Key’s power price record

Written By: - Date published: 7:48 am, April 17th, 2013 - 78 comments
Categories: energy, privatisation - Tags:

Spooked by tomorrow’s joint announcement by Labour and the Greens on policy to cut power prices, National is trying to claim they have solved the problem. Get real. In the past year, household electricity prices rose an average of 5%, that’s over six times the rate of general inflation. In fact, power bills have outstripped general inflation every year under National. By my reckoning, the average power bill has risen 16%, or about $300 a year under Key.

This bullshit can’t go on. We can’t keep paying more and more and more for electricity, the bulk of which is produced with nearly no operating cost by hydrodams whose capital cost was recouped years ago.

And, with National halving the amount of revenue the Crown gets from electricity companies via its asset sales, the reasons for not acting are disappearing fast.

(The breakdown of electricity price increases is from Stats Infoshare, CPI)

78 comments on “Key’s power price record ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Colonial Viper 1
    17 April 2013 at 8:18 am

    The NZ government has supported a profit making market-led dividend providing model of electricity generation, transmission and profit making private sector electricity retail for quite some time now.

    Why should the private sector change their modus operandi from what successive NZ government financials have structured, supported and benefitted from? Now that private shareholders are picking up the generation assets, they’re simply going to be doing more of exactly the same, and asking for what is due to them.

    • Draco T Bastard 1.1
      17 April 2013 at 11:40 am

      Now that private shareholders are picking up the generation assets, they’re simply going to be doing more of exactly the same, and asking for what is due to them.

      And what the rest of the country (and the rest of the world) need to realise is that nothing is due them.

      • Macro_adder 1.1.1
        17 April 2013 at 12:00 pm

        “And what the rest of the country (and the rest of the world) need to realise is that nothing is due them.”
        QFT

  2. vto 2
    17 April 2013 at 8:24 am

    The electricity reforms (based on current policy neoliberal privatisation type thinking) were meant to keep power prices down to a minimum.

    However they haven’t worked.

    The cost of producing electricity has risen diddly squat, while the retail price has gone through the roof.

    Just like deregulation of finance companies, it has failed.

    Just like deregulation of mine safety, it has failed.

    Just like deregulation of house construction, it has failed.

    when will these bozos accept they have failed?

    • Colonial Viper 2.1
      17 April 2013 at 8:27 am

      Yes, but both Cullen and English were/are fine with hundreds of millions of tax revenue and dividends from various power companies and power SOEs flowing into Treasury. Getting those sums of money doesn’t really smell like “failure”.

      • vto 2.1.1
        17 April 2013 at 8:37 am

        Well that is a prime indicator of where our system fails with a capital “F”.

        What the politicians see as failure or success should match up with the populace. The fact it doesn’t is the monumental failure.

        • Colonial Viper 2.1.1.1
          17 April 2013 at 8:43 am

          Correct.

          Virtually all of our politicians act from a world view of market confidence, orthodox economics and financial/capital goals first. Not citizens first.

          • Draco T Bastard 2.1.1.1.1
            17 April 2013 at 12:09 pm

            +1

            And those orthodox economics inevitably fail as all the wealth ends up in the hands of the few and most people end up in poverty.

  3. Melb 3
    17 April 2013 at 9:02 am

    16% over four and a half years, is what, 3.5%/year? And that’s only your reckoning, rather than actual statistics.

    That’s a lot better than the increases of 70% between 1999-2008.

    • Lightly 3.1
      17 April 2013 at 9:19 am

      It’s the actual statistics. You can follow the source yourself.

      • Tom Gould 3.1.1
        17 April 2013 at 11:36 am

        Indeed, just because Key and his cronies keep saying ‘70%’ and the brain-dead chooks keep printing it, doesn’t make it so.

        Sadly, once Max Bradford and his arch-Tory cronies set up the so-called ‘electricity market’ there was really no going back. I seem to recall that Pete Hodgson tried to fix it up to give consumers a fair go, but failed. And remember that Bradford actually promised ‘lower power prices’ as the generators and wholesalers and retailers all competed against each other? Fat chance. Funny how his website claiming credit for the ‘reforms’ has now disappeared.

        • Melb 3.1.1.1
          17 April 2013 at 2:05 pm

          Sorry, I was wrong. It’s 63%. As that number comes from Stats NZ I’d so that makes it so.

          http://i.imgur.com/7kiQwLR.png

          It doesn’t seem as though the Bradford reforms caused high prices until the Labour Govt hit upon the idea of jacking up them up as a profitable stealth tax. Grafic from the Otago Daily Times and Stats NZ.

