GCSB Bill opposition heats up

Written By: - Date published: 10:21 am, July 26th, 2013 - 123 comments
Categories: david cunliffe, david shearer, Deep stuff, democracy under attack, internet, labour - Tags: ,

GCSB mask

I attended the Auckland stop the GCSB Bill meeting last night and I was really impressed.  The turnout was huge.  Mt Albert War Memorial Hall was packed and there was a large number of people outside the hall and in the foyer.

The speakers were very good.  The meeting was chaired by the erudite and witty former High Court Judge Ted Thomas.  Very interesting contributions were made by Dame Anne Salmond, Dr Rodney Harrison, Kim Dotcom himself and Thomas Beagle.  Each of their contributions deserve to be seen in full and you can see the video here.

Some contributions stood out.  Dame Anne Salmond read out this principled and very relevant passage:

Here in New Zealand we often take our democratic freedoms for granted. We think they will always be there. We have a Bill of Rights which is supposed to protect our right to freedom of expression. What on earth could go wrong?

I have a different view. I believe what Thomas Jefferson said – that the price of freedom is eternal vigilance. There are times when we have to stand up for our rights, and the rights of our neighbours and friends, and indeed the rights of people we totally disagree with, or else these rights will begin to erode away.

The passage is from a speech that John Key gave to the Press Club in 2007 about the Electoral Finance Bill.

She also made the wonderful comment that Members of Parliament are sent there to represent us, not rule us.

Dr Rodney Harrison thought that the intent of the bill may have been a desire by the Government to allow the Police and the SIS access to data gathered by Waihopai Base.

Thomas Beagle presented the most concise reason for opposing the law change, when they want to take away our rights they have to persuade us that they have a good justification to do so and they have not shown that they have that justification.

Kim Dotcom let a further piece of information drop and it will no doubt cause further discussion and debate although it appears that it may not be new news.  The SIS removed the red flag from his immigration file the day after John Key met a group of Hollywood Moguls.  Was a trap being laid relying on New Zealand’s extradition treaty with the United States?  Expect further revelations soon.

David Cunliffe was put on the spot and asked to state Labour’s position.  He said this:

Sometimes you have issues where you feel your ancestors fluttering around the ceiling, and the Labour party has a proud tradition of taking on evil and iniquitous legislation, whether it’s apartheid, or nuclear weapons, or other things of that nature.

Our leader has committed to a thorough review of this legislation.

And based upon what we have heard tonight, I personally and I’m sure my caucus colleagues, would be of the view that this legislation must not, will not and cannot stand.

Conspiracy theorists are saying that he was undermining David Shearer who was in the hall at the time.  They are wrong.  David Cunliffe was at the hall early and was seated at the front of the room.  David Shearer arrived late and when I left was in the foyer at the back.  Clearly Cunliffe did not see Shearer.

And in related developments the GCSB bill has been reported back with changes including the vaunted insertion of principles underpinning performance of the Bureau’s functions.  The only problem with them, as noted by Idiot Savant, is that they do not impose particular duties on the Director or any employee of the Bureau.  It appears that the principles are “nice to haves” and do not have any legal force.

Tomorrow protests are planned throughout the country.  As John Key said, it is time for us to stand up for our rights.

Details updated (thanks Weka)

GCSB protests

Stop the GCSB Bill

 

123 comments on “GCSB Bill opposition heats up ”

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  1. Richard Christie 1
    26 July 2013 at 10:35 am

    David Cunliffe was at the hall early and was seated at the front of the room. David Shearer arrived late and when I left was in the foyer at the back. Clearly Cunliffe did not see Shearer.

    Not indicative of a cohesive organisation though.
    Surely attending Labour MPs should of known that Shearer was to attend and should have had a prepared strategy for this eventuality.

    • One Anonymous Knucklehead 1.1
      26 July 2013 at 11:12 am

      Surely Shearer should have led the opposition rather than just turning up to observe them.

      • Colonial Viper 1.1.1
        26 July 2013 at 12:48 pm

        Absolutely – if he actually opposes the GCSB bill, that is.

        And for those who say that Cunliffe taking the mike is the start of another leadership bid…that’s BS. He was a local MP talking to his constituents about an issue they raised serious concerns about. Period.

        • gobsmacked 1.1.1.1
          26 July 2013 at 1:07 pm

          Text from leader to all MPs: “i will be at GCSB mtg tonite, will take Qs”.

          3 seconds, job done, coffee break.

          Can I be Shearer’s chief of staff please?

          • Arfamo 1.1.1.1.1
            26 July 2013 at 1:14 pm

            Only if you promise to do the talking for him too.

