Frack off

Written By: - Date published: 8:19 am, July 3rd, 2011 - 41 comments
Categories: climate change, energy, International, Mining - Tags: , , ,

Bravo France, the first country in the world to ban fracking:

The French parliament voted on June 30 to ban the controversial technique for extracting natural gas from shale rock deposits known as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, the web sites of Le Monde and other French media reported. …

Fracking requires the injection of vast quantities of water and potentially hazardous chemicals into the ground to force the release of natural gas. The U.S. government is investigating the environmental impact of the technique, which critics say produces toxic waste and pollutes water wells.

From another account:

Fracking, widely used in North America, uses a mixture of water, sand and chemicals injected under high pressure to break dense rock to release trapped oil and gas. Green groups and politicians led protests across France, saying the method could cause environmental damage. Government ministers and industry representatives say it is the only method currently available to extract hydrocarbons from the rock. …

Oil companies operating in France “deplore” the French ban, according to the Union Francaise des Industries Petrolieres, or UFIP, which represents Total SA (FP) and other explorers and refiners. UFIP, it said in a statement, “considers that the law will prevent an evaluation of shale hydrocarbon resources and their impact on the French economy.”

Nice to see one country stand up to the power of the oil companies, and take environmental concerns seriously for a change. But for every step forward in this world, we seem to take two steps backwards:

In the northern reaches of Alberta lies a vast reserve of oil that the United States views as a pillar of its future energy needs. China, with a growing appetite for oil that may one day surpass that of the US, is ready to spend the dollars for a big piece of it. The oil sands of this Canadian province are so big that they will be able to serve both of the world’s largest economies as production expands in the coming years. …

Critics dislike the whole concept of oil sands, because extracting the oil requires huge amounts of energy and water, increases greenhouse gas emissions and threatens rivers and forests. Keystone XL, the pipeline that would bring Alberta oil to Texas Gulf Coast refineries to serve the US market, compounds the issue.

There is a vast reserve of oil in these oil sands, but we have to leave it there. We are supposed to be reducing greenhouse gas emissions, not increasing them. We are supposed to be finding new, sustainable, green sources of energy, not turning to ever more expensive and polluting methods of extracting ever more climate destroying hydrocarbons from the earth. New Zealand is as bad as Canada, thanks to the “sexy coal” Nats and John “mine the lignite” Key. The world needs to follow France, and say when enough is enough, not follow Canada and New Zealand on the road to madness.

41 comments on “Frack off ”

  1. The skit from End CIV shows the tar sands in Alberta …………. it looks like something from the Lord of the Rings, Mordor was it?

    This is the biggest industrial operation on the planet, and it is only getting bigger, and will continue to do so until it can’t ……… voting will help lol 😉
    Oh and Kiwi Saver is dependent on it.

    • Draco T Bastard 1.1

      Culture-less, plastic civilisation

      I think that’s an apt description of our civilisation.

  2. Slightly out of context, but possibly the best place to share this
    http://www.pundit.co.nz/content/mike-joy-answers-the-pm-with-hard-facts

    Fresh water ecologist Dr Mike Joy responds to the Prime Minister’s ‘hardtalk’, debunking his bland assertions, and calling his advice “rubbish science”, that would fail a first-year student

    and

    On fresh water biodiversity: more than 60% of NZ native fresh water species are threatened. The global average is 37%. We are similar to South Africa (63% threatened), worse than both Europe (42% threatened), and the USA (37% threatened). On a series of lake quality measures (chlorophyll, total nitrogen, total phosphorus), New Zealand rates quite a lot worse than Canada on each measure, better than the United States on all three, worse than Europe on two.
    Turning to causes, he challenges the sustainability of intensive dairy farming in New Zealand, and the myth that the Resource Management Act protects the environment.
    Nitrogen fertiliser use has risen 700% in a decade; nitrogen levels at 77 fresh water sites are up. Lake pollution levels rise in correlation with more pastoral land — without factoring in land use intensity — and decline where there is a higher proportion of native land cover. And whereas the major impact on rivers is diffuse pollution, the RMA controls point source pollution. “What cows do in the shed [for which discharge consents are issued] is only a tiny proportion of what cows do.”

