Jacinda or Judith?

Written By: - Date published: 7:47 am, October 16th, 2020 - 65 comments
Categories: election 2020, greens, jacinda ardern, Judith Collins, labour, national, nz first, uncategorized - Tags:

It is election day tomorrow.

This campaign is different to previous campaigns.  Advance voting is phenomenal. As at yesterday morning over 1.5 million people had early voted.  It seems pretty clear that most people have made up their mind and want the campaign finished.

Last night’s Colmar Brunton poll had something for everyone.  The Greens appear to be safer although they regularly outpoll their actual result.  And New Zealand First improved.  They may be back and if this happens it would have a dampening effect on the progressive desires of Labour and Green MPs.

And never assume anything in politics.  There is a nightmare possibility that with a late National surge, the Greens missing out and NZ First somehow surviving that an alternative Government could be cobbled together.

Which is why every progressive vote is so special.  And so important.

There are some fascinating electorate campaigns.

In Tamaki Makaurau a late surge by John Tamihere could see Peeni Henare miss out.  I actually like some of the Maori Party’s policies but they have always sided with National.

In Auckland Central it appears that Chloe Swarbrick will do well but not well enough.  Emma Mellows could sneak through.  I would prefer that National had another Taliban Right MP than an urban liberal MP elected to its caucus.

And last minute Green – Labour party votes could see some very deserving people elected to Parliament.

For Labour Mangere-Otahuhu Local Board Chair and all round good person Lemauga Lydia Sosene is 54 on Labour’s list and has a good chance of being in the next Parliament although there are electorate MPs below her on the list who should win their electorate and it will be tight.  Mangere deserves two MPs.  Epsom has thought the ACT gerrymander had two MPs for the past 15 years.  Mangere deserves to be treated the same even if more legitimate and democratic methods are used.

For the Greens at number 11 on their list Steve Abel is tantalisingly close.  His history with Greenpeace and fighting climate change is formidable.  His lifetime of activism and his deep understanding of the issues would be invaluable for the next Government. This Parliament needs Steve to be there.

This is the Covid election.  While we bask in our current community spread free status in Europe a further surge is under way.  In America the White House has more community spread cases than Aotearoa does.

There has been much heated opposition and media based attacks on the Government for how bad its Covid response has been.  Right now these attacks appear to be horrendously overheated.  Anyone who talks about New Zealand failures need their heads read.

And this is also the climate change election.  Decisions need to be made now to ensure that this country has a chance of meeting its goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.  Prevarication is no longer an option.

My preference is a Labour Green coalition.  Let there be a debate of ideas about what the Government should be doing.  Our grandkids will be depending what decisions are made.

So make sure you vote.  Make sure your whanau votes.  Vote for their future.

And as you vote just think.  Who do you want to be your Prime Minister?  Jacinda or Judith?

65 comments on “Jacinda or Judith? ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Sacha 1
    16 October 2020 at 7:53 am

    I would prefer that National had another Taliban Right MP than an urban liberal MP elected to its caucus.

    Yeah nah. I'd like them to be able to rebuild in a way that does not threaten the consistent trajectory we all must support over the next decade or two. Bad enough having all the furtive fundamentalists in there already without adding any.

    • mickysavage 1.1
      16 October 2020 at 8:05 am

      I made the comment because if National loses its urban liberal element the chances of it ever being in Government again will fade.

      • WeTheBleeple 1.1.1
        16 October 2020 at 9:01 am

        Maybe. There's a lot of very nasty self-interested people in this country. They'll take a sound bite over facts gladly, and they remind me very much of GOP whose only aim left is to 'own the libs'.

        Today's social media is rife with idiots calling the left terrorists, clueless, conniving, sly, and of course with agendas to take their cars, guns, freedom…

        Trolls. In America they number almost 200 million. Desperately stupid and desperately desperate. And the locals echo them.

        I submit that, by the next election, the right will have a Cambridge Analytica type PR machine well and truly embedded in the national psyche. It will take all we got just to deflect the BS.

        Did we stop the US interfering in the reeferendum? No, we did nothing.

      • Enough is Enough 1.1.2
        16 October 2020 at 10:17 am

        "…the chances of it ever being in Government again will fade."

        The right wing vote is likely to come in at about 40%. It won't take too many mis-steps from the government over the next three years for them to claw 5 – 6% back, and all off a sudden they can govern again.

        Anyone who thinks there is any chance that the right won't govern again is either a fool, or has no knowledge of history.

