Labour Conference 2012 remits

Written By: - Date published: 10:24 am, November 17th, 2012 - 81 comments
Categories: labour, Politics - Tags:

Especially for delegates (and me) to write comments on remits.

Very fast so far. Robert Gallagher who is chairing the movement appears to be enjoying himself. A welcome sight.

81 comments on “Labour Conference 2012 remits ”

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  1. lprent 1
    17 November 2012 at 10:30 am

    Comments on remits as they are and after they are passed please.

    Fantasy votes will be sent to open mike.

  2. lprent 2
    17 November 2012 at 10:38 am

    So far the only real topic of interest was on women’s representation on LECs. At least 50% of the officers, and since there are only 3 officers, an ability to appoint a executive committee – which many LEC’s will have.

    There was an amendment to put in the words “where practicable” which had some speakers.

    Mostly the amendments have been going through on simple voice vote. One show of hands.

  3. Te Reo Putake 3
    17 November 2012 at 10:46 am

    Excellent start so far. The layout of the room is unfortunate, as it prevents many delegates seeing the stage and makes the voice votes difficult to gauge. But the enthusiasm and humour shown so far is very, very encouraging. Biggest cheer so far? The anouncement that Samoa beat Wales in the rugby!

    • Saarbo 3.1
      17 November 2012 at 7:38 pm

      Crap, This just showed what a wanker Mallard is. There was no cheer.

      Mallard dressed in T Shirt also made another wankey comment later. Time to go, he adds nothing to Labour. Just an embarrassment.

  4. KhandallaMan 4
    17 November 2012 at 10:50 am

    It is getting hot here!
     

  5. lprent 5
    17 November 2012 at 10:51 am

    First counted hand vote on a rather remit about regional councils. Rule 106A

    It was originally raised as a response to a proposed change in how regions are organized, and asks that regions are organized by local organizations.

  6. lprent 6
    17 November 2012 at 11:41 am

    Ok Section H. Where the selection rule remits are.

    297A is up.

  7. IrishBill 7
    17 November 2012 at 11:52 am

    Don’t leave us hanging Lynn, what’s the debate at the moment? I heard there’s likely to be an attempt to amend it from the floor to delay the changes until 2014. Just a rumour?

    • lprent 7.1
      17 November 2012 at 12:03 pm

      Amendment part A of 55% trigger vote got voted down.

      Amendment B requiring a 50% of caucus plus one appears to have passed. But there a question about a simple 50% voting

      • lprent 7.1.1
        17 November 2012 at 12:03 pm

        Ok simple majority rules is required for a leadership contest

        Updated: Between elections.

      • lprent 7.1.2
        17 November 2012 at 12:09 pm

        Ok now moving to the post election leadership.

        The question up is the caucus vote after elections. Currently if 60% or 50% required leadership support in caucus to trigger a leadership election.

        • lprent 7.1.2.1
          17 November 2012 at 12:15 pm

          Mike Smith is up. He is arguing for a simple majority.

          • IrishBill 7.1.2.1.1
            17 November 2012 at 12:18 pm

            I’m surprised. It’s 20% in the UK and seems to work there. I think simple majority is too unstable as it means a leader can have a full half of his or her caucus against them and still lead.

            • lprent 7.1.2.1.1.1
              17 November 2012 at 12:27 pm

              I think that some of the delegates are about as confused as I am (I am a member of the I hate remits club). But it is getting raucous.

              The actual trigger is requiring the Leader to have 60% support after an election. If more than 40% of the caucus oppose it, then it goes to the party

        • IrishBill 7.1.2.2
          17 November 2012 at 12:16 pm

          It’s sixty to trigger a leadership vote at the moment and 50% + one to decide the leader from that vote.

  8. Te Reo Putake 8
    17 November 2012 at 12:15 pm

    Great tub thumping speech from Len Richards!

    ‘The members lost the party in the 1980’s, today we are taking it back!’

  9. Te Reo Putake 9
    17 November 2012 at 12:19 pm

    Andrew Little speaking in favour of 50%, Chris Flatt speaking in favour of 60%. Little is concerned that, in effect, 40% can ‘wag the dog’.

    • IrishBill 9.1
      17 November 2012 at 12:26 pm

      I’m surprised Flatt’s taken that position.

      edit: just realised the “60%” is 60% support required for the leader. That’s more like what I’d expect from Flatt.

      • lprent 9.1.1
        17 November 2012 at 12:33 pm

        I was confused as well. Now I understand what Len was talking about yesterday.

