Greta Thunberg is now 18

Written By: - Date published: 9:06 am, April 2nd, 2021 - 59 comments
Categories: activism, climate change, Donald Trump, global warming, International, science, uncategorized - Tags:

Greta Thunberg turned 18 a few months ago and I did not notice it until now.

She has had this cut through with the world’s media for the past few years.  She set herself up as a one person campaign against climate change.  She simply said the truth and told us what a shit job us adults and leaders were doing to address the crisis.  Like a few years ago when she said:

My name is Greta Thunberg. I am 15 years old, and I’m from Sweden. I speak on behalf of Climate Justice Now!

Many people say that Sweden is just a small country, and it doesn’t matter what we do. But I’ve learned that you are never too small to make a difference. And if a few children can get headlines all over the world just by not going to school, then imagine what we could all do together if we really wanted to.

But to do that, we have to speak clearly, no matter how uncomfortable that may be. You only speak of green eternal economic growth because you are too scared of being unpopular. You only talk about moving forward with the same bad ideas that got us into this mess, even when the only sensible thing to do is pull the emergency brake. You are not mature enough to tell it like it is. Even that burden you leave to us children.

But I don’t care about being popular. I care about climate justice and the living planet. Our civilization is being sacrificed for the opportunity of a very small number of people to continue making enormous amounts of money. Our biosphere is being sacrificed so that rich people in countries like mine can live in luxury. It is the sufferings of the many which pay for the luxuries of the few.

Her social media was great and her twitter game extraordinary.  Like the time she owned then POTUS Donald Trump.

Right wingers hated her.  Dave Roberts in Vox has this description of some of the responses to her, especially after her Trump tweet response:

Trump’s sneering attack came amid a torrent of often misogynist and ableist abuse hurled at Thunberg since the speech, with conservatives attacking her demeanor, her looks, her mental health (she has autism), and above all her autonomy, claiming she is “brainwashed” or a victim of child abuse. Several have compared her speeches to Nazi propaganda.

“She’s ignorant, maniacal and is being mercilessly manipulated by adult climate bedwetters funded by Putin,” ranted C-list climate denier Steve Milloy, somehow fitting all the mutually contradictory stereotypes about powerful women into his pea brain at once.

What’s remarkable about this is not that the right-wing slime machine has gone to work against a new progressive threat. That’s what it was made for. What’s remarkable is how ineffective it’s been, how little it has affected Thunberg and her extraordinary influence.

The right-wing tabloid Daily Wire has published some of the vilest stuff about Thunberg. But when it sent Michael Knowles to Fox News to say Thunberg is a “mentally ill Swedish child who is being exploited by her parents and by the international left,” Fox took the rare step of apologizing to viewers and saying it would no longer book Knowles.

On a female-led Fox show, the lone male guest (“Buck Sexton,” I kid you not) went after Thunberg and was promptly scolded by the hosts for “kid bashing.” Up in Canada, Maxime Bernier of the far-right People’s Party of Canada was forced to apologize for calling Thunberg “mentally unstable.”

These moments of accountability on the right are rare, of course — there are dozens, hundreds more examples of attacks far uglier than this that have brought no pushback at all. But they help illustrate that Thunberg has the rare ability to tap into something human, something that, at least sporadically, can break through the media filter pushing the public into partisan camps.

The BFD has published 114 anti Greta posts.  The Heartland Institute, a conservative tank tank,  tried find an anti Greta, a young person who celebrated free markets.  Trying to match passion for unfettered capitalism with passion for saving the world from destruction just isn’t the same.

Greta’s approach, sticking to the science and refusing to be distracted, is optimal.  And it clearly shows the paucity of the right’s response to a crisis that by now is exceedingly clear.

I don’t know if her efforts to keep humanity safe from itself will succeed.  But we need good people like her to constantly remind us what is at stake.  And what we can do to turn this around.

