Granny damning of Crazy Craig

Written By: - Date published: 10:54 am, November 24th, 2013 - 88 comments
Categories: conservative party - Tags:

It’s not often that you’ll see a Herald editorial quoted at length here, but when they’re right, they’re right:

Key [is] dead-set on forging a governing coalition with the Christian-Lite Conservative Party and its troublingly dim leader, Colin Craig.

Craig is a man who doesn’t believe in evolution, doesn’t accept anthro-pogenic climate change, and blames New Zealand’s woes on its “promiscuous young women”.

This is a man who wants a seat in Parliament and the accompanying $147,800 salary but refuses to do an MP’s job and make informed, principled decisions. Instead, he would refer every major decision back to voters for them to decide in a referendum.

Smacking? It’s up to the public to decide. Asset sales? Up to the public. Tax or spend? Too hard – leave it to the voters.

It is this man, this limp, anaemic excuse for a leader, whom John Key is grooming as his new coalition partner. Key is desperate to find anyone to take the place of the foundering Act, United Future and Maori parties – but really?

Colin Craig has many things going for him. He is a nice fellow. He has a boyish enthusiasm. A loving family. A lot of money. What he lacks is street smarts. He would be eaten alive in Parliament. Ruthless MPs on either side of the House would chew him up and spit him out, leaving the bloggers and tweeters to bicker over the soggy, half-masticated scraps.

If Colin Craig is the answer to John Key’s problem, then National is in trouble.

Unfortunately, after here the Herald gets it wrong. It concludes that, since Upper Harbour was too marginal to be given to Craig that National won’t try to gift him any seat. I seriously doubt that is the case. The good news, though, is that Auckland’s paper has called Craig unfit for Parliament and, to be consistent, can be expected to fight any stitch up to get him in via East Coast Bays tooth and nail.

88 comments on “Granny damning of Crazy Craig ”

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  1. Craig Y 1
    24 November 2013 at 11:12 am

    Religious social conservative “lite” (???)?!!!? Has anyone else had a look at their 2011 New Zealand general election candidate list and 2013 Auckland Council election candidate checklist and subjected it to background analysis? I have. They’re not “lite,” they’re the old Christian Right. Most of their candidates are fundamentalist Christian in affiliate, although some are conservative Catholics and Mormons. And others are leftovers from the defunct Kiwi Party, vacuumed up by the Cons.

  2. Vagabundo 2
    24 November 2013 at 11:16 am

    Which raises the obvious question of “well, who else is there, then?”

  3. Anne 3
    24 November 2013 at 11:17 am

    Craig is a man who doesn’t believe in evolution,…

    It never ceases to amaze me how these types can turn a blind eye to all the evidence. Is it possible to be that dense and still function as an independent human being? They went to school. They were taught the stages of evolution. They’ve seen pictures of prehistoric animals and birds. They’ve probably visited a museum or two and seen assembled actual bones. Every few weeks there are reports of the discovery of yet more prehistoric creatures. So what do they do? Shut their eyes, turn the pages quickly, turn off the TV and radio?

    What do they say when their kids ask for a toy dinosaur or a book on them for Xmas. Deny them access? Sad as….

  4. Sacha 4
    24 November 2013 at 11:18 am

    Unfortunately the Herald on Sunday and the Herald have different editors so consistency in their coverage of Mr Craig is not guaranteed.

  5. Fisiani 5
    24 November 2013 at 11:40 am

    Far be it from me to help you guys but every time you focus on Colin Craig and the Conservatives you raise their profile. That starts to turn them into serious contenders. I struggle to understand this strategy.

    • Pascal's bookie 5.1
      24 November 2013 at 11:57 am

      That’s because you’re an idiot.

    • gobsmacked 5.2
      24 November 2013 at 12:09 pm

      I struggle to understand this strategy

      Another week or two and Colin will be demanding the Finance porfolio.

      He’s made money, so fair enough. Key “won’t rule it out” (3 News, December 2013).

      Understanding yet? Light bulb flickering?

    • Rogue Trooper 5.3
      24 November 2013 at 12:19 pm

      Nope, Colin Craig is possibly the best gift God could bestow upon the Aotearoa / NZ Left.
      (Read the editorial again).

