Housing policy omnishambles rolls on

Written By: - Date published: 8:25 am, June 16th, 2016 - 64 comments
Categories: accountability, housing, human rights, national, useless - Tags: , , ,

The government that will pay you $5000 to leave Auckland and $3000 to move to Auckland has been selling state houses so recklessly that it is now considering building temporary ones – ‘Pop-up’ housing being considered to help ease Auckland shortage

Temporary, pre-built houses could be placed on empty lots in Auckland to help ease the housing shortage, Prime Minister John Key says.

These would be the empty lots that the Nats keep insisting don’t exist because it’s all the Auckland Council’s fault you see. This would be a response to the housing crisis that National insists isn’t happening.

Mr Key confirmed today that “pop-up” homes were one of a range of housing options being considered by Social Housing Minister Paula Bennett.

“And if the need arises or the opportunity exists she might do those kinds of things,” he told reporters today.

The Government has been advised there is space for 150 temporary homes in Auckland.

The first 150 homes could be used as a “tester” for how quickly modular homes could constructed, and whether they passed quality standards.

Just get on with it! The need is urgent and any action would be better than none.

But it’s absurd that a government that has been selling off permanent state houses is in the process of being forced to build temporary ones. The need isn’t temporary, the need is here to stay (under the Brighter Future). National are a mess of incoherent policy and ineffective action. Headless chickens make more sense.

64 comments on “Housing policy omnishambles rolls on ”

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  1. M. Gray 1
    16 June 2016 at 8:47 am

    Popped up homes, popped up workers , popped up immigration policy from a propped up government that needs to pop of and that’s putting it nicely

  2. marty mars 2
    16 June 2016 at 9:00 am

    “And if the need arises or the opportunity exists she might do those kinds of things”

    That is key in a nutshell – hollow slimeball with zero ability other than to lie – and bennett is just like him only worse.

    • Hanswurst 2.1
      16 June 2016 at 9:22 am

      Above all, though, it’s just such a moronic statement. He may as well say, “If, at some point, a point of some sort is reached, some stuff may happen”. What an idiot. Who voted for this chump, ffs?

    • AB 2.2
      16 June 2016 at 9:48 am

      Yes – but this sort of evasive, meaningless, noise is the lingua franca of your average business meeting.
      On the surface it sounds positive and well-intentioned. It carries a suggestion of flexibility and openness and a desire to find ‘solutions’. If delivered with a smile and a firm handshake and a parting discussion about how Kieran Reid is doing now that Ritchie’s gone, it goes a long way in NZ. Don’t underestimate it.

      • marty mars 2.2.1
        16 June 2016 at 10:08 am

        + 1 yep very true – this is the meaningless fodder that pleases the fans of key – it seems to mean something and it actually means nothing – could actually be keys legacy.

        and I also think that this approach of pretending to try to be reasonable will not and is not working with this issue.

      • Doogs 2.2.2
        17 June 2016 at 8:42 am

        Bloody perfect AB. The problem in a nutshell.

  3. jcuknz 3
    16 June 2016 at 9:02 am

    The snag to the idea is that ideas have to be researched before implementation and often get scrapped for minor considerations so while a good idea I don’t hold much hope for it…. long ago I suggested pre-fabs but ‘business’ said it wouldn’t work or would not be profitable and nothing happened … whereas it is government which has the means to undertake unprofitable but worthy enterprises … like way back tourist hotels, hydro dams et al.
    edit … I am sure the rules for good housing will scupper the idea whereas basic housing is better than what exists today… except I am sure damm fool lefties would protest at anything less than gold plated houses LOL 🙂

    • marty mars 3.1
      16 June 2016 at 12:32 pm

      “except I am sure damm fool lefties would protest at anything less than gold plated houses ”

      yeah well your ‘damn sure’ ain’t worth nothing buddy – you’re as out of touch as your mates key and bennett – the only thing I’ve heard ‘lefties’ want is some, minimum at the least, housing for families and individuals so that they don’t have to live in a fucken car or van.

      lol – ideas have to be researched…

      yep sure and meanwhile people suffer more and more – but wait!!! on one side we have people needing houses and on the other we have empty houses – hey maybe we can just help those people into those houses. Radical I know but it could work as long as we don’t bother with the bullshit denial and obfuscation.

      • jcuknz 3.1.1
        17 June 2016 at 8:57 am

        Marty Mars is typical of what I expected to a sensible and reasonable post.
        Like so many which follow after those making sensible suggestions. The answers are there but will they be taken up … I doubt it. Pity people are so dumb and idealogically blinded. Attacking the person rather than the idea for want of an argument.

        • marty mars 3.1.1.1
          17 June 2016 at 9:08 am

          you seem very sure of the worth of your opinions, that to me is a sign that those opinions should be treated with caution. Especially when as you loudly proclaim your post is, “sensible and reasonable” – *snif* it must be tough for you out there, real tough.

          • jcuknz 3.1.1.1.1
            17 June 2016 at 9:19 am

            The trouble for you MM is that you are mired in the left right tangle and for a practical person like myself who is delighted to read subsequent postings where people have answers. Again the problem is I suspect these idea from the States[?] may fall down over the building standards in NZ inflicted on all of us by closed minds in local authority offices. Along with the delays they cause. For once Nick Smith is right.

            • marty mars 3.1.1.1.1.1
              17 June 2016 at 9:23 am

              “For once Nick Smith is right.”

              shit that made me laugh – thanks for that j

              • jcuknz …
                18 June 2016 at 9:19 am

                That is precisely what I meant …Nick Smith is a National Party member so he must be crackers.

                For once he is correct in pointing out a cause, just one, of the housing problem …. I read it as a result of the RMA and building regulations which hamper folk trying to be different as Molly points out but for the building regulations in force in 1968 I would not have known how to build the family home with my wife.

                But the building industry didn’t like the way it stopped them building leaky homes so the politicians scraped it and brought in a system where councils have to estimate if a project should proceed with no set rules to guide all ….. a maverick opinion for sure but I found the original rules very helpful as a non-tradie.

