Key decked over supercity

Written By: - Date published: 8:46 pm, May 5th, 2009 - 40 comments
Categories: auckland supercity, john key, Parliament, phil goff - Tags:

A much better performance from Goff today in the House today. Finally, after weeks of fluffing, he managed to score a direct hit on Key.

Goff’s questions on the Auckland supercity had Key denying the obvious, that the people of Auckland do not like his government’s supercity and do not believe they have been adequately consulted on the plan. We also learnt that Key hasn’t talked with Rodney Hide about his suggestion that the supercity council should sell Aucklanders’ public assets to pay the costs of setting it up. Key must be comfortable with that happening.

Finally, too, Key was forced to admit he is against giving Aucklanders their referendum.

Key’s excuses? The same old rubbish that every competent political commentator has long dismissed.

  • A supercity is too complex for a yes/no answer – funny, that wasn’t a problem with the MMP referenda and it wasn’t a problem with referenda for other council mergers.
  • The Royal Commission and the select committee are enough consultation – even though its clear that all objections through those avenues will be ignored and a few submissions is no substitute for a referendum.

Key continued made an arse of himself trying to tack on smart arse comments to his answers. It was cute when he was opposition leader but its just not fitting for a PM, it makes him look like a child playing at big boys’ games.

He ended up burning himself anyway. The opposition was laughing at one of his poor answers so he put his snarky tone and said to Goff “That is one of the things that New Zealanders liked about the former Prime Minister—at least she knew her mind”…

…um, unlike the current one?

40 comments on “Key decked over supercity ”

  1. gingercrush 1

    Yes and too bad that Goff becoming upset over something Key (undoubtedly it was a smart arse comment) then threatened the speaker that if he doesn’t do something, the opposition (Labour) will effectively bring the house to disorder. It makes Goff look utterly pathetic.

    • gingercrush 1.1

      Though I am in agreement that Goff scored well today in the house.

    • calltoaccount 1.2

      Yes, I momentarily noticed that when I read transcript.

      But then Goff was bang on target for all of the supplementaries and forced a memorable concession out of Key, “at least she knew her mind”. Seems like he’s waiting for Hide to fill in his blanks.

    • Eddie 1.3

      Key was asked about a poll showing Aucklanders reject the supercity, he started going on about Goff’s poll ratings.

      Last week he was asked about the supercity and started going on about David Shearer.

      Both times Goff interrupted him with a point of order and the speaker, National’s Lockwood Smith told Key to stop.

      He’s not good enough or knowledgable enough to provide serious answers without losing the argument, so he resorts to smart arse stuff instead. Goff is quite within his rights to warn the speaker that Labour will get rowdy if he persists and Lockwood doesn’t stop him. National did it all the time. in fact they were so bad they would try to drown out ministers before they could start their replies.

      • gingercrush 1.3.1

        How is Goff within his right to warn the speaker that Labour will get rowdy. They’re rowdy anyway. What it shows is that Goff can’t handle the answers he gets directed back at him. Meaning, bhe ultimately loses his ability in the house because he is unable to compose himself. That speaks of weakness.

        What Key does is nothing new. Helen Clark did so numerous times. Lets not pretend, that Labour addressed the questions or addressed the questions without adding to it. Its a natural habit. As for Smith telling Key to stop. We’re lucky we have a speaker that is actually doing his job instead of the pathetic speaker that was Wilson.

        • Eddie 1.3.1.1

          Lockwood wants to set a higher standard. Goff is holding him to it but saying Labour won’t hold back if that means giving Key a free ride to give bullsh*t answers to serious questions.

          One of the few tools an opposition has to counter ministers avoiding answers is to interject loudly, raising the pressure and causing the minister to yell, which sounds bad on tv. National brought the tactic to a new high last term, parliament had to install new speakers so answers could be heard over the constant din they made.

          You say Clark avoided answers too? Well, did you think it was Ok then? If not don’t you want to see Key set a higher standard?

