“It’s still the same Labour Party”

Written By: - Date published: 12:28 pm, August 3rd, 2017 - 58 comments
Categories: labour, making shit up, national, Steven Joyce - Tags:

Steven Joyce was pushing this line on RNZ this morning – knowing that it’ll backfire if they attack Jacinda.

They tried that when she became deputy (and Joyce was hanging Nikki Kaye out to dry on that – even though clearly she’d been put up to it, having always been respectful in their contests before), and they saw how badly it went for the left when they attacked John Key.  So the (denied) focus groups are in, and it’s officially the strategy t attack the party, not the woman.

So it’s “changing the messenger doesn’t make any difference”.

The premise of the attack is that a) Labour’s message isn’t popular, and b) it hasn’t changed since… 2008? 2011?  2014? (it changes, depending on what they can get away with)

But each election TV1 do a survey, and often Fairfax too, and Labour’s policies are popular – much more popular than Labour.  But National know that people don’t read/know policy, and thus they can write it off as long as they speak in broad brushstrokes (and don’t remind people of the actual policy).

Even journalists like Guyon Espiner aren’t up on the policy, so Steven Joyce can get away with it.

Education policy hasn’t changed at all since the last election?  I’d have said 3 years’ free tertiary education was a pretty big addition.  And there’s a health professional in every school too.

Joyce also spoke of when John Key came in, them not just changing the messenger, but that’s because the Nats have genuinely unpopular policies.  But there are equivalents – Labour’s dropped the very unpopular choice to raise the retirement age (which ironically the Nats have picked up).  They’re going with a review of how to make tax fairer in government rather than explicitly going for a controversial Capital Gains Tax (although even a CGT outpolls Labour…).  Even the ‘fire at will’ 90 day policy has been watered down from repeal to replace (with a fair trial-period version).  So they’ve done that neutralising under Little – but that’s not picked up.

Yes there are large elements of 2014 still in there – but who’s going to argue that we don’t still need 100,000 affordable homes, more state houses, higher quality rentals?

And hypocritically for Joyce, I’m sure there were still significant elements from Bill English’s 2002 20% disaster that were still National policies come 2008 – and not ones that were so popular as Kiwibuild, Dole for Apprenticeships, or getting rid of Secondary Tax.

And that’s before you get onto all the new policy from the results of the massive Future of Work commission to 1000 extra police to funding National’s $2.3 billion cuts in health.

Hopefully journos will learn their policy & Labour can keep reminding them to prevent Joyce & co’s baseless attacks…

58 comments on ““It’s still the same Labour Party” ”

  1. Sabine 1

    i said the same thing yesterday.

    nothing has changed other then the leader, yet ……, and i don’t expect much to change from the policies that have been laid out.

    so this was to be expected and if Labour did not then they have their heads in the sand.

    The leader is always only as good as his party. She will learn this lesson as quickly as did Andrew Little and David Cunliffe before her.

    but let me put it this way, did anyone expect anything else?

    • but let me put it this way, did anyone expect anything else?

      The National Party, TOP and probably a few journalists.

      Everyone else realised that Labour wasn’t changing.

  2. Philj 2

    In Australia the only Media (BBC and ABC) coverage is about Jacinda’s baby response! Observing Ozzy MSM is illuminating. The Corporate take over is flagrant here. The ABC comedy (drama?) shows are amazingly on to it and subversive IMO. Makes us Kai/why’s look like lame sheep, or daggy Friesians?

  3. Ad 3

    Ardern has stated she may change the mix of policies.

    So no, it may not be the same Party as it was on Sunday.

    In fact it’s necessary to change somewhat, because otherwise Joyce’s criticism is valid in that she only brings the campaign style change with her.

    • Sabine 3.1

      the party is made of people. the people have not changed.
      a change in policy is not a change of the party.

      so yeah, its still the same labour party.

      • Ad 3.1.1

        The leader and deputy leader of the Labour Party just changed.
        As far as 99% of kiwis are concerned, that’s a change in the people of the Labour Party.

        If you don’t think a change in policy is a change in the Labour Party, let me draw your attention to 1984. There was a change in policy that was also a near-permanent change in the party.

