Labour fundraising

Written By: - Date published: 12:04 pm, November 17th, 2015 - 63 comments
Categories: labour - Tags:

In The Herald this morning:

Labour’s finances in the red

The Labour Party has run at a deficit for at least two years, forcing it to dip into its cash reserves and highlighting one of the problems the party faced in last year’s election.

A copy of the party’s financial report obtained by the Herald…

The annual report used to be distributed at conference to delegates and the media, so it was never difficult to “obtain” (is this still the case?).

…shows it recorded a $71,373 deficit in 2014 and an even larger $104,915 deficit the year before, a shortfall president Professor Nigel Haworth put down to the costs of byelections and its leadership contests. That resulted in a $117,410 drop in its cash reserves ($612,378) and the value of its net assets dropped from $270,000 to $199,000. Those assets include about $500,000 in property.

After last year’s election, a review of Labour’s performance raised fundraising as a priority, saying the party risked ongoing “electoral failure” if it could not raise more money.

Hardly a secret!

Last year, Labour raised $940,000 in donations, a quarter of National’s $4 million. It spent $1.3 million on election advertising – half of National’s $2.6 million.

The left has always been, and probably will always be, out-spent by the political right. It is far from a level playing field. That’s just the way it goes when you represent ordinary workers and the poorer members of society.

You can donate to Labour here, or better yet join and set up a regular donation here.

63 comments on “Labour fundraising ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Detrie 1
    17 November 2015 at 1:33 pm

    This is the big issue for those ‘representing’ the lower paid working classes. Labour NZ don’t [outwardly] have the charisma or policies that gel with enough disenfranchised voters, eager for a change. Few would be willing to donate their hard earned cash each month/year unless they can see real change coming that would directly help them.. I fear the economy, unemployment and worker rights has to get much worse here for hard working (or unemployed) people to become more proactive.

    Maybe it can only come from local, grassroots work in the labour party branches and the few unions. Perhaps we expect too much from our leaders…

    • savenz 1.1
      17 November 2015 at 2:35 pm

      + 1 Detrie

      Yes I agree if Labour want people to support them then they need to start to support the people and have popular policies not aimed at neoliberals who surprisingly don’t vote Labour anyway having their needs served more by National.

      Being weak on TPPA is like being weak on the whole Labour brand. Labour (used to) stands for jobs, social policy, health and education and human rights and a bit for the environment – but now under TPP they seem to think that corporatising social systems and having offshore lawyers decide on a different set of rules is acceptable. Only caring about property ownership clauses in the TPPA is against everything Labour used to stand for. Have they marched an stood up to the government on TPP or did they stay at home and expect the donations to rain in?

      Instead of Hoping ‘it will all go away’ and supporters will ‘trust them’, Labour need to stop making great speeches and start doing what they speak about. Then they will start to get people making donations and volunteering.

      After the outburst from Nash about his views on how the public -it is no wonder Labour are using their cash reserves. Even John Key would not have let that outburst go uncensored from a Nat MP.

      I’d love a strong Labour but they keep putting their heads in the sand and ignore what the left wings supporters are saying to them (and they are the ones who count because they vote for them) and instead try to look at what the Herald has to say – that is the problem.

    • Rosie 1.2
      17 November 2015 at 3:33 pm

      You’ve hit the nail on the head Detrie.

      There just isn’t enough $$$ for supporters to give to a party that exists to represent them, the low paid and middle income workers.

      I understand the financial situation is seriously difficult for Labour but there is just no way I can contribute. We barely keep ourselves afloat and are getting further and further into credit card debt just to pay our living costs. I’m unemployed, we have one income, a mortgage and no support from WINZ.

      I am a Labour member (as of the end of last year) and often get requests for donations in my inbox. I know they need help but no matter how much I empathise with their current situation I just can’t do it. That makes me feel a bit crap. I would genuinely like to help.

      I want Labour to win, but it’s frustrating because sick as it is, winning takes money, and I don’t have any.

      I don’t know what income brackets the Labour Party membership is made up of but I’m guessing that many members will be not be flush, if they’re in the party for the practical reason they want to be represented.

      A party for workers will always have a financial uphill battle compared to a party for bosses.

    • Korero Pono 1.3
      17 November 2015 at 4:28 pm

      +100 do you think we really “expect too much from our leaders” or is it that “our leaders” have lost sight of the grass roots? Perhaps the Labour Party have forgotten its grassroots?

