Guest post – let the outrage continue!

Written By: - Date published: 8:24 am, May 13th, 2021 - 29 comments
Categories: Unions, wages, workers' rights - Tags: , , , , ,

By Sandra Grey, National Secretary of Te Hautū Kahurangi | Tertiary Education Union

Outrage at suggestions that nurses, teachers, social workers, and doctors were not worthy of a pay rise this year has been swift.

Harnessed, this outrage led to an agreement between unions and the Minister of Public Services, Chris Hipkins, that there will be genuine pay negotiations for those who work in public sector jobs and that there is no pay freeze.

The passion for defending the workers who staff hospitals, teach our children, those who provided advice and action to keep us safe in a COVID-19 world, provide guidance and support to those in distress, must continue if pay rises are to become a reality.

And it must continue for all those who ensure daily that over 340,000 learners (these learners are our children, brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, friends and colleagues) get access to quality life-long learning.

In the latest COVID-19 pulse survey TEU members have shared how they are feeling after a year of doing everything they can to keep learners engaged in their – it is pretty dire.

Nearly half of all academics surveyed said they were very stressed and almost a third of general and allied staff expressed this level of stress.

This is stress that leads to health issues, burnout, affects whanau.

“I have been expected to partially absorb the work of an entire separate team of professional/general staff who took voluntary redundancy prior to Covid, and were never replaced. The end result is that I now feel as though I’m failing at everything because I don’t have time to complete any of my tasks in a proactive, structured, well thought out fashion.”

“I was directly ordered by our dean to take leave even after I pointed out that I would be unable to meet research and teaching obligations if I actually took it. But budget targets were evidently took priority over my wellbeing.”

“Our Dean & PVC have been completely silent with regard to advocacy on our behalf, and our SLT are completely blind to the awful, debilitating stress that they have placed us under.  I know of colleagues who have been suicidal.”

This is stress caused by being great staff members who want to do all they can to ensure learners are still getting what they need.

Now it’s time to ensure these workers get what they need.

University, polytechnic, and wānanga employers can show they really do value their staff by coming to the negotiating table with a pay rise.

The next thing needed in our polytechnics, universities, and wānanga – where student numbers are up in some cases by 35% – is an end to hiring freezes and cuts to courses and jobs.

While COVID-19 did have a real effect on the budgets of the tertiary education sector, rising student numbers, government financial support, and the surpluses in some of our institutions do not warrant ongoing actions which push more and more work onto fewer and fewer staff.

While the focus of the discussion with the Minister of Public Services this week centered on ensuring pay rises could be negotiated, he also acknowledged that workload and wellbeing issues are a priority.

It is time the leaders of universities, polytechnics, and wānanga did the same.

Here’s the rub, if we want New Zealanders to have access to quality teaching, learning, support, and research in our public tertiary education, we need well supported staff.

We say it often, but it’s worth repeating – our students conditions of learning are our conditions of work.

The government has made it clear in meetings with unions this week that it understands the importance of pay rises and tackling workloads. We rightly expect the same of those managing our publicly funded universities, polytechnics, and wānanga.

29 comments on “Guest post – let the outrage continue! ”

  1. Pat 1

    A ham fisted attempt to limit inflation and the increased risk of debt deflation. The intent could be argued it was supportive of the low and moderately paid but highlights the cul de sac allowing monetary policy to direct our economy for decades past has led us into….and the near impossibility of a painless exit.

  2. Anne 2

    Then there is the other side of the coin:

    The cleaners who work night and day cleaning office blocks, schools, hospitals, public utilities and other institutional entities. The supermarket workers who work night and day supplying 5 million people with their food and other needs and who increasingly face abuse from self centred and often racist customers. The transport workers who build and repair the country's roads. The factory workers who produce goods and services without which we couldn't survive. And the list goes on…..

    A large portion of the above workers are on the minimum wage and have to work at 2 to 3 jobs in order to eke out the barest of living conditions. Are they not in dire need of a substantial income lift? Or are they considered less important than their professional cousins?

