Final final final warning

Written By: - Date published: 1:03 pm, May 6th, 2014 - 59 comments
Categories: john key, Judith Collins - Tags:

When John Key said he wouldn’t like to be in her shoes if anything more came out about Judith Collins, he presumably just meant that they looked uncomfortable.  I mean high-heels, who invented those?  Crazy.

Since then we’ve had far more details showing just how much she lied about her immaculately planned hour long ‘cup of tea’, a long way from the airport (purpose of visit from briefing: to benefit Oravida).  We’ve learnt about how Oravida wanted her to talk to [redacted] about their supply issues when she went over, Oravida organising a dinner with [redacted] and their CEO, MFAT being requested to organise the Ambassador to go and to give a briefing, a lot of internal discussion going on before it being ‘squared away’ by it now being a private dinner, and Oravida receiving their import clearance certificate some weeks later, followed 3 days later by a $30,000 further donation to National.

And we’ve had Collins attack and threaten the parliamentary press gallery.

How are those shoes John?

But it’s all right, it’s all those people on Twitter’s fault.

Apparently they’re trolls and bottom-feeders and Judith has to be nasty and vindictive to them. It’s not her fault if she occasionally fails the test of humanity and gets recognised as a replicant.

So now National are swearing off engaging on social media (JK: only use it to put out pictures of what you’re up to).  Because they wouldn’t to listen to what New Zealanders are trying to tell them.

That’d be far too unpleasant.

59 comments on “Final final final warning ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Tracey 1
    6 May 2014 at 1:27 pm

    was disparaging publically of her own staff… and gets full pay stress leave with no medical certificate required. double standards indeed

    • Lanthanide 1.1
      6 May 2014 at 3:07 pm

      No double standard at all. Employers are perfectly allowed to give their staff time off whenever they like. Similarly a medical certificate can be requested after 3 days absence, it is not automatically required to be presented after 3 days.

      • Tracey 1.1.1
        6 May 2014 at 3:56 pm

        you have missed some important debates and law since 2011 lanth. try one day and can request a med certificate.

        • Lanthanide 1.1.1.1
          6 May 2014 at 6:09 pm

          Right, just looked it up. It can be requested for the first day of absence, but the employer must reimburse the employee for the cost. If you are sick for 3 or more consecutive days, then you must meet the costs.

          However I am correct that there is no automatic requirement for a medical certificate. The employer may request one, but they don’t have to (and my employer typically does not).

          So once again, no double standard. The rules being applied to Collins are the same rules that apply to all other employees.

          • Tracey 1.1.1.1.1
            7 May 2014 at 9:34 am

            the intent of Collins Govt’s rule change is to make it harder for employees to take sick leave. There is a double standard Lanth. She is being given time off to avoid work without any proof of medical circumstances. This is precisely what the law was intended for, by National, to make sure employees are not taking sickies to avoid a days work.

            • Lanthanide 1.1.1.1.1.1
              7 May 2014 at 9:58 am

              Under the new law, it is entirely at the employer’s discretion. There’s no double standard – the rules apply to everyone.

              A double standard is when you have different rules that apply to different people. That is not the case here.

              Furthermore, as I stated, employers can give employees time off whenever they want, for whatever reason they want. Typically employers don’t do this, but there’s nothing stopping them from doing it.

              You may think it stinks, it’s lame, whatever, but it is not a double standard.

      • Rodel 1.1.2
        6 May 2014 at 9:25 pm

        Hey! I’m (we’re) the f****n employer.(s).. Have you forgotten that?

    • whatever next? 1.2
      6 May 2014 at 10:51 pm

      and now she’s off twitter, she can’t even apologise to them

  2. fender 2
    6 May 2014 at 1:30 pm

    “Tr0lls and bottom-feeders”

    Silly Mr Key, he’s got Twitter and Whaleoil mixed up..

  3. Draco T Bastard 3
    6 May 2014 at 1:34 pm

    “Frankly I’d advise other politicians to follow the same advice I follow,” Key said.

