Key rewrites history for “Crazy Colin”

Written By: - Date published: 5:00 pm, November 13th, 2013 - 68 comments
Categories: accountability, activism, assets, child abuse, child discipline, child welfare, david cunliffe, john key, labour, privatisation, referendum, same old national, slippery, spin - Tags:

John Key spoke some appalling misrepresentations of facts in the House today, rewriting history in a way that seems to suit “Crazy” Colin Craig’s possible coalition bottom lines.

In Question Time Key said this in response to questions about the up-coming referendum on Asset Sales:

Hon David Cunliffe: Why is the Prime Minister so arrogantly continuing his asset sales when the sales to date have transferred ownership of those assets from 100 percent of New Zealanders to just 2 percent, and does this not show that Kiwi mums and dads, far from being at the front of the queue, are not near the queue at all?

Rt Hon JOHN KEY: Firstly, the member is wrong—51 percent of the companies is owned by all New Zealanders. Secondly, my understanding is that the Superannuation Fund, ACC, and other major funds are shareholders of those companies, and they hold those shares on behalf of all New Zealanders. There is a huge number of KiwiSaver accounts. The member may remember those. They were set up under a Labour Government. They are owned by a wide range of New Zealanders. But here is an interesting one: there has been a number of referendums in recent times. One of them, for instance, was in relation to smacking, which was supported by 87.4 percent of New Zealanders. That was a policy pushed under a Labour Government and it “arrogantly” rejected it.

[…]

Rt Hon JOHN KEY: The election campaign in 2011 was dominated by this issue of the mixed-ownership model. National won that election with a comprehensive majority in any terms. This Parliament has faced on numerous occasions referendums for which there has been significant public opposition, and we do not even know, by the way, what the result of this referendum will be. But the most recent one was when 87.4 percent of New Zealanders opposed the smacking legislation. That was a policy pushed by Helen Clark, the Greens, and a Labour Government, and all that we can say is that Labour arrogantly ignored it. So when Labour members are in Government they just ignore things, and when they are in Opposition they roar like little tigers or lions, or whatever else it is over there that they do.

My bold.  Well, as gobsmacked commented, the opposition were slow to expose this out and out lie by John Key, however, Cunliffe finally got to it in the General Debate that followed Question Time.

Cunliffe on Key’s “brain fades” in today’s Question Time:

Because the smacking referendum was held in 2009 and the result was ignored by his government. He struck the deal with Helen Clark that resulted in the Bill being passed. And he and the entire National Caucus voted for it.

A march against John Key’s decision to ignore the referendum was sponsored to the tune of $450,000 by, guess who? Crazy Colin Craig.

And this is the same Colin Craig, who said last night on 3 News, in relation to a possible future coalition with a National-led government,

changing the anti-smacking laws is “a priority for so many New Zealanders” – which he said makes it his priority.

So, while Key said yesterday:

Take tearing up the anti-smacking law. The Prime Minister helped settle this, and he doesn’t want to go back.

“[It] wouldn’t be a top priority issue for a 2014 National government,” he said. “I would imagine that Colin Craig actually would have much better issues that he’s worried about.”

But today, Key seems to have begun rewriting history in order to be on the same page as Crazy Colin.

68 comments on “Key rewrites history for “Crazy Colin” ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 1
    13 November 2013 at 5:04 pm

    Does the Labour Party advocate following the outcome of the referendum on the amendment of Section 59 of the Crimes Act ?

    • mickysavage 1.1
      13 November 2013 at 5:06 pm

      Chocolate fish Ole if you can’t find anything in the referendum question that you agreed with.

    • Rhinocrates 1.2
      13 November 2013 at 5:56 pm

      Does the National Party, since they voted for it too?

      • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 1.2.1
        13 November 2013 at 6:10 pm

        The National Party is the party saying it is OK to ignore referenda. Labour is saying some can be ignored and others have to be followed.

        • gobsmacked 1.2.1.1
          13 November 2013 at 6:15 pm

          The National Party is the party saying it is OK to ignore referenda.

          Citation please?

