GCSB spied on foreign communications to help Groser’s WTO bid

Written By: - Date published: 7:32 am, March 23rd, 2015 - 133 comments
Categories: Abuse of power, International, national, same old national, the praiseworthy and the pitiful, you couldn't make this shit up - Tags: , ,

A definite inclusion in the I kid you not file. David Fisher in the Herald revealed this morning that not only is the GCSB engaged in the detection of terrorist threats and the protection of national security but also the interception of communications in an attempt to assist Tim Groser’s bid to become the World Trade Organisation’s Director General.

From the Herald:

Our spies monitored email and internet traffic about international diplomats vying for the job of director-general of the World Trade Organisation – a job for which National Government Trade Minister Tim Groser was competing.

The spying operation was active in 2013 and called the “WTO Project” by New Zealand’s Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB), according to a top secret document obtained by the Herald and United States news site The Intercept.

The operation involved covert surveillance of candidates from Brazil, Costa Rica, Ghana, Jordan, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico and South Korea.

The GCSB tasking document which structured the search of internet traffic was designed to look for references to Mr Groser, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) role and his competitors, initially in any online communication but then narrowed to emails.

The WTO document can be read here.

Presumably at least some of the intercepted communications were diplomatic.  I wonder if New Zealand’s bid for election to the Security Council would have been as successful if friendly third world nations had discovered that New Zealand had been spying on their diplomats?

The Government’s response is the typical one, cast aspersions on the veracity of the document while at the same time neither confirm nor deny that the document is real.  Groser is quoted as saying:

We do not comment on such leaks because they are often wrong, they are deliberately timed to try and create political damage and we do not comment on any of them.

He was then asked if he knew the GCSB was conducting surveillance for him, and replied “I’ve got no comment to make whatsoever.”  A simple denial would have been preferable Tim unless you know that something was happening.

As well as the major international embarrassment the release will cause there is the not insignificant issue of possible breaches of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.  Diplomatic communications are meant to be sacrosanct.  The treaty is somewhat dated and does not easily fit into modern communications techniques but the expectation that nations do not spy on nations with which they have diplomatic relations is a strong theme of the treaty.  New Zealand has diplomatic relations with each of the above nations and significant relations with Brasil, Indonesia, Mexico and South Korea.

Nicky Hager said on Morning Report that he thinks that John Key sanctioned this spying.  Certainly under the no surprises policy it is difficult to understand how he did not know.

And there is the awkward question again posed on Morning Report if use of the phrase for the search “Tim Groser” meant that the GCSB was spying on a New Zealander in breach of section 14 of the GCSB Act.

It makes you wonder what else the GCSB is engaging in.  Spying on diplomats to seek an advantage in an election suggests that the moral limitations employed by the GCSB are minimal.

133 comments on “GCSB spied on foreign communications to help Groser’s WTO bid ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. b waghorn 1
    23 March 2015 at 7:42 am

    “It makes you wonder what else the GCSB is engaging in. Spying on diplomats to seek an advantage in an election suggests that the moral limitations employed by the GCSB are minimal.”
    I would imagine key would of instilled the same culture of the winner takes all and the end justify the means into the gcsb that is the guiding principle of the money and future trading would that he comes from.

    • whateva next? 1.1
      23 March 2015 at 7:50 am

      Bang on the nail there

      • Chris 1.1.1
        23 March 2015 at 7:27 pm

        More of the same, that’s what’s next. People should care about this but people don’t any more. Is part of the carefully planned dumbing down of all of us. Candyflossed news and Reality TV. This is what the Left needs to start thinking about if it’s ever going to save us: how to wake the masses into knowing what the right-wing filth are doing to us all. Simply harping on about issues doesn’t work in this environment. More is needed so that people can understand and care. Part of the right-wing agenda is making us not care – and it’s working.

  2. amirite 2
    23 March 2015 at 7:53 am

    This morning Bill English refused to comment on this, John Key is out of the country, which is all very convenient.
    And why has Ian Fletcher resigned from the head position at GCSB ? Private reasons? Yeah right.
    Anyone who thinks this Government isn’t using the GCSB for its own political advantage is very naive.

    • Treetop 2.1
      23 March 2015 at 1:24 pm

      +1 that Fletcher could not stomach his boss when it came to crossing ethical and moral boundaries.

      • rawshark-yeshe 2.1.1
        23 March 2015 at 4:33 pm

        you may be right about fletcher, but he didnt seem to mind when Key appointed him through lies and without due process ….

        • Kiwiri - Raided of the Last Shark 2.1.1.1
          23 March 2015 at 6:04 pm

          How convenient also that Fletcher is not here now to bat away the questions.

        • Anne 2.1.1.2
          23 March 2015 at 7:38 pm

          @ rawshark-yeshe
          He wasn’t living in NZ at the time. Perhaps he didn’t fully appreciate how much lying and lack of due process had been occurring.

          Where is he btw? Still living in NZ or has he moved off-shore again?

          • rawshark-yeshe 2.1.1.2.1
            23 March 2015 at 7:40 pm

            no idea Anne … hard to believe he was unaware of it. he had issues where he was in Queensland … sorry, but I don’t trust him either in this sorry gang of crooks.

            and as I recall, didn’t he come to a secret meeting before his announcement ?

            and where is the new of the GCSB on this I wonder …

            • Treetop 2.1.1.2.1.1
              24 March 2015 at 11:22 am

              Crooks even have their code of not dealing with another crook. Fletcher possibly has managed to climb out of a hole before he got stuck in it.

              • rawshark-yeshe …
                24 March 2015 at 3:39 pm

                yes. be good to believe that something like pedophilia might be too much for him to bear.

                • Treetop …
                  25 March 2015 at 12:35 pm

                  What is going to go down in the UK about how corrupt those in government have been and those with close ties who ignored and covered up serious sexual offending… Murdoch is not in the same league as the lowest of the low.

                  I am in agreement with your point of view, even though I differ a bit.

  3. whateva next? 3
    23 March 2015 at 8:05 am

    “We do not comment on such leaks because they are often wrong,….”
    Is it this comment that is wrong? Could Grosser be called on this? drill down to some facts instead of all the puffery?

  4. RJL 4
    23 March 2015 at 8:14 am

    Whenever a minister “refuses to comment” they are denying an OIA request. They should give reasons for denying comment and the reasons (or lack of) can be appealed to the OIA ombudsman.

  5. fisiani 5
    23 March 2015 at 8:26 am

    Do you want Tim Groser to be the WTO Director General or not?
    Do you want our top trade negotiator in this role?
    Do You want our interests voiced at the top table in trade?
    Or are you prepared to put petty point scoring like the above ahead of the best interest of New Zealand?
    Traitors!

    • mickysavage 5.1
      23 March 2015 at 8:30 am

      Come on Fisi. Arn’t you worried about the moral and legal and diplomatic implications of the activity?

      • tracey 5.1.1
        23 March 2015 at 8:38 am

        No, If John, Bill and Tim say it’s ok to slaughter people’s third born child Fizzy would mount a defence.

        • ghostwhowalksnz 5.1.1.1
          23 March 2015 at 11:20 am

          What real advantage did we get with Mike Moore in the top job at WTO.

          Its not like they are pushing our wheelbarrow here.

          • The Murphey 5.1.1.1.1
            23 March 2015 at 11:53 am

            Q. What did Mike Moore do to attain the position ?

            Would make for interesting speculation

            • greywarshark 5.1.1.1.1.1
              23 March 2015 at 3:06 pm

              I seem to remember that he tried to keep a profile in that part of the world but Mike Moore’s position didn’t mean that he had a big budget – had some very ordinary accommodation apparently.

      • Naki man 5.1.2
        23 March 2015 at 7:47 pm

        Rob Salmond has a good article on this, you should read it, it puts things in perspective. The GCSB are doing what they are paid for, oh that’s right Gweg you have read his article.

        • felix 5.1.2.1
          23 March 2015 at 8:16 pm

          “The GCSB are doing what they are paid for”

          So what?

          The fact that someone is paid for doing something doesn’t really influence my opinion on the worthiness of doing it.

          People get paid to do mob hits too. And to speculate on movements in the price of currencies, to conduct push-polling for David “DP” Farrar, to play in the Black Seeds, and to astroturf stupid catchphrases for Crosby/Textor.

          You could perform any of those tasks and legitimately claim you were doing what you were paid for, yet I would still say you were making the world worse by doing it.

        • mickysavage 5.1.2.2
          23 March 2015 at 8:34 pm

          Yes I have and I agree with his comment about the GCSB’s brief and if the action was legal or not. But if you read my post you would see that I raise issues concerning diplomatic immunity and also if spying on Groser’s stuff actually breached section 14. Knock yourself out and comment on these if you like.

          And learn how to spell Greg. Only diehard wing nuts use the spelling you use.

