GCSB Head, Ian Fletcher resigns

Written By: - Date published: 1:49 pm, January 13th, 2015 - 78 comments
Categories: Ethics, john key, law, Politics, Spying - Tags:

For family reasons he is stepping down… Nothing to see here says Chris Finlayson, great guy who did a great job

Of far more importance is the arrival in yesterdays post of speeding fines for national’s supporters. Woodhouse is moving quickly to say the enforcement is ambiguous. Ron Marks thinks it is the most important thing facing Kiwis…

Speed limit set by law is 100KM. I dont care what the police said, anyone doing more than that is right to be fined. Why is it even an issue? A human right to drive in excess of the speed limit?

UPDATE

Little said the Mr Fletcher’s resignation came as a surprise.

He had met with the GCSB boss before Christmas and said he appeared to be “on top of his job” and speaking about the future of the agency.

He questioned whether Mr Fletcher had been told of “something disagreeable” in the upcoming review of the security agencies and had left as a result.

“A lot of things are put down to family reasons,” Mr Little said.

“He certainly seemed to be well in control and very keen on the job just before Christmas. Now he’s going, and there’s reference to the review coming up.

“It would be helpful if the Government explained exactly what they have in mind for the review because that seems to be a big feature of the circumstances around Ian Fletcher’s resignation.”

Mr Little said Mr Fletcher’s three-year tenure had been a “rocky road” but noted that he had inherited some of the GCSB’s more problematic matters such as the fallout from the Kim Dotcom raid.

 

 

 

 

78 comments on “GCSB Head, Ian Fletcher resigns ”

  1. Ad 1

    The review of the intelligence services will be one of the biggest games in Wellington this year. As Bowalley Road put it: The Deep State Rises.

    Fletchers’ resignation gives his Minister and PM a chance to restructure or root out all those who don’t agree with the restructure that inevitably follows the full review .

    A generous PM wanting to take the skin out of the review would offer a Senate-style joint successor confirmation across the House.

    Stepping back, government’s task will be to compartmentalise and segment the review away from current themes about ‘freedom of expression’, ‘rights to privacy’, and ‘impartiality of the public service’. Our job will be the reverse of that, in particular enabling Parties to have effective attack-lines.

    We could also consider gearing up to do a submission from TS. If we are game.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 1.1

      A crowd-sourced submission. Good idea.

    • tracey 1.2

      It would be politically astute to invite Labour into a decision about appointment but even that is fraught.

      I am keen to do a submission…

      • One Anonymous Bloke 1.2.1

        Suggestions for consideration: GCSB level spying to be defined as a military activity, with the implicit understanding that deploying military resources against the civilian population is a war crime.

        • Ad 1.2.1.1

          The structural step would then be to merge GCSB into NZDefence as another wing:

          – Army
          – Navy
          – Airforce
          – Online Defence

          • One Anonymous Bloke 1.2.1.1.1

            It’s a complex issue – what do we do about the NSA’s reach, for example – or the potential for John Key to take corporate bribes*. That’s why getting the founding principles right is so important.

            *and what about Russel’s links to the Dalai Lama? 😈

            • Ad 1.2.1.1.1.1

              This restructure won’t be challenging our membership of 5 Eyes.

              Corporate bribes would be a matter for the Police and SFO.

              I believe we should redefine and constrain the roles of the intelligence agencies – and we can debate exactly what those are from the current legislative provisions.

              • One Anonymous Bloke

                By definition, any review of our spying policy affects, and therefore challenges, our membership. Otherwise what good is our membership in the first place?

                • Ad

                  Let’s wait until the Terms of Reference come out, but I would be highly surprised if a review of membership was on them.

                  • One Anonymous Bloke

                    Are you deliberately missing the point?

                    Our four mates may see our review in an entirely different light. I hope they do, and I hope we can explain to them that the course we (the five of us) are on is covered in wrongsauce, in time to change trajectory.

                    However, I expect that we’ll do nothing of the sort, on account of being paid to look the other way, or something.

        • Colonial Rawshark 1.2.1.2

          GCSB level spying to be defined as a military activity, with the implicit understanding that deploying military resources against the civilian population is a war crime.

          And deploying the GCSB against foreign powers or foreign diplomats would then be considered an act of military aggression?