        • aerobubble 1.2.1.2
          14 November 2013 at 4:38 pm

          Its nonsense in nonsense out again. The spanking referendum question was misleading. National like the idea of smearing processes in order to spin the consensus their way. Nobody believes that hitting a child is a good idea because nobody can could defend the argument that hitting an adult is ever deserved, and so hitting a child is cruel and amounts to cowardice. Now of course there are extreme subgroups of religious people who argue spanking but essential they are no different from Dunne’s Talliban.

    • Draco T Bastard 1.3
      13 November 2013 at 6:49 pm

      No such referendum took place. It asked kinda asked if parents should be allowed to hit their children but it did it such a way as to suggest the answer. In other words, it was a question that should not have been allowed. Can’t change the law on that now but we can, at least, be thankful in this case that parliament, including the National Party, passed the law making assault on children illegal.

      • karol 1.3.1
        13 November 2013 at 6:55 pm

        Yes, DTB. Very good point. And a further worry is that Craig funded that referendum – so what kind of ill-informed, badly constructed demands would he make on any government that he was in a formal alliance with?

        • Draco T Bastard 1.3.1.1
          13 November 2013 at 10:43 pm

          IMO, he would certainly be the tail that wags the dog. Act and UF (Read Banks and Dunne) didn’t really do that as they were broadly in alignment with National anyway but Craig contradicts in some places.

  2. mickysavage 2
    13 November 2013 at 5:05 pm

    Hehe good one Karol. Slippery as …

  3. BLiP 3
    13 November 2013 at 5:19 pm

    ‘

    QUESTION ONE – 14 November 2013:

    The New Zealand Public: Does the Prime Minster stand by all his statements?

    The Prime Minister: Within that context, as far as I know, I was informed, to be honest, based on the information available at that time, to the best of my recollection, so I understand.

    • gobsmacked 3.1
      13 November 2013 at 5:40 pm

      But Key won’t be there, and in any case 24 hours is an eternity in the modern world.

      Labour were dozy today, and not for the first time. Key gets away with this for many reasons – including an incompetent, biased Speaker – but also because he isn’t tested anything like enough.

      Preparation 101 today (lunchtime, takes five minutes) should have been –

      “We’re gonna ask about the referendum, so what will Key say? Yes, it’s easy to predict (he really IS predictable) so we’ll hit back with …”.

      It’s the lack of basic professionalism that annoys me so much. Labour should now have a full-throttle election machine, all media, all opportunities, all the time. Including Parliament.

      • karol 3.1.1
        13 November 2013 at 5:55 pm

        It was odd watching this question live. Seemed like Key was having too much fun and too little opposition with his spinning, lies and clown routine.

      • Colonial Viper 3.1.2
        13 November 2013 at 9:03 pm

        It’s the lack of basic professionalism that annoys me so much. Labour should now have a full-throttle election machine, all media, all opportunities, all the time. Including Parliament.

        It takes 3-6 months for a new Leader to get the ducks in a row mate. Even when you are a veteran like Cunliffe. (How the hell was Shearer supposed to have a chance???) And there is no spare three quarters of a million lying around to call in consultants and contractors like National can do at the snap of the fingers.

        • gobsmacked 3.1.2.1
          13 November 2013 at 9:23 pm

          It doesn’t take any expensive consultants to work out that Labour had Question no.1 in Parliament, and that there would be follow-ups. The consultants were all free on Twitter, telling Labour what to say. It was obvious.

          “Basic professionalism” is exactly what I meant: a brief meeting to decide priorities and tactics, allocate roles, and deliver. If Labour don’t have a “Goals for the Day” memo circulating every morning, with everyone on board, then somebody needs to ask why, and make it happen. The leader, or his chief of staff.

          It might seem a minor matter, but what happened today was classic opposition opportunity cost. The PM gets easy media opps every day, the Labour leader gets them rarely. Question Time is one of those opportunities, and it was wasted for another week.

          Again, it’s the insider-outsider gulf in persepective – Labour MPs still think the insider stuff is the real deal, so they think they “scored” in the general debate … and yet, nobody outside the bubble will ever know.

          Labour need to be told when they fail, and they failed today. Avoidable failure, must do better.

