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Key running scared of debate?

Written By: - Date published: 2:16 pm, September 12th, 2014 - 81 comments
Categories: election 2014, john key - Tags: ,

debate

81 comments on “Key running scared of debate? ”

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  1. ianmac 1
    12 September 2014 at 2:24 pm

    Be fair to poor old tired John Key. He does not have much to say but tired old cliches. 30 minutes minus ad breaks will be say 12 minutes. Too long?

    And at the end of the day, there might be just a little of fear should Kim Dot Com come up with a little something to dent Key’s claimed invincibility. And how will Armstrong et el cope with that?
    Fear stalks the 9th floor of the Beehive. Wooooo!

    And when David as PM reaches into the records, then what?

    • McFlock 1.1
      12 September 2014 at 3:09 pm

      I’f forgotten about ads.
      I figured thirty minutes would leave barely 10 minutes of “debate” from each candidate after the emceeing is done with. A couple of questions and that is it.

      FFS. The pm is an arse, a liar and a coward

      • AmaKiwi 1.1.1
        12 September 2014 at 8:52 pm

        I have a suspicion Key, consciously or unconsciously, might want to lose this election so he can escape the sh*t storm that will follow whoever wins. Even if Key wins, he will be dogged in parliament with unanswerable question. He’s said if he loses he will retire. Dotcom would love the irony of Key fighting extradition from Hawaii!

        • Skinny 1.1.1.1
          13 September 2014 at 1:06 am

          Your very much on the money in your opinion. I hear that John Key showed signs that he was very disappointed in his invited guests at Nationals economic forum held in Whangarei yesterday. Apparently he spoke of the importance to sign off the treaty settlement with Northland iwi. He also talked of the deal with the Maori party. The mostly business audience didn’t get it which visibly annoyed Key. While the ever optimistic National party campaign manager Joyce pumped up the volume, Key gave my friend the impression he has had enough.

          I would say the whole dirty politics saga and the pending Auckland town hall event put on by Dotcom is getting to him. Then if you look at having to deal with Peters or Craig and then there is Act, especially after the latest Jamie Whyte insane shotgun shopkeeper comments. Can anyone really blame him for calling it quits and jetting off to Hawaii, flagging politics altogether.

          • Local Kiwi 1.1.1.1.1
            13 September 2014 at 6:39 am

            Yeah, I agree Keyster is a gonna, but he is a happy camper in Hawaii wher there stll are many sharks as similar as him, and just ready to take a bite of his torso while he goes for a swim. Halelluha.

        • dave 1.1.1.2
          13 September 2014 at 7:05 am

          oh what shit storm it would be and those us who enjoy protesting occupy st stephens ave parnell has certain appeal

  2. Clemgeopin 2
    12 September 2014 at 2:27 pm

    ‘That is not enough John, Front up!’

  3. Lanthanide 3
    12 September 2014 at 2:29 pm

    30 minutes? Hardly worth bothering with.

  4. Treetop 4
    12 September 2014 at 2:34 pm

    30 minutes may prove to be too much for a rattled PM.

  5. Craig Glen Eden 5
    12 September 2014 at 2:57 pm

    Key is scared all right and with good reason. I have had 3 people this week raise with me that they were going to vote National but now they dont trust Key. All three were in a state of but” who do we vote for”. One at the end said she thinks she will vote NZ first, one probably would vote National the third one had no idea how they would vote. All three never mentioned Labour or the Greens as options.

    So National will not want Key and Cunliffe facing off. National’s tactics will be dont russell the horses and to pray on peoples fears with the whole steady as we go line.

    Cunliffe has to show that National are being quite on policy because they are hiding there real agenda. A good example is the fact that Nationals tax cut’s don’t add up National are simply behaving like a problem gambler, lies lies and more lies while spending what they cant afford with no regard for how to pay for the rent/mortgage.

    This election is going to be very close the left need to be seen as solid/ dependable and sadly Russell Norman being a bit smart with trying to distance himself from Labour was actually a bit silly. I urge supporters of Labour and the Greens to NOT START ATTACKING EACH OTHER, nothing to gain by doing this only and an election to loose!

    • Tracey 5.1
      12 September 2014 at 3:03 pm

      Perhaps the other half hour could be used toadd Noman for a chat with cunliffe and hosking… As the time is booked.

      Ps

      Isnt this the second debate with cunners key has run from?

