Guns and gangs

Written By: - Date published: 12:32 pm, February 28th, 2024 - 63 comments
Categories: act, law, law and "order", mark mitchell, national, same old national - Tags:

Keeping track of this Government’s policy preferences is giving me a sense of whiplash.

Over the past couple of days they yet again announced a crackdown on gangs. Patches will be banned in public, there will be the ability to issue dispersal notices and gang membership will be an aggravating feature in sentencing. The fact that the nature and extent of any connection between the offending and the offender’s participation in an organised criminal group is already an aggravating feature does not stop them from promising to make it one.

The gang patch ban is something they have been talking about for some time and last October they also announced that they would be banning gang insignia. Mark Mitchell also raised the possiblity of requiring gang members to wear makeup to cover facial tattoos, and to allow for warrantless search of gang members. I thought there could be an issue with this latter proposal. If Gang members are not wearing their patches how do the police know who they are allowed to search without warrant?

As I said previously when National was last in power they came up with a not dissimilar proposal which became the Prohibition of Gang Insignia in Government Premises Act 2013.

During the debate on the bill Andrew Little said this:

I appreciate the opportunity to speak on the Prohibition of Gang Insignia in Government Premises Bill and to add my voice to those who say this is a complete waste of our time. This is a bill for the inadequate and, frankly, the flaccid, and the armchair toughies who sit back in the comfort of places like this to talk at length about the horror of the gangs without actually wanting to do anything meaningful about it. This will do nothing. This does nothing. It is cosmetic. It is literally cosmetic. It is about dealing with the outward appearance of a gang member. It does nothing about the underlying issues and realities of gangs.”

His comments are just as relevant now.

I am sure that if enacted the legislation will find its way before the courts where it would be argued that these restrictions were in breach of rights of freedom of expression and that the restrictions could not be justified in a free and democratic society.

Because the Courts have already looked at a similar issue and held that a similar attempt by Whanganui District Council was too wide and a breach of the right to Freedom of expression.  Like it or not freedom of expression affords considerable rights to be able to say and display what you want and like it or not gang patches are the same.  When the High Court looked at the issue it decided the scope was too wide. Legilsators have to show that the restriction is the least amount required in the circumstances.

We already have patch bans in hospitals and courts. If the Government wanted to be more circumspect then a Bill of Rights consistent law may be possible, even if it is still a ridiculous waste of time, but it will have to be more limited in scope.

But clearly National do not care about this. They do not want a nuanced discussion about how far freedom of expression should be protected. They just want some frothing at the mouth from their base.

And you can see this by how many times in the past 2 years they have announced a getting tough on gangs policy. How about June 2022, December 2022 when Luxon wanted to ban South Auckland garages, during the election campaign, straight after the election when Mark Mitchell talked about Gang members applying makeup as well as not wearing their patches, or Luxon in his speech in the Address in Reply debate?

Never has so much noise been made about a nonsense policy that will achieve absolutely nothing.

The sense of whiplash has been caused by the announcement this morning by Nicole McKee that the Government is reviewing gun laws with the view of allowing semi automatic weapons back into the country so they can be used by competitive shooters. Clearly allowing shooters to relive their glory days in the services shooting at people is more important than preventing another mass shooting event.

McKee has been talking about wanting to achieve a sensible way of ensuring public safety. It is a shame that such thinking does not apply when gangs are being considered.

63 comments on “Guns and gangs ”

  1. Mike the Lefty 1

    It all sounds like an update of Muldoon era "we'll take the bikes off the bikies…., only a lot more darkly sinister.

    People will look at the small picture, only the gangs getting what they deserve, without looking at the bigger picture of how far National are prepared to go to control human behaviour. Interesting stuff coming from three parties that claim to represent personal freedoms.

    Their classic defence will be, of course, if they aren't doing anything wrong then they don't need to be worried, which is a massive simplification of the problem.

    Some of those big bikie mobs that rumble around the streets actually look pretty threatening too, but because they are older mostly white men without mokos they probably won't be touched.

    PS: At least Muldoon had the guts to go out and meet the bikies he was legislating against.

    • Michael P 1.1

      "Some of those big bikie mobs that rumble around the streets actually look pretty threatening too, but because they are older mostly white men without mokos they probably won't be touched."