        Plus, Ardern, has just announced a reshuffle of responsibilities:

        http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11898475

        • weka 3.1.1.1

          +1

          There’s a tendency here to see incremental change as no change. It think that’s a mistake.

          • Andre 3.1.1.1.1

            I got the impression “incremental” was an epithet around here.

            • weka 3.1.1.1.1.1

              Not one I use, but I do understand their point. For me the changes that are happening now are useful on their own, but ultimately they need to be backed up with something solid and we’re fast running out of time. Ardern has my attention for a while, and I am genuinely excited by what I’ve seen so far, but I’m also realistic enough to see the warning signs already there (I doubt they will do much of use for the underclasses for instance). So she’s got a window of opportunity but it won’t last forever. My own position is that it’s better to support the good things when they happen rather than be negative about them because they’re not enough. We need momentum but we also then need to push in the right direction. That direction is by no means clear yet.

              So it’s not that I disagree with those for whom incremental is a pejorative so much as we differ in tactics and strategy.

        • Sabine 3.1.1.2

          hahahahahahahahahahah

          nope, its like a house, you get new curtains, nice, but still the same house.

          very little has changed other then window dressing.

          sorry, i have yet to be convinced that this is anything more then window dressing.

          but again, to each their own.

          and i do own a bottle of whiskey signed by the ‘leader of the labour party’. lets hope the labour party does not again changes its mind and is seeking a new leader in a few month again.

          • weka 3.1.1.2.1

            Did you watch the original press conference? Have you been listening to what Ardern herself has been saying?

            • SpaceMonkey 3.1.1.2.1.1

              It’s still just rhetoric until it actually happens. I heard what Ardern said. I also saw how she said it. She was bloody impressive but actions speak louder. Let’s just wait and see what the next few days reveal.

              • weka

                I agree. I see potential in what is happening rather than it being sufficient on its own. I also think writing off Ardern as a show pony is both inaccurate and poor strategy.

                • Sabine

                  i don’t write her off.

                  i said wait and see before i say something more has changed then just a person leading a party that has had now three leaders in three years.

                  i think that this is also a fair stance.

                  i don’t dislike her, i have met her at fundraisers, i have given money to the party, but i don’t expect ‘change’ to happen with the same people.

                  She is the same person she was before she was leader. I don’t expect that to change. I don’t see her as the ‘lefty saviour of the party’ that many see her. I don’t see her as a bad choice, as i said, i am simply over the dog and pony show that has become the labour party.

                  so yeah, i am skeptical, cynical. and before i screetch ‘yass queen’ i want to see deeds put to words.

                • SpaceMonkey

                  She’s NOT a show pony… that much is certain. What she is a “pragmatic idealist” about still remains to be seen. And if Grant Robertson did have a hand in the leadership change (as has been suggested elsewhere) then I think we can guess what that means.

          • Ad 3.1.1.2.2

            So.
            The Labour leadership has changed.
            The Labour portfolios have changed.
            The Labour policies have changed.
            The Labour Council has changed.
            There’s just been over a thousand new volunteers sign up.

            But somehow, to you, it’s about your curtains and a bottle of whiskey.
            Whatevs.

            You are simply ignorant of what has been happening in Labour.

            • Sabine 3.1.1.2.2.1

              the leadership has changed

              the labour policies have been changed yesterday? so what we are now gonna build 120.000 houses instead of a 100.000. lol.

              the council has changed? to what? a council?

              the portfolios have already changed? to whom the same people will now do something different? how is that change?

              after cunliffe lost the election, in the battle for the ‘leadership’ hundreds of thousands joined up just to leave again, cause the leader was not leader enough.
              also these people that joined now, how long do you think they last?

              that is not change, that is re-arranging the chairs of the titanic.

              i hold my breath and wait.
              so far i only see new curtains.

              as i said to each their own.

            • weka 3.1.1.2.2.2

              “The Labour Council has changed.”

              When did that happen? What’s the difference now?

