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Heatley story full of holes

Written By: - Date published: 7:10 am, February 26th, 2010 - 84 comments
Categories: national/act government, parliamentary spending, spin - Tags: ,

I’ll try just sticking to the observable facts of the Heatley affair, rather than relying on any of the Nats’ word on events that took place out of the public eye in the lead up to his resignation.

Phil Heatley is adament he didn’t resign for misusing his ministerial credit card. He says the problem is that he signed off on a claim for beverage and food (a claim that incidentally was against the rules, but that’s by the by) but he didn’t, in fact, buy any food. He claims that he sees that as a resigning offence. Come on, pull the other one. ‘Food and beverages’ is a category that covers booze. The expense falls in that category. No minister is going to resign for describing a trivial expense in a perfectly legitimate, or at worst trivially inaccurate, way.

And Heatley and John Key have conflicting stories about how this ‘issue’ was discovered – Heatley says he found it, Key says a reporter brought it to his office.

There’s clearly something else at play. But I don’t think this was planned by the National hierarchy. Key would not have flown to Christchurch only to suddenly turn around and fly back if he had expected Heatley to resign.

That very strongly suggests that as of last night and early in the morning Key didn’t think Heatley was resigning.

I think we need to look at Heatley’s performance. His press conference was clearly being managed by the hierarchy. Heatley isn’t a good liar and throughout the four minute press conference, until Chris Tremain and Simon Power held him by the shoulder and bundled him out the door, I got the overwhelming impression that Heatley was lying and he knew it. Heatley looked like a condemned man at a show trial, reading the false confession his executioners had prepared for him.

But if Heatley was going to be forced to resign because of some other reason why didn’t he either admit that reason or, given the Nats’ love of secrecy, simply claim he was resigning over his misuse of the ministerial credit card?

I think this is where we get to the heart of the issue. If Heatley has resigned because of what is essentially his theft of taxpayer money for private use with his ministerial credit card, then Brownlee would be on the chopping block for the same behaviour, and Brownlee is like English – too important to lose.

So here’s my theory. Heatley, tender soul that he is, agonised over the ministerial card issue and decided to do what would be expected in similar circumstances in a business and what would have been automatic not so long ago for a minister – he decided to resign.

The problem from National’s perspective with that was that Brownlee would be under serious pressure to resign too. Initially, on Wednesday night, Key tried to talk Heatley out of it and had a three hour crisis meeting with Bill English. Thinking it was under control, Key went to Christchurch.

But then Heatley decided he wanted to resign after all. What National needed was a reason for Heatley to resign that wasn’t the misuse of the credit cards, something that wouldn’t implicate Brownlee. And so we got the farce we saw yesterday. I think the whole thing over the receipt and maybe even getting the Auditor-General to investigate his other expenses is a distraction.

That’s my theory, anyway. Any other ideas?

Labour will have to pursue this to dig out the truth. Because, as with Richard Worth, it’s clear that National has no intention of being open with the public.

On that note, the Right is desperately spinning this as some example of high standards. What a laugh. It’s not a high standard to resign for not doing anything wrong, it’s a farce. If this is the bar then most of the Cabinet should be gone for actual sackable offences:

  • Heatley and Gerry Brownlee should have resigned when they were caught breaking the rules for using ministerial credit cards.
  • Bill English, Heatley, Murray McCully, Tim Groser, and Anne Tolley should have resigned for rorting the housing allowance (I notice that a number of ministers still have very big expense claims in that area).
  • Judith Collins, Heatley, Tolley, Rodney Hide, Simon Power, and Wayne Mapp should have resigned for breaking the rules on spousal flights.
  • Jonathan Coleman should have resigned for covering up Melissa Lee’s NZ on Air rip-off.
  • Hide and Heather Roy should resign for charging for appearing at events as ministers, in contravention of the rules.
  • English should resign for getting TVNZ to make him a political ad.
  • And Tolley and Paula Bennett should be sacked for sheer bloody incompetence.

Of course, the only ones who have gone are Richard Worth for reasons Key won’t tell us and Heatley under an obviously false pretext.

No, we didn’t see a new and bizarre age of ministerial standards yesterday. We saw a cover-up.

84 comments on “Heatley story full of holes ”

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  1. wyndham 1
    26 February 2010 at 7:57 am

    Is it not just possible that Mr. Heatley simply “wanted out” of his ministerial responsibilities and the expenses incident has provided both he and the PM with a convenient let out ? Whilst not a good look, it is preferable to admitting that he cannot handle the job.

    The haggard features and the tears at the time of his public apology bore all the signs of a man under extreme pressure. Far more that would be occasioned by cheating over the cost of a couple of bottles of wine.

    • Marty G 1.1
      26 February 2010 at 8:03 am

      Yeah. that’s not lightyears away from my theory.

      The problem is if he wanted out why didn’t he resign over what he actually did wrong – spending taxpayer money on private use – rather than something that isn’t even wrong – categorising a wine purchase as ‘food and beverages’?

      • the sprout 1.1.1
        26 February 2010 at 8:11 am

        Or indeed if he he just wanted out, why not just resign before rather than go through this embrassment and look like you’re resigning over one misdeamenour?

