Labour on mining. Brownlee on bullshit.

Written By: - Date published: 8:00 am, March 26th, 2010 - 33 comments
Categories: Mining - Tags:

There has been considerable discussion about the message and targeting of Labours policy on mining around the conservation estate in OpenMike and some of the other blogs. This is obviously going to be a reasonable large policy platform in the upcoming election in about 18 months (how time flies). So Labour had a clear policy on it over the last decade pleases me greatly. It agrees broadly with my views of balancing the economics between exploitation of extraction and sustainable tourism.

I’m pretty much in agreement with Lew at Kiwipolitico who said

Labour’s campaign against mining Schedule 4 land looks strong, especially at the iconographic level.

The slogan and to an extent the photo frames the issue as a matter of identity, echoing Phil Goff’s ‘the many, not the few‘ and Phil Twyford’s ‘not yours to sell‘ (though the visual style has come a long way since that campaign, and there’s some subject-object confusion). The hard economic matters — the cost-benefit analysis between mining and tourism and so on — are there, as they should be, but backgrounded to the symbolic concerns.

Goff is clear that he’s not anti-mining, but wants to focus on the 60% of mineral resources outside the DOC estate. That’s the crucial point to make because it draws a bright line between acceptable and unacceptable which is still well north of Schedule 4 — to cross that line the government must first gain electoral consent to mine DOC land, and having done that must gain consent to mine the most precious areas of that estate. The point isn’t that mining is all bad; the point is that mining conservation land is worse than the alternatives.

As a political message, this is the case. However if there is a economic case to be made then it should be made looking at the value of alternate uses of the land, both during the lifetime of mining operations, and afterwards. Brownlees proposal has never bothered to do this, either because a case cannot be made, or because he is incapable of understanding it, or both.

Like Labour, I’m not anti-mining – my first degree was in earth sciences. But for me, there appears to have been no actual analysis of the costs and benefits for NZ in proposing to mine conservation estate. What we have are some ‘back of the envelope’ numbers by interested parties based on short-term pricing that is unlikely to survive the next few years. As Marty G pointed out yesterday the numbers that are being blithely thrown about by Brownlee that lack any realistic context. In fact most of them appear to be based more on a fantasy than reality because they look at potential rather than economic practicality. They would require prospecting to prove yields. However we can put a pretty good line under the costs of certain types of mining that Brownlee is proposing now.

There is the outright crap of ‘surgical mining’. For minerals like gold, silver, and rare earths that exist as grammes per tonne and require chemical extraction, there are no economically realistic ways to do these in any way other than open-cast mining. It has been noticeable that the MED and the mining industry representatives who have commented on Brownlees proposals haven’t suggested alternatives.

As sk pointed out back in feb, the political media needs to stop waffling about surgical mining and learn some  realities about mining technology

This nonsense over modern mining techiques keeps getting repeated and repeated. Anyone saying that should be frog-marched to Macraes mine in Otago, and made to look down the hole (maybe Jim and Jane could do the show next week from the bottom of the mine). Truly shocking .. . How can a huge hole, slag heaps and hundreds of truck movements a day be ‘unobstrusive’.

Mining for geothermal emplaced gold at Macraes Flat in Otago runs at 1.6 grams per tonne, and they are currently moving 5 million tonnes of ore per year and chemically treating it. The size of the mine can be seen in this google earth image on the right (click into it to see a larger version) that Draco T Bastard pulled. Draco has put a line along the largest axis, and that line is 7 kilometers long. I could look at the other mines around the country with similar mineral extraction techniques for gold or silver, but they are all pretty much the same. ‘Rare earths’ are also extracted in grams per tonne.

The figure that have been bandied about for Great Barrier Island indicate that they’re optimistically thinking that they can get about 3.6 grams per tonne there for gold, and 140 grams per tonne for silver. Even if those ratios prove out (which I’m deeply skeptical about), then that means to achieve Brownlees  possible values of 1-3 billion dollars extracted, they’re going to have to move and chemically process at least 10’s of millions of tonnes of ore. There is no economic way to do it that doesn’t involve vast areas of despoiled land and requiring hundreds of years of care about leaching from tailings.

