International shame – again

Written By: - Date published: 7:34 am, November 12th, 2015 - 64 comments
Categories: Abuse of power, feminism, human rights, john key, Minister for International Embarrassment, sexism, the praiseworthy and the pitiful - Tags: , , , ,

The combined antics of cynical Key and useless Carter have brought NZ international shame yet again. Here’s The Guardian:

New Zealand female MPs thrown out of parliament after disclosing sexual assaults

Women ruled out of order by Speaker for demanding prime minister John Key apologise for accusing opposition of ‘backing the rapists’

Several female MPs were ordered to leave the New Zealand parliament on Wednesday after their declarations that they had been victims of sexual assault were ruled out of order by the Speaker.

The women’s intervention came after prime minister John Key on Tuesday accused opposition Labour and Green MPs of “backing the rapists” in a row over the detention of New Zealanders by the Australian government.

Delahunty said the MPs had walked out on behalf of women around New Zealand. “We’ve walked out because every woman in this country needs to know that women parliamentarians will not put up with this,” she said.

Also covered on Buzzfeed:

Female MPs Hit Back At “Rapist” Comments By Sharing Personal Stories Of Abuse

Calls grow louder for John Key to withdraw and apologise for suggesting the opposition support “rapists”.

A group of New Zealand MPs, among them victims of sexual violence, have walked out of parliament in disgust after prime minister John Key claimed Labour supports “rapists”.

Males in a position of power using rape as a cheap political tactic and then punishing women for speaking up. Welcome to Brighter Future – looks a lot like the dark past.

64 comments on “International shame – again ”

  1. CnrJoe 1

    ” Useless Carter ” ?
    Colluding Carter.

  2. Tracey 2

    r0b

    I hope you don’t mind but I am copying this from my Open Mike Post to hear

    Through his many actions in relation to treatment of girls and women in this country Key is making this an increasingly unsafe place for girls to thrive by allowing (it seems) large portions of our male society to believe that how they view and treat women is acceptable.

    Examples from key
    http://thestandard.org.nz/serial-fondler-accuses-labour-of-backing-rapists/#comment-1093626

    (and don’t forget the use of “gay” as a derogatory term (presumably cos it make shim hip with the kids)

    An International campaign has highlighted this in the field of Sport. Behaviour can seem harmless but it has an insidiousness, an underlying impact that those perpetuating it don’t (or won’t) see. When someone stands in front of you with a knife you know you are in danger, you know you are being disadvantaged but when the knife is concealed and the perpetrator is smiling and being just an ordinary guy…

    http://covertheathlete.com/

    This one is for our PM

    “So, did you hear about the hair controversy?”
    Asked of Gabrielle Douglas

    “I just wonder if her dad did say to her when she was 12, 13, 14: ‘Listen, you’re never going to be a looker, you are never going to be somebody like a Sharapova, you’re never going to be 5ft 11, you’re never going to be somebody with long legs, so you have to compensate for that,’”
    BBC Commentator about Marion Bartoli”

    “You’re getting a lot of fans here,” “A lot of them are male, and they want to know: If you could date anyone in the world of sport, of movies – I’m sorry, they asked me to say this – who would you date?”
    Channel 7, to Eugenie Bouchard”

    ”As your profile rises, people find out more about you, your breast reduction surgery was three or four years ago. Does that play any part in your success? What about outside the tennis?”

    Asked of Simona Halep”

    https://youtu.be/Ol9VhBDKZs0

  3. Manuka AOR 3

    From that Guardian Link above, one of the comments:
    “This same government withdrew funding to Christchurch’s Rape Crisis Centre, forcing it to close. So though they are supposedly not supporting rapists, – they are not supporting the victims either.”

  4. herb 4

    No Anthony its the woman trivialising sexual assaults.
    Key is standing up and saying he isn’t prepared to walk all over Australian sovereignty to protect rapists , murders and child molesters , not to mention Labours trivial offences , such as armed robbery ,assault etc.

    Can’t see how that’s trivialising sexual assault.

