Key’s 4th term – something doesn’t add up

Written By: - Date published: 6:49 am, December 6th, 2016 - 145 comments
Categories: john key, kremlinology - Tags: , , ,

Key is has long craved a “historic” 4th term. From 2014 – John Key keen for fourth term as PM

Prime Minister John Key says he would be “quite keen” for a fourth term as Prime Minister, but he’s afraid that saying so will “jinx” it.

Also 2014 – Key wants to stick around for fourth term

“If we can get there it would be an amazing thing to achieve, but it’s very difficult,” Key said.

He was worried about losing and had talked to his wife, Bronagh, about leaving. “Losing feels like failure and I don’t kinda like failure.” But Bronagh was pivotal in his decision to stay. “Bronagh was much stronger on it than I was – that I would be running away, and why would I do that?”

January this year – Key sets eyes on a fourth term

The Prime Minister is launching into 2016 with plans to stand for an historic fourth term.

In a wide-ranging interview with the Weekend Herald about the year ahead, John Key confirmed his intention to fight another election and remain in office. “My stock standard position has been that I intend to stay for as long as I think I can add value and the party wants me,” he said.

“That’s my position. It’s not something where I’ve gone away and actively considered but that is my position at the moment.”

John Key: I’ll stay Prime Minister as long as New Zealand wants me

Prime Minister John Key says he will lead New Zealand for “as long as the party and the public want me”, after confirming he plans to run for a fourth term.

Key now says he made the decision to step down in September – before his 24 September 2016 he interview on The Nation – Key plans to stay entire fourth term. The relevant section of the video is the last couple of minutes (13:30) –

Gower: I want to ask you a final question about your future. You’re obviously going for a fourth term.

Key: Yeah.

Gower: Will you see it out, will you stay for the whole 4th term if you win it?

Key: Well firstly you’ve got to win it.

Gower: So if you do win it will you stay for the whole 4th term?

Key: That would be my intention –

Key’s answer to the first question is direct, emphatic, and odd for a man who had already (he now claims) decided to quit.

Bradbury is running rumours with talk of a “damning book”. If it is true (as unlikely as that seems) then despite Key’s resignation there will be further damage to National.

Update: Well well – “Prime Minister John Key says not to believe any conspiracy theories as to why he’s left today, that he just wanted to go out on top and the time was right for him.”

145 comments on “Key’s 4th term – something doesn’t add up ”

  1. tc 1

    If there is such a book and it contains material on shonky’s involvement in [NW: let’s just be extra cautious here] that would be very explosive.

    Supporters of him would be forced to re evaluate their idol if they were aware of the lengths and depths he plumbs to hold onto power.

    Hager probably has similar material from blubber boy but not being relevant to his DP tome didn’t use it.

    • I don’t buy the book theory. If a book was going to do it, that book would have been Dirty Politics. It may be a book happens to be coming out which will criticise him, but positioning that as his reason for resignation seems like an exercise in wishful thinking. IMO it would take little short of video footage of satanic rituals or worse to move that needle southward.

      • shorts 1.1.1

        no book will ever sway the NZ public nor media over Key – they eased past dirty politics as you say

        bombers an idiot

        • WILD KATIPO 1.1.1.1

          According to Winston Peters , – it has to do with ‘ administration and accountability issues’ , which will be coming out in the following ‘ weeks and months ‘.

          I hope Peters is spot on.

          If anything to see you sycophantic deniers writhe and squirm.

          • Cemetery Jones 1.1.1.1.1

            Wait, you think I’m a Key fan because I know that a book won’t discourage that sector of the public who are under his spell? Fuck me, the standard of reading comprehension these days…

            • WILD KATIPO 1.1.1.1.1.1

              The above wasn’t directed at you , if you had bothered to realize and take notice, and… yes ,.. books can and do topple administrations.

              And provide the impetus to convict individuals.

              Get off your high horse.

              • You said “deniers”. Given that this could in no way include tc’s post, you seem to have clearly lumped me in with shorts. Don’t be so damn hair triggered.

                Books can probably topple administrations somewhere, but not here, and quite clearly not Key. Perhaps his successor – but Clark in 2002 and Key in 2014 both smashed it in the elections where Hager ambushed them with books which contained some pretty damning stuff on them. I stand by my comment: video footage of satanic rituals or expect enduring public adulation, even now the puffy little nutsack has left the building.

                I would indeed like to see him in court for one of his many wrongdoings, but I keep my wishful thinking in check.

  2. Ross 2

    I agree that something doesn’t add up. He says he doesn’t want to mislead the public by possibly winning a 4th term and then quitting. That is odd because he has misled the public by quitting during his third term!

