Key lied to Parliament?

Written By: - Date published: 12:23 pm, February 21st, 2013 - 71 comments
Categories: john key - Tags: ,

Breaking news, but it certainly looks like John Key has (1) made up nonsense, and (2) lied to Parliament:

TVNZ: SkyCity hasn’t asked us for land

TVNZ says it has had no approach from SkyCity to buy its land for the proposed convention centre, contrary to the Prime Minister’s assurances to Parliament yesterday. …

TVNZ’s position is in contrast to statements by John Key to Parliament yesterday when he was quizzed over what discussions he and his staff had with SkyCity about TVNZ’s taxpayer-owned land.

What’s going on here?

Update: Key is publicly backing down. Looks like an apology and explanation to Parliament will be needed.

71 comments on “Key lied to Parliament? ”

  1. Craig Glen viper 1

    John Key being John Key if he’s not planking he’s lying and history seems to suggesting he is good at just making things up and doing figures on the back of a serviette. Why would he stop now the MSM has fallen fall all his crap and even helps him out from time to time.

  2. vto 2

    .
    It has been said a million times before but what is going here is John Key making shit up as he goes along (lying) and then simply keeping going and going until each debacle gets lost in the annals of time.

    John Key is a compulsive liar

    • SpaceMonkey 2.1

      And if ever he runs out of wriggle room… the brain fade kicks in.

      • rosy 2.1.1

        “And if ever he runs out of wriggle room… the brain fade kicks in.”

        I’ve gotta give him a bit of leeway there. When a person lies about so much stuff so much of the time, a person can forget where the truth ended and the lie began, so it gets mixed it up sometimes. In the end the brain fade can be the only thing that has a ring of truth to it.

  3. saarbo 3

    Amazingly John Key and National are wriggling out of this scandal. This is the sort of corruption that governments in third world countries get up to.

    I hate to say it but John Key is one of the most adept politicians when he has his back against the wall. There is NO WAY he should be able to wriggle out of this one…but he will, as he did with the Dot Com saga. Mr. Shearer simply cant nail him, he doesnt even get close.

    This leads me to how David Shearer is going to perform in the debates next year, I listened to him on BFM yesterday, not good and student radio shouldnt be the toughest domain in the world for a Labour leader. There is a huge gap between Key and Shearer when it comes to debating, John Key will do anything to get himself out of the shit, he will say anything. David Shearer has to retain a lot of facts and information to nail him. I hope he can improve over the next 20 months.

    • Chris 3.1

      key does not debate! He just makes up a lot of shite on the trot.He gets away with not answering questions in parliament because the speaker allows him to (same with hekia parroter) He is allowed to go on with his “and BY THE WAY Labour did this about a hundred years ago yadayada” he is allowed to be personally abusive, he is allowed to call opposition “hypocritical” even though it’s against historical rules of the house.How is Shearer or any opposition able to enter into a true political debate when key has set the bar so low with the enablement of the speaker. Carter would not budge on Tuesday when tackled on keys non answer to Shearers question,and also Meteira Turei’s question.What is the bleeding point of question time? And he is ALLOWED TO LIE without being pulled up and censored.Question time in Parliament is farcical.It just makes me so angry.

      • vto 3.1.1

        “It just makes me so angry.”

        Yes, me too as often seems to come out in my posts. It is the complete and utter double standards of these arseholes – making laws and rules and setting and expecting standards of us, while they themselves just waltz all over those laws and rules and standards and shit everywhere stinking up the place, lying and deceiving being fraudulent and dishonest and ignoring people and shit and shit and shit.

        Personally I have nothing but contempt for pretty much the lot of them. [.. insert abusive swear word here…]

        But, you know, we all get our dayin the sun …….

    • Hami Shearlie 3.2

      He’s had well over a year already, so I don’t think I’ll be holding my breath waiting. Shearer is the worst Leader that Labour has ever had, end of!

    • Don't worry be happy 3.3

      I found it revealing (and dispiriting) that it was the leader of NZF who did the research and laid down the ground work for Key to make a right dick of himself to Parliament, again.

      Not the ‘leader’ of the Labour Party…..

      Seriously, we need Key gone, closely followed by Shearer, Robertson et al.

      We’re in for a rocky row, boys and girls. ‘Every man for himself’ (the National Party foundation slogan) is not going to work.

