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In praise of David Cunliffe

Written By: - Date published: 11:25 am, December 5th, 2011 - 131 comments
Categories: david cunliffe, david shearer, Economy, energy - Tags:

I enjoyed Jenny’s piece the other day on David Shearer’s leadership abilities. His skill at taking the ball and running with it, and doing what he thinks is right. I want to similarly praise David Cunliffe for his leadership in economic thinking. God knows we need someone who gets the problems and the solutions. Cunliffe brings that understanding in droves.

I’m a Green voter but I’m under no illusion that in the next leftwing government, there will be a Labour Prime Minister and Labour’s outlook will be crucial to shaping how the government faces problems.

Watching Q+A, first the Davids contesting the Labour leadership and then the global economic crisis, I was struck by how inter-related the issues are. It’s clear National has no new ideas for the economy. What’s they’re doing now, they planned 5 years ago – tax cuts 1st term, asset sales 2nd. Labour needs to lead the new economic thinking, as it always has done. So which David would do it?

I think either Shearer or Cunliffe will be an excellent PM come 2014. Unlike David Parker, both of them have that spark that makes them PM material. But I’m looking for more than the ability to win the Prime Ministership. I’m looking for someone with big ideas for once they get there. What I’m looking for is a leader who gets the big problems facing the country and at least knows the directions we have to look in for solutions.

On Q+A, the talking heads wisely intoned that new thinking is needed. They talked about how any economic change in New Zealand needs to be led by the government – the builder of infrastructure, 35% of the economy, and the only player with the access to the big amounts of capital needed to undertake really big projects. And then 2 of the 3 (Jon Johansson and John Tamihere) endorsed Shearer for the leadership (Helen Kelly abstained).

I find it surprising that people are talking about Shearer as the face of change. In fact, he is the old guard’s man now they’ve realised Parker couldn’t win. I’m concerned that Shearer would be led by the people who put him there – who have proven good at keeping their own power but don’t have a stellar record on new thinking, or on winning elections. With only 2 and a half years in the job (Key had had 4) Shearer’s clearly still green and doesn’t seem to providing much in the way of new thinking.

Now, check out this from Cunliffe in a debate with English last month:

“let’s get real, we can’t dig enough coal, we can’t milk enough cows to lift New Zealand’s income to the level we need to aspire to. The bigger game is investing in clean technology in transitioning to a low-carbon, highly-efficient future. We face fossil fuel shortages, we face oil shortages around the world, and that will put up the price of energy in New Zealand. Energy in New Zealand should be abundant. We are 80-odd percent renewable in our electricity system that Bill English wants to sell to foreign multi-nationals. We’re headed to 90% and I think we should aim for 100%. And we would be one of the luckiest countries in t he world if we could do that and add in more smarts and technology. But being an extractive, low-wage, low-value economy is taking New Zealand in the wrong direction. And, what’s worse, National’s paving the road to obscurity by selling down our assets”

Cunliffe was the only senior politician talking about the actual economic/energy realities we are facing (and placing the problem with asset sales within its true strategic context).

When you look at Labour’s big policies at the last election – capital gains tax, superannuation reform, savings, monetary police, R&D – they’re all about the long-term, fixing big problems because that’s what government ought to bloody well do, and they’re all from the finance spokesperson. Cunliffe is actually the face of change.

Cunliffe’s problem is that it’s not just the old guard backing Shearer – various members of the Labour Ulterior, press gallery figures, and the Right have put their names behind him too. I guess the worry is that merely getting the big job might disappoint enough expectations, confound enough narratives, to put Cunliffe on the backfoot and written-off by the media from day 1.

I don’t know. What I care about is a sustainable and fair economy. Cunliffe’s the one thinking about how to get us there. Whoever gets the leadership, Cunliffe needs to have a big role in setting Labour’s direction.

Because in 2014, we’re going to be another 3 years past peak oil, we’re going to be in another faux recovery after another oil spike/financial crisis recession, we’re going to have lost another 135,000 people to Australia at last year’s rate, Christchurch will probably be hollowing out rather than rebuilding, we’re going to be poorer and more indebted as a nation, and we’re going to need someone who can look past the worn out neoliberal and Keynesian playbooks for answers.

131 comments on “In praise of David Cunliffe ”

  1. Timemaster 1

    Did anyone else just hear John Pagani bagging Cunliffe on Nine to Noon? If it’s anything to do with rumours he’s planning to work for Shearer, he should bloody well say so.

    • Agreed Timemaster.  Pagani is part of the old guard, Goff’s speechwriter.  

      I said in the post about denationalizing that Pagani is scaremongering about Cunliffe.  He said in a recent post, applying the most possible spin, that Cunliffe has talked about “forced” renationalisation of the power company shares.

      Regrettably this not quite what David said.  He has talked about how he would “look to buy back the assets”.   On Q&A he said the following:

      “SoE partial privatisation no.  I don’t stand for a paler shade of blue.  I want to look down the barrel and say this, if the Government is going to precious state assets then we will not rule out renationalising some of them.

      Espinar:  ”You would buy them back?”

      Cunliffe:  ”We should look very hard at that.”

      Note that Cunliffe only committed to look to buy the assets back.  And I agree use of regulatory powers could affect return on the assets.

      Good spin by Pagani though.  Cameron must be giving him lessons. 
       

    • the sprout 1.2

      Pagani is the essence of the failed old guard. he played a big part in Goff’s failure

      • pollywog 1.2.1

        …and hes got a stupid beardy thing in his blogger pic on stuff.

        • John Pagani 1.2.1.1

          Cheers. I’ve got a stupid beardy thing in real life. My children say it makes me look like a goat.

      • Draco T Bastard 1.2.2

        he played a big part in Goff’s failure

        Yep, he was the idiot telling Goff that Labour should be more like NAct and it’s what Goff did and it’s that, IMO, that led to another 10% of the population not voting.

        • Anne 1.2.2.1

          Agreed. They tried to mould Goff after Key’s personna – even down to the ‘smile and waves’. Key got away with it, Goff came across as cheesy and insincere. I found it excruciatingly embarrassing. Phil should never have allowed it to happen.

        • John Pagani 1.2.2.2

          I don’t think I ever said ‘be more like NAct’, although a few people said that’s what I said.

          I did point out that the reason National is popular is that a lot of people like some things they do, and we need to recognise that.

          We can’t pretend we can simply package things better.

          Labour’s values are popular, but we need to ask why people are rejecting Labour, and to me you don’t get very far by analysing rejection as only a matter of presentation. I don’t believe most voters are being fooled.

          But that’s not the same as bending policy to whatever is popular, or adopting their policy platform.

          • Colonial Viper 1.2.2.2.1

            I don’t believe most voters are being fooled.

            Really? Explain to me how so many people who earn less than $60,000 p.a. are voting National (and against their own best interests) without “being fooled?

      • John Pagani 1.2.3

        By the way, just to clarify – was it you who wrote the day before the election that you were voting for NZ First?

        • the sprout 1.2.3.1

          that’ right John. can’t say i enjoyed it but i’m glad i did.
          i guess just like you, i can’t say i’ve always voted for Labour.
          unlike you though, i’ve never cost them votes either.

    • Cactus Kate 1.3

      Pagani attended the Hooton corporate function for Shearer on the Sunday yes.

      • Conditional 1.3.1

        That’s interesting. Pagani and Shearer…any other supposed “lefties” you spoke to at the do?

      • Damos 1.3.2

        So this is interesting… Shearer is clearly not ready right? He goes to this party, writes his speech on the plane (cute) and then he is in boots and all. I don’t like Mallard much, so my string of logic says, Shearer is the interim candidate and in a year when the polls haven’t shifted much, Shearer falls on his sword for … Robertson? 

        Why is Robertson on this right-wing ticket do you think? Cunliffe seems pretty left and progressive, I thought that’s where Robertson was too, or am I wrong?

        So many questions!!  

    • John Pagani 1.4

      Hi. I don’t believe I ‘bagged Cunliffe’, and I wouldn’t because I rate the guy highly.

      I criticised the position on renationalising assets, because I think it’s important and it’s my job. I also had a different take on the debates.

      And – I’m not planning to work for anyone other than my existing clients, but if you know someone who wants to offer me work, I would be delighted to hear from them.

      • daveo 1.4.1

        But your existing clients are mainly the Labour leader’s office aren’t “they”, John?

        • John Pagani 1.4.1.1

          No.

          [Deleted…badgering commentors to ‘out’ themselves is not acceptable. See your comment below….RL]

          My existing clients are people who work hard to save the lives of other people, people who are working in corners of the globe to end poverty, and people who are trying hard to make a better world. Among others.

          • Colonial Viper 1.4.1.1.1

            Yeah, and Lloyd Blankfein said he’s doing God’s Work, through Goldman Sachs.

            [And that was unhelpful CV. It’s poor form not to accept what people say about themselves on face value, unless you have evidence to the contrary….RL]

            • Colonial Viper 1.4.1.1.1.1

              Fair enough comment RL, it must be my cynicism taking off.

              Bear in mind I’m not doubting the veracity of John’s statement, from a certain point of view.

