How To Get There 17/3/19

Written By: - Date published: 6:54 am, March 17th, 2019 - 34 comments
Categories: Deep stuff - Tags:

 

This post is a place for positive discussion of the future.

An Open Mike for ideas, solutions and the discussion of the possible.

The Big Picture, rather than a snapshot of the day’s goings on. Topics rather than topical.

We’d like to think it’s success will be measured in the quality of comments rather than the quantity.

So have at it!

Let us know what you think …

34 comments on “How To Get There 17/3/19 ”

  1. cleangreen 1

    NZ Government offers a subsidy to buy an electric car’ why not also for ‘Electric locomotives’ also?

    So CEAC calls for Government innovation to use Electric EV trains as they also benefit of having no toxic tyre particulate emissions -and rail uses 5 to 8 times less fuel to move each tonne each km than trucks use to move the same freight..

    We need to now reduce our overuse of climate emitting fuels.

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1903/S00137/ceac-calls-for-government-innovation-to-use-ev-trains.htm

    • Stuart Munro. 1.1

      Things like an electric car subsidy are a somewhat gentrified intervention, accessible only to those demographics who really don’t need a great deal of government support.

      A positive change should ideally be accessible to people at all levels of society, and reducing material consumption ought to a consideration.

      Tiny houses and tiny house communities are one such strategy, requiring less space, less materials to build, and less energy to heat or operate. At present there is little or no support for the large and growing ‘tiny’ community. Council permitting charges are not controlled or reduced for efficient buildings, which would be one way to counter the reigning trope of building to minimum insulation standards.

      A kiwibuild initiative founded on tiny houses would achieve some of the things the present scheme does not – address homelessness, allow a high build rate, provide the social benefits of secure housing to insecure communities.

      This lady speaks well of them: https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/homed/latest/110312155/home-truths-accidental-tiny-house-owner-has-house-will-travel-if-need-be

  2. Robert Guyton 2

    Come sit down beside me, I said to myself.
    And although it doesn’t make sense,
    I held my own hand as a small sign of trust
    And together I sat on the fence.

    Michael Leunig

    • Dennis Frank 2.1

      And those with more than two selves would sit in a row. Did you ever read The Minds of Billy Milligan? I ended up buying about a dozen books about MPD, fascinating stuff. Then the professionals decided not to call it that any more.

      • Robert Guyton 2.1.1

        I haven’t read that, Dennis, but several of my MP’s may have 🙂

        • greywarshark 2.1.1.1

          MPD – multiple personality disorder
          Recently I was reading the thoughts of someone talking about our multiple layers of consciousness – the surface, the conscious, the sub-conscious and
          thinking about the unconscious. It sounds interesting – are we formed and our body operating according to what we think? It was one of some suggested reading given to me by a bloke who has Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and such people have to overcome blocks coming from their brain chemistry and that can lead to depression. The way forward for such people is: How to make the best of what your brain and body allows for your life.

          https://ultimatehealthpodcast.com/dr-bruce-lipton/
          142: Dr. Bruce Lipton – The Biology Of Belief • How To Reprogram Your Subconscious Mind • The Importance Of Loving Yourself

          Dr. Bruce Lipton is a pioneer in the new biology and is an internationally recognized leader in bridging science and spirit. A cell biologist by training, Bruce was on the faculty of the University of Wisconsin’s School of Medicine and later performed groundbreaking stem-cell research at Stanford University. He’s the best-selling author of The Biology of Belief and received the 2009 prestigious Goi Peace Award in honour of his scientific contribution to world harmony.

