Hager defense fund about to hit 20K – make that 25K

Written By: - Date published: 12:09 pm, October 8th, 2014 - 77 comments
Categories: journalism, law - Tags: ,

The legal defense fund for Nicky Hager is about to hit $20,000 $25,000. Why not give a little?

77 comments on “Hager defense fund about to hit 20K – make that 25K ”

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  1. fisiani 1
    8 October 2014 at 12:15 pm

    Why does he even need a defence? He is not charged with anything. He is just a witness. Storm in a teacup. First world problem.

    • wekarawshark 1.1
      8 October 2014 at 12:29 pm

      So you could do without the things in your life necessary to make a living (car? computer? teh product you are working on? brain? oh wait, you don’t have that last one), for an indefinite period of time?

      You must also have a much higher degree of trust in the police than many of us. The content on the hardware should be confidential. Will it remain so?

      These are not difficult concepts to understand.

    • Kiwiri - Raided of the Last Shark 1.2
      8 October 2014 at 12:51 pm

      Why does he even need a defence?

      A defence against the raid? To get his belongings back?

      He is not charged with anything

      So why was he raided?

      He is just a witness

      So witnesses in NZ now are vulnerable to having their homes raided for 10 hours by 10 cops?

      • One Anonymous Bloke 1.2.1
        8 October 2014 at 2:02 pm

        Five cops, and yes. Funny how the number of people willing to be witnesses just dropped to zero, eh.

        It’s a masterstroke: no witnesses, no crime, go National!

    • fisiani 1.3
      8 October 2014 at 6:02 pm

      I know how to spell defence.

  2. Clean_power 2
    8 October 2014 at 12:34 pm

    But fisiani is correct. What problem are we trying to solve here?
    Mr Hager has not been charged with anything, so what is the purpose of the funds?

    • One Anonymous Bloke 2.1
      8 October 2014 at 12:44 pm

      To punish the police for their illegal actions in searching a journalist’s property to try and find their sources. To amplify your whinging and whining when the courts rule in Nicky’s favour.

      To emphasise your craven lickspittle hypocrisy when you fail to condemn the illegal raid like the Quisling you are.

      • TheContrarian 2.1.1
        8 October 2014 at 3:06 pm

        “..To punish the police for their illegal actions…”

        “…condemn the illegal raid..”

        It wasn’t illegal.

        • One Anonymous Bloke 2.1.1.1
          8 October 2014 at 3:11 pm

          In the context of the Law Society report to the UN describing recent legislative measures as fundamentally at odds with the rule of law, let’s see what the courts have to say about that shall we?

          • TheContrarian 2.1.1.1.1
            8 October 2014 at 3:14 pm

            “let’s see what the courts have to say about that shall we?”

            Given the court issued the search warrant, making it legal, why are you saying it was illegal? I don’t think it was right, but it wasn’t illegal.

              • TheContrarian …
                8 October 2014 at 3:23 pm

                AOB: “The raid was illegal”
                Me: “Actually it wasn’t illegal”
                AOB: “Let’s let the courts decide”
                Me: “The courts have already said it was legal”
                AOB: “Warrants have been issued illegally before”
                Me: “Let court decide if it was illegal”

                What’s next I wonder

                • One Anonymous Bloke …
                  8 October 2014 at 3:39 pm

                  Well, now I’ve schooled you in the fact that warrants can be successfully challenged, especially when their legality comes into question – as now – I consider my work here is done.

                  • TheContrarian …
                    8 October 2014 at 4:19 pm

                    Yes they can be challenged but until it has…the raid was completely legal so why don’t we wait until the courts decide it was illegal – like you suggested.

                    • Tracey aka Rawshark …
                      8 October 2014 at 4:28 pm

                      If a court determines the warrant was illegal, it would then be correct to say it was also illegal on october 08?

                    • TheContrarian …
                      8 October 2014 at 4:57 pm

                      Sure

                    • Tracey …
                      8 October 2014 at 5:40 pm

                      so what we know is there was a raid performed under a warrant signed by a judge….

                      not legal. not illegal.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      8 October 2014 at 5:44 pm

                      Not necessarily by a judge…

                      issuing officer means—
                      (a) a Judge:
                      (b) a person, such as a Justice of the Peace, Community Magistrate, Registrar, or Deputy Registrar, who is for the time being authorised to act as an issuing officer under section 108.