    • dukeofurl 3.2

      “stated she may change the mix of policies”

      I understand theres a inclusive policy forming process, not a ‘single decider’

      Im thinking she means presentation and which particular ones are high lighted.

      Shes identifies as a policy wonk, so no doubt shes had a part in many of them and if she keeps the same people in major policy areas then they arent likely to be big changes.

      • Ad 3.2.1

        I really wouldn’t mind if there were big changes.

        The housing policy is old.

        The tertiary education policy was launched too early.

        The budget statement was a budget statement.

        Ardern herself won’t be enough: she needs fresh policy to go to the political market with.

        • dukeofurl 3.2.1.1

          They would always have policies held back closer to election.

          national would even wait till after the election it won to announce certain policies.

          • McFlock 3.2.1.1.1

            lol funny because it’s true

            Seriously, though, the campaign always reaches a frenzy in the last couple of weeks. That’s when people save their big hits for.

            I think it was the last one the elections office did a big early voting campaign, though. Don’t know if they’re doing it this time. That sort of lead to the election night count starting pretty much where it finished, as I recall, whereas usually the early votes favoured the tories and the left would play catchup with people who voted on the day.

        • Draco T Bastard 3.2.1.2

          Ardern herself won’t be enough: she needs fresh policy to go to the political market with.

          I’d disagree with that. Labour has some solid policies. What’s needed is a better presentation of those policies and Ardern seems to be able to do that and do it with style.

  4. Nick 4

    Its obvious Policies arent going to change this close to the election.

    However I hope the clarity (bullet points) policies are delivered effectively to her target audience by Jacinda and not lost in emotional garbled politic speak, which I think Jacinda has a tendency to do …in my opinion as an average listener/voter.

  5. David Mac 5

    I think Labour have made a poor job of getting their message across. This is something that can be adjusted. I was pleasantly surprised to see the whole ‘Fresh Approach’ thing canned. The policy detail is just the device to bring about a favourable outcome. That potential outcome is what needs selling. Policy detail belongs on the website and dissecting here.

    Kiwibuild will ease the supply/demand issues in housing and thereby ease pressure on rising rents. The sell is: ‘Vote Labour and stabilise your rent.’ Free tertiary, again, that’s just the tools. The popular outcome is: ‘Preparing young New Zealanders for careers in a world trending towards specialised expertise’.

    Policy communication that is going to be absorbed by the masses needs to focus on the popular outcomes and packaged into a bumper sticker soundbite format. Watching Jacinda the other day, I see a difference. I cringe recalling Andrew getting led down into those blackholes of policy wonkiness. “A family with 3 children with one person working, not getting the accom sup but getting the WFF, they’ll be better off” etc. I get the feeling….hope….unlike her predecessors, Jacinda might avoid those fruitless pursuits and make Labour policy alluring.

  6. patricia bremner 6

    Ha Ha LOL Feel vindicated Sabine?
    Of interest is Collins/ Joyce ….. Where is English/Bennett?

    We are in Australia currently.

    They have no time for Kiwis, and NZ issues are not on their radar.
    Changing Leaders happens often here, so our wee adjustment doesn’t rate.

    • Sabine 6.1

      not sure what you are about?

      not sure if i care.

      this is not about vindication, this is in my book the last time this country has a chance to do something for its people before really the fix is in, and citizens are nothing more then productive units who are replacable with no value other then the amount of $ they make for the corps.

      and we are playing kabuki theatre hoping that ‘charm and grace’ will win over policy because the population has an attention span of a goldfish and can’t be arsed voting for their best interest.

      if building houses boring under Andrew Little and Cunliffe will it be sexy under Ardern?

      i am not sure.

      so what ever you mean by vindicated, i feel nothing of the sort.

