Has Julian Assange been charged?

Written By: - Date published: 7:22 pm, November 16th, 2018 - 67 comments
Categories: Donald Trump, International, us politics - Tags:

Late post for a Friday but I am sure there will be a lot of interest in this.

And I am sure the debate will be vigorous. Because it appears that Julian Assange of Wikileaks fame has been charged with so far unknown offences.

I noticed this when I saw this tweet:

The information links to this Wall Street Journal article which strangely does not specifically refer to the court document.  The article says this:

The Justice Department is preparing to prosecute WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and is increasingly optimistic it will be able to get him into a U.S. courtroom, according to people in Washington familiar with the matter.

Over the past year, U.S. prosecutors have discussed several types of charges they could potentially bring against Mr. Assange, the people said. Mr. Assange has lived in the Ecuadorean embassy in London since receiving political asylum from the South American country in 2012.

The people familiar with the case wouldn’t describe whether discussions were under way with the U.K. or Ecuador about Mr. Assange, but said they were encouraged by recent developments.

Ecuador’s relationship with Mr. Assange has deteriorated sharply since last year’s election of President Lenin Moreno, who has described him as a “stone in our shoe” and said his continued presence at the embassy is unsustainable.

And Mueller seems to have Assange in his sights:

An indictment from special counsel Robert Mueller that portrayed WikiLeaks as a tool of Russian intelligence for releasing thousands of hacked Democratic emails during the 2016 presidential campaign has made it more difficult for Mr. Assange to mount a defense as a journalist. Public opinion of Mr. Assange in the U.S. has dropped since the campaign.

Prosecutors have considered publicly indicting Mr. Assange to try to trigger his removal from the embassy, the people said, because a detailed explanation of the evidence against Mr. Assange could give Ecuadorean authorities a reason to turn him over.

The exact charges Justice Department might pursue remain unclear, but they may involve the Espionage Act, which criminalizes the disclosure of national defense-related information.

Other media have picked up on the news of the charge.  For instance there is this from the Guardian:

Julian Assange, a major target of the investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 US election, has been criminally charged in secret, an apparent mistake in a court filing has indicated.

The court filing, submitted by US authorities in an unrelated case, mentioned the existence of criminal charges against someone named “Assange” even though that was not the name of the defendant.

Assange, who has been holed up in Ecuador’s embassy in London since seeking asylum in 2012, is considered a wanted man by US law enforcement agencies after his controversial publication of classified diplomatic cablesand other secret US government documents.

“The news that criminal charges have apparently been filed against Mr. Assange is even more troubling than the haphazard manner in which that information has been revealed,” Pollack said in an email.

I am not so sure.  Releasing state secrets tends to attract the attention of the state innvolved and the accuracy of the release does not affect liability.

The disappearance of Wikileaks and Fox News from the twittersphere over the past five days has intensified speculation about the cause.  Maybe this is it.

And Donald Trump has been in a particularly foul mood lately.  It appears he is aware of what is coming up:

I am aware this topic causes all sorts of angst amongst lefties. I am of the Hillary would have been a poor choice but this should not have happened variety. Please keep your comments respectful.

67 comments on “Has Julian Assange been charged? ”

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  1. McFlock 1
    16 November 2018 at 7:38 pm

    So if I understand correctly, they were using a previous application for a sealed complaint as a template, and didn’t update all the references to the subject of the previous application – Assange.

    Unless they’ve used the same template for 7 years or so, it’d be about the 2016 election, surely?

    • mickysavage 1.1
      16 November 2018 at 7:56 pm

      I don’t know. WikiLeaks has suddenly appeared.

      https://twitter.com/wikileaks/status/1063259537501814784?s=19

      I agree the reference does not make sense unless it is a cut and paste job.

      But the Guardian and other media are running with the story.

      • McFlock 1.1.1
        16 November 2018 at 8:01 pm

        I’m also unfamiliar with the distinction between “complaint” and “charged” – is it that they wanted everything on the QT while they investigated until they made an arrest/subpoena for questioning, or is it in essence a secret arrest warrant?

