Key praises Ardern and Labour

Written By: - Date published: 1:05 pm, August 16th, 2017 - 53 comments
Categories: jacinda ardern, john key, labour, leadership - Tags: ,

Even John Key can see it:

Labour made right call in promoting Ardern to leader, says former PM John Key

Labour made the right decision to make Jacinda Ardern leader according to former Prime Minister John Key.

Yes they did. A big bold gamble – supposed electoral suicide – and it worked.

“The camera likes Jacinda. Paul Holmes once said to me ‘on TV they see your heart’ – she responds well to that so that works really well for her,” Key told the AM Show this morning. “She’s been on TV a lot, she communicates pretty well and in the end people want to vote for people they like.

True.

“I don’t think that will be enough to get [Labour] over the line obviously…”

Well let’s just see about that!

53 comments on “Key praises Ardern and Labour ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Nick 1
    16 August 2017 at 1:20 pm

    I will never trust anything that comes out of keys mouth

    • Eco maori 1.1
      16 August 2017 at 6:27 pm

      Sorry for jumping in here . But John Keys Actions are directly responsible for the situation I’m in.
      1 flooded the dairy labour market with Philippines
      2 Change laws and give more power to the police
      3 Set a culture in the state’s system to never admit being wrong
      There are many example.I.E. Pike River GCSB Mass sevalince .
      Now the big elephant in the room on that last Subject is not that they have everyone’s data and the people think we don’t mind we have nothing to hide. The problem is that he has put to much power in the state’s hands and some bad people will use that power/ leverage to fuck up other people lives . And that’s ok to 60 more likely 500 million John Key. Because as the saying goes when you got a couple of million you are in the who gives a fuck category. If any one or any organization tries to fuck with you or your loved ones you just lawyer up.Now These New rules that John Key made will negatively affect the lower class.

      I went to a police station to get a form to lay a complaint I was told to go and print one off the net .
      What about the people with no computer’s or no computer skills .
      Probably any one that comes out of the justice system can not fight for there rights . That is why I want National out

    • CLEANGREEN 1.2
      17 August 2017 at 11:03 am

      1000% NICK,

      So true there.

      JK is just appearing to be nice as he did when he conned us to sell all our assets!!!!!

      — oh wait now we see that Bill English and co are setting us up to next selling “Transpower” our Electricity grid Company next !!!!!!

      Then NZ Post will be next and possibly ACC & our Kiwibank, so we need them all shod of our Country pronto.

  2. Alan 2
    16 August 2017 at 1:28 pm

    Can’t wait to see what OAB, Marty Mars etc. have to say about this………conflicted, much.

    • tuppence shrewsbury 2.1
      16 August 2017 at 2:12 pm

      More hilarious was how all the RW commentators called for it to happen, but were shouted down as not knowing anything, RWNJ’s etc. humble pie much?

    • marty mars 2.2
      16 August 2017 at 3:34 pm

      I’m not conflicted Alan – I find jim key to be utterly irrelevant. Why not ask what a fish thinks mate.

    • Psycho Milt 2.3
      16 August 2017 at 3:38 pm

      Hey, if Key wants to piss all over his successor’s chances in the election, it’s all good as far as I’m concerned.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 2.4
      16 August 2017 at 3:43 pm

      Not really. Of course Key likes Ardern: she threw Metiria Turei under a bus.

  3. Kat 3
    16 August 2017 at 1:29 pm

    Key knows National are going to lose the election and he just wants to be associated with the winner. Just like the All Blacks and every other “camera” opportunity.

    “Sir” john key…… what a fake, what a bad joke.

    • garibaldi 3.1
      16 August 2017 at 1:33 pm

      Why even do a post on that sleaze’s utterances?
      And now he dedicates his knighthood to his family’s suffering?? Poor wee Max. FFS.

    • Anne 3.2
      16 August 2017 at 1:57 pm

      Key knows National are going to lose the election and he just wants to be associated with the winner.

      My reaction too. The bit at the end was just a softener for his former political colleagues.

  4. WILD KATIPO 4
    16 August 2017 at 2:21 pm

    We’re comin’ after your knighthood, Key…. RUN !

    • CLEANGREEN 4.1
      17 August 2017 at 11:05 am

      Ha ha Wild katipo,

      We will have him investigated over the 500 lies he gave us all over his toxic eight year reign he put us all through.