            • Colonial Viper 1.1.1.1.1.1
              26 July 2013 at 1:23 pm

              Let’s see what magic Fran Mold can work for Shearer in the next couple of months. Tick-tock-tick-tock.

              • Arfamo …
                26 July 2013 at 1:26 pm

                Nope. Time was up last night. We’ve had this discussion before. Monday. 🙂

                • Colonial Viper …
                  26 July 2013 at 6:11 pm

                  😈

                • Jilly Bee …
                  26 July 2013 at 6:32 pm

                  Tick-tock, tick-tock indeed, the leader’s interview on 3 News tonight did nothing to dispel my misgivings about DS’s abilities to be a capable leader of Labour or a PM in waiting.

        • King Kong 1.1.1.2
          26 July 2013 at 1:28 pm

          How would you know?

        • Takere 1.1.1.3
          29 July 2013 at 9:13 am

          Oh but Dunk’n Gardner & Blubber Oil and Baby Bumface Gower have reliable sauces?! Tom Mato & K Chup! Desperate journo hacks that really need to watch RT & Al Jazeera TV to get some ideas for real news and how to report facts, think objectively and discuss issues before drawing conclusions?? Or is that too hard??

    • AmaKiwi 1.2
      26 July 2013 at 4:37 pm

      Shearer’s plane was late. Plain and simple. That’s why Shearer was not at the front of the audience where Cunliffe was and that’s why Cunliffe did not know Shearer was in the back of the hall.

      You can check out the airplane arrival times.

      Or maybe the plane’s delay was a conspiracy organized by the Nats and carried out by the SIS.

  2. weka 2
    26 July 2013 at 10:46 am

    Nice write up micky, and great photo.

    btw, there are more protests happening than that list. A longer list is at the top of the FB page, maybe you could update the post?

    https://www.facebook.com/NotoGCSBBill

  3. karol 3
    26 July 2013 at 10:48 am

    Excellent report, micky. thanks.

    Dame Anne Slamond (note there’s a “d” on the end of her name), was excellent, as were all the speakers.

    I felt there was a contraction between Anne Salmond’s wonderful comment to remind John Key that,

    his is there to represent us, not to rule us

    and the lawyer saying that parliament is sovereign, and the only way we can get a government to change is position is via the parliamentary elections.

    It seems to me that this is a problem with our parliamentary system.

    • karol 3.1
      26 July 2013 at 10:48 am

      Ack – and it should be Salmond, not Slamond.

      • Colonial Viper 3.1.1
        26 July 2013 at 10:55 am

        did you mean “contradiction” instead of “contraction”?

        and the lawyer saying that parliament is sovereign, and the only way we can get a government to change is position is via the parliamentary elections.

        Of course, the way to get government to change position during a term is mass electoral pressure. See the Auckland rail link, as an example.

        • karol 3.1.1.1
          26 July 2013 at 11:05 am

          Yes. That, too, CV. Need an edit capability for my comments.

          Yes, public pressure helps, but it still leaves it to the government to make the ultimate decision.

      • mickysavage 3.1.2
        26 July 2013 at 10:59 am

        Eek. Have corrected thanks Karol.

    • tracey 3.2
      26 July 2013 at 11:18 am

      Karol… the alternatives are more frightening.

      its why strong and coherent opposition parties are crucial for the system to work.

    • dumrse 3.3
      26 July 2013 at 6:49 pm

      Really ? You think you can change legislation whilst in opposition? It’s never going to happen.

      • One Anonymous Knucklehead 3.3.1
        26 July 2013 at 6:51 pm

        😆 😆

        City Rail Link
        Mining on Schedule 4 land
        Anti-nuclear legislation

        this is a fun game, everyone can join in 😆 😆

      • karol 3.3.2
        26 July 2013 at 6:53 pm

        I expect any government to take more notice of Kiwis’ input. Key’s government has been riding rough shod over democratic process – embedding clauses in legislation preventing a court challenge, abusing urgency, A LOT, over-riding the Bill of Rights, etc.

    • UglyTruth 3.4
      27 July 2013 at 9:25 am

      It seems to me that this is a problem with our parliamentary system.

      The notion that parliament is sovereign (in the sense of supreme power or authority) is atheistic. Atheism is central to parliament’s misrepresentation of the nature of the common law. Common law is closely related to the rule of law, which is what sets democracy apart from mob rule.

  4. Just do It 4
    26 July 2013 at 10:58 am

    Loot at the body language of Shearer. http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/07/25/live-video-stop-the-gcsb-bill-public-meeting-from-7pm/

    Arms folded, body stiff are a defensive signal. Shearer is uncomfortabel with the mixture of passion and intellectual insight that was evident. People like Shearer instinctivelly want to avoid engaging while the overall mood is highly charged. His preference would be to hold such discussions in a committee room.