    “There’s going to be a lot of bad stuff written out there on social media … .that’s just the nature of the job, it happens on all sides to all politicians but I don’t see how any good can come from that stuff.”

    Yes, because listening to people obviously won’t produce any good. /sarc 🙄

  4. felix 4
    6 May 2014 at 1:42 pm

    Well it depends how you interpret ‘new material coming out’.

    Do you take it to mean new to the public domain?

    Or new to Key?…

  5. phillip ure 5
    6 May 2014 at 1:48 pm

    i noted elsewhere that twitter-induced stress..

    ..is surely ‘stwess’..?

  6. karol 6
    6 May 2014 at 2:35 pm

    Grant Robertson produces extra evidence in Question Time that there was an extra round table business & justivce-related meeting squeezed in between a Collins’ visit to Oravida – – the business and round table meeting was replaced by the visit to Oravida. From OIA

    Collins says the media did not go ahead at her request because she didn’t schedule it. Robertson says the document shows Collins requested the meeting.

    Mallard made an interjection about money going to Collins family. He refused to withdraw and apologise as he said it was the truth – he was ejected from the House.

    • Tracey 6.1
      6 May 2014 at 2:56 pm

      ms bennett says

      “national likes people to help themselves.”

      collins has certainly done that.

      karol, bennetts last community meeting on 28 april was in hobsonville, which isnt actually in her electorate! the board is by te atatu turnoff. i couldnt get a photo due to traffic flow.

    • Tracey 7.1
      6 May 2014 at 2:59 pm

      has key left the chamber…

      its all left to bill..

    • karol 7.2
      6 May 2014 at 3:02 pm

      The NZ Herald headline for the live blog is “Collins vs the House”. It should be “Collins & Speaker vs the opposition”.

    • freedom 7.3
      6 May 2014 at 4:05 pm

      “Key replies no further pertinent information has since come out to contradict what Collins told him.”

      Really Mr Key?
      You saw the stated agenda of the Oravida meeting? How many weeks ago? How does it not conflict with 2.62 of the Cabinet Rules? Are you running your unicorn in the Melbourne Cup?

      • miravox 7.3.1
        6 May 2014 at 6:49 pm

        “You saw the stated agenda of the Oravida meeting? How many weeks ago? How does it not conflict with 2.62 of the Cabinet Rules? “

        Isn’t business over dinner a Key thing? Like the chat over dinner that resulted in the deal of the century for the SkyCity convention centre, Key actually suggesting Collins catch up with Oravida mates and unnamed border official, and have a photo op at the office, would not be beyond the realms of possibility.

        Cabinet manual – pfft – gotta think on your feet to do the deals.

        • freedom 7.3.1.1
          6 May 2014 at 7:34 pm

          there are very few places in life that I think firm rules are needed,
          my top three would be, in no particular order

          Theatres of War
          Swimming Pools
          Central Government

          you may notice they are all places where one wrong move can split your skull wide open

  8. Treetop 8
    6 May 2014 at 4:49 pm

    Key does not like the blogs, twitter, facebook because they make him look weak.

    There is one person who knows beyond reasonable doubt the scale of Collins misleading parliament and that is Key; Key has the resources to know every detail. The game Key played today was to feed Collins to parliament to see what dirt the opposition would throw at Collins and then he will assess how much of a liability she is. Key has sent a clear message that he is not going to be overly protective of Collins when it comes to explaining herself.

    Were Collins an opposition MP, Key would probably be shouting liar.

    • Tracey 8.1
      6 May 2014 at 5:41 pm

      you mean like over the owen glen and peters thing, whereby he dragged clark in, or the painting for charity.

      as for pointing to the resignations as evidence of his high standards, you can but laugh.

      • Anne 8.1.1
        6 May 2014 at 7:46 pm

        Thinking about those things today. Remember the uproar? Went on for months.

