Greens go grey

Written By: - Date published: 3:00 pm, May 4th, 2009 - 62 comments
Categories: greens, national, spin - Tags:

I see Russel Norman is now describing Labour’s Mt Albert Candidate, David Shearer, as the “grey” man.

Now I haven’t been around as long as I have without being able to spot a “line” and that is certainly a line, and one of the attack variety.

Thing is, the Greens don’t do lines. And they definitely don’t do attack lines. I’ve spent enough time working with various members of their campaigns and media teams (as well as their parliamentary arm) over the years to know this only too well.

In fact the “grey” man line is exceptionally good framing. In one word it conveys a sense of moral ambiguity, lack of personality, of something just a little bit nebulous and unpleasant. Its cynical genius is beyond the moral or PR capabilities of every Green I know or have known.

But I’ll tell you where I have seen this modus operandi. The National Party.

It may well be that the Greens have had a mini PR revolution and decided to be players. But I find it extremely interesting that they are playing using the same bag of tricks that are National’s hallmarks and are doing so just weeks after signing an MOU with them.

What’s also interesting is that Norman’s attempts to portray Shearer as right-wing (and thus himself as the only “progressive” candidate) also fit uncannily with the Nats’ dirty tricks strategy as rolled out by David Farrar last week which is focused on the idea that Shearer is “Goff’s man” and from the right of the party.

Someone needs to ask the Greens if they have received any PR advice from National and indeed if the two parties have been coordinating their Mt Albert strategy together in any way. I’m picking the nexus is personal discussions between Russel and John/John’s team where Russel comes back and sells their ideas as his own. It won’t be party to party because not one of the senior Greens I know would brook this kind of shit.

62 comments on “Greens go grey ”

  1. gingercrush 1

    Oh this post is just going to provide more fodder for the nutters to accuse “The Standard” of being Labour’s pet blog. Have you seen the post by Tim Selwyn in reply to Tane’s post, “Progressive?”

    • Tane 1.1

      Selwyn’s being an idiot. Aside from the usual untruths and the wilful ignorance of my frequent posts attacking Labour, he obviously doesn’t understand my politics.

      I’m from the union left, and I’m a long time Green voter. I’ve handed out flyers for them, banged up their hoardings, stuffed their envelopes, the lot. I’ve written frequent posts supporting Green policy and the Green Party in general. And I’m right fucked off with their recent direction.

      Seems I’m not the only one. In the last week I’ve spoken to four different union officials from three different unions who’ve said to me they’re thinking of quitting the Greens over their current direction.

      • George Darroch 1.1.1

        Please don’t go without a fight.

        There’s still a lot of potential in it as an electoral vehicle. See what you can do at the AGM, talk your concerns through with Bradford and Turei, and other MPs (Locke, Delahunty especially) make your discontent well known. There are some fighters in the party, but parties often need a wakeup call from the grassroots. The ‘organic’ yuppies in the party are trying to co-opt the party for their own romantic upperclass visions, and if no-one stops them they might just succeed.

        And then, if things aren’t turning around leave.

        • Tane 1.1.1.1

          I’m not actually a member – I’ve never been a formal member of a political party, so I won’t be at the AGM.

          It’s a hard time being a leftie at the moment. Labour utterly bereft of vision, the Greens going down some collaborationist dead-end. I think I’ll just stick to independent activism for now.

    • IrishBill 1.2

      I don’t give a fuck what it provides fodder for. I’ve been a Green activist for a long long time and I don’t like what I’m seeing. Neither do a lot of other longstanding Green activists and members.

    • Eddie 1.3

      Irish has always been clear that he supported the Greens. He said he voted for them last time.

      You might not get this gingercrush but it is good and healthy for the base to criticise a party’s leadership when they’re going in the wrong direction. You should try it some time.

      As a Labour supporter I’m worried about where the Greens are heading under Russel Norman. I don’t want to see the Greens slip under 5% but Norman is pushing them that way. He wrecked their activist base when he was a party organiser and now with his deal with National and his nasty, egotistical style of politics he seems to be hell-bent on scaring half of their base support away to Labour just so he can pick up some blue-green votes.

  2. George Darroch 2

    I don’t think this is deliberate. I think that Norman has picked up National’s spin and decided to use it for himself. He genuinely sees his party as further to the left, and given the vacuum of information on Shearer and his apparent closeness to Goff*, has decided that he represents the right wing of Labour.