              Because when I read John’s claims he could very well be working as PR for Monsanto, Exxon Mobil or Lockheed Martin based on his comment. Each one of those multinationals has a conceivable moral justification in making those exact same claims: that they are indeed saving lives, ending poverty and “trying hard to make a better world” (at a price). Selling GM crop seeds, over-priced fuel to hospitals in third world countries or making cruise missiles to blow up ‘terrorists’.

      • mickysavage 1.4.2

        John you seem to be “mistaken” on Cunliffe’s position on renationalisation. Care to address this?

  2. Bored 2

    How the fekk did it get to this stage? We have the media (MSM) driving some imagined two headed race for Labour Party leadership with “opposing factions”……

    We also have David versus David….plus supporting deputies and cast….who is shagging this cat? The MSM or the Labour caucus?

  3. Damos 3

    Pagani? Lol, he’s the guy that steered them towards trying to win back white, middle-class men, you know, that Labour strong-hold.  If he and Mallard are backing David Shearer, then I feel bad for him as he won’t last long with their knives around. 

    Let’s all be honest, we like David Shearer, nice guy and clearly has talent to burn, but if he were honest, on day one… can he take on National? He may appear like John Key, the bloke, but if Key isn’t there in two years and it’s Joyce then the media will crucify Shearer and so will National.

    My fear is that if Shearer becomes the leader because everyone thinks he’s so neat-o and Mallard is pulling all the strings with Pagani doing the communication… not only will David Shearer get knifed (and that must not happen because he is too worthwhile), Labour loses AGAIN and not just lose but lucky to be past 20% of the party vote. 

    I just don’t understand why they’ve spent so long trying to stop David Cunliffe from being leader, clearly he is much more left than they like but it’s not about you Trevor, or Pagani, it’s about us and I will tell you something, it’s not wonderful out here.  

    • Anthony 3.1

      So it’s probably the same couple of eggs that had Phil Goff trying to emulate John Key at the start of his term.

      Doesn’t sound too inspiring.

    • the sprout 3.2

      well put damos

    • John Pagani 3.3

      I don’t believe I have ever suggested Labour should identify its target voter as “trying to win back white, middle-class men”, although I am not opposed to white middle class men voting Labour.

      That is not the way I would ever identify a target vote.

  4. One of the biggest claimed risks with Shearer is that he will be told by others what what to do too much.

    This contrasts with the risk that Cunliffe will not listen to others enough. He’s already stating things that I’d have thought should be up to the caucus and party as well as the new leader, like who deputy is and whether to buying back assets.

    Would it make sense to appoint a temporary leader, review the past three years and the election campaign, decide on how the whole party wants to move forward, and then choose appropriate leadership?

    There’s a risk that new leadership won’t be compatible with subsequent new direction, unless that is merely dictated by leader..

    • No Pete and you are wrong.  You should give the benefit of your wisdom to the follicled one.  He needs all the help he can get.

      • pollywog 4.1.1

        Must be something in the swill at parliament that makes it hard to pull their snouts out of the trough once they’re in.

      • Pete George 4.1.2

        What if Labour have a thorough party and policy review and decide CGT is fading in favour around the world and is the wrong approach, fiscally and electorally, but Cunliffe still insists it’s what he as leader wants to keep promoting?

        Or are you suggesting the Labour caucus should just choose one person now and meekly follow the leader? Hard to know what you’re arguing becasue you don’t, all you seem to do is keep attacking the messengers you’re told to.

    • mikesh 4.2

      He said only that he would “look hard at renationalizing”. I suspect he was making no promises because such a course would need caucus support. However I feel sure he is committed to it in his own mind.

    • felix 4.3

      Can’t say I entirely disagree with Pete George.

      This whole thing is being done a bit bloody hastily for my liking. I’d much rather this fight happen in few months time after a lot more sober contemplation by all concerned.

  5. Peter 5

    Yes, I must concur with James on this. I have discussed peak oil and energy with many Labour MPs, and so far, in my view only Cunliffe gets the urgency of this issue. Hell, Michael Cullen once admonished me publicly for even bringing it up…

    As energy is critical to everything, it is for this reason that I back him for the leadership over Shearer.

    I am seeing a rather large anti-Cunliffe knocking machine emerging within the media, and the ex-Labour staffer commentariat. This is worrying if it’s being directed. One of the less pleasant legacies of the post-Rogernomics Labour party (and one that was necessary at the time) is Labour’s ability to just keep soldiering on, and ignore the need for change. It might have made sense when Prebble’s men were still hiding in every LEC, waiting for the chance to select their own, but that time has well and truly past.

    This post showcasing some of Cunliffe’s many abilities is therefore timely, and probably overdue.

    If New Zealand stands any chance at all (and on the numbers and sheer resiliency of this place, it does) it needs leaders who get energy. It is, after all, energy that determines the range of all possibilities, especially in a depleted future.

    I don’t want a leader who seems nice, even if they have contributed massively in rough spots overseas. I want a leader who gets New Zealand and its challenges first.

    There is only one choice then.

    • seeker 5.1

      @Peter 12.04am

      “As energy is critical to everything, it is for this reason that I back him for the leadership over Shearer”

      I think the Brits wish they had someone who ‘gets energy’. This from the Guardian yesterday:

      “For his part, Osborne has made it clear that short-term expediency motivates his actions: we cannot save the planet until we have saved our economy, he argues. This view is straightforward but mistaken in many ways. Consider the political issues. Exposing parts of our finest countryside, such as Chesil Beach or the Norfolk Broads, to the threat of industrial development risks alienating the strong Tory vote of these areas. David Cameron, who made much of his championship of green causes at the last election, has also been made to look foolish.

      Then there are the economic concerns. Slashing support for renewable energies and providing tax relief for heavy, energy-intensive industries will only increase Britain’s reliance on fossil fuels. By contrast, committing the country to the development of wave, tide and solar energy projects would have helped Britain wean itself from oil and gas, which we are importing at ever-increasing costs. This investment could also have helped create technologies, including tide and wave power plants, whose sales round the world could have made billions for Britain in future decades. A golden opportunity has been lost.”

      http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/dec/03/climate-change-observer-editorial

  6. Bored 6

    Thank Christ Cunliffe can see the energy crisis and has a strategy to deal to it.

  7. Pete 7

    Frankly, I haven’t formed a final view on Shearer or Cunliffe. I’m flip-flopping between the two. I do think that Cunliffe did sound more sure of himself than Shearer did on the Q+A interview over the weekend so on that I’m leaning towards Cunliffe – he did have a more memorable turn of phrase – but I’m sure a bit of media training would help Shearer on that issue.

    • the sprout 7.1

      shearer has proven resistant to media training and has shown precisely no improvement in his communications skills since being installed as an MP.

      i really don’t believe shearer’s deficits can be improved with any amount of training, even if he did develop the realisation that he desperately needs it. and why would you go for a candidate so lacking in essential skills in the hope that he might improve, when cunliffe already has those proven skills in bucket loads? makes no sense. 

      • Vicks 7.1.1

        I wasn’t aware that Shearer had media training in the last few years. Are there facts we need to hear about or is it just conjecture.

        Despite what may be seen as a lack of media experience, Shearer has qualities that can’t be taught. Shearer can use his experience building teams and bringing people to the table. As much as I like Cunliffe he polarises people.

    • Damos 7.2

      Do you think it is just about media training though? I mean one on one with Key, or Joyce or English or even Brownlee… I’m not so sure.  The thing I think we are all missing is yep, Shearer dodged bullets in the middle east, but don’t I need a leader who can fire back with enough depth of knowledge about the policy AND the politics to be credible? 

    • Culchie Kev 7.3

      Agree Pete

    • dancer 7.4

      See, I do not think it is about media training. Phil Goff spoke wonderfully about the issues he was passionate about in debates and in speeches, regardless of any media training. But he was still fumbling in other areas.

      When you see Cunliffe deliver speeches, or press interviews, he speaks very eloquently because he truly believes what he says. He doesn’t have to fake any knowledge of economics, and how his policies relate to his ideology. He doesn’t have to sift for answers.

      This is exactly what Labour needs. I truly believe that there is a left-wing majority in NZ. We just have to make it so that it is easier to support Labour. That can be done by having a leader who can speak without wasting the next three years perfecting a media ‘technique’.

      I will be joining these people and supporting David Cunliffe

      http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-David-Cunliffe-Support-Page/182904941804278

      [We have an author called “Dancer”, so could I request that you choose another nickname please? Thanks. r0b]

    • David 7.5

      ‘Sound bites’ said JT of Cunliffe yesterday: But in fact Cunliffe had analysis, a knowledge of how things like capital markets for PPPs work. and, based on lots of other experiences of him, truckloads more. That is not something, I think, you can learn from a little more media training. I am not saying media training wont help Shearer, but the difference here is between someone who can cut through and analytically and communicatively engage and win a high level economic debate (eg with Key, indeed with anyone) and someone who is always going to struggle with that stuff at that level.

    • AnnaLiviaPlurabella 7.6

      Media training does not give you a deep core: your upbringing and life experiences does.
      Media trading does not give you speed of thought and fast access to relevant facts: years and years of attention to the detail of ALL portfolios gives you that.

