Granny gulled by National and Brethren spin

Written By: - Date published: 4:32 pm, November 15th, 2007 - 58 comments
Categories: brethren, election funding, Media - Tags: , ,

Granny Herald wants to run a campaign against the Electoral Finance Bill when it doesn’t understand the Electoral Act. Worse, because it doesn’t understand the Act it makes assertions that are neither true to the law or in line with the facts. So it keeps repeating National and Brethren spin.

One example is in yesterday’s editorial which says “The law also forbids others from publishing material that declares support for a candidate or party without their authorisation, lest it breach their spending limit.” What the law actually says is that “No person shall publish … any advertisement… which encourages or persuades or appears to encourage or persuade voters to vote for a party or candidate”.

Granny goes on: “The Brethren took care that theirs did not expressly support National while it attacked Labour.” This repeats the same misunderstanding of the law that Brash used in his defence – “encourage or persuade” does not need to be express in order to be captured by the law. Granny doesn’t understand the law.

Not only that the Herald’s facts are wrong. The Brethren showed draft pamphlets to the Chief Electoral Office when they were seeking advice as to how to run their $1.2million campaign in support of Brash and National without having it attributed to National.

One of these had blue ticks, similar to those used by National. The Electoral office advised that these were in a grey area and were probably captured by the Act, and care shoud be taken to avoid these grey areas. The Brethren did not take careful note of this advice and went ahead with the blue ticks which the Chief Electoral Officer decided were in support of National and referred to the Police.

Then National denied they knew about the campaign which we now know was also not true. Had this truth come out earlier than the publication of the Hollow Men the Brethren’s $1.2million would have been attriutable to National, and put it well over its limit.

New Zealand does have a highly regulated system, with low spending caps compared to other countries. We do not have political parties spending huge amounts of money as they do in Australia, Great Britain and the US where there are no limits on what can be spent to buy votes. If the Herald believes that money is not important in election campaigns, this is clearly not a view shared in those countries.

It is therefore even more important in our tightly regulated system that relatively significant amounts of money, half as much as National’s legal limit in this case, are not available under the counter to one party as was the case in the last election. It is this sort of rort that does need to stop; this is why the Electoral Finance Bill is needed.

58 comments on “Granny gulled by National and Brethren spin ”

  1. Camryn 1

    “We do not have political parties spending huge amounts of money as they do in Australia, Great Britain and the US where there are no limits on what can be spent to buy votes. If the Herald believes that money is not important in election campaigns, this is clearly not a view shared in those countries.”

    So the fact that they DON’T limit it means they think it IS important? Just like we don’t limit… say… blinking, because of the huge importance of limiting blinking? Doesn’t make sense.

    I will argue the opposite. How about they don’t think that money makes a huge difference, so it’s not worth the hassle of trying to limit free speech and come up with a bureaucratic and politically exploitable regime to generate some kind of poorly defined ‘equal speech’?

  2. Robinsod 3

    That’s what I love about you DPF claws you get some news and you come running to us first – it’s the glint of excited in your little eyes that I like best. Nice work on TV3 this morning too bro but maybe you need to work on your delivery a bit if you’re gonna stand for parliament.

  3. milo 4

    Thoughtful and interesting post John A (Lee). Leaving aside the rights and wrongs of the last election, the fundametnal problem with the EFB is that it seems like a continuation of the rorts, rather than a correction of them. Many independent commentators have expressed a similar view.

    When National proposed benefits cuts, 4 National MP’s crossed the floor. I’ll be interested to see whether any Labour MP’s will cross the floor to vote against legislation they must know to be wrong. Especially interested in the light of your blogging name.

  4. Robinsod 5

    milo – in light of the select committee changes can you lay out your problems with this bill for me?

  5. Santa Claws 6

    Well, Robespierre, once again it seems that the esteemed authors here won’t post on anything that isn’t supporting The Party.

    Despite it being obvious that DBP and now Anderton have been doing dodgy dealings with public service staff, it now appears that being a Labour party apparatchik is a prime qualification for contact employment. Surprise surprise!