    So whether it is oil, coal, gas or cows, we are basically allowing the country to be screwed. Oh, and DOC, who are overseeing conservation have just culled 100 jobs.

    • Chris 2.1

      Awesome comment Ian! That’s a mint article. Isn’t it incredible how blinded we are to the realities of our times, we apparently want change and then put our faith in the hands of a banker after the financial crisis!
      I really think there needs to be some kind of massive shift in the education of people, as a society now not enough people give a stuff to pay attention to the things that will drastically affect them in the future. I almost think that more young people are once again awakening to the importance of being involved in the matters which will affect us all, but I think the real hope lies in the kids. Education has to be changed accordingly and kids should be taught the importance of critical thinking, the big problem with this is that there has to be a massive change in the people running the education system in order for this to work. We need something to bring about a change in consciousness I think, hah if only it were that simple…

      • Afewknowthetruth 2.1.1

        ‘Education has to be changed accordingly and kids should be taught the importance of critical thinking’

        The main purpose of formal education is to provide the slaves of the financial-industrial-military empire with enough information and skill to make them useful to the empire, while witholding information that would make them question the agendas of the empire.

        Over the past few decades we have witnessed a dumbing down of the content and a ramping up of political correctness in educational establishments.

        Change will come after collapse of the present system. Collapse is underway throughout much of the world and will come to NZ some time fairly soon.

        • ZeeBop 2.1.1.1

          Windmills kill eagles, so fracking is okay? But fracking kills ecosystems which eagles are the top off. Yet, on Kim a few weeks back that’s what the guest said, that fracking was better than windmills as windmills killed eagles.

          Sorry, but critical thinking can only work in a principled environment.

          But we don’t live in such a culture, our media is all about lying and we pay for it via adverts, adverts designed to get us to buy excesses, nicer packaging.

          We forgot our basic humanity, and are routinely told to by the MSM because profits matters more. The argument being if we don’t make profits we won’t be able to afford to live, house, heat our houses. Wait up, lots of people are going hungry, lining up at the food bank, living in damp homes, heating or food but not both.

          Sorry but all profits are not ‘good’ profits, and that’s the truth. We select our profit makers poorly, we choose shitsters over substance. So turn off your damn TVs already until the MSM get a backbone, principles and critical thinking too.

          We live in an age of lying and ignorance, we reward the best liars and dumbnuts!

        • KJT 2.1.1.2

          Nz’s new curriculum was designed to encourage critical thinking, research and interest in learning according to best practice after many years of research.

          This must have thrown the heebie jeebies up our Masters because in the middle of its implementation they have thrown in a spoiler in the form of NACT standards. An ideologically driven emphasise on a narrow range of skills.

          Not only has Teachers focus been taken away from the new curriculum, but all the information we could have gained on its effectiveness (or otherwise) as it is implemented will be muddied by the introduction of NACT standards. An ideological initiative which has actually been a proven failure overseas.
          BUT. As both were introduced at the same time we will never know for sure what the effects of either are.

          Oil companies will not have to worry about a population opposing fracking because they will not have sufficient critical skills to assess and understand the impact.

    • Draco T Bastard 2.2

      “The response from central government has been denial and misinformation.” The government, instead, is “emaciating DOC”, and “subsidising cows”.

      That pretty much sums up our government for the last 100+ years. 100 years ago it was kinda acceptable as we just didn’t know any better, now that we do know better continuing with those same policies is unacceptable and we need to wise up to that fact and stop doing it.

  3. Afewknowthetruth 3

    The government of France my not be quite as much under the thumb of the oil companies as the governments of the US, Britain, Canada, Australia, NZ etc.

    In Anglo-American countries the oil companies own the government, and what the oil companies want gets written into law…. higher speed limits, more roads, more drilling onshore, more drilling offshore, fracking, turning the landscape into a moonscape, turning the oceans into dead zones…. whatever the oil companies want they get.