59 comments on “Greta Thunberg is now 18 ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Treetop 1
    2 April 2021 at 9:30 am

    Greta Thunberg speaks the truth and her words on climate change and pollution are a threat to those who are trashing the planet. For an 18 year old she has achieved so much already in her life, more than many will achieve in their whole life time.

    • Chris T 1.1
      2 April 2021 at 1:38 pm

      Apart from a lot of publicity, not sure what all the achievements you mention are.

      • Treetop 1.1.1
        2 April 2021 at 3:09 pm

        The backlash from many people in positions of power targeted her when she was only 16.

        WHY?

        I expected someone to raise what her achievements are. You have not disappointed me Chris T.

        • Chris T 1.1.1.1
          2 April 2021 at 4:39 pm

          What backlash?

          Do you mean criticism?

          Is everyone supposed yo not have an opinion of her actions, while she pranced about on the world stage, trying to get as much globa media coverage as possible? privileges?
          Who else gets this "special" only positive responses are welcome, or don't speak?

          Ardern next?

          • Drowsy M. Kram 1.1.1.1.1
            2 April 2021 at 5:04 pm

            Is everyone supposed yo [sic] not have an opinion of her actions, while she pranced about on the world stage, trying to get as much globa [sic] media coverage as possible?

            Chris T, it would be a pretty special person who didn't occasionally do a bit of 'prancing', or otherwise exhibit attention-seeking behaviour, don't you think?

            Greta Thunberg named Time Person of the Year for 2019
            https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-50740324

          • Treetop 1.1.1.1.2
            2 April 2021 at 6:25 pm

            I know who Greta Thunberg is, what she stands for and if so called prancing on the world stage is the most effective way to deliver the message of how to preserve the planet and take action to stop the destruction of it, I will keep listening to her wisdom. The non visionary and aimless will just pass it on to the next generation.

            • Chris T 1.1.1.1.2.1
              2 April 2021 at 6:29 pm

              Her most high profile one was in a room full of scientists already trying to do what she was saying.

              While knowing a shitload more than her.

              • Treetop …
                2 April 2021 at 6:48 pm

                Were the scientists age 16?

                • Chris T …
                  2 April 2021 at 6:57 pm

                  Thankfully not.

                  Unless you want the people who are trying co-ordinate the battle against climate change to be teenagers, who bunk school.

                  • solkta …
                    2 April 2021 at 8:30 pm

                    It's not what people want, it's just that most adults don't give a shit. Big ups to the young people i say.

                    • Chris T …
                      2 April 2021 at 9:11 pm

                      Fair enough.

                      I will give her kudos for putting the issue more into the spotlight.

                      I disagree with some of the methods though.

                      When you start seeing reports of kids actually thinking they are going to be wiped out in 10 years from it, I think a bit of calm might have been in order.

                    • solkta …
                      2 April 2021 at 9:23 pm

                      So you are accusing her of lying now. That is dirty.

                • Foreign waka …
                  3 April 2021 at 3:59 pm

                  For goodness sake Treetop, if you are an admirer good on you. But you also need to accept that a 15 year old has not the same knowledge as scientists.

                  • Treetop …
                    3 April 2021 at 8:52 pm

                    Where did I say that a 15 year old has the same knowledge as a scientist?

                    Most people would know that a 16 year old does not have the same knowledge as a scientist.

              • Treetop …
                4 April 2021 at 7:45 am

                Reply to Chris T @1.1.1.1.2.1
                Do you think the scientists are acting fast enough when it comes to climate and ecological change?

            • Chris T 1.1.1.1.2.2
              3 April 2021 at 12:00 am

              Feel free to back this up and tell me it didn't freak kids out for no reason.

              Greta

              "Around the year 2030, 10 years 252 days and 10 hours away from now, we will be in a position where we set off an irreversible chain reaction beyond human control, that will most likely lead to the end of our civilisation as we know it. That is unless in that time, permanent and unprecedented changes in all aspects of society have taken place, including a reduction of CO2 emissions by at least 50%."

