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John Roughan: NZ Herald’s white elephant

Written By: - Date published: 1:33 pm, June 26th, 2014 - 70 comments
Categories: john key, Media, public transport, transport - Tags: , , ,

There is one thing that shines through in the coverage of the biography of John Key today. It is by a veteran arselicker of the right – John Roughan, veteran editorial writer and columnist for the NZ Herald. He is someone  that I have no respect for because his writing has a short-term approach to Auckland that is more  characterised by stupidity and a rabid adherence to National’s partisan campaign needs. Both as an anonymous editorial writer and in his columns.

My main impression on John Roughan was gained after the NZ Herald ran a “white elephant” smear campaign in 2007/8 against the Northern Busway as it was being built and opened. In my view the only reason that a series of idiotic columns like this one were written was to further the short term campaign objectives of the National party, just as we are seeing at present. In it, he said that

Reportedly the parking lots are already filled most weekday mornings but it has made little difference to the motorway congestion. The public transport entrepreneurs intend that we forsake the car entirely and take a bus to the busway. I hope they are right but I really don’t think so.

Still, it is a road and there is an economic use for it. It is self-contained, access is easily controlled. Eventually it could be a tollway for general traffic, the only reliable solution to congestion.

Of course in practice, the northern busway has been roaring success in its main objective of getting people out of their cars and using public transport to get to work. As you can see from the green in the graph, public transport in rush hour across the bridge took off once the Northern busway was completed.

The reality is that the only problem with busway was lack of money put into providing park and ride buildings  on the North Shore. In my view this was in no small part due to the short-sighted editorial views of the NZ Herald with its vehement objections to the whole project.

Effectively the Northern busway project has saved taxpayers and ratepayers an incredible amount of money over the long-term because we won’t need to put in a new harbour crossing for quite some time. This is quite clear from the traffic volume stats.

As the Transportblog put it when reviewing the Harbour Bridge on its birthday this year.

Seemingly ever since the bridge was first built people have been talking about the need for an additional crossing. Amazingly despite serious discussion about another crossing popping up every few years there has yet to be a firm need for it and thankfully it seems to be one of those projects that are always needed in an ever shifting few decades. Buses have helped more and more people across the harbour while the suggestion of the bridge or its clip-ons falling into the harbour has been repeatedly dismissed by the NZTA. That is a good thing as a new crossing is expected to be hugely expensive at about $5 billion which is over twice the cost of the CRL.

Needless to say John Roughan was against the idea of the City Rail Link as well. Apparently for no other reason than it was rail rather than supporting the failed vision of a city of cars that he appears to love. As the Transport blog pointed out, his view was really badly informed.

Now eventually like most mindless conservatives, after a project is built and works he comes to think it was a good idea retroactively. For instance in this column last year where he was talking about a second rail harbour crossing …

The crossing would have to be under water and probably it would be connected to the northern busway that one day conceivably could be converted to a railway, but that, too, is a solution looking for a problem.

The busway, like the bridge, is fine.

The problem lies in roads closer to home. By car it can take as long to get on to the motorway as it takes for the rest of the journey. By bus it takes too long to get to a busway station. Once on the busway, you can be in the city in eight minutes.

Of course the real issue there is the abysmal lack of bus stations with large parking buildings.  From what I have heard, one of the main reasons that people from the Shore still take cars to work in town is because they can’t find a park within walking distance of the bus stations.

What is the bet that when these start getting built that he will find some reason to oppose them as well despite every person who uses the busway knowing full well that is the underlying problem.

The reality is that whatever John Roughan initially opposes with his typical unthinking short-term approach, do the opposite and you’re likely to get a good result. As one comment on the busway said

If John Roughan was in a Marvel comic, he would be called “Never Right Man”.

I think that sums him up. I suspect that whenever I get around to reading an epub with the arselicking biography he has put out about John Key, I’m going to find those same Roughan characteristics  that I have come to despise. The same short-term stupidity, kneejerk bigotry based on failed ideology, lack of fact checking, and a chronic inability to think issues through that we see in his columns and anonymous editorials.

But it can’t be just him. It is a culture that seems to permeate throughout the NZ Herald. Just look at Jared Savage’s repeated gullible coverage of Donghua Liu‘s ever varying statements or John Armstrong’s rather strange call for David Cunliffe’s resignation over a form letter requesting information are other recent examples.

70 comments on “John Roughan: NZ Herald’s white elephant ”

  1. Had someone like the late Michael King (with apologises to his family) written this, or even Barry Gustatson, I may have ‘considered’ this a serious read. But no. This has all the hallmarks of ‘gutter journalism’, pushed out to coincide with a general election, and to rake in a few coins before the P.M.’s popularity fades.
    John Roughan, John Armstrong, WhaleOil, it really doesn’t matter who wrote it, it is only fit for one purpose. The bin!!

  2. Luke C 2

    Great post about the success of the busway. However warn that building vast multi story car parking buildings is a very expensive way to get public transport patronage. Much better to invest in walking, cycling and feeder bus services. That is much, much cheaper, and helps decongest the whole area.
    Currently there is a perverse system where people can park for free, but feeders cost money. This needs to be reversed. Bus and rail stations much better as areas of commercial development, rather than islands in a sea of parking.

    • bad12 2.1

      Luke C, if the point is the decongestion of the transport system then the expense of providing parking buildings at a specific point of Park’n’Ride would achieve far more at far less cost than adding to the clusterfuck of motorways,

      Obviously there are the ‘purists’ in the debate who would have everyone leave their cars at home, but,in the age of personal transport how likely is that to happen,

      To a certain extent Government and in this case Local government have to bow to what the people will accept, remembering all the time that this is a democracy and attempting by rule,regulation or taxation to force people onto public transport is pretty much an open invitation to have them force you from office, Park’n’Ride i would suggest is a meeting halfway of the wants and needs of both the people and the local Government,

      Given that there is obviously far more untapped demand for more parking to facilitate Park’n’Ride my view is that parking buildings will have to be added to the current components of the system at some stage,

      Far from being totally drab monstrosities such buildings should be designed and built as multi-function entities including shopping facilities as well as apartment complexes,

      Such a system would also work extremely well to unclog the Wellington motorway system…

      • karol 2.1.1

        I’d be a user of better feeder bus systems. I much prefer it to park and ride.