          In this episode, we discuss:

          The experience Bruce had in second grade that set the course for the rest of his life
          There is hope… crisis is an opportunity for evolution
          We’ve all been programmed… we require this
          Only 1% of disease is associated with genetics
          The pictures you have in your mind create chemistry in your body
          We all have two minds – conscious and subconscious
          95% of your life is controlled by your subconscious mind/your programming
          The Honeymoon Effect – how to keep it going forever
          You can change your program – 3 ways to do this
          Energy psychology enhances superlearning
          How to assess your current programming
          Epigenetics explained…
          The environment controls your genes
          The connection between the new science and the placebo & nocebo effects
          The importance of loving yourself
          Consciousness is the foundation of reality
          We are all creators of our personal worlds and collectively we are creating the world we all experience

          • Ant 2.1.1.1.1

            “Consciousness is the foundation of reality”
            Esoteric writers (Steiner, Bailey) posit an abstract mind as well – one that deals in symbols and meaning lying behind phenomena, including self-generated ones. The abstract mind gains in appeal as one grows weary of the repetitive nature of the world and its ways. When integrated with altruism the abstract delivers a high degree of synthesis – leading to the understanding of consciousness as a bridge between form (matter) and pure energy (Spirit). The connection is not an inscape to a subjective world of unproductive inwardness but an awakening to the imperative of harmonious interaction (service in the old terminology) with all of earth’s life forms.

          • Dennis Frank 2.1.1.1.2

            I’ve met Bruce, seen him deliver a speech to a conference too. He’s cool, and an excellent presenter. An old buddy of mine is currently living in a house in Karekare owned by Bruce & his wife – they spent a few years establishing an intentional community in the upper Kaipara with some other people.

  3. Dennis Frank 3

    How to get there incorporates the transition into non-violence as a collective praxis. You could even say Civilisation 1.01 = people are civilised when they adopt peaceful coexistence as an ethos.

    Yesterday I inadvertently advocated ramping this up to the global level to eliminate islamophobia, via the UN organising a conference of Islamic theologians to agree to delete the instruction in the Koran that requires believers to kill unbelievers.

    On reflection, I realised respondents would dismiss this flight of fancy as non-viable. Therefore I will recycle it here to signal the contrary. It’s how the establishment can reform itself on the basis of credibility. Time to cut the crap.

    • Robert Guyton 3.1

      Peaceful coexistence sounds, to cynical ears, like weakness and vulnerability; how can you defend yourselves against someone who hasn’t bought in to your philosophy?
      My ears aren’t cynical and I’m in search of the pathway that leads to the state you describe, Dennis. I suspect though, that such a world would be one where absorbing dysfunctional behaviour would still be a factor; the human mind, with it’s lack of limits, seems to have a built-in capacity for self-harm. Animal communities must suffer the same effect; each pride or pack probably throws up a crazy and it would have to be contained, excluded or otherwise rendered harmless, for the sake of the collective.

      • Dennis Frank 3.1.1

        Apparently in olden times the village idiot was tolerated but anyone sociopathic got dealt to by the community real fast. If not by communal violence, simply ejecting them into the countryside worked real good.

        Nowadays our tolerance of the rabid right/left is being tested. You see how readily those here resort to being abusive once their bigotry is revealed. Choosing not to reciprocate only gets us so far – pollution of the social environment requires social sanctions and enforcement…

    • left_forward 3.2

      You appear to have missed the point of the replies to you yesterday DF, pointing out that you first begin with Christianity. I assume that you do not follow Islam yourself, so to you, ‘getting there’ requires ‘the other’ to wake up, while you disply unconciousness when it relates to the violence intrinsic in Christian practice (the white supremicist Crusades, KKK, Inquisition, etc), which has dominated Western so-called civilisation for 2000 years.

      It is not that your idea is non-viable… it’s self delusional to begin with how others should change.

      Why did you not suggest a conference of Christian theologians?

      • WeTheBleeple 3.2.1

        Absolutely agree. This is not the time for old white men to tell us what’s required.

      • Dennis Frank 3.2.2

        If anyone had identified an equivalent religious instruction in the Bible, that would be a valid argument. Since they have been unable to do so, observers are likely to see hallucinations thereof as an attempt to distract commentators with straw men.

        • left_forward 3.2.2.1

          They did, and then you unconvincingly and unilaterally judged their comprehensive responses as non-equivalent. They protested and you avoided.