      Shearer fumbled, digressed, uumed aahed, on Close-up, on The Nation, on Q&A and tonight in Hamilton because he is plain out of his depth. See him in Palmerston tomorrow, Wellington, Chch and Dunedin. This is an embarrassment. Grant was entertaining and good in Hamilton and drove back to Auckland with Shearer. But he will be on the phone to Trev and Annette saying WTF!!!

  8. Shearer should do the right thing…

    …pull out and back Cunliffe 100% to clean out the crusty leftovers from the last millenium.

    • Damos 8.1

      Hmmm… now THAT would work, Cunliffe as leader and Shearer deputy… that would almost smell like succession planning.  Shearer should pull out and endorse Cunliffe if he is smart and is actually working for Labour and not Mallard. 

      I hope I have that right, I read a couple of times that Mallard is doing Shearer’s numbers… I would imagine he is also behind all the sniping against Cunliffe over the years.  

    • Vicks 8.2

      Leadership is about building teams, motivating teams and being the face of the organisation. All of which Shearer can do eg his work for the UN, NZer of the year, MBE etc.

      With no disrespect intended to Cunliffe (and yes I know he may have a great team in his electorate) – to a wide audience he is not gifted in this way. Media skills can be taught easily – leadership can’t.

    • Vicks 8.3

      Cunliffe was raised by the crusty leftovers from the last millenium!

  9. smokeskreen 9

    David Cunliffe is absolutely the best person to lead Labour during these difficult times. He has all of the credentials required and the background experience in Government which David Shearer does not have at the moment. Shearer could be easily manipulated by those supporting him who have more experience than he does, which would not be good for Labour.

    David Cunliffe is articulate, intelligent, an excellent debater, has all of the facts and figures at his fingertips and is certainly a match for the opposition and media. This is the type of person Labour needs to win the next election. Anything less and Labour could be consigned to the history books indefinitely. The worst thing would be for Labour to make the wrong choice and have to change leaders mid term – this would be a disaster – so get it right Labour hierachy – this is a crucial vote for the Party’s and the country’s future.

  10. Jono 10

    I would have to hold my nose to vote for a Labour Party of Mallards, Paganis and Tamaheres. Better red than dead and all that but Jaysus swept, put me in the category of voters who would prefer non-performing boofheads getting the boot by someone a big brain and some big gonads (balls, ovaries, dont care which) who can represent ‘the Other’ AND provide some meat and potatoes for working women and men.

  11. RedLogix 11

    Ok so I’ve thought about it. As with many here I like them both, but I’d go with Cunliffe. He has the track record, the communication skills and the ideas.

    A large part of me still finds this whole obssesion with a Presidential style of leadership in which the entire effort and purpose of the left gets wrapped up into one person, with all their natural foibles and limitations, plain perverse in this day and age when working together in groups is the only real way to get things done.

  12. aj 12

    Labour cannot wait for 1 year or two while Shearer gets up to speed, and he clearly has a lot to do.
    Cunnliffe is already up and running, if he fails in 2014 then Shearer will get his turn.

    (Actually I prefered Parker to either of them – a Parker/Cunnliffe team would have been impressive_

    • pollywog 12.1

      Parker reminds me of wormtail in Harry potter.

    • Anne 12.2

      Labour cannot wait for 1 year or two while Shearer gets up to speed, and he clearly has a lot to do.

      Precisely. The campaign for the 2014 election starts now. Not in a year or two’s time.

  13. tsmithfield 13

    Labour, please don’t choose Cunliffe as your leader. Unconfident, stammering Shearer is a much better bet to take on John Key. 🙂

  14. Jeremy 14

    Get behind Shearer jeez, and please do not compare shearer to key. Shearer is the people’s choice, he will steer Labour in the right direction.

    • Damos 14.1

      I think what most of us are saying though Jeremy is Labour don’t want to go Right, with Mallard and Pagani organising this. Shearer isn’t a lost cause, but he isn’t right for leadership.  Pitting another version of Key against Key is weak and when Key goes, possibly this term, who will Labour look to then.  If you’re all stuck, you could vote Green 🙂

    • pollywog 14.2

      Given the choice, the people would probably go more for Richie McCaw and Brooke Fraser as his running mate.

      • Damos 14.2.1

        Disappointing, I thought Grant Robertson had left wing credentials, he is backing Shearer and on the Mallard ticket. You lot are crazy if you vote in two MPs with less than 6 years between them. 

        Good luck to you. 

        • Jasper 14.2.1.1

          Its not for the members to decide. Its up to the 34 elected losers who apparently have all the wisdom and collective knowledge of 25,000 members.

          So what do we get? Oh, email your MP and tell them what you want.

          Fat lot of good that’ll do. The only way to settle the score is to allow the leadership to be opened to a members vote at the first conference in 2012.

  15. Afewknowthetruth 15

    ‘The bigger game is investing in clean technology in transitioning to a low-carbon, highly-efficient future.’

    Cunliffe is clearly uninformed, scientifically illiterate, and doesn’t understand the predicament we are in at all. I guess that would make him a ‘perfect’ choice for leader, maintaining a long tradition of uninformed, scientifically illiterate leaders.

    There is no such thing as ‘clean technology”. ‘Clean technology’ is one of many big lies promulgated by those who want to profit from the ignorance of bulk of society. ‘Clean coal’, ‘the hydrogen economy’, ‘carbon sequestration’, ‘biofuels’ … you name it, it’s all bulllshit designed to kep the masses deluded and prop up unsustainable arrangements a tiny bit longer.

    Even this part: ‘low-carbon, highly-efficient future.’ is useless, I’m afraid.

    A low carbon econmomy would delay the point at which the Earth becomes largely uninhabitable for mammals, but won’t prevent that outcome. Only a zero carbon economy, based entirely on naturally generated carbohydrates (as was the case before the Industrial Revolution) might prevent planetary meltdown. That’s if it’s not too late already.

    I fully understand that the vast majority of the people are ignorant of the facts (despite the best efforts of thousands of individuals and a many organisations to inform them) and many people are very happy to remain ignorant. I am reminded of scenes from ‘The Day The Earth Caught Fire’

    http://www.ovguide.com/the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-9202a8c04000641f8000000000ace30f

    How prescient that film was!

    The only point of interest at this stage of the game (humans have been attacking the Earth for the past 10,00 years but went into hyperdrive a couple of decades ago) is whether or not Peak Oil will demolish the world economy before the world econony demolishes the habitability of the planet we live on.

    • dave brown 15.1

      FKTT our survival depends on mobilising people to rapidly change the way they produce. We have at a minimum to stop the NACTs ‘mine it, drill it and sell it’ in the next 3 years. Labour could play a part in that it if committed to keeping hydro and and geothermal power production in state hands and stopping burning oil and gas. Its up to the rest of us to push hard towards that. As for mining and drilling carbon we have seen large protest actions on both fronts. They need to be ramped up greatly. If yours is not to be a counsel of despair and inaction you need to get behind serious actions that can make a difference to our fate. There is a difference between delaying the day of reckoning and waiting around for the earth to catch fire. I think about it like this. My children may survive but will their children already born survive to have children.

    • Draco T Bastard 15.2

      There is no such thing as ‘clean technology”.

      But there is such a thing as sustainable technology. Wind turbines and hydro power are a couple examples of such. Done properly they’re not destructive.

  16. muzza 16

    So have any of you managed to answer the question about –

    ” How will NZ pay off its mathematically unrepayable foreign debt”?

    Cunliffe was not able to answer it when we met with with, so lets see how you lot go today..

    Anyone want to have a go at it – Those who put such big tickets on who their team leader is!

    • mikesh 16.1

      The question has no answer since it is a contradiction in terms. As Michael Hudson says “Debts that can’t be paid, won’t be.”

      • muzza 16.1.1

        The question has no answer is both correct and wrong at the same time…

        Of course because the debt can’t be mathematically paid off, does not meant that people should not take notice that there is poverty, starvation, child abuse and other suffering in NZ, not least because of the debt fraud, which takes real money out of the country, which in turn makes us all worse off, and promotes the suffereing of the vulnerable!

        So in actual fact there is an answer, and that is to start paying attention to real issues and asking real questions, and demanding that your team start discussing real issues once they have chosen their team leader..Don’t just settle back into your chair high fiving yourself if your guy becomes the new face…make sure that he then starts to function like someone who gives a toss about his own country and not just hus priviledged position – ACCOUNTABILITY!

        So few people on this site have any clue at all, my god NZ is a simple place full of simple people!

        • the sprout 16.1.1.1

          much better muzza 😉

          • pollywog 16.1.1.1.1

            So few people on this site have any clue at all, my god NZ is a simple place full of simple people!

            I pray thee enlighten my simple soul oh wise and blessed one with thy good and many clues.

            Bestow upon this simple reader the benefit of your goodly counsel kind sir.

        • mikesh 16.1.1.2

          You remind me, curiously, of that firebug chappie on Outrageous Fortune. :- )

      • Colonial Viper 16.1.2

        Well its actually a pretty easy answer, you default on the debt and start again, preferably using the Government as the main source of credit for the economy.

    • Spratwax 16.2

      Easy- institute a fairer tax system immediately. Reverse tax cuts for the rich, and institute CGT and a fairer tax system.

