Is National’s Luxon among the quick or the dead?

Written By: - Date published: 7:15 am, December 8th, 2021 - 136 comments
Categories: brand key, Christopher Luxon, john key, Media, politicans, Politics - Tags: ,

My observation, as a former journalist, is that one of the most important traits for a successful political leader career is quick-wittedness.

It can’t be taught or learned – you either have it, or you don’t as David Lange or John Key had. It’s the ability, when thrown a left-field question, or a crisis blows up, to know instinctively, without hesitation, the correct response. It was best illustrated by Jacinda Ardern at the onset of the Christchurch massacre.

In his first week in the role, new National Party leader Christopher Luxon displayed quick feet that Will Jordan would be proud of. There’s been the odd slip – at the presser on day one he was well off target with figures on the living wage and the unemployment rate, while later in a tv interview he complained about extra costs for employers imposed by the new “mataangi” (sic) holiday. Though not a lay-down misère, the former Air NZ Boss piloted the turbulence of the curliest media questions in a way that suggests he could be in that select group of fast thinkers.

He cleverly front-footed a big defensive hole – his commitment to an evangelical church that is so far from centre that it could be labelled a cult. Luxon kept re-iterating the messaging of last year’s maiden speech to parliament that his faith “is personal to me” and not in itself a political agenda.

Despite this supposed separation of faith and politics, Luxon’s politics are conservative on moral questions like abortion, euthanasia or the death penalty.

His views on matters such as abortion are troubling to many of us, but even more troubling is his lack of judgement in supporting a “church” such as Auckland’s Upper Room. That church’s pastor, Craig Heilmann, has expressed extremist, far-right views on “globalists’” (code for Jews), George Soros’ apparently coaching of Greta Thunberg, Trump’s electoral loss being a conspiracy by “the administrative state” and that climate change isn’t real.

Obviously, Luxon doesn’t necessarily agree with all that claptrap from the Upper Room pastor but plenty of people legitimately ask why the content of Pastor Heilmann’s ravings on twitter and the related Upper Room website content were permanently removed on the day Luxon’s candidacy for safe seat of Botany was announced.

When Luxon was asked by Q&A’s Jack Tame on Sunday why he had stopped going to church, the former AirNZ boss gave the strange reply that it was because he kept getting hit-on for free flights to the UK, adding that his “faith is really personal to me and I don’t need to go to church to work my faith.”

Tame delved into Luxon’s other big weakness – his wealth. The Dominon Post splashed a spread about Luxon’s $21 million investment in properties – a family home in Remuera, a Waiheke Island bach, an apartment in Wellington, his electoral office and three investment properties – that has delivered him $90,000 a week in the last year in capital gains alone.

Asked why, if improving Aotearoa’s productivity was so important, did he put so much into a speculative, unproductive investment, the 51-year-old, whose annual remuneration was over $4 million at Air NZ, hinted property may only be a small part of his portfolio. “My investment goes across a series of asset classes and some of that’s in property.”

He refused to say how many homes were too many, adding it was not immoral to own multiple houses. “You are going to need people who actually have unique, great landlords. There is (sic) always going to be people who are always renting houses. We are going to need people to invest in housing.”

When asked to comment on former Prime Minister Jim Bolger comments that it was time to reconsider capitalism, Luxon said that while “some compassion in capitalism, is very, very important”, it was preferable to socialism.

“I think the bottom line is that capitalism has been a very good model for the world. It’s lifted several billion people, 2 billion people, I’d say, out of poverty in the last 20 or 30 years.”

Tame failed to note that communist China, using some capitalist methods, has lifted far more out of poverty or that Luxon’s former company, Air NZ would unlikely have survived the turmoil of the current pandemic without state support.

Luxon said he is a disciple of Bill English’s social intervention theory whereby people with “very complex, challenged and messy lives” are identified and supported. It was preferable to spend the money up front on social services and education to help them “participate”.

His views on the government’s fiscal position were in line with right wing convention. Taxes, debt and spending are all too high and he would like to cut each, but not yet.

“At this point we are not increasing taxes but I also couldn’t come to you and say we are going to lower taxes either. We would love to do that but the question is, at the moment, we need to get spending under control.”

Luxon’s solution is to invest in infrastructure to improve productivity. That will produce higher incomes and allow people choice.

He agreed with Ardern’s assertion that climate change is “our generation’s nuclear-free moment”, but criticised her government for not following up the declaration. When asked whether he agreed the Climate Commission that Aotearoa had to reduce its dairy herd, Luxon said that would open the way for dirtier dairy farmers overseas.

“What we do know there is no obvious pathway or technology today to get to the outcome we all want to get to in terms of reducing the emissions but we are the best [dairy farmers] and we should actually lead that development.”

Luxon passed Tame’s test on the articles of Ti Tiriti, saying he is open-minded on Maori solutions for Maori but then went down the rabbit hole of separatism.

“What we have been talking about and, I think in recent times, has been the notion that co-governance means 50:50 – you know separatism.” He said the proposed Maori Health Authority is a “separatist” concept.

“To me, I want to see us working as one country, equal, but actually to be able to deal with a lot of Maori inequities.”

Luxon admitted to Tame that he speaks to former prime minister John Key “several times” a week. Though at pains to tell media he is no John Key 2.0, that degree of contact suggests Key is pulling some, if not many, strings.

I have little doubt Luxon, backed up by his politically-savvy deputy, Nicola Willis, will be a far more formidable challenge for Ardern than Judith Collins was. It will be interesting, however, to see whether the electorate will again suppress its egalitarian instincts and vote for a smooth-talking rich man.

