If a thousand baby flamingos die in the desert does anyone hear them howl?

Written By: - Date published: 3:06 pm, July 16th, 2021 - 43 comments
Categories: climate change, disaster, Environment, farming, food - Tags:

This was meant to be a post about #howlofaprotest and it kind of still is. I was going to talk about the collapse of the National Party as a driver of farmer unrest who are feeling the weight of the vacuum where there should be political power, and how the left still thinks we can safely ignore and laugh at ute protestors because god Jacinda right is on our side. And I kind of am still saying that.

Because I saw this,

Full Reuters piece here. Whatever finely balanced truth of that particular situation, there are a million others that can easily be put up in its place (so please spare me the reductionist rearranging of the deck chairs).

And here’s the list of Groundswell NZ’s demands (PDF), basically a short inventory of self-serving, climate and ecology denying rhetoric that seems to be saying that farmers can be trusted to do the right things. Despite the evidence. Not even going to unpack that, because All the right words on climate have already been said.

Let me summarise. Climate change is here now, not some distant future for the grandkids to worry about. So is ecological collapse. Life on earth is at serious risk in our lifetimes if we don’t take radical action now.

Let the farmers howl*. I’m more interested in what the people who understand the climate and ecology crises are doing. All the people criticising farmers and ute-owners today, how much are we willing to change our own lives to save life on earth? Or is it just other people that should be making sacrifices and cognitive shifts?

There’s a bit of ironic schadenfreude, hoisted on all our own petards here. The protest’s punchline appears to be no farmers/no food. But the industrial farming model being fought for here is a massive part of why in the end even New Zealand will have food shortages. Yes in New Zealand we want the cheap food the global supply chain serves up and that farmers enable. We’re less concerned about the poor countries that will starve first, and we’ve yet to connect the dots around our own footprints being part of the mass flamingo deaths on the other side of the world.

Farmers aren’t the problem here, they’re the mirror New Zealand is holding up to itself. We say we want change, despite the evidence.

 

*shout out to the farmers who are doing the right things, and the ones who are moving in the right direction. My apologies for talking about farmers as if a single group, but the hour is getting late.

43 comments on “If a thousand baby flamingos die in the desert does anyone hear them howl? ”

  1. roy catrtland 1

    shout out to the farmers who are doing the right things

    That's why it's so hard to have much sympathy for these protests. Their arguments are not in good faith. The polluters and destroyers piggyback themselves onto the good work of all those progressive farmers who are trying to, and often succeeding in, doing the right thing.

    There was one photo of a protest sign threatening food insecurity for city folk: so unless they're can export 95% and sell up to foreign corporates, we can all go hungry? If someone plants a flax bush by some river they've destroyed, that let's the rest off the hook?

    • weka 1.1

      please fix your username on next comment

    • weka 1.2

      I know. It's hard to see the pushback against climate action. And the arguments don't stack up. But if we think they're the problem we have massively taken our eye of the ball (which we have).

      Follow up post: why incremental land use change (that leftie townies want) won't save us or the planet from the flamingos fate.

      • Cricklewood 1.2.1

        I have some sympathy outside of water pollution issues we have a productive sector getting pointed at re co2 methane etc when the crypto industry is now a bigger co2 emitter than Greece… and someone trading a relatively small number of coins here actually has a very large carbon footprint we just dont count it becausenits offshore.

        Climate change is a global problem and getting rid of or forcing crypto mining to renewable energy will make a helleva big difference in that regard.

        I would love Jacinds to use her megaphone to start a global conversation around the coal fired crypto currency.

        Having trouble linking to crypto stats sorry

        • Cricklewood 1.2.1.1

          Adding to the above I'm also thinking being lectured about water quality is a slightly bitter pill when Auckland and Wellington probably others are literally pouring shit in enormous quantities into the harbours due to a failure of us city folk to maintain and develop our infrastructure.

          That needs a serious conversation as well. Stones glass houses etc

          • greywarshark 1.2.1.1.1

            Well I'll eat less and hold in for a day if you will Cricklewood.

          • Roy cartland 1.2.1.1.2

            Totally agree, it's a disgrace. Infrastructure improvement would create jobs as well as enviro benefit.

            Problem is, each farm produces hundreds more waste per person than a city, and with it all being shipped overseas they even holds for near-eaters; farms now owned by foreigners, the benefit to the country is scant.

            Farmers can either be part of the solution now, or it will come for them later.

    • Jenny how to get there 1.3

      roy catrtland

      16 July 2021 at 3:12 pm

      …..There was one photo of a protest sign threatening food insecurity for city folk:

      Photos and video of this protest show more than one sign making veiled threats to food production.

      How should 'city folk' respond to such threats?

      Personally; I will respond by spending more time in our local community garden.

      Collectively; Urban authorities could respond to these veiled threats by putting more funding toward addressing food insecurity, by supporting initiatives like community gardens and even urban farming.

