Key broke law on radio show

Written By: - Date published: 8:13 pm, October 3rd, 2011 - 75 comments
Categories: debt / deficit, election 2011, john key, law and "order" - Tags:

Prime Minister Moonbeam clearly broke the law on Friday on the radio show that he chose to run instead of dealing with the downgrade crisis. The law is clear: Key wasn’t allowed to make political statements. He did. He made a promise on broadcasting policy and gave the Nats’ first cut spin-line on the downgrade.

The law bans any radio programme that:

(a) encourages or persuades or appears to encourage or persuade voters to vote for a political party or the election of any person at an election; or

(b) encourages or persuades or appears to encourage or persuade voters not to vote for a political party or the election of any person at an election;..

First, Key promised to “talk to someone important” about Coronation Street moving time (man, this guy will jump on any bandwagon going. He doesn’t know a thing about rugby, league, or Coronation Street but he’ll pretend he cares). That was, of course, a political promise to act in his capacity as Prime Minister. And it was clearly intended to encourage people to vote for him and his party.

Second, Key said of the credit downgrade “hey, it’s private sector debt”. Again, it’s clearly an attempt to persuade people to vote for his party by not blaming them for the credit downgrade.

Labour has laid a complaint with the Electoral Commission. If the Commission finds a breach, they can refer it to the Police. The Police have investigated similar instances in the past. We can expect no less from them this time.

PS. Watch for Farrar and Whaleoil, once they get their lines, to label this as Labour having no sense of fun and being jealous. That’s why National does things like Electoral Commission complaints via it’s proxies … like Farrar and Whaleoil.

75 comments on “Key broke law on radio show ”

  1. randal 1

    he getting airbrushed wif da teflon again. he’ll dodge this one too. he too jerkey.

  2. SHG 2

    Such is Key’s personal popularity that for him to appear in public is a political advertisement.

    • Zetetic 2.1

      I don’t think you understand the concept of an electoral ad. It’s an attempt to get votes. It doesn’t have to be successful.

      DJ Moonbeam looked like an idiot. “it’s the PM’s hour and we’re having fun” while the S&P downgrade was being announced on the same show. But it’s still an ad.

      • Blue 2.1.1

        I disagree, surely its only an advertisement if the National Party paid for the time. If not then he was obviously invited. Unless Key said “vote for National” then its not a breach, unless he said Labour will do this and we will do this then, again, its not a breach. Would Phil Goff have declined an invitation? Probably not. It would be madness to decline such an opportunity. Would he have declined on principle? Absolutely not. The irony of this is that Labour have continuously and deliberately flouted electoral laws this year, and stole $800,000 of public money in the last campaign. Then (more irony) retrospectively changed the law.

        • Ben Clark 2.1.1.1

          I can assure you that whether you actually pay for time or are gifted it, it counts. It’s something we have to account for in our expenses. And an hour of radio could be quite an expense to add.

          And you don’t have to say “Vote for…” for it to be an advertisement – as clearly ruled by the Electoral Commission quite recently. A ruling that National (or at least its proxies) requested – if you’re looking for irony.

          • Blue 2.1.1.1.1

            No Ben, irony is claiming the moral high ground whilst standing on a pile of your own dung. $800,000 stolen, retrospective legislation makes it ok. Irony.

            • Colonial Viper 2.1.1.1.1.1

              Hey mate, Labour returned that money as a gesture of good faith even though it was not required to. When is Double Dipton going to return his?

  3. Anthony 3

    What a complete imbarrisment. How spastic does this get.

    • mik e 3.1

      KeyVery touchy feely .Time to celebrate salivate over a bottle of stolen wine.When its key or mates breaking the law it doesn’t matter.

    • Dangerous Den 3.2

      Hey Anthony… you are the spastic. Why don’t you learn to spell. “imbarassing” duh!

  4. Lanthanide 4

    Personally I find this a bit of a stretch and don’t think its going to go anywhere.

    • infused 4.1

      Like wise.

    • queenstfarmer 4.2

      In the last investigation (involving Shane Jones and Winston Peters), the Electoral Commission actually suggested a fairly robust threshold for a breach. Their comments were as explicit as “give us your party vote” before being referred. This is a far cry from what John Key did.

      It is obvious that all involved are aware of the rules, so Key was perhaps to some extent skating on thinnish ice, as is every MP who pulls a publicity stunt like this. So if he gets an adverse finding (which is actually against the station as broadcaster, not John Key, but anyway…) he only has himself to blame.

      However I struggle to find any “encouragement” or “persuasion” in those 2 vague comments that Eddie has determined (or hopes) are slam-dunks. If I had to hazard a bet (just going on Eddie’s report), I’d say it does not get referred. And if it does, I doubt it is prosecuted.

      And even so, this is a typical beltway-style issue that no-one in voterland will care about anyway, especially as it will be the station’s issue. All in all, it is a small but useful PR win for John Key (which is, of course, the real reason Labour activists are spewing).

      • Zetetic 4.2.1

        just doing the show was an attempt to win votes. Or do you think that Key did it because he had nothing else to do?

      • Draco T Bastard 4.2.2

        …especially as it will be the station’s issue.

        An hour of radio advertising in the regulated period – just how much is that worth? and how much is Nationals limit?

        • Lanthanide 4.2.2.1

          This morning on morning report they had statements suggesting that Labour’s issue is that he appeared on the radio at all.

          That, I agree with. That is a problem.

          What I don’t agree with is the 2 minor points raised by Eddie.

          • Draco T Bastard 4.2.2.1.1

            Yeah, I’d agree with that. If they had all the party leaders doing an hour of air time each I wouldn’t be so concerned but it’s just the one and that makes it a political advertisement for National.

