Fear is a Man’s Best Friend

Written By: - Date published: 4:05 pm, March 17th, 2016 - 141 comments
Categories: accountability, activism, Andrew Little, campaigning, democratic participation, Dirty Politics, election 2017, greens, labour, leadership, maori party, Media, nz first, Politics - Tags: , ,

It’s been an intense day or two for Andrew Little. An off the cuff response to an innocuous question from a small local paper journo has got a lot of Labour Party haters in a froth. But why?

Obviously, it’s not because he said something offensive. He didn’t.

It’s not because he lied. He didn’t lie.

It’s not because he prevaricated or tried to change the subject. He didn’t point at a shiny object or say “Look over there. A flag/panda/jihadi bride!”

Nope. Andrew Little is being dealt to by the usual suspects of the lying right and the infantile left because he has an obvious character fault.

He’s honest.

Andrew Little actually says what he believes to be true and answers questions accurately. He’s not a consummate liar. He doesn’t have a well paid dirty tricks squad seeding the media with talking points and provocations. He’s his own man and he is painfully straight. Paaaainfully straight. It’s not in him to bullshit.

Perhaps that makes him unfit to lead the country.

We’ve obviously gotten used to a much lower standard of leadership in recent years. Perhaps we’ll never get back to expecting our politicians to tell us the truth. But if we vote in a progressive coalition at the next general election, at least we’ll have the opportunity to find out what honest, sincere leadership looks like.

So why are the haters, even the ones who claim to want National gone, climbing into him?

Fear.

Andrew Little has turned the Labour Party around. The caucus are working collectively within and without. Labour are quietly building good relationships with the two prospective coalition partners. The third potential partner, the Maori party, are also leaning toward a change of direction, or so I’m told.

Fear.

The thought that the Key Government is going to collapse under the weight of its own bullshit is driving Key and his acolytes to personal attacks on a man on whom they can find no dirt. It’s driving them nuts that he is succeeding where Goff, Shearer and Cunliffe could not.

Fear.

The thought of a left wing lead Labour Party achieving power is anathema to some who claim to be lefties, too. The most obvious characteristic of these folk is their inability to work collectively. That’s often reflected in their insignificant influence in actual politics; nobody much wants to work with them either. Any fool can shout the odds in the pub. But its hard graft in the real world that gets things done.

Fear.

The Tories are on the slide. The loss in Northland is an indicator of the trashing to come. Bugger the polls we get to see, their internal polling is telling them the true story. John Key has burnt off sector after sector. His attack on the flag has made rural and provincial NZ question whether National really are their kind of party any more. That may not translate directly to votes for Labour, but any softening of the right’s vote will bring this Government down.

Fear.

We, on the left, need to hold our nerve. For the first time since the Clark years, all of the principal opposition parties have solid, sensible leadership. We may have a fear of a fourth term for Key, but it’s nowhere near his fear of us. If we can organise, organise and organise, we can win.

New Zealand can win.

So, fear not.

He may occasionally stumble, but he won’t fall. Andrew Little is closer to Bernie Sanders than some might like to think. Like Sanders, Andrew has been speaking truth to power all his adult life. Like Sanders, it’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the fight in the dog. And, like Sanders, Andrew wants to lead a country where fear does not haunt hundreds of thousands of Kiwis every day of their lives.

An end to fear; lets have fairness instead.

So, fear not. We can do this.

We will do this.

 

tereoputake.wordpress.com/

twitter.com/tereoputake

tereoputake@gmail.com

 

An afterthought. I thought I might start adding links to my post’s titles:

 

 

 

141 comments on “Fear is a Man’s Best Friend ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Ovid 1
    17 March 2016 at 4:23 pm

    Hear! Hear!

  2. Ssor 2
    17 March 2016 at 4:27 pm

    ya dreamin mate

  3. Dazzer 3
    17 March 2016 at 4:27 pm

    Seriously? The fear on the right is that Little will go – at present, the best chance for the Nats is if Little stays and leads Labour lower (I like my alliteration).

    It’s not fear of his ideas. Key couldn’t believe his luck that Little was making his job so much easier. When Winston starts claiming that Labour is stealing its policies (not to mention the dog whistle), that’s when Labour should be fearful.

  4. Keith 4
    17 March 2016 at 4:31 pm

    Well said. The bullshit eminating from Key at the moment in his retorts suggests to me Little is getting under his skin.

    We have a rather worrying, sizeable, growing problem in Auckland and in turn NZ, that is rooves over heads in our biggest city and who can or more to the point who can’t afford to live in them. But to deal with that multi faceted problem means National compromising all of their dodgy never spoken of deals just like cheap immigrant labour. They are so deeply compromised and so self centred they do not want the finger pointed at them when this roulette bubble that is housing bursts as it surely will, so they just sit there fiddling while Auckland burns. Trouble is with that non solution is that Little is starting to point the bleeding obvious out, loudly, and honesty like that cannot be taken lightly or lying down.

    Expect a bigger noise from their corporate media lickspitles (too many to name) and key Nat ministers over the next few weeks.

    • Whispering Kate 4.1
      17 March 2016 at 5:05 pm

      You are so correct Keith, there is a growing serious problem in Auckland, housing is one serious baby and the friends I know, who are not in the destitute category are growing resentful that their children will have to leave the city and find housing elsewhere. Workers on the minimum wage haven’t a chance ever of owning their own home.

      The traffic here has gone beyond being just a problem, it is a serious problem.
      March, we realise is the mad month with newbies going into uni and getting their lectures and tutorials organised for the semester but it isn’t going to get any better than this and its almost gridlocked at any time of the day on the cities roads and motorways. One has to almost plan a day for an hour’s appointment these days, Auckland is going to hell in a handbasket and the super city council and the government have seen this coming for all the years they have been in power and are not doing much to curb the influx of people and cars into the city.

      It seems that these days people in power just bury your head in the sand and ignore the obvious that is going on – its always placed into the too hard basket and how about a game of golf to get their minds off it.

      • AmaKiwi 4.1.1
        17 March 2016 at 9:17 pm

        In the last 8 years the one third of the voters who live in Auckland have watched Auckland become disaster. And there ain’t no quick fix in time for the election.

      • Ad 4.1.2
        17 March 2016 at 10:09 pm

        Auckland is the most economically successful thing about New Zealand.
        They flock here.
        Auckland is the Pacific’s USA.

