Heck Yeah! Hekia Parata to Leave Parliament

Written By: - Date published: 12:07 pm, October 19th, 2016 - 80 comments
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In a surprise announcement, the Minister of Education, Hekia Parata, has announced she will not be standing in the next general election. No word on whether she will do the kids of NZ a favour and give up her ministerial post while she counts down the days.

Education Minister has always been regarded as a tough gig, but Parata has stood out as probably the worst minister in a generation. She will not be missed.

80 comments on “Heck Yeah! Hekia Parata to Leave Parliament ”

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  1. Sacha 1
    19 October 2016 at 12:18 pm

    So she was one of the people Key already knew could be going. http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/316020/hekia-parata-to-stand-down-after-election

    No worse than her predecessor in the portfolio, I guess, not that it’s a high bar.

    • aerobubble 1.1
      20 October 2016 at 3:14 pm

      Math exam. A gotcha exam question that many teachers where not teaching for, hence gotcha. Those schools that did teach would have… …now she’s gone. Offered her resignation, accepted? but hidden for obvious PR, who knows. But it would be a very serious matter, not only to the student foriegn market but to some schools having a heads up on standard. Of course it could be a family matter…

      Her last chance, three strikes, math exam botchup was just the last straw.

  2. Tiger Mountain 2
    19 October 2016 at 12:45 pm

    born to rule style tory MP, don’t just go Hekia–piss off!

    education is an important beachead for the Nats ongoing strategy for penetration of private capital into state infrastructure, they often let the Epsom guy make the public announcements now after Lady Gardiner’s numerous misfires

  3. Ad 3
    19 October 2016 at 12:47 pm

    I was perplexed by her performance as a Minister.

    Far and away the most qualified to hold the position in many years.
    A very, very experienced and respected Wellington bureaucrat.

    Reluctantly saddled with Act’s Charter Schools and made something reasonable out of them.

    But managed to offend pretty much everyone in the sector other than Charter School operators.

    As a highly experienced and qualified Maori woman attaining major Cabinet rank, this is a loss similar to Simon Power and Tony Ryall leaving.

    But as a Ministerial performer, just hasn’t fired. I think this is more headache than reshuffle gift to the PM.

    • Takere 3.1
      19 October 2016 at 2:30 pm

      “Perplex by her …” Incompetence, ability to miss manage paying teachers, poor judgement when trying to convince the ed. sector that big class sizes are good!! & a whole bunch of failed policies …furfucksake man, she’s useless.

      Who’ll pick up the 10,000+ party votes that’ll be up for grabs in the Mana seat!

      Good riddens, but who’ll replace her?

      • Enough is Enough 3.1.1
        19 October 2016 at 4:33 pm

        Hipkins probably – preferably though someone from the Green Party

      • Ad 3.1.2
        19 October 2016 at 9:14 pm

        My bet is Bennett.

        She’s a more effective uber-Minister than Joyce.
        Associate Education Kaye still in breast cancer treatment.
        And Key will want to keep English in Finance.

        Who the hell else would want it?

        • WILD KATIPO 3.1.2.1
          19 October 2016 at 9:39 pm

          @ Ad

          ” She’s a more effective uber-Minister than Joyce. ”

          Your being a comedian , right?

          Good old ‘ Release of Private Information about Beneficiaries ‘ Bennett…

          Yup. She’ll do nicely.

          Ill need to have a few more fingers stitched onto my hands to be able to count how many portfolios shes had, failed in and been moved on in, though…

          Eh , Sweetie.

    • D'Esterre' 3.2
      19 October 2016 at 6:49 pm

      Ad: “…this is a loss similar to Simon Power….”

      What lay behind his very early departure?

      • Ad 3.2.1
        19 October 2016 at 9:12 pm

        A far more attractive offer from Westpac running their private wealth funds.

        Key wasn’t going to shift, Joyce and English would remain above him keeping him out of the inner circle.

        And directing that big a private fund, you would actually have more effect on the country, and get paid more, without the media scrutiny shit and job insecurity of politics. Not a difficult call to make.

        It’s what Cunliffe should have done years ago.

  4. Adrian 4
    19 October 2016 at 1:06 pm

    Charter Schools are not Act policy, they carried it for National so when the inevitable shit hit the fan it was/will be ” nothing to do with us “.
    . ” Hey look over there, PANDAS”
    Aw, where did they go.

    • gsays 4.1
      19 October 2016 at 2:18 pm

      speaking of pandas, what is it we are not seeing because of this announcement.

      • Kelly-Ned 4.1.1
        20 October 2016 at 8:13 am

        Simple
        Review of the education act which will embed privatisation options for the education sector.

  5. WILD KATIPO 5
    19 October 2016 at 1:31 pm

    One down , a few more wreckers to go.

    • billmurray 5.1
      19 October 2016 at 2:16 pm

      Wild Katipo, she was one of the most respected Maori MPs in parliament.
      The Labour Parties Maori caucus held her in the highest respect that’s why you will not see to much mud slung her way from Labour MPs.

      Your comments are ill-judged.

      • WILD KATIPO 5.1.1
        19 October 2016 at 2:35 pm

        Dont mean a toss to me , and neither does what the Labour party thinks . Its good shes going and good riddance.

        And for your information , ANYONE who supports and practices neo liberalism , -whether either by direct action or tacit support or by being part of an organization that does so is fair game.

        If she had HALF as much kudos as Helen Kelly did – a woman who ACTUALLY stood up for people who had no voice , was kind, compassionate and never gave in to wrongdoing – then people wouldn’t be glad Parata’s now packing her bags and leaving.