            • MarkM 4.2.2.1.1.1

              The other party leaders arent the PM.
              To suggest that party leaders whos support is in the margins of error , deserve equal time on the radio is laughable.
              Its probably financial suicide to as a radio station needs listeners.

    • Ari 4.3

      And even if it did go anywhere, it would be stupid. Politicians (or anyone else) should be able to talk about policy or political action even on non-political shows, and what Key did is clearly policy-related on both counts- granted, it’s vote-grubbing policy, but trying to argue that is like trying to argue that people you don’t like shouldn’t have free speech.

      • McFlock 4.3.1

        An hour-long political ad on radio, funded by radiolive?
         
        Not that I know the nuances of the act, and they might give the same opportunity to Lab/MP/ACT/Green leadership (Tui moment).

        • queenstfarmer 4.3.1.1

          I think they should definitely give Phil Goff an hour as well. It is their right to have whoever they want on (provided they don’t breach any rules, which is kind of the issue) but to me it would be eminently fair, and probably good business, to have Phil on too. Given the “controversy”, they would probably get a small ratings boost – good for them and Phil.

          BUT I wonder if there is a bit of poor strategy here by Labour filing a complaint. Because of their complaint, I doubt Phil could now accept a DJ hour. I wonder if they would have been best to protest loudly (but not made a complaint) until they got their own 1 hour slot (which I’m sure they would get), and then do a very by-the-book “no politics” session by Phil, who I think would come across quite well in that environment.

          • Colonial Viper 4.3.1.1.1

            Because of their complaint, I doubt Phil could now accept a DJ hour.

            Don’t be silly, Goff could of course do a DJ hour as long as he didn’t break the law like Key did politicking. He could just focus on being a DJ and chatting to ordinary people.

            • queenstfarmer 4.3.1.1.1.1

              Yes, which would be a good thing. I think a big part of Phil’s problem is that whenever most people see him on TV, he usually comes across as “on the attack” and angry. Now I’m sure Phil would say that’s because he’s angry at the Govt’s incompetence, etc. but either way it doesn’t seem to go down that well with the public.

              I think he would benefit from getting some exposure on non-political things, getting his personality across.

              But now that Labour has attacked John Key for daring to “promote his personality” (see Clare Curran’s comments), it would be somewhat hypocritical for Labour to demand the chance to do let Phil do the same thing. I think they acted in haste here.

              • Colonial Viper

                But now that Labour has attacked John Key for daring to “promote his personality” (see Clare Curran’s comments), it would be somewhat hypocritical for Labour to demand the chance to do let Phil do the same thing.

                Who cares about being hypocritical?

                It seems to win John Key and National plenty of votes.

                BTW you seem mixed up so let me explain: its not against the law to promote ones personality on air, its against the law to conduct an election broadcasting programme.

                • queenstfarmer

                  BTW you seem mixed up so let me explain: its not against the law to promote ones personality on air, its against the law to conduct an election broadcasting programme.

                  Yes I know that, but as I said the problem is that Labour has attacked “personality promotion”. Perhaps pass that info on to Clare Curran.

            • prism 4.3.1.1.1.2

              CV I don’t understand you and what others here have been saying. A politician getting his image and public style, speaking about anything, before the public for an hour – that’s PR, that’s self promotion and the self carries his party with him, that’s politicking. Surely that must come under the media appearance paid or unpaid controls? The person and politics can’t be divorced when we are coming so close to an election.

  5. Richard 5

    Weren’t you guys originally complaining that he went on the show and didn’t talk about “politics”?* This is why the left is this country is failing: intellectual dishonesty. Disgusting.

    *http://thestandard.org.nz/says-it-all/

    IrishBill: You’re warned for trolling.

    • Zetetic 5.1

      No. No-one was complaining that he didn’t talk about politics on the show.

      He should have been talking about politics. Off the show.

      He should have cancelled and done his job on a day of crisis. Rather than playing DJ and breaking the law.

      • infused 5.1.1

        Like all the labour adverts lately eh? Labour still doesn’t understand the law they passed.

        IrishBill: Warned for lack of imagination. If I catch you being this dull again you’ll get a ban

        • Zetetic 5.1.1.1

          Labour’s law has been replaced.

          The recent issues have been over a new interpretation of when materials distributed for parliamentary purposes are also electoral ads, and confusion over the start dates for hoardings in different local council areas according to their bylaws. Some candidates put theirs up on the weekend before the two month mark, which was two days early according to some bylaws.

          • The Voice of Reason 5.1.1.1.1

            The funniest episode of all was this one. The Tory candidate broke the electoral bylaws of the council he currently leads as mayor!
             
            It’s not a good look for a brand new National Party candidate to be referred to as a stupid and a moron by David Farrar and Cameron Slater, is it?

        • Nick C 5.1.1.2

          Jesus Christ, you’re moderating for ‘lack of imagination’ now??

          Watch out mickeysavage..

        • infused 5.1.1.3

          Being this dull? Stating the facts buddy. Labour has been reported to the police what, two times this year?

      • Lanthanide 5.1.2

        I don’t really think 2 credit downgrades make it a “day of crisis”.

        An earthquake, a natural disaster, something that actually needs immediate response, that’s a crisis.

  6. burt 6

    Eddie

    During the last Labour govt public debt all but disappeared but private debt skyrocketed. No surprise given we had 9 years of creeping nominal tax rates as static tax thresholds dragged against inflation adjusted wages. People crossing the $38K and $60K thresholds due to inflation were money in the bank for Labour.