          • Rob 3.1.1.1.1
            17 April 2013 at 2:56 pm

            “This bullshit can’t go on.” I totally agree, Labour farmed the population of NZ in energy, slightly more than the current Govt has. People do not forget this.

  4. Alanz 4
    17 April 2013 at 9:03 am

    The power price increases actually feel worse this time round with less discretionary income left in the hand and other costs of living going up, eg food and fuel.

    Also, family, friends and neighbours are feeling more financial pressures with fewer working hours, less certainty at work, or no jobs 🙁

    Flying across the ditch is not such a promising option either as news from family and friends there sound less than sparkling.

    • Colonial Viper 4.1
      17 April 2013 at 9:07 am

      Stories of destitute and homeless Kiwis in Australia are increasing. It seems we are becoming a neglected underclass over there.

      In NZ…this is what energy poverty feels like, and perhaps half a million NZers experience it to a significant degree every Winter.

      Our country and our politicians seem fine with it though.

    • Plan B 4.2
      17 April 2013 at 10:28 am

      Agree that they feel worse. Because the actual numbers are getting bigger. A 16% rise on 100 is twice as big as a 16% rise on 50. So as the cost increases the percentage increase actually nakes it a lot worse. ‘We are the frogs in the pot on the stove’

      • Colonial Viper 4.2.1
        17 April 2013 at 10:31 am

        That’s the beauty of annualised exponential growth mate, embrace it.

      • ghostrider888 4.2.2
        17 April 2013 at 11:24 am

        good breakdown

        • Alanz 4.2.2.1
          17 April 2013 at 12:25 pm

          oh how i yearn to earn directors’ fees like joan withers’

          > 50% rise
          $150k nom nom nom

          (and, shhhh, $85,000 pool ”for committee work” tee hee hee, thank you, john key, thank you, ryall)

          • ghostrider888 4.2.2.1.1
            17 April 2013 at 1:55 pm

            urrggh, google and wiki just about made me sick; freakin’ unattractive and “defendent in law suit by shareholders against directors of failed Feltex. (are you trying to arm an assassin Alanz?)

  5. King Kong 5
    17 April 2013 at 9:09 am

    If this increase is finding its way into the Government coffers by way of dividends (so very important according to the “keep our assets” campaign) then it is just another tax. Considering how much you lefties like taxing people I cant see your problem with this.

    Surely more money to the state means there is more money for handouts to the idle and the baby factories that you seem to love so much.

    • Colonial Viper 5.1
      17 April 2013 at 9:18 am

      Better than having Australian shareholders suck up power company money for use in their own country.

      • King Kong 5.1.1
        17 April 2013 at 9:36 am

        Doesn’t the NZ Government still own 51% not to mention the massive chunk of dosh they get in one hit for selling the 49%?

        • Alanz 5.1.1.1
          17 April 2013 at 9:41 am

          handouts to the idle corporate rorters and baby factories of speculators

          ftfy

        • Colonial Viper 5.1.1.2
          17 April 2013 at 9:49 am

          Owning 51% of a good thing is somewhat shit compared to controlling 100% of it.

          • King Kong 5.1.1.2.1
            17 April 2013 at 10:14 am

            Depends how much you got for selling the 49%.

            • Colonial Viper 5.1.1.2.1.1
              17 April 2013 at 10:53 am

              Most NZers – nothing.

              The elite and the wealthy and the international money funds – I agree, its a great deal for them.

              • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                17 April 2013 at 10:55 am

                There’s nothing elite about wealth: that’s a false right wing frame.

                • Colonial Viper …
                  17 April 2013 at 11:02 am

                  I wouldn’t quite agree with you: this is a capitalist political economy that we are in. Therefore those who have the capital, control both the politics and the economy side of the equation.

                  But are they better human beings? Not likely.

              • King Kong …
                17 April 2013 at 11:11 am

                Hang on a tick…I have been accosted every weekend in Cuba Mall by socially awkward Labour and Green supporters telling me that all NZers own these assets. Surely if we are selling “our” assets “we” get the money from the sale.

                • Alanz …
                  17 April 2013 at 12:35 pm

                  “we”?

                  if we are talking within Natz circle, we need to take public money to give them to our cronies like Susan Devoy, Jackie Blue, Joan Withers, ….