  6. Robinsod 7

    Really DPF claws? Not at all like how you scored the exclusive polling contract for National?

  7. milo 8

    I’d like to Robinsod. But there is no select committe report on this matter on the parliament website. The parliament website says that it is still currently before the select committee.

    Can you point me towards the select committee report? A link would be appreciated.

  8. burt 9

    Keep shooting the messenger guys, it’s classic Labour party behaviour.

    Herald Bad – Standard Good !

  9. Robinsod 10

    Milo – You’re going to have to wait until Monday. Sorry, I got a bit ahead of myself there.

  10. Robinsod 11

    Burt – you’ve come back! I was worried you’d been picked up DIC and were languishing in a dark cell somewhere in our broken down court system!

  11. Monty 12

    If the Bill is such a good idea then surely lickspittle Government Departments such as Ministry of Justice would support it and Labour would release the official papers – but no – yet more deception and deceit and delay tactics from this arrogant and corrupt government. Question time in the house today was frustrating as Labour sought to lie about why the were not releasing the papers from the Ministry of Justice.

    This from Scoop …..

    Labour is suppressing the release of official papers behind the controversial Electoral Finance Bill.

    The public is entitled to see the advice that the Ministry of Justice has given the Government on these election finance changes. The Ministry is the Government’s key adviser on constitutional and electoral matters.

    If these internal reports were full of glowing praise for this bill, then you can bet the Government would have released every single page in a shot.

    But Labour is suppressing the official advice received by the Minister of Justice.

    The papers must be damning in their criticism of Labour’s attack on democratic values. Why else would they be delaying their release?”

  12. milo 13

    Fair enough Robinsod. I’ll look forward to debating the outcome. At the moment we seem to have management by leak and unofficial comment as usual. The latest seems to be:
    – Government departments will be exempt.
    – (Outcry)
    – Government departments will err on the side of caution.
    – (Outcry)
    – Government departments will not be exempt.

    To somebody like me, this smacks suspiciously of “We’ll get away with whatever we can.” In other words, it is a party political continuation of the rorts, not a cross-party correction of them.

  13. Leftie 14

    Monty
    A generic National Party post containing all rightie typical catchphrases:

    lickspittle
    deception
    deceit
    arrogant
    corrupt
    lie

    What, do you guys get a template given to you where you simply fill the blanks? You missed out Helengrad and Liarbour.

  14. Robinsod 15

    Milo – the govt department thing is a red herring. Anyone who believes there is political interference in this spend is buying into the “big govenment” paranoia of the right. The real issue will be third party spending regulations, definition of advertising, anonymous donations and the official campaign period. My predictions are:

    Third party regulations that focus on party-aligned campaigns and leave issues campaigns to their own devices (probably modeled on a slightly tighter version of the current rules surrounding party spent and what needs to be deemed “party authorised”)

    The definition of advertising will probably exclude electronic campaigning and advertising below a certain cost threshold

    What’s been leaked about anonymous donations is accurate.

    The campaign period will be extended to the full year but spending caps will be lifted slightly to account for this.

    Feel free to call me on anything I get wrong on Monday but I reckon this’s how it’ll play out.

  15. The Prophet 16

    The main thing is, once this bill is passed, to turn attention onto the Greens. They have supported this the whole way through and if they fail to reach the magic number next Nov, Labour are toast.

    Forget taking Labour on face to face, aim for the Achilles.

    (captcha – vegetarian watch)

  16. Robinsod 17

    Question time in the house today was frustrating as Labour sought to lie about why the were not releasing the papers from the Ministry of Justice.

    Are you frustrated Monty? You could always try wanking. It won’t really make you go blind (and that’s not the only lie your mum told you). Go on monty – it’ll make you feel calmer and it’s better than spraying your vile lickspittle juice over the pages of the standard. For true bro.

    Oh and big ups to dad for inventing “lickspittle juice” – I’ve always though lickspittle described the little righties who suck up to big brother tory better than it describes the average progressive lefty. Transference issues?

