Key loses his “Centre”, Herald spins right, Smith on the ropes

Written By: - Date published: 11:31 am, September 25th, 2013 - 35 comments
Categories: Conservation, david cunliffe, greens, housing, john key, labour, MMP, poverty, spin - Tags:

Cunliffe’s Labour is center left, moderate one working for the many struggling Kiwis doing it tough in as opposed to Key’s cronyist, corporate-backed, radically “neoliberal”, government that disdains democracy and changes laws to suit the wealthy international elites.

The NAct supporting right are looking a little shaky, a little scared and have lost their Key-fronted smugness, in the face of the rise of Cunliffe in the public sphere.

David-Cunliffe-launch3 pasifika

With the positive publicity of the Labour leader race, and Cunliffe’s well-considered and balanced caucus reshuffle, and the failed launch of the right wing smear campaign, John Key and the NZ Herald is using some subtle, and not so subtle spin, that positions Key’s government as a solidly Kiwi “centre right” one, while spinning Cunliffe’s Labour (and Greens) as the alien, “far left” enemy, trying to steal a victory from the rightful front runners.

Key Loses his “Centre”

John Key is still trying to spin that a Labour-Green government, would be “far left”.  [Mike Treen spells out the difference between Cunliffe’s moderate social democracy and Treen’s socialism]

Cunliffe already had a good response to that bit of fiction, saying:

No one can disagree with the objective of ensuring all children live in dry, warm homes …

Nat supporting, Herald columnist, Audrey Young cannot deny the stats – especially as she works within the MSM that pays close attention to each blip and often short lived glitches in the too frequent political polls.

But she goes, uncritically, with Key’s fairly consistent “far left” spin line.

“Labour have had extensive coverage over the past six weeks as they’ve gone through their change of leadership. The polls move around a lot and I’ve always thought that the election in 2014 will be very tight. This poll indicates that.”

He said closer to the election, people would start to look at the possible coalition options.
“Voters will start to look at what sort of Government they want to lead us beyond 2014.

What we do know with Labour is it will be a Government that will have to be formed with the Greens and given the public statements of David Cunliffe, it’s going to be very much a far left Government on offer versus a centre-right government that has led New Zealand over the last five years.”

Yeah right:  A “centre right” government that is privatising core state assets; has consistently bashed beneficiaries, leaving many struggling to survive on meagre incomes or find places to live; one that has consistently undermined workers’ rights; one that damages the resources that is the basis of the country’s survival and well-being; one that has changed laws, and installed polices, for their cronies in Sky City, Warner Brothers. … and on it goes.

Showing the uncertainties and concerns about his slip in support, and in contradiction of Key’s fairly lengthy statement about the positive Labour-Green poll result, Key is reported, by Young, as saying:

…  he did not really have much to say about Mr Cunliffe’s result in the first full poll under is leadership.

Down the bottom of the article, giving it less credence than the more highly positioned statements by Key, Young summarises the opposition perspective. She frames it with a statement that spins Key’s government as solid and stable:

National has faced fewer controversies in recent months than it did at the start of the year, but the Opposition has been accusing it of “crony capitalism” over issues such as the $30 million payment to Pacific Aluminium Smelter, possible help for Chorus through internet pricing and the SkyCity convention centre deal.

National has passed the GCSB legislation, faced uproar over limits to snapper catches, and has made progress on its next part-sale of state-owned energy company Meridian.

The NZ Herald editorial Spins to the Right: following the latest Poll Result.

A subtle way of trying to undermine the oppositions legitimate criticisms of the government. This morning’s NZ Herald editorial shows the extent of their fears that their favoured National government will be booted out in next year’s election.  The editorial headline positions Labour boldly as the enemy at the gate of the hopes of the NZ people, shamelessly playing to hopes of an Americas Cup win:

Editorial: Labour does an Oracle in latest poll

For the first time in almost five years the Labour Party is “back in the game”, as they are saying of Oracle. A climb of nearly seven points in our poll today is not only a remarkable gain, it has come at the expense of National rather than Labour’s ally, the Greens.