        • bad12 2.1.1.1

          All well and good karol as a matter of personal choice, but, your personal choice doesn’t necessarily invalidate the point i make about ‘this’ being a democracy where an attempt to force people to use buses only will likely result in those proposing such being forced from office,

          There are two competing sets of values at play, inherent in both Luke C’s and your comments which i would describe as the ideal,

          On the opposite side of this ‘ideal’ are those who do not consider green issues vis a vis their daily commute,

          The provision of a ‘more’ and ‘better’ bus system might provoke you and Luke C to leave the car,(if you have one),at home, however the constraints on park’n’ride might just provoke even more people to take their cars all the way into the city especially on the colder wetter days…

          • karol 2.1.1.1.1

            Where I live, given the congestion around places like New Lynn and Henderson at peak times, many would go for feeder buses to train stations – if both buses and trains were faster and more efficient.

            I use my local feeder buses. They do get pretty full, even now, when they are not very reliable or frequent.

          • Macro 2.1.1.1.2

            It’s actually not about forcing people to do anything, bad, it’s simply ensuring that an efficient service is available and when it is – surprise surprise people will use it.
            Aucklands Public Transport is being modelled along the very successful lines used in Australia – in particular Perth. We even inherited their past trains, and the electric new ones are very similar to those they adopted as well. Perth is very much like Auckland – spread out and people coming in from all directions. Having used their public transport recently I can tell you that unless you have a very good reason to want to use your car – its far more efficient and cheaper to leave it at home, and enjoy your ride in comfort into the City on bus and train. And all suburbs have feeder services to the main bus and train interchanges – it works very well.

      • DH 2.1.2

        That’s pretty much my thinking on it too. Park & ride works because it retains the convenience of cars, I just can’t see large numbers of commuters ever getting a bus to a bus station to catch another bus.

        One of the problems we had with it was commuters from further north taking up many of the car parks, people from the likes of Hibiscus Coast were driving down to the park & ride and then catching the bus. The planners didn’t think about that, so now they need more car parks. I don’t see it as any big deal, car parks cost heaps less than more roads.

        • Draco T Bastard 2.1.2.1

          I just can’t see large numbers of commuters ever getting a bus to a bus station to catch another bus.

          I can but then I’ve been on buses packed with people doing exactly that.

          • karol 2.1.2.1.1

            yes. And also, I have noticed out west in Auckland, that a bus driver was waiting for a connecting bus to arrive from the city, before heading off into the suburban back streets. He waited for a while, then had a conversation over his inter-com with the driver of the connecting bus. They decided the other bus was way too delayed, so our driver then decided to head of with our bus load.

            They seem to be getting better at coordinating connecting buses/trains.

            • Macro 2.1.2.1.1.1

              With more services the patronage will increase again, ideally one very 10 mins. Then it doesn’t matter if you missed the last one by a minute there is another coming in 9. Yes I know – the knockers will say that 9 minutes is 9 minutes! But then maybe they need to look at being a little more timely themselves ;).

              • karol

                Waiting for a few minutes at a bus/train stop has its upside. There’s a feeling of being part of the community and environment rather than being closed off from it in a little metal box on wheels.

                It would help if there were more shelters that actually did keep out the wind and rain.

                • Macro

                  Yes that is a very important point. The Manukau City “interchange” if it can be called as such, is a case in point. Here is a vital hub in the South Auckland bus system sitting on the side of a high traffic area with room for one bus and one tiny shelter in a very exposed position and up to 3 or 4 busses (Intercity, Naked Bus, Airport shuttle, and Local) attempting to use this one stop at once! I have witnessed up to 100 people waiting for busses and the resulting chaos simply has to be seen to be believed.
                  It can be solved by removing some of the car park behind the bus stop giving room for busses to get off the road to pick up passengers, and building a decent shelter.

  3. fisiani 3

    a fascinating read that shows some of the reason why JK is so admired both in NZ and overseas by both left and right. he could be the first leader to take his party vote to over 50%. David cunliffe is unlucky to have to tackle such a formidable opponent with great social intelligence.

    • Sanctuary 3.1

      And to think I used to support broadband into rest home initiatives.

    • fender 3.2

      Yep

      Can you provide some evidence of “JK is so admired both in NZ and overseas by both left and right.”

      • fisiani 3.2.1

        Tony Abbott, Julia Gillard, Kevin Rudd, Barack Obama, David Cameron Angela Merkel, Stephen Harper Xi Jinping, Francois Hollande, Vladimir Putin do you want an exhaustive list of the members of the UN who gave him a standing ovation.

        • North 3.2.1.1

          Grow up you idiot acolyte FizzyAnus. Standard stuff you fool. Everyone at the UN does it. Ubiquitous. Like lift music.

    • framu 3.3

      ” by both left and right”

      so thats what fisty calls his testicles

    • Roy 3.4

      It has only just been released, so how did you come to get an advance copy, fisiani?

    • Once was Tim 3.5

      “……… admired by both left and right…..” But for the fact that your idea of the left is just a smidgeon right of centre – since that cyclical pendulum has swung so far in that direction.
      I’m supposing of course that you consider the Obama regime as being “left”, or perhaps even Australian Labor (who can’t even spell without an American rinse).
      Never mind – that pendulum is reaching its outermost swing. If not 2014, then 2017 (albeit if NZ Labour don’t wake TF soon there will be no NZ Labour).
      But I forget! I seem to remember I wasn’t going to feed you by replying to your comments since your purpose for being here is to disrupt the flow.
      Sincere apologies – as you were and are.

  4. Sanctuary 4

    “…If John Roughan was in a Marvel comic, he would be called “Never Right Man”…”

    I’ve been quoted!!!! 😀

    The value of my autograph just doubled.

  5. john 5

    Criticism of writing quality lacks bite when you say ….

    “He is someone that have have no respect for because his writing…..”

    • Te Reo Putake 5.1

      Hate to resort to pedantry, John, but LP’s criticism is not based on Roughan’s grammar, but of his writing. They are two different things, after all.