(Simon Louisson reported for The Wall Street Journal, AP Dow Jones Newswires, New Zealand Press Association and Reuters and briefly was a political and media adviser to the Green Party.)

136 comments on “Is National’s Luxon among the quick or the dead? ”

  1. Luxon didn't display 'quick-footedness' at Question Time yesterday. He asked about the number of ICU beds. Jacinda cut the ground from under him by replying the government had worked hard to ensure the ICU beds were not needed.

    So he asked about the number of ICU beds again.

    After an interruption by Seymour and a question of the traffic light system . . . he asked about the number of ICU beds again!

    SSDD

    He’s not the great white hope so many on the right think he is!

    • Chris 1.1

      Luxon asked stupid questions which gave Ardern the floor to show how on top of the detail she was.

      • Gezza 1.1.1

        Yes, agreed. The Government Ministers never even raised a sweat. The Opposition had nothing that couldn’t be easily batted to the boundary.

  2. Blazer 2

    Good,fair analysis on Luxon so far.

    He will need to lift his game though.

    Does he have that x factor/charisma?-if he does ,he's doing a wonderful job of…concealing..it.

    • Gezza 2.1

      I think he’s been advised to try several personas & the back room analysts will see which ones seem to resonate with voters polled and/or focus groups.

      They’ll be looking for opportunities to show:

      1. Mr compassionate
      2. Mr competent
      3. Mr smart/clever
      4. Mr strong (Collins will have to beware of this one – he needs to show he won’t put up with an unruly caucus, or MP bad behaviour, & won’t tolerate caucus disloyalty)
      5. Mr responsible
      6. Mr reasonable – offering to cooperate with the govt on something
        etc.

      Personally I think Sir John is behind most of what Luxon is doing.

      • Blazer 2.1.1

        That many personas should be a sure fire recipe for….failure.

        Key cultivated 'smile and wave'…all that is required…no substance,perception trumps..reality.

        • Gezza 2.1.1.1

          No, Key displayed several personas.

          Tuff guy “Get some guts”, ordinary bloke who eats hot dogs, smooth charmer of female journos (Tracy Watkins even took her glasses off & batted her eyelids at him in a coffee café interview once), wit, the diplomat, disciplinarian (with Collins, & Paula Bennet, for example) etc

          Think about it. These all worked for him for “9 looong years”. 😉

          He left when he wanted to go – & before the Nats began to crumple in on themselves because, once Winston Peters won the election for Labour, HE was apparently all National really had.

          • Blazer 2.1.1.1.1

            'get some guts'=tough guy image!laugh

            'nearly choked on his hotdog'

            Tracey Watkins is his ..age.

            lasted 8 years before his 'tank was empty'.

        • woodart 2.1.1.2

          once you can fake sincerity, everything is easy.

          • peter sim 2.1.1.2.1

            U R so (right), sorry, I meant correct.

            Ex Wall street traders are not admirable.

        • GreenBus 2.1.1.3

          He needs to show off his BBQ talents, if any, to the punters.

          This is what's missing. Oh, and play down his wealth.

          • Blazer 2.1.1.3.1

            If you've seen the frontman for Hellers Sausages,Leigh Hart…you will realise his doppelganger is Christopher7.

            • Patricia Bremner 2.1.1.3.1.1

              Blazer lol so BBQs are out then? devil They will need to find another method of saying who is in and who is out.

    • Robert Guyton 2.2

      Keeping it under his … hat.

  3. observer 3

    He's been struggling in media interviews this morning. Confused about red/orange in Auckland (TV1 Breakfast), waffling on the Reserve Bank (Morning Report).

    That doesn't matter much right now, he'll get the poll boost anyway for being new, and politics will be soon on holiday for a few weeks.

    The serious long-term issue is "what does this looseness signify?". He seems to think that bluster is a substitute for doing the homework. In reality: he's a beginner, Jacinda's an old pro. If he (privately) understands that, then he can learn over time. But it feels like he already thinks he's "got this".

    I wonder who is in his inner circle. Leaders really need advisers who can tell them what they don't want to hear. Not courtiers. (Anyone who told him he was great in Parliament yesterday should be sacked).

  4. Tiger Mountain 4

    It will be “interesting” will it Mr Louisson?, more likely disastrous if there were ever to be a Govt. led by Baldrick, his phone pal, and the parasite class of elite capitalists and finance capital whom they represent.

    The bottom 50% of NZers have just 1.7% of the total wealth. We have a nearly 40 year neo liberal state administered by this majority Labour Govt. that has undoubtedly made many decent reforms–while presiding over unacceptable poverty and homelessness and renter exploitation.

    So an NZ National Govt. is only going to make things worse for the working class–even Treasury figures over many years illustrate this. Time for journalists to expose Mr Luxon, rather than giving him figurative handys under the table.

    • Peteou 4.1

      I'll see your "The bottom 50% of NZers have just 1.7% of the total wealth" and raise you a He Puapua."

      That is the way the betting is done.

    • Tiger Mountain I do so like the cut of your jib.Keep it up,boyo.The only thing neoliberalism has given the poor is cheap TVs ,I can not recall how many manufacturing jobs ,the likes of which I am only fit for ,have been lost.Would 200000 be close to the mark.

      • Tiger Mountain 4.2.1

        You sort of need to piece it together really, from various academics writings.
        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogernomics
        If there is an overall repository of how many were sacked/displaced under Roger’n’Ruth I would like to see it.