        The Moreno angle is also interesting – on the plus side for Assange, the yanks aren’t likely to diplomatically reward Ecuador for turning him over while Trump is in charge.

  3. Morrissey 3
    16 November 2018 at 8:09 pm

    You seem to forget—actually, you know perfectly well—why the U.S. and its U.K. vassal want to destroy Julian Assange.

    • mickysavage 3.1
      16 November 2018 at 8:10 pm

      Time will tell Morrissey. I can’t imagine Trump getting upset by a prosecution for this.

      • Morrissey 3.1.1
        16 November 2018 at 8:14 pm

        Trump said, infamously, “I love Wikileaks.” I think that was just another of his lies.

        • Incognito 3.1.1.1
          16 November 2018 at 8:58 pm

          Maybe Trump thought WikiLeaks is a euphemism for something rather different.

          • WILD KATIPO 3.1.1.1.1
            17 November 2018 at 8:36 am

            The only reason there is so much vehemence towards Assange is because of things like this that exposed what was REALLY going on…

            Julian Assange: US knows Saudi and Qatari sponsor ISIS – YouTube

          • Dennis Frank 3.1.1.1.3
            17 November 2018 at 9:51 am

            The media missed a golden opportunity to ask him to explain that comment. But he didn’t say “I love Assange”. Having them debate the Russian connection in front of a live audience would be fun: battle of the narcissist airheads! Each upstaging the other continuously in order to be the centre of attention. Particularly intense rivalry generated if the show was promoted to have the winner selected by audience vote.

            Trump would win if he summed it up like this: “Dude, you just operate the platform. I provide the motive. Obviously it’s in Russia’s interests to get an anti-establishment candidate elected to the US presidency. Didn’t even have to be me!” False modesty always an effective ploy for a narcissist, guaranteed to impress any shallow tv audience.

            “I won because the voters were pissed off with the US establishment. Still are. So we just got ourselves a common-interest situation between Russians and Americans – no need to invent any conspiracy. Be sensible, folks, don’t let the media distract you from the threat from China. The Russians are helping us deal with that.”

  4. Tricledrown 4
    16 November 2018 at 8:41 pm

    Morrissy you over look that Putins puppet Trump was happy to have Steve Bannon, Jared Kucshner, Don Jr all collude with Putin to use Wikileaks to maximise damage to Clinton’s campaign.
    Putin also fueling white racist Nationalism in Europe by funding Farage, le Pen.
    Why to weaken Nato.

    • In Vino 4.1
      16 November 2018 at 9:29 pm

      Nice irony, Tricledrown. Conspiracy theories like that get ridiculed when applied to 9/11, etc, but apparently Putin is capable of all the dastardly subtleties that our dark state is incapable of…

      • McFlock 4.1.1
        16 November 2018 at 10:57 pm

        Fair point – except didn’t Kushner or one of the trumps release emails explicitly stating what they hoped to get out of the meeting? Literally long the lines of meeting a russian who might have information to use against Clinton?
        Changes the angle of Occam’s Razor a bit, that.

  5. Bill 5
    16 November 2018 at 8:48 pm

    A guy receives information and publishes it. Most people call that journalism. And all journalists worth their salt protect (do not divulge) their sources if the information is sensitive.

    Are those who would see Assange hung out to dry of the persuasion that all journalists should be compelled to reveal their sources and/or face persecution and prosecution for releasing accurate and truthful information that has been passed to them?

    Whatever you’re personal feelings might be about Assange, (and let’s face it, many people apparently despise him in spite of not knowing him) – unless you’re in the business of enabling others to kill all access to information that might be embarrassing or inconvenient to elites, then I’d suggest a shift in position.

    • Tricledrown 5.1
      16 November 2018 at 9:30 pm

      Bill Assange being played by Putin is different to other actions.
      Mueller could be his get out of jail free card. Trump will not want Assange alive or in the US being supeoned by Mueller.