    • lprent 5.2

      Fixed

      I don’t like my writing of english much either. No compiler and no real ability to test what it does makes it feel so irritating to a computer programmer who has a tool to check for simple egregious errors.

      However I usually write english in a single draft with minor editing after I research what I am going to write. After all I don’t get paid for this work.

      So my approach is in a marked contrast to John Roughan who seldom appears to think before he writes anything. He may be better at syntax, but his thinking is outright lazy and sloppy.

      I’d add that my partner Lyn, who is a writer of the infinite draft style, throws her hands up in horror whenever she gets forced to proof my posts and comments. However she will (if forced) to admit that the intent of my posts usually gets through.

      • Once was Tim 5.2.1

        “…….. John Roughan who seldom appears to think before he writes anything.” i.e. ‘think’ letalone do any actual research other than refer to the rumour, in your end oh!, or hearsay that emanates from within his little bubble – not unlike the many though that masquerade as ‘the’ 4th Estate.

        (Images and recollections of that bubble who today masquerade as a 4th Estate during their very brief tenure – as a club in premises once rented in Hobson Street Auckland. Fuck me!!! I suppose at least then, they actually cared and gave a shit even as they lolled around in a drunken stupor before going home to the missus to provide her with a beating)

        Thanks for that reminder!

    • North 5.3

      Pedant !

  6. TeWhareWhero 6

    Definition of a sociopath – with no particular person in mind of course …..

    Has a very high sense of self-entitlement – sometimes bordering on full blown grandiosity.

    Is highly manipulative.

    Converses easily and freely as long as it is on his terms.

    Lies coolly and persistently and can be extremely convincing especially when the lies are part of his complex belief about his own abilities and sense of entitlement.

    Appears to be charming and charismatic and interested in others but is actually emotionally shallow.

    Seeks leadership positions to facilitate his need to influence and dominate other people.

    Fails to recognise the rights of other and goes to great lengths to justify his own self serving behaviour.

    Is incapable of genuine remorse, shame or guilt and sees other people as opportunities or threats – his desired ends always justify the means no matter how many other people are harmed.

    Is not concerned about wrecking others’ lives and dreams and is essentially oblivious or indifferent to the devastation he causes.

    Can become incensed over insignificant matters whilst remaining essentially unmoved by things that would distress normal people.

    Likes to live on the edge and is drawn to high risk activities such as gambling.

    His need to engage in extreme risk taking is often misinterpreted as great coolness and cleverness when the risks pay off; when the risks don’t pay off, he does not accept responsibility but blames others, even when it is obvious he is at fault.

    Tends to move around a lot and demonstrates considerable entrepreneurial versatility but actually has a mediocre work ethic which is covered up by his glibness and ability to exploit others effectively and ruthlessly.

    • Mainlander 6.1

      Damn thats a long winded way to say “im jealous”

      • Colonial Viper 6.1.1

        Huh? Way to duck answering the sociopathic behaviour described

        • One Anonymous Bloke 6.1.1.1

          …and plagiarise wingnut drivel that’s so old it’s gone mouldy.

      • framu 6.1.2

        im more interested in mainlander being jealous of sociopaths

        • Roy 6.1.2.1

          Well, it’s because sociopaths can make $50 million, if they score the right sort of job.

      • TeWhareWhero 6.1.3

        Mainlander, the ‘politics of envy’ argument is a tiresome cliche and evidence of intellectual bankruptcy – or laziness – especially considering that all I did was to list the primary characteristics of a sociopath – as defined by clinical psychologists.

    • anker 6.2

      TWW @ 6 1000+ Agree entirely.

    • Once was Tim 6.3

      Ah!!! well YES exactery, but as I read through the first few lines I couldn’t help but think of Rinny.

      I think the difference is that she’s aware of it whereas most sociopaths (of which she ain’t) are not.

      Hark at me! Opinions are still free tho aren’t they? If not then when did that happen?. GreyW and Anne can probably answer. I’ll buy them both a bottle of 6.95 Cleanskin, and I’ll even vow to use a real person rather than an automated checkout.

    • jps 6.4

      Intriguing to read that when JK was down in the dumps a few years back, he had a nice long think about it while on holiday in Hawaii, then came home and sacked 2 cabinet ministers for no real reason. Just to cheer himself up I guess.

  7. Tiger Mountain 7

    “Portrait of a Prime Minister” nice title…

    This tome will likely have a similar fate to other ghost written/as told to; sports star, sports coach and vanity bios. Full price hardcover for a week or two, quickly issued in soft cover, then piled up at the Warehouse with multiple price stickers on. How did that Don Brash one sell? They will be sold at National Party fundraisers and be unwelcome gifts for some time to come.

    Glad lprent used the expletives instead of me for once! “Arselicker” is so evocative of Mr Roughan. He once called a green mate of mine “a loser, get out of my office” when this chap requested better coverage on the EcoNation project.

    • blue leopard 7.1

      You describe that book’s fate so well -funny! 😆

    • Colonial Viper 7.2

      I mean this thing on Key was written up after just 1.5 terms in office and no legacy to speak of. WTF egocentric insanity is this, its like being famous for being famous

    • ffloyd 7.3

      Maybe Mr Liu could be persuaded to buy a signed copy for, oh I don’t know, somewhere in the vicinity of ummmm about $20.000.00.

    • Tracey 7.4

      boag, hooton and farrar will buy enough to ensure it gets to best seller

      • Once was Tim 7.4.1

        they won’t ekshly ‘buy’ it though tracey, but theyll sure as hell contribute to the number disposed of such that it appears sales are good.
        I’m still waiting for the “Roughan Story: Rough and Tumble in the World of Jonolism”.
        I’ll piss on that in public if ever it rears its very UGLY head.
        Ditto “E – Spinners: Brothers in Jonolism, Bog Crawlers Apart”
        I’d maybe even buy that one

  8. ropata 8

    Why didn’t the publisher give Roughan’s drivel a more accurate title?