          • One Anonymous Bloke 1.2.1.2.1

            Not if you consider military philosophy: the purpose of spying is to avoid or minimise bloodshed.

            • Ad 1.2.1.2.1.1

              The attack by an ISIS affiliate upon the USDF Twitter and Youtube accounts yesterday being the most recent example.

              • One Anonymous Bloke

                Warmongers do their best to sow fear in any context. The Caliph too.

              • tracey

                is that proven? I only ask cos there was a report following the US pointing the finger at N Korea, that a disgruntled sony employee hacked Sony?

                • One Anonymous Bloke

                  The attack Ad refers to is one against the US army by ISIL. Publishing soldiers’ home addresses and threatening them (and obviously their families).

                  The Caliph, like any fearmonger, has far less reach than he thinks he does. Wingnuts flock together and share their chains, if you like.

        • Naturesong 1.2.1.3

          The GCSB is already a military institutiuon.

  2. adam 2

    Are not race tracks easy to hire – Sorry link is for the car heads – with money.

    http://www.tauporacetrack.co.nz/the-tracks

    http://www.hamptondowns.com/pages/187/track-days.htm

    If you got caught, you pays ya fine like everyone else, or are we a tin-pot semi royal worshiping democracy? Sorry to see you go Ian, must say as a public servant it seems you failed of the free and frank advice part in you job contract/obligation.

  3. Colonial Rawshark 3

    No doubt Ian Fletcher will be in another top six-figure job within 6 months, also for family reasons. See if he doesn’t join one of the other FVEY outfits, for instance, or one of the private contractors.

  4. Skinny 4

    Fletcher would be cursing the day he got played for a patsy by honest John Key. There is a lot more to come about this resignation. I would expect a whistle blower to come out, totally sick of the deceit. Panicked phone calls between Hawaii & National Party spin department in damage control.

    Winston Peters claims during the rushed GCSB bill of spy’s, lies and alibi’s is coming back to haunt crap happy Key.

    • tracey 4.1

      I wonder. I imagined that Key talked clearly with Fletcher before later asking him to apply about just want he wanted BUT Key is a serial liar, so why not dupe Fletcher too? Will Fletcher be a Tucker or not? Will have signed that secrecy thingy though which protects EVERYTHING

      • Anne 4.1.1

        The Herald take on the “surprise” resignation.

        http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11385827

        Excerpt from Andrew Little’s comments:

        Labour leader Andrew Little said Mr Fletcher’s resignation came as a surprise.

        He had met with the GCSB boss before Christmas and said he appeared to be “on top of his job” and speaking about the future of the agency.

        He questioned whether Mr Fletcher had been told of “something disagreeable” in the upcoming review of the security agencies and had left as a result.

        “A lot of things are put down to family reasons,” Mr Little said.

        Little swiftly on the attack. Good on him.

      • Skinny 4.1.2

        A guy like Fletcher can command a lot more money for less hassle in Australia. When you think about the botched Dotcom raid and illegal spying.

        Then you add the sketchy conduct by Jason Ede, where John Key denies any knowledge of the unethical and highly likely illegal skullduggery goings on, is it little wonder Fletcher wants out with his reputation intact. It appears being tarred with guilty by association isn’t what he signed up for. Funny Finlayson has been left with his arse flapping in the wind, no one believes ‘family reasons’ for his resignation. Especially a hasty exist in February. Getting out while the goings good I’d say.

        • Ffloyd 4.1.2.1

          I agree with you Skinny. Bet he never got the full info on what would be expected of him. He must have been going flat out to cover key’s R’s on the run up to the election. If he has done it because of integrity, good on him. They’ll be spinning in Hawaii!!!

          • Chooky 4.1.2.1.1

            yes interesting….Fletcher has always given me the impression of being a fairly decent guy…could be quite wrong of course…but there are decent guys in the secret service …Edward Snowden was one

  5. coaster 5

    On the speed limit, its 100km per hour, if you are caught over that the police have a right to issue a ticket. There is a tolerance, margin of error that needs to be in place, but that doesnt make the speed limit higher than 100km per hour.

    on the ian fletcher thing, could he actually be resigning for family reasons?