        Good riddance.

        She was a neo liberal wrecker.

        And as I stated before – one down , a few more wreckers to go.

        And BTW – the fact that she just happens to be Maori doesn’t wash with me either.

        That doesn’t automatically guarantee respect just because someone else says she should deserve it. She was a wrecker. And good riddance.

        • Colonial Viper 5.1.1.1
          19 October 2016 at 2:52 pm

          There are still Labour MPs in that caucus from Rogernomics days…just sayin’

          • WILD KATIPO 5.1.1.1.1
            19 October 2016 at 3:01 pm

            Of course. And they too are part of the wreckers of this country – as I have stated many times before about the Labour party.

            And again . I dont give a toss what political party you hail from. If you subscribe to neo liberalism , your fair game. And that’s an indiscriminate criteria I hold on any political party or individuals within that party.

            In my view and many others as well , they are nothing but treasonous filth.

          • Leftie 5.1.1.1.2
            19 October 2016 at 6:46 pm

            Not many left of them now… just sayin’.

          • philj 5.1.1.1.3
            20 October 2016 at 8:18 am

            Who, pray tell?

      • Siobhan 5.1.2
        19 October 2016 at 2:47 pm

        ,…maybe wild katipo is speaking for the percentage of the population who are not in the Maori caucus.
        All we have to go on are her actions.
        The damage she, and National have done to our education system is my number one motivation for voting Labour this next election.
        Labour may well be a bunch of neo-cons in sheeps clothing, but atleast they have some appreciation of the benefits of teaching children to think.

      • Leftie 5.1.3
        19 October 2016 at 6:44 pm

        “she was one of the most respected Maori MPs in parliament.
        The Labour Parties Maori caucus held her in the highest respect”

        Are you sure about that Billmurray? I seem to remember Parata copping a lot of flack from Labour.

  6. Colonial Viper 6
    19 October 2016 at 1:39 pm

    There will be more NATs announcing their departure in the next 3 months form top to bottom.

    • billmurray 6.1
      19 October 2016 at 2:08 pm

      CV, you may well be right, I think she departed of her own accord but this will certainly help John Key to present a new frontline to the NZ Electorates in 2017.
      This will then show Labour to these same Electorates as the ‘same old same old’ bunch of troughers that they are.

      Andrew Little needs to start weeding, urgently.

      • WILD KATIPO 6.1.1
        19 October 2016 at 2:47 pm

        ‘ This will then show Labour to these same Electorates as the ‘same old same old’ bunch of troughers that they are.’

        Troughers ? ,… troughers?

        You are an idiot , right?…

        Or perhaps just a troll. And not even a good one.

        Either way your boring.

        And tribalisitc.

        And in denial.

        And a ‘ Noob’ to politics in this country for the last 40 years at least – as you obviously lack the ability to compare before 1984 and Roger Douglas and after Rpger Douglas. The real ‘ troughers’ are the sort of people you support : ie : neo liberal wreckers and traitors.

        Honest John – offkey.hackpad.com

        https://offkey.hackpad.com/Honest-John-NgiWfXTpnvD

        • ropata 6.1.1.1
          19 October 2016 at 3:10 pm

          Ha, I’d forgotten about that old hackpad.
          Must update it with BLiP’s latest, & open up editing rights to the world, see what happens.

      • Colonial Viper 6.1.2
        19 October 2016 at 2:51 pm

        Parata proved over time to be a bit too much of a liability and an embarrassment to the government; they will be pleased to see her go and will have told her that if she stayed there would be no future pathway that would be offered to her.

        • WILD KATIPO 6.1.2.1
          19 October 2016 at 3:16 pm

          Well then , – perhaps we need to start discussing the ‘ BIG THREE’ – all of which have been colossal embarrassments to the John Key led neo liberal National party now, dont we?…

          How about we have an expose of the shenanigans over Judith Collins and Orivida for a start , and the REAL reasons she was stood down ,… or perhaps we should go one step further and insert a few timely reckonings on her involvement with Dirty Politics ?

          Or, … if we want to get real down and dirty lets have a few comments regarding Parata’s fellow neo liberal wrecker woman – in – arms the cringeworthy Paula Bennett?

          I’m sure we can have riotous fun remembering all her total screw ups, gaffes , bullying tactics and outright lies. The dust hasn’t even settled on the last act of hilarity with Bill English being totally unawares of Paula Bennets $5000.00 to get out of town if your poor, – and then come back again to look for non existent work for another $3000.00 when the Double Dipper from Dipton was drawing up the Budget lately was he ? .

          Too bad if you have to travel from Wellington to Auckland every day to work on the factory part time , eh?

          As I said earlier ,… one down , a few more wreckers ( and tax payer paid idiots it seems …) to go…

          New Zealands getting brighter by the day with this news and it has NOTHING to do with John Keys BS ‘ Brighter future ‘ crap.

          • Chris 6.1.2.1.1
            19 October 2016 at 7:01 pm

            It’d be fantastic to see Bennett as the next leader of the national party. Comedy 24/7.

      • left for dead 6.1.3
        19 October 2016 at 3:07 pm

        That..I agree with, even tried too help theirs some pretty deep roots though, good luck Mr Little, their be blood.

      • Groundhog 6.1.4
        20 October 2016 at 7:04 pm

        Based on Katipo’s reaction, you’ve hit a nerve. However you are correct. Labour look tired and old, which is part of the reason they are virtually broke. National have rejuvenated steadily over the past 8 years.