  17. Monty 18

    yes Leftie – but address the question – but why should this lying bunch of socialist pricks refain from producing the MoJ papers if they talk about transperancy? surely in that case they should release the papers?
    What are they hiding?

  18. Robinsod 19

    The Profit – I think the problem you’ll face is once the bill’s passed nobody will notice anything different apart from a few vested interests. And there ain’t gonna be a massive grassroots campaign to fight for corporate interests’ right to donate large sums of dosh anonymously. Well, there might be but I’ll be bloody surprised if there are.

  19. burt 20

    Robinsod

    Burt – you’ve come back! I was worried you’d been picked up DIC and were languishing in a dark cell somewhere in our broken down court system!

    Keep shooting the messenger Robinsod. That would be the broken down court system that Labour has been breaking down for eight years to try and rescue itself from the acute embarrassment of such an over crowded prison system.

    Hey you haven’t been denigrating John Key much in the last few days.

    Let me guess it’s because the nasty nasty Herald has been very very naughty and has been your current obsession?

  20. milo 21

    Robinsod: I don’t think the facts bear you out on government expenditure. Just look at government advertising last election year. And consider the fact that it was up about 20% in an election year. These seem to me to be incontrovertible obstacles to your argument.

    I still have a huge problem about the period. I can see the motivation to capture things like the National party billboards, but frankly the cure is worse than the disease.

    I also have huge problems about allowing Parlimentary expenditure, yet banning third party expenditure above a certain limit. To be fair, I can understand the Labour party being defensive about parliamentary expenditure in the climate of genearl rorts of the last election. But if you take a longer view, DPF is actually right on this: it is a huge subsidy for incumbents (National as well as Labour), while challengers are enormously disadvantaged. As such, it is fundamentally un-democratic.

    And here is another acid test: how would the protests over the Terrorism arrests have been treated next year … ????

    That is why I have grave concerns about the bill, and why I find it regretable that the Government has chosen to make this an issue of political management rather than genuine consultation. To me, it is an enormous failure of trust.

  21. Leftie 22

    Monty
    Ah shit I don’t know, first I heard about it. You talk like I am inside the beehive. What’s the hurry?
    You mean as transparent as a National Party policy release?

  22. Robinsod 23

    Milo – the terrorism protests targeted an issue, not a party. I’d say that will be an important litmus test in the revised bill. As for teh govt spend? It was higher in election year and higher the year after that – it’s constantly increasing due to increased advertising prices and, more importantly, a continual increase in public services that need advertising. I’d expect the spend will fall in National gets in and services and entitlements contract.

    Burt – I was making a joke about the court system by ironically aping your rhetoric. Then I remembered you’re too dumb to understand irony. What a waste.

  23. burt 24

    Robinsod

    I see you have your own Wiki page.

    I might add your “Burt – you’ve come back! I was worried you’d been picked up DIC” comment to this page to enhance the examples.

    Still – this is the blog for being harshly discredited if your don’t join the “here here” echo chamber.

  24. Robinsod 25

    Burt – well done but don’t you constantly mock Rogernome for posting wiki references? Seems a bit hollow bro.

  25. ak 26

    You’re on to it Leftie. Reliable inside sources tell me there’s a quota system with rewards for top Natword poster – works a bit like scrabble. e.g. 20 “corrupts” in any 5-day period gets a gold star, five gold stars gets you an autographed Key-ring (get it?) with a snippet of Nick Smith’s nose hair set in resin.

    “Lickspittle” scores highest of course – the current holder of the D4J trophy (the D-cup) used fourteen lickspittles, ten Liarbores, six corrupts and eight assorted Helengrads, deceptions and hypocrisies in one 24-hour period and narrowly squeezed out burt with ten bold retrospective validations and six socialists in an hour.

    Bonus points are awarded for alliteration: eg “lying lazy lickspittle Liarbour louts” scores double a mere “arrogant corrupt socialist feminazi thugs”; although “Natword-Multi” combinations such as “scum-sucking syphilitic circle-jerking dog-dorkers desperately dildoing depraved dykes” could put you in for a night out with Jerry Brownlee or even Ruth Richardson (in season).