    Then of course there are the many broken promises and lies from him, so misleading the public shouldn’t be an issue. He has such an aversion to the truth that we may never know the reason for his sudden departure, but I doubt we have heard it.

  3. Phaedrus 3

    The answer could be much simpler than that. His reading of the electoral tea leaves could telling him that the chances of National winning next year are not good and so he’s getting out to avoid having ‘loser’ on his CV. Look at all the positive comments he is getting now, which he wouldn’t get if he stood down after an election loss. On a much less substantive level, I also suspect that a knighthood is the last thing on his NZ politics bucket list, and the only way he can be sure of that is to resign while the National Party is still in government. While Labour has not said anything about their policy towards Royal honours next time they are in govt, there has to be some likelihood that they will revert back to the policy of the Clark years and do away with Royal honours.

    • Leftie 3.1

      “His reading of the electoral tea leaves could telling him that the chances of National winning next year are not good and so he’s getting out to avoid having ‘loser’ on his CV.” +1 Phaedrus, made crystal clear after getting thoroughly thrashed in the Roskill by election.

      • mosa 3.1.1

        Leftie is still think that had he contested a fourth term he would have won it.

        He was protected by a compliant media and has this incredible god like status invented to make him saleable and people who love an idol to put on a pedestal and want to ignore his obvious failures kept voting for him.

        Sure there is the ready made housing wealth and no harsh interest rate pain to endure and that could end at any time and if it continues another year or so it would have given him the constituency support he has built on the back of that.

        The left vote still has not galvanised behind Labour yet despite some excellent work in Mt Roskill, a symptom of the MSM and its influence with public opinion.

        This has never happened in this country before and the strategy has been working for eight years, that and keeping Labours family package which has been critical.

        He has not had the concentrated campaign to destabilise his leadership that Helen endured in that last couple years that was nasty and un warranted, and despite some of his outrageous deceptions ,cover ups and anti democratic behaviour that quite honestly would have sunk a Labour PM by this time in the electoral cycle and quite possibly a Labour government.

    • The Nat’s internals would needed to have told him a hugely different story to public polling, as he’s been in a statistical tie between forming a government easily and forming one if he can sell NZ First on the idea. In fact polling had just jumped up recently, so if he were retiring because he thought the election would go poorly, his timing was very wrong.

      If there’s no controversy to be had, then there are two possible reasons:
      1) He wanted to “go out strong.” Achieving three terms and being around to guide the party into the following election is a pretty good way to do that.
      2) He was serious when he said he was quitting for family reasons, and it’s that the personal costs have started adding up a bit more this year than they did previously.

      I’m inclined to say we should have a bit more evidence for suspicion before we run around saying that something’s definitely off with his resignation. If there was a damning book coming, resigning doesn’t necessarily shield his party, just dulls the blow a little bit.

  4. Stunned Mullet 4

    Bradbury’s book …LOL

    • One Anonymous Bloke 4.1

      My reaction too. If he has a story that he can verify, I’ll be very surprised; also he should give it to someone credible who can write.

      • Pasupial 4.1.1

        Since you so obviously did not read the TDB link, the relevant passage is:

        The Daily Blog understands that there is a damning book coming out that will focus on John Key and this is the reason why he is standing down.

        More information as it comes to hand.

        It seems clear that Bradbury is not himself the author of said book.

        Also, he can certainly write. It is rather; the lack of referencing of sources, and willingness to post retractions when he is proven incorrect, that is my problem with him (his turns of phrasing can be very entertaining though).

        • One Anonymous Bloke 4.1.1.1

          I read it. It doesn’t make anything about the author “clear” at all. I see it as a transparent attempt to be coy.

          “Writing” involves more than running your mouth onto a page, as the number of factual errors you refer to shows.

        • mosa 4.1.1.2

          Yeah take it easy on Martyn Bradbury everybody he is not the enemy here.

          My understanding is that Nicky Hagar is the author of this possible book.

          Yes i agree Pasupial his turns of phrase are very clever and he has some great contributors including Mike Treen.

          • inspider 4.1.1.2.1

            Lest we forget https://thestandard.org.nz/the-h-fee-explained/

            I suspect if it is real it will be hager’s latest trust fetish, with him breathlessly explaining how awful they are, with absolutely no sense of hypocrisy

          • Matthew Whitehead 4.1.1.2.2

            If I run into Hager tomorrow I might see if I can ask him a question about whether he had any books on the PM in progress… don’t know if he’d actually confirm/deny it though. We’re barely acquaintances.

            The existence of a potential book doesn’t actually mean it weighed into the PM’s decision, however, as any spillover to the Party from such a book would still arguably be just as valid post-resignation.