          • Naki man 5.1.2.2.1
            23 March 2015 at 9:57 pm

            I don’t know about section 14 so I cant comment on that.
            As for the spelling I was referring to your comment on his blog.

            “Gweg Pwesland says:

            23 March, 2015 – 17:18

            Fucking class traitor”

            [lprent: Really? If you wanted to stay on this site yah really shouldn’t have done that – we think it is soooo funnnnny having idiots imitating real people. That dickhead troll who tours the blogs with his puerile comments should just be banned whereever he does it. But since he isn’t, I’ll just to do that to you.

            Banned 3 months as a surrogate troll and for reproducing this twit here.

            Lets hope this makes other dickheads think before they stroke their humour and cum with excitement pouring out of their brain. ]

        • Macro 5.1.2.3
          23 March 2015 at 9:45 pm

          The GCSB are doing what they are paid for..

          No they are not paid to advance the careers of politicians. It does not advance our “international relations” or “economic well-being”. It was purely for the advantage of Tim. Such an action is simply corrupt. Just like almost everything else this sham of a government indulges in.
          Furthermore the defence of – “we were just doing our job” – is no defence at all – as the jailers in the concentration camps found out.

    • dv 5.2
      23 March 2015 at 8:31 am

      Spying on diplomatic communications is hardly petty point scoring.
      Morality should come into it Fisiani.

      • rhinocrates 5.2.1
        23 March 2015 at 10:19 am

        Psychologists call it projection – F is attributing his own motives to everyone else. He constantly carps on about how wonderful Key is “winning points” in short-term exchanges, reflexively mimics that – ineptly – and assumes that everyone else is an evil mirror image.

        Push his buttons if you like and you may get some amusement out of his reactions, but he’ll fail the Turing Test every time.

    • Stuart Munro 5.3
      23 March 2015 at 8:35 am

      No Fisiani I do not want Groser in the WTO. He would be better in prison, like most of the rest of the Gnats. But it’s easy to understand the use of the GCSB – no honest process would elect a Gnat as a dog catcher, much less a significant world trade figure.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 5.4
      23 March 2015 at 8:36 am

      Fisiani says it’s ok for the government to commit crimes. Does he endorse identity theft and copyright infringement too?

    • tracey 5.5
      23 March 2015 at 8:37 am

      Given his work on duping NZers into signing the TPP I have no doubt his being head of WTO is not int he best interest of NZers.

    • amirite 5.6
      23 March 2015 at 9:14 am

      From these questions fisiani posed the next logical question would be:
      Do you want that nice smiley man John Key as your PM or the devil incarnate that is the Labour-Green coalition?

      Bring on the Stasi.

    • tricledrown 5.7
      23 March 2015 at 9:53 am

      Fisianil.
      Stooping lower everytime you post what ever happened to honesty integrity moral high ground.
      Democracy and freedom is being continually underminded by John Key and cronies New Zealand’s reputation has been tarnished by the unbridled power Key is “corruptly”using.
      Dirty Double Dealing Corrupt lying Cheating Charlatans National Govt.

    • tricledrown 5.8
      23 March 2015 at 10:01 am

      Grosser!
      Need I say more.
      Wife abuser
      Drug abuser
      Democracy abuser
      Key
      Dirty lowlife politician with no scruples
      Will stop at nothing to get his way.
      Merrill Lynch behaviour corrupt insider trading .
      That John Keys past now catching up
      Karmas a bitch.

    • HumPrac 5.9
      23 March 2015 at 10:56 am

      fisiani, it seems your moral compass is not calibrated correctly.

    • Draco T Bastard 5.10
      23 March 2015 at 12:33 pm

      Do you want Tim Groser to be the WTO Director General or not?

      Nope because he’s a fuken idiot and authoritarian schmuck as well.

      Do you want our top trade negotiator in this role?

      He’s not.

      Do You want our interests voiced at the top table in trade?

      Yep but that precludes anybody from National as they only represent the rich and the US.

      Traitors!

      That would be National and you.

    • felix 5.11
      23 March 2015 at 1:05 pm

      “Do you want Tim Groser to be the WTO Director General or not?”

      Nah fizzy, I’d prefer someone with NZs interests at heart.

    • Treetop 5.12
      23 March 2015 at 1:37 pm

      I wonder if the jet boat ride was even bugged?

      The life jackets would have been a good place.

      Entertained and spied on by the smiling assassin. (Gutter politics).

    • whateva next? 5.13
      23 March 2015 at 2:39 pm

      “Best interest” you say? and who decides that? Not in my name thankyou, rather be left with integrity intact than in shreds, it goes alot further than a few dollars, especially at the end of your days.

    • hoom 5.14
      23 March 2015 at 3:56 pm

      https://youtu.be/hn1VxaMEjRU
      Are we the baddies?

      If we are doing this level of bad stuff to get it then no, I don’t want a NZer to be the WTO Director General.

      Traitors do illegal bad stuff to get that kind of position.

      In fact, even without that I don’t want an extreme Free Market/Globalistation apologist like him in WTO Director General regardless of where he comes from.

      I want a Fair Trade advocate there.
      It doesn’t matter where he comes from, its Fair Trade that is important not national interest.

    • McFlock 5.15
      23 March 2015 at 5:18 pm

      Traitors?
      But fisi, if we have nothing to hide, we have nothing to fear…

    • Murray Rawshark 5.16
      23 March 2015 at 7:32 pm

      Do you want Tim Groser to be the WTO Director General or not?

      No

      Do you want our top trade negotiator in this role?

      Not if you mean Groser.

      Do You want our interests voiced at the top table in trade?

      That’d be a novel idea. Who could do it?

      Or are you prepared to put petty point scoring like the above ahead of the best interest of New Zealand?

      No. You’re the idiot who tries to do that.

      Traitors!

      Nope. We’re not the ones prepared to betray 90% of the country. Big fail today, Fizzy.

    • Wynston 5.17
      24 March 2015 at 1:55 pm

      You are way behind the times mate! Groser missed out on the position!

  6. rawshark-yeshe 6
    23 March 2015 at 8:37 am

    begs the question why NSA and masters would want Groser in the top WTO job ?? How completely sold out are we already ?? Bstrds.

    and +100 Amirite: “Anyone who thinks this Government isn’t using the GCSB for its own political advantage is very naive.” ( But they know nothing about Sabin. Right.)

  7. tracey 7
    23 March 2015 at 8:40 am

    Each leak gives us more an dmore confirmation that the GCSB is not about terrorism but a secret back door subsidised service for large corporates.

  8. Corokia 8
    23 March 2015 at 9:10 am

    Would be interesting to know if the GCSB ran a similar targeted operation against the countries that we were competing against for the security council seat.

    • Anne 8.1
      23 March 2015 at 9:59 am

      I hope Winston Peters uses this in the final lead up to the byelection.

      The line of attack for all opposition parties should be:

      “If this government is happy to intercept the communications of individuals overseas for political gain, what are they prepared to do to NZers whom they feel threatened by, or who disagree with them?”

      This story brings the matter into a more personal context than the previous GCSB revelations, and could well be the catalyst for a change in voter attitude.

      • Sacha 8.1.1
        23 March 2015 at 10:54 am

        I trust Winston is pragmatic enough not to muddy the waters by raising an issue like this when there are ones like jobs, incomes, health, infrastructure that resonate far more with the voters of Northland than with those of Thorndon.

        • Anne 8.1.1.1
          23 March 2015 at 11:01 am

          Of course Sacha, but it’s possible a reporter may ask him to comment on the latest GCSB revelations. He has been vocal on the GCSB stories in the past so he might as well express an opinion.

          • Sacha 8.1.1.1.1
            23 March 2015 at 11:28 am

            He will be totally focused on winning that electorate. This issue will not achieve that. He’s smarter than some others on that front.

            • Anne 8.1.1.1.1.1
              23 March 2015 at 6:43 pm

              Looking forward to Andrew Little leaving no Labour voter in any doubt where to cast their vote – mid week I hope. No use doing it before tomorrow’s cricket. No-one will be listening. 😉

              • Clemgeopin …
                23 March 2015 at 10:59 pm

                Today, he has given more hints. The best yet. I think the voters, be they left, right or centre will KNOW by now what is the best way to vote at THIS by-election for their own good and for the good of Northland.

                For this by-election, the SMARTEST thing any voter in Northland could do is to vote for Winston Peters and thus send a very telling message to the government and get maximum attention to their region.

                If they vote for Osborne and elect a Nat again, like they have stupidly/innocently/loyally done and been ignored, fooled and sucked in for the last nearly 70 years, then they are nuts! I hope they are smarter than that.

                http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/labours-northland-by-election-money-back-guarantee-2015032318

        • Clemgeopin 8.1.1.2
          23 March 2015 at 10:38 pm

          +1

          The matter of illegal spying should be raised with the Inspector General, the police and parliament asap, but not muddy the waters and give the Nats to capitalise with more lies, spin and bullshit.