    Monty is showing promising form for a Natword novice: nice work there Mont, leading with a good old lickspitttle followed by a very classy “deception and deceit and delay”. Fell away a bit in the latter stages, but a good start. Keep on practising, but don’t forget to warm up first: Natwording is very hard on the wrists.

  26. ak 27

    Burty’s back! Maaaate, what’s happened to your grammar? I can almost understand you now! Nice to hear hear from you again.
    (Hey burt – here boy, here boy – nip over to whaleoils site and smell the fear – gwarn boy, gwarn, gittem burt, gittem!)

  27. Leftie 28

    ak
    Yup you nailed it. Thanks for that – a good laugh and very applicable.

    Wouldn’t it be easier to write “the Labour Party” or “the government”
    It’s not like they need to throw in descriptive words to make up a 200 word essay.

  28. milo 29

    Robinsod – but an issue on which a party had taken a position. But I think we agree – it is a litmus test. So we’ll see. I might be sluggish posting next week, but I hope we can continue our interesting debate.

    ak – you are hereby awarded the inaugural Slim Shady award for the fusion of hip hop and political invective. Outstanding achievement!

  29. burt 30

    Robinsod

    Burt – well done but don’t you constantly mock Rogernome for posting wiki references? Seems a bit hollow bro.

    Yes, guilt by association, it’s covered in the Ad hominem link.

    ak

    You are more the Association fallacy kind a guy. This link was found on the Ad hominem page I linked to earlier for Robinsod.

    You are both gold – don’t stop.

  30. burt 31

    Robinsod

    No: I’m not constantly mocking roger nome for using Wiki links.

    Nome’s problem is he argues the logic of the link, fails and/or deviates in his interpretation of the logic and/or facts. Then he won’t give up his source (the Wiki link) till “his” argument has already been shot to hell.

    Primarily a notion that “Labour are always good” and “National are always bad” (a bit like my good mate Rob Owen) usually isn’t helping how he delivers his thoughts.

    Although I must say that roger is making progress recently. Sometimes it’s “National are bad and Labour are not as bad as National”. I think a few more months of full time blog therapy and he’ll be ready to return to productive employment.

  31. r0b 32

    “Still – this is the blog for being harshly discredited if your don’t join the “here here” echo chamber.”

    Burt my dear, if you take a look recent threads I think you’ll see some good examples of dissenting views treated with respect. Now compare and contrast with the level of humanity displayed in the Kiwibog thread on Phillida Bunkle. Or DPF making fun of Karen Carpenter. Really Burt, take a good look at the company that you keep.

  32. Matthew Pilott 33

    Burt, we’re not such great fans of the Labour Good/National Bad theme. It lacks the dashing eloquence of D4J’s Lickspittlicious posts.

    I’m not sure of the regime, but there’s word out there that you might be docked points for it – lacks imagination, y’see.

    Functions the same (avoids the need for any form of valid argument) but we’re after style – it’s not like we’re getting substance!! 😉

  33. Spam 34

    Milo – the terrorism protests targeted an issue, not a party.

    Well, “Helen Clark, Terrorist” is an ‘issue’, but because she is also the leader of a party, isn’t it a grey area?

  34. Santa Claws 35

    “treated with respect”

    You mean shouted down, or told to F off?

    Get real.

  35. PhilBest 36

    Robinsod:

    “the govt department thing is a red herring. Anyone who believes there is political interference in this spend is buying into the “big govenment” paranoia of the right.”

    So you can tell by looking at the EB leaflets, who they were designed to support, but no-one could tell that about the pledge card, or about Health Dept “information” telling us how much the Labour Government has done for “our” health? Orwellian, mate.

    “I think the problem you’ll face is once the bill’s passed nobody will notice anything different apart from a few vested interests. And there ain’t gonna be a massive grassroots campaign to fight for corporate interests’ right to donate large sums of dosh anonymously. Well, there might be but I’ll be bloody surprised if there are.”

