Key to lay police complaint against debate worm

Written By: - Date published: 7:20 am, November 22nd, 2011 - 104 comments
Categories: election 2011, john key, phil goff - Tags: ,

The 2nd TV debate was a 2nd win for Goff. He was human and humane, visionary and realistic. Key made excuses for his poor record, tried to hide in detail, and cast a sullen eye to the future. The worm told the story. So did the Right’s reaction. But, next debate, ditch the ‘expert’ panelists. We don’t need these know-it-all do-nothings telling us how to think.

I mean a failed National Party candidate/racist loser (who, ironically, is leaving for Australia for higher wages) and the wife of the head of the country’s largest mining concern (who is very pro the privatisation of his company) – why do I need them to tell me what I’ve just seen? At least they didn’t have that awful, vacuous, Tory Clare Robinson – who will, no doubt, be inflicted on us again on Wednesday by TVNZ.

The undecideds controlling the worm loved Goff. Not because he mouthed empty the platitudes like Dunne did in 2002, giving the worm a bad rep, but because he talked about the real problems and offered real solutions. Key droned on making excuses and the worm fell and fell and fell.

The really interesting bit for me was at the start of the second question. Both Goff and Key went to start answering. Bit of crosstalk. Goff says ‘you go first John, and I’ll respond’. Worm shoots up. The received wisdom on these debates is not to show an ounce of weakness, never back down. But it turns out people like people who have good manners. And, in a funny way, if you’re the one who can wait for your turn, maybe you’re the one in the more powerful position.

This was a real coup for Goff because he exceeded expectations. The worm, especially the home worm, seemed tailor-made for Key’s style of catch-phrases and grins. I expected Key to go at this like a terrier.

Instead, he seemed tired, withdrawn. Like he had had enough. And longed for the days when he could just fire an upstart underling rather than go through this democracy thing. Even his opening address was tepid and half-hearted. The worm flat-lined.

Key was also off on NewstalkZB yesterday morning. Making flat, insulting ‘jokes’ to the host and several times commenting about wanting something from the ‘top-shelf’ rather than tea. Hosking walked all over him at will.

Leaves me wondering what National’s internals are saying, especially about people’s attitudes to Brand Key, after the tea tapes debacle.

Goff on the other hand was at his very best. Not over the top. Not overly negative. Statesman-like. In control. And in touch with what we care about. Prime Ministerial, even.

104 comments on “Key to lay police complaint against debate worm ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. ianmac 1
    22 November 2011 at 7:47 am

    Phil Goff = Prime Ministerial.

  2. Uturn 2
    22 November 2011 at 7:49 am

    If I was John Campbell, I would file a defamation suit against the WORM. The largest drop all night was during a point were Goff finished speaking and John Campbell moved the discussion topic. From a peak near the upper limit of the graph, it immediately plummeted by what looked like 80% of it’s hieght.

    Some say this was when the WORM was being switched from studio to home viewers… but we know better. The media has a bias against JC and had obviously infiltrated the at home audience. If we give him any attention, Duncan Garner will scream and scream. I suspect that if the WORM was powered by texts from CDMA network mobile phones, whenever Campbell spoke the WORM would have crawled up over the edge of the TV screen.

  3. mickysavage 3
    22 November 2011 at 8:16 am

    The role of senior media management in editorial decisions needs a good investigation.

    Campbell was an extraordinarily good host and obviously distressed at the choice of Paul Henry as a panelist. His gentle criticism of Henry’s declaring that Key had won was wonderfully good. His tweet later on also spoke volumes. It said:

    “CampbellLiveNZA clarification: The debate was a 3 News leaders debate. It was hosted by @JohnJCampbell but Campbell Live had no input into the panelists.”

    Why in a democracy are we letting these bastards tilt the playing field?

    • Deuto 3.1
      22 November 2011 at 9:04 am

      I quickly flipped through the comments on the TV3 site this morning and overwhelmingly these were higly negative at Henry’s inclusion on the panel. Many also stated that they would not be watching TV# on Sat night if he was also on then. This may be the reason for Campbell’s tweet; and hopefully TV3 senior management will take note of the comments re Henry.