    • ghostwhowalksnz 8.2
      23 March 2015 at 10:06 am

      Absolutely sure the US itself is manipulating the elections for security council members, email surveillance would be one of those.

      But as its a country rather than a person thats up for election they have to use a different approach.

      Often countries essentially bribe other nations for their votes, we dont quite have the resources for that but if you are really clever you bring important people who could influence minor countries votes on this matter to NZ, and then hoover up their communications to see if they need ‘more persuading’ or just more money.

      Remember the secret tour of flash tourist spots for some countries UN delegations ?
      They probably had one of those mobile cellphone spoofing units that followed this group around the country to keep an eye on their ‘chatter”

  9. Corokia 9
    23 March 2015 at 9:27 am

    Guyon Espiner interupted Brent Edwards, who was pointing out that the GCSB claim to be under resourced and was questioning why are they spending money on this instead of ‘fighting terrorism’. Espiner cut him short to say Mike Moore was head of the WTO, bringing up the ‘its old news’ and ‘they did it too’ responses.

    • ghostwhowalksnz 9.1
      23 March 2015 at 9:59 am

      Mike Moore was head of WTO from 1999 to 2002.

      The NSA email surveillance was in infancy back then and GCSB would have been on the outer due to the effects of the nuclear ships situation.

      You have to wonder about the reference to MM came about because of the dirty politics feed that Espiner would have been getting from Keys media office on this matter.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 9.2
      23 March 2015 at 10:35 am

      Ferguson’s interview with Hager focused in part on the legality of the GCSB’s activities. They agreed that they haven’t broken any New Zealand law. For once.

      What about the laws of the countries whose citizens have been targeted?

      If some Icelander taps my phone I’d expect the courts to issue an international warrant for their arrest.

      • ghostwhowalksnz 9.2.1
        23 March 2015 at 11:11 am

        Its a jurisdiction thing. They arent tapping your phone as such and they arent doing it in Iceland.

        Its the meta data they are mostly interested in for the mass surveillance

        • One Anonymous Bloke 9.2.1.1
          23 March 2015 at 11:18 am

          Tell the judge.

          every one is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years who intentionally intercepts any private communication by means of an interception device.

          NZ Crimes Act.

          PS: in this example (WTO) they collected a lot more than metadata. Can you show me a country in the world where it isn’t illegal?

          PPS: A New Zealand court has jurisdiction in New Zealand, which is where my phone is. That Icelander’s going down.

          • Colonial Rawshark 9.2.1.1.1
            23 March 2015 at 11:25 am

            The US is spreading the practice of bringing law enforcement agencies on side by giving them select access to intelligence databases. Law enforcement agents illegally gather intel on subjects/suspects and then later on conducts a “parallel reconstruction” of legally obtained evidence through normal policing methods which is eventually presented before the courts.

            What Bill Binney calls a “planned programmed perjury policy.”

            In other words, don’t expect such charges to ever be laid by law enforcement authorities who are benefiting from these same systems.

            It’s an utter undermining of democratic rule of law.

        • One Anonymous Bloke 9.2.1.2
          23 March 2015 at 11:26 am

          The warrants, by the way, might be issued by the High courts of Brazil, Costa Rica, Ghana, Jordan, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico and South Korea.

          They would name John Phillip Key and un-named employees of the GCSB.

  10. Wonderpup 10
    23 March 2015 at 10:04 am

    NZ has turned from the quiet kid at the back of the class who didn’t speak, but when they did everyone listened, to the wee one behind the bully, waiting to get a kick in once their victim is down.

  11. ianmac 11
    23 March 2015 at 10:08 am

    In the old days “No Comment” stimulated interest and the questions became fiercer and more persistent. Now days it becomes “Ho hum.”
    What does it need to hold these people to account?

  12. ghostwhowalksnz 12
    23 March 2015 at 10:13 am

    One thing this post has got wrong is that they arent spying on true diplomatic communications.

    If you are sending sensitive diplomatic messages by standard email you need your head read.

    First they would use ultra high strength encryption probably using one time pads or some other similar techniques.

    Bit of course catching up on email chatter about select individuals could pick up leakages from the secure comms. And more interesting any gossip true or false would be very useful as well

    • HumPrac 12.1
      23 March 2015 at 11:09 am

      As with all encryption I do wonder who it is that is making such encryption programs, and whether many encryption programs come from the same company under a different banner and therefore giving a particular company access to MOST encrypted data worldwide.
      That way people feel they are safe and will provide even more information to the internet, particularly information they otherwise would not share publicly.
      They cannot provide source code for their encryption programs because it would compromise the programs security, however it is also insecure to NOT provide the source code due to the creator of the code being able to hide some counter-privacy code into the program.
      Either way, encryption is not even close to the “be all and end all” of digital security.

      • ghostwhowalksnz 12.1.1
        23 March 2015 at 11:14 am

        Exactly.
        There is a lot of concern that NSA has its fingers in the pie regarding the development of standard computer encryption algorythms.

        You could say that no encryption method seems to be safe from tampering

      • Colonial Rawshark 12.1.2
        23 March 2015 at 11:29 am

        As with all encryption I do wonder who it is that is making such encryption programs, and whether many encryption programs come from the same company under a different banner and therefore giving a particular company access to MOST encrypted data worldwide.

        You are referring to the NSA “Bullrun” encrypt systems weakening and exploitation programme.

        “Basically, the NSA asks companies to subtly change their products in undetectable ways: making the random number generator less random, leaking the key somehow, adding a common exponent to a public-key exchange protocol, and so on,”“If the backdoor is discovered, it’s explained away as a mistake. And as we now know, the NSA has enjoyed enormous success from this program.” said cryptographer Bruce Schneier.

        However, people like Snowden, Binney and Greenwald believe that well chosen encryption methods still presents big (though not insurmountable) problems for NSA technology.

        http://securityaffairs.co/wordpress/17577/intelligence/nsa-bullrun-program-false-perception-security.html

        http://www.propublica.org/article/the-nsas-secret-campaign-to-crack-undermine-internet-encryption

    • mickysavage 12.2
      23 March 2015 at 8:41 pm

      I used the phrase “[p]resumably at least some of the intercepted communications were diplomatic” to try and cover this. I agree that in the best run embassies everything would be protected to within an inch of its life but I suspect that a lot of messages, for instance from cellphones, were not encrypted and still searchable. And metadata is king …

  13. Colonial Rawshark 13
    23 March 2015 at 10:34 am

    So they were willing to use XKEYSCORE and other such NSA tools to help a senior National politician win a major elected position.

    I wonder if they have done the same for any other senior National politicians.

    • Anne 13.1
      23 March 2015 at 10:51 am

      When NZ senior Opposition politicians – leaders in particular – are invited to take part in overseas events of a political or trade nature, are they safe from the prying eyes of the GCSB or one of their Five Eye partners?

      I would say the answer is… NO.

  14. nom 14
    23 March 2015 at 11:49 am

    Interesting that this document is dated 2013, well after the Snowden documents.

    I wonder where it was sourced from?

  15. infused 15
    23 March 2015 at 12:23 pm

    Still not using secure mail huh. Well then.

  16. Draco T Bastard 16
    23 March 2015 at 12:30 pm

    So, National uses the state apparatus to increase their own power while kissing up to the US?

    • Rolf 16.1
      23 March 2015 at 2:09 pm

      Soooo, how do you think they won the election? It is not only power, it is also business, spying to keep the power edge of US and their satellite states business. Terrorism protection is only the cover.

      • Draco T Bastard 16.1.1
        23 March 2015 at 5:17 pm

        So, what you’re saying there is that you support National’s corrupt practices because it’s just business?

        • McFlock 16.1.1.1
          23 March 2015 at 5:20 pm

          …and he doesn’t want private corporation’s tax records made public because of privacy and safety fears. Complex character, is rolf.

        • Rolf 16.1.1.2
          23 March 2015 at 5:30 pm

          No – what I am saying is that I am one of those who would love to clean up town, but how. Why do people vote for these corrupt practices.

          • Murray Rawshark 16.1.1.2.1
            23 March 2015 at 7:44 pm

            As opposed to the transparency seen in China?

          • Draco T Bastard 16.1.1.2.2
            23 March 2015 at 8:50 pm

            Why do people vote for these corrupt practices.

            Because that’s what they’ve been acculturated to. Capitalism is inherently corrupt but our culture holds it as good and so corruption, as seen in the National Party, is accepted as normal.

  17. Neil 17
    23 March 2015 at 1:21 pm

    Nothing suprises me anymore of what Key has been sanctioning in regards to the GCSB.

  18. Melanie Scott 18
    23 March 2015 at 1:47 pm

    KGB, FSB, GCSB – they all sound pretty similar to me, especially when it comes to ‘dirty tricks’. More pollonium anyone?