    That is not how real politic happen. The people in that hall were looking for leadership when teh question 1 hr 15mins in was asked. Shearer failed to graps the opportunity. He twitched and shuffled. No amount of Fran Molds or Ian Frasiers can fix this.

    • One Anonymous Knucklehead 4.1
      26 July 2013 at 11:13 am

      +100

    • weka 4.2
      26 July 2013 at 11:17 am

      Except he was blocked in and it was probably easier to get the microphone to Cunliffe who was in the front row. The judge may not have even known Shearer was there, although the camera focussed on Shearer well before it needed to and obviously was expecting him to say something.

      And looking at the body language, Shearer did step forward in readiness to speak, but the mike was handed to Cunliffe. Not much he could have done about that. Probably just as well (having Shearer be wishy washy and perhaps booed or heckled would have been bad for the meeting).

      • One Anonymous Knucklehead 4.2.1
        26 July 2013 at 11:23 am

        The time Shearer should have stepped forward was the time of his arrival. How many more episodes of poor judgement is this guy going to be allowed?

        • weka 4.2.1.1
          26 July 2013 at 11:27 am

          Of course. And I can’t wait until Labour does somethign about the whole sorry mess. But saying that Shearer should have levitated over the crowd to the mike is daft.

        • AmaKiwi 4.2.1.2
          26 July 2013 at 4:42 pm

          I was there. It would not have worked. Shearer and Parker stood along the wall midway into the hall. It was a GOOD location. They could both be seen by a lot of people.

          They did the best they could under the circumstances.

          The only better strategy I can think of is if they had two people from Shearer’s LEC hold seats for them in the front row. When they finally arrived they could have sat in the front.

          • Huginn 4.2.1.2.1
            26 July 2013 at 5:39 pm

            Thanks for this, AmaKiwi.
            These attempts to divert attention away from the GCSB Bill by talking up a Labour Party putsch out of incidental trivia are mischevous trolling.

            • Saarbo 4.2.1.2.1.1
              26 July 2013 at 7:17 pm

              I don’t agree Huginn, this episode highlights Shearer’s lack of political instinct, which from a Left point of view is of more importance than the GCSB Bill, the strength of the leader of Labour is absolutely critical to the future hopes of Labour and the Left.

              Shearer could still have stepped up while Cunliffe was speaking, and added a statement after Cunliffe. He needs to take every opportunity to speak and get exposure in front of people, but he lacks confidence. Shearer can’t think on his feet, a major problem for him…I’m not looking forward to the Leader debates next year. I also notice that he often has Parker with him, to make up for his lack of business and economic nous I suspect.

              Shearer is leader of Labour not because he is the best person to do the job, but because he has some very powerful support in the Labour caucus, support that seem to have suspicious motives, they certainly don’t have Labour’s best interests at heart.

              • weka …
                26 July 2013 at 7:33 pm

                If Shearer had forced his way to speak after Cunliffe I would have been pissed off. This wasn’t a place for Labour to grandstand. A question was asked, Cunliffe answered it, most likely because he was closest to the mike. End of. There was no reason for Shearer to speak, and all his other faults in at other times have nothing to do with it – sometimes he is just not doing something wrong. His plane was late for christ sake, was that political incompetence too?

                • Arfamo …
                  26 July 2013 at 7:41 pm

                  Agreed. Cunliffe did the job better than Shearer would’ve anyway. Pithy, on point, linked it to Labour’s history of opposing oppressive legislation, just the right pitch for the audience. Let it go till Monday.

                • Anne …
                  26 July 2013 at 7:53 pm

                  This wasn’t a place for Labour to grandstand. A question was asked, Cunliffe answered it, most likely because he was closest to the mike.

                  Well said weka. That is exactly what happened.

                  It beggars belief how obsessed and even paranoid some people – and TV3 in particular – have become over the Labour leadership. I know the layout of the Mt Albert Memorial Hall extremely well. Back in the 70s and part of the 80s, I helped organise numerous large Labour Party functions there. If Shearer was standing at the back of that hall or even at the side of it, there is no way he could have made it to the microphone in less than 5 mins. – especially given the huge crowd that was present.

                • Colonial Viper …
                  26 July 2013 at 7:56 pm

                  Agreed weka – Labour should not be afraid of demonstrating the talent of its team, without every competent showing by some Labour MP automatically considered a potential new leadership coup.

                  And as others have said – this was not the place for a partisan push; it would have been most unwelcome in fact.