      • Rodel 5.1.1
        12 September 2014 at 3:20 pm

        Tracey – Damn! You beat me to it with your suggestion. But I suggest just an empty chair when John Key vacates it.

        But don’t do a Clint Eastwood and talk to it incessantly.
        The moderator could say, ” Now Mr Ke! … Oh that’s right he had to go early. Oh well. What do you think Mr Cunliffe?”

        But seriously I think it would make good TV. to leave Key’s chair there even if Norman was there . Depends who’s going to be the moderator and if the producers have enough chutzpah?

    • Tracey 5.2
      12 September 2014 at 3:04 pm

      It is funny that those losing trust in Key dont connect his untrustworthiness with denigration of labour and greens. IOW hes been lying about labour and greens

      If people dont want key they cannot vote for act, uf, cp, or nzf

      • Craig Glen Eden 5.2.1
        12 September 2014 at 3:19 pm

        Yup the disconnect is huge. I honestly think that Labour’s ABC club have done some serious damage not only to Labour but the left as a whole. This of coarse was assisted by Slater/Hooten /Farrar’s agenda and a more than willing MSM. Remember how Hooten thought Shearer was so good for Labour!!!!! I know Cunliffe will make a great Prime Minister and the Labour/ Green policy mix will be great for NZ. The leadership of both parties have to show they can work together and that they have all NZer’s interest at heart.

        • Local Kiwi 5.2.1.1
          13 September 2014 at 6:50 am

          Very well summed up CGE.

          Yes Winston has this time shown his real preference of wanting a centre left coalition anyway, and like so many we are all Winsston included what dark secrets hide in NatZ bucket list anyway as they have cleverly avioded the spelling out of agendas, so next three years they would be able to say we won on our policies ad will do what the country wants us to do.

          Winston is fearful as we all are this time.

          Key is a deserate man cliggng onto that sinking dingy called planet key.

          This while the sharks hover around him.

          Nixon number two comming along!

      • Zolan 5.2.2
        12 September 2014 at 4:08 pm

        Unfortunately, I suspect that many on the right intend to support National by stealth. Just as long as they can say they didn’t vote for National without actually lying.

    • infused 5.3
      12 September 2014 at 3:40 pm

      I had a friend who knew a friends mother, who knew and uncle who was related to another friend who said they made their bed and are now not voting National.

      • Craig Glen Eden 5.3.1
        12 September 2014 at 3:59 pm

        Thats not what I said at all Infused cant you read or is your comprehension level just so poor?

      • JanMeyer 5.3.2
        12 September 2014 at 4:00 pm

        Yes I heard someone at the bus stop say they had a friend whose brother in law was considering switching his vote from National to Green – it’s all over bar the shouting (although having said that, with Norman’s recent statements indicating a possible willingness to reach an “accommodation” with National, may be not!)

    • Kat 5.4
      12 September 2014 at 4:33 pm

      If you want a change of govt I urge PARTY VOTE LABOUR. The Greens will be part of the new govt but not unless Labour can lead it.

      Otherwise…..3 more years of National….Key….Collins….Bennett……Joyce….Slater et al

      Anyone feeling nausea about that?

  6. Anne 6
    12 September 2014 at 3:21 pm

    Well then give David Cunliffe the extra 30 minutes to discuss Labour policies. Just because the sulky brat won’t front up for the full hour shouldn’t mean Cunliffe has to forego the opportunity. After all, the media owes him a thing or two after the way they’ve been behaving. Show the voters David that you’re not some namby pamby who is ashamed to be man.

    Man up mate!

  7. Ant 7
    12 September 2014 at 3:36 pm

    It certainly shows how compromised TVNZ is, they could have said 1 hour or we’ll give it all over to a Cunliffe interview and tell everyone you chickened out.

    • Saarbo 7.1
      12 September 2014 at 6:33 pm

      Yep, imagine if David Cunliffe had suggested truncating to 30 minutes: Both 6.00pm news’s would be leading with Cunliffe being a coward, Labour giving up, Armstrong would be calling for his resignation, blah, blah…

      clear double standards.

      • Rodel 7.1.1
        12 September 2014 at 7:22 pm

        Saarbo-precisely.
        If Cunliffe had done what Key has the journalists would be calling it a gaffe. So far what have we heard? A timid media silence.
        Actually it’s more of a right wing editorial refusal to acknowledge Key’s petulant fear of exposure.

        Key knows that Cunliffe has outclassed him in public debates and hopes that by slinking into the shadows and not fronting up voters will still think he’s competent.

