Is Politik a propaganda mouthpiece for the UK Embassy?

Written By: - Date published: 8:46 pm, September 8th, 2018 - 29 comments
Categories: australian politics, Deep stuff, journalism, kremlinology, Propaganda, Russia, uk politics, winston peters - Tags:

In Politik’s 7 September issue we are told that Western diplomats in Wellington are surprised that Winston Peters has not accused Russia of the Skripal poisoning or joined some other countries in taking reprisals. Editor Richard Harman quotes a source to tell us that the British in particular were “pissed” at Peters’ response. Well dearie me! I’m with Winston, a wise old owl in a precarious global environment.

Another senior journalist, Brian Rudman, commented rather differently on Britain’s attempts to “blackguard” Russia in New Zealand media when this issue first broke in March this year.

Yet 30 years on, Opposition politicians and parts of the media were now trying to put us back into colonial diapers, criticising the Government for not blindly going wherever Britain decides to go in its “punishing” of Russia for allegedly poisoning Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter on UK soil.

Behind the scenes, senior diplomats from the British High Commission in Wellington even lobbied selected journalists, pushing their case for Russian guilt and the need for a united stand against such evil-doing.

It very much looks as though Richard Harman would have been one of the selected journalists. I know Richard well, like and respect him, but I think he is barking up the wrong tree on this issue.

The language in the press release from Winston Peters is careful, as is he in matters diplomatic. He refers to the police investigation which has resulted in the naming of two suspects, although the police call for further information from the public indicates that the case against them is by no  means open and shut.

It is notable that the attribution to the Russian state or its organs does not come from the police, as their press release indicates. It comes entirely from Prime Minister Theresa May, made under parliamentary privilege. In the absence of concrete information, speculation as to what actually happened and why is rampant, as this article in the Independent attests.

I’m living in London at the moment, and would have to say that it is charitable in the extreme to describe the state of UK government politics at the moment as merely chaotic. Theresa May’s net favourability stands at -37. Nobody believes her on anything. The Conservative-led government is now as divided as the Liberal-led government in Australia, with the Tories in open revolt over Brexit. As for their diplomacy post Bojo, the best example would be Jeremy Hunt’s expedition to China to offer a new glorious age of trade, which would only have served to remind the Chinese of the Opium Wars. He also got himself publicly confused about his wife’s ethnic origin!

We may well be entering a new multi-polar world where it will be important for New Zealand to play its traditional role of honest broker, independent, nimble and fundamentally principled. The last place we should be looking for global leadership from is Britain in its current state, as former diplomat Mark Malloch-Brown makes clear in this article. Self-delusion is rampant here.

Winston Peters is and deserves to be treated as a substantial politician and diplomat. One doesn’t have to agree with everything he says, but he is no fool. On this issue, for our country’s sake, I am very glad he is not knee-jerk following the “western” group.

29 comments on “Is Politik a propaganda mouthpiece for the UK Embassy? ”

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  1. Stuart Munro 1
    8 September 2018 at 9:30 pm

    “It is notable that the attribution to the Russian state or its organs does not come from the police, as their press release indicates. It comes entirely from Prime Minister Theresa May, made under parliamentary privilege.”

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-45455464?ns_campaign=bbcnews&ns_mchannel=social&ns_source=facebook&ocid=socialflow_facebook

    “The news comes days after Scotland Yard and the Crown Prosecution Service named two Russian nationals as suspects in the attempted murder of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia.”

    • Mike Smith 1.1
      8 September 2018 at 9:43 pm

      That’s what I said – the police suspect the two Russian men. Attribution to the Russian state comes from Theresa May and was made in Parliament.

      • Stuart Munro 1.1.1
        8 September 2018 at 10:27 pm

        I’m not sure the inference is unwarranted – either the background of the men, or the circumstances of their access to CBW (on which May will have received some kind of briefing), would be sufficient to infer state involvement.

        • Stuart Munro 1.1.1.1
          8 September 2018 at 10:51 pm

          And indeed May has stated:

          “that not only did the two men work for the GRU, the operation was “almost certainly” approved at a “senior level of the Russian state”, meaning Vladimir Putin.”

          https://www.economist.com/britain/2018/09/06/britain-identifies-two-russians-as-suspects-in-the-skripal-poisoning

          Though it is possible she made this leap independently, it is much more likely that this was the substance of her briefing about them.

          • McFlock 1.1.1.1.1
            8 September 2018 at 11:09 pm

            Again as Mike said in the post, she made that comment under privilege.