      • Bill 5.1.1
        16 November 2018 at 10:46 pm

        DNC emails coming into the public domain is “being played by Putin”?!

        Okay. Just for arguments sake, let’s go with that. Where is the concrete proof that backs the assertion – ie, that Podesta’s emails were hacked by the Russian government and passed to Wikileaks by the Russian government?

        There is less circumstantial and actual evidence for that scenario than there is for a direct downloading of Podesta’s emails onto a piece of hardware. (Internet capabilities at the time would not have allowed the info to be transferred at the rate it was transferred)

        And should you want to poo-poo that, then the question is why the supposed identity of a leaker is to determine what is fit for public consumption and public debate, and not the accuracy of the info? Should people with pimples be allowed to put true and accurate info into the public domain?

        • Tricledrown 5.1.1.1
          16 November 2018 at 10:58 pm

          Bill just keep believing Assange is purer than siberian snow.
          Yet Russia has the ability to hack computer systems and all the evidence so far points at Putin.
          You are in lala land if you think that Putin is not meddling in Nato allies politics.

          • Bill 5.1.1.1.1
            17 November 2018 at 10:36 am

            I don’t believe Assange is “purer that siberian snow”. So there’s that. To keep with your metaphor, Assange, like everyone else, is yellow snow.

            Of course Russia has the ability to hack computer systems, and of course Russia does hack computer systems. There have been many allegations made to the effect that Russia perpetrated a hack of the DNC server, but no evidence has been made public. It’s apparently just a fact that the transfer rates of data could not have been achieved by way of a hack.

            I’m not in la la land, because I don’t think or believe what you suggest I think or believe.

            But anyway, remember when “everyone” was lauding Assange and Wikileaks in the wake of Chelsea Manning’s leak? What’s changed bar people being instructed to think of Assange as a “bad person”?

            I wonder if those same fickle types would have us burn the works of Einstein seeing as how he was apparently such an abusive bastard in his personal relationships?

        • McFlock 5.1.1.2
          16 November 2018 at 11:00 pm

          Well, if that’s what the apparent charges relate to, he shouldn’t have any trouble at trial, then.

        • WILD KATIPO 5.1.1.3
          17 November 2018 at 8:25 am

          Poo pooing.

          🙂

          Don’t Pooh-pooh a Pooh-poohing | Blackadder Goes Forth … – YouTube

      • One Two 5.1.2
        17 November 2018 at 1:27 pm

        Obviously you have no idea what ‘hacking’ is…

        Or just how easy it is to make a ‘hack’ look like it originated from ‘anywhere’…forget there is zero credible evidence…zero

        Consider broadening your reading base, Tricledrown….I’ve suggested that to you on another subject in the recent past….

    • Lucy 5.2
      17 November 2018 at 11:11 am

      Actually Bill I would not call that journalism – the fact you think it is is most of tje problem! Journalism is receiving information, verifying it by use of more than one source, collating the information in a way that allows the reader to process the data and take a position, and get as response from the affected person (either before or after the original information is published). Wikileaks is a publish dump house – these are also important but they are not staffed by journalists.
      Whatever I feel about Julian Assange, mainly due to his throwing Chelsea Manning to the wolves, I do not think he is covered by Journalistic privilege. He may be covered by whistleblowing laws but they do not seem to work to well in the US.

      • Bill 5.2.1
        17 November 2018 at 11:26 am

        Fair enough on the “not call that journalism” front.

        I don’t know what to call it, as it doesn’t seem to fit neatly into any box.

        Wikileaks are a conduit for leaked info? And by making it available to the public they might be considered publishers? But not in the traditional sense seeing as how journalists are ‘expected’ to trawl the material that’s been made available and fashion it for publication?

      • Sacha 5.2.2
        17 November 2018 at 1:34 pm

        Yes. Journalism is also about applying professional ethics to decide whether something is in the public interest to publish. Well, it used to be.