                • Saarbo …
                  26 July 2013 at 8:38 pm

                  No I don’t accept that. To get into power, Labour need to use every opportunity to grandstand, particularly ones where they have a lot of their wavering supporters attending. Labour are an important component in all of this, if they don’t get back into power in 2014 then this legislation sticks, like all of the other horrendous legislation National are putting through.

                  I was in a good position (Seating at the rear of the hall) to see most people and Shearer was no where to be seen. Not good enough, He’s the leader, he should have organised to have seats saved up the front with Cunliffe, he could have put a call through to cunliffe at the airport when he discovered his flight would be late, he needs to get fucken organised, think on his feet. He’s just too laid back, too casual.

                  “and all his other faults in at other times have nothing to do with it”

                  Well actually they do, because accumulated up they show he is simply not up to the job, too casual, lacks confidence, lacks brain power…simply not good enough!

              • AmaKiwi …
                26 July 2013 at 10:18 pm

                @ Saarbo

                I was there. Your idea would not have worked. The moderator, a retired SUPREME COURT JUDGE, was keeping a tight lid on the proceedings. The only way Cunliffe got to speak was because someone asked what was going to happen if Labour came to power. Without that question Cunliffe would not have gotten a word in without looking like he was grandstanding.

                Cunliffe was fortunate to get an opening. He grabbed it and rode it for as much as he could get out of it. Cunliffe did not know Shearer was in the hall because Shearer and Parker arrived late. Shearer did the best thing he could: today he announced Labour would act early in its term to hold a full review and repeal much of the GCSB bill.

                Let’s move on.

    • tracey 4.3
      26 July 2013 at 11:19 am

      Karol… the alternatives are more frightening.

      its why strong and coherent opposition parties are crucial for the system to work.

    • tracey 4.4
      26 July 2013 at 11:24 am

      It seems that shearers career is that of a diplomat trying to find middle ground and help opposing factions see a bigger picture to achieve a common goal. Our parliamentary system isnt ready for this kind of a leader . Voters seem to still want the winner loser, ends justify the means leaders.

      nzers are getting the country they should have known they would get with national. Labour was right in 2008 that we couldnt trust them… but nats lying was too slick and well presented. Not saying labour dont lie but it appears they want to lie about the same stuff as nats and the nats have that ground.

      • AmaKiwi 4.4.1
        26 July 2013 at 4:45 pm

        I am afraid we all getting taken in by slick salespeople from time to time. Hopefully the people have finally learned.

    • tracey 4.5
      26 July 2013 at 11:24 am

      [Duplicate copy removed – MS]

  5. tracey 5
    26 July 2013 at 11:27 am

    Sorry for duplicates but keeps saying not published.

    please dont play into others hands by making this about shearer. Its about democratic freedom which is way bigger than impotent leader squabbles

    • Huginn 5.2
      26 July 2013 at 5:49 pm

      +1, expect a lot of sock puppet action on TS as the National/Act black propoganda steps up to divert attention from this very damaging adventure with national security

      • karol 5.2.1
        26 July 2013 at 6:30 pm

        And now it seems the MSM (3 News tonight) will pick up on queries about Shearer’s leadership here in The Standard comments, and use it to say further questions are being asked, rather than the bigger issues discussed in the meeting last night.

    • UglyTruth 5.3
      26 July 2013 at 6:26 pm

      I agree that this isn’t about Shearer. But IMO it is about security rather than freedom.

      People willing to trade their freedom for temporary security deserve neither and will lose both. ~ Benjamin Franklin.

      • One Anonymous Knucklehead 5.3.1
        26 July 2013 at 6:31 pm

        At a superficial level, but only if you buy into the argument that such totalitarian measures increase security. There is surely enough evidence that they do not.

  6. Veutoviper 6
    26 July 2013 at 11:50 am

    Well – finally – Shearer has stated a position on the GCSB Bill as to what will happen if Labour wins the election. Did last night force the issue?

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10903651

    In brief:

    – repeal the legislation but not until an independent inquiry had been carried out

    – the inquiry would be one of the first things Labour would do after coming into government.

    • weka 6.1
      26 July 2013 at 12:09 pm

      Yeah, that’s better. And fits nicely with the GP, who have been calling for an inquiry. Labour and the GP having such common ground on such an important issue going into the election is promising.

      However, I find that I don’ trust Shearer, and see plenty of room there for the left and NZ to get shafted, depending on the parameters of the inquiry and who is appointed to do it.

      Where Shearer says they can’t repeal until after the review, because it would leave the GCSB without legal guidance, is that true? I thought it was an ammendment not a new Act. Can it not just be put back to the way it is now (and then a full review of security done)?