    France is not standing on any moral high ground, of course. It’s just that France would rather buy natural gas from Algeria, or bomb Libya into submission and steal its natural gas, than have local environmental catastrophes.

    You’re right Robert, the corporations will keep doing it until they can’t. And it very much seems that people will keep voting for destruction of the planet they live on until they can’t.

  4. John D 4

    Shame really. Shale gas is a low carbon fuel (compared to coal)

    Of course, it is an easy decision for France to make, since it is ramping up its nuclear programme (presumably to provide power for those countries such as the UK that have decided to opt out of domestic production)

    • Reality Bytes 4.1

      I think the problem is not simply the carbon quotient of the end result fuel, but the means and costs of extracting it (toxic chemical leech-ates, energy costs etc).

      Some forms of energy actually require a very large amount of energy to extract them in the first place, obviously it’s not 100%+ or there would be no point, but it could easily exceed 50%+. And all this has a cumulative effect on the ultimate waste products of that production and consumption of fuel unit. i.e. if it takes half a litre to extract a litre of oil (or gas or whatever), then that litre of fuel in you car (or bbq etc), then it’s really doing the damage of 1.5 litres of fuel use. Lets not forget there is shipping, energy required for refining etc… Reality is a litre of car fuel is a lot more carbon getting dumped into the ecosystem than the immediate amount of carbon that litre of fuel produces.

  5. Viv 5

    L & M mining want to exploit shale gas here in NZ. France banning the process is big news. NZer’s should know that a country that does permit nuclear, won’t allow fracking.

    John D- you have to look at all the huge energy and resource inputs that are required to extract shale gas and not just claim that it is low carbon because the end product releases less carbon dioxide than coal. And what about the release of methane from fracking? Sure methane is a shorter lived greenhouse gas (10-15 years compared to CO2 100years), but the next 10 years are critical in trying to slow global warming.

    Fracking is just further evidence of the desperation of energy companies, going down even more extreme paths like an alcoholic turning to meths when what they really need to do is stop & change direction.

    • ZeeBop 5.1

      Its both supply and demand, if we put a true cost on the prices of goods and services, as reflected in the future price of oil in 10 or 20 years, then we’d all be buying a large chunk of meat and cutting it up at home not having the super markets butcher it, put chemicals in it, etc and then package it with plastic. Our whole economy is rigged to create churn jobs, jobs that we all could do more cheaply and efficiently at home if we had one bread winner per family, and we had contiguous low cost public transport and free broadband to everyone. There’s huge savings to be had on the energy front by people who heat their homes only to go out all day and work in a heated office, who drive to work when they could cycle (and save healthcare costs), who have to supermarket dive to find the lowest prices of basic commodities because we do not have a free market in retail in NZ. The whole way we run our economy is to provide the luxury of profits to a landlord global class, and its not worth it, really not worth it on so many levels, social, economic, cultural, environmental.

      Our proto fascist government is desperate to loss the next election by any means because they know victory will hurt them, their families and their nation, if only middle NZ would also wake up to the fact that stupid people who argue against climate change, CGT, welfare, are not in any shape or form good for their wallet, their society or their economy, in the present or future. The past is littered with debt and lost opportunities.

      Anyone who votes National in November is a cruel inhumane being without a smidgeon of conscience. Taxs cuts fair and balanced, won’t touch kiwisaver until next term, oh, please the list is growing by the week, how can anyone think National can be trusted.

      • Colonial Viper 5.1.1

        jobs that we all could do more cheaply and efficiently at home if we had one bread winner per family, and we had contiguous low cost public transport and free broadband to everyone.

        In order to suck labour back out of the workforce and back into the home we need sufficient wage levels and working conditions where

        – One full time bread winner (or 2 half time ones) can support the whole family.
        – It is quite possible for a single adult to support themselves with just 3-4 days work a week.

        • ZeeBop 5.1.1.1

          Profits aren’t made by mollycoddling businesses and banks. That’s the mistake we’ve made.

          Because we wanted more profits we went soft on capitalists and they pocketed the common wealth had we gone the other way, stress over performing areas more, and supported under performing – manufacturing, broadband. Hey even roading back in the 50s, why exactly didn’t we have a dual carriageway from Auckland to Wellington back in the 50s????