    Labour have made a huge boo boo here , and pretending Keys out of line just shows how much the left operate in a vacuum

    • Heather Grimwood 4.1

      To Herb….These women were /are incredibly brave Herb, although you can’t/don’t recognise the fact. They show huge strength in progressing sense of self to attain election as M.P’s let alone acknowledge their reality publicly.
      They have my admiring support and I’m sure that of many.

    • Tricledrown 4.2

      Desperate spin Herb.

    • tracey 4.3

      Actually he used the word “molesterers”.

      Anyhoo no muderers or rapists amongst the NZ contingency herb. And one with indecent assault on children. Just like the prominent NZer is accused of. Key would never lend support to someone like the prominent New Zealander aye?

    • Paul 4.4

      So you’d defend anything Key does.
      Pony tail pulling.
      Trivialising rape.

    • ankerawshark 4.5

      Herb what a load of tosh! Obviously the arguements about human rights and not using rape for political purposes (i.e. to score cheap points against the opposition rather than dealing with this issues) will be lost on you, so I won’t bother.

      So here’s the self serving answer to your stupid opinion as you clearly have no moral compass. Locking these people up, when they have served their sentences (maybe even undergone rehabilitation programmes that can work) is going to make these guys angrier, bitter and more likely to re-offend. So the idea that Key is helping protect us all by doing sweet fa about these guys is lying spin. If you have fallen for this bullshit spin line, then consider my words. Is ignoring these dguys, treating them appallingly, denying them their human rights going to help the general public, here or OZ be safer? NO NO NO.

  5. AmaKiwi 5

    It’s not just physical and sexual abuse. It’s about a sick image of what our society has become. That image is “real” men work; “real” women raise children; and we are all happy Kiwis with a brighter future.

    This fictionalized world view ignores the reality that many, women work full-time (often for less than a living wage) AND simultaneously raise the children by themselves. (The average NZ marriage lasts only 3 years.) This situation results in:

    1. exhausted and angry women workers who can never upscale their work skills and don’t have the time to maintain a social support network to help them cope, and
    2. exhausted and angry children deprived of parenting and raised by the schools, electronic devices, and gangs and;
    3. schools which, instead of teaching devote major resources trying to cope with difficult children who can’t learn because they are emotionally and materially deprived, and
    4. overweight children because time-stressed Mum relies on prepared and fast foods and plugs the kids into electronic devices.

    It’s not just about physical and sexual abuse. It’s about a worldview which worships money and is blind to social disaster caused by ignoring the human needs of women and children.

  6. ianmac 6

    USA “The Atlantic” also reports the issue. What a bad thing to be famous for.
    In the eyes of overseas, “Is this the same one who had to apologise for pulling the waitresses hair?”
    “Anger in New Zealand’s Parliament

    Several female legislators were thrown out of the House chamber Wednesday for protesting the prime minister’s remarks invoking rape.”
    http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/11/new-zealand-parliament-sexual-assault/415371/?utm_source=SFFB#article-comments

  7. Daniel Cale 7

    The only people bringing the country into disrepute are the MP’s who walked out. If they seriously think that fighting to keep rapists and murderers in detention is offensive, then they have neither the wit nor the intellect to represent kiwi’s.

    Oh, and the other people bringing the country into disrepute are many of the kiwi’s being detained, some of whom are now on their way back to Australia after causing the riot!

    • Anne 7.1

      You project too much. Wit and intellect and an ability to read properly are not your strengths! To begin with it’s now been revealed that John Key lied. No NZers on Xmas Island are murderers or rapists.

      You sound like the sort of imbecile who thinks men are superior to women so its OK to treat them any way they choose. Modern day cavemen in other words.

    • Hayden 7.2

      “fighting to keep rapists and murderers in detention”?

      Prime Minister John Key is calling for Kiwis in Australian detention centres to fly back to New Zealand to work through their appeals.

      A policy change in Australia a week ago means New Zealanders being held in detention centres, including those on Christmas Island, can choose to be deported and get on a flight the next day.

