How bloody marvellous

Written By: - Date published: 7:30 am, August 7th, 2015 - 102 comments
Categories: Media, radio - Tags:

102 comments on “How bloody marvellous ”

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  1. millsy 1
    7 August 2015 at 7:35 am

    This feels so right.

    Onya Campbell.

  2. Ffloyd 2
    7 August 2015 at 8:10 am

    Best news ever. Bet bill English will get a bit sniff. Didn’t he say RNZ is a dinosaur. Expect to see the knives out. I was really pleased to see Anna Burns-Francis, ex Clive reporter on One. She is a great reporter. A REAL one. Hope to see the rest of the team somewhere, soon.

  3. Ffloyd 3
    7 August 2015 at 8:11 am

    Sniffy!

  4. Puckish Rogue 4
    7 August 2015 at 8:21 am

    The market has spoken

    • Tracey 4.1
      7 August 2015 at 10:35 am

      i see cdwm has appalling ratings.

    • adam 4.2
      7 August 2015 at 12:54 pm

      You keep bringing up market PR, I don’t see any markets? Me thinks you need to look at the economy again, and see the distortions.

      • Puckish Rogue 4.2.1
        7 August 2015 at 1:27 pm

        Well the market spoke and Campbell made his way back to radio nz, seems pretty cut and dry to me

        • adam 4.2.1.1
          7 August 2015 at 2:33 pm

          Me thinks you don’t understand economics.

          • Puckish Rogue 4.2.1.1.1
            7 August 2015 at 3:05 pm

            What I mean was TV3 didn’t want him, Prime didn’t want him, TVNZ didn’t want him so hes gone to the only place that does want him is publicly funded radio NZ

            • ropata 4.2.1.1.1.1
              7 August 2015 at 7:52 pm

              agreed, the anti democratic corporatocracy doesn’t want someone like Campbell messing up their plans to parcel up NZ and sell it off to vulture capitalists

  5. Graeme Stanley 5
    7 August 2015 at 8:34 am

    Listened to John Campbell being interviewed in the foyer of Radio New Zealand and couldn’t help but feel inspired by the passion this guy holds for his craft.Looking forward to a New Format.

  6. Tiger Mountain 6
    7 August 2015 at 8:39 am

    excellent, much better than John Campbell disappearing into one of those Radio live style swamps where journalism consists of steam vents and the occasional mud bubble

    the RNZ Board “will not like it up ’em” but a future campaign must be to end the sinking lid on funding for Radio New Zealand, particularly if ratings rise with Campbell’s arrival

  7. JanM 7
    7 August 2015 at 8:39 am

    Yeah! I’ll miss his smile though

    • Lanthanide 7.1
      7 August 2015 at 8:44 am

      They’re doing some mixed-media thing like the Paul Henry show, although I think it will be streamed on the internet rather than on TV, since they don’t (yet) have their own television station.

    • Hami Shearlie 7.2
      7 August 2015 at 11:33 am

      Me too – He is an all around great man, our John Campbell!

  8. saarbo 8
    7 August 2015 at 8:47 am

    I’ve got to say that RNZ has really got its shit together with its afternoon line up now. I used to switch to Hauraki at times but no need now . Jesse Mulligan and JC are enlightened changes.
    Maybe that Paul Thompson does know what he’s doing after all.
    Now he needs to ask Espiner and Ferguson to get tougher on Teflon John and all will be good.

    • Lanthanide 8.1
      7 August 2015 at 9:16 am

      Just get rid of Ferguson. I’m often rolling my eyes at her silly “gotcha” questions that usually backfire on her.

      This morning was another poor showing from her, interviewing a guy from the police, who several times answered “you’ll have to ask corrections about that”. Asking questions that as soon as I heard them, I knew the police guy would not answer because it wasn’t his jurisdiction, or she was asking a question that would literally compromise the investigation they were discussing had he answered it, or effectively asking for a personal opinion on corrections operations. Shockingly bad.

      Any question you ask an interviewee when they respond with “I can’t answer that” – where that response is predictable before the question is asked – is almost always a waste of interview time.

      • dukeofurl 8.1.1
        7 August 2015 at 9:53 am

        Most of the questions are pre prepared. She doesnt have to use most of them and follow up questions are expected based on answers.

        Sounds like she was being lazy and just following the script, no expertise, like you have said about ‘worthless questions’ , and getting to the heart of the matter.