          Sorry, but when you heard enough people who say trains are inefficient, even as you point out Buffet is investing in rail. And rail contours the land by the most direct route meaning the low energy route, and trucks just cost more, they just don’t want a bar of it. That’s growth right there being flushed away by ignorance.

    • grumpy 5.2

      So, are you saying that Nuclear is preferable….????

      • joe90 5.2.1

        Bio-fuels aren’t looking too flash either with corporate land grabs in Kenya and elsewhere in Africa.

        • ZeeBop 5.2.1.1

          Council pump shit into lagoons, all we need is to brow algae and make it into fuel.

          Council debt will be wiped out.

          Put people to work rebuilding the housing stock properly, double glazing, insulated, and the economy would be buzzing.

          If the project to get algae to fuel works, and massive dumping of the private motor vehicle, then there is no reason to worry excessively.

          But worry we do because National are incompetent.

          • joe90 5.2.1.1.1

            Energy: the new thirty years’ war.

            Why 30 years? Because that’s how long it will take for experimental energy systems like hydrogen power, cellulosic ethanol, wave power, algae fuel, and advanced nuclear reactors to make it from the laboratory to fullscale industrial development. Some of these systems (as well, undoubtedly, as others not yet on our radar screens) will survive the winnowing process. Some will not. And there is little way to predict how it will go at this stage in the game. At the same time the use of existing fuels like oil and coal, which spew carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, is likely to plummet, thanks both to diminished supplies and rising concerns over the growing dangers of carbon emissions.

            • Colonial Viper 5.2.1.1.1.1

              Yeah no sorry, the author is well intentioned and right about many things but he’s missed a small little detail.

              It takes a massive amount of power to develop and test new energy sources like hydrogen, thorium and fusion.

              And there’s the rub. If we had expended materials and energy on this while they were extremely plentiful and cheap, we might possibly just get there. In fact the Club of Rome suggested that the 1970’s or the 1980’s was the time to really get stuck in to it.

              Its a bit late now. Trying to develop these energy programmes to full scale commercialistion while suffering ever increasing energy costs and shortages as you do it won’t just blow budgets and slow development. Its likely to torpedo the chances of final success.

              Similar to trying to learn to swim on the Titanic as the water reaches your neck, in other words.

              Imagine trying to deploy a new generation of electric or hydrogen cars when you don’t have the coal left to refine steel or oil left to ship the finished product.

              Most energy analysts expect conventional oil output – that is, liquid oil derived from fields on land and in shallow coastal waters – to reach a production peak in the next few years and then begin an irreversible decline.

              Wow. Peak conventional oil production happened. Five. Maybe six. Years ago.

            • Kiwiiano 5.2.1.1.1.2

              30 years? The Manhattan Project took maybe 5 years from the first meetings to Trinity. I would have thought that the opportunity to save civilization would demand similar enthusiasm. Wind power really only took off as a serious contributor to grids in the last decade and we’re already seeing problems arising with too much wind power being generated. The others you cite could be just as productive if the huge sums being devoted to persisting with fossil carbon could be redirected to more useful ends.

              • Colonial Viper

                30 years? The Manhattan Project took maybe 5 years from the first meetings to Trinity. I would have thought that the opportunity to save civilization would demand similar enthusiasm.

                – But how long after Trinity before the first 1GW civilian reactor was commissioned? It’s one thing to have an uncontrolled reaction or a pilot reactor in a lab. It’s another thing to have a viable energy source of scale. Put another way: hydrogen bombs have been around since the 1950’s. 6 decades later and we still do not have a working fusion reactor.

                – No ones interested in saving civilisation if there ain’t money in it. If we were really interested in saving civilisation we would phase private road transport out at 4%-5% per year and replace it with trains and other public transport. Something so easy – few have the stomach for it.

                – Notice how the private sector didn’t build CERN? Only governments do this kind of work because the private sector won’t outlay on million to one risks with no hope of improving this or next financial years’ results for their shareholders. And currently, governments around the world have no fiscal appetite for putting tens of billions more into fusion and similar.

