Key descends into farce

Written By: - Date published: 7:59 am, July 11th, 2015 - 72 comments
Categories: john key, making shit up - Tags: ,

As widely reported yesterday, Labour has lodged a formal complaint over John Key’s most recent lie to Parliament:

Labour complains to Speaker over John Key’s KiwiSaver claims

Prime Minister John Key is facing a breach of privilege complaint over his claim Inland Revenue told him changes to the KiwiSaver scheme “will not make a blind bit of difference” to enrolments. …

Questioned about the move in Parliament, a week after the May Budget, the Prime Minister said it would have no impact.

“[T]he removal of the $1,000 kick-start contribution will not make a blind bit of difference to the number of people who join KiwiSaver,” Key said on May 26.

Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei asked Key in response: “What evidence does the Prime Minister have that the sign-up rates for KiwiSaver will not be affected?”

“That is the formal advice from the Inland Revenue Department,” Key said…

That’s the claim. What the IRD said was:

it would lead to “lower numbers of KiwiSaver members (particularly among the self-employed and children)”.

As Grant Robertson puts it:

“The Prime Minister has a fundamental requirement to tell the truth to Parliament. Blatantly misrepresenting advice he receives brings the integrity of Parliament into question.”

So Key has been caught out in another lie to Parliament, how does he respond?

A spokesman for Key said he stood by his statement.

Of course he does. Key is now standing by a statement which is a lie (what the IRD told him) about an original statement which is factually incorrect (changes to Kiwisaver won’t make a blind bit of difference):

A month after the Budget, ANZ, the largest provider of KiwiSaver, revealed that the number people enrolling had fallen by more than 50 per cent. Other KiwiSaver providers have also indicated a sharp fall in enrolments since the Budget.

No wonder his fans are so proud of him.

72 comments on “Key descends into farce ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. shorts 1
    11 July 2015 at 8:23 am

    this like every other attempt to paint Key as a liar will gain no traction with the people… or media largely

    and around we go again, wasting valuable emotional energy on a man who simply doesn’t give a fuck

    • BM 1.1
      11 July 2015 at 8:34 am

      All labour and the greens are achieving is switching people off from the political process.

      This endless nit picky wankery is the reason why nobody gives a shit about politics.

      If that’s the lefts end goal, you’re doing a great job.

      • Psycho Milt 1.1.1
        11 July 2015 at 8:44 am

        Objecting to the PM lying about official advice he’s received is “nit picky?” Could you explain your reasoning?

        • BM 1.1.1.1
          11 July 2015 at 8:54 am

          Just read the stuff article, I stand by my initial statement, it’s trivial stuff.

          • dv 1.1.1.1.1
            11 July 2015 at 8:59 am

            Lying is trivial!!!

            • repateet 1.1.1.1.1.1
              11 July 2015 at 8:14 pm

              Mission accomplished! When the minions agree that lying is trivial, telling the truth is not important, John Key has achieved what he has sought.

              I would like to be a kid again with lying as the expected behaviour. I can remember the anxiety around not telling the truth.

              The people who think it is unimportant for the Prime Minister to tell the truth and did not expect the previous Justice Minister to tell the truth will no doubt be doing a brilliant job of bringing up their kids to be honest.

            • meconism 1.1.1.1.1.2
              11 July 2015 at 10:39 pm

              No, its perceived as trivial, there is a difference.

          • RedLogix 1.1.1.1.2
            11 July 2015 at 9:43 am

            There are two issues here. One is the question of this govt continuing to debase KiwiSaver. We can debate whether or not this is a ‘trivial’ issue. All I can say is that if you tried the same line over the Tasman with regards to their Super funding – you’d get howled out of town.

            The second quite separate matter is the PM giving a politically convenient and factually false answer to Parliament during Question Time. And then refusing to correct the lie when caught out in it.

            There are numerous examples of Ministers being sacked for getting this kind of thing wrong in the past. Because this is NOT a trivial matter. Question time is one of the core mechanisms in our Westminster system than permits the Opposition to do it’s job. Ministers are bound to give correct answers. The Speaker is required to ensure this.

            Failure to get this right – is failure of our Parliamentary system. The word ‘trivial’ does not apply.

          • Macro 1.1.1.1.3
            11 July 2015 at 9:43 am

            So how can you rely on anything Key tells you?

            • RedLogix 1.1.1.1.3.1
              11 July 2015 at 9:56 am

              There is your mistake right there. Key’s supporters already know that anything Key says in public cannot be relied upon. They quite clearly understand that Key will make the required soothing noises in public, while saying and acting on quite different words in private.