                    • TheContrarian …
                      8 October 2014 at 5:59 pm

                      That makes it legal

            • Murray Rawshark 2.1.1.1.1.2
              9 October 2014 at 3:25 am

              How do you know a court issued the warrant? Often JPs will issue them, and they’re usually so happy to be asked they’ll give a warrant for anything. To be fair, many judges aren’t much better.

    • RJL 2.2
      8 October 2014 at 12:51 pm

      Legal action is required to get his stuff back in a timely fashion.

      Legal action is required to challenge the legality of the search and seizure (and potentially prosecute police for illegal act); if Hager chooses to do so.

      Legal action will be required when Hager inevitably refuses to hand over decryption keys, etc.

      Legal action will be required to ensure (or at least attempt to ensure) that unrelated material seized (about different forthcoming books) is not leaked to interested parties such as GCSB/SIS while it is in police custody.

    • Kiwiri - Raided of the Last Shark 2.3
      8 October 2014 at 12:53 pm

      Mr Hager has not been charged with anything

      So the cops have raided Mr Hager who has not been charged with anything, and hence the cops have acted improperly?

      • wekarawshark 2.3.1
        8 October 2014 at 12:56 pm

        The police say Hager is a witness, not a suspect.

        • Kiwiri - Raided of the Last Shark 2.3.1.1
          8 October 2014 at 1:16 pm

          So witnesses in NZ can now expect the possibility of being raided by cops?!

          • One Anonymous Bloke 2.3.1.1.1
            8 October 2014 at 2:00 pm

            Yes – far better to refuse to speak to them at all.

            This is going to work out so well.

    • wekarawshark 2.4
      8 October 2014 at 12:54 pm

      Mr Clean, Have you read anything about this case in the last few days? Even just Hager’s statement? He will now have to go to court to get his possessions back, including projects he was working on not related to DP/Slater. Otherwise the police will just hold on to them for however long.

      He will also need to legally challenge the police’s right to look at the material (so far they have apparently just taken evidence, not accessed the data).

    • Paul Campbell 2.5
      8 October 2014 at 1:02 pm

      We all appreciate Nicky’s journalism his willingness to target those with power. The police have taken away the tools of his trade, his computers and the information in them – without them he is unable to make a living.

      If we want to see more excellent journalism from Nicky we need for him to get the tools he needs to do his job.

      • One Anonymous Bloke 2.5.1
        8 October 2014 at 1:09 pm

        I can’t see how they can be the tools of his trade if he’s sure there’s nothing on them that will compromise his sources.

        Either they’ve never been used in his work, or he’s gone to a lot of trouble to scrub them clean.

        • wekarawshark 2.5.1.1
          8 October 2014 at 1:15 pm

          or he practices hygiene as he goes and there was nothing there to identify Rawshark to start with.

          Tools of his trade: laptop; phone; documents that is working on currently (paper or electronic). I’m sure there are more.

          Haven’t heard if they took back up drives, but assume if they were in the house they did.

          • One Anonymous Bloke 2.5.1.1.1
            8 October 2014 at 1:28 pm

            I’m basing my argument on the fact that NH has stated there’s nothing there to compromise sources. That means the raw material is safe, not just the list of names. So are Hager’s notes and any finished material.

            Unless he’s naive enough to trust the delete key I guess.

            • wekarawshark 2.5.1.1.1.1
              8 October 2014 at 1:33 pm

              I don’t understand what you are saying, well I do, but I fail to see how it relates to the idea that the confiscation of his property affects his ability to do his job. Whether sources are compromised or not is a separate issue.

              You do realise that all the other projects he is working on have been confiscated too?

              If someone took my computer away, I might hold all the passwords in my head for my electronic life, but I still can’t get online until I go and buy another computer.

              • One Anonymous Bloke …
                8 October 2014 at 2:00 pm

                Then why did he say he was “prepared for a raid” if he doesn’t have a backup system?

                The (I hope temporary) loss of the hardware is nothing compared to the illegal intimidation. The purpose of the raid: to establish the identity of a source, again, this is a far greater hindrance than the hardware loss.