The editorial gives a fairly factual outline of the poll result, but goes on, at length, to undermine its significance. One of the main ways it does this is to revert to the old, First Past the Post mentality: saying that the people will only support a government formed by the party that wins the largest share of the vote in the election:

Instinct tells politicians the public would not respect a government formed by those that finished a distant second and third at the election, though their combined seats outnumbered the winner’s.

[…]

Every election New Zealand has held under MMP has awarded power to the party first past the post. The next election is unlikely to be an exception. Leaders of the main parties know a government needs more than a paper majority, it needs what Helen Clark called moral authority. That comes from winning.

After a long period when the MSM consistently reported any election contest would be between the possibility of a National-led or Labour-Green government, the fear-driven NZ Herald editorial has pulled this old anachronism out of the rubble of its attic.

Nick Smith on the (DOC-Ruataniwha Dam) Ropes

Meanwhile, the main weak point currently int he Key government machine, is Nick Smith, struggling to retain any credibility over the management of the Hawkes Bay Regional Council, Ruataniwha Dam, water quality issue.  The charge is that Smith ignored DOC advice on the concerns about water quality, in supporting the Dam submission.  Labour’s Ruth Dyson is skeptical.

“It is clear Mr Smith interfered in this process and put a stop to the Department of Conservation doing the job it was set up to do.”

As is Russel Norman.

green_party_leaders_russel_norman_and_metiria_ture_4dec906e26

Adam Bennett, NZ Herald, yesterday afternoon:

Conservation Minister Nick Smith faced further pressure today over his role in how a Department of Conservation DOC report about the project was watered down.

Dr Smith faced parliamentary questions on the matter from the Greens and Labour and Labour Leader David Cunliffe told reporters this morning there was “more to come” on the issue.

Last week it emerged that DOC prepared a 34-page draft report setting out its concerns about the way the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council planned to manage water quality issues arising from the proposed Ruataniwha Dam.

However, senior Department of Conservation (DOC) managers instead submitted to the board of inquiry considering the project a much shorter document – just two paragraphs – which did not deal with those concerns.

Dr Smith has denied having influence over the changes to the submission and says he was unaware of the draft version until last week.

NickSmith forked tongue

 

Labour-Green (Mana) –  inclusive, stable, sustainable and livable New Zealand for all.

people b4 profit

 

[Update] Credit where it’s due. The Herald writers aren’t unrelentingly anti-Labour/Green.  It’s more the on-balance slant towards the right, especially as seen in editorials headline editing.

Fran O’Sullivan, too often a Key cheerleader, has a more positive column about Cunliffe and Labour today.

35 comments on “Key loses his “Centre”, Herald spins right, Smith on the ropes ”

  1. ghostwhowalksnz 1

    So its an attack on democracy again- By the Herald

    No matter that National would have the smallest bloc of seats, lets apply a quota to their result , so they become the government anyway.

    As usual , The Herald has problems with democracy when it doesnt suit the vested interests they represent

  2. risildowgtn 2

    I been waiting for a real LEFT govt for decades

    I expected one in 84 but alas we got a class A asshole tory right wing LETS sell it to our mates, Traitors to this country one instead… so my vote went elsewhere ever since

    Douglas needs to have his Sir ( as if I would ever refer to him as a SIR be more like *you a**hole) removed for what he did to this country…

    We have to fight this bullshit at every turn….. and so we shall

  3. Rogue Trooper 3

    the next Americas’ Cup Race: Sudden Death.

  4. BrucetheMoose 4

    When His Weaselness reinstated Smith, he partly justified his doing so, by claiming Smith was “refreshing” in terms of management. Obviously Key’s perception of refreshing is somewhat different from others. Smith is about as refreshing a week old used damp tea towel. Also rather dirty by the looks of it

  5. Tracey 5

    surely vance’s annoyance with the email debacle wouldnt make her a natural mouthpiece for National?

  6. McFlock 6

    I’m hoping for a late-order collapse of nact ministers, nicely timed for the election. Maybe one or two criminal charges, as well 🙂

  7. Wayne 7

    Karol,

    Surely you are confusing what each of the political players are saying, with the position of the reporters.

