web analytics

English, Joyce, Bennett et al desperate to keep their power?

Written By: - Date published: 9:54 am, September 30th, 2017 - 60 comments
Categories: bill english, national, paula bennett, Steven Joyce - Tags:

Hi, just a quick post about what might be happening inside the National party.

We’ve seen the approach to the Greens in the media via Paula Bennett and commentators have pointed out that this would be good for National as it would do several things at once.

It would give them a majority, it would divide the opposition and it could cause the eventual death of the Green party if its core supporters abandon the party for going with National.

This might look like smart politics but a more primary motivation might be that English/Joyce and co. are desperate to form a coalition with anyone, otherwise as individuals, they’ll certainly lose their power within the party in the inevitable shakeup.

60 comments on “English, Joyce, Bennett et al desperate to keep their power? ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. DSpare 1
    30 September 2017 at 10:03 am

    It seems telling that it is Bennett who is desperately trying to get this blue-green kite to fly. As part of the price for a NZF coalition, Peters is going to want a scalp for leaking his super details. And just who has form for outing beneficiaries in National’s caucus?

    • Draco T Bastard 1.1
      30 September 2017 at 1:09 pm

      It seems telling that it is Bennett who is desperately trying to get this blue-green kite to fly.

      Leaders tend to fall after their leadership fails.

      There’s a high probability that, if National aren’t returned to government, Bennett will not only lose the deputy PM job but also a list ranking high enough to ensure that she will be back as an MP.

      • alwyn 1.1.1
        30 September 2017 at 3:26 pm

        ” but also a list ranking high enough to ensure that she will be back as an MP”.
        Please. What planet are you living on?
        On election night she got 17,514 votes. Her nearest opponent got 8,740 so her majority was 8,774 votes.
        What would it matter what her list placing was, or will be? Do you really think that a Labour candidate could turn that around in 2020.
        You have heard, I assume, that electorate winners get in ahead of anyone on the party list?

        • Draco T Bastard 1.1.1.1
          30 September 2017 at 3:30 pm

          That would depend upon her keeping her position as electoral candidate at the next election wouldn’t it?

          • alwyn 1.1.1.1.1
            30 September 2017 at 3:45 pm

            Planning on challenging her for the National nomination are you?
            I haven’t checked but the only time this century that I can remember a National MP missing out on getting the nomination for their electorate when they stood again was when John Key first stood in 2002.
            Even Todd Barclay had been re-nominated, after all.
            I am open to correction of course if there were others. I am relying on memory rather than research.

            • Dan 1.1.1.1.1.1
              30 September 2017 at 4:23 pm

              Colin King was rolled in Kaikoura. There are some who are still not happy!

              • alwyn …
                30 September 2017 at 4:41 pm

                Correct, and thank you. I must confess that when I saw the name my first reaction was “who?”.

              • ianmac …
                30 September 2017 at 6:49 pm

                And Dan, the current Nat MP in Kaikoura is only respected by his mates in the wine world. He cares nothing about those who toil away for the real people.

                • mac1 …
                  30 September 2017 at 9:02 pm

                  Described by Winston Peters in Blenheim this election as the “neo-liberal back-stabber who has done nothing since getting elected”.

                  I believe that viscerally Winston has a very strong dislike of many National politicians.

                  I hope that this translates into action come early October.

        • Craig H 1.1.1.2
          1 October 2017 at 5:51 pm

          Unlikely but both Labour and National have turned larger majorities.

    • tracey 1.2
      30 September 2017 at 1:44 pm

      Nonetheless that statement yesterday also has all the hallmarks of Joyce.

      • Chris 1.2.1
        30 September 2017 at 3:20 pm

        And the long term plan is to destroy the Greens. Use them now to hold on to power then let the electorate abandon them from 2020. That’d be too complex a thought for Bennett. It’s Crosby-Textor telling the nats to learn from the lib-dem example.

  2. Brendan 2
    30 September 2017 at 10:42 am

    National is essentially bereft of friends.

    • Bearded Git 2.1
      30 September 2017 at 11:50 am

      Yes Brendan, the MSM don’t want to talk about the Nats lack of friends-you need 44.8% (their likely final vote) PLUS friends under MMP. The Nats would not be screaming so much about a coalition with the Greens if they were confident Winston was going to keep them in power.

      John Armstrong today claims NZF’s long-term future would be better protected by going with the tired corrupt devious Nats-not sure how he reaches this conclusion.

      • Brendan 2.1.1
        30 September 2017 at 12:16 pm

        I don’t see how this could be sustainable for NZ First (Armstrong’s assertion). There was a Colmar Brunton poll done in the last couple of days that suggested two-thirds of NZ First voters want to see NZ First support a Labour-led government. It seems during the MMP-era parties that have allied with National suffer long-declines (ACT, United Future, Māori Party), whereas parties that have allied with Labour (Green, NZ First) have had a bit more sustainability, albeit at the expense of Labour. I guess NZ First supporting National 1996-1999 did them some damage, and they were turfed from Parliament in 2008, but they’ve never really dipped below 4%. I guess the Alliance and Progressive parties could be considered a victims of association with Labour, but then most of their voters probably got picked up by the Green Party. I think ANY party that supports a fourth National term knows this is basically electoral suicide, especially the Green Party, considering that the majority of voters did not vote for the status quo. National’s attempt to destroy both NZ First and the Greens backfired on them, so they only have themselves to blame for this precarious position. I think to a certain extend Labour is also guilty of trying to play an FPP election, but not nearly as much as National.

        I’d love to be on a joint Labour-Green election strategy team for the next election. It would come with a whole lot more strategy and and pragmatism.

        • Draco T Bastard 2.1.1.1
          30 September 2017 at 1:14 pm

          I guess the Alliance and Progressive parties could be considered a victims of association with Labour, but then most of their voters probably got picked up by the Green Party.

          The Alliance was a victim of itself and it’s leaders (mostly Jim Anderton) and the Progressive Party (that wasn’t) was like UF in that it was really the Jim Anderton Party and so, once he retired, it was gone.

      • Draco T Bastard 2.1.2
        30 September 2017 at 1:10 pm

        John Armstrong today claims NZF’s long-term future would be better protected by going with the tired corrupt devious Nats-not sure how he reaches this conclusion.

        The same why all the sycophants do – belief in the delusion.

    • Ian 2.2
      30 September 2017 at 6:46 pm

      46 % of voters like them enough to give them a party vote , so they have lots of freinds.

      • One Anonymous Bloke 2.2.1
        30 September 2017 at 6:52 pm

        Nope. 46% of those who voted (before specials).

        Of those enrolled, about 34% voted for the human rights abuse pollution party.

        7% swing to the Left. Just pause for a moment to absorb that 😈

        • Rob 2.2.1.1
          30 September 2017 at 9:29 pm

          7% swing , because finally labour had a leader that people wanted to vote for , does not say much about the labour talent that was presented over the last 9 years does it.