          This to me was unquestionable subjective bias. Particularly given Friday’s atrocity, your splitting of hairs is so much harder to swallow and my patience, like my hair, is rapidly thinning.

          • Dennis Frank 3.2.2.1.1

            Public policy cannot be formulated on the basis of leftist bigotry. It requires all involved to find common ground and articulate it. Commentators who retreat into emotionalism, subjectivity, and evasion of democratic process are irrelevant in the final analysis.

            Anyone who devotes time to helping the process of democratic decision-making along tends to learn this. Our time is valuable. We ought not waste it. The learning from the massacre must focus on solutions to the problem.

  4. Sabine 4

    so going out to get some plants and get some winter food in.

    Planning in a few trees for the future. Plums, Apricots, Peaches and such.

    Still not mowing my lawn and the critters like it, and for what its worth i had very little – to none – pests in my veggie patch.

    The bloke is getting used to not mowing the lawn, i am fairly sure he does not miss it at all 🙂

    looking at also procuring a little push bike, maybe an e- bike. T’would be a most stylish lady mover 🙂

    • Robert Guyton 4.1

      You’re definitely getting there, Sabine 🙂
      Not to be dissing e-bikes but I’ve always thought a lady’s legs were the most stylish lady mover 🙂

  5. CLEANGREEN 6

    Or this;

    https://www.wikihow.com/Help-Save-the-Earth

    Drive and fly less often.

    Another big source of air pollution that has led to global warming is emissions from cars, trucks, planes and other vehicles.

    The manufacture of the vehicles, the gas needed to run them, the chemicals they burn, and the production of roads all play a part.

    If you can drive and fly less often, you’ll be doing a lot to help save the planet.[4]
    Walk or ride your bike instead of driving, whenever possible. Find bike routes in your town and use them!

    Join a carpool or vanpool to get to work if biking or walking isn’t an option.

    Report smoking vehicles to your local air agency.

    Maintain your vehicle properly.

    Purchase radial tires and keep them properly inflated for your vehicle.

    Paint with brushes or rollers instead of using spray paints to minimize harmful emissions.

  6. greywarshark 7

    Manuka is in the news. Marahau switching to natives Nelson Mail headline.
    https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/111243450/erosionprone-land-behind-marahau-to-be-switched-from-pine-to-native-forest
    Native trees are to be planted on 114 hectares of erosion-prone land behind Marahau as a replacement for radiata pine.
    The area, which was badly damaged in February 2018 when ex-Tropical Cyclone Gita slammed into Tasman district, is to be replanted with 114,000 mānuka trees.

    Tasman District Council environment and planning committee chairman, deputy mayor Tim King, said the replanting project was proposed in an effort to mitigate the effect of adverse weather events in areas with Separation Point granite.

    The extremely erodible bedrock covers an area about 10km wide and extends more than 100km, from Separation Point in Abel Tasman National Park to Mt Murchison. It is deeply weathered at the land surface, can be several metres deep and readily breaks.

    This sounds a very worthy project going in the right direction to keep down erosion and hopefully ensuring that some areas are never cut down, or logged, and remain permanently because of the nature of the land they are growing on. However I
    think about the effects of the unnatural plantation mono-culture that is being criticised now that deeper thought about our practices is being forced on us by the evidence of its disadvantages, and the weather extremes we are experiencing and know will continue.

    And I think of Robert’s diverse patch and what you think would make this good move a better one Robert.

    Also there is myrtle rust which can blow across from Oz apparently. The area needs to have hardy trees. Will this disease make manuka a question mark?
    Myrtle rust could affect iconic New Zealand plants including pōhutukawa, mānuka, rātā, kānuka, swamp maire and ramarama, as well as commercially-grown species such as eucalyptus.
    https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/pests-and-threats/diseases/myrtle-rust/
    Also definitive: https://hascbotany.weebly.com/myrsine-myrtle-southern-beech.html

    I wonder what firebreaks they plan for this apparently steep area. Manuka is high as a flammable shrub/tree. What firebreaks will be planted that will be compatible with manuka? How high would they need to grow – above the manuka? (Karamu only gorws to 1.5m but is hardy.) How wide would the firebreaks need to be to prevent cross-over of embers? What style of planting – lines going up a hill, thick coverage on the crown of hills, and on vertical ridges, bands going across the hill?

