Franks and teh gays

Written By: - Date published: 5:47 pm, September 22nd, 2008 - 85 comments
Categories: Social issues - Tags: , , , , ,

National’s candidate for Wellington Central, Stephen Franks, is having a wee cry on his blog today over Agenda’s decision to air that embarrassing Youtube clip where he complains about “grumpy Christians and whining gays” and compares civil unions to marrying your dog.

Apparently he’s been “cited out of context” by “the militant gay media” and his Labour opponent Grant Robertson, a man who “makes a feature of being a gay activist” and “mentions it at every opportunity.”

Franks’ only crime, he’d have you believe, is that he tells it like it is. “In a PC world”, he laments, “PC opponents gain weapons from such plain speaking.”

Now Franksie’s been playing this shtick for a while and it’s starting to wear thin. ‘I’m a classical liberal,’ the excuse goes, ‘I just happen to vote against gay rights for highly principled reasons that nobody else understands, and I’m constantly getting misquoted saying bad things about gays because I’m a plain speaker.’

Problem is, you can only run that line for so long before people start to recognise a pattern of bigoted behaviour as the behaviour of a bigot.

See Stephen, Liberals don’t compare civil unions to marrying your dog, even in jest. They don’t describe the gay community as “riddled with pathologies“. And they certainly don’t try to amend the Human Rights Act to make it legal for landlords, employers and taxi drivers to discriminate against homosexuals.

There’s no “militant gay” agenda out to get you Stephen. They’re just responding to your attacks on their community, and your going on like this does make you look rather silly. Is it really so hard to admit that you’re just not that fond of the gays?

[Hat tip: Russell Brown]

85 comments on “Franks and teh gays ”

  1. Monty 1

    I was at a candidates Meeting with Franks, Bradford, Robertson and Rahui Katene (who I was very impressed with). The subject of the night was Social Justice. Bradford’s solutions were a disgrace and I advised her that the Greenie policies were economically stupid. Stephen was there and I had a chat afterwards –

    As a Practising catholic (therefore christian) I take absolutely no offence at what was said. I think that Stephen is right on the money and totally endorse what he said. More interesting is the fact that Grant has a poodle who basically takes a video camera to eery meeting waiting for any comment from Stephen which can then be used to take anything he says is jest or otherwise right out of context. I am sure that If I did the same then I could get the same sort of trivial crap on Grant-

    Are you lefties so threatened by Stephen (who is certainly a very good chance in Wellington) that you need to record his every word in the hope of getting a statement out of context? Following dear Leaders directive to be a nasty and dirt as it takes to try and win the election (ha – at 18% points behind you are toast regardless)

  2. Simple (renamed RC) 2

    Im no fan of stephan franks but he is more experienced in the real world than grant robertson, yes i am alleging that unionists are absent from the real world

  3. Scribe 3

    See Stephen, Liberals don’t compare civil unions to marrying your dog, even in jest.

    You’re right, Tane. They compare pro-lifers to the Taliban, and are dead serious when they do it.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/4582677a1861.html

    You liberals must be proud.

  4. Draco T Bastard 4

    They compare pro-lifers to the Taliban

    They’re comparing one bunch of lunatic religious fanatics with another. Seems reasonable to me.

  5. Tane 5

    Monty. The flat meeting was a public event. TV3 was there. I understand it was openly recorded. Watch the clip again, you’ll see Franks dug his own hole.

  6. Quoth the Raven 6

    Scribe – Who are the people that bomb abortion clinics?

  7. Anita 7

    Let’s not forget that Stephen Franks tried to gut the Human Rights Act and make discrimination against homosexuality, children born outside marriage, and a variety of other “sins” explicitly legal.

  8. More interesting is the fact that Grant has a poodle who basically takes a video camera to eery meeting waiting for any comment from Stephen which can then be used to take anything he says is jest or otherwise right out of context. I am sure that If I did the same then I could get the same sort of trivial crap on Grant-. More interesting is the fact that Grant has a poodle who basically takes a video camera to eery meeting waiting for any comment from Stephen which can then be used to take anything he says is jest or otherwise right out of context. I am sure that If I did the same then I could get the same sort of trivial crap on Grant-

    No, it was a candidates meeting, with the novelty of being held in a living room. TV3 were there, as were various spectators of differing persuasions. It was a Public Meeting.

    If someone says something once, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt. If they say the same thing multiple times, and back those statements up with action, we have no choice but to take those words seriously.

    As for the comparison between anti-abortionists and the Taliban. I think it is a valid one. The Taliban are certainly much worse, but the difference is in how much they think a woman’s body should be controlled.

  9. roger nome 9

    hah! Classy. Surely franks knows that Wellington Central, as a cosmopolitan centre, has a large queer-friendly population? Bigoted and politcally stupid. Well played stephen … well played.

  10. Piggy 10

    Franks’ behavior there was pretty terrible, but maybe in the interest of fairness you should also post this clip, from somebody who acts as badly as him. Is this the way a ‘liberal’ ought to treat their ‘friends?’

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqXeV0kAbLw

  11. randal 11

    getting crazy now dudes. all the dweebs have bought all these sleazo tactics from spindoctors inc., that are simple replicas of the tactics used by rich american seekers of ooffice. all this stuff used to go on before underground but with the advent of the net and the impossibility of polcing everything at once and the psychological desire for stimulation necessary to running comlex advanced cultures at full capcity then then this is what you get now. its still sleazy because no matter how much it is attmepted to be reported in the press it is usuallyy counterproductive as people are repulsed by over exposure to abhorrent claims and grpahci pictorial representation in the press and tv. people have their own needs and will reject over exposure to prurient material adverting deviant perverted behaviour ad nauseum.
    and besides their is a good movie ona t the moment..roger and out

  12. More interesting is the fact that Grant has a poodle who basically takes a video camera to eery meeting waiting for any comment from Stephen which can then be used to take anything he says is jest or otherwise right out of context.

    No, he doesn’t. That’s just Franks’ paranoid belief.

    The video was taken by James Barber, a young Green Party member who sent it in to Agenda after the programme solicited such “citizen journalist” material and offered a mobile phone as a prize. The Robertson camp didn’t even know who Barber was until he explained it yesterday.

    For me, the story is less Franks’ “dog” analogy, which he’s expressed before, than his extraordinary string of allegations against Robertson (which might be summarised as “the gays are coming to get me!”). These were not only idiotic, they were baseless. A decent man would apologise to his opponent, but I think Franks’ anger runs too deep for that.

  13. Scribe 13

    They’re comparing one bunch of lunatic religious fanatics with another. Seems reasonable to me.

    Many intelligent atheists are prolifers, Draco.

    Scribe – Who are the people that bomb abortion clinics?

    Usually people who have some sort of mental problem, Quoth. And the acts, rare as hen’s teeth, are immediately condemned by pro-life organisations.