        It doesn’t add up.

    • toad 1.2
      26 February 2010 at 8:36 am

      Whilst not a good look, it is preferable to admitting that he cannot handle the job.

      By that reasoning, I would expect considerable scrutiny of Anne Tolley’s expenses to be going on at the moment.

  2. vto 2
    26 February 2010 at 8:06 am

    My theory is that it is the usual bullshit emanating out of the beehive. The full story and all reasons are never explained. There were countless of them during Clark’s time, and before that, and it is simply the horrid tradition continuing. I roll my eyes.

    Politicians will hence continue to occupy the lower rungs of respectables.

  3. greenfly 3
    26 February 2010 at 8:08 am

    Let’s hear from Gerry now, shall we?

    Gerry? Your turn to air some linen.

    Fat chance!

    • tim 3.1
      6 March 2010 at 11:36 pm

      Gerry’s linen is still in the wash! But standby, it’s on the spin cycle as I type

  4. infused 4
    26 February 2010 at 8:08 am

    I actually think he’s legit. I haven’t seen any other person as sincere as Heatley. I could be wrong, but I really don’t see anything going on here.

    • the sprout 4.1
      26 February 2010 at 8:12 am

      Then that would just make it a massive error of judgement.

      • infused 4.1.1
        26 February 2010 at 8:13 am

        He seems like the person to make a masive error or judement. Letting his emotions take over

        • Marty G 4.1.1.1
          26 February 2010 at 8:17 am

          Apart from the fact that there’s nothing wrong in characterising two bottles of wine as ‘food and beverage’ (remember, this is totally separate from the issue of misusing the card for private use) there’s also the problem that Key and Heatley provided different explanations of how the ‘error’ was discovered

          • infused 4.1.1.1.1
            26 February 2010 at 8:23 am

            After 5yrs in business, I think I’ve only just got a handle on everything I can claim on correctly.

            Maybe I’m a slow learner.

            • Marty G 4.1.1.1.1.1
              26 February 2010 at 8:47 am

              Did you ever charge wine and holidays for your private use to your work account?

              There’s understanding the technicalities and there’s understanding the basics.

        • IrishBill 4.1.1.2
          26 February 2010 at 8:19 am

          Which would beg the question, who the hell thought he should be a minister?

  5. Eric C. 5
    26 February 2010 at 8:20 am

    There are many unanswered questions about why this whole story was mismanaged by John Key.

    For example, if the Dom Post got the documents under the OIA why didn’t Key make the ministers payback the misspent funds before the papers were sent to the Dom Post? That would have kept it from getting any momentum with the follow up “he will pay it back” and “he has paid it back” stories. I mean, it is not like the story came out of a leak. They gave the information out and had plenty of time to plan how to manage the story.

    I reckon once again, Key and his mates didn’t think they had done anything wrong until they saw what the Dom Post was going to publish. Rules and laws are for someone else not them.

  6. pollywog 6
    26 February 2010 at 8:43 am

    It would be nice to think a poltician had a crisis of conscience to do the right thing but i just dont have that much faith in them.

    It does however seem Cheatley was on the slippery rort slide and maybe that dishonesty was getting to him. Now if someone could get him alone, tug the heartstrings and get him to whistleblow on the culture of disingenuousness within parliament, that would be choice !

  7. the sprout 7
    26 February 2010 at 8:57 am

    I wonder who shared the various dinners and bottles of wine with Heatley?
    I understand one of them says ‘Phil Heatley and Wife’.
    I suppose if it wasn’t actually Heatley’s wife at the time that could be problematic for him.

    • Lanthanide 7.1
      26 February 2010 at 10:24 am

      sprout – the particular wine for “Phil Heatly and spouse” was at the National party conference. That is, official party business where everyone would have seen him, so he wouldn’t have been there with some other women.

      It is possible that other spending could’ve been as you suggest, but the particular instance of ‘2 bottles of wine marked as food and beverages’ is above board.

    • Lanthanide 7.2
      26 February 2010 at 10:26 am

      sprout – the particular instance with the 2 bottles of wine charged as ‘food and beverage’ were from the National party conference. That is, an official party function where he definitely would not be seen with a woman other than his wife.

      Other spending could have been with someone else, but this particular instance is above board.

  8. luva 8
    26 February 2010 at 8:59 am

    It is depressing that this government is looking like they will have the same strike rate as the last sorry bunch.

    They obviously don’t have a corrupt minister amongst them like a certain TPF. But I am dissapointed that my high hopes for them in this area are not being realised.

    • r0b 8.1
      26 February 2010 at 9:31 am

      They obviously don’t have a corrupt minister amongst them like a certain TPF

      Mmmmm, yes, obviously.

      • luva 8.1.1
        27 February 2010 at 1:36 am

        r0b

        When was a National minister or former National minister questioned by the authorities in respect of corruption, charged in respect of corruption or convicted of corruption?

  9. pollywog 9
    26 February 2010 at 9:03 am

    Yup, marital impropriety and tearful confession. That’s always good for a laugh. Let’s fookin ave it !