  4. BLiP 4

    .

    And, another one for the list. Thanks John, I’m lovin’ it.

    – We seek a 50% reduction in New Zealand’s carbon-equivalent net emissions, as compared to 1990 levels, by 2050. 50 by 50. We will write the target into law.

    – National Ltd™ will provide a consistent incentive for both biofuel and biodiesel by exempting them from excise tax or road user charges

    – I didn’t know about The Bretheren election tactics

    – If they came to us now with that proposal [re trans-Tasman Therapeutic Goods regime], we will sign it

    – 1981

    – Tranzrail shares

    – Lord Ashcroft

    – National Ltd™ would have sent troops into Iraq

    – Standard & Poors credit downgrade

    – I didn’t say I want wages to drop

    – the real figure of inflation is 3.3 percent.

    – the tourism sector has not lost 7,000 jobs

    – I won’t raise GST

    – the purchase of farmland, by overseas buyers will be restricted to ten farms per purchase

    – capping, not cutting the public service,

    – north of $50 a week

    – privatisation won’t significantly help the economy

    – wave goodbye to higher taxes, not your loved ones

    – I never offered Brash a diplomatic job in London

    – Tariana Turia is “totally fine” with the Tuhoe Treaty Claim deal

    – Kiwisaver

    – National Ltd™ is not going to radically reorganise the structure of the public sector

    – tax cuts won’t require additional borrowing

    – 14,000 new apprentices will start training over the next five years, over and above the number
    previously forecast

    – Our amendments to the ETS ensure we will continue to do our fair share internationally

    – we are committed to honouring our Kyoto Protocol obligations

    – we [NZ} have grown for eight of the last nine quarters”

    – National Ltd™ will tender out the government banking contract

    – we will be back in surplus by 2014-15

    – unemployment is starting to fall

    – we have created 45,000 jobs

    – we are likely to create 170,000 jobs in the next 4 years

    – I don’t know if I own a vineyard

    – the Isreali spy killed in the Christchurch quake had “only one” passport

    – the Police will not need to make savings by losing jobs

    – GCSB re Kim Dotcom x 3 (that we know about)

    – I voted to keep the drinking age at 20

    – New Zealand is 100% Pure

    – I’ve been prime minister for four years, and it’s really 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365
    days a year

    – baseball in New Zealand is attracting more government support

    – the public demanded that we change the labour laws for The Hobbit

    – “The Hobbit” created 3000 new jobs

    – we have delivered 1000 extra doctors in the public service

    – I wasn’t working at Elders when the sham foreign exchange deals took place

    – I was starting School Certificate exams in 1978

    – cutting consent fees and times and opening up land to developers will create affordable housing

    – Labour left the economy in poor shape

    – forecasts show unemployment will fall

    – our [NZ’s] terms of trade remain high

    – the TPP is an example of democracy

    – National Ltd™ will use the proceeds of state asset sales to invest in other public assets, like
    schools and hospitals

    – overseas investment in New Zealand adds to what New Zealanders can invest on their own

    – overseas investment in New Zealand creates jobs, boosts incomes, and helps the economy grow

    – National Ltd™ will build 2000 houses over the next two years

    – Sky City approached TVNZ about the purchase/use of land owned by the latter

  5. “I hope he can improve over the next 20 months.”

    Like at least twenty two of caucus do, having ‘secretly’ staked their credibility to the mast, even though they’re not accountable for failing… Except for Grant Robertson, who’s probably more focussed on 2015.

  6. emergency mike 6

    Maybe Key will rehash his “I wasn’t at the meeting but I’ve got an email from an mate whose name I’ll keep secret that says I’m telling the truth,” line. Or perhaps we’ll be lucky enough to be graced with an all new one after he turns to the next page in his copy of ‘Bart Simpson’s Big Book of Excuses For Corporate Managers’.

  7. Zaphod Beeblebrox 7

    Same as with The Warners execs and then th Kim Dotcom advice he did then did not receive. Is anybody surprised?

  8. Treetop 8

    People have got to know whether or not there president is a crook.”

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/watergate/articles/111873-1.htm

    Nixon was exposed for what he was, a liar. Eventually the lies caught up with him because those who knew the truth would no longer protect him or could not protect him as their lies would be exposed.