    • hagiography of a hollow human who has heaps of houses
    • biography of a bankster b*stard
    • portrait of a master pillock
    • how to buy friends and influence voters (by crosby textor)
    • tales of the smiling assassin (how to exploit a small country)
  9. Vicky32 9

    Yes. Decades ago, he had a column called “From the Right” (don’t know if it still exists.)
    Rather blatant I thought!
    Vicky

  10. Mike the Savage One 10

    You can all rail on here, about this that and the other, what is right or wrong, but without having a “stake” in the corrupt media, you are lost in a country, that is not really a democracy, as it is only such in “appearance”.

    When you have journalists work with politicians, promote books about a PM, with the intention of it to “sell”, which will naturally take advantage of the “popularity” of the PM John Key, and which is made easy by the same journalist working for one of the two main media corporations running media in Aotearoa NZ, then you are fighting a lost battle, I am afraid.

    New Zealand is a corrupt country, corrupted to the core, as it is NO different to the US and the way they run politics there, only petty differences remain, as the forces that run the show, they have the money, the bought servants and other players to ensure that the communication put out is the “right” one, the one to convince people that nothing should be changed.

    Do you seriously believe that you as Labour, Greens or whatever opposition party will ever get a “level playing field” in the given environment, that commercial advertising is an evil you simply have to put up with, and that working with the MSM is necessary, hence Labour, Green and other MPs turning up on “shows” like that “Paul (corrupt) Henry Show” on TV3, and that all this will NOT affect your credibility?

    It is beyond belief, how ignorant so many here are, that they think they will influence the vote by just commenting here and on a few other blogs, by going via “Fakebook” and other manipulative, useless “social media” to reach people on a wider scale, to bring about a change. The media is owned by the ones supporting this system favouring Key and Nats and ACT, the media want nothing of your views and alternatives, the media are “commercial”, that is their focus, the employees are tied into contracts (individual ones) favouring self promotion and competition, they will do all to take advantage of artificially created trends, like the “fantasy flair” around John Key, and this is what is delivered, no true information, no facts, nothing of relevance. The seduced, commercialised, divided public individuals fall for all the crap, and will ignore you, who are hardly noticed, and vote Key in again with massive “support”, thinking they need such a “leader”.

    Did anybody see the poll on TV3 tonight, with Gower, that horrible, ugly man, another mercenary, all out for himself and ratings? You are gone, Labour, this is it, you never had a chance from the beginning, and making too many compromises to please the same voters as the Nats, that has totally discredited the party.

    Labour no more, I fear, it is all over, this is an election campaign manipulated from the beginning, and Labour was too stupid to see it, and Cunliffe has also been pressured into insignificance by a self serving ABC Club, who rather do all to preserve their own seats, and do not give much concern to the voters they are supposed to represent.

    What a shocking situation in New Zealand now, what future, with all this?

    • karol 10.1

      Never give up. I’m going out there and telling as many people as possible to get out and vote – not just writing here. And have volunteered to help out the Greens – as a kind of foot soldier.

      It’d not just about critiquing what’s wrong. it’s about getting out there and by-passing the corrupt MSM.

      Now is not the time to be negative.

      Never surrender.

      • Mike the Savage One 10.1.1

        I admire your courage and determination, if only you will get people getting your message, but best of luck!

        • karol 10.1.1.1

          What’s to lose about giving it your/our best shot?

          • Mike the Savage One 10.1.1.1.1

            The “best shot” should be well thought out, and well structured and targeted, I would say, otherwise you waste a lot of energy. I met a fair few honest, hard working advocates, and while I give them much respect for motivation, honesty, and commitment, they sadly failed to understand the necessity to use communication means and methods that may bring results, and just continued to stubbornly hammer on with what they knew best, but which achieved sadly very little attention and results.

            So quality and sophistication and technique of communication and effort is paramount in an election campaign, I cannot see that the many players on the progressive movement side have got this worked out that well, I am afraid.

            Being weak and a bit too defensive in front of the enemy MSM does not get you anywhere, and hence I feel Cunliffe for instance, he only seemed more convincing by being firm and decisive in his few communications last week, when he and Labour were on the back foot. They should never even go to the level of “explaining” and “apologizing”, they should be unapologetically assertive, focused and actually aggressive, and that may bring in some votes. When Cunliffe explains too much, and is ambiguous, it does not come across well, when he is determined, and assertive, it is different.

            • karol 10.1.1.1.1.1

              At this time in the election cycle, there’s not really time for navel gazing. Some people like to spend a lot of time strategising.

              Now is the time to just get out there and engage with people, in the best way each of us knows – and with heart!

    • Bearded Git 10.2

      Gowerat surpassed himself tonight. A quick look at the tv3 poll numbers (assuming Colon doesn’t get a seat) shows Lab/Green/IMP going up, to around 42% and National going down to under 50%.

      The MSM collectively have thrown the kitchen sink at Labour over the last couple of weeks, yet on these numbers the election remains winnable.

      I loved the way Gowerat said something like “the Greens lashed out at both parties” and then there was an interview with Russell Norman making a mild mannered comment about how the Liu affair reflected negatively on both Nat and Lab.

      Gower is now, more than ever, ensconced in his luxury apartment on Planet Key.

      Meanwhile IMP are on 1.8% and they haven’t got started yet*. Game on.

      *the Hairdo is on Nul Points. Zero. Nada. Zilch.

  11. blue leopard 11

    lprent,
    Not to do with this post – just trying to get your attention, you are welcome to delete this comment after reading it.

    There is a really creepy ‘commenter’ that is showing up. Spambot? It copies something someone has said on the thread and has slightly different names like with a different foreign looking first name and last name sistemleri or sistemeri – just thought I should point it out to you because it has just posted a few posts again now after having done it sometime overnight (early in the morning) and I think it is particularly creepy.

    I am not going to link to one of its comments but here is a link to the comment above it http://thestandard.org.nz/take-action-against-the-herald/#comment-838907 where Weka and CV go on to discuss it’s behaviour

    • karol 11.1

      I’ve sent the latest comment from this entity to moderation with a link to your comment here.

      • blue leopard 11.1.1

        Thanks Karol, I see there are a whole lot from it over the last 10 minutes or so…

        • lprent 11.1.1.1

          Turkish spambot doing something different. Using valid comments and bypassing checks. Added it to wordfence which will broadcast it around the rest of the networks

  12. Ad 12

    Great writing LPrent well done.