  10. Anne 10
    26 February 2010 at 9:37 am

    I say MARTY G is bang on!
    It makes sense. Note that as soon as questions became tricky the minders removed Heatley. Scared he would contradict the agreed version of events? Of course. The mess is more an indictment of John Key and his sloppy management style. But of course Jo and Mary Bloggs would have watched him on TV last night and thought… gosh, he’s a good man isn’ he.

  11. Craig Glen Eden 11
    26 February 2010 at 9:53 am

    I’m sorry but I don’t believe that he resigned over two bottles of wine being classified as food and beverages.
    This is also not some new standard otherwise Key has no cabinet.They are covering for sure.

    Heatley is acting as far as I am concerned, I mean seriously all those emotions and heart felt expressions of “I am really sorry please please for give me”
    For what, maybe for driving dangerously maiming or killing ( manslaughter) someone, sexual indiscretion, or He is not coping in the job and he needs to resign because someone close to him is dying or his marriage is on the rocks would all be reasons that you would go, Ok fair enough he should be sorry or ok poor blokes under a lot of personal and work stress, so needs a brake.

    I don’t buy this, Heatley either knows far worse is going to be exposed or there is something else they need a distraction for.

  12. coolas 12
    26 February 2010 at 10:07 am

    ‘Error in judgement’ seems the catch phrase for Heatly. And no doubt a few more errors will emerge. But if his sloppy use of c/cards is indicative of his work ethic the guy must have been muffing his portfolio’s and the emotional wreck we saw on TV is a man way stressed and out of his depth.

    Makes me wonder how well supported he was. Seems he didn’t talk to Key before resigning. Strange. Helen was a micro-manager calling her Ministers on a daily basis (except Cullen). Is Key so macro Ministers are running alone? If so I reckon Heatly just couldn’t cope with both the job and the lifestyle a Crown Minister assumes.

    He was close to a melt-down, knew it, and got out before the shit hit the fan.

    • Pascal's bookie 12.1
      26 February 2010 at 10:16 am

      Makes me wonder how well supported he was.

      NBR (private bin pge 43) says Heatley went for a chat with Gerry on Wed.

      Gerry was “less than sympathetic to his cabinet colleague blubbering”.

      • coolas 12.1.1
        26 February 2010 at 10:40 am

        Thanks Pascal. Makes more sense than the 2 bottles. So strengthens the reason Heatly resigned was because he was on the brink of a meltdown and unsupported by colleagues; Key too busy taking photo ops, English unapproachable, and Gerry unsympathetic.

  13. Brett Dale 13
    26 February 2010 at 10:29 am

    Where is the story of Phil Goff spending 70 Thousand dollars on limos?

  14. Lanthanide 14
    26 February 2010 at 10:31 am

    According to Matthew Hooten on the radio this morning, there are 2 aspects that should be considered:

    1. It seems he continued using his CC in a bad way, even after being warned and told to stop. So continued errors is a bit more embarassing here. Contrast with Brownlee who only had the single $150 lunch to reimburse. Also Hooten said that Brownlee’s lunch was for ‘his whole staff’, which sounds like at least 6-7 people, so $150 isn’t an amazingly expensive amount for that many people.

    2. Heatly may have wanted to avoid the spotlight from the media and the opposition for the next couple of months, who would bring this up repeatedly. By resigning (and being re-appointed by Key pending AG report), he can avoid all of this, and in the long-run come out looking better than his peers.

  15. Akldnut 15
    26 February 2010 at 10:31 am

    He chose the wrong vocation, with sensitivity like that he should have been a family crisis phone operator

    I don’t buy into the pathetic line thats being used, they’re treating the public like idiots which is nothing unusual for this govt. They’re just following on from the precedent they set at the last election by putting it over on Joe public with spin.

    My theory is that he could see the writing on the wall and didn’t want to be on the front line when the public realises that is this government is full of bullshit and gives them the sack next year.

    OK rant finished.

  16. Brett Dale 16
    26 February 2010 at 10:40 am

    Lanthanide:

    Thanks for the link.

    Very suprised that the open and always honest and never bias writers of the standard, arent screaming for Goff to resign.

    Heck a Politican in a position of power ripping off the tax payer, is their worst nightmare, oh hang on its their guy so they will shut up and say nothing.

    • lprent 16.1
      26 February 2010 at 10:52 am

      Just so long as John Key resigns for the SAME reason. His bill for limos was much the same…

      Brett – don’t be such a fool. There are people doing the business of governing the country (including the PM and the leader of the opposition) who require transport around a lot of different cities. They need to be driven because that allows them time to read the volumes of material that gets shunted at them all of the time or do phone calls.

      The real story here is that the cost of those limo’s is too damn high. Taxi’s look a lot cheaper.

      • chris 16.1.1
        26 February 2010 at 2:46 pm

        DPF makes a salient point on this today though. the “cost” is mainly for accounting reasons rather than actual cost.

        • lprent 16.1.1.1
          26 February 2010 at 3:01 pm

          Yeah, but presumably the ‘prices’ are based on something.