      Key strongly encouraged they did that rather than staying in the conditions they’re in and said they would be assisted on their return to New Zealand.

      Source: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/73168403/kiwis-detained-on-christmas-island-should-come-home-tomorrow–key

      Does not compute.

    • Paul 7.3

      You lose credibility when you defend Key on this.
      You clearly would support him whatever he does.

  8. Dorothy 8

    Its not just about the rapists and murderer comments. Its as much about demeaning the office of Prime Minister. The House belongs to the people, he represents us to the world, and yelling across the floor to the Opposition in such a manner, leaves me embarrassed for our country. Get some gravitas Mr Key, and behave as the Prime Minister. The position deserves some sense of status and your low behaviour demeans the status of the position. Its nit your private domain to do with it what you want. Insults hurled across the floor like that smack of schoolyard bully. Time for you to grow up and act like an adult.

    • Reality 8.1

      When the PM is rattled, and Richie/Royals are not in sight, the schoolyard bully in him quickly surfaces. His poor taste discussing his personal habits on radio is also very demeaning of a prime minister. Likewise his penchant for ponytails (10 year old boys at school do that, not a prime minister).

    • AmaKiwi 8.2

      What makes you think schoolyard bullies stop bullying when they grow up?

      I my life I have no experience they do.

  9. Mike Bond 9

    Just how can people now blame JK for the walkout of woman and other MP’s. I am confused as the way I see it, JK has refused to back Labour and storm over to Auss to tell them to be nice to our criminals. It is irrelevant if there was murderers or rapists on the island. They are on the list of possible deportees. Key gets nailed and says he is using this as a political tool? What BS!!!!! [RL: Deleted. Too far and not acceptable.]

    This is again an “own goal” from the opposition who just can’t seem to get anything right. I can’t wait for Little to get over to Auss to tell them just how to run their country! Bring on the popcorn.

    • Heather Grimwood 9.1

      To Mike Bond…I don’t know when I’ve read such a paragraph of disgusting comments.

      • maui 9.1.1

        The trolls posting their feelings on this thread do make themselves out to be total assholes.

        • DoublePlusGood 9.1.1.1

          Yes, it’s quite clear that they:
          1) Are happy for human rights violations to occur, as long as it is to someone they perceive to be a ‘bad person’.
          2) Are happy to see experiences of rape be trivialised, minimalized and silenced.

        • tracey 9.1.1.2

          All we can do is show compassion and offer them advice

          “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.

      • Gangnam Style 9.1.2

        This topic is bringing out the uglies. So Mike Bond thinks they made it all up to score a political point, so a question to you Mike Bond…, would you yourself Mike Bond make up being sexually assaulted to score a political point? Yes or no, genuine question, truly curious.

        • Mike Bond 9.1.2.1

          I would not! As I said, I hope charges are now going to be laid with the police to bring these perpetrators to justice.

          • weka 9.1.2.1.1

            You clearly implied that the women MPs were making up stories abou being sexually assaulted in order to score political points. I’ll name your comment as supportive of rape culture, and note that in 2+ days that’s the first time I’ve felt the need to do that (which is a pleasant surprise).

    • nukefacts 9.2

      You’re disgusting, revolting comment simply shows what an uncaring, nasty tool of the right you truly are.

      How do you know those brave women MP’s haven’t complained to the police? Key is nailed because there’s a riot that may endanger the lives of NZ citizens, many of them not even criminals like the soldier who defended Key in Afghanistan, and all he can do is insult the opposition by implying they support rapists!

      FFS! Grow a brain Natz tool.

      Key doesn’t even know how many rapists, murderers etc there are on Christmas Island- it’s all positioning to distract attention from the fact he’s a useless pussy who’s getting pushed around by the Aussies because all he does is manipulate fools like yourself through these distractions to stay in power. That’s his sole aim – stay in power, not help NZ citizens in danger in a foreign country.

      Think about that when he opens his lying mouth. You’re being used and your either too dumb to get it, or you’re just another one of the Natz dirty politics operators trolling this site.