  5. patricia bremner 5
    16 August 2017 at 2:26 pm

    Well JK always failed to commit. This is no different.

    “She’s good, but is she good enough?” he asks of Jacinda.

    Yes JK, she is and she’ll be better straighter truer than you,

    Jacinda is not looking for opportunities to grow her personal wealth.

    She cares about NZ and sees through Australia’s and probably JK’s blather.

    Wahine Toa.

  6. Hanswurst 6
    16 August 2017 at 2:29 pm

    A short time after Labour came to power in 1999, Jim Bolger praised the newly minted Prime Minister Helen Clark’s competence and social conscience. Just shy of two decades later, John Key says new Labour leader Jacinda Ardern looks good in front of a camera. I sincerely hope that that is a measure of the man, rather than of our society.

  7. lprent 7
    16 August 2017 at 2:35 pm

    I wonder what he is after?

    That was my first and current response.

    • Ad 7.1
      16 August 2017 at 2:51 pm

      He wants for nothing.

      He has nearly 9 years as super-popular Prime Minister.

      He has all the money he could spend.

      His latent popularity provides huge conferral power.

      English is losing this election through the media, and he just lost another precious day.

      • KJT 7.1.1
        16 August 2017 at 4:26 pm

        “Key, wants for nothing”?

        Why has he just taken a job with a US financial outfit, then. (Not to mention the Air NZ board).

        Reward for services rendered?

      • One Anonymous Bloke 7.1.2
        16 August 2017 at 6:30 pm

        He wants for nothing.

        😆

        Why is he doing so much biggering and biggering then?

        Get off your knees.

    • alwyn 7.2
      16 August 2017 at 2:56 pm

      I fear you have spent far too long with people and a party who were only out for themselves.
      Remember how Key went to a lot of trouble to help get your friend Clark a job in New York, and later spent even more effort on her doomed campaign for Secretary-General of the UN?
      And do you also remember how she had illustrated the bleakness of her soul by sitting, with Michael Cullen in Bellamy’s while Don Brash was giving his valedictory speech?
      Key was honest and open. You just don’t recognise that characteristic.

      • Draco T Bastard 7.2.1
        16 August 2017 at 3:15 pm

        I fear you have spent far too long with people and a party who were only out for themselves.

        I’m pretty sure that Lprent has never spent time with National or ACT. They’re the only two parties that are in it solely for themselves.

        Remember how Key went to a lot of trouble to help get your friend Clark a job in New York, and later spent even more effort on her doomed campaign for Secretary-General of the UN?

        You do realise such acts are traditional don’t you and that it’d look bad if they didn’t?

        And do you also remember how she had illustrated the bleakness of her soul by sitting, with Michael Cullen in Bellamy’s while Don Brash was giving his valedictory speech?

        And how many NACT MPs were missing from valedictory speeches of the Greens, Labour, NZFirst and other parties?

        I’m pretty sure that’s Blinglish not sitting in the House while Annette King gave her valedictory.

        • alwyn 7.2.1.1
          16 August 2017 at 6:03 pm

          Bill English probably wasn’t in the House when Annette King was giving her valedictory. I’ll take your word on the matter.
          However the speech was given on Thursday evening. Bill, like every Prime Minister is not in the house on Thursdays. Those days are booked solid with events outside of Wellington, and they will have been booked up a long time ahead.
          I am quite willing to bet that he wasn’t having a cup of coffee in Bellamy’s to ostentatiously show that he wasn’t present even though he had nothing else to do. He certainly wasn’t deliberately insulting Annette was he?
          Do you really not see the difference?

          • Draco T Bastard 7.2.1.1.1
            16 August 2017 at 6:30 pm

            I am quite willing to bet that he wasn’t having a cup of coffee in Bellamy’s to ostentatiously show that he wasn’t present even though he had nothing else to do.

            [citation needed]

            Do you really not see the difference?

            I can see you making excuses for National MPs.

      • lprent 7.2.2
        16 August 2017 at 7:43 pm

        Perhaps you should figure out how I rate politicians.

        I don’t care how personally charming they are.
        I don’t care about their ideologies.
        I couldn’t give a pigs arse about how many hands that they shake.
        I don’t care how ‘intelligent’ that they think that they are.

        I just assume that all politicians should be all of those. The ones like Barclay or Gilmore who don’t appear to have managed many of them aren’t politicians and should be turfed out as basic incompetents.

