Harawira’s arrest

Written By: - Date published: 11:30 am, October 12th, 2012 - 70 comments
Categories: activism, hone harawira, housing - Tags: ,

On any other morning this would be the big political news story of the day:

Harawira arrest: ‘I wasn’t breaking the law’

Mana party MP Hone Harawira says police broke the window of his car before arresting him at a housing protest in east Auckland suburb of Glen Innes last night.

Seven others were arrested after a group of protesters occupied a state house which was to be removed in preparation for redevelopment of the area.

Mr Harawira told Radio New Zealand he went to the protest to support the people of Glen Innes who he said were being torn apart by the Government’s housing policy.

“I went out there and I was parked in my car opposite the truck and they came and smashed the window and arrested me and took me out.

“I didn’t actually go out there to get arrested, I didn’t go out there to break the law, as far as I was concerned I wasn’t breaking the law. I was only parked in a car listening to some music, supporting the people that were up on the houses, and the police chose to break the windows and arrest me.”

3 News has video up. I haven’t seen any mention of what, if anything, Harawira has been charged with, or what law he is accused of breaking?

Update: Apparently Harawira has now been charged with “failing to remove a vehicle from a road”. “I’m embarrassed to say that its a very petty charge, probably the lowest charge I’ve ever faced in my life,” he says.

70 comments on “Harawira’s arrest ”

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  1. Tiger Mountain 1
    12 October 2012 at 11:57 am

    As Billy Bragg sang years back on his ‘Talking to the Taxman about poetry’album “there’s more to a seat in parliament than sitting on your arse”.

    Mana, movement of the people, and Hone take the above prescription seriously and engage the young and battle it out in the communities and streets. Oh that more MPs did so. On TV1 he was said to have been charged with “not following a police direction” ie to move his vehicle.

  2. ianmac 2
    12 October 2012 at 12:03 pm

    “I haven’t seen any mention of what, if anything, Harawira has been charged with, or what law he is accused of breaking?”
    Perhaps Hone will be charged with placing his rear window in the path of a police baton?
    Criminal damage to police property ie one baton.
    Sitting in a car while listening to the wrong music?
    Irritating the Prime Minister with talk of helping the poor?

    • tc 2.1
      12 October 2012 at 12:11 pm

      In possession of a conscience with intent to perform acts inconsistent with an issue of ‘national’ significance.

    • bbfloyd 2.2
      12 October 2012 at 1:51 pm

      to be fair to the police, it may have been tiki tane he was listening to…. That would have had them breaking down any barrier to shut it down before the seditious lyrics infected any “vulnerable youth” nearby..

  3. Colonial Viper 3
    12 October 2012 at 12:05 pm

    Holy fuck the police state damaging private property and arresting a democratically elected member of parliament.

    For doing what? If Hone’s narrative is correct, there is going to be hell to pay.

    • tc 3.1
      12 October 2012 at 12:09 pm

      Nope Crushers probably already lining up a friendly inquiry for ayatolley to front.

    • infused 3.2
      12 October 2012 at 1:03 pm

      So a democratically elected member of parliament is above the law?

      [lprent: Curiously I haven’t actually seen any reporting on what the arrest was for and what charge was being laid – have you?

      Updated: I see that point was made in the post as well. ]

  4. Stan 4
    12 October 2012 at 12:12 pm

    Hell to pay ? in your mind

    • bbfloyd 4.1
      12 October 2012 at 1:56 pm

      Keep chanting that slogan young ogden…. Johnny sparkles needs as many new ideas as he can get now… His stock of pat answers have gone past their use by date….

  5. tc 5
    12 October 2012 at 12:17 pm

    The whole GI re-work is classic developer friendly dealings, hard on the heels of Blinky screwing them over in his last term as mayor of Remuera.

    Where are the new dwellings ? Are they available now, ground level decent quality for the sick and elderly ? They don’t build them like they used to being the older styled and built state houses.

  6. PlanetOrphan 6
    12 October 2012 at 12:17 pm

    Good on Ya Hone and Friends.
    There’s no way it’s Tresspass if you were invited.
    Those people still paid rent, which is a form of ownership, engineered situations aside,
    The Gnats’ can’t tell them who to invite onto their property.

  7. davidw 7
    12 October 2012 at 1:34 pm

    If anyone here believes Hone’s (or Minto’s) version of what happened they are beyond naiive or deliberately feigning stupidity.