    • Lanthanide 3.2
      22 November 2011 at 10:02 am

      Henry was completely and utterly out of place, his element and his depth.

      He later made some pro-Goff comments and I can’t help but think it was anything other than aping the other panellists and trying to ‘inject balance’ into his own performance.

  4. the sprout 4
    22 November 2011 at 8:28 am

    Agreed, Goff did a great job.
    Key on the other hand, looked shifty and smarmy.
    The worm has some taste.

  5. Tracey 5
    22 November 2011 at 8:28 am

    I don’t understand why it is so hard to get people capable of neutrally observing (if we need them at all), but paul Henry is hardly neutral?

    • Bored 5.1
      22 November 2011 at 2:55 pm

      Henry is a parody of a real person….fuck knows what turkeys like him do to get the jobs they have. Such a non entity.

  6. Olwyn 6
    22 November 2011 at 8:33 am

    It verges on parody: a panel consisting of a mining boss’s wife, an ex-National candidate & a National party shill is something you would have expected on that old TV show about Alan B’astard.

    • Colonial Viper 6.1
      22 November 2011 at 8:42 am

      I do believe that is more correctly spelt B’stard.

      • Roy 6.1.1
        22 November 2011 at 9:05 am

        I own the complete DVD collection of The New Statesman and yes, it is B’stard.

        My teenage sons and I have been quoting Alan B’stard a lot in this election run-up, and frequently expressing the view that Alan B’stard is preferable to John Key because while both are loathsome Tories, at least Alan is honest about his loathsome Tory opinions.

  7. aj 7
    22 November 2011 at 8:34 am

    A little way into the debate, after Goff had made some strong points in rebuttal to some of Key’s claims, Key virtually surrended the debate by saying ‘look we could bat numbers around here all night but….’
    I agree, he looked like he didn’t want to be there and Goff did.

    • the sprout 7.1
      22 November 2011 at 8:52 am

      Key started off very confident and bushy tailed though.
      But he surrendered after just a couple of whacks

      • queenstfarmer 7.1.1
        22 November 2011 at 10:06 am

        Really? I thought Phil opened excellently and John poorly, but John eventually recovered to finish on par with Phil. But because of his superior performance in the opening, it was a win to Phil.

        • felix 7.1.1.1
          22 November 2011 at 10:16 am

          Yeah I kinda saw it that way too q. Key seemed to spark up a bit at the end but too little too late, the damage was done.

          Just looked like a tired sad sack of shit for most of it tbh.

        • Bazar 7.1.1.2
          22 November 2011 at 3:50 pm

          Indeed, i think Goff opened well.

          But i also have to agree that while it was nice to listen to, it was just running commentary about hardships. There was no actual substance to it, other then a few shots.

          Which is why i think the worm was so positive to goff. Its hard to be negative when talking about poverty, and it was a good story. So rather then what a lot of right wingers want to believe, it probably was undecided voters controling the worm, not a left-wing conspiracy.

          Still it was a win to Goff on that.

          The later half however i felt key was at his best and Goff was just struggling to survive.
          Key performed very well on asset sales, and Goff got punished for not ruling out Peters as a partner.

          So it was a win to Key

          In the end i’m considering it a tie.
          But i’m left wondering if that actually is the case. Goff won on emotions, Key won on facts and figures.
          Which has the greatest and longest lasting impact on undecided voters?

          • felix 7.1.1.2.1
            22 November 2011 at 3:59 pm

            In what way was Goff talking about hardship not factual?

            Can you name some of these facts & figures you say Key presented?

  8. Busman007 8
    22 November 2011 at 8:38 am

    One eyed is what i read here , Labour members exposed , smacks of desperation some of these postings

  9. infused 9
    22 November 2011 at 8:43 am

    he’s leaving for aussie because this country is so god damm pc.

    Remove the worm, it’s just a distraction.

    • Colonial Viper 9.1
      22 November 2011 at 8:46 am

      So he’s going to be shill for the One Nation Party? Personally I thought his new $1M pay package had something to do with it. Tory shills always get their corporate rewards.

    • Roy 9.2
      22 November 2011 at 9:17 am

      From your post, I have jsut learnt that “so god damm (sic) pc” is synonymous with “not racist enough”. Hmmm, thought so.