        • Rob 2.2.1.2
          30 September 2017 at 9:33 pm

          pfffft , 7% swing against a party going for its 4th term, and you crow like its something to be in awe of . Why dont you compare that result to Clarks efforts to get a 4th term when she was up against Key , that would be a more enlightend comparison but one that you find hard to stomach no doubt.

          • One Anonymous Bloke 2.2.1.2.1
            30 September 2017 at 11:21 pm

            Something to be in awe of?

            Certainly got under your skin 😆

          • swordfish 2.2.1.2.2
            1 October 2017 at 12:08 am

            pfffft , 7% swing against a party going for its 4th term, and you crow like its something to be in awe of . Why dont you compare that result to Clarks efforts to get a 4th term when she was up against Key , that would be a more enlightend comparison but one that you find hard to stomach no doubt.

            Swing to National 2008 = Up 5.8 points

            Swing to Labour 2017 = Up 11.1 points

            Left Bloc 2008 Down 5.9 points

            Right Bloc 2017 Down 6.5 points

          • One Anonymous Bloke 2.2.1.2.3
            1 October 2017 at 5:40 am

            I see Swordfish has helpfully done the comparison you were frothing impotently over.

            In the interests of completeness I think we should also look at Clark and Ardern’s first elections as leader of the opposition.

            Labour 1993: 34.68%
            Labour 1996: 28.19%

            How’s the froth?

      • Andre 2.2.2
        30 September 2017 at 7:01 pm

        “…they have lots of freinds.”

        Lots of freinds, huh? Like this one? Charming.

        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Freind

    • Rob 2.3
      30 September 2017 at 9:27 pm

      Brendon , 46% of the country voted for them , that is a lot friends.

      • Brendan 2.3.2
        1 October 2017 at 6:47 pm

        Rob, (or should I say “Rab”?) you clearly can’t retype my name correctly even when it’s right in front of you (control+c for copy, then control+v for paste if you have trouble processing seven letters), so why should we trust your intellectual analysis?

        It’s BrendAn, not BrendOn. Get it right. It’s Irish, not the English bastardisation of it.

  3. marty mars 3
    30 September 2017 at 10:56 am

    Geoff are you a new poster cos I can’t remember reading you before.

    the internal machinations of the gnats must be a bit like the lifeboat game. A few are clinging to the sides in the water and as food runs out some are eyeing up others. There is only room for some not all and here comes Winnie and oh know we have to make room for him and his crew. All the straws are short when you are part of the gnats.

  4. marty mars 4
    30 September 2017 at 11:06 am

    Thanks – looks like I haven’t been reading as much here as I thought lol. My bad sorry Geoff. Thanks Andre.

  5. newsense 5
    30 September 2017 at 3:42 pm

    This current National leadership and membership has invested so much in a coalition with the Greens that if it fails they should resign.

  6. newsense 6
    30 September 2017 at 3:43 pm

    Sorry just to clarify I don’t think the membership should resign.

    I think they (and any children they have) should go out and eat veges from a field that is perfectly OK after having 80,000 litres (or whatever the amount was) of oil magically extracted from it.

  7. ianmac 7
    30 September 2017 at 4:24 pm

    There must be a few/many National supporters who now doubt the integrity of English, Joyce and Bennett. I doubt. We doubt and many Nat voters must doubt.
    Hooray for a Labour+Green + NZF.

  8. NewsFlash 8
    30 September 2017 at 4:47 pm

    National are desperate, they thought they had it in the bag on election night, but one week on they’re realising that it’s more likely a LOSS for them, bad hangover for a lot.

    Trying to claim the moral ground when the Nats simply don’t have any morals is little more than a joke, the vast majority would like to see the DIVERSE majority of a three way coalition, representation for this group has been absent for ten years now, and the reality is that they now hold the majority, no question of that.

    NZF has two choices, as we know, going into a coalition with National would almost certainly end NZF and Peter’s legacy, a coalition of the Labour/ Green block would see NZF maintain and increase support going forward, preserving Peters legacy and making the changes in NZ that are looonnngg overdue.

    National, underfunding Health, Education and social services is a looming financial crisis, proven fact that preventative medicine costs half that of reactive medicine over time.

  9. cleangreen 9
    30 September 2017 at 6:20 pm

    National are now watching their “career dissapation light” deminish inside their eye now, as the reality of MMP sets in.

    “old father time” has caught up with them finally.

    They couldn’t have got away with their wanton stealing of all our public assets, and the selloff’s forever could they?

    • tracey 9.1
      30 September 2017 at 7:22 pm

      Some wrote them off in the campaign and then they came up.with lies 1 and 2.

      We have seen what they will stoop too. The negotiations will be no different

      • geoff 9.1.1
        2 October 2017 at 7:07 am

        I agree, tracey. They’ve shown no sign of having principles in the past, why should we expect anything different.

  10. Christine 10
    30 September 2017 at 9:32 pm

    Were I a desperate Nat – and there is something profoundly and tragically pathetic about all desperate persons – I am not sure that Paula B would have been my first choice for Green-wooing. Paula appears not particularly distinguished by circumspection, thoughtfulness, or respect for others different from her of whom there are millions. Her boisterousness could be frightfully exhausting to have to contend with, as well as a possible obstacle to serious thought on the part of other parties – which may be the point.

    Toss in a few of Bill English’s famous spaghetti pizzas, and I’d be inclined to go with the crayfish people, with Ardern’s inherent honesty- yes- honesty – and Kelvin Davis being a good and decent man, and these are the things which some of us earn for in contemporary politics… especially the crayfish…

    • WILD KATIPO 10.1
      1 October 2017 at 1:34 am

      Lol ! ,… dunno quite what the crayfish thing is about , I’m not that up with all that sophistication being a country type person,… but I do reckon those that get bullied early often go on to bully others when they get in a position to do so.

      And being of bush / country stock I don’t need your mansions or your SUV’s or your designer clothes, they are a joke to me. I consider I’m more of a millionaire in heritage than you’ll ever be with all your striving for crumbs from the corporate table.

      You don’t need a lot to live in Gods great creation and be a real King. You learn to think that way when you’re brought up in the back country. I’m proud of that heritage.

      However I reckon the Nats are made up of many of these so deprived.

      Had a ‘ debate ‘ with my father and brother in law,… both being dyed in the wool nat supporters.

      Pissed both of them off. In the end both resorted to cliches and … L0L ! … ‘evolution’ and fatalism. It was comical to behold just how quickly both seceded . Spent my early twenties doing many forms of martial arts … settled on Japanese Jujitsu at age 45… and I was damn good because I did ‘ body’ ( physical ) jobs most of my life …

      How does this relate?, … well in light of Fonterras CEO ,.. getting 8 million …(obscene) … the argument went along these lines… any business head can extrapolate running ANY business based on basic company principles, esp if adequately briefed, … , and , coupled with the fact that they have other board members and , … and under them … an army of paid worker bees to furnish information with which their only real job brief is to furnish a tick in the box ,…in other words being , … the work is literally done for them.