  6. Alice 6

    I will write later.

  7. Alice 7

    Your days as a multi media star (cringe) are over; congratulations you have killed yourself off. The best move of your life. Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom to see the light.

    Rebirth-

    Who wants to be a multi media star when you can be a REAL Investigative journalist?

    Life is looking better already don’t you think?

  8. Alice 8

    Your days as a multi media star (cringe) are over; congratulations you have killed yourself off. The best move of your life. Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom to see the light.

    Rebirth-

    Who wants to be a multi media star when you can be a REAL Investigative journalist?

    Life is looking better already, don’t you think?

  9. Alice 9

    Stop worrying, stop worrying, stop worrying.

    Everything is going to be alright!

    If you wonder why I get a bit sad, I just am upset about minor issues, every now and again girls (and boys) cry, no big deal. But I am not worried about either you or I dying, as I know it isn’t going to happen.

    Stop worrying.

  10. Colonial Viper 10

    Well, human beings who think that they will be able to carry on the next 10 years like the 10 just gone have another think coming.

    A long lasting rollercoaster of financial crises and economic instabilities is nigh.

    • U 4 United 10.1

      Well the French certainly knew how to frack the hell out of Mururoa. (Slight pun intended.)
      I predict a long lasting rollercoaster of ignorant doomsayers predicting economic calamity is nigh! Nothing new and original in negativity is there?

      • Colonial Viper 10.1.1

        Hmmmm. If you are one of the millions of Greek and Irish citizens facing long term unemployment and the destruction of your retirement savings, then economic calamity is not merely nigh, its already happened.

        The US has several million long term unemployed (>12 months out of work) , also its suffered millions of home foreclosures. For them economic calamity is not merely nigh, it's already happened.

        • Kiwiiano 10.1.1.1

          Welcome to New Zealand. My retirement savings are almost all road-kill, in spite of being in several different baskets and while the OAP is still enough to get by on, I’m waiting for the other boot to drop, when the US economy tanks and takes NZ with it. Meanwhile I’m faced with working until I drop. I’ll concede that it’s great that I am still able to work, that I do have a job, but there is a sinking lid policy in place.
          It’s a pity the powers-that-be aren’t pursuing a few more fraudsters with the same vigour they’re hounding Hubbard, not that it would get any of the magical mysterious missing money back.

  11. Alice 11

    I don’t believe you ‘want’ to rape me, because I don’t believe you want to hurt me- I believe you have hit rock bottom and you have thoughts of rape- as well as- suicide, murder, and having a nervous breakdown.

    I believe that you are sexually attracted to me and I believe you fantasize about rape but in actually ‘reality’ I think you admire me too much to hurt me plus you are too enchanted by me, I doubt you would be able to actually come into my physical space.

    You feel you have reached a point in your life where you are dissatisfied with yourself, your career, your marriage and your fraudulent existence and to make it even worse- you know you have brought it all on yourself.

    But you now have a person, on your side- who believes in you, and you are finding it all too overwhelming and like usual you want to take the easy way out.

    But you won’t take the easy way out because the rewards are too great and everlasting- if you do the right thing.

    You will what is right, because you now have a reason to live, and for once in your life- you are truly needed.

  12. Alice 12

    I don’t believe you ‘want’ to rape me, because I don’t believe you want to hurt me- I believe you have hit rock bottom and you have thoughts of rape- as well as- suicide, murder, and having a nervous breakdown.

    I believe that you are sexually attracted to me and I believe you fantasize about rape but in actually ‘reality’ I think you admire me too much to hurt me plus you are too enchanted by me, I doubt you would be able to actually come into my physical space.

    You feel you have reached a point in your life where you are dissatisfied with yourself, your career, your marriage and your fraudulent existence and to make it even worse- you know you have brought it all on yourself.

    But you now have a person, on your side- who believes in you, and you are finding it all too overwhelming and like usual you want to take the easy way out.

    But you won’t take the easy way out because the rewards are too great and everlasting- if you do the right thing.

    You will do what is right, because you now have a reason to live, and for once in your life- you are truly needed.

