Frozen meat

Written By: - Date published: 10:33 am, May 20th, 2013 - 92 comments
Categories: trade - Tags:

The Right’s fairytale machine makes a lot of Key’s supposed ability to charm foreign leaders and open doors for Kiwi trade (despite the fact that none of the FTA talks he has begun show signs of conclusion). Well, the door slammed shut for meat exports to China at the end of April. National managed to keep that secret until after the budget. No wonder, it exposes the failure of Key’s international relations style.

Just going around, having your photo taken with famous people, wearing silly hats, and filling in the rest of your time with photo-ops like (seriously) going to a Chinese pizzeria that stocks Kiwi ice cream, isn’t actually diplomacy. O’Sullivan and co like to spin that Key has made deep personal relationships with foreign leaders. But think about it, if you were the leader of a major world power and Key visited you, would he leave any lasting impression? He might be nice, but so what, you’re responsible for the direction of a world power – nice don’t enter into it. Only strategic interests matter.

As we’ve now discovered, all the clowning around in the world doesn’t mean that Key and his ministers can get the Chinese government to listen to them when the shit hits the fan. Some level of the Chinese government (presumably a senior one) has decided that it is in its domestic interests to be seen to block Kiwi meat imports and protect its own farmers (the ministry name change is obviously a pretext). Or, perhaps, they’re just testing our response.

How long will the exclusion go on for? Who knows. China doesn’t need New Zealand’s meat imports and trying to explain the ministry name change to the officials hasn’t worked in the past three weeks.

Of course, in some ways, the blame goes back before Key. The neoliberal governments gave away our bargaining power in trade and, just as importantly, the culture of realism in trade relations. We lowered all our trade barriers unilaterally rather than as part of FTAs, so now we have nothing to put back up on China for violation of its FTA with us.

And we don’t even have the culture of eye for eye that you need to be respected on the world stage. Why don’t our officials suddenly create a paperwork catch-22 for Chinese agricultural imports that sees the $200m a year of such goods that they send here blocked at the border?

Don’t give me that ‘peashooter on a battlefield’ argument – when it comes to trade (and exchange rate) when can trade blows with much larger countries because our trade flows to and from each other are of comparable scale.

So, why aren’t we fighting fire with fire?

Because we don’t know how to play rough anymore. We can’t even imagine it. For China, and anyone else, that’s an invitation to work all over us whenever it suits them.

….. on the domestic front, Nathan Guy’s career is surely over. He hid this from the Kiwi public until after the Budget on purpose and now he has made the fatal mistake of failing to front to media. They smell blood.

92 comments on “Frozen meat ”

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  1. Myrlock 1
    20 May 2013 at 10:55 am

    A naive judgement to partner up with China. Lest we forget.

  2. red rattler 2
    20 May 2013 at 10:56 am

    The PM is dead meat.

    • aerobubble 2.1
      20 May 2013 at 3:29 pm

      A CEO of any company that altered the brand (this case MAF) and hadn’t got downstream buy in (China) would be fired by the board.

  3. Dv 3
    20 May 2013 at 10:56 am

    Why did not some one think that the name change could cause an issue?

    AND is the Zespri issue related, where a NZ company seemed to create dual invoices to avoid duty.
    And then these “NEW” export certificates show up for the meat.

    China has been difficult to trade with for a long time.
    I have read many articles about business people who have come to grief in china.

    Does anyone think that Nikki Kaye and Nathan Guy can sort it out?

    • tricledrown 3.1
      20 May 2013 at 10:59 am

      yeah remember the hoovercraft designer who was ripped off by by patsy wongs husband and jenny shipleys company!

    • Poission 3.2
      20 May 2013 at 11:11 am

      Why did not some one think that the name change could cause an issue?

      They did,however these positions were disestablished by MFAT and MAF.

      • One Anonymous Knucklehead 3.2.1
        20 May 2013 at 11:17 am

        Incompetence, or a deliberate attempt to smash the government?

        Let’s worry about the niceties of the National Party’s motivation when we have our foot on their throat.

  4. BM 4
    20 May 2013 at 11:06 am

    Another government department fuck up.
    Fucking useless, no wonder no one has any respect for the public service.

    • tricledrown 4.1
      20 May 2013 at 11:18 am

      BM its their leadership under Nactional that is at fault who changed the name Nactional!
      Shifting the blame is your silly game!