      Its a rort. Its that simple. And ,… totally enabled by the neo liberal ‘winner take all ‘ mentality.

      I worked under a guy ( supervisor ) at a painting and decorating company ( and had done the proper training for the qualification and am still in debt today because of it) who , – prior to that was a manager at a liquor outlet.

      Yep ,… a bloody ‘ liquor ‘ outlet manager FFS !

      That’s right , – no formal training WHATSOEVER regards commercial or residential painting and construction , – and yet was chosen as a ‘ manager’ of a painting / construction company.

      Go figure.

      This guy , was considered a bully by the workers.

      Six foot 3 – 4 in height , as broad as he was tall. A rugby coach for the Waikato teams. Pure arrogance. Here’s me , … 5 foot 8 if that,… but fresh from the hardest black belt farmer bastards from the Waikato you could ever imagine , ( the Sensei was 62 years old and still could drop twenty somethings with ease , he put me in a spinal lock / neck choke just for being flippant , and although I tapped and pleaded I realized he was using me as a demonstration of a technique to others , … but the message was clear, – to take this shit seriously, … I felt nauseous but I knew what he was trying to instill. So I accepted that lesson ) who ,.. because of my interest in the heart of the matter, coupled with European martial arts as a historical interest ,… dispensed with the usual cosmetic crap and taught me straight military killing techniques. The sort the old OSS taught during the second world war. The sort the SAS have built upon today.

      Not that I would seriously ever want to do that to anyone, … it was more wanting to learn the truth / about historical combat techniques.

      This foreman bully shook hands with me ,… (and ,… because Id heard of his reputation as a bully , was forewarned ) … didn’t like the fact that I held his eye, and didn’t relinquish the handshake. Decidedly vertical ( I’m your equal , bud ) ,… and asked me if I wanted to ‘ wrestle’. I said ‘ sure’, … I wasn’t being ‘servile ‘ enough apparently ,…

      Put him in a hammerlock in the middle of the yard in front of all the workers. They were shocked. I wasn’t. I went on to do security after that. I don’t like blowhards, liars, cheats and bully’s. And I took security work seriously.

      So how is this extrapolated to neo liberalism?

      Easy. This whole ‘ dog eat dog ‘ shit ,… is usually comprised of ‘ male think ‘ ,… not always , … but usually ,… and if you look really close , you’ll often see the bully boy , but you’ll often see something else : the coward.

      Those timid types , … who as adults , … gain a position of power , of advantage , … and like to exercise that advantage over others. Its like all the child hood abuses they ever suffered are replayed in their minds in a sick , convoluted replay of every slight and feeling of personal inadequacy which becomes converted into a belated adult form of revenge that has now been enabled by a totally unregulated ‘ free market ‘ that puts ‘working people’ at their ‘mercy ‘.

      Their ‘ charity ‘ .

      Their ‘ dispensationalism ‘ towards all good servile ‘ stewards’ ( read peasants ) from upon lofty heights , as it were ….

      When in reality it is nothing more than the base exercise of their avarice and greed and the exploitation of others in a sick outworking of their insecurity’s …

      Believe me ,… the working ‘ body’ type jobs are full of them. Them and their bullshit, piss weak machismo crap .

      And it just goes to show the fallacy of these CEO’s claims and their bullshitting on about ‘ market forces’. And how they try to con people into that sort of spurious self evident rort.

      And this is the sort of desperation that fills the donator’s and the backers and the supporters and the hangers on of the National party ranks ,… not all , – but a very significant percentage. Cowardly , conservative , timid , overly cautious and insipidly thinking of their own morbid mortality and how they will survive when they are old and grey and retired … pathetic .

      My advice is to not fear these cowardly fuckers.

      Expose them always as the gutless pathetic self centered greedy narcissistic wimps that they are, devoid of values , – barring what serves them and them only even to the detriment of others , devoid of loyalty barring what furthers their own ends, pathetic creatures who long ago made the decision to sell out all human virtue for their own self advancement,…

      These are the contemptuous neo liberals , … the far right wingers , the sycophants , the cowards and the timid. Never be afraid of them. Put them to flight , make them run, make them wail and cry. Expose them for what they are. Give them no mercy or indulgence as they surely gave none to others.

      They deserve nothing but condescension from the incoming Left wing govt. Either this election or the next.

      • WILD KATIPO 10.1.1
        1 October 2017 at 2:11 am

        I like this sort of thing :

        Priceless.

        Aussiest. Interview. Ever. What a legend! – YouTube
        Video for aussiest interview ever▶ 2:13

  11. Pat 11
    1 October 2017 at 5:57 am

    National are understandably desperate to cling to power and Id suggest not only for powers sake and the baubles of office…..theres 9 years worth of dodgy dealings buried for the opposition to uncover should they gain the resources of office…..christchurch quake response and pike river are 2 that spring to mind……suspect there a quite a few that would be very happy for more time to pass before that happened

  12. Christine 12
    1 October 2017 at 9:52 am

    Hey Wild Katipo – not condescension, that’s squandering energy and spirit, and they’re not worth it, they are nothings, and whether or not they know that, doesn’t really warrant wasting time on either. Cockroaches take care of themselves.

    Crayfish are from younger days in Kaikoura; we set our own pots, and waded out knee deep to prise paua from the rocks.The crayfish factory out past the wharf exported only the tails, and they gave away or tossed out the carcasses back then.Long ago.

    Post-election a NZ Firster arrived in Wellington with two boxes of crayfish, and while I certainly wouldn’t go as far as comparing him to miracles with loaves and fishes, it had a panache lacking in spaghetti pizza, would have tasted glorious, was real people stuff.

  13. Infused 13
    1 October 2017 at 1:33 pm

    Greens would gain more under nats. Labour shit on them everytime

    Simple as that. Won’t happen so nothing to worry about.