    Most attacks on abortion clinics are performed when they are empty, so they’re to make a point, not hurt anyone.

    Alveda King, the niece of a guy who knew a thing or two about civil rights, has said abortion is the greatest civil rights injustice of our time.

    What do others think is the greatest civil rights injustice of our time? And what would you do to protest against it?

  14. Dom 14

    I don’t understand the right-wing rage about Franks’ true opinions being ‘outed’ (so to speak).

    Franks has claimed that the gay lobby is trying to paint him as homophobic. That’s misdirection. Franks clearly is homophobic but doesn’t even have the guts to be upfront about it.

  15. Trouble 15

    “Many intelligent atheists are prolifers”

    Which ones? The only sound argument I’ve ever heard in favour of treating an embryo with the rudiments of a central nervous system as if it has the same moral standing as a newborn and semi-independently functioning infant, or a reasoning adult, is that it has a soul.

    The US violence figures of 7 murders, 17 attempted murders, 383 death threats, 153 assaults and 655 anthrax hoaxes isn’t hen’s teeth, and it isn’t attributable to mental illness. While most pro-life organisations don’t support such violence, a handful certainly do, and a bunch more do their best to make excuses and minimise its impact, as Scribe has just done. Threats might not “hurt” anyone, but they certainly scare them.

    And Alveda King’s opposition to abortion is not some religion-free thing – her outfit is explicitly Christian. Sure, there’s some overlap between civil and religious rights, but many people support the latter without buying into the former.

  16. Trouble 16

    I meant valid, not sound. Sound implies that all the prepositions in a logical argument are correct, and many people including most atheists do not accept that souls exist.

  17. “Which ones? The only sound argument I’ve ever heard in favour of treating an embryo with the rudiments of a central nervous system as if it has the same moral standing as a newborn and semi-independently functioning infant, or a reasoning adult, is that it has a soul.”

    Not only that, but all the while the same people want to deny human rights to children after their birth, by allowing for, and even condoning in some cases explicit assaults against them.

    These are also the same people who constantly assert that the current government is authoritarian, and yet they propose even more draconian population control measures as a so-called deterrent. As if they were a deterrent in the first place?

    The very same people who decry Winston Peter’s corruption as total unethical are in many cases just as guilty, or even worse? Do you really think Peters learned all of his funding tricks since 1992?

  18. Scribe 18

    Trouble,

    Comments like “who’s bombing abortion clinics?” (further up) try to paint a picture of pro-lifers causing massive death and destruction. It’s a fallacy. I think you’d find many more religiously motivated attacks than the wikipedia numbers you cite above, which were supplied by a pro-abortion agency.

    I never said Alveda King’s opposition to abortion was religion-free, just as her uncle’s opposition to segregation etc wasn’t religion-free.

    What is the greatest civil rights issue of our time, Trouble?

    And when does life begin? Should abortions be performed at any stage of pregnancy?

    Regarding pro-life atheists:

    Nat Hentoff is the best known: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/apr/28/abortion-senator-to-abortion-president/

    Here’s a group Atheist and Agnostic Pro-Life League: http://www.godlessprolifers.org/home.html

    Another pro-life atheist profiled here: http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2007/oct/07100503.html

  19. Scribe 19

    Policy Parrot,

    These are also the same people who constantly assert that the current government is authoritarian, and yet they propose even more draconian population control measures as a so-called deterrent. As if they were a deterrent in the first place?

    Can you explain this? What are these “draconian population control measures”?

  20. Pascal's bookie 20

    And when does life begin?

    Define life.

    I don’t think that there is any single point that you can say where an individual’s life ‘begins’.

    There is certainly no point at which you can say, before x the tissue is not alive and after x it is alive. So I think the question is very poorly formed.

  21. Scribe 21

    Pb,

    I think it’s a fine question, but how about we try another one. Well, another two?

    What happens to an unborn child between conception and birth to change its “status”? Do you think women should be able to abort at any stage of their pregnancy?

  22. randal 22

    It shoudl always be a womans right to abort at any stage of the pregnancy. there are over 7,000,000,000 homo sapiens sapiens running around the planet now grabbing anything and everything they can and by and large stinking the joint up so any attempt to lessen the number is to be applauded.

  23. Scribe 23

    there are over 7,000,000,000 homo sapiens sapiens running around the planet now grabbing anything and everything they can and by and large stinking the joint up so any attempt to lessen the number is to be applauded.

    Death penalty OK too, then?

    captcha: emotions few

  24. Anita 24

    Franks is homophobic, and a number of current National MPs supported his attempt to make discrimination against homosexuals legal.

    Key, English, Ryall and Collins (among others) voted for an attempt to restrict access to abortion.

    It’s not surprising they’re trying to shut down every discussion about their social conservatism.

  25. Pascal's bookie 25

    Scribe,

    Firstly ‘conception’ is a process, not a point. And why start at ‘conception’ in any case.

    That’s the problem that you are not seeing. What happens in between ‘conception’ and birth is development. Just like what happens during the process of ‘conception’.

    Development is, by definition, changes in what it is at any given point in time. It’s ‘status’ changes, and any marker points you care make are artificial, based around your assumptions rather than on what is actually happening to the tissue.

    But the underlying point is that there are different ideas about when we should confer human being rather than human tissue status.

    These different beliefs are honestly held, and unresolvable. The question from a policy point of view becomes “what should we allow?” Pro lifers usually assert that no view other than there’s is legitimate. They reject pluralism in this instance. Pro choice folk say that a person should be able to follow their conscience, given that there are these unresolvable, honestly held differences of opinion.

    Stepping outside of your personal opinion about the status of a fetus, what’s wrong with that from a policy point of view?

  26. randal 26

    its really interesting that the people who grab and snatch for everything are the same ones who want an unlimited supply of supplicants to their monuments of greed and self gratification by the accumulation of property and goods.

  27. Scribe 27

    Anita,

    Key, English, Ryall and Collins (among others) voted for an attempt to restrict access to abortion.

    I assume you’re referring to the attempt to have girls under 16 notify their parents before they have an abortion. Can you please list other medical procedures 12-year-old girls should be allowed to have without parental knowledge and/or consent.

    Heck, they can’t even get vaccinations to help stop illness without consent, yet a process that increases the likelihood of drug/alcohol abuse, depression and suicidal tendencies, not to mention physical complications, shouldn’t need permission?

    Please tell me you were objecting to their vote on another issue.

  28. Scribe 28

    Pb,

    I just struggle to reconcile the notion some people have that it’s OK to abort an eight-week-old preborn child but it’s not OK to abort a 39-week-old preborn child. Some think either is fine, but many people of good intention have those ideas, which I find muddled.

    Abortion is legal in New Zealand now but the law is being flouted. People range in views from no abortion ever to abortion at any stage, and children from botched abortions shouldn’t even receive medical attention.

    It’s time the issue was discussed again. Legal proceedings may lead to that discussion.