    • QoT 5.4
      24 November 2013 at 2:12 pm

      Hear that, people? The Standard’s authors are now sufficiently influential in NZ politics that we will make or break Colin Craig’s career. I wish someone had sent me a memo about our powers, I’d have tried to use them for good.

  6. Draco T Bastard 6
    24 November 2013 at 11:46 am

    This is a man who wants a seat in Parliament and the accompanying $147,800 salary but refuses to do an MP’s job and make informed, principled decisions.

    So, when are they going to come out and say the same thing about National/Act/UF?

    Because there’s no way that selling state assets was making “informed, principled decisions”. And there’s a hell of a lot more – selling our laws to WB and SkyCity etc.

  7. red blooded 7
    24 November 2013 at 11:52 am

    I doubt whether many Standard readers are going to be flocking to the Cons because they are tempted by the idiocy of crazy Craig.

    Having said that, in general terms there is some truth in Fisiani’s observation. Notice how much facetime Mr C is getting recently? It does definitely help raise his profile and tempt the vaguely discontented moral right. Such a nice smile…

    • Pascal's bookie 7.1
      24 November 2013 at 11:59 am

      “It does definitely help raise his profile and tempt the vaguely discontented moral right.”

      Good.

      i) Where do his votes come from?
      ii) The higher he polls, the more National need him.
      iii) What does middle NZ think about that?

      • Melb 7.1.1
        24 November 2013 at 12:17 pm

        I would think the votes would come from a mixture of National and NZ First.

        • bad12 7.1.1.1
          24 November 2013 at 12:44 pm

          If the 2011 election is any indicator of where Craig gather’s His votes from i would suggest it’s good news for neither National or Labour,

          Craig took 2000 votes of both Labour and National in the Rodney electorate when comparing the votes of both the major parties from the 2008 election,

          Even Craig himself claims to be pillaging the NZFirst base, which either simply points to His status as ‘village idiot’ or He is simply lying, Craig took a mere 200 votes off of NZFirst in Rodney when comparing NZFirst’s 2008 and 2011 election results from that electorate…

        • chris73 7.1.1.2
          24 November 2013 at 12:53 pm

          Theres also a few religious types in South Auckland that might vote for him…

          • gobsmacked 7.1.1.2.1
            24 November 2013 at 2:56 pm

            Yes, they all want to abolish “Working for Families”, just like Colin.

            Or cut education spending in half, just like Colin.

            And abolish Waitangi Tribunal, and even powhiri, just like Colin.

          • Tracey 7.1.1.2.2
            24 November 2013 at 7:27 pm

            I think you misunderstand south auckland if you think right wing funamentalist white guy will get votes out that way.

          • North 7.1.1.2.3
            24 November 2013 at 9:43 pm

            Such analysis Piss73. The old wishful thinking self deception trick. S’pose The Twisted Colon’s gonna win Manurewa then is he hahaha ?

            It wasn’t even that long ago when Brown was stuffed because of the fictitiously vaunted moral outrage in the South Auckland Polynesian churches. Well, I enquired of a Samoan mate of 30 years, professional, social conservative, a finger on the pulse of his community in which he is highly respected. His words, duly reported by me on The Standard:

            “No…….I don’t know one person who thinks that……..everyone makes mistakes…….it’s for God to judge !”

            So I pressed him – “What about from the pulpit on Sundays ?” Response – “One of the people supporting him is a pastor !” A reference to the Polynesian Auckland mayoral candidate.

            As one TS commenter insightfully gave in response to my report – “The Right have always claimed to know what South Auckland is thinking…….”, or words to that effect.

            Honestly Piss, you’re such a fuckwit. OK. I’ll give you “a few”. But they were fundies anyway and probably voted for The Nice Man. Meaningless. Here I will punt. The Twisted Colon’s developer wealth (equals greed) and the Kelvinator gnashers are a turn off to people with genuine warmth. Also, “missionaries” have a badddish reputation. Privately expressed.

            Ne’er mind Piss. Keep on Piss-ing into the wind if it sooths.

            • joe90 7.1.1.2.3.1
              24 November 2013 at 10:07 pm

              Also, “missionaries” have a badddish reputation

              The boot fits.