        The sad thing is that with the usual obsequious assistance from the Hoskings, Armstrongs, Watkins, Slaters and Co., he probably will get away with it and voters will be left unaware.

  8. infused 8
    12 September 2014 at 3:38 pm

    Doesn’t seem to affect the voters anyway. More like Labour having a cry.

  9. Jack the Rat 9
    12 September 2014 at 4:04 pm

    Key needs to grow a pair and Man Up, he talks in weasel words and one liners, not alot of substance there.

  10. Ad 10
    12 September 2014 at 4:05 pm

    That sucking sound is National’s tide going out.

  11. heather 11
    12 September 2014 at 4:19 pm

    John’s on the cusp of something but he has forgotten what it is! Russell is being tricky for what ever reason, but the real problem is, that Labour and Greens start fighting with each other as seems to be happening in some quarters. Best to spend this last weekend doing something constructive like door knocking, canvassing or phoning, there’s still plenty of people that haven’t made up their minds – it’s amazing how easy it is to discuss Labour with them and help them make up their mind. You just have to get out there and do it! David Cunliff will be a great leader, the Labour policies are fantastic and will return New Zealand to a country that cares about the people who live here. Maybe ‘ infused’ would like to give a hand this weekend, a bit of sign waving is good for you, makes you feel really one with the people with all the toots and supportive waves.

  12. Zolan 12
    12 September 2014 at 4:34 pm

    It seems that Key’s con-artisty doesn’t hold up if he can’t control the conversation, as in the tele-debate format.

    But I’m still wary. Labour should assume National’s team has a strategy, and that a brief and intense attack is prepared to run out the clock before details can be addressed.

    Labour could easily end up on the back foot — Having to prepare for any conceivable word-salad-question from Key, with no concise and clear line of attack against the morass of evasions.

    This is the one that will stick — It’s no time to get complacent.

  13. peterh 13
    12 September 2014 at 4:37 pm

    Key will be to busy sorting out Monday night, The heavy mates of Dotcom have arrived , I wonder if they are left wing

  14. feijoa 14
    12 September 2014 at 5:03 pm

    They could always talk to his office for the other half hour!!

  15. Bob 15
    12 September 2014 at 5:21 pm

    Just a sign he feels the election is won, why give your opposition screen time when you already have the election in the bag?

    • ScottGN 15.1
      12 September 2014 at 9:55 pm

      Especially given that when he has given Cunliffe any “screentime” he’s come off decidedly second-best.

    • McFlock 15.2
      12 September 2014 at 10:09 pm

      lol

      I think that’s sort of the point (wishful thinking notwithstanding – why wouldn’t he want to shoot for governing alone?).

      In a debate both key and cunliffe will get equal screentime.
      Key obviously believes that this will hurt the nats and give a boost to labour. You seem to agree with him.

      As do I 🙂

      • Draco T Bastard 15.2.1
        12 September 2014 at 10:32 pm

        +1 😈

        • AmaKiwi 15.2.1.1
          12 September 2014 at 11:52 pm

          It’s Dotcom’s revelations he doesn’t want to have to deal with in the debate.

          The storyline of this campaign will make a fantastic movie, unless Warner Brothers already owns the the rights to it.

          ” Just another asset sale,” says Key.

    • Local Kiwi 15.3
      13 September 2014 at 7:26 am

      Bob

      Pollitical + Opinion polls globally are all manipulated when you want to learn just search goggle Polls are manipulated there are 1.4 millions sites so dont beliieve all you hear or see much less speak fool.

  16. BLiP 16
    12 September 2014 at 10:40 pm

    ‘

    John Key’s decision to not participate in the so-called debate is the right one but, I suspect, hasn’t been made for the right reasons. The MSM’s attempt to reduce politics down to a form of entertainment is pernicious and has resulted in a complete arse-about-face situation where, rather than the MSN providing a service to politics, politics is now providing a service to the MSM. Rather than the MSM providing its consumers with anything like actual debate or support for the practise of democracy, it has reduced our politicians down to part-time celebs filling in space between advertisements. The lead-up to and the aftermath of the so-called debates provides seemingly endless additional copy as the punters pontificate about “who won” and “zingers” etc. In effect, the so-called debates are just the same as the polls in that the MSM is using them to manufacture content which it attempts to portray as delivering real information. The so-called debates have added no value to the wider political conversation and may even have detracted from it as blog thread after blog thread becomes cluttered with win/loss battle analogies typically seen on sports pages.