            • One Anonymous Bloke 4.1.1.2.2.1

              The more I think about it the more I wonder if Key is simply telling the truth: he’s had a gutsful of the National Party. That said, a reputation for honesty would make him more believable.

              • At this stage, I think it’s reasonable to conclude it’s something private that’s lead to him wanting to resign. There doesn’t always need to be a sinister edge to it. The man might actually want to spend some time being a Dad, or on vacation, or whatever. You don’t get much time to yourself when you’re busy running the country into the ground.

            • Muttonbird 4.1.1.2.2.2

              A few weeks ago the penguin posted that Nicky Hager had OIA’d the phone and text records from Ede to Farrar.

              Seems reasonable to assume work is going on on another book.

    • Cinny 4.2

      Ian Wisharts book…. not Bradburys 😉

  5. Cinny 5

    When someone resigns due to family reasons… there is usually much more to it (after watching the movie spotlight, resigning for family reasons or health takes on a whole new meaning for me). However I’m so thrilled, don’t care what his reasons are, I’m just glad that we will soon see the back of him.

    In the meantime, the outgoing national government appears to be in shock and disarray, their cacus is falling apart, the infighting is brewing.

    Paul Henry said on the wireless that with Key gone he needs a new best friend, before interviewing Joseph Parker this morning, lolololz.

    Nick Smith, follow your leaders example, do us all a favour and do the same.

    Discontent stirring away with in the Nat party…
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11760978

  6. Puckish Rogue 6

    Well if Bradbury says he has a damning book coming out then it must be true 🙂

  7. ianmac 7

    Winston said on Morning report, that he knew last Friday that Key would resign and took two bets. One that Key was going. Two that there would be an early election.
    He also said that an email at 3am yesterday informed him that Key would announce his resignation at 1:30pm.
    Leaking?

    • Indeed,… and yesterday he said on RNZ that issues of ‘ administration and accountability ‘ caused Key to take flight and that the govt is about to be ‘ exposed’. And that it will be coming out in the following weeks and months.

      Interesting.

      If you look up definitions on legal political accountability – one of the ways a person in some country’s can avoid prosecution is to RESIGN.

      • Siobhan 7.1.1

        I wonder how many bets Winston makes on any given week? Its entirely plausible that he’s been (wishfully) placing bets on John Keys resignation for yonks..it’s just this time it paid off.

        • WILD KATIPO 7.1.1.1

          I’m sure many people make ‘ bets’… the difference here is Peters mentioned Key resigning several days before – AND the reasons why.

    • To be fair, is “Winston Peters said” really a reliable source? lol

      • WILD KATIPO 7.2.1

        To be fair – was John Key ever a reliable source ? L0L.

        See how silly that statement of yours is when juxtaposed?

        • …that’s not juxtaposition, I don’t think either of the two deserve to be taken at their word.

          We shouldn’t believe Peters if he said he thought Key was going unless he’s actually been recorded or quoted saying that beforehand. It’s not credible.

          A lot of us saw him going, perhaps, after the 2017 election, but I haven’t seen anyone claiming bragging rights for calling a pre-2017 departure for Key.

        • Tamati Tautuhi 7.2.1.2

          Specialized in B/S 101

  8. HDCAFriendlyTroll 8

    I note that Key has chosen to resign now as one of NZ’s most popular PM’s in history and when the economy is strong. Why didn’t he wait until everything crashes, he’s single digits in the polls, and he’s practically forced to call it quits?

    In other words he’s chosen to go out on high instead of a low, the bastard. Why?

    Something doesn’t add up all right.

    • Puckish Rogue 8.1

      “In other words he’s chosen to go out on high instead of a low. Why?”

      – Pretty sure you just answered your own question

      • WILD KATIPO 8.1.1

        Alternatively , going out on a ‘ high ‘ can be a limited form of insurance against public backlash if indeed there is found to be ‘ issues of administration and accountability ‘ as Peters has stated.

    • wellfedweta 8.2

      Have you asked the same question of Richie McCaw?

      • Muttonbird 8.2.1

        McCaw at least waited for the match to finish before retiring.

        • ropata 8.2.1.1

          Given Key’s desperation to hang out with Richie i wonder if he has taken the hint from his All Black pal.

          The helicopter Prime Minister

        • wellfedweta 8.2.1.2

          He didn’t wait for the next series though, did he? He quit while he was on top. So has Key.

    • Rae 8.3

      Maybe to restore sight to the blind trusts so he can get them protected before the the whole house of cards comes tumbling down?