  13. xtasy 13

    xtasy –

    John Roughan, I have this message for you, you mercenary of the capitalist rotten system:

    If you do not like it, rot in hell, you traitor of humanity!!!

  14. Jrobin 14

    Keep positive as Karol says and don’t let the bastards get you down. TV 3 poll wasn’t that bad as it was done before the Liu claims came unstuck. They are likely to be a bit loaded to the right too given the general corruption that appears to be rotting away at media in general.

  15. gnomic 15

    The journo – this is the man who recently filled column inches by explaining to his fellow citizens how signally they failed to understand the principles behind driving through the motorway intersections controlled by traffic lights. It must be hard living among these inferior types.

    “Traffic engineers must despair at the state of human intelligence sometimes. The light controls on motorway ramps are a great idea but about half the driving population don’t get it.”

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/john-roughan/news/article.cfm?a_id=5&objectid=11240612

    His organ – the journal of the ruling classes since the 1800s. Nothing learned from history since then.

    The right honourable smirking weasel – I become almost tearful at times when thinking about the millions he relinquished to serve his country. Other times I wonder how it would have gone for John had he been head of Merrill Lynch when it collapsed. Just as well he left the sinking ship. Not that the weasel was ever going to rise to the top, a long stretch of the imagination surely.

    Too bad he had to return to NZ to wreak havoc. But how can I say such things of a great man and a great leader as I recently heard him described. Can Roughan be right about the intelligence deficit?

  16. Tom Gould 16

    You’ve got to hand it to the Tories and the tory cronies at the National Herald. It goes like this. “They were picking on me so I thought about quitting. Oh no, don’t go John. Okay I won’t, but re-elect me just to be sure. Okay John. Why not stay for a fourth term too? Maybe, if you are good to me. Okay John, I promise to be good to you.”

  17. TeWhareWhero 17

    Apologies if someone has already posted this link from a Facebook page “humans of christchurch” –

    http://www.trademe.co.nz/746833501

    Read the comments.