      ?? Which mobs are these. (some in the South Island maybe?) Because all of the main large / visible gangs and MC's in the North Island (the ones with name recognition such as Headhunters MC, Highway 61, Black Power, etc) that ride their motorcycles in large groups are only around 12% "white men" , with the other two main ethnicities being 75% Maori and 10% Pacific Islander.

      According to this document anyway, I didn't spend a whole lot of time deciding how accurate it is because it pretty much matches my own understanding in this regard.

      https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/library-research-papers/research-papers/new-zealand-gang-membership-a-snapshot-of-recent-trends/

      .

  2. SPC 2

    I've no problem with the banning of any gang patch associated with a foreign organisation and crime. We do not need 501's forming branches of their Oz gangs, nor those who act as affiliates for drug supply operations.

    Local gangs should be managed separately. Muldoon in that pre RB Act era of low unemployment gave them PEP work gang style – organising training and workforces (post flood/flood prevention/forestry/construction/home building factories etc).

    • Michael P 2.1

      What you think that they are any different from each other….really?

      In regards to your second paragraph, things have moved on and changed since back in those days for goodness sake. When my Dad was awarded a fellowship I won't say in what industry there were about 30 odd Patched Black Power members down the back of the function center performing a haka for him.

      Times have changed. Those original NZ teenage gangs like Headhunters, Black Power and Mongrel Mob are now fully fledged, trans national criminal organizations which, thank to the good old war on drugs and prohibition are raking in millions from the sale of drugs (mainly meth but their product range is ever expanding)

      My point being that work programs, jobs, etc don't mean jack sh*t to them.

      The ONLY way to diminish the power of gangs significantly and even have a hope of coming close to making them as close to insignificant as you can get (in crime terms) is to destroy their revenue (the vast majority of revenue).

      That means a complete change in approach. policy and laws surrounding drugs. There is NO OTHER WAY. Whilst there is demand for recreational drugs (and history tells us there always will be) amongst the population, there will be massive amounts of money to be made by organized crime. Because as we all know, prohibition makes money for criminals. Prohibition / Wars on drugs don't decrease demand and they don't affect supply, they just affect the price and the purity of the products.

      Prohibition doesn't work, it never has done for anything, anywhere in the history of civilization on this planet.

      The idiots in charge know all this yet they continue to tread the same path with astonishing levels of willful ignorance or blind stupidity

      This is one reason you cannot trust any single politician in regards to them saying they want the best outcomes for New Zealanders. They are full of shit! (except the small minority who believe in what's right and aren't afraid to say it in this regard)

      And wealth tax ! …

      • SPC 2.1.1

        I'd still differentiate – foreign crime gangs have no right to public patches. They should be in a sense simply "outlawed".

        Not all teens want to end up in a criminal gang – so there is a place for alternative training and PEP work in areas of higher unemployment.

        Sure gangs will seek to provide that not legally available – thus legal prostitution.

        Legal sale of low THC marijuana (low cost and medicinal) and legal possession for use of other marijuana (growing ones own legal) – making that a health (and or employment) issue – where it is one – is the way to go.

        That would allow lower legal consequences for supply of marijuana where police chose enforcement – which might mean a gang that restricted its activities to supply of this, ecstasy and cocaine (to adults) and did not get involved in property crime, violence or meth dealing would get a once over. Whereas others would get organised crime threat focus – and the 100% wealth tax.

  3. Barfly 3

    What do I need to do to become a competitive shooter?

  4. Robert Guyton 4

    National won't ban cigarette smoking, claiming a more nuanced approach is needed, but will ban patches, despite advice that a more nuanced approach is needed.

    Trying to extract rational explanations from the Government for its actions is a pointless exercise.

    If extinguishing a logo, "patch" or image is the aim, banning it strengthens its power; de-powering is done by trivialising the image, infantilising it, making it mundane, droll, ordinary – shift it from tapu to noa 🙂

    • Michael P 4.1

      It's perfectly rational. It gets their supporters literally salivating (get tough on crime !!) as well as providing distraction.

  5. Michael P 5

    "…Banning freedom of expression (gang patches) is like trying to deal with climate change by breaking all of the thermometers…"

    As much as I don't like gangs, it's pretty hard to argue with anything Jonathon Ayling is saying here:

  6. Macro 6

    Will they be banning the wearing of party rosettes at election time as well? What's good for one lot of gangs is good for another.

