Government by Twitter

Written By: - Date published: 7:02 am, September 24th, 2015 - 66 comments
Categories: activism, identity, internet, polls, twitter - Tags: , , ,

Key won power in 2008 on a diet of dead rats (“communism by stealth” anyone?). Since then, his government has been fanatically poll / focus group driven, and Key has racked up an impressive range of flip flops / U-turns. It has worked in terms of maintaining popularity (power for power’s sake), but lead to increasing accusations that Key and his government don’t stand for anything – they’ll blow wherever the political wind is leading. Bryce Edwards has a good round-up of commentary on this:

A Government that listens too much
…
Both the political left and right allege Key’s government has become affected by third-termitis, complaining of an administration that is tired and lacklustre. For many on the left, it’s because Key and co have stopped listening to the public. But far more trenchant criticism is coming from the right who say the Government is listening too much.

Matthew Hooton complains that the Government is now adrift without any serious reform agendas underpinning Key’s leadership: “his focus is now almost entirely on the flag referendum and his own international relationships. The continuing shift to the left, including the first increase in benefits since 1972, the $50 million U-turn on refugee numbers based on pressure from the twitterati and the silence on tax and RMA reform is not doing much for his reputation” – see: David Seymour fills political vacuum.

He says that Key’s “high water mark is now well behind us. For the serious end of the business community, the tide went out on Mr Key long ago, when they realised he had no interest in a reform agenda and that his words, public or private, lacked the necessary relationship to government decisions to be reliable inputs for business ones. Those waiting for, say, a genuine infrastructure plan, the promised financial services hub in Auckland or RMA reform are still waiting.”

Ex-Act leader Rodney Hide has a very thoughtful and damning critique, complaining that “Policy is now made by public feel. Every decision is open to review and reversal especially if the pushback is from middle voters” – see: It’s polls, not policies, that count in politics.  … “We have never had a better demonstration of policy by public feel than with Mr Key.  There are no bottom lines. There are no decisions that can’t be overturned. There are no guiding policy principles or political philosophy.
…
Possibly the most interesting discussion of the Government’s strong inclination to bend to the mood of the public is Tim Watkin’s blog post, Cure for third-termitis? A dose of the polls. He says “The big lesson from this past year of politics is that National under John Key (and Joyce) is willing to turn on a dime and do as many u-turns as polling tells them are needed, to stay popular. More than ever in its third term, National will bend like a Len Lye sculpture to match public opinion, even if it makes them hypocrites.  The trend has been building all year. National said no new taxes, then introduced a “brightline test” (a non-tax tax) and a tourism “levy” tax. The party that has long-mocked benefit increases, well, they increased benefits. Refugee numbers? They went from no way to 600 more in less than a week.  And now Lochinver. The crown jewel of all u-turns”. …

That commentary over-states the case. When it comes to implementing progressive policies Key is much more about the appearance of action than the substance. The routine poll driven pandering is all about doing the least he can get away with, and there haven’t been many examples of Key having to resume his dead rat diet and swallow a major issue. The backdown on mining in national parks was one such case. But the flip flop on including the Red Peak flag in the referendum is a clear, significant and much more personal example. The opportunity arose because Key ineptly painted himself into a losing corner with his muppet flag process, but the pressure was delivered via social media. Not a citizen’s referendum, not a march down Queen St, but the digital tools of Facebook and Twitter and Change.org.

That’s a new development, and it will be interesting to see where it leads in the years ahead. Political / media dinosaurs will never be able to dismiss “The Twitterati” again.

Twitter sez…

https://twitter.com/danylmc/status/646600524280692736

https://twitter.com/ZMNIGHTSHOW/status/646604260906369024

https://twitter.com/MatthewHootonNZ/status/646590660858900481

66 comments on “Government by Twitter ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. CnrJoe 1
    24 September 2015 at 7:31 am

    How many face book likes and twitter favs to get Keyreepy to fuck a panda?

  2. vto 2
    24 September 2015 at 7:36 am

    Key’s legacy will absolutely be a big zero

    Right from early days I had solid Nat people saying “he doesn’t seem to be doing much” … “he doesn’t seem to have a plan”

    Since then Key has simply cemented that early view of him and his government.