        And I really don’t get bothered about the small personality quirks that you seem to spend your life looking at and making into mountains. I do care about how effective they are as politicians.

        That means firstly that they have to win their seats competently, and help their party get into positions of power.

        Then secondly they have to do something with it looking primarily at a 20+ year horizon.

        As a tertiary issue at a shorter term horizon in terms of helping people out of poverty traps from them and their kids. Effectively opening up opportunities to them

        Fourthly, they shouldn’t pass excessive debt on to younger generations.

        John Key was successful at the first and a complete failure at the second, third, and fourth. It is hard to see anything that he did that wasn’t confined to an electoral cycle viewpoint. It is also even harder to see where he helped directly or indirectly anyone who wasn’t already affluent. And he raised the debt levels very very high because he rewarded in his first term all of the affluent for voting for him – pushing the debt on to the kids.

        Basically John Key is a almost complete political failure and obviously a pretty incompetent one.

        Clark and Cullen pretty well managed to do all four. That was why Clark was able to go for the UNDP position and got it. John Key just jumped on board as well – good for the photo-ops.

        You’ll note that I really don’t give a pigs arse for ANY of the traits that fools like you view as being important. I want competent politicians and I really don’t want ones who amble along doing fuckall – like John Key.

        • Draco T Bastard 7.2.2.1
          17 August 2017 at 12:10 am

          Then secondly they have to do something with it looking primarily at a 20+ year horizon.

          Looking forward twenty years is ok I suppose – would prefer 500+. Get them to really consider the idea of sustainability. Those iron sands deposits off Taranaki that just got their take extended won’t last for 100 years but they’re well into the 20+ bracket.

          Basically John Key is a almost complete political failure and obviously a pretty incompetent one.

          John Key did exactly he set out to do – screw over NZ for the rich.

    • Carolyn_nth 7.3
      16 August 2017 at 6:19 pm

    • mosa 7.4
      16 August 2017 at 7:38 pm

      What is Key after ? Ambassador to the USA ?

  8. Ad 8
    16 August 2017 at 2:48 pm

    That is one awesome proxy.

    The National Prime Minister of a few months ago has endorsed the Leader of the Opposition.

    That damages Bill English.

    If she gets in to power and she’s smart she’ll keep him busy in NZTE or tourism or lading trade delegations.

    • mary_a 8.1
      16 August 2017 at 4:49 pm

      @ Ad (8) … Perhaps Dr Sir John Key wants to be the Governor General in the next Labour government! He likes to feel important you know.

  9. Robert Guyton 9
    16 August 2017 at 2:56 pm

    Hold onto ya ponytail, Jacinda – John likes ya!

    • Psycho Milt 10.1
      16 August 2017 at 3:34 pm

      Hmm, the views of Bill’s house shown in that article make it look like the rooms in a furniture catalogue, only blander. I suppose he does get points for being true to his personality, though.

      • McFlock 10.1.1
        16 August 2017 at 3:40 pm

        Can’t really say it’s to my taste at all, lol

        Not just bland – almost everything is square…

        • Psycho Milt 10.1.1.1
          16 August 2017 at 4:14 pm

          I can picture Bill English as a Huey Lewis and the News fan, but he must have failed to notice “It’s Hip to be Square” was intended ironically.

          • McFlock 10.1.1.1.1
            16 August 2017 at 4:48 pm

            Apparently he can give a long speech on the nuances and imagery in that particular song, but has to wear a plastic raincoat while doing so. People subjected to the dissertation tend to take an axe to their own heads out of sheer boredom.

      • The decrypter 10.1.2
        16 August 2017 at 3:47 pm

        Feel it in my waters that bill is editing a cooking book due for release soon. Title probably something like – Cooking for the poor—reviewer comments include -Bill writes poor cooking book.

        • mary_a 10.1.2.1
          16 August 2017 at 4:59 pm

          @ The Decrypter (10.1.2) … 🙂

          • greywarshark 10.1.2.1.1
            16 August 2017 at 8:02 pm

            I liked the understated joke of sitting against a cushion with the UK flag on it, not quite the English one I think. The books behind the sofa, I wonder if they are textbooks from his Treasury times, all there to refer to when he needs to check his other bible.

            And I liked the way that the article explained what all the furniture is used for.
            I rate it as preparatory Journalism .51.