  7. Ad 7

    Dudes get a petrol Hilux, with a gun rack, an unregistered AR15, and cigarette in mouth.

    What could go wrong.

  8. Robert Guyton 8

    What're the definitions here?

    Gang?

    Criminal gang?

    Criminal?

    Patched member?

    Prospect?

    Tattoo?

    Moko?

    Colours?

    Hand gestures?

    Shouted slogans?

    Swaggering walk 🙂

  9. Tiger Mountain 9

    A would be authoritarian policy. Historic NZ gangs like Mangu Kaha–Black Power, and Mighty Mongrel Mob are not international cartel business arms, they have been well embedded in provincial communities particularly for decades–like it or not Bal’heads. I sell stuff to them at Kaitaia Market on Saturdays and have a chat.

    Small towns can sometimes have only one or two plods available, good luck to them removing patches from a large group. But I note there was a mention made by Police Association President Chris Cahill today on RNZ that there may be a provision–gutless–to visit a gang member later at their home address to “snatch the patch”
    We have gangs because of the way we run our society–the bottom 50% with just 5% of the wealth. Leather clad career crims have been expertly taught by suit wearing 1%ers.

    Mercenary Mitchell may have bitten off more than the proverbial on this occasion. I will be supporting Gangs right to freedom of assembly, association, and speech on this. What next…bans on union badges, red flags, GreenPeace banners, Rainbow clothing?

  10. ianmac 10

    Someone reminded me of the Destiny Tamaki mob of motor bikers wearing Destiny regalia. Wonder how the Bishop will react?

    • Tiger Mountain 10.1

      Have asked a few people’s opinion on that, my guess is they will be exempt and wear their patches, just like paying taxes…a bit of to and fro there with Destiny…other people wear patches too like Veterans and Ulysses old guy bikers…

      Allegedly more than 100,000 people had signed a petition calling for the New Zealand Government to revoke Destiny Church's tax-free status, reports say that this petition was in response to Tamaki's remarks blaming gays for the 2010 and 2011 Christchurch earthquakes, and church co-founder Hannah Tamaki's purchase of a brand new Mercedes-Benz in mid-August 2017.[76]

      In early October 2017, the Department of Internal Affairs issued notice to remove two of Destiny Church's biggest charities, Destiny International Trust and Te Hahi o Nga Matamua Holdings, of their charitable status. Destiny Church took immediate legal action and subsequently to date they still retain their charitable status with the Department of Internal Affairs.[77]

      In late October 2019, the High Court restored the charitable status of Destiny International Trust and Te Hāhi o Ngā Mātāmua Holdings. Destiny's lawyer Ron Mansfield confirmed that the two charities were complying with the law.[78]

      In February 2022, the Department of Internal Affairs delisted four Destiny-link charities for failing to file their annual returns by 31 December 2021.

  11. Ad 11

    I would like to see Anderson propose a specific numeric measure for gang numbers to come down to.

    And then hold National to account for it.

    That will be a first measure to see if these latest anti-gang measures actually work.

  12. Gosman 12

    I don't believe Competitive shooters shoot at other people. I believe they shoot at targets. Why do you object to people doing this?

    • Robert Guyton 12.1

      They're practising.

      • Gosman 12.1.1

        This is why legitimate firearm owners were so insensed at the law changes that the last government implemented. The VAST majority of firearm owners are law abiding people who either use their firearms to assist them in their jobs (e.g. farmers), provide a food source (e.g. hunters), or engage in recreation activity (e.g. Competitive shooters). However the anti-firearms brigade decided to denigrate them as being potentially dangerous and suggested that the activities they used their firearms for were somehow anti-social. Why do you feel the need to do that?

        • KJT 12.1.1.1

          Not at all.

          Where do you think the crims were getting their guns from?

          "Law abiding firearms owner"s who were able to sell their unregistered guns to however they like. It may be true it is a minority, just like speeding drivers who crash are a minority. However restrictions on both are well justified for public safety.

          Evidence shows that gun restrictions, of mass murder weapons,work!

          NACT, true to form are not interested in evidence, or public safety.

          • Gosman 12.1.1.1.1

            Do you have actual evidence that criminals were getting semi-automatic rifles from competition shooters or are you just making this up?