        Annette King
        Deputy Leader
        Entered Parliament 1984 (32 years)

        Trevor Mallard
        Entered Parliament 1984 (32 years)

        Ruth Dyson
        Entered Parliament 1993 (23 years)

        Damien O’Connor
        Entered Parliament 1993 (23 years)

    • mosa 6.2
      19 October 2016 at 9:59 pm

      I cant see any talent from the current crop of Nat MPs for cabinet elevation but that doesnt matter because you only have to be a yes man or woman and stand behind Key during a question and bullshit press interview and nod convincingly.

  7. Whispering Kate 7
    19 October 2016 at 1:41 pm

    Something to ponder over, I heard on Paul Henry morning show Anne Tolley chatting about the extension of care for vulnerable children once they turn 17 and for it to be extended until they are 21. Paul Henry said did she hope it might be her legacy or something like that. I thought to myself when I heard it I wonder if she is going to retire as well? Wandering off topic I know but wouldn’t that be good news too.

    • Chooky 7.1
      19 October 2016 at 1:56 pm

      yes it is very good news for vulnerable children

      …the one good thing Tolley has done

      ….i saw a recent picture of her and she does not look well imo…so you could be right, she may be leaving

      http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/315991/age-of-state-care-to-be-raised-to-21

    • Siobhan 7.2
      19 October 2016 at 3:02 pm

      With National the departure of Ministers is neither here nor there.
      They are driven by a radical ideology. In fact we should hope Key keeps the ‘Horribles’, at least that way there are some clues to the average voter as to how darned unpleasant these policies actually are.

      As a former foster parent I’m pretty cynical about Tolleys announcement, National are very good at bringing in excellent programs, which they then chop off at the knees by either not funding them properly, or funding them by pilfering money from other projects = no net gain in quality of care.

      From my own experience I can say that there is a significant difference between caring for a 15 year old and a 17 year old. Many foster parents are not able to offer the care required for dealing with a young adult with their own sense of independence.
      So I’m hoping that the department come up with something better than a call line and some Motel vouchers, which is pretty much what they offered our last 17 year old as his ‘see ya latter’ birthday gift.

      • Chooky 7.2.1
        19 October 2016 at 3:59 pm

        thanx Siobhan for your perspective which I can believe ! ( so I guess I was too quick with the praise for Tolley)

        …and much respect for the work you have done as a foster parent ( it is hard enough being any ordinary parent to young people these days ….and a foster parent would require exceptional skill and dedication and big heartedness)

  8. Fustercluck 8
    19 October 2016 at 1:50 pm

    Nine years, full pension and benefits, IIRC, and cya later!

    • In Vino 8.1
      19 October 2016 at 9:42 pm

      Maybe… yet there may be other things in the offing prompting her departure. She pushed the dismissal of Peggy Burrows, and we now await the outcome of that legal case. A reinstatement would be a huge disaster for Hekia were she still there…

  9. The Real Matthew 9
    19 October 2016 at 1:51 pm

    A masterstroke from John Key to push Parata out of parliament and a good example as to why politicians should not be appointed based on ethnicity or gender.

    Yet another endorsement for our Prime Minister and a terminal blow to gender/ethnic quota’s.

    • Sacha 9.1
      19 October 2016 at 2:58 pm

      MMP encourages parliaments that look more like our population. Parata is incompetent but look at the pool they have to replace her from.

    • Takere 9.2
      19 October 2016 at 7:09 pm

      Tokenism is important to all political partys whether you like it or not. It’s how you make white folks feel good and brown folks think they’ve made it …. tis a bullshit “ideal” but there’s a lot of sheep that believe in this kinda kumbyah stuff.

      She’s failed at everything she attempted to change, implement & deconstruct . Oh, correction. She has had some successes, a few PG’s.
      NoMorePay for her …. well kinda, still gets super & some travel?

      • Matthew Whitehead 9.2.1
        19 October 2016 at 8:47 pm

        It’s only tokenism if they aren’t actually good enough. National loves tokenism because they find it super hard to find qualified people in general.

        • AmaKiwi 9.2.1.1
          20 October 2016 at 1:34 am

          I think our entire parliament finds it difficult to find qualified people. Some who are qualified are ineffective because they are in the wrong party our not part of the tribe.

          Every member of the Green caucus is better qualified to be climate change minister than Paula Bennett. David Parker and David Cunliffe sit on the back benches while Grant Robertson tries to understand finances.

          Any corporation that so badly misused the talent available to it would go bankrupt. Do you need a better explanation of why this country is a mess?

          • Matthew Whitehead 9.2.1.1.1
            25 October 2016 at 3:03 pm

            I think you’re wrong that it’s actually difficult to find qualified people in general.

            I think it’s more that National don’t want qualified people, because qualified people might actually insist on intellectually consistent policy that’s not politically convenient to their base.

            Labour absolutely has some eminently qualified people in their party and good parliamentarians as MPs, but they’re locked out of decision making and put on the back benches in favour of people like Trevor Mallard, Jacinda Ardern, and Andrew Little, because Labour hasn’t made the transition yet to viewing being an MP as a public service someone (if sufficiently effective) does for a certain time and then resigns from, rather than being a “job for life” for Party faithful who toe the line.

  10. Chooky 10
    19 October 2016 at 1:54 pm

    She did the work of the Act Party… and associates…and the US big business lobbyists for Charter Schools

    She did New Zealand State education no favours. She did high quality egalitarian education no favours.

    She and her master jonkey Nact created a mess and more inequality in New Zealand education.