  29. Anita 29

    Scribe,

    No, I’m referring to them supporting Peter Brown’s attempt to put Peter Hall, an anti-abortion doctor, on the Abortion Supervisory Committee. I wrote about it over here.

    If Brown and Copeland’s amendments had both succeeded (and both gained the support of the majority of voting Nats) we would have an ASC where the majority of members want to move from the status quo to a more restrictive regime.

  30. Scribe 30

    If Brown and Copeland’s amendments had both succeeded (and both gained the support of the majority of voting Nats) we would have an ASC where the majority of members want to move from the status quo to a more restrictive regime.

    Anita,

    The status quo is, for all intents and purposes, unlawful. A High Court judge has said so.

    When you say “more restrictive” do you really mean “applying the law”?

  31. Lew 31

    The fact that a couple of the homophobe apologists (yes, Scribe, though you’re one of the more reasoned Christian conservatives about, you’re one) have managed to turn this debate from being about the extreme statements of a candidate for an allegedly mainstream, moderate and inclusive party into yet another pointless debate on abortion is a great example of agenda control. Why argue the points your opponents want you to argue about? Argue your own points. Argue the initial topic of the post. Engaging with the pot-kettle-black and misdirection arguments is simply fuel for the fire. Ignore it; it’s irrelevant.

    The issue here is transparency. We’ve got a politician actually saying what he means, apparently meaning what he says, and then getting pissy for the fact that it was reported. That’s the story – not the merits of what he said. Such clarity is all too rare – we should be thanking Stephen Franks for his – ahem – frankness. As we should be thanking John Hayes for his on the minimum wage; and John Key for his forthright position on Winston Peters, and Hone Harawira for his views on John Howard, and so on.

    Or are Franks’ defenders here arguing that he’s not being homophobic? Because I’d like to see that argument fly.

    L

  32. Anita 32

    Lew,

    I’m one of the people happily including abortion within the debate; and I’m pretty sure I’m not a homophobe apologist 🙂

    Franks’ statements are the statements of a single bigot.

    Taken within the context of National Party (and its leader, senior MPs, backbenchers and candidates) positions on GLBT issues, abortion, gender equity, Māori issues, poverty, families and so on we see that rather than a stand-alone bigot we are seeing a socially conservative party ready to legislate for a conservative, uptight and bigoted New Zealand.

  33. Scribe 33

    Lew,

    My first comment on this thread was to demonstrate Tane’s hypocrisy. I’m sure I could have found other examples, but Trotter’s Taliban comparison remains firmly in my mind. I — honest to God — didn’t mean to turn the thread into a discussion on abortion.

    I don’t know enough about Franks to know if he’s homophobic or not. Opposing civil unions or gay marriage doesn’t necessarily make one homophobic. Some homosexuals opposed the CUB, after all. And there were homosexuals in California who opposed the recent change there to allow gay marriage (vote still to come in November).

  34. Anita 35

    Scribe,

    I don?t know enough about Franks to know if he?s homophobic or not. Opposing civil unions or gay marriage doesn?t necessarily make one homophobic.

    Franks tried to change the Human Rights Act to make it explicitly legal to discriminate against homosexuals. I’m sure that a well trained legal mind can explain that away, but it sounds an awful lot like textbook homophobia to me.

  35. Scribe 36

    Anita,

    McDonald’s or Foodtown shouldn’t be able to refuse employment to someone because they are Maori, gay, female or all three.

    But should, for argument’s sake, a Muslim school be able to refuse employment to someone who lives a lifestyle incompatible with Islam?

  36. Lew 37

    Scribe: Yes, and your initial comment was classic pot-kettle-black. Irrelevant in this context, unless you believe Tane is Grant Robertson, or someone else of similar civic standing. Just distracting from the actual issue at hand.

    I don’t know Stephen Franks personally, and as such I can only judge him from his publicly-held positions. So I don’t personally know he is a homophobe, but his statements indicate that in all likelihood he is one. That’s fine – his right to be so; our right to know about it.

    I agree that opposing civil unions or gay marriage in the isolated case doesn’t make one a prima facie homophobe. However there are three other issues here:

    1. Your appeal that `some homosexuals opposed the CUB, after all’ is fallacious unless you look at the reasons for their opposition. Many, for instance, opposed it because it created a separate category for gay marriage rather than allowing queers access to the same cultural status as straights. That’s quite the opposite of what you imply. If you can find a significant body of queer opinion which is arguing `we don’t want the right to be joined in a relationship similar to marriage because it will harm NZ’s notional family unit’ then I’ll grant you this point. Good luck.

    2. Stephen Franks’ grounds for opposing the CUB on the basis of a comparison between homosexuality and bestiality the what’s at issue – not the fact of his opposition to it, the justification. The belief that homosexuality and bestiality are in any way comparable is an explicitly, unambigouosly homophobic position – like the assertion that homosexuality and paedophilia are comparable. You are free to hod these positions if you choose – but be advised that they are homophobic positions, and people have some justification in considering you to be homophobic if you hold them.

    3. In the context of Stephen Franks’ attempts to repeal provisions in the BORA which generally preclude discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, I don’t think his statements here should come as a surprise or a shock to anyone. They are entirely consistent. The comparison of sex with (or love for) a dog to sex with (or love for) another human being of the same gender makes his view quite crystal clear: homosexuals are animals. His view that queers shouldn’t have the rights afforded all other humans is also crystal clear: homosexuals are not humans.

    So you tell me: does he seem homophobic, or not?

    L

  37. “Scribe
    I assume you’re referring to the attempt to have girls under 16 notify their parents before they have an abortion. Can you please list other medical procedures 12-year-old girls should be allowed to have without parental knowledge and/or consent.”

    Personally I’d have anyone above 12 have final say on what happens to their body. You do realize it’s blatantly obvious that the only reason you want parental consent is to try and prevent more girls from having abortions. At least be honest, you don’t give a fuck about their health, hell your looking to use pregnancy and child birth as a punishment, you practically have no moral ground to stand on.

    Its also fairly hypocritical that you claim that a parent should have complete control over a 12-16 year old, hell 16 year old’s can move out of home and disown their parents (another freedom that family fist is highly aggrieved about) yet a 12 to 16 year old should not have complete control over a fetus that is only human but the most tenuous of reasoning.

    “Scribe

    Heck, they can’t even get vaccinations to help stop illness without consent, yet a process that increases the likelihood of drug/alcohol abuse, depression and suicidal tendencies, not to mention physical complications, shouldn’t need permission?”

    Flawed ideological agenda pushing research. Most teenage girls who get pregnant engage in multiple high risk behaviors, and its that that raises the likely hood of depression. The researches need to establish causation, but even if they did it could probably be solved by you bloody bible bashers leaving others the fuck alone and stop trying to guilt trip them into your religion.

    Personally I don’t like abortion, I just think its a greater evil for force my beliefs on someone else.