  2. Anne 2
    17 November 2015 at 1:45 pm

    Let’s remember the ongoing battle Labour had to fight against though.

    1. Dirty Politics which began years before Hager’s book was published.
    2. The Herald’s dirty campaign to defile Cunliffe’s reputation. Eg. the Donghua Liu affair to name just one.
    3. The general media’s biased reporting – or should I say mis-reporting on many occasions.
    4 And finally the misadventures of a handful of Labour caucus members who didn’t help the over-all impression of Labour’s ability to govern.

    All these things together not only brought Labour into disrepute with the voters, it also ensured their donation levels would be negatively affected. I suspect that larger entities who normally donate to both major parties actually withheld their donations to Labour in the last two elections – or at least reduced the level of them.

    I hope they will be more generous this time around with Andrew Little at the helm.

    • savenz 2.1
      17 November 2015 at 2:42 pm

      @Anne you are right about all that. But what REAL counter action has Labour taken?

      We can’t all prop up Labour they need to do more to counter your list i.e.
      Support Nicky Hager.
      Take Herald to court for slander about Donghua Liu.
      Not have Nash complain about the Standard in his rant, shouldn’t MSM be the target?
      Shut up the ABC’s and neoliberals undermining the Labour brand.

      • Anne 2.1.1
        17 November 2015 at 3:20 pm

        The ABC Club is gone savenz. Sure, some of it’s adherents are still in caucus but all you Labour cynics need to accept that:

        Labour really does have a united caucus under Andrew Little.

        He spent most of the last 12 months achieving this goal and he is to be congratulated for doing so. Now it is time to seek dialogue with the voters and build up their trust in him. This is Andrew’s strength and I have no doubt he will succeed but it’s not going to happen overnight.

        We cannot expect the minutia of policy until election year. Apart from the broad outline… to announce specific policy any earlier is suicidal. All it does is enable the government to implement them prior to the election and gain all the kudos. It’s happened time and again in the past and anyone who has been around the political traps for more than two decades will tell you the same. A political party also runs the risk of the voters forgetting them if they announce policy too soon.

        I don’t think Nash will be bitching and complaining again.

  3. Vaughan Little 3
    17 November 2015 at 2:34 pm

    to the two commenters above: the wounds of the 80s are still palpable, and there are many local problems specific to the nz case. however it’s important to set this in an international context. you always need to look at international trends to understand what’s happening with political parties.

    last night I was listening to the talk given by thatchers biographer at the lse to promote his second volume. when discussing why she always won with healthy majorities even when unemployment shot up he said unemployed people don’t vote.

    I don’t know why that is, but it’s not use trying to blame this international phenomenon on new zealand Labour’s local problems.

  4. Keith 4
    17 November 2015 at 2:54 pm

    At least Labour can say they are not compromised by donations that are given with clear expectations of pay back like National.

    However I will give National some credit, they have faithfully honoured their backers with dodgy Health and Safety Laws, left the Liquor industry untouched, spent zillions on motorways for their donors in the trucking lobby the sugar industy are still smiling through rotten teeth and some truely horrible worker hating labour laws to name but a few!

    • Daniel Cale 4.1
      17 November 2015 at 3:43 pm

      “At least Labour can say they are not compromised by donations that are given with clear expectations of pay back like National.”

      You’re kidding, right? One word. Unions. Unions are the major funders of Labour, they have a say in the leadership and they WILL want payback.

      • galeandra 4.1.1
        17 November 2015 at 4:25 pm

        Yeah? How exactly?

        • sophie 4.1.1.1
          17 November 2015 at 4:37 pm

          I would like to know too?

        • Daniel Cale 4.1.1.2
          17 November 2015 at 7:14 pm

          How? You mean how will they want payback? Union friendly legislation. Union friendly candidates. Just the sort of thing to drive more voters to National.

          • Keith 4.1.1.2.1
            17 November 2015 at 7:51 pm

            I really don’t know where to begin with this.

            Unions are not the problem in this country and those industries that I have worked in with some Union influence ran smoother, had far less staff turnover and had happier, better paid people working in them.
            Why, because things are fairer, one of the biggest bottom lines for any human walking this earth.
            And happy better paid workers spend their money on different things other than rent, petrol and a bit of food and that contributes to all of the economy.
            Those that didnt have Union influence were a nightmare for those not so qualified or those not so settled in NZ, I can assure you and those businesses never ever ran to their potential or even close! They bred a lot of resentment though.