    Now, this may not be true, and I think this represents overstepping what can be reasonably inferred, but I don’t think it’s any evidence of working with National.

    *Goff is usually seen as being on the right of Labour. Given his leadership so far, it’s hard for me to say much he’s softened, apart from still espousing authoritarian approaches to rights.

    • IrishBill 2.1

      George, I disagree. I’ve heard Russel talk about Key as a nice bloke and someone you can work with. I also know that Key and Taylor are both more than capable of sniffing out a weakness (such as naive vanity) and using it to their own ends.

      I don’t think there’s deliberation from Russel but I think his weakness has allowed the Nats to gear this situation. And they have definitely done so deliberately.

  3. Well done. That must be conspiracy theory of the year.

    Dirty tricks?? I think you’ll find that’s glass house you lot don’t want to be in.

  4. Pat 4

    “I’ve heard Russel talk about Key as a nice bloke and someone you can work with”.

    Absolutely scandalous.

  5. toad 5

    Hey, IB, then why this?

    “Ramming unpopular and poorly consulted legislation through parliament is what the National Party campaigned against just six months ago, so why all the haste on the Super City and RMA reforms, both of which are set to deny ordinary citizens a voice in government?’ Dr Norman asked.

    or this:

    Green Party Co-Leader Dr Russel Norman’s questioning of the Minister for the Environment in Parliament today has revealed that the Minister has flip-flopped on statements he made when in opposition about the impacts of proposed increases in Environment Court fees.

    or this:

    “Councils tell us the changes will involve “huge’ cost to ratepayers,’ said Green Party Co-leader Dr Russel Norman, who is on the Local Government and Environment Committee hearing submissions on the Resource Management Act (RMA) amendment bill in Auckland today.

    “The Government’s Bill looks more and more like it will add cost and create confusion,’ said Dr Norman, “when it was intended to simplify and streamline.

    Oh, and by the way, it wasn’t Russel’s idea to stand – he was asked to by Auckland party activists including one with a very strong and long union background, so that puts the lie to some of the mischievous speculation on this thread.

    And, for those who think the Greens might be a little naive in their by-election strategy, just remember that it is being run by largely the same people who ran our election campaign last year. That was praised by most commentators as the best campaign of last year’s election, and helped the Greens increase their vote agaisnt a tide running to the right.

    • r0b 5.1

      Those are some mighty fine press releases Toad. How many people read them?

      Why didn’t Russel use his time on Morning Report, when people were actually listening, to say more of the same, instead of running dishonest attacks against Shearer?

      That was praised by most commentators as the best campaign of last year’s election

      Yes it was, and it was a campaign that was honest, appealed to core Green values, didn’t promote infighting amongst the Left, and actively ruled out supporting National. A great campaign.

      • Dean 5.1.1

        “Those are some mighty fine press releases Toad. How many people read them?”

        About the same number of people who read the H-Fee “scandal” I’d suspect.

        “Yes it was, and it was a campaign that was honest, appealed to core Green values, didn’t promote infighting amongst the Left, and actively ruled out supporting National. A great campaign.”

        I think you’ll find that the way Labour treated the Greens over the last 9 years compared with what they’re getting now then it’d be hard for them to be exactly on good terms with Labour.

        I’m sure Helen had promised them some baubles in return for ruling out National back then – and who could blame them for accepting? They’d been almost the last cab off the rank for 9 years, and they wanted to make some sort of difference.

        Let’s face it, when NZFirst were put higher up than the Greens then you’ve got a pretty unacceptable situation on your hands if you were ever a Green party member.

        Please continue to lecture everyone about solidarity and hating National though. After all, it’s not like that didn’t lose your party the election, did it?

        By the way, how about that nice Mr Field? Was Helen correct when she said he was only guilty of trying to help his constituents?

        • r0b 5.1.1.1

          I’m sure Helen had promised them some baubles in return for ruling out National back then

          That tells us just about all we need to know about your understanding of politics.

          Let’s face it, when NZFirst were put higher up than the Greens then you’ve got a pretty unacceptable situation on your hands if you were ever a Green party member.

          I agree it’s unacceptable, but sadly the voters gave NZF more seats than the Greens.

          By the way, how about that nice Mr Field?

          Nice Mr Field was ejected from the Labour Party. Nice Mr Worth is still in National, surrounded by how many conflicts of interest? I lost count.

          • Dean 5.1.1.1.1

            “Was Helen correct when she said he was only guilty of trying to help his constituents?”

