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It’s a new political world

Written By: - Date published: 7:01 am, September 1st, 2017 - 77 comments
Categories: election 2017, jacinda ardern, labour, leadership, polls - Tags: , , , , ,

Unless you spent last night in a tent in the mountains (I wish…) you already know the news: Labour rockets ahead of National in stunning Colmar Brunton Poll result

This is Labour’s highest level of support (in this poll) since 2006, and National’s lowest since 2005. Ardern leads English as preferred PM 34% to 33%.

A month ago in this poll Labour was on 24%, now 43%. That is is the largest short-term polling shift in NZ political history (the Nats’ boost after Brash’s Orewa speech was only 17% over 3 months).

It’s only one poll and Jacinda Ardern is right to be cautious:

After the debate, both English and Ardern said the poll did not tally with their own internal polls and neither were taking it as gospel.

Ardern said the poll was “a surprise” but she was not taking anything for granted given the polls could change so quickly.

“It did surprise me. So at the moment I don’t want to rely on any one poll because ultimately there’s only one that counts, and they’re so changeable at the moment that probably both of us are going to make sure we keep campaigning hard and don’t take anything for granted.”

All true, we’re in the fight of our lives. But none the less, the psychological impact of a poll putting Labour ahead is huge. It’s a new political world in which anything is possible.


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Go hard. Let’s do this.


77 comments on “It’s a new political world ”

  1. lurgee 1

    No, we don’t. It’s the same vacuous, image driven world that it was before. If anything, it’s worse than before.

    It’s a sad testament to how shallow our political culture is that replacing a few dour blokes with a sparkly young thing gives you a ten point boost.

    Suggests that policy and ideology and even any sort of strategy beyond having an attractive front of shop is pointless.

    Also, bear in mind, what comes up must come down. The media will have hatchets ready. Expect “Has Ardern’s Bubble Burst?” and “Polls Drop As Voters Face Choice” headlines at the first dip in the polls.

    • DSpare 1.2

      lurgee
      A 37 year old woman with a nine years experience as an MP is not a; “sparkly young thing”. But you are clearly a repulsive old toad.

      • lurgee 1.2.1

        Odd, age and lack of appeal is often brought up when talking about National politicians.

        Ardern is younger than her opponent and the leader she replaced, and generally considered to be more energetic, optimistic and charismatic than them.

        What do you base her appeal on if not youth, energy and charisma? Certainly isn’t policy as there isn’t much to separate Little’s Labour from Ardern’s.

        • DSpare 1.2.1.1

          lurgee

          Ardern is younger than her opponent and the leader she replaced, and generally considered to be more energetic, optimistic and charismatic than them.

          I wouldn’t disagree with any of that. What I do have a problem with is you patronisingly referring to 37year old woman (or any person) as a thing – which is literally an act of objectification. If I base her appeal on anything, it is on her caucus not obstructing her (unlike other leaders who had been resented because of their election by members & affiliates representing a loss in MP power). Also her being in a honeymoon period while the Nats PR team work up functional attack lines (the ones laboriously constructed against Little; such as “Angry Andy”, being now redundant).

          This is the last example I can think of someone calling another a; “pretty thing”. He got away with it because it was clearly fictional, and even in the 1970s humorously anachronistic. In 2017 it is out of place as; “Zounds ye blaggard! Hie thee to a nunnery.”.

          • lurgee 1.2.1.1.1

            I wouldn’t disagree with any of that. What I do have a problem with is you patronisingly referring to 37year old woman (or any person) as a thing – which is literally an act of objectification.

            Oh, for Goodness sake.

            I was trying to highlight the vacuity of our political culture, the way people have been attracted to Ardern like magpies to a bright shiny object. I am not commenting on her per se but on us.

            We (the punters out in punter land) don’t see her as someone who is attractive because she has a well thought out collection of policies but because she has the advantage of a few zeitgeisty attributes that make her more superficially appealing than her male, pale stale opponent, and predecessor.

            Or can we not use that term any more because, you know, it’s not on to compare blokes to bread?

            While we’re at it, Bill English got called a rock the other day. Can’t get much more objecty than that. Did you get outraged on his behalf?

            • DSpare 1.2.1.1.1.1

              Do people often compare blokes to bread? Oh right; “stale” rhyming with male (as you did in the previous paragraph). Lots of other things than bread can go stale – cake, beer, causal objectification of a person as a; “thing”, the phrase; “for goodness sake”.

              As regards English being called a rock, I find it hard to be interested enough in what Davis has to say to be offended. It seemed to be a bit of an old goal rhetorically speaking, because the metaphor has both positive and negative connotations. Not offensive, because it did have meaning beside reducing a person to an object. Similarly, I think I don’t think that you are literally; a dryskinned poisonous amphibian, just that your words are equally repulsive.

    • NewsFlash 1.3

      Just a quick reminder of how out of touch Bill is, he stated that housing is more affordable now than it was in 2008, you actually don’t even require any intellect at all to KNOW this is straight up BS, also Bill trying to seduce the electorate by providing unaffordable TAX cuts.

      When Bill stops treating the punters like they have just come down in the last shower, he may gain some respect, but don’t see that happening any time soon.

      I don’t like Hosking, but he did punch Bill in the nose last night, and Bill had no answer, except to try and portray Labour policies from his bias view point, just another failure from him.

      Even Audrey Young thinks Bills doomed, 9 long years of nothing.

  2. lurgee 2

    It is worth noting that for the first time Labour seems to have taken a definite bite out of National’s support. I suppose there must be a few Nats who – in spite of being caricatured as hateful, dim, greedy and heartless – must be willing to switch.

    Perhaps they can see what some on the left are slow to recognise …

    • eco Maori/kiwi 2.1

      It’s good to see the pollsters are showing the real results of there polls .
      As most pictures don’t lie so they have to show thee realty of what the public think.

      • lurgee 2.1.1

        Do you really, truly think polling companies would jeopardise their reputations falsifying results?

        And if you do believe that, why have they suddenly stopped?

        As always, everything that suits the narrative is true, everything that doesn’t is false.

  3. philj 3

    Will the Public Service get in behind a struggling National Party in its time of need? Come on TVNZ, RNZ you can do it!