      Household Food Insecurity Among Children: New Zealand Health Survey

      This report describes the prevalence of household food insecurity among our tamariki….

      …..for almost one in five children their household experienced severe to-moderate food insecurity

      https://www.health.govt.nz/system/files/documents/publications/household-food-insecurity-among-children-new-zealand-health-survey-jun19.pdf#:~:text=In%20New%20Zealand%2C%20food%20insecurity

      URBAN FARMING 101

      Urban farming is the act of growing plants or raising animals in or around the city….

      https://www.freightfarms.com/urban-farming?utm_campaign=Google%20Ads%20-%20Product%20-%20Urban&utm_source=ppc&msclkid=102340a496d5157a9181205613352664

  2. Jenny how to get there 2

    Suggesting that the ute tax and the water protection measures proposed by the Government, will be the end for farmers, one of the signs held at the farmers protest, read.

    "NO FARMERS NO FOOD.

    It could just have easily read, "NO CLIMATE NO FARMS".

    It is my considered opinion, that the collapse of modern industrial agriculture due to extreme weather events resulting from climate change, drought, heatwaves, super cyclones, flooding, sea level rise and infrastructure collapse, is a more likely outcome, if we do nothing about cutting our emissions.

    http://www.viruscomix.com/carmageddon.html

    (Most commercial farming in New Zealand is less about feeding New Zealanders than it is about exporting for the bigger profits made in overseas markets).

    • Jenny how to get there 2.1

      A howl of ugliness

      Friday, July 16, 2021

      …… with signs displaying racism, gun nuttery, more racism, and of course sexism, misogyny, and an obsession with dead political ideologies. And we haven't even got to the weird conspiracy theorist stuff yet!

      http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2021/07/a-howl-of-ugliness.html

      Do protesters who publicly espouse fascist and racist and sexist messages deserve our support?

      A howl of ugliness

      Friday, July 16, 2021

      ….The core message of their "howl of protest" is meant to be "no farmers, no food"

      http://norightturn.blogspot.com/2021/07/a-howl-of-ugliness.html

      Two can play that game.

      The government could announce that they are putting major investment into Urban Farming to protect Food Security from all threats.

      Let us find out who really needs who.

      • Incognito 2.1.1

        Why do you push polarisation and sow division? You did it with the walking & cycling bridge and now you’re doing it with the farmers, in several comments today. Do you like power play at the expense of others? Do you like Hollywood movies? Oh yes, you do!

        • Jenny how to get there 2.1.1.1

          Incognito

          18 July 2021 at 7:47 pm

          Why do you push polarisation and sow division? You did it with the walking & cycling bridge and now you’re doing it with the farmers, in several comments today……..

          Hi Incognito,

          I am not pushing polarisation I am trying to create unity.
          I don''t know how you make out that my post on the cycling & walking bridge and associated comments, was pushing polarisation and sowing division.

          My post on walking & cycling bridge was about uniting the cycling community with the public transport community.

          Public transport, to complement cycling? « The Standard

          In my post and related comments I argued that making public transport fare free over the Harbour Bridge could possibly create the room for a cycle lane, which is what the cycle protesters wanted. Negating the need to build a separate stand alone bridge for bikes and walkiers.

          I suggested that making the busway fare free would compensate commuters for losing one traffic lane to bikes, so as not to widen the existing division between cycllists and commuters..

          The Auckland Harbour Bridge was designed and built and (added onto) as a motorway for vehicular traffic only.

          To change this after the fact has proved difficult..

          It's a matter of physics.

          Unfortunately the government election promise of a skyway attached to the existing structure could not be realised.
          Engineers have since determined that the existing structure cannot be added to.

          This caused a lot of disappointment amongst the cycling community, leading to cycle protesters pushing past police to trespass on the carriageway. Asking for one lane of the Harbour Bridge to be set aside for bicycles and pedestrian for a 3 month trial.

          Rather than take one lane away from the vehicular traffic, (even as a trial), as was asked for by the cyclists, the government offered the cyclists a separate stand alone cycle walking bridge to be built beside the existing bridge, estimated cost $785 million..

          It can be reasonably argued, that it is this hugely expensive and controversial project, that has caused polarisation and division.

          If you ask me, it is the proposed stand alone $785 cycle Bridge that has caused polarisation and sowed divisions, being opposed by leading cycle activists, and giving ammunition to our political opponents in the National and Act Parties to attack us as wasteful tax and spend socialists.

          My post was about uniting people around equity for both cyclists and commuters. I don't see how you can make out that this is polarising and sowing division.

          Some/many have noted that ferries can transport cyclists across the harbour, (and already do),

          I have suggested that every commuter that boards a ferry (or train), with a bike, which represents one less car on the road be granted free passage. I can't see how voicing such ideas is 'divisive'. Especially as various forms of free public transit has proved successful in number of overseas countries.