So what we wind up with at the end of the mining is a landscape that requires long term control and expense.

The question is what benefit does NZ get from this despoilment of the conservation lands? Well not much. The royalties for the crown are typically about 1% of the value which brings the ‘billions’ of dollars of value to NZ down to mere millions.

Modern mining is an exercise in highly capital intensive equipment and procedures. Most of the capital equipment will have to be imported at the start of the project. Our capital markets will be insufficient to finance such ventures, so it is most probable that overseas firms will own and operate the mines. They will repatriate most of the profits offshore.

The jobs present in the mines would measure in a relatively few thousands, many of which will be offshore workers with experience, and nothing compared to the hundreds of thousands of people involved directly and indirectly in tourism.

So what are the long-term alternate uses of the land that we’d destroy buy mining them?

We have a 21 billion dollar per year tourism industry that relies in a large part on having the conservation estate available, accessible, and relatively untouched. This will be increasingly hard to achieve when some of the destinations of tourism operators will be involved in the large plumes of dust and leachate in rivers from mining.

The Brownlee policy has been attempting to frame the debate about it being a ‘stocktake’ of minerals. However the first step would be to have some reasonably accurate material available about the costs of extraction, techniques available, and the potential benefits. Brownlee and the MED have spectacularly failed to produce any of these things. They are expecting the public to make submissions with vastly inadequate information in 5 weeks. That is a ridiculous position to take, and screams of a political con-job.

Of course our political media are so technically gormless that they’ve swallowing Brownlees bullshit and regurgitating it almost verbatim. They clearly haven’t bothered to engage even their basic intelligence to investigate the realities of mining for gold, silver, and rare earths. I’d suggest that they have a close look at existing mines and the effect on the surrounding countryside. Then have a look at mining sites from over a century ago with unstable tailings and leachate problems downstream. They should also look at the lack of a framework for extracting more value for NZ in the MED proposals than the pathetic royalty systems, and the actual real returns to the economy. And for gods sake, you don’t exactly look anything apart from stupid by replaying the one guy in Great Barrier Island who thinks that mining would be a good idea, over and over again…

Labour is right to call Brownlee on his inadequate proposal. Brownlee has failed to provide the basis to have his vaunted ‘rational debate’, because he hasn’t provided the information that would allow it to take place. Under these circumstances with a obvious con-job underway from Brownlee and the MED, the only rational response from Labour is to increase the risks of prospecting or mining to investors. They have done this by stating

We Must Unite Against The Review of Schedule 4.

Labour stands firm against the review of Schedule 4. We’re against the idea of mining in our national parks and conservation areas. As proud New Zealanders, we consider it our responsibility to look after our country for future generations. We know there’s money in mining. But our biggest treasure is far more precious than gold.

That is the correct approach, and one that National was following in the 1990’s when they put schedule 4 into legislation. It was setup to preserve some of the areas that we require to maintain a strong tourism industry.

If Brownlee was ever interested in having a ‘rational debate’, then he has clearly failed to put in the groundwork for that to happen. Both he and the MED have been bullshitting throughout the whole of the debate so far.

There appears to be no cost-benefit analysis weighing the current value of the conservation estate that he wants to put at risk against the probable returns. That isn’t the way to have a debate, it is how you try to run a PR con-job. I suspect that the real debate will happen after Brownlee bulldozes his legislation undemocratically through parliament in his usual style. It will happen during the lead up to the next election as people realize the economic risk that opening up schedule 4 places on currently viable industries depending on our 100% pure marketing image.

If any prospecting licenses or even mining in conservation lands are granted under this sorry Brownlee policy then Labour should revoke the licenses without compensation when they next have the opportunity. Trevor Mallard said on it in Red Alert and if that isn’t Labour policy, then it damn well should be. It will be a hell of a message to run as part of a campaign next election.

In the meantime, mining companies should assess the risk and realize that the Brownlee policy is simply too dangerous to rely on. It has little political support and is likely to be reversed at an elections notice.