    It is good she is going…but where?

    • billmurray 10.1
      19 October 2016 at 2:20 pm

      Chooky, I have been told on good authority that she is coming to live you!.

      • Naki man 10.1.1
        19 October 2016 at 2:37 pm

        billmurray
        Surely you wouldnt wish that on Hekia.

        • WILD KATIPO 10.1.1.1
          19 October 2016 at 2:56 pm

          Nah mate shes coming to live near you .

          And judging by the way the far right fanatical neo liberals couldn’t even get their act together in the Auckland Local Body elections – you can have a fine time tearing the crap out of each other.

          As stated above – one down , a few more wreckers to go.

      • Chooky 10.1.2
        19 October 2016 at 3:49 pm

        @billmurray…she is probably a nice enough woman and she probably has her abilities ( so dont care if she lives near me)

        ….however she did not do New Zealand education any favours

        …lets hope her next job is a better use of her talents

    • tc 10.2
      19 October 2016 at 2:38 pm

      Sinecures along with all the other ex national MP’s

  11. esoteric pineapples 11
    19 October 2016 at 4:37 pm

    It really doesn’t matter if Hekia comes or goes. She was simply doing what she was told to do like a good number of other cabinet members. The only ones I can immediately think of who aren’t just doing what they are told are Key, English, Brownlee and Joyce. All white males by the way.

    • AmaKiwi 11.1
      20 October 2016 at 1:39 am

      “She was simply doing what she was told to do.”

      Is that your definition of be a representative of the people? That is every MPs’ job title, “Representative.”

  12. Enough is Enough 12
    19 October 2016 at 4:42 pm

    Rats beginning to jump from the sinking ship.

    This will be the first of many over the next 6 – 9 months

    • AmaKiwi 12.1
      20 October 2016 at 1:41 am

      If another global financial crisis hits, they’ll all flee and let a NZ version of Trump take over.

      It’s like our next earthquake. You know it’s inevitable. Just a matter of when.

  13. red-blooded 13
    19 October 2016 at 5:18 pm

    Parata has been very reluctant to engage with teachers and teachers’ representatives (unions and subject associations). She seems to believe in that old meme “provider capture”. It would be great if we could wipe away many of her pet projects when she’s gone: Charter Schools, bulk-funding, the cut-backs in special education provisions… Some of what she took on was worth rethinking – the decile system does need a bit of a shakeup, but it definitely does NOT need to morph into a voucher system. And as for “COOL”s…! There’s nothing wrong with some on-line learning being in the mix, and plenty of kids currently learn through a combination of video-conferencing and on-line programmes, but they still benefit from being in a school, with other kids. School is more than just the academic programme offered (and there’s more than one way to learn).

    To really get away from this kind of crap we need a Labour-Green government. Simply having another one or the Nats won’t do it.

  14. Stephanie Rodgers 14
    19 October 2016 at 5:26 pm

    As we say goodbye to her, a good article at The Spinoff about the return of bulk funding which she has championed:
    http://thespinoff.co.nz/parenting/19-10-2016/a-teacher-tells-you-what-you-need-to-know-about-bulk-funding/

  15. Cinny 15
    19 October 2016 at 5:31 pm

    Hekia will be remembered for the suffering she has brought upon the staff, students and families of those involved with Salisbury School.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/83975882/Hekia-Parata-delays-Salisbury-School-closure-decision

    I know who will be the minister of education after the next election, but will we have a new one in the mean time?

    Her and Key were sucking up to each other in Parliament today

  16. Mrs Brillo 16
    19 October 2016 at 5:37 pm

    She’s a bright spark and a decent enough person, but her approach to education stinks on ice.

    My concern is: where will she now wear the approximately 80+ jackets she brought to Parliament? I’m surprised no reporter picked up on the never-ending wardrobe.
    They’re NTSC, as they used to say about the US television delivery system (Never Twice the Same Colour).

  17. Stephen Doyle 17
    19 October 2016 at 6:06 pm

    Not one single think Parata has done has improved students’ learning.

    • Muttonbird 17.1
      19 October 2016 at 6:53 pm

      Aye. Even the Nats and their lapdogs are struggling to come up with anything concrete she did well.

      However, I think she’s been moved on because she was too consultative with the industry and didn’t get Key’s 12 year plan of privatisation and deregulation through in the appropriate time frame.

      I’ll call it now.

      David Seymour will be the next Minister of Education some time in the new year.

      He’ll quite happily do what Parata couldn’t bring herself to.

  18. greg 18
    19 October 2016 at 6:23 pm

    exodus has start
    leaving the mess behind

  19. Leftie 19
    19 October 2016 at 6:49 pm

    Hallelujah…. Hallelujah…. Hallelujah… Hallleeeeeeluoooojahhhhhhhhh…

    • Red 19.1
      19 October 2016 at 7:34 pm

      Poor leftie I feel 2017 is not going to be a good year for him and his little socialist clique

      • WILD KATIPO 19.1.1
        19 October 2016 at 9:04 pm

        @ RED

        Whats the problem Red?

        With a name like ‘ Red ‘ I would have at least expected you knew the difference between Social Democracy which was the system we used to operate under quite happily for 60 odd years and the dictatorial little fella who runs this latest neo liberal excuse for a democracy.

        Poor little fella , – his head is so far up the 5 eyes arse he cant tell if he’s cheering for Trump, Obama or Clinton these days…

        Gotta love that new bill being pushed through for greater powers for the GSCB to spy on the NZ public by the little fella , don’t we now….