              Eric Eiler claims the Campus Crusade knew Christians were in the minority there and it would be dangerous for crusaders: “Due to the nature of the mission based, in part on the environment, the participants were to speak in code,” the complaint states. “For example, ‘ice cream socials’ were not events where ice cream was served; rather, they were organized events where Christianity was observed. Likewise, the participants posed as English teacher at various universities.”

              http://www.courthousenews.com/2013/11/22/63145.htm

              • Rogue Trooper …
                24 November 2013 at 10:49 pm

                Woe, joe, they’re in a Risky Business.
                (reminds me, remember the dry humor in Barney Miller? )

  8. phillip ure 8
    24 November 2013 at 12:10 pm

    i think colon would make a great presenter on the shopping channel..

    ..that is the home for an over-enthusiasim-schtick such as his..

    ..by crikey..!

    ..other possible career:..flogging that jehovahs witness rag (‘watchtower/house’?..) door to door..

    ..imagine answering a knock from that/him..?

    ..(shudder..!..)

    ..phillip ure..

    • Chooky 8.1
      24 November 2013 at 4:15 pm

      lol…he has got American Moral Majority teeth… he could even be a reptile in disguise…(smirk)

  9. The Pink Postman 9
    24 November 2013 at 12:20 pm

    I always thought he was a bit weird ,however after reading the Herald column I’m convinced the fellow is mad but very dangerous, Unfortunately fisiani is correct the more publicity he gets the more the uncommitted and uncaring voters will think he is worth voting for.One of the biggest mistakes the Left made in the last two elections was to spend so much time attacking Key . Lets start ignoring and thus denying both photo opportunities . However it makes one realize just how desperate the Nat’s are when they smooch up to a weirdie walking disaster like this, would be Tory coalition partner.

    • Te Reo Putake 9.1
      24 November 2013 at 12:38 pm

      Good call, PP. Mind you, the upside of Craig getting publicity is that it has made Key look desperate and the Conservative Party may also weaken the Tory vote by attracting people who would normally vote National.

      And its always worth remembering that even if Craig made it to parliament with 3 or 4 list MP’s in tow, he would only be replacing the current coalition MP’s that Key appears to have written off. And those numbers don’t stack up for National. Nat+Conservative + 2 or 3 other MPs works, just. If the MP, ACT or UF can’t provide those 2 or 3 votes, then National are going to fall short of a majority, whatever the eventual numbers Labour/Greens/NZF/mana end up with.

      • Rogue Trooper 9.1.1
        24 November 2013 at 12:44 pm

        Craig’s role I see as a win / win for a Left govt being elected; even in opposition he’ll make every other MP look good by default, kinda like Horan’s or Gilmour’s roles have been.

      • bad12 9.1.2
        24 November 2013 at 1:19 pm

        Ignoring Craig is pointless, the mainstream media, in print and on air in the week leading up to and including Labour weekend run a series of what can only be seen as ‘advertorial’s’ for Craig which were pointless in the sense that such articles didn’t impart any ‘news’ of substance and simply acted as a profile raising exercise,

        My first thought, if i had not been privy to the ‘rumor mill’ here in Wellington was that Craig might have actually been paying wads of cash to have such profile raising ‘advertorials’ broadcast while keeping the fact confidential,

        However, the rumor mill says that the ‘talking up’ of Craig and the Conservatives was solely at the behest of the National Party HQ who having conducted it’s own internal polling befor the blitzkrieg of publicity surrounding Craig began conducted another series of polls in the Auckland electorates straight after,(note: this is a rumor and should be read as such),

        What to make then of the Herald on Sunday’s editorial,(especially when considered alongside the earlier NZ National Party NZ Herald’s editorial and opinion pieces openly spanking Slippery the Prime Minister over His mean spirited refusal to pay the Court ordered compensation to the Pike River miners which gave a big thumbs up to Labour leader David Cunliffe over the issue),

        In an ideal world i would like to think that what i have come to re-name as the NZ National Party NZ Herald might have re-examined it’s role as the only major daily newspaper in print in our biggest city and resolved to report the political arena in a less biased fashion,(and i am sure that like me you began to snigger at the notion as i have expressed it),