      Why is National borrowing so much?- because it has to recoup the tax shortfall because of the tax cuts it introduced- jeez, get with it! And seeing as most businesses (particularly corporates) and rich people pay little or no tax, despite the BS being fed to us from the right, what’s the obvious thing to do?

      Why do you think Cullen resisted tax cuts? Because he knew what the costs would be. So Key cuts taxes, then says we’re borrowing too much (after a credit downgrade) so we’re going to have have to take to welfare/government/social spending with a machete. Usual trick, works everytime.

  17. mike 17

    Cunliffe all the way. He’s ready, he’s young, he’s strong, and he’ll bring a whole different angle to political discourse that’ll wipe the floor with the current popularity quest, celebrity, pr machine stuff. Knock ’em on their arses.
    Plus he’s campaigning on a ticket with the very impressive and equally strong Nanaia Mahuta. She’s proved already with her go at Tamahere that she’s itching to deal to the failed politicians (both Maori and otherwise) who have become the sneering commentariat.
    What a team! Exciting. powerful leadership, that’s what we need now. Theses two have it in spades.

    • muzza 17.1

      [sprout: comment deleted. poor effort, try harder next time]

      • muzza 17.1.1

        Sprout – which garden did you escape from – Now you just delete what you personally do not like right!!!

        • the sprout 17.1.1.1

          no you were just being a boring troll. your insults should at least be witty or novel. outright insults and attacks on commenters with no flair, or which contribute no substance to the discussion get deleted. there are other blogs with lower standards if you’re not up to it

          • muzza 17.1.1.1.1

            Boring and lacking flair according to you sprout? While I understand you need to keep the standard up, you should also be weary of becoming that which you seem to pour scorn on. Your thinly veiled insults, are hillarious, given the average commentator on this site you seem to feel is such high grade!

            The drivel I responded to deserved a drivel response…much like I am giving your base level moderating fasicm now!

            The double standards here are about as poor as the average IQ of party voter!

          • John Pagani 17.1.1.1.2

            Kind of ironic comment from you, since I’ve just been introduced to what you have been writing about me.

    • dancer 17.2

      I completely agree Mike!

      [We have an author called “Dancer”, so could I request that you choose another nickname please? Thanks. r0b]

  18. Carol 18

    Cunliffe could possibly attract me back from the Greens, who are moving to the centre and stepping back from the key issues of class inequalities, social justice, etc.

    And it seems to me like a lot of older guys are promoting Shearer, as a blokey bloke…. a kind of backlash to the gains for women in the (“old guard”) of the Clark era. Get over it guys. Women are going to stay in politics, and in positions of power

    Shearer himself seems a fine guy, but he is being appropriated. And to me they are making Shearer look retro, and masculinist.

    Cunliffe has a much more inclusive vision for the Labour Party, embracing diversity, and tackling issues of income inequality, corporate power, resource depletion, etc more directly.

    He’s a man of vision for the future – telling it as he sees it.

    People handling Shearer seem to be playing the old neoliberal game of image politics. This is a dying form. We need to move away from the superficial focus on image, and have someone who will spark and lead debates on the crucial issues.

    • Damos 18.1

      What’s wrong with Helen Clark anyway, look what her government built! She had a vision and delivered on it, no one liked her either apparently. lol. Anyway, I don’t get why the right of Labour keep apologising for stuff Helen led and the perception she’s bad, she isn’t wasn’t and did great things.  The right of Labour, Mallard, Pagani et al are pretty screwed in the head if they think they need to move more to the right. 

      How many people didn’t vote, over a million right? I bet you anything a lot of them were Labour voters who considered Phil too conservative and the right leaning agenda too much to cope with and I bet, like me, they went Green.  If Labour moves left as it would under Cunliffe, you will get us back.  The Greens aren’t bad at all, they’re slick and well organised, but a Labour Green government is what we want, not a National-lite, key-mirroring centerist party like Pagani and his mates want.

      The more I write, the more destructive I think those people are.  Cactus, you said something about a party? What was that about?  

      • Anne 18.1.1

        “How many people didn’t vote, over a million right? I bet you anything a lot of them were Labour voters who considered Phil too conservative…. and I bet, like me, they went Green.”

        Yep. Had lunch with a couple of friends today. Always voted Labour. Both finally admitted they voted Green for the first time in the lives.

      • Colonial Viper 18.1.2

        The more I write, the more destructive I think those people are. Cactus, you said something about a party? What was that about?

        As I heard it, Shearer and Pagani attended a post election BBQ hosted by Matthew Hooten where most of the other guests were confirmed right wing media or right wing bloggers. Lockwood Smith was there too. Dunno might have some details wrong, maybe ask them or Hooten to clarify.

      • Olwyn 18.1.3

        There are very few things John Howard has said with which I agree but this is one, and perhaps the only one: he said that if you are in politics you have to occupy a principled position. From there you can negotiate, you can compromise at the edges, but without it you have no traction.

        I once heard Michael Cullen say that Michael Joseph Savage had to move the the centre to be electable. Well, yes, but it involved stretching a point at the perimeter, not abandoning a principled position, or groping around for some middle-of the road position that sounds “responsible.”

        While the third way may have seemed feasible when one could talk about the maturation of market economies, etc, those days are over. There is no third way now. In its absence, what sort of centre can you have in mind when you call yourself a centrist?

        This is why I like Cunliffe – he has stuck his stake into the ground. If he fails to live up to the position he has claimed for himself he can be held to account on that basis.

      • John Pagani 18.1.4

        “The right of Labour, Mallard, Pagani …”

        I’m “the right of Labour” now?

        I’m a “a National-lite, key-mirroring centerist party.”

        Golly. Makes a change I suppose from being an “Alliance flake”, which is the other strand of abuse.

        Easy to type anonymously, buddy. Every word I write has my name on it.

        I am more than happy to debate – but if you won’t identify yourself, nor identify what it is that makes me a “National-lite, key-mirroring centerist” then it’s hard to get a debate going.

        But just for starters – if I assume by “centerist” you mean “centrist”, then how is it that a centrist if “National-Lite”. By definition, isn’t a “centrist” equally Labour-lite.”

        [The Standard has a long standing and firm policy around privacy. Many contributors, both authors and commentors, have good reasons to keep their real-life identities anonymous. Many of us find it a liberating experience to be able to express ideas and opinions in an open forum, without the limitations and constraints of our usual persona. Of course some abuse that privilege; and to some extent that is what moderation is for. What carries weight in the discussion is the quality and persuasiveness of your ideas; not who you are.

        For this reason we do not tolerate any attempt to ‘out’ contributors, either directly or indirectly, in any form. Attempting to bully or manipulate a commentor into revealing who they are is flirting with getting all the wrong attention from the moderators. I’m not unsympathetic to how you may feel; but maybe this is part of the price you pay for having the public media platform. …RL]

        • lprent 18.1.4.1

          John. You didn’t appear to particularly like my sole post about you with my handle on it either.

          The “my name” argument that is a stupid argument because it really just just depends on how skilled people are at expressing opinion under their own name or otherwise. I have done both, and I find I have more impact under my name. I have been writing opinion about others under my own name for a long time. I have had decades to learn how to frame it for effect- just as you have.

          But this is much more of a level playing field because it is there to allow people to argue in public and without affect to them. It is a place to provide what the moribund party structures haven’t allowed for a while – free and frank discussions.

          The moderators are arbiters of what is permissible. Not you or any other self appointed diviner of taste.

          What you see on these pages is mostly opinion. If people move into fact then the moderators keep an eye on it for defamation. But if you want to argue with opinion, then do so.

          If you don’t have an argument, then don’t try the ‘anonymous’ one. It just pisses everyone off, including me. I could always express my opinion under my own name about people who do that and why I think they are doing it. I often do.

          You probably won’t like it.

        • pollywog 18.1.4.2

          [deleted]

          How about playing the ball not the man ? Argue the points and don’t worry what someone’s name is.

          If it makes you feel safer, in case you got your arse handed back in shreds, create a pseudonym and make a case with more substance than…Me John Pagani. Me use real name. Me have weightier opinion because of it.

          I mean do you seriously think Shearer is a match for Key in a one on one debate and that Mallard still has something to offer the party ?

          [lprent: The converse also applies. Don’t make fun of people’s appearances just because they choose to make their names known. I have no wish to see flamewars about something so trivial. ]

        • the sprout 18.1.4.3

          Pagani once again showing just how in touch he is 😆

      • lprent 18.1.5

        Damos: Apparently there was a post-election party to do with the iPredict / electionresults contributors and selected guests at Matthew Hooten’s place.

        There has been an interesting level of speculation coming my way around how much that party had to do with surprising level of across the political spectrum support when David Shearer launched his bid for the leadership. I’d admit that I was surprised by that type of support myself, which is why I referred to it in my post when David Parker dropped out of the race. I tend to be suspicious when online people come out of the woodwork proclaiming support for a politician in another party that they know even less well that I do (although I do need to turn up at LEC more often)

        Personally I tend to consign this type of speculation to conspiracy bin, and wait for Slater to find them.

  19. Afewknowthetruth 19

    DTB

    Windmills and hydro dams are destructive and are unsustainable -it’s just that the detruction and unsustainability are less obvious that in the case of other technologies.