            Now, I think she probably said it there and only there because if it was an official government statement, the British Government would be accusing the Russian Government of committing an act of war.

            Rather than everybody just knowing the Russians did it, but not being required to make a proportionate response. But even that much would be a carefully considered action.

            It’s a bit like the “blockade” vs “quarantine” pin danced on during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

            • Stuart Munro 1.1.1.1.1.1
              9 September 2018 at 8:10 am

              There is a line of reasoning that makes a degree of sense, unlike that of the denialists, which is that (as Veutoviper had it) Yulia was the target. The Skripal family is closely associated with the GRU (her mum apparently) and there is evidently an inheritance to fight over. Under these circumstances it is not impossible that GRU guys went off the reservation in loyalty to their direct employers rather that the state. But the state remains responsible as they are its agents, just as NZ remains responsible for Operation Burnham – until the culprits are tried and punished appropriately.

              • McFlock …
                9 September 2018 at 10:27 pm

                Thing is, if you’re going rogue then you don’t leave a huge finger pointing at you. A car crash or a stabbing would sort the inheritence, not taking a supply of your own nerve agent.

                Look at it from Putin’s point of view if he didn’t order/ok it: “the british say we did it. Like fuck we did. They used novichok? WTF? How many people have that? Pretty much us and the Iranians? WTF was Skripal doing with the Iranians? Nothing? Who are these guys on the aeroflot plane? GRU??? Those pricks are pissing above their pay grade. Who do they answer to? Someone’s gonna get shot”

                • Stuart Munro …
                  9 September 2018 at 10:58 pm

                  Yeah – I think his agents often get away with what they do – and as long as they do they probably have fairly free rein. The resources required to track down something like the Skripal assailants are astonishing, and a lot of countries aren’t focused on it. There are anomalous numbers of Russian defectors or disaffected emigres who have died in England recently.

                  Having screwed up I’m sure run and hide is the order of the day – and the line from Mission Impossible: “if any of you are caught or killed the secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions”.

                  • McFlock …
                    10 September 2018 at 12:08 am

                    Thing is, if Skripal was the target of an ordered action, then the effect is achieved whether or not he actually dies that time.

                    The objective in that case was to go killing defectors/traitors with two main audiences: potential defectors/traitors who might reconsider looking over their shoulders for the rest of their lives, and the Russian presidential election voters who like a bit of strong leadership and international dick-measuring. The deaths (and attempted murders) of Russians in GB got good airtime on RT.

                    So what if they missed one? Operationally, they got say 7 out of 8. On English soil. Not a bad job – and they still have plenty of work for toughs, even the ones who can’t travel into INTERPOL-cooperating territory.

          • Dennis Frank 1.1.1.1.2
            9 September 2018 at 6:35 am

            Putin: “Okay, you two, I understand you were thoroughly briefed a couple of days ago, although according to the doctrine of plausible deniability I have no idea what about. Can you confirm that the briefing was by someone unknown to you who was careful not to identify themselves as connected to our government? Good. Your dachas are being prefabricated as we speak, just mention if you want them on the Black Sea shore, or on our new subtropical Arctic Sea shore to whichever random person engages you in conversation after you leave the building. Someone will contact you later today and provide you with one each of those 24-hour memory-lapse pills, so you’ll forget ever being here. You are true patriots!”

  2. Antoine 2
    8 September 2018 at 9:52 pm

    Winston is a traitor to Western civilisation

    A.

    • Muttonbird 2.1
      8 September 2018 at 10:53 pm

      You must be dying to expand on that. I can’t wait.

    • Gabby 2.2
      9 September 2018 at 12:01 pm

      Winston may remember how supportive the poms were when the frogmen blew up that Greenpeace boat Anty.

    • veutoviper 2.3
      9 September 2018 at 12:53 pm

      Bullshit.

      IMO Winston Peters’ stance is quite simple. He is a lawyer. He believes in the principle of innocent until proven guilty – not by the press, not by keyboard warriors – but by a court of law in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – ie:

      Universal Declaration of Human Rights, article 11, Presumption of Innocence –
      “Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.”.

      He himself has been judged time and time again by the press and by keyboard warriors but the above is fundamental to him – despite his liking of playing word games, etc with the press etc.

      End of story – hence his stance is to step back and leave the braying to the likes of May.

      • Antoine 2.3.1
        11 September 2018 at 10:19 am

        From my perspective his stance seems to come from a strange desire to befriend Russia. See for instance the prioritisation of a free trade deal with Russia in the coalition agreement. I see no sense in this.