    • tracey 5.1

      On speeding – agree 100%. Makes you think some well heeled NZF and NATS got some speeding tickets and want a different set of rules… mind you Woodhouse has been quick to back them, so must be a BIG constituency

      On Fletcher – of course he could be, and Little is being mischievious by suggesting “family” reasons” covers a multitude of scenarios…

    • Colonial Rawshark 5.2

      on the ian fletcher thing, could he actually be resigning for family reasons?

      The fact that no real explanation has been given has opened up questions. In contrast, when David Cunliffe pulled out of the leadership race late last year, news reports were quite specific on the “family reasons” that were involved.

    • gsays 5.3

      about the speeding thing, i agree it is a limit not a target.
      u go over you bear the consequences.

      this from a regular motorcyclist.

      the bit that stinks about this is mr woodhouse and having a crack at the constabulary for their message ref speeding.
      did he do this coz some polling said enough joe (and joanne) kiwi didnt like what the police were up to?

      i dont know about y’all but i want my leaders to aspire to higher things (like the law), rather than take their cues from how the sheeple react.

      • Murray Rawshark 5.3.1

        Yep, it could be looked at as more political influence on ngati poaka. I thought they were supposed to be independent, but given the name of the IPCA, they may not have a great understanding of the concept.

  6. Anne 6

    Nothing much to go on yet, but I do wonder sometimes if Dr Warren Tucker was made a scapegoat for the Goff/SIS/Slater affair and whether something similar is about to happen to Fletcher and he knows it.

    We’ll know one way or the other within the next little while.

    • tracey 6.1

      signing the secrecy stuff gags them… on ALL things.

    • politikiwi 6.2

      That’s a very astute observation, actually: Fletcher will know **exactly** what went on with the Goff thing and may be uncomfortable with the extent to which Tucker was hung out to dry. And looking down the barrel of a review, a wise person might think better than to wait around for a similar fate.

  7. Bea Brown 7

    Of course he might just have been offered a better job back in Australia.

  8. Clemgeopin 8

    ‘Family reasons?’ I am skeptical.

    Wouldn’t it be cool, highly patriotic and a great service if Fletcher were to become a conscientious whistle blower and spilled all the dirty evil beans indulged in by this dodgy Government and the GCSB?

  9. tracey 9

    His parting tome can be found here…

    http://www.gcsb.govt.nz/assets/GSCB-NZISM/NZISM-2014-November-Release.pdf

    NZ Information Security Manual
    by Ian Fletcher
    November 2014

    It appears this is the culmination of what he was “hired” to do.

    • Clemgeopin 9.1

      What is a ‘parting tome’?

      Or did you mean, tomb? Like in …’Beside buddy Key, here lies Fletcher’?

      [Also, your link is dead]

      • tracey 9.1.1

        A tome is

        ” a book, especially a large, heavy, scholarly one.
        “a weighty tome”
        synonyms: volume, book, work, opus, writing, publication, title

        Origin
        early 16th century (denoting one volume of a larger work): from French, via Latin from Greek tomos ‘section, roll of papyrus, volume’; related to temnein ‘to cut’.
        -tome

        Link is live for me, it is to webbased pdf?

        • McFlock 9.1.1.1

          It’s to a pdf file, it opens in a browser only if the browser has a pdf-viewer plugin.

          It’s a fairly large file (my grunty work machine took a wee while to download and open it), so that might explain why it looks dead to clem: it’s taking ages to download and open the doc.

  10. BLiP 10

    The lies John Key has told about New Zealand’s spy agencies and Ian Fletcher . . .

    Iain Rennie came to me and recommended Fletcher for the GCSB job

    I told Cabinet that I knew Ian Fletcher

    I forgot that after I scrapped the shortlist for GCSB job I phoned a life-long friend to tell him to apply for the position

    I told Iain Rennie I would contact Fletcher

    I haven’t seen Ian Fletcher in a long time.