  4. Crashcart 4

    Of course I fully expect all the media stories about how Bill is not fit to lead and how he should step down after this disastrous poll result. Yea right. If this was a left leader the knives would be sharpened and they would be baying for blood.

    • Muttonbird 4.1

      There’ll be some questions but you’re right, it won’t be a full court press like with Little and Turei.

      • Robert Guyton 4.1.1

        Does Judith Collins have laryngitis?

      • lurgee 4.1.2

        The right wing ACTish wing of National will turn on English if he loses, like they did in 2002. They’ll probably turn on him anyway, if he does win; they might just wait a little bit longer. The media will follow their lead. They like a good knifing.

  5. Unicus 5

    Little’s Labour Party created the message for which Jacinda is the messianic messenger- The Tories have been caught in a perfect Storm and stranded on a reef of their own deceptions

  6. North 6

    Yes you’re right of course Lurgee. Nothing has changed indeed it may even be worse, as you say , without saying how. But anyway this business of Labour on 43 and National on 41. No no no…… nothing afoot.

    Excellent spotting there Lurgee ! In fact I agree with you so much Lurgee that for myself I’m just not prepared to accept an outcome of a bright young thing over a few dour blokes. I mean that’s all it’s about really, as you perspicaciously identify.

    • lurgee 6.1

      If it isn’t Ardern’s youth, energy and optimism driving the poll surge, what is it?

      What awesome policy have they released that has brought about this change?

      Crikey, I know how Denis Healey felt now!

  7. xanthe 7

    Yay Paula Bennet for PM!

  8. silvertuatara 8

    Barry Soper…..possibly fighting to influence his ongoing relevance past 23/9/17 perhaps?
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11915024

  9. Robert Guyton 9

    National’s only hope now is a populace-frightening disaster; earthquake or terrorist attack, real or imagined. Even something in Australia would do the trick.
    Edit: just seen xanthe’s comment above – not that disastrous, pleeeease!

  10. Bearded Git 10

    Really the poll everyone should be talking about is Lab/Gr 48 Nats 41.

    • alwyn 10.1

      That is certainly the number that Winston Peters will be looking at.
      I expect Winston to take a distinct shift left in who becomes the target of his attacks.

      His sole interest in the election is to see that neither major party can form a Government without his support. That is why he has been going so hard at National. He was having to cater for the quite likely outcome, as of a couple of weeks ago, that the Greens will not be in the next Parliament and that National, on as little as 44% could have formed a coalition Government without him.
      Now he will realise that, in the unlikely situation that the Green Party get back, Labour might be able to dispense with New Zealand First.

      He has never been someone to ignore unpleasant, for him, news.
      He will, in my opinion go into an attack mode against both Labour and the Green Party. If he can ensure that the Green Party are knocked out of the house, and hold the Labour vote to a similar number to National he will remain the King maker, and can guarantee his own access to the baubles of office. He won’t be taking any risks on the Green Party sneaking back in and he really won’t want Labour getting any stronger.

      Do you think that sounds cynical? Not really. It simply recognises that this is the way that Winston plays the game. He really doesn’t care who runs the country as long as he can enjoy the spoils.

  11. DSpare 11

    It is good that Ardern is not relying too heavily on this poll. In fact, there was a statement she made on becoming Labour leader that impressed me (though I couldn’t find a link on a quick google), something on the lines of; “votes belong to the voters, and political parties shouldn’t take them for granted”.

    Anyway, the psychological impact of this poll is greater than its statistical significance. The results aren’t really any different to the; CB poll conducted 12-16 August, though they certainly are from that of the; 22-27 July CB (assuming a 3.3 % margin of error).

    The OP states; “A month ago in this poll Labour was on 24%, now 43%. That is is the largest short-term polling shift in NZ political history”, which I think means the story is more in; polls being as much tools to manipulate reality as much as reflect it , than in the reversal of Labour’s fortunes.

    This is the first countrywide poll of the election season (writ day was the 23rd of August). Despite this being good news for those opposed to the current regime, I think it provides more evidence of how polling distracts from reporting of; policy, and public interactions by politicians, in the media. Thus reinforcing the need for a moratorium on the publication of polling by any media (even if “leaked”), during the election period.

  12. bwaghorn 12

    he he bills had his finger in the dyke since key left , now the dams burst and a landslide is sweeping him away

  13. DSpare 14

    Hey – top story on the Guardian (International edition) website:

    Ardern took control of the party on 1 August with Labour at an all-time low in the polls and has almost single-handedly reignited its chances of forming the next government… Ardern and English met in a leaders’ debate on Thursday in which English was asked in the opening question: “Bill, why are you losing?”

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/aug/31/jacinda-ardern-lifts-labour-into-poll-lead-in-new-zealand-election

  14. ianmac 15

    Horizon Poll just out:
    “Jacinda Ardern has a 6% lead over Bill English as preferred Prime Minister among definite voters.

    Among the 860 adult respondents who are both registered to vote and 100% likely to vote, Ardern leads English by 43% to 37%.
    https://horizonpoll.co.nz/page/475/ardern-preferred-prime-minister-with-6-lead?gtid=0329475090128OOG

  15. ianmac 16

    Some people wonder if Polls lead voters rather than follow voters. It was said that 24% for Labour painted them as loosers so people would vote accordingly.

    But if that is so a high poll for Labour could have a an effect in the positive way. “Wow! Winners lets join ’em!” Reckon?

    • garibaldi 16.1

      There is truth in that ianmac. Just shows how shallow NZer’s are.

    • swordfish 16.2

      The idea that Polls are self-fulfilling / natural for people to back winners / voters rally to apparent majority opinion is usually called = the ‘bandwagon’ thesis / effect in political science.

      Just one of a number of rival theories on the influence of opinion polls. The polar opposite is the ‘underdog’ effect. There’s also, of course, the argument that poll results can encourage strategic voting.

  16. Scotty 17

    Haven’t heard from Josie Pagani or Phil Quinn for a while .

  17. Bill 18

    Nothing ‘new’ under the Liberal sun. But that aside…

    know what likely happens with those poll numbers if they are in line with Sept 23? (Lab 43, NZF 8)

    Ardern phones Shaw as promised. The conversation is kinda short. It goes something like – “Yeah….nah”

    She much more than hinted as such at the beginning of that debate last night, and has form (as does the party) when it comes to throwing green things under buses.