        A.

  3. McFlock 3
    8 September 2018 at 10:08 pm

    Much as I believe that the Skripal poisoning was almost certainly a conscious act of the Russian state, the British diplomatic efforts seem to me to be more about global alignment rather than hoping for any justice.

    So for consistency’s sake, our government should be a scathing about the Russians as it is about drone strikes or the Chinese occupation of its “autonomous zones”.

    • lprent 3.1
      9 September 2018 at 7:54 am

      I’d agree. However those are my opinions rather than something that we should act upon. Getting entangled in this great power stupidity is just idiotic. There simply aren’t any leaders amongst the 19th century thinking “great powers” worth a tin of shit.

      We have the US making absolutely idiotic destabilising and highly illegal wars like the one that George W Bush created in Iraq for domestic political reasons. The same ones that limited what the Obama administration could do. The obvious subsequent morass followed. Now we have this narcissistic dimwit in the White House with what appears to be a severe mental break with reality. God knows what he is capable of doing..

      Then there are the scavenging arseholes of the Russian Federation circling around like vultures with foreign adventures like their invasions and annexations under the cover of the kinds of deniable ‘plausibility’ that only a indoctrinated braindead ideologue could believe. Not to mention their close support of the genocidal and chemical weapon using regime in Syria. With their recent track record of simple and obvious lying in the pursuit of plausible deniability, denials from the Russian Federation now just read to me like confirmations of state sponsored guilt. I’d add that there appears to be absolutely no point in getting involved in any trade deals with these dickheads – they appear to be incapable of making agreements honestly.

      So far the Chinese have managed to keep most of their arsehole behaviours inside their own borders. However some of the active corruption with their various ‘buy the resources’ programs are clearly designed to destabilize various countries political processes and to make them into compliant client states. What happens in Malaysia after the ultra corrupt UMNO got turfed and some of the more obvious unsustainable projects got canned will be interesting.

      Personally, presumably like Mike, I’m more concerned that some fools in Britain and here seem to think that we should follow the lead of the ‘motherland’ and at their word.

      Really? What bloody century are these cretins (both local and in the UK) living in?

      I’m nearly 60 years old and a 5th generation kiwi. And there haven’t been any living migrants from the UK in my family since well before I was born. I’ve never felt any desire to follow Britain because (to be frank) they have a history of being great power arseholes who have no real interest in this end of the world except when it is convenient for themselves.

      What has become clear over my lifetime is that to preserve and grow the intensely non-patriotic way kiwis want to run their lives and their country is that we need to depend on ourselves and multi-lateral internationalism. Getting involved with any of these behemoth states is just an exercise in stupidity. This is a bit tricky in my opinion because it is the kind of mindless stupidity that the National party and many of their supporters seem to specialise in (see Antoine at comment 2).

      So support dragging these GRU operatives into court, and if they hide behind the skirts of mother Russia, then the UK and other nations should just release the evidence into the international community.

      But as a nation, we’ll make up our own mind about how far we want to go. We don’t need morons with 19th century ideas in the UK or here interfering in our politics.

    • Ad 3.2
      9 September 2018 at 8:08 am

      Our diplomatic positioning this and other comparable issues is always nuanced.
      That reflects our trade positions.
      We signed up a trade deal with China, so our statements about anything there are nuanced.
      We hope for one with the EU, so our statements are nuanced.
      We hope for one with Russia (or at least Winston does), so our statements are nuanced.
      We have a big one with Australia, so our statements are nuanced.
      We now have one across CPTPP countries, so our statements about all of them are nuanced.
      That nuance is written in its name: the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Not the Ministry of Bold.
      Seems to be an awful lot of nuance about.

      We don’t do statesmanlike or strong positions, because we are small, weak, insignificant, and dependent on everybody for everything. That’s the way it’s going to stay.

      Unless…

      …well, we have fuck all trade with Nauru, so we go all-in there.

      • Chuck 3.2.1
        9 September 2018 at 9:29 am

        You have summed it up well Ad.

        Winston does seem keen to stay on the good side of his Russian friends.

  4. One Two 4
    8 September 2018 at 10:36 pm

    You’re either with us, or against us…

    Same tactics…transparent…empty…hollow…fake…

    Still too many keen on believing the manufactured stories of a group of lying warmongers…

    Voters and the spells cast on feeble minds enable their continuity…

  5. Bill 5
    9 September 2018 at 11:48 am

    The UK government had to come up with something – anything. I was reading somewhere (one of the broadsheets) that as far as the UK government is concerned, this naming of two guys draws a line under the Skripal stuff.