            Still unwilling to answer that one, r0b?

            Yes, Mr Worth needs the heave-ho, too. Fortunately for me I didn’t vote for him or any party currently in government, nor am I a member of any of those parties. I can understand your trepidation in answering it, though. It must be highly embarassing.

          • r0b 5.1.1.1.2

            Ahh Dean, the “man” who likes to drag MPs families through the mud just because the response amuses him, you truly are the lowest form of life I’ve ever met on this blog.

            “Was Helen correct when she said he was only guilty of trying to help his constituents?’ Still unwilling to answer that one, r0b?

            I’ve never been unwilling to answer it Dean. Helen never said that. Why don’t you go away and find out what she actually said, and in what circumstances, and then get back to me…

    • IrishBill 5.2

      I don’t doubt the Greens have a commitment to their policies Toad. It just didn’t take a political mastermind to realise that the MOU and the Mount Albert move would work in National’s favour and do so with a much higher profile than a complaint in a media release.

  6. toad 6

    Oh, and BTW, Russel repeatedly referred to Labour and National as “the grey parties” and as being closer to each other than either are to the Greens through last year’s election campaign, so it’s not a new line at all.

    • Eddie 6.1

      I’ll be a lot happier when Russel starts talking about policy, not this cheap National-style tactic of attacking the man. All he’s doing right now is hurting the Greens’ image in the eyes of lefties who have voted green in the past like my fellow standardistas. That’s a real shame.

      • jerry 6.1.1

        “not this cheap National-style tactic of attacking the man.”

        Ummmm this tactic is employed by National and Labour frequently in the house and during elections they are by far the worst offenders.

  7. The Voice of Reason 7

    Toad, can you date those 3 statements from Russel? Were they pre-MoU? If so, they count for shit. It is his lack of credibility here and now that we are talking about.

    This trotskyist crap about both major parties being more or less the same was rubbish in the thirties when it helped the German National Socialists get elected and it’s rubbish now. At a time when the left needs to broaden its appeal to the voters by acting in unity in opposition in a way that suggests they could act in unity as a government, your leader acts like a sectarian, ego driven tool.

    It’s two and a half years till the next election. The day after is too late to wake up, Toad. Wake up now, FFS and start working toward replacing Key and his mates, not entrenching them. The only difference between the greens and the Maori party is that the MP know how to do a deal. If you’re going to sell out, make sure it involves a ministerial salary, a big car and regular media ops to talk about how your ever expanding arse is going to help the little people one day.

    • George Darroch 7.1

      VOR, they’re all in the last week or so, if you follow the links.

  8. andy 8

    Bugger, National message control = Fail.

    National is holding a meeting in Auckland suburb Mt Albert this evening to select its candidate – but someone in the party has already decided who it is going to be.

    The National Party Mainland Conference agenda lists Mt Albert candidate MP Melissa Lee as a speaker.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10570319

  9. toad 9

    TVoR – they are all post MoU, as you would ahve seen if you’d clicked on the links to the full media releases.

    And I’ve just stumbled across another interesting piece of information – this is the voting record (all readings) of the number of times each party has voted with National in Parliament to date since the Nats took power.

    Act = 19
    United Future = 18
    Maori = 12
    Labour = 9
    Progressive = 7
    Green = 1

    Note: Labour 9, Greens 1.

    Now, who is it that is snuggling up to the Tories, I ask?

    • The Voice of Reason 9.1

      Thanks, Toad and George for the timeline.

      If I was a cynic I’d claim the disparity between his words (press releases) and his actions (MoU, Mt Albert) was further evidence that he shouldn’t be trusted. But we’ll leave the gutter stuff to the others, eh?

  10. Peter 10

    In the last week I’ve spoken to four different union officials from three different unions who’ve said to me they’re thinking of quitting the Greens over their current direction.

    Which just goes to show that the Greens are doing something right, for once.

    Siding with last centuries ideological losers has, after all, got them absolutely nowhere.

  11. Yeh right 11

    last centuries ideological losers?

    err…would that be the ones who are headed by a Merril Lynch man, who with their greed and unfettered self-interested excess have plunged us into international recession?

    Norman is an unprincipled, ambitious Australian prick. He doesn’t seem to really care.

    There has to be a better way to take the party to the centre than to be the Nats Green deflector shield. anyway…the kind of opposition where you don’t really oppose I suppose.

    • Peter 11.1

      Yes.

      Why should the Green Party care if crusty unionists, marxists and other sure-fire vote losers abandon the party?