    • joe90 10.2
      16 August 2017 at 4:08 pm

      No hole in the wall stoup with votive holders.

      I’m disappointed.

    • Gabby 10.3
      16 August 2017 at 5:20 pm

      I’m a bit worried that the nats have polling that tells them bland is where it’s at. BTW is this Bingles at home in Wellington or Dipton?

  11. greywarshark 11
    16 August 2017 at 3:17 pm

    That’s a good Crosby Textor call. I think it’s called putting your imprimatur on someone. Connects her to Gnashional, so they can watch with his approval.

  12. Penny Bright 12
    16 August 2017 at 3:41 pm

    Know about this?

    ‪INVESTIGATE NZ (former Prime Minister) JOHN KEY OVER THE PANAMA PAPERS – SAYS CHAIR OF TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL JOSE UGAS

    (1 August 2017 at Transparency International NZ meeting at Rutherford House, Victoria University).

    Chair of Transparency International Jose Ugaz stated on 1 August 2017 at Wellington meeting that John Key should be investigated over the Panama Papers.‬

    How do I know?

    I was at that meeting and heard Jose Ugaz myself.

    Any NZ or international mainstream media going to follow up with an investigation into John Key and the Panama Papers?

    Penny Bright

    2017 Independent candidate for Tamaki.

    Exposing the $1.6 BILLION Tamaki ‘Regeneration’ – GENTRIFICATION $CAM.

  13. Enough is Enough 13
    16 August 2017 at 4:55 pm

    I don’t think Key is alone in thinking that.

    Everyone from the right wanted Little to take Labour into the election because it was going to be an inevitable win for the Nats.

    The demise of Little was their worse nightmare.

    “supposed electoral suicide ” I think it was mainly our side that were initially disappointed. Go back and read the comments from people the day Little resigned. even some of the posts were suggesting they would fee Labour

  14. Carolyn_nth 14
    16 August 2017 at 6:58 pm

    Seriously! Just watched the Checkpoint segment on John Key’s sword shoulder tap today. In it he lists things he’s proud of. One of the things included seeing the country through the Pike River disaster….!!!?

    Listen from about 00.55 minutes.

    Things he hopes he provided leadership to help people through tough times.

  15. Stuart Munro 15
    16 August 2017 at 7:26 pm

    Perhaps he hopes avoid a full fraud inquiry of SCF – Hubbard was done to death and his wealth stolen by executive action, the courts were never involved.

  16. Incognito 16
    16 August 2017 at 8:55 pm

    Maybe Sir John was genuine but to me it comes across as damning Ardern with faint praise. I also think Sir John’s superiority complex was showing: “Ardern is very popular but not as popular as I was and it won’t be enough to get Labour over the line obviously like I did three times with National because Ardern is close but not quite in my league and you can trust me on this because I have the view from above, always have, and always will. Now, please make room for me”. Unfair comment?

    • WILD KATIPO 16.1
      16 August 2017 at 10:54 pm

      John Key …. L0L !…

      Carolyn_nth

      One of the things included seeing the country through the Pike River disaster….!!!?
      ……………………………………………..

      I posted extensively on The Standard / The Daily Blog about Pike River , most of it easily referenced material and articles and documents that made it pretty clear about not only Key but others in National in particular , as well as multinational / corporate foreign / local interests that have been lobbying to mine in our National Parks for years under the noses of New Zealanders in plain sight. If there’s one thing that sticks in my craw its abuse of the workers , the unemployed or the chronically ill. In any shape or form. That and our environment because I grew up in the bush.

      And its my land . I own it. ( Mad Steven the Irishman 🙂 Braveheart )

      The guy reminds me of this song atm… full of guile , self entitlement and no sense of remorse. Sir Fucking Trougher John Key.

      Fleetwood Mac ‘Oh Well’- Studio Version & HQ.FX – YouTube
      ▶ 3:31

    • mosa 16.2
      16 August 2017 at 11:49 pm

      Sir John…..never ! he will always be a shyster nothing more than that.

  17. Tracey 17
    18 August 2017 at 1:45 pm

    John Key had a heart? Or enough media trading to pull off the pretence. Exhibit A 9 years in govt rrfusing to accept poverty existed. A few months out and his biggest regret? Not addressing poverty. WTF.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 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
    24 hours ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

    Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum.  While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation.  “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan.  “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
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    5 days ago
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