    This article lists most and least flammable NZ trees. (Manuka grows to 8m)
    https://thisnzlife.co.nz/trees-nz-least-flammable/
    Least flammable group – info e&oe
    Karamu (coprosma robusta) 1.5-6m hardy Protect from possums when planting. https://www.nrc.govt.nz/media/11145/treesfortheland2013web.pdf
    Kowhai 8m
    Pseudopanax arboreus to 8m hardy fast growing but possums like it.
    Kohekohe Possum target
    Kotukutuku (Tree fuchsia) doesn’t like dry
    Mapou 6m (Myrsine australis) https://thisnzlife.co.nz/10-clay-loving-native-trees/
    (Myrtles and Myrsine – this is a large collection of plants – don’t know if they would all be susceptible to Myrtle Rust.)
    Hangehange 3m needs medium shade

    Seems good link for natives.
    https://www.nrc.govt.nz/media/11118/aplantershandbookfornorthlandnatives2015.pdf

    Manuka links.
    http://woodnet.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Tree-Grower-May-2014-Manuka.pdf
    Growing manuka for farm foresters and other small-scale foresters.
    Julian Bateson
    Manuka is an excellent coloniser of bare ground. As a result, for many years it was thought of as a weed on agricultural land as the plants started the first part of the process of succession, taking bare grassland eventually to full mature forest. Currently manuka has some economic uses, as a source of nectar for bees to produce manuka honey, as firewood and for the manuka oil from the leaves.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/home-property/88559823/discover-the-beauty-that-manuka-can-bring-to-your-garden

  7. greywarshark 8

    Manuka links.
    http://woodnet.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Tree-Grower-May-2014-Manuka.pdf
    Growing manuka for farm foresters and other small-scale foresters.
    Julian Bateson
    Manuka is an excellent coloniser of bare ground. As a result, for many years it was thought of as a weed on agricultural land as the plants started the first part of the process of succession, taking bare grassland eventually to full mature forest. Currently manuka has some economic uses, as a source of nectar for bees to produce manuka honey, as firewood and for the manuka oil from the leaves.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/home-property/88559823/discover-the-beauty-that-manuka-can-bring-to-your-garden

    Thinking about manuka and honey in general.
    And there is no certainty that honey will provide a reliable income stream for the area either. This recent report says that those not producing manuka honey have not been getting good returns (probably because of thieving and varroa mites etc) and I have read that manuka production might be in excess of the market. And of course we have to contend with rorts from new dealers coming in to NZ looking for quick, easy profits (recent Chinese one) and Australians trying to capture the Manuka name and ride on our backs into the world markets.

    This link relates their unease about the direction of management that the honey industry should take.
    https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/384184/beekeepers-turn-down-proposal-for-commodity-levy

    Extra – Info on possums.
    http://www.wildaboutnz.co.nz/2010/12/possums/

  8. greywarshark 9

    (I am havingto play around with my long and link filled comment mod. so have trimmed it down once and now again – so there may be multiples in the mod. line.)
    ***************************************

    Manuka is in the news. Marahau switching to natives Nelson Mail headline.
    https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/111243450/erosionprone-land-behind-marahau-to-be-switched-from-pine-to-native-forest
    Native trees are to be planted on 114 hectares of erosion-prone land behind Marahau as a replacement for radiata pine.
    The area, which was badly damaged in February 2018 when ex-Tropical Cyclone Gita slammed into Tasman district, is to be replanted with 114,000 mānuka trees.