  19. Tracey 19
    23 March 2015 at 2:49 pm

    dr mapp and mr groser say kiwis cant know about tpp details cos it is confidential so as to preserve negotiating positions. yet we are spying on everyone… so is usa… aussie… uk etc.. so no one has any secret positions.

    SO TELL US THE DETAIL OF TPP

  20. greywarshark 20
    23 March 2015 at 3:25 pm

    Am I allwed to call myself Fisiani-2? Maybe the comments I put up with links to facts that we are all concerned about might get some interest. While F draws out so many who have wise and witty putdowns to his deliberate and sly offerings, I can spend a considerable time looking for details on google and putting up links on current important matters and don’t get even a slight bit of recognition.

    Is this a blog for concerned, informed people or a yard for releasing the doggy pets to run around with tongues hanging out. Yap yap. What a laugh Fisiani has. Every day. So are you commentators or common taters? And tell me what you think of me for criticising you. Don’t hold back will you.

    • Tracey 20.1
      23 March 2015 at 3:30 pm

      feeling unloved grey?

      lots of people comment and have no replies…

    • Anne 20.2
      23 March 2015 at 3:58 pm

      Have sympathy for greywarshark. Right wing trolls and other National Party apparatchiks are given way too much attention on this site to the detriment of more genuine reflections. By all means call them out when they tell lies or make unacceptable claims – as happened to Wayne Mapp yesterday – but don’t over-feed them which is exactly what they set out to achieve!

    • b waghorn 20.3
      23 March 2015 at 4:01 pm

      Guilty as charged in my defence I’d like to say I can’t quite figure fisi out,
      Is it for real, is it a stirrer or devils advocate or a not that clever little t ——

      • tracey 20.3.1
        24 March 2015 at 6:52 am

        not for real… in th sense that he/she deliberately pens slogans designed to inflame.

    • freedom 20.4
      23 March 2015 at 4:19 pm

      Don’t forget that many ‘lurkers’ read The Standard and never make a comment.

      Many people also come here specifically for the diversity of information that finds its way onto the boards and are not really interested in the dialogues.

      If there are topics you feel deserve more attention however, try putting together a guest post. A very good feature of the site. All in all though, I would agree it is perplexing at times, what comments garner attention and what is passed by.

      • greywarshark 20.4.1
        24 March 2015 at 10:24 am

        freedom
        Many people also come here specifically for the diversity of information that finds its way onto the boards and are not really interested in the dialogues.

        Diversity of information – from Fisiani and his ilk? Allowing RW to dominate the discourse means that time is not going into the diverse stuff that is serious, and that goes beyond who is going to get into parliament too.

        We know that there is a mountain to climb after that hill is gained. How can we prepare for the future unless we concentrate on understanding the options, trying to measure their various merits and that requires most of our attention. We didn’t do it in 1984 when we were blinded to what so-called Labour was ushering in. Now is our last chance to divert some of the bad stuff. We haven’t got much money, or time. so we have to think.

        And let Fisiani and other naysayers and uncaring bastards amuse themselves while we fulfil the role that I understand the people here have envisaged for themselves. And that is to be the fermenting tank for new ideas, for working through old ones and get them revised, refined and ready for use. Also for learning and applying our minds to critiquing what we have learned so we have useful, worthwhile, workable ideas ready that can form policies when people with integrity and nous have the opportunity to apply those characteristics. And this will happen if we stay staunch. Thinking about a left wing think tank is an idea. That is if there isn’t already such a thing that can be developed and funded to extend its expertise and range.

        And as for spending a lot of time preparing posts, some of them hardly get read at all judging by the comments. I have got lots to do at home, I am not amused, as Queen Vic is supposed to have said, at the society and culture we have today. So I work away at thinking and understanding but like everyone I have limited time.

        I am not a great believer in relying on the the magic silent majority. When the work to agitate and promote policies and action for a better government with better and practical policies is needed, will they appear and become vocal, roll up their sleeves and get alongside the little green/red hen? Or stay on the sidelines, cheering or sniping while they wait to join the winning side?
        edited

        • freedom 20.4.1.1
          24 March 2015 at 3:50 pm

          Blogging is still evolving as a go-to source of information, or a place to promote action to bring change. Political blogs have the added responsibility of being a de-facto fourth estate. This is nothing less than a battle to get people to critically perceive the highly selective interpretation of reality that the MSM adopt as political information and/or news. Blogs are still fairly new to the community

          Many people are only beginning to adopt political blogs as an addition to their regular news gathering routine. It is fair to say The Standard has a very strong identity in that area. Any change in a community’s behaviour is a slow process. Any real world impacts are likely happening in conversations many degrees of separation away from when the information was sourced via the Standard [or similar].

          LPrent often makes figures available which clearly show the very large numbers of people who are visiting but not commenting. I have had numerous experiences out in the real world that people do read/think/react to what is written on these boards and that the efforts of those who contribute, in whichever way they can, are not in vain. The impact of these efforts might not be as tangible as people might like, but they exist.

          Discussing ‘widely understood’ concepts is one thing. Introducing new ideas or restructuring existing ones is even more difficult. So don’t feel discouraged if responses are not as immediate or as voluminous as expected. Revisit the concept, alter its presentation. Listen to what generates activity in other dialogues. As way of example, I have presented my ideas on reforming political donations in NZ a handful of times now. The concept of the EDRNZ has had barely any response, but I still push it forward now and again, because as an idea I feel it is worth the effort. It is a choice I make in a forum that is designed for such actions. Even with limited response from the community, I understand the core of the idea more fully and without exposing it to others I would have been denied that input. As a bonus, I get to let loose an idea into the under-brush, not knowing what interest it may raise, or when. Development of ideas is like the regeneration of native bush, an ongoing action where only time has the true perspective.

          Tramping through the bush are the humans. Amongst the more egregious are characters like fisiani, alwyn, He of the Beige etc. Then the hobby horse packs rumble through and you are not alone in tiring of their regularity. Nothing to do there but make the choice to interact, or not. At least, now and again they provide some unexpected entertainment and as Gosman has shown, they [mostly] have a sense of humour, he of the beige being the obvious exception.

          Positive changes are ongoing and abundant. A healthy community has little need for policing. Many of the recent rebukes, which are very few these days, have not come from the actions of mods per se, but from a physical shifting of attention, a turning away from those who have been less than helpful to the discussion. This is a positive constructive activity driven by the users’ focus, not mere reactions to a moderator’s decision. I am hopeful actions rebuked are lessons learned, for all concerned.

          Human life is built of days, and days have their tides. As these bulwarks to a constructive dialogue are eroded, ebb and flows in topic-focus are to be expected. The structure this erosion reveals displays a stability of purpose that all Standardistas should be proud of.

          What I choose to believe to exist, amongst all of that, is a genuine effort to reach as many people as possible with the most comprehensive collection of openly expressed viewpoints available to aid the change of thinking required to build a better New Zealand. If that takes a little time, it takes a little time.

    • mickysavage 20.5
      23 March 2015 at 8:43 pm

      Sorry g like few others fisi brings out the worst in us …

  21. Puckish Rogue 21
    23 March 2015 at 4:09 pm

    Oh noes! Our spies are spying!! For the betterment of NZ!!! Heavens to Murgatroyd!!!!

    I say well done to the GCSB, they’re obviously good at what they do (got NZ to the WTO) and, hopefully, they can do more that will help NZ

    This is what countries do and I have no doubt NZ is spying on Australia and vice versa when it comes to trade

    So is this the best Hagers panty-sniffing can come up with up?

    • felix 21.1
      23 March 2015 at 4:30 pm

      The best? Nah, I think the best so far is that all of our communications are intercepted and stored forever.

      This is just another piece in the puzzle.

      Funny how you guys deny deny deny everything and claim Hager made it all up, then when presented with the evidence you do a 180 and insist that everybody knew about this stuff all along.

      Predictable, but still funny.

      • freedom 21.1.1
        23 March 2015 at 4:37 pm

        exhibit A: Puckish Rogue August 18 2014 “Hager has an book full of smears, lies and half-truths out,”

        when pushed on “if it is not true, sue…’
        he does go on to say
        “Spin version: We don’t want to give Hager anymore oxygen

        Real version: If it comes to court then he’ll probably be proven correct whereas this way we can just discredit him so why take the chance”
        http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-18082014/

    • rawshark-yeshe 21.2
      23 March 2015 at 4:50 pm

      panty sniffing ? really ? why not underpants sniffing ? says more about you than it does about Nicky Hager.

      (@puckish rogue #21)

    • Colonial Rawshark 21.3
      23 March 2015 at 8:55 pm

      So is this the best Hagers panty-sniffing can come up with up?

      It’s very interesting that you bring up the subject of “panty sniffing” in relation to our Intelligence agencies. It has already been confirmed many times that workers with access to highly confidential official information systems can sometimes use that access to look up previous partners, spy on current partners, find out more about potential love interests etc.