          • gingercrush 1.3.1.1.1

            The speaker isn’t giving Key a free ride. Key has been told numerous times to stop it. But Key is essentially allowed to answer questions like he did. He addresses the questions and adds to it which Goff provides by asking some of the questions he does.

            I was quite happy for Helen Clark to answer as she did. But what we got in Labour’s nine years in office were times when they didn’t even address the question whatsoever and the two speakers, Hunt and Wilson allowed it to happen. Lockward applying the rules better means the questions are being answered. Of course, they’re not as good as they could be. But unless both sides of house could decide on numerous new speaking rulings we’re stuck with what we have. And what we have now, is a huge improvement over what we use to have.

            What you don’t do which Goff has done several times now is threaten for his party to commit disorder. Its an empty threat that just shows his weaknesses even more.

          • felix 1.3.1.1.2

            It’s a bit of a stretch to say he “threatened disorder”.

            It sounded to me like he said the house would become disorderly as an observation, not a threat.

  2. mike 2

    Is that the same phil goff who has today invigorated labour’s line up with twin fossils mallard and O’Connor.

    He was positively chuffed when telling us of the fresh faced mallards return as a youthful Annette king beamed on.

    Sorry the Key / goff exchanges didn’t make the news.

    • Eddie 2.1

      ‘what makes the news’ has never been the standard for whether we post something or not. People come here because the news is so crap.

      But good to see you parrotting those Nat lines, mike. your contribution is to repeat just what Key said. how clever of you

    • calltoaccount 2.2

      It’s made the news here Mike. Staying with Goff, nice supplementary at the end from him asking what Key knows about how Hide’s looking to pay for it all (privatisation).

      Looks like Key is a blank on that too, or at least saying it’s a blank until proven otherwise. Leaks please!.

  3. Zaphod Beeblebrox 3

    National improved its national vote last election on the back of a huge surge in Auckland. this issue will dog Key for the next three years. Everyone I go (with the exception of central Auckland) people are really pissed. I don’t know why but they are.

  4. mike 4

    “People come here because the news is so crap.”

    Whe the news is all bad as it has been for the red faction lately I can hardly blame you for seeking some sort of refuge.

  5. gingercrush 5

    It was the right move to put Mallard on the front bench. Despite what he’s done outside the house his ability in the house is excellent. Before moving him to the front bench. He was almost on a one-man mission where he would sometimes act as the Opposition leader. Goff moving him to the front bench with the education portfolio makes a lot of sense. Carter had to move from education because his ability there was a joke. He wasn’t very good as the minister and he certainly wasn’t any good in opposition as the education spokesperson. Anne Tolley isn’t shining as the education minister. More to the point her talent has been wholly underwhelming. Perhaps, Carter can do better in the Foreign Affairs portfolio but I just can’t see him being effective there either.

    The problem Labour still has is most of their members that were previously ministers just can’t seem to perform in opposition. That and the newcomers to Labour are outshining them and clearly have to by next year be moved up.

  6. Zaphod Beeblebrox 6

    Its a bit rude to sell our assets before we have even had a chance to vote anyone in yet. In know there’s $28 Bill of goodies to give away, but who would have the cash at the moment to buy an airport, a port or a swimming pool. Just make sure they aren’t located in Mt Albert, Port Chev or Avondale.

  7. Pat 7

    ginger said: “The speaker isn’t giving Key a free ride. Key has been told numerous times to stop it. But Key is essentially allowed to answer questions like he did. He addresses the questions and adds to it which Goff provides by asking some of the questions he does”.

    gc is right. Goff needs to stop turning a direct question into a political question. Lockwood seems to have to constantly coach Labour on how to phrase their questions correctly if they want a direct answer. As Lockwood says “If you ask a political question, you can expect a political answer.”

    Why does Goff constantly try to score points off his first question? Why doesn’t he try to lure National into a corner first by several carefully crafted direct questions? It amazes me that in the house Key looks like the old pro and Goff looks like he’s taking part-time politics classes after school.