  38. Anita 39

    Scribe,

    McDonald’s or Foodtown shouldn’t be able to refuse employment to someone because they are Maori, gay, female or all three.

    Franks wants it to be legal for McDonalds and Foodtown to refuse employment to someone because they’re gay or have an illegitimate child.

    He’s a lovely man.

    But should, for argument’s sake, a Muslim school be able to refuse employment to someone who lives a lifestyle incompatible with Islam?

    Want to give me more detail?

    Drinks alcohol in non-work related contexts (e.g. a family dinner) no the school shouldn’t be able to discriminate.

    Wears tshirts with pictures of the Virgin Mary on it to school while employed as a teacher? The school should be able to set an appropriate dress code (no representational art, no religion symbolism, whatever) and enforce it.

  39. Scribe 40

    Anita,

    Franks wants it to be legal for McDonalds and Foodtown to refuse employment to someone because they’re gay or have an illegitimate child.

    I’ve never liked Franks. If this is true (and I doubt it is), that’s just another reason.

    What if a teacher at a Muslim school is openly gay? Should the school be able to dismiss him/her?

  40. Scribe 41

    KITNO,

    You’re right, I don’t want girls to have an abortion. But if they’re under 16 (note UNDER 16), at the very least I want them to consult with their parents and be given full information from health professionals on the development of the foetus and the possible flow-on effects from having an abortion.

    If a girl has an abortion and suffers from physical or mental problems, which is very likely, at least the parents might have some inkling why that is.

    fetus that is only human but the most tenuous of reasoning

    Funny how you went from “a fetus that is only human but the most tenuous of reasoning” to someone fully human, without any outside intervention.

    Flawed ideological agenda pushing research.

    Shame for you that the research, conducted in New Zealand, was led by a pro-choice atheist. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in the UK now require doctors to discuss the possible impacts on mental health with women seeking abortion, so it’s obviously much deeper than the agenda-driven claims you make.

  41. Draco T Bastard 42

    You’re right, I don’t want girls to have an abortion. But if they’re under 16 (note UNDER 16), at the very least I want them to consult with their parents…

    You do realise that the reason why pregnant girls under 16 don’t have to consult their parents about an abortion is to protect them from their parents don’t you?

  42. “Flawed ideological agenda pushing research.

    Shame for you that the research, conducted in New Zealand, was led by a pro-choice atheist. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in the UK now require doctors to discuss the possible impacts on mental health with women seeking abortion, so it’s obviously much deeper than the agenda-driven claims you make.”

    Girls who get pregnant are more likely to engage in multiple high risk behaviours. These include drugs, binge drinking, promiscuous sex, abusive boyfriends and crime. A large part of the reason people get into those kind of situations and lifestyles is because they engage in very little long term planning and evaluation of previous actions. They live here and now, with very few long term goals. I think than having and abortion weighing on their conscience (the guilt from which is a social construction from you lot) is much less of a factor than abusive boyfriends and sustained heavy drug use.

    You’re right, I don’t want girls to have an abortion. But if they’re under 16 (note UNDER 16), at the very least I want them to consult with their parents and be given full information from health professionals on the development of the foetus and the possible flow-on effects from having an abortion

    Any response to my criticism that parental notification is just another way to force a teenage girl not to have an abortion?

    The only way I could accept parental notification is if it occurs after the abortion, and even then I don’t fully support it.

    Why is the development of the foetus relevant for any reason other than to guilt trip a girl out of having an abortion? You might have some more creditability if anti abortion campaigners didn’t have such a long history of misrepresenting the facts on this issue.

    And if its for the parents to decide what’s best for their daughter, why shouldn’t the government be able to decide what’s best for you?

    This is all regardless of the fact that a girl getting pregnant under the age of 16 is likely to be the result of very bad parenting in the first place.

    You not really one for harm minimisation though are you?

  43. Scribe 44

    Draco,

    Yes, and I find it strange — nay, crazy — that young girls can make a massive decision like this without parental input.

    As much as some people might like to downplay abortion and its impact, this isn’t the equivalent of getting a filling at the dentist.

  44. 2. Stephen Franks’ grounds for opposing the CUB on the basis of a comparison between homosexuality and bestiality the what’s at issue – not the fact of his opposition to it, the justification. The belief that homosexuality and bestiality are in any way comparable is an explicitly, unambigouosly homophobic position – like the assertion that homosexuality and paedophilia are comparable. You are free to hod these positions if you choose – but be advised that they are homophobic positions, and people have some justification in considering you to be homophobic if you hold them.

    I’ve always found this one of their most laughably weak talking points, only for bandying about amongst themselves or on fox news. Simple simple reasoning, is it consensual? Yes, then its fine. No, it’s not fine. Animals cannot consent, simple as that, but still they try pull that line, its beyond belief almost.

  45. Scribe – you are a Neanderthal. I recall you were the main pain in the arse on the abortion thread too. Why don’t you f*ck off back to your theist cave and your daddy-god and let the rest of us get on with living as grown adults? F*ckin pathetic…

    [Tane: Lay off the personal attacks Sod. I don’t want to have to ban you again.]

  46. Scribe 47

    Robinsod,

    Sorry. I thought blogs were places where people discuss ideas. My mistake.

    Don’t worry; I’ll pray for you 😉

    [lprent: It is, and the ‘sod is lucky that Tane got to him first. I think that you’d probably have to pray pretty hard. ]

  47. Quoth the Raven 48

    Scribe – Your first comment on this thread was facetious little remark and I countered it with something deserving. So just relax, we’ll get our guns out and shoot some unitarians… BANG.. BANG.

  48. Scribe 49

    I’m relaxed, Quoth. I’ll pray for you and the unitarians as well.

  49. “Scribe
    September 23, 2008 at 7:37 pm
    I’m relaxed, Quoth. I’ll pray for you and the unitarians as well.”

    I’ll have some of my gay friend pray for you next time they are having anal sex.

  50. Scribe 51

    Thanks KITNO. Much appreciated.

  51. Lew 52

    KITNO: Well, the logical flaw is present in the very language of the clip – the question (put by Franks) is `if two people love each other, why can’t they be married?’

    Two people. Then he goes and uses an example containing one person and one non-person. And wonders why he gets shot down in flames.

    Incidentally, I think it’s amazing how some of you lot make people like Scribe (sorry, Scribe, you’re in the gun here as a bigot for defending Franks) seem progressive and compassionate. The dude wants to deny people the same rights as others based on the teachings of an old book, and yet you guys (Sod, QtR and KITNO) make him seem reasonable.

    And then you wonder why people give social liberals such a hard time.

    L

  52. Thats your perception, not ours.

  53. Lew 54

    KITNO: Thank you, Captain Obvious.

    L

  54. Sorry, just looks like some of the righties these days think that saying something makes it true.

  55. Pascal's bookie 56

    Scribe, You didn’t really answer this question:

    Pro choice folk say that a person should be able to follow their conscience, given that there are these unresolvable, honestly held differences of opinion.