      • Te Reo Putake 9.1.2
        17 November 2012 at 12:40 pm

        Sorry, IB, should have clarified.

        Some great speeches, comes down to whether a minority of caucus can ‘overule’ the result and trigger a new vote. Mike Sweeney from the EPMU in favour of the 60%, saying that it gives life to the democracy we are looking to put in place. Maryann Street opposed, ‘tyranny of the minority’.

  10. lprent 10
    17 November 2012 at 12:32 pm

    Pat Newman is after the 60% as being clear and stabilising. If a leader can’t get that, then he thinks it makes it it too close and leadership questions arising.

    • lprent 10.1
      17 November 2012 at 12:40 pm

      Maryan Street arguing that 40% wagging the caucus. Best I have seen from that side.

      • lprent 10.1.1
        17 November 2012 at 12:43 pm

        Tat Loo saying that screwups in caucus will be corrected by members.

        Opposing side (missed the name) points out that it can happen after winning an election. Ummm doesn’t seem to happen in other countries.

        Lesley Soper after the 60% – interesting

  11. KhandallaMan 11
    17 November 2012 at 12:39 pm

    “The tail wagging the dog”

    The party is the “Dog”.  The Tail is the Caucus.  

    Little is denying the affiliates and the membership their voice. 

     

  12. lprent 12
    17 November 2012 at 12:52 pm

    Well that was civilised – voting on amendment C

  13. Te Reo Putake 13
    17 November 2012 at 12:55 pm

    Going to card vote. Looks like it’ll be 50% that wins.

    • lprent 13.1
      17 November 2012 at 1:04 pm

      Nope 60% got it 264 to 237

      • mickysavage 13.1.1
        17 November 2012 at 2:34 pm

        Good job. Hipkins and others argued it was less democratic to allow 40% of caucus to require full contest but I struggle to understand how having more full leadership votes makes it less democratic?

        It is only less democratic if only MPs votes count.

  14. Te Reo Putake 14
    17 November 2012 at 1:03 pm

    60% it is, the caucus don’t get their way on this one. 264 votes for 237 agin.

    edit: the indicitive hand vote seemed to go for 50%, but the card vote narrowly went for 60%.

    Righto, time for lunch, wonder what the vege options are!

  15. hush minx 15
    17 November 2012 at 1:15 pm

    i hope that the media are seeming the strength of the party lies more than just in the leaders office corridor. of course the real test will be the February vote and if it goes to 40.

  16. bomber 16
    17 November 2012 at 2:50 pm

    Incredible day for Labour Party

  17. lprent 17
    17 November 2012 at 3:06 pm

    297A Amendment E got voted down.
    Amendment D got voted in.

    40,40,20

    Voice votes.

  18. lprent 18
    17 November 2012 at 3:39 pm

    Amendment G and H dumped.

    Damn back to E

  19. lprent 19
    17 November 2012 at 3:39 pm

    Ok new rules in a leadership rules in Feb.

  20. lprent 20
    17 November 2012 at 3:41 pm

    Ok normal policy remits again…

  21. lprent 21
    17 November 2012 at 3:49 pm

    I am impressed with the conference so far. There is obviously a lot of agreement in what should be happening. Quite simply the hardest thing so far has actually been getting past the thicket of remits on the rules.

    • mickysavage 21.1
      17 November 2012 at 3:55 pm

      It is far more democratic and less stage managed than any I have been to.

      • Jim Nald - Once Was National 21.1.1
        17 November 2012 at 4:28 pm

        That is good to hear, and thanks for the many updates, lprent.

        Truly exciting and heart-warming to get a sense of the conference even though not being there.

        While Europe’s governance and economy is under a dark cloud, and the US is trying to find a way through after re-electing Obama, and with China having just presented new leaders in the open after arrangements made away from public and global eyes, a bright light begins to shine from these islands in the Pacific from the Labour Party conference.

        • lprent 21.1.1.1
          17 November 2012 at 7:20 pm

          Turns out I’m not that good at writing during Labour party conferences. I suspect it is because I know too many of the people and sitting behind I was able to have a pretty good view of half of them.

          Not to mention that the multiple amendments on amendments on remits were confusing the hell out of me (and just about everyone else) at one stage. Doesn’t a constitution have a compiler?

  22. KhandallaMan 22
    17 November 2012 at 3:58 pm

    A good robust civilised exchange of views and good chairing from Robert Gallagher has lead to a great outcome for the Labpur Party. 