        In reality it was scripted as a say 3 minute slot which had to be used no matter what. They may as well asked him when his birthday was ?

      • Hami Shearlie 8.1.2
        7 August 2015 at 11:34 am

        Replace Ferguson with Kim Hill or Linda Clark and RNZ would be nigh-on perfect.

        • JanM 8.1.2.1
          7 August 2015 at 12:35 pm

          Now there’s a thought – Linda Clark – another thoughtful, intelligent interviewer who knows how to be tough but stops short of nasty – like Mihinirangi Forbes – I miss her too

          • Lanthanide 8.1.2.1.1
            7 August 2015 at 12:41 pm

            Forbes is making quite a few appearances on Morning Report these days; obviously not as the presenter but as a reporter for a segment.

            Be nice to ditch Ferguson and replace her with Forbes.

          • D'Esterre 8.1.2.1.2
            7 August 2015 at 2:08 pm

            @ JanM: not Linda Clark for my money. But Kim Hill would be great: she was terrific on Morning Report back in the 90s. Although she probably wouldn’t want to take on that gig long term nowadays.

            But I’d really like Mihingarangi Forbes to be more involved with Morning Report; she’s got chops an an interviewer.

      • Saarbo 8.1.3
        7 August 2015 at 3:17 pm

        Yes, listened to the same interview…I agree.

        Forbes needs to be added to Prime time.

  9. Observer (Tokoroa) 9
    7 August 2015 at 8:53 am

    Good news. Intelligent and humane, John is a rarity in media.

    The broken disreputable Nats will avoid him. But the Nats will keep slobbering all over the John Armstrongs and the ungifted Editors of the Auckland newspaper.

    The raspy Nine to Noon will feel challenged – with its cozy lil book reviews for girls and ungroovy bits of mostly junk music (No Classics No Jazz, No theatre). Plus its unseen big studio-wide banner: “Vote for Auckland Vote for National”.

    • dukeofurl 9.1
      7 August 2015 at 8:58 am

      Nine to Noon is the last remnant of the women centric morning radio. Aunt Daisy to Ryan is a distinct link.
      Ask yourself , has there ever been a male host for Nine to Noon?

  10. roy cartland 10
    7 August 2015 at 8:58 am

    It’s good for sure, but not at the expense of Mary Wilson. Why not Jim Mora who has to get bumped? Back into the afternoon snooze hour.

    • Morrissey 10.1
      7 August 2015 at 9:09 am

      Mora is lightweight, and not up to the job of interviewing politicians. Mary Wilson made the likes of Gerry Brownlee and Bill English uncomfortable, and often angry. She’s been kicked upstairs where she can’t do any more harm.

      • Lanthanide 10.1.1
        7 August 2015 at 9:34 am

        Mary didn’t earn the nickname ‘Scary Mary’ for nothing.

        One problem with her is that she generally used the same interview style, no matter who it was she was interviewing – a cop, a politician, or a businessman in charge of a company that had done something wrong.

        It often came across as badgering/hectoring and abrasive.

        • JanM 10.1.1.1
          7 August 2015 at 9:42 am

          I agree – she didn’t let people get away with nonsense, but her tone was so glacial and negative that I would end up feeling sorry for even the worst of her victims. I sometimes had to turn her off because I would start to feel physically sick. Too much like my teacher in Primer 4, perhaps 🙂

          • dukeofurl 10.1.1.1.1
            7 August 2015 at 9:56 am

            You are right , there was no nuance in her style.

            You can be tough and still show warmth- not easy though.

            I thought the talk was it being a duo . Scary Mary and Cuddly John with lots of Seven Sharp banter ( the good stuff not the inanity)

          • Bearded Git 10.1.1.1.2
            7 August 2015 at 10:17 am

            @janM
            Disagree. Mary Wilson is a great interviewer but at the same time often shows a sense of humour. They should have kept her on air.

            While it is marvelous John C is back the Nats will actually be breathing a sigh of relief.

            • JanM 10.1.1.1.2.1
              7 August 2015 at 11:14 am

              I think their sighs will be misplaced – carrots and sticks? I suspect JC will increase the audience by quite a margin – not everyone is into blood sports – me for one!

    • Tracey 10.2
      7 August 2015 at 10:37 am

      oh cant bump mora or the panel cant dominate

  11. ianmac 11
    7 August 2015 at 9:00 am

    Roll out the good times.