            • Draco T Bastard 5.1.1.2.1.2
              17 April 2013 at 12:18 pm

              Depends how much you got for selling the 49%.

              Not enough to offset the loss. There could never be enough or they wouldn’t be worth buying.

              • King Kong …
                17 April 2013 at 1:37 pm

                Maybe you should talk to some Bear Sterns stock holders about the risks of investing.
                What if a clean, unlimited, abundantly available power source is found in two months time. That would make the Nats look pretty shrewd.

                • Draco T Bastard …
                  17 April 2013 at 4:33 pm

                  There’s no risk involved in buying the power companies as it’s something that the government cannot let fail – just like the banks.

                  And your “What if…” is a load of bollocks.

          • Rob 5.1.1.2.2
            17 April 2013 at 12:14 pm

            Not for the power users if they are being farmed like they have been.

        • Plan B 5.1.1.3
          17 April 2013 at 10:30 am

          The government is trying to soak up the money it put into the economy but did not take out through taxation.Because it lowered the top tax rate.

        • felix 5.1.1.4
          17 April 2013 at 10:37 am

          “not to mention the massive chunk of dosh they get in one hit for selling the 49%”

          Yes monkey boy, and I know you trust the govt to spend that wisely…

          • King Kong 5.1.1.4.1
            17 April 2013 at 11:06 am

            You are talking to someone who thinks the Government should only be there to fund police, army, firemen and courts so spending it on anything else is a total waste.

            • ghostrider888 5.1.1.4.1.1
              17 April 2013 at 11:26 am

              and how much do they spend on the New Zealand Fire Service, oh wait, levies do.

            • Colonial Viper 5.1.1.4.1.2
              17 April 2013 at 11:32 am

              Where will the police, firemen, soldiers and judges learn to read and write?

              • King Kong …
                17 April 2013 at 11:39 am

                With an education that their parents paid for.

                • One Anonymous Knucklehead …
                  17 April 2013 at 11:47 am

                  King Kong is right! That’s exactly what happens. There’s a pilot program going on right now in Somalia.

                • Colonial Viper …
                  17 April 2013 at 11:58 am

                  If you want police protection, or fire protection, surely then you should pay for that too, out of pocket, using competitive providers?

                  • Alanz …
                    17 April 2013 at 12:09 pm

                    Maybe Shearer has good ideas for outsourcing to competitive private providers like Cosa Nostra, Chinese triads et al.

                  • King Kong …
                    17 April 2013 at 1:38 pm

                    You are right about fire but Government needs to be in the business of upholding the laws of the land.

                    • geoff …
                      17 April 2013 at 2:38 pm

                      Why? Couldn’t private enterprise do a better job than government at that too?

                    • King Kong …
                      17 April 2013 at 2:45 pm

                      I think we have all watched enough Sci Fi movies to know that private police forces never work out that well.

                    • Draco T Bastard …
                      17 April 2013 at 4:34 pm

                      Amazingly enough, we’ve also had privatisation rammed down our throats to know that that doesn’t work out to well either, i.e, government subsidies to Telecom for UFB.

                • Draco T Bastard …
                  17 April 2013 at 12:21 pm

                  Yeah, that would be the education that most people had before government funded compulsory education was brought in because the factory owners needed better educated workers.

            • ghostrider888 5.1.1.4.1.3
              17 April 2013 at 11:33 am

              Fire!

            • felix 5.1.1.4.1.4
              17 April 2013 at 11:54 am

              “You are talking to someone who thinks the Government should only be there to fund police, army, firemen and courts so spending it on anything else is a total waste.”

              Then I’m talking to a hypocrite.

              Now get the fuck off our telecommunications network, bludger.

              • mac1 …
                17 April 2013 at 12:15 pm

                And the roads, King Kong. Don’t walk on the footpaths, either. Keep out of the P/parks and Reserves. Hope you don’t pick up a bug from a sick and unscreened visitor. Hope you can pay for your own sicknesses. Pay (fully) for your own children’s education. Hope you aren’t a farmer at the risk of imported plant disease and pests.

                I hope you can trust your builder. Your butcher. Your restaurant. Your supermarket.

                And finally, that piece of real estate in which we all end up?

                The horror! Mac’s Cemeteries. RIP. Rest In Payment.

                • King Kong …
                  17 April 2013 at 3:04 pm

                  I pay for all this stuff now, I just have a bunch of numpties in Government making the spending decisions for me.