            So what do these evil Unions want Daniel?

            Do they want laws that enhance their profits?
            No!
            Do they want laws that make the few individuals at the top of their organisation filthy rich?
            No!
            Do they want taxpayer money spent on them to enhance their personal profits
            No!
            Do they want safety laws relaxed to enhance their personal profits?
            No!
            Do they want slacker laws to enhance their personal profits?
            No!
            Do they want people to work zero hours (sorry, “flexible” hours)?
            No!
            Do they want employees to be paid poorly for their labour and be totally exploitable?
            No!
            Do they want their fellow New Zelanders to struggle to live?
            No!
            Do they want imbalance in our economy?
            No!
            Do they want businesses to do well?
            Yes
            Do they care about those who have no voice and who have little money?
            Yes!
            Do they give a shit about all New Zealanders?
            Yes!
            Does National?
            No, not at all, not ever!

            You are 40 years out of date. Unions are not the problem, a lack of them is.

            • Daniel Cale 4.1.1.2.1.1
              18 November 2015 at 2:47 pm

              “Unions are not the problem in this country ”

              That’s mostly true, because they have been largely rejected by NZ workers and have therefore been rendered impotent. The risk, however, is that a future Labour government could reverse the progressive measures we have seen in the past 30 years. There is also the little question of unions holding massive sums of members funds and failure to comply with statutory requirements.

              “Unions are not the problem, a lack of them is.”

              So why has their membership declined so much in recent years? Why have workers voted with their feet since union membership became voluntary?

              “So what do these evil Unions want Daniel?”

              Ah, where to start. A return to interislander disputes every holiday. A return to ports performance compromised by union ‘muscle’. Businesses destroyed by a compulsory living wage. I could go on. Unions had a place in the past, but they have failed to adapt to the modern economy, and are enduring a slow, lingering death as a result.

          • Allyson 4.1.1.2.2
            18 November 2015 at 10:40 am

            The next Labour govt will owe a great debt of gratitude to educational unions NZEI and PPTA, as they singularly have been the most vocal and effective opponent of the current Government.
            I know they’re not affiliated Unions but I do expect their support to be rewarded.

      • Leftie 4.1.2
        17 November 2015 at 5:03 pm

        @Daniel Cale

        The unions are Labour’s base, it was what the Labour party was founded on. Everyone has their say in the leadership; the membership 40%, caucus 40% and the unions 20%.

        So what’s the payback you are referring to?

        • Daniel Cale 4.1.2.1
          17 November 2015 at 7:16 pm

          See above. It will take the form of more union influence on Labour. The unions were Labours base, but that was when the unions had a purpose and a constituency of worth. Today they an irrelevant rump, disliked by most voters, and rejected by most workers. Greater union involvement within Labour will spell electoral oblivion.

          • Leftie 4.1.2.1.1
            17 November 2015 at 11:57 pm

            Disagree Daniel Cale. Keith put it nicely…

            Keith 4.1.1.2.1
            17 November 2015 at 7:51 pm
            I really don’t know where to begin with this.

            Unions are not the problem in this country and those industries that I have worked in with some Union influence ran smoother, had far less staff turnover and had happier, better paid people working in them.
            Why, because things are fairer, one of the biggest bottom lines for any human walking this earth.
            And happy better paid workers spend their money on different things other than rent, petrol and a bit of food and that contributes to all of the economy.
            Those that didnt have Union influence were a nightmare for those not so qualified or those not so settled in NZ, I can assure you and those businesses never ever ran to their potential or even close! They bred a lot of resentment though.

            So what do these evil Unions want Daniel?

            Do they want laws that enhance their profits?
            No!
            Do they want laws that make the few individuals at the top of their organisation filthy rich?
            No!
            Do they want taxpayer money spent on them to enhance their personal profits
            No!
            Do they want safety laws relaxed to enhance their personal profits?
            No!
            Do they want slacker laws to enhance their personal profits?
            No!
            Do they want people to work zero hours (sorry, “flexible” hours)?
            No!
            Do they want employees to be paid poorly for their labour and be totally exploitable?
            No!
            Do they want their fellow New Zelanders to struggle to live?
            No!
            Do they want imbalance in our economy?
            No!
            Do they want businesses to do well?
            Yes
            Do they care about those who have no voice and who have little money?
            Yes!
            Do they give a shit about all New Zealanders?
            Yes!
            Does National?
            No, not at all, not ever!