    It’s only the media talking about this btw

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • The big question for Labour: Will Hipkins have any more success than Ardern did with the top priorit...
    Chris  Hipkins,  after  he became prime minister, committed  to defeating the  cost-of- living crisis. He  proceeded to make a  bonfire of policies  that were at  the  heart of Jacinda Ardern’s administration.  But, as   Richard Prebble pointed out this week, “the government has not just U-turned, it has repudiated the ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    13 hours ago

  • Reality check.
    There are some wellness, crystal-gazing, holistic spiritual guidance types in my disaster-hit coastal community who insist that the power of positive thinking will overcome the physical and material damages incurred by the community. They object to restrictions on road travel … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    14 hours ago

  • High Performance Instability in the Financial Sector
    Evaluating the recent crashes of Silicon Valley Bank in the US and Credit Suisse in Switzerland plus two other banks (perhaps more by the time you read this) needs to begin with a review of the inevitable instability in the financial sector. The financial sector is inherently unstable, like military ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    14 hours ago

  • The week in review
    1. We see here new police minister Ginny Andersen. Which larger than life NZ political figure was her great-uncle?a. Rob Muldoonb. Bill Andersenc. Richard John Seddond. Norman Kirk2. We see here archival footage of Ginny Andersen coming out of her electorate office to ask ex-tobacco lobbyist Chris Bishop if he ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    16 hours ago

  • Nash splashes out with a $900,000 investment in the blue economy (or is it more corporate welfare?)
    Buzz from the Beehive Stuart Nash, speaking as Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, one of his remaining portfolios after he was dropped down the Hipkins Government batting order, has drawn attention to the blue economy and its potential. Nash says the government is investing in the blue economy, or – ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    17 hours ago

  • Ask Me Anything about the week to March 24
    Photo by Josh Mills on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session for paying subscribers about the week that was for the next hour, including:The runs on Silicon Valley Bank and First Republic Bank on the west coast of the United States that forced the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    20 hours ago

  • Weekly Roundup 24-March-2023
    Roundup is back! We skipped last week’s Friday post due to a shortage of person-power – did you notice? Lots going on out there… Our header image this week shows a green street that just happens to be Queen St, by @chamfy from Twitter. This week (and last) in ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    21 hours ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the Keen-Minshull visit
    After threatening Prime Minister Chris Hipkins of consequences if he dared to bar her entry, Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull has been given her visa, regardless. This will enable her to hold rallies in Auckland and Wellington this weekend, and spread her messages of hostility against an already marginalised trans community. Neo-Nazis may, ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    21 hours ago

  • BRYCE EDWARDS’ Political Roundup:  NZ needs to distance itself from Australia’s anti-China nucl...
    * Bryce Edwards writes – The New Zealand Government has been silent about Australia’s decision to commit up to $400bn acquiring nuclear submarines, even though this is a significant threat to peace and stability in the Asia Pacific. The deal was struck by the Albanese Labor Government as ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    21 hours ago

  • Wayne Brown's #Auxit moment
    Boomers voted him in, but Brown’s Trumpish moments might spook Aucklanders worried about what a change to National nationally might mean. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTL;DR: Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has become our version of Donald Trump and Boris Johnson, except without any of the insatiable appetite for media appearances. He ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    22 hours ago

  • Bryce Edwards: NZ needs to distance itself from Australia’s anti-China nuclear submarines
    The New Zealand Government has been silent about Australia’s decision to commit up to $400bn acquiring nuclear submarines, even though this is a significant threat to peace and stability in the Asia Pacific. The deal was struck by the Albanese Labor Government as part of its Aukus pact with the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    23 hours ago

  • Posie Parker vs Transgender Rights.
    Recently you might have heard of a person called Posie Parker and her visit to Aotearoa. Perhaps you’re not quite sure what it’s all about. So let’s start with who this person is, why their visit is controversial, and what on earth a TERF is.Posie Parker is the super villain ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago

  • Select Committee told slow down; you’re moving too fast
    The chair of Parliament’s Select Committee looking at the Government’s resource management legislation wants the bills sent back for more public consultation. The proposal would effectively kill any chance of the bills making it into law before the election. Green MP, Eugenie Sage, stressing that she was speaking as ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #12 2023
    Open access notables  The United States experienced some historical low temperature records during the just-concluded winter. It's a reminder that climate and weather are quite noisy; with regard to our warming climate,, as with a road ascending a mountain range we may steadily change our conditions but with lots of ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 day ago

  • What becomes of the broken hearted? Nanny State will step in to comfort them
    Buzz from the Beehive The Nanny State has scored some wins (or claimed them) in the past day or two but it faltered when it came to protecting Kiwi citizens from being savaged by one woman armed with a sharp tongue. The wins are recorded by triumphant ministers on the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Acceptance, decency, road food.
    Sometimes you see your friends making the case so well on social media you think: just copy and share.On acceptance and decency, from Michèle A’CourtA notable thing about anti-trans people is they way they talk about transgender women and men as though they are strangers “over there” when in fact ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Climate Change: More Labour sabotage
    Not that long ago, things were looking pretty good for climate change policy in Aotearoa. We finally had an ETS, and while it was full of pork and subsidies, it was delivering high and ever-rising carbon prices, sending a clear message to polluters to clean up or shut down. And ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • Is bundling restricting electricity competition?
    Comparing (and switching) electricity providers has become easier, but bundling power up with broadband and/or gas makes it more challenging. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The Kākā TL;DR: The new Consumer Advocacy Council set up as a result of the Labour Government’s Electricity Price Review in 2019 has called on either ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Westland Milk puts heat on competitors as global dairy demand  remains softer for longer
    Hokitika-based Westland Milk Products  has  put the heat on dairy giant Fonterra with  a $120m profit turnaround in 2022, driven by record sales. Westland paid its suppliers a 10c premium above the forecast Fonterra price per kilo, contributing $535m to the West Coast and Canterbury economies. The dairy ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    2 days ago

  • BRYCE EDWARDS’ Political Roundup:  The Beehive’s revolving door and corporate mateship
    * Bryce Edwards writes – New Zealanders are uncomfortable with the high level of influence corporate lobbyists have in New Zealand politics, and demands are growing for greater regulation. A recent poll shows 62 per cent of the public support having a two-year cooling off period between ministers leaving public ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: The Beehive’s revolving door and corporate mateship
    New Zealanders are uncomfortable with the high level of influence corporate lobbyists have in New Zealand politics, and demands are growing for greater regulation. A recent poll shows 62 per cent of the public support having a two-year cooling off period between ministers leaving public office and becoming lobbyists and ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    2 days ago

  • A miracle pill for our transport ills
    This is a guest post by accessibility and sustainable transport advocate Tim Adriaansen It originally appeared here.   A friend calls you and asks for your help. They tell you that while out and about nearby, they slipped over and landed arms-first. Now their wrist is swollen, hurting like ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    2 days ago

  • The Surprising Power of Floating Wind Turbines
    Floating offshore wind turbines offer incredible opportunities to capture powerful winds far out at sea. By unlocking this wind energy potential, they could be a key weapon in our arsenal in the fight against climate change. But how developed are these climate fighting clean energy giants? And why do I ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • The next Maori challenge
    Over the past two or three weeks, a procession of Maori iwi and hapu in a series of little-noticed appearances before two Select Committees have been asking for more say for Maori over resource management decisions along the co-governance lines of Three Waters. Their submissions and appearances run counter ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago

  • Secret “war-crime” warrants by International Criminal Court is mischief-making
    The decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue war crimes arrest warrants for the Russian President and the Russia Children Ombudsman may have been welcomed by the ideologically committed but otherwise seems to have been greeted with widespread cynicism (see Situation in Ukraine: ICC judges issue arrest warrants ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    3 days ago