  12. Rosie 12
    7 August 2015 at 9:35 am

    Bloody Marvellous!!! I reckon! It was so good to hear his voice again on the RNZ news yesterday. All is not lost after all 🙂

    I only listen to RNZ for news in the morning and late arvo. It’s Radio Active and sometimes Concert FM during the day. But now I will be tuning in for John Campbell, or more likely watching the livestream.

    Welcome back JC. Onya!

  13. John Shears 13
    7 August 2015 at 9:38 am

    Observer “Vote for Auckland Vote for National”. really ? a banner in the Wgtn Studio whats that all about?
    Comparing Ryan with Daisy Basham is a bit droll the only similarity for me is that they both speak quickly but Aunt Daisy was clear and legible, of course she was also on the ZB network not Nat Radio.

    • greywarshark 13.1
      7 August 2015 at 1:09 pm

      Ryan has to cover a wider variety of items in more depth than Aunt Daisy did. Stop this mean put-down of a very good interviewer.

      • Anne 13.1.1
        7 August 2015 at 3:24 pm

        I agree greywarshark. She’s a first class interviewer and she has a nice puckish sense of humour. I don’t always agree with her take on things but hey… what a boring world if we all agreed all the time.

  14. Rosie 14
    7 August 2015 at 9:48 am

    Oh, and Campbell Live’s old spot of 7pm week nights on 3, I will continue to boycott. Will not be watching that right winger Garner.

    “There’s two sides to every story”. Right. When an individual or a community is powerless there isn’t a flip side, a bright side or an all together easy way to explain away their struggles as being their own fault. When a quarter of our kids live in poverty their is no “other side of the story” for them. Same for the children growing up in the Gloriavale compound, or any one of Campbell Live’s stories about power and abuse.

    JC highlighted this power struggle between haves and have nots and told the story for what it was. It seems they are trying to bring that idea of “balance” into the new show as they (tv3 management) didn’t like JC’s advocacy style. It’s like they’re aiming to cleanse their programming free of any trace of compassion.

    • stigie 14.1
      7 August 2015 at 10:04 am

      Rosie, the show was not balanced, showing too much doom and gloom putting a lot of people off, hence the show being canned because of poor ratings.

      • Rosie 14.1.1
        7 August 2015 at 10:20 am

        That “doom and gloom” stigie, is reality. Fine if you want to turn a blind eye but many of us can’t, either because we live it, or actually care about the society we live in.

        Campbell Live also aired stories about successes in life, like over coming the odds and managed to raise a huge amount of money for people who needed, for example,medical assistance and couldn’t get it. They did a lot of those positive stories over the years.

        There also had some great achievements like uncovering the abuses at Gloriavale and helping those who escaped, triggering the move to get the All Blacks to Samoa and campaigning hard around zero hours contracts.

        So not all doom and gloom.

  15. shorts 15
    7 August 2015 at 10:01 am

    fantastic news

    Though I do worry that the only media voice of reason and holding power to account will soon be exclusively housed under one roof – a roof totally beholden to govt funding

  16. weka 16
    7 August 2015 at 10:18 am

    Excellent. Now someone decent just needs to give the White Man Behind a Desk a job.

  17. Gosman 17
    7 August 2015 at 10:51 am

    How did this get by the politically biased and corrupt upper management of RNZ? /sarc

    Perhaps this will stop silly accusations of political interference in the editorial policy of … oh wait a moment. What am I stating. Of course this will make no difference to many of your paranoid delusions.

  18. Liam 18
    7 August 2015 at 10:55 am

    I really wish John Campbell well at Radio Norwich.

    “Morning, Susan. Marvelous!”

    • greywarshark 18.1
      7 August 2015 at 1:06 pm

      What’s Radio Norwich?

      • ropata 18.1.1
        7 August 2015 at 7:59 pm

        Probably a zealous autocorrect of “NZ” on someone’s phone

        • greywarshark 18.1.1.1
          7 August 2015 at 9:30 pm

          ropata
          Really? How funny. I am becoming luddite about all these palm devices so not up with the play.

          • lprent 18.1.1.1.1
            7 August 2015 at 11:43 pm

            I didn’t know that palm devices were still being produced?

            But hey, I never have been a student of obsolete technology.

            But I am in the market for a new 7″ jeans pocket size Android tablet to replace my current Nexus7 2012 and 2013. Both are starting to wear out at the switches from over-use. Ideally I’d like a new Nexus 7 for continued development work. The Nexus 6 maybe. Nexus 9 would require a handbag to carry – which I would both find is nuisance and would certainly lose.