    Key is being protected by some of his ministers and unless those ministers are also exposed (by pressure being put on them) the full extent of the public being lied to re SkyCity will not be revealed.

    I reiterate that there will not be a government clause to state that pokie machine numbers will be reduced to pre convention numbers once the convention centre is paid for by pokie addicts. If Key really wants a PAID for convention centre by SkyCity, this is the only deal I would offer SkyCity bearing in mind the damage that the extra machines will do in the interim.

  9. r0b 9

    Key is publicly backing down. Looks like an apology and explanation to Parliament will be needed.

  10. burt 10

    Following the low level of accountability demonstrated by the last Labour government the privileges committee will determine he misled parliament and the people and his punishment will be that he is required to tell us that we need to move on.

    Lets hope that unlike the untouchable Labour/NZ First leaders that there is actually some accountability. IMHO he should resign. I’m sure if you scan the campaign leaders debates from 2008 you will find that Key said if he is ever found lying he will resign. May be worth taking the time to review the footage and if I’m correct – playing it back to him !

    • emergency mike 10.1

      “Key said if he is ever found lying he will resign”

      You are assuming he wasn’t lying about that. To some people promises are just things you say to get something you want in the moment. You can always figure out how to break them later. Am I right Hekia Parata?

      • Puddleglum 10.1.1

        I suppose Key could get all definitional about when a lie is a lie, but burt is correct – footage of promising to resign if found lying sitting alongside pretty damning evidence (and general agreement) that he has lied would, at the very least, spell the spluttering end of the shooting star that has been John Key’s political career.

        Forgetfulness (I have so many conversations as PM during my tours of the country as Number One Entertainer …), confusion (Sorry, I was getting it mixed up with the conversation I had over getting DoC to sell Fiordland to Peter Jackson for filming of The Silmarillion…), shoulder-shrugging (OK, yeah, if that’s what you think …) are likely responses from Key.

  11. JonL 11

    “Key is being protected by some of his ministers and unless those ministers are also exposed (by pressure being put on them) the full extent of the public being lied to re SkyCity will not be revealed”

    Well, don’t hold your breath that Shearer and co will do anything about it!

  12. The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 12

    So, no grand conspiracy to force TVNZ to transfer land to Sky City? Happy now?

    • vto 12.1

      No. The Prime Minister of New Zealand is a liar and that is a most unhappy state of affairs.

      • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 12.1.1

        Yeah, my hopes weren’t high.

      • Treetop 12.1.2

        At the very least a FOOL. He either knew or was misinformed. If he knew yes he lied, if he was misinformed, he was lied to and he needs to publicly expose the liar and fire them.

        Which one?

        • emergency mike 12.1.2.1

          He may end up going for ol’ brain fade. Whoops! Got ma facts wrong somehow, I’m human after all. Everyone makes little mistakes now and then right? Move on.

          Or maybe blame an underling? Someone else messed up and gave me some information that was, er, out of date, um, a rough draft, ah… an inter-office prank… just a proposal… Don’t worry he’ll think of something.

          • Treetop 12.1.2.1.1

            Key knew he would be questioned in the house re SkyCity and were I the PM I would make sure that I had the correct facts before I addressed the house on something as big as the SkyCity scandal, (it is his job to have checked).

            Immature to give brain fade as an excuse (shows he does not have the capacity to learn from a previous experience).

            • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 12.1.2.1.1.1

              …were I the PM I would make sure that I had the correct facts before I addressed the house

              But you’re not the PM, are you Treetop?

    • Pascal's bookie 12.2

      So, no grand conspiracy to force TVNZ to transfer land to Sky City? Happy now?

      How do you make that out?

      The negotiation seem to be along the lines of:

      You wanna build a convention centre?

      Maybe, how much you putting in?

      Nothin. But yknow, got any problems we could make go away?

      We aren’t allowed anymore pokies :(. More pokies would be nice.

      Right. It would have to be a big convention centre.

      We’d need more land to build it, but how does this look? *shows design of centre incorporating TVNZ land*

      Looks nice. *Doesn’t tell TVNZ*

      • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 12.2.1

        In that conversation (which you invented, but we’ll accept as gospel) there’s no conspiracy to arrange the transfer of TVNZ’s land to Sky City.

        • Pascal's bookie 12.2.1.1

          Yet.