        Back to the rumor mill then, from what i have been told, the attempt to raise the profile of Craig to such an extent that he could ‘win’ an election even in a seat ‘gifted’ by National was an abysmal failure,and National Party HQ are wavering on the issue of what it will ‘cost’ National if they do so,

        The word is that National will not openly support Colon Craig, which will leave Him to spend His millions in an effort to buy and electoral seat and leave National with either ‘Governing alone’ or NZFirst as the 2014 options,

        The last word tho must go to Slippery the Prime Minister who says the Party will taiho over supporting the loose wheel that is Craig, and one must assume that He needs time to become efficient at riding a tricycle in the interim considering that His other two loose wheels in the form of Banks and Dunne have only gained Him skills on a bicycle…

  10. Rogue Trooper 10
    24 November 2013 at 12:24 pm

    from the editorial – “limp, anemic, excuse for a leader” 😀

    “So he said,’ once there was a boy
    Who woke up with blue hair
    To him it was a joy
    Until he ran out into the warm air
    He thought of how his friends would come to see;
    The people cleared their throats and stared right back at him.

    God Shuffled His Feet…

  11. Jimbob 11
    24 November 2013 at 12:35 pm

    Yep, he will cannibalise NZ First and a few older Nats plus don’t forget the religious labour voters…. And possibly keep JK in power next time round. However whats the fuss with that? If you believe in true democratic representation then he can happily claim his share of the vote and we have to agree its fair and just.

    • chris73 11.1
      24 November 2013 at 12:54 pm

      If you believe in true democratic representation

      – and theres the issue 🙂

      • Colonial Viper 11.1.1
        24 November 2013 at 1:06 pm

        So the National Party is going to stand a solid candidate against Craig in order to give voters a true democratic choice? 🙂

        • bad12 11.1.1.1
          24 November 2013 at 1:28 pm

          As i point out above i believe that the National Party are far more cynical than leaving the ‘Colon Craig’ issue to chance either way,

          i adhere to a certain belief that National’s own internal polling has had them at times during this year as polling as low as 40% which would obviously require both Colon Craig with 2+% of the Party Vote and Winston Peters NZFirst for National to gain a third term,

          That combination lasting 3 years as a Government???, hell the more bloody minded of us would nearly consider voting ‘for’ it to watch the later implosion…

          • Colonial Viper 11.1.1.1.1
            24 November 2013 at 1:33 pm

            there is a certain beauty to watching a vehicle smash in slow motion…

          • Jenny Kirk 11.1.1.1.2
            25 November 2013 at 7:30 am

            Quotes from bad12 today at 11.1.1.1 and above –

            “As i point out above i believe that the National Party are far more cynical than leaving the ‘Colon Craig’ issue to chance either way………..,”

            “The word is that National will not openly support Colon Craig, which will leave Him to spend His millions in an effort to buy and electoral seat and leave National with either ‘Governing alone’ or NZFirst as the 2014 options”………,

            Despite the Herald editorial, and despite anything John Key might say about taiho-ing on whether National will gift Colin Craig a seat, I believe the Nats will do anything to stay in power ….. and if that means “gifting” the East Coast Bays seat to CG, Nat supporters will fall
            over themselves to do what is necessary to achieve that. ECB is a very different seat these days from the time when Social Credit made a run for it. Its full of aspirationals trying to get up the ladder before it falls over.

        • chris73 11.1.1.2
          24 November 2013 at 1:54 pm

          Yup just like Labour did with the Greens in the Coromandel and with Jim Anderton 🙂

    • bad12 11.2
      24 November 2013 at 1:41 pm

      What makes you think that Craig will plunder the NZFirst vote???…

  12. KJT 12
    24 November 2013 at 2:49 pm

    “Instead, he would refer every major decision back to voters for them to decide in a referendum”.

    Even a stopped clock, or crazy Craig, can get something right.

    Generally, referendum results are hardly likely to suit Craig, however, given that less than 6% have voted in the past for the policies of similar, Fascist, parties.

  13. KJT 13
    24 November 2013 at 2:54 pm

    In actual fact, I think the talking up of Craig is deliberate National tactics to up the National vote.

    When compared with Craig, National appear almost sane.

