Ferry ferry quite contrary
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8:22 am, September 26th, 2024 - 24 comments
Categories: act, Christopher Luxon, climate change, Economy, infrastructure, national, nicola willis, nz first, same old national, winston peters -
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Unfortunately for the Government the replacement ferry issue will not go away.
And every week it seems to get worse.
Previously they had placed great faith in private enterprise aka Bluebridge ferries providing a solution.
But one of its ferrys losing power and drifting for more than two hours and needing to be towed back to port placed a bit of a downer on that suggestion. It seems that the current government AND private enterprise are not great at keeping their assets up to date and fit for purpose.
A string of recent news stories suggests that things are not happy within the ranks of the Coalition Government. And all the stories hint that Act’s desire to nuke anything that looks like support for rail is going to attract the ire of Winston Peters in a potentially coalition threatening way.
The bad news started with this Tova O’Brien article suggesting that the parties were in disagreement with rail enabling the new ferries.
She gives this background:
iRex was scrapped way back in December, an independent ministerial advisory group was convened in February and they handed their final written report to ministers laying out options for replacement on 19 June – three months ago.
Finance Minister Nicola Willis said on 5 July that an announcement was coming soon.
So what’s the hold up?
Willis says ministers are still getting advice, testing proposals, asking questions and making sure the decisions they make are based on good information.
That certainly seems to be the case with parties seeking further information to bolster their respective views but it also appears that all three of those government parties – National, ACT, NZ First – have differing views on the best solution.
ACT has long advocated for privatisation and has recently talked up a mixed ownership model for Kiwirail.
New Zealand First is all about rail-enabled ferries, National not so much and the Finance Minister is poopooing any suggestion that Winston Peters has made rail-enablement a bottom line, “I think it would be wrong to characterise him as having expressed that as a bottom line.”
Asked by Stuff if New Zealand First is holding up the process, Nicola Willis didn’t say no, instead she replied, “we’re continuing to take advice as ministers, ministers are all engaged in the process across the three parties in the coalition.”
But when asked if the three parties in coalition are aligned as well as engaged, Willis said, “we haven’t had a final cabinet discussion so it would be premature to make any assessment.”
Tova describes the issue as “one helluva expensive impasse”.
Then Thomas Coughlan at the Herald chipped in. His take was more Government friendly. I wonder if there is a job that he is eyeing up?
But he did say this:
Willis is keeping her cards close to her chest. She hinted to RNZ’s First Up earlier this year that she was not too concerned about whether the ferries were rail-enabled or not, noting that many ferries around the world were not rail-enabled with rail freight being taken off trains and put on to boats without the need for tracks on the ships themselves.
“It happens around the world, it happens in New Zealand, there’s nothing too unusual about it,” Willis said.
However, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters does not share those thoughts.
When told the Government appeared to be leaning towards non-rail-enabled ferries last month, Peters responded, “who said that’s going to happen? Let’s see what happens in the end.”
Asked whether he would prefer rail-enabled ferries, Peters said: “Well, of course I would. Because for 100 years that’s what we’ve been planning to do.”
Asked if it was a bottom line, Peters said: “We don’t have bottom lines like you do – this isn’t our first rodeo”.
Coughlan reports that Treasury is in favour of South Island rail being shut down. Just what you need when you are trying to deal with a climate crisis.
Jo Moire at RNZ also chipped in and suggested that the Government was still taking advice and had not yet made a decision.
From her article:
The coalition government has been considering advice on replacement options for the Interislander ferries for several months and it could be the end of the year before a decision is made.
But Finance Minister Nicola Willis says it would be “premature” to blame that on a difference of opinion amongst the three governing parties.
…
Speaking to media at the prime minister’s weekly post-Cabinet press conference today, Willis said a decision would be made on a replacement service by the end of this year.
Willis did not immediately answer questions about when Cabinet had received advice from the ministerial advisory group, saying she would come back to reporters.
However, the prime minister chipped in, saying it was received “a few months ago”.
That prompted questions over whether New Zealand First was responsible for the delay in making a decision, with leader Winston Peters’ public campaign for rail-enabled ferries.
Willis said it would be “wrong to characterise [Peters] as having expressed that as a bottom line”.