    It is perfectly proper for reporters to report what the politicians are saying, in fact that is their job. In contrast it would not be appropriate for a reporter to say “John Key said Labour is far left, but John Key is wrong”. That is the role of the opinion writers, who in my view are giving David Cunliffe a pretty good run.

    And in any event John Key is actually saying a Labour Green coalition would be far left.

    And there are clearly a wide range of views as to whether David Cunliffe will end the “neoliberal experiment.” Clearly that is the hope of Chris Trotter and others, but as you know, in my view they will be disappointed.

    Sure, a David Cunliffe led govt will do different things to a John Key govt, otherwise what would be the point of elections. And DC will have different language, to a much greater extent than Helen Clark.

    But that is a very different thing to rolling back virtually all of the economic reforms since 1984. And as I have posted before, it is actually quite impossible to do that in a modern trading nation emeshed in a web of FTA’s and with a continuing requirement to borrow on international markets..

    • Colonial Viper 7.1

      It is perfectly proper for reporters to report what the politicians are saying, in fact that is their job. In contrast it would not be appropriate for a reporter to say “John Key said Labour is far left, but John Key is wrong”. That is the role of the opinion writers

      It’s not the job of reporters to simply uncritically repeat what they have been told.

      That’s not a form of “journalism” that I am familiar with, more a form of “PR”.

      Journalism would be “John Key said that Labour is far left, but when questioned further, refused to elaborate on what basis he made that comparison.”

    • karol 7.2

      Wayne, sometimes it’s in the way it’s reported, as I tried to point out. News reports are rarely neutral. The most deceptive approach is to claim to be neutral, but slip in some innuendos and ways of reporting that suggest a preferred reading of the report. I do think a true fourth estate should not take at face value the press releases of any political party. They should aim to report critically, showing up errors, diversions, inaccuracies and contradictions.

      There should also be more diversity of positions in the MSM, upfront, in their reports on such things.

      The confusion between critising Cunliffe, Labour and Cunliffe led Labour-Green government is there in Key’s comments and the way they are reported. Key is definitely using it to smear Cunliffe as far left. There is slippage on that in the extracts I have quoted from Young’s article.

      I have hopes that Cunlifffe will lead the government in a new direction, but I also expect that extreme pressure will be applied by the media and the right, to shift him towards the right/centre.

      • Murray Olsen 7.2.1

        I liked the approach taken in Brazil. None of the media groups pretend to be objective. They are completely open about their biases and their support for particular parties. Funnily enough, they still tend to be more truthful and objective than the Murdoch or Packer companies.

    • Tracey 7.3

      Remind me Wayne, which of NZ’s FTA’s have you been against?

    • Tracey 7.4

      Interesting analysis into how National views and frames the role of the media. Regurgitate Press releases essentially.

    • Draco T Bastard 7.5

      And as I have posted before, it is actually quite impossible to do that in a modern trading nation emeshed in a web of FTA’s and with a continuing requirement to borrow on international markets..

      And as I’ve told you – it’s not impossible at all. Just need a government that will ram through reforms the same way that the 4th labour government did. Contrary to what the economists and other RWNJS believe we are not dependent upon trade. What we are dependent upon is using our resources sustainably and neo-liberalism actually prevents that as it drives us to dig up more and more of those limited resources and sell them the end result of which will leave us poorer.

  8. Populuxe1 8

    I’m confused, karol. You have consistantly stated that Labour isn’t left enough for your tatses, but now you seem to be giving support to Cunliffe’s “centre-left” (but really third way neoliberal) posturing. And yet despite all of Cunliffe’s promise, he has appointed David Parker as his Deputy Leader. That’s not presenting a united party front as it is embracing TPPA and selected asset sales.

    • Colonial Viper 8.1

      You gotta go with the best deal you have on the table mate.

      • Populuxe1 8.1.1

        No, I really can’t support anything to do with David Parker or any neoliberal. That’s the direction that induced me to leave Labour in the first place. Every second thing out of Parker’s mouth as business spokesperson just seemed to offer Labour a way of saving face while following through with National’s asset sales and the TPPA – and now he’s deputy leader!

        Also, not sure why the system seems intent on accusing me of being a spambot, but it’s bouncing me even when I fill out it’s little box correctly.