              • Incognito …
                3 April 2021 at 12:28 am

                [Link required]

                • Drowsy M. Kram …
                  3 April 2021 at 1:05 am

                  'You did not act in time': Greta Thunberg's full speech to MPs

                  https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/apr/23/greta-thunberg-full-speech-to-mps-you-did-not-act-in-time

                  Thunberg's speech may have freaked out a few MPs, but I reckon most of them are made of sterner stuff – unfortunately.

                  Attempts to belittle Thunberg and her achievements, including the power and clarity of her consistent messaging, are troubling indeed. Perhaps some view her as a threat?

                  • Chris T …
                    3 April 2021 at 8:52 am

                    I'm not belittling her achievements.

                    As I have said, she has brought a lot of global publicity to a cause we need to worry about.

                    But that is it.

                    To make out she has done more than that and irrationally scare the shit out of kids her own age is it, unless you can point out what all these other proclaimed achievements are.

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      3 April 2021 at 10:31 am

                      Maybe I'm easily impressed, but increasing global awareness of a couple of significant (to put it mildly) challenges to the continuation of human civilisation, holding politicians' feet to the fire on those issues (has she did, for example, in her speech to U.K. MPs that you quoted from @1.1.1.1.2.2), and inspiring millions of people of all ages are achievements worthy of acknowledgement.

                      Honours and awards
                      Thunberg has received various honours and awards over the course of her activism. In May 2018, before the start of her school strike, she was one of the winners of a climate change essay competition by Svenska Dagbladet (The Swedish Daily News) for young people. Thunberg has refused to attend ceremonies or accept prizes if it requires her to fly, such as for the International Children's Peace Prize. She has received prizes from various NGOs, but also from scientific institutions that lauded her success in raising awareness.

                      Through her foundation, Thunberg donated the €1 million prize money "to charitable projects combatting the climate and ecological crisis and to support people facing the worst impacts, particularly in the Global South".

                      Personally I believe that any fear and/or anger 'kids' her own age and younger feel regarding the failure of our leaders to effectively address the challenges of global warming and ecosystem collapse is entirely justified. Do you understand why Thunberg is angry?

                      And if you, Chris T, can't also understand that "But that is it" is classic belittlement, then you need to adjust your worldview, imho, because "But that is it" is wide of the mark.

                      Tbh, your opinions of Thunberg’s achievements seem not a million miles away from Shadrach, a previous commenter here.

                    • solkta …
                      3 April 2021 at 11:11 am

                      The irrational are those who refuse to acknowledge how serious this is. It was a bit bizarre how she took it down to a particular hour, but it is a reasonable conclusion to say that no action will within a decade will "most likely" "lead to" the end of our civilisation as we know it. She didn't say that we would be "wiped out in 10 years from it", that was you telling a lie.

                    • Chris T …
                      3 April 2021 at 5:55 pm

                      No reply option available to Solkta's post

                      I am sorry Solkta

                      But while I hope things will change and countries like the US, China and India get their shit together on Climate change initiatives, even if they don't we are not going to have "the end of civilisation as we know it" in 8 years.

                    • Incognito []
                      3 April 2021 at 6:22 pm

                      You asserted that GT had said that we’ll be dead in 10 years. You made that up. Own your own BS.

                    • Chris T …
                      3 April 2021 at 7:01 pm

                      No I didn't

                      I said there were reports of kids saying we will all be did in 10 years

                      [yes, actually, you did say that @ 3 (https://thestandard.org.nz/greta-thunberg-is-now-18/#comment-1786447):

                      Depends whether you are dumb enough to think we will be dead in 10 years, from her or whoever else is saying it.

                      Seems to be jut her [sic]

                      Just about every comment of yours here was trying to belittle GT. Specifically, you used words such as “prancing” and called GT a “kid”.