    Is National in favour of anonymous donations and Labour against? DOH. There ain’t gonna be a massive grassroots campaign to fight for corporate interests rights to donate large sums of dosh anonymously, and in fact there’s never been “large sums” of corporate dosh donated in NZ politics. The unions and other backers of Labour have always been relatively in the hunt on this score. Its not as if they’re outspent ten to one or anything remotely like that.

    The “vested interests” you and Labours backers are using as an excuse consist of seven small businessmen who belong to an unpopular minority. A lawnmower and chainsaw shop owner, an office fitout guy, a hydraulic fittings maker……..BLOW YA MIND. Where’s the deep dark plot in cahoots with Fay Richwhite?

    Bloody leftwing propaganda, just like all those dirt-poor “capitalist” “enemies of the State” that those outstanding lefties, Pol Pot and V. Lenin had to deal with so their utopia could proceed, eh?

  36. Spam 37

    And of course, its not like the Labour government gives taxpayer money to the unions, who then give donations in the form of campaigning to the Labour party?

    Nice little ‘churn’, isn’t it?

  37. Robinsod 38

    DPF Claws – Fuck off (that should give you the victim-fix you’re after)

    Spam – I recently looked at development money put out for a forestry union/industry initiative. From memory the two unions that represent about 8000 forestry workers got $170,000 whie the companies involved (some of whom have dontated to Labour and National) recieved about $7m.

    You’re talking out your arse mate.

    PhilBest – I see you’re using the “seven small businessmen” meme again – you’re off message mate the Nats gave up trying to rehabilitate the brethren’s image around the same time the child sex prosecutions came up.

  38. Spam 39

    Spam – I recently looked at development money put out for a forestry union/industry initiative. From memory the two unions that represent about 8000 forestry workers got $170,000 whie the companies involved (some of whom have dontated to Labour and National) recieved about $7m.

    So are you denying that unions get money from the labour government, and that unions advertise on behalf of labour?

    Thought not.

  39. PhilBest 40

    Robinsod you guys are at the exact moral level of J.Goebbels with your lies about the “Super Rich” plot involving the “very wealthy” exclusive brethren. Your mates in the media did a sustained beat up and all they could give us was the lawnmower and chainsaw shop owner, an office fitout guy, a hydraulic fittings maker..BLOW YA PUNY SOCIALIST MIND, WILL YA?

    If there was Fay Richwhite money involved, the brethren haters in the media would have dug it up. We’re NEVER gonna see any scrutiny of the ethics of any of their lefty mates in the unions or other funders of the Labour Party though.

    Some Japanese official went to Germany in the late 1930’s (before WW2) to sign the various agreements and when he was asked what he thought of Naziism, he said “its magnificent, but we can’t do it in Japan because we have no Jews”. Some Venezuelan would probably say today that they couldn’t do anything like Our Dear Leader’s electoral reform, because they have no Exclusive Brethren.

    We’re seeing the dirty true colours of the left end of the political spectrum in NZ now. Here’s wishing it blows up right in your smarmy, hypocritical faces.

  40. Nih 41

    You’re not a very nice person, are you?

  41. The Prophet 42

    Watch it Phil – Nih will call you a cocksucker or some other complement to show what a well balanced and nice person he is.

    Funnily enough Nih has no problem with his frwend Robinsod (one of the moderators on this site)saying –

    the Nats gave up trying to rehabilitate the brethren’s image around the same time the child sex prosecutions came up.

    But you Phil are not a very nice person.

    I’m sure it makes perfect sense to nih, just not anyone else.

  42. Nih 43

    Don’t be such a cocksucker Prophet.

  43. Nih 44

    Oh I suppose I should be serious for a moment.

    It looks to me like the comment you’re vilifying Robinsod for is perfectly reasonable. Don’t tell me you’re put aside the wellbeing of children to side with people who were prosecuted for paedophilia. All for some perceived tiny foothold in a political battle you’re not part of, to support a party who you think represents your sociopathic view of the world.