    Did you know that Cullen’s ‘top tax’ was classifying 75% of high school teachers as rich before it was finally adjusted in 2008. Do you remember the 1999 promise ‘only the top 5% of earners will pay this top rate’. Teachers – top 5%… I don’t think so Dr! Sorry I digressed.

    My point is Eddie; what possible good can come from politicising a stance that high personal debt levels are a significant problem in our economy ?

    • Zetetic 6.1

      so. burt agrees that Key violated the law.

      It seems to me that Labour is arguing that Key’s $37 billion in new debt is the problem.

      • burt 6.1.1

        Zetetic

        So far the campaign machine seems to lack the horsepower to push the ‘Labour would have borrowed less than National’ line.

        It’s not entirely surprising, how would you sell such a notion while also blazing away about how National have slashed public spending?

  7. Draco T Bastard 7

    PM’s DJ stint subject of complaint

    “In light of that multi-million dollar loan it is even more important for Mediaworks to ensure they are balanced in their election coverage. Unfortunately installing the Prime Minister as the sole host of a 60 minute live broadcast less than two months out from election day shows a blatant disregard for fairness and balance,” Clare Curran said.

    “John Key was effectively handed editorial control. His comments regarding the fact it was supposedly an ‘election free zone’ explicitly linked the programme to the election.

    “He was gifted an uninterrupted hour to promote his – and National’s – brand and his personality. He spent much of it emphasising his personal connection to his various ‘celebrity’ guests.

    “Put simply, the John Key Hour was not an ordinary, everyday radio show, it was an election gimmick.

    Well, that seems to sum up Labours reasoning.

    • SHG 7.1

      Anything that puts John Key’s personality on display makes Labour look bad by comparison. The only fair course is for John Key to be locked in a room from now until after the election. Can’t have people making Labour look bad now can we?

      • TightyRighty 7.1.1

        where is the like button on this bloody thing. You hit the nail on the head there SHG. Though by the same reasoning, most of the labour caucus should just go into hermit mode until 27/11

      • Draco T Bastard 7.1.2

        Fuck you’re an idiot but, then, you are a RWNJ.

        http://thestandard.org.nz/key-broke-law-on-radio-show/#comment-381045

        • TightyRighty 7.1.2.1

          did you just reference your own unreferenced and un-peer reviewed BS? why don’t you give yourself a reach around while you are at it? the mental contortions the left performs to justify any anti-right wing behavior constantly astounds me.

          how can this be an idiotic statement

          Anything that puts John Key’s personality on display makes Labour look bad by comparison. The only fair course is for John Key to be locked in a room from now until after the election.

          when it’s so true?

  8. hellonearthis 8

    If it goes to court, wont Moonbeam just call urgency and have the law changed retroactively so that it turns out that he did nothing wrong.

    • Blue 8.1

      Like the $800,000 that Labour stole, lied about and then had “the law changed retroactively so that it turns out that (they) did nothing wrong.” ? Probably yes.

  9. As I have said before on this blog, Key is a Bonapartist figure who appears to be above the law because he can change it almost at will. He just passes some urgent retrospective empowering legislation and sends a minister to ride shotgun. Some say its a feature of ‘presidential’ rule that spawns mini Tsars. Chris Trotter says Key passes himself off as above the nation because he IS the nation. Of course this explains why Key is so popular and can get away with doing what he likes, laugh it off, smile and wave, and move on. So far.

    This is a well known phenomenon to Marxists who refer to it as ‘Bonapartism’ after the French Bonapartes who ruled as ‘strong men’ in the 1800s apparently above classes, and therefore identifying with the nation as a whole. It is a feature of a period of social crisis when the open Tory parties are too much identified with the greedy, arrogant ruling class, so a populist figure, apparently straddling the classes, can for a relatively short period maintain a class balance and semblance of order and stability. Bonapartism provides a cover for creeping autocracy as the regime has to implement rapid reforms to make the working masses pay for its crises and restore its profits.

    Yet Bonapartist figures cannot put the lid on class struggle in a serious prolonged crisis and the working class begins to resist the attacks on it. A very clever Bonapartist like Key can delay the shift to the right by simply smothering working class resistance. He won the 08 election as ‘Labour Lite’ keeping his Tory agenda under wraps. He has removed the wraps as his popularity and ability to maintain the class balance holds. He is well managed. The RWC and his photo op with the Mad Butcher continues his stand above classes. He drinks in the corporate boxes with the rugby bosses and sits in the stands with the heartland of working class NZ, the league fans, fraternising with another self made working class multi-millionaire. To make it easier the Labour Party under Goff is incapable of standing up for the most oppressed workers. And Mana is only just born and as yet unable to act as a catalyst for a working class fightback.

    However, now or in one or two years time depending how the global crisis develops, this Bonapartist dulux nation will no longer work to keep workers down. The Bonapartist regime will then move right to redefine the nation as excluding the ‘outsiders’, or ‘Auslanders’ as Trotter calls them. But its not the Labour Party that are Auslanders; rather the 100s of thousands of workers who have been disenfranchised by Labour’s open pro-capitalist trajectory in the last 30 years.

    The real ‘outsiders’ are those sections of the working class mainly Maori, Pacifica, youth and women who are over-represented in the so-called ‘underclass’ as unemployed, lowpaid, unpaid, precarious, casualised workers. The Bonapartist regime attacks these groups in order to divide and smash their unity as workers. The NACTs are currently using Brash to drive some wedges in this direction hoping to incite proto-fascist sentiment and the formation of fascist currents. This opens the way for a fascist movement to demonise and physically attack the most militant sections of the working class and destroy its challenge to capitalist rule.