                • wekarawshark …
                  8 October 2014 at 4:38 pm

                  It’s an interesting theory based on much supposition. eg did they take papers that were nothing to do with Slatergate but that Hager doesn’t have copies of?

                  My reading was they took the household hardware, not just Hager’s too. So while I can see your point, I just don’t agree that because loss of one’s contacts list on one’s cell phone is trivial compared to the nation’s democracy that that means it won’t have an impact on the people affected in that household.

                  I had this conversation with an Apple tech recently who thought I was being extreme when I mentioned that I really should keep a back up of my computer at a different location because of fire or if someone broke in and stole my laptop they would probably steal my external hdd too. I think he thought backups were for internal hdd failures (go Apple!).

                  Maybe Hager can just go out and replace all the electronics immediately. Maybe he backs up everything in his life (which would make him unusual). Maybe he anticipated the police not just raiding but doing a wide sweep of his home. Or maybe not.

                  btw, if in this context I was giving information to Hager, or anyone, I would do so only on the condition that identifying data wasn’t kept electronically. That includes Cloud storage.

                  • One Anonymous Bloke …
                    8 October 2014 at 5:01 pm

                    I’m not really supposing very much: just saying that the chilling effect of police raids on journalists – carried out with the express intent of exposing sources – will hamper Hager’s work a lot more than the temporary loss of hardware.

                    • wekarawshark …
                      8 October 2014 at 5:14 pm

                      Sure but you originally said that the hardware and files weren’t work tools.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      8 October 2014 at 5:51 pm

                      Based on Hager’s assurances that they cannot compromise his sources, who could be compromised by raw data (if it existed on confiscated hardware) regardless of their identity being otherwise redacted – or files deleted.

                      Ergo, there is no raw data on the hardware, ergo, it is not work equipment, and Heaven help his sources on the tax haven book if the opposite is true.

        • Paul Campbell 2.5.1.2
          8 October 2014 at 1:15 pm

          I assume that if they’ve taken all his digital media then they’ve all his work on his next book.

          His job is not “protecting sources”, that’s just a sideline, his job is “investigative journalist”, that means collecting information, collating it, and writing about it – something you do with computers – the police have just taken all that and sealed it away from him, along with the computers he’s bought to work with that data – those are the tools of his trade

          • One Anonymous Bloke 2.5.1.2.1
            8 October 2014 at 1:23 pm

            Do you believe that raw information is of no use in identifying its source, whether their name is [redacted] or not?

            GPG, encrypted cloud storage, his network of colleagues and sources, are the tools of his trade more than any piece of hardware.

            When he says he was prepared for this I’m sure he means it, and I hope the Supreme Court gives the police a damn good hiding anyway.

            • wekarawshark 2.5.1.2.1.1
              8 October 2014 at 1:29 pm

              Are you suggesting that loss of his hardware and hardcopy and electronic files will have no impact on his ability to do his day job?

              • One Anonymous Bloke …
                8 October 2014 at 1:43 pm

                Not exactly: the intimidation, the illegal harassment, they will impact on him far more than the loss of some replaceable hardware, especially if said hardware is nothing more than his and his family’s personal effects.

            • Paul Campbell 2.5.1.2.1.2
              8 October 2014 at 1:33 pm

              That’s not what I’m arguing, he’s put Dirty Politics to bed – the police are interfering with his next book by taking all his work product and the tools he needs to work on.

              I hope he uses good crypto and has backups, but that’s besides the point, if I was a carpenter and the cops took a dislike to me and came and took all my tools because I had witnessed a crime, or I was an independent photographer and they came and took all my cameras and all the photos I’d ever taken then I wouldn’t be able to go to work the next day without my tools either would I?

              • wekarawshark …
                8 October 2014 at 1:35 pm

                +1

                I’m not sure why we are having to explain this to be honest. I thought it was self-evident.

              • One Anonymous Bloke …
                8 October 2014 at 1:46 pm

                If all the work is in cloud storage (and/or with his lawyers), hardware can be replaced.

                As I said above, the intimidation and illegal harassment will do far more damage, especially as NH claims to have been prepared for such an eventuality.

                He’s brave, not stupid.