        • lurgee 3.1.2.2
          17 November 2013 at 9:09 am

          It takes 3-6 months for a new Leader to get the ducks in a row mate.

          Yeah, you’re right. Give him six more months …

      • mickysavage 3.1.3
        13 November 2013 at 9:25 pm

        Yesterday worked really well when Cunliffe had a series of direct questions which Key had to answer.

        Today it was not so successful because the initial question was really wide open and Key could slither all around the place.

        I must say I was surprised at the response. If you read it carefully it does not quite say that Labour ignored the referendum result while in power but it is close.

        Just goes to show you cannot trust a thing that Key says.

        And he and the nats will lie and scheme to hold onto power.

        • gobsmacked 3.1.3.1
          13 November 2013 at 9:40 pm

          It was a breathtaking lie, but also an astute one.

          I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve argued with people about the “smacking” law … “it was Clark!” – “But Key voted for it, and then kept it” – “But … Clark!!” etc …

          He knows that he didn’t take the heat for it, and he also knows he got away with it. (Who remembers John Boscawen’s bill in the last term that would have repealed the law, and National voted against him, i.e. to keep Sue Bradford’s law? Almost nobody. And today it seems, not Labour either).

          • mickysavage 3.1.3.1.1
            13 November 2013 at 9:52 pm

            The leader’s office is a brave talented new bunch of people who are learning every day. I am sure that today would have been a day of considerable learning.

        • Crunchtime 3.1.3.2
          13 November 2013 at 9:58 pm

          That shouldn’t have been a surprise to anyone.

  4. Ad 4
    13 November 2013 at 5:20 pm

    The heart of the next election now comes down to this:
    Can Labour defeat Colin Craig in the new northern Auckland seat?

    Clearly Key will send the signal far earlier not to put your vote for any National hopeful.

    But it will be a strong conservative-leaning seat. We have seen this government hang on through every major legislative vote by one measly coalition MP.

    Will Cunliffe persuade Norman to see sense and withdraw any candidate?
    Will the Greens choose their virtue over power, again?

    Colin Craig, plus Ohariu-Belmont, are the fine axial balance of the next election, and Key just broadcast his play.

    Gear up people.

    • Rogue Trooper 4.1
      13 November 2013 at 5:23 pm

      The Father is catholic.

      • Ad 4.1.1
        13 November 2013 at 5:26 pm

        The Mother is Natural

        • Rogue Trooper 4.1.1.1
          13 November 2013 at 5:43 pm

          some Synchronicity (one Spirit, goes where it will)
          so I reconsider omitting
          “A great nation flows downward
          into intercourse with the world.
          The female of the world
          always prevails over the male by stillness. (cast some kept seeds today, hee hee, and some in the ground)
          Because stillness is considered lower,
          by lowering itself to a small nation
          a great nation takes a small nation;
          by being lower than a great nation
          a small nation takes a great nation.
          So one takes by lowering itself,
          another takes by being lower.
          A great nation wants no more
          than to include and nurture people; (this plenum, it seems)
          a small nation wants no more
          than to admit and serve people.
          Both get what they want,
          so the great should be below. (Francis gets it 😉 )

          trans- Thomas Cleary (not my preferred, yet comprehensible).

          off we go, Dum-de-do.

    • BLiP 4.2
      13 November 2013 at 5:23 pm

      ‘

      . . . Will Cunliffe persuade Norman to see sense and withdraw any candidate?
      Will the Greens choose their virtue over power, again? . . .

      Every time. Problem?

      • ghostrider888 4.2.1
        13 November 2013 at 5:28 pm

        no problemo here. I admire nearly all the Green MPs I follow, and occasionally interact with.
        Ah Ad, Virtue , and the era of the indelible record.

      • Ad 4.2.2
        13 November 2013 at 5:29 pm

        Only if NZF don’t make it.

        • BLiP 4.2.2.1
          13 November 2013 at 5:32 pm

          ‘

          I guess that makes Winston Peter’s the Labour Party’s Colin Craig. That’ll work.

