Fight to save Christchurch’s trees

Written By: - Date published: 7:01 am, February 9th, 2016 - 50 comments
Categories: activism, christchurch earthquake, Conservation, Gerry Brownlee - Tags: , , , , , ,

Gerry Brownlee has not accomplished very much in his role as earthquake recovery minister. But he has, with the help of his good friend Nick Smith, managed to saddle the people of Christchurch with the expense of paying to have our district plan reviewed — his way.

In order to ensure that only the best quality outcomes get delivered, he has used the CER Act to make sure that the whole process is run by a panel of very expensive independent commissioners, who are running a fast-tracked, no expense spared, quasi-Court like process that is virtually inaccessible to ordinary citizens.

And of course, since the democratic process just costs time and money, this hearing panel is a one stop shop. The decisions it makes are final, and there is no right of appeal to the Environment Court to test facts, or the quality of the decisions that are being made. You can only to the High Court, on points of law – if you happen to have a spare 100 grand or so.

One of the changes proposed under the new district plan will see 80% of the currently registered notable and heritage trees in Christchurch, lose their protected status. Take that, Garden City!

De-registered trees can be cut down at any time, without notice.

2000 trees that are currently protected will lose that status if these changes go forward. Because of the fast track time frame there was no time allowed for consultation so most people in Christchurch are not aware that this is happening.

I am part of a group that is supporting individuals who did submit, and who are fighting back.

And we are fighting back effectively. So far we have presented evidence, and negotiated settlements with the Crown and with the Christchurch City Council that would see over 1000 trees make it back on to the register.

We are still fighting for the rest.

In order to be taken seriously by the hearing panel, we have had to pay for expert and legal representation. This has been a very expensive process. Volunteers have donated hundreds of hours of their own time and thousands of dollars of their own money fighting this fight.

We need help to continue, and to make sure that the negotiated settlements we have reached so far, are honoured.

If you are able to help us financially, then please consider visiting our “give a little page” and making a donation:

https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/chchnotabletrees

If you are not able to help us with money, then please consider putting the word out.

As a group, we are exhausted, but we are keeping up the fight. Because no one else is in a position to do what we are doing, and what we are doing needs to be done.

— Andrew Robins


chritschurch-trees

50 comments on “Fight to save Christchurch’s trees ”

  1. mickysavage 1

    Good on you Andrew.

    What is it about this government and trees? There are also the changes to the RMA the Government has made trying to remove blanket protection for urban trees. They have had two goes at this and always claimed that scheduling was the way to provide protection even though it was clearly far too cumbersome and expensive a method.

    They really are full of anti lorax sorts.

    • weka 1.1

      “What is it about this government and trees?”

      They seek to destroy all that is good and beautiful that can’t be bought. Not as a conspiracy or active plan but just as a normal consequence of who they are and what they value and how they use their power.

      This tree issue is the same as the rivers and lakes issue. Which is the same as the destruction of mass amounts of trees throughout NZ from the industrial dairy conversions.

      These people have no souls and if we don’t stop them they will try and destroy everything that is real.

      Sorry micky, I know that’s not what you were asking, but sometimes their evil just comes into sharp relief.

      • Chooky 1.1.1

        +100

      • hoom 1.1.2

        I really do find it hard to fathom why they seem to have such a pathological hatred for such things.

        And not just a couple of things like trees: this govt is really stuck into a lot of these extreme ideological positions.

        No matter how much their dirty columnists call them ‘centrist’ they really are extreme rightist wonks.

    • Andrew Neill Robins 1.2

      Thanks Mr savage.

      Today our team is up before the panel – so wish us luck

  2. vto 2

    Need room for more irrigators eh…

    Because cows are good

    • greywarshark 2.1

      Four legs good, two legs, some not so good, one trunk – always expendable. Elephants are safe, so far.

      • vto 2.1.1

        Didn’t know you could milk elephants. Need bigger farms. Always wondered why mankind didn’t domesticate other, larger, animals for agriculture…. guess it had something to do with ease of control of smaller ones back before we had what we have today….???

  3. Jenny Kirk 3

    Passed this on to a couple of other “tree friendly” groups.