  9. ianmac 9

    If there are hidden reasons for Key’s going, then the clever action is to announce his going for righteous public reasons, enjoy the shock and praise for a week, and then the impact from more ignoble reasons later, would pale in significance.
    John Campbell was politely insistent with his questions of Key, “Why now?” Key was bland and insistent.
    But with Key’s record of having multiple spins on all his answers, don’t be surprised if later he says that his reasons still stand but he chose not to mention the “other” reasons.

  10. weizguy 10

    I genuinely don’t think it’s scandal, nothing’s stuck before, why would it now?

    I suspect he sees the Nats far enough ahead that they can still win without him (we’ll see) and has decided to leave with a legacy – he’ll be able to claim the mantle of most popular PM ever and will be untainted for all the big board jobs he’ll pick up post parliament. It’s something that H1 never had the luxury of choosing.

    • You_Fool 10.1

      If he thought Nat would win next year why would he leave now? Surely he could stick with it one more year get the fourth win, stick it on the CV and then move on to a soft office chair in some executive lounge…

      His leaving now is because he sees now as the high point and the tide is on it’s way out.

      • alwyn 10.1.1

        He actually has other things to do in his life and his family to see more of.
        Is that really so hard to understand?

    • Muttonbird 10.2

      Far enough ahead? They can’t even pass the legislation they want, ffs.

      They are not far ahead at all. To say so is right wing spin.

    • Ross 10.3

      he’ll be able to claim the mantle of most popular PM ever

      Well, Mike Hosking certainly thinks so. 🙂

      Key might also go close to getting the award for most despised PM ever, with Muldoon maybe marginally ahead.

  11. rsbandit 11

    “Bradbury Book”

    Oh please. Let’s not get distracted by the WO of the left. We’re better than that, surely.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 11.1

      Yep. Way to throw the National Party a lifebelt.

      • garibaldi 11.1.1

        Hey let’s leave Bradbury alone guys. He is a tireless worker for the Left and we are all better off with having TDB. He has many very good contributors and usually hits the target with his own comments. I actually prefer his mediation of trolls to the slackness of the Standard’s.

        • inspider 11.1.1.1

          Given his political success rate, it’s much more likely Bradbury is working for the right.

          • WILD KATIPO 11.1.1.1.1

            Well… as they say … the proof of the pudding and all …

            And IF ,… between Winston Peters and what he said yesterday on RNZ , … AND what Bradbury is saying is correct …. then perhaps you just might want to consider swallowing that arrogance and retracting a few things.

            And remember … just because evidence is NOT written down on official looking papers and instead is written in pencil on the back of an envelope, ….DOESN’T MEAN that evidence ISN’T ADMISSIBLE in a court of law.

            Something that a lot of psuedo intellectuals and mutual ego massagers that post on this site conveniently like to consistently forget.

          • rsbandit 11.1.1.1.2

            Well said, inspider

          • Naki man 11.1.1.1.3

            “Given his political success rate, it’s much more likely Bradbury is working for the right.”

            Everything Munter touches turns to shit, they dont call him poo fingers for nothing.

    • Let’s give Bradbury a little credit.

      He’s the David Farrar of the left. The left doesn’t have a Cameron Slater.

      • WILD KATIPO 11.2.1

        The difference is my old son is that Martyn Bradbury doesn’t run a PR polling company complete with focus groups designed to enhance an erroneous public perception of a political leader,…

        Does he now.

        • Right, he’s like Farrar in that he’s prone to exaggeration, political attacks, and political comedy, and occassionally makes things up wildly with no particularly firm basis. Obviously the left doesn’t get to have market research shills running its commentariat because we don’t have as much political money being thrown around.

          Which, coincidentally, is also why we don’t have full-time deniable attack-dogs like Slater.

          • WILD KATIPO 11.2.1.1.1

            Yes , one could say that you have just described the general condition of ALL politicians at some stage in the first paragraph.

            So why does Bradbury get singled out for the dumping?

            Seems a bit selective.

            If someone has evidence , it doesn’t matter if that person is a 5 year old child or a 50 year old who works in the legal fraternity. And part of good science or good and proper legal investigations is to NOT come to the table in a biased manner. Even criminals take the stand in court for eye witness testimony , for example.

            • Matthew Whitehead 11.2.1.1.1.1

              As someone who used to have a lot of time for Bradbury’s opinions, and still follows his work from time to time, I’ve been noticing an increasing trend to see conspiracies in everything in his writing. It’s totally okay to call conspiracies when there’s actual evidence of a conspiracy, (such as predatory capitalism) but it’s worth remembering that a lot of the things that go wrong in politics are simple mistakes by regular people down the chain, breakdowns in communication, or actual incompetence of politicians. The best answer is usually “well, someone stuffed up,” assuming the facts actually allow for it.