    Stepping outside of your personal opinion about the status of a fetus, what’s wrong with that from a policy point of view?

    You sort of said that you don’t understand how someone sees a difference between a fetus at different stages of development, but that is nowhere near the question I asked. Which is about policy and what we should do, given we don’t agree with each other.

    Repeating that we disagree is pointless, unless you think, like the Taliban, that your revealed truth just, must, be law. Please don’t be offended, I’m asking, not accusing. And bear in mind that pro lifers say some truly terrible things about pro choice people, simply because they disagree.

    In answer to your question about Muslim schools, no, I don’t think they should be allowed to sack someone just because they are gay. If the person is teaching the courses as the school wants, in the way they want, then I see no reason to fire them. But I’m open to argument, though not if the school receives one cent of government funding. Do you disagree?

  56. Anita 57

    Scribe,

    Here is the SOP containing Franks’ attempt to make discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and marital status legal.

  57. Draco T Bastard 58

    Scribe:

    Yes, and I find it strange — nay, crazy — that young girls can make a massive decision like this without parental input.

    Jesus Scribe – did you read what I said?
    I said that the law is the way it is to protect the girl from her parents. I’m pretty sure that a girl would go to her parents if she was in a loving and supportive home. If she was pregnant to her father from rape she would probably have second thoughts. Think the father would be overly supportive of the police becoming involved as well or do you think he may be inclined to go further than rape?

    Laws like this allows those kids in such abusive situations to get the help that they need.

  58. Scribe 59

    Pb,

    Pro choice folk say that a person should be able to follow their conscience, given that there are these unresolvable, honestly held differences of opinion.

    Stepping outside of your personal opinion about the status of a fetus, what’s wrong with that from a policy point of view?

    Sorry, didn’t mean to dodge the question. I’ll be honest and say that I struggle to step outside of my personal opinion, though I empathise with couples who find themselves facing an unwanted pregnancy.

    From a policy point of view, I think it’s indefensible that women and girls seeking abortion aren’t required to give informed consent. I understand that it would be very difficult (ask Bill English), because of the ideologies of people on both side of the debate, but abortion must be the only major surgical procedure that doesn’t require informed consent.

    Hope that answers the question (though not sure it does).

    And bear in mind that pro lifers say some truly terrible things about pro choice people, simply because they disagree.

    I agree. I find that disappointing. And let’s not forget pro-choice people have some pretty nasty things to say about pro-lifers too.

  59. Anita 60

    Scribe,

    Actually all women undergoing an abortion are required to give informed consent, for example here is Capital Coast DHB’s process description.

    I think the issue you’re referring to is that what English wants to be included in the “informing” part of informed consent is different from what is currently included.

  60. randal 61

    well this thread is a bundle of larfs. why dont you lot just accept the legislation and move on. Freaks like Franks are always going to try and make some mileage about others sexuality but that is to be expected in a conflicted personality. just ignore him!

  61. Anita 62

    randal,

    Which legislation?

    Franks and his more senior National mates have a clear agenda of moving toward a more socially conservative New Zealand.

  62. Scribe 63

    If she was pregnant to her father from rape she would probably have second thoughts. Think the father would be overly supportive of the police becoming involved as well or do you think he may be inclined to go further than rape?

    Is there a less likely way to get pregnant than a girl being raped by her father? I can think of one — circa 2008 years ago.

    There will be incredibly rare circumstances when a parent shouldn’t be informed. Health professionals and social workers should have limited discretion to make that decision. Notifying parents should be the default position, unless there is adequate reason. And “Mum will be mad” is not adequate reason.

    This isn’t cheating on a test at school. It’s not shoplifting a packet of chewing gum. Abortion is as serious as a heart attack.

  63. Scribe 64

    Anita,

    Women are giving consent, but I wouldn’t call it informed. All medication prescribed comes with a list of side effects; women getting abortions are given full and frank information about the impact of abortion.

    When he was Minister of Health, Bill English devised — with representatives from both sides of the fence — a booklet. Ministry officials basically refused to distribute, with the idea eventually being scrapped.

  64. Scribe 65

    Franks and his more senior National mates have a clear agenda of moving toward a more socially conservative New Zealand.

    But if they’re voted in, hasn’t the public given them a mandate to do so?

    I’m sceptical that they would have the numbers to bring about any real change in terms of social issues. There are social conservatives in National, but not enough to change things like abortion.

  65. Pascal's bookie 66

    Thanks for your reply scribe.

    “And “Mum will be mad’ is not adequate reason.”

    How about, “Mum and dad will be real mad, girl might well get a beating, be removed from school and forced to carry the pregnancy against her will”

    How rare do you think that situation would be across many different cultural groups?

    I don’t know, but I’d say it would be a sizable percentage of the few abortions that are performed under the circumstances you are concerned about.

  66. Lew 67

    Scribe: It’s not necessary that you consider it to be informed. What’s necessary is that the clinicians in charge consider it to be informed. It comes back to the central question I asked (and which was never answered) in the original epic-length abortion thread: who is more qualified to oversee the process of abortion than clinicians vetted by and affiliated with of the Royal Australia and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists? In specialised situations like this we (as a society) delegate discretion to recognised experts such as these. If you can satisfy me that there’s anyone better-qualified, I’ll back them. Until then, I’ll be taking their medical expertise over your religious beliefs any day of the week, and twice on Sundays.

    L

  67. Lew 68

    Scribe: “But if [National]’re voted in, hasn’t the public given them a mandate to [implement a more conservative social agenda]?”

    Yes, on the assumption that they’re reasonably transparent about their intentions. At present there’s tension within the National party on this one.

    L

  68. Scribe 69

    Lew,

    My religious beliefs agree with my pro-life stance, but as I’ve said before, one needn’t be religious to be opposed to abortion.

    It comes back to the central question I asked (and which was never answered) in the original epic-length abortion thread: who is more qualified to oversee the process of abortion than clinicians vetted by and affiliated with of the Royal Australia and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists?

    The RANZCOG usually follows the lead of their British counterparts. I hope they do so on the topic of the mental health impact of abortions, because in the UK they are now requiring that women be warned of the mental health risks associated with abortion.

  69. Scribe 70

    Pb,

    How rare do you think that situation would be across many different cultural groups?

    I don’t know, but I’d say it would be a sizable percentage of the few abortions that are performed under the circumstances you are concerned about.

    I don’t know either, so won’t hazard a guess. I think parents who would beat their teenage daughter are pretty unlikely to take her out of school and force her to carry on with the pregnancy. Those two responses seem incompatible to me.

  70. Pascal's bookie 71

    Those two responses seem incompatible to me.

    Why?

    I don’t know either, so won’t hazard a guess.

    You don’t have to. The question was whether where such an outcome was considered likely, should the parents be informed.