    This govt is weird re trees. You’d think that even if they deny climate change and the good that trees do for that, these Nat people would at least appreciate the beauty of trees and the enhancement having trees around give to a property or a district..

  4. vto 4

    A beautiful leafy street in a part of town recently had the ‘problem’ trees removed.

    Now it is a barren asphalt street like all the others.

    • Sabine 4.1

      the people that lived there did nothing?

      • vto 4.1.1

        It happened too quickly and the owners too complacent and, get this, were absentee owners…

        absentee owners – why would they care?

        • Sabine 4.1.1.1

          well, if you bought a house in a leafy subburb and now own a house on bleak street how would that affect the re-sale value of the property and can that be measured? 🙂

          • savenz 4.1.1.1.1

            My understanding is in environment court you can’t really argue of loss of value to your house. There is a very limited set of arguments and common sense is not part of it.

            How else do you get those pylons and motorways and over height developments through and erecting massive fences as a nuisance neighbour?

      • Andrew Neill Robins 4.1.2

        If it is anything like the process in ChCh then the window for submissions was so small that most people just missed it.

        That is why right at this moment, an Author, a retired School teacher, an Arborist and a Landscape Architect are being cross examined by the council lawyers.

        They just happened to be the people who saw it and submitted in time.

  5. Sabine 5

    Is there a Map out there that shows where the protected trees vs the unprotected trees live? T’would be interesting to know.

    As for the National Voter in CHCH, that is what they voted for. Well done guys. I hope that future tax cut will make up for the loss of shade and beauty.

    • Andrew Neill Robins 5.1

      Hi sabine.

      A few people have asked for a map.

      When our wokloa drops off, we might be able to produce such a thing. But with 80 % of the currently protected trees being removed from the register pretty much all parts of ChCh and banks peninsular will be impacted.

      if the changes we have negotiated so far are confirmed though, the impacts will be much less extensive. We just need to keep the pressure on through the rest of the hearings process, and be ready for any further negotiations that might be requested

      And we need money to pay the expenses we have already incurred. Which are large.

  6. esoteric pineapples 6

    Show me a tree and I will show you someone who wants to chop it down – from old people on mobility scooters who say they make the footpath uneven to others who don’t like the shade to farmers who want their irrigators to move unimpeded and many more reasons

    • Phil 6.1

      I’m pretty sure their aren’t any farmers moving irrigation equipment through central Christchurch.

  7. Lanthanide 7

    1. Are the trees in the photo protected trees, or just an example of trees?
    2. If they are protected, are they some of the trees that may lose their protection should this change go through?
    3. What are the general characteristics that will cause some trees to lose their protection, but not others? Is it particular species, ages, or locations?

    Without all of this information, it’s not really possible to make an informed decision about whether to support your cause or not.

    • r0b 7.1

      The video on the Givealittle page may answer some of your questions.

      • Lanthanide 7.1.1

        I don’t have time to watch a video on another page.

        • mpledger 7.1.1.1

          By not giving the time to become informed then you are essentially siding with the people who want to cut down the trees.

          Is 5 minutes of your time really that precious?

          • Magisterium 7.1.1.1.1

            I saw a bunch of old white people complaining about Council. I guess that’s what they do.

            The middle-aged white woman was an exception, you know the one who was complaining the the submissions process was taking place in the middle of the launch of her third book, so critical to her writing career.

            Cool that they got Kylo Ren to do a voiceover though.

            • Andrew Neill Robins 7.1.1.1.1.1

              Thanks for your comments so far.

              Unfortuately, most of the team is busy before the panel today, so we have limited capacity to respond.

              We were all up past midnight getting ready – and up at 5:30 again this morning – as today is crunch day for the team.

            • Andrew Neill Robins 7.1.1.1.1.2

              I am tempted to write something extremely rude here.

              But I will just settle for saying Fuck You.

              • Magisterium

                Maybe you shouldn’t have done a promotional video that is about as appealing as cancer.

                • vto

                  Why was the colour of the submitters skin important to you?

                • Maybe you should realise your vileness is internally generated.

                  Good work team in getting this out there and for the trees you have saved. Kia kaha for the next trees to receive your protection. It is so wrong to take the protection away from these heritage trees – they are important and special.