    Anyway. NZ Labour will lead the next government. There will be a period of blinkered rejoicing among tribal members and then….well, soon enough it ends in tears.

    • weka 18.1

      Remember what happened to Peters when he strongly implied that he would go with Labour and then went with National? Lots of seriously pissed off LW voters if Ardern chose Peters over Greens if she didn’t have to.

      But yeah, party vote Green still needs to happen majorly to get any kind of progressive govt.

    • Ad 18.2

      The Greens, should they get back into Parliament, are owed nothing.
      Nothing.

      Nor is any party.

      The Greens campaign in this contest has been shit.
      If they are invited to form a government, Ardern, should she be in that position, has made it clear that she will honour her Party’s commitments to the Greens.

      A wise Green candidate right now will be worrying less about what cabinet position they might get in the future government, and more on their very political survival.

      The track record of Labour is that they tend to change things.
      Tears are expected.

      • weka 18.2.1

        Except there is the MoU. So unless the Greens don’t make it into parliament, or unless the numbers prevent Labour from doing so, there is an agreement that Labour and the Greens will form a govt together. That’s the whole point (that some seem to have missed)

        This is been a consistent message for the past year, it was an intentional strategy, and it has been communicated openly to the electorate. If instead Labour chose NZF over the Greens when they didn’t have to there would be hell to pay.

        I think what you are saying is that you are ok with a L/NZF govt. But lots of people on the left, most I would guess, want a progressive govt instead and that will only happen with the Greens in there.

        • Ad 18.2.1.1

          “Ardern, should she be in that position, has made it clear that she will honour her party’s commitments to the Greens.”
          Just learn to read Weka.

          What I am ok with is a Labour-led government.
          Consistent indications are that, should a Labour-led government form, the minor parties will have a minor role because of how they have performed. Unless there is a very unlikely late break for them.

          A Labour-led government will be a progressive government. That’s according to the leader and to their policies.

          The rest is up to Green supporters’ responsibility, not anyone else’s.

        • Bill 18.2.1.2

          Working together to “change the government” is not the same thing as working together to “be the government”.

          And the MoU states as it’s “purpose” as being merely –

          “…to work cooperatively to change the government at the 2017 election”

          That’s simply an intention to work together to ensure the National party falls short and definitely doesn’t preclude a sympathy/thankyou card being flung into the post.

          • Ad 18.2.1.2.1

            Exactly.

            There is no sympathy in elections.

            Only performance.

          • weka 18.2.1.2.2

            From the MoU,

            lt is our intent to build on this agreement so as to offer New Zealanders the basis of a stable, credible and progressive alternative government at the 2017 General Election.

            By changing the government, they not simply talking about getting rid of National. They’re also talking about a L/G coalition. That’s the point of the MoU, and it’s why Ardern has been stating this recently.

            I guess you could try and argue that L/NZF offers a stable, credible and progressive govt, but you’d be hard pressed, and you’d still miss the spirit of the MoU.

            The MoU doesn’t imply ‘merely’, and it’s better to read the whole thing and take it in the context of the actual relationship between the two parties and what they themselves say about it.

            • Karen 18.2.1.2.2.1

              +1 Weka
              I think the thing that many are missing is that the policies of the Labour Party and the Green Party are very similar in many respects and that this is the reason that the Green Party is the preferred coalition party for Labour and is also the reason they signed the MOU in the first place.

              It also should be noted that James Shaw and Jacinda Ardern have known each other for over a decade, and that James and Grant Robertson are good friends.

              • weka

                Agreed. It’s the relationship between the two parties that is often missed I think. Understandable in an environment where that isn’t valued. Which isn’t to say that Labour won’t do what they need to to form a stable govt, but I don’t see them trashing the relationship either.

            • Bill 18.2.1.2.2.2

              I did read the entire doc.

              And the document is about campaigning more effectively against an incumbent government, not about building or cementing a specific coalition that will constitute the replacement government.

              The room exists for NZ Labour to throw the Green Party under a bus, and if the numbers for NZF + NZ Labour add up to government and Peters states he will not work in a government that includes the Greens, then the Greens are on the tarmac.

              • weka

                The MoU is about relationship. I haven’t said it’s about cementing a specific coalition, they didn’t do that for obvious reasons (they can’t predict the result, they wanted the freedom to campaign independently).

                “The room exists for NZ Labour to throw the Green Party under a bus, and if the numbers for NZF + NZ Labour add up to government and Peters states he will not work in a government that includes the Greens, then the Greens are on the tarmac.”

                Or, Labour work with the parties involved and for a progressive govt. If you’re suggesting that Peters is capable of blackmailing them, that’a a given. It’s not inevitable though.

    • NewsFlash 18.3

      She stated that Labour had an MOU with the Greens and that she would stand by it, why do you read crap into it that isn’t there?

      What Weka say’s about NZF is true, they can’t trusted, and not everyone has a very short memory.

      I’m still confident that the Greens can lift back to their long term avg of 8%, still time to achieve that, just remain positive!!

      • Bill 18.3.1

        Where does it say in the MoU that the government will be comprised of the Green Party and NZ Labour? There is nothing to that effect within the document.

        Ardern will honour the MoU.

        • weka 18.3.1.1

          I’ve just commented up thread. It’s clear in the document that that is what Labour and the Greens want and intend, but obviously they can’t preempt the voters or election result. But both parties have consistently acted as if this is what the agreement is about.

          • Carolyn_nth 18.3.1.1.1

            I think the Green Party have treated the MOU as an agreement that will lead to a Labour-Green government more than Labour. I also seem to recall some talk at the time of the MOU, that it was an agreement hurriedly forged by the left wings of both Labour and the GP.

            In her talk last night, I’m pretty sure Turei said she worked on the MOU.

            With the change in leadership for both parties, I suspect there’s been some re-assessment of what will happen between Labour and the GP after the election – especially by Team Ardern.

            I suspect that Team Ardern recognise the need to continue with the MOU up til the election, but after that, I wouldn’t hold my breath.

            The only solution is too achieve a strong vote for the GP, and thus a significant number of GP MPs in the coming term.

            • weka 18.3.1.1.1.1

              “The only solution is too achieve a strong vote for the GP, and thus a significant number of GP MPs in the coming term.”