    I’m sure we have gone over this at least a dozen times and still it doesn’t sink in.

    The smelting of iron ore to make steel requires enormous quantities of coal and releases enormous quantities of CO2 into the atmosphere.

    The production of cement from limestone requires enormous amounts of energy and releases enormous amounts of CO2, both from the combustion of the fuel and the decomposition of the calcium carbonate.

    The transport of equipment, excavation and maintenace all require the use of diesel/petrol fuelled vehicles.

    And not only do hydrodams drastically interfere with (wipe out) pre-existing ecosystems, but they also often gradually silt up.

    As I have pointed out on numerous occasions, we live in a generally scientifically illiterate society. And I might add, there are far too many engineers who think that everything has an engineering solution.

    It’s all in the book I am reluctant to mention too often.

    • Draco T Bastard 19.1

      The smelting of iron ore to make steel requires enormous quantities of coal and releases enormous quantities of CO2 into the atmosphere.

      But does it have to? Considering that iron in NZ is smelted using electricity I suspect that the answer is no.

      The production of cement from limestone requires enormous amounts of energy and releases enormous amounts of CO2, both from the combustion of the fuel and the decomposition of the calcium carbonate.

      Then we need to look at other ways to make concrete.

      The transport of equipment, excavation and maintenace all require the use of diesel/petrol fuelled vehicles.

      No it doesn’t. Horse and cart works fine.

      And not only do hydrodams…

      And as I’ve pointed out before – we don’t need hydro-damns.

      • Afewknowthetruth 19.1.1

        DTB

        Before we continue this ‘conversation’ can I just point out that I have an Honours Degree in Chemistry and a First Class Diploma in Industrial Technology, and have writen three books on the topic we are discussing.

        Where we we?

        Oh yes, about to remove the O from Fe2O3 using electiciity instead of C was it?

        How are you going to do that? Heat the iron ore to above its melting point (660oC) and pass an electic current through it, as is done in the production of alumium?

        http://ibchem.com/IB/ibnotes/full/ope_htm/hall_cell.htm

        That will take about as much energy as is required to keep a modest city going. And, in case you are unaware, the carbon electrodes burn away rather quickly, generating CO and CO2. Unavoidable.

        ‘Then we need to look at other ways to make concrete’

        That takes us into the realms of alchemy, turning base metals into gold etc. since concrete is formed by heating calcium oxide with silica. That’s what concrete is. And concrete is a unique substance.

        There is only one practicable way of obtaining calcium oxide in large quantities and that is by the decomposition of calcium carbonate

        CaCO3 + heat goes to CaO + CO2

        Sorry mate, the laws of chemistry are very much against you, which is what I have been saying for at least the past 6 months.

        I know none of this is what people want to hear. They want to hear that ‘if only we do this’ or ‘if only we do that’ we can keep industrial civilsation going.

        It’s not going to be that way. Industrial civilisation was only ever a ‘blip on the chart’, a short term aberration in the grand scheme of things, and it will all over very soon.

        • Colonial Viper 19.1.1.1

          Give me a break, if we want to we can achieve a very capable ecotechnic civilisation (hat tip to John Michael Greer).

          Not industrial civilisation as we have known it from the 1960’s onwards, but pretty damn fine to live in nonetheless.

          And yes, we we will still be able to make steel, perhaps not in the multi million tonne quantities of today, but it will still be quite possible and likely.

          • Draco T Bastard 19.1.1.1.1

            And yes, we we will still be able to make steel, perhaps not in the multi million tonne quantities of today, but it will still be quite possible and likely.

            We (NZ) don’t produce produce millions of tonnes and most of what we do produce is exported. This is true of almost everything we produce which is why I keep saying that if just produced what we need we can become sustainable while keeping a living standard pretty close to what we have now.

            The reason why we produce more than what we need is simply because of the capitalist free-market which a) creates poverty for the many and b) uses up resources as fast as possible so as to maximise profit.

        • pollywog 19.1.1.2

          Shouldn’t you be making opiate for the masses to nullify the impact of the inevitable then…ecstasy maybe ?

        • Draco T Bastard 19.1.1.3

          That will take about as much energy as is required to keep a modest city going. And, in case you are unaware, the carbon electrodes burn away rather quickly, generating CO and CO2.

          That’s what we know now which is why we need R&D on it. And I’m still sure that those electrodes burning away will produce less CO2 than burning coal.

          BTW, the Tiwai Point smelter already uses the electricity of a modest city (15% of NZs supply of electricity actually) and it’s likely to be shut down in the near future – we don’t have the bauxite in NZ to feed it and the oncoming fuel shortage will make importing it uneconomical. We do have iron sands though.

          And concrete is a unique substance.

          Then we need a replacement substance – more R&D.

          …a short term aberration in the grand scheme of things, and it will all over very soon.

          Present processes will go away, industrial civilisation will continue – just not in it’s present form.

          • Colonial Viper 19.1.1.3.1

            That’s what we know now which is why we need R&D on it. And I’m still sure that those electrodes burning away will produce less CO2 than burning coal.

            Its net carbon emissions which count.

            So get half the petrol and diesel vehicles off the road and you’ll get leeway to make a heck of a lot of iron.

  20. Treetop 20

    When it comes to the type of questions which will require an accurate answer in the next three years they are economic questions.  Cunliffe is the person who can do this as he has done well in the portfolio of shadow finance minister.

    Muldoon was both finance minister and leader and Cunliffe can do this to.

  21. PS 21

    Just come up on FB – The David Cunliffe Support Page. Good work. Send a message now and share!

    https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-David-Cunliffe-Support-Page/182904941804278

  22. Hami Shearlie 22

    Have to say Cunliffe would be the best choice IMHO. Remember Bill Rowling, by all accounts a very intelligent and clever man, and yet, he was terrible on TV and Muldoon destroyed him. Everything depends on your tv persona these days, from Parliament, current affairs programmes, news etc. Cunliffe is polished on tv and knows his stuff. Shearer seems very unsure of himself, and prevaricates. No training can get him to Cunliffe’s standard in time for Parliament in February. So as much as I admire Shearer, Cunliffe is the only one who can take it to Key in Parliament and on tv. Also, Shearer would be overpowered by Winston in the debating chamber, Cunliffe will not! Labour MP’s should look at who can win the next election instead of their personal opinions and petty gripes. Divided, they will fail in 2014.

    • seeker 22.1

      Total agreement Hami. And I think Cunliffe will make a wise and effective leader and future Prime Minister, and we haven’t seen too many of those around in the last three years.

      • swordfish 22.1.1

        Absolutely agree. Cunliffe’s the obvious choice. Just have a horrible feeling it may already have been decided in the other direction.

  23. belladonna 23

    I agree that Cunliffe is the only choice. The Nats are also playing Labour like a violin it seems.
    Dont the Shearer supporters actually wonder why the media and the Nats are spinning Shearer for all they are worth. Their naivity is breaktaking.

    • Too much conspiracy, I think it’s a lot simpler.

      When Shearer first put his hand up he looked like an interesting option. He needed to show he could step up very quickly. I don’t think he’s done this – I guess he’s got another week but unless he suddenly manages to find another level I think the choice is obvious.

      Will caucus just automatically accept Mahuta as the already chosen deputy or will there be a contest? Or a compromise?

      • lprent 23.1.1

        It is a separate caucus vote. Usually the way that compromise is signalled is that there are sudden changes in the people standing.

        You have to remember that this hasn’t happened since 1993? when Helen Clark and Michael Cullen were successful in the last contested leadership selection. So I am a wee bit rusty myself.

        It has been amazing over the years looking at the amount of nostalgia that the media have towards Labour leadership contests. I get the impression that they look over the Tasman and feel somehow deprived.

  24. Spratwax 24

    I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again- Cunliffe stands for traditional Labour priniciples and Labour will need to stand on these at the next election because of the massive discontent with National as a result of their policies. There will be a backlash as many of the middle class slide down the social ladder. People won’t be looking for a ‘lighter shade of blue’ as DC puts it.

    This is not the time for Shearer due to the fact he lacks experience, and I believe his supporters are indeed a ‘lighter shade of blue’ and will hugely influence the inexperienced Shearer. In 2014 NZer’s will be wanting something quite different to what has been thrust upon them in the preceding 3 years.

  25. It’s not online yet, but Trotter’s latest column in The Press today was about how “Shearer’s the Man”.

    I’m getting confused.

    In the column Trotter says Labour cannot afford to simply put up a John Key clone … so they have to choose Shearer (??). Most other commentators seem to see Shearer – in his, “I’m just an ordinary Kiwi with no political framework underpinning my thinking” – as the ‘Key clone’.

    Also, so far as I’m aware, Cunliffe (perhaps only by a whisker, but maybe more) is more economically left-wing than Shearer (who seems very sporadic – others might say ‘pragmatic’ – on his issue by issue commitments, in terms of any left economic analysis).

    Yet Trotter, who has written previously about National’s proposed workplace legislation – which suggests that Trotter prefers more left-leaning economic thinking – wholeheartedly supports someone who doesn’t seem to have the same unequivocal beliefs over someone who seems to be closer to those beliefs.