    Still, having had another of my stream-of-consciousness rants, I do agree that John Key’s decision is a tactical mistake. Now is not the time to bring order to the MSM and its a matter of making the best of a bad situation. For National Ltd™, John Key has just made a bad sitiuation even worse. Nice one.

    • Rich 16.1
      12 September 2014 at 10:46 pm

      re National Ltd™

      Judging by the lack of policy and of substance now from several National ministers, including today Tolley, recently Key and English and of course Perata, and laws that have made it into legislation here which give the impression that they might have been drafted north and east of us, I think that should be (Multi)National Ltd™

      • BLiP 16.1.1
        12 September 2014 at 11:04 pm

        ‘

        Heh! Wasn’t that a telling Freudian slip by John Key. Not only did it give away his actual intentions for New Zealand, it also displayed National Ltd™’s dismissive attitude to the concept of our beautiful mutual multi and bi cultural society. For John Key the word “society” is synonymous with “business” so the slip is probably understandable given his inner mercantile and all pervading belief system.

    • Local Kiwi 16.2
      13 September 2014 at 7:30 am

      Well said Blip I hope the dull brained MSM wake up before we loose the coutry to this nasty lot of carpetbaggers and finally after all the Dirty politics saga carries on, come to our rescue…

  17. stever 17
    12 September 2014 at 11:06 pm

    So, the big question, given all this, that MSM need to keep asking is: what new laws do you have planned for your next term, PM? And what changes to current laws do you have planned, PM?

    The usual weasel-worded reply is, of course “we have no plans to…”, but that’s hardly a credible response during an election campaign (or if he gives that response then that’s a clear mistake on his part).

    So, force him (and them) to say what they will enact. We have a right to know.

    • Local Kiwi 17.1
      13 September 2014 at 7:37 am

      Exactly Stever,

      By Key not releasing any solid bottom line policy platform they can come back after and say we were voted back!

      Then now will proceed to sell us into slavery in after secretly signing us up to the aggressive rules of the TPPA and clamp down on free speech and workers rights and then increase taxes to pay for their pork barrel promises.

      They will open all foriegn bids to buy any remaining crown assets.

  18. tricle up 18
    12 September 2014 at 11:08 pm

    The democratic process is not johns ,give it back i want to be fully inform..as far as i know the word democratic still exists in my world…

  19. weka 19
    12 September 2014 at 11:41 pm

    “dont russell the horses”

    😀

  20. rich the other 20
    13 September 2014 at 6:54 am

    Only 30 minutes , that’s a long time when you’re facing public humiliation .
    When will it end , it seems like hours , when can we go home .
    These must be the thoughts going through cunliffes mind .
    Key must be in shock and can’t believe his luck ,so much to talk about , the greens move to cuddle up to National has left cunliffe and the left completely impotent , the demise of labour at the hands of the greens continues .

  21. Local Kiwi 21
    13 September 2014 at 7:45 am

    Key- its all over rover so go rove some other country to plunder shitbag!

  22. Disabled Liberation Aotearoa NZ DLANZ 22
    13 September 2014 at 5:20 pm

    What concerns me is the lack of real ‘General Leadership Debates’ we used to have back on the day. Disabled DLANZ think National and with the support of Labor, have monopolized the Media.

    I also think these Broadcasters are playing to their Ad Makers commercial interests….my view

    Regards and keep emiling
    Doug Hay
    Cordinator DLANZ

  23. Clemgeopin 23
    13 September 2014 at 5:47 pm

    The TV1 guide for next Wednesday, 17th Sept, 7 pm, does show only half an hour for the leader’s debate.

    Vote 2014 : 19:00 – 19:30

    When you say that the PM’s office does not agree to a one hour debate, did Key give a reason why he has chickened out? I haven’t seen any news item on it.