    A serious working class opposition to capitalist class rule has therefore to unite all of these class elements as one single fighting force. This is what is under way with the wave of occupations that is spreading across the world. These occupations are all pointing towards growing support for general strikes as is the case today in Egypt, UK and Bolivia. To be continued…

  10. Bazar 10

    Hah i love this website at times

    First posts bitching about how john key said nothing of value, and now this bitching about how he said too much.

    I wouldn’t be surprised if there was someone ridiculing his attire as this site had done repeatedly in the past.

    But if were talking about illegal political advertising, how about labour and their billboards. I’m not the only one who noticed they got put up 2 (or more) days before they were legally allowed in my electorate…

    I guess i’ve gone offtopic with that statement, but seriously. This is a rubbish article that should never have been posted. I wish this site lived up to its name more.

    IrishBill: and this is a rubbish comment. Make another one this shit and you’ll be banned.

  11. One Anonymous Bloke 11

    The implicit narrative underlying much of these comments goes like this: “When Labour breaks the law, it’s because they’re corrupt. When National breaks the law, Labour are petty for pointing it out.”

    But this is hardly surprising. Support for National party policy requires a great deal of self-deception. Evidence abounds http://www.slideshare.net/equalitytrust/the-spirit-level-slides-from-the-equality-trust that their policies make everything worse, so in order to continue voting for them people must be either ignorant (a condition we all share to one degree or another) or delusional.

    So this mendacious wretch, the Prime Minister, cannot engage on the facts or the policy so he must do his little PR dance and simper and mince instead. “What do I say to people who accuse me of blatant electioneering? Vote for me!”

  12. I do not like the fact that Mr Muddle had an hour of direct contact with the voters to continue his charm offensive but I can’t see that he did anything wrong by the letter of the law.
    He knows it.
    His handlers know it.
    It was a shrewd move and I think he will get away with.
    What I don’t understand is why RadioLive allowed it. This was not a normal thing for them to do. Was this the price to be paid for a soft loan from the government (i.e. with our money)? Was it a commercial deal? Is it an editorial policy to be pro-National? Did someone at RL get a hardon at the thought of having his holiness in their studios.
     
    If none of these things are true then surely any other leader from a political party could approach RL and get the same access.

    • Joe Bloggs 12.1

      Nup, there’s not another political party in NewZild with a leader half as charismatic as John Key. 😀

      Labour officials had contacted Radio Live to request other political parties be included, but were turned down.

      See? No charisma. And no charisma equals no show on the radio. It’s really simple when you wade through the smoke and mirrors… 😀

  13. The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 13

    Given Labour’s manifold, flagrant and recent breaches of electoral law, I am now sure how well placed they are to make capital out of a throw away line on a live radio show.

  14. numeric 14

    I enjoy the variety of analyses on this site .. and the courtesy of trolls leaving their IP adresses on the record.

    Even IrishBill sometimes has a sense of humour.

    [lprent: He might. I however don’t have one that isn’t sarcastic and a wee bit cruel as is appropriate for a grumpy sysop. Especially to a luser who seems intent on wasting our time.

    The moderators protect IP’s by keeping them private as is explained in our privacy policy. But we do use them to track people and especially people who keep jumping pseudonyms

    You made a very similar remark yesterday using a different identity. I see that you have had a range of identities who have said very little of any note (something on the vacuous order of this one). Apart from causing us to waste time releasing you from first time moderation, to me that suggests a astroturfer profile of storing up identities for troll attacks.

    I’d strongly suggest that you pick one identity and stick with it. Because if I see you using another, I will exercise my sense of humour and ban you from making any comments at all. ]

  15. Rodel 15

    Just watched TV1’s account of John Key’s one hour session given to him by for a private media station which was previously granted $millions deferment by ..guess who?

    This blatant corruption was handled with servility by TV1 and with the usual obsequious reporting by Guyon Espiner who had a chance to do some real journalism for a change.. Can’t upset John Key this close to an election…mightn’t get invited out for cosy drinks and insider information.

    Are there any real reporters in this country?

    • Joe Bloggs 15.1

      .
      Yeah, great interview that one. Key handled Espiner with his usual aplomb, dealt neatly with Guyon’s futile smear tactics.

      Goff came across sounding like an aging shrew – a snappy and liverish minor party pollie desperately trying to maintain some sense of relevance in the face of a disaster at the polls. Perhaps if he just rose above all of the liberal-left reflexive negativity the electorate might warm to him just a little.

      • So… What you’re saying is that “Goff came across sounding like an aging shrew – a snappy and liverish minor party pollie” because of his “liberal-left “ policies?

        Whew. That’s a relief. It’s just his politics you don’t like – hence deriding him as an “aging shrew – a snappy and liverish minor party pollie”. If he espoused rightwing policies, he wouldn’t be a “aging shrew – a snappy and liverish minor party pollie”.

  16. Im sure if Goff was leader he would of done the same thing.

    • Joe Bloggs 16.1

      just not as convincingly…

    • burt 16.2

      There was an article in the DomPost today (I can’t find it online) where Cunliffe expressed similar sentiments to Key but in significantly more detail. I look forward to DPF having his turn on the same issue… partisans… hacks…. everyone of them.

      • lprent 16.2.1

        Yep. Not all of us are as sane as the members and MP’s of Act…. With their steadfast fortitude in staying in parliament pushing the National party….. Hey that can’t be right. The top of their list are all National MP’s.

        Ummm.. Are there any members still in Act who haven’t left ? Who are you supporting these days?

        • burt 16.2.1.1

          lprent

          Here is a link: http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/5727365/Why-our-credit-downgrade-matters

          Who are I supporting these days ? Good question. When Goff, Mallard, King & Parker are gone I might vote Labour. I would like Brash in parliament but certainly not Banks. I’m pissed Roy left ACT and I’m not impressed with National.