              He’s still right on a lot of things, the TPPA being a good example, and he draws attention in the right direction most of the time. I just wish he’d reign it in a little. There’s a place between rampant speculation on whatever you want (which is what Farrar and Bradbury both do, essentially) and no speculation at all, and that’s “informed speculation based on conservative deduction.”

              I didn’t even bring up Bradbury, and I don’t go out of my way to attack him, as he actually does some good opinion journalism from time to time. My point was actually that it’s completely unfair to compare him to Cameron Slater, even though he is a bit extreme.

      • One Anonymous Bloke 11.2.2

        Burn 🙂

        • Not entirely. Farrar is objectionable mainly because right-wing opinions are objectionable and the bubble they form encourages objectionable beliefs, he does a reasonable job staying within the facts in comparison to the other opinion websites on the Right. Bradbury is mostly fine, he just goes too far from time to time.

  12. Cinny 12

    Re the ‘book’ rumours…

    There are rumours of a book coming out that will be very critical of him, written by Ian Wishart

    • TheExtremist 12.1

      Ian Wishart?

      The climate change denying, intelligent design promoting “journalist”?
      I doubt Key has much to fear from him.

    • Anne 12.2

      Who came up with Ian Wishart? He’s a born again fundamentalist christian unless he’s since had another epiphany and has returned to the world of relative sanity.

      He did write a book about Helen Clark during her final term in which he made some extremely grubby claims about her. Never read the book on principle, but perhaps he decided to do something similar to John Key. If so, it will get about as much media attention as the HC epistle – virtually zero.

      • Cinny 12.2.1

        link is here….

        http://www.vice.com/en_nz/read/john-key-shock-resignation

        merely sharing information

        Listening to talkback this morning, is fascinating how many national supporters are concerned at the news.

        Even more interesting is upon being questioned on what key had done for NZ, his supporters could only describe what key had done for himself. Key was with obama, key was great with overseas countries, key was personable. But naught about what he had actually achieved for NZ.

        The front runners are all terrible, gosh the outgoing government is in tatters now. Back benchers appear to be revolting a bit and mr coca cola himself, Coleman is putting his hat in the ring.

        What a weak government, looking forward to the election next year, the outgoing government has failed NZ.

      • WILD KATIPO 12.2.2

        Is your gripe about Wishart more about being a fundamentalist christian or the fact that he wrote a book opposing Helen Clark ?

        To which I would add the hypothetical question … if your neighbor, who has no formal qualifications and lacked the fame / notoriety of Wishart witnessed a murder,…

        Would you discredit that neighbor simply because of their lack of formal qualifications and lack of fame?

        And particularly if they were also a ‘ fundamentalist christian? ‘

    • One Anonymous Bloke 12.3

      If Ian Wishart is anti-Key I may have done the man a grave disservice. Key, that is.

  13. imho the most effective response from the left is to forget about key – it will all come out eventually. Key is gone the next one is coming…

    • Draco T Bastard 13.1

      +1

    • True to a point – in the short term interim at least .

      But if there is criminality involved, – definitely not.

      Key no longer has his PR machine spinning in quite so an effective way now to protect him.

      Farrar and co have this new batch of sub standards to deal with and have to spin a sows ear out of.

    • Yep, barring any major ethics scandals or illegal behaviour, Key need to be yesterday’s news, and anything that comes out about him will be more relevant for how it reflects on his colleagues.

      • WILD KATIPO 13.3.1

        The problem in this country is that we have no impeachment laws. The logic going is that it would discourage open disclosure and legislative ability by our politicians.

        This is the first thing new aspiring politicians learn ( if not well before ) on entering parliament, unfortunately it has been easy to abuse that and exploit.

        There’s no way Key or any other would have gotten away with half of this anti sovereign neo liberal ideology if we had a strong parliamentary and legal system.

        • Impeachment against Heads of Government is pretty rare even in countries that have it. Even the US, the system most set up for impeachments like that, has only actually done it twice.

          Technically there is basis for impeachment proceedings for any criminal offense in common law, (the UK government has called impeachment proceedings for criminal offenses twice before) it’s just never been done by our Parliament.

          The real issue with impeachment of a Prime Minister within a Parliamentary system is that because you would need a majority of the house to impeach a leader, there’s no reason for Parliament to simply select a new Prime Minister beforehand. Impeachment of the Head of Government only really makes sense in a Presidential system, where the President doesn’t necessarily have to have the support of the House to govern.