          How is that divisive?

          Some have suggested that crossing the harbour bridge on foot or bike is not about commuting but more about the experience.

          To scratch that itch, Michael Wood the Minister for transport, has suggested that every Sunday one lane of the Bridge be closed to cars and given over to cyclists and pedestrians.

          This is a wonderful idea and I hope it can be trialed very soon. I am sure it would be wildly popular with Aucklanders of all political persuasions. (And way cheaper than building a whole new bridge that nobody asked for)

          I also wrote it would be a shame for the iconic heritage houses and the mature Pohutukawa and other mature trees on the Northern approach that make our bridge so unique and iconic to be removed to make way for the cycle bridge, amounted to cultural vandalism.

          Auckland’s Northern Pathway « The Standard

          You have made it quite clear that you hold completely different political views to myself, that's OK,

          In an effort to determine the best outcomes, it would be a sad world if people didn't hold, (and air), trheir different view points,.and I respect that…
          I am forthright in putting my own pollitical views different to yours, I make no apology for that.
          I am sorry that you find different political views to yours irksome, unfortunately that is the nature of polemics.

        • Jenny how to get there 2.1.1.2

          Incognito

          18 July 2021 at 7:47 pm</a>

          Why do you push polarisation and sow division? You did it with the walking &amp; cycling bridge and now you&rsquo;re doing it with the farmers, in several comments today……

          I am sorry you feel that way.

          My intention is not to creat division. What I was trying to do with my post and related comments on the proposed cycle bridge is create equity in outcomes for taxpayers and cyclists and commuters and the climate. In effect I am trying to turn the existing divisions into unity.

          I am not creating divisions,, I am trying to bridge (pun iintended) the divisions.between the various stakeholders with an interest in the future or our city's transport network, in this case as relating to our much loved and iconic Auckland Harbour Bridge.

          The divisions already exist, nothing I have written or said has created them.

          Cycle campaigner says, 'no to bridge'

          ….Bevan Woodward, a cycling campaigner who has clashed with Waka Kotahi – the New Zealand Transport Agency – in the past, was wondering why the government had just committed to spending close to a billion dollars without even trying an obvious alternative.

          &quot;That is to take the westernmost lane for walking and cycling. Do it initially as a trial to see if it works. We know it's worked many times overseas. Let's try it out – if it works, then that should be the solution,&quot; Woodward said.&lt;/i&gt;

          Radio New Zealand 5 June 2021

          https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/444079/auckland-harbour-cycle-and-pedestrian-bridge-facing-criticism-from-both-sides</a>ugc

  3. Janet 3

    You say “Environmentalists blame farming practices along with climate change for the drought, “ I blame unfettered human populations that need more and more food to survive.

    Farmers’ current offending farming practises are the result of our scientists leading them to implement them over the last 7 decades– now scientists are back tracking so must lead and educate the farmers back to better environmental farming practises. This has already been under way for about two decades. It is the laggers that need prodding along not all farmers.

    You say “All the people criticising farmers and ute-owners today, how much are we willing to change our own lives to save life on earth?

    To begin with those of us who have been farming sustainably for the last 2 – 3 decades look to be the bigger losers the way SNA is shaping up.

    And finally, while farmers are adjusting and many people are adjusting their lives to help fit the environments needs, why are we worshipping rocket ship technology .

    Space launches can have a hefty carbon footprint due to the burning of solid rocket fuels. Many rockets are, however, propelled by liquid hydrogen fuel, which produces ‘clean’ water vapour exhaust, although the production of hydrogen itself can cause significant carbon emissions. Rocket engines release trace gases into the upper atmosphere that contribute to ozone depletion, as well as particles of soot.

    Rocket launches are nonetheless relatively infrequent, meaning that their overall impact on our climate remains much smaller than aviation’s. But it’s not just our immediate environment: ‘space junk’ is a growing concern as disused satellites and other objects accumulate in our planet’s orbit.”

    This is pure hypocrisy and if it isn,t then needs explaining.

    Why are we throwing 1080 pellets over large tracts of our lands when the world wants “pure and natural?” And there are other very effective alternative ways to pest control to help save our environment.

    And so on …. Its not just the lagging farmers that have to change their ways, it is big business, it is little business, it is the affluent people and the poor, it is everyone that must look to fit within the environment’s restraints.

  4. Patricia Bremner 4

    Just to underline your post Weka, a "Code RED" weather event in Buller, and in Germany and Belgium where freakish weather is washing away homes.

    Rivers in our overheated skies, patterns changing faster than life can adjust. We all need to change how we do things and how we live, including land hungry developers and factory farmers.