          My vote may go Maori or Green this year but probably National if Labour pick up in the polls.

          • lprent 16.2.1.1.1

            Thanks. I missed it with the hours I have been doing for the last few months.

            I did have you picked as a swinging voter. I’d agree about Banks. Was useless when he was last in the house and has been a do-nothing significant mayor. Aside from his politics, Brash just seems disaster magnet.

            Try the Greens (please). I can just see you as a green voter…… 😈

          • fmacskasy 16.2.1.1.2

            At least under MMP you have a choice, Burt. Spoiled for choice, I might say.

            Under FPP, unless you lived in a marginal seat, it was often irrelevant if you voted or not. (And SM is hardly better.)

  17. randal 17

    It is apparent that the rule of law is in the process of becoming whatever the National Party says the law is. If you have just been givin $40,000,000 and then you pay that off with a free hour of politicking that you then say is not polticiking then there is a disjunction that is bordering on criminal insanity.

    • Bored 17.1

      We cant expect Key to respect the law…he could not respect the principle of being tried under the laws at the time of the offense (the retroactive legislation issue).

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    Chris Hipkins down with Covid, at least for 5 days isolation, National continue to obfuscate, ACT continues to double-down on the poor and Winston… well, he’s being Winston really. Voters beware: this week could be even more infuriating than the last. No Party is what they used to be ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    1 day ago
  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #39
    A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Sep 24, 2023 thru Sat, Sep 30, 2023. Story of the Week We’re not doomed yet’: climate scientist Michael Mann on our last chance to save human civilisation The renowned US ...
    1 day ago
  • Clusterf**ck of Chaos.
    On the 11th of April 1945 advancing US forces liberated the Nazi concentration camp of Buchenwald near Weimar in Germany. In the coming days, under the order of General Patton, a thousand nearby residents were forced to march to the camp to see the atrocities that had been committed in ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • The party of business deals with the future by pretending it isn’t coming
    Years and years ago, when Helen Clark was Prime Minister and John Key was gunning for her job, I had a conversation with a mate, a trader who knew John Key well enough to paint a helpful picture.It was many drinks ago so it’s not a complete one. But there’s ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • 2023 More Reading: September (+ Old Phuul update)
    Completed reads for September: The Lost Continent, by C.J. Cutcliffe Hyne Flatland, by Edwin Abbott All Quiet on the Western Front, by Erich Maria Remarque The Country of the Blind, by H.G. Wells The Day of the Triffids, by John Wyndham A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles ...
    2 days ago
  • Losing The Left.
    Descending Into The Dark: The ideological cadres currently controlling both Labour and the Greens are forcing “justice”, “participation” and “democracy” to make way for what is “appropriate” and “responsible”. But, where does that leave the people who, for most of their adult lives, have voted for left-wing parties, precisely to ...
    2 days ago
  • The New “Emperor’s New Clothes”.
    “‘BUT HE HASN’T GOT ANYTHING ON,’ a little boy said ….. ‘But he hasn’t got anything on!’ the whole town cried out at last.”On this optimistic note, Hans Christian Andersen brings his cautionary tale of “The Emperor’s New Clothes” to an end.Andersen’s children’s story was written nearly two centuries ago, ...
    2 days ago
  • BRYCE EDWARDS: The vested interests shaping National Party policies
      Bryce Edwards writes – As the National Party gets closer to government, lobbyists and business interests will be lining up for influence and to get policies adopted. It’s therefore in the public interest to have much more scrutiny and transparency about potential conflicts of interests that ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • LINDSAY MITCHELL: A conundrum for those pushing racist dogma
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – The heavily promoted narrative, which has ramped up over the last six years, is that Maori somehow have special vulnerabilities which arise from outside forces they cannot control; that contemporary society fails to meet their needs. They are not receptive to messages and ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • CHRIS TROTTER:  The greater of two evils
    Not Labour: If you’re out to punish the government you once loved, then the last thing you need is to be shown evidence that the opposition parties are much, much worse.   Chris Trotter writes – THE GREATEST VIRTUE of being the Opposition is not being the Government. Only very ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to Sept 30
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:Labour presented a climate manifesto that aimed to claim the high ground on climate action vs National, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Litanies, articles of faith, and being a beneficiary
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past two weeks.Friday 29Play it, ElvisElection Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Litanies, articles of faith, and being a beneficiary
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past two weeks.Friday 29Play it, ElvisElection Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The ‘Recession’ Has Been Called Off, But Some Households Are Still Struggling
    While the economy is not doing too badly in output terms, external circumstances are not favourable, and there is probably a sizeable group of households struggling because of rising interest rates.Last week’s announcement of a 0.9 percent increase in volume GDP for the June quarter had the commentariat backing down ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    3 days ago
  • Climate Change: The wrong direction
    This week the International Energy Association released its Net Zero Roadmap, intended to guide us towards a liveable climate. The report demanded huge increases in renewable generation, no new gas or oil, and massive cuts to methane emissions. It was positive about our current path, but recommended that countries with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • “Racism” becomes a buzz word on the campaign trail – but our media watchdogs stay muzzled when...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Oh, dear.  We have nothing to report from the Beehive. At least, we have nothing to report from the government’s official website. But the drones have not gone silent.  They are out on the election campaign trail, busy buzzing about this and that in the hope ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Play it, Elvis
    Election Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t have time for. You’re welcome, etc. Let us press on, etc. 1.  What did Christopher Luxon use to his advantage in ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Pure class warfare
    National unveiled its fiscal policy today, announcing all the usual things which business cares about and I don't. But it did finally tell us how National plans to pay for its handouts to landlords: by effectively cutting benefits: The biggest saving announced on Friday was $2b cut from the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • Ask Me Anything about the week to Sept 29