          I don’t disagree that it’s a shame Key got away with a lot of the things he did, that we need more safeguards, (just ones other than impeachment IMO) and that maybe it’s going to be relevant for historians to talk about his abuses of power, I just don’t think it’s a good political strategy to focus on Key now that he’s stepped down. He proved difficult to take down, and it just promotes an image of the opposition as having sour grapes if the focus on him rather than his potential successors. And I have to say, it felt a lot like the Opposition had the momentum this question time, too, so I look forward to them following that tactic

          • WILD KATIPO 13.3.1.1.1

            Yes , the third paragraph is of interest, as we are different from the USA, … the problem ( our system does have merits though safeguarding potential abuse ) here in NZ is that we have a situation where many of the originators are cross- party ,… therefore making it difficult to gain unanimity against one of their own.

            I speak ofc of the hijacking of our political system by neo liberals in both the National and Labour party’s… I , like others would say that is the root cause of a lot of the smoke and mirrors that is fed to the NZ public.

            Which leaves us the voters at the mercies of their whims , by and large with no recourse to rectify unpopular policy’s… hence the feeling that ‘ my vote wont count anyways so I wont bother’.

            Which is the basis behind people like Lusk’s philosophy and his attack style politics.

      • rsbandit 13.3.2

        Agreed Matthew. Like a book coming out about Clark 12 months after she resigned. Useful as a doorstop, perhaps.

        The positive focus should be on Little, or whoever is in charge after BBQ season.

        • The negative focus should definitely be on English, Bennett, (as a likely deputy PM) and maybe Coleman. It’s probably a good idea to have Andrew Little ask a few questions to English next QT just to show them in contrast, too. He’s been doing a lot better lately and is practically interesting to watch now, so they don’t even need to do too much positive reinforcement on him. (although, it could be good to pick a potential deputy PM from Labour or the Greens and cheekily announce them the day before the Nats pick their new leadership team… lol)

          Collins is such damaged goods that you can catch up reminding people of it if she’s chosen, and it’s better to attack their stronger players first.

          • WILD KATIPO 13.3.2.1.1

            Well said, and strategically , for the present is the best option. Any retrospective work delving into this current PM would have to be done after some time , discreetly at first .

            But retrospective work it is, and just because of who a person is , or their current or previous position is no excuse to relent either. Wrongdoing is wrongdoing and that’s why we have legal bodies who make inquiry – sometimes years after the fact.

            If this current PM has been involved in skulduggery of any sorts, we have a right to know.

  14. Whispering Kate 14

    It makes me mad that he can’t even make this decision to resign without implying there was pressure from the missus. Darned typical that with even this huge decision he cannot own it and has to bring the Stepford wife into it as if she has any influence in what he does with his life. From watching the “Meet the Leaders” way back in the piece, he was interviewed with his wife and she was just a third wheel in the entire programme with John Campbell, like a piece of furniture just there for the props. Don’t give me this rubbish that it was family problems – his two kids are adults and Stephanie is having a ball in France. His wife could have lived in Wellington and seen him every evening. If anybody believes this then they are being duped good and proper. Nothing he does is not for the betterment of John.

    • Puckish Rogue 14.1

      You can let go of the KDS now, he’s gone 🙂

      • WILD KATIPO 14.1.1

        KDS ?…

        No ,… the mans done enough to harm – if indirectly – to hundreds of thousands in this country through his policy’s and people have a right to be upset.

        KDS?

        Seems more like a convenient smokescreen label of the Key sycophant brigade.

        PS: the mans no longer going to be here for your feel good fix as well – so we can understand your coming down from your high isn’t going to be that pleasant.

      • mosa 14.1.2

        Gone but not forgotten P R .

        Heck no one forgot the last guy that walked on water.

      • We might say the same to you, lol.

    • james 14.2

      Some people have happy solid marriages and consider them and their partner a team.

      It seems that you are writing from a position of not understanding that.

      • framu 14.2.1

        “family reasons” is also an oft used cover – could be either at this stage

      • WILD KATIPO 14.2.2

        @JAMES

        Yes well I’m sure the same could be said for Augusto Pinochet as well , but that’s neither here nor there so your point is moot.

        I think in future you should stick to the point rather than digress into patronizing condescension – after all, – that’s a very presumptuous statement by any persons standards to make, …. isn’t it.

    • mary_a 14.3

      @ Whispering Kate (14) ..agree with your post. Yep, Key’s wife could have joined him in Wellington, but decided to stay in Auckland instead.

      That being the case, distance and loneliness doesn’t wash.

      Yesterday (NZH) Key said he resigned due to pressure from Bronagh. Today (NZH) he says Bronagh is happy to support him in a fourth term!

      So the question here is WTF????

      Something isn’t ringing true. His resignation was too abrupt, giving only one week’s notice of his intention to leave. Not usual form for a leader or CEO and definitely not for a PM, unless forced to resign!

      A rat leaving a sinking ship does come to mind! Or perhaps there is something else forcing the sudden resignation …!