    A shallow nothing man with a shallow nothing rep

    How fitting

    • Draco T Bastard 2.1
      24 September 2015 at 9:33 am

      Right from early days I had solid Nat people saying “he doesn’t seem to be doing much” … “he doesn’t seem to have a plan”

      Key’s approach was always the nibbling at the edges approach to reform. None of the hardliners were going to like that. But now that the result of National’s policies, even the minor ones that they’ve pushed through so far, are becoming clear people are getting turned off of them and so National are now listening to the polls/twitterati to make decisions and there’s no way that the hardliners will stand for it.

      The hardliners want reforms that channel more of NZs wealth and power to them personally and they want it now.

    • Enough is Enough 2.2
      24 September 2015 at 9:46 am

      He flogged off our assets.

      That is a pretty strong legacy in my view.

      Not one I think should be celebrated but he will certainly remembered for destroying our wealth..

  3. scotty 3
    24 September 2015 at 7:40 am

    My guess is Key would be happy to be characterised as a , poll driven , popularity seeking ,ineffective PM.
    Just as long as the relentless privatisation of public assets and social services continues unabated – behind the scenes

  4. BM 4
    24 September 2015 at 7:46 am

    Key has just shut down all the media and lefty wankery.

    Now the process can move on to which flag people like.

    • Muttonbird 4.1
      24 September 2015 at 7:53 am

      Never mind that New Zealanders have been let down by a very poor process. This flip-flop from Key is frank admission of that.

      • BM 4.1.1
        24 September 2015 at 8:05 am

        There’s nothing wrong with the process, the problem was that certain sections of the media and the Labour went out of their way to throw spanners into the works.

        The four flags chosen were probably the most popular of all the different flags on display, which is why they were chosen.

        The problem was they do all rather look the same and because Key said he personally would like a flag with a fern, the narrative by certain sectors of the media was that he is deciding what flag NZ gets.

        By adding a completely different flag such as red peak it shows that he listens to people, it’s not his “vanity project” and all he wants is to give people the best opportunity to pick the flag they like.

        • odot 4.1.1.1
          24 September 2015 at 9:48 am

          “There’s nothing wrong with the process” Aside from the decision making process involved in picking the final four flags….yeah, sure.

          “Every Panel member saw every design. As you’ll appreciate, we are all different and bring different perspectives; that made for robust decision making. “

          When you stack a panel with sycophants keen to suck up to the man in power, you’ll end up with the man in power making the decisions and everyone around him nodding and saying “oh yes those designs with the ferns are by far the best, you are completely right.” This process could have been a chance to increase peoples belief that the public and government can work hand-in-hand to create something great; it was a process that could have increased the average kiwis involvement in politics, which is desperately what this country needs. Instead, we get a typical cluster-f**k from National, which didn’t get the public involved in choosing the final four, hasn’t been a democratic process from the start, reeks of crony-ism, and now the whole process has become a political game to score points off of. Good work National, you completely butchered a chance to finally do something positive for the country.

        • Weepus beard 4.1.1.2
          24 September 2015 at 11:41 am

          Key heavily influenced the only poll the FCP considered when choosing the final four.

          This much is obvious to any reasonable person.

        • Matthew Whitehead 4.1.1.3
          24 September 2015 at 9:28 pm

          The only thing right about the process is how the set up the referenda. Everything else has been a shambles.

    • marty mars 4.2
      24 September 2015 at 7:55 am

      lol yep that shit sandwich tastes YUMMY

      • vto 4.2.1
        24 September 2015 at 7:57 am

        hmmm …. you know the thing about shit sandwiches marty mars is the more bread you got the less shit you have to eat

        • Grindlebottom 4.2.1.1
          24 September 2015 at 12:43 pm

          No, the amount of shit stays the same. It’s just that the more bread you’ve got the less you notice it.

          • marty mars 4.2.1.1.1
            24 September 2015 at 1:43 pm

            less bread more shit as a percentage per bite and finish faster or more bread less shit per bite but takes longer to finish – ahh…. keyny, meany, miney, bm-oey…

  5. Yoza 5
    24 September 2015 at 8:32 am

    Labour isn’t the opposition, the Greens and New Zealand First are. All I know about Labour is they really, really hate John Key and I really, really don’t care what Labour thinks of John Key.
    Sure, the John Key National Party is a lack lustre bunch of opportunists. This being the case, what does that make the Labour Party as they struggle to make even the most risible advance in the polls. National’s fear of public sentiment is no more or less obvious than Labour’s in its antics in opposition.
    “We’re Labour and we really, really want to be the ruling regime.”, isn’t working as a political philosophy.