      • Leftie 19.1.2
        19 October 2016 at 9:06 pm

        You don’t know that Blue, your feeling could turn out to be all wrong.

  20. Muttonbird 20
    19 October 2016 at 6:50 pm

    Government apologists call this renewal but I can’t see how Key’s very high rotation of ministers does anything for the people of New Zealand. All you get is a lack of continuity in the role and a constant introduction of ministers not familiar with their portfolios.

    Bennett and Tolley must have done all of them just about and never settled on one.

  21. Westiechick 21
    19 October 2016 at 7:46 pm

    Audrey Young’s comment – Simon Bridges might replace her as “he knows how to handle unions”. Chilling. Awful.

    • WILD KATIPO 21.1
      19 October 2016 at 8:54 pm

      What , – screechy Simon Bridges Bridges?

      He couldn’t even handle the Northland campaign without making false promises about building more bridges. Then again , – typical of the arrogance of this neo liberal govt , even their ‘ Minister for Everything ‘ Dildo Joyce got his arse whipped by Winston Peters – despite being the ‘ campaign manager’.

      Haven’t heard much from him as of late like we used to.

      Classic example of being arrogant and out of touch and simply assuming the ‘ safe ‘ seat of Northland was theirs to neglect and abuse until next election time.

  22. Incognito 22
    19 October 2016 at 10:09 pm

    Brownlee?

    • WILD KATIPO 22.1
      19 October 2016 at 10:38 pm

      Yeah he’ll do nicely as well , – good old ‘ Walk through the Security Door at the Airport ‘ Minister for Defence Brownlee.

      Just the sort we’re looking for.

      Gotta love that job he pulled with the EQC in Christchurch as well.

      Sterling effort.

  23. millsy 23
    19 October 2016 at 11:17 pm

    And then Judith Collins take over her portfolio in the next reshuffle.

    A woman who will make Hekia Parata look like Clarence Beeby.

  24. Richard Rawshark 24
    20 October 2016 at 10:54 am

    Finally my posts are appearing again. No idea why. But anyways wanting to say.. quietly

    HORRAY for HEKIA best decision she’s made in ten years of politics, we wish you well in your future endeavours, quick someone pass her that vase over there, and cue security.., “SECURITY”

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    When the new government promised to allow new offshore oil and gas exploration, they were warned that there would be international criticism and reputational damage. Naturally, they arrogantly denied any possibility that that would happen. And then they finally turned up at COP, to criticism from Palau, and a "fossil ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    20 hours ago

  • GEOFFREY MILLER:  NZ’s foreign policy resets on AUKUS, Gaza and Ukraine
    Geoffrey Miller writes – New Zealand’s international relations are under new management. And Winston Peters, the new foreign minister, is already setting a change agenda. As expected, this includes a more pro-US positioning when it comes to the Pacific – where Peters will be picking up where he ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    21 hours ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the government’s smokefree laws debacle
    The most charitable explanation for National’s behaviour over the smokefree legislation is that they have dutifully fulfilled the wishes of the Big Tobacco lobby and then cast around – incompetently, as it turns out – for excuses that might sell this health policy U-turn to the public. The less charitable ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    22 hours ago

  • Top 10 links at 10 am for Monday, December 4
    As Deb Te Kawa writes in an op-ed, the new Government seems to have immediately bought itself fights with just about everyone. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Here’s my pick of the top 10 news and analysis links elsewhere as of 10 am on Monday December 4, including:Palau’s President ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    23 hours ago

  • Be Honest.
    Let’s begin today by thinking about job interviews.During my career in Software Development I must have interviewed hundreds of people, hired at least a hundred, but few stick in the memory.I remember one guy who was so laid back he was practically horizontal, leaning back in his chair until his ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    23 hours ago

  • Geoffrey Miller: New Zealand’s foreign policy resets on AUKUS, Gaza and Ukraine
    New Zealand’s international relations are under new management. And Winston Peters, the new foreign minister, is already setting a change agenda. As expected, this includes a more pro-US positioning when it comes to the Pacific – where Peters will be picking up where he left off. Peters sought to align ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    1 day ago

  • Auckland rail tunnel the world’s most expensive
    Auckland’s city rail link is the most expensive rail project in the world per km, and the CRL boss has described the cost of infrastructure construction in Aotearoa as a crisis. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The 3.5 km City Rail Link (CRL) tunnel under Auckland’s CBD has cost ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago

  • First big test coming
    The first big test of the new Government’s approach to Treaty matters is likely to be seen in the return of the Resource Management Act. RMA Minister Chris Bishop has confirmed that he intends to introduce legislation to repeal Labour’s recently passed Natural and Built Environments Act and its ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago

  • The Song of Saqua: Volume III
    Time to revisit something I haven’t covered in a while: the D&D campaign, with Saqua the aquatic half-vampire. Last seen in July: https://phuulishfellow.wordpress.com/2023/07/27/the-song-of-saqua-volume-ii/ The delay is understandable, once one realises that the interim saw our DM come down with a life-threatening medical situation. They have since survived to make ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 day ago

  • Chris Bishop: Smokin’
    Yes. Correct. It was an election result. And now we are the elected government. ...
    My ThinksBy boonman
    2 days ago