            Or another nexus 7… Looks like they are getting hard to find. Ummm Asus ME572CL with 4G perhaps..

            BTW: I’m completely uninterested in Samsung devices. They put so much crap on top of android and you can’t clear them out without completely reloading the device with a standard version – which then drops massively in performance because of driver issues. Just junk for a programmer.

            • Draco T Bastard 18.1.1.1.1.1
              8 August 2015 at 12:20 am

              They put so much crap on top of android and you can’t clear them out without completely reloading the device with a standard version

              I’d heard that they’d stopped doing that but apparently it was only a rumour. It’s got to be one of the stupidest moves I’ve ever seen and it’s not limited to just Samsung either. Make a fantastic device and then kill it dead with bloatware.

              My S2 is doing bloody well now that I’ve put Cyanogen Mod on it. About 100% faster and it doesn’t appear to have any driver issues either.

              For my next device I may go for an Ubuntu.

            • ropata 18.1.1.1.1.2
              8 August 2015 at 1:23 am

              have fun shopping, lprent… the nVidia Shield 8″ tablet could be worth a look

  20. Nessalt 20
    7 August 2015 at 11:37 am

    Have to agree with Rachel Smalley on this one. It’s just another rich middle class white male fronting for what passes as current affairs.

    • JanM 20.1
      7 August 2015 at 11:44 am

      I really do disagree – I think the quality of his empathy with people of all stripes – his aroha, if you like, rises above the distinction of his sex and race. He is quite a rare mortal, really.

      • Nessalt 20.1.1
        7 August 2015 at 12:12 pm

        how does a bring a fresh angle to the current affairs landscape? His ratings were slipping for a reason and i think part of that reason is his homogeneity. Sure, he is streets ahead of hosking and henry but that doesn’t mean that the profile of current affairs shows is appealing to those looking for a properly fresh take on current affairs.

        Mihiriangi Forbes could easily have fronted this new venture and could attracted a larger following that campbell over time. Campbell is more likely to provide a ratings bump then slide of into obscurity a la Mora.

        the female line up on RNZ has always provided a stronger backbone and larger teeth because they’ve been given the room to move and have had little managerial oversight. In other words the most has been made of the opportunity by females. Campbell has had this opportunity for years through his privileged place in society and has taken it for granted again and again.

        • weka 20.1.1.1
          7 August 2015 at 1:48 pm

          RNZ has a general problem around class despite it’s strong women staff. I’d put that significantly above gender issues in this case. I agree about Forbes. But the problem with women broadcasters is the other radio stations not RNZ.

        • Colonial Rawshark 20.1.1.2
          7 August 2015 at 3:01 pm

          His ratings were slipping for a reason and i think part of that reason is his homogeneity. Sure, he is streets ahead of hosking and henry

          Now let’s get serious here: Campbell had lost more ratings than Hosking and Henry could ever hope for getting themselves.

          A branding refresh and a spunky new co-presenter to bounce discussion off and Campbell would have been sky high again.

          • Nessalt 20.1.1.2.1
            7 August 2015 at 4:06 pm

            Your right about the ratings. but saying that all poor John needs is some poor female hired to laugh at his jokes and to give vital moral support is a put down to all the capable female journalists who try so hard to get ahead in their careers despite the entrenched privilege of the ruling media elites.

            • Ergo Robertina 20.1.1.2.1.1
              7 August 2015 at 4:17 pm

              It’s not as simple as that. NZ’s biggest print media outlet Fairfax has an overwhelming preponderance of senior female execs in news management but that hasn’t resulted in quality or advocacy journalism.
              Campbell Live was the only media that closely followed the Kristine Bartlett gender equity pay case. It also highlighted the Caring Counts aged care pay exploitation report.
              Its work on zero hours contracts was important too – the effects of insecure work fall disproportionately on women.
              I don’t think Campbell’s quite the right fit for the Checkpoint slot, but that has nothing to do with gender.

            • JanM 20.1.1.2.1.2
              7 August 2015 at 5:37 pm

              Exactly – if there’s one thing that really raises my feminist hackles it’s the admiring female off-sider “dressed by —” who laughs feebly and protests coquettishly at all the drivel spouted by the likes of Mike Hosking – straight back to the 50s – ugh!