    Tasman District Council environment and planning committee chairman, deputy mayor Tim King, said the replanting project was proposed in an effort to mitigate the effect of adverse weather events in areas with Separation Point granite.

    The extremely erodible bedrock covers an area about 10km wide and extends more than 100km, from Separation Point in Abel Tasman National Park to Mt Murchison. It is deeply weathered at the land surface, can be several metres deep and readily breaks.

    This sounds a very worthy project going in the right direction to keep down erosion and hopefully ensuring that some areas are never cut down, or logged, and remain permanently because of the nature of the land they are growing on.

    However I think about the effects of the unnatural plantation mono-culture that is being criticised now that deeper thought about our practices is being forced on us by the evidence of its disadvantages, and the weather extremes we are experiencing and know will continue.

    And I think of Robert’s diverse patch and what you think would make this good move a better one Robert.

    Also there is myrtle rust which can blow across from Oz apparently. The area needs to have hardy trees. Will this disease make manuka a question mark?
    Myrtle rust could affect iconic New Zealand plants including pōhutukawa, mānuka, rātā, kānuka, swamp maire and ramarama, as well as commercially-grown species such as eucalyptus.
    https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/pests-and-threats/diseases/myrtle-rust/

    I wonder what firebreaks they plan for this apparently steep area. Manuka is high as a flammable shrub/tree. What firebreaks will be planted that will be compatible with manuka? How high would they need to grow – above the manuka? (Karamu may only grow to 1.5m+ but is hardy.) How wide would the firebreaks need to be to prevent cross-over of embers? What style of planting – lines going up a hill, thick coverage on the crown of hills, and on vertical ridges, bands going across the hill?

    This article lists most and least flammable NZ trees. (Manuka grows to 8m)
    https://thisnzlife.co.nz/trees-nz-least-flammable/
    Least flammable group – info given – think e&oe
    Karamu (coprosma robusta) 1.5-6m hardy Protect from possums when planting. https://www.nrc.govt.nz/media/11145/treesfortheland2013web.pdf
    Kowhai 8m
    Pseudopanax arboreus to 8m hardy fast growing but possums like it.
    Kohekohe Possum target
    Kotukutuku (Tree fuchsia) doesn’t like dry
    Mapou 6m (Myrsine australis) https://thisnzlife.co.nz/10-clay-loving-native-trees/
    (Myrtles and Myrsine – this is a large collection of plants – don’t know if they would all be susceptible to Myrtle Rust.)
    Hangehange 3m needs medium shade

    Seems good link for natives.
    https://www.nrc.govt.nz/media/11118/aplantershandbookfornorthlandnatives2015.pdf

  9. cleangreen 10

    Greywarshark;

    Have you seen any plantings of manuka int the Urawera’s also in your research?

    Our farm east of the Ureweras is getting some smoggy hills and what looks like the bush is burning and dust particles is coming from the Uraweras hills west of us.

    It must be up in the Uraweras and we think, that the scrub is being burnt off to clear the land up there for either Manauka or dairy we believe but we so far cannot see anything in the press yet? Have you seen anything?

  10. greywarshark 11

    cleangreen
    I’ve just started looking at manuka – prompted by How to get There and Robert and WtB’s horti-but not haughty-culture enthusiasm. So am looking at the burnt out areas of Pigeon Valley in the Top of the South and seeing what the authorities plan. Then seeing what the wise land guardians here have as ideas.

    I think Tuhoe are very interesting. I hadn’t heard anything about latest developments except they won an ward for a beaut building I think at Lake Waikaremoana. Tuhoe may very well be wanting to turn land into grazing, forest etc in some areas. Perhaps plant a planned forest even if it isn’t a plantation forest.

    The Tuhoe money has presumably all been paid out for their settlement. In the report from last year the leaders are pleased that they have increased the value of assets and feel they have made a good start. The area is in four groups that are to have money for investment and are keen to get started and getting irritated at the pace. I think that the central leaders want to make sure it doesn’t get dissipated with schemes not going as well as envisaged.