                      If you genuinely believe that GT’s Climate Change campaign is merely publicity and not an achievement per se then this convo is futile. However, your comments don’t seem in good faith and you’re pissing all over this OP big time. That’s not smart – Incognito]

                    • Incognito []
                      4 April 2021 at 4:23 pm

                      See my Moderation note @ 7:01 pm.

                    • Muttonbird …
                      3 April 2021 at 7:07 pm

                      Yet you didn't provide a link to the reports.

                    • Chris T …
                      3 April 2021 at 7:14 pm

                      "Others respond to the climate crisis by simply shutting down and distracting themselves from the issue; in more extreme cases, people choose to deny the reality that the climate is changing. “All of us will fall somewhere on that spectrum from believing nothing worrying is happening at all, to worrying that in 10 years time everyone will be dead,” says neuroscientist Kris De Meyer, who studies how people form world views at King’s College. That spectrum makes it tricky for climate scientists and the media to communicate facts about climate change in a way that makes the public and politicians care, but not panic."

                      https://time.com/5735388/climate-change-eco-anxiety/

                    • Muttonbird …
                      3 April 2021 at 7:23 pm

                      All of us will fall somewhere on that spectrum from believing nothing worrying is happening at all, to worrying that in 10 years time everyone will be dead.

                      That's a generalised statement by the King’s College neuroscientist Kris De Meyer, not a specific report that states children are terrified they are going to die in 10 years which is what you claimed.

                      Have another go. And next time conclusively show where Greta Thunberg is responsible for this increase in anxiety among children who believe they will be dead in 10 years, because she was not mentioned once in that link.

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      3 April 2021 at 7:27 pm

                      Strange, that article on eco-anxiety makes no mention of Thunberg?

                      I said there were reports of kids saying we will all be did in 10 years

                      Must have missed that Chris T – where did you previously say that?

                    • Chris T …
                      3 April 2021 at 7:31 pm

                      Nice try….If a little desperate.

                      You asked for a link. I gave you one from an expert in the topic who actually researches it at one of the most prestigious colleges in the world.

                      I am not going to trawl through the internet for other news items from 2 years ago, to to feed your neediness.

                    • Muttonbird …
                      3 April 2021 at 7:32 pm

                      Ok, mate. Don’t say stupid shit next time.

                    • Chris T …
                      3 April 2021 at 7:43 pm

                      Drowsy M. Kram

                      Fair point.

                      I guess you mean she may not have been as big an influencer as some claim, with her 10 years comments.

                      Are you saying that achievement is not that massive?

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      3 April 2021 at 7:58 pm

                      Chris T, your increasingly desperate attempts to justify you initial critique of Thunberg as an individual who has achieved little (@1.1) apart from publicity by prancing about on the world stage (@1.1.1.1) are so much hot air, imho.

                      We Know We Are Hypocrites, But Do We Believe It? The Limits and Possibilities of Hypocrisy Discourse for Sustainable Consumption
                      Thunberg poses a significant intervention into the super wicked dilemma. Her critique is rooted in an active display of a particular expression of belief, walking the walk so to speak. Thunberg convinced her mother to sacrifice a successful opera career by swearing off of flying; slept in a tent outside the Davos World Economic Forum conference instead of a luxury hotel; travelled to the United Nations climate summit in New York via sail; and defied a serious social norm by refusing to go to school, if being educated means preparing for a world that will soon be ecologically devastated. Whilst stressing structural change and the imperative of political solutions over lifestyle choices, Thunberg nevertheless insists there are things individuals can do and should do. This presents an uncomfortable reality for those committed to an understanding of hypocrisy discourse as necessarily affirming a conservative view, or who believe that we live in a world without meaningful choices.

                      https://www.ted.com/talks/greta_thunberg_the_disarming_case_to_act_right_now_on_climate_change

                    • Chris T …
                      3 April 2021 at 8:57 pm

                      Fair enough.