        • francesca 5.2.2.1
          17 November 2018 at 2:16 pm

          A very slippery slope

          • Sacha 5.2.2.1.1
            17 November 2018 at 6:33 pm

            Originally that responsibility was regulated and balanced against privileged access and some legal immunity. Media now seem to expect the privileges without honouring the obligation, and governments have stopped regulating.

  6. David Mac 6
    16 November 2018 at 9:14 pm

    For a Russia sitting on manipulative information, Assange would have to be an attractive dirt distributor.

    I think he retains enough credibility to get a plausible story to stick.

    • Tricledrown 6.1
      16 November 2018 at 11:01 pm

      Assange is a fame seeker and was an easy target because he wants to remain relevant because he has a few die hard groupies!

      • WILD KATIPO 6.1.1
        17 November 2018 at 9:49 am

        Why didn’t the George Soro’s mass media cover what Assange did ?

        Wonder why… globalist media and propaganda?

        Which side are you on , boy , which side are you on ?

  7. Tricledrown 7
    16 November 2018 at 9:25 pm

    If Assange is extradited to the US Mueller will give him an option to turn states evidence something Trump will not want.
    Now Facebook has been found supporting anti semmetic hate speech towards George Soros I knew it all along the haters on this site need to apologise.

  8. WILD KATIPO 8
    17 November 2018 at 6:57 am

    Julian Assange has been through extraordinary circumstances , and trumped up charges ( no pun intended ) who were obviously plants. The far left have jumped on those because they support the Democrats. The same party that fought for slavery in the American South , – of which the Republicans opposed during the American civil war.

    Assange has given much to humanity in exposing much of the hypocrisy and corruption , – yet like treacherous dogs who are self seeking, when it doesn’t suit ? – they are prepared to sacrifice his life for their idealistic objectives. And that’s viscous – the same tactics and charges that they lay at the feet of their megalomaniac far right genocidal rivals.

    You Hypocrites !, – first pull the log out of your own eyes before you judge another !!!

    And so ,… here is a tribute to Julian Assange , a wonderful song from The Pogues about his homeland , Australia, – free Julian Assange !!!

    Please enjoy !

    The Pogues – South Australia – YouTube

    • WILD KATIPO 8.1
      17 November 2018 at 7:08 am

      And on a lighter note , this goose bump inspiring sea shanty from Johnny Collins, …

      Now this does it every time for me with a sense of reverence ,.. absolutely awesome composition and vocals. A testament to the simple power of the human voice alone.

      Matter of fact, I would like to give this as a tribute to the Pike River men and all other workers despite this being off topic.

      Johnny Collins – Leave Her Johnny (sea chantey) – YouTube

  9. Adrian Thornton 9
    17 November 2018 at 7:12 am

    It is quite infuriating to see so many people who on the surface seem intelligent and certainly (even though I don’t agree with them often) have the best interests of our land and the world in general, get sucked into this anti Assange + Russia conspiracy.

    The most effective whistle blower in human history, has developed an organization that has NEVER had to retract information for being false or fake, has shone a spotlight on to corruption, misdeeds and massacres of the most powerful countries in the world, and still these useful idiots would see him destroyed….quite bizarre, and very very sad for the Left.

    • boggis the cat 9.1
      20 November 2018 at 1:57 pm

      When the message is unassailable, you attack the messenger.

      Assange has made the mistake of tying his personal celebrity / ego to his organisation, and is paying the price for that.

      • Morrissey 9.1.1
        20 November 2018 at 6:58 pm

        The mistake made by Julian Assange was his choosing to do what any decent journalist would have done if he/she had been entrusted with this evidence of mass murder, viz. he posted this video:

        The rest has nothing to do with his character flaws or any strategic error on his part; it is simply the vengeance of criminals, thwarted by a brave, independent Central American government.

        • boggis the cat 9.1.1.1
          20 November 2018 at 11:02 pm

          It is far more difficult to gin up opposition to an organisation that is divulging criminal behaviour than it is to smear an individual. Assange was foolish to make himself such an easy target.

          Why make it easy for the people coming after you?