Excuse me while I switch into swear mode but what the frick was the Government doing when it fricken cancelled a really good contract for the supply of rail enabled ferries and fricken putting us up for a potential billion dollar loss without getting proper advice and all so they could prance around and get their political jollies by suggesting the last Government had made a bad deal.
And drawing out the making of a decision at a time when the current ferries need to be replaced preferrably yesterday while these parties try to reconcile what at first sight look like pretty irreconcilable differences is not in the country’s best interests.
The next time the Government talks about the cost of the enabling work remind them how much they are planning to spend on their roads of National Significance program.
This issue will potentially be a coalition killer.
Stay tuned.
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Labour will continue to fight unsustainable and destructive projects that are able to leap-frog environment protection under National’s Fast-track Approvals Bill. ...5 days ago
- Green Government will revoke dodgy fast-track projects
The Green Party has warned that a Green Government will revoke the consents of companies who override environmental protections as part of Fast-Track legislation being passed today. ...5 days ago
- Government for the wealthy keeps pushing austerity
The Green Party says the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update shows how the Government is failing to address the massive social and infrastructure deficits our country faces. ...5 days ago
- Release: Visa changes let migrant workers be paid less
The Government’s latest move to reduce the earnings of migrant workers will not only hurt migrants but it will drive down the wages of Kiwi workers. ...5 days ago
- Release: Nightmare before Christmas for Nicola Willis
With more debt and a larger deficit, Nicola Willis’ reputation is in tatters after her failure to return the Government’s books to surplus. ...5 days ago
- Warning to Fast-Track Applicants – ‘Exploit the Whenua, Face the Consequences’
Te Pāti Māori has this morning issued a stern warning to Fast-Track applicants with interests in mining, pledging to hold them accountable through retrospective liability and to immediately revoke Fast-Track consents under a future Te Pāti Māori government. This warning comes ahead of today’s third reading of the Fast-Track Approvals ...5 days ago
- Release: Govt cuts wages for lowest paid NZers… again
For the second year running, the government has effectively cut wages for the lowest paid workers in New Zealand. ...5 days ago
- Govt’s miserly 1.5% minimum wage will take workers backwards
The Government’s announcement today of a 1.5 per cent increase to minimum wage is another blow for workers, with inflation projected to exceed the increase, meaning it’s a real terms pay reduction for many. ...5 days ago
- Release: Govt shirking responsibility for rate hikes
All the Government has achieved from its announcement today is to continue to push responsibility back on councils for its own lack of action to help bring down skyrocketing rates. ...5 days ago
- Luxon’s ‘localism’ strikes again
The Government has used its final post-Cabinet press conference of the year to punch down on local government without offering any credible solutions to the issues our councils are facing. ...6 days ago
- Release: Govt breaks promise on EV chargers
The Government has failed to keep its promise to ‘super charge’ the EV network, delivering just 292 chargers - less than half of the 670 chargers needed to meet its target. ...6 days ago
- Greens call for end to subsidies for Methanex
The Green Party is calling for the Government to stop subsidising the largest user of the country’s gas supplies, Methanex, following a report highlighting the multi-national’s disproportionate influence on energy prices in Aotearoa. ...6 days ago
- Govt child poverty targets allow for increase in poverty
The Green Party is appalled with the Government’s new child poverty targets that are based on a new ‘persistent poverty’ measure that could be met even with an increase in child poverty. ...1 week ago
- Release: Four weeks annual leave under threat
The Government’s attack on workers continues with news it is scrapping work on the Holidays Act. ...1 week ago
- Govt’s emissions plan for measly 1% reduction
New independent analysis has revealed that the Government’s Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) will reduce emissions by a measly 1 per cent by 2030, failing to set us up for the future and meeting upcoming targets. ...1 week ago
- Greens stand in solidarity with Whakaata Māori on sad day
The loss of 27 kaimahi at Whakaata Māori and the end of its daily news bulletin is a sad day for Māori media and another step backwards for Te Tiriti o Waitangi justice. ...1 week ago
- Sanctions regime to create more hardship for families
Yesterday the Government passed cruel legislation through first reading to establish a new beneficiary sanction regime that will ultimately mean more households cannot afford the basic essentials. ...1 week ago
- Govt gifts renters housing anxiety for Christmas
Today's passing of the Government's Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill–which allows landlords to end tenancies with no reason–ignores the voice of the people and leaves renters in limbo ahead of the festive season. ...1 week ago
- Release: National Party urged to support modern slavery legislation
Labour is urging the Prime Minister to walk the talk and support legislation combating modern slavery. ...1 week ago
- Release: Labour has lost confidence in the Speaker
The Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament made an unprecedented decision on the government amendment to the Fast Track Approvals Bill last night. ...1 week ago
- One year on, still no progress on new ferries
Today’s announcement from the Government on its plan for new ferries throws more uncertainty on the future of the country’s rail network. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Nicola Willis’ smaller ferries will cost more
After wasting a year, Nicola Willis has delivered a worse deal for the Cook Strait ferries that will end up being more expensive and take longer to arrive. ...2 weeks ago
- Bill to sanction unlawful occupation of Palestine
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick has today launched a Member’s Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as the All Out For Gaza rally reaches Parliament. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour fully supports greyhound racing ban
The Government has done the right thing in moving to ban greyhound racing. ...2 weeks ago
- Greyhound racing industry ban marks new era for animal welfare
After years of advocacy, the Green Party is very happy to hear the Government has listened to our collective voices and announced the closure of the greyhound racing industry, by 1 August 2026. ...2 weeks ago
- Rangatahi voices must be centred in Government’s Relationship and Sexuality Education refresh
In response to a new report from ERO, the Government has acknowledged the urgent need for consistency across the curriculum for Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt introduces archaic anti-worker legislation
The Green Party is appalled at the Government introducing legislation that will make it easier to penalise workers fighting for better pay and conditions. ...2 weeks ago
- Winston Peters – Kinleith Mill Speech
Thank you for the invitation to speak with you tonight on behalf of the political party I belong to - which is New Zealand First. As we have heard before this evening the Kinleith Mill is proposing to reduce operations by focusing on pulp and discontinuing “lossmaking paper production”. They say that they are currently consulting on the plan to permanently shut ...2 weeks ago - Swarbrick calls on Auckland Mayor to end delay of revival of St James Theatre
Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick, has written to Mayor Wayne Brown requesting he stop the unnecessary delays on St James Theatre’s restoration. ...2 weeks ago
- He Ara Anamata: Greens launch Emissions Reduction Plan
Today, the Green Party of Aotearoa proudly unveils its new Emissions Reduction Plan–He Ara Anamata–a blueprint reimagining our collective future. ...2 weeks ago
- Internationally-trained doctors jump at chance to boost health workforce
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says Health New Zealand will move swiftly to support dozens of internationally-trained doctors already in New Zealand on their journey to employment here, after a tripling of sought-after examination places. “The Medical Council has delivered great news for hardworking overseas doctors who want to contribute ...8 hours ago - PM appoints business leader to APEC Business Advisory Council
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has appointed Sarah Ottrey to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). “At my first APEC Summit in Lima, I experienced firsthand the role that ABAC plays in guaranteeing political leaders hear the voice of business,” Mr Luxon says. “New Zealand’s ABAC representatives are very well respected and ...2 days ago
- New intelligence oversight appointments
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced four appointments to New Zealand’s intelligence oversight functions. The Honourable Robert Dobson KC has been appointed Chief Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants, and the Honourable Brendan Brown KC has been appointed as a Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants. The appointments of Hon Robert Dobson and Hon ...2 days ago
- New housing developments able to progress more quickly
Improvements in the average time it takes to process survey and title applications means housing developments can progress more quickly, Minister for Land Information Chris Penk says. “The government is resolutely focused on improving the building and construction pipeline,” Mr Penk says. “Applications to issue titles and subdivide land are ...2 days ago
- Actions to speed up air travel delivering results
The Government’s measures to reduce airport wait times, and better transparency around flight disruptions is delivering encouraging early results for passengers ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Improving the efficiency of air travel is a priority for the Government to give passengers a smoother, more reliable ...2 days ago
- Ending contracted emergency housing in Rotorua
The Government today announced the intended closure of the Apollo Hotel as Contracted Emergency Housing (CEH) in Rotorua, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. This follows a 30 per cent reduction in the number of households in CEH in Rotorua since National came into Government. “Our focus is on ending CEH in the Whakarewarewa area starting ...2 days ago
- Vocational education and training decisions support return to regions
The Government will reshape vocational education and training to return decision making to regions and enable greater industry input into work-based learning Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds says. “The redesigned system will better meet the needs of learners, industry, and the economy. It includes re-establishing regional polytechnics that ...2 days ago
- Reducing the environmental impact of synthetic refrigerants