33 comments on “Labour on mining. Brownlee on bullshit. ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. madnessinc 1
    26 March 2010 at 8:27 am

    Your title may need rewording.

  2. toad 2
    26 March 2010 at 8:33 am

    The ironic thing about National attacking Labour’s mining record is that it is likely to push some voters concerned about mining towards the Greens. I’m rubbing my hands with glee, but I would have thought that would be the last thing the Nats want.

  3. lprent 3
    26 March 2010 at 8:42 am

    Toad: I suspect that if labours approach to mining upset anyone for the last 20 years. Then they’d already be voting greens. It is unlikely to make a difference.

    As far as I can tell the greens don’t want any mining? Labour wants the mining to be worthwhile and as clean as it can be. Brownlee wants mining to have few boundaries, and who knows what the national party wants.

    • toad 3.1
      26 March 2010 at 8:54 am

      The Green policy on mining is not that extreme Lynn:

      9. Mining

      Mining and extraction has adverse effects on landforms, oceans, waterways and ecosystems. It is currently prohibited in National Parks and various other types of reserve, under the Crown Minerals Act 1991 but occurs contentiously in other parts of the conservation estate. The Green Party will:

      1. Prohibit new exploration, prospecting and mining on conservation land and reserves.
      2. Ensure there is tight control over existing mining on conservation land and reserves, in partnership with tangata whenua, and through consultation with environmental groups, local communities and the public.
      3. Require mining activities be halted when rare and endemic species are found to present on the mining site.
      4. Reject the notion of trading conservation land for other land to facilitate extractive activities on, or facilitate activities that would dramatically alter the ecology of conservation holdings.
      5. Gazette as conservation land any land with a high conservation value that has been left out of the conservation estate due to mining value.

      • lprent 3.1.1
        26 March 2010 at 9:16 am

        Not that different from what Labour has been doing, or even the Nats prior to Brownlee.

        Probably the main difference is in point 5 and probably 3.

        Point 3 would make it damn near impossible to start any mining in NZ. Species distribution is really fragmented in NZ. From memory, I think that we have what 70 species of weta for instance and some are intensely localized. Multiply that by thousands of genetic family groups….

        In my opinion I could probably find a rare or endemic species anywhere if I looked hard enough. If I was really pushed (eg dairy farmland being mined), then I’d look at bacteria.

  4. Jim Nald 4
    26 March 2010 at 8:43 am

    Clicked into the Google Earth Map and nothing happened. Can you check please?

  5. Lew 5
    26 March 2010 at 8:46 am

    Hey Lynn, cracking post, and thanks for the link. At some point after you wrote this I edited in a sentence about how much it resembles Iwi/Kiwi, which I think is also pretty important to its effectiveness — it forms part of NZ’s campaign grammar, how people think about electoral issues.

    As to your last point — about tearing it all down when next in power. This is starting to become a theme of the Labour response: revoking the ACC retrenchments; reimplementing the old ETS, now this — it’s a bold and dangerous platform to run on, particularly with the government looking to erode the tax base over the mid-to-long term.

    L

    • lprent 5.1
      26 March 2010 at 8:57 am

      Agreed about the dangers. However this is largely what happened in the 90’s as well. Some things were let through and others rolled back. The Nats cut into the tax base then as well.

      In the case of ACC and this, both are effectively a warning to business about the risks. The insurance companies who geared up to take over the ACC business in the late 90’s know exactly what that means…

      However in this case the timescale of implementing mining means that few if any projects would be too far down the track by the time Labour returns to the treasury benches. It means that mining companies can reduce their risk by not mining conservation estate. I’d be surprised if many companies care to take the bet.

    • Neil 5.2
      26 March 2010 at 9:22 am

      Lew, are you having problems with comments not being posted over at Kiwipolitico?

      • Lew 5.2.1
        26 March 2010 at 10:39 am

        FFS, just checked the spamqueue and there’s plenty in there, all from well-known commenters in good standing. Sorry about that. Thought it’d been a bit quiet recently.

