are mentioned. Video is at the bottom.BackgroundYesterday’s report into Abuse in Care revealed that at least 1 in 3 of all who went through state and faith based care were abused - often horrifically. At least, because not all survivors ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Will debt reduction trump abuse in care redress?

    Luxon speaks in Parliament yesterday about the Abuse in Care report. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:PM Christopher Luxon said yesterday in tabling the Abuse in Care report in Parliament he wanted to ‘do the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Olywhites and Time Bandits

    About a decade ago I worked with a bloke called Steve. He was the grizzled veteran coder, a few years older than me, who knew where the bodies were buried - code wise. Despite his best efforts to be approachable and friendly he could be kind of gruff, through to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Why were the 1930s so hot in North America?

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters and Bob Henson Those who’ve trawled social media during heat waves have likely encountered a tidbit frequently used to brush aside human-caused climate change: Many U.S. states and cities had their single hottest temperature on record during the 1930s, setting incredible heat marks ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • Throwback Thursday – Thinking about Expressways

    Some of the recent announcements from the government have reminded us of posts we’ve written in the past. Here’s one from early 2020. There were plenty of reactions to the government’s infrastructure announcement a few weeks ago which saw them fund a bunch of big roading projects. One of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Thursday, July 25 are:News: Why Electric Kiwi is closing to new customers - and why it matters RNZ’s Susan EdmundsScoop: Government drops ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Possum: Demon or Friend?

    Hi,I felt a small wet tongue snaking through one of the holes in my Crocs. It explored my big toe, darting down one side, then the other. “He’s looking for some toe cheese,” said the woman next to me, words that still haunt me to this day.Growing up in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Not a story

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • 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
    18 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
    21 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
    23 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 ...
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    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

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

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

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

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

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

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

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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