          1. some kind of cost accounting basis related to the cost of running the service

          2. costs of alternative ways of running the service.

          Otherwise it really makes little sense to have a nominal charge..

    • Armchair Critic 16.2
      26 February 2010 at 10:55 am

      Or it could it be that no one can point to how the spending was outside the rules? Stretching that point, maybe that is because the spending wasn’t outside the rules and was actually part of his role as leader of the opposition.
      Or maybe you know something that no one else does, in which case you should put up the evidence.

  17. Anne 17
    26 February 2010 at 10:42 am

    This whole debacle comes across like a scene from “The Godfather”.
    And the wingnuts claimed that HC and co. were control freaks. They were pussies compared to this lot! 😀

  18. Brett Dale 18
    26 February 2010 at 11:23 am

    Iprent.

    7O Thousand dollars in three months on Limos?

    If this was a National MP you would be furious, so would all your posters here.

    You guys try to say here that you have a high standard unlike the bias press, but your just as bad.

    Its one standard for one group of MP’s and one for another.

    He should of taxied.

    • Lanthanide 18.1
      26 February 2010 at 11:45 am

      You should try reading the article a bit more closely before you make such rash pronouncements:

      “Mr Key’s VIP car bill for the last three months of 2009 paid by Ministerial Services was $56,769”
      “The total for all ministers was $707,851.”

      Also the correct phrase is “should have”.

      • lprent 18.1.1
        26 February 2010 at 11:56 am

        I don’t think that he read the article… He was making a story.

        • Lanthanide 18.1.1.1
          26 February 2010 at 12:01 pm

          Actually now that I’d re-read his post, it is completely full of grammatical errors, not just “should of”.

          I wonder if he realises that he is only making himself look stupid?

        • Kevin Welsh 18.1.1.2
          26 February 2010 at 1:18 pm

          Don’t worry lp, Brett’s speciality is making up stories.

    • the sprout 18.2
      26 February 2010 at 11:48 am

      So why do you reckon Heatley resigned Bretty?
      Covering up for something much worse maybe?
      Will other National ministers hold themselves to such high standards you reckon Bretty?

  19. weizguy 19
    26 February 2010 at 11:52 am

    Did Key Taxi when he was leader of the opposition? If not, why should Goff?

  20. Herodotus 20
    26 February 2010 at 12:13 pm

    I am concerned that with this new regime and the disclosure “we” are being side tracted to wwhat are minor issues (If what is stated by all to be true) Does this not display our immaturity to some matters. I am sure that in the past things like this occurred but we the public remainded unaware. If there is something more sinister then fine to continue this. I will be surprised if this goes on much longer what actions taken by Lab will be exposed and we will be feed a continual diet of crap we all will be infected with Leptospira. Which will just allow all to sit back and condem the other side for their behaviour of justify our actions by they did it as well.
    Perhaps this was planned to divert us from minor issues as ACC or some other bill just passed?

  21. Doug 21
    26 February 2010 at 12:43 pm

    Phil Heatley’s expenses pale into Insignificants compared to Phil Goff’s $89,454 spend for no gain in the polls.

    [lprent: Link? That is a figure that I haven’t seen yet. ]

  22. Seti 22
    26 February 2010 at 1:04 pm

    Goff’s limo bill equates to approx $780 per day…every day…including weekends…for three months.

    What a disgrace!

    [lprent: And you’ve also calculated what John Keys daily cost is? ]

  23. Bill 23
    26 February 2010 at 1:24 pm

    Couldn’t help but notice Heatley says he failed to live up to his own standards (twice)…not that he failed to live up to the standards expected of him by the government.

    So we can assume that his standards would represent a bar being a tad high for his thieving and rorting cabinet colleagues. Not that he wants to drop them in it, their standards are theirs. So out comes the desperate wine excuse and an unnecessary auditors report in the making that will keep the press from asking any questions during the time it takes for everything to be quietly forgotten.

  24. Brett Dale 24
    26 February 2010 at 1:34 pm

    So you guys are okay with Goff’s limo bill.

    • Lanthanide 24.1
      26 February 2010 at 2:04 pm

      It does seem a bit high.

      However your point is that no one has posted an article on The Standard about it because it was ‘our man’ who did it, and if any of National’s ministers had done the same, we’d be jumping up and down.

      Turns out that Key spent almost as much as Goff did, and the total for all ministers is 700k. As there is no post on The Standard about this issue as yet, it is clear that your claim is in fact, wrong.

      • Seti 24.1.1
        26 February 2010 at 2:14 pm

        Goff spent 22% more than Key. You would think with the number of official engagements the PM is expected to attend it would be the other way round, and then some.

        If Goff is a true socialist he would have caught the bus.

        • Lanthanide 24.1.1.1
          26 February 2010 at 2:45 pm

          Actually Key probably spends more time in the beehive than Goff would, and he probably also spent more time on holiday in Hawaii.

          • Adders 24.1.1.1.1
            26 February 2010 at 3:04 pm

            John Key also spent more on VIP cars when he was Leader of the Opposition than the Prime Minister at the time Helen Clark did.