  18. Draco T Bastard 18

    Portrait of a Prime Minister

    I LOL’d 😈

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  • A serving of soup curbs Posie Parker’s appetite for speaking – and shows that might is right in ...
    Jonathan Milne, managing editor for Newsroom Pro, has expressed his indignation about the outcome of a court decision yesterday in an article headed Posie Parker wins the beautiful freedom to make an ugly argument. Newsroom Pro laments: High Court Justice David Gendall has regretfully allowed an outspoken anti-trans activist to enter New ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    12 hours ago
  • It’s official: National have an education policy
    imagine my surprise this week when the National Party, in their infinite wisdom, decided to release an education policy. As you can imagine, this got us so riled up here in the office that we dusted off our Windows XP laptop, waiting 17 hours for all the updates to be ...
    My ThinksBy boonman
    13 hours ago
  • Prosperity through Productivity.
    Come on Jess thought Mr Evans come on. He watched the large clock on the wall tick closer to 8:40am. Come on girl.In two minutes he had to submit the class attendance report and with Jess having already been late once that term it’d mean an automatic visit from the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    15 hours ago
  • The hoon for the week that was to March 25
    This week’s UN IPCC report warned climate emissions will need to be cut by almost half by 2030, if warming is to be limited to 1.5°C. Bronwyn Hayward points out in The Hoon podcast how far behind NZ’s government and councils are now on climate action compared to the rest ...
    The KakaBy Peter Bale
    20 hours ago
  • The big question for Labour: Will Hipkins have any more success than Ardern did with the top priorit...
    Chris  Hipkins,  after  he became prime minister, committed  to defeating the  cost-of- living crisis. He  proceeded to make a  bonfire of policies  that were at  the  heart of Jacinda Ardern’s administration.  But, as   Richard Prebble pointed out this week, “the government has not just U-turned, it has repudiated the ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    1 day ago
  • Reality check.
    There are some wellness, crystal-gazing, holistic spiritual guidance types in my disaster-hit coastal community who insist that the power of positive thinking will overcome the physical and material damages incurred by the community. They object to restrictions on road travel … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    1 day ago
  • High Performance Instability in the Financial Sector
    Evaluating the recent crashes of Silicon Valley Bank in the US and Credit Suisse in Switzerland plus two other banks (perhaps more by the time you read this) needs to begin with a review of the inevitable instability in the financial sector. The financial sector is inherently unstable, like military ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 day ago
  • The week in review
    1. We see here new police minister Ginny Andersen. Which larger than life NZ political figure was her great-uncle?a. Rob Muldoonb. Bill Andersenc. Richard John Seddond. Norman Kirk2. We see here archival footage of Ginny Andersen coming out of her electorate office to ask ex-tobacco lobbyist Chris Bishop if he ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Nash splashes out with a $900,000 investment in the blue economy (or is it more corporate welfare?)
    Buzz from the Beehive Stuart Nash, speaking as Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, one of his remaining portfolios after he was dropped down the Hipkins Government batting order, has drawn attention to the blue economy and its potential. Nash says the government is investing in the blue economy, or – ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • Ask Me Anything about the week to March 24
    Photo by Josh Mills on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session for paying subscribers about the week that was for the next hour, including:The runs on Silicon Valley Bank and First Republic Bank on the west coast of the United States that forced the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 24-March-2023
    Roundup is back! We skipped last week’s Friday post due to a shortage of person-power – did you notice? Lots going on out there… Our header image this week shows a green street that just happens to be Queen St, by @chamfy from Twitter. This week (and last) in ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    2 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the Keen-Minshull visit
    After threatening Prime Minister Chris Hipkins of consequences if he dared to bar her entry, Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull has been given her visa, regardless. This will enable her to hold rallies in Auckland and Wellington this weekend, and spread her messages of hostility against an already marginalised trans community. Neo-Nazis may, ...
    2 days ago
  • BRYCE EDWARDS’ Political Roundup:  NZ needs to distance itself from Australia’s anti-China nucl...
    * Bryce Edwards writes – The New Zealand Government has been silent about Australia’s decision to commit up to $400bn acquiring nuclear submarines, even though this is a significant threat to peace and stability in the Asia Pacific. The deal was struck by the Albanese Labor Government as ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Wayne Brown's #Auxit moment
    Boomers voted him in, but Brown’s Trumpish moments might spook Aucklanders worried about what a change to National nationally might mean. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTL;DR: Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has become our version of Donald Trump and Boris Johnson, except without any of the insatiable appetite for media appearances. He ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: NZ needs to distance itself from Australia’s anti-China nuclear submarines
    The New Zealand Government has been silent about Australia’s decision to commit up to $400bn acquiring nuclear submarines, even though this is a significant threat to peace and stability in the Asia Pacific. The deal was struck by the Albanese Labor Government as part of its Aukus pact with the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    2 days ago
  • Posie Parker vs Transgender Rights.
    Recently you might have heard of a person called Posie Parker and her visit to Aotearoa. Perhaps you’re not quite sure what it’s all about. So let’s start with who this person is, why their visit is controversial, and what on earth a TERF is.Posie Parker is the super villain ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Select Committee told slow down; you’re moving too fast
    The chair of Parliament’s Select Committee looking at the Government’s resource management legislation wants the bills sent back for more public consultation. The proposal would effectively kill any chance of the bills making it into law before the election. Green MP, Eugenie Sage, stressing that she was speaking as ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #12 2023
    Open access notables  The United States experienced some historical low temperature records during the just-concluded winter. It's a reminder that climate and weather are quite noisy; with regard to our warming climate,, as with a road ascending a mountain range we may steadily change our conditions but with lots of ...
    2 days ago
  • What becomes of the broken hearted? Nanny State will step in to comfort them
    Buzz from the Beehive The Nanny State has scored some wins (or claimed them) in the past day or two but it faltered when it came to protecting Kiwi citizens from being savaged by one woman armed with a sharp tongue. The wins are recorded by triumphant ministers on the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • Acceptance, decency, road food.
    Sometimes you see your friends making the case so well on social media you think: just copy and share.On acceptance and decency, from Michèle A’CourtA notable thing about anti-trans people is they way they talk about transgender women and men as though they are strangers “over there” when in fact ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Climate Change: More Labour sabotage
    Not that long ago, things were looking pretty good for climate change policy in Aotearoa. We finally had an ETS, and while it was full of pork and subsidies, it was delivering high and ever-rising carbon prices, sending a clear message to polluters to clean up or shut down. And ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • Is bundling restricting electricity competition?
    Comparing (and switching) electricity providers has become easier, but bundling power up with broadband and/or gas makes it more challenging. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The Kākā TL;DR: The new Consumer Advocacy Council set up as a result of the Labour Government’s Electricity Price Review in 2019 has called on either ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Westland Milk puts heat on competitors as global dairy demand  remains softer for longer
    Hokitika-based Westland Milk Products  has  put the heat on dairy giant Fonterra with  a $120m profit turnaround in 2022, driven by record sales. Westland paid its suppliers a 10c premium above the forecast Fonterra price per kilo, contributing $535m to the West Coast and Canterbury economies. The dairy ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    3 days ago
  • BRYCE EDWARDS’ Political Roundup:  The Beehive’s revolving door and corporate mateship