        One concernend a painting for a well deserving charity. Helen agreed to sign her name to it so that it would sell for a good sum – $2000 wasn’t it?

        The other was based on mischievous lies by a spolit billionaire who likes to see his name in lights and hates being snubbed by the powerful.

        The amount of money involved in both cases were mere ‘pennies’ compared to the multi-thousands of ill gotten gains notched up by National.

        • Tracey 8.1.1.1
          7 May 2014 at 9:36 am

          I thought the signing of the painting was wrong, as it suggested she painted it.

          I never completely followed why Clark was fingered in the owen glen and peters rumble… BUT any right wing person who explains it now will be hoist on their own petard.

    • Tracey 9.1
      6 May 2014 at 5:43 pm

      when did oravida buy a bar?

      • Lanthanide 9.1.1
        6 May 2014 at 6:11 pm

        Because every photo a company director and their partner appears in, must be directly related to the company of which they are a director?

        • Tracey 9.1.1.1
          7 May 2014 at 9:37 am

          it was a joke lanth. Cos Oravida is more than one company, more than just a milk provider.

      • karol 9.1.2
        6 May 2014 at 6:13 pm

        Collins and husband did own some restaurants at some stage.

  10. One Anonymous Bloke 10
    6 May 2014 at 5:58 pm

    Only the weak give final final final warnings.

    Only the strong receive them.

    Judith is strong.

    • Weepu's beard 10.1
      6 May 2014 at 7:09 pm

      Your reverse psychology policy on this might backfire.

      It’s clear she’s not going to be sacked. The PM will have all the info on the trip by now – according to Barry Soper, Wayne Eagle threateningly stood over her staff yesterday demandingevery last detail.

      She is going to be there come election time and no matter of what you and I think of her behavior as Minister of Justice, a lot of right wing voters from the middle will admire the fact she’s still standing after all the bullets have been fired and Grant Robertson appears to be running out of ammo.

      Death by a thousand cuts is not going to work on Judith because, like pinhead from Hellraiser, she feeds off that sort of punishment.

      • McFlock 10.1.1
        6 May 2014 at 8:31 pm

        won’t there be a complaint to privileges committee coming up on it?
        Another chance to string it all out and chip away at their 47% target

        • fisiani 10.1.1.1
          7 May 2014 at 9:27 am

          The National target is not 47%. That was the record result in 2011/ The target for 2014 is closer to 57% and given the impotence of the popgun assaults on the Minister of Justice in the last month that seems quite achievable. Grant Robertson is as usual all bluster and show but totally ineffective. Just ask yourself. What has Grant Robertson actually achieved in 6 years? Nowt! His plan has always been to be the leader in 2017 so he will polish up the handles so carefully that he looks busy but at all times is steadily undermining The Cunliffe as he plots to become the leader October 2014.

          • Colonial Viper 10.1.1.1.1
            7 May 2014 at 9:40 am

            I think Grant Robertson is on the way to scoring a Tory Ministerial scalp. Not bad for an election year.

            The National target is not 47%. That was the record result in 2011/ The target for 2014 is closer to 57% and given the impotence of the popgun assaults on the Minister of Justice in the last month that seems quite achievable.

            I hope all National Party strategists take your advice and now rest on their laurels because according to you, they are simply going to coast in to a third term.

            • fisiani 10.1.1.1.1.1
              7 May 2014 at 9:47 am

              At the last election National scored a whopping 47% and Labour a miserly 27% yet National still did not have enough MP’s to have a majority government. Given how well National have done in rescuing NZ from the scorched earth destruction of the economy by Labour during the nine wasted years it seems only fit and proper to aim for 57% and if only 54% vote National in 2014 we can aim for 60% in 2017.

              • Lanthanide …
                7 May 2014 at 12:29 pm

                “scorched earth destruction of the economy by Labour”

                When we got to a net-0 debt position?

                You have a strange definition of ‘destruction’.