    • Philj 6.2

      Visiting Oz ourselves, and their politics drama / comedy highlights the absurdity and insanity of current political/global cesspool. The Ozzies are onto it. Lots of Kiwi’s are preoccupied watching Hosking or switching off from the trash MSM. It does explain why our people vote, or not vote, the way they do, or don’t. Our Trump moment has yet to occur. But it will…

  7. ankerawshark 7

    I am prepared to be proved wrong, but I think the change to Jacinda is a game changer. We on the left know it is still Labour and their policies (mostly), but the public are really drawn to her. If you get spontaneous applause when you walk through an airport, my god, even John Key didn’t get that. How many votes did his popularity/selfies etc earn. I saw Jacinda was on the Edge radio show with the dreadful Dom Harvey. BUT what she did was played Jacinda tinder and it was clean and not against anyone and good fun………………………………..The media will court her as she will boast their ratings and she can do fun (not my idea of good political debate, but the means justifies the end) Best headline “Dreary from Dipton versus the People’s Princess…………………..you cannot halt this. She is mega popular and imho there is nothing National can do about it.

  8. xanthe 8

    well lets see what comes out on Friday shall we?

  9. savenz 9

    For a start Labour need to show that they are against Asset sales, much more firmly. Although Arden has been popular, at the end of the day Labour need to address how to differentiate between themselves and National.

    A list like “Health, mental health, housing and education” is not really as clear as, “We will not be privatising public assets like State Housing under Labour”. A clear difference in policy from National.

    We will not be resurrecting the zombie TPPA under Labour. etc.

    If you want to work out why Labour in the UK has been in the doldrums for decades too, you only need look at Haringey – the Labour-run is likely to approve plans to privatise an entire housing estate yesterday. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jul/03/britain-power-contempt-grenfell-labour-haringey-social-housing

    There are huge similarities with what the Blairite’s did there to how Labour is now perceived, and as another commentator has said it’s not what Rogernomics did, it’s that Labour has not be quick enough to renounce his legacy.

    Or this…
    How the MoD’s plan to privatise military housing ended in disaster

    https://www.theguardian.com/news/2017/apr/25/mod-privatise-military-housing-disaster-guy-hands

    Until Labour can clearly articulate and actually BE different from National they are not going to be getting voter parity back in the old days when they were on 47%.

  10. Tony Veitch (not etc) 10

    Again, I know this is only superficial, but with the innocuous, meaningless “A Fresh Approach’ gone, how about

    For the Many, not the Few!

    It worked for Corbyn,

    • Siobhan 10.1

      I think what worked for Corbyn was using a slogan with actual clear meaning.,…He advocated reversing austerity cuts to public services and welfare funding, and proposes renationalisation of public utilities and the railways.

      I’m not quite sure what policies NZ Labour are bringing to the table that would result in any real redistribution ‘for the many, not the few’.

      • srylands 10.1.1

        Yes but New Zealand has totally avoided austerity.

        • Siobhan 10.1.1.1

          I don’t know about that, have you wandered through a public hospital lately? Are we funding schools properly? Just how big can class sizes get? Cuts at the library. Kids loaded up with debt for an education that others got for free…….
          Budget restraint is being sold to us as ‘sensible’, but its ‘austerity’, with a small ‘a’ to all intents and purposes. John Key sold us the concept…and no one is suggesting ending it. Just moving it around. Deck chairs on the Titanic.

        • SpaceMonkey 10.1.1.2

          Not quite… we’ve avoided a UK-like austerity because the previous Labour Government paid down the debt, and which enabled John Key’s National Government to run it up again. But that didn’t stop National from chronically underfunding all manner of government departments and social institutions to starve them of capability and capacity, and justify their gradual privatization.

          • savenz 10.1.1.2.1

            I’d say we avoided austerity for many because house prices went up due to immigration, that helped 65% of people be richer if they sold their house or feel richer if they didn’t. But those without a house felt got the worst of both worlds, high rents, low wages and decreasing services. Those with a house got low wages and decreasing services too, but to offset that, were richer.

            The trick is to have a message to marry up many Kiwis feeling reasonably well off but still hating National for what they are doing. I’d say that is where Labours messaging is off, maybe the secret of Jacinda is that she radiates positivity which is resonating with many.

        • Stuart Munro 10.1.1.3

          In your dreams.

        • mikes 10.1.1.4

          If you are running budget surpluses and private debt is going up then you are not avoiding austerity.