        • esoteric pineapples 4.1.2.1
          18 March 2016 at 9:08 am

          I thought Auckland was Palmerston North multiplied 20 times

        • Whispering Kate 4.1.2.2
          18 March 2016 at 10:07 am

          Ad -That says it in a nutshell, who the hell would want to live in the USA. I have family who have lived in a lot of huge cities overseas, the US included and this country of ours is what they crave when they return home for holidays. They are coming home soon for good as they can see a haven and respite from the smog, millions of people and discomfort/danger living in those conditions. This is what makes us unique – and what is wrong with that?

          Why should these new immigrants come in and bring us down to their living conditions. We have enough crime of our own with gangs, without all their bribery and drug cartels as well. I am not saying stop these people coming in, just do as Andrew Little says and curb it in the meanwhile and try to get some housing and roading and more funds to the Police to cope with them all. This city maybe the Pacific’s USA as you say, I think it is madness to want to be like the USA – the whole bunch of them are loony tunes over there. Just look at how they are trying to manage and dominate the universe – Ad you need your bloody head read.

      • saveNZ 4.1.3
        18 March 2016 at 8:36 am

        +1 Whispering Kate

    • saveNZ 4.2
      18 March 2016 at 8:49 am

      +1 Keith

      Brace yourself for more personal attacks. The wheels are coming off the rural sector which Key gambled most of the NZ economy, Tourism and construction are up but mostly because of the immigration demand. Unfortunately, the government failed to create any sustainable jobs and not too many houses either, or public transport or motorways in time for the influx. When you get cronies involved who only care about money, actually achieving anything fit for purpose was never part of the calculations.

      As for immigration, like a giant ponzi scheme it depends of getting new customers in, so you can keep paying out and pretending your investment is working and achieving those higher than average yields.

      Key can’t afford to stop immigration now, because the ponzi scheme will be revealed.

      There are no new jobs in the economy, just piles of million dollar brick and tile subdivisions with people on the dole inside and outside of town the homeless grouped under bridges.

      The TPPA will make it all so much worse as the taxpayers are robbed of more taxes for less services while those earning it, don’t have to pay any taxes or employ anybody local and Dairy stops earning money for NZ but instead those export $$$ go to other countries while losses are claimed locally.

  5. McFlock 5
    17 March 2016 at 4:38 pm

    I wonder if some people are so used to having a bunch of bullies, perverts, alledged criminal offenders and serial pony-tail tugging bullshitters as the leaders of the nation, that maybe they view someone with no obvious skeletons as maybe someone who’s a bit weird?

    • te reo putake 5.1
      17 March 2016 at 4:51 pm

      Yep. There’s a similar thing going on with Corbyn in the UK. Despite his decades in Parliament, a place where every weakness has an outlet, he doesn’t seem to have any real baggage. Which leads to nasty, personal attacks like Cameron reverting to toff, and criticising Corbyn’s dress sense. They used to do that to Michael Foot, too, sneering at his ‘donkey jacket’.

      Play the ball, not the man, isn’t a well respected saying in English public schools.

    • Smilin 5.2
      17 March 2016 at 5:15 pm

      There are many in this country who see the flaws of governance in his country who, like always quietly get on and size up the dangers presented and decide en masse to act when the time is right
      Andrew Little is one in that I believe he is supporting the majority of the opposition to the TPPA articles which damage our sovereignty,which is most of it
      An increase in public political gatherings not aligned necessarily to any one opposition party should be a sign that people are smarter than that weasel Key thinks they are.
      People are calling for change to the BS Key is ramming down the throat of this nation

  6. Enough is Enough 6
    17 March 2016 at 4:54 pm

    Of course it is fear, and that is why they are so successful at this game of politics.

    The Nats fear what a Labour government will mean for their supporters and pay masters. That fear leads them to be motivated and ruthless in their pursuit of power and never take power for granted. They poll and campaign continuously to stay ahead.

    Unfortunately our side doesn’t have that same level of fear and just seems to let every election just come and go.

    I hate their beliefs but admire their drive.

    • weka 6.1
      17 March 2016 at 4:59 pm

      I don’t, because their drive comes from wanting to rule and feeling entitled to. I don’t want the left to win like that because then we’ve lost any sense of fairness and that being real is good.

      • The lost sheep 6.1.1
        17 March 2016 at 6:16 pm

        ‘their drive comes from wanting to rule and feeling entitled to.’

        You are saying the Left don’t want to rule, and don’t feel entitled to ?
        They used to during the 40 years I was active on the political Left!
        What happened?

        No wonder they can’t win an election. If they don’t feel they’re entitled to rule, why would the voters?

        • North 6.1.1.1
          17 March 2016 at 6:53 pm

          Care to tell us exactly where how and when you were 40 years active on the Left LoSheep ? You know……for provenance checking purposes. You can’t be Paul Quinn in disguise. Too old given the 40 years you claim.

          • The lost sheep 6.1.1.1.1
            17 March 2016 at 7:48 pm

            At my age I don’t have to prove my Provenance to anyone.

            And what difference does it make?
            If I plonk a beer down in front of you, and ask you smell it and taste it and drink it, and then give me an honest judgement of it’s quality….and you do.
            Does your honest judgement then change when I reveal the beer was made in Samoa rather than Belgium?

            So If you disagree with my point that the Left Wing used to have a drive to rule and felt they were entitled to it – then give me good reasons for that argument?

            But don’t fuck around with that ‘provenance’ stuff. That’s bullshit.

        • weka 6.1.1.2
          17 March 2016 at 7:58 pm

          You are saying the Left don’t want to rule, and don’t feel entitled to ?
          They used to during the 40 years I was active on the political Left!
          What happened?

          No wonder they can’t win an election. If they don’t feel they’re entitled to rule, why would the voters?

          Make up your mind, do they want to rule or don’t they?

          I’m really fucking sick of this stupid shit level of debate here.

          No-one in NZ is entitled to rule. We have parliament not a monarchy. I’m sure there are people in Labour who want to rule but I probably wouldn’t call them left wing. Mostly the left want good governance and a fairer democracy. I think many conservatives want that too. But the neoliberals want to rule. If you can’t figure out what I mean by that you probably shouldn’t be here.

          • Jones 6.1.1.2.1
            17 March 2016 at 8:31 pm

            And besides the talk shouldn’t be about ruling but representing.

          • The lost sheep 6.1.1.2.2
            17 March 2016 at 9:03 pm

            ‘I’m really fucking sick of this stupid shit level of debate here.

            Well, as you have been saying to others yourself lately Weka, why don’t [Not necessary – MS]

            I did really wonder, when it was you who pointed out that this was a site that alienated people like Māori and feminists, why [Language please – MS]

            But to be honest, as time went on I came to think that was because [Unnecessary abuse – MS].