        I worked in the NZ car assembly industry mid 70s to early 90s, and 16,000 jobs were lost there. It was called import substitution–where imported car parts had to have locally produced tyres, batteries, upholstery, wiring looms and glass added to imported CKD metal and mechanical parts. The main product of car assembly was actually jobs on good union wages, that kept South Auckland and Porirua and Thames, Nelson and other communities going well.

        Of course Douglas swung a wrecking ball through the provinces as well and people that had secure work in local authorities, infrastructure maintenance, forestry, freezing works, post, rail, telecommunications etc. were on the scrapheap with no serious mass retraining as say the Scandinavians do.

        Textiles, clothing, footwear all largely departed offshore to cheaper labour markets.
        So yes several hundred thousands sounds a reasonable estimate.

  5. Byd0nz 5

    Well if he dose'nt appear to cut the mustard, it wont be through lack of media spin in his favour as shown by a very unbalanced performance view on morning report.

  6. Chris 6

    A proponent of "Bill English’s social intervention theory whereby people with “very complex, challenged and messy lives” are identified and supported."

    Luxon misses the point that this group has expanded off the charts precisely because of the kind of capitalism he espouses. This Christian gives his cup of water to the bloodied corpses at the bottom of the cliff.

    • Gezza 6.1

      Gruesome image, but very clever metaphorical analogy because that makes it easily memorable.

      • mac1 6.1.1

        The analogy reminds me of Question time yesterday we listened to, Gezza.

        Luxon was complaining there weren't enough ambulances at the bottom of the cliff like they have in Australia.

        Ardern replied that the fence at the top kept down the casualty rate while they trained paramedics to attend the ambulance stretchers. The Australian example called for far too many hearses.

        Meanwhile, the business interests running the hotels, tours, and coffee carts at the top of the cliff want the fences removed so visitors can enjoy the view while sipping a $7 latte and hopefully scoffing a sausage roll!

    • Lettuce 6.2

      Bill English certainly had "very complex, challenged and messy" accommodation arrangement when he was in government. It was "supported" to tune of $30,000/annum by the New Zealand taxpayer, and he was very upset when it was "identified" and questioned in media.

  7. Alan 7

    "smooth talking rich man"

    I think you are missing the point here.

    Both Key and Luxon were not born rich.

    They worked hard and became successful in their chosen careers. Success resulted in wealth.

    Most New Zealanders respect talent, hard work and resultant success.

    • Blazer 7.1

      Yes Keys father owned a restaurant in St Heliers and Luxons father was an executive at Johnson&Johnson….real…battlers.

      • alwyn 7.1.1

        What was the restaurant Blazer?

        When did he own it?

        Where did this story come from?

        Speak up and prove something for a change.

        I'm waiting…..

        • Blazer 7.1.1.1

          Alwyn ,I say Alwyn….its all in his biography by John Roughan.

          I don't have a copy 4 you….but you need to understand the way politicians are marketed!

          Next ,you'll be telling me Key donated his P.M salary…to charity!no

          • Sacha 7.1.1.1.1

            Key's mother also came from a wealthy family of leather merchants in Europe. Plenty of social capital in that state house.

          • Robert Guyton 7.1.1.1.2

            We never were quite able to settle that matter, were we…
            (Charitable view)

            • Blazer 7.1.1.1.2.1

              Yes it was settled after the b/s was embedded in urban myth…

              He gave a 'portion' of his P.M salary…coulda been $5…he never would be drawn.

          • alwyn 7.1.1.1.3

            So. You think it was in a book you once read but you can't actually tell me where in the book. Is that right?

            Sorry but I really don't have the time or inclination to try and track down the details of your claims.

            As for your statement that "Next ,you'll be telling me Key donated his P.M salary…to charity".

            Why on earth would I say such a thing. If you really think it happened why won't you say it? Come on, be bold. If you think something happened you surely aren't too frightened to say so yourself? I certainly wouldn't make the claim though. If Key never said it, and no one else has demonstrated that he did it I really don't see why I should believe what seems to be a figment of your imagination.

            • Blazer 7.1.1.1.3.1

              Alwyn,I say AlwynI don't 'think' it was in a book I read.I 'know 100% it was in a book I read.

              I don't doubt you do not want to discover the truth and blow that carefully crafted persona of Key that you swallowed ,hook,line and…sinker.

              John Key: Portrait of a Prime Minister by John Roughan (goodreads.com)

              • alwyn

                "I don't doubt you do not want to discover the truth and blow that carefully crafted persona of Key that you swallowed ,hook,line and…sinker."

                Now just relax and have a nice cuppa. Then try and explain to us why you believe that Key gave all his Parliamentary salary to charity? That really sounds delusional to me.

                I very seldom read pot-boiler biographies of current politicians. I did read Brian Edward's hagiography of Helen Clark but that was an exception and a very disappointing one.

                Read Roughan's attempt. Nah. I'll leave it to you.

                • Blazer

                  Alwyn,I say Alwyn….I don't think there is any proof Key donated ANY of his salary…to charity!wink

                • ghostwhowalksnz

                  We dont believe it . But as yuou were fond of finding out about what Cullen said 'excatly'

                  Key is on record "John Key has vowed to donate "a good part'' of his government pay to charity should he be New Zealand's next Prime Minister."

                  https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/573560/Key-pledges-PMs-salary-to-charity

                  An interesting aside is that Mps salary includes an amount to 'cover the donations they are expected to make as Mps', rather than them putting down as an expense.

                  Wasnt a party donation called a charity at some stage , something to do with a round of Golf.