    .

  8. SPC 8

    A vote for National in Mount Albert is a vote for privatisation of Auckland.

  9. marco 9

    Did anyone notice the three press releases from Auckland City Council, HNZ and MPIA this afternoon on the Tamaki Transformation Project. Rather interesting stuff, $52 million over 3 years spent upgrading the suburb and providing local jobs.
    Got no traction in the media which is exactly what happened when Labour announced the same policy pre election.
    I believe Marion Street put out a press release that wasn’t picked up by significant media. It certainly didnt have the ringing endorsement of John Banks as this repackaged policy has. Wonder which side he likes to butter his bread on…..

  10. jarbury 10

    I did read that marco, very interesting to see what’s going on there as I did a lot of the planning background work for HNZC redevelopment in Glen Innes.

    I also read through the questions for today, and realised that I was mentioned!!!!!!

    http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QOA/0/f/4/49HansQ_20090505_00000787-Dr-Resource-Management-Simplifying-and-Streamlining.htm

    Pity my name was spelt wrong 🙁

  11. jarbury 11

    There’s a great line in Sideswipe today:

    Speaking at a local government conference about the potential Super City in July 2004, Michelle A’Court got a big laugh with this one: “I hear there’s a proposal for the formation of a Super City – the amalgamation of all Auckland city councils into one. The word is Waitakere Mayor Bob Harvey and Auckland Mayor John Banks will job-share. Harvey will be the day mayor and Banks will be the … “

  12. burt 12

    Eddie

    As much as I agree with you about this whole debacle, I think your approach of talking about referendums etc is flawed. Start by producing a list of the referendums that Labour initiated during their 9 year rule.

    Two wrongs don’t make a right but without a position of “we did it better” it’s pretty difficult to point out how “your” opposition are making a hash of it.

    If this thread was titled “Major parties self serving as usual” I would agree with you 100%.

  13. r0b 13

    Burt – you’re running the “it’s OK because they did it too” line! Shall I quote you on what a childish line that is Burt? Quite apart from the fact that you’re ignoring the relevance of the local government act’s requirement for a referendum.

    If this thread was titled “Major parties self serving as usual’ I would agree with you 100%.

    Major parties Burt? Through National are ultimately responsible it is your party, ACT, and your leader, Hide (minister for local government), who is diving this abuse of democracy. Hide who is fronting the process and insisting on no referendum. Your party ACT that is “self serving as usual” Burt.

    So how about it – going to defend ACT now?

    • r0b 13.1

      I’d be delighted to answer your questions (below) Burt. But since I asked first, you go first. What do you make of your party leader Rodney Hide and his abuse of democracy in Auckland?

  14. burt 14

    rOb

    You are desperate… I said “two wrongs don’t make a right” but I guess that was too complex for you to understand.

    While I have you here rOb. Apparently Bradley is looking into the legality of the purchase advisors. If Bradley reports that laws have been broken will you be saying retrospectively validate what National did or will you be calling for prosecutions?

    I’ll be calling for prosecutions.

  15. burt 15

    rOb

    Just remember how many links you have made saying Bradley ( aka the ref ) made a bad call and parliament know more about the intent of the law than anyone.

    Carefull how you hang yourself rOb.

  16. ak 16

    Yes pay attention r0b: burt clearly threw in a “two wrongs don’t make a right but -” before saying “you did it too”. I’m sure it works for his four-year-old. Just like screaming off on an irrelevant diversion when cornered.
    No disrespect burt, but you’re still a dork. Wow, look at that camel.

  17. burt 17

    Rob

    It’s shabby. But I’m delighted to report that since the Green’s have stopped being Labour’s bitch they are back on my list of “might get my vote” parties.

    Rodeny is doing his best to put me off ACT with all of this.

    I’m quite worried that all parties in govt are self serving so perhaps I’ll be an opposition supporter. Move over rOb, I might need some room on the lovers of big govt seat.