  25. Brett Dale 25
    26 February 2010 at 1:36 pm

    wizeguy:

    Im not sure about what mode of Transport Key used?

    Howe can Goff claim any credibility when he limoed everywhere.

    He SHOULD HAVE used a Taxi.

    • Bright Red 25.1
      26 February 2010 at 2:23 pm

      brett. They’re not limos. They’re the Crown BMWs that ministers and the leader of the opposition have for use in their official duties.

  26. Brett Dale 26
    26 February 2010 at 1:39 pm

    the sprout:

    Heatly resigned because he was corrupt, it wasnt an accident he knew what he was doing and he got caught.

    There may be more to it, there may not be.

    I’m guessing Goff will just giggle his corruption off.

    His fanbase of course will forgive him.

    • Bright Red 26.1
      26 February 2010 at 2:22 pm

      Brett. there is no corruption in using the vip cars to do your job.

      You can’t confuse amount of spending with legitimacy of spending.

      Moreover, the increase in Goff’s VIP car costs is due to back charges for a change in costing that took place in the previous quarter.

  27. sean14 27
    26 February 2010 at 2:02 pm

    If he drowns he’s not a witch!

  28. Brett Dale 28
    26 February 2010 at 2:15 pm

    sean14:

    That makes sense?

    • Bright Red 28.1
      26 February 2010 at 2:20 pm

      it’s monty python, brett

      • Outofbed 28.1.1
        26 February 2010 at 2:27 pm

        Sir Bedevere: No, no. What else floats in water?
        Peasant 1: Bread.
        Peasant 2: Apples.
        Peasant 3: Very small rocks.
        Peasant 1: Cider.
        Peasant 2: Gravy.
        Peasant 3: Cherries.
        Peasant 1: Mud.
        Peasant 2: Churches.
        Peasant 3: Lead! Lead!
        King Arthur: A Duck.
        Sir Bedevere: …Exactly. So, logically…
        Peasant 1: If she weighed the same as a duck… she’s made of wood.
        Sir Bedevere: And therefore…
        Peasant 2: …A witch!

    • Puddleglum 28.2
      26 February 2010 at 2:48 pm

      Hi Brett,

      In keeping with the non-partisan, politically neutral spirit you profess, I’d like to ask if you post a similar number of comments on Kiwiblog, or some other politically right-leaning blog, to the effect that they don’t post stories critical of National and Act New Zealand MPs’ behaviour and restrict themselves to highlighting the failings of Labour and Green MPs? If not, why not? (Before you answer, I’d advise you to think carefully about the line of argumentation I’m using within these questions. You might recognise it.)

  29. BLiP 29
    26 February 2010 at 2:26 pm

    Definitely something fishy: there one minute – gone the next.

    Perhaps he just simply was an incompetent bestr shuffled off to the sidelines to obscure news of yet another chunk of New Zealand’s 100% Pure brand going down the toilet?

  30. Brett Dale 30
    26 February 2010 at 2:28 pm

    Bright Red:

    Sorry my IQ is less than 175 so I dont get Monty Python.

  31. Brett Dale 31
    26 February 2010 at 2:31 pm

    Bright Red:

    He used Limo’s for pete’s sake instead of using taxis, which would of saved Tax payer dollars.

    70 thousand dollars in three months????

    That’s outrageous!!!

    But no one here seems to care, because hes one of your guys.

    • Lanthanide 31.1
      26 February 2010 at 2:48 pm

      He used Limo\’s for pete’s sake instead of using taxis, which would of saved Tax payer dollars.

      56 thousand dollars in three months????

      That’s outrageous!!!

      But you don’t seem to care, because hes one of your guys.

      • RedLogix 31.1.1
        26 February 2010 at 8:13 pm

        What of course everyone is overlooking is that these costs are of course internal charge out rates. I’d be surprised if the real costs approach anywhere near these numbers (but I’m open to being convinced otherwise). Is someone in Parliamentary Services using this service as a cash-cow to cross-subsidise something else under-budgeted?

        Knowing a bit about how PS operates I’d speculate there was something a little hokey going on here.

    • Tongue 31.2
      26 February 2010 at 11:21 pm

      Correct me if I’m way out of line, but arent the ‘Limos’ are owned by the Govt? And are ‘leased’ out to Ministers only in theory? The only real cost of the limo’s is the drivers salary and fuel.
      Its a money-go-round. $70,000 in limo costs paid by the Govt, for limos already owned by the Govt?

  32. winston smith 32
    26 February 2010 at 2:33 pm

    it’s monty python, brett

    Eyupp… much like this website.

    I see the left is still struggling with the concepts of ministerial responsibility and integrity.

    [lprent: Apparently so is Heatley. Brownlee and others appear to wonder what the fuss is about from troughing it at the taxpayers expense. If you’re going to write something then I suggest that you actually say something rather than some stupid lines. It makes you look even thicker than you probably actually are. Looks like you’ll be staying in moderation for a while. You seem to be a slow learner. ]

  33. notTim 33
    26 February 2010 at 2:41 pm

    hey brett, run away back to your national party kiwibog, your diversion here is getting boring and predictable. Why not send over your colleague ‘dad-with-4-personalities’ instead, at least he is ‘funny’..