        • Uncle Scrim 1.1.2.1
          16 October 2020 at 10:29 am

          Yes and the right's path to future victory probably lies in finding a palatable Key-type leader who isn't unlikeable like Bridges and won't scare the centre like Collins or Brash, and also they will have to commit to retain key Labour initiatives (as Key did with Kiwibank, Kiwisaver, Cullen Fund), while obviously needing to throw a few bones to potential partners like Act. This has been National’s path to power and approach ever since Sid Holland basically kept Labour's welfare state in 1949-57 (with the exception of Ruthenasia-period Nats).

          The key thing is for a current Labour-Greens government to put actual achievements in place that prove popular and therefore durable – initiatives that no future campaigning National leader would risk axing.

        • Tricledrown 1.1.2.2
          16 October 2020 at 11:12 am

          EiE provided National and ACT don't make any misteps given Nationals record that would be wishful thinking.

          • Enough is Enough 1.1.2.2.1
            16 October 2020 at 11:50 am

            I voted Green (as I always have) so I don't think it is wishful thinking.

            If you think only one party has a record of misteps, may I introduce to you Phil Goff, David Shearer, David Cunliffe and Andrew Little, and the factional wars that raged in Labour during each of their leadership failures. Remember the leaking from the ABC club.

            Parties are united for so long as they lead in the polls.

            • Patricia Bremner 1.1.2.2.1.1
              16 October 2020 at 8:24 pm

              You are not correct in putting Andrew Little in that grouping, he was selected through a leadership vote, and gave up his position to his more able Deputy, he also nominated Jacinda.

        • Wensleydale 1.1.2.3
          16 October 2020 at 1:38 pm

          "It is the doom of men that they forget." — Merlin, Excalibur

          National will be back. They always come back. Like herpes. People vote for all sorts of reasons, some more or less idiotic than others, and one of them is boredom with the status quo. "It's time for a change." Is it? Is it, really? I mean, if it's not broken, don't fix it, right? But nooooo… let's bin a functioning government working on positive change because "They've had their turn!" and "I'm sick of seeing her face in the papers and on the news!" Also, tax cut lolly-scrambles and fear-mongering work. They don't work all the time, and they don't work on all the people, but the temptation is ever present. Blaming 'others' for all the ills of society or your own personal misfortune is always a vote-winner. "Smash the gangs! Sanction those lazy bludgers getting fat off your hard-earned tax dollars! What about Mum and Dad investors?!" And this, sooner or later, is Labour's fate. These things always run in cycles.

          National will be back. They're 'born to rule' and will be all things to all people, just so long as they get their grubby talons on the levers of power once more. And they'll be just as fucking corrosive, divisive, disingenuous and vindictive as they've always been. It's who they are. Labour needs to do as much good as is possible in the steadily shrinking window of opportunity they're given.

        • woodart 1.1.2.4
          16 October 2020 at 5:10 pm

          totally agree EiE. there are only two main parties, so one or other will be the gov. the nats will get back into gov at some stage, so you and sacha are correct in your outlook.

      • Sacha 1.1.3
        16 October 2020 at 10:48 am

        I can picture the current Nats fracturing into liberal and fundamentalist parties – which under MMP might attract enough support to form a workable coalition. Their angry element will not be going away in a fast-changing world, no matter who is in charge.

        • roblogic 1.1.3.1
          16 October 2020 at 11:30 am

          National's moderate social conservatives are "fundamentalists" as much as Grant Robertson is a socialist revolutionary

          Labour Either party would be stupid to attack people split on the basis of religion

          (edited)

  3. gsays 3
    16 October 2020 at 8:07 am

    While Jacinda or Judith should be a hands down misere, there is also their playmates to consider.

    Jacinda brings James and Marama for the play date. Conciliation and relationship building.

    Judith wants to bring David and Gerry. Gun rights and a bullying tone.

  4. Dennis Frank 4
    16 October 2020 at 8:08 am

    My preference is a Labour Green coalition.

    Same here. And I appreciate your description of Steve Abel & his relevance. Would be good if leftists who aren't tribally identified with Labour keep boosting the Greens so they come in at 9% or more.

    As for how the undecided will go, there's been no sign of any late-emerging nudge or trigger – and the various ploys tried by the Nat leader are remarkable in their consistent apparent failure. As with some other commentators, I'm half expecting the legendary late run by Winston to get NZF leaping the hurdle. That would only take 2% out of that 14/15% undecided – easily achieved, one would think!