    Your turn.

    ak – weak, very weak and misdirected. Now how about you – still a big supporter of “move on” when the govt break laws ?

    • r0b 17.1

      Rodeny is doing his best to put me off ACT with all of this.

      Well spoken. So eternal opposition it is for Burt. Well, it is always easier to destroy than to create I guess.

      Your turn.

      Jolly good.

      If Bradley reports that laws have been broken will you be saying retrospectively validate what National did or will you be calling for prosecutions?

      As you well know Burt, because we discussed it at ever such painful length, retrospective law is wrong, except in the case of a well established exception called Validating Legislation, which both National and Labour governments have used when required. Labour used it, following the advice of Treasury, with respect to overspending by parliamentary services after the 2005 election, the case which you have been boldly banging on about ever since, and as discussed at the links above.

      So, if Treasury recommends that retrospective validation of spending on “purchase advisors” is appropriate, then consistent with my earlier position, I won’t have a problem with it. But I don’t think the possibility even arises (it’s a case of “laws have been broken” not “unplanned spending”), let alone that Treasury would recommend such a thing, so I suspect that I’ll be joining you in calling for prosecution.

  18. burt 18

    So if Treasury say the spending on purchase advisors needs to be validated AND Bradley states that laws were broken will you just take the position of “Treasury said validate” and ignore the bit about laws broken like you did for Labour?

    It will be good to be on the same side of a principle all the same. Lets see what the ref comes up with this time. Remember that it’s the way National have always done it – status quo and all that. I’m going to enjoy this 😉

    • r0b 18.1

      I’m not going to re-litigate your misconstrual of Bradley, we have already thrashed it out at length in the thread that I linked to above.

    • jerry 18.2

      Not sure why everyone’s knickers are in a twist about the purchase advisors – a good opinion piece here makes a sensible case for them.

      While the author is not from the same side of the fence as me he makes fairly good sense.

    • burt 18.3

      So what you are saying rOb is that you and I might agree on the process that should be followed this time?

      • r0b 18.3.1

        As is often the case Burt, I’m not at all sure what you’re saying, so I’m in no position to agree or disagree with it. However, if you are intending to oppose the current arrogant government, then it seems likely that we will be agreeing in future. Which I think is one of the signs of the apocalypse.

      • burt 18.3.2

        rOb

        I’m not sure that any laws have been broken, time will tell.

        However to clarify – I have not changed my position on what I think is OK and what is not with regard to accountability of MP’s when laws have been broken because we had a change of govt. Not all people who have told me to STFU about RV can say that.

  19. gobsmacked 19

    Another sign of the apocalypse is when APN are playing the good guys.