        • Tracey 8.1.1.1

          Either parker is being used to dupe conservatives into thinking a new cullen is on the way and then he wont be cullen-esque OR the neo liberal experiement isnt over.

          Either option doesn’t sit well with me and for now I am still in the Green camp.

          It’s doing the spambot to me too populuxe1 and sending me to different articles than the ones I am clicking on.

        • lprent 8.1.1.2

          I don’t know either. Not my part of the system..

          Depending on which system you hit it is either akismet at wordpress or the system at cloudflare. Both have a peek at various stages at people accessing the system. If it is when you’re leaving comments then it will be akismet with conditional captcha doing the prompt.

          They are pretty good at reducing spam getting through. But they do have about 2-3% false positives – usually on the same people 😈

        • Rogue Trooper 8.1.1.3

          no surprises policy. 🙂

        • Sean Carroll 8.1.1.4

          Smash the neoliberal agenda? Yes, you can roll it back…. but first, you have to want to. Can’t see this corrupted Labour Caucus doing anything but get and maintain the benches, I fear. Eg Will they renationalise the energy companies? No way, which leaves them still in private hands and the ‘regulatory body’ ready for dismantling next time. They will do nothing to dismantle the key features of the odious reforms since 1984.

    • karol 8.2

      There may be some inconsistency in my comments about Cunliffe over time, because I am still forming my views as Cunliffe’s leadership evolves.

      I have been clear many times, that Cunliffe is a moderate – more moderate than me. I vote for him as an electorate MP, and give the Greens my party vote.

      I have hopes Cunliffe may lead Labour back to its core values, but I wait to be finally convinced. I want him to lead the government next year. But I also want the Greens and Mana there to voice more of my core left values.

      And what CV said @ 4.01pm

    • Tracey 8.3

      couldnt karol be writing a critique or analysis of cunnliffe’s apparent positioning without actually endorsing it?

  9. Rich 9

    It’s more the on-balance slant towards the right, especially as seen in editorials headline editing

    It’s also about a pervading narrative that supports the authoritarian right’s analysis of the country being divided into “hard-working keewees” represented by National and an amorphous other who should be hated and feared by all right thinking people.

    a government needs more than a paper majority, it needs what Helen Clark called moral authority

    No, it needs 61 MPs (barring abstentions) willing to vote for them on a confidence motion. If National (with the connivance of their G-G) tried to hang on to power with 60 or less MPs, I’m confident Labour/Green/Mana would vote them down. If they then tried to subvert democracy and try for another election, well, Government House is made of wood.

  10. Daveosaurus 10

    Instinct tells politicians the public would not respect a government formed by those that finished a distant second and third at the election, though their combined seats outnumbered the winner’s.

    Quick, somebody tell Tony Abbott the news…

  11. finbar 11

    Cunliffe, has shifted from his Red Sea Socialist rhetoric to, we are a Democratic Socialist Party.

    You could view from that rhetoric, that he has shifted from his recent hustings Red Sea rhetoric to one of moving in the direction under his governess of being more Democratic Liberal than Democratic Socialist,(understanding socialist in its true meaning).So i would assume what we are going to be seeing, if he gets the treasury benches more largesse for Health Education and Welfare than at present.He has said that they are going to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour,and in no way will they get out of that promise.He has also said that they are going to be looking at the employment laws, how much leeway and power he gives back to the unions is still unknown,my guess not to much, maybe stronger legislation around favouring collective bargaining.We will have to wait and see.Then of course there is the other main issues of affordable power, home ownership and our state assets,again a wait and see.One thing is for sure they will be a more friendly government to the people than this present lot of Corporate Bandits.

  12. Aotearoean 12

    The pending retirement of the National Party member for Napier reminded me of a quote from one of James Baxter poems about ;; as chickens as the buzzard pounces”

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    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    1 day ago
  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 day ago
  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    1 day ago
  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    3 days ago
  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    3 days ago
  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    3 days ago
  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    3 days ago
  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    4 days ago
  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #15
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 7, 2024 thru Sat, April 13, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week is about adults in the room setting terms and conditions of ...
    5 days ago
  • Feline Friends and Fragile Fauna The Complexities of Cats in New Zealand’s Conservation Efforts

    Cats, with their independent spirit and beguiling purrs, have captured the hearts of humans for millennia. In New Zealand, felines are no exception, boasting the highest national cat ownership rate globally [definition cat nz cat foundation]. An estimated 1.134 million pet cats grace Kiwi households, compared to 683,000 dogs ...