      They’d rise above 7%, for starters.

      >>unfettered self-interested excess have plunged us into international recession

      I think you’ll find that had to do with Clinton and his self-interest. Fanny & Freddie were no accident, and nothing to do with the free market.

      The opposite, in fact.

  12. outofbed 12

    thanx toad I thought i was by myself here

  13. mike 13

    “But I’ll tell you where I have seen this modus operandi. The National Party.”

    It’s great seeing the two left parties at each others throat but don’t bring National into it. Flattering to think that if a line is that good it had to come from the right though.

  14. Go figure 14

    You guys are pathetic. Norman’s criticism of Shearer wasn’t even about him. It was really a criticism of Labour. You pretend to be concerned about the “centre-left”, but are really only concerned about Labour no matter how bad it gets. The Greens aren’t doing anything other than what they said would do for years, which is to work with whoever they have to to further their policy. Suddenly its the Nats for the first time and the conspiracy theories abound – its all such crap. Labour needs to wake up. You should be hoping they lose Mt Albert and clear out the right-wingers from their leadership. Regardless, the next govt will be Labour/Green and will be all the stronger because the Greens are showing they are truly independent. That means not beholden to either grey party, long may it last.

    • IrishBill 14.1

      Further what policy? The home insulation fund that was already on the cards? Or perhaps you mean the hokum about natural remedies?

      The Greens fucked up with both the MOU and their Mt Albert campaign. They could have stood a local Green member and I would have probably endorsed them. But they didn’t, they just showed they are as cynical and PR driven as every other party and they’ve done so in a way that harms the broader Left by working for the Tory government.

      I don’t care about Mt Albert and I would’ve been happy to see the Greens win it if they were still the Greens I supported. But they aren’t and they won’t be while Norman holds the reins because, as I have pointed out, he is under the delusion that Left and Right don’t matter anymore. The Greens are a naturally Left party and they may not realise it but a lot of that crucial 5% is from the Left.

      This post isn’t about Labour and National but about the Greens and what has become of them.What’s pathetic is the number of Green supporters who are jumping to defend this fiasco of a leader rather than challenge him. That’s not the Greens I know.

  15. jerry 15

    “This post isn’t about Labour and National but about the Greens and what has become of them.What’s pathetic is the number of Green supporters who are jumping to defend this fiasco of a leader rather than challenge him. That’s not the Greens I know.”

    So clearly the Greens you know are there to be Labour’s bitches and nothing more.

    • IrishBill 15.1

      No the Greens I knew would’ve balked at personal politics and would not have allowed the MOU to go through without proper membership consultation.

      Labour didn’t do the Greens any favours and should have gone into coalition with them instead of Peter Dunn but the Greens also don’t do themselves any favours cuddling up to the Nats and running their lines for them. They’ve proven they’re just as bad as Dunn.

      Your lame attempt to defend that poor behaviour on the part of the Greens by labeling any criticism of it as pro-labour spin shows exactly how caught in the game some Greens supporters have become.

      The problem you now face is that the Greens aren’t good at the game. I can see the whole party being crushed to dust because of the hubris of Norman and his supporters. No wonder the Nats love you guys right now.

      • Go figure 15.1.1

        The the MoU is based on longstanding Green Party policy. The thinking behind it has been canvased in the Party many times. Even Bradford supports it for christsakes. This is not about Norman.

        And this is personal politics?

        “The right of the party – the Goff faction – have got their man. Labour have chosen the grey machine man. I’m sure he’s a very nice guy, but it means we’ve got National versus National-lite versus the Greens.”

        If its a personal attack, its against Goff, not Shearer. But get a grip, its not even a personal attack. Stop over reacting.

        “they’ve done so in a way that harms the broader Left by working for the Tory government.”

        You need to wake up. Labour vote with the Nats way more than the Greens do as toad points out. You should be complaining about them, not the Greens.

        • George Darroch 15.1.1.1

          So that’s what was actually said (I haven’t been able to access the MP3). Thanks. Puts the responses here from all parties in context.

        • IrishBill 15.1.1.2

          I’m constantly criticising Labour and when I do so a good portion of the Labour supporters here agree or disagree and discuss why. It seems now I’m pointing out a few home truths about the Greens many Green supporters can’t show the same political maturity.

          Frankly, I’ve got serious issues with the Greens recent actions, as have many of their other supporters. By dismissing these issues with denialist arguments like “get a grip” and “you’re over-reacting” your unwittingly mimicking the kinds of “arguments” we normally see from supporters of the right.