    Check out the campaign against the Supa-City …

    http://www.theaucklander.co.nz/news/story.cfm?storyID=3797679

    Not holding back, are they? 🙂

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    A wave of new and higher fees, rates and charges will ripple out over the economy in the next 18 months as mayors, councillors, heads of department and price-setters for utilities such as gas, electricity, water and parking ramp up charges. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Just when most ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • How Did We Get Here?
    Hi,Kiwis — keep the evening of December 22nd free. I have a meetup planned, and will send out an invite over the next day or so. This sounds sort of crazy to write, but today will be Tony Stamp’s final Totally Normal column of 2023. Somehow we’ve made it to ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    4 days ago
  • At a glance – Has the greenhouse effect been falsified?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    4 days ago
  • New Zealaders  have  high expectations of  new  government:  now let’s see if it can deliver?
    The electorate has high expectations of the  new  government.  The question is: can  it  deliver?    Some  might  say  the  signs are not  promising. Protestors   are  already marching in the streets. The  new  Prime Minister has had  little experience of managing  very diverse politicians  in coalition. The economy he  ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    5 days ago
  • You won't believe some of the numbers you have to pull when you're a Finance Minister
    Nicola of Marsden:Yo, normies! We will fix your cost of living worries by giving you a tax cut of 150 dollars. 150! Cash money! Vote National.Various people who can read and count:Actually that's 150 over a fortnight. Not a week, which is how you usually express these things.And actually, it looks ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • Pushback
    When this government came to power, it did so on an explicitly white supremacist platform. Undermining the Waitangi Tribunal, removing Māori representation in local government, over-riding the courts which had tried to make their foreshore and seabed legislation work, eradicating te reo from public life, and ultimately trying to repudiate ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Defence ministerial meeting meant Collins missed the Maori Party’s mischief-making capers in Parli...
    Buzz from the Beehive Maybe this is not the best time for our Minister of Defence to have gone overseas. Not when the Maori Party is inviting (or should that be inciting?) its followers to join a revolution in a post which promoted its protest plans with a picture of ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • Threats of war have been followed by an invitation to join the revolution – now let’s see how th...
     A Maori Party post on Instagram invited party followers to ….  Tangata Whenua, Tangata Tiriti, Join the REVOLUTION! & make a stand!  Nationwide Action Day, All details in tiles swipe to see locations.  • This is our 1st hit out and tomorrow Tuesday the 5th is the opening ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Top 10 for Tuesday, December 4
    The RBNZ governor is citing high net migration and profit-led inflation as factors in the bank’s hawkish stance. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s my pick of the top 10 news and analysis links elsewhere on the morning of Tuesday, December 5, including:Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr says high net migration and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Nicola Willis' 'show me the money' moment
    Willis has accused labour of “economic vandalism’, while Robertson described her comments as a “desperate diversion from somebody who can't make their tax package add up”. There will now be an intense focus on December 20 to see whether her hyperbole is backed up by true surprises. Photo montage: Lynn ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • CRL costs money but also provides huge benefits
    The City Rail Link has been in the headlines a bit recently so I thought I’d look at some of them. First up, yesterday the NZ Herald ran this piece about the ongoing costs of the CRL. Auckland ratepayers will be saddled with an estimated bill of $220 million each ...
    5 days ago
  • And I don't want the world to see us.
    Is this the most shambolic government in the history of New Zealand? Given that parliament hasn’t even opened they’ve managed quite a list of achievements to date.The Smokefree debacle trading lives for tax cuts, the Trumpian claims of bribery in the Media, an International award for indifference, and today the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Cooking the books
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis late yesterday stopped only slightly short of accusing her predecessor Grant Robertson of cooking the books. She complained that the Half Yearly Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU), due to be made public on December 20, would show “fiscal cliffs” that would amount to “billions of ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Most people don’t realize how much progress we’ve made on climate change
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The year was 2015. ‘Uptown Funk’ with Bruno Mars was at the top of the music charts. Jurassic World was the most popular new movie in theaters. And decades of futility in international climate negotiations was about to come to an end in ...
    5 days ago
  • Of Parliamentary Oaths and Clive Boonham
    As a heads-up, I am not one of those people who stay awake at night thinking about weird Culture War nonsense. At least so far as the current Maori/Constitutional arrangements go. In fact, I actually consider it the least important issue facing the day to day lives of New ...
    6 days ago
  • Bearing True Allegiance?