  5. greywarshark 5

    About five huge tractors in a line, washed and looking as if they are out for a run to town. All seem the same type – a chance for a dealer to display his wares? They don't look like the impoverished farmers that they have come in to complain about.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/447045/farmers-protest-across-new-zealand-against-government-regulations

    In fact some of them have so many farms they have gobbled up which if they are buying them on leverage – small deposits and then counting on profits squeezed during the good times to pay them back, then of course any increase in spending per farm multiplied by 5-15 farms is going to mount up, may be unmanageable. Oh dear, get rich quick, off NZ isn't working as planned.

  6. Koff 6

    As Patricia Bremner points out there are many, many examples right now of how climate chage is ruining human existence on the planet… the excessive heat in the Pacific NW of America, the drying up of the Amazon, excessive rainfall in Germany, Belgium…. what more evidence do NZ farmers need of the need to change..fast. I'm up on the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland at the moment… another place where climate change is causing deterioration of this beautiful ecosysystem through coral bleaching. Unesco is about to delist the Reef as a World Heritage Area, primarily because the Unesco Comittee thinks that the federal government here is doing sweet FU to reduce emissions, which is the primary reason for the deterioration in the reef. The Australian government response is similar in some ways to sections of NZ's farming community…denial that anything they are doing is at fault…a pity that the huge climate change demonstrations seem to have fizzled out worldwide…there needs to be some sharp response to the Howl mob.

    • Patricia Bremner 6.1

      One brave lady who had her sign grabbed sadly Koff. I think most who disagreed realised they could not compete with brand new tractors for spectacle.

      Many Australians and their pollies think "climate change" is bumff!! Even those affected by the terrible fires. Alan Jones is always slinging off.

      I think it is called denial. The Reef, Antarctica… and thousands of species being lost.

  7. All the rural protesters said was what they don't want; ranging from over-zealous rural water regulations to "Commie Prime Ministers".

    Totally negative comments, nothing constructive but that is what the protest organisers aimed at – a massive moaning session for anyone with an axe to grind.

    In the end, we all need to change our lifestyles significantly. Nature is now in control.

  8. Byd0nz 8

    I am a farmer, Moan moan moan, Pollute the river, Groan groan groan.

    Vote for National, Just for fun, Bashed wharfies heads in fifty-one.

    Drive me cows, with a heavy load, Let them shit, All over the road.

    I'm still a farmer………. GROAN GROAN GROAN.

  9. Muttonbird 9

    Grant Robertson made very good points on the radio today. That the government is looking to work in partnership with farmers in the same way they did when bailing them out after Mycoplasma Bovis. And in the same way they have helped ensure export mechanisms are still operating in a Covid world.

    The way I see it farmers are grizzling most because of a) the increased regulatory requirements around nitrate pollution – they hate paperwork and that can be seen in the way they dismissed NAIT which invited M Bovis to spread. Well, time to be responsible like the rest of the country, guys and gals.

    And b) the Three Waters roll out. This is huge for farming lobby groups. The current situation sees them dealing with small regional councils with limited funding and pliable, familiar, and weak governance. When the model goes to 4 large water industry bodies, their lobbying power will be greatly diminished. They are terrified of this.

    Also c) the reduced access to cheap foreign labour. Everyone loves to aspire to the increasing NZ's mysterious low productivity. There's nothing mysterious about it, we are too reliant on a model which produces primary goods at low cost. A few powerful primary industry heads and bodies are complicit in maintaining this environment of low expectation.

    Farmers need a rocket up their arse. Glad someone has finally stood up to them.

    • Craig H 9.1

      That point on export markets is critically important to farming, not just in terms of maintaining export facilities during Covid, but the general point that farmer lobbies around the world struggle to compete with NZ agriculture and lobby extensively for protectionist measures, and that we are signed up to a bunch of climate treaties and free trade agreements. It's not terribly difficult to imagine us being kicked out of some of those, or various carbon sanctions/tariffs being applied because of our perceived unfair advantage over farmers "doing the right thing" in the export market suddenly closing its doors to us.

  10. I watched the protest tractors utes and cars bring our provincial town to a standstill for way too long.

    Some had signage on them. None of it logical.

    I became depressed. That parade portrayed farmers as illogical, ignorant, arrogant spoilt playground bullies For the first time in my life I felt that farmers do not deserve respect.

    Talk about two year old tantrums? Time they grew up and became rational members of a fair society.

  11. Maurice 11

    "Without Farmers you would be naked, hungry and SOBER!"

    One of the more humorous (but true?) placards …. angel

    • Graeme 11.1

      The people reading the placard would probably be ok, the produce those holding the placard produce is mostly consumed somewhere other than New Zealand. A lot of what we consume comes from outside New Zealand. Our farmers also produce way more than we can ever consume

      https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/whoseatingnewzealand/446357/who-s-eating-new-zealand

      We could have a lot less farming, or a lot less intensive farming and it wouldn't make a lot of difference to those not involved in farming. A lot of farmers might find themselves naked, hungry and sober however.