    I did not mislead the House (13)

    I have no reason to doubt at this stage that Peter Dunne did not leak the GCSB report

    I called directory service to get Ian Fletcher’s number

    the new legislation narrows the scope of the GCSB

    the GCSB has been prevented from carrying out its functions because of the law governing its functions

    because the opposition is opposed the GCSB law ammendments, parliamentary urgency is required

    the increasing number of cyber intrusions which I can’t detail or discuss prove that the GCSB laws need to be extended to protect prive enterprise

    it was always the intent of the GCSB Act to be able to spy on New Zealanders on behalf of the SIS and police

    National Ltd™ is not explanding the activities of the GCSB with this new law

    cyber terrorists have attempted to gain access to information about weapons of mass destruction held on New Zealand computers

    the law which says the GCSB cannot spy on New Zealanders is not clear

    it totally incorrect that the Government effectively through GCSB will be able to wholesale spy on New Zealanders

    we self identified that there was a problem with the GCSB spying on Kim Dotcom

    the illegal spying on Kim Dotcom was an isolated incident

    The advice I have had in 4 years as a Minister is that in no way ever has there been an indication of unlawful spying

    the Ministerial Warrant signed by Bill English did not cover anything up

    I wasn’t briefed about the raid on Kim Dotcom’s home.

    first I heard I heard about Kim Dotcom was on 19 January 2012

    first I heard about the illegal spying on Kim Dotcom was in 17 September 2012

    I did not mislead the House (14)

    I won’t be discussing Kim Dotcom during my Hollywood visit.

    The Human Rights Commission couldn’t get its submission on the GCSB legislation in on time.

    it would cost too much to for the police and SIS to carry out the spying on New Zealanders that this new legislation will permit

    critics of the GCSB legislation, including the Law Society, the Human Rights Commission, and the Privacy Commission, are all uninformed

    no, I did not mislead the House (15)

    I do not know how Mr Henry is conducting the Enquiry

    no, I did not mislead the House (16)

    the Henry Enquiry had permission to view Ministers’ emails

    no, I did not mislead the House (??)

    we do not spy on journalists

    the passing of phone records to the Henry Enquiry was an error on the part of a contractor

    I wasn’t aware that my own Chief of Staff was instructing Parliamentary Services to hand over information concerning journalist Andrea Vance

    National Ltd™ has never tried to impinge on the role of the media

    I had nothing to do with information on a journalist being handed over to the inquiry into the leaking of the GCSB report

    the terms of the enquiry made it clear to everyone that it was only the phone records of parliamentary staff and ministers that were to be provided

    • One Anonymous Bloke 10.1

      …coming home to roost.

      No. Being hidden from immediate scrutiny.

    • tracey 10.2

      SIGH

    • adam 10.3

      Again it’s a long list…

      Welcome to NZ, a lying PM and a corporatocracy very full of itself – of late.

      • tracey 10.3.1

        but…but…but… he is popular and stuff so it cant be bad

        • aerobubble 10.3.1.1

          Popular for only so long as he does not look like a waste of space, and so by association voters feel vindicated for voting for him. Thats why its so telling, that Key hired a bureaucrat without militrary or spy experience, and could not fathom why highly intelligent spooks ran rings round his office, exposing Key to years of security crisises, data leaks, dot com, Collins, everyone was having a laugh at Key for leaving our security services open to abuse. And so by associatihe cabinet, the national party and suppose bastions of good decision making National voters. Key, forced out of his role as intelligence minster, wow, he really f.up. How does a PM do that, paryially sack himself from the serious sp ministry.

    • gsays 10.4

      jeez blip i would not want to get in your bad books.

      thanx heaps for the work in compiling the list (catalogue) of inconsistencies.
      it will be refered to many times by myself.

      • Chooky 10.4.1

        imagine being BLip’s partner or kids …it would be bloody scarey having all your lies/fibs/half truths /exaggerations/falsehoods / dissemblings documented …honesty would definitely be the best policy

        ….but the politicians deserve BLip!…and BLip does us all a great service…BLip would make a great intelligence analyst…maybe BLip should apply for whats- his- name’s job

        • Clemgeopin 10.4.1.1

          There is a vacancy at the GCSB. Ideal for BLiP!
          May be he should include his invaluable great list and apply for the job, just for fun, to see what happens!

    • You’re a national treasure, BLiP.

    • mickysavage 10.6

      Cheers BLiP. Please keep it up!

    • hoom 10.7

      I hate these lists.
      I love that you make them, but hate that Key is such a crook they exist.

      You should get them up on a website somewhere so they can be more easily tracked/pointed to.

    • Treetop 10.8

      I am sure that BLip could add to the list were he to have seen Fletcher on Campbell Live in the last quarter of 2014.