      • Veutoviper 6.1.1
        26 July 2013 at 1:53 pm

        Yes, I was also feeling better, but also don’t necessarily trust Shearer and cynically wonder whether we would have heard anything from Shearer today if Cunliffe had not stepped up to the plate last night.

        Stuff have finally got their act together and posted an article – “Labour: We’ll dump GCSB Bill”.

        http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8968737/Labour-We-ll-dump-GCSB-bill

        But, wait. What is missing from the Stuff article? Not one mention of Shearer!

        The article merely mentions “a Labour spokesman” ….

        (as an aside – not spokesperson, or spokeswoman)

        Cynicism is back.

        • Boadicea 6.1.1.1
          26 July 2013 at 5:35 pm

          “The situation is at is has always been – Labour has committed to, when it gets in Government, to having a full and independent enquiry into the intelligence services . . . and any changes will flow out of that,” the spokesman said.

          That, to my way of thinking, is not a commitment to dump the legislation quickly. It is bureaucratic double-speak.

          *”independent” is also independent of the party and the caucus.
          *Shearer prevaricated last night. In his own electorate FFS!
          *GCSB is The biggest issue of the day.
          *A 400 person audience on his front door.
          *Leading opinion influencers.
          *And he didn’t have lines ready.
          *And he couldn’t think quickly on his feet.

          • Colonial Viper 6.1.1.1.1
            26 July 2013 at 8:00 pm

            *And he didn’t have lines ready.
            *And he couldn’t think quickly on his feet.

            Glad someone did.

  7. Olwyn 7
    26 July 2013 at 11:54 am

    I am more and more convinced that Shearer has been plonked into his role for two reasons, both arising from outside of the Labour Party. 1. To ensure that we don’t end up with a leader who refuses to sign the TPP, or who holds things up with too many quibbles, and 2. To change the culture of the Labour Party to fit in with a world in which a disenfranchised labour force is endlessly on the move, and only those from the middle class up vote. It is high time they took Anne Salmond’s words very very seriously; they are there to represent us, not to rule us.

    • weka 7.1
      26 July 2013 at 12:03 pm

      Pretty hard to argue against what you are saying there Olwyn.

      KDC also said last night that the GCSB bill was in instruction handed from Washington.

      • One Anonymous Knucklehead 7.1.1
        26 July 2013 at 12:13 pm

        …instructions from Washington…

        Now if that’s true, it raises an interesting question. As PM, if the American ambassador (or whoever) told me to spy on everyone because if I didn’t they were going to do it anyway, would I decide to at least try and retain some sort of local oversight or not?

        Do I doubt we have the resources to prevent them? Yep.
        Do I think public knowledge of that information would cause more harm than good? Um…
        If I tell the Americans “no”, apart from doing it anyway, what other steps will they take? Um…

        • weka 7.1.1.1
          26 July 2013 at 12:22 pm

          If the US are going to do it anyway, they don’t need the GCSB bill passed to access that data. They need it for another reason or reasons. What’s the advantage to the US of the NZ govt having much broader spying powers on its own population?

          • One Anonymous Knucklehead 7.1.1.1.1
            26 July 2013 at 12:27 pm

            Public relations. Let the allies think they’re autonomous etc. etc.

            PS: make it easier for politicians to pretend they’re in control.

            PPS: that’s enough hypothetical speculation for one day 🙂

          • karol 7.1.1.1.2
            26 July 2013 at 12:28 pm

            Broader powers, involve the widespread scooping up of all metadata, via GCSB/Echelon systems.

            That includes all emails, phone calls etc that pass through NZ, including communications between NZ and any other country, including the US. Any communication identified in the metadata sweep, can be accessed in full, via these Echelon systems.

          • Colonial Viper 7.1.1.1.3
            26 July 2013 at 12:44 pm

            What’s the advantage to the US of the NZ govt having much broader spying powers on its own population?

            being a 2nd party intelligence partner to the US, the US tends to refrain from spying on NZers themselves. So it would be very helpful if the GCSB could fill in the gaps for them.

          • karol 7.1.1.1.4
            26 July 2013 at 12:50 pm

            Look to the Kim Dotcom case. Why did the US need to have NZ intelligence and criminal justice systems involved? They apparently needed co-operation from NZ services to arrest KDC on NZ soil.

            • karol 7.1.1.1.4.1
              26 July 2013 at 12:52 pm

              PS; GCSB is beyond public scrutiny, unlike the criminal justice system. Anything done by the spy services, the PM tends to say national security is at stake and he can’t reveal details..