  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #48
    A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on the Skeptical Science  Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Nov 26, 2023 thru Dec 2, 2023. Story of the Week CO2 readings from Mauna Loa show failure to combat climate change Daily atmospheric carbon dioxide data from Hawaiian volcano more ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Affirmative Action.
    Affirmative Action was a key theme at this election, although I don’t recall anyone using those particular words during the campaign.They’re positive words, and the way the topic was talked about was anything but. It certainly wasn’t a campaign of saying that Affirmative Action was a good thing, but that, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • 100 days of something
    It was at the end of the Foxton straights, at the end of 1978, at 100km/h, that someone tried to grab me from behind on my Yamaha.They seemed to be yanking my backpack. My first thought was outrage. My second was: but how? Where have they come from? And my ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Look who’s stepped up to champion Winston
    There’s no news to be gleaned from the government’s official website today  – it contains nothing more than the message about the site being under maintenance. The time this maintenance job is taking and the costs being incurred have us musing on the government’s commitment to an assault on inflation. ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • What's The Story?
    Don’t you sometimes wish they’d just tell the truth? No matter how abhorrent or ugly, just straight up tell us the truth?C’mon guys, what you’re doing is bad enough anyway, pretending you’re not is only adding insult to injury.Instead of all this bollocks about the Smokefree changes being to do ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • The longest of weeks
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Friday Under New Management Week in review, quiz style1. Which of these best describes Aotearoa?a. Progressive nation, proud of its egalitarian spirit and belief in a fair go b. Best little country on the planet c. ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Suggested sessions of EGU24 to submit abstracts to
    Like earlier this year, members from our team will be involved with next year's General Assembly of the European Geosciences Union (EGU). The conference will take place on premise in Vienna as well as online from April 14 to 19, 2024. The session catalog has been available since November 1 ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Under New Management
    1. Which of these best describes Aotearoa?a. Progressive nation, proud of its egalitarian spirit and belief in a fair go b. Best little country on the planet c. Under New Management 2. Which of these best describes the 100 days of action announced this week by the new government?a. Petulantb. Simplistic and wrongheaded c. ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • While we wait patiently, our new Minister of Education is up and going with a 100-day action plan
    Sorry to say, the government’s official website is still out of action. When Point of Order paid its daily visit, the message was the same as it has been for the past week: Site under maintenance Beehive.govt.nz is currently under maintenance. We will be back shortly. Thank you for your ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • DAVID FARRAR: Hysterical bullshit
    Radio NZ reports: Te Pāti Māori’s co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer has accused the new government of “deliberate .. systemic genocide” over its policies to roll back the smokefree policy and the Māori Health Authority. The left love hysterical language. If you oppose racial quotas in laws, you are a racist. And now if you sack ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #48 2023
    Open access notables From this week's government/NGO section, longitudinal data is gold and Leisorowitz, Maibachi et al. continue to mine ore from the US public with Climate Change in the American Mind: Politics & Policy, Fall 2023: Drawing on a representative sample of the U.S. adult population, the authors describe how registered ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • ELE LUDEMANN: It wasn’t just $55 million
    Ele Ludemann writes –  Winston Peters reckons media outlets were bribed by the $55 million Public Interest Journalism Fund. He is not the first to make such an accusation. Last year, the Platform outlined conditions media signed up to in return for funds from the PJIF: . . . ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • Weekly Roundup 1-December-2023
    Wow, it’s December already, and it’s a Friday. So here are few things that caught our attention recently. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt covered the new government’s coalition agreements and what they mean for transport. On Tuesday Matt looked at AT’s plans for fare increases ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    4 days ago

  • Shane MacGowan Is Gone.
    Late 1996, The Dogs Bollix, Tamaki Makaurau.I’m at the front of the bar yelling my order to the bartender, jostling with other thirsty punters on a Friday night, keen to piss their wages up against a wall letting loose. The black stuff, long luscious pints of creamy goodness. Back down ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • The Hoon around the week to Dec 1
    Nicola Willis, Chris Bishop and other National, ACT and NZ First MPs applaud the signing of the coalition agreements, which included the reversal of anti-smoking measures while accelerating tax cuts for landlords. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • 2023 More Reading: November (+ Writing Update)
    Completed reads for November: A Modern Utopia, by H.G. Wells The Vampire (poem), by Heinrich August Ossenfelder The Corpus Hermeticum The Corpus Hermeticum is Mead’s translation. Now, this is indeed a very quiet month for reading. But there is a reason for that… You see, ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    4 days ago

  • Forward to 2017
    The coalition party agreements are mainly about returning to 2017 when National lost power. They show commonalities but also some serious divergencies.The two coalition agreements – one National and ACT, the other National and New Zealand First – are more than policy documents. They also describe the processes of the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    5 days ago