                • fisiani …
                  7 May 2014 at 1:00 pm

                  Cullen gleefully crowed that “the cupboard was bare “as he was booted out by the proletariat. This too was a lie for on the back shelf of the cupboard lay a pile of unopened bills that when paid would mean a decade or more of deficits. Bill English picked up the unpaid bills and rescued the country in less than 6 years. You cannot claim that Cullen was not treacherous in leaving that large pile of unopened debts.

                  And Bill English has produced an economy that has created a whopping 84,000 jobs in the last 12 months.

                  • Lanthanide …
                    7 May 2014 at 8:20 pm

                    You have a strange definition of ‘rescued’, when you mean “run up the largest debt this country has ever seen”.

      • One Anonymous Bloke 10.1.2
        7 May 2014 at 6:22 am

        “…a lot of right wing voters from the middle will admire the fact she’s still standing …”

        Disagree. A lot of right wing voters from the right wing of the National Party who already like Judith Collins will be impressed.

        Centre voters will run a mile from her arrogance and corruption.

  11. Delia 11
    6 May 2014 at 6:06 pm

    So sad for Judith, she absolutely loved her time on Twitter…amongst those ‘trolls and bottom feeders’ The nuns had a saying when I was at school “you are known by the company you keep”.

  12. Iniuria Mulledovia 12
    6 May 2014 at 6:15 pm

    TVNZ headlines:

    Opposition MPs grill defiant Judith Collins

    Sorry TVNZ but I was in another universe watching a different channel, the person I was watching seemed more like this

    Pinched faced, her fangs densely rolled up Justice laws dissolving in the saliva of hypocrisy wetting to paper mache, mouth full.

    Choking, clinging desperately to the podium, plucked chicken wings barely flapping, weighed down by the foul dense wind of self interest, a chirp, just audible segues its way out to the chamber, I did nothing wrong John, I did nothing wrong……………….

  13. Chooky 13
    6 May 2014 at 7:22 pm

    Bomber Bradbury’s take…John Key is beginning to show signs of stress

    “What was most interesting about National in the house today” –

    http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2014/05/06/what-was-most-interesting-about-national-in-the-house-today/

  14. Plan B 14
    6 May 2014 at 8:26 pm

    the husband, it must be asked, what is he doing there? It could be said to look like he is suitable for the ‘job’ for only one reason and it is not a good one, I just wonder that is all.

    • Huginn 14.1
      7 May 2014 at 4:04 pm

      The husband is a Samoa-born former policeman wannabe oligarch and Collins has taken a huge hit on his account.

      There’s a lot of dog whistling going on to bring in the PI voters.

  15. tc 15
    6 May 2014 at 8:35 pm

    Jude does her bit for the camera and off for a nice rest and some simmering rage at being caught and made to stand up in front of the class to tell the whole string of porkys one more time.

    Key has no choice but to tough it out, he’s in as donkey deep as she is, hell they all are.

    What a lovely albatross she’ll make adorning john philips chest in the run up to the GE

  16. Tom 16
    6 May 2014 at 9:31 pm

    John Key must have had full disclosure from Collins. I’m assuming he knows everything, and is just keeping his fingers crossed that it doesn’t all come out under his watch.

  17. Redzone 17
    6 May 2014 at 9:40 pm

    I’m thinking more lIke an annoying dog turd on keys shoe that he can’t get rid of.

    Collins is stuck till at least the election it now appears and will remain an excellent distraction in the lead up. Free hits as this isn’t going away any time soon.

    Keep trying to defend the undefendable key. You look weak, colluding and a double standard hypocrite.

  18. Penny Bright 18
    6 May 2014 at 10:29 pm

    http://www.3news.co.nz/Documents-back-Collins-version-of-events—Key/tabid/1607/articleID/342920/Default.aspx

    “Prime Minister John Key admits the sequence of events around Judith Collins’ dealings with Oravida in China does make it look as though the Justice Minister has done something wrong.