The Government is taking action to better manage synthetic refrigerants and reduce emissions caused by greenhouse gases found in heating and cooling products, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says. “Regulations will be drafted to support a product stewardship scheme for synthetic refrigerants, Ms. Simmonds says. “Synthetic refrigerants are found in a ...2 days ago
- Ngāruawāhia section of Waikato Expressway back to 4 lanes for Christmas
People travelling on State Highway 1 north of Hamilton will be relieved that remedial works and safety improvements on the Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway were finished today, with all lanes now open to traffic, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“I would like to acknowledge the patience of road users ...2 days ago
- Appointments to the ENZ board
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds, has announced a new appointment to the board of Education New Zealand (ENZ). Dr Erik Lithander has been appointed as a new member of the ENZ board for a three-year term until 30 January 2028. “I would like to welcome Dr Erik Lithander to the ...3 days ago
- Government to celebrate Waitangi Day around NZ
The Government will have senior representatives at Waitangi Day events around the country, including at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, but next year Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has chosen to take part in celebrations elsewhere. “It has always been my intention to celebrate Waitangi Day around the country with different ...3 days ago
- More gangs added to Gangs Act list
Two more criminal gangs will be subject to the raft of laws passed by the Coalition Government that give Police more powers to disrupt gang activity, and the intimidation they impose in our communities, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. Following an Order passed by Cabinet, from 3 February 2025 the ...3 days ago
- Judicial appointment announced
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Justice Christian Whata as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Whata’s appointment as a Judge of the Court of Appeal will take effect on 1 August 2025 and fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Hon Justice David Goddard on ...3 days ago
- GDP data highlights importance of growth
The latest economic figures highlight the importance of the steps the Government has taken to restore respect for taxpayers’ money and drive economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Data released today by Stats NZ shows Gross Domestic Product fell 1 per cent in the September quarter. “Treasury and most ...3 days ago
- Strengthening Free Speech in Universities
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Minister of Education David Seymour today announced legislation changes to strengthen freedom of speech obligations on universities. “Freedom of speech is fundamental to the concept of academic freedom and there is concern that universities seem to be taking a more risk-averse ...3 days ago
- Launch of Emergency Cellular Priority Service
Police Minister, Mark Mitchell, and Internal Affairs Minister, Brooke van Velden, today launched a further Public Safety Network cellular service that alongside last year’s Cellular Roaming roll-out, puts globally-leading cellular communications capability into the hands of our emergency responders. The Public Safety Network’s new Cellular Priority service means Police, Wellington ...3 days ago
- Minister reopens Mangamuka Gorge
State Highway 1 through the Mangamuka Gorge has officially reopened today, providing a critical link for Northlanders and offering much-needed relief ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“The Mangamuka Gorge is a vital route for Northland, carrying around 1,300 vehicles per day and connecting the Far ...3 days ago
- Funding confirmed for second Ashburton Bridge
The Government has welcomed decisions by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and Ashburton District Council confirming funding to boost resilience in the Canterbury region, with construction on a second Ashburton Bridge expected to begin in 2026, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Delivering a second Ashburton Bridge to improve resilience and ...3 days ago
- Government boosts support for avian influenza response
The Government is backing the response into high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Otago, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says. “Cabinet has approved new funding of $20 million to enable MPI to meet unbudgeted ongoing expenses associated with the H7N6 response including rigorous scientific testing of samples at the enhanced PC3 ...3 days ago
- Levelling the playing field for media advertising
Legislation that will repeal all advertising restrictions for broadcasters on Sundays and public holidays has passed through first reading in Parliament today, Media Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “As a growing share of audiences get their news and entertainment from streaming services, these restrictions have become increasingly redundant. New Zealand on ...4 days ago
- Inspector-General of Defence appointed
Today the House agreed to Brendan Horsley being appointed Inspector-General of Defence, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Mr Horsley’s experience will be invaluable in overseeing the establishment of the new office and its support networks. “He is currently Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, having held that role since June 2020. ...4 days ago
- Fire and Emergency New Zealand final levy rates confirmed