      • Gangnam Style 9.2.1

        Just like Patrick Gower waving that piece of paper on telly the other night, he got totally used & got made to look like a fool. The Nats played ya like a yoyo Paddy.

        • Trey 9.2.1.1

          Is Paddy “played” by the Natz or “payed” by the Natz? It is hard to believe that he is that stupid to believe the bollicks he spouts.

      • Mike Bond 9.2.2

        [RL: Deleted]

        • tracey 9.2.2.1

          “I am saying that I think we all agree that the guys on Christmas Island awaiting
          deportation are criminals! ”

          40% of the people on that island have committed no crime.

          I was raped/sexually assaulted and I will fight for Human Rights even when it is hard because without it, we become a nation of people like you, and I do not wish that on my chidlren or theirs.

          Ignorance is an illness “Mike Bond”, and you may be terminal. There is a cure, it is to educate yourself before opening your mouth or typing a word. And at least having the courage to admit when you have been spouting opinions based on information subsequently proven to be false.

    • tracey 9.3

      “Mike Bond” you have gone too far. You are an intermittent poster who seems to go in spurts

      A few days ago, imo, pretending to be a former Labour supporter

      http://thestandard.org.nz/serial-fondler-accuses-labour-of-backing-rapists/#comment-1093519

      ” lost my support for ever!”

      Yet in 2014 you wrote this

      http://thestandard.org.nz/tpp-roundup/#comment-1079488

      I dont care what part of the political spectrum you are on, your comments are getting out of hand.

      Your behaviour has become more and more troll-like and your most recent effort which suggests that any victim of sexual abuse who hasn’t laid a complaint with the police is making it up is a step too far. You make this an unsafe place for many people.

      You need to cool off, calm down and think about how your posts might be affecting others, not only those who post here but those who read here and do not post. Take some time to read our Policy too
      http://thestandard.org.nz/policy/

      [RL: Mike I totally agree with tracey. Take a week off.]

  10. Gangnam Style 10

    That picture in the Guardian under that headline, made me very embarrassed to be a NZr, so many people have been sexually assaulted in this country. I am a male in my mid to late 40s, brought up in a small town NZ. I sexually assaulted by the teen age boy next door when I was between 4-6, & I have never told anyone. Those woman knowing they would get their comments ridiculed & some not believed (‘claimed to have been sexually abused/assaulted’ – Mike Bond above), are truly courageous. They have guts & my admiration. Thanks.

    • miravox 10.1

      I’d like to think your story was a rarity to Gangnam Style, but as you say, it happens far too often. If the likes of Mike Bond were to learn anything from this saga, I would hope it would be:

      1. Despite experiences of abuse, people (including the MPs who protested against the PM’s use of victims) can still believe in upholding the principle of Human Rights. The State behaving justly is something people who have been victimised can, and often do, understand. Mike Bond is not speaking for victims, like the PM he is speaking for himself. As you’ve shown right here, people who have experienced sexual assault can speak for themselves when the time is right. They will also decide on what they will do about it. I know there is a strength in making the decision to let things go, or to hold people to account, as you see fit. Unlike Mike’s imagining there is no ‘one size fits all’ crime or response to that crime.

      2. Mike Bond seems to spend a lot of time imagining what he would do if he were a victim. Maybe he should spend a little more time learning the effect of his words (and the words and actions of people like the PM) have on people who have been victims of sexual assault. There are plenty of resources out there.

      Be kind to yourself today Gangnam Style, that comment was a tough thing to do.

    • tracey 10.2

      Thanks for speaking up. We should never lose sight of the numbers of people who are victims of sexual abuse. How many offenders that means there are out there. And how many uncharged offenders are in positions of power to influence how women and children are viewed/used.

      You have my admiration.

      kia kaha

    • Lara 10.3

      Me too Gangnam Style.