  10. mickysavage 10
    22 November 2011 at 8:47 am

    Good tweet that is doing the rounds:

    “John Key’s biggest cheerleader after the debate was Paul Henry and even he’s leaving NZ for higher wages.”

  11. Blue 11
    22 November 2011 at 8:54 am

    I love how the media just can’t bring themselves to admit that Goff won and that the audience loved him. They’re all trying to qualify the hell out of it, saying that the issues played more to Goff’s strengths, repeating DPF’s ridiculous claims about the studio audience being rigged etc.

    It’s like they won’t allow Phil to be popular or to be a winner.

    Time to wake up, fourth estate. The worm has turned, and no matter how much you try to shill for Key, he is on his way out. He’s been badly shaken by the ‘teapot tapes’ and has now retreated into a protective fantasy world where Kiwis support asset sales, he knows better than Aroha why she is leaving NZ, and the police have spare time on their hands.

  12. Tigger 12
    22 November 2011 at 8:54 am

    I want to laud the brillaint heading to this post. And I’m sure he would if he could.

    • Danielle Pattenden 12.1
      22 November 2011 at 10:18 am

      I got really confused by it … is it serious? I wouldn’t be surprised if it was

      • lprent 12.1.1
        22 November 2011 at 11:00 pm

        Nope. I think that Zet is angling for a sub-editors job at the granny herald. You know the ones – those that shunt a headline on to stories that bears no or a very tenuous relationship to the body of the story.

        But this post did have significiantly higher than usual page views. It made me read it when I saw it on the queue…

  13. Tigger 13
    22 November 2011 at 8:55 am

    I want to laud the brilliant heading to this post. And I’m sure he would if he could.

  14. dd 14
    22 November 2011 at 8:55 am

    I see the young nats are out in force on damage control duties this moring,

    Posting up a storm on stuff and NZherald.

    So much work to make our country so much worse. It’s quite tragic really.

  15. Rob 15
    22 November 2011 at 9:04 am

    What, as opposed to the left posting up a storm on the standard everyday in the misguided belief that this actually helps people.

    • felix 15.1
      22 November 2011 at 9:32 am

      Left?

      That’s not how you spell “National Party Research Unit”

      • Rob 15.1.1
        22 November 2011 at 9:35 am

        Yes well done Felix , you are correct, its not how you spell “National Party Research Unit”. You must have scored very well in your NCEA assesements

  16. Tombstone 16
    22 November 2011 at 9:06 am

    Agreed – Goff had Key on the ropes and the commentary after the debate was in my opinion pretty dsigraceful given the biased slant that made up the panel. Goff seemed more poised but also more determined to take the fight to John and he did a bloody good job of it. Key tried to answer to child poverty and high unemployment stats by playing the all too familiar deny deny deny game but it didn’t pay off. People know the score. They know the numbers are bad and they know John Key is ultimately the man who has been at the helm as those numbers have continued to stack up. John needs to man up and accept responsibilty like a real bloke and a real leader of integrity would. He hasn’t done that. He won’t do that. And that to me says it all. He’s a coward. Good riddance to him. Good on ya Goff!

  17. vto 17
    22 November 2011 at 9:07 am

    Chris Trotter wrote a good column in the Press this morning, basically saying that for many of the Key supporters to now question their faith and belief in Key is nigh on impossible. It challenges their own belief in their judgment etc (an entirely natural human reaction). And so to protect themselves and their own assessment of their judgment the fronts are constructed and blinkers attached…. go the young nats ha ha

    • ianmac 17.1
      22 November 2011 at 10:59 am

      vto. Can’t find the Chris Trotter column. Link?

    • mike 17.2
      22 November 2011 at 1:24 pm

      Yep, it’s called cognitive dissonance. They can’t back down now because that’s admitting that they got conned, that their judgement is faulty. That’s too painful to believe so they cling to the alternative and defend their man to the hilt. That’s why we get the National fans on this blog who will never admit they are wrong even when their arguments are reduced to absurdity, as often happens.