  • How to answer Drunk Uncle Kevin's Climate Crisis reckons
    Let’s say you’re clasping your drink at a wedding, or a 40th, or a King’s Birthday Weekend family reunion and Drunk Uncle Kevin has just got going.He’s in an expansive frame of mind because we’re finally rid of that silly girl. But he wants to ask an honest question about ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • National’s Luxon may be glum about his poll ratings but has he found a winner in promising to rai...
    National Party leader Christopher Luxon may  be feeling glum about his poll ratings, but  he could be tapping  into  a rich political vein in  describing the current state of education as “alarming”. Luxon said educational achievement has been declining,  with a recent NCEA pilot exposing just how far it has ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    3 days ago

  • Climate Change: More Labour foot-dragging
    Yesterday the IPCC released the final part of its Sixth Assessment Report, warning us that we have very little time left in which to act to prevent catastrophic climate change, but pointing out that it is a problem that we can solve, with existing technology, and that anything we do ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • Te Pāti Māori Are Revolutionaries – Not Reformists.
    Way Beyond Reform: Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer have no more interest in remaining permanent members of “New Zealand’s” House of Representatives than did Lenin and Trotsky in remaining permanent members of Tsar Nicolas II’s “democratically-elected” Duma. Like the Bolsheviks, Te Pāti Māori is a party of revolutionaries – not reformists.THE CROWN ...
    Bowalley Road
    3 days ago

  • When does history become “ancient”, on Tinetti’s watch as Minister of Education – and what o...
    Buzz from the Beehive Auckland was wiped off the map, when Education Minister Jan Tinetti delivered her speech of welcome as host of the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers “here in Tāmaki Makaurau”. But – fair to say – a reference was made later in the speech to a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Climate Catastrophe, but first rugby.
    Morning mate, how you going?Well, I was watching the news last night and they announced this scientific report on Climate Change. But before they got to it they had a story about the new All Blacks coach.Sounds like important news. It’s a bit of a worry really.Yeah, they were talking ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • What the US and European bank rescues mean for us
    Always a bailout: US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the Government would fully guarantee all savers in all smaller US banks if needed. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: No wonder an entire generation of investors are used to ‘buying the dip’ and ‘holding on for dear life’. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Who will drain Wellington’s lobbying swamp?
    Wealthy vested interests have an oversized influence on political decisions in New Zealand. Partly that’s due to their use of corporate lobbyists. Fortunately, the influence lobbyists can have on decisions made by politicians is currently under scrutiny in Guyon Espiner’s in-depth series published by RNZ. Two of Espiner’s research exposés ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago

  • It’s Raining Congestion
    Yesterday afternoon it rained and traffic around the region ground to a halt, once again highlighting why it is so important that our city gets on with improving the alternatives to driving. For additional irony, this happened on the same day the IPCC synthesis report landed, putting the focus on ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago

  • Checking The Left: The Dreadful Logic Of Fascism.
    The Beginning: Anti-Co-Governance agitator, Julian Batchelor, addresses the Dargaville stop of his travelling roadshow across New Zealand . Fascism almost always starts small. Sadly, it doesn’t always stay that way. Especially when the Left helps it to grow.THERE IS A DREADFUL LOGIC to the growth of fascism. To begin with, it ...
    Bowalley Road
    3 days ago

  • Good Friends and Terrible Food
    Hi,From an incredibly rainy day in Los Angeles, I just wanted to check in. I guess this is the day Trump may or may not end up in cuffs? I’m attempting a somewhat slower, less frenzied week. I’ve had Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s new record on non-stop, and it’s been a ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    3 days ago

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

  • Carry right on up there, Corporal Espiner
    RNZ has been shining their torch into corners where lobbyists lurk and asking such questions as: Do we like the look of this?and Is this as democratic as it could be?These are most certainly questions worth asking, and every bit as valid as, say:Are we shortchanged democratically by the way ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • This smells
    RNZ has continued its look at the role of lobbyists by taking a closer look at the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff Andrew Kirton. He used to work for liquor companies, opposing (among other things) a container refund scheme which would have required them to take responsibility for their own ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • Major issues on the table in Mahuta’s  talks in Beijing with China’s new Foreign Minister
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta has left for Beijing for the first ministerial visit to China since 2019. Mahuta is  to  meet China’s new foreign minister Qin Gang  where she  might have to call on all the  diplomatic skills  at  her  command. Almost certainly she  will  face  questions  on what  role ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    4 days ago

  • Inside TOP's Teal Card and political strategy
    TL;DR: The Opportunities Party’s Leader Raf Manji is hopeful the party’s new Teal Card, a type of Gold card for under 30s, will be popular with students, and not just in his Ilam electorate where students make up more than a quarter of the voters and where Manji is confident ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • Make Your Empties Go Another Round.
    When I was a kid New Zealand was actually pretty green. We didn’t really have plastic. The fruit and veges came in a cardboard box, the meat was wrapped in paper, milk came in a glass bottle, and even rubbish sacks were made of paper. Today if you sit down ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on how similar Vladimir Putin is to George W. Bush
    Looking back through the names of our Police Ministers down the years, the job has either been done by once or future party Bigfoots – Syd Holland, Richard Prebble, Juduth Collins, Chris Hipkins – or by far lesser lights like Keith Allen, Frank Gill, Ben Couch, Allen McCready, Clem Simich, ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    4 days ago

  • CHRIS TROTTER:  Te Pāti Māori’s uncompromising threat to the status quo
    Chris Trotter writes – The Crown is a fickle friend. Any political movement deemed to be colourful but inconsequential is generally permitted to go about its business unmolested. The Crown’s media, RNZ and TVNZ, may even “celebrate” its existence (presumably as proof of Democracy’s broad-minded acceptance of diversity). ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Shining a bright light on lobbyists in politics
    Four out of the five people who have held the top role of Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff since 2017 have been lobbyists. That’s a fact that should worry anyone who believes vested interests shouldn’t have a place at the centre of decision making. Chris Hipkins’ newly appointed Chief of ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

  • Auckland Council Draft Budget – an unnecessary backwards step
    Feedback on Auckland Council’s draft 2023/24 budget closes on March 28th. You can read the consultation document here, and provide feedback here. Auckland Council is currently consulting on what is one of its most important ever Annual Plans – the ‘budget’ of what it will spend money on between July ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    4 days ago

  • Talking’ Posey Parker Blues
    by Molten Moira from Motueka If you want to be a woman let me tell you what to do Get a piece of paper and a biro tooWrite down your new identification And boom! You’re now a woman of this nationSpelled W O M A Na real trans woman that isAs opposed ...
    RedlineBy Admin
    4 days ago