      There is a reason for Key’s sudden departure and I definitely don’t fall for the excuse of it being family!

      • WILD KATIPO 14.3.1

        I believe it has a lot to do with Winston and what he said yesterday on RNZ and it being about ‘ administrative and accountability ‘ issues. He also stated that it will come out in the next weeks and months.

        From what I read – under political definitions of accountability is that different country’s have different legal processes – in the USA , they have impeachment. Here in NZ , a person can RESIGN to escape possible charges in official positions.

        Lovely , isn’t it.

    • inspider 14.4

      Reminds of Helen Clark’s famous “you might shout people down at home” quip.

    • mosa 14.5

      Yeah Kate having Bronagh there would have backed up the lie.

      But when has telling the truth been important.

  15. Freekpower 15

    Unfortunately for some it looks as though the ‘there’s nothing to see here folks” line is true.

    People (i.e. ipredict traders) have known about JK’s resignation for much longer than the last 24 hours (see article from 18 months ago)

    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1505/S00062/john-key-to-quit-before-next-election-ipredict.htm

    ‘“• John Key…has just a 31% probability of being National leader on Nomination Day before the next General Election (down from 73% last week). Mr Key has just a 17% probability of remaining National leader until the end of 2017 (down from 35% last week).”

    JK simple saw the writing on the wall re: his own personal popularity and put a plan in place to get out. What has really annoyed me about the media commentary so far is the statement that his popularity is at an all time high. It is simply not trus and quite the opposite. National have been polling at around the late 40’s but JK’s preferred PM rating is at an all time low in the mid 30s. I get the feeling that JK would rather get out, even if it costs The national party it self rather than suffer any further on his personal reputation.

    • infused 15.1

      Could be quite true.

      I met him earlier in the year, and man, he looks worn out now. This why I simply think it is what it is. He’s tired.

  16. Tory 16

    I think that Bradbury has been channelling Dot Com and Snowden (who incidentally under a Trump presidency has not a hope in hell of returning to the USA :-), who have accessed Operation ‘Tempora’ (using ‘PRISM’) which used a submarine intercept probe (using the 3 D MEMS technology) to intercept John Keys private emails in which JK has been withholding from the public, the actual golf handicap that Obama plays off.

    Either that, or as usual, Bradbury has his hand on it….

    • Deary , deary me… you know how they say that NZ used to be 20 years behind the times?…and that now we have caught up fast?

      I think you need to see whats going on over seas with corrupt politicians before you think Keys out of the woods completely at this stage…

  17. Carolyn_nth 17

    this from Bryce Edwards is probably about right. i don’t always agree with Edwards, and am not keen on his politics as Game approach. But in this case, it fits with the way Key treats it all as a strategic game, and with his finance trader instincts:

    John Key’s calculated hospital pass

    Key has probably seen the writing on the wall. The chances of winning a fourth election, and forming a government without Peters has been growing slimmer. He has therefore decided that it is better to get out now rather than have his legacy eroded by involvement in such failure and fracture.

    Hence Key has made a decision based on his own needs – certainly not those of National. There is no doubt that National would have a better chance of winning a fourth term under Key’s leadership than anyone else. His leadership is probably worth 3-5 percentage points for National. We might expect that a National Party under Bill English or Paula Bennett would struggle to get even 45 per cent of the party vote. So if Key really believed in helping keep Labour or New Zealand First out of office, he would have stayed to fight on.

    • ropata 17.1

      Interesting but I am inclined to think that FJK left before he was pushed. The Nats are getting feral after the loss of two byelections, and (contrary to the carefully stage managed PR) Key is getting booed everywhere he goes.

      I suspect that Farrar’s polling has uncovered a change of public sentiment and the Nats have gone into panic mode. Key’s weakness has been exposed and the forces of natural selection have decided it is time for new blood.

  18. Paul Campbell 18

    I’m much more inclined to the theory that he’s leaving one step ahead of the eventual Auckland housing market crash, he’s probably decided it’s going to happen sometime early next year, before the election, and the Nat’s electoral chances are toast

  19. AsleepWhileWalking 20

    Holy crap, I knew it! Thanks Voat.

  20. Heather Grimwood 21

    Just musing….maybe Winston’s done a deal and that’s why he ‘knew’ at 3 a.m. of Key’s intention.

    • weka 21.1

      Ha! Good point. Whenever pro-Peters lefties used to say Peters would never go with National again because of Key, I used to say that if it was the only way to stay in power National would do a deal with Peters and dump Key. I don’t actually think that is what has happened, because of the timing. But let’s see how Peters plays this over the next few months and whether whoever takes over is more palatable for him.

      • Heather Grimwood 21.1.1

        I didn’t suggest that the instigation of a deal originated with him.