                • marty mars …
                  18 June 2016 at 9:37 am

                  I agree that we need the ability to build different houses – shared title, multiple dwellings, tiny houses, shared spaces and so on. I agree that regs need to be adjusted for the situation we are in and are moving toward. I even agree that the RMA needs to be a living document.

                  But – the restrictions and RMA did not cause this housing crisis – greed did. We need the RMA otherwise unscrupulous developers would bulldoze all the green bits into their developments so THEY can make money – and even with restrictions and the RMA they STILL do this which amazes me. The know it is easier to beg forgiveness than ask permission but they are putrid scum imo.

                  • weka …
                    18 June 2016 at 9:58 am

                    I can’t see how the RMA is a problem either. From what I can tell from people who are building their own homes, it’s the councils that are making the process far more difficult than it needs to be. I agree that that is a consequence of leaky buildings syndrome (councils are butt covering), but it’s gone far beyond that. It wouldn’t be that hard for councils to encourage innovative building.

                    Banks are another problem, being able to dictate the conditions of the build (eg how big, how conventional etc).

                    And there are problems in the supply chains of building materials too, where prices are being racheted by the big companies, and smaller, local companies are being squeezed out.

                    • jcuknz …
                      19 June 2016 at 12:59 pm

                      I guess I was fortunate that I had my permit to build and was well on the way before I had to ask a bank for some. I had a freindly lawyer too who advanced money in the innitial stages so the house I thought I could build was started.

              • jcuknz …
                18 June 2016 at 9:28 am

                MM you just prove my point …. Nick is a NAT so must be stupid and laughed at, as those who agree with him that it is a contributing factor.

                Black or White is no position a sensible person sticks to and the future is I am sure a meld between socialism and capitalism such as the current government is finding popular.

                Sorry for double post site was a bit slow uploading..

    • Molly 3.2
      16 June 2016 at 12:52 pm

      Temporary housing (for a long-term issue) is only a solution in a world where the cost of resources is only measured by the cost of extraction.

      In my mind, it will create an industry that is responsible for something similar to this view that I see on the Southern motorway. Whoever builds these with the expectation that people will be living in them, must have some disconnect that they are providing a quality service.

      There are other options for housing people that gives them a stable living environment and community, that would probably cost the same – but would have better long-term outcomes and lower cost to the environment.

      Immediately, tiny houses of the calibre of those shown here (by a couple in Waitakere), come to mind ($26,000 build cost), along with an example of their initial strawbale 25m2 cottage ($12,000), and their first build – a cob cottage. Imagine if people were allowed to experiment on their own properties, without having to navigate a raft of consent processes and officers that are unfamiliar with these types of build.

      Smaller homes, designed and built well can be designed to be permanent homes, but easily moved. These can be used as infill housing, laneway homes, and homes that provide community security by being allowed in places that give unsafe places oversight.

      But that would create an expectation of innovation for all NZers, and how would the economy react to that?

      • mauī 3.2.1
        16 June 2016 at 1:25 pm

        No experimentation, creativity, thoughtful resource use, diy, autonomy, exclusion of large profit reaping companies, craftspeople allowed in a National economy.

      • Draco T Bastard 3.2.2
        16 June 2016 at 2:16 pm

        It’s amazing how many people now think that they need 250m^2 of house when just a few short years ago 90m^2 was considered quite large – certainly large enough for 3 bedrooms.

      • gnomic 3.2.3
        16 June 2016 at 11:29 pm

        Erm, help me here, what is a ‘laneway home’?

        • Molly 3.2.3.1
          18 June 2016 at 2:18 pm

          Laneway homes is a term from Canada, where they refer to small, compact homes built (usually) at the back of existing houses. A type of infill housing, but specifically oriented towards existing lanes or public access ways that already exist – ie. laneways.

          The benefit of this is not just allowing for more residents – they have found that the laneway houses often transform seldom used walkways, by creating a community that now faces those spaces. Also, it is often a pedestrian space, meaning that a community can develop that has well-designed housing, that connects the residents to other residents and provides them with a shared space.

  4. Richardrawshark 4
    16 June 2016 at 9:18 am

    Welcome to your brighter future NZ. Isn’t it just peachy, isn’t paradise and the rockstar economy great.

    /sarc

  5. Greg 5
    16 June 2016 at 9:18 am

    National policy is clearly working well, except for the people that need it
    Immigration at all time high, great profit for the hotel industry exploiting workers,
    as immigration and temporary work visa compete for low skilled jobs, keeping employment costs down.
    Just dont rely on National to actually fix anything, oh god the horror, they wouldnt have a job then. Or become rich from giving water away for free.

  6. Byd0nz 6
    16 June 2016 at 9:44 am

    Just come across a 1980 Peoples Voice (PV) that berates the nats for this very same type housing crisis, nothing has changed,oh wait, yes it has, its worse, so the nats..i party is still the same , useless, corporate capitalist serving (fascist) organisation.
    Line them up …………………….

    • Mike Bond 6.1
      16 June 2016 at 1:12 pm

      If that is true. What has the Labour government done in its term since 1980 if housing was an issue back then already?

      • Draco T Bastard 6.1.1
        16 June 2016 at 2:18 pm

        Helped make it worse by going full neo-liberal in the 1980s and haven’t yet returned to social-democracy.

  7. Bill 7
    16 June 2016 at 10:11 am

    About those 33 000 empty houses in Auckland…(that number’s about right, yes?)

    Open them up.

    Squatters rights.
    Very heavy ‘vacancy’ tax.
    Compulsory purchase of speculative properties.

    There are ‘1001’ ways. So the questions I have are, why are political parties stuck in a rut of impotency? (That’s a rhetorical question btw). Why do we (you) accept that solutions must sit within the narrow parameters of a political party’s comfort zone? Why aren’t imaginative and workable solutions getting any oxygen or traction in any quarter?