    Think of the children, Prophet. Put aside the delusions of godliness for a moment and be normal. Don’t support a party that turned a blind eye to children’s suffering and honest governance for the sake of money.

  44. the sprout 45

    nih there you go again, assuming they’re sane and all.

  45. Robinsod 46

    frwend Robinsod (one of the moderators on this site)saying

    I’m not sure what’s more funny – this muppet’s misspelling of “friend” (in a “nice but dim” accent) or the fact the dude thought I was a moderator just ‘cos I put it into my posting name. I mean how do you argue with these folk at any level when they don’t even get the lowest form of humour?? I’d give up in despair if I wasn’t so smallminded as to enjoy shooting fish etc…

  46. Nih 47

    If Robinsod WAS a moderator he’d be piping me all your IP addresses so I could perform satanic rituals with them.

    [Robinsod says: Shhh! Don’t even joke about that, they’ll find out!]

  47. Robinsod (moderator) 48

    Jeez Nih – you know we need their hair to do that properly…

  48. r0b 49

    “Robinsod you guys are at the exact moral level of J.Goebbels”

    OK, so, Friday night, everyone went off to the pub, and left the doors wide open. And now we have a new troll infestation. Well that’s just great guys ‘n gals. Sheesh. Lock up next time will ya?

  49. Robinsod (moderator) 50

    I’m interested to know how this fella figured out I ‘m the “exact” moral level of blah blah blah. I’m assuming he’s got some kind of moral level ruler or other measuring device. I wonder if it’s in cm or inches ?

  50. The Prophet 51

    Poor old Robinsod, He’s so busy pissing out of the tent that when he gets pissed on himself, he just thinks its raining.

    Nih – Stick with the games bro, at least you’ve got a chance of winning them.

  51. the sprout 52

    i don’t think “frwend” was a typo, i think he’s trying to sound like DPF.

  52. thomas 53

    The Sprout
    I think I enjoy you thoughtful, clever and damn funny comments more then any others.

    Its a shame to have use snatch to drive up your ratings You shouldn’t need to

  53. the sprout 54

    thomas i agree about the snatchploitation… blame it on the tabloid bean

  54. Nih 55

    Nih – Stick with the games bro, at least you’ve got a chance of winning them.

    So you’re saying politics is not a door that’s open to me, by your decree?

    What a fucking fascist. This is exactly what’s wrong with you political sociopaths. Good think you’re a minuscule minority in an otherwise normal population.

    Oh and fuck off back to your 3bags account. Stop adding rows to the database.

  55. The Prophet 56

    Nih bub bub

    I’m just saying that by your anger and fake fruit problems you appear to be one of life’s loser’s and that maybe you’re better off sticking with video games that you actually have a chance of winning.

    No need to bite my head off

    sheeesh.

  56. Nih 57

    What rubbish. Your only goal by being here is to put the boot into everyone. You’re still a fascist who wishes he was the only one with a vote.

  57. the sprout 58

    Profit, no need to be blaming others for your predicament. your head wasn’t bitten off, it’s clearly always been that small.