            But if you don’t. Just [Language please – MS]

            • mickysavage 6.1.1.2.2.1
              17 March 2016 at 9:06 pm

              Weka provides a really sophisticated and interesting views of things. Her comments are really important and always relevant. There are three or four levels of interaction, authors, regular commentators, occasional commentators and readers. Weka is an important member of level 2, if she wanted to provide guest posts then I would be happy to put them up.

            • The lost sheep 6.1.1.2.2.2
              18 March 2016 at 10:33 am

              I apologise for my language towards Weka.

              It was misguided and ill judged, but the point I was trying to make is that it was exactly the kind of language that Weka has been using herself lately, towards other commenters at times, along with a general ‘hardening’ of her tone.
              She has changed, and if she really feels the way she states above, I believe she may well be better off doing something more positive somewhere else.

              She has also been making frequent negative comments about the ‘shit’ level of debate here, the amount of abuse, and the effect that has on alienating many people….
              If this blog does value commenters like Weka, and would like to think this is an environment such people should be ‘at home’ in, maybe you should all be giving some genuine consideration to the issues she has raised with the environment here?

          • International Rescue 6.1.1.2.3
            17 March 2016 at 10:45 pm

            A thoughtful post Weka. I am a conservative, but there is no ‘right to rule’. Politics needs to be a robust contest of ideas, accurately and fairly reported by a balanced media.

          • Draco T Bastard 6.1.1.2.4
            18 March 2016 at 7:04 am

            Mostly the left want good governance and a fairer democracy. I think many conservatives want that too. But the neoliberals want to rule.

            QFT

        • AmaKiwi 6.1.1.3
          17 March 2016 at 9:24 pm

          Ruling is what dictators do. Both our major parties love to do it.

          I want a government which follows the will of the people.

  7. Mike C 7
    17 March 2016 at 5:17 pm

    @TeReoPutake

    I don’t hate the Labour Party … and I am not in a froth.

    Watched one of “Your Kin” … Chris Trotter … this morning on the Henry Show.

    He is not happy with Andrew Little’s stance on many Political issues … and he believes that Little is receiving extremely poor guidance from his Labour Party advisors.

    Not only that … Trotter does not think that Little is very capable as a Politician.

    When an Opposition Leader is getting slammed by his own Brethren … then what is that saying about the future of the Labour Party and next year’s General Election?

    • Bearded Git 7.1
      17 March 2016 at 5:53 pm

      Trotter blows with the wind these days-a loose cannon. He let Henry manipulate him into the answers he wanted.

      Little’s stance on immigration, to turn it down “a bit” so that issues such as housing shortages can be addressed is sensible. NZ taking 60,000 a year is equivalent to the UK taking more than 800,000 a year.

      Little’s stance leaning on the banks is sensible-much better than the “do nothing” government we have.

      Trotter needs to look at the big picture and not trash Little for a couple of remarks that have been reinterpreted/purposely misunderstood by the MSM.

      • Mike C 7.1.1
        17 March 2016 at 6:00 pm

        @BeardedGit

        Trotter has shown no confidence in Little for a while now … so why is he doing that?

        Is Trotter secretly supporting another Labour MP who wishes to lead the Labour Party?

        • Bearded Git 7.1.1.1
          17 March 2016 at 6:36 pm

          Not sure Mike C. I think he just loses the plot a bit these days.

          BTW I just noticed on the Guardian website that a “high-level” of migration in the UK is 265,000 a year, so NZ migration is running at THREE TIMES a high-level in the UK.

        • In Vino 7.1.1.2
          17 March 2016 at 6:38 pm

          I think Trotter is genuine in his views – but as soon as anyone criticises in any way at all, the party faithful will ascribe foul motives to the critic.

          • Richard Christie 7.1.1.2.1
            17 March 2016 at 6:48 pm

            +1

          • b waghorn 7.1.1.2.2
            17 March 2016 at 8:40 pm

            Did you watch the interview, the fake frown of concern on trotters face was a sight to see.

            • Mike C 7.1.1.2.2.1
              18 March 2016 at 9:19 am

              @bwaghorn

              Isn’t that how Trotters face looks all the time?

              I don’t think I have ever seen him smile … let alone laugh.

              He always seems very dry and serious.

              • lprent …
                18 March 2016 at 9:56 am

                Not when I have been around him. But generally that is in some boozy disagreements.

              • b waghorn …
                18 March 2016 at 2:08 pm

                I call it how I see , if was wrong I’d be shot down quickly around here, I might leave trotter alone for now due to what Brendon says below.

          • Brendon Harre -Left wing Liberal 7.1.1.2.3
            18 March 2016 at 2:18 am

            Chris Trotter’s dad just passed away and a few years back his mum also passed away. I think this may have affected his judgement -hopefully temporarily. Combine these personal losses with political losses of the like of supporting Cunliffe and that not working out and I think it is understandable how Chris got manipulated into attacking Andrew Little.

            I don’t think Chris has recognised that the left is getting stronger organisationally in NZ -some of that Andrew Little can take credit for, while some of it is a more organic ground swell -such as Bomber’s daily live interviews, the anti TPP movement…..

            I certainly think that the power brokers supporting Key and that includes MSM -such as MediaWorks is scared because their polling will be showing that Key is losing support -kiwis have a much more negative opinion of him now. They don’t trust him -they think he lies, he is superficial……. What these power brokers fear -TRP is right in that -is that the erosion of support for Key will be translated to a rise in support for Labour and/or the left wing block.

            These power brokers are terrified of the political changes sweeping through the US and UK -where political parties are explicitly representing the disenfranchised unprotected masses against the privileged self-entitled protected elites.

            Hence the playing the man not the ball behaviour.

            • Mike S 7.1.1.2.3.1
              19 March 2016 at 1:51 am

              “These power brokers are terrified of the political changes sweeping through the US and UK -where political parties are explicitly representing the disenfranchised unprotected masses against the privileged self-entitled protected elites. ”

              In terms of the US, I can’t see where you get the idea that either the Democrats or republicans are explicitly representing the disenfranchised unprotected masses? I would say that the two presidential candidates, Clinton and Trump (Sadly and scarily, one of these two will be the next US president.) are prime examples of the privileged self-entitled protected elites?

    • lprent 7.2
      18 March 2016 at 9:16 am

      Chris left the Labour party about 25 years ago. He has generally opposed the NZLP from the left for decades. Please explain how you think he is ‘brethren’.