    In a Covid ravaged world where financial resources have become scarcer, should they not be given priority in the current conditions? You know… a decent roof over their heads, access to healthy foods, good clothing and shoes? The things the rest of us take for granted, but things up to 1/3rd of our society do not possess.

    Imo, they should take precedence at this point otherwise this country will be creating even more serious problems further down the track. I think the public servants and related occupations should be prepared to downsize their expectations for a year or so and give some thought to those so much worse off than themselves.

    • Westykev 2.1

      Anne +1

      My wife works in retail and the abuse they received from customers during the lockdowns (and to this day) is really disappointing. The people you refer to were the true heroes doing work on minimum pay

    • Treetop 2.2

      A massive state home build is required (possibly a two tier one) as rent is the main cause of poverty in the above occupations.

      I can see where you are coming from due to the cost of living.

      Who would have thought that those better off were also doing it financially tough and are also struggling.

    • Patricia Bremner 2.3

      100% Anne. All of the comfortable and quite a number of the entitled and just bloody greedy, need to consider all those who are battling to stay afloat.

      "Do we buy another rental/larger home?" Is not the same as "Do we buy fresh food or more bread and eggs?" or "Do we have somewhere to sleep safely?"

      Lip service to the poor and the planet will not do any more.
      The wealthy don’t mind change, as long as they are not affected!!

      It is a Pause and reset, which is badly needed.

    • mike 2.4

      Quite right Anne. In the whole of Sandra Grey's contribution there is not one mention of her fellow state employees who earn under sixty thousand dollars, many a lot less than that. Most of these workers can't rely on a well funded, loquacious and voluble union to push their cause, though that union was strangely quiet during the ten years of Key. They love to play the 'poor me' card, and quite rightly, but a nod in the direction of those public sector workers who are much worse off than themselves might be expected, or is empathy outmoded? C'mon comrades include others. To me it seems that Chris Hipkins is the only one who's noticed those at the bottom.

    • UncookedSelachimorpha 2.5

      The people on $40k argue about those on $65k…meanwhile those with billions are ignored, control nearly all the wealth and are free to contribute very little (with their interests carefully protected by Labour and National). Their wealth has sky rocketed through covid and they pay far less tax than everyone working for a living. Likewise the banks – back to about $1b profit each per annum, by virtue of rights granted to them by legislation.

      Graeme Hart, NZ's richest man, makes $3.4b during Covid-19 pandemic

      BNZ six-month profit jumps 80 per cent, follows other big banks' big results

      If we have debt to worry about – how about looking at the people with all the money?

    • Anne 2.6

      Btw, in the second paragraph the last word should have been counterparts – not cousins. Why I typed that I don't know. 🙁

      And thanks all of you who replied. A pity the media couldn't bring themselves to point out the obvious. And yes UncookedS…. Very good point!

  3. Tiger Mountain 3

    Workers are obviously entitled to fight when and where they choose to do so. But, really, where were the public sector unions during 9 years of Key and English? As soon as there is a union friendly Govt. in office regardless of their intentions–the Wellington offices seem to rediscover industrial action.

    Various Education union memberships it must be said did put up a determined and lengthy struggle, against Hekia Parata’s National Standards, and perennial issues of bulk funding, performance pay and Charter Schools. Sections of the health unions also were in action like junior Doctors etc. But there was barely a squeak out of PSA and other leaderships during the National years.

    Many of the woes of the public sector go straight back to the State Sector Act and bums on seats tertiary regimes which turned Vice Chancellors into authoritarian slash and burn merchants.

    The campaign that is really needed, is to roll back the neo liberal state and the penetration of public infrastructure by private capital. Maybe the “Freeze” fiasco of the past week will wake some up to the fact that Labour is not always your friend when they are guided by monetarist theory and legislation.

    • Chris 3.1

      It's because the public sector unions like the TEU and PSA are completely at home spending their days and nights sqaurely up the employers' arses.