    • Draco T Bastard 5.1
      24 September 2015 at 9:37 am

      Then I suggest you read Labour’s site, specifically, their policies.

      • Yoza 5.1.1
        24 September 2015 at 12:37 pm

        Sorry, I’ll add that bit on: ““We’re Labour and we really, really want to be the ruling regime. Read Labour’s site, specifically, their policies.”

        Brilliant! We should team up, this communications thing is a doddle.

        • Draco T Bastard 5.1.1.1
          24 September 2015 at 4:06 pm

          You’re the one who said that you didn’t know anything about Labour. Well, nobodies going to hand that knowledge to you so you’ll have to go get it yourself.

          So stop whinging and stop being a lazy bastard.

          • Liberal Realist 5.1.1.1.1
            24 September 2015 at 6:09 pm

            “So stop whinging and stop being a lazy bastard.”

            This message should be given to every sitting Labour MP.

            As the supposed ‘official opposition’ they’re as weak as I’ve ever seen them. Where are the ‘king hits’ they should be scoring given National blunders from one scandal to the next? ‘Disappointing’ doesn’t even begin to cover it.

            I’m pretty sure the OPs point is that Labour are a completely ineffective opposition force de jour. They’ve had more ammo in recent times than any opposition in history could ever wish for yet nothing changes. National is rarely held to account in any meaningful way.

            Labour = Utterly Ineffective Pack of Seat Warmers

          • Matthew Whitehead 5.1.1.1.2
            24 September 2015 at 9:32 pm

            …it’s not really entirely on him to know Labour’s policies. Labour should be able to communicate enough of them that it’s relatively clear, and to be honest, if I wasn’t a political nerd I certainly would not know what they stand for based on watching them in Parliament.

            • Draco T Bastard 5.1.1.1.2.1
              24 September 2015 at 9:53 pm

              You can’t get informed if all you do is watch TV. You really do have to go out and look else you pretty much miss everything.

    • Sabine 5.2
      24 September 2015 at 11:37 am

      the greens effectively stopped being opposition, and have now become the whitewhasher party for National. I think they call it Mediation….it just sounds so much better, ey?

      Aquamarine….there goes the Green Party.

    • arkie 5.3
      24 September 2015 at 12:14 pm

      I agree. The ill-feeling towards the Greens due to their Red Peak bill on here was palpable. Labour have not yet learnt that they have to be more than just NOT John Key and National, unfortunately the meme that they would oppose anything associated with Key and National is often being proven correct.

  6. Ad 6
    24 September 2015 at 8:37 am

    Left and right together complaining that the Prime Minister is too responsive, too democratic, too close to the people?

    Give me a break. Actually giving people what they want is his job.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 6.1
      24 September 2015 at 9:00 am

      That’s a very lightweight definition of democracy you have there. By the way, Shonkey is being criticised for being “poll-driven”, which doesn’t mean what you claim it does.

      • Grindlebottom 6.1.1
        24 September 2015 at 2:17 pm

        Ad’s right in a sense. Key’s giving the populace bread and circuses, and they keep giving him their votes in the preferred PM polls.

    • laughing 6.2
      24 September 2015 at 9:20 am

      His job is to lead not follow

      • BM 6.2.1
        24 September 2015 at 9:41 am

        You want a dictator.

        How very left.

        • One Anonymous Bloke 6.2.1.1
          24 September 2015 at 10:26 am

          You think leadership is synonymous with dictatorship. That explains a lot, you poor sad person.

        • Sabine 6.2.1.2
          24 September 2015 at 11:40 am

          Mate, I remember very clearly Dear Leader campaigning on being a Leader, who will bring Hope and a brighter future.

          You are now saying he is a socialist? My bad, i thought he was Dear Leader, who will lead us out of the darkness that was the social welfare bludger state of NZ into the brightness of the capitalistic minded open market, no state assets ever – and most importantly no state houses, goodness that is the free market. But you are saying he is not?

          Oh my, it is getting so confusing, the lefties getting all rightwingish, and the rightwingers getting all leftish, and oh, pavlovla. yum.