  8. Jenny Kirk 8
    17 March 2016 at 5:19 pm

    Great post, TRP – I’ve just come from reading a heap of ignorant criticisms of what Andrew Little said to the Hutt News re immigrant chefs, and am annoyed that so many sheeples prefer to believe twisted MSM or someone like Hooten than to face the fact that in Andrew Little we finally have a Leader who says what he means, knows what he’s talking about, and suggests solutions to our problems.
    An as for Chris Trotter, Mike C – he’s all over the place … he doesn’t know what he’s talking about (other than thru his blindfold hat) … and he prefers to criticise rather than to analyse . In fact sometimes Chris Trotter is just like the sheeples I’m complaining about.

    • In Vino 8.1
      17 March 2016 at 6:45 pm

      Sorry to disagree Jenny – I think Trotter has better historical insight than any other commentator I have read so far. To my mind, he is definitely not “all over the place”. I find him fairly consistent. But criticism is always inconvenient for the enthused believers. I would hope that Labour notes his views rather than scorning them.

      • weka 8.1.1
        17 March 2016 at 7:50 pm

        I’m not a Labour supporter and I find Trotter very uneven. I agree his historical insight is very valuable.

  9. Et Tu Brute 9
    17 March 2016 at 5:25 pm

    This is disingenuous. By defining how everyone who is complaining must be thinking, you ultimately define the problem away. But there is a problem. Like it or not what Little said is offensive to many middle voters. He was fairly clear on what he meant. He’s either politically immature or lying therefore. My feeling is he was speaking out both sides of his mouth expecting two different groups to hear two different things. But in the end it doesn’t matter what he meant. This is politics and what matters is how it was taken.

    I am a swing voter. I am in the middle. I have voted right and left. And to me I have a deep uneasiness about any politician thatstarts playing the Chinese/Indian card. And I don’t appreciate being thought of as a Labour hater because I have this stance.

    • Draco T Bastard 9.1
      18 March 2016 at 7:18 am

      Like it or not what Little said is offensive to many middle voters.

      If they bothered to listen to what he said rather than what was reported then I doubt if they would be offended.

  10. sweety 10
    17 March 2016 at 5:25 pm

    I am fearful. I just couldn’t stand another 3 years of the ridicule I get from those nasty natz over at TM.

  11. Matthew Whitehead 11
    17 March 2016 at 5:28 pm

    Hi.

    I’m pretty sure I’m not part of the infantile left, but I objected to Little’s comments.

    Not because they were honest- given a set level of racism between two candidates, I’ll choose the honest one.

    I objected because they revealed that Labour policy really is going in this populist, “soft-racist” direction where it’s “immigration makes the economy worse during downtimes.”

    I’d like to see him prove that before he talks about capping migration during recession or recovery. At best he should be saying that we get to apply skills tests and investment requirements more strigently, which is actually an economic argument. A cap just seems to be immigrant-bashing.

    And he should have known not to talk about Chinese chefs after the whole “chinese-sounding names” gaffe. Labour should be running anything that even touches on Asian immigration and economic influence by focus groups before talking about it after that, because they obviously can’t trust their instincts to get the messaging right. As Labour leader, he needs to have a better eye for how the public is going to read this sort of stuff.

    So: objecting to soft racism? Primary objection. Dumb political gaffe and poor optics? Secondary objection. But both valid IMO.

    • Michael 11.1
      17 March 2016 at 6:35 pm

      While immigration contributes to GDP growth, I’m pretty sure GDP growth per capita has been pretty mediocre.

      I am very pro-immigration; I believe in a multicultural society and that we should celebrate our super-diversity as one of our greatest strengths.

      However, it’s also true that when the housing market is very overheated, and jobs aren’t being created at a fast pace, it can make sense to reduce the flow of immigration.

      It would be idiotic (and I think borderline racist) to say that immigration should be cut entirely at all times, but to say that it should be reduced in bad economic times and increased during good economic times is not ‘soft-racist’ at all.

      • International Rescue 11.1.1
        17 March 2016 at 10:50 pm

        “I’m pretty sure GDP growth per capita has been pretty mediocre.”

        That’s been Robertson’s line and it’s bs. GDP growth resulting from immigration takes time to take full effect, and is highly dependent on the demographic of immigrants. Current GDP growth is very healthy by global standards, and this GDP per capita crap is just desperation.

        • pat 11.1.1.1
          17 March 2016 at 11:38 pm

          “…..and this GDP per capita crap is just desperation.”

          awesome analysis! You should debate Mr Hickey sometime….

          http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/thepanel/audio/201793630/immigration-cap

          • International Rescue 11.1.1.1.1
            18 March 2016 at 4:40 am

            No thanks. Hickey has been anti-migration for some time. Besides, I wasn’t aware he posted here?

            • pat 11.1.1.1.1.1
              18 March 2016 at 8:46 am

              “No thanks. Hickey has been anti-migration for some time.”

              so you only debate those who agree with you….good strategy….I bet you even win some.

              • International Rescue …
                18 March 2016 at 5:17 pm

                No, I debate those with an open mind, and who are posting here. Do you have a point to make, or are you simply appealing to authority?

                • pat …
                  18 March 2016 at 10:15 pm

                  I guess if the points made by Bernard Hickey and his citing of the Australian study is too difficult for you then your statement “and this GDP per capita crap is just desperation.” would indicate that basic mathematics is also way beyond your ken.

                  • International Rescue …
                    21 March 2016 at 10:52 am

                    No, neither. As I said, Hickey has a long track record of opposition to immigration, he’s well known for it. But the wider point is you are appealing to someone elses authority without making your own argument. That generally means you can’t.

      • Matthew Whitehead 11.1.2
        18 March 2016 at 12:01 am

        I don’t disagree the housing market is overheated and that Labour has been reasonable in its policies on New Zealanders having priority to own land. (it’s the politics of the “chinese-sounding names” thing that they failed on)

        Capping immigration during downturns really does seem to me to be saying “I don’t care how good you are for the economy, enough immigrants.” If you would restrict immigration to people falling into categories of investors or skilled workers we are currently short on, that seems reasonable.

        But an overall cap sounds like the first step towards becoming the next New Zealand First to, especially as it’s very hard to prove one way or another what the economic impact of a migrant will be.

      • Sacha 11.1.3
        18 March 2016 at 6:58 am

        This government allowing migrants to count investment in residential property rather than productive business does not help.