    Trotter also seems to believe that Shearer will completely renovate the internal processes (including conferences, etc.) that Labour employ so that discussion and debate is opened up for a more ‘popular’ (in the ‘population’ sense) policy positioning (no prostitution reform, no removal of the right of a ‘reasonable force’ defence on children, no civil unions??). (Note that such a shift would mirror Key’s positioning so, once again, it would make Shearer the ‘Key clone’ candidate – yet Trotter doesn’t seem to see it that way.)

    Is there any (public) evidence that Shearer has these ‘process’ renovation plans in mind? Haven’t heard much about it other than in Trotter’s column.

    Is there any (public) evidence that Cunliffe doesn’t have something similar in mind, given his commitment to “renewal and regeneration”?

    I may have it wrong, but it seems that Trotter’s main concern has something to do with the various ‘factions’ I’ve heard talked about (I have absolutely zero connections to or within Labour, so I’m going simply on what I pick up in the news, here and elsewhere): The ‘rainbow’ faction, the feminist faction, the ???

    It looks like it might be another round in the ‘bloke’s faction’ versus the rest struggle that I heard about a conference or two ago. If that’s the case, it’s interesting that Trotter clearly thinks it more important to push the ‘bloke’s faction’ rather than push for more economically left instincts in the leader.

    I might have it wrong – just trying to read the tea-leaves/stains left in the various media.

    Interesting times indeed.

    • mike 25.1

      I read that garbage too. With friends like Trotter, who needs enemies?

    • the sprout 25.2

      Trotter has all the insight of Pagani and seems to share many of his views

    • Colonial Viper 25.3

      Is there any (public) evidence that Cunliffe doesn’t have something similar in mind, given his commitment to “renewal and regeneration”?

      Indeed, Cunliffe has committed to sorting out Labour from top to bottom, as its new leader.

    • Carol 25.4

      If that’s the case, it’s interesting that Trotter clearly thinks it more important to push the ‘bloke’s faction’ rather than push for more economically left instincts in the leader.

      That’s how I see it too. This really is the old old guard, nostalgic for the 50s.

    • David 25.5

      Trotter at best is genius. But usually these days is just all over the show, sentimentally, radically, sloppily, sloshingly all over the show. Sorry Chris but what’s going on: you are channelling everyone from Pagani and Farrer to JT and McCarten. You were sooo off the mark on soo much in this thing. Both of these guys (Cunliffe/ Shearer) if they are reading anything will be looking at UK and Aust Labour models. The partial primary we are having to help decide between them is in my estimation the kind of thing they have in mind. Labour will become more democratic not less.

  26. cherryjeary 26

    Shearer is the man to make the correct decsions for Labour.

  27. Corin Ball 27

    Cunliffe is the obvious choice, Shearer seems a good guy but too soft and inept to be an effective leader.

  28. randal 28

    I dont care who gets the job. I am a party man andd will wholeheartedly support whoever gets selected.
    the thing is that Labour needs to look past sexual politics and wooly headed ideas as drivers for policy.
    somebody needs to get tough and tell it like it is instead of cowering behind focus groups and letting the nashnull gubmint telling Labour how to eat its lunch.

  29. hush minx 29

    Watching the various threads of debate I have to ask – if David Shearer’s strength is building teams then why can’t he build a team with David Cunliffe at the head? Cunliffe is clearly the one who can be up and running NOW and that’s what Labour needs to be able to be in the game. Don’t forget the Greens and NZFirst will be contesting the political space in the debating chamber in just a couple of weeks. And I have yet to hear him be articulate about bring women back to Labour (as haven’t they gone to the Nats and the Greens? Not just women of course!). I also remember how this site, amongst others, pointed out that Key had missed large portions of NZ history (Springbox tour etc) – so given his time away how much is Shearer really grounded in real NZ?

  30. Roy 30

    I’m surprised that no-one has mentioned that Cunliffe can lock in the cat-lovers’ vote.