      In the US press, this kind of activity was nicknamed “LOVEINT.” Kim Dotcom has also alleged that NZ intelligence agency workers made highly inappropriate sexual comments about his (separated) wife. One presumes that they had full access to all her electronic communications and devices.

      “Panty sniffing” indeed.

      • tracey 21.3.1
        24 March 2015 at 6:53 am

        Interesting that John Key said the Koreans didnt care their contender for WTO had been spied on by us (US), but no reporter bothered to ask the guy himself?

        • Colonial Rawshark 21.3.1.1
          24 March 2015 at 6:10 pm

          I can tell you that it is very very unlikely (regardless of what niceties the South Koreans might have told MFAT) that they blew off this bad faith action from NZ as a nothing.

  22. Tautoko Mangō Mata 22
    23 March 2015 at 4:12 pm

    This spying by the GCSB on other contenders for World Trade Organisation’s Director General illustrates the absence of any sense of common decency and has brought our country into disrepute. It is no different to the Government spying on David Cunliffe or Andrew Little or even on Winston Peters and who is to say that this is in fact not happening or has not already happened?

    Shame! Not in my name.

  23. Once was Tim 23
    23 March 2015 at 4:14 pm

    As far as I’m concerned Fizz, we crossed the line a while ago (as well you probably know – even intelligence natives are starting to feel restless). Spin, BS and “everyone does it” (which they don’t) ain’t going to cut it as things progress, going forward, so-to-speak, as a matter of fek, ekshly.
    This isn’t use of the apparatus of State to keep sovereignty and people secure from the various definitions of tear-ism, but rather its a ‘club’ who think they’re born to rule completely misusing that apparatus – so arrogant they think they’ll never be found out.
    ….. and just because they’ve ‘lucked in’ at a time of a disengaged, dumbed down, compliant population, it doesn’t mean that’ll always be the case. Boy! wooden wann b in their shoes eh? – Not so much now but more like in ten years when their grave are being pissed on and their offspring ridiculed.

  24. Once was Tim 24
    23 March 2015 at 5:08 pm

    If I was a Gnatzi round about now, I’d be starting to worry about my legacy and the ‘infliction’ on my offspring.
    Of course that’s not part of Gnatzis understandings and learnings (being as arrogant, ideologically driven, and obtaining ‘learnings’ parrot-fashion as they are).
    My how history repeats eh?

    (Note to the sage – error message on submission: Please fill in name, etc, etc – which they already were). Now I suspect positioning will be at the bottom of the thread.

    Hard life trying to create the perfect site eh? Pesky little bugs pop up authored by others in their bid to create the perfek environment.

  25. Naki man 25
    23 March 2015 at 7:21 pm

    Here is a lefties point of view

    http://polity.co.nz/content/spying-groser

    • felix 25.1
      23 March 2015 at 7:40 pm

      The thing about lefties, they’re just like lawyers, scientists, and historians. I can always find one to give a counter view.

      • tracey 25.1.1
        24 March 2015 at 6:54 am

        I guess that means from now on everything Rob Salmond writes will be accepted by Naki and all those on the Right?

        • felix 25.1.1.1
          24 March 2015 at 1:41 pm

          Yep, and it also means I can point to anything said by Rodney Hide and Naki has to agree with it.

  26. Whateva next? 26
    23 March 2015 at 7:40 pm

    I hope we aren’t listening in to other competitors in the cricket World Cup team talks…..after all it would be legal. Hollow victory that would be.

    • Murray Rawshark 26.1
      23 March 2015 at 7:58 pm

      The GCSB is allowed to spy on foreigners. Winning tournaments held in Aotearoa is important to NAct, so the boys will be spying.

  27. McGrath 27
    23 March 2015 at 8:05 pm

    Do the non-political public honestly care about the GCSB though?

    • Anne 27.1
      23 March 2015 at 8:13 pm

      Nope. Most of them don’t understand or even want to understand. But you never know, over time something might seep through into their collective subconscious. It’s possible…

    • Naki man 27.2
      23 March 2015 at 8:15 pm

      Only that traitor Hager and a few other paranoid nutters care about the GCSB.

      • felix 27.2.1
        23 March 2015 at 8:33 pm

        Hey Naki, the traitors are the people handing all our communications over to a foreign power, not the people showing us how that happens.

      • Pascals bookie 27.2.2
        23 March 2015 at 8:43 pm

        Are Hager’s SAS sources traitors too, tough guy?

      • Colonial Rawshark 27.2.3
        23 March 2015 at 8:48 pm

        Only that traitor Hager and a few other paranoid nutters care about the GCSB.

        The GCSB is an integral element of the multibillion dollar FVEY surveillance network. This network which has the American NSA at its centre, has been greatly expanded under the pretence of fighting “terrorism” but evidence shows that it is being used in extremely undemocratic and underhanded ways against ordinary citizens, legitimate political groups and even friendly or allied nations in economic or diplomatic negotiations.

        This kind of unbridled power is toxic to any democracy and we shouldn’t allow it to happen on our watch.

      • Anne 27.2.4
        23 March 2015 at 9:30 pm

        @ Naki fella

        Thanks for providing indisputable evidence for my 27.1. Much appreciated.

      • whateva next? 27.2.5
        24 March 2015 at 7:15 am

        Oh don’t you wish? Wacky man

    • infused 27.3
      24 March 2015 at 1:14 am

      Not when it’s for the good of NZ, like in this case.

  28. tracey 28
    24 March 2015 at 7:39 am

    “He said surveillance on the Indonesian candidate was “truly repugnant for our long-term relationship” with the world’s largest Muslim country. Terence O’Brien – former UN ambassador, ambassador to the WTO-Gatt and president of the UN Security Council – was stunned. “What on earth were they trying to do?” asked Mr O’Brien, a diplomat of 40 years.” NZ herald today

    I guess he is just a “screaming left-wing conspiracy theorist”

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • The Angry Majority.
    The People's Champion vs The People's Prosecutor: It is the news media’s job to elicit information from politicians – not to prosecute them. Peters’ promise to sort out TVNZ should be believed. If he finds himself in a position to carry out his threat, then it will only be because ...
    Bowalley Road
    4 hours ago

  • Verrall is chuffed by govt’s latest push into pay equity while Woods enthuses about an $11m spend ...
    Buzz from the Beehive The headline on a ministerial press statement curiously expresses the government’s position when it declares:   Government shows further commitment to pay equity for healthcare workers. Is it not enough to declare just one commitment? Or is the government’s commitment to pay equity being declared sector by ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 hours ago

  • A very worthy coalition partner for Seymour and Luxon
    There have been 53 New Zealand Parliaments so far. The 39th of them was elected in 1978. It was a parliament of 92 MPs, most of them men. The New Zealand Music Awards that year named John Rowles Male Vocalist of the Year and — after a short twelve months ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 hours ago

  • Labour still protecting the status quo
    Aotearoa has a cost of living crisis. And one of the major drivers of this crisis is the supermarket duopoly, who gouge every dollar they can out of us. Last year, the Commerce Commission found that the duopoly was in fact anti-competititve, giving the government social licence to fix the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 hours ago

  • Gordon Campbell on National’s myths about the desolated state of the economy
    Familiarity breeds consent. If you repeat the line “six years of economic mis-management” about 10,000 times, it sounds like the received wisdom, whatever the evidence to the contrary. Yes, the global pandemic and the global surge in inflation that came in its wake occurred here as well – but if ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    7 hours ago

  • MICHAEL BASSETT: Hapless Hipkins and his racism
    Michael Bassett writes – Without so much as batting an eyelid, Chris Hipkins told an audience on Saturday that there had been “more racism” in this election campaign than ever before. And he blamed it on the opposition parties, National, Act and New Zealand First. In those ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 hours ago

  • BRIAN EASTON: The ‘recession’ has been called off, but some households are still struggling
    While the economy is not doing too badly in output terms, external circumstances are not favourable, and there is probably a sizeable group of households struggling because of rising interest rates. Brian Easton writes – Last week’s announcement of a 0.9 percent increase in volume GDP for ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    9 hours ago

  • Monday’s Chorus: Richie Poulton's lament
    “You can't really undo what happens during childhood”, said the director of the Dunedin longitudinal study. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Richie Poulton, the director of the world-leading Dunedin longitudinal study showing how devastating poverty in early life is, died yesterday. With his final words, he lamented the lack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    12 hours ago

  • North-western downgrades
    This is a guest post from reader Peter N As many of us know, Auckland Transport and Waka Kotahi are well into progressing works on the northwestern interim “busway” with services to kick off in just over a month from now on Sunday 12th November 2023. Some of the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    13 hours ago

  • Has Webworm Found New Zealand’s Weirdest School?
    Hi,Before we talk about weird schools people choose to send their kids to, a few things on my mind. I adored the Ask Me Anything we did last week. Thanks for taking part. I love answering your weird and nosy questions, even questions about beans.I am excited and scared as Mister ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    14 hours ago