    Way I see it, two guys went to Stonehenge.

    And for six(?) months, rooms full of short straw winners had the thankless task of moving forward through video footage (usually, the idea is to backtrack) until they could point to someone (anyone!) coming off a Russian flight and heading up to the vicinity of an iconic tourist attraction.

  6. Lucy 6
    9 September 2018 at 2:24 pm

    What version of reality says that “senior diplomats from the British High Commission in Wellington even lobbied selected journalists” will do you any good at all. The thing about journo’s is they have no power and in NZ if they are not part of MSM they tend to be heard by tiny echo chambers. If the senior diplomats want us to believe there is a thing called evidence. We are so used to the forces of the law fudging evidence that we are unlikely to believe the UK police as there is nothing that ties the two guys with the crime

  7. Philj 7
    10 September 2018 at 2:53 pm

    Stacey Kirk, Stuff, wrote an’interesting’ piece which highlighted the lack of highlighting by the NZ MSM of the latest Russian involvement in the latest smoke and mirror episode. It looked like someone had a quiet word… and some smoke and mirrors. Suspect.
    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/106837675/Stacey-Kirk-Was-a-Govt-beset-by-problems-given-a-sympathy-second-chance-on-Salisbury-statement

  8. peterlepaysan 8
    10 September 2018 at 9:16 pm

    Given the state of UK politics anything T May says needs to be treated very circumspectly, how much support has she from her own party, let alone her MPs?

    The Russians are a convenient diversion.

    It is highly unlikely that Putin does not know who did what with novochok. He would know who produces it outside of Russia, he would know who stores it outside of Russia.

    Whichever state(s) are involved Russia may not be directly implicated, complicit very probably. Russia has warm water ports, Ukrainian, Crimean, Syrian and NATO agendas.

    Direct involvement with Skripal attempt was very likely from one or more players from ex soviet republics, middle east, eastern european states.

    It was a clumsy and clue laden trail that was left, probably deliberately.

    Winston Peters is being diplomatic. That is what he is paid for.

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  • Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
    Bryce Edwards writes – Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Worst poll result for a new Government in MMP history
    Luxon will no doubt put a brave face on it, but there is no escaping the pressure this latest poll will put on him and the government. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Pinning down climate change's role in extreme weather
    This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In the wake of any unusual weather event, someone inevitably asks, “Did climate change cause this?” In the most literal sense, that answer is almost always no. Climate change is never the sole cause of hurricanes, heat waves, droughts, or ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Serving at Seymour's pleasure.
    Something odd happened yesterday, and I’d love to know if there’s more to it. If there was something which preempted what happened, or if it was simply a throwaway line in response to a journalist.Yesterday David Seymour was asked at a press conference what the process would be if the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • Webworm LA Pop-Up
    Hi,From time to time, I want to bring Webworm into the real world. We did it last year with the Jurassic Park event in New Zealand — which was a lot of fun!And so on Saturday May 11th, in Los Angeles, I am hosting a lil’ Webworm pop-up! I’ve been ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago

  • “Feel good” school is out
    Education Minister Erica Standford yesterday unveiled a fundamental reform of the way our school pupils are taught. She would not exactly say so, but she is all but dismantling the so-called “inquiry” “feel good” method of teaching, which has ruled in our classrooms since a major review of the New ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago

  • 6 Months in, surely our Report Card is “Ignored all warnings: recommend dismissal ASAP”?
    Exactly where are we seriously going with this government and its policies? That is, apart from following what may as well be a Truss-Lite approach on the purported economic “plan“, and Victorian-era regression when it comes to social policy. Oh it’ll work this time of course, we’re basically assured, “the ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    3 days ago

  • Bread, and how it gets buttered
    Hey Uncle Dave, When the Poms joined the EEC, I wasn't one of those defeatists who said, Well, that’s it for the dairy job. And I was right, eh? The Chinese can’t get enough of our milk powder and eventually, the Poms came to their senses and backed up the ute ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Why Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating in the country
    Polling shows that Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau has the lowest approval rating of any mayor in the country. Siting at -12 per cent, the proportion of constituents who disapprove of her performance outweighs those who give her the thumbs up. This negative rating is higher than for any other mayor ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago

  • Justice for Gaza?
    The New York Times reports that the International Criminal Court is about to issue arrest warrants for Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, over their genocide in Gaza: Israeli officials increasingly believe that the International Criminal Court is preparing to issue arrest warrants for senior government officials on ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • If there has been any fiddling with Pharmac’s funding, we can count on Paula to figure out the fis...
    Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • FastTrackWatch – The case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Bryce Edwards writes – Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Monday, April 29
    TL;DR: Here’s my top 10 ‘pick ‘n’ mix of links to news, analysis and opinion articles as of 10:10am on Monday, April 29:Scoop: The children's ward at Rotorua Hospital will be missing a third of its beds as winter hits because Te Whatu Ora halted an upgrade partway through to ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on Iran killing its rappers, and searching for the invisible Dr. Reti
    span class=”dropcap”>As hideous as David Seymour can be, it is worth keeping in mind occasionally that there are even worse political figures (and regimes) out there. Iran for instance, is about to execute the country’s leading hip hop musician Toomaj Salehi, for writing and performing raps that “corrupt” the nation’s ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    3 days ago

  • Auckland Rail Electrification 10 years old
    Yesterday marked 10 years since the first electric train carried passengers in Auckland so it’s a good time to look back at it and the impact it has had. A brief history The first proposals for rail electrification in Auckland came in the 1920’s alongside the plans for earlier ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago

  • Coalition's dirge of austerity and uncertainty is driving the economy into a deeper recession
    Right now, in Aotearoa-NZ, our ‘animal spirits’ are darkening towards a winter of discontent, thanks at least partly to a chorus of negative comments and actions from the Government Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Disability Funding or Tax Cuts.
    You make people evil to punish the paststuck inside a sequel with a rotating castThe following photos haven’t been generated with AI, or modified in any way. They are flesh and blood, human beings. On the left is Galatea Young, a young mum, and her daughter Fiadh who has Angelman ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Of the Goodness of Tolkien’s Eru
    April has been a quiet month at A Phuulish Fellow. I have had an exceptionally good reading month, and a decently productive writing month – for original fiction, anyway – but not much has caught my eye that suggested a blog article. It has been vaguely frustrating, to be honest. ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    4 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #17
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 21, 2024 thru Sat, April 27, 2024. Story of the week Anthropogenic climate change may be the ultimate shaggy dog story— but with a twist, because here ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Pastor Who Abused People, Blames People
    Hi,I spent about a year on Webworm reporting on an abusive megachurch called Arise, and it made me want to stab my eyes out with a fork.I don’t regret that reporting in 2022 and 2023 — I am proud of it — but it made me angry.Over three main stories ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    4 days ago

  • Vic Uni shows how under threat free speech is
    The new Victoria University Vice-Chancellor decided to have a forum at the university about free speech and academic freedom as it is obviously a topical issue, and the Government is looking at legislating some carrots or sticks for universities to uphold their obligations under the Education and Training Act. They ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Winston remembers Gettysburg.
    Do you remember when Melania Trump got caught out using a speech that sounded awfully like one Michelle Obama had given? Uncannily so.Well it turns out that Abraham Lincoln is to Winston Peters as Michelle was to Melania. With the ANZAC speech Uncle Winston gave at Gallipoli having much in ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • 25
    She was born 25 years ago today in North Shore hospital. Her eyes were closed tightly shut, her mouth was silently moving. The whole theatre was all quiet intensity as they marked her a 2 on the APGAR test. A one-minute eternity later, she was an 8.  The universe was ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Fact Brief – Is Antarctica gaining land ice?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is Antarctica gaining land ice? ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Policing protests.
    Images of US students (and others) protesting and setting up tent cities on US university campuses have been broadcast world wide and clearly demonstrate the growing rifts in US society caused by US policy toward Israel and Israel’s prosecution of … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    5 days ago

  • Open letter to Hon Paul Goldsmith
    Barrie Saunders writes – Dear Paul As the new Minister of Media and Communications, you will be inundated with heaps of free advice and special pleading, all in the national interest of course. For what it’s worth here is my assessment: Traditional broadcasting free to air content through ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: FastTrackWatch – The Case for the Government’s Fast Track Bill
    Many criticisms are being made of the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill, including by this writer. But as with everything in politics, every story has two sides, and both deserve attention. It’s important to understand what the Government is trying to achieve and its arguments for such a bold reform. ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    5 days ago