    Some links
    Tuhoe Economic Development Plan 2016-2017
    http://www.ngaituhoe.iwi.nz/tuhoe-economic-development-plan

    Tuhoe – Meeting 4/3/2018
    http://www.ngaituhoe.iwi.nz/TUhoe-post-Treaty-settlement-woes-evident-in-wake-of-festival

    I have been looking at the map. You seem to have spent time looking at your economic situation and the train and road transport situation. Are you on a farm
    near Te Karaka in the north or Tiniroto in south? Do the present rail lines from the coast follow State Highway 2?
    Then there is a bit sticking out further down.
    Rail North Island
    Freight goes to Murupara
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_railway_lines_in_New_Zealand#/media/File:NorthIsland_rrMap_v02.svg
    (double click on map and it is nice and clear.)

  11. greywarshark 12

    It is good to put up something positive at this time. I liked reading that little blue penguins are being helped.
    https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/384974/nesting-boxes-may-boost-korora-numbers-in-hauraki-gulf

  12. greywarshark 13

    Any comment on my questions about firebreak plantings?

    Research about effects of fire and logging.
    https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/losing-ground/
    Forest soils take a long time to recover from disturbances such as bushfires or logging. Soils lose nutrients when heated—fires can result in soil temperatures of more than 500°C—while logging alters the soil structure, exposing and compacting various layers. When researchers from the Australian National University collected 729 soil cores from 81 sites in the mountain ash forests of Victoria, they found it took soils up to 80 years to recover to their former nutrient density and quality following a bushfire, and 30 years following logging.

    Further info about forest plantings.
    https://www.nzgeo.com/stories/inferior-monocultures/
    The more species a subtropical forest has, the better at storing carbon it is.
    A study of forests in China, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, found forests that were more species-rich cycled carbon faster and stored more carbon in trees, roots, litter, deadwood and soil. For every additional tree species, the total carbon stock increased by 6.4 per cent—suggesting that planting a mixture of trees rather than a monoculture creates more effective carbon sinks.

  13. greywarshark 14

    What do we think of this garden robot?
    (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dwfhmX9Qjw

  14. greywarshark 15

    Am copying Robert G’s comment over here so archived.
    (From DPF does the right thing)

    Robert Guyton …
    19 March 2019 at 10:32 pm

    Hi Grey. Manuka’s a challenge. The blight that blights it was imported by farmers from Aussie to knock it back as it threatened (?) to reclaim hard-won pastures. The blackened branches, twigs and leaves we see now weren’t apparent pre-farmer. Manuka’s a beautiful tree, of course, but in fire-prone areas, a worry – it bursts into flames with great enthusiasm. Manuka honey doesn’t attract my support, for some reason, so I’ve nothing useful to say about that. Our native bees are busied-out by the honey bee. Manuka’s easy to grow and its seeds a cinch to collect; gather the pods before they open, keep them in a paper bag in a warm place till they open and release, then sow on the surface of seed raising mix. The trick is to include for associated fungi in your potting mix.

  15. greywarshark 16

    This is a piece of background on the Far North, NI. Looking at environmental work etc.around Awanui – Lake Ohia – Karikari Peninsula.

    greywarshark 16.1
    19 March 2019 at 7:56 pm

    I think there is a certain disaffection amongst some Maori in Kaitaia. Argument
    over land at Taipa. I think also over concerns about small Lake Ohia. and environs. There is mention of dune lakes which are at risk.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11813334
    (Lake Waiporohita) – Like a large deep pristine rock pool when I saw if decades ago.