          • Morrissey 9.1.1.1.1
            21 November 2018 at 8:32 am

            Why make it easy for the people coming after you?

            Nicky Hager leads a blameless private life. There is no hint of scandal or womanizing around him, as far as I know. That didn’t stop the Key regime from employing the police, in the same way a corrupt businessman uses the gangs, to go round to his house and intimidate him.

            Julian Assange could have led an ascetic lifestyle, but the politicians he angered would still be trying to destroy him.

            You don’t give any credence to those discredited, absurd, byzantine, Soviet-style “charges” against him, do you?

            • boggis the cat 9.1.1.1.1.1
              23 November 2018 at 12:01 am

              My understanding of the alleged crime is that it incurs a fine. (There have been a lot of contradictory claims about the nature of the crime involved, but no claim that it incurs jail time.) So fairly obvious that Assange wasn’t concerned about being convicted for this crime.

              It does matter, however, that he has chosen behaviour that leaves him open to smears and character assassination. His ego has contributed to his situation.

              Compare the antics of Assange to how Edward Snowden has chosen to behave, as an example. He hasn’t done himself any favours.

              • Morrissey …
                23 November 2018 at 9:19 am

                Snowden was widely ridiculed, on this blog and elsewhere, for having a “stripper girlfriend.”

                Assange could be as blameless as the Dalai Lama, and it wouldn’t placate the politicians and murderers he exposed, or mitigate their desire to destroy him.

                Martin Luther King’s last night on earth was spent in an orgy with prostitutes, and Mohandas Gandhi liked to “test” his resolve by sleeping between two naked teenage girls whenever he had the chance. They did themselves no favours either.

                Why are you obsessing about Assange’s personal foibles—let’s reject those wild and false and discredited allegations by the slander-fantasists in CIA and MI5 black ops—instead of concentrating on the reason he is being persecuted?

  10. Stephanie Honeychurch 10
    17 November 2018 at 8:03 am

    (re-submitting because I had mispelt the email address).

    When Wikleaks offered a reward for information on the murder of DNC staffer, Seth Rich, they were telling the world who the leaker of the Podesta emails is. They have never offered a reward before or since. The Podesta emails revealsed many questionable things, but the corrupt mainsteam media has focussed on the release rather than the content of the emails.

    • boggis the cat 10.1
      20 November 2018 at 11:09 pm

      If Seth Rich was the whistleblower then there was no reason to not divulge that when he was murdered. That seemed like opportunistic misdirection, to me, targeted at Clinton conspiracy nuts.

      (Part of Assange’s agenda to get Trump in to power in hopes of crashing the whole US political system. That puts him in the same ‘stupid risk taking’ category as the DNC apparatchiks also trying to get Trump to the candidacy.)

  11. Observer Tokoroa 11
    17 November 2018 at 8:54 am

    “Loveable” Assange – get real

    Just as people throng to Trump like slobby insects to rubbishy pollen, unthinking people throng to Darling Julian Assange who reveals anything about anybody simply because he can hack computer libraries and make money.

    He is deemed Saviour of the world.

    People of sound mind know that Darling Julian has no right whatever to release information that does not belong to him. Nor does he have the right to break and enter the Computers of anybody – other than his own.

    • Dennis Frank 11.1
      17 November 2018 at 9:01 am

      Depends if the USA has whistleblower legislation or not, eh? The moral right to assert the public interest justifies exposures of wrongdoing. I’d expect his lawyers to say so, and I wouldn’t be surprised if half the legal establishment agreed. If the USA were a progressive society, you’d even have half the public on board with that. Rednecks & retards may still outnumber sensible people there, I suspect.

    • WILD KATIPO 11.2
      17 November 2018 at 9:36 am

      So you’d be happy if Pol Pot never was exposed. Too bad he wasn’t because that was before the computer age and before the likes of Assange…

      Whose side are you on , boy, whose side are you on?

    • Morrissey 11.3
      17 November 2018 at 9:54 am

      …information that does not belong to him.