      The sociopathic politician understands this implicitly. He doesn’t need everyone to fall for it, just enough. The rest can jump up and down and call him what they like, he knows those under his spell won’t listen because of cognitive dissonance, poisoning the well, and other propoganda manipulation techniques (e.g. lying). In fact the complaints of others may increase the solidarity of his support, due to cognitive dissonance.

  18. Pete George 18
    22 November 2011 at 9:12 am

    The worm controversy is a major distraction, not just during the debate but now it distracts from Goff getting attention for his generally confident and accomplished performance in the debate.

  19. Ron 19
    22 November 2011 at 9:17 am

    Why was Plunket not used as an interviewer. Is it true that National Strategists refsued to allow Key to appear if Plunket was used?

  20. Dv 20
    22 November 2011 at 9:19 am

    Fromstuff.
    The studio audience was choosen by Roy Morgan to spread across age etc.

    • Vicky32 20.1
      22 November 2011 at 5:39 pm

      “The studio audience was choosen by Roy Morgan to spread across age etc.”

      And I have just heard a trailer for an item on 3 News asking “But was the studio audience really undecided?” (That’s Key’s excuse I gather)

  21. Maggie May 21
    22 November 2011 at 9:32 am

    Keys voice was flatlining as if he was reading or reciting just about everything he said.

    It is very obvious that he is still been told what to say and he is having trying to pretend sincerity while trying to remember what to say.

    John Key looked uncomfortable while Phil Goff looked quite comfortable and in control.

    Thank you Phil you give me hope for the future.

  22. Share Investor 22
    22 November 2011 at 9:47 am

    Trevor Mallard’s opinion on his leader on Twitter this morning:

    [deleted]

    [lprent: For those who are interested, the actual post is about a twitter comment with nothing in it. The idiot who left this comment makes a great todo about it. Since there isn’t an explanation here to allow people to make up their mind if they want to follow the link (like mine), I consider that this is just a stupid link-whore and I zapped the link.

    Of course Trevor is a busy guy at present. Far busier than I, and I leave half written and badly edited comments all over the place. This idiot just wrote a post that looks like one of those comments. ]

  23. tsmithfield 23
    22 November 2011 at 10:18 am

    There is a fundamental problem for Goff:

    1. He needs the Greens as a coalition partner.
    2. He desperately needs NZ first to make 5%.

    The problem is that if Goff performs strongly, he is likely to weaken the Greens support by attracting support back to Labour from the Greens. Also, and more problematic is that he is likely to draw support back from NZ First, reducing the likelihood that they will pass 5%.

    • Lanthanide 23.1
      22 November 2011 at 10:53 am

      Um, it doesn’t really matter who gets the votes out of Labour or the Greens, because to be government they have to be a coalition. If Greens get 17 MPs and Labour gets 33 is not really any different than the Greens getting 11 and Labour getting 39.

    • felix 23.2
      22 November 2011 at 1:30 pm

      I love how righties pretend that Winston’s votes come from Labour.

  24. dd 24
    22 November 2011 at 10:18 am

    I almost sense blood.

    I reckon the swing could be on. It’s going down to the wire I reckon.

    Clear favourites are still obviously National but the Key factor is getting broken down. Goff just has to keep preforming at this level. Key just looked tired and flat. I think the teapot saga has taken a lot out of him.

    Go the underdogs!

    • Hami Shearlie 24.1
      22 November 2011 at 11:32 pm

      Sickly looking John, it’s obvious he has tannin poisoning from all that Epsom Tea! What he needs to do is have a massive dose of Epsom salts – or another meeting with Banksie – they both have the same effect!

      • mik e 24.1.1
        22 November 2011 at 11:45 pm

        He will have to have another cup of something with Banks if the polls don’t look good.
        otherwise its cigars and whisky with winnie for second term maybe he could become ACTS leader if he doesn’t make it over the line thats where the has beens end up

  25. Olwyn 25
    22 November 2011 at 10:22 am

    The “narrative” that PR & media shills have been so keen to control may yet take a Mills & Boon turn, with NZ as the beautiful, talented maiden, harbouring a secret sorrow, Key as the Lothario who almost seduces her, and Goff as the decent guy who loved her all along, whom she has overlooked up until the last two or three pages.