        • WILD KATIPO 21.1.1.1

          And that makes ALL the difference – it also implies a lot more fractious factions seething under the surface of the impenetrable facade built by the National party PR machine.

    • Grantoc 21.2

      Winston was in a zombie state a 3 am and his imagination was running riot. He’d probably had too much parrot juice down at the Green Parrot.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 21.3

      3am seems to be the twittering hour.

  21. ropata 22

    Key’s ties to big corporates and sale of NZ to foreign interests have fatally compromised his teflon shine. Dirty politics was only one part of his campaign.

    Perhaps his work on behalf of big corporations to cover up their criminal deeds is about to be exposed.

    Examples: tax havens, asset sales, mining national parks, failure to prosecute over pike river or fish dumping… these things add up to a very murky picture of a con man whose ‘common touch’ was little more than PR to distract from his programme of pillaging the wealth and resources of New Zealand.

  22. Sorrwerdna 23

    National voters will still vote National because the alternative is incomprehensible – do the GreenLabs intend on job sharing the leaders position -what a fiasco that would be.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 23.1

      Swing voters on the other hand… 😆

    • left_forward 23.2

      Ah bless them Sorrwerdna – it is so hard for National voters to comprehend things outside there little lives. Sharing is a particularly difficult concept for them to grasp.

  23. So now we see the REAL REASONS for Worksafe and Solid Energys obscene and bloody minded haste in getting Pike River mine sealed up before the new leader takes over the reins…

    Cant have the new leader and the party’s chances in the upcoming general elections sullied by negative things like 29 deaths at Pike River , caused by political / private interests / public sector collusion ,… can we now….

    Oh yes… the decision to bull headedly seal that mine off forever would have been made around this last September – the same time Key told Bill English he was leaving.

    Its time this country grew up and stopped being so piss- arsed naive and gullible.

  24. TheExtremist 25

    Some jackass on Facebook is sharing some post claiming Key is leaving because they are going switch on HAARP soon and devastate NZ with earthquakes or something.

    Key doesn’t want to be here for that.

  25. Puckish Rogue 26

    Colin Craig just won’t go away

  26. Tory 27

    HAARP, shapeshifting reptillians, Benjimin Fulford, KDC ” moment of truth”, Bradbury’s “supposed exosive revelations ” plus your own CV and some of his wacky conspiracy theories (along with his lapdog P). It’s no wonder the public don’t take the left seriously.

    • TORY …

      Who was it that New Zealand troops headed off to Europe and North Africa to fight?

      The Communists ?

      The Socialists?

      Or……… was it …. The Fascists?

      And who are the Fascists?…. that’s right … Right Wingers.

      You are trying on the same old boring neo liberal tactic of deliberately trying to clump Socialism in with Communism.

      And you do it to manipulate naive public sentiment of those who are unawares of the difference between the two ( of which are the majority ) to advance your neo liberal greed ideology .

      – And that is to re-appropriate wealth from the commons upwards into the hands of those nameless individuals who are already obscenely rich.

      So not only is the ideology a greedy one, its exponents are also guilty of theft on a grand scale.

      That’s right – nothing more than common thieves – using sophisticated legislation to fleece what never belonged to them in the first place.

      I suppose next you will be trying to say the highly successful Socialist Scandinavian states ( far more so than any of the other Anglo /western states ) are the cause of the worlds ills as well…

  27. infused 28

    Maybe because he always knew he’d exit post a 2017 win, and he’s just had enough now.

  28. Smilin 29

    probably more chance of his wife convincing him that he isnt super politician and its finally sunk in that we are in the shit financially and like the rest of his career goes on bolstering his ego at the expense of another victim but kiwis are tougher than him

    A total opportunist nothing more “anyone can see nothing really matters to me “as he goes to visit the queen .etc

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    5 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    5 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    6 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    6 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Government moves to quickly ratify the NZ-EU FTA
    "The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Fresh produce price drop welcome
    Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024.  “Lower fruit and vege ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Statement to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68)
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government backs rural led catchment projects
    The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction.   Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Commission’s advice on ETS settings tabled
    Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government lowering building costs
    The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Trustee tax change welcomed
    Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister’s Ramadan message
    Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness.  It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister appoints new NZTA Chair
    Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
    Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology.  It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Progress continues apace on water storage
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government agrees to restore interest deductions
    Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government has agreed to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties. “Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The Government’s restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax code,” says ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister to attend World Anti-Doping Agency Symposium
    Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Switzerland today to attend an Executive Committee meeting and Symposium of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Mr Bishop will then travel on to London where he will attend a series of meetings in his capacity as Infrastructure Minister. “New Zealanders believe ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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