        L

  6. vto 6
    26 March 2010 at 8:54 am

    lprent I just posted this on another thread. You are not correct re open casting for gold.

    “And also, there is much comment above about the inappropriateness of tunnel mining for gold and silver. This is simply not correct.

    At the moment in Waihi Newmont has the open cast pit but you may not know that in fact undergound tunnel mining (surgical I suppose) goes from the base of this pit and has been for some time.

    Newmont also has the favona mine right beside its processing plant just outside Waihi, near the tailings mountain. This really is surgical. It is a small opening in a hillside in a paddock. The tunnel burrows down to below sea-level and has surgically removed this massive gold-bearing lode. It is like a small town down there with huge low trucks and diggers and drillers roaring around everywhere. I know I’ve been down there a couple of times.

    The golden cross mine also near Waihi and no longer operating also had some underground miing.

    In addition many many of the mines from the olden days were tunnels. The shafts and drives can still easily be found in the Coro bush.

    Surgical mining for gold has been done in the past, is being done right now, and will without doubt be done again. In the coromandel. For better or worse.”

    • lprent 6.1
      26 March 2010 at 9:07 am

      Two points

      1. Where is the processing done? In the tunnel? I think not – mercury and cyanide in an enclosed space with churning rock – not a good safety mix… They haul the stuff outside and process with the rest of the stuff. Dump it into tailings. If you’re lucky they treat it and put it back eventually. My point was that low density mining like gold or silver takes land – and quite a lot of it.

      2. You can do a tunnels economically if you can follow a rich vein or find a pocket. But the damn things are always isolated and the tunnels are short (I’ve been in quite a few in the Coromandel). However it is the exception rather than the rule that you get that high a density, and usually only done as an adjunct to opencast. There are no really concentrated densities of gold, silver or rare earths sufficient to setup a ‘surgical’ mining’ operation – they were cleaned out in the 19th century in NZ, and in anycase were pretty damn small operations by todays standards.

      • vto 6.1.1
        26 March 2010 at 9:20 am

        Yes the processing is done outside and in the case of favona the tailings are put back inside to fill up the tunnel again. Of course once broken up though rock takes up more space so it can’t all fit back in. Hence tailings piles. Correcto.

        I have to disagree to an extent re your point 2 though. From my experience (actual gold exploration in the Coromandel and Taupo/Rotorua some too long ago) I expect and know there are many more surgical possibilities in the area.

        It’s just ‘what to do with the tailings?’… Make the foreign owners take it with them back to their foreign lands that’s what!

      • Armchair Critic 6.1.2
        26 March 2010 at 9:27 am

        “You can do a tunnels economically if you can follow a rich vein or find a pocket.”
        It is also a useful way of establishing whether open cast mining would be viable. And once it has been established that it would be viable, the precedent has been set by the underground mine, and the infrastructure to support an open cast mine is mostly in place.
        Underground mining is just the prelude to open cast.

        • sk 6.1.2.1
          26 March 2010 at 11:03 am

          vto, the point you are missing is the mining is a globally competitive industry, therefore lowest cost matters. China now dominates rare earths, not because no one else has them, but because of lack of environmental controls, their mines in Inner Mongolia are those most cost effective. The only way rare earths will be mined in the West is if government’s are prepared to subsidise local production for security reasons.

          In terms of coal, take Pike River. It may be high quality coking coal, but the cost of extraction relative to open cast mines in Australia, India or Mozambique means it is not cost competitive. Hence, the project is struggling economically.

          ‘Surgical’ is uneconomic. It is open cast or nothing in most cases (there is no way Pike River would go ahead in today’s global environment). For Key to say otherwise is to make things up on the hoof, but hey, what is new about that?

          • vto 6.1.2.1.1
            26 March 2010 at 12:14 pm

            sk. “‘Surgical’ is uneconomic.”. That is simply not right. I outlined some examples above of existing surgical mines which are in fact super-economic.