          • Ad 4.2.2.1.1
            13 November 2013 at 5:46 pm

            Labour surely knows there’s still way too little dog and way too much wagging tail on its current polling – and I’m sure it does Cunliffe’s head no good. In fact I’m sure of it.

            But I’m confident enough that he will keep attracting about a point every poll, so that by June Labour is late-30s. That will push the competition where it should be.

            I’m also reasonably confident Norman really does want power this time.
            Not at any price, sure. But this is the largest global stage for the Green movement by any political measure. It’s time for him to step onto it.

            • karol 4.2.2.1.1.1
              13 November 2013 at 5:54 pm

              “Norman” is part of the Green Party, and not somehow in total charge of the Party direction. Nor is he the only co-leader. The party has a more democratic way of working out their policies and direction.

              • Ad …
                13 November 2013 at 5:58 pm

                I am sure that’s what it looks like from the inside, but in politics that’s largely irrelevant. He appears as the leader, and so he is.

                But to grant the internal machinery to you, what discussions if any are there in the Greens about these kinds of choices?

                • karol …
                  13 November 2013 at 6:02 pm

                  I’m not a member of the Green Party so I wouldn’t know. it only seems to me that many MSM journos treat Norman as the leader. It’s a pretty sexist slant, IMO. Should we be so manipulated by the MSM?

                  • Colonial Viper …
                    13 November 2013 at 6:07 pm

                    I’d quite like to know what some senior-ish Green members think of the situation.

                    • Ad …
                      13 November 2013 at 6:26 pm

                      The Green MPs I speak to say portfolios have little to do with expertise, that there’s a clear pecking order, and they will get what they’re given as Ministries should they get into formal coalition.

                    • Colonial Viper …
                      13 November 2013 at 6:32 pm

                      Sounds like discipline. A very good sign.

                  • Ad …
                    13 November 2013 at 6:30 pm

                    MSM not known for its gender sensitivity.
                    Perception pretty much is the truth in politics.
                    Norman is precise in the measure of oxygen he allows each of them.

                    • karol …
                      13 November 2013 at 6:32 pm

                      There’s no need for the left wingers to repeat MSM insensitivity – in fact, I would expect the opposite.

                  • Ad …
                    13 November 2013 at 6:41 pm

                    You should join.
                    Get the intel.
                    Sensitivities are a bit of a liability in this game.

                    • karol …
                      13 November 2013 at 6:51 pm

                      As I’ve commented many times, politics is still permeated by traditional masculine values, which tends to be reinforced by many on the left. It is something that I think puts a lot of people off “politics”, especially women.

                      I think it’s something that needs to be changed and not continually reinforced. Ignoring such “sensitivities” is in keeping with patriarchal values.

                      The Greens tend to do things differently: a less masculine style of politics. Yet still, like in many occupations done by large numbers of women, relatively more men tend to get given higher status.

                    • Colonial Viper …
                      13 November 2013 at 6:59 pm

                      I can understand that, but in politics like everything else, decisions are made by those in the room. The voices heard are those which are sitting around the table. Those on the outside get to comment (or complain) after the fact.

                      Yet still, like in many occupations done by large numbers of women, relatively more men tend to get given higher status.

                      Yep. For the longest time women have had to play smarter and harder to get the same number of points on the board as men. It’s totally frustrating. But as the Lotto ad suggests – if you don’t play at all you can’t win.

                    • karol …
                      13 November 2013 at 7:07 pm

                      Well, I’m in agreement with Aaron Hawkins.

                      Our two largest and oldest parties spend the entire time plodding through their well-rehearsed parochial barrage, yelling over the top of each other and applauding wildly whenever they think their boss has told a funny.
                      […]
                      I understand that this is the game we inherited when our colonial forebears brought their Westminster Style over with them. It is telling, then, that only the parties from our pre-MMP electoral past insist on persisting with it. The Greens, New Zealand First (Winston prefers to frame his interruptions as Points of Order, generally), and the Government’s coalition partners were all well behaved, thankyou very much, and it made me proud to be a member, and representative, of the first of these. It isn’t just the politics of the Green Party that drew me in, but also the way we do politics.
                      […]
                      We have a serious problem with a disenfranchised electorate, particularly among younger voters, and the way our House of Representatives go about their business in Parliamentary Prime Time is as good a contributing factor as any as to why.