  4. Treetop 4

    The biggest cost people face is housing, next is probably childcare. Some sort of housing and childcare package is required for police, nurses, social workers and teachers.

    • gsays 4.1

      Ironically both housing costs and childcare can be taken care of by significant lifts in wages.

      Not needing to have both parents working. Radical I know, 50 years ago it used to be able to be done.

      • greywarshark 4.1.1

        It was great to have a choice of working or staying at home with the children, for the period when that was possible. The two parents could work hard together to build savings, buy a house and have the security and responsibility of running their own lives – not being tossed about like a boat in a storm. Now never in one place for long, never knowing what job they will have for more than a year or so. And still being expected to be performing a job to a high standard.

      • Rosemary McDonald 4.1.2

        …both housing costs and childcare can be taken care of by significant lifts in wages.

        Yes. But unfortunately rent, power, food costs etc would all rise in tandem 'in order to pay the extra hourly rate' and so on and so forth.

        Wage increase and price and rent freeze.

        No political party within sight, or living memory, has the will to sort this.

        • gsays 4.1.2.1

          'Yes. But unfortunately rent, power, food costs etc would all rise in tandem "

          Probably, if they stayed in the 'market driven' society we are tumbling about in currently.

          If those costs were absorbed in an environment where the community/whanau/family were paramount them prices don't have to rise or if they do, their impact is less impactful.

      • Treetop 4.1.3

        The working poor are the police, nurses, social workers and the teachers who are trying to save for a home deposit or who have children under 3 or a few children.

        Targeted allowances are necessary due to where the above occupations live and where they are financially.

        • Pat 4.1.3.1

          Police, nurses and teachers may not be paid well enough but they are most certainly not the working poor…..the median income in NZ is 53000pa…that means half the population earn less than that.

          • Treetop 4.1.3.1.1

            Reread the first paragraph.

            …who are trying to save for a home deposit or who have children under 3 or a few children.

            High end working poor.

            The rent currently paid and child care costs do not leave much. This income bracket get less government assistance e.g. accommodation supplement and childcare subsidy due to their income level. Not sure about WFF.

            Put another way police, nurses, social workers and teachers should be able to pay a mortgage. Many are struggling to be home owners.

            The median income compared to the cost of homes is the main problem.

            • Pat 4.1.3.1.1.1

              If you are going to label those earning above the median income (in some instances by 10s of thousands) 'the working poor' what then do you call those who earn less than the median income?

              • Treetop

                Working poor as well.

                Low, medium and high working poor.

                It depends on the personal circumstances as well. One income, saving for a home, age of children if any, whether or not eligible for accommodation supplement, WFF or a community card, a student loan, part of the country where they live.

  5. Byd0nz 5

    Trade unionists went to war to preserve the way of life at home, like the 40 hour week, one wage household, a better future for the children yet to come. Not for a minimum wage that is not even a living wage. They never went to war for this sort of future.

    So much for lest we forget, we've already forgotten.

    • Marcus Morris 5.1

      "A land fit for hero's." Yeah, right. Totally agree with all that Anne and those who have supported her, have said. To what extent has this government been transformative and do we have a timid Treasurer who is dominating procedures?

  6. Patricia Bremner 6

    Unions were made a dirty word by pure political spin. Unions terrible/ Round table good.

    Associations were fine… a sort of club. Any organising by workers, or talk of conditions was squashed as not for the workers to decide.

    So we are slowly getting some balance, slowly being the operative word. Wow the outcry has been fierce.

    I think the Government read the tea leaves and cut these Unions off at the pass, as they were not aiming to improve the lives of their low paid members, looking only to their own stress. We have all been stressed by the ongoing pandemic, and those on low money have had that added to their usual stresses.

    The Government has taken a position. We need to lift the wages of the poorly paid, we need to curtail the greed and self serving nature of the discussions. We need to focus on our struggling people and environment, that will lift everyone.