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    Have a story to share about St Paul’s, but today just picturesPopular novels written at this desk by a young man who managed to bootstrap himself out of father’s imprisonment and his own young life in a workhouse Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Paula Bennett’s political appointment will challenge public confidence
    The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill English, Simon Bridges, Steven Joyce, Roger Sowry, ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    1 day ago
  • NZDF is still hostile to oversight
    Newsroom has a story today about National's (fortunately failed) effort to disestablish the newly-created Inspector-General of Defence. The creation of this agency was the key recommendation of the Inquiry into Operation Burnham, and a vital means of restoring credibility and social licence to an agency which had been caught lying ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Winding Back The Hands Of History’s Clock.
    Holding On To The Present: The moment a political movement arises that attacks the whole idea of social progress, and announces its intention to wind back the hands of History’s clock, then democracy, along with its unwritten rules, is in mortal danger.IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in ...
    1 day ago
  • Sweet Moderation? What Christopher Luxon Could Learn From The Germans.
    Stuck In The Middle With You: As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
    1 day ago
  • A clear warning
    The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Poll results and Waitangi Tribunal report go unmentioned on the Beehive website – where racing tru...
    Buzz  from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example.  This shows National down ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • Listening To The Traffic.
    It Takes A Train To Cry: Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
    1 day ago
  • Comity Be Damned! The State’s Legislative Arm Is Flexing Its Constitutional Muscles.
    Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
    1 day ago
  • Ending The Quest.
    Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
    1 day ago
  • Will political polarisation intensify to the point where ‘normal’ government becomes impossible,...
    Chris Trotter writes –  New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Tuesday, April 30
    TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:30am on Tuesday, May 30:Scoop: NZ 'close to the tipping point' of measles epidemic, health experts warn NZ Herald Benjamin PlummerHealth: 'Absurd and totally unacceptable': Man has to wait a year for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
    Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Worst poll result for a new Government in MMP history
    Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Pinning down climate change's role in extreme weather
    This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
    2 days ago
  • Serving at Seymour's pleasure.
    Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Webworm LA Pop-Up
    Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • “Feel good” school is out
    Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • 6 Months in, surely our Report Card is “Ignored all warnings: recommend dismissal ASAP”?
    Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic plan, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy. Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    2 days ago
  • Bread, and how it gets buttered
    Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
    Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    2 days ago
  • Justice for Gaza?
    The New York Times reports that the International Criminal Court is about to issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over their genocide in Gaza: Israeli officials increasingly believe that the International Criminal Court is preparing to issue arrest warrants for senior government officials on ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • If there has been any fiddling with Pharmac’s funding, we can count on Paula to figure out the fis...
    Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • FastTrackWatch – The case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Monday, April 29
    TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on Iran killing its rappers, and searching for the invisible Dr. Reti
    span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
    3 days ago
  • Auckland Rail Electrification 10 years old
    Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
    3 days ago
  • Coalition's dirge of austerity and uncertainty is driving the economy into a deeper recession
    Right now, in Aotearoa-NZ, our ‘animal spirits’ are darkening towards a winter of discontent, thanks at least partly to a chorus of negative comments and actions from the Government Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Disability Funding or Tax Cuts.
    You make people evil to punish the paststuck inside a sequel with a rotating castThe following photos haven’t been generated with AI, or modified in any way. They are flesh and blood, human beings. On the left is Galatea Young, a young mum, and her daughter Fiadh who has Angelman ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Of the Goodness of Tolkien’s Eru
    April has been a quiet month at A Phuulish Fellow. I have had an exceptionally good reading month, and a decently productive writing month – for original fiction, anyway – but not much has caught my eye that suggested a blog article. It has been vaguely frustrating, to be honest. ...
    3 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #17
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 21, 2024 thru Sat, April 27, 2024. Story of the week Anthropogenic climate change may be the ultimate shaggy dog story— but with a twist, because here ...
    3 days ago
  • Pastor Who Abused People, Blames People
    Hi,I spent about a year on Webworm reporting on an abusive megachurch called Arise, and it made me want to stab my eyes out with a fork.I don’t regret that reporting in 2022 and 2023 — I am proud of it — but it made me angry.Over three main stories ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    3 days ago
  • Vic Uni shows how under threat free speech is
    The new Victoria University Vice-Chancellor decided to have a forum at the university about free speech and academic freedom as it is obviously a topical issue, and the Government is looking at legislating some carrots or sticks for universities to uphold their obligations under the Education and Training Act. They ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Winston remembers Gettysburg.
    Do you remember when Melania Trump got caught out using a speech that sounded awfully like one Michelle Obama had given? Uncannily so.Well it turns out that Abraham Lincoln is to Winston Peters as Michelle was to Melania. With the ANZAC speech Uncle Winston gave at Gallipoli having much in ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • 25
    She was born 25 years ago today in North Shore hospital. Her eyes were closed tightly shut, her mouth was silently moving. The whole theatre was all quiet intensity as they marked her a 2 on the APGAR test. A one-minute eternity later, she was an 8.  The universe was ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Fact Brief – Is Antarctica gaining land ice?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is Antarctica gaining land ice? ...