    • Jim Nald 7.1
      12 October 2012 at 1:40 pm

      To compare and contrast, ……. if anyone here believes Hone Key’ (or Hone Banks’) version of what happened they are beyond naive or deliberately feigning stupidity.

    • BJ 7.2
      12 October 2012 at 1:56 pm

      Mate, I was there, and it’s pretty close to the truth. What’s not mentioned in all of these articles is the actions of the police after Hone’s arrest; and the actions they’ve taken every other thursday night for the last six months. I’m bruised and battered this morning from the big guys in the team policing unit pushing and shoving, as well as literally trying to break fingers and choke people. A 20 year old girl was pushed to the ground, knocked unconscious, and taken to the hospital last night. Shit like this isn’t ok, but until Hone’s arrest there’d been no mainstream news coverage, and even now all they seem interested in is him. The ladies of Glen Innes, and the students and workers who come out there every week to support them and stop more of their houses getting stolen, deserve more than police brutality.

      • davidw 7.2.1
        12 October 2012 at 2:18 pm

        “……. their houses getting stolen …..” Excuse me? Whose houses?

        • Colonial Viper 7.2.1.1
          12 October 2012 at 2:31 pm

          Rich pricks, it would seem under National.

        • BJ 7.2.1.2
          12 October 2012 at 5:24 pm

          The houses are owned by all of us, but they’re the homes of those that have been living in them for years and years. And this government is kicking those tenants out from their homes to create high density apartments a little while away and million dollar houses on the land where the houses stood. Nice job completely avoiding everything else in the post as well.

    • Dr Terry 7.3
      12 October 2012 at 7:49 pm

      Well, davidw, they might even be crass liars like Key, would not that be worse?

  8. tracey 8
    12 October 2012 at 1:43 pm

    hone was being obstructive with his car and deliberstly ignoring police… according to the police…

    • Colonial Viper 8.1
      12 October 2012 at 2:33 pm

      At which point police negotiating skills started to shine. I bet some officer found it a pleasure to smash up Hone’s car to put him in his rightful place.

      • Jackal 8.1.1
        13 October 2012 at 2:02 pm

        I’m still in two minds about whether Police targeted Hone knowing who he was or they simply thought; ‘There’s a Maori in a flash car, let’s get em boys,’ not knowing who he was.

        Either way it seems highly questionable in law as to whether they had a right to damage his private property for a misdemeanor.

  9. starlight 9
    12 October 2012 at 1:56 pm

    Hone’s car was parked in front of a ‘moveable object’ ie a truck.

  10. Penny Bright 10
    12 October 2012 at 2:28 pm

    http://mana.net.nz/2012/10/on-the-the-people-of-glen-innes-harawira/

    “Hone will appear in Auckland District Court on Wednesday 17th October to face a charge of “Failing to remove a vehicle from a road”. ”

    I rang Auckland Area Commander of Police – Inspector Andrew Coster at approximately 11pm, and told him that 5 paddy wagons and about 6 Police cars were on their way and I was there as an ‘Independent Public Watchdog’ to make sure there was no untoward behaviour by Police and if there was I would be seeking a meeting with himself and Auckland District Commander of Police – Superintendent Michael Clements.

    When the Police surrounded the truck with the house upon it – I told them over the megaphone at approximately 11.20pm, that I had just rung Auckland Area Commander of Police – Inspector Andrew Coster and passed on the message I had just given him.

    I personally witnessed Hone Harawira being forcibly removed from his car Thursday 11 October 2012.at approximately 12pm.

    The Tamaki Housing Group and supporters are PEACEFUL PROTESTORS and should be treated as such by Police.

    Police protocols for policing demonstrations are supposed to be based upon the following principles:

    (1) During demonstrations Police must balance the need to maintain order against the rights of citizens.

    Among those rights are:

    • Freedom of speech;
    • Peaceful demonstration
    • Security of life and property; and
    • Freedom from intimidation or interference

    (2) In policing demonstrations, members of the Police should:

    • Maintain teamwork and discipline;
    • Exercise tact, tolerance and restraint;
    • Remain impartial;
    • Use their powers reasonably and properly.

    The BIG issue here – is upon whose LAWFUL instructions are the Police acting?

    Upon what LAWFUL basis are these state houses from Glen Innes being removed?

    Why are the Police effectively supporting ‘democracy for developers’?