                      If it helps. I am the same with people giving her credit for massive achievements, when they can't actually say any apart from publicity, which I acknowledged from day one.

                    • Muttonbird …
                      3 April 2021 at 9:06 pm

                      This seems like a massive backdown from the statement you made that Greta Thunberg caused anxiety in children such that they thought they'd die in 10 years.

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      3 April 2021 at 9:18 pm

                      Fair enough Chris T.

                      I regard donating 1 million euros (prize money from just one of Thunberg's many awards and honours) to charitable projects combatting the climate and ecological crisis and to support people facing the worst impacts (mentioned @10:31 am) as an achievement.

                      If you don’t/can’t regard the act of donating to charity as an achievement, then maybe you can at least acknowledge the act as indicative of a 'walk the talk' personality, rather than a publicity-seeking prancer.

                    • Chris T …
                      3 April 2021 at 9:25 pm

                      Drowsy M. Kram:

                      Fair play to her there. I wasn't aware of the donation.

                      Muttonbird:

                      I haven't backed down at all.

                      I still think that part of her "scare the kids to dath" publicity campaign is frankly stupid.

                      Personally think it was similar to Bush's everyone is a terrorist, everyone be scared campaign in the US, but aimed at kids.

                    • Muttonbird …
                      3 April 2021 at 9:37 pm

                      You keep walking into this. Don't worry, I know your shtick.

                      You claim Greta Thunberg has a campaign to scare the kids to death about climate change.

                      You liken this campaign to GW Bush's attempts to scare people to death about Islam.

                      We get it.

                    • Drowsy M. Kram …
                      3 April 2021 at 9:37 pm

                      I still think that part of her "scare the kids to dath" publicity campaign is frankly stupid.

                      You may well still think that, but the idea that Thunberg's activism includes a:

                      "scare the kids to dath" publicity campaign

                      is frankly stupid.

                    • Chris T …
                      3 April 2021 at 10:30 pm

                      Muttonbirds.

                      Yes

                      And like Asian sounding names and house buying.

                      There is a theme there.

      • Incognito 1.1.2
        2 April 2021 at 3:24 pm

        What have the Romans ever done for us?

  2. Morrissey 2
    2 April 2021 at 10:41 am

    Greta is wonderful, but she—or her "managers"/parents—are also susceptible to political manipulation. She was suckered into denouncing the democratic government of Bolivia a couple of years ago. Her natural goodness is treated as naiveté by some ruthless interests, as shown in a recent investigation by Max Blumenthal…

    Even mainstream environmentalists acknowledge that rising reliance on renewable energy “means a lot of dirty mining” to extract the minerals required for electric batteries and solar cells. This prospect has sparked excitement within the mining industry, with the editor of Mining.com, Frik Els, dubbing Green New Deal spokeswomen Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Greta Thunberg “mining’s unlikely heroines.”

    “Going all in on the green economy and decarbonisation requires siding with the greens against fossil fuels,” Els informed fellow mining industry insiders. “It means selling global mining as the solution to climate change because mining metals is the only path to green energy and green transport.”

    https://thegrayzone.com/2020/09/07/green-billionaires-planet-of-the-humans/

  3. Chris T 3
    2 April 2021 at 10:39 pm

    Depends whether you are dumb enough to think we will be dead in 10 years, from her or whoever else is saying it.

    Seems to be jut her

  4. Jenny how to get there 4
    2 April 2021 at 11:19 pm

    New Zealand must be a leader

    New Zealand emits 0.2% of the world's carbon pollution burden.

    Because of New Zealand's low overall emissions on the global scale….

    Professor Gluckman the chief science adviser to Prime Minister John Key. On the official government climate website, Professor Gluckman wrote, New Zealand's greatest 'contribution' to solving global climate change, New Zealand must be an example to the world. (ie become a leader on climate change)

    “New Zealand is a small emitter by world standards – only emitting some 0.2% of global greenhouse gases.”