    Information on native orchids at Lake Ohia
    https://www.doc.govt.nz/Documents/science-and-technical/casn11.pdf

    Topomap
    https://www.topomap.co.nz/NZTopoMap/nz10441/Lake-Ohia/

    Lake ohia maps (archive info)
    https://www.google.co.nz/search?q=lake+ohia++map&tbm=isch&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjX3sKXzo3hAhVYWH0KHUnCB6EQsAR6BAgFEAE&biw=1440&bih=696

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Bishop scores headlines with crackdown on unwelcome tenants – but Peters scores, too, as tub-thump...
    Buzz from the Beehive Housing Minister Chris Bishop delivered news – packed with the ingredients to enflame political passions – worthy of supplanting Winston Peters in headline writers’ priorities. He popped up at the post-Cabinet press conference to promise a crackdown on unruly and antisocial state housing tenants. His ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 hour ago
  • Will it make the boat go faster?
    Ele Ludemann writes – The Reserve Bank is advertising for a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion advisor. The Bank has one mandate – to keep inflation between one and three percent. It has failed in that and is only slowly getting inflation back down to the upper limit. Will it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 hours ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Is Simon Bridges’ NZTA appointment a conflict of interest?
    Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi The fact that a ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    5 hours ago
  • Is Simon Bridges’ NZTA appointment a conflict of interest?
    Bryce Edwards writes – Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 hours ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' at 10:10am on Tuesday, March 19
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Gavin Jacobson talks to Thomas Piketty 10 years on from Capital in the 21st Century The SalvoLocal scoop: Green MP’s business being investigated over migrant exploitation claims Stuff Steve KilgallonLocal deep-dive: The commercial contractors making money from School ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 hours ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things on Tuesday, March 19
    It’s a home - but Kāinga Ora tenants accused of “abusing the privilege” may lose it. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Government announced a crackdown on Kāinga Ora tenants who were unruly and/or behind on their rent, with Housing Minister Chris Bishop saying a place in a state ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 hours ago
  • New Life for Light Rail
    This is a guest post by Connor Sharp of Surface Light Rail  Light rail in Auckland: A way forward sooner than you think With the coup de grâce of Auckland Light Rail (ALR) earlier this year, and the shift of the government’s priorities to roads, roads, and more roads, it ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    7 hours ago
  • Why Are Bosses Nearly All Buffoons?
    Note: As a paid-up Webworm member, I’ve recorded this Webworm as a mini-podcast for you as well. Some of you said you liked this option - so I aim to provide it when I get a chance to record! Read more ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    9 hours ago
  • Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6.06 pm on March 18
    TL;DR: In my ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Monday, March 18:IKEA is accused of planting big forests in New Zealand to green-wash; REDD-MonitorA City for People takes a well-deserved victory lap over Wellington’s pro-YIMBY District Plan votes; A City for PeopleSteven Anastasiou takes a close look at the sticky ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    21 hours ago
  • Peters holds his ground on co-governance, but Willis wriggles on those tax cuts and SNA suspension l...
    Buzz from the Beehive Here’s hoping for a lively post-cabinet press conference when the PM and – perhaps – some of his ministers tell us what was discussed at their meeting today. Until then, Point of Order has precious little Beehive news to report after its latest monitoring of the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • Labour’s final report card
    David Farrar writes –  We now have almost all 2023 data in, which has allowed me to update my annual table of how  went against its promises. This is basically their final report card. The promise The result Build 100,000 affordable homes over 10 ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • “Drunk Uncle at a Wedding”
    I’m a bit worried that I’ve started a previous newsletter with the words “just when you think they couldn’t get any worse…” Seems lately that I could begin pretty much every issue with that opening. Such is the nature of our coalition government that they seem to be outdoing each ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Geoffrey Miller writes – Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on Dune 2, and images of Islam
    Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture ...
    1 day ago
  • New Rail Operations Centre Promises Better Train Services
    Last week Transport Minster Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre. The new train control centre will see teams from KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail working more closely together to improve train services across the city. The Auckland Rail Operations Centre in ...
    1 day ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things at 6.36am on Monday, March 18
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in an exit interview with Q+A yesterday the Government can and should sustain more debt to invest in infrastructure for future generations. Elsewhere in the news in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 6:36am: Read more ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. It is more than just a happy ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    1 day ago
  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to March 25 and beyond
    TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Bitter and angry; Winston First
    New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    1 day ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    1 day ago
  • Out of Touch.
    “I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The bewildering world of Chris Luxon – Guns for all, not no lunch for kids
    .“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    3 days ago
  • Expert Opinion: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