    Photo by Anna Ogiienko on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session for paying subscribers about the week that was for an hour, including:duelling fiscal plans from National and Labour;Labour cutting cycling spending while accusing National of being weak on climate;Research showing the need for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 29-September-2023
    Welcome to Friday and the last one for September. This week in Greater Auckland On Monday, Matt highlighted at the latest with the City Rail Link. On Tuesday, Matt covered the interesting items from Auckland Transport’s latest board meeting agendas. On Thursday, a guest post from Darren Davis ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    4 days ago
  • Protest at Parliament: The Reunion.
    Brian’s god spoke to him. He, for of course the Lord in Tamaki’s mind was a male god, with a mighty rod, and probably some black leathers. He, told Brian - “you must put a stop to all this love, hope, and kindness”. And it did please the Brian.He said ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Labour cuts $50m from cycleway spending
    Labour is cutting spending on cycling infrastructure while still trying to claim the higher ground on climate. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Labour Government released a climate manifesto this week to try to claim the high ground against National, despite having ignored the Climate Commission’s advice to toughen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Greater Of Two Evils.
    Not Labour: If you’re out to punish the government you once loved, then the last thing you need is to be shown evidence that the opposition parties are much, much worse.THE GREATEST VIRTUE of being the Opposition is not being the Government. Only very rarely is an opposition party elected ...
    4 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #39 2023
    Open access notables "Net zero is only a distraction— we just have to end fossil fuel emissions." The latter is true but the former isn't, or  not in the real world as it's likely to be in the immediate future. And "just" just doesn't enter into it; we don't have ...
    4 days ago
  • Chris Trotter: Losing the Left
    IN THE CURRENT MIX of electoral alternatives, there is no longer a credible left-wing party. Not when “a credible left-wing party” is defined as: a class-oriented, mass-based, democratically-structured political organisation; dedicated to promoting ideas sharply critical of laissez-faire capitalism; and committed to advancing democratic, egalitarian and emancipatory ideals across the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Hipkins fires up in leaders’ debate, but has the curtain already fallen on the Labour-led coalitio...
    Labour’s  Chris Hipkins came out firing, in the  leaders’ debate  on Newshub’s evening programme, and most of  the pundits  rated  him the winner against National’s  Christopher Luxon. But will this make any difference when New  Zealanders  start casting their ballots? The problem  for  Hipkins is  that  voters are  all too ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    4 days ago
  • Govt is energising housing projects with solar power – and fuelling the public’s concept of a di...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Not long after Point of Order published data which show the substantial number of New Zealanders (77%) who believe NZ is becoming more divided, government ministers were braying about a programme which distributes some money to “the public” and some to “Maori”. The ministers were dishing ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • MIKE GRIMSHAW: Election 2023 – a totemic & charisma failure?
    The D&W analysis Michael Grimshaw writes –  Given the apathy, disengagement, disillusionment, and all-round ennui of this year’s general election, it was considered time to bring in those noted political operatives and spin doctors D&W, the long-established consultancy firm run by Emile Durkheim and Max Weber. Known for ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • FROM BFD: Will Winston be the spectre we think?
    Kissy kissy. Cartoon credit BoomSlang. The BFD. JC writes-  Allow me to preface this contribution with the following statement: If I were asked to express a preference between a National/ACT coalition or a National/ACT/NZF coalition then it would be the former. This week Luxon declared his position, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • California’s climate disclosure bill could have a huge impact across the U.S.
    This re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Andy Furillo was originally published by Capital & Main and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. The California Legislature took a step last week that has the potential to accelerate the fight against climate ...
    5 days ago
  • Untangling South East Queensland’s Public Transport
    This is a cross post Adventures in Transitland by Darren Davis. I recently visited Brisbane and South East Queensland and came away both impressed while also pondering some key changes to make public transport even better in the region. Here goes with my take on things. A bit of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • Try A Little Kindness.
    My daughter arrived home from the supermarket yesterday and she seemed a bit worried about something. It turned out she wanted to know if someone could get her bank number from a receipt.We wound the story back.She was in the store and there was a man there who was distressed, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • What makes NZFirst tick
    New Zealand’s longest-running political roadshow rolled into Opotiki yesterday, with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters knowing another poll last night showed he would make it back to Parliament and National would need him and his party if they wanted to form a government. The Newshub Reid Research poll ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • September AMA
    Hi,As September draws to a close — I feel it’s probably time to do an Ask Me Anything. You know how it goes: If you have any burning questions, fire away in the comments and I will do my best to answer. You might have questions about Webworm, or podcast ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago
  • Bludgers lying in the scratcher making fools of us all
    The mediocrity who stands to be a Prime Minister has a litany.He uses it a bit like a Koru Lounge card. He will brandish it to say: these people are eligible. And more than that, too: These people are deserving. They have earned this policy.They have a right to this policy. What ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • More “partnerships” (by the look of it) and redress of over $30 million in Treaty settlement wit...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point of Order has waited until now – 3.45pm – for today’s officially posted government announcements.  There have been none. The only addition to the news on the Beehive’s website was posted later yesterday, after we had published our September 26 Buzz report. It came from ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • ALEX HOLLAND: Labour’s spending
    Alex Holland writes –  In 2017 when Labour came to power, crown spending was $76 billion per year. Now in 2023 it is $139 billion per year, which equates to a $63 billion annual increase (over $1 billion extra spend every week!) In 2017, New Zealand’s government debt ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • If not now, then when?
    Labour released its fiscal plan today, promising the same old, same old: "responsibility", balanced books, and of course no new taxes: "Labour will maintain income tax settings to provide consistency and certainty in these volatile times. Now is not the time for additional taxes or to promise billions of ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • THE FACTS:  77% of Kiwis believe NZ is becoming more divided