  16. ripp0 16

    IB,

    “grey” — not an anglicised redux on gris eminence aka bureaucrat, by any chance..?

  17. The Baron 17

    Oh my, National doesn’t really need to do anything here… not with the way you lot seem to be content with ripping each other to pieces…

    I predict a looooooong stint in opposition as long as this sort of thing continues. Sort your shit out, team Red. I don’t think that the Greens are your biggest problem.

  18. toad 18

    IrishBill said: …the Greens also don’t do themselves any favours cuddling up to the Nats

    IB, the Greens are not cuddling up to the Nats FFS. The MoU is merely doing what the Greens have always said they would do – work with whatever party on whatever common ground they can find.

    And attacking Labour is not cuddling up to the Nats. Who the hell is responsible for the undemocratic right wing government we have now? It wasn’t the Greens who tolerated Taito Phillip Field’s corrupt behaviour, who tried to defend the pledge card for months instead of admitting they had broken the rules on Parliamentary Service funding and offering to pay the money back, who tolerated David Benson-Pope’s economy with the truth for so long, who fed the Nats ammunition by making such a shambles of the EFA which was in principle good legislation, and who continued to snuggle up to Winston Peters despite overwhelming evidence that he had lied to Parliament and been involved in dodgy electoral donation scams.

    And then, following the defeat that they singlehandedly (well, maybe with a little help from Winston) brought upon themselves, the Labour caucus goes and endorses without challenge possibly the most right-wing leader the party has ever had (Lange, I believe, wasn’t actually right-wing – just economically illiterate and hijacked by Douglas and Prebble).

    Go figure! It is Labour who are responsible for foisting the crap that’s going to be dumped on us by this Tory Government, and they respond by moving to the right themselves. And you expect the Greens to be nice to them?

    • r0b 18.1

      Who the hell is responsible for the undemocratic right wing government we have now?

      Ahh – the parties that are supporting it?

      the Labour caucus goes and endorses without challenge possibly the most right-wing leader the party has ever had

      A little quick to judge there Toad. Why don’t you wait and see what Goff does before going nuclear, and possibly condemning the Left to further terms in opposition? Why assume the worst and wreck it all?

    • IrishBill 18.2

      So now you’re measuring the Greens via the actions of Labour and Winston? I never said I expected the Greens to be nice to them. I never thought they should have been as pliant as they were and I voted for them in the expectation Labour would form a coalition with them and we would get a more left wing government.

      What I did say was I expected to see a better level of politics than attack lines and an MoU being slipped past the membership on a technicality.

  19. Ari 19

    Can’t say I really ever expected to see conspiracy theories about the MoU on the Standard, lol. 🙂

    Laughing aside, I don’t see what you think is new here- we’ve been claiming that Labour is grey and doesn’t have any interesting ideas of its own to run for quite some time. That’s not cuddling up to National, it’s pointing out the reality that Labour is now New Zealand’s centrist party.

    • IrishBill 19.1

      Indeed, nothing to see here. I’ve been around long enough to be able to spot a sea change in a party’s discourse and that’s what I’m seeing here.

  20. Maynard J 20

    Toad, to be petty and decend to your level, let’s not forget the main reason Labour lost, your mate’s S59 amendment. How did you manage to leave that one off the list? If you’re angry about a tory government, please stop propping it up. Are you masochistic or incredibly naive?

    I really like your principles, Toad, you’ll sign an MoU to do “what the Greens have always said they would do – work with whatever party on whatever common ground they can find.”

    Yet you happily admit that you’re working with “the undemocratic right wing government we have now”. What does that make you?

    Just keep plugging away, sink the Greens early on and Labour will happily lap up your support. Some strong-left ex-green members will be a real asset to Labour.

    The Baron, I hope your beliefs are representative of the right. Nothing like standing smug, complacent and blank-gazed that will aid your chances. Honestly.

    • jerry 20.1

      “Toad, to be petty and decend to your level, let’s not forget the main reason Labour lost, your mate’s S59 amendment”

      Labour lost due to the S59 amendment …… ah so it was all an evil plan devised in a back room by the Nats and Geens ….gosh it’s so obvious now…………. there’s a Tui billboard in there some where.

    • SPC 20.2

      Good grief, from accusations that calling a gray man to account (its the democratic process and the gray man needs to refute them effectively or remain the gray man) is adopting National attack lines and now claiming that the S59 amendment cost Labour the election.