    • Byd0nz 6.1

      The Government has taken a position. We need to lift the wages of the poorly paid, we need to curtail the greed and self serving nature of the discussions. We need to focus on our struggling people and environment, that will lift everyone.

      Agree whole heartedly.

  7. Ad 7

    The Government is behaving like a cartel across the entire public sector that employs about 25% of us.

    They were only able to do that when the borders were closed. Now that they are opening, they are going to feel the real heat from a rich Australian government who have launched a budget designed to go and get the best and brightest in the world, and to drive unemployment down to 4%.

    […] [T]he Aussies are now going to throw down $74.6 billion over the next two years on tax cuts and business while lavishing tax breaks in sectors such as health, aged care and mental health: traditionally low wage industries, dominated by women.

    But the consequences of those decisions could now be felt keenly felt in New Zealand. The resulting pressures of the new Australian largesse could now be felt in the Kiwi Labour market and even start another brain drain.

    This could all create a perfect storm, unless the Budget gets the big calls right: New Zealand has a rich country on its doorstep that’s facing Labour shortages, that pays better wages and has as affordable or more affordable houses. Its Government is pumping cash into driving unemployment down further. And its border is now open to New Zealand.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/125142382/budget-2021-is-new-zealand-on-the-eve-of-a-new-brain-drain-to-australia

    Typically all New Zealanders generally do is sneer as they jet off. Or just keep complaining about the wages of cleaners. Which is just piling ignorance on ignorance.

    Then they forget how long the waiting lists are for cancer treatment, radiology, surgery, light rail system specialists, research & development specialists, bridge engineers, water system engineers, specialist policy writers, and more.

    Ardern, Hipkins and Robertson have of course made nice with the unions who get them in power, but the underlying issue of being a low-wage, low-thinking, low-innovation, low productivity, low-ambition economy and society is just going to persist with their attitude.

    [I’ve put the large piece of text that you copied & pasted from Stuff in blockquote and added the link to the article. Please be more careful next time unless you want to be rightly accused of plagiarism here by people – Incognito]

    • Incognito 7.1

      See my Moderation note @ 8:35 am.

    • RedLogix 7.2

      Yup. Guilty as charged.

      Right now I'm at an age when I should be retired but I had two serious job enquiries last week here in Perth – both trying to poach me out of the project I just started. One would have been amazing – two has left me astonished.

      It's old data, but if my memory serves me, fully one quarter of everyone born in NZ now lives elsewhere, we need to start seriously thinking about how to retain it's capable people who have skills in global demand. This will only become more acute as everywhere in the developed world the skilled workforce is aging into retirement this decade onward.

      • Ad 7.2.1

        It's very hard to see us getting great-quality specialists or managers to overcome our rolling crises here including climate change, water governance change, transport mode change, and electricity generator changes – unless it's the usual Fly In Fly Out regime which is what you don't need when you are trying to keep their networks and their capital here.

        And that's just with the framing of crisis response.

        What this government is also lacking is an actual aggressive high value economic growth strategy. Same applies: how do you get more people to sty here who are prepared to make bold investments of the capital and of their families? One negative answer is: don't make dumb moves.

  8. Herodotus 8

    Many of those within the health, education aged care & NGO's are from my observation givers.in nature If it wasn't for their community views we would all be the poorer for it. As givers they do not receive the recognition deserved, they are working in environments that are challenging and that there are increasing demands placed of them. When there is an ability to recognised in some manner our appreciation, some have attack the worthiness of, in this case an in crease in pay, and have brought this down to a situation of the lowly paid need to be addressed at the expense of these pay increases Why has this discussion been manipulated to be one or the other, Why cannot both be addressed simultaneously ? They as issues are not mutually exclusive in their response.

    And as a final comment will not increasing the remuneration of nurses not indirectly assist in reducing the pay imbalance between males & females ?

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    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 ...
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

    Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum.  While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation.  “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan.  “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

    The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Nine priority bridge replacements to get underway

    The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

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