              • Colonial Viper …
                26 July 2013 at 7:18 pm

                Secrecy and security classification used as a shield to hide undemocratic bad behaviour. Does a nation need to keep some secrets? Yes. But after say a 3 year period, an independent review should be permitted to release most details to the public.

          • yeshe 7.1.1.1.5
            26 July 2013 at 2:03 pm

            Weka – how about the sole advantage and reason for this hasty and ugly bill is that all the things we fear within it have actually been going on against us for years .. now the panic is to make it all legal and proper before more of it comes out, urgent especially through Dotcom’s electrifying court appearances with an incisive and erudite judge and one of our best Queen’s Counsel.

            Waihopai, Himatangi etc have been running and delivering for years. This is why Key needed his school buddy running GCSB. It’s why he also needed a very GCSB-friendly Governor General .. think about it. Mateparae is potentially our only recourse if all else fails — and which side would he be on ? Very smelly.

            So why is Key in urgent panic now against the most august in the land ? I think it’s because if the truth comes out, he and his mates — not just toast but panko crumbs.

            And likewise, any price he had to pay to Dunne for his specious and poisonous little vote would have been worth it to Key.

            We should be very scared of where this ends if we cannot defeat it now.

            ( And a more positive afterword, it occurs to me this is very close the climate around the nuclear-free issue under Muldoon. The majority of the country wished for it, Muldoon was ignoring it. The courage of one back-bencher, the marvelous Marilyn Waring, crossed the floor to end the anti-democratic arrogance of that prime minister. Can we find such a one again ??)

            • Chooky 7.1.1.1.5.1
              26 July 2013 at 7:59 pm

              +1

            • Arfamo 7.1.1.1.5.2
              26 July 2013 at 8:03 pm

              The courage of one back-bencher, the marvelous Marilyn Waring, crossed the floor to end the anti-democratic arrogance of that prime minister. Can we find such a one again ??

              Nope. The best hope for that was Aaron Gilmore.

    • Chooky 7.2
      26 July 2013 at 8:00 pm

      +1

  8. gobsmacked 8
    26 July 2013 at 12:19 pm

    Here in New Zealand we often take our democratic freedoms for granted. We think they will always be there. We have a Bill of Rights which is supposed to protect our right to freedom of expression. What on earth could go wrong?

    I have a different view. I believe what Thomas Jefferson said – that the price of freedom is eternal vigilance. There are times when we have to stand up for our rights, and the rights of our neighbours and friends, and indeed the rights of people we totally disagree with, or else these rights will begin to erode away.

    So where are the usual Key sycophants telling us why this is wrong?

    C’mon, you guys will disrupt any thread on any pretence, now you have a chance to be positive for once, to stand up for what you believe in.

    Are you honourable and reasonable enough to say … the bills’ opponents might just have a point?

    • gobsmacked 8.1
      26 July 2013 at 2:56 pm

      And the invitation is still open …

    • AmaKiwi 8.2
      26 July 2013 at 4:49 pm

      @ gobsmacked

      “So where are the usual Key sycophants telling us why this is wrong?”

      Maybe they realize the weapons of spying can be turned AGAINST THEM by a future Left government.

      Conservatives should be just as frightened as Lefties.

  9. Penny Bright 9
    26 July 2013 at 1:02 pm

    Back up for the question I asked members of the panel at the anti-GCSB Bill public meeting last night – if they knew that private prosecutor Graham McCready, who has been successful in getting the DEFENDANT John Banks into Court, had also filed a private prosecution against Prime Minister John Key, for unlawful spying on Kim Dotcom?

    Here are the ‘Informations’ that Graham McCready has filed vs John Key in the Wellington District Court.

    http://www.occupyaucklandvsaucklandcouncilappeal.org.nz/?p=179

    Kind regards,

    Penny Bright
    2013 Auckland Mayoral candidate

  10. King Kong 10
    26 July 2013 at 1:29 pm

    You know how you think this might be the thing?

    Its not.

    • gobsmacked 10.1
      26 July 2013 at 1:40 pm

      @KK

      Please respond to my comment #8. Do you agree with the quote or not?

      • King Kong 10.1.1
        26 July 2013 at 1:51 pm

        You could drop that quote into an argument about legalising dope therefore it is a bunch of bleeding heart faggotry.

        Must stand up for my democratic right not to have my terorist bomb plot foiled by spies.

        • Arfamo 10.1.1.1
          26 July 2013 at 1:57 pm

          Translation: Bugger. I’d better say something really stupid again and hope it distracts you from my embarrassment about Key saying that and now getting caught out by his duplicity again.

          • King Kong 10.1.1.1.1
            26 July 2013 at 2:11 pm

            Listen, the Press says that the recent changes made to the bill make it acceptable. The Herald says pretty good but just a couple of minor changes to go, yet you lot are talking like the Government has just legalised rape as a legitimate interogation technique for crime suspects.