                      It’s not good enough to say, that the way of doing politics needs to be ignored in order to get into power. I see no real hope for democracy until the way of doing politics is changed in such a way as to re-engage those already turned off by our political system.

                      That’s why i vote Green, and why I won’t put up with the female co-leader being done down. Turei has made some excellent contributions on issues of social policy. But, in our system, it’s always the, most often male, politicians dealing with “the economy” that get the status.

                    • Colonial Viper …
                      13 November 2013 at 8:59 pm

                      And you think that the way of doing politics can be changed most effectively from outside political parties?

                      That’s certainly a valid point of view.

                      But as Aaron suggests – it’s done from within political parties as well.

    • Bearded Git 4.3
      14 November 2013 at 6:49 am

      Mike Williams and Whale Oil say it will not be a new (blue) northern Auckland electorate but a new (red) West Auckland electorate. If so Craig will be given a free run in McCully’s electorate.

  5. Rogue Trooper 5
    13 November 2013 at 5:21 pm

    “I don’t know karate, but I know kah-ray-zee!”

  6. ghostwhowalksnz 6
    13 November 2013 at 5:31 pm

    “One of them, for instance, was in relation to smacking, which was supported by 87.4 percent of New Zealanders. That was a policy pushed under a Labour Government and it “arrogantly” rejected it.

    So Sharkey makes the ‘smacking bill’ a whipped policy for National Mps , so that the entire caucus votes for it.
    Now its arrogant Labour ?

  7. Tracey 7
    13 November 2013 at 6:01 pm

    ” the smacking referendum was held in 2009 and the result was ignored by his government.”

    So the PM lied to the house? I suppose he would get off on a technicality.

    • gobsmacked 7.1
      13 November 2013 at 6:07 pm

      Yes. Technically – if you parse his words carefully – he didn’t lie.

      It’s the opposition’s job to MAKE him lie. Just wait for the pointless playground noise to die down (instead of adding to it), calmly stand up and ask, ever so nicely …

      “Who was Prime Minister when the referendum was held?”.

      No extra bits, no jibber-jabber, just swift, sharp, lethal scalpel. Less is more, and after 5 frustrating years they still don’t get it. A high school debating team could do better.

  8. greywarbler 8
    13 November 2013 at 6:44 pm

    The outcry at the moment about the disgraceful behaviours from the young, and the sad results, may unfortunately feed into Colin Craig’s bag of beliefs and policies.

    • Colonial Viper 8.1
      13 November 2013 at 6:49 pm

      NZ has a decently strong conservative streak inside and outside of the big cities. If the big parties want to ignore that, that’s fine, but those votes wil go somewhere else when the opportunity arises. NZ has been lucky for a few elections now with no clearly credible uber-conservative political party. That’s about to change.

      • Rogue Trooper 8.1.1
        13 November 2013 at 7:12 pm

        Yes-siree Bob. Quite a few different demographic angles relative to the size of the total electorate, along with environmental issues. Still, conservative values are held by a variety of social sectors of significant size.

      • Ad 8.1.2
        13 November 2013 at 8:51 pm

        In the “8 Tribes of New Zealand”, they’re the Balclutha Tribe.

  9. TightyRighty 9
    13 November 2013 at 6:48 pm

    Hahahahahahhahaha, oh shit. Please keep posting about how jk walks all over labour and they only come up with snappy retorts long after the argument has finished.

    You guys aren’t even trying anymore. 2014….. In the fucking bag

    • Colonial Viper 9.1
      13 November 2013 at 6:54 pm

      You guys aren’t even trying anymore. 2014….. In the fucking bag

      Yes I agree, long summer holidays for all National MPs, a well deserved break, don’t bother coming back in until sometime March perhaps…

  10. Ian 10
    16 November 2013 at 9:05 pm

    It’s the economy, stupid. Despite Lentoronto brown,this little country is humming. Thanks Lohn Key.

  11. residence 11
    24 November 2013 at 6:22 pm

    Good post however I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this subject?
    I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit
    more. Cheers!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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