    • savenz 10.2

      It also worked for Corbyn because people trust him. They know that he has integrity and he is not a manufactured politician. He is unshakeable in his beliefs and can not be called a careerist or be considered to lack substance.

      In NZ one of the reasons I think Labour has sunk so low is that they are doing the opposite of for the many not the few, a lot of their branding has been around renting conditions, aka first home buyers, WOF, homelessness. Nothing wrong with that, only 65% of voters are homeowners in NZ so the Labour message does not speak directly to a large chunk of the population’s concerns who face other issues around housing, such as increasing council rates, leaky building issues, deregulation of planning standards, mortgage rate fluctuations, rip offs in the aged home retirement home sector, insecure work, low wages.

  11. savenz 11

    Also people are getting sick of constant bias in the news. Today’s front page Granny was about how congestion was costing 1.9 billion, it was a very long article, as no point did it mention immigration as a factor for why there are now suddenly 5000 new cars in Auckland per week that are causing the congestion.. Instead more taxes were being considered like a tolls to tax locals and ultimately slow down traffic and more tax payers money for infrastructure.

    Labour won Mt Albert on a ‘local’ ticket. It’s about time that local and community needs were actually put first before some multinational corporation, cafe business or National crony business ventures relying on both overseas capital to sell off assets cheap and slave labour to run it.

    Personally I think if all these businesses need imported labour to run their businesses, maybe they should be paying a $20,000 one off charge to go into the ‘infrastructure fund’ to fund the new cars and public transport needed. Maybe the tourist tax should be raised and go for rail to the air port etc.

    Urban locals are sick of being the cash cows of the city so that many businesses can keep wages below a living wage.

  12. They brought in John Key after the Dipper caused National to undergo one of its worst defeats , and after Brash had the Brethren thing ,- and proceeded to carry on with the most corrupt, anti democratic governments NZ has ever known. And , with a compliant media that idolized Key , got away with never before seen homelessness , poverty and the dismantling of our health , education and social services.

    And that’s the power of the media.

    Does anyone REALLY think Labour would get away with all that ,- let alone do all of that with such contempt for its voters ???

    And here some are being all gloom and doom about Labours change of leadership !!!!

    Take some positive pills !!!

    Please !!!

    The facts are , that the way people and the media are viewing Jacinda Adern means that not only is there a strong likelihood of Labour defeating a tired 3 term National govt , – esp against a backdrop of corruption and mass inequality , – but that the Key example demonstrates how a change of leadership can drastically change the fortunes of a party .

    We had John Key , – a relative new boy on the block come out of nowhere and take the position of PM. Year after year. We now have Jacinda Adern about to do the same , – except that Jacinda Adern had more active years in Parliament than Key.

    Couple that with the fact that Labours policy’s are , by Nationals standards , – far , far more equitable for ‘ the many , not the few’.

    This is a time to get in behind and support Labour , the MOU and their coalition partners. Not get afraid of success.

    Because that is whats coming in September.

    All the signs are there.

    • tc 12.1

      Agree except key didnt come from nowhere.

      He was chosen and groomed with that state housing single parent upbringing meme and marketed like any ponzi scheme is. Media who didnt tow the line were punished.

      Whenever his mask slipped distractions and DP tactics were deployed. Bennett like Key is destroying the institutions that gave them housing food and educations.

      JA has national scared, they probably had the DP crew focused on little so please Labour start throwing some bricks as momentum is with you so get some hits in while you have peoples attention.

      • savenz 12.1.1

        I guess banks and private equity firms realised that rather than waiting for the privatisations and tenders from government to happen they could just jettison in one of their own as PM to organise it for them aka John Key getting Merril Lynch handling the NZ power asset sales, no questions about asked – not even now when the share holder returns once sold off have already exceeded the sales price.

  13. Chess Player 13

    Until they come up with some better policies, Labour will continue to lose ground to the Greens.
    TOP has some great policies – why don’t Labour just take some of those?