    If that happens, and they survive with the Greens, Jacinda has an interesting choice. Continue the troika, like a hybrid inching forward with handbrake on, or go red/green, cleanly energised. The latter is the best option!

    • swordfish 4.1
      16 October 2020 at 10:34 am

      Dennis

      As with some other commentators, I'm half expecting the legendary late run by Winston to get NZF leaping the hurdle.

      Odds are still fairly heavily against … but probably around a 20% chance they'll just manage to scrape the 5% threshold.

      If the margin between their final Colmar Brunton rating & the election result were the same in 2020 as in 2017 … then NZF would finish on … wait for it ! … precisely 5% of the Party-Vote this Election.

      For various reasons, I think they're more like to be around 4%, possibly a smidgen under … but there's a non-trivial (if still rather narrow) chance of making 5% or a whisker more.

      I'd say:

      Definitely (in broad terms) 2.5 – 5.5

      Probably (in specific terms) 3.5 – 4.5

    • Hanswurst 4.2
      16 October 2020 at 4:56 pm

      If that happens, and they survive with the Greens, Jacinda has an interesting choice. Continue the troika, like a hybrid inching forward with handbrake on, or go red/green, cleanly energised. The latter is the best option!

      That, of course, is assuming that NZ First itself wants to continue in government. Its experiences in government so far, even more than those of most minor parties, have been ruinous to its vote share. Peters & co. may calculate that, especially in a situation where they are not necessesary to the government's majority, they would be better off trying to build up their support in opposition, using the flexibility to say what they want without having to account for themselves in government.

  5. PsyclingLeft.Always 5
    16 October 2020 at 8:22 am

    "Sometimes we are at the edge of crying," said Lenka Krejcova, a head nurse at Slany hospital near Prague, as builders hurried to turn a general ward into a Covid-19 department.

    Poland is ramping up training for nurses and considering creating military field hospitals, Moscow is to move many students to online learning, and Northern Ireland is closing schools for two weeks and restaurants for four.

    "I don't have any good information. We are on the brink of disaster," said immunologist Pawel Grzesiowski in Poland, which reported a record 6,526 infections and 116 deaths on Wednesday.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/428374/on-brink-of-disaster-europe-faces-coronavirus-surge

    I'm proud to be of the NZ Left…and absolutely Jacinda and our Team getting us through

    • Pierre 5.1
      16 October 2020 at 9:39 pm

      I'm in Britain, where we're stumbling into either a second spike or a second lockdown. Every time I check up on New Zealand it makes me envious to see how well things are managed.

      I get there are restrictions on election-day campaigning, so without naming it directly – up the party of the working people!

      • PsyclingLeft.Always 5.1.1
        16 October 2020 at 9:50 pm

        Aye matey ! And Keep Safe. We'll keep NZ good for you too.

      • Patricia Bremner 5.1.2
        16 October 2020 at 10:47 pm

        Keep Safe Perre, and as Jacinda would say "wash your hands, don't touch your face, stay in your bubble” (group) All the best.

  6. Robert Guyton 6
    16 October 2020 at 8:27 am

    Chris Trotter cuts to the chase:

    “Shall I tell you the real reason to legalise cannabis? Because all the stuff I’ve told you, while true, isn’t enough. You should legalise cannabis because you’d like it. No, actually, you’d love it! Cannabis makes food taste better. It turns music into magic. It suppresses pain and nausea naturally. And, it transforms sex into a holy sensory sacrament. So, go on, what are you waiting for? Just say YES!”

    http://bowalleyroad.blogspot.com/2020/10/fitz-on-cannabis.html

  7. PsyclingLeft.Always 7
    16 October 2020 at 8:30 am

    Chris Trotter drones…on

  8. Weasel 8
    16 October 2020 at 9:03 am

    Polls consistently show the Nats are unlikely to get much more that 30% but Judith Collins says she won't step down despite her previous statement saying that any Nat leader who can't get the Nats 0ver 35% should quit. Her excuse? She said she made the statement when National was on 44% "and never, ever in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would have to take over the leadership in the circumstances that I did." https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018768604/election-2020-judith-collins-on-lead-up-to-election-day
    Actually, let's hope she stays on. She ran an inept, clumsy and cringe-making campaign. Which National Party supporting isn't totally over phases like: "I'll tell you what…" Her campaign was directionless and she divided her own support.
    As I former reporter, one thing I learned in assessing leaders' ability to connect with the people is their ability to think on their feet to instantly and instinctually respond to a left field question with the appropriate answer. People like David Lange, John Key, Winston Peters and Jacinda Ardern have it and others like David Shearer, David Cunliffe, Don Brash and Judith Collins don't. It is something that can't be learned. So let's hope she clings on into the next election.