            • KJT 12.1.1.1.1.1

              There is ample evidence that crims were obtaining guns from "responsible licenced gun owners". Whether by theft or sale. I didn’t say from competive shooters. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/494168/escalated-gun-crime-expected-to-remain-a-problem-for-years-police ” in most cases, criminals were obtaining guns from licensed firearm owners, either by buying from them or stealing from them, Cahill said. However the new firearms register meant owners who did not secure their weapons properly could be held accountable.”

              And evidence the more repeating weapons, the higher the amount of gun deaths. https://www.vox.com/2015/8/27/9212725/australia-buyback
              https://www.jstor.org/stable/42705584

              • Gosman

                There will be greater restrictions placed on Competitive shooters around keeping semi-automatic rifles than we currently have in place. If there are issues with this group (not general firearm owners) giving weapons to criminials there should be evidence backing you up. Do you have such evidence or are you just trying to scaremonger?

                • KJT

                  The issue is the total amount of firearms, in NZ, as I've made clear. capable of shooting a lot of people in a short time. Strawmanning me doesn't change that, or the fact that we shouldn't water it down for "special cases" that don't actually need them.

                • Drowsy M. Kram

                  Whenever a Kiwi is put at risk by some semi-automatic rifle-wielding nut job, maybe a NAct MP will be on hand to confront the threat – maybe.

                  Who needs this higher rate of fire? God save NZ from this future past.

                  Does Teaching Kids to Shoot Guns Make Them Safer?
                  [30 May 2014]
                  “’Always treat every gun like it is loaded,’” Vanessa recited, “[and] ‘don't point your gun at anything that you’re not going to kill or destroy.’”

                  It’s a critical lesson because 7,391 American kids and teens under age 20 were hospitalized from firearm injuries in 2009, according to a Yale School of Medicine study. That means, on average, a child or teen is shot almost every hour.

                  Gun Safety Programs Do Not Prevent Children from Handling Firearms, Rutgers Study Finds [15 May 2018]
                  Firearm injuries are the third-leading cause of death for all children aged 1 to 17 and are responsible for thousands of children being treated for open wounds, fractures and brain and spinal injuries.

    • Incognito 12.2

      I believe you missed the mark by a long shot, as usual – you will never be a competitive commenter or debater.

      Semi-automatic weapons are pointless with target shooting.

      • Gosman 12.2.1

        Seems lots of competitive shooters around the World will disagree with you as evidenced by the extract from this article

        "The type of action is also an important consideration when choosing a rifle for competition shooting. The action refers to the mechanism that loads, fires, and ejects the cartridge. There are several types of actions, including bolt-action, semi-automatic, and lever-action, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. It's important to choose an action that is appropriate for the shooting discipline and that you are comfortable using."

        https://www.sako.global/article/choosing-the-right-rifle-for-competition-shooting

        • Robert Guyton 12.2.1.1

          That comment seems to mean nothing.

        • KJT 12.2.1.2

          Mind explaining how the speed you can fire lots of bullets affects the amount of skill required to hit a target.

          Note. I rather enjoyed competitive shooting in scouts many years ago. A bolt action 22 worked fine.

          • Gosman 12.2.1.2.1

            I have no idea because I am not a competition shooter. However people involved with competition shooting obviously do think it can provide some advantages to them. Have you ever thought of asking people involved with competition shooting? I know someone that might provide some helpful advice. She just happens to be the one responsible for the new legislation.

        • Incognito 12.2.1.3

          We’re not talking about competitive shooters around the World and their views on the pros & cons of semi-automatic weapons for target shooting, which, BTW, your quote didn’t not address either.

          Stop wasting people’s time here and lift your game.

      • joe90 12.2.2

        The three NRANZ full-bore classes limit magazines size / loading action.

        https://www.nranz.com/shooting/classes-of-shooting/

        O. Rifle: May be built around any manually loaded action designed to safely fire
        permitted cartridge

        https://www.nranz.com/assets/Rules/2020-08-17-Shooting-Rules-F-PR.pdf

        Matches are to be 2 convertible sighters and 5 shots for record on standard NRANZ targets.

        https://www.nranz.com/assets/Documents/Sporter-Hunter-Class.pdf

        May be built around any manually loaded action designed to safely fire either of the permitted cartridges

        https://e1e1515b-f062-426d-8b3c-6c508be9b8a2.filesusr.com/ugd/d54b0a_ce6a39bd3a424dd38bf11b3699f4bab8.pdf

      • Jimmy 12.2.3

        Actually Gosman is right Semi-Automatic firearms are used extensively for competitive shooting and was very popular in NZ.

        https://www.nssf.org/shooting/3-gun/

        • joe90 12.2.3.1

          and was very popular in NZ.