    • Draco T Bastard 6.3
      24 September 2015 at 9:38 am

      He’s not being democratic at all. In fact, he’s being anti-democratic as he’s not asking the people but listening to the polls and focus groups. Democracy requires referendums.

      • Ad 6.3.1
        24 September 2015 at 3:19 pm

        He’s also doing referendums. And including this fifth option within a referendum.

        And getting the Greens to box Labour in.

        In one move.

        Not saying I like him, but Key’s a political genius.

        • Draco T Bastard 6.3.1.1
          24 September 2015 at 3:48 pm

          He’s also doing referendums.

          Only on stuff that doesn’t matter and changing the flag really doesn’t matter. You didn’t see him doing referenda on asset sales or National Standards or TPPA though. You know, the ideological stuff that nobody but idiots want. On that it’s all We know best from National.

    • Mrs Brillo 6.4
      24 September 2015 at 4:13 pm

      Then how do you account for his government ignoring referenda where people do state exactly what they want?

      Obviously all New Zealand voters must either attach themselves to Twitter or a focus group in order to be listened to by this regime, with its well-developed but selective earlids.

  7. weka 7
    24 September 2015 at 9:12 am

    “An overwhelming number of people have turned to Twitter to voice their support and surprise about the inclusion of Red Peak.”

    Really Herald? How did you measure that?

  8. save NZ 8
    24 September 2015 at 9:50 am

    Totally disagree. John Key has ruthlessly pursued his agenda of privatisation of our country and only flip flops on small issues to show he’s ‘listening’ like letting in a few more refugees temporally.

    More propoganda – the government does not listen in any way, all the benefits are just scams like the increase in benefits which do not come in, until next year and don’t affect many while apparently Mums are forced out into the workforce with young kids etc. It is all smoke and mirrors.

    There is certainly no ‘left’ policies in Natz only pretend ‘left’ policies that mask truly repugnant and popular policies that are never reported properly in the media as there is the ‘headline’ and all the really bad stuff hidden in fine print. Confusion and misleading media is how this government operates.

  9. Amanda Atkinson 9
    24 September 2015 at 10:48 am

    Gee whizz who would be a polly …. if you listen to the people, realize you’ve screwed up so change your mind, you are a poll driven populist or … continue to ignore what people ask for, and you are a despot. All this proves is that those blinded by left and right idealogy can never just have a sensible discussion and give credit where it is due. Thank goodness for the Greens (10/10) who brought some maturity to this discussion and well done to John Key (7/10 because took too long) for swallowing rat and changing his mind. Labour (1/10) look like, and are complete fools on this one.

    • Weepus beard 9.1
      24 September 2015 at 11:38 am

      Do you think Key has realised the error of heavily promoting his favourite design? Do you think he has realised it’s a major turn-off for a very significant number of people?

      Yeah, right.

      • Amanda Atkinson 9.1.1
        24 September 2015 at 11:47 am

        I will choose the flag I like the most regardless of what Key likes. Is the fact John Key likes the fern going to be factor in which flag most NZer’s vote for? Obviously you think so.

        • Muttonbird 9.1.1.1
          24 September 2015 at 11:58 am

          Absolutely it is, and we have seen the influence already as clear as day in the form of the make up of the (not so) final four.

          John Key did op-eds and Facebook clips prior to the FCP rubber-stamping his wishes, and as not stopped talking about the fern at any and every event he has spoken at, including at a cancer fundraiser.

          The process removed choice from New Zealanders and he has desperately tried to make good while causing further division.

          It is a total embarrassment but he will press on with promoting the fern regardless.

          • Amanda Atkinson 9.1.1.1.1
            24 September 2015 at 12:44 pm

            I don’t give a monkeys which flag Key likes. I’m confident that my most of my fellow Kiwis can also think for themselves.

            • wtl 9.1.1.1.1.1
              24 September 2015 at 2:09 pm

              What would like like to drink? I have english breakfast tea, earl gray tea, green tea and urine. I’m sorry, these are the only choices.

              I happen to like tea, but obviously your choice of beverage will have nothing to do with my preference.

            • b waghorn 9.1.1.1.1.2
              24 September 2015 at 2:34 pm

              The thing is the key government is very good at deciding what people will think for them selves !