      National is now in government and the legislation went through because of them.

      National won because they ran as Labour lite and because Labour lost the peoples trust (the use of money in 2005, the denial and the EFA being bungled more than anything otherwise).

      • Maynard J 20.2.1

        Sure SPC, it’s as simple as that. Talk to a few people and see how much they like S59 and who they blame for it, then get back to me. Start with the blue areas in those electorate maps around the place.

        Why not have a think about who else voted for S59 and the make-up of the current government. You believe the EFA was a bigger issue than S59?

        Look at what I said – it was the “main” reason. Not the only reason but yes, the main one. I support the amendment but let’s not pretend it didn’t cost what it cost, or pretend that it wasn’t the Greens that kicked it all off.

        • jerry 20.2.1.1

          Maynard if you think S59 is the main reason that Labour performed poorly at the election you’re deluding yourself.

          • Maynard J 20.2.1.1.1

            No I’m not.

            You’ll have to try harder if you want a useful response.

  21. Whacky Lefty 21

    A guy who has spent his working life working for the UN by definition must be a “Grey man”.

    There is very little ambiguity about Shearer as he still defends Private Armies and uses phrases like “Post 9/11 world”.
    The world didn’t start spinning the otherway after 9/11, nothing changed, but an existing Terrorist group who has attacked other America targets offshore, excecuted a mainland attack.

    Shearer, scarily see this as a factor which has changed the world. He has not distanced himself from Private Armies but has praised their activities, only wanting a little oversight of their activities.

    I’m using his interview on Nat Radio as the source of his views.

  22. Dean 22

    r0b:

    “I’ve never been unwilling to answer it Dean. Helen never said that. Why don’t you go away and find out what she actually said, and in what circumstances, and then get back to me ”

    STILL unwilling to answer the question. Never mind, I understand. You’re a Labour patsy and Helen could never do any wrong.

    Was Helen right when she said Field was only guilty of trying to help his constituents? Why do you refuse to answer?

    We all know why, r0b. You’re afraid to admit Helen might have been covering something up.

    Isn’t it interesting that the enquiry she commissioned failed to find anything, but then the police took a case againt him anyway? Isn’t it funny that everyone from you to Jordan Carter were only too willing to defend his actions with so much prose until he ended up in court?

    Perhaps you’d better consult with your local Labour executives before you answer.
    I’d hate it if you actually had to, you know, be honest about your feelings on this matter. It’s obvious you don’t want to be.

    “Ahh Dean, the “man’ who likes to drag MPs families through the mud just because the response amuses him, you truly are the lowest form of life I’ve ever met on this blog.”

    Particularly rich coming from you, r0b. You defended the Brash marital affair Labour so gallantly ran to the media with and spoke in the house about, and you defended it as acceptable because it had something to do with him making it a political football. Meanwhile, you get in a complete tizz when anyone dares do the same with Helen.

    Your sense of irony certainly needs some calibration, but then, you ARE a member of the same party that rammed through the EFA and then voted against it. It’s no wonder you are so confused.

    [lprent: You’re probably aware that I dislike the point scoring “I won, I won” approach to discussion. To me it is a sign of a trained troll because it contributes nothing to a debate, but does lead to flame wars. In this case you’re claiming ‘victory’ for statements that rOb says were never made, and are just myths. If you want to use them, then I’d suggest that you link to something reasonably definitive like a msm news article. Otherwise it puts you in the same class as some of the banned. ]

    • felix 22.1

      So provide the quote from Helen for r0b to answer. Simple.

      Or is this another of your “feral inbred” lines that you just know you heard somewhere but (still) can’t find a source for?

    • r0b 22.2

      Was Helen right when she said Field was only guilty of trying to help his constituents? Why do you refuse to answer?

      As above, Helen never said that. If you claim that she did, please supply the reference. (Hint; I know what she actually said Dean, it is clear that you do not).

      You defended the Brash marital affair Labour so gallantly ran to the media with and spoke in the house about, and you defended it as acceptable because it had something to do with him making it a political football.

      Another lie. I said I wasn’t at all happy with that direction from Labour, but that Brash’s alleged relationship with the deputy chair of the Business Round Table was arguably politically relevant.

      The longer you make lying accusations without the quotes to back them up the sillier you look Dean.

      • r0b 22.2.1

        Well, since our spat has attracted the attention of the sysadmin (apologies Lynn) let’s just get this over with.