    • left for deadshark 11.2
      17 March 2016 at 7:03 pm

      +1 Thanks Matt

  12. TepidSupport 12
    17 March 2016 at 5:31 pm

    I don’t comment much- don’t have time- but am on record here as stating that NZ needs a strong, stable and coherent opposition that gives a credible option to voters.
    The beat up over AL’s comment about stemming numbers coming to NZ is stupid, those comments of his are rational and make sense!
    What gives me fear is his comment about regulating interest rates etc…
    National has, by and large, run the economy pretty well- I realise a number here will disagree but the majority how have backed them will generally think the same. Labour needs to continue to give us solid and convincing ideas about how they will run the country differently and how that will lead to better outcomes.
    They need to stay consistently on message and not give “the right”, media, etc any cause to discredit them or their message (think flip flopping on free trade/ interest rate fixing etc)
    I hope they do present a credible, consistent option

    • Draco T Bastard 12.1
      17 March 2016 at 7:41 pm

      National has, by and large, run the economy pretty well…

      Pretty well into the ground. It’s all that they really know how to do as they give all our wealth to the already rich.

      • International Rescue 12.1.1
        17 March 2016 at 10:51 pm

        You mean like the first real increase in benefits in over 30 years?

        The NZ economy is outperforming many other OECD countries on a range of measures, and is far better shape than was predicted in 2008.

        • One Anonymous Bloke 12.1.1.1
          18 March 2016 at 6:02 am

          Far better shape. After all, Treasury predicted a whole decade of deficits and we’ve only had eight deficits in eight years 🙄

          No, wait, John Key and Bill English said the economy was in good shape in 2008. Perhaps you’re just lying again.

          • International Rescue 12.1.1.1.1
            18 March 2016 at 5:23 pm

            In good shape to withstand the GFC/recession using debt. You’re first sentence is correct.

            • One Anonymous Bloke 12.1.1.1.1.1
              18 March 2016 at 6:01 pm

              You’re unable to distinguish between ‘your’ and ‘you’re’, yet you feel competent to assert facts about recent New Zealand history.

              Read the link, numbskull.

              • International Rescue …
                18 March 2016 at 9:32 pm

                oh, I did.

                “This is the rainy day that Government has been saving up for,”

                English was referring the nations debt position, right throughout the article. He didn’t need to say much more. The country new a recession was looming even before the GFC.

                • One Anonymous Bloke …
                  19 March 2016 at 6:44 am

                  Between 2000 and 2007, the New Zealand economy expanded by an average of 3.5% each year as private consumption and residential investment grew strongly. Annual inflation averaged 2.6%, comfortably within the Reserve Bank’s 1% to 3% target range, while the current account deficit averaged 5.8% of GDP over this period.

                  The New Zealand economy entered recession in early 2008, before the effects of the global financial crisis set in later in the year. A drought over the 2007/08 summer led to lower production of dairy products in the first half of 2008. Domestic activity slowed sharply over 2008 as high fuel and food prices dampened domestic consumption while high interest rates and falling house prices drove a rapid decline in residential investment.

                  Treasury.

                  I note that our exposure to dairy industry risks was highlighted that long ago, and the National Party responded by subsidising dairy conversions from Southland to Saudi Arabia 🙄

                  I further note that Treasury don’t seem to be singing the same song as you.

                  • International Rescue …
                    21 March 2016 at 10:47 am

                    Thanks for confirming my point about the recession. As to dairy, it is only a single part of a highly diversified economy. And it will bounce back, particularly now that Labour have declared a crisis!

        • Draco T Bastard 12.1.1.2
          18 March 2016 at 6:40 am

          1. They were the ones who dropped the benefit in the first place and
          2. The increase was to an extremely limited group and no one would actually get the headline amount.

          The NZ economy is going down the drain as it always does under National.

          • International Rescue 12.1.1.2.1
            18 March 2016 at 5:25 pm

            Going down the drain?

            Record low interest rates.
            Record high employment participation.
            Most diversified economy in NZ’s history.
            Low inflation.

            “They were the ones who dropped the benefit in the first place ”

            Yet in 9 years Labour did zero about it.

            • Draco T Bastard 12.1.1.2.1.1
              18 March 2016 at 6:41 pm

              1. The record low interest rates are because the economy’s collapsing
              2. Participation seems to be about average
              3. And yet we seem to have lost a lot of income from over dependence upon a single commodity. Also, it’s not an accurate measure anyway. Of course it’s more diversified than the 19th century. The real question is: Is it diversified enough? And I don’t see us manufacturing hard tech here and our R&D is well below what it needs to be.
              4. The low inflation is due also due to the collapsing economy. Although, there’s the very high inflation in housing pushing ever more people into poverty

              • International Rescue …
                18 March 2016 at 9:43 pm

                “1. The record low interest rates are because the economy’s collapsing”

                Ah, no. http://www.tradingeconomics.com/new-zealand/gdp-growth

                “2. Participation seems to be about average”

                Ah, no. http://www.tradingeconomics.com/new-zealand/labor-force-participation-rate. Jan 2015 was the highest on record.

                “3. And yet we seem to have lost a lot of income from over dependence upon a single commodity. ”

                Ah, no. “Almost half of New Zealand’s recorded dairy exports are added-value products, however it is estimated that the value-added export total may be even higher, due to the processing and packaging of value-added products in New Zealand.

                Fonterra is New Zealand’s largest company and handles more than 90 percent of New Zealand’s milk production. It represents more than 20 percent of total New Zealand merchandise exports and 7 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).” http://www.nzdairycareers.co.nz/?page=Dairy_Industry&subpage=Dairy_Facts. Note the value add proportion.

                It amazes me the number of people on the left who make these claims without the slightest understanding of how our economy works.

                • Draco T Bastard …
                  18 March 2016 at 10:09 pm

                  Ah, no.

                  Ah, yes. The RBNZ just lowered the OCR because the economy isn’t working.

                  Ah, no.

                  With nearly the highest unemployment to go with it. Two points:
                  1. People join the labour force because they want to or because they have to. I figure the reason we’re seeing an increase is because of the latter which happens when the economy is collapsing. Bill English saying that wages have been dropping would support that.

                  Note the value add proportion.

                  Note the fact that it’s a dairy PR website. It’s their job to tell us it’s all rosy.

                  Meanwhile, around 40% of dairy farmers are about to lose their farms.

                  • International Rescue …
                    21 March 2016 at 10:48 am

                    The RB lowered the OCR because growth is higher than expected.

                    NZ has record immigration flows, and the economy is still soaking up workers.

                    And 40% to lose their farms? What utter rubbish.

  13. The lost sheep 13
    17 March 2016 at 5:49 pm

    ‘Fear is a man’s best friend,
    You add it up it brings you down’.