                  • mac1 …
                    17 April 2013 at 3:40 pm

                    But, would you pay for it if you didn’t have to to? Remember, it’s you who wants state involvement restricted to four areas. I questioned, and you have swiftly sidestepped, as to what you would do in such a minimalist state-involved society in terms of all those areas that I itemised..

                    Remember also that you just might have private enterprise numpties, as you call them, in charge of all this stuff- and the record of private enterprise is not necessarily all that good when it comes to safety and all the other reasons as to why we ask the State to step in and act in the common good.

                    I’ve just finished reading a Llargas novel on Sir Roger Casement which covered individual conscience and action with regard to Amazonia and the Congo under unfettered, unsupervised corporate control pre-WW1. Not a pretty sight for private enterprise ‘control’.

              • King Kong …
                17 April 2013 at 1:41 pm

                So to avoid hypocracy yourself I guess you don’t shop at any of the major supermarkets or chain stores due to their participation in the neo liberal capitalist crusade.

                • felix …
                  17 April 2013 at 2:51 pm

                  That would be true if I were saying that the state ought to own everything.

                  But I’m not, so it isn’t, and you can try again.

  6. Adrian 6
    17 April 2013 at 9:28 am

    I’m under the impression that about 10-15 years ago world accounting practices ( led by the big accounting companies or “crooks”) changed the way things like assets were valued, i.e NZ dams while paid for decades ago at a fraction of current costs, were to be valued at replacement value in the current tax year, and depreciation etc to reflect this. Brilliant tax reduction tactic. Therefore power prices rose to get the books to balance. Am I right or just blinded by a totally rational hatred of accountants and money market manipulators?

    • Draco T Bastard 6.1
      17 April 2013 at 12:29 pm

      No, I suspect that you’re right. It’s a system designed to benefit the few and so making things look more expensive than they are can increase profits for those few. Those profits, of course, come from everyone else.

    • prism 6.2
      17 April 2013 at 12:50 pm

      Adrian
      I had thought that was happening in another area that I am concerned about. Rental housing. While commercial shops have their rent regularly updated on the basis of certain criteria like more traffic past, renters are needing a home as a basic requirement. Yet renting is a business and tenants will have their rent put up on the basis of current valuation, often without having any money being expended on maintenance, remedial work, or improvements.

    • DH 6.3
      17 April 2013 at 1:13 pm

      Yeah, NZ adopted IFRS. (International Financial Reporting Standard) It requires assets to be on the books at “fair value” rather than depreciated or replacement value, which gives the beancounters more leeway on how they set the values.

      Mighty River, Meridian and Genesis between them have revalued their assets upwards a total of 8.25 billion dollars. They need around a 7% return on equity (8% for borrowed money) so that’s an extra $600 million profit they’re making out of us mugs.

      • Ed 6.3.1
        17 April 2013 at 3:09 pm

        Tehre was comment at the time that the erason for some of the sales between power companies (all govt owned) was purely to ‘set’ a market price which would increase the deemed capital values of the companies assets. Since it was a sale between two companies owned by the govrment, there was no real “market” determination, but it did then ‘justify’ increasing the price of electricity to get a desired ‘return on equity”. Cynical, yes, but that is what we expect from National.

        • Colonial Viper 6.3.1.1
          17 April 2013 at 3:16 pm

          Justifications for rentier capitalism

          Don’t just blame National, Labour was quite happy with a corporate for-profit SOE structure sucking money out of communities into Treasury.

          Is anyone surprised that after having left the Key in the ignition like that, the Nats came along in the next government and drove off with our assets.

        • DH 6.3.1.2
          17 April 2013 at 3:27 pm

          “Tehre was comment at the time that the erason for some of the sales between power companies (all govt owned) was purely to ‘set’ a market price”

          That’s possible but they already do set the book values and report it in the balance sheets. It’s probably more likely Bill English was just grabbing some extra tax to make his books look better. Asset revaluations are taxable but the tax is deferred until the asset is sold. Mighty River alone has $900 million in deferred tax. When Genesis bought the dams etc off Meridian I’d think that Meridian would have had to pay the deferred tax on the revaluations of those assets. Doesn’t affect the equity so the Govt gets more tax revenue and there’s no change in the book values.

  7. Plan B 7
    17 April 2013 at 10:35 am

    I simply do not know what the fuss is all about. We only use imported electricity in our home anyway. We would not be seen dead using that local stuff. It just isn’t the same is it. Really good quality European electricity is so much better. We enjoy our appliances so much more now we use imported electricity. We often fly to Sydney for the weekend and pick up some Australian Duty Free electricity at the airport before we fly home. Oh and last time we were staying in our timeshare in Hawaii we brought back some US electricity in our hand luggage, straight through customs, no one seemed to care and it was so much cheaper!