              • Grindlebottom …
                24 September 2015 at 2:38 pm

                No the Key government just recognises that it can get away with pretty much anything it wants to and has little to fear from opposition parties getting any attention or support from a generally politically apathetic electorate. The government doesn’t tell people what to think. It just relies on them not thinking.

              • Gangnam Style …
                24 September 2015 at 4:17 pm

                Key now saying he would vote for the Peak triangle flag if it is up against the current (rebel) one.

                • sabine …
                  24 September 2015 at 4:33 pm

                  of course he would,

                  suckers, that is the electorate to him.

                  I don’t think i will ever get to see another country railroaded just like NZ was. And the best bit, ya’ll get to vote for it. Don’t ya feel special now?

                • b waghorn …
                  24 September 2015 at 8:44 pm

                  Yes I read the stuff article on it, he really will say anything to stay popular won’t he ? I almost wonder if it’s some deep need to feel wanted that drives him.

            • Muttonbird 9.1.1.1.1.3
              24 September 2015 at 7:23 pm

              Amanda. You are either wilfully missing the point or, as I suspect, wilfully ignoring the point.

              The flags which have been put in front of us have already been run through the John Key filter. You might believe you have choice now, but real choice was taken away from you some weeks ago by the prime minister’s endorsement of the particular design he preferred.

              Wake the fuck up, Amanda.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 9.2
      24 September 2015 at 12:10 pm

      Vile Harpy clutches pearls.

  10. Ilicit 10
    24 September 2015 at 2:17 pm

    I have beneficiary figures for the end of June this year;

    Job Seekers 118,072
    Sole Parents 69,240
    Supported Living Payments (the sick and infirm) 93,959
    Youth 1,110
    Others 2965

    Now amongst that are gang members and reprobates, but if this country believes the whole lot fit that criteria, god help the whole country.

    Worse still is that the Government rejoices in the fact they have helped so many beneficiaries fro April next year. So very sad is it that only at a maximum, will a quarter of Sole Parents will 93,959 of our population get nothing.

    As a Society, You Know the Truth who speaks above, doesn’t know a damned thing !!!! And yet, he influences a country.

    Sounds like we need more guns, the 2nd Amendment says we can !!!!!!!

    I’m sick to the stomach………..still

  11. greywarshark 11
    24 September 2015 at 2:25 pm

    What will bring this government to an end? It’s an object of titter and now twitter.
    It has no wit. It is wet. It is litter. It doesn’t get fitter. But it seems a sitter. Get off the sh.tter. Everything has been said about it that could describe it accurately. Is anyone thinking, how can so many ignore their lovely country and fellow people’s situation?? It makes many bitter.

  12. Bernard 12
    24 September 2015 at 3:41 pm

    could a campaign be started via twitter/facebook to have a sixth flag choice?,ie the kiwi laser!

  13. Smilin 13
    24 September 2015 at 4:16 pm

    Key = USA- NSA- DEA- CIA- FBI- HAARP- WB-WSt-BofA- GB-EU
    Cant add NZ to the list no room left

  14. gsays 14
    24 September 2015 at 5:09 pm

    government by twitter is possible when you are managed (led?) by weather cocks rather than signposts.

  15. red-blooded 15
    24 September 2015 at 5:34 pm

    This is a government that’s introduced the 90 Days Act, allowed bosses to lock unions out of worksites, allowed bosses to walk away from collective bargaining, introduced charter schools, farmed out core state services to private companies, sold significant state assets, plans to sell state houses… I see it as a solidly (frighteningly) right wing government. They are also pragmatic at times and have flip-flopped when they really don’t care too much and feel like it’s the best way for damage control, but I don’t see them as “centrist”.

  16. greywarshark 16
    26 September 2015 at 2:38 pm

    the tide went out on Mr Key long ago, when they realised he had no interest in a reform agenda
    But what reform was Hooton thinking of? We have had RW reforms up to our ears.
    Hooton is unlikely to consider reforms wanted by the left wing as good policy.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent talking about the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s release of its first Emissions Reduction Plan;University of Otago Foreign Relations Professor and special guest Dr Karin von ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #29 2024

    Open access notables Improving global temperature datasets to better account for non-uniform warming, Calvert, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society: To better account for spatial non-uniform trends in warming, a new GITD [global instrumental temperature dataset] was created that used maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to combine the land surface ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

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