  • Another mother of a budget
    A National government would make spending cuts on a scale not seen since the 1990 – 96 Bolger government.That much was confirmed with the release of their Fiscal Plan on Friday.Government spending is currently high as a percentage of GDP — as high as it was during the Muldoon ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    16 hours ago

  • A crucial week starts as early voting opens in the NZ Elections … it’s been a ride so far. Are y...
    Chris Hipkins down with Covid, at least for 5 days isolation, National continue to obfuscate, ACT continues to double-down on the poor and Winston… well, he’s being Winston really. Voters beware: this week could be even more infuriating than the last. No Party is what they used to be ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    24 hours ago

  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #39
    A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Sep 24, 2023 thru Sat, Sep 30, 2023. Story of the Week We’re not doomed yet’: climate scientist Michael Mann on our last chance to save human civilisation The renowned US ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 day ago

  • Clusterf**ck of Chaos.
    On the 11th of April 1945 advancing US forces liberated the Nazi concentration camp of Buchenwald near Weimar in Germany. In the coming days, under the order of General Patton, a thousand nearby residents were forced to march to the camp to see the atrocities that had been committed in ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • The party of business deals with the future by pretending it isn’t coming
    Years and years ago, when Helen Clark was Prime Minister and John Key was gunning for her job, I had a conversation with a mate, a trader who knew John Key well enough to paint a helpful picture.It was many drinks ago so it’s not a complete one. But there’s ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • 2023 More Reading: September (+ Old Phuul update)
    Completed reads for September: The Lost Continent, by C.J. Cutcliffe Hyne Flatland, by Edwin Abbott All Quiet on the Western Front, by Erich Maria Remarque The Country of the Blind, by H.G. Wells The Day of the Triffids, by John Wyndham A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    2 days ago

  • Losing The Left.
    Descending Into The Dark: The ideological cadres currently controlling both Labour and the Greens are forcing “justice”, “participation” and “democracy” to make way for what is “appropriate” and “responsible”. But, where does that leave the people who, for most of their adult lives, have voted for left-wing parties, precisely to ...
    Bowalley Road
    2 days ago

  • The New “Emperor’s New Clothes”.
    “‘BUT HE HASN’T GOT ANYTHING ON,’ a little boy said ….. ‘But he hasn’t got anything on!’ the whole town cried out at last.”On this optimistic note, Hans Christian Andersen brings his cautionary tale of “The Emperor’s New Clothes” to an end.Andersen’s children’s story was written nearly two centuries ago, ...
    Bowalley Road
    2 days ago

  • BRYCE EDWARDS: The vested interests shaping National Party policies
      Bryce Edwards writes – As the National Party gets closer to government, lobbyists and business interests will be lining up for influence and to get policies adopted. It’s therefore in the public interest to have much more scrutiny and transparency about potential conflicts of interests that ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • LINDSAY MITCHELL: A conundrum for those pushing racist dogma
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – The heavily promoted narrative, which has ramped up over the last six years, is that Maori somehow have special vulnerabilities which arise from outside forces they cannot control; that contemporary society fails to meet their needs. They are not receptive to messages and ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • CHRIS TROTTER:  The greater of two evils
    Not Labour: If you’re out to punish the government you once loved, then the last thing you need is to be shown evidence that the opposition parties are much, much worse.   Chris Trotter writes – THE GREATEST VIRTUE of being the Opposition is not being the Government. Only very ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • The Hoon around the week to Sept 30
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:Labour presented a climate manifesto that aimed to claim the high ground on climate action vs National, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Litanies, articles of faith, and being a beneficiary
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past two weeks.Friday 29Play it, ElvisElection Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Litanies, articles of faith, and being a beneficiary
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past two weeks.Friday 29Play it, ElvisElection Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • The ‘Recession’ Has Been Called Off, But Some Households Are Still Struggling
    While the economy is not doing too badly in output terms, external circumstances are not favourable, and there is probably a sizeable group of households struggling because of rising interest rates.Last week’s announcement of a 0.9 percent increase in volume GDP for the June quarter had the commentariat backing down ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    3 days ago

  • Climate Change: The wrong direction
    This week the International Energy Association released its Net Zero Roadmap, intended to guide us towards a liveable climate. The report demanded huge increases in renewable generation, no new gas or oil, and massive cuts to methane emissions. It was positive about our current path, but recommended that countries with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • “Racism” becomes a buzz word on the campaign trail – but our media watchdogs stay muzzled when...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Oh, dear.  We have nothing to report from the Beehive. At least, we have nothing to report from the government’s official website. But the drones have not gone silent.  They are out on the election campaign trail, busy buzzing about this and that in the hope ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Play it, Elvis
    Election Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t have time for. You’re welcome, etc. Let us press on, etc. 1.  What did Christopher Luxon use to his advantage in ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Pure class warfare
    National unveiled its fiscal policy today, announcing all the usual things which business cares about and I don't. But it did finally tell us how National plans to pay for its handouts to landlords: by effectively cutting benefits: The biggest saving announced on Friday was $2b cut from the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • Ask Me Anything about the week to Sept 29
    Photo by Anna Ogiienko on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session for paying subscribers about the week that was for an hour, including:duelling fiscal plans from National and Labour;Labour cutting cycling spending while accusing National of being weak on climate;Research showing the need for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Weekly Roundup 29-September-2023
    Welcome to Friday and the last one for September. This week in Greater Auckland On Monday, Matt highlighted at the latest with the City Rail Link. On Tuesday, Matt covered the interesting items from Auckland Transport’s latest board meeting agendas. On Thursday, a guest post from Darren Davis ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    4 days ago

  • Protest at Parliament: The Reunion.
    Brian’s god spoke to him. He, for of course the Lord in Tamaki’s mind was a male god, with a mighty rod, and probably some black leathers. He, told Brian - “you must put a stop to all this love, hope, and kindness”. And it did please the Brian.He said ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Labour cuts $50m from cycleway spending
    Labour is cutting spending on cycling infrastructure while still trying to claim the higher ground on climate. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Labour Government released a climate manifesto this week to try to claim the high ground against National, despite having ignored the Climate Commission’s advice to toughen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • The Greater Of Two Evils.
    Not Labour: If you’re out to punish the government you once loved, then the last thing you need is to be shown evidence that the opposition parties are much, much worse.THE GREATEST VIRTUE of being the Opposition is not being the Government. Only very rarely is an opposition party elected ...
    Bowalley Road
    4 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #39 2023
    Open access notables "Net zero is only a distraction— we just have to end fossil fuel emissions." The latter is true but the former isn't, or  not in the real world as it's likely to be in the immediate future. And "just" just doesn't enter into it; we don't have ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Chris Trotter: Losing the Left
    IN THE CURRENT MIX of electoral alternatives, there is no longer a credible left-wing party. Not when “a credible left-wing party” is defined as: a class-oriented, mass-based, democratically-structured political organisation; dedicated to promoting ideas sharply critical of laissez-faire capitalism; and committed to advancing democratic, egalitarian and emancipatory ideals across the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Hipkins fires up in leaders’ debate, but has the curtain already fallen on the Labour-led coalitio...
    Labour’s  Chris Hipkins came out firing, in the  leaders’ debate  on Newshub’s evening programme, and most of  the pundits  rated  him the winner against National’s  Christopher Luxon. But will this make any difference when New  Zealanders  start casting their ballots? The problem  for  Hipkins is  that  voters are  all too ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    4 days ago

  • Govt is energising housing projects with solar power – and fuelling the public’s concept of a di...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Not long after Point of Order published data which show the substantial number of New Zealanders (77%) who believe NZ is becoming more divided, government ministers were braying about a programme which distributes some money to “the public” and some to “Maori”. The ministers were dishing ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • MIKE GRIMSHAW: Election 2023 – a totemic & charisma failure?
    The D&W analysis Michael Grimshaw writes –  Given the apathy, disengagement, disillusionment, and all-round ennui of this year’s general election, it was considered time to bring in those noted political operatives and spin doctors D&W, the long-established consultancy firm run by Emile Durkheim and Max Weber. Known for ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • FROM BFD: Will Winston be the spectre we think?
    Kissy kissy. Cartoon credit BoomSlang. The BFD. JC writes-  Allow me to preface this contribution with the following statement: If I were asked to express a preference between a National/ACT coalition or a National/ACT/NZF coalition then it would be the former. This week Luxon declared his position, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • California’s climate disclosure bill could have a huge impact across the U.S.
    This re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Andy Furillo was originally published by Capital & Main and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. The California Legislature took a step last week that has the potential to accelerate the fight against climate ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Untangling South East Queensland’s Public Transport
    This is a cross post Adventures in Transitland by Darren Davis. I recently visited Brisbane and South East Queensland and came away both impressed while also pondering some key changes to make public transport even better in the region. Here goes with my take on things. A bit of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago

  • Try A Little Kindness.
    My daughter arrived home from the supermarket yesterday and she seemed a bit worried about something. It turned out she wanted to know if someone could get her bank number from a receipt.We wound the story back.She was in the store and there was a man there who was distressed, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • What makes NZFirst tick
    New Zealand’s longest-running political roadshow rolled into Opotiki yesterday, with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters knowing another poll last night showed he would make it back to Parliament and National would need him and his party if they wanted to form a government. The Newshub Reid Research poll ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • September AMA
    Hi,As September draws to a close — I feel it’s probably time to do an Ask Me Anything. You know how it goes: If you have any burning questions, fire away in the comments and I will do my best to answer. You might have questions about Webworm, or podcast ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago

  • Bludgers lying in the scratcher making fools of us all
    The mediocrity who stands to be a Prime Minister has a litany.He uses it a bit like a Koru Lounge card. He will brandish it to say: these people are eligible. And more than that, too: These people are deserving. They have earned this policy.They have a right to this policy. What ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • More “partnerships” (by the look of it) and redress of over $30 million in Treaty settlement wit...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point of Order has waited until now – 3.45pm – for today’s officially posted government announcements.  There have been none. The only addition to the news on the Beehive’s website was posted later yesterday, after we had published our September 26 Buzz report. It came from ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • ALEX HOLLAND: Labour’s spending
    Alex Holland writes –  In 2017 when Labour came to power, crown spending was $76 billion per year. Now in 2023 it is $139 billion per year, which equates to a $63 billion annual increase (over $1 billion extra spend every week!) In 2017, New Zealand’s government debt ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • If not now, then when?
    Labour released its fiscal plan today, promising the same old, same old: "responsibility", balanced books, and of course no new taxes: "Labour will maintain income tax settings to provide consistency and certainty in these volatile times. Now is not the time for additional taxes or to promise billions of ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • THE FACTS:  77% of Kiwis believe NZ is becoming more divided
    The Facts has posted –        KEY INSIGHTSOf New Zealander’s polled: Social unity/division 77%believe NZ is becoming more divided (42% ‘much more’ + 35% ‘a little more’) 3%believe NZ is becoming less divided (1% ‘much less’ + 2% ‘a little less’) ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the cynical brutality of the centre-right’s welfare policies
    The centre-right’s enthusiasm for forcing people off the benefit and into paid work is matched only by the enthusiasm (shared by Treasury and the Reserve Bank) for throwing people out of paid work to curb inflation, and achieve the optimal balance of workers to job seekers deemed to be desirable ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    5 days ago

  • Wednesday’s Chorus: Arthur Grimes on why building many, many more social houses is so critical
    New research shows that tenants in social housing - such as these Wellington apartments - are just as happy as home owners and much happier than private tenants. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The election campaign took an ugly turn yesterday, and in completely the wrong direction. All three ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • Bennie Bashing.
    If there’s one thing the mob loves more than keeping Māori in their place, more than getting tough on the gangs, maybe even more than tax cuts. It’s a good old round of beneficiary bashing.Are those meanies in the ACT party stealing your votes because they think David Seymour is ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • The kindest cuts
    Labour kicks off the fiscal credibility battle today with the release of its fiscal plan. National is expected to follow, possibly as soon as Thursday, with its own plan, which may (or may not) address the large hole that the problems with its foreign buyers’ ban might open up. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • Green right turn in Britain? Well, a start
    While it may be unlikely to register in New Zealand’s general election, Britain’s PM Rishi Sunak has done something which might just be important in the long run. He’s announced a far-reaching change in his Conservative government’s approach to environmental, and particularly net zero, policy. The starting point – ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    6 days ago

  • At a glance – How do human CO2 emissions compare to natural CO2 emissions?
    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
    6 days ago

  • How could this happen?
    Canada is in uproar after the exposure that its parliament on September 22 provided a standing ovation to a Nazi veteran who had been invited into the chamber to participate in the parliamentary welcome to Ukrainian President Zelensky. Yaroslav Hunka, 98, a Ukrainian man who volunteered for service in ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    6 days ago

  • Always Be Campaigning
    The big screen is a great place to lay out the ways of the salesman. He comes ready-made for Panto, ripe for lampooning.This is not to disparage that life. I have known many good people of that kind. But there is a type, brazen as all get out. The camera ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • STEPHEN FRANKS: Press seek to publicly shame doctor – we must push back
    The following is a message sent yesterday from lawyer Stephen Franks on behalf of the Free Speech Union. I don’t like to interrupt first thing Monday morning, but we’ve just become aware of a case where we think immediate and overwhelming attention could help turn the tide. It involves someone ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Competing on cruelty
    The right-wing message calendar is clearly reading "cruelty" today, because both National and NZ First have released beneficiary-bashing policies. National is promising a "traffic light" system to police and kick beneficiaries, which will no doubt be accompanied by arbitrary internal targets to classify people as "orange" or "red" to keep ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • Further funding for Pharmac (forgotten in the Budget?) looks like a $1bn appeal from a PM in need of...
    Buzz from the Beehive One Labour plan  – for 3000 more public homes by 2025 – is the most recent to be posted on the government’s official website. Another – a prime ministerial promise of more funding for Pharmac – has been released as a Labour Party press statement. Who ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: The Vested interests shaping National Party policies
    As the National Party gets closer to government, lobbyists and business interests will be lining up for influence and to get policies adopted. It’s therefore in the public interest to have much more scrutiny and transparency about potential conflicts of interests that might arise. One of the key individuals of ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    6 days ago

  • Labour may be on way out of power and NZ First back in – but will Peters go into coalition with Na...
    Voters  are deserting Labour in droves, despite Chris  Hipkins’  valiant  rearguard  action.  So  where  are they  heading?  Clearly  not all of them are going to vote National, which concedes that  the  outcome  will be “close”. To the Right of National, the ACT party just a  few weeks  ago  was ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    6 days ago

  • GRAHAM ADAMS: Will the racists please stand up?
    Accusations of racism by journalists and MPs are being called out. Graham Adams writes –    With the election less than three weeks away, what co-governance means in practice — including in water management, education, planning law and local government — remains largely obscure. Which is hardly ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on whether Winston Peters can be a moderating influence
    As the centre-right has (finally!) been subjected to media interrogation, the polls are indicating that some voters may be starting to have second thoughts about the wisdom of giving National and ACT the power to govern alone. That’s why yesterday’s Newshub/Reid Research poll had the National/ACT combo dropping to 60 ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    6 days ago

  • Tuesday’s Chorus: RBNZ set to rain on National's victory parade
    ANZ has increased its forecast for house inflation later this year on signs of growing momentum in the market ahead of the election. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: National has campaigned against the Labour Government’s record on inflation and mortgage rates, but there’s now a growing chance the Reserve ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • After a Pittsburgh coal processing plant closed, ER visits plummeted
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Katie Myers. This story was originally published by Grist and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. Pittsburgh, in its founding, was blessed and cursed with two abundant natural resources: free-flowing rivers and a nearby coal seam. ...
    Skeptical Science
    7 days ago

  • September-23 AT Board Meeting
    Today the AT board meet again and once again I’ve taken a look at what’s on the agenda to find the most interesting items. Closed Agenda Interestingly when I first looked at the agendas this paper was there but at the time of writing this post it had been ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    7 days ago

  • Electorate Watch: West Coast-Tasman
    Continuing my series on interesting electorates, today it’s West Coast-Tasman.A long thin electorate running down the northern half of the west coast of the South Island. Think sand flies, beautiful landscapes, lots of rain, Pike River, alternative lifestylers, whitebaiting, and the spiritual home of the Labour Party. A brief word ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago

  • Big money brings Winston back
    National leader Christopher Luxon yesterday morning conceded it and last night’s Newshub poll confirmed it; Winston Peters and NZ First are not only back but highly likely to be part of the next government. It is a remarkable comeback for a party that was tossed out of Parliament in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    7 days ago

  • 20 days until Election Day, 7 until early voting begins… but what changes will we really see here?
    As this blogger, alongside many others, has already posited in another forum: we all know the National Party’s “budget” (meaning this concept of even adding up numbers properly is doing a lot of heavy, heavy lifting right now) is utter and complete bunk (read hung, drawn and quartered and ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    1 week ago

  • A night out
    Everyone was asking, Are you nervous? and my response was various forms of God, yes.I've written more speeches than I can count; not much surprises me when the speaker gets to their feet and the room goes quiet.But a play? Never.YOU CAME! THANK YOU! Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand resumes peacekeeping force leadership
    New Zealand will again contribute to the leadership of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, with a senior New Zealand Defence Force officer returning as Interim Force Commander. Defence Minister Andrew Little and Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta have announced the deployment of New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago

  • New national direction provides clarity for development and the environment
    The Government has taken an important step in implementing the new resource management system, by issuing a draft National Planning Framework (NPF) document under the new legislation, Environment Minister David Parker said today. “The NPF consolidates existing national direction, bringing together around 20 existing instruments including policy statements, standards, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago

  • Government shows further commitment to pay equity for healthcare workers
    The Government welcomes the proposed pay equity settlement that will see significant pay increases for around 18,000 Te Whatu Ora Allied, Scientific, and Technical employees, if accepted said Health Minister Ayesha Verrall. The proposal reached between Te Whatu Ora, the New Zealand Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago

  • 100 new public EV chargers to be added to national network
    The public EV charging network has received a significant boost with government co-funding announced today for over 100 EV chargers – with over 200 charging ports altogether – across New Zealand, and many planned to be up and running on key holiday routes by Christmas this year. Minister of Energy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Safeguarding Tuvalu language and identity
    Tuvalu is in the spotlight this week as communities across New Zealand celebrate Vaiaso o te Gagana Tuvalu – Tuvalu Language Week. “The Government has a proven record of supporting Pacific communities and ensuring more of our languages are spoken, heard and celebrated,” Pacific Peoples Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Many ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • New community-level energy projects to support more than 800 Māori households
    Seven more innovative community-scale energy projects will receive government funding through the Māori and Public Housing Renewable Energy Fund to bring more affordable, locally generated clean energy to more than 800 Māori households, Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods says. “We’ve already funded 42 small-scale clean energy projects that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Huge boost to Te Tai Tokerau flood resilience
    The Government has approved new funding that will boost resilience and greatly reduce the risk of major flood damage across Te Tai Tokerau. Significant weather events this year caused severe flooding and damage across the region. The $8.9m will be used to provide some of the smaller communities and maraes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Napier’s largest public housing development comes with solar
    The largest public housing development in Napier for many years has been recently completed and has the added benefit of innovative solar technology, thanks to Government programmes, says Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods. The 24 warm, dry homes are in Seddon Crescent, Marewa and Megan Woods says the whanau living ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Te Whānau a Apanui and the Crown initial Deed of Settlement I Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me...
    Māori: Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna te Whakaaetanga Whakataunga Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna i tētahi Whakaaetanga Whakataunga hei whakamihi i ō rātou tāhuhu kerēme Tiriti o Waitangi. E tekau mā rua ngā hapū o roto mai o Te Whānau ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Plan for 3,000 more public homes by 2025 – regions set to benefit
    Regions around the country will get significant boosts of public housing in the next two years, as outlined in the latest public housing plan update, released by the Housing Minister, Dr Megan Woods. “We’re delivering the most public homes each year since the Nash government of the 1950s with one ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Immigration settings updates
    Judicial warrant process for out-of-hours compliance visits 2023/24 Recognised Seasonal Employer cap increased by 500 Additional roles for Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement More roles added to Green List Three-month extension for onshore Recovery Visa holders The Government has confirmed a number of updates to immigration settings as part of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Poroporoaki: Tā Patrick (Patu) Wahanga Hohepa
    Tangi ngunguru ana ngā tai ki te wahapū o Hokianga Whakapau Karakia. Tārehu ana ngā pae maunga ki Te Puna o te Ao Marama. Korihi tangi ana ngā manu, kua hinga he kauri nui ki te Wao Nui o Tāne. He Toa. He Pou. He Ahorangi. E papaki tū ana ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Renewable energy fund to support community resilience
    40 solar energy systems on community buildings in regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and other severe weather events Virtual capability-building hub to support community organisations get projects off the ground Boost for community-level renewable energy projects across the country At least 40 community buildings used to support the emergency response ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • COVID-19 funding returned to Government
    The lifting of COVID-19 isolation and mask mandates in August has resulted in a return of almost $50m in savings and recovered contingencies, Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. Following the revocation of mandates and isolation, specialised COVID-19 telehealth and alternative isolation accommodation are among the operational elements ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Appointment of District Court Judge
    Susie Houghton of Auckland has been appointed as a new District Court Judge, to serve on the Family Court, Attorney-General David Parker said today.  Judge Houghton has acted as a lawyer for child for more than 20 years. She has acted on matters relating to the Hague Convention, an international ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government invests further in Central Hawke’s Bay resilience
    The Government has today confirmed $2.5 million to fund a replace and upgrade a stopbank to protect the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant. “As a result of Cyclone Gabrielle, the original stopbank protecting the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant was destroyed. The plant was operational within 6 weeks of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Govt boost for Hawke’s Bay cyclone waste clean-up
    Another $2.1 million to boost capacity to deal with waste left in Cyclone Gabrielle’s wake. Funds for Hastings District Council, Phoenix Contracting and Hog Fuel NZ to increase local waste-processing infrastructure. The Government is beefing up Hawke’s Bay’s Cyclone Gabrielle clean-up capacity with more support dealing with the massive amount ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Taupō Supercars revs up with Government support
    The future of Supercars events in New Zealand has been secured with new Government support. The Government is getting engines started through the Major Events Fund, a special fund to support high profile events in New Zealand that provide long-term economic, social and cultural benefits. “The Repco Supercars Championship is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • There is no recession in NZ, economy grows nearly 1 percent in June quarter
    The economy has turned a corner with confirmation today New Zealand never was in recession and stronger than expected growth in the June quarter, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said. “The New Zealand economy is doing better than expected,” Grant Robertson said. “It’s continuing to grow, with the latest figures showing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Highest legal protection for New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs
    The Government has accepted the Environment Court’s recommendation to give special legal protection to New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs, Te Waikoropupū Springs (also known as Pupū Springs), Environment Minister David Parker announced today.   “Te Waikoropupū Springs, near Takaka in Golden Bay, have the second clearest water in New Zealand after ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • More support for victims of migrant exploitation
    Temporary package of funding for accommodation and essential living support for victims of migrant exploitation Exploited migrant workers able to apply for a further Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa (MEPV), giving people more time to find a job Free job search assistance to get people back into work Use of 90-day ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Strong export boost as NZ economy turns corner
    An export boost is supporting New Zealand’s economy to grow, adding to signs that the economy has turned a corner and is on a stronger footing as we rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle and lock in the benefits of multiple new trade deals, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. “The economy is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Funding approved for flood resilience work in Te Karaka
    The Government has approved $15 million to raise about 200 homes at risk of future flooding. More than half of this is expected to be spent in the Tairāwhiti settlement of Te Karaka, lifting about 100 homes there. “Te Karaka was badly hit during Cyclone Gabrielle when the Waipāoa River ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Further business support for cyclone-affected regions
    The Government is helping businesses recover from Cyclone Gabrielle and attract more people back into their regions. “Cyclone Gabrielle has caused considerable damage across North Island regions with impacts continuing to be felt by businesses and communities,” Economic Development Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Building on our earlier business support, this ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • New maintenance facility at Burnham Military Camp underway
    Defence Minister Andrew Little has turned the first sod to start construction of a new Maintenance Support Facility (MSF) at Burnham Military Camp today. “This new state-of-art facility replaces Second World War-era buildings and will enable our Defence Force to better maintain and repair equipment,” Andrew Little said. “This Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Foreign Minister to attend United Nations General Assembly
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will represent New Zealand at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this week, before visiting Washington DC for further Pacific focussed meetings. Nanaia Mahuta will be in New York from Wednesday 20 September, and will participate in UNGA leaders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Midwives’ pay equity offer reached
    Around 1,700 Te Whatu Ora employed midwives and maternity care assistants will soon vote on a proposed pay equity settlement agreed by Te Whatu Ora, the Midwifery Employee Representation and Advisory Service (MERAS) and New Zealand Nurses Association (NZNO), Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. “Addressing historical pay ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • New Zealand provides support to Morocco
    Aotearoa New Zealand will provide humanitarian support to those affected by last week’s earthquake in Morocco, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. “We are making a contribution of $1 million to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to help meet humanitarian needs,” Nanaia Mahuta said. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

  • Government invests in West Coast’s roading resilience
    The Government is investing over $22 million across 18 projects to improve the resilience of roads in the West Coast that have been affected by recent extreme weather, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed today.  A dedicated Transport Resilience Fund has been established for early preventative works to protect the state ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

  • Government invests in Greymouth’s future
    The Government has today confirmed a $2 million grant towards the regeneration of Greymouth’s CBD with construction of a new two-level commercial and public facility. “It will include a visitor facility centred around a new library. Additionally, it will include retail outlets on the ground floor, and both outdoor and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

  • Nanaia Mahuta to attend PIF Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will attend the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, in Suva, Fiji alongside New Zealand’s regional counterparts. “Aotearoa New Zealand is deeply committed to working with our pacific whanau to strengthen our cooperation, and share ways to combat the challenges facing the Blue Pacific Continent,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2023-10-02T08:03:51+00:00