    5 days ago
  • Or is that just they want us to think?
    Nice guy, that Peter Williams. Amiable, a calm air of no-nonsense capability, a winning smile. Everything you look for in a TV presenter and newsreader.I used to see him sometimes when I went to TVNZ to be a talking head or a panellist and we would yarn. Nice guy, that ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • Fact Brief – Did global warming stop in 1998?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Did global warming stop in ...
    6 days ago
  • Arguing over a moot point.
    I have been following recent debates in the corporate and social media about whether it is a good idea for NZ to join what is known as “AUKUS Pillar Two.” AUKUS is the Australian-UK-US nuclear submarine building agreement in which … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    6 days ago
  • No Longer Trusted: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    Turning Point: What has turned me away from the mainstream news media is the very strong message that its been sending out for the last few years.” “And what message might that be?” “That the people who own it, the people who run it, and the people who provide its content, really don’t ...
    6 days ago
  • Mortgage rates at 10% anyone?
    No – nothing about that in PM Luxon’s nine-point plan to improve the lives of New Zealanders. But beyond our shores Jamie Dimon, the long-serving head of global bank J.P. Morgan Chase, reckons that the chances of a goldilocks soft landing for the economy are “a lot lower” than the ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    6 days ago
  • Sad tales from the left
    Michael Bassett writes –  Have you noticed the odd way in which the media are handling the government’s crackdown on surplus employees in the Public Service? Very few reporters mention the crazy way in which State Service numbers rocketed ahead by more than 16,000 during Labour’s six years, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • In Whose Best Interests?
    On The Spot: The question Q+A host, Jack Tame, put to the Workplace & Safety Minister, Act’s Brooke van Velden, was disarmingly simple: “Are income tax cuts right now in the best interests of lowering inflation?”JACK TAME has tested another MP on his Sunday morning current affairs show, Q+A. Minister for Workplace ...
    6 days ago
  • Don’t Question, Don’t Complain.
    It has to start somewhereIt has to start sometimeWhat better place than here?What better time than now?So it turns out that I owe you all an apology.It seems that all of the terrible things this government is doing, impacting the lives of many, aren’t necessarily ‘bad’ per se. Those things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 hour ago
  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago
  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government redress for Te Korowai o Wainuiārua
    The Government is continuing the bipartisan effort to restore its relationship with iwi as the Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill passed its first reading in Parliament today, says Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith. “Historical grievances of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua relate to 19th century warfare, land purchased or taken ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Focus on outstanding minerals permit applications
    New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals is working to resolve almost 150 outstanding minerals permit applications by the end of the financial year, enabling valuable mining activity and signalling to the sector that New Zealand is open for business, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.  “While there are no set timeframes for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Applications open for NZ-Ireland Research Call
    The New Zealand and Irish governments have today announced that applications for the 2024 New Zealand-Ireland Joint Research Call on Agriculture and Climate Change are now open. This is the third research call in the three-year Joint Research Initiative pilot launched in 2022 by the Ministry for Primary Industries and Ireland’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Tenancy rules changes to improve rental market
    The coalition Government has today announced changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to encourage landlords back to the rental property market, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “The previous Government waged a war on landlords. Many landlords told us this caused them to exit the rental market altogether. It caused worse ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Boosting NZ’s trade and agricultural relationship with China
    Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay will visit China next week, to strengthen relationships, support Kiwi exporters and promote New Zealand businesses on the world stage. “China is one of New Zealand’s most significant trade and economic relationships and remains an important destination for New Zealand’s products, accounting for nearly 22 per cent of our good and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Freshwater farm plan systems to be improved
    The coalition Government intends to improve freshwater farm plans so that they are more cost-effective and practical for farmers, Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay have announced. “A fit-for-purpose freshwater farm plan system will enable farmers and growers to find the right solutions for their farm ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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