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government has agreed to the final regulations for the levy on insurance contracts that will fund Fire and Emergency New Zealand from July 2026. “Earlier this year the Government agreed to a 2.2 percent increase to the rate of levy. Fire ...4 days ago
- More AML relief on the way for Kiwi businesses
The Government is delivering regulatory relief for New Zealand businesses through changes to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act. “The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill, which was introduced today, is the second Bill – the other being the Statutes Amendment Bill - that ...4 days ago
- Hawke’s Bay Expressway moving at pace
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed further progress on the Hawke’s Bay Expressway Road of National Significance (RoNS), with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board approving funding for the detailed design of Stage 1, paving the way for main works construction to begin in late 2025.“The Government is moving at ...4 days ago
- Government seeks partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned-land
The Government today released a request for information (RFI) to seeking interest in partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned land with low farming and conservation value (excluding National Parks) Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced. “Planting trees on Crown-owned land will drive economic growth by creating more forestry jobs in our regions, providing more wood ...4 days ago
- Wide ranging legislation to make justice system more efficient
Court timeliness, access to justice, and improving the quality of existing regulation are the focus of a series of law changes introduced to Parliament today by Associate Minister of Justice Nicole McKee. The three Bills in the Regulatory Systems (Justice) Amendment Bill package each improve a different part of the ...4 days ago
- Diverse skills in community trust appointments
A total of 41 appointments and reappointments have been made to the 12 community trusts around New Zealand that serve their regions, Associate Finance Minister Shane Jones says. “These trusts, and the communities they serve from the Far North to the deep south, will benefit from the rich experience, knowledge, ...4 days ago
- Torture redress for survivors of the Lake Alice Unit
The Government has confirmed how it will provide redress to survivors who were tortured at the Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital Child and Adolescent Unit (the Lake Alice Unit). “The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care found that many of the 362 children who went through the Lake Alice Unit between 1972 and ...4 days ago
- A busy year in the House
It has been a busy, productive year in the House as the coalition Government works hard to get New Zealand back on track, Leader of the House Chris Bishop says. “This Government promised to rebuild the economy, restore law and order and reduce the cost of living. Our record this ...4 days ago
- Consultation opens on working with engineered stone
“Accelerated silicosis is an emerging occupational disease caused by unsafe work such as engineered stone benchtops. I am running a standalone consultation on engineered stone to understand what the industry is currently doing to manage the risks, and whether further regulatory intervention is needed,” says Workplace Relations and Safety Minister ...4 days ago
- Greater reporting on Treaty settlement commitments
Mehemea he pai mō te tangata, mahia – if it’s good for the people, get on with it. Enhanced reporting on the public sector’s delivery of Treaty settlement commitments will help improve outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders, Māori Crown Relations Minister Tama Potaka says. Compiled together for the ...4 days ago
- New appointments to the Charities Registration Board
Mr Roger Holmes Miller and Ms Tarita Hutchinson have been appointed to the Charities Registration Board, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Louise Upston says. “I would like to welcome the new members joining the Charities Registration Board. “The appointment of Ms Hutchinson and Mr Miller will strengthen the Board’s capacity ...4 days ago
- Building consent processing times improve
More building consent and code compliance applications are being processed within the statutory timeframe since the Government required councils to submit quarterly data, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “In the midst of a housing shortage we need to look at every step of the build process for efficiencies ...4 days ago
- Faster access to support through Innovation Fund
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey is proud to announce the first three recipients of the Government’s $10 million Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund which will enable more Kiwis faster access to mental health and addiction support. “This fund is part of the Government’s commitment to investing in ...4 days ago
- New Zealand to assist Vanuatu on earthquake response
New Zealand is providing Vanuatu assistance following yesterday's devastating earthquake, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. "Vanuatu is a member of our Pacific family and we are supporting it in this time of acute need," Mr Peters says. "Our thoughts are with the people of Vanuatu, and we will be ...4 days ago
- Government takes steps to reduce card fees for Kiwis
The Government welcomes the Commerce Commission’s plan to reduce card fees for Kiwis by an estimated $260 million a year, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says.“The Government is relentlessly focused on reducing the cost of living, so Kiwis can keep more of their hard-earned income and live a ...4 days ago