      • BM 4.1.1
        20 May 2013 at 11:25 am

        Nonsense, this is just another government dept cock up, must drive ministers mad having to rely on such drek.
        Public servants seem to have this amazing ability to fuck up even the most simplists of tasks.

        • Te Reo Putake 4.1.1.1
          20 May 2013 at 11:27 am

          ” … even the most simplists of tasks”

          Like being able to write in English?

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 4.1.1.2
          20 May 2013 at 11:29 am

          In fact, your mate Slippery has owned up: he says he demanded the Chinese fast track some meat factories and this is their response.

        • tricledrown 4.1.1.3
          20 May 2013 at 1:07 pm

          well Big Mouth you seem to be able to f up the simple lists in your sentences and obviously being a supporter of this bungling govt the evidence is that your an example of your govts incompetency!

    • prism 4.2
      20 May 2013 at 11:23 am

      BM You agree that you are no-one!

    • Te Reo Putake 4.3
      20 May 2013 at 11:24 am

      Another BM f+ck up. F+cking useless, no wonder no one has any respect for BM.

      http://www.readersdigest.co.nz/new-zealands-most-trusted-professions-2012

    • Lightly 4.4
      20 May 2013 at 12:19 pm

      If it really is a naming problem, then this is what you get when you don’t spend the money you need to on your public service.

      But it’s more likely a sounding out of our responsiveness to trade war tactics.

    • felix 4.5
      20 May 2013 at 2:58 pm

      “Another government department fuck up.”

      Yep, they’re pretty much continuous under National. Guess they shouldn’t have sacked so many of the people who used to do this work.

    • Murray Olsen 4.6
      20 May 2013 at 5:48 pm

      MFAT was working OK before it was downsized, rebranded, restructured, renamed, and made more efficient. Public servants didn’t do that.
      On another point: the type of FTA deals that our governments sign never seem to open too many foreign doors, but they do leave ours blowing in the wind.

      • McFlock 4.6.1
        20 May 2013 at 6:17 pm

        most of the public service was doing a solid job under labour – a few exceptions, but the exception rather than the rule.

        It’s amazing how shite it becomes when you fire large chunks of the public sector and make up legislation and organisations as you go along

        • BM 4.6.1.1
          20 May 2013 at 7:00 pm

          I have a sneaky suspicion all the socialists within the public service are purposely trying to undermine the government by doing an even more crappier job than usual.

          Might be about time the NZSIS had a look into the backgrounds of some of these “public servants”, find out who these individuals are really working for.

          • Arfamo 4.6.1.1.1
            20 May 2013 at 7:03 pm

            Nobody could do as a good a job of undermining the government as their supporters. Downsizing with consequent headless chookery is to be expected and is being delivered courtesy of National.

            • BM 4.6.1.1.1.1
              20 May 2013 at 7:09 pm

              Lots of really suspicious stuff going on in the public service.
              Endless “leaks” and fuck ups seem to be the order of the day, one starts to get the feeling that there are elements within the public service that are actively working against the government and the people of NZ.
              These individuals need to be rooted out and destroyed.

              • Arfamo …
                20 May 2013 at 7:18 pm

                No, one gets the impression having been through similar previous public service downsizing and restructurings that there are now too few staff to do the job properly and too many dipstick managers who have no freakin idea what resources are actually needed or what their staff do.

              • fender …
                20 May 2013 at 7:26 pm

                You say the stupidest things BM. People risking their jobs just to stick it up Nact?
                Whatever conspiracy boy. There are so many jobs around to be had you must be correct.

                Key is the one who needs to be spied on, he’s not trustworthy and the Chinese have picked up on his lying eyes.

                • BM …
                  20 May 2013 at 7:44 pm

                  Fanatics aren’t really renown for their logical thinking.
                  Plenty of labour/green nutbars out there ready to sacrifice themselves for the greater good of the COLLECTIVE!!!

                  • Arfamo …
                    20 May 2013 at 7:47 pm

                    “Fanatics aren’t really renown for their logical thinking.”

                    As you consistently exemplify. Your paranoia needs treatment, not expression.

                  • Colonial Viper …
                    20 May 2013 at 8:03 pm

                    You do realise the Collective includes you, right?

                  • Clockie …
                    20 May 2013 at 8:50 pm

                    Bloody subversive pinko commies (“grunt-slaver-oink”), time to have a house committee investigation into un Noo Zild activities in the public sector, to be quickly followed by mobile death-squads throughout the land.