              Yes, and we’ve got 23 days to get this message out there. Committed LW voters in particular need to pay attention. It’s no longer a National vs Labour election, it’s a progressive vs centrist one and that to get a progressive govt some of them will have to vote Green.

            • Karen 18.3.1.1.1.2

              The MOU was developed over a year and was not hurriedly put together at all. It was something that had wide support from members of the Labour Party for a very long time. Both the leaders of the Green Party took part in the discussions with Andrew Little and various front bench Labour MPs over many months.

              I’m not sure what you mean by “Team Ardern” but I disagree strongly with the suggestion that Jacinda does not prefer a coalition with the Green Party over NZF.

              However, I do agree that having a strong Green Party is essential to having a progressive, left wing government. There are some very good candidates on the Green Party list who will make excellent government MPs.

              • Carolyn_nth

                My memory is that the MOU was suddenly rushed out in public, without preparing the media. It may have been worked on for a while, but the publishing of it seemed like the PR preparation had been hastily thrown together for some reason.

                Team Ardern includes a strong role being played by Grant Robertson. He is part of the right wing faction in Labour that strongly resisted members getting a vote on the leader. That faction consistently white anted to the media against other leaders like David Cunliffe. That, and Ardern’s haste in distancing herself from Turei, mean I am suspicious of where Team Ardern are coming from.

                I do not think all of the Labour (or all of the GP for that matter) are of a like mind. And judging by some comments on TS from some LP supporters, there are some LP people who would prefer a Labour-NZF coalition to a Labour-GP one.

                Ardern has not been leader long enough to build up trust. And in the last Labour-led government, they tended to shut the GP out of forming an alliance.

                • Karen

                  Grant Robertson and James Shaw are close personal friends – they share many values. There are undoubtably members of the Labour Party and some Labour MPS who would prefer a coalition with NZF – Grant Robertson is not one of them. I am not a big fan of Robertson – he is politically too cautious for my liking – but I think your assessment of his political ideology is wrong. He is definitely not part of the right wing of the Labour Party.

                  I also think you do a disservice to Ardern. She is intelligent and politically savvy. She is not some puppet being manipulated by rightwing factions within her party.That said, she does have to juggle the various factions to keep the party united. The Greens are in exactly the same position re left and right factions – hence the resignations of Clendon and Graham.

                  • swordfish

                    3 loosely-defined factions – Left / Right / Careerist

                    Robertson generally seen as de-facto leader of the Careerists (alternative name Soft Left – close to Helen Clark)

                    • Carolyn_nth

                      Ah. Yes. thanks, swordfish. I’ve seen that 3 part division before.

                      Ultimately, I think the careerists in Labour tend to be pulled rightwards. It would take a strong left wing flax roots movement to pull them leftwards.

                      At the moment political careerists seem to be focused on gaining support from mainstream media. And that restricts the limits of left wing politics when in government.

                  • Carolyn_nth

                    I go on past record, and from what I’ve read in various places.

                    I have yet to make up my mind about Ardern – but do see her as one of the “careerists” as mentioned by swordfish.

                    Ardern is an unknown quantity, and I suspect, to start with, she was getting strong guidance from Robertson and maybe others.

                    And technocrats, or careerists, seem to me not what is needed right now. The short term compromises can lead to the centre of NZ politics being continually dragged rightwards over time.

                    I will wait to see how Ardern develops as leader in her own right.

                    In the meantime, and based on the record of compromises made by Clark’s government, I’m not holding my breath for a strong left wing government led by Ardern.

        • NewsFlash 18.3.1.2

          It doesn’t, but it’s a MoU, and to imply that Labour would renege on it is a false statement, Jacinda actually said that if elected she would contact the Greens first to create a coalition, I don’t think she’s trying to hide anything.

          I really believe that the Greens are the preferred partner for Labour, there policies cross over more than any other party, I know your skeptical about the Labour, but I think Ardren brings a lot of transparency to the movement, she is GENUINE, and that’s why she has lifted the party and gained the support of so many potential voters, politicians like Key and English and even Tops man have eroded the trust of the people, Jacinda is now a bright light in all that darkness.

          Just remember, no political party will satisfy all the people all of the time, but one that strives towards there agenda, and are fair and honest will get my vote every time.

          • Bill 18.3.1.2.1

            I’m not saying NZ Labour will renege.

            Yes, Ardern said she’d contact the Greens first. But she did not say that would be in order to form a coalition with them.

  18. Brendon Harre 19

    Housing is the issue that goes right to the heart of this election campaign. The public have lost trust with National due to denial of this real problem. They are sick of the lies and spin. This lack of credibility and trust impacts on all of National’s policies. A tipping point has been reached.

    The voters can see in Jacinda a talented politician who passes the basic competence test and who stands for generational change, while Bill English stands for last generation thinking.

    Bill on housing is still defending his thinking. There is no acknowledgement that what the country is doing on housing is not working. He is a old-school, conservative, status quo guy and that is not what NZ needs. Bill’s housing story doesn’t add up -it doesn’t make sense. Frankly it is pathetic.

    Bill English claimed in the leaders debate that NZ would build 200,000 houses in the next 6 years and conveyed a message that there is nothing to worry about, that the housing crisis has got better under National. Mike Hoskings rightly pulled him up on the fact NZ is not building enough to house NZ’s population growth.

    But Mike didn’t state it in the most damaging way. Which is that the net increase in housing stock is even less than the consenting rate, which already is not enough to house population growth.

    To quote CoreLogic;

    “Our own analysis has shown that whilst there were roughly 10,000 dwelling consents in Auckland in 2016 (and 9,000 in 2015), the net increase in stock was only 6,000. A key contributor to this difference is the necessary reality of urban renewal which requires a property, or properties, to be demolished in order to build more multi-unit properties…”
    http://www.interest.co.nz/property/89592/auckland%E2%80%99s-property-market-looks-set-stay-weak-some-time-yet-even-housing-shortage

    Given Auckland’s average housing occupancy rate of 3.0 people per household, a net increase of 6,000 residential dwellings will only house 18,000 people. Yet Auckland is growing by 45,000 to 50,000 people a year.