            You are 40 years out of date. Unions are not the problem, a lack of them is.

      • James 4.1.3
        17 November 2015 at 5:52 pm

        Curious to see Keiths reply to that.

  5. Ad 5
    17 November 2015 at 3:01 pm

    The specific problem Labour will face by this coming weekend – which is the official launch of Phil Goff’s campaign – is a Mt Roskill by-election.

    Goff will not be able to campaign for the Mayoralty and be MP for Mt Roskill at the same time.

    This means resigning from Parliament, and forcing a by-election.
    An opportunity for one of the Usual Suspects from Mt Roskill electorate.

    More money from Labour’s coffers.

    • alwyn 5.1
      17 November 2015 at 3:34 pm

      Are you willing to bet on this statement?
      “Goff will not be able to campaign for the Mayoralty and be MP for Mt Roskill at the same time”
      I would only put it at even money that he would resign from Parliament if he won the Mayoralty. Before then I think there is no chance.
      He has been at the tax-payer trough all his life, hasn’t he? Why do you think he will give up now?

      • Magisterium 5.1.1
        17 November 2015 at 3:49 pm

        Surely Little would demand Goff’s resignation if he won the Mayoralty? Letting him double-dip would be giving National a free hit whenever it wanted.

      • Ad 5.1.2
        17 November 2015 at 4:13 pm

        Yes I am willing to bet on that statement.
        I would expect the resignation within 48 hours after his actual announcement of candidacy this weekend.
        I’ve been wrong before, but he’s experienced enough to know you can only be one thing at a time. The campaign will be all-consuming.

        The pressure will come on long before he wins.
        In fact the media are already pursuing this as a story as of today.

        • alwyn 5.1.2.1
          17 November 2015 at 5:17 pm

          A bet, given we are both anonymous, is obviously impossible.
          I will eat humble pie if it happens within 48 hours though.

          • Ad 5.1.2.1.1
            17 November 2015 at 5:30 pm

            And I the same if it doesn’t happen after the launch this weekend.
            It will certainly be a story either way.

    • Daniel Cale 5.2
      17 November 2015 at 4:21 pm

      There are whispers about Mt Albert as well…

  6. Peter 6
    17 November 2015 at 3:10 pm

    When it returns to Labour values then it will get my contributions until then no chance.

    • Ad 6.1
      17 November 2015 at 4:22 pm

      I tend to agree, but I’m starting to feel confused about what the Greens stand for as well.

      The overall test for my donor dollar now is whether it will change the world, and change the world the way I want.

      For example, I would currently prefer to spend say $5k per year with Forest and Bird than Labour, because their values has been consistent for decades and because I can just tell them what campaign I want it to go to.

    • Kiwiri 6.2
      17 November 2015 at 5:08 pm

      hah!

  7. alwyn 7
    17 November 2015 at 3:11 pm

    The Party must be rather sorry they treated Owen Glen so rudely.

    Remember at that University function where Trevor Mallard was delegated to prevent Glen getting anywhere Helen Clark? He jumped in the way and diverted Owen away from “She who must be obeyed” at every possible occasion.
    This was a man who had given them $500,000 for their campaign and then they treated him like a pariah. I wonder if they apologised whether he might forgive them? A donation like that would be worth an apology I would have thought.

    They could have followed the example of France’s Henry IV who said that “Paris is well worth a mass” and propose that $500,000 is worth an apology.
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_IV_of_France#.22Paris_is_well_worth_a_Mass.22
    Worth a try do you think?

    • McFlock 7.1
      17 November 2015 at 3:25 pm

      thanks for your concern

      • alwyn 7.1.1
        17 November 2015 at 3:30 pm

        Any time young fellow.
        The party obviously needs a few original ideas.

        • McFlock 7.1.1.1
          17 November 2015 at 3:55 pm

          So you offer tired tory tropes and obscure notes from french history? Let us know when you have an original idea.

          • alwyn 7.1.1.1.1
            17 November 2015 at 7:31 pm

            You would do well to read some history.
            As Karl Marx said
            “History repeats itself, first (Goff) as tragedy, second (Cunliffe) as farce.”
            or from George Santayana
            “‘Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”
            After 2017 the Labour Party, if they do not learn, may be listening to a triumphal chant of “Three more years”.