              • ando …
                8 October 2014 at 9:25 pm

                what do you mean he has put it to bed??? HOws this for your cap[reter analogy…you hit someone over the head with your hammer, of course the police are going to take your tools. Publishing some ones private Emails is morally reprehensible and potentially illegal. The hacking is a crime, he profited of the results of that crime…simple, he is a pussy to hide behind being a joulnalist, you generally refer to people who write books as authers

                • mickysavage …
                  8 October 2014 at 9:32 pm

                  Wow there is so much happening in your comment. But tell me, if Hager is being a “pussy” for hiding behind being a “joulnalist” then what does this make Cameron Slater? After all he hid behind being a “joulnalist” in his attempt to stop Matt Blomfield from finding out who stole his data …

                • One Anonymous Bloke …
                  9 October 2014 at 8:07 am

                  Publishing someone’s private emails is morally reprehensible and definitely illegal unless there is a strong public interest in doing so, which is why section 68 of the Evidence Act exists.

                  Please note that if you’re going to throw legal terms around and demand justice it helps to know what the law says, rather than what you would like it to say.

        • Tracey aka Rawshark 2.5.1.3
          8 October 2014 at 4:30 pm

          Really? A computer cant be a tool of the trade? Surely it is possible he has non rawshark info on tgere, surely to type up some work, to write lectures he needs his computer and associated devices

          • wekarawshark 2.5.1.3.1
            8 October 2014 at 4:39 pm

            I think OAB is arguing a rather abstract concept here.

            • One Anonymous Bloke 2.5.1.3.1.1
              8 October 2014 at 5:14 pm

              Perhaps so, it just seems self-evident to me: cops in search of sources, intimidating witnesses, do a lot more harm than losing hardware when software can so easily be encrypted and stored.

              A temporary inconvenience versus an entirely new rulebook.

              If they were after stolen property it would be different, but they aren’t. They are looking for that which they are expressly forbidden to seek at this location.

              Rawshark’s boasts of untraceability may or may not prove true. What of the average witness to organised crime? Will this make them more or less likely to come forward?

    • boldsirbrian 2.6
      8 October 2014 at 1:37 pm

      .
      @ Clean_power (2)

      What problem are we trying to solve here?
      Mr Hager has not been charged with anything, so what is the purpose of the funds?

      Hundreds of people have already shown that they are immediately aware of the purpose. They do not need to explain why they have given funds.

      Mr. Botany (B.)

    • Tracey aka Rawshark 2.7
      8 October 2014 at 4:26 pm

      To challenge the siezure of all his tools of trade so he can get them returned so he can earn a living. It really isnt rocket science. To do that requires an application to court and go up against the deep pockets of crown law and the police.

    • framu 2.8
      8 October 2014 at 4:28 pm

      ” What problem are we trying to solve here?”

      groan – the legal costs of getting his property back, unmolested and in a timely manner.

      Then maybe, just maybe he might also need to pay lawyers to try and see that justice has been done regarding what he sees as an unjustified raid on his property and intimidation of his family

      the police drag that side of things out for as long as they can, after all they can use our tax dollars to do it

      do people seriously not understand that the police can and do employ more than the courts on those they dont like?

      time and cost are two of the greatest weapons once the lawyers get involved

      • greywarshark 2.8.1
        8 October 2014 at 4:41 pm

        I think clean power is dirty power a trole. His naive questions are disingenuous. DNFTT

    • Rodel 2.9
      8 October 2014 at 7:59 pm

      F & CP-Please say something, preferably something of some substance.

      Stop asking pointless trolely meaningless questions designed to stir- They don’t stir anyone and they achieve nothing.

      Gawd! you guys don’t realize how thick and ineffectual you sound. You really don’t.But then you’re right wingers…..I yearn for a good debate though…….sigh!

  3. YeahSure 3
    8 October 2014 at 12:38 pm

    First world problem? More like banana-republic problem.

  4. Elise 4
    8 October 2014 at 12:44 pm

    Hager is not charged with anything himself but he will fight in court so that he and future journalists get to protect their sources. It’s important for the police to investigate the hacker but it’s also important that they not shake down journalists for that information without having anything concrete first.