    It is this fact that is driving homelessness and overcrowding in Auckland, with all its awful social and economic consequences, such as third world poor housing childhood illnesses that the NZ Herald reported on a couple of days ago.
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11913334

    National and Bill English do not have the answers. Bill English is not a policy genius. He is in denial. John Key threw him a hospital pass when he gave up the Prime Ministership and for a second time Bill will lead National into defeat.

    NB: I also have some other charts and facts on Auckland’s housing boom myth in the following article.

    https://medium.com/land-buildings-identity-and-values/aucklands-housing-boom-is-an-emperor-with-new-clothes-d3bed9a8fdcd

    • NewsFlash 19.1

      Yeah, and the most ridiculous thing he stated was that housing is more affordable now than it was in 2008, what dimension of reality is he living in?

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    A chronological listing of news articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Mar 19, 2023 thru Sat, Mar 25, 2023. Story of the Week Q&A: IPCC wraps up its most in-depth assessment of climate change The final part of the world’s most comprehensive assessment of ...
    10 hours ago
  • What I wanted to say before the mob stopped women speaking
    by Daphna Whitmore I thought the #LetWomenSpeak meeting would be a good time to talk about free speech and why it is important for the left. Then the mob stampeded the open-air gathering and no one got to speak. Here’s what I was had prepared. Today I want to talk ...
    RedlineBy Admin
    20 hours ago
  • Women’s rights meeting silenced
    By Don Franks Today my friend Ani O’Briien went to a meeting in Auckland and wrote: “No sooner had Kellie-Jay Keen Minshull arrived at the Rotunda, a protestor (who had managed to get past the barrier) ran at her and threw a red substance all over her and a security ...
    RedlineBy Admin
    21 hours ago
  • A serving of soup curbs Posie Parker’s appetite for speaking – and shows that might is right in ...
    Jonathan Milne, managing editor for Newsroom Pro, has expressed his indignation about the outcome of a court decision yesterday in an article headed Posie Parker wins the beautiful freedom to make an ugly argument. Newsroom Pro laments: High Court Justice David Gendall has regretfully allowed an outspoken anti-trans activist to enter New ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • It’s official: National have an education policy
    imagine my surprise this week when the National Party, in their infinite wisdom, decided to release an education policy. As you can imagine, this got us so riled up here in the office that we dusted off our Windows XP laptop, waiting 17 hours for all the updates to be ...
    My ThinksBy boonman
    1 day ago
  • Prosperity through Productivity.
    Come on Jess thought Mr Evans come on. He watched the large clock on the wall tick closer to 8:40am. Come on girl.In two minutes he had to submit the class attendance report and with Jess having already been late once that term it’d mean an automatic visit from the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • The hoon for the week that was to March 25
    This week’s UN IPCC report warned climate emissions will need to be cut by almost half by 2030, if warming is to be limited to 1.5°C. Bronwyn Hayward points out in The Hoon podcast how far behind NZ’s government and councils are now on climate action compared to the rest ...
    The KakaBy Peter Bale
    1 day ago
  • The big question for Labour: Will Hipkins have any more success than Ardern did with the top priorit...
    Chris  Hipkins,  after  he became prime minister, committed  to defeating the  cost-of- living crisis. He  proceeded to make a  bonfire of policies  that were at  the  heart of Jacinda Ardern’s administration.  But, as   Richard Prebble pointed out this week, “the government has not just U-turned, it has repudiated the ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    2 days ago
  • Reality check.
    There are some wellness, crystal-gazing, holistic spiritual guidance types in my disaster-hit coastal community who insist that the power of positive thinking will overcome the physical and material damages incurred by the community. They object to restrictions on road travel … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    2 days ago
  • High Performance Instability in the Financial Sector
    Evaluating the recent crashes of Silicon Valley Bank in the US and Credit Suisse in Switzerland plus two other banks (perhaps more by the time you read this) needs to begin with a review of the inevitable instability in the financial sector. The financial sector is inherently unstable, like military ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    2 days ago
  • The week in review
    1. We see here new police minister Ginny Andersen. Which larger than life NZ political figure was her great-uncle?a. Rob Muldoonb. Bill Andersenc. Richard John Seddond. Norman Kirk2. We see here archival footage of Ginny Andersen coming out of her electorate office to ask ex-tobacco lobbyist Chris Bishop if he ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Nash splashes out with a $900,000 investment in the blue economy (or is it more corporate welfare?)
    Buzz from the Beehive Stuart Nash, speaking as Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, one of his remaining portfolios after he was dropped down the Hipkins Government batting order, has drawn attention to the blue economy and its potential. Nash says the government is investing in the blue economy, or – ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • Ask Me Anything about the week to March 24
    Photo by Josh Mills on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session for paying subscribers about the week that was for the next hour, including:The runs on Silicon Valley Bank and First Republic Bank on the west coast of the United States that forced the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 24-March-2023
    Roundup is back! We skipped last week’s Friday post due to a shortage of person-power – did you notice? Lots going on out there… Our header image this week shows a green street that just happens to be Queen St, by @chamfy from Twitter. This week (and last) in ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    2 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the Keen-Minshull visit
    After threatening Prime Minister Chris Hipkins of consequences if he dared to bar her entry, Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull has been given her visa, regardless. This will enable her to hold rallies in Auckland and Wellington this weekend, and spread her messages of hostility against an already marginalised trans community. Neo-Nazis may, ...
    2 days ago
  • BRYCE EDWARDS’ Political Roundup:  NZ needs to distance itself from Australia’s anti-China nucl...
    * Bryce Edwards writes – The New Zealand Government has been silent about Australia’s decision to commit up to $400bn acquiring nuclear submarines, even though this is a significant threat to peace and stability in the Asia Pacific. The deal was struck by the Albanese Labor Government as ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Wayne Brown's #Auxit moment
    Boomers voted him in, but Brown’s Trumpish moments might spook Aucklanders worried about what a change to National nationally might mean. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTL;DR: Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has become our version of Donald Trump and Boris Johnson, except without any of the insatiable appetite for media appearances. He ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: NZ needs to distance itself from Australia’s anti-China nuclear submarines
    The New Zealand Government has been silent about Australia’s decision to commit up to $400bn acquiring nuclear submarines, even though this is a significant threat to peace and stability in the Asia Pacific. The deal was struck by the Albanese Labor Government as part of its Aukus pact with the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    2 days ago
  • Posie Parker vs Transgender Rights.
    Recently you might have heard of a person called Posie Parker and her visit to Aotearoa. Perhaps you’re not quite sure what it’s all about. So let’s start with who this person is, why their visit is controversial, and what on earth a TERF is.Posie Parker is the super villain ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Select Committee told slow down; you’re moving too fast
    The chair of Parliament’s Select Committee looking at the Government’s resource management legislation wants the bills sent back for more public consultation. The proposal would effectively kill any chance of the bills making it into law before the election. Green MP, Eugenie Sage, stressing that she was speaking as ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #12 2023
    Open access notables  The United States experienced some historical low temperature records during the just-concluded winter. It's a reminder that climate and weather are quite noisy; with regard to our warming climate,, as with a road ascending a mountain range we may steadily change our conditions but with lots of ...
    3 days ago
  • What becomes of the broken hearted? Nanny State will step in to comfort them
    Buzz from the Beehive The Nanny State has scored some wins (or claimed them) in the past day or two but it faltered when it came to protecting Kiwi citizens from being savaged by one woman armed with a sharp tongue. The wins are recorded by triumphant ministers on the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Acceptance, decency, road food.