  • Questions a nine year old might ask the new Prime Minister
    First QuestionYou’re going to crack down on people ram-raiding dairies, because you say hard-working dairy owners shouldn’t have to worry about getting ram-raided.But once the chemist shops have pseudoephedrine in them again, they're going to get ram-raided all the time. Do chemists not work as hard as dairy owners?Second QuestionYou ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Questions a nine year old might ask the new Prime Minister
    First QuestionYou’re going to crack down on people ram-raiding dairies, because you say hard-working dairy owners shouldn’t have to worry about getting ram-raided.But once the chemist shops have pseudoephedrine in them again, they're going to get ram-raided all the time. Do chemists not work as hard as dairy owners?Second QuestionYou ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Finally
    Henry Kissinger is finally dead. Good fucking riddance. While Americans loved him, he was a war criminal, responsible for most of the atrocities of the final quarter of the twentieth century. Cambodia. Bangladesh. Chile. East Timor. All Kissinger. Because of these crimes, Americans revere him as a "statesman" (which says ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • Government in a hurry – Luxon lists 49 priorities in 100-day plan while Peters pledges to strength...
    Buzz from the Beehive Yes, ministers in the new government are delivering speeches and releasing press statements. But the message on the government’s official website was the same as it has been for the past several days, when Point of Order went looking for news from the Beehive that had ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • DAVID FARRAR: Luxon is absolutely right
    David Farrar writes  –  1 News reports: Christopher Luxon says he was told by some Kiwis on the campaign trail they “didn’t know” the difference between Waka Kotahi, Te Pūkenga and Te Whatu Ora. Speaking to Breakfast, the incoming prime minister said having English first on government agencies will “make sure” ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Top 10 at 10 am for Thursday, Nov 30
    There are fears that mooted changes to building consent liability could end up driving the building industry into an uninsured hole. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Here’s my pick of the top 10 news and analysis links elsewhere as of 10 am on Thursday, November 30, including:The new Government’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on how climate change threatens cricket‘s future
    Well that didn’t last long, did it? Mere days after taking on what he called the “awesome responsibility” of being Prime Minister, M Christopher Luxon has started blaming everyone else, and complaining that he has inherited “economic vandalism on an unprecedented scale” – which is how most of us are ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    5 days ago

  • We need to talk about Tory.
    The first I knew of the news about Tory Whanau was when a tweet came up in my feed.The sort of tweet that makes you question humanity, or at least why you bother with Twitter. Which is increasingly a cesspit of vile inhabitants who lurk spreading negativity, hate, and every ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Dangling Transport Solutions
    Cable Cars, Gondolas, Ropeways and Aerial Trams are all names for essentially the same technology and the world’s biggest maker of them are here to sell them as an public transport solution. Stuff reports: Austrian cable car company Doppelmayr has launched its case for adding aerial cable cars to New ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    5 days ago

  • November AMA
    Hi,It’s been awhile since I’ve done an Ask-Me-Anything on here, so today’s the day. Ask anything you like in the comments section, and I’ll be checking in today and tomorrow to answer.Leave a commentNext week I’ll be giving away a bunch of these Mister Organ blu-rays for readers in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago

  • National’s early moves adding to cost of living pressure
    The cost of living grind continues, and the economic and inflation honeymoon is over before it began. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: PM Christopher Luxon unveiled his 100 day plan yesterday with an avowed focus of reducing cost-of-living pressures, but his Government’s initial moves and promises are actually elevating ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • Backwards to the future
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has confirmed that it will be back to the future on planning legislation. This will be just one of a number of moves which will see the new government go backwards as it repeals and cost-cuts its way into power. They will completely repeal one ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • New initiatives in science and technology could point the way ahead for Luxon government
    As the new government settles into the Beehive, expectations are high that it can sort out some  of  the  economic issues  confronting  New Zealand. It may take time for some new  ministers to get to grips with the range of their portfolio work and responsibilities before they can launch the  changes that  ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    6 days ago

  • Treaty pledge to secure funding is contentious – but is Peters being pursued by a lynch mob after ...
    TV3 political editor Jenna Lynch was among the corps of political reporters who bridled, when Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters told them what he thinks of them (which is not much). She was unabashed about letting her audience know she had bridled. More usefully, she drew attention to something which ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • How long does this last?
    I have a clear memory of every election since 1969 in this plucky little nation of ours. I swear I cannot recall a single one where the question being asked repeatedly in the first week of the new government was: how long do you reckon they’ll last? And that includes all ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • National’s giveaway politics
    We already know that national plans to boost smoking rates to collect more tobacco tax so they can give huge tax-cuts to mega-landlords. But this morning that policy got even more obscene - because it turns out that the tax cut is retrospective: Residential landlords will be able to ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • CHRIS TROTTER: Who’s driving the right-wing bus?
    Who’s At The Wheel? The electorate’s message, as aggregated in the polling booths on 14 October, turned out to be a conservative political agenda stronger than anything New Zealand has seen in five decades. In 1975, Bill Rowling was run over by just one bus, with Rob Muldoon at the wheel. In 2023, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • GRAHAM ADAMS:  Media knives flashing for Luxon’s government
    The fear and loathing among legacy journalists is astonishing Graham Adams writes – No one is going to die wondering how some of the nation’s most influential journalists personally view the new National-led government. It has become abundantly clear within a few days of the coalition agreements ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    6 days ago

  • Top 10 news links for Wednesday, Nov 29
    TL;DR: Here’s my pick of top 10 news links elsewhere for Wednesday November 29, including:The early return of interest deductibility for landlords could see rebates paid on previous taxes and the cost increase to $3 billion from National’s initial estimate of $2.1 billion, CTU Economist Craig Renney estimated here last ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • Smokefree Fallout and a High Profile Resignation.
    The day after being sworn in the new cabinet met yesterday, to enjoy their honeymoon phase. You remember, that period after a new government takes power where the country, and the media, are optimistic about them, because they haven’t had a chance to stuff anything about yet.Sadly the nuptials complete ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • As Cabinet revs up, building plans go on hold
    Wellington Council hoardings proclaim its preparations for population growth, but around the country councils are putting things on hold in the absence of clear funding pathways for infrastructure, and despite exploding migrant numbers. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Cabinet meets in earnest today to consider the new Government’s 100-day ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • National takes over infrastructure
    Though New Zealand First may have had ambitions to run the infrastructure portfolios, National would seem to have ended up firmly in control of them.  POLITIK has obtained a private memo to members of Infrastructure NZ yesterday, which shows that the peak organisation for infrastructure sees  National MPs Chris ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • At a glance – Evidence for global warming
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    7 days ago