      It belongs to us. The criminals who have power in Washington and London want to keep that information from us. Assange and other journalists have got hold of that information and given it to us. Now we know what we’ve always known—but now it’s irrefutable—that the regimes in the U.S. and U.K. were, and are, massive criminal enterprises.

      Fools like you can rant all you like, but that’s the fact of it.

    • Gabby 11.4
      17 November 2018 at 7:57 pm

      People get altogether too precious about who owns information obbytokky.

  12. Dennis Frank 12
    17 November 2018 at 8:55 am

    There’s a part to this that I don’t get. Nation state theory says that the way sovereignty work is via application of law to citizenry. Application of law to foreigners is not part of that, consequently the only variation on the theory is foreigners breaking domestic law when visiting a country. So, according to that logic, he would have had to be in the US when he published US military intelligence to break their secrecy law.

    Unless there’s some kind of international law that applies, and they are proposing to prosecute him in the basis of that rather than domestic US law, then their threat is mere bluster. Perhaps they are gambling on the Supreme Court deciding to mandate extension of US law into the international arena, kinda like imperialism?

    Dunno if conservative jurists would feel brave enough to go out on such a limb acting like gun-totin’ cowboys, bit of an undignified look for the eminences…

  13. SaveNZ 13
    17 November 2018 at 9:05 am

    Agree with below –

    “One of Assange’s attorneys, Barry Pollack, said it was a “dangerous path for a democracy to take” for a government to bring criminal charges against someone for publishing truthful information.
    “The news that criminal charges have apparently been filed against Mr. Assange is even more troubling than the haphazard manner in which that information has been revealed,” Pollack said in an email.”

    Democracy is the human right most under attack.

    Reminds me of this – where they are prosecuting the whistleblower in OZ not the criminals…

  14. Observer Tokoroa 14
    17 November 2018 at 9:15 am

    Hi Adrian Thornton

    I take it that you have a deep love of Julian Assange. You stupidly give him Carte Blanche.

    Normal people do not accept the crimes of hackers. Normal people do not even enjoy their Bank Accounts being raided.

    Do you think the Computers of Airplanes should be hacked in flight?

    • SaveNZ 14.1
      17 November 2018 at 9:26 am

      There is a difference between a whistleblower and a hacker. Also many differences between hackers, and I’m pretty sure Julian A has not been charged with stealing from bank accounts, he will be being charged for revealing what the double standards of the US military and torture and assassinations of civilians. Is that really a crime now? To reveal the truth about a government who says one thing but is lying to their people?

      • McFlock 14.1.1
        17 November 2018 at 8:15 pm

        Well, no, it’s not a crime. so that’s not what he’ll be charged with.

        It would probably be accessory/conspiracy to commit crimes under the espionage act, and maybe money laundering by taking donations for wikileaks to commit those “crimes”, like KDC being extradited for money laundering althought they really want him for copyright infringement.

    • WILD KATIPO 14.2
      17 November 2018 at 9:40 am

      So you disagree with Hager protecting his sources to expose corruption here in NZ,…

      Whose side are you on , boy, whose side are you on….

      Screw it.. here’s the song , just for you :

      Billy Bragg – Which Side Are You On? – YouTube

  15. Observer Tokoroa 15
    17 November 2018 at 9:55 am

    Hi SaveNZ

    I have to say that spying on other persons information, stealing their information, using hacking algorithms to break and enter Computers that do not belong to them – is iilicit.

    Assange knows that.

    He knows that no Sovereign Nation will ever trust him – the way you do.

    Could I suggest to you that Hacking is a very powerful weapon and far more serious than you may have considered.

    • SaveNZ 15.1
      17 November 2018 at 11:35 am

      HI,Observer Tokoroa, It’s not other people’s information it is the government’s information that was leaked as far as I am aware, which the people of the country pay for through their taxes and have every right to know where the money is going, or if the money might be going on something illegal aka torture etc

      Our government shares your information with the 5 eyes nations where it is impossible to work out if it could be leaked or what have you to private companies now that our defence force seems to be working less for security for the country but more for the 1% and politicians who get donations from that 1% .