    The Facts has posted –        KEY INSIGHTSOf New Zealander’s polled: Social unity/division 77%believe NZ is becoming more divided (42% ‘much more’ + 35% ‘a little more’) 3%believe NZ is becoming less divided (1% ‘much less’ + 2% ‘a little less’) ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the cynical brutality of the centre-right’s welfare policies
    The centre-right’s enthusiasm for forcing people off the benefit and into paid work is matched only by the enthusiasm (shared by Treasury and the Reserve Bank) for throwing people out of paid work to curb inflation, and achieve the optimal balance of workers to job seekers deemed to be desirable ...
    5 days ago
  • Wednesday’s Chorus: Arthur Grimes on why building many, many more social houses is so critical
    New research shows that tenants in social housing - such as these Wellington apartments - are just as happy as home owners and much happier than private tenants. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The election campaign took an ugly turn yesterday, and in completely the wrong direction. All three ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Bennie Bashing.
    If there’s one thing the mob loves more than keeping Māori in their place, more than getting tough on the gangs, maybe even more than tax cuts. It’s a good old round of beneficiary bashing.Are those meanies in the ACT party stealing your votes because they think David Seymour is ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • The kindest cuts
    Labour kicks off the fiscal credibility battle today with the release of its fiscal plan. National is expected to follow, possibly as soon as Thursday, with its own plan, which may (or may not) address the large hole that the problems with its foreign buyers’ ban might open up. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago
  • Green right turn in Britain? Well, a start
    While it may be unlikely to register in New Zealand’s general election, Britain’s PM Rishi Sunak has done something which might just be important in the long run. He’s announced a far-reaching change in his Conservative government’s approach to environmental, and particularly net zero, policy. The starting point – ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    6 days ago
  • At a glance – How do human CO2 emissions compare to natural CO2 emissions?
    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 ...
    6 days ago
  • How could this happen?
    Canada is in uproar after the exposure that its parliament on September 22 provided a standing ovation to a Nazi veteran who had been invited into the chamber to participate in the parliamentary welcome to Ukrainian President Zelensky. Yaroslav Hunka, 98, a Ukrainian man who volunteered for service in ...
    6 days ago
  • Always Be Campaigning
    The big screen is a great place to lay out the ways of the salesman. He comes ready-made for Panto, ripe for lampooning.This is not to disparage that life. I have known many good people of that kind. But there is a type, brazen as all get out. The camera ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • STEPHEN FRANKS: Press seek to publicly shame doctor – we must push back
    The following is a message sent yesterday from lawyer Stephen Franks on behalf of the Free Speech Union. I don’t like to interrupt first thing Monday morning, but we’ve just become aware of a case where we think immediate and overwhelming attention could help turn the tide. It involves someone ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Competing on cruelty
    The right-wing message calendar is clearly reading "cruelty" today, because both National and NZ First have released beneficiary-bashing policies. National is promising a "traffic light" system to police and kick beneficiaries, which will no doubt be accompanied by arbitrary internal targets to classify people as "orange" or "red" to keep ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • Further funding for Pharmac (forgotten in the Budget?) looks like a $1bn appeal from a PM in need of...
    Buzz from the Beehive One Labour plan  – for 3000 more public homes by 2025 – is the most recent to be posted on the government’s official website. Another – a prime ministerial promise of more funding for Pharmac – has been released as a Labour Party press statement. Who ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: The Vested interests shaping National Party policies
    As the National Party gets closer to government, lobbyists and business interests will be lining up for influence and to get policies adopted. It’s therefore in the public interest to have much more scrutiny and transparency about potential conflicts of interests that might arise. One of the key individuals of ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    6 days ago
  • Labour may be on way out of power and NZ First back in – but will Peters go into coalition with Na...
    Voters  are deserting Labour in droves, despite Chris  Hipkins’  valiant  rearguard  action.  So  where  are they  heading?  Clearly  not all of them are going to vote National, which concedes that  the  outcome  will be “close”. To the Right of National, the ACT party just a  few weeks  ago  was ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    6 days ago
  • GRAHAM ADAMS: Will the racists please stand up?
    Accusations of racism by journalists and MPs are being called out. Graham Adams writes –    With the election less than three weeks away, what co-governance means in practice — including in water management, education, planning law and local government — remains largely obscure. Which is hardly ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on whether Winston Peters can be a moderating influence
    As the centre-right has (finally!) been subjected to media interrogation, the polls are indicating that some voters may be starting to have second thoughts about the wisdom of giving National and ACT the power to govern alone. That’s why yesterday’s Newshub/Reid Research poll had the National/ACT combo dropping to 60 ...
    6 days ago
  • Tuesday’s Chorus: RBNZ set to rain on National's victory parade
    ANZ has increased its forecast for house inflation later this year on signs of growing momentum in the market ahead of the election. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: National has campaigned against the Labour Government’s record on inflation and mortgage rates, but there’s now a growing chance the Reserve ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • After a Pittsburgh coal processing plant closed, ER visits plummeted
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Katie Myers. This story was originally published by Grist and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. Pittsburgh, in its founding, was blessed and cursed with two abundant natural resources: free-flowing rivers and a nearby coal seam. ...
    7 days ago
  • September-23 AT Board Meeting
    Today the AT board meet again and once again I’ve taken a look at what’s on the agenda to find the most interesting items. Closed Agenda Interestingly when I first looked at the agendas this paper was there but at the time of writing this post it had been ...
    7 days ago
  • Electorate Watch: West Coast-Tasman
    Continuing my series on interesting electorates, today it’s West Coast-Tasman.A long thin electorate running down the northern half of the west coast of the South Island. Think sand flies, beautiful landscapes, lots of rain, Pike River, alternative lifestylers, whitebaiting, and the spiritual home of the Labour Party. A brief word ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago
  • Big money brings Winston back
    National leader Christopher Luxon yesterday morning conceded it and last night’s Newshub poll confirmed it; Winston Peters and NZ First are not only back but highly likely to be part of the next government. It is a remarkable comeback for a party that was tossed out of Parliament in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    7 days ago
  • 20 days until Election Day, 7 until early voting begins… but what changes will we really see here?
    As this blogger, alongside many others, has already posited in another forum: we all know the National Party’s “budget” (meaning this concept of even adding up numbers properly is doing a lot of heavy, heavy lifting right now) is utter and complete bunk (read hung, drawn and quartered and ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    1 week ago
  • A night out
    Everyone was asking, Are you nervous? and my response was various forms of God, yes.I've written more speeches than I can count; not much surprises me when the speaker gets to their feet and the room goes quiet.But a play? Never.YOU CAME! THANK YOU! Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand resumes peacekeeping force leadership
    New Zealand will again contribute to the leadership of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, with a senior New Zealand Defence Force officer returning as Interim Force Commander. Defence Minister Andrew Little and Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta have announced the deployment of New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • New national direction provides clarity for development and the environment
    The Government has taken an important step in implementing the new resource management system, by issuing a draft National Planning Framework (NPF) document under the new legislation, Environment Minister David Parker said today. “The NPF consolidates existing national direction, bringing together around 20 existing instruments including policy statements, standards, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago
  • Government shows further commitment to pay equity for healthcare workers
    The Government welcomes the proposed pay equity settlement that will see significant pay increases for around 18,000 Te Whatu Ora Allied, Scientific, and Technical employees, if accepted said Health Minister Ayesha Verrall. The proposal reached between Te Whatu Ora, the New Zealand Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago
  • 100 new public EV chargers to be added to national network
    The public EV charging network has received a significant boost with government co-funding announced today for over 100 EV chargers – with over 200 charging ports altogether – across New Zealand, and many planned to be up and running on key holiday routes by Christmas this year. Minister of Energy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Safeguarding Tuvalu language and identity
    Tuvalu is in the spotlight this week as communities across New Zealand celebrate Vaiaso o te Gagana Tuvalu – Tuvalu Language Week. “The Government has a proven record of supporting Pacific communities and ensuring more of our languages are spoken, heard and celebrated,” Pacific Peoples Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Many ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • New community-level energy projects to support more than 800 Māori households
    Seven more innovative community-scale energy projects will receive government funding through the Māori and Public Housing Renewable Energy Fund to bring more affordable, locally generated clean energy to more than 800 Māori households, Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods says. “We’ve already funded 42 small-scale clean energy projects that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Huge boost to Te Tai Tokerau flood resilience
    The Government has approved new funding that will boost resilience and greatly reduce the risk of major flood damage across Te Tai Tokerau. Significant weather events this year caused severe flooding and damage across the region. The $8.9m will be used to provide some of the smaller communities and maraes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Napier’s largest public housing development comes with solar
    The largest public housing development in Napier for many years has been recently completed and has the added benefit of innovative solar technology, thanks to Government programmes, says Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods. The 24 warm, dry homes are in Seddon Crescent, Marewa and Megan Woods says the whanau living ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Te Whānau a Apanui and the Crown initial Deed of Settlement I Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me...
    Māori: Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna te Whakaaetanga Whakataunga Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna i tētahi Whakaaetanga Whakataunga hei whakamihi i ō rātou tāhuhu kerēme Tiriti o Waitangi. E tekau mā rua ngā hapū o roto mai o Te Whānau ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Plan for 3,000 more public homes by 2025 – regions set to benefit
    Regions around the country will get significant boosts of public housing in the next two years, as outlined in the latest public housing plan update, released by the Housing Minister, Dr Megan Woods. “We’re delivering the most public homes each year since the Nash government of the 1950s with one ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Immigration settings updates
    Judicial warrant process for out-of-hours compliance visits 2023/24 Recognised Seasonal Employer cap increased by 500 Additional roles for Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement More roles added to Green List Three-month extension for onshore Recovery Visa holders The Government has confirmed a number of updates to immigration settings as part of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Poroporoaki: Tā Patrick (Patu) Wahanga Hohepa
    Tangi ngunguru ana ngā tai ki te wahapū o Hokianga Whakapau Karakia. Tārehu ana ngā pae maunga ki Te Puna o te Ao Marama. Korihi tangi ana ngā manu, kua hinga he kauri nui ki te Wao Nui o Tāne. He Toa. He Pou. He Ahorangi. E papaki tū ana ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Renewable energy fund to support community resilience
    40 solar energy systems on community buildings in regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and other severe weather events Virtual capability-building hub to support community organisations get projects off the ground Boost for community-level renewable energy projects across the country At least 40 community buildings used to support the emergency response ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • COVID-19 funding returned to Government
    The lifting of COVID-19 isolation and mask mandates in August has resulted in a return of almost $50m in savings and recovered contingencies, Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. Following the revocation of mandates and isolation, specialised COVID-19 telehealth and alternative isolation accommodation are among the operational elements ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Appointment of District Court Judge
    Susie Houghton of Auckland has been appointed as a new District Court Judge, to serve on the Family Court, Attorney-General David Parker said today.  Judge Houghton has acted as a lawyer for child for more than 20 years. She has acted on matters relating to the Hague Convention, an international ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government invests further in Central Hawke’s Bay resilience
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