  14. Michael 14

    Labour has some OK policies but most are merely cosmetic tinkerings with the neoliberal status quo. Overall, they certainly don’t amount to the change that many people say they want (and, I think, probably do want). Another problem is that Labour’s policies are way too complex, contain far too many details, conditional contingencies, and weasel words to be either comprehensible or credible. The “Families Package” is a case in point. Finally, no matter progressive Labour’s policies are (and most are not), it has a credibility problem – people don’t believe a words its spokespeople say, no matter what colour lipstick they are wearing. And the reason for that is …?

  15. patricia bremner 15

    Apologies Sabine.
    My bad. I was replying to Phylj, commenting on the overseas and Australian press responses to Jacinda.

    • exkiwiforces 15.1

      yeah, should’ve seen the Australian today and I think it may’ve been in the NT News as well.

  16. georgecom 16

    over the past 9 years Labour has come to the elections with a raft of new or progressive or different policies. Some, like Kiwi Build, more popular than others, like lifting the superannuation age. Last election they had the idea of replacing the blunt Inflation Rate tool for controlling inflation with a national savings/kiwi saver rate tool. Whether that was actually workable or not I am unsure, however it showed some very new and innovative thinking.

    By comparison the National Party has had next to no policy and almost nothing of significance. What we got in education for example were National Standards and Charter Schools. Neither of those are actually credible for raising education achievement levels. What you have had from National are ‘100 point lists’, ’80 point goals’, ‘9238 strategy’ lists etc etc etc. Essentially wish lists and hope for lists with no actual plan for delivery. Things that are quietly shelved when they didn’t come to fruition.

  17. exkiwiforces 17

    I’m starting to think this gamble might have be biggest move by Labour in years or should that be decades? If I’m hearing and reading rightly I might pop in and see my local bookie here in Darwin to see what the odds are for a Labour government after seeing my psychologist tomorrow as don’t mind backing the odd roughie now and again.

    • Michael 17.1

      Don’t bet the entire contents of your wallet (or bank account) on Labour winning. It’s more likely the Nats will score a fourth term, with Winston’s cheerful assistance. But Labour won’t be wiped out now that Ardern’s taken over.

      • exkiwiforces 17.1.1

        I’ll probably put $20 on it, from my rugby betting account thanks to Scotland and the lions.

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    Open access notables Could an extremely cold central European winter such as 1963 happen again despite climate change?, Sippel et al., Weather and Climate Dynamics: Here, we first show based on multiple attribution methods that a winter of similar circulation conditions to 1963 would still lead to an extreme seasonal ...
    2 days ago
  • First they came for the Māori

    Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedFirst they came for the doctors But I was confused by the numbers and costs So I didn't speak up Then they came for our police and nurses And I didn't think we could afford those costs anyway So I ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Join us for the weekly Hoon on YouTube Live

    Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on UnsplashWe’re back again after our mid-winter break. We’re still with the ‘new’ day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when we have our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Will the real PM Luxon please stand up?

    Notes: This is a free article. Abuse in Care themes are mentioned. Video is at the bottom.BackgroundYesterday’s report into Abuse in Care revealed that at least 1 in 3 of all who went through state and faith based care were abused - often horrifically. At least, because not all survivors ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Will debt reduction trump abuse in care redress?

    Luxon speaks in Parliament yesterday about the Abuse in Care report. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:PM Christopher Luxon said yesterday in tabling the Abuse in Care report in Parliament he wanted to ‘do the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Olywhites and Time Bandits

    About a decade ago I worked with a bloke called Steve. He was the grizzled veteran coder, a few years older than me, who knew where the bodies were buried - code wise. Despite his best efforts to be approachable and friendly he could be kind of gruff, through to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Why were the 1930s so hot in North America?

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters and Bob Henson Those who’ve trawled social media during heat waves have likely encountered a tidbit frequently used to brush aside human-caused climate change: Many U.S. states and cities had their single hottest temperature on record during the 1930s, setting incredible heat marks ...
    2 days ago
  • Throwback Thursday – Thinking about Expressways

    Some of the recent announcements from the government have reminded us of posts we’ve written in the past. Here’s one from early 2020. There were plenty of reactions to the government’s infrastructure announcement a few weeks ago which saw them fund a bunch of big roading projects. One of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Thursday, July 25

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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