  8. mauī 8
    16 June 2016 at 10:31 am

    You can bet the vacant lots aren’t the ones scattered throughout the city, no they would have talked to one of their developer mates on the outskirts who doesnt want to build for 5 years.

    Again they missed the boat during the Chch earthquakes to trial mass produced prefab housing, and with no answer themselves this one is really biting them. That’s what happens when all you believe in is a market that happens to be completely scewed.

  9. Sabine 9
    16 June 2016 at 11:36 am

    This is not a shambles, this is what it is supposed to be.
    Economical cleansing.

    http://www.newshub.co.nz/nznews/families-left-homeless-by-rising-housing-nz-rents-2016061509#axzz4BgKmKTnq

    and again, smear those that provide help to the most needy as.

    Quote: An Auckland advocacy group for the poor says it is dealing with an increasing number of Housing New Zealand tenants being evicted into homelessness.
    But the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) says Auckland Action Against Poverty (AAAP) has been making “broad, uninformed claims without understanding the facts in each case and getting it wrong”.Quote End.

    OF course it must be the fault of those trying to help, it can’t be the fault of those making the problem larger and larger by the fucking minute.

    • Draco T Bastard 9.1
      16 June 2016 at 2:23 pm

      How to add quotes

      Using basic HTML, which anyone can learn, really does make comments easier to read.

      • Sabine 9.1.1
        16 June 2016 at 4:47 pm

        i have tried to learn these for the last 15 years. I can not learn these. I tried. On more then one occasion. When they are listed on the reply box, where i can cut and paste (the extend of my computer skills really 🙂 ) , i shall use them. But i can not for the life of me remember them.
        So sorry i shall continue using quotes.

  10. Rae 10
    16 June 2016 at 11:39 am

    Pop up HOMES? What? Pop up shelter, yes, but homes, not ever, never, not even, NO!

    Who in the political arena is prepared to put a few things on the line?
    Who is prepared to call all this rubbish for what it is?
    Who is prepared to unequivocally state that housing is for people to live in, to make their HOMES in, and should be and will not be a means of speculating and/or “investing” on. Homes are places where people settle down, in their own HOME, bring up families, have pets, make gardens, hang pictures on walls that are painted a colour of their choice, contribute to the community, without, forever hanging over their head, the prospect of the house being sold out from under them as the owner wants to cash out.
    I am saddened enormously there are people now who have not known anything else other than a precarious housing system, and that this kind of precarious living is now normal, and thinking of housing should not be the stamping ground of investors, strange.
    Among the homeless, I now count reluctant renters, they may not be house or shelterless, but they, in fact, HOMEless. Let’s get really real about this, speculators just use tenants as a “gap filler” while they wait for enough profit to come off a property, then they are gone. That’s homelessness as far as I am concerned.
    This is just about a terminal situation now, one way or the other. Leave the status quo, and it won’t be long before we are a majority of renters, people who will never be able to provide for their retirement as people who are into this “every man and his dog being a landlord” are currently. If we do what needs to be done to make a house purchase much easier, then it will probably require a fairly decent collapse in house prices, as waiting for wages to catch up will still see a couple more generations of renters.
    I want now to see a political party who is prepared to lay it on the line, now, and say that tenancy laws are going to change to better resemble those of, say, Germany. The prime intent of any change must first and foremost be, that anyone who is renting is able to make a HOME of where they are. This will mean removing a lot of “rights” that landlords currently have, and will quite possibly turn many off the idea of being one in the first place, which will further make it possible for more homeowners to buy their own stake in the ground.

    Whatever happens, it must be made utterly, utterly clear to all, that housing is NOT to be used as some sort of casino.
    I would also make it quite clear that foreigners have NO part in our existing housing market, and I would make it illegal for them to be landlords. We are paying welfare to many of them via accommodation top ups. Those too, will require phasing out, with rent controls replacing them.

  11. Draco T Bastard 11
    16 June 2016 at 12:53 pm

    National are a mess of incoherent policy and ineffective action.

    And that’s a result of National’s first question when making policy: How can our donors profit from this?

  12. Kaplan 12
    16 June 2016 at 1:01 pm

    “The first 150 homes could be used as a “tester” for how quickly modular homes could constructed, and whether they passed quality standards”

    What happened to the “tester” in Christchurch 2010/2011. Perhaps they should roll in Gerry’s campervans…

  13. reason 13
    16 June 2016 at 1:27 pm

    Good news on one front ……….. Housing Corp has acknowledged that dangerously high levels of lead as well as asbestos could be present in their housing stock and they are going to do something about it ….

    Housing New Zealand chief operating officer Paul Commons said that under the new pilot programme in Auckland, every state house would be tested for Lead and asbestos hazards before being re-let.

    The poison lead was damaging not just houses and the public purse – but the children of families in need, he said.

    “So any house we sell, any house we buy, we check routinely and now in Auckland we’re piloting a process where any house we let we test it thoroughly so we’ll be increasing this all the time to ensure we’re not putting families in harm’s way.”

    He was reportedly outraged that a housing corp property had twice the recognized safe level for lead when it was sold onto the private market after ‘decontamination’.

    We had to put a caveat over that particular sale requiring new owners to keep young children off the floor.

    Housing corp is well aware that “Up to 50% of the lead ingested by children is absorbed. Adults only absorb 5-10% of ingested lead.” ……And a as 10 kg infant would only need to ingest 5 mg of house dust daily containing 1% lead to develop lead toxicity so its not something we could ignore as semi-responsible landlords…… ;0

    Housing corp will also be providing free blood tests to determine the amount of Lead poisoning for children and tenants in their known Lead properties.

    This is a further aid to the comprehensive advice and leaflets Housing corp compulsory provides to affected tenants on how to protect their children from this accumulative poison …….

    well done Paula ………. and shame on those who cast doubt on her motives.

    Housing corp like DOC is committed to removing this poison from our environment 😉 http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/guest-blog/braniac-parrots-threatened-by-widespread-lead-poisoning/

    • YNWA 13.1
      16 June 2016 at 3:21 pm

      Seriously dude, get real, the National party will use lead and asbestos in the same way as their P ruse to use taxpayer’s money to improve houses for their rich friends to purchase and remove from the housing stock.