    3 days ago
  • Manufacturing The Truth.
    Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet –  is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
    3 days ago
  • A Powerful Sensation of Déjà Vu.
    Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
    3 days ago
  • Can you guess where world attention is focussed (according to Greenpeace)? It’s focussed on an EPA...
    Bob Edlin writes –  And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Further integrity problems for the Greens in suspending MP Darleen Tana
    Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Greens’ transparency missing in action
    For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    4 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    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:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    5 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    5 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    5 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • There’s a name for this
    Every year, in the Budget, Parliament forks out money to government agencies to do certain things. And every year, as part of the annual review cycle, those agencies are meant to report on whether they have done the things Parliament gave them that money for. Agencies which consistently fail to ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • Echoes of 1968 in 2024?  Pocock on the repetitive problems of the New Left
    Mike Grimshaw writes – Recent events in American universities point to an underlying crisis of coherent thinking, an issue that increasingly affects the progressive left across the Western world. This of course is nothing new as anyone who can either remember or has read of the late ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Two bar blues
    The thing about life’s little victories is that they can be followed by a defeat.Reader Darryl told me on Monday night:Test again Dave. My “head cold” last week became COVID within 24 hours, and is still with me. I hear the new variants take a bit longer to show up ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 13
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Angus Deaton on rethinking his economics IMFLocal scoop: The people behind Tamarind, the firm that left a $500m cleanup bill for taxpayers at Taranaki’s Tui oil well, are back operating in Taranaki under a different company name. Jonathan ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • AT Need To Lift Their Game
    Normally when we talk about accessing public transport it’s about improving how easy it is to get to, such as how easy is it to cross roads in a station/stop’s walking catchment, is it possible to cycle to safely, do bus connections work, or even if are there new routes/connections ...
    6 days ago
  • Christopher's Whopper.
    Politicians are not renowned for telling the truth. Some tell us things that are verifiably not true. They offer statements that omit critical pieces of information. Gloss over risks, preferring to offer the best case scenario.Some not truths are quite small, others amusing in their transparency. There are those repeated ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • Funding hole for tax cuts growing by the day
    The pressure is mounting on the Government as it finalises its Budget Policy Statement, but yet more predicted revenue ‘goes missing’. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Climate Commission has delivered another funding blow to the National-ACT-NZ First coalition Government’s tax-cutting plans, potentially carving $1.4 billion off the ‘climate ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Luxon’s brave climate change promise
    The Government now faces the prospect of having to watch another tax raise the price of petrol when, only six days ago, it abolished the Auckland Regional Fuel tax. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon argued that the regional fuel tax imposed costs on lower-income people with less fuel-efficient vehicles  and that ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Fresh produce price drop welcome
    Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024.  “Lower fruit and vege ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Statement to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68)
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government backs rural led catchment projects
    The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction.   Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Commission’s advice on ETS settings tabled
    Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government lowering building costs
    The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Trustee tax change welcomed
    Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister’s Ramadan message
    Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness.  It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister appoints new NZTA Chair
    Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
    Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology.  It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Progress continues apace on water storage
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government agrees to restore interest deductions
    Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government has agreed to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties. “Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The Government’s restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax code,” says ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister to attend World Anti-Doping Agency Symposium
    Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Switzerland today to attend an Executive Committee meeting and Symposium of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Mr Bishop will then travel on to London where he will attend a series of meetings in his capacity as Infrastructure Minister. “New Zealanders believe ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Pacific Language Weeks celebrate regional unity
    This year’s Pacific Language Weeks celebrate regional unity and the contribution of Pacific communities to New Zealand culture, says Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti.  Dr Reti announced dates for the 2024 Pacific Language Weeks during a visit to the Pasifika festival in Auckland today and says there’s so ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-19T02:01:51+00:00