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    The chair of Parliament’s Select Committee looking at the Government’s resource management legislation wants the bills sent back for more public consultation. The proposal would effectively kill any chance of the bills making it into law before the election. Green MP, Eugenie Sage, stressing that she was speaking as ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    15 hours ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #12 2023
    Open access notables  The United States experienced some historical low temperature records during the just-concluded winter. It's a reminder that climate and weather are quite noisy; with regard to our warming climate,, as with a road ascending a mountain range we may steadily change our conditions but with lots of ...
    24 hours ago
  • What becomes of the broken hearted? Nanny State will step in to comfort them
    Buzz from the Beehive The Nanny State has scored some wins (or claimed them) in the past day or two but it faltered when it came to protecting Kiwi citizens from being savaged by one woman armed with a sharp tongue. The wins are recorded by triumphant ministers on the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • Acceptance, decency, road food.
    Sometimes you see your friends making the case so well on social media you think: just copy and share.On acceptance and decency, from Michèle A’CourtA notable thing about anti-trans people is they way they talk about transgender women and men as though they are strangers “over there” when in fact ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • Climate Change: More Labour sabotage
    Not that long ago, things were looking pretty good for climate change policy in Aotearoa. We finally had an ETS, and while it was full of pork and subsidies, it was delivering high and ever-rising carbon prices, sending a clear message to polluters to clean up or shut down. And ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Is bundling restricting electricity competition?
    Comparing (and switching) electricity providers has become easier, but bundling power up with broadband and/or gas makes it more challenging. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The Kākā TL;DR: The new Consumer Advocacy Council set up as a result of the Labour Government’s Electricity Price Review in 2019 has called on either ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Westland Milk puts heat on competitors as global dairy demand  remains softer for longer
    Hokitika-based Westland Milk Products  has  put the heat on dairy giant Fonterra with  a $120m profit turnaround in 2022, driven by record sales. Westland paid its suppliers a 10c premium above the forecast Fonterra price per kilo, contributing $535m to the West Coast and Canterbury economies. The dairy ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    1 day ago
  • BRYCE EDWARDS’ Political Roundup:  The Beehive’s revolving door and corporate mateship
    * Bryce Edwards writes – New Zealanders are uncomfortable with the high level of influence corporate lobbyists have in New Zealand politics, and demands are growing for greater regulation. A recent poll shows 62 per cent of the public support having a two-year cooling off period between ministers leaving public ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • Bryce Edwards: The Beehive’s revolving door and corporate mateship
    New Zealanders are uncomfortable with the high level of influence corporate lobbyists have in New Zealand politics, and demands are growing for greater regulation. A recent poll shows 62 per cent of the public support having a two-year cooling off period between ministers leaving public office and becoming lobbyists and ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    1 day ago
  • A miracle pill for our transport ills
    This is a guest post by accessibility and sustainable transport advocate Tim Adriaansen It originally appeared here.   A friend calls you and asks for your help. They tell you that while out and about nearby, they slipped over and landed arms-first. Now their wrist is swollen, hurting like ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    2 days ago
  • The Surprising Power of Floating Wind Turbines
    Floating offshore wind turbines offer incredible opportunities to capture powerful winds far out at sea. By unlocking this wind energy potential, they could be a key weapon in our arsenal in the fight against climate change. But how developed are these climate fighting clean energy giants? And why do I ...
    2 days ago
  • The next Maori challenge
    Over the past two or three weeks, a procession of Maori iwi and hapu in a series of little-noticed appearances before two Select Committees have been asking for more say for Maori over resource management decisions along the co-governance lines of Three Waters. Their submissions and appearances run counter ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • Secret “war-crime” warrants by International Criminal Court is mischief-making
    The decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue war crimes arrest warrants for the Russian President and the Russia Children Ombudsman may have been welcomed by the ideologically committed but otherwise seems to have been greeted with widespread cynicism (see Situation in Ukraine: ICC judges issue arrest warrants ...
    2 days ago
  • How to answer Drunk Uncle Kevin's Climate Crisis reckons
    Let’s say you’re clasping your drink at a wedding, or a 40th, or a King’s Birthday Weekend family reunion and Drunk Uncle Kevin has just got going.He’s in an expansive frame of mind because we’re finally rid of that silly girl. But he wants to ask an honest question about ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • National’s Luxon may be glum about his poll ratings but has he found a winner in promising to rai...
    National Party leader Christopher Luxon may  be feeling glum about his poll ratings, but  he could be tapping  into  a rich political vein in  describing the current state of education as “alarming”. Luxon said educational achievement has been declining,  with a recent NCEA pilot exposing just how far it has ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    2 days ago
  • Climate Change: More Labour foot-dragging
    Yesterday the IPCC released the final part of its Sixth Assessment Report, warning us that we have very little time left in which to act to prevent catastrophic climate change, but pointing out that it is a problem that we can solve, with existing technology, and that anything we do ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • Te Pāti Māori Are Revolutionaries – Not Reformists.
    Way Beyond Reform: Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer have no more interest in remaining permanent members of “New Zealand’s” House of Representatives than did Lenin and Trotsky in remaining permanent members of Tsar Nicolas II’s “democratically-elected” Duma. Like the Bolsheviks, Te Pāti Māori is a party of revolutionaries – not reformists.THE CROWN ...
    2 days ago
  • When does history become “ancient”, on Tinetti’s watch as Minister of Education – and what o...
    Buzz from the Beehive Auckland was wiped off the map, when Education Minister Jan Tinetti delivered her speech of welcome as host of the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers “here in Tāmaki Makaurau”. But – fair to say – a reference was made later in the speech to a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • Climate Catastrophe, but first rugby.
    Morning mate, how you going?Well, I was watching the news last night and they announced this scientific report on Climate Change. But before they got to it they had a story about the new All Blacks coach.Sounds like important news. It’s a bit of a worry really.Yeah, they were talking ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • What the US and European bank rescues mean for us
    Always a bailout: US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the Government would fully guarantee all savers in all smaller US banks if needed. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: No wonder an entire generation of investors are used to ‘buying the dip’ and ‘holding on for dear life’. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Who will drain Wellington’s lobbying swamp?
    Wealthy vested interests have an oversized influence on political decisions in New Zealand. Partly that’s due to their use of corporate lobbyists. Fortunately, the influence lobbyists can have on decisions made by politicians is currently under scrutiny in Guyon Espiner’s in-depth series published by RNZ. Two of Espiner’s research exposés ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    2 days ago
  • It’s Raining Congestion
    Yesterday afternoon it rained and traffic around the region ground to a halt, once again highlighting why it is so important that our city gets on with improving the alternatives to driving. For additional irony, this happened on the same day the IPCC synthesis report landed, putting the focus on ...
    2 days ago
  • Checking The Left: The Dreadful Logic Of Fascism.
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    3 days ago
  • Good Friends and Terrible Food
    Hi,From an incredibly rainy day in Los Angeles, I just wanted to check in. I guess this is the day Trump may or may not end up in cuffs? I’m attempting a somewhat slower, less frenzied week. I’ve had Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s new record on non-stop, and it’s been a ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    3 days ago
  • At a glance – What evidence is there for the hockey stick?
    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 ...
    3 days ago
  • Carry right on up there, Corporal Espiner
    RNZ has been shining their torch into corners where lobbyists lurk and asking such questions as: Do we like the look of this?and Is this as democratic as it could be?These are most certainly questions worth asking, and every bit as valid as, say:Are we shortchanged democratically by the way ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • This smells
    RNZ has continued its look at the role of lobbyists by taking a closer look at the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff Andrew Kirton. He used to work for liquor companies, opposing (among other things) a container refund scheme which would have required them to take responsibility for their own ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • Major issues on the table in Mahuta’s  talks in Beijing with China’s new Foreign Minister
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta has left for Beijing for the first ministerial visit to China since 2019. Mahuta is  to  meet China’s new foreign minister Qin Gang  where she  might have to call on all the  diplomatic skills  at  her  command. Almost certainly she  will  face  questions  on what  role ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    3 days ago
  • Inside TOP's Teal Card and political strategy
    TL;DR: The Opportunities Party’s Leader Raf Manji is hopeful the party’s new Teal Card, a type of Gold card for under 30s, will be popular with students, and not just in his Ilam electorate where students make up more than a quarter of the voters and where Manji is confident ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Make Your Empties Go Another Round.
    When I was a kid New Zealand was actually pretty green. We didn’t really have plastic. The fruit and veges came in a cardboard box, the meat was wrapped in paper, milk came in a glass bottle, and even rubbish sacks were made of paper. Today if you sit down ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on how similar Vladimir Putin is to George W. Bush
    Looking back through the names of our Police Ministers down the years, the job has either been done by once or future party Bigfoots – Syd Holland, Richard Prebble, Juduth Collins, Chris Hipkins – or by far lesser lights like Keith Allen, Frank Gill, Ben Couch, Allen McCready, Clem Simich, ...
    3 days ago
  • CHRIS TROTTER:  Te Pāti Māori’s uncompromising threat to the status quo
    Chris Trotter writes – The Crown is a fickle friend. Any political movement deemed to be colourful but inconsequential is generally permitted to go about its business unmolested. The Crown’s media, RNZ and TVNZ, may even “celebrate” its existence (presumably as proof of Democracy’s broad-minded acceptance of diversity). ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Shining a bright light on lobbyists in politics
    Four out of the five people who have held the top role of Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff since 2017 have been lobbyists. That’s a fact that should worry anyone who believes vested interests shouldn’t have a place at the centre of decision making. Chris Hipkins’ newly appointed Chief of ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Auckland Council Draft Budget – an unnecessary backwards step
    Feedback on Auckland Council’s draft 2023/24 budget closes on March 28th. You can read the consultation document here, and provide feedback here. Auckland Council is currently consulting on what is one of its most important ever Annual Plans – the ‘budget’ of what it will spend money on between July ...
    4 days ago
  • Talking’ Posey Parker Blues
    by Molten Moira from Motueka If you want to be a woman let me tell you what to do Get a piece of paper and a biro tooWrite down your new identification And boom! You’re now a woman of this nationSpelled W O M A Na real trans woman that isAs opposed ...
    RedlineBy Admin
    4 days ago
  • More Māori words make it into the OED, and polytech boss (with rules on words like “students”) ...
    Buzz from the Beehive   New Zealand Education Minister Jan Tinetti is hosting the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers for three days from today, welcoming Education Ministers and senior officials from 18 Pacific Island countries and territories, and from Australia. Here’s hoping they have brought translators with them – or ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • Social intercourse with haters and Nazis: an etiquette guide
    Let’s say you’ve come all the way from His Majesty’s United Kingdom to share with the folk of Australia and New Zealand your antipathy towards certain other human beings. And let’s say you call yourself a women’s rights activist.And let’s say 99 out of 100 people who listen to you ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • The Greens, Labour, and coalition enforcement
    James Shaw gave the Green party's annual "state of the planet" address over the weekend, in which he expressed frustration with Labour for not doing enough on climate change. His solution is to elect more Green MPs, so they have more power within any government arrangement, and can hold Labour ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • This sounds familiar…
    RNZ this morning has the first story another investigative series by Guyon Espiner, this time into political lobbying. The first story focuses on lobbying by government agencies, specifically transpower, Pharmac, and assorted universities, and how they use lobbyists to manipulate public opinion and gather intelligence on the Ministers who oversee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Letter to the NZ Herald: NCEA pseudoscience – “Mauri is present in all matter”
    Nick Matzke writes –   Dear NZ Herald, I am a Senior Lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Auckland. I teach evolutionary biology, but I also have long experience in science education and (especially) political attempts to insert pseudoscience into science curricula in ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • So what would be the point of a Green vote again?