    The membership now feel that their level of engagement in the leadership endorsement and selection processes is adequate.  

    A good conference.  

  23. Te Reo Putake 23
    17 November 2012 at 4:00 pm

    Conference has decided that there will be a vote on leadership next February. The present leader needs to get 60% plus one vote to avoid the matter being put to the whole party. During the debate, Trevor Mallard revealingly whined that ‘we’ve already had a leadership vote’. Actually, only the MP’s had a leadership vote. Now the rest of us get to have a say if Shearer can’t convince at least 22 MP’s to back him in February.

    I’d say Shearer is going to have to lift his game significantly or make some dead rat decisions about Cunliffe’s ranking in the team if he is still going to be leader at the next election. If its the latter, then Trevor Mallard’s influence in caucus will be significantly diminished.

    • Jim Nald - Once Was National 23.1
      17 November 2012 at 4:05 pm

      What is there to whine about or to be nervous or afraid of?

      A real leader in a democracy should neither hesitate nor fear to put his leadership to the test.

      • QoT 23.1.1
        17 November 2012 at 5:27 pm

        I agree, Jim – and yes, I know I’m biased, but it would be so much cooler if instead of Shearer baldly stating “Yes, I will be leader in 2014” he’d just eat a bit of humble pie and say “I would love to be leader in 2014, but that’s not my decision, it’s the decision of the whole Party and I support the democratic process, which is a far cry from what you see in some other political parties.”

    • KhandallaMan 23.2
      17 November 2012 at 4:16 pm

      Trevor did damage to what is left of his brand. His intervention was silly.  He seemed to think he could confuse others and swing the mood of the room. Instead he got a moan from the room.  
      Trevor will forever be associated with those who want to retain centralised power in the Caucus. 

      Ambassador to Nuie? 

    • Laurie 23.3
      17 November 2012 at 7:01 pm

      Now taking tshirt orders, FOT. The old guard should be mentoring new blood for the sake of the party not exerting bludgeon influence for personal motives. We’re all sick of it.

  24. hush minx 24
    17 November 2012 at 4:04 pm

    Why wait until February? The fact that the leadership and old guard failed to get their way tells me they do not have the support of the party. Let’s start fresh and harnesses the energy that has shone through at conference. Otherwise i fear there will be the same backroom deals done and time getting ready to take the fight to national is lost.

    • lprent 24.1
      17 November 2012 at 4:14 pm

      No reason to rush.

      Apart from anything else it is going to take some time to get the electoral system operating. It is going to be a postal vote to members – something that Labour haven’t done. Everything has been run previously using branches.

      There is a pretty good chance that a 40% vote will not be reached in caucus.

  25. hush minx 25
    17 November 2012 at 4:22 pm

    Ok I’ll try not to get carried away! Having said that, i would have thought there would be enough mps who think its best to front foot the fact that the leadership just lost the votes in quite a public way, and that shearer is short on time for proving himself. However your point that there isn’t the infrastructure yet is almost unassailable logic!

  26. Anne 26
    17 November 2012 at 5:20 pm

    I agree with all the comments thus far…

    It’s a fascinating conference. I was watching the body language of the various MPs during the debate on the leadership amendments. They fought hard in their corner, but to be fair to them they seemed to accept the outcome with graciousness. If I’m right, it augurs well for the future.

    I think it may have come as a surprise to some MPs just how angry the rank and file felt over the Dec. 2011 leadership battle, and it had it’s repercussion in today’s voting outcomes.

  27. Hilary 27
    17 November 2012 at 5:28 pm

    I’m not surprised things are going smoothly. The party president has a background as an educational psychologist and has worked with a diverse range of students over many years. She is a very skilled teacher and manager.

  28. karol 28
    17 November 2012 at 6:21 pm

    Bomber’s really fizzing about today’s events at the conference, but he doesn’t seem to know how to spell your name, Lynn.

  29. Anne 29
    17 November 2012 at 6:31 pm

    Right on cue… TV1 and TV2 are being their mischievous selves, and interpreting the electoral changes as a resurgence of war between the ABC club and the Cunliffe club. They are using it as supposed evidence that the electoral amendments (as passed) were part of a Cunliffe organised conspiracy.

    Total crap! L.P. members have felt sore for a long time now because, rightly or wrongly, it seemed to many of us that our views and concerns were being ignored by Caucus. The leadership battle last year merely brought it to the surface.