            Its the massive hyperbole (demonstrated by cliched quotes about the crashing down of civil liberties) that makes the opposition to this bill look like a desperate political attack on the Governments popularity rather than any genuine legal concerns.

            You might think you are being clever but you really aren’t.

            • Arfamo 10.1.1.1.1.1
              26 July 2013 at 2:14 pm

              You might think you are being clever but you really aren’t.

              I’ve had to cut the power to my irony detector before it clanged itself off the wall.

              • King Kong …
                26 July 2013 at 2:16 pm

                What kind of thickie needs an irony detector?

                • Arfamo …
                  26 July 2013 at 2:18 pm

                  John Key.

                  • gobsmacked …
                    26 July 2013 at 2:25 pm

                    KK, we’re trying to help you here.

                    Read the links in the original post before further embarrassment.

                    • King Kong …
                      26 July 2013 at 2:31 pm

                      Looks like someones drunk the coolaid.

                    • gobsmacked …
                      26 July 2013 at 2:50 pm

                      KK, do you really have no argument at all except the infantile? Do you have nothing at all with which to engage?

                      Did you oppose the EFA? If so, on what grounds?

                      Did you support Key’s 2007 speech? If so, on what grounds?

                      C’mon, you can be a grown-up when you want to. Debate and defend.

                    • King Kong …
                      26 July 2013 at 2:56 pm

                      All of your righteous indignation aside, I will go back to my original point.

                      This isn’t it.

                      If you think this is going to bum fuck National like the EFA did Labour, then you are wrong. But don’t let that stop you crapping on about it.

            • yeshe 10.1.1.1.1.2
              26 July 2013 at 2:17 pm

              KK .. they say petroleum jelly can be helpful removing either a finger or head stuck up one’s backside.

            • gobsmacked 10.1.1.1.1.3
              26 July 2013 at 2:21 pm

              a desperate political attack on the Governments popularity

              by … David Rutherford, Marie Shroff, Anne Salmond, the Law Society, High Court judges, etc, etc …

              Why did they suddenly become “desperate”?

              • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                26 July 2013 at 2:23 pm

                Everyone knows the Law Society is a cabal of slavering lefties – always on about “evidence” and “due process”. Fucking commies.

              • King Kong …
                26 July 2013 at 2:24 pm

                It is a well known fact that most of the people and institutions on that list are affiliates of Al Qaeda.

                • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                  26 July 2013 at 2:26 pm

                  That too.

                  • weka …
                    26 July 2013 at 3:51 pm

                    Therefore we should take our democratic and legal guidance from the Press and the Herald.

                    • King Kong …
                      26 July 2013 at 3:56 pm

                      Not at all. But it is a usefull yard stick with which to measure some of the hysteria that is going on here.

                    • gobsmacked …
                      26 July 2013 at 4:11 pm

                      KK, you’ve made about 10 comments on here (and God knows how many on other threads) and yet you still can’t bring yourself to comment on the rights and wrongs of the issue.

                      Presumably you just can’t be bothered to read up on it. To have an informed opinion. To think.

                      You can’t defend the bill (you certainly haven’t tried to do so here), so you prefer not to think about it. It would be more honest if you just said so.

                    • weka …
                      26 July 2013 at 4:51 pm

                      “But it is a usefull yard stick with which to measure some of the hysteria that is going on here.”

                      How?

                • tricledrown …
                  26 July 2013 at 4:01 pm

                  KK pity Gscb i wasn’t around when Bernie Abbott was around!

            • Tim 10.1.1.1.1.4
              26 July 2013 at 4:35 pm

              …… “Listen,” …….
              says it all really KK

            • AmaKiwi 10.1.1.1.1.5
              26 July 2013 at 4:52 pm

              Make a note. When we get in power find out who this King Kong guy is and have the SIS take care of him.

              Still like this bill, Kong?

  11. tricledrown 11
    26 July 2013 at 4:04 pm

    KK the right are getting worried by the backlash otherwise they wouldn’t be wasting time sending their lowlife apologists and bullies to troll on this site!

  12. Penny Bright 12
    26 July 2013 at 4:09 pm

    Personally, I have a real problem with all those who purport to be opposed to ‘Nanny State’, who are not opposing this arguably far worse ‘BIG BROTHER STATE’ (on steroids)?

    Where are the Press Releases from the Libertarians, ACT on Campus and the like, opposing this proposed legislation, and supporting the upcoming rallies/marches around New Zealand tomorrow opposing the GCSB Bill, which is effectively being railroaded through Parliament with the slimmest possible majority?