          But without the transfer, there’s no deal on offer. And the deal is in play.

          And I had to make up the actual words, as the numbers guy from New York didn’t keep notes when he had his sit down with the Casino boss, strangely enough.

          But if you read the report, or even the reporting on it, I’m pretty sure you’ll find that that’s the best estimate we have about how negotiations went.

          • the pigman 12.2.1.1.1

            Exactly – exactly. This is the point that someone actually needs to nail John Key on. I think the extent of his knowledge of the expansion plans onto TVNZ land speaks to the depth of his involvement in the deal.

            The key to making him lose some sleep over this lies there.

            • Treetop 12.2.1.1.1.1

              Now let me see what SkyCity wants

              1. More land to be acquired

              2. 500 extra pokie machines

              3. Government subsidy once the convention centre is built.

              When it comes to the other so called expressions of interest the deal is off the table because all Key can see is a building. He needs to see the hidden costs/liabilities/embarrassament to the government and the damage which pokie addiction causes.

              There is to be a category in the DCM V which is to be printed in May 2013 on online gaming addiction. Key has given the argument that people can go online to gamble. Key does not have to be responsible for any other casino as he is not doing a deal with them. When it comes to SkyCity he is and he needs to be responsible and accountable for the outcome of pokie addics who use SkyCity.

    • DH 12.3

      “So, no grand conspiracy to force TVNZ to transfer land to Sky City? Happy now?”

      AO report seems to suggest it was a done deal and since TVNZ now state they never agreed to it then it’s a safe assumption it going to be forced on them……

      5.47 “However, before making a recommendation to Ministers to that effect, officials
      wanted to be sure that there would be no “show-stopping” barriers to the
      proposed convention centre being built on the Hobson Street site, and that the
      design met the international standards for a convention and exhibition centre
      that could take conferences of 3500 (and more) people. Therefore, officials began
      a range of detailed work to explore a full range of potential practical issues,
      including:

      • a “walk-through” of planning and consent aspects for the centre and site
      (carried out by Auckland Council in April 2011);
      • being clear (with the Offi ce of Treaty Settlements) about any Treaty of Waitangi
      claims on the TVNZ land needed for an expanded centre;
      • valuation of the TVNZ land;

      ……………

      One can reasonably assume they wouldn’t go to that trouble without first confirming the TVNZ land was actually available.

  13. bad12 13

    Slippery being Slippery what we would all really expect of our Prime Minister, the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the aforementioned,

    It is obvious that the Prime Minister mislead the New Zealand Parliament, He,(Slippery), cannot have mislead that Parliament from having gained wrong advice form His Ministers, Craig Foss, the Minister of Broadcasting, and therefor the Minister in charge of Television New Zealand has already said that He knows nothing of any proposal for TVNZ to sell any land or buildings to Sky-City,

    The board of TVNZ have also said that they know nothing of any such proposal and have not been approached by Sky-City,

    SO, who then advised the Prime Minister that the deal was to be done between Sky-City and TVNZ, and, Has Slippery the Prime Minister got a shred of evidence that could have lead Him to the belief that such a deal had already been put to TVNZ by Sky-City,

    The answer to that is a resounding NO, the Prime Minister letting His Slippery little mouth get the better of Him has simply made up a story which He has then foisted upon the New Zealand Parliament and on the people of New Zealand,

    He, the Slippery little Shyster we have as Prime Minister should be made to stand befor the Privileges Committee of the Parliament charged with deliberately misleading the Parliament and face censure over what is best described as another LIE in a long series of them glibly Slipped from the mouth of the Prime Minister over the past 4 years…

    • freedom 13.1

      +1
      ” has simply made up a story which He has then foisted upon the New Zealand Parliament and on the people of New Zealand,”

      and we were once a Country with such promise

  14. One Tāne Huna 14

    It could be that he’s lying because he’s corrupt. On the other hand it could be that he didn’t bother to verify the information because he’s bored and doesn’t want the job. Or that he was drunk.

    Or maybe all three.

  15. Afewknowthetruth 15

    Tony B Liar, the Mafia boss beginning with B who wants to get back into power, Nickel arse Sarkozy, Hi Liar Clinton and her ‘I didn’t have sex with her’ husband, Jonny -they’re hurling babies into the water- How hard, O’Bomber, the Macaroon man ……. they all lie continuously. Lying is what politics all about: he/she who can lie most successfully while looting the till and enriching his/her mates wins.