    Unfortunately, Andrew has more to fear from what’s coming behind his back than what’s coming at him head on.

    • Mike C 13.1
      17 March 2016 at 5:57 pm

      @Lost Sheep

      Yeap … people like Robertson and Cunliffe will be rubbing their hands with glee.

    • McFlock 13.2
      17 March 2016 at 5:57 pm

      Really?
      Judith Collins is in the Labour caucus?

      • Mike C 13.2.1
        17 March 2016 at 6:08 pm

        @McFlock

        That was funny. LOL.

        Judith Collins was a Member of the Labour Party until the 90’s … so anythings possible.

        God help Labour or National if Collins ever gets a strangle hold on either one.

    • te reo putake 13.3
      17 March 2016 at 6:21 pm

      Oi, sheepish. It can’t have escaped your attention that there hasn’t been talk of a leadership change since … well, since Andrew Little was elected leader. The caucus are in a good place, looking forward to being ministers. National’s caucus, on the other hand, are looking at their future life on the opposition benches and they don’t like the view one little bit.

      • Ad 13.3.1
        17 March 2016 at 10:04 pm

        And after unity and good hits comes … people prepared to write cheques.

        Keep attaching our economic oligarchs, Little, and I’ll change my mind and start donating again.

  14. Grim 14
    17 March 2016 at 5:56 pm

    Little vs Key:

    Key’s lies are deliberate and on message.
    Little needs to ensure his honest answers are to.

  15. Ben 15
    17 March 2016 at 6:18 pm

    Little may be honest, but that counts for little if every time he opens his gob he says something totally stupid.

    It may come down to a choice between an honest buffoon, and a not so honest leader who thinks about what he is about to say.

    • dave 15.1
      18 March 2016 at 3:17 am

      whats stupid about about turning down immigration when we are 40000 homes short roads blocked nzs living in garages please explain ben where are the john key answers ????

  16. adam 16
    17 March 2016 at 6:18 pm

    When did the labour party become like the old communist league, and not handle criticism?

    Andrew Little has done very well on the dairy debate, so has Metiria. Even Winston is killing them, and this is good stuff.

    Dirty politics is a given Te Reo Putake, – it’s days of effectiveness will wane, but it will take some time. They reached for it very quickly this time round, so I agree with some of what you are saying, but and here is the but.

    Why even mention race at all? You know that the Tory scum have the machine in place, and you know some of what is said will be twisted and made to hurt. Look at CV, he’s hurting again. It’s exactly like when the Tory bastards attack Maori, it has one outcome, hurt.

    I do agree with you, Andrew Little is doing a fair job. He could do better, and that is what the constructive criticism is all about.

    To the disingenuous Tories here who read more into what Chris Trotter said this morning, you are lying to yourselves. Chris, always pushes the Labour party, the Greens, New Zealand first, the Maori party and Mana, to be better social democratic parties. To be the best they can be, for all of us. He has a anarchist soul, Ha, he will hate that. He says and writes what many don’t want to hear, but sometimes needs to hear. The only people his comments undermine, are those who already undermined, or so fickle, they float on the wind.

    • te reo putake 16.1
      17 March 2016 at 6:28 pm

      Good analysis, Adam. To be fair to Andrew, he didn’t raise race, the journo did. But he has to learn how to handle stuff like that. As I was trying to get across in the post, he’s not the kind of guy who thinks ‘how can I answer this in a way that makes me look cool’, he just answers. However, I’d rather have an honest man who makes mistakes than a liar who makes none.

      • weka 16.1.1
        17 March 2016 at 7:52 pm

        “To be fair to Andrew, he didn’t raise race, the journo did.”

        I’m still unclear on that. In the audio the journo raises the chef issue, but Little is the first to bring up ethnicity. Was there a wider context to that?

      • Ad 16.1.2
        17 March 2016 at 10:02 pm

        Little should just stay on target with dairy and banks.

        It’s so right. They are outraged because banks are poorly regulated and rich and powerful. Keep attacking banks and dairy Little. Fully support that.

        Keep showing me you are Labour without fear.

        • TepidSupport 16.1.2.1
          18 March 2016 at 6:21 pm

          Um, where is your evidence the banks are poorly regulated?
          Our banks are some of the most highly/ best regulated in the world…

          Dairy accounts for around 5% of our GDP directly and probably up to 15%- 25% indirectly so to “attack” dairy is irresponsible.

          Sure, challenge them to ensure they find alternative investment and diversification, but attack?

    • In Vino 16.2
      17 March 2016 at 6:57 pm

      +1 Adam

    • Stuart Munro 16.3
      17 March 2016 at 7:09 pm

      Chris has bad days too – when the darkness of the benighted Key government seems endless. He just needs a millenium – all of NZ does – a 21st century that isn’t like the 19th running backwards.

    • International Rescue 16.4
      17 March 2016 at 10:59 pm

      “Andrew Little has done very well on the dairy debate, so has Metiria. Even Winston is killing them, and this is good stuff.”

      I don’t agree. Their line of questioning is verging on the childish, and it is almost amusing watching the ease with which the government responds. The public know the government isn’t responsible for dairy prices. They also know Labour are no friends of farmers. On both counts Labour are just looking silly.

  17. Michael 17
    17 March 2016 at 6:45 pm

    I think Andrew’s comments have been very misconstrued and I doubt he implied any racism at all. And the idea that immigration should be reduced in bad economic times, and increased in good economic times, is a pretty fair idea.

    However I think he just needs to get a bit better at being more PC. I think that he just needs to police his speech a bit more to ensure that he doesn’t say anything that could be *twisted* to be used as ammunition for the National spin machine.

    • whateva next? 17.1
      17 March 2016 at 8:30 pm

      “….ensure that he doesn’t say anything that could be *twisted* to be used as ammunition for the National spin machine.”
      Not possible, and that’s why he pauses before speaking, which is also misconstrued.
      I take no notice and just focus on what we need to do to get back to decency in government, we are so far from it, we will forget what is is if we are not careful.
      Key is so far right, yet even intelligent people say he is the centre, now they have shifted the fulcrum.

    • DH 17.2
      17 March 2016 at 8:42 pm

      “And the idea that immigration should be reduced in bad economic times, and increased in good economic times, is a pretty fair idea.”

      I don’t think you understand the economics of it very well. Immigration is used, quite cynically and deliberately by both Labour and National, as an economic stimulant.

      A large part of our GDP is merely catering for the increasing population. Stop the increase and GDP will quickly fall.