              This is how the world of business operates and it’s how they expect Key to run this country as well. Indeed it is exactly why they are so proud of him.

              • Pat …
                11 July 2015 at 12:09 pm

                nailed it

              • Draco T Bastard …
                11 July 2015 at 1:42 pm

                This is how the world of business operates and it’s how they expect Key to run this country as well. Indeed it is exactly why they are so proud of him.

                QFT

            • RedLogix 1.1.1.1.3.2
              11 July 2015 at 9:56 am

              There is your mistake right there. Key’s supporters already know that anything Key says in public cannot be relied upon. They quite clearly understand that Key will make the required soothing noises in public, while saying and acting on quite different words in private.

              This is how the world of business operates and it’s how they expect Key to run this country as well. Indeed it is exactly why they are so proud of him.

              • Macro …
                11 July 2015 at 10:09 am

                lol I see your relying on the repetition makes it true principle Red!
                There is also the maxim that “there is no honour amongst thieves”.
                So whilst they are proud of his ability to pull the wool over the eyes of the sheeple, they must also be wary that he doesn’t stab them in the back!

              • BM …
                11 July 2015 at 10:31 am

                I disagree.
                Greenbour has cried wolf so many times, every one has given up listening.

                Key could sex up a goat in the debating chambers and I doubt anymore than a hand full of people would ever know about it or even care.

                • Paul …
                  11 July 2015 at 10:33 am

                  The fact that you and ‘other people’ don’t care says more about you than the opposition parties.
                  Lying is not something anyone should want in our leaders.
                  I wonder what you would be typing now were it Helen Clark that had just done this.
                  I sense a lot different.

                • Sabine …
                  11 July 2015 at 12:55 pm

                  poor goat.

                • Stuart Munro …
                  11 July 2015 at 12:59 pm

                  In fact he has repeatedly – he has even installed it as speaker.

                • Hanswurst …
                  11 July 2015 at 5:55 pm

                  The trouble with your use of the expression “cried wolf” is that, in almost all cases, there actually was a wolf.

            • BM 1.1.1.1.3.3
              11 July 2015 at 10:38 am

              I’m more interested in National and the direction NZ is going.

              Key’s just the current face of National, he’s not some omnipotent dictator.

              • Macro …
                11 July 2015 at 12:11 pm

                “I’m more interested in National and the direction NZ is going.”

                So am I, and in my view National is rudderless, lying, duplicitous, and leading muddle nusealand down a very steep, slippery slope, into a very dark future.

              • Draco T Bastard …
                11 July 2015 at 1:45 pm

                I’m more interested in National and the direction NZ is going.

                So, you’re fine with NZ becoming a cesspool of corruption, cronyism and nihilism under National?

              • Ffloyd …
                11 July 2015 at 6:39 pm

                He isn’t omnipotent but he’s very close to being a dictator. And which direction IS NZ going in pray tell? I see us as being very directionless at the moment.

          • Psycho Milt 1.1.1.1.4
            11 July 2015 at 11:03 am

            Just read the stuff article…

            I did. It makes it quite clear that Key lied to Parliament about official advice he’d received from Treasury. The fact that you personally don’t care that the PM lies to Parliament with impunity doesn’t make others’ objections ‘nit-picking.’

          • Ffloyd 1.1.1.1.5
            11 July 2015 at 6:47 pm

            Stand by anything you like but the evidence is there. He’s still a lying little dag. Don’t just read Stuff….. Watch the Dodger in question time. Lying is in his d.n.a.!

          • Tracey 1.1.1.1.6
            12 July 2015 at 1:31 pm

            is this what you have told your children as you raised them?

      • marty mars 1.1.2
        11 July 2015 at 10:08 am

        bm – key and his supporters don’t care if he lies, or cheats, or abuses – they simply DO NOT CARE. This is the great pride of key supporters – they are proud that they don’t give a fuck – and that is why they are a blight – they are like the first of the rats in overcrowded conditions that start to nibble on their neighbour, they are the threat, the alphazombie, the beginning of the end, the warning ignored, the siren unanswered. Key is their hero, he is the 12th moneykey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    • Weepus beard 1.2
      11 July 2015 at 9:05 am

      It’s better than doing nothing.

      Besides, have you not heard the phrase; death by a thousand cuts?

      We must be up to cut number 989 now. Not long to go!

  2. red-blooded 2
    11 July 2015 at 8:26 am

    He’s either;
    a) so slack that he didn’t bother to read the advice, or
    b) so arrogant that he decided his hunch was more reliable than their research.