    * Bryce Edwards writes – New Zealanders are uncomfortable with the high level of influence corporate lobbyists have in New Zealand politics, and demands are growing for greater regulation. A recent poll shows 62 per cent of the public support having a two-year cooling off period between ministers leaving public ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: The Beehive’s revolving door and corporate mateship
    New Zealanders are uncomfortable with the high level of influence corporate lobbyists have in New Zealand politics, and demands are growing for greater regulation. A recent poll shows 62 per cent of the public support having a two-year cooling off period between ministers leaving public office and becoming lobbyists and ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • A miracle pill for our transport ills
    This is a guest post by accessibility and sustainable transport advocate Tim Adriaansen It originally appeared here.   A friend calls you and asks for your help. They tell you that while out and about nearby, they slipped over and landed arms-first. Now their wrist is swollen, hurting like ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    3 days ago
  • The Surprising Power of Floating Wind Turbines
    Floating offshore wind turbines offer incredible opportunities to capture powerful winds far out at sea. By unlocking this wind energy potential, they could be a key weapon in our arsenal in the fight against climate change. But how developed are these climate fighting clean energy giants? And why do I ...
    3 days ago
  • The next Maori challenge
    Over the past two or three weeks, a procession of Maori iwi and hapu in a series of little-noticed appearances before two Select Committees have been asking for more say for Maori over resource management decisions along the co-governance lines of Three Waters. Their submissions and appearances run counter ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • Secret “war-crime” warrants by International Criminal Court is mischief-making
    The decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue war crimes arrest warrants for the Russian President and the Russia Children Ombudsman may have been welcomed by the ideologically committed but otherwise seems to have been greeted with widespread cynicism (see Situation in Ukraine: ICC judges issue arrest warrants ...
    3 days ago
  • How to answer Drunk Uncle Kevin's Climate Crisis reckons
    Let’s say you’re clasping your drink at a wedding, or a 40th, or a King’s Birthday Weekend family reunion and Drunk Uncle Kevin has just got going.He’s in an expansive frame of mind because we’re finally rid of that silly girl. But he wants to ask an honest question about ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • National’s Luxon may be glum about his poll ratings but has he found a winner in promising to rai...
    National Party leader Christopher Luxon may  be feeling glum about his poll ratings, but  he could be tapping  into  a rich political vein in  describing the current state of education as “alarming”. Luxon said educational achievement has been declining,  with a recent NCEA pilot exposing just how far it has ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    4 days ago
  • Climate Change: More Labour foot-dragging
    Yesterday the IPCC released the final part of its Sixth Assessment Report, warning us that we have very little time left in which to act to prevent catastrophic climate change, but pointing out that it is a problem that we can solve, with existing technology, and that anything we do ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Te Pāti Māori Are Revolutionaries – Not Reformists.
    Way Beyond Reform: Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer have no more interest in remaining permanent members of “New Zealand’s” House of Representatives than did Lenin and Trotsky in remaining permanent members of Tsar Nicolas II’s “democratically-elected” Duma. Like the Bolsheviks, Te Pāti Māori is a party of revolutionaries – not reformists.THE CROWN ...
    4 days ago
  • When does history become “ancient”, on Tinetti’s watch as Minister of Education – and what o...
    Buzz from the Beehive Auckland was wiped off the map, when Education Minister Jan Tinetti delivered her speech of welcome as host of the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers “here in Tāmaki Makaurau”. But – fair to say – a reference was made later in the speech to a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • Climate Catastrophe, but first rugby.
    Morning mate, how you going?Well, I was watching the news last night and they announced this scientific report on Climate Change. But before they got to it they had a story about the new All Blacks coach.Sounds like important news. It’s a bit of a worry really.Yeah, they were talking ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • What the US and European bank rescues mean for us
    Always a bailout: US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the Government would fully guarantee all savers in all smaller US banks if needed. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: No wonder an entire generation of investors are used to ‘buying the dip’ and ‘holding on for dear life’. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Who will drain Wellington’s lobbying swamp?
    Wealthy vested interests have an oversized influence on political decisions in New Zealand. Partly that’s due to their use of corporate lobbyists. Fortunately, the influence lobbyists can have on decisions made by politicians is currently under scrutiny in Guyon Espiner’s in-depth series published by RNZ. Two of Espiner’s research exposés ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • It’s Raining Congestion
    Yesterday afternoon it rained and traffic around the region ground to a halt, once again highlighting why it is so important that our city gets on with improving the alternatives to driving. For additional irony, this happened on the same day the IPCC synthesis report landed, putting the focus on ...
    4 days ago
  • Checking The Left: The Dreadful Logic Of Fascism.
    The Beginning: Anti-Co-Governance agitator, Julian Batchelor, addresses the Dargaville stop of his travelling roadshow across New Zealand . Fascism almost always starts small. Sadly, it doesn’t always stay that way. Especially when the Left helps it to grow.THERE IS A DREADFUL LOGIC to the growth of fascism. To begin with, it ...
    4 days ago
  • Good Friends and Terrible Food
    Hi,From an incredibly rainy day in Los Angeles, I just wanted to check in. I guess this is the day Trump may or may not end up in cuffs? I’m attempting a somewhat slower, less frenzied week. I’ve had Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s new record on non-stop, and it’s been a ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    4 days ago
  • At a glance – What evidence is there for the hockey stick?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    4 days ago
  • Carry right on up there, Corporal Espiner
    RNZ has been shining their torch into corners where lobbyists lurk and asking such questions as: Do we like the look of this?and Is this as democratic as it could be?These are most certainly questions worth asking, and every bit as valid as, say:Are we shortchanged democratically by the way ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • This smells
    RNZ has continued its look at the role of lobbyists by taking a closer look at the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff Andrew Kirton. He used to work for liquor companies, opposing (among other things) a container refund scheme which would have required them to take responsibility for their own ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Major issues on the table in Mahuta’s  talks in Beijing with China’s new Foreign Minister
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta has left for Beijing for the first ministerial visit to China since 2019. Mahuta is  to  meet China’s new foreign minister Qin Gang  where she  might have to call on all the  diplomatic skills  at  her  command. Almost certainly she  will  face  questions  on what  role ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    5 days ago
  • Inside TOP's Teal Card and political strategy
    TL;DR: The Opportunities Party’s Leader Raf Manji is hopeful the party’s new Teal Card, a type of Gold card for under 30s, will be popular with students, and not just in his Ilam electorate where students make up more than a quarter of the voters and where Manji is confident ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Make Your Empties Go Another Round.
    When I was a kid New Zealand was actually pretty green. We didn’t really have plastic. The fruit and veges came in a cardboard box, the meat was wrapped in paper, milk came in a glass bottle, and even rubbish sacks were made of paper. Today if you sit down ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on how similar Vladimir Putin is to George W. Bush
    Looking back through the names of our Police Ministers down the years, the job has either been done by once or future party Bigfoots – Syd Holland, Richard Prebble, Juduth Collins, Chris Hipkins – or by far lesser lights like Keith Allen, Frank Gill, Ben Couch, Allen McCready, Clem Simich, ...
    5 days ago
  • CHRIS TROTTER:  Te Pāti Māori’s uncompromising threat to the status quo
    Chris Trotter writes – The Crown is a fickle friend. Any political movement deemed to be colourful but inconsequential is generally permitted to go about its business unmolested. The Crown’s media, RNZ and TVNZ, may even “celebrate” its existence (presumably as proof of Democracy’s broad-minded acceptance of diversity). ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Shining a bright light on lobbyists in politics
    Four out of the five people who have held the top role of Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff since 2017 have been lobbyists. That’s a fact that should worry anyone who believes vested interests shouldn’t have a place at the centre of decision making. Chris Hipkins’ newly appointed Chief of ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    5 days ago