      So I am more worried about the government giving away individuals people’s privacy in mass surveillance and how the is being stored and collected, more than I am worried about Wikileaks where in most cases the people leaking the information are doing it to show case crimes against other humans.

  16. Siobhan 16
    17 November 2018 at 11:30 am

    Think of it this way OT.

    Blasting someone with radiation is a ‘bad thing’, it’s illicit, it’s a crime. and If I randomly exposed my children to radiation I would be a bad person, a psychopath in fact.

    But, if my children had Cancer, then not only would radiation be a ‘good thing’, I would in fact be considered a criminal for not having them blasted with radiation.

    So think of our Governments, Political Parties and the Industrial Military Complex as being like a sick child. One we must put through a ‘bad thing’ so as to hopefully cure them.

    Julian Assange is simply one surgeon in a complex system trying to cut out the rot, (despite the fact that many seem quite defensive of their sickening growths.)

  17. Observer Tokoroa 17
    17 November 2018 at 12:26 pm

    Hi Siobhan

    I always read your words. They are thought provoking and on topic.

    It is true that America and Brittain – ala Thatcher – ala yank Generals -will kill anything that displeases them. England is Trumps at it. It has no idea of right or wrong. Hates the French. Hates the millions of Brown slaves they captured.

    However, most nations have a feeling for Defense. They don’t want to sit down passively and get slaughtered by islamists and the like.

    England took a dislike to the Austrian maniac – Hitler. They defended themselves against him. In my opinion England did well.

    Would you agree with Assange and his followers revealing to whomever, the position and scope of defence forces protecting women and children ?

    • WILD KATIPO 17.1
      17 November 2018 at 2:49 pm

      That can easily be countered by ‘ would you agree with the Clinton Foundation’s arms to ISIS?’.

      This needs to be continually shoved in front of peoples faces.

      It was because of this sort of shit that we now have an inquiry into Operation Burnham.

      Julian Assange: US knows Saudi and Qatari sponsor ISIS – YouTube

    • Morrissey 17.2
      17 November 2018 at 3:31 pm

      England took a dislike to the Austrian maniac – Hitler. They defended themselves against him. In my opinion England did well.

      Wrong. The English political establishment—especially Winston Churchill—-praised Hitler and continually called him a moderate. They were eventually forced to change their tune, of course.

      • Gabby 17.2.1
        17 November 2018 at 8:00 pm

        1934 is hardly eventually morry.

        • Morrissey 17.2.1.1
          18 November 2018 at 8:14 am

          The Night of the Long Knives shocked people of conscience like you, Gabby. Churchill and other “responsible” politicians, on the other hand, continued to assert that Hitler was a moderate, essentially. A bit rough around the edges, certainly, a bit uncouth, but preferable to that Communist and Socialist rabble. He continued to talk pretty much like a sturmabteilung ruffian for years after June 30, 1934.

          “I do not admit for instance, that a great wrong has been done to the Red Indians of America or the black people of Australia. I do not admit that a wrong has been done to these people by the fact that a stronger race, a higher-grade race, a more worldly wise race to put it that way, has come in and taken their place.”

          —-Winston Churchill, speaking to the Palestine Royal Commission, 1937

  18. Observer Tokoroa 18
    17 November 2018 at 6:23 pm

    Hi Katipo

    I think I have already said that England and America don’t care a fig about whom they bomb and kill. They are war mongering Nations forever pretending to do good. Bringing home sick and damaged soldiers.

    Slaughter seems to be their primary interest. They make untold Billions in Arms Sales. Australia joins them in doing this.

    However, this does not free Assange who steals information via spying on other persons information; using hacking algorithms to break and enter Computers which do not belong to him.

    Assange knows this is illicit.

    No Nation will trust him. Not now – or ever.

    It is the duty of Citizens to ensure that their politicians are honest and “Tell the Truth. The whole Truth, and Nothing but the Truth.”