    [lprent: I’ve never seen Brett or a personality like him in my excursions reading at KB. He doesn’t seem the type. I suspect you are mistaken. ]

  34. Lew 34
    26 February 2010 at 2:47 pm

    I think the proof that Brett doesn’t read the Bog is in the fact that he has absolutely no freaking idea that the $70k quoted for Goff’s limo services is a nominal internal-charge sunk-cost figure only — as David has made crystal clear and even the most misinformed Bogster knows.

    L

  35. Brett Dale 35
    26 February 2010 at 2:49 pm

    Ive voted Labour all my life, except for the last election. Im a huge fan of Obama, (a lefty)

    My views are always centre left.

    One thing I hate is hypocrites.

    I said it many times this site is like Faux News, you critize politicans on one side for certain behaviour, but let the guys on your side, slide by.

    Just once I would like to see some honesty, I anit holding my breath though.

    BTW: I dont post at kiwiblog and have no idea who dad-with-4-personalities is.

  36. the pinkpostman 36
    26 February 2010 at 3:08 pm

    The whole Heatley affair stinks of something very bad.
    The immediate resignation makes one wonder what he did not want bought out. The swift Tory sleaze machines quick reaction trying to put Goff in a bad situation spells out that something big is being covered up.Both Key and Brownlee look very uncomfortable over this strange episode .
    The other aspect of all this is how much longer are the public going to accept this governments sleazy actions. We’ve had rent rorts , share ownership cover ups ,” The Worth” affair ,on and on it goes , how much longer can smilling Key fool the people .

  37. SD 37
    26 February 2010 at 3:27 pm

    The headlines are saying it now. “Heatly repeatedly warned about spending” so there must be more to it. More spending.

    It’s sad that there are still some politicians out there that have that “If I keep quiet then hopefuly no one will find out, but when they do I just plead ignorance” mentality.

    I agree with some commentators on this page that it most likely goes back through previous governments too, not just this lot.

  38. Roger Wakefield 38
    28 February 2010 at 2:44 pm

    Question: Do Heatley’s high standards only kick in when he’s caught out? Or does his moral compass need boxing?

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  • Ginny Andersen appointed as Minister of Police
    Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has today appointed Ginny Andersen as Minister of Police. “Ginny Andersen has a strong and relevant background in this important portfolio,” Chris Hipkins said. “Ginny Andersen worked for the Police as a non-sworn staff member for around 10 years and has more recently been chair of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago

  • Government confirms vital roading reconnections
    Six further bailey bridge sites confirmed Four additional bridge sites under consideration 91 per cent of damaged state highways reopened Recovery Dashboards for impacted regions released The Government has responded quickly to restore lifeline routes after Cyclone Gabrielle and can today confirm that an additional six bailey bridges will ...
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    14 hours ago

  • Foreign Minister Mahuta to meet with China’s new Foreign Minister
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta departs for China tomorrow, where she will meet with her counterpart, State Councillor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang, in Beijing. This will be the first visit by a New Zealand Minister to China since 2019, and follows the easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions between New Zealand and China. ...
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    15 hours ago

  • Education Ministers from across the Pacific gather in Aotearoa
    Education Ministers from across the Pacific will gather in Tāmaki Makaurau this week to share their collective knowledge and strategic vision, for the benefit of ākonga across the region. New Zealand Education Minister Jan Tinetti will host the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers (CPEM) for three days from today, ...
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    20 hours ago

  • State Highway 5 reopens between Napier and Taupō following Cyclone Gabrielle
    A vital transport link for communities and local businesses has been restored following Cyclone Gabrielle with the reopening of State Highway 5 (SH5) between Napier and Taupō, Associate Minister of Transport Kiri Allan says. SH5 reopened to all traffic between 7am and 7pm from today, with closure points at SH2 (Kaimata ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago

  • Special Lotto draw raises $11.7 million for Cyclone Gabrielle recovery
    Internal Affairs Minister Barbara Edmonds has thanked generous New Zealanders who took part in the special Lotto draw for communities affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. Held on Saturday night, the draw raised $11.7 million with half of all ticket sales going towards recovery efforts. “In a time of need, New Zealanders ...
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    2 days ago

  • Government delivers a $3 million funding boost for Building Financial Capability services
    The Government has announced funding of $3 million for providers to help people, and whānau access community-based Building Financial Capability services. “Demand for Financial Capability Services is growing as people face cost of living pressures. Those pressures are increasing further in areas affected by flooding and Cyclone Gabrielle,” Minister for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao – new Chair and member
    Minister of Education, Hon Jan Tinetti, has announced appointments to the Board of Education New Zealand | Manapou ki te Ao. Tracey Bridges is joining the Board as the new Chair and Dr Therese Arseneau will be a new member. Current members Dr Linda Sissons CNZM and Daniel Wilson have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Scholarships honouring Ngarimu VC and the 28th (Māori) Battalion announced
    Fifteen ākonga Māori from across Aotearoa have been awarded the prestigious Ngarimu VC and 28th (Māori) Battalion Memorial Scholarships and Awards for 2023, Associate Education Minister and Ngarimu Board Chair, Kelvin Davis announced today.  The recipients include doctoral, masters’ and undergraduate students. Three vocational training students and five wharekura students, ...
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    4 days ago