  • Auckland Council Draft Budget – an unnecessary backwards step
    Feedback on Auckland Council’s draft 2023/24 budget closes on March 28th. You can read the consultation document here, and provide feedback here. Auckland Council is currently consulting on what is one of its most important ever Annual Plans – the ‘budget’ of what it will spend money on between July ...
    5 days ago
  • Talking’ Posey Parker Blues
    by Molten Moira from Motueka If you want to be a woman let me tell you what to do Get a piece of paper and a biro tooWrite down your new identification And boom! You’re now a woman of this nationSpelled W O M A Na real trans woman that isAs opposed ...
    RedlineBy Admin
    5 days ago
  • More Māori words make it into the OED, and polytech boss (with rules on words like “students”) ...
    Buzz from the Beehive   New Zealand Education Minister Jan Tinetti is hosting the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers for three days from today, welcoming Education Ministers and senior officials from 18 Pacific Island countries and territories, and from Australia. Here’s hoping they have brought translators with them – or ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • Social intercourse with haters and Nazis: an etiquette guide
    Let’s say you’ve come all the way from His Majesty’s United Kingdom to share with the folk of Australia and New Zealand your antipathy towards certain other human beings. And let’s say you call yourself a women’s rights activist.And let’s say 99 out of 100 people who listen to you ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • The Greens, Labour, and coalition enforcement
    James Shaw gave the Green party's annual "state of the planet" address over the weekend, in which he expressed frustration with Labour for not doing enough on climate change. His solution is to elect more Green MPs, so they have more power within any government arrangement, and can hold Labour ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • This sounds familiar…
    RNZ this morning has the first story another investigative series by Guyon Espiner, this time into political lobbying. The first story focuses on lobbying by government agencies, specifically transpower, Pharmac, and assorted universities, and how they use lobbyists to manipulate public opinion and gather intelligence on the Ministers who oversee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • Letter to the NZ Herald: NCEA pseudoscience – “Mauri is present in all matter”
    Nick Matzke writes –   Dear NZ Herald, I am a Senior Lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Auckland. I teach evolutionary biology, but I also have long experience in science education and (especially) political attempts to insert pseudoscience into science curricula in ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • So what would be the point of a Green vote again?
    James Shaw has again said the Greens would be better ‘in the tent’ with Labour than out, despite Labour’s policy bonfire last week torching much of what the Government was doing to reduce emissions. File Photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The Green Party has never been more popular than in some ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Gas stoves pose health risks. Are gas furnaces and other appliances safe to use?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah Wesseler Poor air quality is a long-standing problem in Los Angeles, where the first major outbreak of smog during World War II was so intense that some residents thought the city had been attacked by chemical weapons. Cars were eventually discovered ...
    6 days ago
  • Genetic Heritage and Co Governance
    Yesterday I was reading an excellent newsletter from David Slack, and I started writing a comment “Sounds like some excellent genetic heritage…” and then I stopped.There was something about the phrase genetic heritage that stopped me in tracks. Is that a phrase I want to be saying? It’s kind of ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • BRIAN EASTON: Radical Uncertainty
    Brian Easton writes – Two senior economists challenge some of the foundations of current economics. It is easy to criticise economic science by misrepresenting it, by selective quotations, and by ignoring that it progresses, like all sciences, by improving and abandoning old theories. The critics may go ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: New Zealand’s Middle East strategy, 20 years after the Iraq War
    This week marks the twentieth anniversary of the Iraq War. While it strongly opposed the US-led invasion, New Zealand’s then Labour-led government led by Prime Minister Helen Clark did deploy military engineers to try to help rebuild Iraq in mid-2003. With violence soaring, their 12-month deployment ended without being renewed ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    6 days ago
  • The motorways are finished
    After seventy years, Auckland’s motorway network is finally finished. In July 1953 the first section of motorway in Auckland was opened between Ellerslie-Panmure Highway and Mt Wellington Highway. The final stage opens to traffic this week with the completion of the motorway part of the Northern Corridor Improvements project. Aucklanders ...
    6 days ago
  • Kicking National’s tyres
    National’s appointment of Todd McClay as Agriculture spokesperson clearly signals that the party is in trouble with the farming vote. McClay was not an obvious choice, but he does have a record as a political scrapper. The party needs that because sources say it has been shedding farming votes ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago
  • As long as there is cricket, the world is somehow okay.
    Rays of white light come flooding into my lounge, into my face from over the top of my neighbour’s hedge. I have to look away as the window of the conservatory is awash in light, as if you were driving towards the sun after a rain shower and suddenly blinded. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago
  • So much of what was there remains
    The columnists in Private Eye take pen names, so I have not the least idea who any of them are. But I greatly appreciate their expert insight, especially MD, who writes the medical column, offering informed and often damning critique of the UK health system and the politicians who keep ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 days ago
  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A chronological listing of news articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Mar 12, 2023 thru Sat, Mar 18, 2023. Story of the Week Guest post: What 13,500 citations reveal about the IPCC’s climate science report   IPCC WG1 AR6 SPM Report Cover - Changing ...
    7 days ago
  • Financial capability services are being bucked up, but Stuart Nash shouldn’t have to see if they c...
    Buzz from the Beehive  The building of financial capability was brought into our considerations when Social Development and Employment Minister Carmel Sepuloni announced she had dipped into the government’s coffers for $3 million for “providers” to help people and families access community-based Building Financial Capability services. That wording suggests some ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago
  • Things that make you go Hmmmm.
    Do you ever come across something that makes you go Hmmmm?You mean like the song?No, I wasn’t thinking of the song, but I am now - thanks for that. I was thinking of things you read or hear that make you stop and go Hmmmm.Yeah, I know what you mean, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • The hoon for the week that was to March 19
    By the end of the week, the dramas over Stuart Nash overshadowed Hipkins’ policy bonfire. File photo: Lynn GrieveasonTLDR: This week’s news in geopolitics and the political economy covered on The Kākā included:PM Chris Hipkins’ announcement of the rest of a policy bonfire to save a combined $1.7 billion, but ...
    The KakaBy Peter Bale
    1 week ago
  • Saving Stuart Nash: Explaining Chris Hipkins' unexpected political calculation
    When word went out that Prime Minister Chris Hipkins would be making an announcement about Stuart Nash on the tiles at parliament at 2:45pm yesterday, the assumption was that it was over. That we had reached tipping point for Nash’s time as minister. But by 3pm - when, coincidentally, the ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    1 week ago
  • Radical Uncertainty
    Two senior economists challenge some of the foundations of current economics. It is easy to criticise economic science by misrepresenting it, by selective quotations, and by ignoring that it progresses, like all sciences, by improving and abandoning old theories. The critics may go on to attack physics by citing Newton.So ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • Jump onto the weekly hoon on Riverside at 5pm
    Photo by Walker Fenton on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week again when and I co-host our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kaka for an hour at 5 pm. Jump on this link on Riverside (we’ve moved from Zoom) for our chat about the week’s news with ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Dream of Florian Neame: Accepted
    In a nice bit of news, my 2550-word deindustrial science-fiction piece, The Dream of Florian Neame, has been accepted for publication at New Maps Magazine (https://www.new-maps.com/). I have published there before, of course, with Of Tin and Tintagel coming out last year. While I still await the ...
    1 week ago

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