    • boggis the cat 18.1
      20 November 2018 at 2:11 pm

      You really should give your assertions a re-think. Wikileaks doesn’t do any hacking. They collect information that has been obtained by others, then assess it to decide if it is reasonable to put into the public domain.

      In the past they have partnered with mainstream media in making information public, so if your claims were true then the NY Times and Guardian are co-conspirators in your alleged crimes. Are you also arguing this?

      Also — I assume that you are aware that it is our governments that are routinely collecting up our private information, in breach of fundamental laws? Why the concern about governments not trusting Assange, when those same governments are the proven liars and criminals?

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  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 27

    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 27 were:1. The Minister for Ford Rangers strikes againTransport Minister Simeon Brown was again the busiest of the Cabinet ministers this week, announcing an ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    8 mins ago
  • Ticket To Anywhere

    You got a fast carAnd I want a ticket to anywhereMaybe we make a dealMaybe together we can get somewhereAny place is betterYesterday’s newsletter, Trust In Me, on the report of abuse in state care, and by religious organisations, between 1950 and 2019, coupled with the hypocrisy of Christopher Luxon ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    49 mins ago
  • Stories of varying weight

    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on anything you may have missed. Share Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 hours ago
  • Balancing External Security and the Economy

    New Zealand is again having to reconcile conflicting pressures from its military and its trade interests. Should we join Pillar Two of AUKUS and risk compromising our markets in China? For a century after New Zealand was founded in 1840, its external security arrangements and external economics arrangements were aligned. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    18 hours ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: The unravelling of the offsets

    The ‘50 Shades of Green’ farmers’ protest in 2019 was heavy on climate change denial, but five years on, scepticism and criticism about the idea that pine forests can save us is growing across the board. File photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top six news items of note in climate ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    23 hours ago
  • What makes us tick

    This morning the sky was bright.The birds, in their usual joyous bliss. Nature doesn’t seem to feel the heat of what might angst humans.Their calls are clear and beautiful.Just some random thoughts:MāoriPaul Goldsmith has announced his government will roll back the judiciary’s rulings on Māori Customary Marine Title, which recognises ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    24 hours ago
  • Foreshore and seabed 2.0

    In 2003, the Court of Appeal delivered its decision in Ngati Apa v Attorney-General, ruling that Māori customary title over the foreshore and seabed had not been universally extinguished, and that the Māori Land Court could determine claims and confirm title if the facts supported it. This kicked off the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the Royal Commission report into abuse in care

    Earlier this week at Parliament, Labour leader Chris Hipkins was applauded for saying that the response to the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care had to be “bigger than politics.” True, but the fine words, apologies and “we hear you” messages will soon ring ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: In news breaking this morning:The Ministry of Education is cutting $2 billion from its school building programme so the National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government has enough money to deliver tax cuts; The Government has quietly lowered its child poverty reduction targets to make them easier to achieve;Te Whatu Ora-Health NZ’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Weekly Roundup 26-July-2024

    Kia ora. These are some stories that caught our eye this week – as always, feel free to share yours in the comments. Our header image this week (via Eke Panuku) shows the planned upgrade for the Karanga Plaza Tidal Swimming Steps. The week in Greater Auckland On ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 day ago
  • God what a relief

    1. What's not to love about the way the Harris campaign is turning things around?a. Nothingb. Love all of itc. God what a reliefd. Not that it will be by any means easye. All of the above 2. Documents released by the Ministry of Health show Associate Health Minister Casey ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • Trust In Me

    Trust in me in all you doHave the faith I have in youLove will see us through, if only you trust in meWhy don't you, you trust me?In a week that saw the release of the 3,000 page Abuse in Care report Christopher Luxon was being asked about Boot Camps. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 26

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking about the Royal Commission Inquiry into Abuse in Care report released this week, and with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on a UN push to not recognise carbon offset markets and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 26

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    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
    21 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

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

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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. ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
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    1 week ago
  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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