      Politicians love it because most of the GDP element of immigration is loaded on at the beginning whereas the actual costs of immigration is passed onto future generations.

  18. Richard Christie 18
    17 March 2016 at 6:59 pm

    Little has turned the Labour party around?

    I doubt that.

    The Labour Party haven’t committed to reversing the Employment Contract Act.
    The Labour Party refuse to commit to a programme of re-nationalising our swindled state assets.
    The Labour Party’s opposition to TPP is paper thin.

    Until they find the spine to do these fundamental things, they remain, ideologically, the same party that Moore led to defeat in the early ’90s.

    • te reo putake 18.1
      17 March 2016 at 7:05 pm

      The Clark government reversed the ECA 15 years ago. Labour haven’t ruled re-nationalisation out, but given how far in debt the Nats have got us, it might be pushing it in the first term. The Labour Party were upfront about their specific objections to the TPPA. The modern day LP is nothing like the 90’s LP. Other than those minor corrections, you’re 100% right, Richard.

      • Anne 18.1.1
        17 March 2016 at 7:28 pm

        lols

      • International Rescue 18.1.2
        17 March 2016 at 11:01 pm

        If re-nationalisation stacked up, Labour could borrow the money. But the reality is the Gvt is receiving higher dividends with 51% than they did with 100%.

        • joe90 18.1.2.1
          17 March 2016 at 11:03 pm

          higher dividends with 51% than they did with 100%

          Cite or you’re pulling shit out of your arse.

          • International Rescue 18.1.2.1.1
            18 March 2016 at 4:37 am

            Oh delighted.

            http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/77227108/government-hits-back-at-green-party-claims-asset-sales-have-cost-1b

            Quote:
            “The Government now received more in dividends than it did when it owned the companies outright. “For example, dividends from Genesis in the decade before the float averaged $32m,” said Burrows. “This year, as a 51 per cent owner, the Government received $83m in dividends from Genesis.””

            Do your own homework next time.

            • tc 18.1.2.1.1.1
              18 March 2016 at 6:41 am

              How much investment in the infrastructure over those periods IR ?

              Profits can soar when you defer rebuilding your asset base. Gattung and deanes telecom did this which chorus still suffer from today…recall the XT mobile debacle.

              What’s the full story on genesis, and remember Gerrys dodgy power station shuffle.

              • International Rescue …
                18 March 2016 at 5:21 pm

                It’s unlikely profits would soar by deferring investment after such a short period of time.

            • joe90 18.1.2.1.1.2
              18 March 2016 at 9:26 am

              Oh delighted.

              Yeah, but that’s a media report of an alleged comment. Quote Finlayson’s Bill English’s statement verbatim.
              //

    • Andrea 18.2
      18 March 2016 at 8:41 pm

      It would be more beneficial if they actually took GST back to the original 10%.

      And the UBI, or whatever it’s tripping about as – is about to be useless – unless that is made the level of income for pricing vital domestic overheads such as rent/rates, water and electricity and, for those involved, schooling.

      Otherwise the peasants will be dropping behind the gravy train as usual.

  19. Chuck 19
    17 March 2016 at 7:02 pm

    Andrew Little is a moving car wreak. No one needs to “twist” his comments…they speak for them self. Little needs to get some decent advice, and then maybe then he can start to rebuild the Labour party. To have Winston Peters call you out as being racist is to be blunt, hilarious!!

  20. Whateva next? 20
    17 March 2016 at 7:23 pm

    It comes down to trust for me, all the nit picking of our politicians is part of the current celebrity, drama, emotive style reporting.yes, Andrew does hesitate/ pause to consider what the questioner is saying, and then respond in a considered manner, knowing whatever he says will be blown up under a spotlight and shredded into bite size pieces.
    I trust that he has the best interests of ALL NZers at heart, whatever soul bites are reported, and I do not trust any of the National mob at all, no matter what they say.

  21. Cogito 21
    17 March 2016 at 8:03 pm

    “He’s his own man and he is painfully straight. Paaaainfully straight. It’s not in him to bullshit.”

    !!Go Andrew!!

    So utterly sick of all the lies of Key and his henchmen.

  22. ianmac 22
    17 March 2016 at 8:23 pm

    Well said te reo putake. When the agitators throw garbage at us we must stand firm. Sooner or later they must run out of ammo.

  23. Morrissey 23
    17 March 2016 at 8:27 pm

    Little lost an immense amount of goodwill and trust when he decided, as almost his first act as Opposition “leader”, to back the government’s snooping bill.

  24. Chris 24
    17 March 2016 at 8:32 pm

    “An off the cuff response to an innocuous question from a small local paper journo has got a lot of Labour Party haters in a froth.”

    Little has to learn that no matter where he is what he says matters. It’s no good claiming what he said was an “off the cuff” answer to an “innocuous question”. The guy needs to be prepared and disciplined which he clearly isn’t. Where are Little’s advisers? Has he got any? If he has are they dedicated/loyal/united? Little’s performance is a reflection of a fractured party that’s never been able to repair itself and as a result has become hellbent on destroying itself. Sad but true. Grant Robertson will crying with laughter.

  25. chris73 25
    17 March 2016 at 8:38 pm

    Yes I absolutely agree, the right are running scared…I’m sure it sounds like what was being said about Cunliffe, Shearer and Goff but no this time the right are really, really scared 🙂

    But I’ll give you this, its one of the better geeing up the troops posts I’ve read

  26. Mr Tank 26
    17 March 2016 at 9:17 pm

    Storming brother storming! You just cheered me up!

  27. Wainwright 27
    17 March 2016 at 10:22 pm

    What a laugh. The best excuse Little had was that he was talking about the FTA with China. Turns out the FTA only allows 300 or so chefs in.

  28. brownbear926 28
    18 March 2016 at 12:37 am

    Well written. I completely agree, that being honest, fighting in a good will and working for the good of the country are only a few examples of traits that should describe the political leaders. Yet, so little of them have those qualities. And for so many of them, individuals, who could be described by these characterictics are very inconvenient. So what can we expect from politicians in our (or almost every) country?

  29. tc 29
    18 March 2016 at 6:56 am

    Great post !

    Hooten frothing is probably a sure sign the DP crew are fully engaged so well done Andrew but please work on some simple phrasing and get all labour MP’s versed in them. Repeat ad nauseum the sheeple need to hear it a lot.