      We've had the complete destruction of the inbound tourism industry in the past year. This industry was touted as being the equal of farming. Not making any claims re the veracity of that, there's some pretty wild coolaid passed around in that game. Has anyone outside the industry been affected negatively? Or even noticed?

      For most New Zealanders, probably 95% of, the change has been quite positive.

      • weka 11.1.1

        I expect some of the negative effects will be felt over time. Thinking about towns like Te Anau that don't have a winter season and now a much reduces summer season.

        Some of the effects won't be being measured eg the impacts on women via flow on job loss, or domestic violence.

        But I think your point is fair. Farming sector deserves critique for a range of reasons. Farmers are still people and should be treated as such rather than evil overlords.

        Tourism is different imo, because it's replaceable. We will always need farming and landcare.

        • Graeme 11.1.1.1

          Don't see the distinction that tourism is replaceable where farming isn't.

          We will still have tourism, even if international travel never returns to being the commodity it was pre covid. People will still need to get out of their home space to preserve their sanity. Go somewhere and have a break, re-create. Just they will do that within, or close to, New Zealand. Tourism will still be there, just we won't have massive amounts of inbound and out bound. Much more domestic focused, like in 60's and 70's.

          Agriculture is the same, it changes with changing market demands. Southland used to be predominantly sheep and cropping, now dairy is the main sector. Same in Canterbury, dairy has taken over what was once sheep and cropping. Weren't very many vineyards or kiwifruit orchards before the 70's either.

          Quite agree that the effects of the tourism transition will be felt over quite a period from the pov of those within. There's a grieving process going on and it's lengthy and emotional process, both for us within the industry and our customers.

          Our market is going through huge swings or bursts. One month you can't do anything wrong, customers are having great time and loving what we have in the gallery and the till's breaking records. The next we're taking 5% of our rent and people are abusing us from the street, even had a few come in and let rip.

          We've got a couple of online presences as well that aren't tourist focused and there's a similar variability but not to the degree we're seeing across the counter.

      • pat 11.1.2

        Dont know that holds water……the Ag sector would i suspect be considerably net positive in terms of FX earnings whereas all indications are that tourism may be neutral….and we like to import, indeed over the past few decades we have placed ourselves in the position where we have to.

        • Graeme 11.1.2.1

          Would be interesting to see just how much of dairy returns actually stays in the economy. A lot of expenditure on things that are imported, along with the debt servicing for that. Then you've got overseas ownership of so much of the industry, at all levels, which will be sucking money out of the economy. Sure there's some really good sides to agriculture that are funnelling net overseas cash into the economy, but there's a lot that I'd be pretty doubtful there's actually a net gain for the economy, especially when socialised costs are included.

          Really don't see a lot of difference to tourism.

          • pat 11.1.2.1.1

            As you say it would be interesting to see…we may be falsely assuming a net benefit to NZ Inc as we did with international tourism for years.

            I wonder if that work has been done?…I suspect its one of those questions that no one in a position to evaluate wants to know the answer to.

  12. Sabine 12

    Currently in Germany, Belgium, Luxemburg,

    2 month worth of rain in two hours.

    Currently standing at 125+ death, 1300 people missing, thousands homeless, and villages that stood for several hundreds of years washed away. This death toll will go up by the hour.

    This is not something that one can fix with the help of EV cars, or some tinkering around the edges to make some groups feel superior to other groups.

    This is only something that we can adjust to if we actually understand that it is not one group alone but our collective future.

    Yet, here we think that if we all drive 'clean energy cars' or we designate a swath of land to 'SNA' areas will bargain us out of this messy, uncontrollable and deadly future.

    How much water goes down the drain in our big cities alone for showering/bathing/flushing the toilets?

    Our old waste water infrastructure, and the overflow goes into the harbour.

    Our need for our single serve car, fossil fuel all of them, and yeah, i put EV into there too. Cause that Electricity needs to come from somewhere, the rare earth minerals need to come from somewhere.

    WE need to rip up streets and other concreted over spaces to green over and re-create green spaces, but we are not doing that.

    Climate Change is happening, has been happening for a time now, and no we can't bargain us out there with cheap and meaningless rethoric about designating spaces as SNA or with the purchase of a 30.000+ dollar that pretends to be a smidgen more environmentally friendly.

    Blade Runner comes to mind, the world is orange, billboards galore, grubs as protein and flying cars. 🙂 Maybe we are all replicants.

    https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/germany-floods-latest-belgium-map-b1885532.html

  13. barry 13

    Groundswell have a lot of demands, but no answers. They are effectively saying that some farmers are good, and shouldn't have to suffer regulations. But they don't talk about the others that are the problem, and how to improve their practices.

    In the end it is the fact that farming now is not what it was a generation ago. Some farmers are not very good business people (no matter how good they are at looking after the land and their stock), and in another industry they would have gone bankrupt a long time ago.