- Review recommends ECE regulation shakeup
Regulation Minister David Seymour has welcomed the Early Childhood Education (ECE) regulatory review report, the first major report from the Ministry for Regulation. The report makes 15 recommendations to modernise and simplify regulations across ECE so services can get on with what they do best – providing safe, high-quality care ...4 days ago
- Offshore Renewable Energy Bill passes first reading
The Government‘s Offshore Renewable Energy Bill to create a new regulatory regime that will enable firms to construct offshore wind generation has passed its first reading in Parliament, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says.“New Zealand currently does not have a regulatory regime for offshore renewable energy as the previous government failed ...5 days ago
- Local Government (Water Services) Bill passes first reading
Legislation to enable new water service delivery models that will drive critical investment in infrastructure has passed its first reading in Parliament, marking a significant step towards the delivery of Local Water Done Well, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly say.“Councils and voters ...5 days ago
- Gene Technology Bill passes first reading
New Zealand is one step closer to reaping the benefits of gene technology with the passing of the first reading of the Gene Technology Bill, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins says. "This legislation will end New Zealand's near 30-year ban on gene technology outside the lab and is ...5 days ago
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Cosmic CatastropheThe year draws to a close.King Luxon has grown tired of the long eveningsListening to the dreary squabbling of his Triumvirate.He strolls up to the top floor of the PalaceTo consult with his Astronomer Royal.The Royal Telescope scans the skies,And King Luxon stares up into the heavensFrom the terrestrial ...11 hours ago - A hater and an enthusiast review The Royal Free by Carl Shuker
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- Israeli-American historian describes attacks on Gaza as ‘war of annihilation’
Asia Pacific Report “It looks like Hiroshima. It looks like Germany at the end of World War Two,” says an Israeli-American historian and professor of holocaust and genocide studies at Brown University about the horrifying reality of Gaza. Professor Omer Bartov, has described Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza as an ...16 hours ago - NZ govt plans to make ‘heavy handed’ change to free speech rules for universities
The New Zealand government coalition is tweaking university regulations to curb what it says is an increasingly “risk-averse approach” to free speech. The proposed changes will set clear expectations on how universities should approach freedom of speech issues. Each university will then have to adopt a “freedom of speech statement” ...16 hours ago
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This report reflects that gap in our dealings overseas, and it shows that legislators, the public sector and businesses need to walk the talk. ...1 day ago - Government quietly scraps waste minimisation policies
The government has quietly cancelled plans to improve recycling and roll out a kerbside food scraps composting scheme. ...1 day ago
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Pacific Media Watch The union for Australian journalists has welcomed the delivery by the federal government of more than $150 million to support the sustainability of public interest journalism over the next four years. Combined with the announcement of the revamped News Bargaining Initiative, this could result in up to ...1 day ago
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The roads partnership unravelled under a confidential settlement this week, meaning NZTA will now finish off what it had said was incomplete work. ...1 day ago
- Funding cuts to charity particularly felt over Christmas period
The number of people seeking help from Lifeline is expected to increase by 10 to 20 percent over Christmas. ...1 day ago
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MONDAY“Merry Xmas, and praise the Lord,” said Sheriff Luxon, and smiled for the camera. There was a flash of smoke when the shutter pressed down on the magnesium powder. The sheriff had arranged for a photographer from the Dodge Gazette to attend a ceremony where he handed out food parcels to ...1 day ago
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Former Labour MP and mayor of Auckland's North Shore City Ann Hartley has died. ...2 days ago
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The government has confirmed its plan to break up Te Pūkenga / New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology and re-establish independent polytechnics. ...2 days ago
Any dissension in the CoC ranks has to be a good development for politics watchers. But not good for maintaining a viable maritime and rail link between the North and South Islands by the looks of it. It is not my idea of fun to be a passenger drifting on a powerless ship in Cook Strait even on a fine day, never mind the more common conditions.
One good thing NZF’s PGF fund did was improve the prospects of restoration of rail to Northland. Various bridges instead of being replaced had the tracks lowered beneath to enable carrying of containers. A freight depot was planned for Moerewa, but a lot of the planned work has now stalled.
More trucks are not the answer in the era of Climate Disaster.
+100
Ask the Maritime Safety team or MoT or the union. They all say same thing privately:
Don't take the ferry it's unsafe.