  26. randal 26
    22 November 2011 at 10:54 am

    Good onya Phil.
    about time somebody took the little geek kweewee down a peg or two.
    as for him calling the cops he seems to be doing it all the time.
    whats the matter with him?

  27. marsman 27
    22 November 2011 at 11:03 am

    Love the pic of John Key in Stuff showing the worm going down and Key looking shifty.

  28. Brooklyn 28
    22 November 2011 at 11:06 am

    Yeah, Goff did well but he coulda done better on the bit about coalition partners. I like Brian Gould’s line on RNZ this morning… more or less “stinks but you gotta play the cards dealt to you”. More plausible than anything beginning with “I trust Winston Peters…”. Why the Nats keeping ACT on life support doesn’t resonate the same I don’t know.

  29. ghostwhowalksnz 29
    22 November 2011 at 11:11 am

    Farrogoblog is very silent on any national supporters that may have go onto the panel

    Yet within a short time of the worm finishing he has a copy of the email sent out for volunteers to come into the ‘worm ‘ studio panel.

    probably they got one or two supporters on board as well – but kept quie about it.

    • fmacskasy 29.1
      23 November 2011 at 1:16 am

      Farrar’s blog piece on the worm and so-called activist-infiltrators into the audience was pathetic, laughable, but mostly creepy.

      The guy is now tracking down individuals and compiling dossiers on them, Stasi-style?

      Bizarre.

      The right wing sink to an all time new low.

  30. Uturn 30
    22 November 2011 at 12:03 pm

    Pretty sure that the media aren’t prejudice agianst Goff or Key or Labour/National or anyone else. They are running to a convoluted reactionary pattern that defers first to who provides the best entertainment (they then push that person for good or bad) and second, who matches the internal etiquette of their organisations.

    The only way Key could be said to have “won” last night is because he played the sneering bored manager toward Goff. Everyone knows, the person who has valid points to make, who can prove the manager wrong – in a corporate environment – loses. The media personnel will simply be reflecting part of their professional environment: If they back Key, even though he lost logically, it is a reflection of professional Stocklholm Syndrome.

    I wanted it to be easy, for them simply to be bias one way or the other, but they seem to hate everyone equally, then themselves, then refind objectivity in short bursts, then hate the alternative of what they just endorsed.

  31. tsmithfield 31
    22 November 2011 at 12:27 pm

    If people here seriously believe Goff is going to win, then you should be shorting Key to win on Ipredict at the moment. That is at 92% still. Alternatively you could buy Goff to win for a similar return. Either way, you stand to make approx 9 x your investment if it goes your way with minimal risk.

    In fact, I have 20 bucks on Key to lose, so if, in the unlikely event Key does lose, at least I pick up some cash. So, either way I can have some cause to be happy.

    • felix 31.1
      22 November 2011 at 1:34 pm

      Most people simply aren’t interested in that smutty little pokies bar.

      • tsmithfield 31.1.1
        22 November 2011 at 5:51 pm

        Code for: To scared to put your money where your mouth/keyboard is.

        • felix 31.1.1.1
          22 November 2011 at 6:30 pm

          Code for better things to do with my money than gamble it like a $30 whore.

          • tsmithfield 31.1.1.1.1
            22 November 2011 at 9:24 pm

            Umm, thats not a very nice thing about the noble profession of prostitution that is enshrined in our legislation now. I would have thought the moderators would have picked you up for some sort of pc crime there.

  32. Lanthanide 32
    22 November 2011 at 12:46 pm

    Article on stuff with an interview of the Roy Morgan organiser, who says that it wasn’t rigged although was slightly Labour-leaning:

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/campaign-trail/6011632/Debate-worm-was-not-rigged

    Audience members were put into coloured-categories depending on their party of preference and Roy Morgan could see how they were voting.

    “With John Key, the audience was quite polarised almost all the time he was speaking, whereas Phil Goff managed on a couple of occasions to actually draw National Party-leaning people towards his point of view on a couple of occasions.

    • felix 32.1
      22 November 2011 at 1:40 pm

      And that’s the point right there: if both debaters were anywhere near equally convincing then a slightly Labour-leaning audience might be expected to show a slight preference for what Phil was saying.

      But there was nothing slight about the results. That was a slaughter.