                    • NickS …
                      20 May 2013 at 9:28 pm

                      BM is pretty much incapable of understanding why and how to co-operate and the role of co-operation in building human society over history in zero-sum interactions. Thus, I recommend mentally kill-filing him unless you’re feeling evil.

                    • NickS …
                      20 May 2013 at 9:44 pm

                      And that reply went to the wrong place…

                  • McFlock …
                    20 May 2013 at 9:52 pm

                    As opposed to the logic that suggests that growing failures in a system are due to hidden socialists rather than the massive cuts over the last four years.

                    Fuck off to whaleoil, he wants his bullshit back.

              • Colonial Viper …
                20 May 2013 at 7:32 pm

                These individuals need to be rooted out and destroyed.

                Ahhhh…the NACT leadership philosophy:

                “There shall be daily beatings until morale improves!!!”

              • Clockie …
                20 May 2013 at 8:40 pm

                @ BM 7.09

                “These individuals need to be rooted out and destroyed.”

                YES ! Lets turn the SIS and GCIS into the NKVD..

                I can think of a number of right wing politicians and functionaries who would love to step up to the plate in order to carry out the interrogations, beatings and executions..

              • Murray Olsen …
                20 May 2013 at 9:44 pm

                Yes, let’s start with Paula Bennett who leaked private citizen details. She should be rooted out and destroyed.
                Then we can move on to Michelle Boag. Good thinking, BM.

              • Roy …
                23 May 2013 at 9:20 am

                ‘These individuals need to be rooted out and destroyed.’
                Now you are sounding like Josef Stalin.

  5. ghostrider888 5
    20 May 2013 at 11:06 am

    Behave towards everyone as if receiving a great guest.

    Learning without thought is labour lost. Thought without learning is perilous.

    Straightforwardness, without the rules of propriety, becomes rudeness.

    (imagine, if you will, how the powerful Chinese authorities perceive our Prime Minister and trade politicians).

  6. One Anonymous Knucklehead 6
    20 May 2013 at 11:15 am

    Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to destroy the public service with no regard for the consequences, using threats of unemployment to silence independent advice.

    • ghostrider888 7.1
      20 May 2013 at 11:21 am

      interesting that Tim Ritchie, of the Meat Industry Association, was not so relaxed about the matter; some spin or what.

    • One Anonymous Knucklehead 7.2
      20 May 2013 at 11:22 am

      Nice of him to admit this is the Chinese authorities’ response to his demands.

      • ghostrider888 7.2.1
        20 May 2013 at 11:24 am

        I thought that was hilarious OAK; does he think NZ is stupid, oh wait…it was Radio Live.

  8. prism 8
    20 May 2013 at 11:21 am

    I’m on a Terry Pratchett Discworld study of how to conduct devious dealings. Lord Vetinari would know that such things as the Chinese hold-up could occur and have aces up his sleeve.
    We have ACT, the little guys with big mouths, as simple and limited in their understanding of what matters and what standards we should hold as guys playing a sports game. Sports have many regulations and can be scammed. Trade individual and country to country, has infinite possible complications.

    And the first item I heard about this meat business was that it had been known about for a month.
    As further news came along the time was whittled down – so soon it will be ‘a number of days’.

    In NZ those who succeed at something then think that automatically they know about everything. Whereas research (can’t remember where) showed that generally NZ businesspeople get enough to have a big house, a beamer and overseas holidays staying at expensive venues – then their thinking brain shuts down, and only the most primitive part of the amgydala operates.
    http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/a/amygdala.htm

    • Colonial Viper 8.1
      20 May 2013 at 5:53 pm

      Maslows Hierarchy of Needs

      What is interesting are the wealthy types who can’t ever get beyond their base needs like food, clothing and shelter. When they should have enough of those things they simple choose to get into ever more expensive and refined tastes in food, clothing and shelter, instead of moving into social, emotional and spiritual development.

      • Populuxe1 8.1.1
        20 May 2013 at 8:25 pm

        And what did you have for dinner, CV? Ortolan? Veal stuffed with foie gras and caviar? Baby panda in it’s mother’s milk? With a Château Lafite Rothschild 1982? I’m sure your wife’s father’s money affords much “social, emotional and spiritual development”.

        • Colonial Viper 8.1.1.1
          20 May 2013 at 8:38 pm

          Thanks for making my point.

          btw Veuve Clicquot (NV) is fine for a Monday. Anything more could be considered extravagant.