  • More Māori words make it into the OED, and polytech boss (with rules on words like “students”) ...
    Buzz from the Beehive   New Zealand Education Minister Jan Tinetti is hosting the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers for three days from today, welcoming Education Ministers and senior officials from 18 Pacific Island countries and territories, and from Australia. Here’s hoping they have brought translators with them – or ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • Social intercourse with haters and Nazis: an etiquette guide
    Let’s say you’ve come all the way from His Majesty’s United Kingdom to share with the folk of Australia and New Zealand your antipathy towards certain other human beings. And let’s say you call yourself a women’s rights activist.And let’s say 99 out of 100 people who listen to you ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • The Greens, Labour, and coalition enforcement
    James Shaw gave the Green party's annual "state of the planet" address over the weekend, in which he expressed frustration with Labour for not doing enough on climate change. His solution is to elect more Green MPs, so they have more power within any government arrangement, and can hold Labour ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • This sounds familiar…
    RNZ this morning has the first story another investigative series by Guyon Espiner, this time into political lobbying. The first story focuses on lobbying by government agencies, specifically transpower, Pharmac, and assorted universities, and how they use lobbyists to manipulate public opinion and gather intelligence on the Ministers who oversee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • Letter to the NZ Herald: NCEA pseudoscience – “Mauri is present in all matter”
    Nick Matzke writes –   Dear NZ Herald, I am a Senior Lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Auckland. I teach evolutionary biology, but I also have long experience in science education and (especially) political attempts to insert pseudoscience into science curricula in ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • So what would be the point of a Green vote again?
    James Shaw has again said the Greens would be better ‘in the tent’ with Labour than out, despite Labour’s policy bonfire last week torching much of what the Government was doing to reduce emissions. File Photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The Green Party has never been more popular than in some ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • Gas stoves pose health risks. Are gas furnaces and other appliances safe to use?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah Wesseler Poor air quality is a long-standing problem in Los Angeles, where the first major outbreak of smog during World War II was so intense that some residents thought the city had been attacked by chemical weapons. Cars were eventually discovered ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Genetic Heritage and Co Governance
    Yesterday I was reading an excellent newsletter from David Slack, and I started writing a comment “Sounds like some excellent genetic heritage…” and then I stopped.There was something about the phrase genetic heritage that stopped me in tracks. Is that a phrase I want to be saying? It’s kind of ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • BRIAN EASTON: Radical Uncertainty
    Brian Easton writes – Two senior economists challenge some of the foundations of current economics. It is easy to criticise economic science by misrepresenting it, by selective quotations, and by ignoring that it progresses, like all sciences, by improving and abandoning old theories. The critics may go ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Geoffrey Miller: New Zealand’s Middle East strategy, 20 years after the Iraq War
    This week marks the twentieth anniversary of the Iraq War. While it strongly opposed the US-led invasion, New Zealand’s then Labour-led government led by Prime Minister Helen Clark did deploy military engineers to try to help rebuild Iraq in mid-2003. With violence soaring, their 12-month deployment ended without being renewed ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago

  • The motorways are finished
    After seventy years, Auckland’s motorway network is finally finished. In July 1953 the first section of motorway in Auckland was opened between Ellerslie-Panmure Highway and Mt Wellington Highway. The final stage opens to traffic this week with the completion of the motorway part of the Northern Corridor Improvements project. Aucklanders ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    5 days ago

  • Kicking National’s tyres
    National’s appointment of Todd McClay as Agriculture spokesperson clearly signals that the party is in trouble with the farming vote. McClay was not an obvious choice, but he does have a record as a political scrapper. The party needs that because sources say it has been shedding farming votes ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • As long as there is cricket, the world is somehow okay.
    Rays of white light come flooding into my lounge, into my face from over the top of my neighbour’s hedge. I have to look away as the window of the conservatory is awash in light, as if you were driving towards the sun after a rain shower and suddenly blinded. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • So much of what was there remains
    The columnists in Private Eye take pen names, so I have not the least idea who any of them are. But I greatly appreciate their expert insight, especially MD, who writes the medical column, offering informed and often damning critique of the UK health system and the politicians who keep ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A chronological listing of news articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Mar 12, 2023 thru Sat, Mar 18, 2023. Story of the Week Guest post: What 13,500 citations reveal about the IPCC’s climate science report   IPCC WG1 AR6 SPM Report Cover - Changing ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Financial capability services are being bucked up, but Stuart Nash shouldn’t have to see if they c...
    Buzz from the Beehive  The building of financial capability was brought into our considerations when Social Development and Employment Minister Carmel Sepuloni announced she had dipped into the government’s coffers for $3 million for “providers” to help people and families access community-based Building Financial Capability services. That wording suggests some ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days ago

  • Things that make you go Hmmmm.
    Do you ever come across something that makes you go Hmmmm?You mean like the song?No, I wasn’t thinking of the song, but I am now - thanks for that. I was thinking of things you read or hear that make you stop and go Hmmmm.Yeah, I know what you mean, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago

  • The hoon for the week that was to March 19
    By the end of the week, the dramas over Stuart Nash overshadowed Hipkins’ policy bonfire. File photo: Lynn GrieveasonTLDR: This week’s news in geopolitics and the political economy covered on The Kākā included:PM Chris Hipkins’ announcement of the rest of a policy bonfire to save a combined $1.7 billion, but ...
    The KakaBy Peter Bale
    1 week ago

  • Saving Stuart Nash: Explaining Chris Hipkins' unexpected political calculation
    When word went out that Prime Minister Chris Hipkins would be making an announcement about Stuart Nash on the tiles at parliament at 2:45pm yesterday, the assumption was that it was over. That we had reached tipping point for Nash’s time as minister. But by 3pm - when, coincidentally, the ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    1 week ago

  • Radical Uncertainty
    Two senior economists challenge some of the foundations of current economics. It is easy to criticise economic science by misrepresenting it, by selective quotations, and by ignoring that it progresses, like all sciences, by improving and abandoning old theories. The critics may go on to attack physics by citing Newton.So ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago

  • Jump onto the weekly hoon on Riverside at 5pm
    Photo by Walker Fenton on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week again when and I co-host our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kaka for an hour at 5 pm. Jump on this link on Riverside (we’ve moved from Zoom) for our chat about the week’s news with ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • The Dream of Florian Neame: Accepted
    In a nice bit of news, my 2550-word deindustrial science-fiction piece, The Dream of Florian Neame, has been accepted for publication at New Maps Magazine (https://www.new-maps.com/). I have published there before, of course, with Of Tin and Tintagel coming out last year. While I still await the ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago

  • Snakes and leaders
    And so this is Friday, and what have we learned?It was a week with all the usual luggage: minister brags and then he quits, Hollywood red carpet is full of twits. And all the while, hanging over the trivial stuff: existential dread, and portents of doom.Depending on who you read ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • This station is Karanga-a-Hape, Chur!
    When I changed the name of this newsletter from The Daily Read to Nick’s Kōrero I was a bit worried whether people would know what Kōrero meant or not. I added a definition when I announced the change and kind of assumed people who weren’t familiar with it would get ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • Greens don’t shy from promoting a candidate’s queerness but are quiet about govt announcement on...
    There was a time when a political party’s publicity people would counsel against promoting a candidate as queer. No matter which of two dictionary meanings the voting public might choose to apply – the old meaning of odd, strange, weird, or aberrant, or the more recent meaning of gay, homosexual ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • Ask Me Anything about the week to March 17
    Photo by Joakim Honkasalo on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session for paying subscribers about the week that was for the next hour, including:PM Chris Hipkins announcement of the rest of a policy bonfire to save a combined $1.7 billion, but which blew up ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Slow consenting could create $16b climate liability by 2050
    Even though concern over the climate change threat is becoming more mainstream, our governments continue to opt out of the difficult decisions at the expense of time, and cost for future generations. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTLDR: Now we have a climate liability number to measure the potential failure of the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • THOMAS CRANMER: Challenging progressivism in New Zealand’s culture wars
    Thomas Cranmer writes  Like it or not, the culture wars have entered New Zealand politics and look set to broaden and intensify. The culture wars are often viewed as an exclusively American phenomenon, but the reality is that they are becoming increasingly prominent in countries around the world, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • District Court Judges appointed
    Attorney-General David Parker has announced the appointment of Christopher John Dellabarca of Wellington, Dr Katie Jane Elkin of Wellington, Caroline Mary Hickman of Napier, Ngaroma Tahana of Rotorua, Tania Rose Williams Blyth of Hamilton and Nicola Jan Wills of Wellington as District Court Judges.  Chris Dellabarca Mr Dellabarca commenced his ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago

  • New project set to supercharge ocean economy in Nelson Tasman
    A new Government-backed project will help ocean-related businesses in the Nelson Tasman region to accelerate their growth and boost jobs. “The Nelson Tasman region is home to more than 400 blue economy businesses, accounting for more than 30 percent of New Zealand’s economic activity in fishing, aquaculture, and seafood processing,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • National’s education policy: where’s the funding?
    After three years of COVID-19 disruptions schools are finally settling down and National want to throw that all in the air with major disruption to learning and underinvestment.  “National’s education policy lacks the very thing teachers, parents and students need after a tough couple of years, certainty and stability,” Education ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Free programme to help older entrepreneurs and inventors
    People aged over 50 with innovative business ideas will now be able to receive support to advance their ideas to the next stage of development, Minister for Seniors Ginny Andersen said today. “Seniors have some great entrepreneurial ideas, and this programme will give them the support to take that next ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government target increased to keep powering up the Māori economy
    A cross government target for relevant government procurement contracts for goods and services to be awarded to Māori businesses annually will increase to 8%, after the initial 5% target was exceeded. The progressive procurement policy was introduced in 2020 to increase supplier diversity, starting with Māori businesses, for the estimated ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Continued progress on reducing poverty in challenging times
    77,000 fewer children living in low income households on the after-housing-costs primary measure since Labour took office Eight of the nine child poverty measures have seen a statistically significant reduction since 2018. All nine have reduced 28,700 fewer children experiencing material hardship since 2018 Measures taken by the Government during ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Speech at Fiji Investment and Trade Business Forum
    Deputy Prime Minister Kamikamica; distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. Tēnā koutou katoa, ni sa bula vinaka saka, namaste. Deputy Prime Minister, a very warm welcome to Aotearoa. I trust you have been enjoying your time here and thank you for joining us here today. To all delegates who have travelled to be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government investments boost and diversify local economies in lower South Island
    $2.9 million convertible loan for Scapegrace Distillery to meet growing national and international demand $4.5m underwrite to support Silverlight Studios’ project to establish a film studio in Wanaka Gore’s James Cumming Community Centre and Library to be official opened tomorrow with support of $3m from the COVID-19 Response and Recovery ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government future-proofs EV charging
    Transport Minister Michael Wood has today launched the first national EV (electric vehicle) charging strategy, Charging Our Future, which includes plans to provide EV charging stations in almost every town in New Zealand. “Our vision is for Aotearoa New Zealand to have world-class EV charging infrastructure that is accessible, affordable, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • World-leading family harm prevention campaign supports young NZers
    Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment Priyanca Radhakrishnan has today launched the Love Better campaign in a world-leading approach to family harm prevention. Love Better will initially support young people through their experience of break-ups, developing positive and life-long attitudes to dealing with hurt. “Over 1,200 young kiwis told ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • First Chief Clinical Advisor welcomed into Coroners Court
    Hon Rino Tirikatene, Minister for Courts, welcomes the Ministry of Justice’s appointment of Dr Garry Clearwater as New Zealand’s first Chief Clinical Advisor working with the Coroners Court. “This appointment is significant for the Coroners Court and New Zealand’s wider coronial system.” Minister Tirikatene said. Through Budget 2022, the Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Next steps for affected properties post Cyclone and floods
    The Government via the Cyclone Taskforce is working with local government and insurance companies to build a picture of high-risk areas following Cyclone Gabrielle and January floods. “The Taskforce, led by Sir Brian Roche, has been working with insurance companies to undertake an assessment of high-risk areas so we can ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • New appointment to Māori Land Court bench
    E te huia kaimanawa, ko Ngāpuhi e whakahari ana i tau aupikinga ki te tihi o te maunga. Ko te Ao Māori hoki e whakanui ana i a koe te whakaihu waka o te reo Māori i roto i te Ao Ture. (To the prized treasure, it is Ngāpuhi who ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government focus on jobs sees record number of New Zealanders move from Benefits into work
    113,400 exits into work in the year to June 2022 Young people are moving off Benefit faster than after the Global Financial Crisis Two reports released today by the Ministry of Social Development show the Government’s investment in the COVID-19 response helped drive record numbers of people off Benefits and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Vertical farming partnership has upward momentum
    The Government’s priority to keep New Zealand at the cutting edge of food production and lift our sustainability credentials continues by backing the next steps of a hi-tech vertical farming venture that uses up to 95 per cent less water, is climate resilient, and pesticide-free. Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor visited ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Conference of Pacific Education Ministers – Keynote Address
    E nga mana, e nga iwi, e nga reo, e nga hau e wha, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou kātoa. Warm Pacific greetings to all. It is an honour to host the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers here in Tāmaki Makaurau. Aotearoa is delighted to be hosting you ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • New $13m renal unit supports Taranaki patients
    The new renal unit at Taranaki Base Hospital has been officially opened by the Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall this afternoon. Te Huhi Raupō received around $13 million in government funding as part of Project Maunga Stage 2, the redevelopment of the Taranaki Base Hospital campus. “It’s an honour ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Second Poseidon aircraft on home soil
    Defence Minister Andrew Little has marked the arrival of the country’s second P-8A Poseidon aircraft alongside personnel at the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Base at Ohakea today. “With two of the four P-8A Poseidons now on home soil this marks another significant milestone in the Government’s historic investment in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Further humanitarian aid for Türkiye and Syria
    Aotearoa New Zealand will provide further humanitarian support to those seriously affected by last month’s deadly earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, says Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta. “The 6 February earthquakes have had devastating consequences, with almost 18 million people affected. More than 53,000 people have died and tens of thousands more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Community voice to help shape immigration policy
    Migrant communities across New Zealand are represented in the new Migrant Community Reference Group that will help shape immigration policy going forward, Immigration Minister Michael Wood announced today.  “Since becoming Minister, a reoccurring message I have heard from migrants is the feeling their voice has often been missing around policy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • State Highway 3 project to deliver safer journeys, better travel connections for Taranaki
    Construction has begun on major works that will deliver significant safety improvements on State Highway 3 from Waitara to Bell Block, Associate Minister of Transport Kiri Allan announced today. “This is an important route for communities, freight and visitors to Taranaki but too many people have lost their lives or ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Ginny Andersen appointed as Minister of Police
    Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has today appointed Ginny Andersen as Minister of Police. “Ginny Andersen has a strong and relevant background in this important portfolio,” Chris Hipkins said. “Ginny Andersen worked for the Police as a non-sworn staff member for around 10 years and has more recently been chair of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Government confirms vital roading reconnections
    Six further bailey bridge sites confirmed Four additional bridge sites under consideration 91 per cent of damaged state highways reopened Recovery Dashboards for impacted regions released The Government has responded quickly to restore lifeline routes after Cyclone Gabrielle and can today confirm that an additional six bailey bridges will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Foreign Minister Mahuta to meet with China’s new Foreign Minister
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta departs for China tomorrow, where she will meet with her counterpart, State Councillor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang, in Beijing. This will be the first visit by a New Zealand Minister to China since 2019, and follows the easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions between New Zealand and China. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Education Ministers from across the Pacific gather in Aotearoa
    Education Ministers from across the Pacific will gather in Tāmaki Makaurau this week to share their collective knowledge and strategic vision, for the benefit of ākonga across the region. New Zealand Education Minister Jan Tinetti will host the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers (CPEM) for three days from today, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • State Highway 5 reopens between Napier and Taupō following Cyclone Gabrielle
    A vital transport link for communities and local businesses has been restored following Cyclone Gabrielle with the reopening of State Highway 5 (SH5) between Napier and Taupō, Associate Minister of Transport Kiri Allan says. SH5 reopened to all traffic between 7am and 7pm from today, with closure points at SH2 (Kaimata ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Special Lotto draw raises $11.7 million for Cyclone Gabrielle recovery
    Internal Affairs Minister Barbara Edmonds has thanked generous New Zealanders who took part in the special Lotto draw for communities affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. Held on Saturday night, the draw raised $11.7 million with half of all ticket sales going towards recovery efforts. “In a time of need, New Zealanders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Government delivers a $3 million funding boost for Building Financial Capability services
    The Government has announced funding of $3 million for providers to help people, and whānau access community-based Building Financial Capability services. “Demand for Financial Capability Services is growing as people face cost of living pressures. Those pressures are increasing further in areas affected by flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle,” Minister for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao – new Chair and member
    Minister of Education, Hon Jan Tinetti, has announced appointments to the Board of Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao. Tracey Bridges is joining the Board as the new Chair and Dr Therese Arseneau will be a new member. Current members Dr Linda Sissons CNZM and Daniel Wilson have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Scholarships honouring Ngarimu VC and the 28th (Māori) Battalion announced
    Fifteen ākonga Māori from across Aotearoa have been awarded the prestigious Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships and Awards for 2023, Associate Education Minister and Ngarimu Board Chair, Kelvin Davis announced today.  The recipients include doctoral, masters’ and undergraduate students. Three vocational training students and five wharekura students, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Appointment of Judge of the Court of Appeal and Judge of the High Court
    High Court Judge Jillian Maree Mallon has been appointed a Judge of the Court of Appeal, and District Court Judge Andrew John Becroft QSO has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney‑General David Parker announced today. Justice Mallon graduated from Otago University in 1988 with an LLB (Hons), and with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ still well placed to meet global challenges
    The economy has continued to show its resilience despite today’s GDP figures showing a modest decline in the December quarter, leaving the Government well positioned to help New Zealanders face cost of living pressures in a challenging global environment. “The economy had grown strongly in the two quarters before this ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Western Ring Route Complete
    Aucklanders now have more ways to get around as Transport Minister Michael Wood opened the direct State Highway 1 (SH1) to State Highway 18 (SH18) underpass today, marking the completion of the 48-kilometre Western Ring Route (WRR). “The Government is upgrading New Zealand’s transport system to make it safer, more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Briefings to Incoming Ministers
    This section contains briefings received by incoming ministers following changes to Cabinet in January. Some information may have been withheld in accordance with the Official Information Act 1982. Where information has been withheld that is indicated within the document. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Teaming up for a stronger, more resilient Fiji
    Aotearoa New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta reaffirmed her commitment to working together with the new Government of Fiji on issues of shared importance, including on the prioritisation of climate change and sustainability, at a meeting today, in Nadi. Fiji and Aotearoa New Zealand’s close relationship is underpinned by the Duavata ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Investment in blue highway a lifeline for regional economies and cyclone recovery
    The Government is delivering a coastal shipping lifeline for businesses, residents and the primary sector in the cyclone-stricken regions of Hawkes Bay and Tairāwhiti, Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan announced today. The Rangitata vessel has been chartered for an emergency coastal shipping route between Gisborne and Napier, with potential for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Next steps developing clean energy for NZ
    The Government will progress to the next stage of the NZ Battery Project, looking at the viability of pumped hydro as well as an alternative, multi-technology approach as part of the Government’s long term-plan to build a resilient, affordable, secure and decarbonised energy system in New Zealand, Energy and Resources ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Statement from the Prime Minister on Stuart Nash
    This morning I was made aware of a media interview in which Minister Stuart Nash criticised a decision of the Court and said he had contacted the Police Commissioner to suggest the Police appeal the decision. The phone call took place in 2021 when he was not the Police Minister. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • CPTPP Trade Ministers coming to Auckland
    The Government’s sharp focus on trade continues with Aotearoa New Zealand set to host Trade Ministers and delegations from 10 Asia Pacific economies at a meeting of Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Commission members in July, Minister for Trade and Export Growth Damien O’Connor announced today. “New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Govt approves $25 million extension for cyclone-affected businesses
    $25 million boost to support more businesses with clean-up in cyclone affected regions, taking total business support to more than $50 million Demand for grants has been strong, with estimates showing applications will exceed the initial $25 million business support package Grants of up to a maximum of $40,000 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2023-03-24T18:37:40+00:00