    Strong Words: “We do not consent, we do not surrender, we do not cede, we do not submit; we, the indigenous, are rising. We do not buy into the colonial fictions this House is built upon. Te Pāti Māori pledges allegiance to our mokopuna, our whenua, and Te Tiriti o ...
    6 days ago
  • You cannot be serious
    Some days it feels like the only thing to say is: Seriously? No, really. Seriously?OneSomeone has used their health department access to share data about vaccinations and patients, and inform the world that New Zealanders have been dying in their hundreds of thousands from the evil vaccine. This of course is pure ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • A promise kept: govt pulls the plug on Lake Onslow scheme – but this saving of $16bn is denounced...
    Buzz from the Beehive After $21.8 million was spent on investigations, the plug has been pulled on the Lake Onslow pumped-hydro electricity scheme, The scheme –  that technically could have solved New Zealand’s looming energy shortage, according to its champions – was a key part of the defeated Labour government’s ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • CHRIS TROTTER: The Maori Party and Oath of Allegiance
    If those elected to the Māori Seats refuse to take them, then what possible reason could the country have for retaining them?   Chris Trotter writes – Christmas is fast approaching, which, as it does every year, means gearing up for an abstruse general knowledge question. “Who was ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • BRIAN EASTON:  Forward to 2017
    The coalition party agreements are mainly about returning to 2017 when National lost power. They show commonalities but also some serious divergencies. Brian Easton writes The two coalition agreements – one National and ACT, the other National and New Zealand First – are more than policy documents. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Climate Change: Fossils
    When the new government promised to allow new offshore oil and gas exploration, they were warned that there would be international criticism and reputational damage. Naturally, they arrogantly denied any possibility that that would happen. And then they finally turned up at COP, to criticism from Palau, and a "fossil ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • GEOFFREY MILLER:  NZ’s foreign policy resets on AUKUS, Gaza and Ukraine
    Geoffrey Miller writes – New Zealand’s international relations are under new management. And Winston Peters, the new foreign minister, is already setting a change agenda. As expected, this includes a more pro-US positioning when it comes to the Pacific – where Peters will be picking up where he ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the government’s smokefree laws debacle
    The most charitable explanation for National’s behaviour over the smokefree legislation is that they have dutifully fulfilled the wishes of the Big Tobacco lobby and then cast around – incompetently, as it turns out – for excuses that might sell this health policy U-turn to the public. The less charitable ...
    6 days ago
  • Top 10 links at 10 am for Monday, December 4
    As Deb Te Kawa writes in an op-ed, the new Government seems to have immediately bought itself fights with just about everyone. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Here’s my pick of the top 10 news and analysis links elsewhere as of 10 am on Monday December 4, including:Palau’s President ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Be Honest.
    Let’s begin today by thinking about job interviews.During my career in Software Development I must have interviewed hundreds of people, hired at least a hundred, but few stick in the memory.I remember one guy who was so laid back he was practically horizontal, leaning back in his chair until his ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: New Zealand’s foreign policy resets on AUKUS, Gaza and Ukraine
    New Zealand’s international relations are under new management. And Winston Peters, the new foreign minister, is already setting a change agenda. As expected, this includes a more pro-US positioning when it comes to the Pacific – where Peters will be picking up where he left off. Peters sought to align ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    6 days ago
  • Auckland rail tunnel the world’s most expensive
    Auckland’s city rail link is the most expensive rail project in the world per km, and the CRL boss has described the cost of infrastructure construction in Aotearoa as a crisis. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The 3.5 km City Rail Link (CRL) tunnel under Auckland’s CBD has cost ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • First big test coming
    The first big test of the new Government’s approach to Treaty matters is likely to be seen in the return of the Resource Management Act. RMA Minister Chris Bishop has confirmed that he intends to introduce legislation to repeal Labour’s recently passed Natural and Built Environments Act and its ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago
  • The Song of Saqua: Volume III
    Time to revisit something I haven’t covered in a while: the D&D campaign, with Saqua the aquatic half-vampire. Last seen in July: https://phuulishfellow.wordpress.com/2023/07/27/the-song-of-saqua-volume-ii/ The delay is understandable, once one realises that the interim saw our DM come down with a life-threatening medical situation. They have since survived to make ...
    6 days ago
  • Chris Bishop: Smokin’
    Yes. Correct. It was an election result. And now we are the elected government. ...
    My ThinksBy boonman
    7 days ago
  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #48
    A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on the Skeptical Science  Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Nov 26, 2023 thru Dec 2, 2023. Story of the Week CO2 readings from Mauna Loa show failure to combat climate change Daily atmospheric carbon dioxide data from Hawaiian volcano more ...