  71. Scribe 72

    Pb,

    Beating a teenage girl yet wanting her to choose to have the child rather than abort it seems incompatible to me. Violence begets violence.

    And don’t try the “anti-abortion folks want to be allowed to beat their children” line. First of all, smacking a three-year-old is different from beating a 14-year-old girl. Not to mention the fact the people who opposed the repeal of section 59 don’t beat their children.

    Parents who truly beat their children usually can’t even count to 59.

  72. Anita 73

    Scribe,

    Parents who truly beat their children usually can’t even count to 59.

    Best line so far this week IMHO 🙂

  73. Pascal's bookie 74

    Don’t put words in my mouth Scribe. It’s got nothing to do with s59. Stop avoiding the question.

    I don’t care if it seems incompatible to you. People do things all the time that are incompatible with their asserted convictions. Pro lifers sometimes get abortions, and people who believe that God is merciful and just fly planes into buildings.

    I know you don’t understand why they do these things, but they do. They are people Scribe, and that’s people for you.

    But never mind that, really never mind it, just address this:

    “And “Mum will be mad’ is not adequate reason.’

    How about, “Mum and dad will be real mad, girl might well get a beating, be removed from school and forced to carry the pregnancy against her will’

    I’ll even drop the beating bit seeing it’s confusing you so much. Would that be adequate reason to not inform / seek parental consent?

    And cut the ‘wanting her to choose’ framing. The question is about not allowing her to choose. This may be done via beatings, sending her away to an ‘aunties’ place for a while, threatening her with hell and damnation, disowning her etc and so on. All the while pileing on the guilt and blame and throwing around muderer talk.

    Don’t try and pretend that this sort of thing would never happen when strict prolifers are trying to prevent a ‘murder’ in their family Scribe.

  74. Scribe 75

    Pb,

    I’m not trying to avoid the question — honest.

    I think parents are entitled to make decisions for daughters aged 15 or younger, especially decisions with major implications like abortion. This isn’t like picking an outfit for school.

    Sorry, I just don’t believe 11-, 12-, 13-, 14- and 15-year-old girls are able to make a decision like this by themselves. Maybe there can be provisions for trusted adults (family friends etc) to be consulted rather than the parents, but as more and more studies point to the ongoing implication of abortion, to allow someone so young to make the decision themselves seems irresponsible.

    Anita,

    Glad you liked it 😉 Not sure if it’s an original line. I don’t recall ever hearing it and I’d never thought of it before. Just came to me.

  75. Pascal's bookie 76

    Thanks Scribe.

    I apologise if it seems like I’m trying to play gotcha, I’m just trying to work out where you stand, policy wise.

    I think parents are entitled to make decisions for daughters aged 15 or younger, especially decisions with major implications like abortion.

    Crystal clear.

  76. Scribe 77

    Pb,

    Now that I’ve “finished my homework”, do you think there are any decisions a 13-year-old girl should have to run past her parents?

    At what age do children free themselves from the shackles of their parents and become free to do whatever they like?

  77. “Sorry, I just don’t believe 11-, 12-, 13-, 14- and 15-year-old girls are able to make a decision like this by themselves.”

    Personally I think your underestimating them.

    And yes beating your pregnant daughter then forcing her to keep the baby go hand in hand. They are both ways for an unstable parent to release anger and punish their daughter. Any harm or defect caused to the baby is a punishment from god for the mothers sinning.

  78. Pascal's bookie 79

    Of course there are Scribe. But I’m not an absolutist about things. I think the present system is about right.

    I think abrtion has it’s own problems. It’s a special case. Many parents will be bringing all sorts of crazy baggage to the situation. Like you say, it’s not like getting a tooth filled. The consequences, no matter the decision, are large, and at the end of the day are the result of the young womans choices. (assuming consensual sex)

    I don’t think that parents should be allowed to force a girl to carry a pregnancy she does not want, or to abort one against her will.

  79. Matt 80

    This is a totally dishonest portrayal of an equally dishonest YouTube clip.

    The real story is here: Fisking Grant Robertson.