                  • alwyn

                    Isn't it interesting how the papers blow up a story to get a more spectacular headline. Then they blame the subject of the story if the headline turns out to be false.

                    In this story the front page of the paper was pretty much covered by, in capitals and in very large print "KEY:I'LL PAY PM'S SALARY TO CHARITY".

                    When you read the real story you find it comes back to "National Party leader John Key has vowed to donate "a good part'' of his government pay to charity"

                    Then you get what he really said "I already donate a good part of the pay I receive as Leader of the Opposition to charities and other good causes. I will continue that practice should I become Prime Minister,'' Key, above, told Sunday News.

                    Laudable of course but it really doesn't match what their headline claimed does it? Now of course we get those who dislike him pretending that that headline quoted him properly.

                    The expenses they get is meant to cover the koha they have to put in, or the raffle tickets they have to buy and so on. That isn't the sort of thing Key said he did.

                    Instead of making that last statement as a question why don't you state it as fact. Then justify it. If you can't don't say it.

                    I'm sure you wouldn't feel badly done by if I asked something like "Didn't ghostwhowalksnz get a term for drug ….?" Well that is roughly what you are doing here unless you can justify the claim. Either justify it or don't do it.

                    • ghostwhowalksnz

                      You seemed to claim that he never said anything like it.

                      A 'good part' suggest a considerable amount and the headlines are a valid claim

                    • Blazer

                      Alwyn,I say Alwyn…that headline was absorbed by a lot of people…even heard a caller to ZB a few weeks ago…stating the b/s that Key donated his salary to charity…

                      fake news works,especially when you have a dedicated black ops team.

                      So did he ever donate a dollar to charity….we must trust him,because he said he did!

                      Wheres blips list of his lies…got to over 400 from memory…'trust John Key….sure ..can't'!

                    • alwyn

                      "blip's lies"?

                      The claims he made were wrong. He claimed that Key had said things that he hadn't. I had a careful look at a sample of the things blip claimed Key had said but when you tracked down the original comment you discovered that blip had got it wrong.

                      This business about donating all his salary is just like the things blip complained about. He hadn't actually said it, even though people thought he had. I can't be bothered tracking it down but an example IIRC was the claim that he had promised to recover the Pike River bodies. He hadn't. He had said they would take all possible actions that they could do safely, or something like that, but not that they would do it. Little of course has done exactly the same thing.

                      I'm afraid, for all you true believers, that blip got it wrong. He simply hadn't read what Key really said carefully, and suspiciously enough, and he allowed himself to be fooled because he wanted to be fooled.

                    • Blazer

                      Alwyn,I say Alwyn…you ask others for evidence but can't supply any yourself!

                      You're like the psychic that got hit by a car and said…'I didn't see it…coming'!laugh

                    • ghostwhowalksnz

                      Then there was this 'charity'

                      '

                      The golfing photo of Oravida owner Stone Shi and Prime Minister John Key was the result of an up to $56,600 donation to the National Party.

                      We have of course always known about the golf game – John Key has previously said it came from Shi getting the winning bid at a "charity" auction.

                      It turns out the "charity" was the National Party.

                      https://www.newshub.co.nz/opinion/patrick-gower/opinion-oravidas-56600-golf-photo-with-john-key-2014032009

    • Jimmy 7.2

      Not many commenters on this web site "respect talent, hard work and resultant success."

      In fact I would go as far to say they despise it and want to cut down the tall poppy.

      • observer 7.2.1

        No, I definitely respect her talent, hard work and resultant success.

        • Jimmy 7.2.1.1

          Yes Jacinda has done well if that is who you are referring to. But would you still feel the same if she owned 7 properties?

          • mac1 7.2.1.1.1

            The Prime Minister wouldn't be the same person.

            I hear the liars on social media are putting it about she has more wealth than Luxon’s $21 million housing portfolio.

            • Jimmy 7.2.1.1.1.1

              No I think that is some scam website that reckons Jacinda is worth $24m? Don't think too many people believe that.

              A bloke like Graeme Hart hasn't done too bad for himself as an example. I think he left school at 16.

              • Robert Guyton

                Jacinda's worth more than that.

                I'm not interested in the framing that monetises her worth: her "value" is on another plane altogether 🙂

              • Blazer

                Yes Hart can give thanks to Douglas/Caygill for going behind Langes back and virtually gifting him a state asset….the Govt Printing Office…with multi million dollar contracts.

              • mac1

                And there's the thing, Jimmy. You respect him for making money. I look at what you just wrote and ask why he neglected his education.

                You look at Luxon and say he's done well for himself. I look at our Prime Minister, Jacinda Adern, and don't even think about money.

                Different values, different importances. As Robert says below.

      • woodart 7.2.2

        working at a fish&chip shop after school ring any bells.?

        • GreenBus 7.2.2.1

          Just coming from Morrinsville is a very down to earth upbringing.

          Tough town that one.

          • Enough is Enough 7.2.2.1.1

            Tough town?

            Its the town in the middle of the most productive dairy country in the world. I would call it affluent as opposed to tough

      • Blazer 7.2.3

        "respect talent, hard work and resultant success."

        'silver spoon,old boy networks,property investment and forex gambling'.

    • Robert Guyton 7.3

      No one's born rich – we're all born…naked.

    • AB 7.4

      Success resulted in wealth.

      There are may types of success. Most don't result in wealth – a very narrow selection of them do. Some people are very focused on that narrow range – their success consists of trying to get rich and doing so. Their wealth is not an accidental side effect of their success. Your statement could be rephrased as a tautology – "becoming wealthy results in becoming wealthy".