    7 days ago
  • Affirmative Action.
    Affirmative Action was a key theme at this election, although I don’t recall anyone using those particular words during the campaign.They’re positive words, and the way the topic was talked about was anything but. It certainly wasn’t a campaign of saying that Affirmative Action was a good thing, but that, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • 100 days of something
    It was at the end of the Foxton straights, at the end of 1978, at 100km/h, that someone tried to grab me from behind on my Yamaha.They seemed to be yanking my backpack. My first thought was outrage. My second was: but how? Where have they come from? And my ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago
  • Look who’s stepped up to champion Winston
    There’s no news to be gleaned from the government’s official website today  – it contains nothing more than the message about the site being under maintenance. The time this maintenance job is taking and the costs being incurred have us musing on the government’s commitment to an assault on inflation. ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago
  • What's The Story?
    Don’t you sometimes wish they’d just tell the truth? No matter how abhorrent or ugly, just straight up tell us the truth?C’mon guys, what you’re doing is bad enough anyway, pretending you’re not is only adding insult to injury.Instead of all this bollocks about the Smokefree changes being to do ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • The longest of weeks
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Friday Under New Management Week in review, quiz style1. Which of these best describes Aotearoa?a. Progressive nation, proud of its egalitarian spirit and belief in a fair go b. Best little country on the planet c. ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago
  • Suggested sessions of EGU24 to submit abstracts to
    Like earlier this year, members from our team will be involved with next year's General Assembly of the European Geosciences Union (EGU). The conference will take place on premise in Vienna as well as online from April 14 to 19, 2024. The session catalog has been available since November 1 ...
    1 week ago
  • Under New Management
    1. Which of these best describes Aotearoa?a. Progressive nation, proud of its egalitarian spirit and belief in a fair go b. Best little country on the planet c. Under New Management 2. Which of these best describes the 100 days of action announced this week by the new government?a. Petulantb. Simplistic and wrongheaded c. ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • Ministers visit Hawke’s Bay to grasp recovery needs
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined Cyclone Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell and Transport and Local Government Minister Simeon Brown, to meet leaders of cyclone and flood-affected regions in the Hawke’s Bay. The visit reinforced the coalition Government’s commitment to support the region and better understand its ongoing requirements, Mr Mitchell says.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • New Zealand condemns malicious cyber activity
    New Zealand has joined the UK and other partners in condemning malicious cyber activity conducted by the Russian Government, Minister Responsible for the Government Communications Security Bureau Judith Collins says. The statement follows the UK’s attribution today of malicious cyber activity impacting its domestic democratic institutions and processes, as well ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Disestablishment of Te Pūkenga begins
    The Government has begun the process of disestablishing Te Pūkenga as part of its 100-day plan, Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills Penny Simmonds says.  “I have started putting that plan into action and have met with the chair and chief Executive of Te Pūkenga to advise them of my ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend COP28 in Dubai
    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will be leaving for Dubai today to attend COP28, the 28th annual UN climate summit, this week. Simon Watts says he will push for accelerated action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement, deliver New Zealand’s national statement and connect with partner countries, private sector leaders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • New Zealand to host 2024 Pacific defence meeting
    Defence Minister Judith Collins yesterday announced New Zealand will host next year’s South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting (SPDMM). “Having just returned from this year’s meeting in Nouméa, I witnessed first-hand the value of meeting with my Pacific counterparts to discuss regional security and defence matters. I welcome the opportunity to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Study shows need to remove distractions in class
    The Government is committed to lifting school achievement in the basics and that starts with removing distractions so young people can focus on their learning, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.   The 2022 PISA results released this week found that Kiwi kids ranked 5th in the world for being distracted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Minister sets expectations of Commissioner
    Today I met with Police Commissioner Andrew Coster to set out my expectations, which he has agreed to, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. Under section 16(1) of the Policing Act 2008, the Minister can expect the Police Commissioner to deliver on the Government’s direction and priorities, as now outlined in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • New Zealand needs a strong and stable ETS