  16. tracey 16

    John banks

  17. Just a little aside.
    Would it be consensus that Key lying to parliament is a golden opportunity for the opposition parties to score a long waited for blow on behalf of us over here on the left?
    And would it be a fair assumption that these unfolding events will feature heavily in the the opinions of those sought for next months round of polling?
    And if so, will this be considered the first real, proper chance for DS to show his position is indeed his own and he really is the man to beat the man who would be king?

    If its all about numbers, which it is, what are we looking at here next moon?
    If you’re not into crystal ball gazing, come at it from what you expect from Labour that will show they’ve got it right? And seeing many here are posting quite correctly that key done wrong, what do they expect to see from the new lanky number nine with an open goal in front of him?

    Make or break? Probably not given current circumstances, but should it be?

    • gobsmacked 17.1

      Just what I was thinking, Allen.

      Here’s the question for the Labour leadership – are you going to make Key pay for this, or are you going to let it slide by? The 6 pm TV news shows aren’t running hot with this yet (sure, they covered it but only as a minor story, and with the weekend coming, it could just disappear). Will Key get off the hook … again?

      So here’s what you could do: co-ordinate with the Greens and Peters, dedicate the whole of the next QT in Parliament to putting the heat on Key, tag-team as much as possible, delete all other questions (never mind whose turn it is to ask in their portfolo, you gotta be flexible and smart here), let the others share in the attack (i.e. don’t waste all your chances on Shearer), and be ready for all the follow-up: every release and interview and blog and tweet dedicated to your one goal …

      Yes, you can blame the usual suspects (the Speaker will be biased, the MSM will be trivial, the Tories will be devious, all and any distractions will be used, you KNOW how it works, surely?). But in the end it’s up to you. You can continue your disjointed and lethargic ways, and maybe the polls will keep moving up, and everything will be fine. Or you can act like a hungry and determined and bloody ruthless opposition. Like we’ve been asking for years.

      I’m sure most of us couldn’t give a toss who gets the credit for nailing Key. Just nail him.

      • Anne 17.1.1

        So here’s what you could do: co-ordinate with the Greens and Peters, dedicate the whole of the next QT in Parliament to putting the heat on Key, tag-team as much as possible,…blockquote>

        That’s pretty much what they did today gobsmacked. I was watching and it was my impression there was a coordinated effort on behalf of the 3 Opposition parties. They can’t stop govt. MPs trying to derail the attempt by asking patsy questions on other issues but they did a good job today. It started with a long session from Robertson, that was followed 15mins later by a session with Peters and towards the end of QT another lengthy session with Norman. Each of them came at it from a different angle. It was Joyce who had to do the batting back, but you can be sure there will be another session next Tues.

      • MrSmith 17.1.2

        Labour would rather spend 4 more years on opposition GobS…. than share, haven’t they made that obvious already.

  18. tracey 18

    Its much harder to remember lies than the truth. I think key forgot that sky and tvnz werent supposed to have talked.

  19. bad12 19

    I doubt whether the truth of the assertion Slippery was making over TVNZ and Sky-City having already started negotiations over land issues even entered that ones mind,

    The Slippery little Shyster we have as Prime Minister is a ‘compulsive’ and under fire from the opposition over His claims that He wasn’t at the center of the Sky-City deal and this wasn’t a ‘done deal’ right from the time that Key and His officials dined with Sky-City executives on a number of occasions befor attempting to cover their tracks by seeking expressions of interest from other party’s, He has simply done what all compulsive’s do when put on the spot of their previous dishonesty,

    Tell an even bigger one to distract attention form the last batch of BS, the last batch of course having at it’s heart the actual ‘corruption’ of and within the whole process,

    Today Slippery gets to back off from the lie used as the ‘smokescreen’ to hide that corruption of process with the ‘thinking’ being that being caught with a minor piece of BS will satisfy the circling sharks of the opposition, entertain the media for a day, and then all will be forgotten,

    Not only should the Prime Minister be getting a date to appear befor the Parliament’s Privileges Committee, He also should be getting an ongoing and substantive grilling over the coming months from the combined Opposition questioning every aspect of this ‘process’ right down to the details of digging out ‘who’ paid for the dinner dates between the Prime Minister,His officials and the Executives from Sky-City…

  20. One Tāne Huna 20

    When it comes down to it it’s the National Party’s responsibility. A responsibility to itself. Do they want to give up the pretence that they are a modern democratic organisation, committed to the rule of law and answerable to New Zealand, or are they prepared to acknowledge that they are little more than a criminal organisation, committed to graft and corruption.

