Equality for the Black Ferns

Written By: - Date published: 10:39 am, November 13th, 2022 - 42 comments
Categories: equality, inequality, sport, uncategorized, women's sport - Tags:

Aoteatoa is buzzing with pride and gratitude for the Black Ferns who last night in an epic final bet England and halted England’s 30 game winning streak.

If you missed the game here are the highlights.

The game was not without its controversies.  English winger was sent off in the 20th minute for a dangerous tackle resulting in a head clash with Kiwi winger Portia Woodman which left Portia dazed and having to be taken off the field.

The call was the right one but thanks to superior forward power England nearly pulled it off.  But the Black Ferns played smarter and used  their superior numbers to open England out wide.

The game was watched by a sellout crowd and it felt more like a test from 30 years ago.  Tickets were much cheaper and this was reflected by the more diverse crowd that attended.  It really looked like Tamaki Makaurau rather than Auckland Grammar Old Boys Supporters.

The issue that New Zealand Rugby will need to grapple with is should the Black Ferns and the All Blacks be treated equally and all I can say is why the hell not.

The majority of the Black Ferns’ squad are on retainers of between $35,000-$70,000 a year but this is a very recent development.  Some earn $130,000 a year which is the same as that paid to lower grade super rugby players.

By comparison top All Blacks are paid about a million dollars a year.

The argument for equality is compelling.  And at the same time NZRU need to think about ticket prices.  Last night’s final shows that you can pack Eden Park out and witness a great game at the same time.  Maybe the top salaries need to be reconsidered at the same time.

Well done Black Ferns.

And to Ruby Tui all that I can say is that you are a star.

42 comments on “Equality for the Black Ferns ”

  1. laugh Let's do this!! Let's pay them equally with the men. That is the most entertaining full on running rugby which the crowd love so much they were there till the final speech presentation and singalong with Ruby. "Tutira Mai Nga Iwi" 45000 of them.

  2. observer 3

    1999: Hinewehi Mohi sings national anthem in Te Reo, at Rugby World Cup (men's). ABs win game, but many rugby fans (mostly male) unhappy. Ranting on talkback. All over the media.

    2022: Hinewehi Mohi repeats … Ferns win game, all rugby fans happy, nation happy. Singing along with Tui, with joy. All over the media.

    Nostalgia? No thanks. We're in a better place.

    • X Socialist 3.1

      No, we aren't in a better place. I have replied to you in Open Mike.

    • Incognito 3.2

      We’re in a better place.

      Maybe, and it depends on what you mean. I think that many people are hanging out for anything positive that makes them feel better, even for a brief moment. The shared joy of a WC victory creates a massive buzz but it is just that, no more, no less.

      • observer 3.2.1

        The context of my comment is pretty obvious. It's on the topic of the OP. I don't think I needed to add "but there is also climate change and Ukraine and other stuff".

        People are celebrating something which is not only a one-off sporting success, but a clear sign of progress, compared with older attitudes. It's not a brief moment, it's a difference in generations.

        • Incognito 3.2.1.1

          Maybe. If there’s a consistent trend, a pattern, then maybe, or maybe it is no more than wishful thinking and day-dreaming. A buzz does do that to people even they do really need it, we all do.

          Anyway, I don’t want to be a buzz-kill for those who are rightfully celebrating today. Personally, I’m not feeling or sensing the progress yet …

          • observer 3.2.1.1.1

            Consider the dominant image of NZ, seen through rugby. For so long it was male only, the ABs at the pinnacle with incredible sporting skills and plenty of success on the pitch, but also with a side order of "boorishness" in the culture (to put it politely. Less polite would be alcohol-fuelled aggression and domestic violence).

            The Black Ferns bring none of that. They are the opposite. They are inclusion and diversity and fun. (How many gay All Blacks have there been? Compare and contrast).

            And now they have moved from the outer margins to the centre, no longer patted on the head as funny fat girls, and because sport is (rightly or wrongly) always a large part of our media coverage, this is undoubtedly a positive thing.

            I have seen the effect on kids, especially girls, and before the BFs had even won it. And it's not a diversion, it's a reflection. Now 50% of our MPs are women. A generation ago it was 25-30%. Progress.

            • Drowsy M. Kram 3.2.1.1.1.1

              Now 50% of our MPs are women. A generation ago it was 25-30%. Progress.

              yes Is it a concern that the Greens and Labour are doing the heavy lifting?

              • lprent

                Only to National, Act, and NZF if they actually want to get votes.

                But I guess that those parties are all just reflections of bygone eras based on who they select as electable candidates.

                At present I’m unconcerned. I may get concerned if any of those parties manage to leave the 20th century that they so dearly love.