    • mango 8.1
      16 October 2020 at 9:27 am

      I see your argument but I would be happy if I never saw her again.

      • AB 8.1.1
        16 October 2020 at 11:42 am

        Successful Nat leaders hide the intrinsic malevolence of their party's ideology – Key could, Collins can't. No matter how hard she tries, it finds cracks in the facade and seeps to the surface, suppurating in the spring sunlight.

        • Valerie Coulson 8.1.1.1
          16 October 2020 at 4:58 pm

          National have developed into a ugly party for the past 20 years. It's a shame because I know and feel there are many good & kind Nat voters out there who care for NZ and it’s people. They simply must get rid of this poison, Judith Collins included who have forgotten their aim should be to improve the lives of all NZ. Power for powers sake is just so wrong. There are good honest people out there

        • woodart 8.1.1.2
          16 October 2020 at 5:13 pm

          what a charming mental picture AB.

    • Incognito 8.2
      16 October 2020 at 9:35 am

      Strike me down with a feather; JC is not going to step down after Saturday. If indeed she stays on then she’ll hamper the necessary rebuilding of National. In any case, it is not up to JC to decide. When the Party does its post-mortem analysis next week it needs to have a hard look at the leadership and the campaign as a whole. It appears that in the last couple of weeks National’s campaign was really JC’s campaign with no other MPs in sight. Nicola Willis would be my pick for next Leader of the National Party and as Leader of the Opposition. But nobody pays any attention to what I write here so it ain’t gonna happen 😉

      • Robert Guyton 8.2.1
        16 October 2020 at 10:07 am

        I too recognise Nicola Willis as the next leader for National, Incognito smiley

        • aom 8.2.1.1
          16 October 2020 at 10:19 am

          Being in her neck of the woods, it is apparent Nicola Willis would be an excellent choice for Labour and the Greens.

          • Lettuce 8.2.1.1.1
            16 October 2020 at 1:03 pm

            You mean she's not actually just another shill for Fonterra? She sure does a great job of hiding that.

      • Sacha 8.2.2
        16 October 2020 at 10:57 am

        The only reason Willis will still be there after tomorrow is the high list placing deal she and Bishop secured in the knifing of Bridges. No broad support in her caucus.

        Who do the backroom eminences like 'Merv' and Goodfellow support?

      • woodart 8.2.3
        16 October 2020 at 5:14 pm

        nah, maureen pugh. the south will rise again!

      • Craig H 8.2.4
        16 October 2020 at 9:46 pm

        If it's particularly bad, wouldn't surprise me if she literally got a DCM on Sunday.

        • Incognito 8.2.4.1
          16 October 2020 at 9:51 pm

          Two long weekends in a row, no less! Next weekend is Labour weekend, which is JC’s favourite 🙂

    • observer 8.3
      16 October 2020 at 10:21 am

      Come on, this is just standard practice.

      Leaders who are about to lose say they won't quit. Then they quit – some jump, some are pushed. The timing varies (on election night, or a few weeks/months of caretaker leadership until the party is ready to pick a replacement). Collins will probably be given the chance to jump before she's pushed, because the caucus will not want a Dolchstosslegende to annoy the fan club base. But she'll go, regardless.

      In the modern era, every Nat/Lab losing leader departs. The last one who didn't was Clark 1996.

      • Sacha 8.3.1
        16 October 2020 at 11:11 am

        Collins is toast and she knows it. Caucus will not feel they owe her any face-saving favours.

        • observer 8.3.1.1
          16 October 2020 at 11:26 am

          Maybe not for her sake, but for their own, looking ahead. She gets a month before caucus meets. They can't install a new leader immediately, they will need a caretaker until (at least) they know who has survived, with the final result.

          Clark could step down immediately because Goff was anointed, no leadership contest. Hard to see that unanimity in National, post-election.

          • Sacha 8.3.1.1.1
            16 October 2020 at 11:28 am

            Jockeying already started. They aren't going to wait around for a month.

            • observer 8.3.1.1.1.1
              16 October 2020 at 11:51 am

              Sure, but wait around for what? A new caretaker, or a 2023 leader?