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    104 articles by 574 contributing authors Physical science of climate change, effects Delayed impacts of Arctic sea-ice loss on Eurasian severe cold winters Jang et al. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres 10.1029/2021jd035286 Observations of climate change, effects Divergent responses of terrestrial carbon use efficiency to climate variation from 2000 ...
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  • Labour’s Eyes Wide Shut To “Unruly Tenants”.
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    Bowalley Road
    5 days ago

  • Is the mob coming for Charles Darwin?
    Richard Dawkins recently noted the giants of the past are being sanctimoniously judged by nonentities of the present whose only qualification is still being alive to do so. How will the future judge our own time when we are not around? Peter Franklin from Unherd examines whether the woke can ...
    RedlineBy Admin
    5 days ago

  • Blowing a Hole in Your Own Wall: Idiotic Tampering with MIQ
    Managed Isolation/Quarantine has been a fact of life for New Zealand for eighteen months. It’s not popular – there are only so many spaces available at any given time, and the process is famously opaque – but it is the key to saving New Zealand from rampant Coronavirus. That, ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago

  • Now Labour wants secret trials
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    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • The end of a toxic leader
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  • A transformative government in Germany
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    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • Political Harakiri
    The National party must always have known that they were taking a risk when they elected Judith Collins as leader. There were, after all, good reasons why they repeatedly declined to accept her candidature when she offered herself – as she frequently did. She was always an inappropriate person to ...
    Bryan GouldBy Bryan Gould
    5 days ago

  • Thanksgiving advice, 2021: How to deal with climate change-denying Uncle Pete
    This is a re-post from the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists by Richard Somerville “Birds of a feather flock together,” so I am sure that nearly all of those reading this article accept the main findings of climate science. Yet many people don’t. Instead, they believe a variety of climate ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the demotion of Simon Bridges
    So Simon Bridges has been bounced from the front bench and stripped of his shadow portfolio responsibilities for the crudely “inappropriate” comments that he allegedly made to a female colleague, Jacqui Dean – and personally apologised for – about five years ago. After years of mocking Labour for its supposed ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    6 days ago

  • NZ Politics Daily: 25 November 2021
    Today’s NZPD testimonial from Dr Rosemary Wette, Associate Professor, Applied Linguistics, University of Auckland: “I’ve been browsing regularly through NZ Politics Daily for several months now. It gives me access to a range of views on current issues (helpfully organised by topic) that I wouldn’t otherwise have time to look up, or ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    6 days ago

  • The bizarre case of the Royal Society investigating academics defending science
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    RedlineBy Admin
    6 days ago

  • Ian Powell: Unionism and nursing in New Zealand
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    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    6 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Today’s constitutional disgrace in Parliament
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    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    6 days ago

  • Vaping needs much tighter regulation as we approach Smokefree Aotearoa 2025: Two new studies
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    SciBlogsBy Public Health Expert
    6 days ago

  • Strange Defeat: A Guest Post By Dr. Chris Harris.
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  • More than 147km – the transformative potential of the Wellington bike network plan
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    SciBlogsBy Public Health Expert
    7 days ago

  • NZ Politics Daily: 24 November 2021
    Today’s NZPD testimonial from Liz Brown, Senior communications advisor, Association of Salaried Medical Specialists: “The NZ Politics Daily is a fabulous resource providing a comprehensive one stop shop on what’s making news and how stories are being covered. I look forward to seeing it pop into my inbox every morning.” Anyone can sign ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    7 days ago

  • Climate Change: Taking us for a ride
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    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • Climate Change: An industry in denial
    Over the past few years it has become clear that coal has no future in Aotearoa. Rising carbon prices, a ban on new boilers and a legislated phase-out for existing infrastructure are going to drive it out of the market. To reinforce this, the government signed up for an anti-coal ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • The “most open and transparent government ever” again
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    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • Gordon Campbell on farmers playing the victim, plus Chile’s right turn
    Among the farming lobby groups, the good cop/bad cop routine has been working a treat. It suits Federated Farmers to keep daylight between itself and the Groundswell movement. Month in, year out the Federation continues to engage with the government over the very same water degradation/climate change regulations that Groundswell ...
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    1 week ago

  • Important People
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    Bryan GouldBy Bryan Gould
    1 week ago

  • Parliament, the Courts and the end of three strikes (for now)
    Last week, Parliament embarked on the process of repealing the so-called “three strikes” provisions in the Sentencing Act 2002. Given that Labour, the Greens and Te Paati Māori all supported this repeal Bill at first reading (and that NZ First no longer is in government to block the move), three strikes’ eventual legislative demise seems ...
    PunditBy Andrew Geddis
    1 week ago

  • NZ Politics Daily: 23 November 2021
    Today’s NZPD testimonial from Martyn Bradbury, Editor, The Daily Blog “’NZ Politics Daily’ is one of the most important news and political resources run in New Zealand. The expert collation of opinion and news makes it an invaluable day to day resource as well as an incredible treasure for researchers in the future. ...
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    1 week ago

  • New Zealand’s Emission Reduction Plan
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    SciBlogsBy Guest Author
    1 week ago