  13. Alice 13

    Reality bites-

    For fucks sake you are so negative no wonder your life is a load of shit.

    Look on the bright side, is it really so bad, you’re a little scared but is it really so bad?

    Chin up. You will never get anyway facing the ground.

    Positive attitude is important!.

    Stop feeling sorry for yourself and get to work!

  14. Alice 14

    Reality bites-

    For fucks sake you are so negative no wonder your life is a load of shit.

    Look on the bright side, is it really so bad, you’re a little scared but is it really so bad?

    Chin up. You will never get anyway facing the ground.

    Positive attitude is important!.

    Stop feeling sorry for yourself and get to work.

  15. Alice 15

    Looking at life from a different angle is new.
    You like exploring and I’m sure you will be interested to see where this direction takes you.

    So each time you feel down, don’t give in, if you fall down- get up, on your feet again!!

    Never give in, never give up and never stop believing in yourself.

    Stay positive, always, and once again NEVER stop believing in yourself.

  16. Alice 16

    Looking at life from a different angle is new.

    You like exploring and I’m sure you will be interested to see where this direction takes you.

    So each time you feel down, don’t give in, if you fall down- get up, on your feet again!!

    Never give in, never give up and never stop believing in yourself.

    Stay positive, always, and once again NEVER stop believing in yourself.

  17. Alice 17

    Don’t give me this Anthony crap.

    Look your merging into ARES now, and one thing ARES does (this I know) he respects his Mother, honours Her and loves Her wholeheartedly.

    ARES is a Man, not a ditzy twisted little child.

    Rule Number One- You don’t diss your Mother!

  18. Alice 18

    Your so disgusting and you are a fucking pervert.

    I have natural bran and oat bran in my porridge every morning. I eat certain foods ‘purposely’ to clean out my system. After being on the Methadone where you are always constipated- I found it felt much better if I ate foods that cleaned out the system daily.

    I don’t like storing shit in my system; I prefer to get it out, as it is healthier and much more refreshing and I never feel bloated or stodgy or sick.

    I live ‘by myself’ as a single girl and I want to remain ‘feeling’ healthy and having a system that ‘works’ properly.

    If I fart that is of my concern and it is none of your business. If you had been on the Methadone yourself you would know that it fucking sucks and living life with a clean bowel daily is a much better option.

    I may have a slight irritable bowel, but at least I have a fucking clean healthy bowel.

    And no I have never had anal sex, somehow I never felt the need, I was satisfied by my previous lovers and I didn’t need to go there and my greatest lover Matthew always desired me as a female, and was satisfied loving me as a female. Unlike you I don’t desire to have my arse fucked or to fuck a sheep ass!

    You are so disgusting.

  19. Alice 19

    Some people are attached to the land, my homeland, I feel, is everywhere.

  20. Alice 20

    If there is one team that works, that really truly works, it will be- you and me!

  21. Go ask Alice !!!

    Alice, Alice ???…who the fuck is Alice ???

    [lprent: Don’t ask me. But the anti-spam doesn’t like it. There were about 40 comments in the spam this morning. But they did appear to be written by a human.. ]