              If (as you say and I agree) it's too soon for Luxon, they have to be sure they pick the right one, otherwise it's just more of the same, with another leadership change later. So a bunch of new MPs (safe seats) will be picking a PM-in-waiting who they may not have even met.

              • Uncle Scrim …
                16 October 2020 at 5:19 pm

                If and when Collins goes then Ardern will have seen off 4 National leaders in 3 or so years. The same number as Key managed to inflict on Labour in 8 years, 2008-16 (Clark, Goff, Shearer, Cunliffe).

      • NZJester 8.3.2
        16 October 2020 at 2:50 pm

        There will not be much decussion I think, they have already picked her replacement. The only reason he is not in that spot instead of judith is he must first actaully become an MP. Once that herdle is out of the way I see a quick shift from the faction waiting in he wings rolling her faster than you can say Lux…….

        • observer 8.3.2.1
          16 October 2020 at 3:15 pm

          He won't be an MP until Nov 13, and even then the first order of business is to debate the incoming government's programme.

          There is no way Luxon will be leading the party in Parliament when he doesn't even know how the place works. It would be a farce ("point of order … no, hang on, is it my turn? … Mr Speaker, do I sit down now, what's happening?").

          Point is: if they want Luxon, they keep Collins.

          • woodart 8.3.2.1.1
            16 October 2020 at 5:27 pm

            yes luxo will have to be given a locker and shown where the little boys room is. much to learn before being made head prefect.

    • Tricledrown 8.4
      16 October 2020 at 11:08 am

      National don't like losers as leaders never have never will JC is toxic and will thrown to the Dirty politics wolf pack.

      No chance of unity more leaks coming National Party politicians are the left overs from the business world who don't make the cut so are happy to be the business world's fanboys for a much smaller income.

      Only Christopher Luxton is their great white hope/Dope a Christian fundy who will struggle with a divided downsized caucus.

    • Sacha 8.5
      16 October 2020 at 12:00 pm

      If Key had that ability, why did he so often seem to wait for polling or focus groups before taking a position?

  9. mosa 9
    16 October 2020 at 9:17 am

    " For the Greens at number 11 on their list Steve Abel is tantalisingly close. His history with Greenpeace and fighting climate change is formidable. His lifetime of activism and his deep understanding of the issues would be invaluable for the next Government. This Parliament needs Steve to be there "

    Then he should have had a higher list position. it will be a major loss if he just misses out.

    Some real attention must be given to those on the higher spots. Have they performed well enough for another three year placement ?

  10. Muttonbird 10
    16 October 2020 at 9:21 am

    1.5 million is approximately 60% of total votes in 2017.

    I noticed yesterday Hoskings had Darth Ju on his show in studio. She must have decided her two hour phone interview last week was a disaster and decided to request another go at it.

    • ianmac 11.1
      16 October 2020 at 10:11 am

      Collins was actually denigrating our country Mango. It was a despicable act and almost treasonable. What sort of Leader would use another country to sneer at her own?

  12. R.P Mcmurphy 12
    16 October 2020 at 9:52 am

    no contest.

    nationals would lead us into a maze of economic and ideological nonsense with disastrous consequences

  13. ianmac 13
    16 October 2020 at 10:15 am

    Just after 7pm last night I had a call from Jacinda. Scam I thought. Then she said, "Don't hang up! I have a short message for you." Then went on to encourage me to vote. (I had voted 2 days ago.)

    It was a short simple recorded message and very neatly done. Did others get it?

    • mary_a 13.1
      16 October 2020 at 4:27 pm

      @ ianmac (13) … I received a similar message from the Greens last night. Haven't heard from Labour yet. Tonight maybe. I'm on both parties mailing lists, also donating to them when I can. I have already voted … Labour electorate candidate/Green party.

      I guess the parties are doing one final push hoping to encourage the late voters.

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    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    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 ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    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 ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    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 ...
    Bowalley Road
    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
  • The Hoon around the week to July 19

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent talking about the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s release of its first Emissions Reduction Plan;University of Otago Foreign Relations Professor and special guest Dr Karin von ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #29 2024

    Open access notables Improving global temperature datasets to better account for non-uniform warming, Calvert, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society: To better account for spatial non-uniform trends in warming, a new GITD [global instrumental temperature dataset] was created that used maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to combine the land surface ...
    Skeptical Science
    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
    16 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
    19 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
    22 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
    24 hours ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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