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    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 20 days until Election Day, 7 until early voting begins… but what changes will we really see here?
    As this blogger, alongside many others, has already posited in another forum: we all know the National Party’s “budget” (meaning this concept of even adding up numbers properly is doing a lot of heavy, heavy lifting right now) is utter and complete bunk (read hung, drawn and quartered and ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    4 days ago
  • A night out
    Everyone was asking, Are you nervous? and my response was various forms of God, yes.I've written more speeches than I can count; not much surprises me when the speaker gets to their feet and the room goes quiet.But a play? Never.YOU CAME! THANK YOU! Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • A pallid shade of Green III
    Clearly Labour's focus groups are telling it that it needs to pay more attention to climate change - because hot on the heels of their weaksauce energy efficiency pilot programme and not-great-but-better-than-nothing solar grants, they've released a full climate manifesto. Unfortunately, the core policies in it - a second Emissions ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • A coalition of racism, cruelty, and chaos
    Today's big political news is that after months of wibbling, National's Chris Luxon has finally confirmed that he is willing to work with Winston Peters to become Prime Minister. Which is expected, but I guess it tells us something about which way the polls are going. Which raises the question: ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • More migrant workers should help generate the tax income needed to provide benefits for job seekers
    Buzz from the Beehive Under something described as a “rebalance” of its immigration rules, the Government has adopted four of five recommendations made in an independent review released in July, The fifth, which called on the government to specify criteria for out-of-hours compliance visits similar to those used during ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • Letter To Luxon.
    Some of you might know Gerard Otto (G), and his G News platform. This morning he wrote a letter to Christopher Luxon which I particularly enjoyed, and with his agreement I’m sharing it with you in this guest newsletter.If you’d like to make a contribution to support Gerard’s work you ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • LINDSAY MITCHELL: Alarming trend in benefit numbers
    Lindsay Mitchell writes –  While there will not be another quarterly release of benefit numbers prior to the election, limited weekly reporting continues and is showing an alarming trend. Because there is a seasonal component to benefit number fluctuations it is crucial to compare like with like. In ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • BRIAN EASTON: Has there been external structural change?
    A close analysis of the Treasury assessment of the Medium Term in its PREFU 2023 suggests the economy may be entering a new phase.   Brian Easton writes –  Last week I explained that the forecasts in the just published Treasury Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update (PREFU 2023) was ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • CRL Progress – Sep-23
    It’s been a while since we looked at the latest with the City Rail Link and there’s been some fantastic milestones recently. To start with, and most recently, CRL have released an awesome video showing a full fly-through of one of the tunnels. Come fly with us! You asked for ...
    5 days ago
  • Monday’s Chorus: Not building nearly enough
    We are heading into another period of fast population growth without matching increased home building or infrastructure investment.Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Labour and National detailed their house building and migration approaches over the weekend, with both pledging fast population growth policies without enough house building or infrastructure investment ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Game on; Hipkins comes out punching
    Labour leader Chris Hipkins yesterday took the gloves off and laid into National and its leader Christopher Luxon. For many in Labour – and particularly for some at the top of the caucus and the party — it would not have been a moment too soon. POLITIK is aware ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Tax Cut Austerity Blues.
    The leaders have had their go, they’ve told us the “what?” and the “why?” of their promises. Now it’s the turn of the would be Finance Ministers to tell us the “how?”, the “how much?”, and the “when?”A chance for those competing for the second most powerful job in the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • MIKE GRIMSHAW:  It’s the economy – and the spirit – Stupid…
    Mike Grimshaw writes – Over the past 30-odd years it’s become almost an orthodoxy to blame or invoke neoliberalism for the failures of New Zealand society. On the left the usual response goes something like, neoliberalism is the cause of everything that’s gone wrong and the answer ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #38
    A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Sep 17, 2023 thru Sat, Sep 23, 2023. Story of the Week  Opinion: Let’s free ourselves from the story of economic growth A relentless focus on economic growth has ushered in ...
    6 days ago
  • The End Of The World.
    Have you been looking out of your window for signs of the apocalypse? Don’t worry, you haven’t been door knocked by a representative of the Brian Tamaki party. They’re probably a bit busy this morning spruiking salvation, or getting ready to march on our parliament, which is closed. No, I’ve ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago
  • Climate Town: The Brainwashing Of America's Children
    Climate Town is the YouTube channel of Rollie Williams and a ragtag team of climate communicators, creatives and comedians. They examine climate change in a way that doesn’t make you want to eat a cyanide pill. Get informed about the climate crisis before the weather does it for you. The latest ...
    1 week ago
  • Has There Been External Structural Change?
    A close analysis of the Treasury assessment of the Medium Term in its PREFU 2023 suggests the economy may be entering a new phase. Last week I explained that the forecasts in the just published Treasury Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update (PREFU 2023) was similar to the May Budget BEFU, ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • Another Labour bully
    Back in June, we learned that Kiri Allan was a Parliamentary bully. And now there's another one: Labour MP Shanan Halbert: The Labour Party was alerted to concerns about [Halbert's] alleged behaviour a year ago but because staffers wanted to remain anonymous, no formal process was undertaken [...] The ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago
  • Climate Change: Ignoring our biggest problem
    Its that time in the election season where the status quo parties are busy accusing each other of having fiscal holes in a desperate effort to appear more "responsible" (but not, you understand, by promising to tax wealth or land to give the government the revenue it needs to do ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago
  • JERRY COYNE: A good summary of the mess that is science education in New Zealand
    JERRY COYNE writes –  If you want to see what the government of New Zealand is up to with respect to science education, you can’t do better than listening to this video/slideshow by two exponents of the “we-need-two-knowledge-systems” view. I’ve gotten a lot of scary stuff from Kiwi ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 week ago
  • Good news on the GDP front is accompanied by news of a $5m govt boost for Supercars (but what about ...
    Buzz from the Beehive First, we were treated to the news (from Finance Minister Grant Robertson) that the economy has turned a corner and New Zealand never was in recession.  This was triggered by statistics which showed the economy expanded 0.9 per cent in the June quarter, twice as much as ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago
  • The Scafetta Saga
    It has taken 17 months to get a comment published pointing out the obvious errors in the Scafetta (2022) paper in GRL. Back in March 2022, Nicola Scafetta published a short paper in Geophysical Research Letters (GRL) purporting to show through ‘advanced’ means that ‘all models with ECS > ...
    Real ClimateBy Gavin
    1 week ago
  • Friday's Chorus: Penny wise and pound foolish
    TL;DR: In the middle of a climate emergency and in a city prone to earthquakes, Victoria University of Wellington announced yesterday it would stop teaching geophysics, geographic information science and physical geography to save $22 million a year and repay debt. Climate change damage in Aotearoa this year is already ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • CHRIS TROTTER: Calling the big dog’s bluff
      For nearly thirty years the pundits have been telling the minor parties that they must be good little puppies and let the big dogs decide. The parties with a plurality of the votes cast must be allowed to govern – even if that means ignoring the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 week ago
  • The electorate swing, Labour limbo and Luxon-Hipkins two-step
     Another poll, another 27 for Labour. It was July the last time one of the reputable TV company polls had Labour's poll percentage starting with a three, so the limbo question is now being asked: how low can you go?It seems such an unlikely question because this doesn't feel like the kind ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    1 week ago
  • A Womance, and a Nomance.
    After the trench warfare of Tuesday night, when the two major parties went head to head, last night was the turn of the minor parties. Hosts Newshub termed it “the Powerbrokers' Debate”.Based on the latest polls the four parties taking part - ACT, the Greens, New Zealand First, and Te ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • New community-level energy projects to support more than 800 Māori households
    Seven more innovative community-scale energy projects will receive government funding through the Māori and Public Housing Renewable Energy Fund to bring more affordable, locally generated clean energy to more than 800 Māori households, Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods says. “We’ve already funded 42 small-scale clean energy projects that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Huge boost to Te Tai Tokerau flood resilience
    The Government has approved new funding that will boost resilience and greatly reduce the risk of major flood damage across Te Tai Tokerau. Significant weather events this year caused severe flooding and damage across the region. The $8.9m will be used to provide some of the smaller communities and maraes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Napier’s largest public housing development comes with solar
    The largest public housing development in Napier for many years has been recently completed and has the added benefit of innovative solar technology, thanks to Government programmes, says Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods. The 24 warm, dry homes are in Seddon Crescent, Marewa and Megan Woods says the whanau living ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Te Whānau a Apanui and the Crown initial Deed of Settlement I Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me...