    The other issue is – note the difference between the Police action against Hone Harawira – who was making a stand to help protect the Glen Innes community and the lack of Police action against John Banks (alleged electoral fraud + signing Huljich Kiwisaver Scheme registered prospectuses dated 22 August 2008 and 18 September 2009 which contained untrue statements – a strict liability offence under s.58(3) of the Securities Act 1977)

    (I was involved in making formal complaints to Police on both those matters).

    http://www.pennybright4epsom.org.nz
    http://www.dodgyjohnhasgone.com

    Cheers!

    Penny Bright

    • Tiger Mountain 10.1
      12 October 2012 at 3:10 pm

      Well put Penny, I remember you from ’81 tour/WCL days, exactly right. Complain to the coppers about unfair treatment at work, harrassment etc and they say “tell someone who cares”, try and exercise your democratic rights or take on the state or picket an employer and they leap on you with a growl.

  11. higherstandard 11
    12 October 2012 at 2:53 pm

    Obviously the dick was upset that other dicks were in the news more than him therefore he proceeded to make an exceptionally large dick of himself.

  13. marty mars 13
    12 October 2012 at 6:24 pm

    Good stuff ev and well done on reaching that milestone – jeepers you work hard.

  14. granted 14
    12 October 2012 at 6:43 pm

    Just curious about Penny Brights comments. Megaphone at 11.30PM??? Is the same Penny Bright who was arrested in the city “sit in” at the start of the year?

    The arrest looks like bullshit but then I guess its all about putting yourself in a situation where that might occur. Surely Hone achieves more by being arrested to get more exposure?

    Looks like he sucked the police into his stunt.

    [lprent: As far as I am concerned there is only one Penny Bright. And yes I seem to remember quite a lot of commentary about courts when the Aotea Square was deoccupied.

    BTW: could you please stick to a single spelling of your e-mail address (or let the cookies do it for you). Moderators have to manually release new ones and eventually we will get tired of it and just ban for being a nuisance and causing the moderators too much work. ]

  15. Jenny 15
    12 October 2012 at 7:58 pm

    The state housing demolition and removal in Glen Innes has been explained as a better use of resources.

    We have been told that as the price of land in Glen Innes and other inner city suburbs goes up it is better to rationalise these assets and use the money for more state houses in other cheaper suburbs.

    But is this is what is happening?

    The language here is interesting.

    The Glen Innes project aimed to redevelop 156 properties to create at least 260 new houses. Of those 78 would be owned by HNZ, at least 39 would be market-based affordable houses, and the remainder would be for private sale. Another 40 state houses were being modernised in Glen Innes, with exterior upgrades to another 276 state rental houses.

    Fairfax NZ news

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/7806709/State-house-redevelopment-protests-criticised

    We need a translation.

    156 state properties will be “redeveloped”

    Housing New Zealand say this will allow them to “create” 260 new houses, (at least).

    Of that 192 will be sold off to the private sector.

    Leaving just 78 state houses.

    From that 78 minus 39 “market-based affordable houses” (whatever that means). Affordable for whom? Millionaires? Sole Parents? Factory hands?

    Leaving just 39 (non market rent state homes).

    So I56 state homes rentals set at 25% of income. Will changed into 39. This represents a massive decline in State House rentals.

    Despite the growing crisis of homeless no mention is made of any building state of houses in any other part of the country.

    Does this explain why the Minister of Housing has deliberately been evasive on the question of new state housing. Refusing to answer the question of where, or when, these promised new state houses are being built?

    Continuing with the translation; 40 other state houses in Glen Innes will be “modernised”.

    With “external upgrades for another 276 state rentals.” (in regular English, painting and maintenance.)

    The question begs. Whatever happened to Housing NZ’s budget for for external maintenance and painting that previously came out of their rental income?

    Is this why the Minister of Housing is so secretive and evasive in the House.

    Maybe the portfolio he heads needs to be retitled, the Minister of Anti-Housing. The Minister of Declining Housing. The Minister of Housing-less. The Minister of Homelessness.

    Those who created state housing would be appalled.

    Hone Harawira channels the spirit of those who created state housing.

    I imagine these ghosts of the first Labour Party cabinet, led by Michael J. Savage, standing waiting in the dark while Mana leader Hone Harawira is arrested. Forever on their shoulders the furniture meant for state houses that disappeared into the night with a police escort.

  16. Jenny 16
    13 October 2012 at 6:34 am

    An MP is arrested, a young women is knocked unconscious and dozens of South Auckland families are kept in homelessness, in a Shabby and shameful night time operation.

    Meanwhile Housing New Zealand repeats the government’s spin deliberately fostering the false impression that these demolitions and house removals will result in more state houses.