          • NickS 8.1.1.1.1
            20 May 2013 at 9:41 pm

            And amusingly enough, much of the hype/taste claims about really high end wines are empirically bullshit 😉

            So for NZ$30-40 on a wine you’ll do fine, anything above that is just wasted money on keeping up with teh Joneses or foolishly trying to appear sophisticated.

  9. Dv 9
    20 May 2013 at 11:34 am

    But it doesnt make sense.
    Meat had access before keys trip to China.

    >He said in his recent trip to China, he put pressure on the country to authorise a few of New Zealand’s production plants because of the high quality. “The Chinese accommodated us, but the paperwork hadn’t caught up,” he told RadioLive.

    Paper work for plants? Not meat!!!

    • One Anonymous Knucklehead 9.1
      20 May 2013 at 11:37 am

      “Put pressure”.

      Is he serious? Yeah, I bet they felt really pressurised. Then they decided to pop him like a zit.

    • Colonial Viper 9.2
      20 May 2013 at 10:09 pm

      What the Chinese really want to see now is the firing of independent government meat inspectors, and the introduction of private sector self inspection in our meatworks.

      Go for gold Key!!! You can do it lad!

  10. Pete 10
    20 May 2013 at 11:42 am

    Prime Ministers, Trade Ministers and Ministers of Foreign Affairs don’t do diplomacy, they do photo-ops. All that messy, technical detail is hashed out by public servants negotiating with their counterparts and then it’s sent upstairs for approval. Of course, if you kneecap your diplomatic corps, you’re going to suffer some serious consequences sooner or later.

    Edit: this may be either a case of the Chinese being exceedingly bureaucratic, or they may be trying to send us a message on several issues. The Dalai Lama is visiting the country soon. Further, they may be concerned about our rapprochement with the US as the Americans pivot their foreign policy towards Asia. Of course, the policy wonks at MFAT have been decimated, so who’s going to read those particular tea leaves?

    • prism 10.1
      20 May 2013 at 12:31 pm

      Pete
      Taiwan is moving faster to an agreement with us before it gets boxed out by the TPP or that’s what I picked up from the news. How is the ‘rapprochement’ between them an China now?
      We tend to get our tea leaves from Sri Lanka now, so they’re out for info.

      And we’ll get on down and crawl along the red carpet after the Yanks, the Nacts have always loved them, so glamorous, and they speak English or nearly. And they have never been charged a poll tax to come to NZ, so have been the bees knees.

      • Tim 10.1.1
        20 May 2013 at 1:31 pm

        “And we’ll get on down and crawl along the red carpet after the Yanks, the Nacts have always loved them, so glamorous, and they speak English or nearly” …..

        and of course they’re Masters of the Universe – the disposition John Key likes to display whilst on his little jaunts with his wannabe Masters of the Universe during ‘talks’ and ‘foto-ops’.

        It’s a disposition that often goes down like a cup of cold sick by his hosts, though diplomacy and good manners often prevent those hosts from saying so (not that John Key would hear them anyway).

      • History of Violence 10.1.2
        20 May 2013 at 10:29 pm

        Send the shipment to Taiwan as a trade sweetener at a discount We will end up discounting it anyway or dumping it, lets make our own statement. That will piss them off.
        Let them eat their own plastic milk powder as well.
        Previous poster was correct its just the chinks putting their foot on our throat because that’s the way they operate, they aren’t nice, like crocodiles they will just wait for these chances with a smile.
        Classic Asian MO, from experience stand up,to them hard.
        Many years ago brought container of batteries from China, just crap, told supplier was going to drop off outside Chinese Embassy, loaded into truck sent photo was on way, low level brinksmanship but worked. Was going to as we’ll.
        Who’s idea was it to rebrand MFAT anyway, why? How much? Still thinks its a good idea?
        Guys a joke, lets make 5 November Guy Fucks Up Day. Don’t blow up Parliament though we will need it next year.

  11. Ancient Ruin 11
    20 May 2013 at 11:43 am

    Has this anything to do with a trade deal with Taiwan? China finding a way to spite that particular transaction?

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8691400/NZ-close-to-Taiwan-free-trade-agreement

    • Arfamo 11.1
      20 May 2013 at 12:15 pm

      Good point.

      From your link: “Sources say negotiations have been progressing smoothly and the most complicated issues, including the vexed issue of Taiwan’s complicated relationship with mainland China, are already largely resolved.”

      Perhaps the “sources” were unreliable spin-meisters?

  12. emergency mike 12
    20 May 2013 at 12:10 pm

    “Some level of the Chinese government (presumably a senior one) has decided that it is in its domestic interests to be seen to block Kiwi meat imports and protect its own farmers (the ministry name change is obviously a pretext).”