    Sometimes you see your friends making the case so well on social media you think: just copy and share.On acceptance and decency, from Michèle A’CourtA notable thing about anti-trans people is they way they talk about transgender women and men as though they are strangers “over there” when in fact ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Climate Change: More Labour sabotage
    Not that long ago, things were looking pretty good for climate change policy in Aotearoa. We finally had an ETS, and while it was full of pork and subsidies, it was delivering high and ever-rising carbon prices, sending a clear message to polluters to clean up or shut down. And ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • Is bundling restricting electricity competition?
    Comparing (and switching) electricity providers has become easier, but bundling power up with broadband and/or gas makes it more challenging. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The Kākā TL;DR: The new Consumer Advocacy Council set up as a result of the Labour Government’s Electricity Price Review in 2019 has called on either ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Westland Milk puts heat on competitors as global dairy demand  remains softer for longer
    Hokitika-based Westland Milk Products  has  put the heat on dairy giant Fonterra with  a $120m profit turnaround in 2022, driven by record sales. Westland paid its suppliers a 10c premium above the forecast Fonterra price per kilo, contributing $535m to the West Coast and Canterbury economies. The dairy ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    3 days ago
  • BRYCE EDWARDS’ Political Roundup:  The Beehive’s revolving door and corporate mateship
    * Bryce Edwards writes – New Zealanders are uncomfortable with the high level of influence corporate lobbyists have in New Zealand politics, and demands are growing for greater regulation. A recent poll shows 62 per cent of the public support having a two-year cooling off period between ministers leaving public ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: The Beehive’s revolving door and corporate mateship
    New Zealanders are uncomfortable with the high level of influence corporate lobbyists have in New Zealand politics, and demands are growing for greater regulation. A recent poll shows 62 per cent of the public support having a two-year cooling off period between ministers leaving public office and becoming lobbyists and ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • A miracle pill for our transport ills
    This is a guest post by accessibility and sustainable transport advocate Tim Adriaansen It originally appeared here.   A friend calls you and asks for your help. They tell you that while out and about nearby, they slipped over and landed arms-first. Now their wrist is swollen, hurting like ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    3 days ago
  • The Surprising Power of Floating Wind Turbines
    Floating offshore wind turbines offer incredible opportunities to capture powerful winds far out at sea. By unlocking this wind energy potential, they could be a key weapon in our arsenal in the fight against climate change. But how developed are these climate fighting clean energy giants? And why do I ...
    3 days ago
  • The next Maori challenge
    Over the past two or three weeks, a procession of Maori iwi and hapu in a series of little-noticed appearances before two Select Committees have been asking for more say for Maori over resource management decisions along the co-governance lines of Three Waters. Their submissions and appearances run counter ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • Secret “war-crime” warrants by International Criminal Court is mischief-making
    The decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue war crimes arrest warrants for the Russian President and the Russia Children Ombudsman may have been welcomed by the ideologically committed but otherwise seems to have been greeted with widespread cynicism (see Situation in Ukraine: ICC judges issue arrest warrants ...
    4 days ago
  • How to answer Drunk Uncle Kevin's Climate Crisis reckons
    Let’s say you’re clasping your drink at a wedding, or a 40th, or a King’s Birthday Weekend family reunion and Drunk Uncle Kevin has just got going.He’s in an expansive frame of mind because we’re finally rid of that silly girl. But he wants to ask an honest question about ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • National’s Luxon may be glum about his poll ratings but has he found a winner in promising to rai...
    National Party leader Christopher Luxon may  be feeling glum about his poll ratings, but  he could be tapping  into  a rich political vein in  describing the current state of education as “alarming”. Luxon said educational achievement has been declining,  with a recent NCEA pilot exposing just how far it has ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    4 days ago
  • Climate Change: More Labour foot-dragging
    Yesterday the IPCC released the final part of its Sixth Assessment Report, warning us that we have very little time left in which to act to prevent catastrophic climate change, but pointing out that it is a problem that we can solve, with existing technology, and that anything we do ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Te Pāti Māori Are Revolutionaries – Not Reformists.
    Way Beyond Reform: Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer have no more interest in remaining permanent members of “New Zealand’s” House of Representatives than did Lenin and Trotsky in remaining permanent members of Tsar Nicolas II’s “democratically-elected” Duma. Like the Bolsheviks, Te Pāti Māori is a party of revolutionaries – not reformists.THE CROWN ...
    4 days ago
  • When does history become “ancient”, on Tinetti’s watch as Minister of Education – and what o...
    Buzz from the Beehive Auckland was wiped off the map, when Education Minister Jan Tinetti delivered her speech of welcome as host of the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers “here in Tāmaki Makaurau”. But – fair to say – a reference was made later in the speech to a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • Climate Catastrophe, but first rugby.
    Morning mate, how you going?Well, I was watching the news last night and they announced this scientific report on Climate Change. But before they got to it they had a story about the new All Blacks coach.Sounds like important news. It’s a bit of a worry really.Yeah, they were talking ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • What the US and European bank rescues mean for us
    Always a bailout: US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the Government would fully guarantee all savers in all smaller US banks if needed. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: No wonder an entire generation of investors are used to ‘buying the dip’ and ‘holding on for dear life’. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Who will drain Wellington’s lobbying swamp?
    Wealthy vested interests have an oversized influence on political decisions in New Zealand. Partly that’s due to their use of corporate lobbyists. Fortunately, the influence lobbyists can have on decisions made by politicians is currently under scrutiny in Guyon Espiner’s in-depth series published by RNZ. Two of Espiner’s research exposés ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • It’s Raining Congestion
    Yesterday afternoon it rained and traffic around the region ground to a halt, once again highlighting why it is so important that our city gets on with improving the alternatives to driving. For additional irony, this happened on the same day the IPCC synthesis report landed, putting the focus on ...
    4 days ago
  • Checking The Left: The Dreadful Logic Of Fascism.
    The Beginning: Anti-Co-Governance agitator, Julian Batchelor, addresses the Dargaville stop of his travelling roadshow across New Zealand . Fascism almost always starts small. Sadly, it doesn’t always stay that way. Especially when the Left helps it to grow.THERE IS A DREADFUL LOGIC to the growth of fascism. To begin with, it ...
    4 days ago
  • Good Friends and Terrible Food
    Hi,From an incredibly rainy day in Los Angeles, I just wanted to check in. I guess this is the day Trump may or may not end up in cuffs? I’m attempting a somewhat slower, less frenzied week. I’ve had Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s new record on non-stop, and it’s been a ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    4 days ago
  • At a glance – What evidence is there for the hockey stick?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    5 days ago
  • Carry right on up there, Corporal Espiner
    RNZ has been shining their torch into corners where lobbyists lurk and asking such questions as: Do we like the look of this?and Is this as democratic as it could be?These are most certainly questions worth asking, and every bit as valid as, say:Are we shortchanged democratically by the way ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • This smells
    RNZ has continued its look at the role of lobbyists by taking a closer look at the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff Andrew Kirton. He used to work for liquor companies, opposing (among other things) a container refund scheme which would have required them to take responsibility for their own ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Major issues on the table in Mahuta’s  talks in Beijing with China’s new Foreign Minister
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta has left for Beijing for the first ministerial visit to China since 2019. Mahuta is  to  meet China’s new foreign minister Qin Gang  where she  might have to call on all the  diplomatic skills  at  her  command. Almost certainly she  will  face  questions  on what  role ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    5 days ago
  • Inside TOP's Teal Card and political strategy