    Housing NZ yesterday hit out at protesters, saying its tenants were feeling pressured to take part in protest action.

    “Since the project was announced, we have been receiving regular calls from affected tenants to say they are feeling pressured to participate in protest action, which has been largely organised and run by people who are not impacted by the redevelopment,” the general manager of asset development, Sean Bignell, said.

    “They are deliberately providing misinformation to families, which is causing unnecessary stress.”

    Mr Bignell said the project would make Glen Innes a safer and better area to live in. It would create more homes as well as warmer and drier state homes.

    Fairfax News NZ

    To continue the translation into plain English;

    ….the project will make Glen Innes a safer place for the better off to live in. Yes it will create more homes. But they will be unaffordable for the low paid.

    The spin continues;

    Housing NZ had been keeping in regular contact with affected families, 70 of whom had chosen to transfer to other state homes early.

    All 70 families had transferred to homes in locations of their choice.

    Sean Bignell

    Despite Bignell’s spin, no new state houses are being created, in fact the opposite. State rental stock is being decimated.

    For many months South Auckland residents have complained of state houses standing empty while families are living in cars or relatives lounges.

    Despite long waiting lists for state houses from families, many in desperate need, state tenants evicted from Glen Innes are being put to the head of the queue and are being immediately housed in South Auckland pushing homeless families further down the list.

    My question is this;

    Despite the crying out need. Are the state houses, that South Auckland housing activists have accused Housing New Zealand of keeping empty in Papakura and Manurewa being deliberately kept aside for further rounds of evictions from Glenn Innes?

  17. Jenny 17
    13 October 2012 at 7:05 am

    The king of misinformation, accuses housing activists of misinformation.

    “Since the project was announced, we have been receiving regular calls from affected tenants to say they are feeling pressured to participate in protest action, which has been largely organised and run by people who are not impacted by the redevelopment,” the general manager of asset development, Sean Bignell, said.

    “They are deliberately providing misinformation to families, which is causing unnecessary stress.”

    Sean Bignell General Manager of Asset development, Housing New Zealand

    Mr Bignell has also made an unsubstantiated but serious accusation, that protesters are pressuring state tenants to participate in protest action.

    Where is his proof?

    Has he raised this matter with the police?

    Sitting on his huge salary,we can guess at what motivates Sean Bignell.

    But, what motivates the unnamed conspirators that Bignell has accused of engaging in a conspiracy against Housing New Zealand the government and state tenants?

    According to Bignell by their alleged actions these shadowy conspirators do not have the welfare of the state tenants and homeless at heart.

    Are they the mythical “professional demonstrators”?

    Are they being paid to be beaten and arrested?

    What on earth motivates them?

  18. Murray Olsen 18
    13 October 2012 at 11:32 am

    Hone Harawira is a hero and a fighter at a time when such people are short on the ground. His name will be remembered long after that of the thuggish cop who smashed his car window, if anyone even knows that name now. We need tens of thousands of Hones and we’ll make some real progress. One scares the Tories enough – imagine what 10,000 would do.

  19. granted 19
    13 October 2012 at 12:51 pm

    Surely this was all a stunt to bring some press coverage? Was Penny observing local bylaws when she was using a megaphone at 11.30PM?

    • Murray Olsen 19.1
      14 October 2012 at 12:12 am

      Why don’t you go along with a copy of the bylaws and a decibel meter next time, if you’re so worried? I suspect the residents would much rather hear Penny’s megaphone fighting for them than the noise of the heavy moving equipment anyway, and aren’t bylaws there to protect residents?

  20. xtasy 20
    13 October 2012 at 11:21 pm

    What happened to Hone does not surprise me one bit.

    Apart from the more gutsy and principled protesters and residents affected, where was the rest of the neighbourhood to stop these atrocities by those supposed to enforce the law (which happens to include the NZ Bill of Rights Act)?

    NZ is a DICTATORSHIP of sorts. I hate to repeat myself, but that is the reality.

    That bit of “freedom” that is allowed is only “tolerated”, as long as it does not interfere with the agenda of the lobby and interest groups that run and control this country and society.

    It is all about money, economic agendas, ideology and keeping dissenters suppressed. Make no doubt, if the largely ill-informed, distracted, manipulated masses of the population do not wake up soon and take a clear stand, there will not even be any protests allowed at all anymore.