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    Completed reads for April: The Difference Engine, by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling Carnival of Saints, by George Herman The Snow Spider, by Jenny Nimmo Emlyn’s Moon, by Jenny Nimmo The Chestnut Soldier, by Jenny Nimmo Death Comes As the End, by Agatha Christie Lord of the Flies, by ...
    1 day ago
  • At a glance – Clearing up misconceptions regarding 'hide the decline'
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    2 days ago
  • Road photos
    Have a story to share about St Paul’s, but today just picturesPopular novels written at this desk by a young man who managed to bootstrap himself out of father’s imprisonment and his own young life in a workhouse Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Paula Bennett’s political appointment will challenge public confidence
    The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill English, Simon Bridges, Steven Joyce, Roger Sowry, ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    2 days ago
  • NZDF is still hostile to oversight
    Newsroom has a story today about National's (fortunately failed) effort to disestablish the newly-created Inspector-General of Defence. The creation of this agency was the key recommendation of the Inquiry into Operation Burnham, and a vital means of restoring credibility and social licence to an agency which had been caught lying ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • Winding Back The Hands Of History’s Clock.
    Holding On To The Present: The moment a political movement arises that attacks the whole idea of social progress, and announces its intention to wind back the hands of History’s clock, then democracy, along with its unwritten rules, is in mortal danger.IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in ...
    2 days ago
  • Sweet Moderation? What Christopher Luxon Could Learn From The Germans.
    Stuck In The Middle With You: As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
    2 days ago
  • A clear warning
    The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • Poll results and Waitangi Tribunal report go unmentioned on the Beehive website – where racing tru...
    Buzz  from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example.  This shows National down ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • Listening To The Traffic.
    It Takes A Train To Cry: Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
    2 days ago
  • Comity Be Damned! The State’s Legislative Arm Is Flexing Its Constitutional Muscles.
    Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
    2 days ago
  • Ending The Quest.
    Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
    2 days ago
  • Will political polarisation intensify to the point where ‘normal’ government becomes impossible,...
    Chris Trotter writes –  New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Tuesday, April 30
    TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:30am on Tuesday, May 30:Scoop: NZ 'close to the tipping point' of measles epidemic, health experts warn NZ Herald Benjamin PlummerHealth: 'Absurd and totally unacceptable': Man has to wait a year for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
    Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Worst poll result for a new Government in MMP history
    Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Pinning down climate change's role in extreme weather
    This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
    2 days ago
  • Serving at Seymour's pleasure.
    Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Webworm LA Pop-Up
    Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • “Feel good” school is out
    Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • 6 Months in, surely our Report Card is “Ignored all warnings: recommend dismissal ASAP”?
    Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic plan, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy. Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    2 days ago
  • Bread, and how it gets buttered
    Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
    Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Justice for Gaza?
    The New York Times reports that the International Criminal Court is about to issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over their genocide in Gaza: Israeli officials increasingly believe that the International Criminal Court is preparing to issue arrest warrants for senior government officials on ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • If there has been any fiddling with Pharmac’s funding, we can count on Paula to figure out the fis...
    Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • FastTrackWatch – The case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Monday, April 29
    TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on Iran killing its rappers, and searching for the invisible Dr. Reti
    span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
    3 days ago
  • Auckland Rail Electrification 10 years old
    Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
    3 days ago
  • Coalition's dirge of austerity and uncertainty is driving the economy into a deeper recession
    Right now, in Aotearoa-NZ, our ‘animal spirits’ are darkening towards a winter of discontent, thanks at least partly to a chorus of negative comments and actions from the Government Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Disability Funding or Tax Cuts.
    You make people evil to punish the paststuck inside a sequel with a rotating castThe following photos haven’t been generated with AI, or modified in any way. They are flesh and blood, human beings. On the left is Galatea Young, a young mum, and her daughter Fiadh who has Angelman ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Of the Goodness of Tolkien’s Eru
    April has been a quiet month at A Phuulish Fellow. I have had an exceptionally good reading month, and a decently productive writing month – for original fiction, anyway – but not much has caught my eye that suggested a blog article. It has been vaguely frustrating, to be honest. ...
    3 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #17
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 21, 2024 thru Sat, April 27, 2024. Story of the week Anthropogenic climate change may be the ultimate shaggy dog story— but with a twist, because here ...
    3 days ago
  • Pastor Who Abused People, Blames People
    Hi,I spent about a year on Webworm reporting on an abusive megachurch called Arise, and it made me want to stab my eyes out with a fork.I don’t regret that reporting in 2022 and 2023 — I am proud of it — but it made me angry.Over three main stories ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    4 days ago
  • Vic Uni shows how under threat free speech is
    The new Victoria University Vice-Chancellor decided to have a forum at the university about free speech and academic freedom as it is obviously a topical issue, and the Government is looking at legislating some carrots or sticks for universities to uphold their obligations under the Education and Training Act. They ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Winston remembers Gettysburg.
    Do you remember when Melania Trump got caught out using a speech that sounded awfully like one Michelle Obama had given? Uncannily so.Well it turns out that Abraham Lincoln is to Winston Peters as Michelle was to Melania. With the ANZAC speech Uncle Winston gave at Gallipoli having much in ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • 25