  • Appointment of Judge of the Court of Appeal and Judge of the High Court
    High Court Judge Jillian Maree Mallon has been appointed a Judge of the Court of Appeal, and District Court Judge Andrew John Becroft QSO has been appointed a Judge of the High Court, Attorney‑General David Parker announced today. Justice Mallon graduated from Otago University in 1988 with an LLB (Hons), and with ...
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    4 days ago

  • NZ still well placed to meet global challenges
    The economy has continued to show its resilience despite today’s GDP figures showing a modest decline in the December quarter, leaving the Government well positioned to help New Zealanders face cost of living pressures in a challenging global environment. “The economy had grown strongly in the two quarters before this ...
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    4 days ago

  • Western Ring Route Complete
    Aucklanders now have more ways to get around as Transport Minister Michael Wood opened the direct State Highway 1 (SH1) to State Highway 18 (SH18) underpass today, marking the completion of the 48-kilometre Western Ring Route (WRR). “The Government is upgrading New Zealand’s transport system to make it safer, more ...
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    4 days ago

  • Briefings to Incoming Ministers
    This section contains briefings received by incoming ministers following changes to Cabinet in January. Some information may have been withheld in accordance with the Official Information Act 1982. Where information has been withheld that is indicated within the document. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Teaming up for a stronger, more resilient Fiji
    Aotearoa New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta reaffirmed her commitment to working together with the new Government of Fiji on issues of shared importance, including on the prioritisation of climate change and sustainability, at a meeting today, in Nadi. Fiji and Aotearoa New Zealand’s close relationship is underpinned by the Duavata ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Investment in blue highway a lifeline for regional economies and cyclone recovery
    The Government is delivering a coastal shipping lifeline for businesses, residents and the primary sector in the cyclone-stricken regions of Hawkes Bay and Tairāwhiti, Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan announced today. The Rangitata vessel has been chartered for an emergency coastal shipping route between Gisborne and Napier, with potential for ...
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    5 days ago

  • Next steps developing clean energy for NZ
    The Government will progress to the next stage of the NZ Battery Project, looking at the viability of pumped hydro as well as an alternative, multi-technology approach as part of the Government’s long term-plan to build a resilient, affordable, secure and decarbonised energy system in New Zealand, Energy and Resources ...
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    5 days ago

  • Statement from the Prime Minister on Stuart Nash
    This morning I was made aware of a media interview in which Minister Stuart Nash criticised a decision of the Court and said he had contacted the Police Commissioner to suggest the Police appeal the decision. The phone call took place in 2021 when he was not the Police Minister. ...
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    6 days ago

  • CPTPP Trade Ministers coming to Auckland
    The Government’s sharp focus on trade continues with Aotearoa New Zealand set to host Trade Ministers and delegations from 10 Asia Pacific economies at a meeting of Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Commission members in July, Minister for Trade and Export Growth Damien O’Connor announced today. “New Zealand ...
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    6 days ago

  • Govt approves $25 million extension for cyclone-affected businesses
    $25 million boost to support more businesses with clean-up in cyclone affected regions, taking total business support to more than $50 million Demand for grants has been strong, with estimates showing applications will exceed the initial $25 million business support package Grants of up to a maximum of $40,000 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • More than 160,000 new Kiwis to call NZ home
    80 per cent of 2021 Resident Visas applications have been processed – three months ahead of schedule Residence granted to 160,000 people 84,000 of 85,000 applications have been approved Over 160,000 people have become New Zealand residents now that 80 per cent of 2021 Resident Visa (2021RV) applications have been ...
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    6 days ago

  • New Zealand to attend regional security meeting in Australia
    The Lead Coordination Minister for the Government’s Response to the Royal Commission’s Report into the Terrorist Attack on the Christchurch Mosques travels to Melbourne, Australia today to represent New Zealand at the fourth Sub-Regional Meeting on Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Security. “The Government is committed to reducing the threat of terrorism ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Health and safety action plan for ports
    The health and safety practices at our nation’s ports will be improved as part of a new industry-wide action plan, Workplace Relations and Safety, and Transport Minister Michael Wood has announced. “Following the tragic death of two port workers in Auckland and Lyttelton last year, I asked the Port Health ...
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    6 days ago

  • Bikes and scooters to be exempt from FBT
    Bikes, electric bikes and scooters will be added to the types of transport exempted from fringe benefit tax under changes proposed today. Revenue Minister David Parker said the change would allow bicycles, electric bicycles, scooters, electric scooters, and micro-mobility share services to be exempt from fringe benefit tax where they ...
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    6 days ago