    FYI – protests tomorrow, Saturday 27 July at 2pm, are being held in the following towns and cities around this supposed ‘democracy’ – New Zealand:

    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=258769314248278&set=a.253532231438653.1073741827.253531264772083&type=1&theater

    I do hope to see all those Aucklanders who support the lawful rights of citizens to privacy, freedom of association and freedom of expression, and oppose arbitrary search and surveillance at Aotea Square, Auckland, 2pm.

    Kind regards,

    Penny Bright
    ‘Anti-corruption/ anti-privatisation’ campaigner
    2013 Auckland Mayoral candidate

    • AmaKiwi 12.1
      26 July 2013 at 5:16 pm

      Well said, Penny.

      I am trying to make it clear to conservatives that this is just as much a threat to them.

      It’s like the old story about the Nazis: They came for the gypsies and I didn’t protest. They came for the Jews and I didn’t protest, etc.

      Would these Tories like to have these spying powers in the hands of a rampaging Left wing government?

  13. Sable 13
    26 July 2013 at 4:41 pm

    If we had an entrenched Bill of Rights, this legislation would not see the light of day but we do not in spite of the efforts of Dr Geoffrey Palmer whilst in office. You can thank members of both National and Labour for that.

    I’m also less than impressed but not surprised by Labour’s less than emphatic renunciation of this travesty of a law. This is the main reason they lack support. Its not because Keys is winning hearts but Labour is instead turning people off politics by failing to offer a worthy alternative.

    My predication is this obscene law will pass and Labour will loose this election. I also predict we will eventually move into a similar position as that which exists in the UK where a alternative to Labour will be appear and pick up the voters that party has lost by moving too far to the right. Lets hope its sooner rather than later.

    • AmaKiwi 13.1
      26 July 2013 at 4:55 pm

      I share your fear. That’s why I am sending out emails to everyone I know urging them to demonstrate tomorrow.

      After Saturday’s demonstration I will send hundreds more emails to my friends urging them to email National MPs demanding they represent the people and oppose this bill.

      I don’t know if it will work, but it’s worth trying. I will not go down without a fight.

  14. logie97 14
    26 July 2013 at 5:13 pm

    Am I missing something here?

    On RNZ news at 5:00 this evening, “the MP who is in the centre of the leaking of the report is complaining that the enquiry went outside its brief…”

    This same MP, Dunne, is about to sign away on the surveillance powers of the same organisation.

    The man is a fool.

  15. karol 15
    26 July 2013 at 7:02 pm

    Well, some good news about the MSM (I hope?). 3 News says it’ll be covering tomorrow’s demonstrations – so enough publicity has been generated to get their attention – hope it influences more people to go on the protests.

    • weka 15.1
      26 July 2013 at 7:37 pm

      What was the 6 o’clock coverage like today Karol?

      • karol 15.1.1
        26 July 2013 at 8:00 pm

        hey focused on Cunliffe speaking at the GCSB meeting, and used Jenny’s comment on TS, alleging that Shearer had yelled after Cunliffe spoke, as evidence of further dabte about Shearer’s leadership. They called Jenny’s comment a “pots”.

        They did show Cunliffe’s statements, and also the size of the meeting, plus some shots of Dotcom – some banners etc.

    • AmaKiwi 15.2
      26 July 2013 at 10:32 pm

      Fantastic. Now everyone sign off The Standard and type an email and send it to every man, woman, and child in your address book urging them to come to tomorrow’s rallies.

      If we don’t turn out the numbers, our cause will be weakened.

  16. RedBaronCV 16
    26 July 2013 at 10:15 pm

    Perhaps we should all revert to snail mail. Increase employment at the NZPO and the GCSB would have to sit there steaming them all open.

  17. AmaKiwi 17
    26 July 2013 at 10:28 pm

    What can we do to stop the GCSB bill?

    I have sent at least 400 emails today, written and printed a leaflet for tomorrow’s rally, and spoken personally to a dozen or more people about tomorrow’s rally.

    That’s what WE need to do NOW.

    After tomorrow’s rallies let’s discuss our next plan of action. My plan is to get all my friends to flood National MPs with emails to delay the bill or represent us by having a genuine conscience vote.

    Aside from Cover-up Key, no National MPs stands to gain from this bill. There are no jobs for mates, no tax cuts for constituents, no public works projects . . . NOTHING.

    If we can arouse the public, I think we can still stop this bill. Less talk and more action.

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    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    3 days ago

  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago

  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    Bowalley Road
    4 days ago

  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    4 days ago

  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    5 days ago

  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago

  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago

  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago

  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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