    TL;DR: The Opportunities Party’s Leader Raf Manji is hopeful the party’s new Teal Card, a type of Gold card for under 30s, will be popular with students, and not just in his Ilam electorate where students make up more than a quarter of the voters and where Manji is confident ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Make Your Empties Go Another Round.
    When I was a kid New Zealand was actually pretty green. We didn’t really have plastic. The fruit and veges came in a cardboard box, the meat was wrapped in paper, milk came in a glass bottle, and even rubbish sacks were made of paper. Today if you sit down ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on how similar Vladimir Putin is to George W. Bush
    Looking back through the names of our Police Ministers down the years, the job has either been done by once or future party Bigfoots – Syd Holland, Richard Prebble, Juduth Collins, Chris Hipkins – or by far lesser lights like Keith Allen, Frank Gill, Ben Couch, Allen McCready, Clem Simich, ...
    5 days ago
  • CHRIS TROTTER:  Te Pāti Māori’s uncompromising threat to the status quo
    Chris Trotter writes – The Crown is a fickle friend. Any political movement deemed to be colourful but inconsequential is generally permitted to go about its business unmolested. The Crown’s media, RNZ and TVNZ, may even “celebrate” its existence (presumably as proof of Democracy’s broad-minded acceptance of diversity). ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Shining a bright light on lobbyists in politics
    Four out of the five people who have held the top role of Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff since 2017 have been lobbyists. That’s a fact that should worry anyone who believes vested interests shouldn’t have a place at the centre of decision making. Chris Hipkins’ newly appointed Chief of ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    5 days ago
  • Auckland Council Draft Budget – an unnecessary backwards step
    Feedback on Auckland Council’s draft 2023/24 budget closes on March 28th. You can read the consultation document here, and provide feedback here. Auckland Council is currently consulting on what is one of its most important ever Annual Plans – the ‘budget’ of what it will spend money on between July ...
    5 days ago
  • Talking’ Posey Parker Blues
    by Molten Moira from Motueka If you want to be a woman let me tell you what to do Get a piece of paper and a biro tooWrite down your new identification And boom! You’re now a woman of this nationSpelled W O M A Na real trans woman that isAs opposed ...
    RedlineBy Admin
    6 days ago
  • More Māori words make it into the OED, and polytech boss (with rules on words like “students”) ...
    Buzz from the Beehive   New Zealand Education Minister Jan Tinetti is hosting the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers for three days from today, welcoming Education Ministers and senior officials from 18 Pacific Island countries and territories, and from Australia. Here’s hoping they have brought translators with them – or ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Social intercourse with haters and Nazis: an etiquette guide
    Let’s say you’ve come all the way from His Majesty’s United Kingdom to share with the folk of Australia and New Zealand your antipathy towards certain other human beings. And let’s say you call yourself a women’s rights activist.And let’s say 99 out of 100 people who listen to you ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Greens, Labour, and coalition enforcement
    James Shaw gave the Green party's annual "state of the planet" address over the weekend, in which he expressed frustration with Labour for not doing enough on climate change. His solution is to elect more Green MPs, so they have more power within any government arrangement, and can hold Labour ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • This sounds familiar…
    RNZ this morning has the first story another investigative series by Guyon Espiner, this time into political lobbying. The first story focuses on lobbying by government agencies, specifically transpower, Pharmac, and assorted universities, and how they use lobbyists to manipulate public opinion and gather intelligence on the Ministers who oversee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • Letter to the NZ Herald: NCEA pseudoscience – “Mauri is present in all matter”
    Nick Matzke writes –   Dear NZ Herald, I am a Senior Lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Auckland. I teach evolutionary biology, but I also have long experience in science education and (especially) political attempts to insert pseudoscience into science curricula in ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • So what would be the point of a Green vote again?
    James Shaw has again said the Greens would be better ‘in the tent’ with Labour than out, despite Labour’s policy bonfire last week torching much of what the Government was doing to reduce emissions. File Photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The Green Party has never been more popular than in some ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Gas stoves pose health risks. Are gas furnaces and other appliances safe to use?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah Wesseler Poor air quality is a long-standing problem in Los Angeles, where the first major outbreak of smog during World War II was so intense that some residents thought the city had been attacked by chemical weapons. Cars were eventually discovered ...
    6 days ago
  • Genetic Heritage and Co Governance
    Yesterday I was reading an excellent newsletter from David Slack, and I started writing a comment “Sounds like some excellent genetic heritage…” and then I stopped.There was something about the phrase genetic heritage that stopped me in tracks. Is that a phrase I want to be saying? It’s kind of ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • BRIAN EASTON: Radical Uncertainty
    Brian Easton writes – Two senior economists challenge some of the foundations of current economics. It is easy to criticise economic science by misrepresenting it, by selective quotations, and by ignoring that it progresses, like all sciences, by improving and abandoning old theories. The critics may go ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: New Zealand’s Middle East strategy, 20 years after the Iraq War
    This week marks the twentieth anniversary of the Iraq War. While it strongly opposed the US-led invasion, New Zealand’s then Labour-led government led by Prime Minister Helen Clark did deploy military engineers to try to help rebuild Iraq in mid-2003. With violence soaring, their 12-month deployment ended without being renewed ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    6 days ago
  • The motorways are finished
    After seventy years, Auckland’s motorway network is finally finished. In July 1953 the first section of motorway in Auckland was opened between Ellerslie-Panmure Highway and Mt Wellington Highway. The final stage opens to traffic this week with the completion of the motorway part of the Northern Corridor Improvements project. Aucklanders ...
    6 days ago
  • Kicking National’s tyres
    National’s appointment of Todd McClay as Agriculture spokesperson clearly signals that the party is in trouble with the farming vote. McClay was not an obvious choice, but he does have a record as a political scrapper. The party needs that because sources say it has been shedding farming votes ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago
  • As long as there is cricket, the world is somehow okay.
    Rays of white light come flooding into my lounge, into my face from over the top of my neighbour’s hedge. I have to look away as the window of the conservatory is awash in light, as if you were driving towards the sun after a rain shower and suddenly blinded. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • So much of what was there remains
    The columnists in Private Eye take pen names, so I have not the least idea who any of them are. But I greatly appreciate their expert insight, especially MD, who writes the medical column, offering informed and often damning critique of the UK health system and the politicians who keep ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago
  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A chronological listing of news articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Mar 12, 2023 thru Sat, Mar 18, 2023. Story of the Week Guest post: What 13,500 citations reveal about the IPCC’s climate science report   IPCC WG1 AR6 SPM Report Cover - Changing ...
    1 week ago
  • Financial capability services are being bucked up, but Stuart Nash shouldn’t have to see if they c...
    Buzz from the Beehive  The building of financial capability was brought into our considerations when Social Development and Employment Minister Carmel Sepuloni announced she had dipped into the government’s coffers for $3 million for “providers” to help people and families access community-based Building Financial Capability services. That wording suggests some ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago
  • Things that make you go Hmmmm.
    Do you ever come across something that makes you go Hmmmm?You mean like the song?No, I wasn’t thinking of the song, but I am now - thanks for that. I was thinking of things you read or hear that make you stop and go Hmmmm.Yeah, I know what you mean, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • The hoon for the week that was to March 19
    By the end of the week, the dramas over Stuart Nash overshadowed Hipkins’ policy bonfire. File photo: Lynn GrieveasonTLDR: This week’s news in geopolitics and the political economy covered on The Kākā included:PM Chris Hipkins’ announcement of the rest of a policy bonfire to save a combined $1.7 billion, but ...
    The KakaBy Peter Bale
    1 week ago