  8. infused 8
    17 April 2013 at 10:40 am

    So from kiwiblog:

    The history of electricity cost increases in NZ, according to Stats NZ is:

    4th Labour Govt – 98.7% or 16.4% a year
    4th National Govt – 47.5% or 5.3% a year
    5th Labour Govt – 63.7% or 7.1% a year
    5th National Govt – 16.2% or 4.1% a year

    Why was it ok then? Why is it suddenly bad now?

    • Colonial Viper 8.1
      17 April 2013 at 10:50 am

      You’re correct, this is just the end stages of a decades long neoliberal market led gang bashing.

    • Mike Smith 8.2
      17 April 2013 at 11:05 am

      The commenters on Farrar’s Kiwiblog post put some useful context around these raw numbers – inflation running at 17% in the 1980’s, and privatisation of Contact in the late nineties. I think the same old blame-shift is starting to run out of steam

      • Rob 8.2.1
        17 April 2013 at 4:28 pm

        The issue that steams people up is that the title of this post is “Key’s power price record”. Everybody (except it seems the author) knows that the current farming of energy users was in place well before this Govt came about, and that people have very litle faith in labours ability and conviction to do anything about if they are to be re- elected.

  9. Draco T Bastard 9
    17 April 2013 at 11:36 am

    Green Party Press Release

    The low headline Consumer Price Index change hides significant rises in electricity prices, the Green Party said today.

    Statistics New Zealand Consumer Price Index (CPI) data shows that electricity prices were up 5.2 percent for the March year, meaning prices have risen 18.8 percent since National took office.

    • prism 9.1
      17 April 2013 at 12:55 pm

      DTB
      Yes that’s a point – I think that the inflation index is averaged out isn’t it? So that can mean that a shortage or glut of cabbages can affect the food part, and obscure the energy part. (Cabbage availability did affect the CPI one year – way back.)

      • DH 9.1.1
        17 April 2013 at 2:16 pm

        “Yes that’s a point – I think that the inflation index is averaged out isn’t it? ”

        They use a weighted average format. Electricity is part of the Housing and household utilities group and has an individual weighting of 3.5. Translated that roughly means a 10% increase in power prices would add 0.35 to the CPI.

        The CPI is a terrible measure of inflation for households because they spread it across all types of households to get broad inflation rather than targeted. Rent for example has a weighting of 7.85 and no-one spends only 7.85% of their income on rent.

  10. aerobubble 10
    17 April 2013 at 4:17 pm

    Under Labour electricity price went up 70%+ at a time of interest rates hitting? 10%?
    Under National electricity prices have gone up 20% in a time of deflation….

    Key spin.

  11. Green machine UpandComer 11
    17 April 2013 at 11:14 pm

    As the Dompost editorial stated, Labour has absolutely no credibility on power prices – they were much much higher under Labour, always.

    Further, the Green’s policies will push power prices through the roof.

    CPI is way down, the economy is doing pretty well.

    I really hope the snivellers keep banging on about what colour the phone was that Key used to maybe call a directory 🙂 keep up with the negative pettiness, that’s always a real vote winner and is about all Labour is good for these days 🙂

    • Colonial Viper 11.1
      18 April 2013 at 12:21 am

      CPI is way down, the economy is doing pretty well.

      price increases are down because unemployment is high, few are spending money, and the same high dollar which gives you cheap iPhones is crushing our export jobs sector.

      Your analysis is plain sad, actually.

      Further, the Green’s policies will push power prices through the roof.

      National’s will push them higher, and give the difference to foreign shareholders.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 27

    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 27 were:1. The Minister for Ford Rangers strikes againTransport Minister Simeon Brown was again the busiest of the Cabinet ministers this week, announcing an ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 hour ago
  • Ticket To Anywhere

    You got a fast carAnd I want a ticket to anywhereMaybe we make a dealMaybe together we can get somewhereAny place is betterYesterday’s newsletter, Trust In Me, on the report of abuse in state care, and by religious organisations, between 1950 and 2019, coupled with the hypocrisy of Christopher Luxon ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 hours ago
  • Stories of varying weight

    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on anything you may have missed. Share Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 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
    19 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
    24 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
    1 day 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
    18 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-07-27T01:33:44+00:00