          • Lanthanide 7.1.1.1.2

            Or, perhaps those who are spending so much time on this cause, could spend an extra 2 minutes to write some of this stuff down, once, that they can then copy and paste everywhere else?

            If you’re trying to build a movement and get support for your cause, then you need your message to reach as many people as possible.

            Hiding your message in a video and saying “go watch the video” is not the best approach.

    • Andrew Neill Robins 7.2

      All of the trees in the video are currently registered trees that are having their protection removed as part of this process

      • Lanthanide 7.2.1

        Ok, so now answer number 3, which was the most important question…

        • marty mars 7.2.1.1

          Jeepers mate – they are trying to save some trees – you’re coming on a bit strong there imo. You know if it something you are into or not and you have strong skills in sorting info out – has something just got up your nose about this – their approach or something. Anyway – not trying to pry or anything…

          • Lanthanide 7.2.1.1.1

            I’m skeptical of anyone who says “there’s this massive dangerous thing going on in our city that no-one knows about!”, doubly-so when they don’t actually provide basic information about what this so-called dangerous thing is.

            I don’t care if it’s a noble cause like saving trees, or someone ranting on about mysterious radioactive leaks that the US government is covering up (as we had about a year ago). Both sets of people get the same response from me – put up or shut up.

            • Andrew Neill Robins 7.2.1.1.1.1

              Hi Lathanide

              The district plan process is a fact. The changes the Council are seeking are all public.

              Do some basic research.

              Until you do that, you can’t claim to be “sceptical”.

              The best you are going to manage is ignorant.

              Sorry – but I find the implication that I and the rest of the team are making all of this up to be absolutely bizarre

              • Lanthanide

                I never implied you’re making it up.

                What I said is: present your evidence.

                You’re asking me to go dig up your evidence, when you should have just presented it yourself.

        • te reo putake 7.2.1.2

          Jeez, grumpy much this morning, Lanthanide? Watch the video, these folk haven’t got time today to run around after you. I don’t live in your city, but even I can get that this is worth supporting.

        • Andrew Neill Robins 7.2.1.3

          If you want the answer to that question, I suggest you review the evidence of Brad Cadwallader which is available on the Councilsame website.

          The methodology the couch used is new, and they set the thresholds they wanted to apply AFTER they decided how many trees they wanted to lose.

          So if you are looking for reasons that some trees were selected and others not, then it’s a pretty futile exercise

    • greywarshark 7.3

      Oh come on Lanthanide. 2000 protected trees! Have you a garden and know how long it takes to get anything established, and that is just small things. And many trees are just too big to be planted in gardens. And the climate is getting hotter, trees are needed. Let yourself go and feel enthusiasm for the majestic ilving things that trees are, just off the cuff, out of your love of beauty.

      • Phil 7.3.1

        From the post:
        “2000 trees that are currently protected will lose that status if these changes go forward.”

        Serious question; is that a lot of trees for Christchurch? I remember studying in the top floor of Canterbury University in the early 00’s and staring out the window thinking “This city is really green”. To be honest, 2,000 trees doesn’t sound like that many.

        Oh, and one other thing; I used to rent a house in Johnsonville, Wellington, that had a massive Pohutakawa in the back yard. It creaked, groaned, swayed, and had bits of branches falling off it pretty constantly. In even a moderate breeze (Wellington, yeah…) I lived in fear of the whole thing crashing into my house. If my Landlord had said “I’m going to cut that tree down” I probably would have kissed him.

        • Andrew Neill Robins 7.3.1.1

          Hi Phil

          There are roughly 2400 trees on the register. There are hundreds of thousands of trees in Christchurch and on banks peninsula.

          But the protected trees are the biggest trees, or the most significant in terms of bio diversity. Some are very rare.

          What we are talking about here is the most important trees, in terms of heritage and wider environmental significance.

          The proposal to remove protection is in my opinion, largely based on prioritizing property rights ahead of the environment. But it is a bulls hit argument in most cases, as the trees were usually already protected when property was bought – so no one has actually lost anything if a decision is taken to continue protecting these trees

  8. savenz 8

    Good on you Andrew!!