  14. Molly 14
    16 June 2016 at 2:54 pm

    Meant to be a reply to 13 above

    “Housing New Zealand chief operating officer Paul Commons said that under the new pilot programme in Auckland, every state house would be tested for Lead and asbestos hazards before being re-let.”

    Won’t somebody think of the children?

    Well, let’s see. If the concern was about the children of NZ being exposed to toxins, alongside a statement regarding the non-availability of state housing (which is what his statement amounts to) during a housing crisis – he, and the Minister for Housing would be saying:

    1. All rental properties need to be tested for lead and other poisons before they can be rented … you know, because of the children….
    2. Taking this to the logical conclusion – ALL homes needs to be vacated until they can be tested for toxins etc… you know, because of the children.

    If you honestly believe that the concern for children is paramount in this approach, then how is that concern not translating to effective policy strategies that introduce affordable, secure, well maintained housing for all NZers which includes the most vulnerable, adults and children alike?

    Don’t waste my compassion on considering how bereft your life is of real intent and connection that you cheerlead for Paula Bennett so willingly.

    It is needed for those whom you ignore.

    • Gangnam Style 14.1
      16 June 2016 at 2:58 pm

      Nah you got to just keep the kids off the floor apparently.

    • jcuknz 14.2
      17 June 2016 at 8:42 am

      Reads like a great idea to close more houses and force people into cars etc.
      “semi responsible” my ass. [Sarc]

  15. Macro 15
    16 June 2016 at 4:24 pm

    The first 150 homes could be used as a “tester” for how quickly modular homes could constructed, and whether they passed quality standards.

    Gezz just get on with it! Ask Alan Duff FFS! He has one at his property overlooking the Kiapara and has had one there since 2007.
    There are oodles of manufactures around the place. That’s just 3 I’ve listed there and these quality homes (Duff wouldn’t buy one if they were rubbish) take around 6 weeks to construct in the factory. They can then be transported to the site and placed on their foundations connected up to services and ready to go in a day. I have a 2 bedroom go-home which I have had sited in 2 different locations. They are fully finished (including carpet) with full functioning kitchen (including dish drawer fridge/ freezer and gas stove and oven etc. A homeless small family would love this. Site them (with extra bedroom spaces for the extra kids as needed) and there you have a great warm quality home for $100k (2007 price) + connection fees.

    • Rae 15.1
      16 June 2016 at 7:12 pm

      They are fine as homes for those for whose needs they suit, however, will they be HOMES as opposed to just a temporary roof over someone’s head? It is HOMES people need and homes by definition are quite different to accommodation!

      • Macro 15.1.1
        16 June 2016 at 8:58 pm

        I have lived in a 40’s state house and one of these and I can tell you which I would rather live in. These are not just accommodation.
        These are prefabricated in a factory where there are many advantages for quick assembly. Nothing needs to be skimped; and it is not.

        • Rae 15.1.1.1
          17 June 2016 at 4:12 pm

          What I am talking about is what purpose they will be used for, will it be to accommodate people temporarily or will they become actual “homes” because it is HOMES that are needed not just shelter.

          • Macro 15.1.1.1.1
            17 June 2016 at 5:33 pm

            If you were to have a look at the links I have provided you would see that they are perfectly adequate to be used as homes. They are not just shelters.
            Here is just one example: from one company, There are numerous others.
            The 3 bedroom kea comes complete with laundry and ensuite.

            • weka 15.1.1.1.1.1
              18 June 2016 at 11:42 am

              I think Rae is asking if the people who move into the govt ones next month (or whenever) will be able to stay there long term. Not so much about the quality of the building, but what the government’s intentions are ie is it emergency housing or permanent? (I agree that small, low cost houses can be permanent).

  16. b waghorn 16
    16 June 2016 at 5:10 pm

    I wonder what nationa party donor will get the contract to build the pop up houses.

  17. Paul 17
    16 June 2016 at 5:28 pm

    Building a brighter future.
    The irony.

  18. Jack Ramaka 18
    16 June 2016 at 5:30 pm

    We need to throw these chimps in Government some peanuts?

    I guess they have to sell the State Houses to pay the interest bill on the $120 Billion Debt they have rung up since they got into power 8 years ago, done absolutely nothing apart from running up a huge debt and giving tax cuts to their supporters.

    I had a conversation with someone at work today who I thought was reasonably intelligent, and he told me that National were doing a good job and had got the country back into surplus after the mess Labour had got the country into 8 years ago?

    Now I realise most New Zealanders are thick and believe the messages conveyed by MSM, most people do not understand a current account surplus and long term debt and what the messages the Government is sending out via MSM, most people are financially illiterate here in NZ ?

    When I explained it to him he said f****d if I know, nothing I can do about it?

  19. Neil 19
    16 June 2016 at 7:08 pm

    Hate to see what the cost of putting the services in eg: permits for sewer, water, drainage, power & phone on for these temporary pop up houses will be. Just putting in temporary power on a house building site is not a cheap exercise.

    • Macro 19.1
      16 June 2016 at 9:10 pm

      There is no need for them to be temporary! I have owned one for 9 years and it is still as good as when it was first delivered. The cost of services will be the same for any house. If they are to go on the numerous vacant sections the services are already there – they just need the appropriate foundations. Paths and gardens etc will be just the same.
      Manufacturing the houses in modular form in a factory means that they can be quickly and efficiently assembled without constrains of weather etc. They come completely finished – they can be sited on a section and connected up to services within a day. I know. I have seen it done twice.
      As I noted before one of NZs wealthiest persons owns one. He is not going to put on his property a shack.

      • gnomic 19.1.1
        16 June 2016 at 11:44 pm

        Perhaps name the wealthy person for our edification? Who lives in this dwelling perchance? The chauffeur? The maids? The gardener? I think we should be told. I’m guessing it won’t be one of the wealthiest, unless it’s the holiday home. And even then probably the minder outside the main dwelling.