  • Dissing The Farmers.
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    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago

  • How will carbon pricing impact inflation?
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    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • (Lack of) Public Service Announcement: The National Library of New Zealand, Internet Archive, and Al...
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    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago

  • Game over for the HRPP
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    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • Chinese influence and American hate diffusion.
    Over the last decade concerns have been raised about Chinese “influence operations” in NZ and elsewhere. Run by CCP-controlled “United Front” organisations, influence operations are designed to promote PRC interests and pro-PRC views within the economic and political elites of the targeted country as well as Chinese diaspora communities. The ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    1 week ago

  • The Real Interests Of The Country.
    Off Message: Into the extremely fraught relationship between Town and Country, the Groundswell organisers have blundered like an Aberdeen-Angus steer in an organic vege-shop. Unreasonably proud of their rural economic virtues, and dangerously forthright in their enumeration of the cities’ political vices, these Kiwi equivalents of America’s “good ole boys” ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago

  • NZ Politics Daily: 22 November 2021
    Today’s NZPD testimonial from Minna Reid, Law student, Victoria University of Wellington “As a Uni student, staying up to date with current affairs is always important. The Daily Politics & Democracy Project by Bryce Edwards is of great service for this. It offers varying news sources I would not have found myself ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    1 week ago

  • Free speech is a people’s frank confession to itself
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    1 week ago

  • 2021 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #47
    Listing of articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, November 14, 2021 through Sat, November 20, 2021 The following articles sparked above average interest during the week: Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheeple? A.I. Maps 20 Years of Climate Conspiracies, COP Negotiators Demand Nations ...
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    1 week ago

  • The F Words, by Barbara Gregorich
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    1 week ago

  • The Scourge of the Aimless Kick
    The below-par All Black performance against France was – sadly – afflicted, again, by what has become a feature of New Zealand rugby – the scourge of the aimless kick. It is surely a truism that, to win a rugby match, you must have the ball. But time and time ...
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    1 week ago

  • Delta Rocks Gibraltar: Lessons to be learned from Covid-19’s global resurgence.
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    1 week ago

  • I’ll take the masks and vaccines, thank you
    From Stuff:I don't want to be pedantic, but I'm pretty sure neither masks nor vaccines figure much in the Gospel of Saint John; nor has Jesus shown much efficacy in protecting people from anything. ...
    Left hand palmBy lurgee
    1 week ago

  • Hell To Pay: The alarming similarities between the Anti-Vaccination Movement and the creators of the...
    Never Let Go: If the violent prejudices of the Jim Crow South, echoing through contemporary struggles, teach us anything, it is that the defence of rationality, science and progressivism must never be allowed to falter. Those pre-modern night-riders, filled with unrelenting hate, are still out there. If the troops of ...
    Bowalley Road
    2 weeks ago

  • A Peak Out of Auckland? + Other Covid Musings
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    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    2 weeks ago

  • Sing Song about Hard Times
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    PunditBy Brian Easton
    2 weeks ago

  • A good problem to have
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    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 weeks ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the politics of anger, plus a music playlist
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    2 weeks ago

  • More Vietnam Veterans to receive compensation for Agent Orange Exposure
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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago

  • Government commits to international effort to ban and regulate killer robots
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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago

  • New freedom camping rules – right vehicle, right place
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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago

  • Government invests to support a classic Kiwi summer
    Vaccinated New Zealanders can look forward to Kiwi summer events with confidence, while artists and crew will have more certainty, following the launch of details of the Arts and Culture Event Support Scheme, Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Carmel Sepuloni announced today. “The Government recognises that the arts and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago

  • Grace period for expired driver licences cruises into 2022
    Due to the ongoing Delta outbreak and extended lockdowns, all New Zealand driver licences and licence endorsements that expired on or after 21 July 2021 will now be valid until 31 May 2022, Transport Minister Michael Wood announced today. “This further extension to the validity of driver licenses recognises that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago

  • Delivered: 1,000 extra transitional homes
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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago

  • Traffic light levels announced
    The levels at which different parts of New Zealand will move forward into the COVID-19 Protection Framework this Friday have been announced. Northland, Auckland, Taupō and Rotorua Lakes Districts, Kawerau, Whakatane, Ōpōtiki Districts, Gisborne District, Wairoa District, Rangitikei, Whanganui and Ruapehu Districts will move in at Red The rest of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Financial support to move to traffic light system
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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • New Ambassador to Russia announced
    Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta today announced the appointment of Sarah Walsh as New Zealand’s next Ambassador to Russia. “Aotearoa New Zealand and Russia have a long-standing relationship, engaging on a range of regional and global interests including disarmament and Antarctica issues. We also work together as members of the East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • New Permanent Representative to the UN announced
    Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta today announced the appointment of Carolyn Schwalger as Permanent Representative to the New Zealand Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. “Aotearoa New Zealand is a founding member of the UN and we have worked hard to ensure our stance on human rights, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Further COVID-19 economic support for Cook Islands and Fiji announced
    Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta today announced a further package of support for the Cook Islands and Fiji for COVID-19 economic support and recovery. “Aotearoa New Zealand remains committed to supporting our Pacific fanau and vuvale to respond to the impacts of COVID-19 on their economies, and move towards long-term ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • New law will clear the air for tamariki in vehicles
    From today, it’s illegal to smoke or vape in most vehicles carrying children aged under 18 years old - whether the vehicle is moving or not. “Second-hand smoke poses an unacceptable risk to our tamariki and rangatahi,” Associate Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall said. “We know children in vehicles ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Nine countries designated very high risk
    Nine southern African countries are being added to the very high risk countries list following public health advice around the newly discovered COVID-19 variant Omicron, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said. This afternoon, a public health risk assessment was carried out to assess the emerging evidence and any risk to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Foreign Affairs Minister concludes final stage of world trip
    Foreign Affairs Minister Hon Nanaia Mahuta today departed North America to return home to Aotearoa, concluding the last stage of her 17-day world trip. The final leg of her trip saw her visit the United States of America and Canada for a number of high-level discussions. While in Washington D.C., ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Milestone launch of Pacific Languages Unit
    Today’s official launch of the Pacific Languages Unit is a milestone for our Pacific communities, the Minister for Pacific Peoples, Aupito William Sio said. The Pacific Languages Unit brings together a new set of language supports within the Ministry for Pacific Peoples to provide advice, commission research, maintain standards, promote ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Public Health Lecture – University of Otago
    Public Health - Lessons from New Zealand’s COVID-19 response and opportunities for the future E nga mana, E nga reo,                                          E nga iwi. Tēna koutou katoa. Ka huri ki nga mana whenua o te rohe nei. Tēna koutou. He mihi hoki ki a tatou kua tau mai nei I raro I ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • New Zealand statement on situation in Honiara, Solomon Islands
    Aotearoa New Zealand is deeply concerned by the events which have been unfolding in Honiara, Solomon Islands, since Wednesday. “New Zealand is a long-standing partner of Solomon Islands, and there are deep and enduring connections between our two countries,” Acting Foreign Affairs Minister David Parker said. “Our engagement in Solomon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Nailed it! Over 500 apprentices get jobs boost
    Over 500 apprentices and cadets have been placed into work across New Zealand thanks to the Government’s booming build programme, that’s both constructing public houses, and maintaining older homes. Housing Minister Megan Woods announced the milestone today at a public housing construction site in Riccarton, Christchurch. “This Government’s investment in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Investment to support maternal mental health
    Associate Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall has announced an investment to help expand maternal mental health services in five District Health Boards. “Supporting parent’s mental wellbeing during their child’s first 1000 days, from conception to two years of age, is critical to the long-term emotional, mental and physical wellbeing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Workplace vaccination requirements extended to cover Police and NZ Defence Force
    With the support of the organisations, additional vaccination requirements will cover sworn members, recruits and authorised officers of the New Zealand Police, and all New Zealand Defence Force staff. First doses of the vaccine for workers in these organisations are required by 17 January 2022, and second doses by 1 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Aotearoa New Zealand and Canada to pursue greater Indigenous collaboration
    During her visit to Ottawa, the Honourable Nanaia Mahuta, New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs and Associate Minister for Māori Development, met with the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Canadian Minister of Indigenous Services, and the Honourable Marc Miller, Canadian Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, to further expand and develop the positive relationship ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Māori vaccination rates reach 80% first dose
    Associate Minister of Health (Māori) Hon Peeni Henare today confirmed that Māori across the motu have now reached 80 percent for first doses of the COVID-19 vaccination nationally. “We have seen a huge increase in vaccinations for Māori throughout November, since the beginning of the month the increase for first ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Subsequent Children legislation to change
    The Government has today introduced legislation that will reverse provisions in the Oranga Tamariki Act as part of a path to rebuild trust and confidence in the organisation. “The Oranga Tamariki Amendment Bill makes a number of changes but by far the most important is the partial repeal of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Security Information in Proceedings Legislation Bill introduced to Parliament
    The Minister of Justice has confirmed the introduction of the Security Information in Proceedings Legislation Bill to Parliament. National security information is information which, if disclosed, would be likely to prejudice New Zealand’s security, defence, or international relations. “This Bill adds to the Government’s work to strengthen New Zealand’s protections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Shortcomings revealed in power cut investigation
    No household should have had their power disconnected 18 recommendations, mostly EA and Transpower related The EA must strengthen its oversight of the system operator An investigation into power cuts that left more than 34,000 households without electricity on one of the coldest nights of the year has found that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • COVID-19 Protection Framework supported by new testing and contact tracing strategy
    Wider use of rapid antigen testing from 1 December Increasing daily laboratory capacity to 60,000 PCR tests Q1 2022 A new national telehealth case investigation service with 475 investigators A nearly $1 billion investment in testing, contact tracing and case investigation A new national testing strategy will provide better protection ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Supporting New Zealanders to recover from COVID-19 in the community
    $300 million boost to Pharmac to buy new medicines to treat COVID-19 Care in the Community approach will see most cases receive initial contact from a healthcare provider wiithin 24 hours Support pack provided within 48 hours Regular health checks throughout recovery The Government is increasing the support for New ...
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    5 days ago