      • Bearded Git 20.1.2
        7 August 2015 at 1:03 pm

        @JanM

        Yes but Campbell and Wilson working in tandem on air would have been perfect. Key/Joyce/English probably vetoed this in the smoke-filled rooms.

        • Puckish Rogue 20.1.2.1
          7 August 2015 at 1:55 pm

          🙂

        • ropata 20.1.2.2
          7 August 2015 at 8:05 pm

          Yes they were probably following the advice of the hooded figure they had conjured within the pentagram after they had sacrificed a goat and chanted ancient blasphemies… 😉

      • Puckish Rogue 20.1.3
        7 August 2015 at 1:47 pm

        “Can’t you see he’s the man, let me hear you applaud he is more than a man he’s a shiny golden god”

  21. marty mars 21
    7 August 2015 at 11:51 am

    Not so great – I tend to agree with Smalley on this — another chance missed to get the REAL Aotearoa on the airwaves instead of disaffected uk imports and hanger ons.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv-radio/70918281/extremely-disappointing-rachel-smalley-on-john-campbells-new-role

  22. Bob 22
    7 August 2015 at 12:29 pm

    That’s disappointing! Was hoping TVNZ might finally ditch Hosking and bring JC on board! Oh well, looks like I’ll be pinning my hopes on Jack Tame to finally get Hosking off the airwaves.

  23. greywarshark 23
    7 August 2015 at 1:45 pm

    John C sounded very enthused when I heard him interviewed yesterday about the new move to Radionz.

    And Mary Wilson is going here –
    But at the moment, the audience RNZ does have after 5pm listens to long-established two-hour news show Checkpoint.
    In a move overshadowed by the John Campbell announcement, Checkpoint host Mary Wilson has just been appointed Radio New Zealand’s Director of News Programming – a role overseeing RNZ news on radio and online.

  24. Detrie 24
    7 August 2015 at 5:39 pm

    Most forget that John did the RNZ Sat morning interviews slot many years back and was superb. Good interviews with heart. Miss his smile? No reason RNZ couldn’t do selected video interviews pushed online or via their good mobile app later. Radio has come a long way.

  25. BLiP 25
    7 August 2015 at 6:00 pm

    ‘

    Yep, good work Radio New Zealand and, yep, I’ll be tuning in.

    No comment on the gender equality issue.

    That thrown-together Mediawatch segment is great. I was chuckling away to myself thinking how ironic to hear John Campbell go on and on about “journalism” in what was really a puff piece to announce his arrival. But Colin Peacock did his usual excellent job and raised some less than comfortable questions for Radio New Zealand going forward.

    The shift to Auckland, for example, is a worry. John Campbell seems to think its a good thing because, chances are, more Aucklanders will engage which means a larger overall audience and, well, gosh-darnit, Radio New Zealand deserves a larger audience. Fair nuff, I suppose. But it doesn’t feel right. John Campbell, IMHO, should be broadcasting from Wellington if there is a genuine attempt at Radio New Zealand to hold government to account.

    I reckon its also a bit of a slap in the face to the Wellington audience.

    Not too sure about the “internet – radio” fusion. I suppose with all the kool kids now on devices, Radio New Zealand has no choice but to reach out to them. Hopefully this doesn’t mean a downgrade in content because, like or not, most of the kool kids, especially in Auckland, don’t really care about anything much. With all that the internet has to offer media consumers, to get the attention of a particular audience requires click-bait.

    Hopefully, the arise of a visual component to the Radio New Zealand experience doesn’t also herald a commercial approach. I can’t quite see John Campbell’s studio filled with product placements or hear him reading out some native advertising, but I can see certain segments or even entire programmes brought to you by . . .

    • gnomic 25.1
      7 August 2015 at 11:43 pm

      Grrrr !!! You mentioned those bloody smartphones, the ruin of the internet, and perhaps even the human race. Anyone else noticed that every news source in the universe has lately been ‘optimised’ for blasted devices with tiny screens on which it is more or less impossible to read any extended passages of text? No wonder the average IQ and attention span are declining rapidly.

      What this really betokens is the end of free to air broadcast radio, mark my words.

      • ropata 25.1.1
        8 August 2015 at 2:14 am

        Socrates was right. Innovations like writing have ruined civilization!