    • peter sim 7.5

      So what? Being born poor does not give one the right to tell every one else how to behave. Smooth talking bs gets you along way on wall street and air nz.

  8. Maurice 8

    He has to appeal to 33% of the Voters – Seymour's 17.5% puts them on to the Treasury benches.

    Covid exhaustion will be on his side …. How much longer can a Covid Queen rule?

    • Chris 8.1

      Precisely. Ardern was formidable in the House yesterday – she's certainly got what it takes. But she needs to take a little bit of whatever that is, and use it when she's talking to New Zealanders. She destroyed Luxon's stupid questions yesterday with clear detailed facts. She needs to do the same when outside of the House, and get rid of that horrible perception – together with fake Helen Clark-style smile – that she's talking down to people. If she can do that then moving from Covid Queen to whatever's next Queen will be far, far easier.

    • Hanswurst 8.2

      Only of there's no crossover between the 33% and the 17.5%.

    • Patricia Bremner 8.3

      Maurice for shame. "Covid Queen" Get a life. What do you call Boris then? You make it sound like she enjoys covid!! When she said with sincerity " it is keeping me awake at night."

      • Maurice 8.3.1

        Doris?

        • Maurice 8.3.1.1

          For some reason this just keeps humming through my mind (tiny as it is!)

          She keeps her Moet et Chandon
          In her pretty cabinet
          "Let them eat cake", she says
          Just like Marie Antoinette
          A built-in remedy
          For Khrushchev and Kennedy
          At anytime an invitation
          You can't decline

          Caviar and cigarettes
          Well versed in etiquette
          Extraordinarily nice

  9. ianmac 9

    A look at "Upper Room" website https://upperroom.org.nz/ shows what looks like a church. There would be 70+ church goers there. They all appear to be white people so perhaps the church does not appeal to the diverse population of Newmarket, or maybe diverse faces do not appeal to the church, even in Auckland.

    • ghostwhowalksnz 9.1

      They dont use the term 'church' in their branding or even in their signs outside the building in Newmarket.

      probably the way Luxon was slyly able to say he 'hadnt been to church in 5 year's, they refer to themselves as a 'fellowship' and do seem to have fellowship meetings in private homes as well as the ones at the 'Upper Room ' itself.

      But your comments about the 'diversity' seem spot on .

      Its really a version of Tamaki's Destiny church but for upper middle class white people.

  10. observer 10

    Chapeau to the algorithms (or whatever it's called) that summon up the old articles underneath the OP. Recommended reading. The comments are a mixture of prescient and … amusingly wrong.

    (Bridges was leader less than 2 years ago? Seems like several lifetimes).

    MickySavage doesn't always get his predictions right but he did well on Luxon.

    • observer 10.1

      PS Also includes Luxon's first recorded lie as a politician, more than a year before becoming an MP:

      "Christopher Luxon says he is not an option for National in the Botany seat".

      (NZ Herald, 28 May 2019)

  11. Blade 11

    ''It will be interesting to see whether the electorate will again suppress its egalitarian instincts.''

    What egalitarian instincts?

    That went out with union bosses dressed like Soviet government officials. Unlike Muldoon, I was a great admirer of Comrade Anderson… until he instigated a school holiday strike.

    Luxon's first day up against the PM was very average. However, I'm not that worried because no matter how bad Luxon is, another year of Labour and it may come down to a stark choice for voters – do you want more of this lot, or do you want to try a pot luck with Luxon?

    National really need to get around the table with Winston and work a deal. Winston isn't out of the picture yet. He could mop up voters who can't stand any of the party choices at the moment. All Winston needs do is list the things he stopped Labour doing when he was in coalition.

    • garibaldi 11.1

      If Winston is the answer then we really are stuffed. He is a toad and he always has been. In fact he always has been a has been . I remember his Tory flashiness and obnoxiousness from Albert Park in the late sixties/early seventies. He's never changed.

      • Blade 11.1.1

        True. But hard times may mean making hard decisions. National may have no choice if Jacinda remains popular. Winston knows if he gets back into parliament, it will be his swansong. Offer him something perky and preferably in the background. He would only be needed for special occasions.

        It's a very big ask for him to get back into power, and a bigger ask for him to work with National. But as someone on this site said: ''never burn your bridges.''

        ps- I hope he wouldn't bring Jonesy back into parliament. I find that pontificator worse than Winston. Every time I clean my shower head he pops into my mind.

  12. Robert Guyton 12

    Luxon, and the issue of Luxon, is boring now.

    • Gezza 12.1

      So, this will be your last comment on the guy, then?

      Is that correct?

      • Robert Guyton 12.1.1

        Too bored to respond, Gezza.

        • Blade 12.1.2.1

          Contradiction:

          1- A situation in which inconsistent elements are present.

          • Robert Guyton 12.1.2.1.1

            You've misunderstood, Blade.

            Luxon is certainly boring and that's something to be talked about, in a resigned, bored kind of way.

            Judith was fascinating (with ya, Pucky!) in the same way that watching children play with matches is fascinating, but Luxon is…

            … boring!

            Nothing wrong with that, many also-rans are boring, it's just, I'd hoped for someone…

            … interesting…

            • Blade 12.1.2.1.1.1

              So, has Gezza misunderstood?

              • Robert Guyton

                Repeatedly.

              • Robert Guyton

                As well, I'm disturbed to read that Luxon has lied already!