    Either way, he’s wrong and either way the effect is the same. When, oh when are people going to wake up to this smug asshole?

    • Macro 2.1
      11 July 2015 at 9:45 am

      They will wake up when the housing bubble in Auckland explodes, and they find that they are not as well off as they thought they were.

      • AmaKiwi 2.1.1
        12 July 2015 at 9:29 pm

        Macro +1

        When the economy is soaring, a party headed by Jesus, Mohammed, and Buddha can’t win.

        When its crashing, they elect Hitler.

        Sad, but true.

  3. Gruntie 3
    11 July 2015 at 8:43 am

    +100 Redblooded

  4. Lucy 4
    11 July 2015 at 9:20 am

    i know this is portrayed by the media as trivial but it is important that every lie is called out. Every person that votes for him and National votes in the full knowledge of who and what he is. There is no German voter defence – they do know that he lies.

  5. Nick 5
    11 July 2015 at 9:21 am

    Death by a thousand cuts works on the living. Key is just empty.

  6. Realblue 6
    11 July 2015 at 10:51 am

    ” A briefing paper prepared for Cabinet a month after the IRD advice said removing the kickstart payment was “likely to have only have a limited effect (if any) on enrolment rates in Kiwisaver” because other subsidies and employer contributions remained in place.” ODT Today.

  7. Sable 7
    11 July 2015 at 11:40 am

    Key’s behaviour is what happens when you have a MSM that supports his every word…..

    • AmaKiwi 7.1
      12 July 2015 at 9:34 pm

      It is not MSM. It is Main Steam Propaganda.

      They owe you and me NOTHING because we don’t pay them to run million dollar ad campaigns. He who pays the piper calls the tune.

    • ropata 7.2
      13 July 2015 at 10:46 pm

      Not malevolence so much as incompetence. Fresh faced reporters more into celebrity chasing than doing any analysis or fact checking.

  8. infused 8
    11 July 2015 at 11:44 am

    If it was something more substantial then people would take notice. Complaining about this is just stupid and BM is right.

    • red-blooded 8.1
      11 July 2015 at 12:03 pm

      Bullshit. He was answering a parliamentary question. That’s meant to be the mechanism for holding the government to account and making their decision-making process transparent. Of course we know that ministers often try to evade or spin (and Key is master of both mechanisms), but it doesn’t make it OK to lie. He’s not just lying to parliament, he’s lying to all of us.

      Plus, it’s about a policy change that matters. This was presented as if it was a mere formality, but it’s actually part of a series of decisions that have weakened Kiwisaver and made it less attractive and beneficial for those who need it most.

      The man is a weasel.

    • appleboy 8.2
      11 July 2015 at 12:40 pm

      The countries’ PM lies to parliament and his supporters believe its not important. there you go. The right whinged mentality exposed clear as a bell. Lies are normal and Ok and nothing to even back down from when caught. Beggars belief.

      • mac1 8.2.1
        11 July 2015 at 1:03 pm

        A sociopath is typically defined as someone who lies incessantly to get their way and does so with little concern for others. A sociopath is often goal-oriented (i.e., lying is focused – it is done to get one’s way).

        “Force’ more than ‘farce’, I fear.

    • Brigid 8.3
      11 July 2015 at 1:25 pm

      No, it’s stupid not to complain about it. What is the point of Question Time if ministers are not obliged to tell the truth? What is the point of a democratically elected government if ministers are not obliged to tell the truth?

      • Draco T Bastard 8.3.1
        11 July 2015 at 1:49 pm

        +1

      • David H 8.3.2
        11 July 2015 at 8:52 pm

        Plus it could also show the Cyclops Carter up for what he is as well, if he just refuses to send it to the privileges committee without a good reason. But also who is on said committee? If it’s Nat run all the way down, then no wonder they lie with impunity.

        • Chris 8.3.2.1
          12 July 2015 at 4:19 am

          Carter will refuse to allow it to go to the Privileges Committee and that’s that. Is abundantly clear because Carter is a national party stooge to the bitter end. His legacy will be him being the most biased speaker in the history of the New Zealand parliament. Issue will definitely not go to the committee. Five nats on there out of ten, with Winston, one Green and the rest Labour. Carter won’t risk giving Winston the final say. Simple as that. Probably even simpler. Keys will just tell him not to and he won’t.

        • AmaKiwi 8.3.2.2
          12 July 2015 at 9:42 pm

          @ David H

          Carter has excellent reasons for not pursuing this. Upon retirement would he prefer a diplomatic posting in London, Paris, or Geneva? Or would he prefer to be fisheries inspector on the Chatham Islands?