    “…..anything we do as a nation will in itself have little impact on the climate – our impact will be symbolic, moral and political.”

    Sir Peter Gluckman

    https://www.pmcsa.org.nz/climate-change/

    Famously John Key disagreed with his Chief Science Adviser, and said instead, New Zealand would be a "Fast Follower" on the climate.

    So what will it be?

    Fast follower, or leader?

    To avoid the worst affects of climate change the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, (UNFCCC), has set a target for the globe to be carbon neutral by 2050

    https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-52939325

    If we want to be a leader on climate change, 2050 which is the world target date to be climate neutral, cannot be our target date.

    Any governmentmental body or organisation, (including the newly set up Climate Change Commission), that has 2050 as its target date to achieve carbon neutrality has surrendered to the fast follower doctrine of John Key.

    In going for 2050 as our Target date, we are just following the herd, but worse than this, 2050 is just far enough into the future that we won't have to take any hard or meaningful measures in the present. Leaving up to the next generation to do so.
    By avoiding taking the hard decisions now and making the cuts in our emissions in the present, we will leave the coming generation with a problem which will be too late for them to anything about.
    In the present we will continue business as usual, our emissions will keep going up year by year. We will continue to subsidise major emitters like Air New Zealand.
    In the South Island we will continue to supply Tiwai Aluminium Smetler with cut rate subsidised electricity prices, while we burn coal and gas for electricity in the North Island. We will not rationalise and upgrade the electricity transmission system. We will build more motorways while we continue to underfund public transport. We will issue permits to mine coal on crown land in Huntly, We will continue to convert traditional cropping land in Canterbury to intensive dairying. We will still dig mine and export coal. We will not ban ICE vehicle imports. We will not set one leading example for anyone.

    Greta Thunberg, as she always does, cuts to the chase.

    Thursday, April 01, 2021

    Common Dreams

    Forget 2030 or 2040, Says Greta Thunberg, World Must 'Reduce Our Emissions Right Now'

    The world needs "to stop focusing on dates and numbers" and recognize that taking immediate action is what must be done, says the 18-year-old Swedish climate leader.

    https://www.commondreams.org/news/2021/04/01/forget-2030-or-2040-says-greta-thunberg-world-must-reduce-our-emissions-right-now?cd-origin=rss&utm_term=AO&utm_campaign=Daily%20Newsletter&utm_content=email&utm_source=Daily%20Newsletter&utm_medium=Email

  5. pukahu road 5
    3 April 2021 at 6:31 am

    Greta Thunberg is an extraordinary individual who has undeniable magnetism. She is so unique in that the global community both admires and fears her. Depending on which side of the climate change track you stand on.

    Speaking truth to power is something only the bravest in our community can manage. The consequences for some can be dire and at the very least a challenge to maintaining a healthy standard of mental health.

    Julian Assange is an example of what power can achieve when it is threatened. Justice and truth becomes meaningless when power chooses.

    Greta Thunberg does have a remarkable support team around her and we can only hope that is enough to keep her safe so she can act and speak freely as leader must.

  6. Byd0nz 6
    3 April 2021 at 11:40 am

    Yes, Greta is great, if only she could steer the world to one that discards money systems, she may then have her ideals realised.

  7. AB 7
    4 April 2021 at 11:02 am

    "Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength"

  8. Tiger Mountain 8
    4 April 2021 at 12:20 pm

    To put it simply, Greta is great and inspirational.

    I support direct action for Climate Disaster and all other pro earth initiatives possible.

    If she never does much publicly again, she has done enough. Take that; all you bloated old white bastards, and your younger equivalents!

  9. Michael Blaxall 9
    4 April 2021 at 4:11 pm

    She is obviously a young visionary and should be burnt at the stake like Joan of Arc

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    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 26, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Transport: Simeon Brown announced $802.9 million in funding for 18 new trains on the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines, which ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Radical law changes needed to build road

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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