  8. indiana 8
    17 November 2015 at 3:31 pm

    If Labour can’t manage their own finances effectively, how do people expect them to run the country’s finances?

    • Grindlebottom 8.1
      17 November 2015 at 3:37 pm

      They’d then have a nation of captive contributors with statutory obligations to give their Government some money, lots of it, same as the current lot.

    • Leftie 8.2
      17 November 2015 at 6:39 pm

      @indiana
      The Clark Labour government ran the country’s finances extremely well, way better than the failed Key National government.

    • les 8.3
      18 November 2015 at 12:37 pm

      is borrowing 10’s of billions managing finances effectively?How hards that!

  9. Draco T Bastard 9
    17 November 2015 at 3:41 pm

    That’s just the way it goes when you represent ordinary workers and the poorer members of society.

    Actually, I’d say that was more because Labour don’t represent them and haven’t for a long time.

    If they wanted to represent them then they’d be building up a mass party with a weekly fee of $1 per week and full democratic choosing of policy.

  10. mary_a 10
    17 November 2015 at 3:56 pm

    Most Labour supporters are struggling along as it is, on paltry and minimal incomes. There isn’t enough left over in the wallet after paying overheads and the like to enable them to live, let alone give donations.

    What Labour needs right now is a very generous benefactor, or benefactors, who believe in the party.

    • Clean_power 10.1
      17 November 2015 at 4:05 pm

      You mean , the same sort of belief KDC had on Hone Harawhira?

    • Kiwiri 10.2
      17 November 2015 at 8:54 pm

      Why would such very generous benefactor(s) believe in the party?

    • Chris 10.3
      17 November 2015 at 9:15 pm

      “Most Labour supporters are struggling along as it is, on paltry and minimal incomes.”

      There are probably more beneficiaries voting for Key than struggling Labour supporters. That’s how fucked up things are at the moment.

  11. James 11
    17 November 2015 at 5:54 pm

    People give money to causes they believe in. This really shoes people voting with their wallets.

    A few more by-elections, perhaps a leadership vote, its all going to be a downward spiral for labour if they start running extremely low on funds.

    Perhaps a new party on the left is required – something that people can get behind.

    I wonder how the greens coffers are looking at the moment.

  12. Antony Cotton 12
    17 November 2015 at 6:01 pm

    While some of you think National walks on Water Hitler always said the big Liar the more people Beleive it and that is how Telfon John Key and Friends work say no more. We have a week Media in both TV Channels who are so biased why did they get rid of Campbell I have the answer he challenged Key to much we now have Gower Hosking to name a few in the media who making there own opinion in front of t.v screens right around NZ but this Government is not Bullet Proof.

  13. Thinking Right 13
    17 November 2015 at 9:39 pm

    Surprise, surprise, Labour seem to spend a disproportionate amount of time representing/agitating on behalf of beneficiaries and criminals. Neither group are known for their possession of discretionary funds and/or the motivation to donate to Labour.

    Meanwhile by focusing on these two groups, the workers/small business owners who potentially could be open to donating tend to get put off as they are are often on the receiving end of offending by the criminal class.

    Not to mention that (rightly or wrongly) after working their butt off all week and having not much left over after paying the bills they tend to get pissed off when overpaid Politicians spout off that the non-workers/indigent should be up for more free hand outs.

    The secret for Labour to get more support is to agitate for their traditional supporters – look at bugging employers to be more generous with pay rises, tax cuts for low income earners, and even consider legislating for mandatory overtime rates.

    This would cement Labour as the worker’s representative – they could still do their bene/crim thing as well but just at a lower level.

    • Kiwiri 13.1
      18 November 2015 at 12:39 am

      Hello ‘Thinking Right’,

      In terms of cementing Labour as the worker’s representative, what do you make of retaining 90-day trial periods but making them fairer?

      http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/70319219/Labour-would-retain-90-day-trial-periods-but-make-them-fairer-Little

      • Thinking Right 13.1.1
        18 November 2015 at 6:45 pm

        I don’t have a problem with the 90 day trial law as it stands.

        I have been an employer and had to utilize it with one employee who starting taking time of without notice and when spoken to about it stated that she would carry on taking time off when ever she felt it was necessary and I would have to live with that.

        Was not good as other staff were suffering having to carry her job – no one knew if she was going to come to work in the morning.