    She was born 25 years ago today in North Shore hospital. Her eyes were closed tightly shut, her mouth was silently moving. The whole theatre was all quiet intensity as they marked her a 2 on the APGAR test. A one-minute eternity later, she was an 8.  The universe was ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Fact Brief – Is Antarctica gaining land ice?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is Antarctica gaining land ice? ...
    4 days ago
  • Policing protests.
    Images of US students (and others) protesting and setting up tent cities on US university campuses have been broadcast world wide and clearly demonstrate the growing rifts in US society caused by US policy toward Israel and Israel’s prosecution of … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    5 days ago
  • Open letter to Hon Paul Goldsmith
    Barrie Saunders writes – Dear Paul As the new Minister of Media and Communications, you will be inundated with heaps of free advice and special pleading, all in the national interest of course. For what it’s worth here is my assessment: Traditional broadcasting free to air content through ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: FastTrackWatch – The Case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its arguments for such a bold reform. ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    5 days ago
  • Luxon gets out his butcher’s knife – briefly
    Peter Dunne writes –  The great nineteenth British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, once observed that “the first essential for a Prime Minister is to be a good butcher.” When a later British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, sacked a third of his Cabinet in July 1962, in what became ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • More tax for less
    Ele Ludemann writes – New Zealanders had the OECD’s second highest tax increase last year: New Zealanders faced the second-biggest tax raises in the developed world last year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says. The intergovernmental agency said the average change in personal income tax ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Real News vs Fake News.
    We all know something’s not right with our elections. The spread of misinformation, people being targeted with soundbites and emotional triggers that ignore the facts, even the truth, and influence their votes.The use of technology to produce deep fakes. How can you tell if something is real or not? Can ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Another way to roll
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Share ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • Simon Clark: The climate lies you'll hear this year
    This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
    5 days ago
  • Cutting the Public Service
    It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    6 days ago
  • Luxon’s demoted ministers might take comfort from the British politician who bounced back after th...
    Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious:  we live in a troubled ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • This is how I roll over
    1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Waitangi Tribunal is not “a roving Commission”…
    …it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisition   NOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes –  The High Court ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Is Oranga Tamariki guilty of neglect?
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same? Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Three Strikes saw lower reoffending
    David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Luxon’s ruthless show of strength is perfect for our angry era
    Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • 'Lacks attention to detail and is creating double-standards.'
    TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • One Night Only!
    Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • What did Melissa Lee do?
    It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #17 2024
    Open access notables Ice acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment: In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
    6 days ago
  • Maori Party (with “disgust”) draws attention to Chhour’s race after the High Court rules on Wa...
    Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days ago
  • Who’s Going Up The Media Mountain?
    Mr Bombastic: Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
    7 days ago
  • “That's how I roll”
    It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago
  • “Comity” versus the rule of law
    In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago
  • Aotearoa: a live lab for failed Right-wing socio-economic zombie experiments once more…
    Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder. In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    1 week ago

  • Minister acknowledges passing of Sir Robert Martin (KNZM)
    New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Speech to New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Parliament – Annual Lecture: Challenges ...
    Good evening –   Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Accelerating airport security lines
    From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • Community hui to talk about kina barrens
    People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into force
    Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Mining resurgence a welcome sign
    There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passes first reading
    The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government to boost public EV charging network
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure.  The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Residential Property Managers Bill to not progress
    The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Independent review into disability support services
    The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Justice Minister updates UN on law & order plan
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Ending emergency housing motels in Rotorua
    The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Trade Minister travels to Riyadh, OECD, and Dubai
    Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Education priorities focused on lifting achievement
    Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZTA App first step towards digital driver licence
    The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say.  “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Supporting whānau out of emergency housing
    Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Tribute to Dave O'Sullivan
    Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Speech – Eid al-Fitr
    Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government saves access to medicines
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff.    “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Pharmac Chair appointed
    Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • Taking action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
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