        Dean and others like to offer up the claim that Helen Clark tried to excuse the actions of Field by saying something like “she said Field was only guilty of trying to help his constituents”. It was interesting to trace the evolution of this particular Tory lie – I’ll call it that, because Ryall started it by misquoting her in parliament.

        What Clark actually said, she said on Sept 14 2005, before the first enquiry, before any of the facts of the case were known. What she actually said was: “I think the only thing he is probably guilty of is trying to be helpful to someone”. Later (around June 14 2006, again before the report) she was challenged on this opinion and confirmed: “Indeed I think he was, but I am awaiting a full report.” So there we go – “I think” and “probably” and awaiting the full report – a perfectly reasonable position before the facts were known. The Tory lie machine has turned this into the “Clark ignoring Field’s heinous crimes” version that Dean and the other fools push so hard on the blogs.

        As to Dean’s attempts to lie about my opinions, my supposed crime is to have “defended the Brash marital affair” story. This appears to be based on one exchange here, so draw your own conclusions.

Links to post

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Promiscuous Empathy: Chris Trotter Replies To His Critics.
    Inspirational: The Family of Man is a glorious hymn to human equality, but, more than that, it is a clarion call to human freedom. Because equality, unleavened by liberty, is a broken piano, an unstrung harp; upon which the songs of fraternity will never be played. “Somebody must have been telling lies about ...
    1 hour ago
  • Don’t run your business like a criminal enterprise
    The Detail this morning highlights the police's asset forfeiture case against convicted business criminal Ron Salter, who stands to have his business confiscated for systemic violations of health and safety law. Business are crying foul - but not for the reason you'd think. Instead of opposing the post-conviction punishment and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 hour ago
  • Misremembering Justinian’s Taxes.
    Tax Lawyer Barbara Edmonds vs Emperor Justinian I - Nolo Contendere: False historical explanations of pivotal events are very far from being inconsequential.WHEN BARBARA EDMONDS made reference to the Roman Empire, my ears pricked up. It is, lamentably, very rare to hear a politician admit to any kind of familiarity ...
    2 hours ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Scoring 4.6 out of 10, the new Government is struggling in the polls
    It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support for the various parties in ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 hours ago
  • Bishop scores headlines with crackdown on unwelcome tenants – but Peters scores, too, as tub-thump...
    Buzz from the Beehive Housing Minister Chris Bishop delivered news – packed with the ingredients to enflame political passions – worthy of supplanting Winston Peters in headline writers’ priorities. He popped up at the post-Cabinet press conference to promise a crackdown on unruly and antisocial state housing tenants. His ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 hours ago
  • Will it make the boat go faster?
    Ele Ludemann writes – The Reserve Bank is advertising for a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion advisor. The Bank has one mandate – to keep inflation between one and three percent. It has failed in that and is only slowly getting inflation back down to the upper limit. Will it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 hours ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Is Simon Bridges’ NZTA appointment a conflict of interest?
    Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi The fact that a ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    7 hours ago
  • Is Simon Bridges’ NZTA appointment a conflict of interest?
    Bryce Edwards writes – Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 hours ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' at 10:10am on Tuesday, March 19
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Gavin Jacobson talks to Thomas Piketty 10 years on from Capital in the 21st Century The SalvoLocal scoop: Green MP’s business being investigated over migrant exploitation claims Stuff Steve KilgallonLocal deep-dive: The commercial contractors making money from School ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    7 hours ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things on Tuesday, March 19
    It’s a home - but Kāinga Ora tenants accused of “abusing the privilege” may lose it. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Government announced a crackdown on Kāinga Ora tenants who were unruly and/or behind on their rent, with Housing Minister Chris Bishop saying a place in a state ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    8 hours ago
  • New Life for Light Rail
    This is a guest post by Connor Sharp of Surface Light Rail  Light rail in Auckland: A way forward sooner than you think With the coup de grâce of Auckland Light Rail (ALR) earlier this year, and the shift of the government’s priorities to roads, roads, and more roads, it ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    9 hours ago
  • Why Are Bosses Nearly All Buffoons?
    Note: As a paid-up Webworm member, I’ve recorded this Webworm as a mini-podcast for you as well. Some of you said you liked this option - so I aim to provide it when I get a chance to record! Read more ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    11 hours ago
  • Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6.06 pm on March 18
    TL;DR: In my ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Monday, March 18:IKEA is accused of planting big forests in New Zealand to green-wash; REDD-MonitorA City for People takes a well-deserved victory lap over Wellington’s pro-YIMBY District Plan votes; A City for PeopleSteven Anastasiou takes a close look at the sticky ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    23 hours ago
  • Peters holds his ground on co-governance, but Willis wriggles on those tax cuts and SNA suspension l...
    Buzz from the Beehive Here’s hoping for a lively post-cabinet press conference when the PM and – perhaps – some of his ministers tell us what was discussed at their meeting today. Until then, Point of Order has precious little Beehive news to report after its latest monitoring of the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • Labour’s final report card
    David Farrar writes –  We now have almost all 2023 data in, which has allowed me to update my annual table of how  went against its promises. This is basically their final report card. The promise The result Build 100,000 affordable homes over 10 ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • “Drunk Uncle at a Wedding”