    • karol 29.1
      17 November 2012 at 6:50 pm

      Did you mean TV3, Anne?  As I understood Gower, he was more into talking up Labour being in disarray.  He ended his 6pm News report saying it is Key who will be the winner.

      He does report that Andrew Little is now admitting there are people concerned about Shearer’s leadership. 

      “Let’s name what some people are concerned about here, and it is contemporary anxiety about leadership,” says Labour MP Andrew Little.

      And yes, that was an admission – Mr Shearer’s leadership is being openly questioned.

      “[I have] got to acknowledge that’s how some people are feeling,” says Mr Little. “But that’s not a reason to put in a rule change that will cause instability.”
       

      So how about Little apologising and acknowledging that it wasn’t “anonymous bloggers” but a significant part of the membership? And how about Gower calling him and other Labour MPs on it?  

      It didn’t sound to me like Gower was saying the new rules were the result of a Cunliffe orchestrated conspiracy, but that Cunliffe is focused on being leader.

      • PlanetOrphan 29.1.1
        17 November 2012 at 6:58 pm

        Gower was putting words in mouths and churlishly flogging Cunliffe with an unsubstantiated question, is my read on it all Karol.

        I didn’t detect any question about leadership from any of the Labour party.

        If there was a majority decision for change I think all concerened would be happy to work in a new framework, no contention that I could see.

        • Raymond A Francis 29.1.1.1
          17 November 2012 at 7:09 pm

          I have to agree, talk about trying to be the news rather than reporting it
          Thanks to the above reports some of us know better

          • PlanetOrphan 29.1.1.1.1
            17 November 2012 at 7:12 pm

            True , Growers’ look of subservient fear at the end was a real givaway 👿

            If he’s serious about helping Aoteoroa he needs to lift his game considerably, assumptions do not cut it.

            • ianmac 29.1.1.1.1.1
              17 November 2012 at 7:22 pm

              I guess this is why the National Party play their cards pretty close over leadership. Otherwise weird ones like Gower see a chance to create a rift come challenge and stir up muddy waters.
              What a pity such a brave chap like Gower is unable to spread his poison amongst people like Key, Joyce, English.

        • Anne 29.1.1.2
          17 November 2012 at 7:21 pm

          Correct Planet O:
          I believe the majority of delegates who voted for the electoral changes did so with few thoughts of Shearer and Cunliffe in mind. This was something that went deeper than leadership contests. I listened to some of the people sitting around me, and they also felt that the time had come to reclaim the Labour Party as belonging as much to us (the members) as it does to Caucus.

          I reiterate what I said at 6:31pm. It was the usual MSM beat-up with little basis in fact! Nothing would delight the Gowers of this world more than to create a major conspiracy in the L.P. where none exists. Yes, I was also watching Gower at the conference – and who he was talking to… 🙂

          • karol 29.1.1.2.1
            17 November 2012 at 7:32 pm

            Oh, I agree Gower has been stirring it up the last couple of nights, in a way that works to undermine Labour.  He HAS focuseD on stirring up drama and sensationalism rather than focusing on the key issues.  

            Tonight, rather than focus on the shift to a more open and democratic organisation in the party, he tried to stir it up about divisions that will, according to Gower, benefit Key.   I didn’t, however, see anything in his report that suggest an orchestrated conspiracy.  It was more that he was beating up that Cunliffe was taking the opportunity to make a grab for power.

          • KJT 29.1.1.2.2
            18 November 2012 at 8:54 am

            I believe the Labour party membership. like most New Zealanders, are sick of a few people in parliament riding roughshod over the wishes and best interests of the rest of us.

            Hence the overwhelming popularity of any measures which increase citizen power/democracy and decrease that of parliament. Such as MMP, Referendums and control over party candidates.

            It is not so much who the caucus chose as leader, as the arrogant and self interested way they went about it.

  30. Anne 30
    17 November 2012 at 7:46 pm

    I didn’t, however, see anything in his report that suggest an orchestrated conspiracy. It was more that he was beating up that Cunliffe was taking the opportunity to make a grab for power.

    You maybe right Karol, but I did note a few of the people Gower was talking to and ummm, lets just say… I wonder why he came to such a conclusion. As for Cunliffe, it wouldn’t have mattered what he said, it was going to be mischievously interpreted.

    • KJT 30.1
      18 November 2012 at 8:59 am

      Just wait for the extended campaign by the RW part of the MSM against Cunliff leading up to February.

      That is his best recommendation. The RWNJ’s are terrified of him.

      They seem way to comfortable with Shearer.

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  • 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
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  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

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