    Māori: Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna te Whakaaetanga Whakataunga Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna i tētahi Whakaaetanga Whakataunga hei whakamihi i ō rātou tāhuhu kerēme Tiriti o Waitangi. E tekau mā rua ngā hapū o roto mai o Te Whānau ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Plan for 3,000 more public homes by 2025 – regions set to benefit
    Regions around the country will get significant boosts of public housing in the next two years, as outlined in the latest public housing plan update, released by the Housing Minister, Dr Megan Woods. “We’re delivering the most public homes each year since the Nash government of the 1950s with one ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Immigration settings updates
    Judicial warrant process for out-of-hours compliance visits 2023/24 Recognised Seasonal Employer cap increased by 500 Additional roles for Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement More roles added to Green List Three-month extension for onshore Recovery Visa holders The Government has confirmed a number of updates to immigration settings as part of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Poroporoaki: Tā Patrick (Patu) Wahanga Hohepa
    Tangi ngunguru ana ngā tai ki te wahapū o Hokianga Whakapau Karakia. Tārehu ana ngā pae maunga ki Te Puna o te Ao Marama. Korihi tangi ana ngā manu, kua hinga he kauri nui ki te Wao Nui o Tāne. He Toa. He Pou. He Ahorangi. E papaki tū ana ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Renewable energy fund to support community resilience
    40 solar energy systems on community buildings in regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and other severe weather events Virtual capability-building hub to support community organisations get projects off the ground Boost for community-level renewable energy projects across the country At least 40 community buildings used to support the emergency response ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • COVID-19 funding returned to Government
    The lifting of COVID-19 isolation and mask mandates in August has resulted in a return of almost $50m in savings and recovered contingencies, Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. Following the revocation of mandates and isolation, specialised COVID-19 telehealth and alternative isolation accommodation are among the operational elements ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Appointment of District Court Judge
    Susie Houghton of Auckland has been appointed as a new District Court Judge, to serve on the Family Court, Attorney-General David Parker said today.  Judge Houghton has acted as a lawyer for child for more than 20 years. She has acted on matters relating to the Hague Convention, an international ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government invests further in Central Hawke’s Bay resilience
    The Government has today confirmed $2.5 million to fund a replace and upgrade a stopbank to protect the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant. “As a result of Cyclone Gabrielle, the original stopbank protecting the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant was destroyed. The plant was operational within 6 weeks of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Govt boost for Hawke’s Bay cyclone waste clean-up
    Another $2.1 million to boost capacity to deal with waste left in Cyclone Gabrielle’s wake. Funds for Hastings District Council, Phoenix Contracting and Hog Fuel NZ to increase local waste-processing infrastructure. The Government is beefing up Hawke’s Bay’s Cyclone Gabrielle clean-up capacity with more support dealing with the massive amount ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Taupō Supercars revs up with Government support
    The future of Supercars events in New Zealand has been secured with new Government support. The Government is getting engines started through the Major Events Fund, a special fund to support high profile events in New Zealand that provide long-term economic, social and cultural benefits. “The Repco Supercars Championship is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • There is no recession in NZ, economy grows nearly 1 percent in June quarter
    The economy has turned a corner with confirmation today New Zealand never was in recession and stronger than expected growth in the June quarter, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said. “The New Zealand economy is doing better than expected,” Grant Robertson said. “It’s continuing to grow, with the latest figures showing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Highest legal protection for New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs
    The Government has accepted the Environment Court’s recommendation to give special legal protection to New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs, Te Waikoropupū Springs (also known as Pupū Springs), Environment Minister David Parker announced today.   “Te Waikoropupū Springs, near Takaka in Golden Bay, have the second clearest water in New Zealand after ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • More support for victims of migrant exploitation
    Temporary package of funding for accommodation and essential living support for victims of migrant exploitation Exploited migrant workers able to apply for a further Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa (MEPV), giving people more time to find a job Free job search assistance to get people back into work Use of 90-day ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Strong export boost as NZ economy turns corner
    An export boost is supporting New Zealand’s economy to grow, adding to signs that the economy has turned a corner and is on a stronger footing as we rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle and lock in the benefits of multiple new trade deals, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. “The economy is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Funding approved for flood resilience work in Te Karaka
    The Government has approved $15 million to raise about 200 homes at risk of future flooding. More than half of this is expected to be spent in the Tairāwhiti settlement of Te Karaka, lifting about 100 homes there. “Te Karaka was badly hit during Cyclone Gabrielle when the Waipāoa River ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Further business support for cyclone-affected regions
    The Government is helping businesses recover from Cyclone Gabrielle and attract more people back into their regions. “Cyclone Gabrielle has caused considerable damage across North Island regions with impacts continuing to be felt by businesses and communities,” Economic Development Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Building on our earlier business support, this ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New maintenance facility at Burnham Military Camp underway
    Defence Minister Andrew Little has turned the first sod to start construction of a new Maintenance Support Facility (MSF) at Burnham Military Camp today. “This new state-of-art facility replaces Second World War-era buildings and will enable our Defence Force to better maintain and repair equipment,” Andrew Little said. “This Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Foreign Minister to attend United Nations General Assembly
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will represent New Zealand at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this week, before visiting Washington DC for further Pacific focussed meetings. Nanaia Mahuta will be in New York from Wednesday 20 September, and will participate in UNGA leaders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Midwives’ pay equity offer reached
    Around 1,700 Te Whatu Ora employed midwives and maternity care assistants will soon vote on a proposed pay equity settlement agreed by Te Whatu Ora, the Midwifery Employee Representation and Advisory Service (MERAS) and New Zealand Nurses Association (NZNO), Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. “Addressing historical pay ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • New Zealand provides support to Morocco
    Aotearoa New Zealand will provide humanitarian support to those affected by last week’s earthquake in Morocco, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. “We are making a contribution of $1 million to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to help meet humanitarian needs,” Nanaia Mahuta said. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Government invests in West Coast’s roading resilience
    The Government is investing over $22 million across 18 projects to improve the resilience of roads in the West Coast that have been affected by recent extreme weather, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed today.  A dedicated Transport Resilience Fund has been established for early preventative works to protect the state ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Government invests in Greymouth’s future
    The Government has today confirmed a $2 million grant towards the regeneration of Greymouth’s CBD with construction of a new two-level commercial and public facility. “It will include a visitor facility centred around a new library. Additionally, it will include retail outlets on the ground floor, and both outdoor and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Nanaia Mahuta to attend PIF Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will attend the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, in Suva, Fiji alongside New Zealand’s regional counterparts. “Aotearoa New Zealand is deeply committed to working with our pacific whanau to strengthen our cooperation, and share ways to combat the challenges facing the Blue Pacific Continent,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • PREFU shows no recession, growing economy, more jobs and wages ahead of inflation
    Economy to grow 2.6 percent on average over forecast period Treasury not forecasting a recession Inflation to return to the 1-3 percent target band next year Wages set to grow 4.8 percent a year over forecast period Unemployment to peak below the long-term average Fiscal Rules met - Net debt ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • New cancer centre opens in Christchurch
    Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall proudly opened the Canterbury Cancer Centre in Christchurch today. The new facility is the first of its kind and was built with $6.5 million of funding from the Government’s Infrastructure Reference Group scheme for shovel-ready projects allocated in 2020. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago
  • Government invests in top of the south’s roading resilience
    $12 million to improve the resilience of roads in the Nelson, Marlborough and Tasman regions Hope Bypass earmarked in draft Government Policy Statement on land transport $127 million invested in the top of the south’s roads since flooding in 2021 and 2022 The Government is investing over $12 million to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago
  • New Zealanders continue to support the revitalisation of te reo as we celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Mā...
    Ko tēnei te wiki e whakanui ana i tō tātou reo rangatira. Ko te wā tuku reo Māori, e whakanuia tahitia ai te reo ahakoa kei hea ake tēnā me tēnā o tātou, ka tū ā te Rātū te 14 o Mahuru, ā te 12 o ngā hāora i te ahiahi. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

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