                • Gezza

                  Where & how has he lied?

                  • Robert Guyton

                    Observer @ 9:48 am.

                    • Gezza

                      observer

                      8 December 2021 at 9:48 am

                      PS Also includes Luxon's first recorded lie as a politician, more than a year before becoming an MP:

                      "Christopher Luxon says he is not an option for National in the Botany seat".

                      (NZ Herald, 28 May 2019)

                      He may not have been a candidate at the time he said the above. May have been persuaded to stand after that. Hardly proof of a lie.

                    • Robert Guyton

                      At least it's not boring.

                    • Gezza

                      Luxon, and the issue of Luxon, is boring now.

                      Your words, at 12. You tend to burble nonsense rather a lot, imo.

                    • lprent

                      Of course that timeline would have been before Jamie-Lee Ross started went out in public with his interesting political attitudes or afterwards?

                      Before there was a viable National MP and no room for a new National candidate. Or after when the standing MP had no political clothes or political party and National needed an emergency candidate (now the emergency party leader).

                      Context is always important in a political discussion…

                    • Robert Guyton

                      Luxon's certainly boring, but suggestions that he's started off with a lie is quite interesting, imo.

                    • Gezza

                      What's interesting is that there's no indication that what he said when he said it was a lie.

                      But two people posting here want to allege, with no proof, that it was a lie.

                    • Robert Guyton

                      2?

                      Probably 20 (or more).

                      Hard to be certain…

                    • alwyn

                      Do you really think there are 20 different contributors, who are so emphatically Luxon-haters, on any given day to this blog? That seems a bit high to me Robert. There are certainly a few of you but 20 seems to be stretching it.

                    • Gezza

                      “2?
                      Probably 20 (or more).
                      Hard to be certain…”
                      … … … …

                      Oh? That many? So you'll be able to identify & list their post numbers? Please do. I'll be interested to see how many others are making unfounded allegations.

                    • Robert Guyton

                      Now I'm thinking, 30? 40?

                      Who can say.

                      Many visitors to TS quietly watch and don't say, keen to avoid attracting blatherers and malcontents.

                      I understand their reluctance.

                    • alwyn

                      Gezza @ 2.59pm.

                      Did you really mean to provide the Morse for O O O O and then add the word Oh. Or is it just an accident?

                    • Gezza

                      @ Guyton

                      Me: "But two people posting here want to allege, with no proof, that it was a lie."

                      You: "Now I'm thinking, 30? 40? Who can say. Many visitors to TS quietly watch and don't say, keen to avoid attracting blatherers and malcontents. I understand their reluctance."

                      … … …

                      You seem to have comprehension problems. You are saying 30 or 40 people have posted here (or want to) with no proof that Luxon lied when he said what he said above?

                      If they're reading your posts on this thread alone they can't sure can't avoid blatherers.

                      Clearly no one else is bothering to make such an unfounded allegation because they know they have no proof of a lie. Your pathetic attempts at diversion from being challenged on unfounded gossip and blithering are so transparent I'm embarrassed for you.

                  • Blazer

                    Luxon said he turned around Air NZ ,only he believes that!

                    'Christopher Luxon had big shoes to fill when he became chief executive at Air New Zealand in 2013.

                    Out the door went "rock star CEO" Rob Fyfe, credited with turning Air New Zealand around after a taxpayer bail-out in 2001, and snaffling numerous awards for best airline in the world. It was praised for improving its financial performance while all about it other airlines were losing theirs.

                    In came Luxon, who'd spent 18 years at Unilever — a consumer giant with a presence in houses across the globe with its brands like Dove, Rexona, Lipton and Sunsilk'-Stuff.

            • Puckish Rogue 12.1.2.1.1.2

              She certainly is

        • mac1 12.1.2.2

          I was amazed to see when looking at the National party list in 2020 that Luxon was number 61 on their list. A year ago. Great to have good mates, eh?

          https://www.national.org.nz/2020-party-list

  13. calltoaccount 13

    My take on Key’s popularity was the guys wanted to be like him and the ladies wanted to date him. Given the current controversy over housing wealth and his lack of looks, I think he’ll prove to be low on that magic X factor the population needs so much of from politicians these days.

    • Robert Guyton 13.1

      "ladies wanted to date him"

      They did?

      Mmmmmmmm…

    • Robert Guyton 13.2

      There's a tradition that says stroking a hunch-back's hunch brings good luck…

      • Patricia Bremner 13.2.1

        There is the one about being shat on by a bird will bring luck.. stupid nonsense.

        • Robert Guyton 13.2.1.1

          Taking a hit for the team, Patricia!

          I wouldn't mind it, and if my dear mother-in-law escaped the "blessing", I'd be smiling; she'd be ever so grateful; therefore, lucky me! 🙂

          • alwyn 13.2.1.1.1

            That someone as ancient as you appear to be still has a living mother-in-law seems to be a miracle Robert.

            Did you do a Charlie Chaplain and, at the age of 54 marry an 18 year old?

            • Robert Guyton 13.2.1.1.1.1

              Flora's a gem, alwyn, and sharper than you (it seems) – kinder too.

              I shook hands with a man who shook hands with Charlie – you?

              • alwyn

                That I cannot claim Robert.

                I did shake hands with David Lange on occasion. Then I counted my fingers.

                • vto

                  a friend of mine knows someone (wont say) who has eaten human… in nz no less …

                • Blazer

                  Did you still have…6?

                • RedLogix

                  I had lunch with Lange once – just a handful of people present. I was very apolitical at the time, yet my overwhelming impression was of a man who was finished with not being his own man, not being able to say what he really wanted to.