    • Draco T Bastard 19.2
      17 June 2016 at 12:34 am

      Read an article the other day about some housing that an Australian firm has designed. Fits within a shipping container, can be put up in five minutes, has solar power on it, fully wired, fully insulated and lasts 20 years.

    • Molly 20.1
      18 June 2016 at 2:22 pm

      I saw a video on this – or something similar – a few years ago.

      The residents were very happy to move into these homes, and have their priorities decide what the next improvement was going to be.

      Really good solution to making the budget provide more housing.

  21. Venezia 21
    16 June 2016 at 8:33 pm

    ” The first 150 homes could be used as a “tester” for how quickly modular homes could constructed, and whether they passed quality standards.”

    The government already know about the timing, effectiveness and quality of such temporary housing because of a report on the Christchurch examples :

    http://quakeaccommodation.govt.nz/sites/default/files/files/report-evaluation-of-the-canterbury-temporary-villages.pdf

    So are they serious? or is it more bluster & PR from a government that couldnt care a stuff?

    • Pat 21.1
      16 June 2016 at 8:46 pm

      would take that report with a shaker of salt if this extract is anything to go by…..

      “The Stage 1 response was in two parts. The first part was the setting up a campervan village in the Canterbury Agricultural Park. However, the demand for the campervans was far less than expected. CETAS observed that applications for accommodation were predominantly for temporary homes with applicants preferring to continue with their existing arrangements until temporary homes became available.”

      The real story….
      http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-earthquake/4942205/Campervans-flop-with-quake-homeseekers

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    Christopher Luxon evidently thinks this election is SO in the bag that he can afford to spurn the still-undecideds, the entire South Island, and the old Christchurch money that still reads the Press and shops at Ballantynes. We should all shed a tear for the National Party candidates across the ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    11 hours ago

  • ELIZABETH RATA: Two Treaties of Waitangi – the Articles Treaty and the Principles Treaty
    Elizabeth Rate writes – There are two versions of the Treaty of Waitangi.  The first is the 1840 Treaty – the ‘Articles Treaty’. The second is what I call the ‘Principles Treaty’. It dates from 1986 when the principles were first included in legislation. Astonishingly, the parliamentary ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    14 hours ago

  • Tuesday’s Chorus: When it's ok to borrow to invest
    Mayor Wayne Brown, a Northland land-banker himself, appears relaxed about borrowing to invest in land but not in, for example, transport infrastructure and services. File photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTL;DR: You couldn’t make this stuff up. A mayor determined to cut council debt by selling shares in a monopoly business because ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    15 hours ago

  • How well do our Rapid Transit Stations perform
    As we invest in our public transport network, it’s critical that we not only invest in transformative projects like the City Rail Link, but that we also get as much use as we can out of the network we already have – which will also maximise the outcomes of those ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    17 hours ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Ten reasons Labour’s support has halved
    The Labour Government was elected with 50 per cent of the vote three years ago, but current opinion polls show their vote could halve in this year’s election, which would be one of the biggest plunges in political history. Most polls have Labour on about 26 per cent. And the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    17 hours ago

  • Elizabeth Rata: Two Treaties of Waitangi: The Articles Treaty and the Principles Treaty
    Commentary There are two versions of the Treaty of Waitangi.  The first is the 1840 Treaty – the ‘Articles Treaty’. The second is what I call the ‘Principles Treaty’. It dates from 1986 when the principles were first included in legislation. Astonishingly the parliamentary representatives who inserted the word ‘principles’ ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    17 hours ago

  • Climate Emergency!
    It’s hard not to become a bit blasé towards climate change headlines. Flooding kills hundreds - blah. Catastrophic droughts - blah blah. One-in-a-hundred year events happening every year - blah blah blah.The earth had its highest temperature on record - again. Think we’ve read that one.So many articles telling us ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    18 hours ago

  • The Kākā Project: The economics of sufficiency
    The Kākā’s climate correspondent and had a chat with environmental historian and author Catherine Knight about why ‘feel good' actions like recycling and owning an electric car are unlikely to be enough to create a transition to zero emissions, let alone a just one. Knight says comments like ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    19 hours ago

  • Chippy misses a chance
    National leader Christopher Luxon has pulled out of any rescheduling of tonight’s Press debate, which has had to be cancelled because Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has Covid. The cancellation has given National an excuse to avoid a debate, which was always going to be a risk for Luxon. But ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    20 hours ago

  • The Angry Majority.
    The People's Champion vs The People's Prosecutor: It is the news media’s job to elicit information from politicians – not to prosecute them. Peters’ promise to sort out TVNZ should be believed. If he finds himself in a position to carry out his threat, then it will only be because ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 day ago

  • Verrall is chuffed by govt’s latest push into pay equity while Woods enthuses about an $11m spend ...
    Buzz from the Beehive The headline on a ministerial press statement curiously expresses the government’s position when it declares:   Government shows further commitment to pay equity for healthcare workers. Is it not enough to declare just one commitment? Or is the government’s commitment to pay equity being declared sector by ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago

  • A very worthy coalition partner for Seymour and Luxon
    There have been 53 New Zealand Parliaments so far. The 39th of them was elected in 1978. It was a parliament of 92 MPs, most of them men. The New Zealand Music Awards that year named John Rowles Male Vocalist of the Year and — after a short twelve months ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago

  • Labour still protecting the status quo
    Aotearoa has a cost of living crisis. And one of the major drivers of this crisis is the supermarket duopoly, who gouge every dollar they can out of us. Last year, the Commerce Commission found that the duopoly was in fact anti-competititve, giving the government social licence to fix the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago

  • Gordon Campbell on National’s myths about the desolated state of the economy
    Familiarity breeds consent. If you repeat the line “six years of economic mis-management” about 10,000 times, it sounds like the received wisdom, whatever the evidence to the contrary. Yes, the global pandemic and the global surge in inflation that came in its wake occurred here as well – but if ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    1 day ago