    So is this the same John Key that was recently a guest in China and took the opportunity to announce that his country would fight against China’s ally North Korea?

  13. prism 13
    20 May 2013 at 12:36 pm

    emergency mike
    You are making it so hard for Key with your rotten questions. /sarc Soon he’ll be at the stage where he wakes up in the morning but can’t make up his mind to get out and face the day. What to do? Which way to go? What should I say that will give me the biggest advantage?

  14. ropata 14
    20 May 2013 at 12:59 pm

    The only solution is to sell more NZ farms to China, that way they will obtain more meat and dairy from our fair unpolluted lands, without the need for pesky trade rules (or employment contracts or RMA)

    /sarc

  15. ak 15
    20 May 2013 at 2:47 pm

    Snuggling up to Taiwan.

    Stating military support for South Korea.

    But most directly insulting, and probably never forgotten; talking publicly about China “extending its tentacles in the South Pacific”.

    Thanks Johnny. Decades of work down the drain with one ignorant wank.

    • Arfamo 15.1
      20 May 2013 at 3:35 pm

      I think you may be onto something here. A simple notification of a name change of a certifying authority should have been easy to arrange. I don’t think that’s the problem. Is is not a fairly common PRC government approach when they are unhappy with statements by the leaders of other countries to suddenly do something like this? As a very effective way of letting the offending country know not to insult them and make them lose face like this again?

      • ak 15.1.1
        20 May 2013 at 4:07 pm

        Correct, Arfa. I’d suspect some additional gruesome emission has slipped from the gob of the greasy geek who’s just visited – and they might’ve also learned well from our own dear old poms, who used to use even more slippery excuses to placate and pamper their own cockies.

    • kiwicommie 15.2
      20 May 2013 at 5:18 pm

      Yep, piss off the Chinese leadership; great foreign policy John.

  16. Steve 16
    20 May 2013 at 3:22 pm

    Funny how Audrey Young, of the Herald (John Keys chief cheerleader) has gone silent.Here were her China headlines a month ago.”A new era of trust with China” “Key raises a glass to China friendship” “New Zealand gets a lot of attention” “Charm and NZ-China friendship need boost of Fifth Milestone” Yeah Right

    • kiwicommie 16.1
      20 May 2013 at 5:20 pm

      I think the media are starting to realize their cheerleading is no longer bringing them the flowers it used to. Check the comments in the Herald or on Stuff, the most thumbs up are usually for comments that disagree with the government. 😉

  17. Steve 17
    20 May 2013 at 3:47 pm

    The problem won’t be solved till they sort out the paperwork I.e. Many large paper bags filled with cash like the suitcases for Zespri.

  18. fambo 18
    20 May 2013 at 3:48 pm

    Time to boycott $2 shops!

    • kiwicommie 18.1
      20 May 2013 at 6:05 pm

      Why not go there more often, the more pressure on National the better.

  19. BeeDee 19
    20 May 2013 at 4:51 pm

    “Has this anything to do with a trade deal with Taiwan? China finding a way to spite that particular transaction?” and “talking publicly about China “extending its tentacles in the South Pacific”.”
    To which add bad publicity over university papers being written and sold for Chinese students’ to pass degrees in NZ. Loss of face in our media, when China would expect censorship of such matters.

    • kiwicommie 19.1
      20 May 2013 at 5:43 pm

      I think the Chinese government has given up trying to understand National, since this meat disaster I wouldn’t be surprised if China is looking forward to a change of government in New Zealand too.

  20. Arfamo 20
    20 May 2013 at 5:57 pm

    On reflection, and reading comments above, John Key has said and done a number of things that the Chinese government will not be at all happy about. They have waited until the right moment and retaliated, just to let him (and successive NZ governments) know who actually holds the cards and what is expected to be said (or not said), and done (or not done) in respect of trade and diplomatic relationships with PRC. I think they have given John Key a lesson in realpolitik. And look at how effective it has been. He made their officials and leaders look less important than other leaders and officials he courts – like the US. Now they have done the same to him and his officials.

    • kiwicommie 20.1
      20 May 2013 at 6:09 pm

      They don’t like John Key sucking up the US in several matters, John Key unraveled all the careful work Helen Clark and Winston Peters did in foreign policy i.e. keeping the US happy, while keeping China and others happy. I wouldn’t describe the last Labour government’s foreign policy as a perfect balancing act, but they couldn’t have made as big a blunder as National has done with this meat issue, they understood that there is only so far you can go in befriending a nation before you upset other nations.