    It sounds very much like Trump followers in the US. Longing for a past time that never really existed. They are blaming Labour for their local (right leaning) council not fixing roads. or regulations brought in by National.

    The Ute tax seems to have been a catalyst, but it will make up a very small portion of their costs.

  14. Ed 14

    I cannot believe New Zealanders cannot look at the weather events in the past week in Canada, Belgium, Germany and New Zealand, and then turn up to protests wanting to rip up regulations about the environment.

    No climate.

    No food.

    • Sabine 14.1

      and I can not believe that Kiwis look at what happened in all of these places and think that EV's, SNA's etc will help stem the tide.

  15. Jake 15

    The huge tractor I saw driving in a narrow one way street in Ak Central yesterday was straight out of the showroom..no wonder some one who doesn’t like being told ‘what to do by a girl’ would like to take it for a joy ride. A photo of a home made placard on the scoop of a tractor said Say NO to Gobby and her Communism

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    Rob MacCulloch writes – Throughout the pandemic, the new Vice-Chancellor-of-Otago-University-on-$629,000 per annum-Can-you-believe-it-and-Former-Finance-Minister Grant Robertson repeated the mantra over and over that he saved “lives and livelihoods”. As we update how this claim is faring over the course of time, the facts are increasingly speaking differently. NZ ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    22 hours ago
  • Winding back the hands of history’s clock
    Chris Trotter writes – IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in acknowledgement of electoral victory: “We’ll govern for all New Zealanders.” On the face of it, the pledge is a strange one. Why would any political leader govern in ways that advantaged the huge ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    22 hours ago
  • Paula Bennett’s political appointment will challenge public confidence
     Bryce Edwards writes – The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    22 hours ago
  • Business confidence sliding into winter of discontent
    TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 10:06am on Wednesday, May 1:The Lead: Business confidence fell across the board in April, falling in some areas to levels last seen during the lockdowns because of a collapse in ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    24 hours ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the coalition’s awful, not good, very bad poll results
    Over the past 36 hours, Christopher Luxon has been dong his best to portray the centre-right’s plummeting poll numbers as a mark of virtue. Allegedly, the negative verdicts are the result of hard economic times, and of a government bravely set out on a perilous rescue mission from which not ...
    1 day ago
  • New HOP readers for future payment options
    Auckland Transport have started rolling out new HOP card readers around the network and over the next three months, all of them on buses, at train stations and ferry wharves will be replaced. The change itself is not that remarkable, with the new readers looking similar to what is already ...
    1 day ago
  • 2024 Reading Summary: April (+ Writing Update)
    Completed reads for April: The Difference Engine, by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling Carnival of Saints, by George Herman The Snow Spider, by Jenny Nimmo Emlyn’s Moon, by Jenny Nimmo The Chestnut Soldier, by Jenny Nimmo Death Comes As the End, by Agatha Christie Lord of the Flies, by ...
    2 days ago
  • At a glance – Clearing up misconceptions regarding 'hide the decline'
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    2 days ago
  • Road photos
    Have a story to share about St Paul’s, but today just picturesPopular novels written at this desk by a young man who managed to bootstrap himself out of father’s imprisonment and his own young life in a workhouse Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Paula Bennett’s political appointment will challenge public confidence
    The list of former National Party Ministers being given plum and important roles got longer this week with the appointment of former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett as the chair of Pharmac. The Christopher Luxon-led Government has now made key appointments to Bill English, Simon Bridges, Steven Joyce, Roger Sowry, ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    2 days ago
  • NZDF is still hostile to oversight
    Newsroom has a story today about National's (fortunately failed) effort to disestablish the newly-created Inspector-General of Defence. The creation of this agency was the key recommendation of the Inquiry into Operation Burnham, and a vital means of restoring credibility and social licence to an agency which had been caught lying ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • Winding Back The Hands Of History’s Clock.
    Holding On To The Present: The moment a political movement arises that attacks the whole idea of social progress, and announces its intention to wind back the hands of History’s clock, then democracy, along with its unwritten rules, is in mortal danger.IT’S A COMMONPLACE of political speeches, especially those delivered in ...
    2 days ago
  • Sweet Moderation? What Christopher Luxon Could Learn From The Germans.
    Stuck In The Middle With You: As Christopher Luxon feels the hot breath of Act’s and NZ First’s extremists on the back of his neck and, as he reckons with the damage their policies are already inflicting upon a country he’s described as “fragile”, is there not some merit in reaching out ...
    2 days ago
  • A clear warning
    The unpopular coalition government is currently rushing to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. The clause is Oranga Tamariki's Treaty clause, and was inserted after its systematic stealing of Māori children became a public scandal and resulted in physical resistance to further abductions. The clause created clear obligations ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • Poll results and Waitangi Tribunal report go unmentioned on the Beehive website – where racing tru...
    Buzz  from the Beehive The government’s official website – which Point of Order monitors daily – not for the first time has nothing much to say today about political happenings that are grabbing media headlines. It makes no mention of the latest 1News-Verian poll, for example.  This shows National down ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • Listening To The Traffic.
    It Takes A Train To Cry: Surely, there is nothing lonelier in all this world than the long wail of a distant steam locomotive on a cold Winter’s night.AS A CHILD, I would lie awake in my grandfather’s house and listen to the traffic. The big wooden house was only a ...
    2 days ago
  • Comity Be Damned! The State’s Legislative Arm Is Flexing Its Constitutional Muscles.