    I’m a bit worried that I’ve started a previous newsletter with the words “just when you think they couldn’t get any worse…” Seems lately that I could begin pretty much every issue with that opening. Such is the nature of our coalition government that they seem to be outdoing each ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Geoffrey Miller writes – Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on Dune 2, and images of Islam
    Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture ...
    1 day ago
  • New Rail Operations Centre Promises Better Train Services
    Last week Transport Minster Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre. The new train control centre will see teams from KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail working more closely together to improve train services across the city. The Auckland Rail Operations Centre in ...
    1 day ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things at 6.36am on Monday, March 18
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in an exit interview with Q+A yesterday the Government can and should sustain more debt to invest in infrastructure for future generations. Elsewhere in the news in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 6:36am: Read more ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. It is more than just a happy ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    1 day ago
  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to March 25 and beyond
    TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Bitter and angry; Winston First
    New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • Out of Touch.
    “I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The bewildering world of Chris Luxon – Guns for all, not no lunch for kids
    .“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    3 days ago
  • Expert Opinion: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
    3 days ago
  • Manufacturing The Truth.
    Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet –  is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
    3 days ago
  • A Powerful Sensation of Déjà Vu.
    Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
    3 days ago
  • Can you guess where world attention is focussed (according to Greenpeace)? It’s focussed on an EPA...
    Bob Edlin writes –  And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Further integrity problems for the Greens in suspending MP Darleen Tana
    Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Greens’ transparency missing in action
    For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    4 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    5 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    5 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    5 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • There’s a name for this
    Every year, in the Budget, Parliament forks out money to government agencies to do certain things. And every year, as part of the annual review cycle, those agencies are meant to report on whether they have done the things Parliament gave them that money for. Agencies which consistently fail to ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • Echoes of 1968 in 2024?  Pocock on the repetitive problems of the New Left
    Mike Grimshaw writes – Recent events in American universities point to an underlying crisis of coherent thinking, an issue that increasingly affects the progressive left across the Western world. This of course is nothing new as anyone who can either remember or has read of the late ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Two bar blues
    The thing about life’s little victories is that they can be followed by a defeat.Reader Darryl told me on Monday night:Test again Dave. My “head cold” last week became COVID within 24 hours, and is still with me. I hear the new variants take a bit longer to show up ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 13
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Angus Deaton on rethinking his economics IMFLocal scoop: The people behind Tamarind, the firm that left a $500m cleanup bill for taxpayers at Taranaki’s Tui oil well, are back operating in Taranaki under a different company name. Jonathan ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Fresh produce price drop welcome
    Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024.  “Lower fruit and vege ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Statement to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68)
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government backs rural led catchment projects
    The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction.   Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Commission’s advice on ETS settings tabled
    Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government lowering building costs
    The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Trustee tax change welcomed
    Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister’s Ramadan message
    Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness.  It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister appoints new NZTA Chair
    Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
    Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology.  It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Progress continues apace on water storage
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government agrees to restore interest deductions
    Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government has agreed to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties. “Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The Government’s restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax code,” says ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister to attend World Anti-Doping Agency Symposium
    Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Switzerland today to attend an Executive Committee meeting and Symposium of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Mr Bishop will then travel on to London where he will attend a series of meetings in his capacity as Infrastructure Minister. “New Zealanders believe ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Pacific Language Weeks celebrate regional unity
    This year’s Pacific Language Weeks celebrate regional unity and the contribution of Pacific communities to New Zealand culture, says Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti.  Dr Reti announced dates for the 2024 Pacific Language Weeks during a visit to the Pasifika festival in Auckland today and says there’s so ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-19T04:08:35+00:00