    • Uturn 32.2
      22 November 2011 at 2:13 pm

      “… Phil Goff managed on a couple of occasions to actually draw National Party-leaning people towards his point of view …”

      Those people were deep-cover Labour Party agents. Most of them were in disguise, relying on fake moustaches and glasses. The cover was almost blown when Paul Henry was heard to exclaim “Is that a moustache on a lady?!”

      Luckily, Therese Arseneau broke his line of thought by pointing out no one uses the word ladies anymore and Paul returned to dreaming of tables for one at Melbourne’s finest eating establishments.

  33. Mark 33
    22 November 2011 at 1:16 pm

    Forget the ‘worm’ & the right wing argument that 3 of the 65 studio audience might have been labour party supporters. Any unbiased person watching could see that Phil Goff won the debate hands down. What the public of NZ needs to know is why TV3 had the audacity to have 3 (of the 3) known right wing biased commentators as panellists on what was supposed to have been an important fair unbiased political debate. How can we have true democracy in this country when we have this sort of indoctrination by the media

  34. PaulB 34
    22 November 2011 at 1:26 pm

    Paul Henry – Lost one of the safest blue ribbon seats (Wairarapa) to a transvestite (Gorgina Byers). Says a lot about what voters actually think of him.

  35. Rodel 35
    22 November 2011 at 2:07 pm

    Keith Holyoake said ..”call me Kiwi.”

    After last night our present PM should say …”call me Turkey.”

  36. adriank 36
    22 November 2011 at 2:35 pm

    As someone who studied under Therese Arseneau at the University of Canterbury, she’s certainly not as hard right as people here are implying… as a lecturer I found her left-leaning on most issues. As a commentator she was a breath of fresh air compared to the past National candidate and future National candidate she was on the panel with last night

    • lprent 36.1
      22 November 2011 at 9:18 pm

      Agreed. I tend to find her talking about the frigging obvious most of the time. But that is more to do with the media and the political education of the audience than anything else. But I don’t find her particularly biased. Just very suburban….

  37. rod 37
    22 November 2011 at 5:02 pm

    Since when has Paul Henry become a political expert? He’s just another right wing brown noser, always was, always will be.

  38. dan1 38
    22 November 2011 at 5:33 pm

    If Henry is on TV3, I will not be tuning in on Saturday night.
    I hear Maori TV was excellent last night. That is a very viable option.

  39. I dreamed a dream 39
    22 November 2011 at 8:37 pm

    I am still convinced that Labour will lose the Election regardless of how favourable the worm was to Phill Goff and how Phil has been peforming.

    I have been impressed by Goff in the campaign. Whereas before I thought there needs to be a new leader after the election, I am now convinced that Goff has proven himself and should actually remain the Labour leader to fight 2014.

    He’s definitely Prime Ministerial material and if he stays on he’ll be the Prime Minister come 2014 (if not earlier).

    Remember Graham Henry who was successful at his second tilt at the Cup? Labour should do the same and give Goff a second chance. In my opinion, Phil has proven himself to deserve another chance.

    • Maggie May 39.1
      23 November 2011 at 12:17 am

      Oh ye of little faith, or are you a nasty nat, either way I think you are quite wrong, well on one thing anyway.

      Phil Goff will be Prime Minister next week and he will stay the leader bringing a team together and be Prime Minister again in 2014 as well, that second statement is where you are right.

      • Colonial Viper 39.1.1
        23 November 2011 at 12:36 am

        For Goff to be PM, Labour is going to need at least 35% in the polls.

        AND the Greens will have to score at least 9% (and I don’t think they will break above 10%) and NZ1 has to get in as well and provide confidence and supply. Which Winston has said that he will not. Mana might on a long shot come in with 2 seats but thats it and Goff has promised not to work with them.

        If Labour come in at just 30% or 31% in the polls, National will lead, and NZ will get the right wing Government that it has voted for.

        A National win is still the most likely outcome, but it is also certainly not the guaranteed one.

      • I dreamed a dream 39.1.2
        23 November 2011 at 12:53 pm

        Maggie, I commend you on your great faith that Phil Goff will be PM this Saturday. In fact, I’d be very happy to be proven wrong.