    Journalists protecting sources is essential in a democracy. Otherwise, there would never be any whistleblowing as those people would not trust journalists to keep their identities safe. Imagine if Snowden never trusted Greenwald with the info, we would never know about NSA activities and the resulting reforms of NSA powers in USA would never have happened.

    Hager’s legal fight is also important from a non-journalistic sense too. He’s a witness and yet the police spent 10 hours taking his things. If he wins his fight, it would mean that if you are ever a witness to a crime, the police won’t be able to take your things so easily cos there would be legal precedent barring them from doing so.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 4.1
      8 October 2014 at 12:45 pm

      …it’s also important that they not shake down journalists for that information ever again FIFY

    • Rodel 4.2
      8 October 2014 at 7:52 pm

      Correct me if I’m wrong but I have been told that only priests and maybe lawyers have the right to legal confidentiality about their ‘customers’ ( which to my mind is a travesty).
      Is this correct?
      Others such as doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists, or journalists have no legal right to confidentiality. Perhaps someone schooled in law can answer myquestion.

  5. wekarawshark 5
    8 October 2014 at 1:01 pm

    I’m thinking we should set up some #HagerRaid bingo. Seems like the appropriate match for the level of trole intelligence the past few days.

  6. RedBaronCV 6
    8 October 2014 at 8:38 pm

    As a complete aside, I assume that Nicky’s public engagements while he was away from home where well known. My question is, did the raid take place within the time frame when he could be assumed to be speaking or travelling to the event.

    And if not how did the cops know how long he was going to be absent from home. Are they spying on him in other ways to see who he is meeting and talking to. Is this raid just an isolated instance or part of greater surveillance.

    • Murray Rawshark 6.1
      9 October 2014 at 3:45 am

      From past experience, they like searching homes when the suspect (witness, yeah right) is not there. It causes more mental anguish, not knowing what they’ve done until you get back. You’re also not there to call a lawyer and put a stop to it.

      • RedBaronCV 6.1.1
        9 October 2014 at 9:18 pm

        Completely understand MR. I was just wondering about the time line. Did the police appear to know he was going to be away for the two days and if so how? Searching Airnz records, following him, phoning the ‘hood, surveillance, something else, anything legal??

  7. lurgee 7
    8 October 2014 at 8:56 pm

    Its quite awesome to see the fund pushing up to 30K. The Powers That Be should take note. There is going to be an almighty fight. Do they think it is worth it? And maybe they will think twice, next time.

    • lprent 7.1
      9 October 2014 at 12:05 am

      Especially if there is more than enough money to actually win. Then he can afford to start taking individual policemen into civil court and seeking damages (without the state resources and police ‘union’ behind them).

  8. Eralc 8
    8 October 2014 at 9:34 pm

    Why does he need a defence fund when he’s only a witness?

    • lprent 8.1
      9 October 2014 at 12:01 am

      Because he has to get the gear back that the police have stolen from him.

      You think that this is going to be cheap. It usually cost thousands of dollars to file anything at the court. You will have to file a lot to drag the police into court until they are forced by real judges to admit that they broke the law (again)

      Are you really that stupid and naive?

  9. Reddelusion 9
    8 October 2014 at 11:03 pm

    Defending Hagar on the basis that Cameron slater did it is hardly a defense, unless your a child or your cognitive development stopped at 8 years old as it did for one annoying bloke

    • lprent 9.1
      8 October 2014 at 11:50 pm

      Defending Hagar on the basis that Cameron slater did it is hardly a defense…

      Of course not.

      However if the police follow one procedure when doing a case against Cameron Slater and follow a completely procedure when doing a case against someone who has a go at Cameron Slater, when the cases are virtually identical at a legal level – doesn’t that make you concerned.

      How did your cognitive excellence manage to miss that pertinent fact?

      Could it be that you are simply a hypocritical fuckwit?

      And why in your long life have you never realised that?

      Please read the frigging post and engage your brain so you don’t look like such a moran.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 9.2
      9 October 2014 at 8:10 am

      Slater didn’t do it: there was no public interest in his publication of material based on Blomfield’s stolen property. There is public interest in Hager’s publication of material based on Slater’s hacked messages.

      These facts elude you?

  10. wekarawshark 10
    8 October 2014 at 11:23 pm

    $32,000

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    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 ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • 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
    20 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
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  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

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