      • BLiP 25.1.2
        8 August 2015 at 2:52 pm

        . . . Grrrr !!! You mentioned those bloody smartphones, the ruin of the internet, and perhaps even the human race. Anyone else noticed that every news source in the universe has lately been ‘optimised’ for blasted devices with tiny screens on which it is more or less impossible to read any extended passages of text? No wonder the average IQ and attention span are declining rapidly . . .

        Horrible things should be banned as a public menace. No wonder these days the government isn’t still banging on about giving everyone ID cards. Instead, everyone voluntarily carries something which tells the world who they are, where they are, who they are with, and what they are most likely doing.

    • greywarshark 25.2
      8 August 2015 at 3:06 pm

      @ BLIP
      “most of the kool kids, especially in Auckland, don’t really care about anything much. ”
      I worry about the snippets of PR from Radionz. The fact that they have set a target of one million (or about) listeners by a certain time concerns me. The people should be encouraged to listen, but not by adopting commercial come-ons like the hated banter about clothes or as the other day, with Guyon and Susie I think, about the best Bond character. WTF!

      I hate these absolute targets – what happens is quantity counts most, not quality and satisfactory growth in listeners. Targets should be banned as inhuman.

  26. Mike the Savage One 26
    7 August 2015 at 8:44 pm

    Separate the wheat from the chaff, an old, even bliblical saying goes. We see it at work now, the last humble bastion (not a perfect one by any means) of public broadcasting is like a Noah’s Arch it seems, that will rescue and help survive the ones, that will one day again replenish the wider media landscape, once we got rid of that nasty flood of commercialisation, commoditisation, that “whoredom” of MSM media (excuse abusing the word) really.

    http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/separate+the+wheat+from+the+chaff

    Good on John, I think you may have found the place where you can do well, and will stay in touch with us, same like “Mihi” from Maori TV, another broadcasting station also gradually succumbing to the sell-out dictatorship this nasty government has turned this country into.

    Let us build on hope, and join the ranks, and turn RNZ into the wagon front to protect us from the hostile forces. The day will come, that the dark age that took over this country in 2008, will end!

  28. geoff 28
    7 August 2015 at 10:06 pm

    John Key will be lovin this news!

    His most popular and vocal liberal-leftie opponent is now neatly contained in a bubble that has near zero reach to apolitical swing voters.

    • gnomic 28.1
      7 August 2015 at 11:45 pm

      Ummm, got a link for that or is it your opinion?

      • geoff 28.1.1
        8 August 2015 at 8:37 am

        A link?
        So you can read someone elses opinion?

        Yea it’s my opinion based on observations of John Key getting ripped up for shit-paper by Espinor on multiple occasions and it having zero effect on Key’s popularity.
        And if Key thought it was damaging to his rep he wouldn’t continue with the regular Monday morning appearances.

        Key uses the slot to practice running his lines, finding his own weak spots and being able to say that he doesn’t avoid media critical of his governance.

        RadioNZ is merely Key’s sparring partner to keep him match fit for the TV news.

        • BLiP 28.1.1.1
          8 August 2015 at 3:16 pm

          ‘

          Do you actually listen to Radio New Zealand?

          • geoff 28.1.1.1.1
            8 August 2015 at 8:00 pm

            Yes Blip I do, nearly every day, it’s my default station.

            I’m not criticising RNZ, it has good content and good journalism (compared with corporate media) but on this particular point about Key’s approach to RNZ and RNZ’s limited reach to apolitical, swing voters…..tell me how I’m wrong

            Get Campbell to DJ on the edge, filling the ears of the clueless morons with his reporting. That might be useful.

            Of course they’d prob just switch channels to more fm then…

  29. Binders full of women 29
    8 August 2015 at 7:20 pm

    So John Key squeezed John Campbell out of a job at a private company (because he was too lefty & critical) — and now Key has employed Campbell at a State broadcaster…. is it to muzzle him? So confusing 🙂

  30. philj 30
    10 August 2015 at 8:21 am

    Just returned from a break in Australia. Their public media, TV and radio is miles better than what we receive in NZ. We don’t realise howfar we have fallen. And no amount of self promotion that RNZ is great will convince me that we have a quality Public Broadcaster. The funding freeze is really showing now imo.

  31. Smilin 31
    12 August 2015 at 9:56 pm

    Yippee National is going to get its fascist back side bitten about time
    Try and screw it this time with your Dirty Politics , Keyglish your days are numbered

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

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

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
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    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
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    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
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    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
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    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
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    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
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    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
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    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
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    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
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    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
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    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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