  • Crown apology to Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-a-Rua
    Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Andrew Little has delivered the Crown apology to Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-a-Rua for its historic breaches of Te Tiriti of Waitangi today. The ceremony was held at Queen Elizabeth Park in Masterton, hosted by Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-a-Rua, with several hundred ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Minister of Foreign Affairs meets with Chinese counterpart
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta has concluded her visit to China, the first by a New Zealand Foreign Minister since 2018. The Minister met her counterpart, newly appointed State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Qin Gang, who also hosted a working dinner. This was the first engagement between the two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government delivering world-class satellite positioning services
    World-class satellite positioning services that will support much safer search and rescue, boost precision farming, and help safety on construction sites through greater accuracy are a significant step closer today, says Land Information Minister Damien O’Connor. Damien O’Connor marked the start of construction on New Zealand’s first uplink centre for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • District Court Judges appointed
    Attorney-General David Parker has announced the appointment of Christopher John Dellabarca of Wellington, Dr Katie Jane Elkin of Wellington, Caroline Mary Hickman of Napier, Ngaroma Tahana of Rotorua, Tania Rose Williams Blyth of Hamilton and Nicola Jan Wills of Wellington as District Court Judges.  Chris Dellabarca Mr Dellabarca commenced his ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • New project set to supercharge ocean economy in Nelson Tasman
    A new Government-backed project will help ocean-related businesses in the Nelson Tasman region to accelerate their growth and boost jobs. “The Nelson Tasman region is home to more than 400 blue economy businesses, accounting for more than 30 percent of New Zealand’s economic activity in fishing, aquaculture, and seafood processing,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • National’s education policy: where’s the funding?
    After three years of COVID-19 disruptions schools are finally settling down and National want to throw that all in the air with major disruption to learning and underinvestment.  “National’s education policy lacks the very thing teachers, parents and students need after a tough couple of years, certainty and stability,” Education ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Free programme to help older entrepreneurs and inventors
    People aged over 50 with innovative business ideas will now be able to receive support to advance their ideas to the next stage of development, Minister for Seniors Ginny Andersen said today. “Seniors have some great entrepreneurial ideas, and this programme will give them the support to take that next ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government target increased to keep powering up the Māori economy
    A cross government target for relevant government procurement contracts for goods and services to be awarded to Māori businesses annually will increase to 8%, after the initial 5% target was exceeded. The progressive procurement policy was introduced in 2020 to increase supplier diversity, starting with Māori businesses, for the estimated ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Continued progress on reducing poverty in challenging times
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