                  I remember asking a few probably very dumb questions and Lange would look regretful, as if he wanted to engage like a normal person but realised he couldn't.

                  Six weeks later he had resigned. It came as no surprise.

                  • Robert Guyton

                    I had breakfast with (at the same occasion as) Don Brash once – he ate crappy, processed cereals (that's all that was on offer – I felt for him – he probably yearned for muesli, with blueberries and probiotic yoghurt – who knows? Bill English was there – he had saussies and eggs 🙂

                  • alwyn

                    I am not at all surprised at you feeling that way about him. I met all the PMs between Nash and Bolger with the exception of Norman Kirk. Lange seemed to me to be the only one who didn't really relish the idea that they were PM and they wanted to stay there. I didn't see Palmer during the time he was PM but I wouldn't be that surprised if he had felt the same way while he had the role..

                    It always seemed to me to be a bloody impossible position to manage. If someone had told me I had to do it I would have come out with the Sherman response. “I will not accept if nominated and will not serve if elected.”.

                    Mind you. There was never the slightest chance that anyone would ever want me in the job

                    • Robert Guyton

                      I reckon you've got the same chance as becoming PM as Luxon, Alwyn!

                      Never give up!

                    • Blazer

                      Alwyn,I say Alwyn that was nice of you to give them all an audience!

                      Palmer must have been very disappointed.wink

                    • RedLogix

                      Nash! Now that is going back a year or two. What you say about the job is so true; it really does take a rare person willing to do it.

                      We all have our preferences, but part of me holds back from judging most political people because I know damn well how poorly I'd probably do at it.

  14. McFlock 14

    He doesn't seem to have wowed anyone with his adlibs, but he can stick to a prepared line about obvious talking points – his particular religious beliefs amongst them.

    Maybe he can just be reliable and agreeable, and that might be all National need as a caucus leader at the moment.

    Whether reliable sparks joy in the populace is another matter – the last few years have just been cascades of shit around the world, maybe they think National will handle it better. We'll see.

    Hopefully there will be a respite in the bile put forth by the nats, in favour of competent opposition. That might be nice.

    • garibaldi 14.1

      "A respite in the bile put forth by the nats". BBBB Baby , you just ain't seen nothing yet,oh no, you ain't seen nothing yet……. you ain't been around ,as the song by Bachman Turner Overdrive goes.

      • McFlock 14.1.1

        lol if he can outdo juco for bile, that would also be impressive.

        But if he puts in a solid effort without looking too happy when covid numbers rise, or blatantly leveraging the discomfort and pain of others to knife colleagues in the back, well if he manages all that, National might soar in popularity, reaching the high twenties in no time.

        • ghostwhowalksnz 14.1.1.1

          The reason for the change at this time …well more Collins surgical strike against Bridges… was the polling season is over by early december.

          That would allow a summer for people to forget about politics or even forget about Luxon