            • Incognito 3.2.1.1.1.2

              Yes, that is a fair comment, thank you.

    • Binders full of Women 3.3

      1999 ABs lost game and many of the old guard actually though Hinewehi had somehow cursed them. The mighty French came back with 33 points in the 2nd half. One reason why this kiwi loves French Rugby (& Black Ferns).

      • observer 3.3.1

        You're mixing up the England group game (Hinewehi sang, ABs won) and the France semi (she also sang, in English, ABs lost).

        The French semi final win was indeed incredible to watch. One of the most extraordinary, crazy half hours of rugby, ever.

        (edited for anthem accuracy)

  3. SPC 4

    In sports such as tennis and golf, parity is based on professional tours and global television rights.

    The equivalent in team sport is probably football. England, USA, New Zealand and Spain now do this.

    It requires comparability – 4 yearly world cups and other international competition. Which is coming – there is an international competition for women starting next year – in advance of any equivalent in the mens game (in addition to the Six Nations for women and any alternative such as for (USA/Canada/Oz/New Zealand/Fiji/SA?)

    The AB's are contracted to also play Super Rugby and sometimes NPC, the Ferns would have their new Super comp and the FP Cup.

    The problem would be that the AB salaries are inflated to retain players domestically (to prevent drift to better pay in UK/Ireland/France/Japan).

    Another issue is that women's rugby is still in development – needs provincial U20 teams as a pathway post high school and an equivalent to the mens U20 Internationals (maybe at U23). And money is needed for this. And at the club level there needs to be more than just the one team – also a weight grade (the men have Under 85kg) and an age grade and maybe one for those who only want to play sevens.

    • Craig H 4.1

      It's always a difficult discussion about funding grass roots, development pathways and national teams. No doubt the will is there to fund everything, but the funds aren't so there will be difficult conversations about priorities. On the other hand, the potential of an influx of new players, especially girls and women, is there, so it would be awful governance to miss out on that with poor or no support for clubs and provincial unions.

      Incidentally, there is a Pacific Four Series competition of NZ, Australia, USA and Canada, plus the O'Reilly Cup for NZ vs Australia (Bledisloe Cup equivalent) and the Northern Tour last year, so those international competitions do exist to some extent, but agree with you that it's still a work-in-progress. 7s being an Olympic sport is massive for expansion opportunities as it adds funding and interest from countries that otherwise would not provide government funding.

  4. Cricklewood 5

    Selfish of me but really hope they don't go down the fully professional route.

    Watching them play for the fun of it, just sport for the fun of it, no media minders crafting cookie cutter media comment… You'd be scared that full professionalism would suck the joy right out of it.

    I do hope the NZRFU actually bother to properly support the team and the woman's game after this… would be really good to see some double headers.

    Also someone should ask Wayne Smith if he would like a knighthood.

    • Grey Area 5.1

      And if he's the man I think he us I hope he'd say no thanks. Unlike Hansen and Henry.

    • logie97 5.2

      If the women can manage a spirited performance on the money they are paid then it points to the obscenity that is the remuneration for their male counterparts and athletes in all sporting forms – the ultimate being the Saudi financed golfing circus.

      I watched the news 20 odd months ago and our emergency health workers were apparently the best in the world and we loved them. Times have moved on and they don't appear to have had improvements in their working conditions or salaries.

      Paying professional sportspeople (and entertainers) for just turning up is unbelievable in this troubled world. That said, congratulations to The New Zealand and English women rugby teams for turning on a spectacle and distracting many of us from the troubles of the world for at least 80 minutes.

  5. bwaghorn 6

    Keep filling stadiums and getting tv viewership and the money will follow, 10 years ago womans rugby was painful to watch the skill set is tip top now so I think it'll come,

    If ypu want a laugh though check out luxons fb post where he congratulates the ferns, a couple of wags(not this one) thank Grant Robinson for funding them.

  6. Jenny are we there yet 7

    Share the love

    @ 2:17 minutes;

    BBC

    Sarah, a few people still question whether we should invest in women's sport. With a final of that quality you can't question that now.

    Red Roses Captain, Sarah Hunter: You can't. And I was just chatting to one of the Black Ferns member of staff. And she says the same thing.
    You can't expect nations now, not to go and invest in their teams when they put on a show case for woman's rugby in a final in front of 40,000 people, and you know, I am sure the viewing figures were up there like, you know it. It's come to the party….

    …..'We need to invest in our women's game and make it a fair playing field'

    @ 4:02 minutes

    T.V. 3

    Simon, you guys seemed to have the upper hand in the first half particularly. How would you describe the Black Ferns team you guys ran into in the second half?

    Red Roses Coach, Simon Middleton: To be honest they were the same in the first half. They were a huge handful they were a great side. They've got some fantastic players, they've got blistering pace.