    Your call, National.

    • muzza 20.1

      Good stuff Bloke – You won’t get an answer though, and should spread it wider than National, like perhaps parliament, local govt and take it from there…

      Do they respresent NZ, or are they criminal organisations, answerable to criminal organisations..

      Loving the new attitude, hot stuff!

  21. BrucetheMoose 21

    Key caught lying? Noooooo

  22. BLiP 22

    .

    If it turns out that John Key is corrupt and has been for some time and has been arrested a charged with theft, will his spouse/partner also face criminal liability? Just askin’.

  23. tracey 23

    The tvnz thing is confusing, they say they have not been approached by sky BUT they do say when they “heard” sky was looking at their land they engaged an architect to see how they could better use their building. Or have I misunderstood?

    • Anne 23.1

      The left hand didn’t know what the right hand was saying tracey?

      Can’t remember their names, but my impression was that the TVNZ bloke interviewed tried to cover up for Key but the woman interviewee was telling the truth. She stated categorically that there had been no approach from Sky City for the land – end of story as far as she was concerned.

  24. irascible 24

    As a Money speculator the art of dissembling and lying has been so well embedded in the brain of its arch practioner that he sees no difference as the PM of a country when launching yet another unresearched speculation onto the market. He, of course, doesn’t recognise the damage such behaviour causes as he would’ve long left the scene with hispurse well lined.

    • tracey 24.1

      I agree. I have seen it alot over the last 24 years in law. There are people to whom lying is second nature (probably started when as kids they got caught and tried to wriggle out). Interestingly it seems that the more they repeat the lie the more they begin to believe it is true. It is much easier to continue the lie with a sort of sincerity because they now actually believe it is the truth.

      Mr Key has been VERY honest about his ethics, without meaning to of course. By saying he wouldn’t lose any sleep he revealed the Machiavelli in him (even if he doesn’t know how to pronounce it).

      “Abilities

      Due to their skill at interpersonal manipulation, there has often been an assumption that high Machs possess superior intelligence, or ability to understand other people in social situations. However, research has firmly established that Machiavellianism is unrelated to IQ. Furthermore, studies on emotional intelligence have found that high Machiavellianism actually tends to be associated with low emotional intelligence as assessed by both performance and questionnaire measures. Both empathy and emotion recognition have been shown to have negative correlations with Machiavellianism. Additionally, research has shown that Machiavellianism is unrelated to a more advanced theory of mind, that is, the ability to anticipate what others are thinking in social situations. If high Machs actually are skilled at manipulating others this appears to be unrelated to any special cognitive abilities as such.” wikipedia

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    Kia ora. These are some stories that caught our eye this week – as always, feel free to share yours in the comments. Our header image this week (via Eke Panuku) shows the planned upgrade for the Karanga Plaza Tidal Swimming Steps. The week in Greater Auckland On ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 day ago
  • God what a relief

    1. What's not to love about the way the Harris campaign is turning things around?a. Nothingb. Love all of itc. God what a reliefd. Not that it will be by any means easye. All of the above 2. Documents released by the Ministry of Health show Associate Health Minister Casey ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • Trust In Me

    Trust in me in all you doHave the faith I have in youLove will see us through, if only you trust in meWhy don't you, you trust me?In a week that saw the release of the 3,000 page Abuse in Care report Christopher Luxon was being asked about Boot Camps. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 26

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking about the Royal Commission Inquiry into Abuse in Care report released this week, and with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on a UN push to not recognise carbon offset markets and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 26, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Transport: Simeon Brown announced $802.9 million in funding for 18 new trains on the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines, which ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Radical law changes needed to build road

    The northern expressway extension from Warkworth to Whangarei is likely to require radical changes to legislation if it is going to be built within the foreseeable future. The Government’s powers to purchase land, the planning process and current restrictions on road tolling are all going to need to be changed ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #30 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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