        A nasty nat I am definitely not! Whatever gave you that idea? But a Labour supporter who is a realist, that’s what I am.

        I maintain that on the balance of probability, National will much more likely to cobble together a government even if the result is close. Even in the highly unlikely event that Labour can cobble together a government after Saturday, what’s the price? It will likely be a pretty lame-duck government that may not even last a whole term with longer term negative consequences. If the results are close, it may be better for the Left that National leads a lame-duck unstable government that will cause Kiwis to comprehensively throw them out at the next election (whether snap or 2014).

        Also, bear in mind that in the end a National-led government may not have the real courage to sell our assets anyway, if there are massive protests against asset sales. Remember how the public scared them off from mining in conservation land? If I am not mistaken, the public is even more against asset sales than mining, so will a National government even have the courage to sell assets in face of public protest?

        But Maggie, I hope you are right and that I am wrong this Saturday, that Phil will be PM. I am still not hopeful though.

        • Maggie May 39.1.2.1
          23 November 2011 at 2:45 pm

          I am considering giving my list vote to Mana because if John Key wins we are going to need a strong radical activist base and I don’t mind saying I will be on of those activists protesting to keep our assetts.

    • mike 39.2
      23 November 2011 at 12:26 am

      Goff has grown into this role big time.

  40. ScottGN 40
    22 November 2011 at 11:15 pm

    As a no TV household I have been watching Bomber’s excellent ipredict Election 2011 programme on the computer the day after it happens. So you can imagine my amusement when I tuned in tonight to hear Hooten’s comment last night that the worm was going to be kinder to Key!

  41. mik e 41
    22 November 2011 at 11:28 pm

    Wheels falling off Nationals cake walk to vicTory
    Headline Mankey visits Winton Last week .
    This week Winston just another broken promise!

  42. dd 42
    23 November 2011 at 8:17 am

    Still the nats are polling high.

    I sense a change of attitudes in the people i’m talking to though. A lot of nats voters thinking of changing

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    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 hours ago
  • Balancing External Security and the Economy

    New Zealand is again having to reconcile conflicting pressures from its military and its trade interests. Should we join Pillar Two of AUKUS and risk compromising our markets in China? For a century after New Zealand was founded in 1840, its external security arrangements and external economics arrangements were aligned. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    18 hours ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: The unravelling of the offsets

    The ‘50 Shades of Green’ farmers’ protest in 2019 was heavy on climate change denial, but five years on, scepticism and criticism about the idea that pine forests can save us is growing across the board. File photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top six news items of note in climate ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    23 hours ago
  • What makes us tick

    This morning the sky was bright.The birds, in their usual joyous bliss. Nature doesn’t seem to feel the heat of what might angst humans.Their calls are clear and beautiful.Just some random thoughts:MāoriPaul Goldsmith has announced his government will roll back the judiciary’s rulings on Māori Customary Marine Title, which recognises ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    24 hours ago
  • Foreshore and seabed 2.0

    In 2003, the Court of Appeal delivered its decision in Ngati Apa v Attorney-General, ruling that Māori customary title over the foreshore and seabed had not been universally extinguished, and that the Māori Land Court could determine claims and confirm title if the facts supported it. This kicked off the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the Royal Commission report into abuse in care

    Earlier this week at Parliament, Labour leader Chris Hipkins was applauded for saying that the response to the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care had to be “bigger than politics.” True, but the fine words, apologies and “we hear you” messages will soon ring ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: In news breaking this morning:The Ministry of Education is cutting $2 billion from its school building programme so the National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government has enough money to deliver tax cuts; The Government has quietly lowered its child poverty reduction targets to make them easier to achieve;Te Whatu Ora-Health NZ’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Weekly Roundup 26-July-2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters and Bob Henson Those who’ve trawled social media during heat waves have likely encountered a tidbit frequently used to brush aside human-caused climate change: Many U.S. states and cities had their single hottest temperature on record during the 1930s, setting incredible heat marks ...
    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
    17 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
    20 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 ...
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    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. ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

    The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
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    7 days ago
  • Nine priority bridge replacements to get underway

    The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
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    1 week ago
  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

    New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
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    1 week ago
  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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