    James Shaw has again said the Greens would be better ‘in the tent’ with Labour than out, despite Labour’s policy bonfire last week torching much of what the Government was doing to reduce emissions. File Photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The Green Party has never been more popular than in some ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Gas stoves pose health risks. Are gas furnaces and other appliances safe to use?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah Wesseler Poor air quality is a long-standing problem in Los Angeles, where the first major outbreak of smog during World War II was so intense that some residents thought the city had been attacked by chemical weapons. Cars were eventually discovered ...
    4 days ago
  • Genetic Heritage and Co Governance
    Yesterday I was reading an excellent newsletter from David Slack, and I started writing a comment “Sounds like some excellent genetic heritage…” and then I stopped.There was something about the phrase genetic heritage that stopped me in tracks. Is that a phrase I want to be saying? It’s kind of ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • BRIAN EASTON: Radical Uncertainty
    Brian Easton writes – Two senior economists challenge some of the foundations of current economics. It is easy to criticise economic science by misrepresenting it, by selective quotations, and by ignoring that it progresses, like all sciences, by improving and abandoning old theories. The critics may go ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: New Zealand’s Middle East strategy, 20 years after the Iraq War
    This week marks the twentieth anniversary of the Iraq War. While it strongly opposed the US-led invasion, New Zealand’s then Labour-led government led by Prime Minister Helen Clark did deploy military engineers to try to help rebuild Iraq in mid-2003. With violence soaring, their 12-month deployment ended without being renewed ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    4 days ago
  • The motorways are finished
    After seventy years, Auckland’s motorway network is finally finished. In July 1953 the first section of motorway in Auckland was opened between Ellerslie-Panmure Highway and Mt Wellington Highway. The final stage opens to traffic this week with the completion of the motorway part of the Northern Corridor Improvements project. Aucklanders ...
    5 days ago
  • Kicking National’s tyres
    National’s appointment of Todd McClay as Agriculture spokesperson clearly signals that the party is in trouble with the farming vote. McClay was not an obvious choice, but he does have a record as a political scrapper. The party needs that because sources say it has been shedding farming votes ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • As long as there is cricket, the world is somehow okay.
    Rays of white light come flooding into my lounge, into my face from over the top of my neighbour’s hedge. I have to look away as the window of the conservatory is awash in light, as if you were driving towards the sun after a rain shower and suddenly blinded. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • So much of what was there remains
    The columnists in Private Eye take pen names, so I have not the least idea who any of them are. But I greatly appreciate their expert insight, especially MD, who writes the medical column, offering informed and often damning critique of the UK health system and the politicians who keep ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A chronological listing of news articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Mar 12, 2023 thru Sat, Mar 18, 2023. Story of the Week Guest post: What 13,500 citations reveal about the IPCC’s climate science report   IPCC WG1 AR6 SPM Report Cover - Changing ...
    6 days ago
  • Financial capability services are being bucked up, but Stuart Nash shouldn’t have to see if they c...
    Buzz from the Beehive  The building of financial capability was brought into our considerations when Social Development and Employment Minister Carmel Sepuloni announced she had dipped into the government’s coffers for $3 million for “providers” to help people and families access community-based Building Financial Capability services. That wording suggests some ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Things that make you go Hmmmm.
    Do you ever come across something that makes you go Hmmmm?You mean like the song?No, I wasn’t thinking of the song, but I am now - thanks for that. I was thinking of things you read or hear that make you stop and go Hmmmm.Yeah, I know what you mean, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • The hoon for the week that was to March 19
    By the end of the week, the dramas over Stuart Nash overshadowed Hipkins’ policy bonfire. File photo: Lynn GrieveasonTLDR: This week’s news in geopolitics and the political economy covered on The Kākā included:PM Chris Hipkins’ announcement of the rest of a policy bonfire to save a combined $1.7 billion, but ...
    The KakaBy Peter Bale
    7 days ago
  • Saving Stuart Nash: Explaining Chris Hipkins' unexpected political calculation
    When word went out that Prime Minister Chris Hipkins would be making an announcement about Stuart Nash on the tiles at parliament at 2:45pm yesterday, the assumption was that it was over. That we had reached tipping point for Nash’s time as minister. But by 3pm - when, coincidentally, the ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    7 days ago
  • Radical Uncertainty
    Two senior economists challenge some of the foundations of current economics. It is easy to criticise economic science by misrepresenting it, by selective quotations, and by ignoring that it progresses, like all sciences, by improving and abandoning old theories. The critics may go on to attack physics by citing Newton.So ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • Jump onto the weekly hoon on Riverside at 5pm
    Photo by Walker Fenton on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week again when and I co-host our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kaka for an hour at 5 pm. Jump on this link on Riverside (we’ve moved from Zoom) for our chat about the week’s news with ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Dream of Florian Neame: Accepted
    In a nice bit of news, my 2550-word deindustrial science-fiction piece, The Dream of Florian Neame, has been accepted for publication at New Maps Magazine (https://www.new-maps.com/). I have published there before, of course, with Of Tin and Tintagel coming out last year. While I still await the ...
    1 week ago
  • Snakes and leaders
    And so this is Friday, and what have we learned?It was a week with all the usual luggage: minister brags and then he quits, Hollywood red carpet is full of twits. And all the while, hanging over the trivial stuff: existential dread, and portents of doom.Depending on who you read ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago
  • This station is Karanga-a-Hape, Chur!
    When I changed the name of this newsletter from The Daily Read to Nick’s Kōrero I was a bit worried whether people would know what Kōrero meant or not. I added a definition when I announced the change and kind of assumed people who weren’t familiar with it would get ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Greens don’t shy from promoting a candidate’s queerness but are quiet about govt announcement on...
    There was a time when a political party’s publicity people would counsel against promoting a candidate as queer. No matter which of two dictionary meanings the voting public might choose to apply – the old meaning of odd, strange, weird, or aberrant, or the more recent meaning of gay, homosexual ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago
  • Ask Me Anything about the week to March 17
    Photo by Joakim Honkasalo on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session for paying subscribers about the week that was for the next hour, including:PM Chris Hipkins announcement of the rest of a policy bonfire to save a combined $1.7 billion, but which blew up ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Slow consenting could create $16b climate liability by 2050
    Even though concern over the climate change threat is becoming more mainstream, our governments continue to opt out of the difficult decisions at the expense of time, and cost for future generations. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTLDR: Now we have a climate liability number to measure the potential failure of the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • THOMAS CRANMER: Challenging progressivism in New Zealand’s culture wars
    Thomas Cranmer writes  Like it or not, the culture wars have entered New Zealand politics and look set to broaden and intensify. The culture wars are often viewed as an exclusively American phenomenon, but the reality is that they are becoming increasingly prominent in countries around the world, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • District Court Judges appointed
    Attorney-General David Parker has announced the appointment of Christopher John Dellabarca of Wellington, Dr Katie Jane Elkin of Wellington, Caroline Mary Hickman of Napier, Ngaroma Tahana of Rotorua, Tania Rose Williams Blyth of Hamilton and Nicola Jan Wills of Wellington as District Court Judges.  Chris Dellabarca Mr Dellabarca commenced his ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • New project set to supercharge ocean economy in Nelson Tasman
    A new Government-backed project will help ocean-related businesses in the Nelson Tasman region to accelerate their growth and boost jobs. “The Nelson Tasman region is home to more than 400 blue economy businesses, accounting for more than 30 percent of New Zealand’s economic activity in fishing, aquaculture, and seafood processing,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • National’s education policy: where’s the funding?
    After three years of COVID-19 disruptions schools are finally settling down and National want to throw that all in the air with major disruption to learning and underinvestment.  “National’s education policy lacks the very thing teachers, parents and students need after a tough couple of years, certainty and stability,” Education ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Free programme to help older entrepreneurs and inventors
    People aged over 50 with innovative business ideas will now be able to receive support to advance their ideas to the next stage of development, Minister for Seniors Ginny Andersen said today. “Seniors have some great entrepreneurial ideas, and this programme will give them the support to take that next ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government target increased to keep powering up the Māori economy
    A cross government target for relevant government procurement contracts for goods and services to be awarded to Māori businesses annually will increase to 8%, after the initial 5% target was exceeded. The progressive procurement policy was introduced in 2020 to increase supplier diversity, starting with Māori businesses, for the estimated ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Continued progress on reducing poverty in challenging times
    77,000 fewer children living in low income households on the after-housing-costs primary measure since Labour took office Eight of the nine child poverty measures have seen a statistically significant reduction since 2018. All nine have reduced 28,700 fewer children experiencing material hardship since 2018 Measures taken by the Government during ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech at Fiji Investment and Trade Business Forum
    Deputy Prime Minister Kamikamica; distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. Tēnā koutou katoa, ni sa bula vinaka saka, namaste. Deputy Prime Minister, a very warm welcome to Aotearoa. I trust you have been enjoying your time here and thank you for joining us here today. To all delegates who have travelled to be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government investments boost and diversify local economies in lower South Island
    $2.9 million convertible loan for Scapegrace Distillery to meet growing national and international demand $4.5m underwrite to support Silverlight Studios’ project to establish a film studio in Wanaka Gore’s James Cumming Community Centre and Library to be official opened tomorrow with support of $3m from the COVID-19 Response and Recovery ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government future-proofs EV charging
    Transport Minister Michael Wood has today launched the first national EV (electric vehicle) charging strategy, Charging Our Future, which includes plans to provide EV charging stations in almost every town in New Zealand. “Our vision is for Aotearoa New Zealand to have world-class EV charging infrastructure that is accessible, affordable, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • World-leading family harm prevention campaign supports young NZers
    Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment Priyanca Radhakrishnan has today launched the Love Better campaign in a world-leading approach to family harm prevention. Love Better will initially support young people through their experience of break-ups, developing positive and life-long attitudes to dealing with hurt. “Over 1,200 young kiwis told ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • First Chief Clinical Advisor welcomed into Coroners Court
    Hon Rino Tirikatene, Minister for Courts, welcomes the Ministry of Justice’s appointment of Dr Garry Clearwater as New Zealand’s first Chief Clinical Advisor working with the Coroners Court. “This appointment is significant for the Coroners Court and New Zealand’s wider coronial system.” Minister Tirikatene said. Through Budget 2022, the Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Next steps for affected properties post Cyclone and floods
    The Government via the Cyclone Taskforce is working with local government and insurance companies to build a picture of high-risk areas following Cyclone Gabrielle and January floods. “The Taskforce, led by Sir Brian Roche, has been working with insurance companies to undertake an assessment of high-risk areas so we can ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • New appointment to Māori Land Court bench
    E te huia kaimanawa, ko Ngāpuhi e whakahari ana i tau aupikinga ki te tihi o te maunga. Ko te Ao Māori hoki e whakanui ana i a koe te whakaihu waka o te reo Māori i roto i te Ao Ture. (To the prized treasure, it is Ngāpuhi who ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government focus on jobs sees record number of New Zealanders move from Benefits into work
    113,400 exits into work in the year to June 2022 Young people are moving off Benefit faster than after the Global Financial Crisis Two reports released today by the Ministry of Social Development show the Government’s investment in the COVID-19 response helped drive record numbers of people off Benefits and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Vertical farming partnership has upward momentum
    The Government’s priority to keep New Zealand at the cutting edge of food production and lift our sustainability credentials continues by backing the next steps of a hi-tech vertical farming venture that uses up to 95 per cent less water, is climate resilient, and pesticide-free. Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor visited ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Conference of Pacific Education Ministers – Keynote Address
    E nga mana, e nga iwi, e nga reo, e nga hau e wha, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou kātoa. Warm Pacific greetings to all. It is an honour to host the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers here in Tāmaki Makaurau. Aotearoa is delighted to be hosting you ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • New $13m renal unit supports Taranaki patients
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