  21. Myrlock 21
    20 May 2013 at 8:16 pm

    I would like to know if the meat is really frozen or if the meat is live? We export live cows to China now.

  22. freedom 22
    21 May 2013 at 9:39 am

    Nathan Guy in full patronizing mode on NAtRad

    ‘You have to understand Kathryn, we are a trading Nation”

    WTF

  23. Poission 23
    21 May 2013 at 12:18 pm

    China has been using the Farrar school of statistics methodology in their BOP Accounts.

    http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-20/china-trade-surplus-seen-by-bofa-at-one-tenth-official-figure.html

  24. unicus 24
    21 May 2013 at 12:23 pm

    Key like all delusional individuals has swallowed his own bullshit – he thought the Chinese liked him – he tried to leverage influence off the reputation’s of real New Zealand leaders ( Rewi Alley – Helen Clarke et al ) – they have spat in his face and good on them .

  25. Poission 25
    21 May 2013 at 12:51 pm

    in RNZ ag report there was an interesting development..

    Namely that the meme promoted by Key,that meat exports are being held due to the name change on the phytosanitary certificates was the reason.As the same name change has not affected other exports such as dairy etc implies that Key is misleading the media and public once again.

    • Arfamo 25.1
      21 May 2013 at 12:59 pm

      Exactly. I think John Key is being given a lesson by the PRC government. Part of the lesson requires that he think about why he’s being given a lesson, another part requires that he be made to look like an impotent fool to the NZ public.

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    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking about the Royal Commission Inquiry into Abuse in Care report released this week, and with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on a UN push to not recognise carbon offset markets and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 26, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Transport: Simeon Brown announced $802.9 million in funding for 18 new trains on the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines, which ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Radical law changes needed to build road

    The northern expressway extension from Warkworth to Whangarei is likely to require radical changes to legislation if it is going to be built within the foreseeable future. The Government’s powers to purchase land, the planning process and current restrictions on road tolling are all going to need to be changed ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #30 2024

    Open access notables Could an extremely cold central European winter such as 1963 happen again despite climate change?, Sippel et al., Weather and Climate Dynamics: Here, we first show based on multiple attribution methods that a winter of similar circulation conditions to 1963 would still lead to an extreme seasonal ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • First they came for the Māori

    Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedFirst they came for the doctors But I was confused by the numbers and costs So I didn't speak up Then they came for our police and nurses And I didn't think we could afford those costs anyway So I ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Join us for the weekly Hoon on YouTube Live

    Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on UnsplashWe’re back again after our mid-winter break. We’re still with the ‘new’ day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when we have our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Will the real PM Luxon please stand up?

    Notes: This is a free article. Abuse in Care themes are mentioned. Video is at the bottom.BackgroundYesterday’s report into Abuse in Care revealed that at least 1 in 3 of all who went through state and faith based care were abused - often horrifically. At least, because not all survivors ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Will debt reduction trump abuse in care redress?

    Luxon speaks in Parliament yesterday about the Abuse in Care report. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:PM Christopher Luxon said yesterday in tabling the Abuse in Care report in Parliament he wanted to ‘do the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Olywhites and Time Bandits

    About a decade ago I worked with a bloke called Steve. He was the grizzled veteran coder, a few years older than me, who knew where the bodies were buried - code wise. Despite his best efforts to be approachable and friendly he could be kind of gruff, through to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Why were the 1930s so hot in North America?

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters and Bob Henson Those who’ve trawled social media during heat waves have likely encountered a tidbit frequently used to brush aside human-caused climate change: Many U.S. states and cities had their single hottest temperature on record during the 1930s, setting incredible heat marks ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • Throwback Thursday – Thinking about Expressways

    Some of the recent announcements from the government have reminded us of posts we’ve written in the past. Here’s one from early 2020. There were plenty of reactions to the government’s infrastructure announcement a few weeks ago which saw them fund a bunch of big roading projects. One of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Thursday, July 25 are:News: Why Electric Kiwi is closing to new customers - and why it matters RNZ’s Susan EdmundsScoop: Government drops ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Possum: Demon or Friend?

    Hi,I felt a small wet tongue snaking through one of the holes in my Crocs. It explored my big toe, darting down one side, then the other. “He’s looking for some toe cheese,” said the woman next to me, words that still haunt me to this day.Growing up in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Not a story

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

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