    4 days ago
  • Policing protests.
    Images of US students (and others) protesting and setting up tent cities on US university campuses have been broadcast world wide and clearly demonstrate the growing rifts in US society caused by US policy toward Israel and Israel’s prosecution of … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    5 days ago
  • Open letter to Hon Paul Goldsmith
    Barrie Saunders writes – Dear Paul As the new Minister of Media and Communications, you will be inundated with heaps of free advice and special pleading, all in the national interest of course. For what it’s worth here is my assessment: Traditional broadcasting free to air content through ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: FastTrackWatch – The Case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its arguments for such a bold reform. ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    5 days ago
  • Luxon gets out his butcher’s knife – briefly
    Peter Dunne writes –  The great nineteenth British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, once observed that “the first essential for a Prime Minister is to be a good butcher.” When a later British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, sacked a third of his Cabinet in July 1962, in what became ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • More tax for less
    Ele Ludemann writes – New Zealanders had the OECD’s second highest tax increase last year: New Zealanders faced the second-biggest tax raises in the developed world last year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says. The intergovernmental agency said the average change in personal income tax ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Real News vs Fake News.
    We all know something’s not right with our elections. The spread of misinformation, people being targeted with soundbites and emotional triggers that ignore the facts, even the truth, and influence their votes.The use of technology to produce deep fakes. How can you tell if something is real or not? Can ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Another way to roll
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Share ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • Simon Clark: The climate lies you'll hear this year
    This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
    5 days ago
  • Cutting the Public Service
    It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    5 days ago
  • Luxon’s demoted ministers might take comfort from the British politician who bounced back after th...
    Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious:  we live in a troubled ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • This is how I roll over
    1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • The Waitangi Tribunal is not “a roving Commission”…
    …it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisition   NOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes –  The High Court ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Is Oranga Tamariki guilty of neglect?
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same? Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Three Strikes saw lower reoffending
    David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Luxon’s ruthless show of strength is perfect for our angry era
    Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • 'Lacks attention to detail and is creating double-standards.'
    TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • One Night Only!
    Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • What did Melissa Lee do?
    It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #17 2024
    Open access notables Ice acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment: In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
    6 days ago
  • Maori Party (with “disgust”) draws attention to Chhour’s race after the High Court rules on Wa...
    Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Who’s Going Up The Media Mountain?
    Mr Bombastic: Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
    7 days ago
  • “That's how I roll”
    It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago
  • “Comity” versus the rule of law
    In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago
  • Aotearoa: a live lab for failed Right-wing socio-economic zombie experiments once more…
    Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder. In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    1 week ago
  • Water is at the heart of farmers’ struggle to survive in Benin
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére Sosou Market gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
    1 week ago
  • At a time of media turmoil, Melissa had nothing to proclaim as Minister – and now she has been dem...
    Buzz from the Beehive   Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • Minister acknowledges passing of Sir Robert Martin (KNZM)
    New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago
  • Speech to New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Parliament – Annual Lecture: Challenges ...
    Good evening –   Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago
  • Accelerating airport security lines
    From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago
  • Community hui to talk about kina barrens
    People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago
  • Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into force
    Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • Mining resurgence a welcome sign
    There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passes first reading
    The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government to boost public EV charging network
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure.  The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Residential Property Managers Bill to not progress
    The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Independent review into disability support services
    The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Justice Minister updates UN on law & order plan
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Ending emergency housing motels in Rotorua
    The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Trade Minister travels to Riyadh, OECD, and Dubai
    Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Education priorities focused on lifting achievement
    Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • NZTA App first step towards digital driver licence
    The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say.  “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Supporting whānau out of emergency housing
    Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Tribute to Dave O'Sullivan
    Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Speech – Eid al-Fitr
    Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government saves access to medicines
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff.    “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Pharmac Chair appointed
    Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • Taking action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
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