    Packing A Punch: The election of the present government, including in its ranks politicians dedicated to reasserting the rights of the legislature in shaping and determining the future of Māori and Pakeha in New Zealand, should have alerted the judiciary – including its anomalous appendage, the Waitangi Tribunal – that its ...
    2 days ago
  • Ending The Quest.
    Dead Woman Walking: New Zealand’s media industry had been moving steadily towards disaster for all the years Melissa Lee had been National’s media and communications policy spokesperson, and yet, when the crisis finally broke, on her watch, she had nothing intelligent to offer. Christopher Luxon is a patient man - but he’s not ...
    2 days ago
  • Will political polarisation intensify to the point where ‘normal’ government becomes impossible,...
    Chris Trotter writes –  New Zealand politics is remarkably easy-going: dangerously so, one might even say. With the notable exception of John Key’s flat ruling-out of the NZ First Party in 2008, all parties capable of clearing MMP’s five-percent threshold, or winning one or more electorate seats, tend ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Tuesday, April 30
    TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:30am on Tuesday, May 30:Scoop: NZ 'close to the tipping point' of measles epidemic, health experts warn NZ Herald Benjamin PlummerHealth: 'Absurd and totally unacceptable': Man has to wait a year for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
    Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Worst poll result for a new Government in MMP history
    Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Pinning down climate change's role in extreme weather
    This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
    2 days ago
  • Serving at Seymour's pleasure.
    Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Webworm LA Pop-Up
    Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • “Feel good” school is out
    Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • 6 Months in, surely our Report Card is “Ignored all warnings: recommend dismissal ASAP”?
    Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic plan, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy. Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    3 days ago
  • Bread, and how it gets buttered
    Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
    Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Justice for Gaza?
    The New York Times reports that the International Criminal Court is about to issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over their genocide in Gaza: Israeli officials increasingly believe that the International Criminal Court is preparing to issue arrest warrants for senior government officials on ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • If there has been any fiddling with Pharmac’s funding, we can count on Paula to figure out the fis...
    Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • FastTrackWatch – The case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Monday, April 29
    TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on Iran killing its rappers, and searching for the invisible Dr. Reti
    span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
    3 days ago
  • Auckland Rail Electrification 10 years old
    Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
    3 days ago
  • Coalition's dirge of austerity and uncertainty is driving the economy into a deeper recession
    Right now, in Aotearoa-NZ, our ‘animal spirits’ are darkening towards a winter of discontent, thanks at least partly to a chorus of negative comments and actions from the Government Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Disability Funding or Tax Cuts.
    You make people evil to punish the paststuck inside a sequel with a rotating castThe following photos haven’t been generated with AI, or modified in any way. They are flesh and blood, human beings. On the left is Galatea Young, a young mum, and her daughter Fiadh who has Angelman ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Of the Goodness of Tolkien’s Eru
    April has been a quiet month at A Phuulish Fellow. I have had an exceptionally good reading month, and a decently productive writing month – for original fiction, anyway – but not much has caught my eye that suggested a blog article. It has been vaguely frustrating, to be honest. ...
    3 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #17
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 21, 2024 thru Sat, April 27, 2024. Story of the week Anthropogenic climate change may be the ultimate shaggy dog story— but with a twist, because here ...
    4 days ago
  • Pastor Who Abused People, Blames People
    Hi,I spent about a year on Webworm reporting on an abusive megachurch called Arise, and it made me want to stab my eyes out with a fork.I don’t regret that reporting in 2022 and 2023 — I am proud of it — but it made me angry.Over three main stories ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    4 days ago
  • Vic Uni shows how under threat free speech is
    The new Victoria University Vice-Chancellor decided to have a forum at the university about free speech and academic freedom as it is obviously a topical issue, and the Government is looking at legislating some carrots or sticks for universities to uphold their obligations under the Education and Training Act. They ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Winston remembers Gettysburg.
    Do you remember when Melania Trump got caught out using a speech that sounded awfully like one Michelle Obama had given? Uncannily so.Well it turns out that Abraham Lincoln is to Winston Peters as Michelle was to Melania. With the ANZAC speech Uncle Winston gave at Gallipoli having much in ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • 25
    She was born 25 years ago today in North Shore hospital. Her eyes were closed tightly shut, her mouth was silently moving. The whole theatre was all quiet intensity as they marked her a 2 on the APGAR test. A one-minute eternity later, she was an 8.  The universe was ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Fact Brief – Is Antarctica gaining land ice?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is Antarctica gaining land ice? ...
    5 days ago
  • Policing protests.
    Images of US students (and others) protesting and setting up tent cities on US university campuses have been broadcast world wide and clearly demonstrate the growing rifts in US society caused by US policy toward Israel and Israel’s prosecution of … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    5 days ago
  • Open letter to Hon Paul Goldsmith
    Barrie Saunders writes – Dear Paul As the new Minister of Media and Communications, you will be inundated with heaps of free advice and special pleading, all in the national interest of course. For what it’s worth here is my assessment: Traditional broadcasting free to air content through ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: FastTrackWatch – The Case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its arguments for such a bold reform. ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    5 days ago