  15. pat 15

    A sensible appraisal….it is far too early to judge his effectiveness, especially in light of an unknown future….he may crash and burn, or equally he may be a beneficiary of 'events'.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • At a glance – Does CO2 always correlate with temperature?
    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 ...
    6 hours ago
  • Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6.06 pm on Tuesday, March 19
    TL;DR: In today’s ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Tuesday, March 19:Kāinga Ora’s dry rot The Spinoff DailyBill McKibben on ‘Climate Superfunds’ making Big Oil pay for climate damage The Crucial YearsPreston Mui on returning to 1980s-style productivity growth NoahpinionAndy Boenau on NIMBYs needing unusual bedfellows Urbanism SpeakeasyNed Resnikoff's case ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    7 hours ago
  • Relentlessly negative
    Negative yesterday, negative today. Negative all year, according to one departing reader telling me I’ve grown strident and predictable. Fair enough. If it’s any help, every time I go to write about a certain topic that begins with C and ends with arrrrs, I do brace myself and ask: Again? Are ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    8 hours ago
  • Scoring 4.6 out of 10, the new Government is struggling in the polls
    Bryce Edwards writes –  It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    8 hours ago
  • Promiscuous Empathy: Chris Trotter Replies To His Critics.
    Inspirational: The Family of Man is a glorious hymn to human equality, but, more than that, it is a clarion call to human freedom. Because equality, unleavened by liberty, is a broken piano, an unstrung harp; upon which the songs of fraternity will never be played. “Somebody must have been telling lies about ...
    9 hours ago
  • Don’t run your business like a criminal enterprise
    The Detail this morning highlights the police's asset forfeiture case against convicted business criminal Ron Salter, who stands to have his business confiscated for systemic violations of health and safety law. Business are crying foul - but not for the reason you'd think. Instead of opposing the post-conviction punishment and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    9 hours ago
  • Misremembering Justinian’s Taxes.
    Tax Lawyer Barbara Edmonds vs Emperor Justinian I - Nolo Contendere: False historical explanations of pivotal events are very far from being inconsequential.WHEN BARBARA EDMONDS made reference to the Roman Empire, my ears pricked up. It is, lamentably, very rare to hear a politician admit to any kind of familiarity ...
    10 hours ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Scoring 4.6 out of 10, the new Government is struggling in the polls
    It’s been a tumultuous time in politics in recent months, as the new National-led Government has driven through its “First 100 Day programme”. During this period there’s been a handful of opinion polls, which overall just show a minimal amount of flux in public support for the various parties in ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    10 hours ago
  • Bishop scores headlines with crackdown on unwelcome tenants – but Peters scores, too, as tub-thump...
    Buzz from the Beehive Housing Minister Chris Bishop delivered news – packed with the ingredients to enflame political passions – worthy of supplanting Winston Peters in headline writers’ priorities. He popped up at the post-Cabinet press conference to promise a crackdown on unruly and antisocial state housing tenants. His ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    11 hours ago
  • Will it make the boat go faster?
    Ele Ludemann writes – The Reserve Bank is advertising for a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion advisor. The Bank has one mandate – to keep inflation between one and three percent. It has failed in that and is only slowly getting inflation back down to the upper limit. Will it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    14 hours ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Is Simon Bridges’ NZTA appointment a conflict of interest?
    Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi The fact that a ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    14 hours ago
  • Is Simon Bridges’ NZTA appointment a conflict of interest?
    Bryce Edwards writes – Last week former National Party leader Simon Bridges was appointed by the Government as the new chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA). You can read about the appointment in Thomas Coughlan’s article, Simon Bridges to become chair of NZ Transport Agency ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    14 hours ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' at 10:10am on Tuesday, March 19
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Gavin Jacobson talks to Thomas Piketty 10 years on from Capital in the 21st Century The SalvoLocal scoop: Green MP’s business being investigated over migrant exploitation claims Stuff Steve KilgallonLocal deep-dive: The commercial contractors making money from School ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    15 hours ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things on Tuesday, March 19
    It’s a home - but Kāinga Ora tenants accused of “abusing the privilege” may lose it. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Government announced a crackdown on Kāinga Ora tenants who were unruly and/or behind on their rent, with Housing Minister Chris Bishop saying a place in a state ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    16 hours ago
  • New Life for Light Rail
    This is a guest post by Connor Sharp of Surface Light Rail  Light rail in Auckland: A way forward sooner than you think With the coup de grâce of Auckland Light Rail (ALR) earlier this year, and the shift of the government’s priorities to roads, roads, and more roads, it ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    17 hours ago
  • Why Are Bosses Nearly All Buffoons?
    Note: As a paid-up Webworm member, I’ve recorded this Webworm as a mini-podcast for you as well. Some of you said you liked this option - so I aim to provide it when I get a chance to record! Read more ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    19 hours ago
  • Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6.06 pm on March 18
    TL;DR: In my ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Monday, March 18:IKEA is accused of planting big forests in New Zealand to green-wash; REDD-MonitorA City for People takes a well-deserved victory lap over Wellington’s pro-YIMBY District Plan votes; A City for PeopleSteven Anastasiou takes a close look at the sticky ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Peters holds his ground on co-governance, but Willis wriggles on those tax cuts and SNA suspension l...
    Buzz from the Beehive Here’s hoping for a lively post-cabinet press conference when the PM and – perhaps – some of his ministers tell us what was discussed at their meeting today. Until then, Point of Order has precious little Beehive news to report after its latest monitoring of the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • Labour’s final report card
    David Farrar writes –  We now have almost all 2023 data in, which has allowed me to update my annual table of how  went against its promises. This is basically their final report card. The promise The result Build 100,000 affordable homes over 10 ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • “Drunk Uncle at a Wedding”
    I’m a bit worried that I’ve started a previous newsletter with the words “just when you think they couldn’t get any worse…” Seems lately that I could begin pretty much every issue with that opening. Such is the nature of our coalition government that they seem to be outdoing each ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Geoffrey Miller writes – Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on Dune 2, and images of Islam
    Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture ...
    2 days ago
  • New Rail Operations Centre Promises Better Train Services
    Last week Transport Minster Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre. The new train control centre will see teams from KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail working more closely together to improve train services across the city. The Auckland Rail Operations Centre in ...
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things at 6.36am on Monday, March 18
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in an exit interview with Q+A yesterday the Government can and should sustain more debt to invest in infrastructure for future generations. Elsewhere in the news in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 6:36am: Read more ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. It is more than just a happy ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    2 days ago
  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to March 25 and beyond
    TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Bitter and angry; Winston First
    New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • Out of Touch.
    “I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The bewildering world of Chris Luxon – Guns for all, not no lunch for kids
    .“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    3 days ago
  • Expert Opinion: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
    3 days ago
  • Manufacturing The Truth.
    Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet –  is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
    3 days ago
  • A Powerful Sensation of Déjà Vu.
    Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
    3 days ago
  • Can you guess where world attention is focussed (according to Greenpeace)? It’s focussed on an EPA...
    Bob Edlin writes –  And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Further integrity problems for the Greens in suspending MP Darleen Tana
    Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Greens’ transparency missing in action
    For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    5 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    6 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    6 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    6 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Government moves to quickly ratify the NZ-EU FTA
    "The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago
  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Fresh produce price drop welcome
    Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024.  “Lower fruit and vege ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Statement to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Speech to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68)
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government backs rural led catchment projects
    The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction.   Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Commission’s advice on ETS settings tabled
    Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government lowering building costs
    The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Trustee tax change welcomed
    Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister’s Ramadan message
    Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness.  It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister appoints new NZTA Chair
    Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
    Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology.  It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Progress continues apace on water storage
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government agrees to restore interest deductions
    Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government has agreed to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties. “Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The Government’s restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax code,” says ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister to attend World Anti-Doping Agency Symposium
    Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Switzerland today to attend an Executive Committee meeting and Symposium of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Mr Bishop will then travel on to London where he will attend a series of meetings in his capacity as Infrastructure Minister. “New Zealanders believe ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-03-19T11:54:01+00:00