      Kia kaha

  11. nukefacts 11

    BTW Mike Bond, Key already has form here. He sexually harassed a waitress then arranged to smear her name any way he could through that revoltting National party troglodyte Rachael Glucina, and has repeatedly fondled little girls ponytails in public! Not to mention he’s gutted funding to rape crisis, mental health etc. This guys is an uncaring, sexist abuser of women and kids who really really doesn’t give a shit about who he hurts.

    • Mike Bond 11.1

      This comment says it all about you nukefacts. When you want to compare hair pulling to rape and sexual assault it just shows you are also out to score a political point. I for one don’t give a damn about the criminals on Christmas Island. Just sad that they are coming back to New Zealand. When a criminal choses to ignore another persons human rights, they give up their human rights to. Their victims did not chose to be violated/ molested etc. So glad that you chose to defend these criminals.

      • ianmac 11.1.1

        Though all those criminals have finished their sentences Mike. You want to re-sentence them?

        • tracey 11.1.1.1

          Mike is having some time off

        • Draco T Bastard 11.1.1.2

          He seems to be the typical RWNJ who believes that punishment should last forever.

          • tracey 11.1.1.2.1

            It’s interesting to see who has crawled out of the woodwork this week to run the lines for the PM on this site. Equally it is interesting to see which of our regular Key supporters who have said nothing.

      • nukefacts 11.1.2

        Mike, of course you had to resort to Key’s trick of equating any opposition to your view as supporting criminals. Nice lump of red meat for the right wing meat grinders like yourself.

        As an unreformed kiwi bloke I can see you just don’t get it. It wasn’t ‘hair pulling’ from Key – it was a sustained campaign of sexual harassment that was unwanted and repeatedly rejected by the woman, and nevertheless continued by the PM. This sort of behaviour is part and parcel of how men treat women. I have worked with such men and can tell you, from their OWN WORDS, this is how they start out down the road to sexual assault. What Key did to her is very very close in many men’s minds to assuming they have the right to do whatever the hell they want to women. I’ve even interviewed a guy who thought that because a woman didn’t beat him up for similar behaviour, she wanted to have sex with him!!! This is how it plays out when men like Key get away with what they do.

        And just so you know, some rights are inalienable. You know, we had this nasty thing called WW2 that led to universal declaration of human rights, and just because someone commits a crime, they don’t forgo their human rights.

        Also, it now looks like more than 40% of the detainees there have no criminal convictions, so once again, you’re facile ridiculous argument is bullshit.

  12. NZSage 12

    This is another sad indictment on New Zealand’s mainstream media who needed the eyes of real newspapers and reporters to highlight the misogynistic tendencies of The National Party and The Speaker of the House

    • tracey 12.1

      I was thinking that too NZSage. Yesterday was the day for our media to be outraged, but our overseas news outlets got there first. No calls yesterday for the PM to resign.

      Yes resign. He used a problem that is rampant in this country and has victims that number so high we don’t even know who they all are, to wriggle out of a difficult political situation. He used victims of sexual violence.

  13. Tricledrown 13

    Grovelling Key has resorted to now.
    No apology.
    Narcissism is why he can’t apoligize.
    World Media making Key the laughing stock ,top story in many publications.

  14. Dale 14

    I think this whole thing is getting very blurred. Australia is expelling undesirables back to where they came from. So what.
    There are rapists within the group of people who are being sent back.
    NZ does the same thing ,and so they should.
    The real crime is they get to beat up and rob asylum seekers before they go. This problem is bigger than just Christmas Island.
    Their giving the good Kiwis over here a bad name.
    FYI it’s a bit of a non story here. We just want them gone.

    • Gangnam Style 14.1

      Yes I know, you guys would deport your aborigines if you could get away with it “bro”.

      • Expat 14.1.1

        A new prison in the NT opened last year able to house 5000 prisoners, you know who most of the inhabitants are, the estimated cost to house one prisoner per year is around 100k, multiplied by 5000 prisoners is money better spent on prevention, the indigenous population has fewer rights than Kiwi’s and other non citizens, a classic example of Australia’s wonderful human rights policy.

  15. Vaughan Little 15

    when does name.suppression on the prominent new zealander get lifted?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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