  • Foreign Affairs Minister to reaffirm our close relationship with Fiji
    Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta will hold bilateral meetings with Fiji this week. The visit will be her first to the country since the election of the new coalition Government led by Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sitiveni Rabuka. The visit will be an opportunity to meet kanohi ki ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • New legislation to streamline Cyclone recovery
    The Government is introducing the Severe Weather Emergency Legislation Bill to ensure the recovery and rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle is streamlined and efficient with unnecessary red tape removed. The legislation is similar to legislation passed following the Christchurch and Kaikōura earthquakes that modifies existing legislation in order to remove constraints ...
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    7 days ago

  • Cost of living package: More bread and butter support for Kiwi families
    Approximately 1.4 million people will benefit from increases to rates and thresholds for social assistance to help with the cost of living Superannuation to increase by over $100 a pay for a couple Main benefits to increase by the rate of inflation, meaning a family on a benefit with children ...
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    1 week ago

  • Freeing up more government bandwidth and money to focus on the cost of living
    $1 billion in savings which will be reallocated to support New Zealanders with the cost of living A range of transport programmes deferred so Waka Kotahi can focus on post Cyclone road recovery Speed limit reduction programme significantly narrowed to focus on the most dangerous one per cent of state ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • State of National Emergency to end for Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay
    The remaining state of national emergency over the Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay regions will end on Tuesday 14 March, Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty announced today. Minister McAnulty gave notice of a national transition period over these regions, which will come into effect immediately following the end of the ...
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    1 week ago

  • Government delivers on Dawn Raids commitment
    The Government is today delivering on one of its commitments as part of the New Zealand Government’s Dawn Raids apology, welcoming a cohort of emerging Pacific leaders to Aotearoa New Zealand participating in the He Manawa Tītī Scholarship Programme. This cohort will participate in a bespoke leadership training programme that ...
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    1 week ago

  • New plan to increase productivity and high wage jobs across advanced manufacturing sector
    Industry Transformation Plan to transform advanced manufacturing through increased productivity and higher-skilled, higher-wage jobs into a globally-competitive low-emissions sector. Co-created and co-owned by business, unions and workers, government, Māori, Pacific peoples and wider stakeholders. A plan to accelerate the growth and transformation of New Zealand’s advanced manufacturing sector was launched ...
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    1 week ago

  • Aotearoa New Zealand supports Pacific countries to combat animal disease 
    New Zealand will provide support for Pacific countries to prevent the spread of harmful animal diseases, Associate Minister of Agriculture Meka Whaitiri said. The Associate Minister is attending a meeting of Pacific Ministers during the Pacific Week of Agriculture and Forestry in Nadi, Fiji. “Highly contagious diseases such as African ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • Government delivers better public transport for Christchurch
    The Public Transport Futures project will deliver approximately: 100 more buses providing a greater number of seats to a greater number of locations at a higher frequency Over 470 more bus shelters to support a more enjoyable travel experience Almost 200 real time display units providing accurate information on bus ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • Minister praises education heroes in cyclone damaged regions
    All but six schools and kura have reopened for onsite learning All students in the six closed schools or kura are being educated in other schools, online, or in alternative locations Over 4,300 education hardpacks distributed to support students Almost 38,000 community meals provided by suppliers of the Ka Ora ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • Government investments drive health and business outcomes in the Bay of Plenty
    A new health centre has opened with financial support from the Government and further investment has been committed to projects that will accelerate Māori economic opportunities, Regional Development Minister Kiri Allan says. Community health provider QE Health will continue its long history in Rotorua with the official opening of the ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • UK NZ Working Holiday Scheme upgraded
    The new three year NZ UK Working Holiday Visas (WHV) will now be delivered earlier than expected, coming into force by July this year in time to support businesses through the global labour shortages Prime Minister Chris Hipkins says. The improved WHV, successfully negotiated alongside the NZ UK Free trade ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • 2023 Offshore Renewable Energy Forum, New Plymouth
    It seems like only yesterday that we launched the discussion document Enabling Investment in Offshore Renewable Energy, which is the key theme for this Forum. Everyone in this room understands the enormous potential of offshore wind in Aotearoa New Zealand – and particularly this region.  Establishing a regime to pave ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • Milestone reached in crack down on gangs
    Police has reached a major milestone filing over 28,000 charges related to Operation Cobalt. “I’m extremely proud of the fantastic work that our Police has been doing to crack down on gangs, and keep our communities safe. The numbers speak for themselves – with over 28,000 charges, Police are getting ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • New funding for Cyclone waste removal
    The Government will provide $15 million in the short term to local councils to remove rubbish, as a longer-term approach is developed, the Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty announced today. “Several regions are facing significant costs associated with residential waste removal, which has the potential to become a public ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • Government working faster and smarter to support response and recovery
    $15 million of immediate reimbursement for marae, iwi, recognised rural and community groups $2 million for community food providers $0.5 million for additional translation services Increasing the caps of the Community and Provider funds The Government has announced $17.5 million to further support communities and community providers impacted by Cyclone ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • More Māori getting access to mental health and addiction services
    The Government’s approach of using frontline service providers to address inequities for Māori with mental health and addiction needs is making good progress in many communities, a new report says. An independent evaluation into the Māori Access and Choice programme, commissioned by Te Whatu Ora has highlighted the programme’s success ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

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