        It got to the point where either I go down the track of putting her through the disciplinary process which would not have looked good on her cv or to explain to her that her social life was not compatible with her employment with us and I gave her her 14 days notice.

        • Colonial Viper 13.1.1.1
          18 November 2015 at 6:54 pm

          Surprise, surprise, Labour seem to spend a disproportionate amount of time representing/agitating on behalf of beneficiaries and criminals.

          Firstly, fuck you and your self serving privilege.

          Secondly the real criminals in this nation are the ones who skim off the economic surplus from the hard work of others and refuse to pay Kiwis a living wage, as well as National Party enablers who are selling off the future of this nation so that they can add to their own worthless investment portfolios.

        • te reo putake 13.1.1.2
          18 November 2015 at 9:20 pm

          “It got to the point where either I go down the track of putting her through the disciplinary process which would not have looked good on her cv or to explain to her that her social life was not compatible with her employment with us and I gave her her 14 days notice.”

          You’re quite a lazy fucker, aren’t you? The outcome was the same; she was going to be fired either way. However, if you’d gone through the disciplinary process you might have found out what was really going on. Dollars to donuts it wasn’t her social life that was getting in the way. More likely real life. Family, kids, illness, who knows? You could have ended up with a grateful, productive employee if you’d put some time into finding out why she needed the time off and worked together to find a way to manage it.

          But no, you tell us you were being charitable by firing her the easy way. You’re not a hero, you’re a grade A shit, pal.

    • Daniel Cale 13.2
      18 November 2015 at 2:52 pm

      The Labour Party I supported in the past had a vision for NZ, a clear sense of its values, and a clear sense of fairness for all NZ’ers. Todays Labour Party is a shell, dominated by minority sector groups and deeply divided ideologically.

      • Colonial Viper 13.2.1
        18 November 2015 at 6:57 pm

        Daniel Cale nothing you have written in the last couple of weeks passes the grade of being more than right wing tripe. Don’t even try, mate.

      • b waghorn 13.2.2
        18 November 2015 at 7:33 pm

        Its a good thing that Little is unifying them and working on policy for the big issues coming our way then A!

  14. Michael 14
    17 November 2015 at 11:27 pm

    Elections should have much more state funding.

    Ban corporate donations. (And you can ban union donations to make the idea seem balanced.) The Alberta NDP did the same thing; http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/alberta/alberta-passes-bill-banning-political-donations-from-corporations-and-unions/article25074664/

    If individual union members or individual corporate executives, for example, want to donate to a party, that’s fine. But cap their donations at, say, $1,000 each.

    And then on top of current subsidies, introduce a small donation matching subsidy. So each individual dollar donated (up to $50 per donation) gets matched by $5 of public funds. So if a person donates $5 to Labour, Labour gets $25 of public funds.

    This will allow parties to be funded by grassroots individuals – not the wealthy. It will level the playing field and bring funding of politics back to the people who matter: voters.

    • les 14.1
      18 November 2015 at 10:19 am

      you dont think some will find it easy to forward 1000 names donating $1000 each?

    • Tanz 14.2
      18 November 2015 at 11:46 am

      But then you have taxpayers financially backing political parties they don’t agree with or believe in, but their hand is forced. Undemocratic.

      • Anne 14.2.1
        18 November 2015 at 6:37 pm

        Pfft. What a load of codswallop.

        What you would have are democratic elections where the playing field is more or less level and every political party has a fair and reasonable chance of getting it’s policy messages across to the voters – unlike the present situation where one political party commands the support of the 1% rich pricks, and has a grossly unfair advantage over all the other political parties. You call that free and fair elections? I don’t.

  15. Colonial Viper 15
    18 November 2015 at 6:59 pm

    Thanks for the reminder; have now canned my AP to the Labour Party.

  16. TTD 16
    18 November 2015 at 11:47 pm

    Do Labour party MP’s tithe some of their income to the Party like the Greens?
    10% of the wages as tithes would bring in 150,047 x 10% =15004 x 32 = 480150.4
    Job done.
    Enough to pay the wages of a couple of full time fundraisers eh?

  17. The Real Matthew 17
    20 November 2015 at 1:46 pm

    I’ve long suspected the NZ Herald is a left wing publication and todays editorial leaves no doubt about it.

    It’s disgraceful that our national newspaper would run a soft piece trying to solicit donations for any political party.

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 2024-07-27T01:42:14+00:00