    New Zealand needs a strong and stable Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) that is well placed for the future, after emission units failed to sell for the fourth and final auction of the year, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  At today’s auction, 15 million New Zealand units (NZUs) – each ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • PISA results show urgent need to teach the basics
    With 2022 PISA results showing a decline in achievement, Education Minister Erica Stanford is confident that the Coalition Government’s 100-day plan for education will improve outcomes for Kiwi kids.  The 2022 PISA results show a significant decline in the performance of 15-year-old students in maths compared to 2018 and confirms ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Collins leaves for Pacific defence meeting
    Defence Minister Judith Collins today departed for New Caledonia to attend the 8th annual South Pacific Defence Ministers’ meeting (SPDMM). “This meeting is an excellent opportunity to meet face-to-face with my Pacific counterparts to discuss regional security matters and to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the Pacific,” Judith Collins says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Working for Families gets cost of living boost
    Putting more money in the pockets of hard-working families is a priority of this Coalition Government, starting with an increase to Working for Families, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. “We are starting our 100-day plan with a laser focus on bringing down the cost of living, because that is what ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Post-Cabinet press conference
    Most weeks, following Cabinet, the Prime Minister holds a press conference for members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery. This page contains the transcripts from those press conferences, which are supplied by Hansard to the Office of the Prime Minister. It is important to note that the transcripts have not been edited ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Lake Onslow pumped hydro scheme scrapped
    The Government has axed the $16 billion Lake Onslow pumped hydro scheme championed by the previous government, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says. “This hugely wasteful project was pouring money down the drain at a time when we need to be reining in spending and focussing on rebuilding the economy and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • NZ welcomes further pause in fighting in Gaza
    New Zealand welcomes the further one-day extension of the pause in fighting, which will allow the delivery of more urgently-needed humanitarian aid into Gaza and the release of more hostages, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said. “The human cost of the conflict is horrific, and New Zealand wants to see the violence ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Condolences on passing of Henry Kissinger
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters today expressed on behalf of the New Zealand Government his condolences to the family of former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who has passed away at the age of 100 at his home in Connecticut. “While opinions on his legacy are varied, Secretary Kissinger was ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Backing our kids to learn the basics
    Every child deserves a world-leading education, and the Coalition Government is making that a priority as part of its 100-day plan. Education Minister Erica Stanford says that will start with banning cellphone use at school and ensuring all primary students spend one hour on reading, writing, and maths each day. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • US Business Summit Speech – Regional stability through trade
    I would like to begin by echoing the Prime Minister’s thanks to the organisers of this Summit, Fran O’Sullivan and the Auckland Business Chamber.  I want to also acknowledge the many leading exporters, sector representatives, diplomats, and other leaders we have joining us in the room. In particular, I would like ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Keynote Address to the United States Business Summit, Auckland
    Good morning. Thank you, Rosemary, for your warm introduction, and to Fran and Simon for this opportunity to make some brief comments about New Zealand’s relationship with the United States.  This is also a chance to acknowledge my colleague, Minister for Trade Todd McClay, Ambassador Tom Udall, Secretary of Foreign ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • India New Zealand Business Council Speech, India as a Strategic Priority
    Good morning, tēnā koutou and namaskar. Many thanks, Michael, for your warm welcome. I would like to acknowledge the work of the India New Zealand Business Council in facilitating today’s event and for the Council’s broader work in supporting a coordinated approach for lifting New Zealand-India relations. I want to also ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Coalition Government unveils 100-day plan
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has laid out the Coalition Government’s plan for its first 100 days from today. “The last few years have been incredibly tough for so many New Zealanders. People have put their trust in National, ACT and NZ First to steer them towards a better, more prosperous ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • New Zealand welcomes European Parliament vote on the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement
    A significant milestone in ratifying the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was reached last night, with 524 of the 705 member European Parliament voting in favour to approve the agreement. “I’m delighted to hear of the successful vote to approve the NZ-EU FTA in the European Parliament overnight. This is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

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