  11. Eralc 11

    It is for family reasons. Give him some space.

    • Colonial Rawshark 11.1

      You’re calling on reserves of trust and goodwill that he and his organisation never built or cared about building.

    • tricledrown 11.2

      Eralacky After all the controversy around Dirty Politics and KDC raids and his Dodgy fastracked appointment!
      Give me a break,it means he won’t have to answer questions about corrupting the GSCB by John Key for political gain by his childhood buddy who Key denied maintaining a friendship!

    • Tracey 11.3

      source/link?

      “give him a break”? What? he is not even reading here is he?

  12. ghostwhowalksnz 12

    My theory is that he missed out on the top job at Foreign Affairs that we know is open( the current head is going to the TAB)
    I bet he heard the result just before Xmas, and thought it over and handed in his resignation in New year.

    Normally head of GCSB is seen as an end of career job, but Fletcher isnt finished yet and wanted bigger and better things. He didnt leave his Queensland job to go to a dead end in Wellington.
    As well all previous heads of GCSB reported directly to PM, but Key is too lazy for that and was fobbed off on to his minions. Now its reporting to a middle ranked minister. In public service terms this is kiss of death, so time to go upwards or get out.

    Now the pretence of GCSB not spying on NZ citizens has been shown as a big lie, its likely to be folded into some sort of super agency ( its nationals DNA to create bureaucratic monsters)

  13. Papa tuanuku 13

    I’m finding Tracey’s posts a little incoherent. A bit of time on editing please

  14. Truth Will Out 14

    It appears that the Prime Sinister is running out of friends, and corners to hide in…

    • Sable 14.1

      Nice notion but I doubt that is what is happening in this case. Indeed even if Keys is forced out and he might be in time, the hydra that is National will just grow another head..

  15. Sable 15

    Why do we even have a GCSB or for that matter foreign intelligence services such as the NSA and CIA in NZ (anyone who does not think they are here is fooling themselves)?

    More than anything else this threatens not only human rights but also the sovereignty of this country by placing our freedoms in the hands of foreign interests.

  16. Clemgeopin 16

    Could be leaving for conscience driven family reasons of distressed families who were/are being spied on unethically, unfairly and illegally! That is perhaps what he enigmatically really meant by the phrase, ‘family reasons’!

    • Chooky 16.1

      @ Clemgeopin….very good rationale….and excellent reason for resigning

      ….i wonder what Winnie’s sources are telling him

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    Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log iPhone Without Computer
    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A StepbyStep Guide Losing your iPhone call history can be frustrating, especially when you need to find a specific number or recall an important conversation. But before you panic, know that there are ways to retrieve deleted call logs on your iPhone, even without a computer. This guide will explore various methods, ranging from simple checks to utilizing iCloud backups and thirdparty applications. So, lets dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. Thats why they introduced the Recently Deleted folder for various apps, including the Phone app. This folder acts as a safety net, storing deleted call logs for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. Heres how to check it: Open the Phone app on your iPhone. Tap on the Recents tab at the bottom. Scroll to the top and tap on Edit. Select Show Recently Deleted. Browse the list to find the call logs you want to recover. Tap on the desired call log and choose Recover to restore it to your call history. 2. Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you might be able to retrieve your deleted call log from a previous backup. However, keep in mind that this process will restore your entire phone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, potentially erasing any data added since then. Heres how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose Erase All Content and Settings. Follow the onscreen instructions. Your iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen. Choose Restore from iCloud Backup during the setup process. Select the relevant backup that contains your deleted call log. Wait for the restoration process to complete. 3. Explore ThirdParty Apps (with Caution): ...
    1 day ago
  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
    Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
    2 days ago
  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
    Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
    2 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    2 days ago
  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    2 days ago
  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    2 days ago
  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    2 days ago
  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    2 days ago
  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    2 days ago
  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    2 days ago
  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    2 days ago
  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    2 days ago
  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    2 days ago
  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    2 days ago
  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    2 days ago
  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    2 days ago
  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    2 days ago
  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    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
    4 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 ...
    4 days ago
  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to 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 ...
    4 days ago

  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours 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
    18 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
    20 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
    21 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
    22 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
    22 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
    22 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
    1 day 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
    3 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
    5 days ago
  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
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