    But he maintains she hasn’t, and says documents released under the Official Information Act over the last few days prove she’s telling the truth.

    “People have been making allegations for a long time and actually none of them have had much basis to it,” Mr Key said on Firstline this morning.

    “Yes, we accept – and Judith accepts… the combination of events could lead to the perception of a conflict of interest.
    But outside of that, actually nothing has changed and nothing is inconsistent.”

    Read more: http://www.3news.co.nz/Documents-back-Collins-version-of-events—Key/tabid/1607/articleID/342920/Default.aspx#ixzz30vHbZ9nd

    What utter CRAP!

    Read this ‘Meeting Brief Oravida’ for yourself – it clearly shows that the ‘Visit and Tour of Oravida Facilities’, was pre-planned, and it’s stated ‘Purpose/Objective being:

    “To increase the profile of a successful importer and distributor of New Zealand products into China.”

    http://www.3news.co.nz/Portals/0/images/MFAT_paper.pdf

    Small technical point – Minister of Justice Judith Collins’ husband is a Director of Oravida, and is owned by Mr Deyi (Stone) Shi, her close personal friend, as is fellow Director Julia Xu.

    Another small technical point – please note that the following photo, taken of both the Minister of Justice Judith Collins, and the NZ Ambassador to China, Carl Worker, attending the ‘visit and tour of Oravida Facilities’ on 23 October 2013, is STILL up on the Oravida Ltd website:

    http://www.oravida.com/lwl/newsen/

    “10/23/2013 NZ’s Minister of Justice and NZ’s China Ambassador visit Oravida Shanghai”

    http://cabinetmanual.cabinetoffice.govt.nz/files/manual.pdf

    2.87 No Minister should endorse in any media any product or service.

    ………………………

    2.89 When accepting an invitation, a Minister should inform the organisation that it may not:

    (a) use any photos taken of the Minister at the event; or
    (b) publicise the event,

    errr……. so – how is the ‘Visit and Tour of Oravida Facilities – not a CLEAR breach of the Cabinet Manual?

    WHY IS JUDITH COLLINS NOT BEING STOOD DOWN AS A MINISTER??

    In my considered opinion as an anti-corruption campaigner – this is a CORRUPT ‘conflict of interest’. which NZ Prime Minister John Key is trying to minimise and cover-up.

    I guess the Prime Minister can’t hold his Ministers accountable to the ‘highest ethical standards’ – if he doesn’t ‘lead from the front’ and practice these himself?

    CORRUPT Judith Collins protected by ‘shonky’ John Key?

    http://cabinetmanual.cabinetoffice.govt.nz/files/manual.pdf

    Conduct of Ministers

    2.52 A Minister of the Crown, while holding a ministerial warrant, acts in a number of different capacities:

    (a) in a ministerial capacity, making decisions, and determining and promoting policy within particular portfolios;

    (b) in a political capacity as a member of Parliament, representing a constituency or particular community of interest;

    (c) in a personal capacity.

    2.53 In all these roles and at all times, Ministers are expected to act lawfully and to behave in a way that upholds, and is seen to uphold, the highest ethical standards.

    Ultimately, Ministers are accountable to the Prime Minister for their behaviour.

    Penny Bright
    ‘Anti-corruption/anti-privatisation Public Watchdog’.

  19. Treetop 19
    7 May 2014 at 11:41 am

    Nikki Kaye has just caught up with what is required for infant milk formula to be exported to China. Collins appears to have had a head start.

    Peters has pointed out that there is a difference in the way that NZ and China do business.

    How many Chinese companies have an off shore CEO?

    How many Chinese companies donate to the political party of the off shores CEO’s partner?

    How many border officials have a private dinner with the CEO and his partner when the CEO’s partner is in their country doing government business?

    Collins has embarrassed the NZ government and she may have put off the Chinese doing business with NZ as no one would want to be part of a side show/circus in another countries parliament.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 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
    21 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

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