    Remember: During the ‘Day of Action’ on 05 Oct. 12, in Henderson, West Auckland, the police filmed everything and everyone, from even before the activities began, to the very end.

    Perhaps someone will try to try a Privacy Act request, demanding a copy of the video film, as it contains a record of private persons who attended, even though most was in a “public place”.

    They should have to prove they were filming and surveilling, as they had reasonable grounds to suspect criminal offences or the likes to take place. That though would be a ridiculous excuse.

    I never saw anything like this anywhere in Europe, certainly not at such a tiny, peaceful assembly. Maybe in Stasi controlled East Germany, or in Mainland China such things were or are common?

    Hone is one of the few taking a stand. Good on him!

  21. Jenny 21
    14 October 2012 at 12:08 pm

    Apart from the more gutsy and principled protesters and residents affected, where was the rest of the neighbourhood to stop these atrocities…..

    xtasy

    Housing New Zealand have been using a carrot and stick approach.

    Those directly affected by the demolitions and removals have been offered guaranteed transfer to housing in other areas. If they refuse to voluntarily accept this offer of transfer, then they are told that they will be evicted by force and will not be rehoused by Housing New Zealand.

    As well as this tenants are being deliberately lied to by their Housing NZ case managers that their eviction and transfer will be for the greater good of all state tenants because more houses will be built with the money raised from the sale of their properties. (In contrast to what they are being told in private. Publicly there has been no promise made to state tenants of more state houses being built, either by Housing New Zealand, or the Government. In fact the Minister for housing has deliberately dodged and weaved around the issue, refusing to be drawn on whether or not more state homes will be built.

    The application of this policy of carrot and stick has allowed Sean Bignell to publicy and loudly claim that all those state tenants affected, have all agreed with the removals and transfers.

    Bignell’s statement on behalf of the state tenants who have ‘voluntarily’ agreed to transfer out of Glen Innes to state homes in other areas doesn’t speak for those with out any voice. – The homeless families on waiting lists for a state home pushed further down the list by the transfers from GI who are powerlessly affected by the state house demolitions and removals and the resulting gentrification of Glen Innes without any replacement of similar low rent state housing stock anywhere else.

    • xtasy 21.1
      14 October 2012 at 1:25 pm

      “The homeless families on waiting lists for a state home pushed further down the list by the transfers from GI who are powerlessly affected by the state house demolitions and removals and the resulting gentrification of Glen Innes without any replacement of similar low rent state housing stock anywhere else.”

      Yes, I totally agree and know a fair bit about this, although I admit not being involved and informed about what goes on in detail at GI. I live in a very different area and would have trouble getting there.

      I was on the HNZ waiting list before myself, like thousands others, when qualifying. Maybe there is still a “dead” file kept? Anyway, I helped a mate of mine late last year and going into this year, to find alternative housing, after a developer threw him out of the flat he’d been in 9 years (who bought a block, did them up superficially and hocked them off for a nice gain one by one).

      The amount of lies we got from Housing NZ staff were unbelievable. They fobbed him off (suffering serious health issues, having no savings and dependent on a benefit for years) again and again. We went to the Regional Offices and surprised them there, challenging them. The regional manager hid from us. Staff were facing redundancies and 10 per cent losing their jobs. The rest were struggling, clinging and fighting with each other to keep their jobs, some being at each other’s throats.

      He was only offered places that were totally unsuitable. We learned they no longer renovate flats or homes before letting them, only ensuring basic safety and health standards are fulfilled. He was shown a home with holes in some walls, plaster traces elsewhere, rather derelict, but they said it was suitable, just to get him off their books (due to us phoning and calling them every day).

      In the end they offered him a place, only to get rid of his persistent reminders, after the NZ Herald got involved and started asking them questions. Suddenly, within a week or two, he was offered a place and got a place.

      Heatley is a liar, leading a bunch of lying managers (the one here in Auckland is one of the worst), and the staff all fear for their jobs and are little motivated.

      I presume, another cost-saving, “successful” exercise of “reforming” the public service and selling off all that is not nailed to the ground (or also attached to anchorage going a mile down into the ground).

      Sadly the shit media, and my hatred grows day by day about NZ msm crap servants, does not bother to report much of it. Only when a Hone Harawira gets arrested, do they pay some attention. Let along other pollies bother to care, some of whom should better pay a damned visit. Annette King is a total hypocrite too, by the way. I know that Labour has different plans, but probably not all that much different to what Heatley and the Nats are doing!

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    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
  • 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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    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
    19 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
    22 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
    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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