  14. KylePIB 14
    24 November 2013 at 3:29 pm

    Could there be a risk that those who read this Herald editorial, in particular “…he would refer every major decision back to voters for them to decide in a referendum..” could be seen by many as good democracy and enhance his vote?
    Especially the types who feel like he is not a politician and therefore the best kind of politician.
    What do you think? Am I just too scared of this guy and overanalysing?

    • Rogue Trooper 14.1
      24 November 2013 at 3:32 pm

      would be unlikely The Conservatives would have the leverage in the House to initiate such an approach. National have not demonstrated support for government by referenda

    • One Anonymous Knucklehead 14.2
      24 November 2013 at 3:54 pm

      What’s Crazy Colin going to do when his referendum demands he support gay marriage?

      Please get in bed with this fool, National. Please.

      • Rogue Trooper 14.2.1
        24 November 2013 at 4:03 pm

        a marriage made in heaven
        Craig certainly demonstrates an inverse correlation between the pursuit of financial wealth and intelligence.

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 14.2.1.1
          24 November 2013 at 4:32 pm

          I’d be surprised if avarice were one of Colin’s drivers. I think he works hard and got lucky in some way that turned the hard work into wealth.

          • Rogue Trooper 14.2.1.1.1
            24 November 2013 at 4:40 pm

            earthly power or divine mission then?
            Yes, hard work leads in the direction of rewards in a way that sloth is unlikely to.

          • Anne 14.2.1.1.2
            24 November 2013 at 6:27 pm

            Isn’t he a real estate agent by trade? They can get real lucky with just a handful of house sales. It’s been my observation over the years that a lack of intelligence among many of the materially successful is often made up for with animal cunning.

      • peterlepaysan 14.2.2
        24 November 2013 at 11:22 pm

        +1

      • peterlepaysan 14.2.3
        24 November 2013 at 11:24 pm

        Exactly!

  15. risildowgtn 15
    24 November 2013 at 6:33 pm

    Shudders*

  16. lolitas brother 16
    24 November 2013 at 9:00 pm

    [deleted]

    [lprent: Stupid troll resuming after the last ban under a different handle. Now banned permanently. ]

    • felix 16.1
      24 November 2013 at 9:51 pm

      Yeah rather than recognise the value or otherwise of an opinion, I just look at who published it. Saves a lot of time. 🙄

    • North 16.2
      24 November 2013 at 10:03 pm

      No, only you. What did you say again ? As you were to your poor abused sister…….fucking useless.

    • Tracey 16.3
      25 November 2013 at 6:56 am

      IF I banned the Herald it would not be for not being PC but because it is shallow and more opinionated than investigative and has strayed far from its original purpose of educating and shining a light in dark places.

  17. millsy 17
    24 November 2013 at 10:36 pm

    We should all be worried about Colin Craig’s party.

    He wants to take away our social and sexual rights and freedoms. If not legally, then economically. His desire to shoe horn New Zealanders into the idealised nuclear family of mum,dad 2 kids, dog and station will lead to unhappiness, misery and abuse (and probably more incidences of unfaithfulness and family violence). His desire for restrictions on abortion will lead to more back alley abortions, and more abandoned babies – while parental notification and consent laws will just lead to more young girls being booted our of their homes, and having the crap beaten out of them (I hear the islanders are good like that, laying into their kids with the old jandal ).

    And of course, education and science. Given that Craig essentially belives that magic was used to create the world, as opposed to scientific processes, he will most probably push to have magic taught in our schools, making our country a laughing stock in the scientific community. And I strongly suggest that the PSA and NZEI/PPTA have a contigency plan to deal with a possible unoffical progrom of homosexuals in teaching/CYFS, etc. They should write to Craig and tell him at any attempt to remove homosexual teachers from our school system and allow boards to foster an unsafe environment for LGBT students and teachers (which will lead to a huge surge in suicides) will result in instant strike action and walk outs.

    And sex, well. We will all be taught that it is dirty and disgusting, and people will not be able to access abortions, contraceptives, etc through the public health system.

    We should all be freaked out by the CP. I dont think we realise how dangerous they are to a progressive society and country such as this country. The hard fought rights we have won over the past 40 years are in danger. The conservatives offer misery, intolerance, bigotry and bullying. If you are gay, divorced, atheist, sexually active and unmarried, young, or in a non traditional family unit, your life will be a misery,

    Colin Craig must he stopped. At all costs.