  30. Mike Bond 30
    18 March 2016 at 9:04 am

    It is comments like this that get left supporters all worked up and think they have a chance at the next election. Lets be honest for once. Little has had a total brain fade this week and taking on banks and slowing down immigration are just so stupid and will not get him one vote. You have a long standing Labour supporter telling it like it really is and he gets attacked. Labour seriously need to look at where they are and where they are going. Little is not gaining any popularity and that should be concerning. What I do know, is that New Zealand needs a strong opposition party and we need one now!

  31. Observer (Tokoroa) 31
    18 March 2016 at 11:01 am

    @ Te Reo Putake

    . This was an excellent Post. The Trolls are tripping over their own falsity. They have no concept of honesty. Nor of Fair Play.

    So dedicated are they to low life, they are the very people, male and female, who would willingly and slavishly scour the schools and kindergartens of NZ (and elsewhere) to provide our Prime Minister with little blonde girls – to relieve his strange urges and behaviours.

    They are dedicated to his lack of housing policy. His Gambling Den too.

    The triumph of Little is his honesty. His directness and his reliablity. A decent man – he needs no little school girls to tamper with.

    Unlike Winston (a fine and wise politician), Andrew Little does not employ legal split hairs – though he is himself a Lawyer. Neither is he an opportunistic Green hoping to be grafted onto some bent twig within the bizarre National Government.

    As I say, you fine Article is accurate and timely.

    But as a favour, could you explain to me simply and accurately what Chris Trotter has ever done for New Zealand and the common man? He strikes me as a rudderless tipsy gypsy.

    • Magisterium 31.1
      18 March 2016 at 2:17 pm

      they are the very people, male and female, who would willingly and slavishly scour the schools and kindergartens of NZ (and elsewhere) to provide our Prime Minister with little blonde girls – to relieve his strange urges and behaviours.

      KDS post of the day

  33. Observer (Tokoroa) 33
    18 March 2016 at 3:11 pm

    @ Sachs
    .
    Thanks for the link. It is quaint and disappointing to see journalists lacking the foresight of good employment policy and thereby good immigration policy.

    Not that Andrea bothers with such things as policy. She just wants to add a notch to her extensive belt of hack downs and entrapments. The substance of Andrews’ words neither crossed her mind or her somewhat incoherent writing.

    Can anyone decipher what she was saying?

    Sachs You apparently favour – non stop unlimited immigration? You are entitled to your stupidity. Good luck with it.

    • whateva next? 33.1
      18 March 2016 at 11:57 pm

      “The substance of Andrews’ words neither crossed her mind or her somewhat incoherent writing.”
      All a game to her and the guys out there in journo land, trouble is, it’s not actually a game, it has real consequences Ms.Vance, even if you are too much of an air head to understand it.

  34. Grim 34
    18 March 2016 at 7:34 pm

    Vote winners are holding the banks to account,
    demonstrating to farmers how they have been betrayed in such a way that they can remain blameless and turn their anger toward those who misled them.
    and logical immigration policy ( avoiding any language that can be spun against labour as racist)

    Look at that Vance article above, propaganda:
    not only belittles Little, but guides Labour policy away from real vote winners, have a good read, and see it for what it is, it exposes exactly what they want you to do.

    Can anyone name a kiwi family or farmer that would be opposed to hold the banks feet to the fire?

    Voters can and do the right thing when given the chance, it is not an Us vs Them battle.
    It is a battle to unity voters.

    So what do voters want?

    To prosper, and an environment where their children can prosper.

    Can Labour provide policies and demonstrate the ability to execute policies that benefit all New Zealanders?

  35. Incognito 35
    19 March 2016 at 2:14 am

    When you face your fears and realise that they are mostly irrational constructs of your mind they lose their hold over you. This, in turn, releases a power that is to be truly feared. Ultimately, we fear this power, which is real.

  36. Observer (Tokoroa) 36
    19 March 2016 at 4:01 am

    .
    To: Grim
    .
    “So what do voters want?
    To prosper, and an environment where their children can prosper.”

    I enjoyed reading your words. Any normal person would. The next phase of life in New Zealand must prioritise the prosperity of the common man and his children.

    The Banks, The Corporations and The Shareholders have done exceedingly well out of the ordinary person in the past 30 years. The landlords have done very well in the last 30 years. The doctors; the lawyers; the builders; the real estate gnomes; the wealthy immigrants. The Farmers. The Tourism sector; the Forest products owners. The Academics.

    Now it is the turn of the New Zealand common man. The same people who have been priced out of homes – and rentals too. The same people who have been denied a living wage and yet who work hard day after day. The same people who have been priced out of heating. Who have watched their jobs go across the seas to foreigners.

    We must calmly take back this country for New Zealanders.

    Tin pot journalists and TV smart asses do nothing for New Zealand. They exist only to give more wealth to already wealthy.

    Andrew Little is honest. He is for that reason the standout politician in New Zealand. He is not alone. The Greens are honest. New Zealand First is honest. The Maori party too.

    Honesty and Wealth Distribution are the two things we must retrieve for the sake of our Nation. There is no point in seeking it from our current parliament.

Links to post

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 27

    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 27 were:1. The Minister for Ford Rangers strikes againTransport Minister Simeon Brown was again the busiest of the Cabinet ministers this week, announcing an ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 mins ago
  • Ticket To Anywhere

    You got a fast carAnd I want a ticket to anywhereMaybe we make a dealMaybe together we can get somewhereAny place is betterYesterday’s newsletter, Trust In Me, on the report of abuse in state care, and by religious organisations, between 1950 and 2019, coupled with the hypocrisy of Christopher Luxon ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    45 mins ago
  • Stories of varying weight

    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on anything you may have missed. Share Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 hours ago
  • Balancing External Security and the Economy

    New Zealand is again having to reconcile conflicting pressures from its military and its trade interests. Should we join Pillar Two of AUKUS and risk compromising our markets in China? For a century after New Zealand was founded in 1840, its external security arrangements and external economics arrangements were aligned. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    18 hours ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: The unravelling of the offsets

    The ‘50 Shades of Green’ farmers’ protest in 2019 was heavy on climate change denial, but five years on, scepticism and criticism about the idea that pine forests can save us is growing across the board. File photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top six news items of note in climate ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    23 hours ago
  • What makes us tick

    This morning the sky was bright.The birds, in their usual joyous bliss. Nature doesn’t seem to feel the heat of what might angst humans.Their calls are clear and beautiful.Just some random thoughts:MāoriPaul Goldsmith has announced his government will roll back the judiciary’s rulings on Māori Customary Marine Title, which recognises ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    24 hours ago
  • Foreshore and seabed 2.0

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-07-27T00:30:19+00:00