    What’s wrong with these people?? Apparently Wellington council has now decided to appeal the 4m high fence debacle (which the council decision to allow it was then overturned by environment court). They are idiots. How about razor wire too over the fence because 4m is not enough!!! Sarc. Yep sound great as long as you put in a resource consent and pay loads of fees!

    Just remember how much Auckland council wasted on allowing the PORTS OF AUCKLAND to steal approx 1 KM of harbour. Not to mention the ancient trees in Titirangi recently ringbarked by the owners before the judicial review. Remember Kaipara council bankrupting the rate payers with their stupid decisions. Nobody held to account.

    The council planners want to encourage greed, destruction and revolting developments all around. Apparently trees, harbours and so forth may stand in the way of progress council style. NZ the least clean, green and into the banana republic, that ports of Auckland seem to literally espouse with their unloading of bananas on one of the best views in Auckland, blocked to the public.

    There is massive conflict of interest with the environment court system, from the council planners, ‘independent’ commissioners who are not independent by hired by the councils, the lawyers working for the councils receiving massive pay packet with all their crap decisions. They get 99% of applications through their system because it is rigged. All the paperwork is put in before hand so that the council can then threaten and harass witnesses and so forth prior to turning up. Environment court turns a blind eye to this and the council is protected in law from being prosecuted. In a criminal situation it would be considered a Kangaroo court. The fact that property is now worth millions around NZ and the public are being extorted of their rights by a few council planners. Look at the fence. Cost the poor couple million for their view lost by the council decision and the $100k to protect it, and still ongoing. Meanwhile some shoplifter lifting a chocolate bar can get a criminal conviction.

    t’s true steal peanuts and you are prosecuted and steal millions and have your own courts and get away with it. In fact corporate welfare style, the taxpayers are now funding the lawyers and planners keeping it going!

    The environmental lawyers are the greediest, laziest and stupidest of them all as well.

    Good luck getting justice with them on the job! Goodbye 100% pure NZ! The system is against you.

    • Andrew Neill Robins 8.1

      Thanks Savenz – unfortunately it is even worse than you describe – at least if this was an envronment court process we could apply for legal aid.

      It isn’t – so we can’t

      And we have no time to fund raise. Which means we have had to spend the money before we have it. Which means that people like me are on the hook for thousands of dollars if our give a little does not work out.

      • savenz 8.1.1

        I totally support you and your cause! Will forward it on.

        People like you need a medal who are protecting our environment for future generations.

        At present walking under a canopy of trees can make you forget your worries – it is uplifting (at least I think for most people!) Even more important after an earthquake when people need it the most!

        It’s terrible that the public servants who are paid by the rate payers no doubt to protect the environment are instead hell bent on destroying it for zero gain. Makes no sense but that is ideology for you.

        Happy to donate and share it on.

        Good luck.

        Are even simple pleasures of trees enjoyed by young and old to be taken away from us too? Some evil that the Natz and their crony commissioners need to destroy too?

  9. DFool 9

    Apparently the historic heritage provisions of the new Christchurch Regeneration Bill are also causing a flap, with senior MCH and Heritage NZ staff being called in by the Minister last week to address urgent issues.

  10. Andrew Neill Robins 10

    Thanks for your comments so far.

    Unfortuately, most of the team is busy before the panel today, so we have limited capacity to respond.

    We were all up past midnight getting ready – and up at 5:30 again this morning – as today is crunch day for the team.

  11. vto 11

    This may come as a surprise given the dictatorial perception of things in Christchurch but we have found the powers that be very open to listening and they have in fact made changes on the basis of submissions made. . .

    I give them points for that. Both council and government.

    So although the legal powers available are very dictatorial, the use of them has been light. Ish. At times.

  12. Andrew Neill Robins 12

    Thank you to everyone who commented today – and apologies for the occasional “short” response.

    Today was a big day for us – but we did well in cross examination, and we believe that we have put forward some compelling arguments.

    The whole team has worked very hard, and in some cases worked well outside our comfort zone.

    To address some of the criticisms made – we would have loved to put forward a more diverse face to the world – but the fact is that the way the hearing process was set up, you needed time and money to be effective. I guess that is one reason why we look, old white, and middle class.

    Anyway – we have done what we can. Thank you for your help and support today

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    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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
    21 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
    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

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