    And they were difficult to contain when they had the ball….

    ….We had to car chase quite a bit….

    ….full credit to all the Black Ferns and all their staff, they are worthy world champions. But I am sat here and I could not be prouder with the players and their performance and the character they showed. And just the game as a whole, the whole spectacle.

    You know, the world cup has to take the game forward. And if that doesn't take the game forward then there is something wrong. And I'm pretty sure it will.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUdBg4ttxXk

    P.S. I have hi-lighted the questions and replies relating to the issue of equity. (which is what this post is about). But watch the whole interview, it is worth a watch. A world class athlete and coach obviously hurting, gracious in defeat without fault.

    Media interest from the BBC, the Guardian, the Irish Examiner, the big major news outlets in this country, (Except the Herald), are a testament to the interest in Woman's sport.

    That the Black Ferns and women are paid less than their male counterparts is a scandal that needs to be rectified.
    The government need to step in.
    Ignore their stupid excuses and pathetic reasons, New Zealand Rugby need to brought kicking and screaming (figuratively) to the table and forced to sign. It will be a landmark decision for all women's sport here and everywhere.

    If that doesn’t happen. There is ‘something wrong’.

  7. Ad 8

    Hilarious to hear the chief of NZ Rugby on RNZ this morning have the answer "We're working on it ", when asked what win bonus the Black Ferns will receive.

    They hadn't prepared an answer.

    The UK team despite losing get $130k each.

    A whole tournament to prepare an answer.

    A good moment for Ministers Wood and Robertson to require an answer of the employer I''dve thought.

    • Sanctuary 8.1

      The NZRU under Robinson have proved to be miserably inept. Their marquee product this past weekend succeeded despite of the neglect of NZ rugby. No fan zones, not much effort in organising. But oh! Wasn't it refreshing to hear the Black Ferns leading the crowd in song, talk about "we did it together with our fans" and "our country"? Certainly makes a change from the All Blacks, who only moan about how they want more of our cash and how much we should all appreciate the stress they are under.

      And what morons agree to a match schedule that sees your two premier touring men's teams play their big games in the wee hours of Monday morning? The audience for the All Blacks live coverage would have been a fraction of what it would have been on a weekend. It smacks of an insufferably out of touch arrogant organisation that assumes it's fans (the ones who pay for Sky mainly to watch the All Blacks live remember) will watch at whatever shitty time they decide because you know, it's the All Blacks.

      Anyway, the NZRU will assume the whole thing was a one off flash in the pan, do nothing, wring their hands at the lack of progress in the womens game and go back to congratulating themselves on how excellent they are at running the game and how amazing they all, making sure all the right thinking lads can get a jobs and generally being complacent and useless.

      Meanwhile the All Black are coached by the third best coach in NZ and about the worst coached team of any of the top six or seven nations. They will get easily beaten the RWC quarter finals in a result that everyone already knew two years previous except those whose salaries depend on not knowing and the board, Foster and the Sky hosts will profess astonishment, puzzlement and lecture us on expectations in the professional era.

      • Ad 8.1.1

        Though pretty tone deaf of PM Ardern who has been totally propped by the women's vote ditching the game for another bullshit talkfest in Bali.

        That's a dumptruck of luvvie voter upside to forego.

        • observer 8.1.1.1

          And if she'd made a different choice there would be complaints that she'd selfishly gone for a photo op instead of going to a major summit (which wasn't in Bali, by the way) with world leaders.

          There are plenty of serious issues for any PM, but whether they miss a rugby game isn't one of them.

        • Mike the Lefty 8.1.1.2

          Her summit was in Cambodia, not Bali. You don't pay much attention to detail do you?

    • Craig H 8.2

      The current deal was agreed as part of collective negotiations between NZRU and the players' union, the Rugby Players Association (RPA). Going by this article, the Black Ferns get paid more than any other professional women's team even taking into account the other teams' potential bonuses. If they can find a way to fund bonuses, that would be fantastic, but it's not like the players had no say in the pay structure, nor without hindsight is it necessarily worse than a pay structure with a bonus. It would also be great if new sponsors came on board and that money was put towards increasing the players’ pay, grass roots and development pathways to the top.

  8. James Simpson 9

    It really comes down to us the fans. We can do 3 things:

    • Demand NZR to increase their pay;
    • Turn up to their games so that their is cash to pay them; and
    • Go any but some black ferns merch (It Adidas that in essence funds Ardie's 7 figure salary)
  9. Peter 10

    If the All Blacks played a Bledisloe Cup match against Australia at Eden Park with ticket prices at the usual rate of $80-$180 would the stadium be sold out?