  • Additional support for people isolating at home
    New regional MSD COVID-19 welfare teams to coordinate social service support for those isolating at home Regional teams working alongside other government agencies, iwi/Māori and community providers for housing, food and income support Government investment of $204.1m into welfare system support for Care in the Community Minister for Social Development ...
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    5 days ago

  • Tax bill provides vital support for families
    A boost to Working for Families tax credits, as part of a package of financial support that will see 346,000 families better off, has been passed into law late last night.  Revenue Minister David Parker said the measures would lift the incomes of those receiving the Family Tax Credit, the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • New text service to support disabled peoples’ vaccinations
    Efforts to support disabled peoples’ vaccinations go from strength-to-strength with the launch of a new text service, Minister for Disability Issues Carmel Sepuloni announced today. The service, run by Whakarongorau Aotearoa on behalf of the Ministry of Health, is in response to feedback from the disability community and is an ...
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    6 days ago

  • Proactive Calendar Release – October 2021
    ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Pacific community reach vaccination milestone
    Pacific communities across the nation have rolled up their sleeves and played their part to reach a major vaccination milestone, 90 percent  have now had their first vaccination, Aupito William Sio, Minister for Pacific Peoples and Associate Minister of Health said. “Reaching this milestone reflects the work Pacific Health Providers ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Reconnecting New Zealand – the next steps
    Fully vaccinated Kiwis and other eligible travellers can travel to NZ from Australia without staying in MIQ from 11.59pm Sunday, 16 January 2022 Fully vaccinated Kiwis and other eligible travellers can travel to NZ from all other countries from 11.59pm Sunday, 13 February 2022 All fully vaccinated individuals will be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Shot in the arm for Canterbury tourism
    A brand new tourism attraction launched in the Canterbury high country is designed to transform the regional economy from seasonal peaks and troughs of past visitor trends. Regional Economic Development and Tourism Minister Stuart Nash has officially opened the Ōpuke Pools at Methven, which received government backing from the Provincial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Combined efforts connecting locals to nature
    A Government investment in six community and iwi-led projects across the Hawke’s Bay district will provide nature-based jobs for more than 60 locals, Conservation Minister Kiri Allan says. “Combined, these projects are contributing to a really ambitious conservation effort across the region, while at the same time up-skilling and offering ...
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    6 days ago

  • Empowering Diverse Communities
    Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence and Sexual Violence Marama Davidson has approved five funding grants to support national-level family violence and sexual violence prevention initiatives for LGBTQIA+ people, disabled people, older people and new migrant communities. “Local community initiatives are a key lever in reducing violence. The Government ...
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    7 days ago

  • Moriori Claims Settlement Bill passes Third Reading
    The Moriori Claims Settlement Bill has passed its third reading at Parliament, marking the completion of the historical Treaty of Waitangi settlement process for Moriori. “This is the final milestone for Moriori and the Crown and is a new beginning in our relationship,” Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Andrew ...
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  • Permanent drug-checking law passed and new providers appointed
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