  • Luxon gets out his butcher’s knife – briefly
    Peter Dunne writes –  The great nineteenth British Prime Minister, William Gladstone, once observed that “the first essential for a Prime Minister is to be a good butcher.” When a later British Prime Minister, Harold Macmillan, sacked a third of his Cabinet in July 1962, in what became ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • More tax for less
    Ele Ludemann writes – New Zealanders had the OECD’s second highest tax increase last year: New Zealanders faced the second-biggest tax raises in the developed world last year, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says. The intergovernmental agency said the average change in personal income tax ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Real News vs Fake News.
    We all know something’s not right with our elections. The spread of misinformation, people being targeted with soundbites and emotional triggers that ignore the facts, even the truth, and influence their votes.The use of technology to produce deep fakes. How can you tell if something is real or not? Can ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Another way to roll
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Share ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Simon Clark: The climate lies you'll hear this year
    This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Simon Clark. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). This year you will be lied to! Simon Clark helps prebunk some misleading statements you'll hear about climate. The video includes ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Cutting the Public Service
    It is all very well cutting the backrooms of public agencies but it may compromise the frontlines. One of the frustrations of the Productivity Commission’s 2017 review of universities is that while it observed that their non-academic staff were increasing faster than their academic staff, it did not bother to ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    6 days ago

  • Luxon’s demoted ministers might take comfort from the British politician who bounced back after th...
    Buzz from the Beehive Two speeches delivered by Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters at Anzac Day ceremonies in Turkey are the only new posts on the government’s official website since the PM announced his Cabinet shake-up. In one of the speeches, Peters stated the obvious:  we live in a troubled ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • This is how I roll over
    1. Which of these would you not expect to read in The Waikato Invader?a. Luxon is here to do business, don’t you worry about thatb. Mr KPI expects results, and you better believe itc. This decisive man of action is getting me all hot and excitedd. Melissa Lee is how ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • The Waitangi Tribunal is not “a roving Commission”…
    …it has a restricted jurisdiction which must not be abused: it is not an inquisition   NOTE – this article was published before the High Court ruled that Karen Chhour does not have to appear before the Waitangi Tribunal Gary Judd writes –  The High Court ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Is Oranga Tamariki guilty of neglect?
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – One of reasons Oranga Tamariki exists is to prevent child neglect. But could the organisation itself be guilty of the same? Oranga Tamariki’s statistics show a decrease in the number and age of children in care. “There are less children ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Three Strikes saw lower reoffending
    David Farrar writes: Graeme Edgeler wrote in 2017: In the first five years after three strikes came into effect 5248 offenders received a ‘first strike’ (that is, a “stage-1 conviction” under the three strikes sentencing regime), and 68 offenders received a ‘second strike’. In the five years prior to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Luxon’s ruthless show of strength is perfect for our angry era
    Bryce Edwards writes – Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in politics. That’s refreshing and will be extremely ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • 'Lacks attention to detail and is creating double-standards.'
    TL;DR: These are the six things that stood out to me in news and commentary on Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the two days to 6:06am on Thursday, April 25:Politics: PM Christopher Luxon has set up a dual standard for ministerial competence by demoting two National Cabinet ministers while leaving also-struggling ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • NZ not backing down in Canada dairy dispute
    Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago

  • Stronger oversight for our most vulnerable children
    The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago

  • Streamlining Building Consent Changes
    The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.      “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago

  • Minister acknowledges passing of Sir Robert Martin (KNZM)
    New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago

  • Speech to New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Parliament – Annual Lecture: Challenges ...
    Good evening –   Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago

  • Accelerating airport security lines
    From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago

  • Community hui to talk about kina barrens
    People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into force
    Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Mining resurgence a welcome sign
    There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passes first reading
    The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government to boost public EV charging network
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure.  The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Residential Property Managers Bill to not progress
    The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Independent review into disability support services
    The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Justice Minister updates UN on law & order plan
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Ending emergency housing motels in Rotorua
    The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Trade Minister travels to Riyadh, OECD, and Dubai
    Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Education priorities focused on lifting achievement
    Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • NZTA App first step towards digital driver licence
    The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say.  “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Supporting whānau out of emergency housing
    Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Tribute to Dave O'Sullivan
    Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Speech – Eid al-Fitr
    Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government saves access to medicines
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff.    “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Pharmac Chair appointed
    Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Taking action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
    Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says.  “Every day, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • New sports complex opens in Kaikohe
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Diplomacy needed more than ever
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges.    “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address, Buttes New British Cemetery Belgium
    Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service.  It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk Bair
    Distinguished guests -   It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders.   Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, Türkiye
    Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia.   Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • PM announces changes to portfolios
    Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New catch limits for unique fishery areas
    Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
    Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing  At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin    Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho    Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.    I am delighted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
    The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions.   “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says.    “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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