    If the Black Ferns played a match against England at Eden Park with ticket prices the same $80-$180 rate would the stadium be sold out?

    If the All Blacks played against South Africa at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin would the stadium be sold out with tickets a similar $80-$180 would the stadium be sold out?

    If the Black Ferns played Australia at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin with tickets at the same price would the stadium be sold out?

    I'm pondering the calls for equity, the product being bought and demand. If Brodie Retallick is on $1 million a year does that mean the top Silver Ferns lock Chelsea Bremner should be paid the same?

    • Craig H 10.1

      In terms of the Equal Pay Act 1972, it would be quite hard for NZ Rugby to defend against a claim that women rugby players are doing the same job for less money. Having said that, obviously the women don't have the opportunity to play as much in a year as the men, so that's a legitimate reason for a disparity in that total match fees received in a year would necessarily be less.

      Something about the attendance at RWC games was that it was much more family-oriented than All Blacks games, so that suggests potentially a slightly different market for ticket sales and sponsors. Also a good opportunity for expanding women's rugby, both secondary school age and adults, which has a useful flow-on effect for rugby clubs (more members = more subscription income and sales, and hopefully more volunteers).

      • Peter 10.1.1

        The crowd at the Women's RWC was certainly much different than you'd see at a 'normal' men's international.

        I don't know what it says in the Equal Pay Act 1972. Does it say anything about Lorde and Bic Runga having to be paid the same amount because they do the same thing?

        • Craig H 10.1.1.1

          No, because they aren't employed so the legislation doesn't apply to their situation. There is also no apparent differentiation in pay rates based on sex.

      • SPC 10.1.2

        Some AB's are paid extra – their value to the team (the team makes more money if they are No 1) and in the market (as determined by professional club rugby in the wider world).

        If women received the same pay now, then there would be less revenue (based on television rights and gates and sponsorship) to subsidise the development of the women’s game.

        One naturally follows from the other.

  10. pat 11

    After an exceptional tournament for the Black Ferns we appear determined to now place the woman's game on the same downward trajectory that has afflicted the mens game since the advent of professionalism….c'est la vie.

    • logie97 11.1

      Agree 100 pcnt Pat – see my comment 5.2 above. And as an aside, many of our nation of sports followers appear to ignore the fact that "our girls" won against an opposition of 14 players for approaching two thirds of the game. It was however an entertaining spectacle for the full 80 minutes, with so much more of the ball in play as opposed to their male counterparts who spend an eternity setting their scrums and lineouts.

  11. gsays 12

    A great competition, fantastic skill sets and a thrilling final.

    Sir Steve Hansen, father of Whitney, one of the Black Fern's coaches, offers a couple of insights on The Podium. There is a link part way through this article.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/rugby-world-cup/300738248/england-coach-simon-middleton-devastated-by-world-cup-final-loss-to-black-ferns

    How there is an organic feel to women's rugby. They aren't tarred with expectation, the players can express themselves and be genuine. Partly because they haven't been scrutinised and punished for having their walls down.

    He doesn't like the rolling maul either. The fact there were 6 in the final says it is too easy.

  12. Jenny are we there yet 13

    Stop the discrimination against women everywhere

    If seems that I am not the only one who thinks the $10,000 bonus belatedly paid to the Black Ferns by New Zealand Rugby for winning the world cup, compared tot the bonuses paid to All Blacks was blatant discrimination.

    Stop paying lip service, New Zealand Rugby, and give the Black Ferns the bonus they deserve

    Honey Hireme-Smiler16:56, Nov 16 2022

    Honey Hireme-Smiler is a former Black Fern, Sky Sport commentator, and Stuff columnist for the Rugby World Cup

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/rugby-world-cup/300740424/stop-paying-lip-service-new-zealand-rugby-and-give-the-black-ferns-the-bonus-they-deserve?

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  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • Out of Touch.
    “I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The bewildering world of Chris Luxon – Guns for all, not no lunch for kids
    .“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    3 days ago
  • Expert Opinion: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
    3 days ago
  • Manufacturing The Truth.
    Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet –  is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
    3 days ago
  • A Powerful Sensation of Déjà Vu.
    Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
    3 days ago
  • Can you guess where world attention is focussed (according to Greenpeace)? It’s focussed on an EPA...
    Bob Edlin writes –  And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Further integrity problems for the Greens in suspending MP Darleen Tana
    Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Greens’ transparency missing in action
    For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    5 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    6 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    6 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    6 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Government moves to quickly ratify the NZ-EU FTA
    "The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Fresh produce price drop welcome
    Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024.  “Lower fruit and vege ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Statement to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68)
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government backs rural led catchment projects
    The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction.   Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Commission’s advice on ETS settings tabled
    Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
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