  • MICHAEL BASSETT: Hapless Hipkins and his racism
    Michael Bassett writes – Without so much as batting an eyelid, Chris Hipkins told an audience on Saturday that there had been “more racism” in this election campaign than ever before. And he blamed it on the opposition parties, National, Act and New Zealand First. In those ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • BRIAN EASTON: The ‘recession’ has been called off, but some households are still struggling
    While the economy is not doing too badly in output terms, external circumstances are not favourable, and there is probably a sizeable group of households struggling because of rising interest rates. Brian Easton writes – Last week’s announcement of a 0.9 percent increase in volume GDP for ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Monday’s Chorus: Richie Poulton's lament
    “You can't really undo what happens during childhood”, said the director of the Dunedin longitudinal study. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Richie Poulton, the director of the world-leading Dunedin longitudinal study showing how devastating poverty in early life is, died yesterday. With his final words, he lamented the lack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • North-western downgrades
    This is a guest post from reader Peter N As many of us know, Auckland Transport and Waka Kotahi are well into progressing works on the northwestern interim “busway” with services to kick off in just over a month from now on Sunday 12th November 2023. Some of the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    2 days ago

  • Has Webworm Found New Zealand’s Weirdest School?
    Hi,Before we talk about weird schools people choose to send their kids to, a few things on my mind. I adored the Ask Me Anything we did last week. Thanks for taking part. I love answering your weird and nosy questions, even questions about beans.I am excited and scared as Mister ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago

  • Another mother of a budget
    A National government would make spending cuts on a scale not seen since the 1990 – 96 Bolger government.That much was confirmed with the release of their Fiscal Plan on Friday.Government spending is currently high as a percentage of GDP — as high as it was during the Muldoon ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago

  • A crucial week starts as early voting opens in the NZ Elections … it’s been a ride so far. Are y...
    Chris Hipkins down with Covid, at least for 5 days isolation, National continue to obfuscate, ACT continues to double-down on the poor and Winston… well, he’s being Winston really. Voters beware: this week could be even more infuriating than the last. No Party is what they used to be ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    2 days ago

  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #39
    A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Sep 24, 2023 thru Sat, Sep 30, 2023. Story of the Week We’re not doomed yet’: climate scientist Michael Mann on our last chance to save human civilisation The renowned US ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Clusterf**ck of Chaos.
    On the 11th of April 1945 advancing US forces liberated the Nazi concentration camp of Buchenwald near Weimar in Germany. In the coming days, under the order of General Patton, a thousand nearby residents were forced to march to the camp to see the atrocities that had been committed in ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • The party of business deals with the future by pretending it isn’t coming
    Years and years ago, when Helen Clark was Prime Minister and John Key was gunning for her job, I had a conversation with a mate, a trader who knew John Key well enough to paint a helpful picture.It was many drinks ago so it’s not a complete one. But there’s ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • 2023 More Reading: September (+ Old Phuul update)
    Completed reads for September: The Lost Continent, by C.J. Cutcliffe Hyne Flatland, by Edwin Abbott All Quiet on the Western Front, by Erich Maria Remarque The Country of the Blind, by H.G. Wells The Day of the Triffids, by John Wyndham A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    3 days ago

  • Losing The Left.
    Descending Into The Dark: The ideological cadres currently controlling both Labour and the Greens are forcing “justice”, “participation” and “democracy” to make way for what is “appropriate” and “responsible”. But, where does that leave the people who, for most of their adult lives, have voted for left-wing parties, precisely to ...
    Bowalley Road
    3 days ago

  • The New “Emperor’s New Clothes”.
    “‘BUT HE HASN’T GOT ANYTHING ON,’ a little boy said ….. ‘But he hasn’t got anything on!’ the whole town cried out at last.”On this optimistic note, Hans Christian Andersen brings his cautionary tale of “The Emperor’s New Clothes” to an end.Andersen’s children’s story was written nearly two centuries ago, ...
    Bowalley Road
    3 days ago

  • BRYCE EDWARDS: The vested interests shaping National Party policies
      Bryce Edwards writes – As the National Party gets closer to government, lobbyists and business interests will be lining up for influence and to get policies adopted. It’s therefore in the public interest to have much more scrutiny and transparency about potential conflicts of interests that ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • LINDSAY MITCHELL: A conundrum for those pushing racist dogma
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – The heavily promoted narrative, which has ramped up over the last six years, is that Maori somehow have special vulnerabilities which arise from outside forces they cannot control; that contemporary society fails to meet their needs. They are not receptive to messages and ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • CHRIS TROTTER:  The greater of two evils
    Not Labour: If you’re out to punish the government you once loved, then the last thing you need is to be shown evidence that the opposition parties are much, much worse.   Chris Trotter writes – THE GREATEST VIRTUE of being the Opposition is not being the Government. Only very ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • The Hoon around the week to Sept 30
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:Labour presented a climate manifesto that aimed to claim the high ground on climate action vs National, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • Litanies, articles of faith, and being a beneficiary
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past two weeks.Friday 29Play it, ElvisElection Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Litanies, articles of faith, and being a beneficiary
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past two weeks.Friday 29Play it, ElvisElection Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • The ‘Recession’ Has Been Called Off, But Some Households Are Still Struggling
    While the economy is not doing too badly in output terms, external circumstances are not favourable, and there is probably a sizeable group of households struggling because of rising interest rates.Last week’s announcement of a 0.9 percent increase in volume GDP for the June quarter had the commentariat backing down ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago

  • Climate Change: The wrong direction
    This week the International Energy Association released its Net Zero Roadmap, intended to guide us towards a liveable climate. The report demanded huge increases in renewable generation, no new gas or oil, and massive cuts to methane emissions. It was positive about our current path, but recommended that countries with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • “Racism” becomes a buzz word on the campaign trail – but our media watchdogs stay muzzled when...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Oh, dear.  We have nothing to report from the Beehive. At least, we have nothing to report from the government’s official website. But the drones have not gone silent.  They are out on the election campaign trail, busy buzzing about this and that in the hope ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • Play it, Elvis
    Election Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t have time for. You’re welcome, etc. Let us press on, etc. 1.  What did Christopher Luxon use to his advantage in ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Pure class warfare
    National unveiled its fiscal policy today, announcing all the usual things which business cares about and I don't. But it did finally tell us how National plans to pay for its handouts to landlords: by effectively cutting benefits: The biggest saving announced on Friday was $2b cut from the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • Ask Me Anything about the week to Sept 29
    Photo by Anna Ogiienko on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session for paying subscribers about the week that was for an hour, including:duelling fiscal plans from National and Labour;Labour cutting cycling spending while accusing National of being weak on climate;Research showing the need for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • Weekly Roundup 29-September-2023
    Welcome to Friday and the last one for September. This week in Greater Auckland On Monday, Matt highlighted at the latest with the City Rail Link. On Tuesday, Matt covered the interesting items from Auckland Transport’s latest board meeting agendas. On Thursday, a guest post from Darren Davis ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    5 days ago

  • Protest at Parliament: The Reunion.
    Brian’s god spoke to him. He, for of course the Lord in Tamaki’s mind was a male god, with a mighty rod, and probably some black leathers. He, told Brian - “you must put a stop to all this love, hope, and kindness”. And it did please the Brian.He said ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Labour cuts $50m from cycleway spending
    Labour is cutting spending on cycling infrastructure while still trying to claim the higher ground on climate. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Labour Government released a climate manifesto this week to try to claim the high ground against National, despite having ignored the Climate Commission’s advice to toughen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • The Greater Of Two Evils.
    Not Labour: If you’re out to punish the government you once loved, then the last thing you need is to be shown evidence that the opposition parties are much, much worse.THE GREATEST VIRTUE of being the Opposition is not being the Government. Only very rarely is an opposition party elected ...
    Bowalley Road
    5 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #39 2023
    Open access notables "Net zero is only a distraction— we just have to end fossil fuel emissions." The latter is true but the former isn't, or  not in the real world as it's likely to be in the immediate future. And "just" just doesn't enter into it; we don't have ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Chris Trotter: Losing the Left
    IN THE CURRENT MIX of electoral alternatives, there is no longer a credible left-wing party. Not when “a credible left-wing party” is defined as: a class-oriented, mass-based, democratically-structured political organisation; dedicated to promoting ideas sharply critical of laissez-faire capitalism; and committed to advancing democratic, egalitarian and emancipatory ideals across the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    5 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Hipkins fires up in leaders’ debate, but has the curtain already fallen on the Labour-led coalitio...
    Labour’s  Chris Hipkins came out firing, in the  leaders’ debate  on Newshub’s evening programme, and most of  the pundits  rated  him the winner against National’s  Christopher Luxon. But will this make any difference when New  Zealanders  start casting their ballots? The problem  for  Hipkins is  that  voters are  all too ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    5 days ago

  • Govt is energising housing projects with solar power – and fuelling the public’s concept of a di...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Not long after Point of Order published data which show the substantial number of New Zealanders (77%) who believe NZ is becoming more divided, government ministers were braying about a programme which distributes some money to “the public” and some to “Maori”. The ministers were dishing ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • MIKE GRIMSHAW: Election 2023 – a totemic & charisma failure?
    The D&W analysis Michael Grimshaw writes –  Given the apathy, disengagement, disillusionment, and all-round ennui of this year’s general election, it was considered time to bring in those noted political operatives and spin doctors D&W, the long-established consultancy firm run by Emile Durkheim and Max Weber. Known for ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • FROM BFD: Will Winston be the spectre we think?
    Kissy kissy. Cartoon credit BoomSlang. The BFD. JC writes-  Allow me to preface this contribution with the following statement: If I were asked to express a preference between a National/ACT coalition or a National/ACT/NZF coalition then it would be the former. This week Luxon declared his position, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • California’s climate disclosure bill could have a huge impact across the U.S.
    This re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Andy Furillo was originally published by Capital & Main and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. The California Legislature took a step last week that has the potential to accelerate the fight against climate ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Untangling South East Queensland’s Public Transport
    This is a cross post Adventures in Transitland by Darren Davis. I recently visited Brisbane and South East Queensland and came away both impressed while also pondering some key changes to make public transport even better in the region. Here goes with my take on things. A bit of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    6 days ago

  • Try A Little Kindness.
    My daughter arrived home from the supermarket yesterday and she seemed a bit worried about something. It turned out she wanted to know if someone could get her bank number from a receipt.We wound the story back.She was in the store and there was a man there who was distressed, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • What makes NZFirst tick
    New Zealand’s longest-running political roadshow rolled into Opotiki yesterday, with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters knowing another poll last night showed he would make it back to Parliament and National would need him and his party if they wanted to form a government. The Newshub Reid Research poll ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • September AMA
    Hi,As September draws to a close — I feel it’s probably time to do an Ask Me Anything. You know how it goes: If you have any burning questions, fire away in the comments and I will do my best to answer. You might have questions about Webworm, or podcast ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago

  • Bludgers lying in the scratcher making fools of us all
    The mediocrity who stands to be a Prime Minister has a litany.He uses it a bit like a Koru Lounge card. He will brandish it to say: these people are eligible. And more than that, too: These people are deserving. They have earned this policy.They have a right to this policy. What ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • More “partnerships” (by the look of it) and redress of over $30 million in Treaty settlement wit...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point of Order has waited until now – 3.45pm – for today’s officially posted government announcements.  There have been none. The only addition to the news on the Beehive’s website was posted later yesterday, after we had published our September 26 Buzz report. It came from ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • ALEX HOLLAND: Labour’s spending
    Alex Holland writes –  In 2017 when Labour came to power, crown spending was $76 billion per year. Now in 2023 it is $139 billion per year, which equates to a $63 billion annual increase (over $1 billion extra spend every week!) In 2017, New Zealand’s government debt ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • If not now, then when?
    Labour released its fiscal plan today, promising the same old, same old: "responsibility", balanced books, and of course no new taxes: "Labour will maintain income tax settings to provide consistency and certainty in these volatile times. Now is not the time for additional taxes or to promise billions of ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • THE FACTS:  77% of Kiwis believe NZ is becoming more divided
    The Facts has posted –        KEY INSIGHTSOf New Zealander’s polled: Social unity/division 77%believe NZ is becoming more divided (42% ‘much more’ + 35% ‘a little more’) 3%believe NZ is becoming less divided (1% ‘much less’ + 2% ‘a little less’) ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the cynical brutality of the centre-right’s welfare policies
    The centre-right’s enthusiasm for forcing people off the benefit and into paid work is matched only by the enthusiasm (shared by Treasury and the Reserve Bank) for throwing people out of paid work to curb inflation, and achieve the optimal balance of workers to job seekers deemed to be desirable ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    7 days ago

  • Wednesday’s Chorus: Arthur Grimes on why building many, many more social houses is so critical
    New research shows that tenants in social housing - such as these Wellington apartments - are just as happy as home owners and much happier than private tenants. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The election campaign took an ugly turn yesterday, and in completely the wrong direction. All three ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    7 days ago

  • Bennie Bashing.
    If there’s one thing the mob loves more than keeping Māori in their place, more than getting tough on the gangs, maybe even more than tax cuts. It’s a good old round of beneficiary bashing.Are those meanies in the ACT party stealing your votes because they think David Seymour is ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago

  • The kindest cuts
    Labour kicks off the fiscal credibility battle today with the release of its fiscal plan. National is expected to follow, possibly as soon as Thursday, with its own plan, which may (or may not) address the large hole that the problems with its foreign buyers’ ban might open up. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    7 days ago

  • Green right turn in Britain? Well, a start
    While it may be unlikely to register in New Zealand’s general election, Britain’s PM Rishi Sunak has done something which might just be important in the long run. He’s announced a far-reaching change in his Conservative government’s approach to environmental, and particularly net zero, policy. The starting point – ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    7 days ago

  • At a glance – How do human CO2 emissions compare to natural CO2 emissions?
    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
    1 week ago

  • How could this happen?
    Canada is in uproar after the exposure that its parliament on September 22 provided a standing ovation to a Nazi veteran who had been invited into the chamber to participate in the parliamentary welcome to Ukrainian President Zelensky. Yaroslav Hunka, 98, a Ukrainian man who volunteered for service in ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    1 week ago

  • Always Be Campaigning
    The big screen is a great place to lay out the ways of the salesman. He comes ready-made for Panto, ripe for lampooning.This is not to disparage that life. I have known many good people of that kind. But there is a type, brazen as all get out. The camera ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • Youth justice programme expands to break cycle of offending
    The successful ‘Circuit Breaker’ fast track programme designed to stop repeat youth offending was launched in two new locations today by Children’s Minister Kelvin Davis. The programme, first piloted in West and South Auckland in December last year, is aimed at children aged 10-13 who commit serious offending or continue ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago

  • Major milestone with 20,000 employers using Apprenticeship Boost
    The Government’s Apprenticeship Boost initiative has now supported 20,000 employers to help keep on and train up apprentices, Minister for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni announced in Christchurch today. Almost 62,000 apprentices have been supported to start and keep training for a trade since the initiative was introduced in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago

  • Government supporting wood processing jobs and more diverse industry
    The Government is supporting non-pine tree sawmilling and backing further job creation in sawmills in Rotorua and Whangarei, Forestry Minister Peeni Henare said.   “The Forestry and Wood Processing Industry Transformation Plan identified the need to add more diversity to our productions forests, wood products and markets,” Peeni Henare said. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago

  • Government backing Canterbury’s future in aerospace industry
    The Government is helping Canterbury’s aerospace industry take off with further infrastructure support for the Tāwhaki Aerospace Centre at Kaitorete, Infrastructure Minister Dr Megan Woods has announced. “Today I can confirm we will provide a $5.4 million grant to the Tāwhaki Joint Venture to fund a sealed runway and hangar ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago

  • Updated forestry regulations increase council controls and require large slash removal
    Local councils will have more power to decide where new commercial forests – including carbon forests – are located, to reduce impacts on communities and the environment, Environment Minister David Parker said today. “New national standards give councils greater control over commercial forestry, including clear rules on harvesting practices and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago

  • New Zealand resumes peacekeeping force leadership
    New Zealand will again contribute to the leadership of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, with a senior New Zealand Defence Force officer returning as Interim Force Commander. Defence Minister Andrew Little and Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta have announced the deployment of New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • New national direction provides clarity for development and the environment
    The Government has taken an important step in implementing the new resource management system, by issuing a draft National Planning Framework (NPF) document under the new legislation, Environment Minister David Parker said today. “The NPF consolidates existing national direction, bringing together around 20 existing instruments including policy statements, standards, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government shows further commitment to pay equity for healthcare workers
    The Government welcomes the proposed pay equity settlement that will see significant pay increases for around 18,000 Te Whatu Ora Allied, Scientific, and Technical employees, if accepted said Health Minister Ayesha Verrall. The proposal reached between Te Whatu Ora, the New Zealand Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • 100 new public EV chargers to be added to national network
    The public EV charging network has received a significant boost with government co-funding announced today for over 100 EV chargers – with over 200 charging ports altogether – across New Zealand, and many planned to be up and running on key holiday routes by Christmas this year. Minister of Energy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Safeguarding Tuvalu language and identity
    Tuvalu is in the spotlight this week as communities across New Zealand celebrate Vaiaso o te Gagana Tuvalu – Tuvalu Language Week. “The Government has a proven record of supporting Pacific communities and ensuring more of our languages are spoken, heard and celebrated,” Pacific Peoples Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Many ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • New Zealand provides support to Morocco
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