John Key's government spent over half a billion dollars fixing the Picton-Christchurch railway after the Kaikoura quake. This is a railway line that goes the length of the South Island.
https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/nz/news/breaking-news/quake-repair-bill-for-christchurchpicton-railway-line-could-top-500-million-165728.aspx
It would be madness to buy non-rail capable ferries.
Is Treasury taking into account climate change effects when it recommends closing down NZ Rail?. If it isn't then surely its advice is not consistent with the government’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and so is worthless.
Highway 1 from Picton to Christchurch and even beyond is not fit for purpose even at its current loading. There are quite substantial climbs all the way along it where trucks generally struggle to get faster than 20 kph and large distances are very winding and narrow. It would be considered a B or even C class road certainly in Europe and most other countries. The post quake rail recontruction may have cost 1 Billion as BG says but the road which runs alongside it cost around 9 (Billion to reinstate, a fairly succinct example of the cost comparison between road and rail. Then there are the towns that it crosses through, already Blenheim gets gridlock when a full ferry load passes through. This Ferry Debacle will go down in legend as one of the most stupid , shambolic cock-ups of any government in this country and thoroughly deserves to be recorded on their gravestone.
Yes I hate that section Picton to Blenheim especially
This CoC is not concerned about people or the catastrophic warming of the climate or anything else – it's sole concern is giving a substantial financial return to its immediate backers. It wants to run this country like a company because that is how they think. They have no understanding that a country is entirely different from a business, and the responsibility of Government is to govern the country for everyone, not just their mates.
So rail enabled ferries, are not in their consideration – its just the cost that matters and the cheapest option is the prime consideration – and if they externalise those costs onto others so much the better.
I'd love to what Mr Braid would think of mainfraight being allowed to own and operate the rolling stock and nz just owns the rail lines they run on. ??
Oh, but that would cost Mainfreight money the NZ taxpayer otherwise fronts up with.
The Natz pose as the party of business!!
Sure, under Labour we were about to pay Ferrari prices, but we were getting Ferraris!
Under the CoC we're still going to pay Ferrari prices, but we're going to get Toyota Corollas, and second hand ones at that!
If Winnie is consistent, then the 'new' ferries will be rail enabled – but at a cost, both financially and harmoniously among the CoC.
And David is already beginning to rock the good ship Luxflakes – asking to be consulted on any decisions on the Israeli warmongers before Winnie says anything! I can imagine how that was received by Winnie!
Yip I would have thought the obvious fix would have been for willis to go down to irex headquarters and bang heads till they got the dock repairs costs down , but throwing the baby out with the bath water proves she's either incompetent or vindictive.
Or both
I think we were getting Land Cruisers rather than Rav4's. Just ships that would do the job well.
The larger capacity ferries were needed for growing passenger and freight traffic over the next couple of generations..
Why not go full partition.
Whites in the South Island.
Everyone else in the North Island.
Yes Yes Yes
Or run them as two separate entities, let Private Enterprise run the Ferry Link and the Free Market will let it Sink or Swim ???
Sonething that has been loudly suggested by charming/sarc white supremecists highlighted by 'debunking conspiracies aotearoa' in recent years.
Or it’s electoral posturing?
Though NZ First has always been a pro-rail party, if not always a pro-commuter party.
Certainly there’s no lack of evidence that this is simply NZ’s first second wave ACT government, but aside from a few shady Shane dealings there’s not much in the way of NZ First’s contribution to the legislative slate.
These ferries (fairies) are another Dogs Breakfast created by this NACT1st COC Up IMHO ???
Peters has previous form here, when he refused to allow privatisation of Wellington Airport back in 1997 and crashed the National/NZ First coalition
I don't think either Winston or National will collapse their government over boats.
The difference from 1997 is, if Peter stops National from doing what they want, we will just carry on with the current crapped out boats. Which National will probably not be too worried about as they don't have to spend money on it.
I wouldn't be so sure.
The other difference between then and now is Seymour is due to become deputy PM.
I can see Winston sinking that aspiration under the guise of ferries.
Numbers Girl and Neighbourhood Tobacconist, Nicorette Willis is just in it for
laughsthe moneyaka the "Ferry Godmother"
I had earlier included Links to….but update, well over 3000 signatures since. Positive Action : )
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