  • Luxon gets out his butcher’s knife – briefly
    Peter Dunne writes –  The great nineteenth British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, once observed that “the first essential for a Prime Minister is to be a good butcher.” When a later British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, sacked a third of his Cabinet in July 1962, in what became ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • More tax for less
    Ele Ludemann writes – New Zealanders had the OECD’s second highest tax increase last year: New Zealanders faced the second-biggest tax raises in the developed world last year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says. The intergovernmental agency said the average change in personal income tax ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Real News vs Fake News.
    We all know something’s not right with our elections. The spread of misinformation, people being targeted with soundbites and emotional triggers that ignore the facts, even the truth, and influence their votes.The use of technology to produce deep fakes. How can you tell if something is real or not? Can ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Another way to roll
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Share ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • Simon Clark: The climate lies you'll hear this year
    This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
    5 days ago
  • Cutting the Public Service
    It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    6 days ago
  • Luxon’s demoted ministers might take comfort from the British politician who bounced back after th...
    Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious:  we live in a troubled ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • This is how I roll over
    1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Waitangi Tribunal is not “a roving Commission”…
    …it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisition   NOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes –  The High Court ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Is Oranga Tamariki guilty of neglect?
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same? Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Three Strikes saw lower reoffending
    David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Luxon’s ruthless show of strength is perfect for our angry era
    Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • 'Lacks attention to detail and is creating double-standards.'
    TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • One Night Only!
    Hi,Today I mainly want to share some of your thoughts about the recent piece I wrote about success and failure, and the forces that seemingly guide our lives. But first, a quick bit of housekeeping: I am doing a Webworm popup in Los Angeles on Saturday May 11 at 2pm. ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • What did Melissa Lee do?
    It is hard to see what Melissa Lee might have done to “save” the media. National went into the election with no public media policy and appears not to have developed one subsequently. Lee claimed that she had prepared a policy paper before the election but it had been decided ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #17 2024
    Open access notables Ice acceleration and rotation in the Greenland Ice Sheet interior in recent decades, Løkkegaard et al., Communications Earth & Environment: In the past two decades, mass loss from the Greenland ice sheet has accelerated, partly due to the speedup of glaciers. However, uncertainty in speed derived from satellite products ...
    7 days ago
  • Maori Party (with “disgust”) draws attention to Chhour’s race after the High Court rules on Wa...
    Buzz from the Beehive A statement from Children’s Minister Karen Chhour – yet to be posted on the Government’s official website – arrived in Point of Order’s email in-tray last night. It welcomes the High Court ruling on whether the Waitangi Tribunal can demand she appear before it. It does ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days ago
  • Who’s Going Up The Media Mountain?
    Mr Bombastic: Ironically, the media the academic experts wanted is, in many ways, the media they got. In place of the tyrannical editors of yesteryear, advancing without fear or favour the interests of the ruling class; the New Zealand news media of today boasts a troop of enlightened journalists dedicated to ...
    7 days ago
  • “That's how I roll”
    It's hard times try to make a livingYou wake up every morning in the unforgivingOut there somewhere in the cityThere's people living lives without mercy or pityI feel good, yeah I'm feeling fineI feel better then I have for the longest timeI think these pills have been good for meI ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • “Comity” versus the rule of law
    In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • Streamlining Building Consent Changes
    The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.      “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • Minister acknowledges passing of Sir Robert Martin (KNZM)
    New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago
  • Speech to New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Parliament – Annual Lecture: Challenges ...
    Good evening –   Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    16 hours ago
  • Accelerating airport security lines
    From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago
  • Community hui to talk about kina barrens
    People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into force
    Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Mining resurgence a welcome sign
    There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passes first reading
    The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government to boost public EV charging network
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure.  The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Residential Property Managers Bill to not progress
    The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Independent review into disability support services
    The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Justice Minister updates UN on law & order plan
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Ending emergency housing motels in Rotorua
    The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Trade Minister travels to Riyadh, OECD, and Dubai
    Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Education priorities focused on lifting achievement
    Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • NZTA App first step towards digital driver licence
    The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say.  “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
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