          We must confront the corruption which is the essence of our elected dictatorship.

          I fear Labour MPs are so brainwashed they cannot see the system’s hypocrisy.

    • North 8.4
      11 July 2015 at 10:45 pm

      Your words are infused Confused. “Complaining about this is right and BM is just stupid.” That’s what you meant, aye ?

    • Tracey 8.5
      12 July 2015 at 1:34 pm

      If you have children do you teach them about the grading of lying as you often allude to here?

      do they know which lies are ok, and which aren’t, do you give them examples to facilitate their understanding?

  9. Facetious 9
    11 July 2015 at 11:59 am

    Grant Robertson is not doing Labour any favour by pursuing this issue. Labour should be fighting the on policy issues, not this. What is going with the MP for Wellington Central?

    • Sabine 9.1
      11 July 2015 at 12:57 pm

      he is doing his job.

    • Stuart Munro 9.2
      11 July 2015 at 1:00 pm

      Lying in the house ends a political career under the Westminster system – if anything Labour has been far too soft on these kleptocrats.

    • red-blooded 9.3
      11 July 2015 at 1:23 pm

      Since when is Kiwisaver not a “policy issue”?

    • Draco T Bastard 9.4
      11 July 2015 at 1:58 pm

      It’s always “Labour should be fighting the on policy issues, not this.” from the RWNJs whenever Key and National get caught lying. This despite the fact that National still hasn’t got any policies to speak of and Labour do.

      • heather 9.4.1
        11 July 2015 at 3:13 pm

        Draco you are right on all your points.
        There is never a better time than now for Labour to be coming out with popular policy, not grabbing headlines with this Kiwibank issue. The followers of Key would not care in the least, as they don’t about poverty, child abuse, housing and all the other issues those on the left are worried about.
        They think he is a real fab money trader leader, protecting their interests and helping them make even more money.
        The divide in NZ is growing wider by the week in NZ.
        There are now two distinct systems for education, health, housing, food, electricity and medicine and this will only get wider.

        • Draco T Bastard 9.4.1.1
          11 July 2015 at 5:41 pm

          There is never a better time than now for Labour to be coming out with popular policy, not grabbing headlines with this Kiwibank issue.

          Ah, no. Labour do need to be pointing out that National are a bunch of lying schmucks and they already have policy. National probably wants some more of their policy to steal and water down to ineffectiveness.

          The followers of Key would not care in the least, as they don’t about poverty, child abuse, housing and all the other issues those on the left are worried about.

          The followers of Key won’t of course as they’re as psychopathic as their leader but some National voters will. Sure, they’ll probably vote NZ1st rather than Labour but they will change their vote.

    • David H 9.5
      11 July 2015 at 8:55 pm

      Facetious by name, and Facetious by nature. You taking the proverbial??? What part of Kiwisaver is NOT policy?

    • Tracey 9.6
      12 July 2015 at 1:36 pm

      isn’t removing kickstart from kiwisaver a policy issue? Isn’t saying removing it won’t make a blind bit of difference to uptake a policy issue?

  10. adam 10
    11 July 2015 at 1:21 pm

    “Rock start economy – Sheep, Rugby, I’m Rich – so I know better.” That’s all Beaker ever say’s – In some ways BM is right, the country can accept Beaker as the lying PM as long as they have sheep, rugby and a rich guy who does great photo op’s.

    Why do we bother, the right wing nut bags say nothing to see here. The media will ignore it, and Beaker will carry on lying.

    This is a government for the 1%, by the 1% ,in the interests of the 1%. These plutocrats are not going to let their boy Beaker fall, unless they have someone reliable who can replace him.

    So nothing to see here – Beaker will be their boy for sometime yet. Lies, and all.

    I’m use to living in a society with no morals, and a state which only interest is giving it’s mates money.

    I think we have a choice, build something or fight (I’m for build a better society without the state) – because once TPPA is here – were done. The left will never be able to use the state again, for the benefit of the people.

  11. yip 11
    11 July 2015 at 1:44 pm

    Remember the big stink about shower heads and lightbulbs?
    That was nit picking, while being a liar is just fine with the sheep it seems.

    • ropata 11.1
      13 July 2015 at 10:52 pm

      and losing billions from kiwisaver
      and literally taking the future from the next generation
      and selling off everything including the kitchen sink to foreign “investors” (predators)

      nothing really matters
      anyone one can see
      nobody gives a flying fuck
      because we love being reamed by Key

  12. Save NZ 12
    11 July 2015 at 8:20 pm

    At least opposition are calling him out on his lies. They should not let Key constantly get away with it.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

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