  • Who’s Driving The Right-Wing Bus?
    Who’s At The Wheel? The electorate’s message, as aggregated in the polling booths on 14 October, turned out to be a conservative political agenda stronger than anything New Zealand has seen in five decades. In 1975, Bill Rowling was run over by just one bus, with Rob Muldoon at the wheel. In ...
    Bowalley Road
    7 days ago

  • Sanity break
    Cheers to reader Deane for this quote from Breakfast TV today:Chloe Swarbrick to Brook van Velden re the coalition agreement: “... an unhinged grab-bag of hot takes from your drunk uncle at Christmas”Cheers also to actual Prime Minister of a country Christopher Luxon for dorking up his swearing-in vows.But that's enough ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 days ago

  • Sanity break
    Cheers to reader Deane for this quote from Breakfast TV today:Chloe Swarbrick to Brook van Velden re the coalition agreement: “... an unhinged grab-bag of hot takes from your drunk uncle at Christmas”Cheers also to actual Prime Minister of a country Christopher Luxon for dorking up his swearing-in vows.But that's enough ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    7 days ago

  • National’s murderous smoking policy
    One of the big underlying problems in our political system is the prevalence of short-term thinking, most usually seen in the periodic massive infrastructure failures at a local government level caused by them skimping on maintenance to Keep Rates Low. But the new government has given us a new example, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    7 days ago

  • NZ has a chance to rise again as our new government gets spending under control
    New Zealand has  a chance  to  rise  again. Under the  previous  government, the  number of New Zealanders below the poverty line was increasing  year by year. The Luxon-led government  must reverse that trend – and set about stabilising  the  pillars  of the economy. After the  mismanagement  of the outgoing government created   huge ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    7 days ago

  • KARL DU FRESNE: Media and the new government
    Two articles by Karl du Fresne bring media coverage of the new government into considerations.  He writes –    Tuesday, November 28, 2023 The left-wing media needed a line of attack, and they found one The left-wing media pack wasted no time identifying the new government’s weakest point. Seething over ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago

  • PHILIP CRUMP:  Team of rivals – a CEO approach to government leadership
    The work begins Philip Crump wrote this article ahead of the new government being sworn in yesterday – Later today the new National-led coalition government will be sworn in, and the hard work begins. At the core of government will be three men – each a leader ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago

  • Black Friday
    As everyone who watches television or is on the mailing list for any of our major stores will confirm, “Black Friday” has become the longest running commercial extravaganza and celebration in our history. Although its origins are obscure (presumably dreamt up by American salesmen a few years ago), it has ...
    Bryan GouldBy Bryan Gould
    7 days ago

  • In Defense of the Media.
    Yesterday the Ministers in the next government were sworn in by our Governor General. A day of tradition and ceremony, of decorum and respect. Usually.But yesterday Winston Peters, the incoming Deputy Prime Minister, and Foreign Minister, of our nation used it, as he did with the signing of the coalition ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago

  • Top 10 news links at 10 am for Tuesday, Nov 28
    Nicola Willis’ first move was ‘spilling the tea’ on what she called the ‘sobering’ state of the nation’s books, but she had better be able to back that up in the HYEFU. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Here’s my pick of top 10 news links elsewhere at 10 am ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    7 days ago

  • PT use up but fare increases coming
    Yesterday Auckland Transport were celebrating, as the most recent Sunday was the busiest Sunday they’ve ever had. That’s a great outcome and I’m sure the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    1 week ago

  • The very opposite of social investment
    Nicola Willis (in blue) at the signing of the coalition agreement, before being sworn in as both Finance Minister and Social Investment Minister. National’s plan to unwind anti-smoking measures will benefit her in the first role, but how does it stack up from a social investment viewpoint? Photo: Lynn Grieveson ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Giving Tuesday
    For the first time "in history" we decided to jump on the "Giving Tuesday" bandwagon in order to make you aware of the options you have to contribute to our work! Projects supported by Skeptical Science Inc. Skeptical Science Skeptical Science is an all-volunteer organization but ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • Let's open the books with Nicotine Willis
    Let’s say it’s 1984,and there's a dreary little nation at the bottom of the Pacific whose name rhymes with New Zealand,and they've just had an election.Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, will you look at the state of these books we’ve opened,cries the incoming government, will you look at all this mountain ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • Climate Change: Stopping oil
    National is promising to bring back offshore oil and gas drilling. Naturally, the Greens have organised a petition campaign to try and stop them. You should sign it - every little bit helps, and as the struggle over mining conservation land showed, even National can be deterred if enough people ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • Don’t accept Human Rights Commission reading of data on Treaty partnership – read the survey fin...
    Wellington is braced for a “massive impact’ from the new government’s cutting public service jobs, The Post somewhat grimly reported today. Expectations of an economic and social jolt are based on the National-Act coalition agreement to cut public service numbers in each government agency in a cost-trimming exercise  “informed by” head ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand welcomes European Parliament vote on the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement
    A significant milestone in ratifying the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was reached last night, with 524 of the 705 member European Parliament voting in favour to approve the agreement. “I’m delighted to hear of the successful vote to approve the NZ-EU FTA in the European Parliament overnight. This is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Further humanitarian support for Gaza, the West Bank and Israel
    The Government is contributing a further $5 million to support the response to urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza, the West Bank and Israel, bringing New Zealand’s total contribution to the humanitarian response so far to $10 million. “New Zealand is deeply saddened by the loss of civilian life and the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

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