          You don't need a man-killer to play cowboys.

          https://www.pistolclub.org.nz/_files/ugd/cb6e8a_2bc4d2ea79b0451cba2fee080d451520.pdf

          • Jimmy 12.2.3.1.1

            Im not sure what you are trying to say?

            Pistol Carbines could be described as man-killers Im sure

            • Joe90 12.2.3.1.1.1

              <blockquote>Pistol Carbines could be described as man-killers</blockquote>

              Different league.

              A .223 calibre (5.56mm) bullet travels at 3 times the velocity of a 9mm bullet.

            • Scud 12.2.3.1.1.2

              This so-called Competition using Semi Auto's/ MSSA is basically what we called Training for Battle Shot, Combat Shooting & Close Quarter Battle Shooting in the Military & Police Service Shooting.

              There is no need for these Walt's (Cosplay) Muppets under a A Cat or even under the old E Cat Licences to do these shoots unless you are in the Military or in the NZ Police Service.

              My POV, Semi Auto's/ MSSA's should be under a Cat C Licence & Professional Hunters who use them for commercial hunting purposes.

              But I'm prepared to prepare to allow ex military & police to own Semi Auto's/ MSSA's provided they have done 5yrs effective service,

              Haven't been Medically Discharged,

              No convictions for 5yrs.

              Prepared to do at least 6 Live Fire Shoots a yr & maintain contact with the NZDF Reserves

              With a few other caveats.

              There is no need for Cat A Licence Holders to own Semi Auto's/ MSSA's & all MSSA's should be under place under a C Cat Licence no if's or buts.

        • Incognito 12.2.3.2

          If popularity is the point then they’re indeed pointless.

          Of course, Gosman is Right, but you have the same reading comprehensions skills as he has and are wasting our time here too.

          Both of you are triggering my Mod nerve.

  13. Powerman 13

    Who would be a cop having to enforce this policy? Many more off to Auss I guess.

  14. tsmithfield 14

    It appears that the gang patch ban was effective to at least some degree in Australia, even if it was just the psychological impact of the general public feeling safer.

    The Bill of Rights will be something the government has to work around. So, will be interesting to see how they do that.

    I think there will be major issues trying to enforce the ban. Perhaps the easiest way to do it would be to confiscate gang jackets and patches from gang members when they are convicted of a crime. That might fit in better with the Bill of Rights as well.

  15. Joe90 15

    2020 NRANZ full-bore national champions. Note the rifles.

  16. thinker 16

    So, next election, when NZF gets its branded bus and barnstorms the country with balloons and flags, and supporters wearing NZF t-shirts, will it be legal?

    Or the sausage sizzle at the local hardware store for the likes of the red cross?

    Pride festival?

    All Blacks fans at Eden Park with face paint?

    ANZAC Day parade marchers?

  17. Ffloyd 18

    Does NZF stand for NZ F…ed?

  18. cathyo 19

    that one about making gang members wear make-up was one of my all-time favourites

  19. cathyo 20

    boring, boring

    – Tough on crime (and gangs)

    – Tax Cuts

    – Build more roads

    – etc

    when will the nats think of something new?

  20. Georgecom 21

    Hello police how can we help?

    Some one has just held up my shop with a semiautomatic weapon

    Look I'm sorry but all police are too busy running around trying to take patches off gang members to respond.

    In the mean time why doesn't this government cut bureaucracy and red tape and make it easy for gangs to buy semiautomatic weapons direct rather than having to go through third parties like mckees changes will do.

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    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 ...
    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 ...
    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
  • The Hoon around the week to July 19

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent talking about the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s release of its first Emissions Reduction Plan;University of Otago Foreign Relations Professor and special guest Dr Karin von ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #29 2024

    Open access notables Improving global temperature datasets to better account for non-uniform warming, Calvert, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society: To better account for spatial non-uniform trends in warming, a new GITD [global instrumental temperature dataset] was created that used maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to combine the land surface ...
    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
    16 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
    18 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
    19 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
    21 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
    23 hours 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
    23 hours 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

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