    Sex for life.

    • Rogue Trooper 17.1
      24 November 2013 at 10:55 pm

      and let the primary school children be informed about what is for what, where it goes, and at what age so they are not sitting ducks for weasels telling self-serving stories about sexuality.

    • chris73 17.2
      24 November 2013 at 11:07 pm

      Settle down, if he gets in (and thats still far from certain) he’ll onlu have a handful of MPs and he’ll have as much power as the Maori Party has now

      Meaning he’ll get stuff all policies through and you can bet those he does get through will be watered down

    • Tracey 17.3
      25 November 2013 at 7:01 am

      John Banks too believes the genesis account and seems to suggest that evolution is a belief system like creation.

      “Banks agreed that he believed in the story of Adam and Eve and did not accept the scientific fact of evolution…”

      :…Interviewer: So let me get this clear, John Banks, Associate Minister of Education, you disagree with Darwin’s theory of evolution, you believe the Genesis account of how life began?

      Banks: Yes.”

      http://dunedinschool.wordpress.com/2012/08/20/new-zealands-associate-minister-of-education-john-banks-believes-in-adam-and-eve-but-not-evolution/

  18. KJT 18
    25 November 2013 at 9:50 am

    Maybe Craig is good for the left.

    1. The association is likely to make National less credible as a Government.

    2. We may get BCIR as a price of him supporting National.
    BCIR are unlikely to support most of his policies.
    If Craig ever gets BCIR he will have shot his whole bunch of right wing anti-democratic, anti-human rights and authoritarian thieves, in the foot.

  19. aerobubble 19
    25 November 2013 at 2:07 pm

    Evolution. Its not that people like C.C don’t agree with evolution, when that’s just a purely scientific stance, its whether they understand the process as it exists outside of beginning of life. Does CC believe in evolution as applied to medicine, or engineering, or bacteria in food, and the public policy implications. Since to say he doesn’t believe in evolution means two different things, as a religious people engaged in politics its targeted at gaining support from religious groups, but as a secularist who said it; that would be deeply concerning as to their ability to govern. CC seems to be wanting to talk like the latter yet everyone sees through him to the former. i.e. two faces.

  20. lolitas brother 20
    25 November 2013 at 2:23 pm

    [deleted]

    [lprent: Troll resuming after last ban. Now banned permanently as being a complete fool. ]

  21. Rogue Trooper 21
    25 November 2013 at 2:31 pm

    keep All in The Family , voyeur.

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    The northern expressway extension from Warkworth to Whangarei is likely to require radical changes to legislation if it is going to be built within the foreseeable future. The Government’s powers to purchase land, the planning process and current restrictions on road tolling are all going to need to be changed ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #30 2024

    Open access notables Could an extremely cold central European winter such as 1963 happen again despite climate change?, Sippel et al., Weather and Climate Dynamics: Here, we first show based on multiple attribution methods that a winter of similar circulation conditions to 1963 would still lead to an extreme seasonal ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • First they came for the Māori

    Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedFirst they came for the doctors But I was confused by the numbers and costs So I didn't speak up Then they came for our police and nurses And I didn't think we could afford those costs anyway So I ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Join us for the weekly Hoon on YouTube Live

    Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on UnsplashWe’re back again after our mid-winter break. We’re still with the ‘new’ day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when we have our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Will the real PM Luxon please stand up?

    Notes: This is a free article. Abuse in Care themes are mentioned. Video is at the bottom.BackgroundYesterday’s report into Abuse in Care revealed that at least 1 in 3 of all who went through state and faith based care were abused - often horrifically. At least, because not all survivors ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Will debt reduction trump abuse in care redress?

    Luxon speaks in Parliament yesterday about the Abuse in Care report. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:PM Christopher Luxon said yesterday in tabling the Abuse in Care report in Parliament he wanted to ‘do the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Olywhites and Time Bandits

    About a decade ago I worked with a bloke called Steve. He was the grizzled veteran coder, a few years older than me, who knew where the bodies were buried - code wise. Despite his best efforts to be approachable and friendly he could be kind of gruff, through to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Why were the 1930s so hot in North America?

    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

  • 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
    18 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
    21 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
    21 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
    23 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

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