            All mining cannot be dealt with in broad sweeping generalisations such as seems to be the go with most posts. They all vary according to geology, topography, location, mineral, etc etc. I was referring above to the proven viability of ‘surgical’ mines in the Coromandel. They have existed in the past. They exist right now and are operating right this very minute.

            And I think you will find with Pike River that they hit unexpected problems in getting the tunnel in. They have not yet actualy exported anything – it is looming very shortly I think. Clearly, whether it is economic or not depends on the price of coal. It was economic during the commodity boom when it was floated. It may well struggle at the moment but if so that is for reasons not associated with the undergrounding and more to do with world markets for the product. It will rebound though, betcha.

            • sk 6.1.2.1.1.1
              26 March 2010 at 3:27 pm

              vto, the market cap of Pike River Coal is NZ$312m today against NZ$290bn for BHP or NZ$190bn for Rio Tinto. These NZ mining projects are just not of a size to have any economic significance.

              Key and Brownlee are in la la land on this one. Classic cargo cult . . .

  7. vto 7
    26 March 2010 at 12:21 pm

    sk. “‘Surgical’ is uneconomic.” That is simply not right. I outlined above some examples of existing surgical mines which are in fact super-economic.

    I was referring to the particular issue of surgical mining in the Coromandel. It has existed in the long past and recent past. It exists right now too. They are operating today, this very minute. They are profitable.

    Broad sweeping generalisations about mining are not much use as each and every mine depends on geology, topography, location, mineral, market, etc etc. Comparing Pike River with India is not much of a point. Pike River is economic, depending on markets of course. They encountered some problems putting the access tunnel in however it was economic at the start and if it is struggling now it will be because of market movement for the end product, not reasons associated with going underground. It will bounce back big-time, betcha.

    Surgical mining has been, is now, and will be again, profitable and economic in the Coromandel (which, geologically, includes Gt Barrier)

    • lprent 7.1
      26 March 2010 at 12:54 pm

      I really don’t think so. However even that is irrelevant.

      The point of the post was that Brownlee hasn’t shown that surgical mining of gold (for instance) is economic. There are no case studies, no cost analysis, and above all no actual comparisons of the benefits against the losses from alternate uses. That is why I label his campaign as being bullshit.

      • vto 7.1.1
        26 March 2010 at 1:03 pm

        lprent, whether existing and past surgical mines in the Coromandel are economic is not a matter of opinion, it is a matter of fact. They have been and are today profitable.

        Anyway, that aside, I agree completely with your point about Brownlee. He has put no case together in support of this proposal. He doesn’t even know the subject – not even in a small way. And here he is lording it over the decision-making process. It is complete bullshit I agree. It is also terribly terribly wrong for someone so obviously out of his depth to be in such a position through this process.

        Very very very poor …

        As much as I tend towards National type policies generally, I think this lot are close to being a short run in office

        • Draco T Bastard 7.1.1.1
          26 March 2010 at 2:02 pm

          He doesn’t even know the subject not even in a small way.

          That’s true of NACT in general though. Just look @ Tolley, Bennett, Key, Blinglish etc, none of them know their stuff and are operating from pure idiotology. Everything they propose has been proven wrong and they will just not accept that.

  8. The Voice of Reason 8
    26 March 2010 at 2:02 pm

    Gerry ‘I’m not a geologist’ Brownlee won’t find the article in his local paper this morning too comforting. An actual geologist calls him on his bullshit regarding Stewart Island in the Press:

    ‘The Government will spend $4 million investigating mineral-rich areas in other protected areas of the conservation estate, including an estimated $7 billion of “rare earth elements”, gold, nickel and platinum in part of Stewart Island’s Rakiura National Park.

    Wanaka-based consultant geologist Stephen Leary, who has worked in New Zealand, Australia, Europe, Canada and South America, said he had read two of the Government’s geological reports, which were “desktop” studies.

    The Stewart Island figure was “misleading” because it was “wildly optimistic” and had not been backed by exploration, he said. “The numbers they’re throwing around, the value of the mineral wealth in Stewart Island and Great Barrier Island it’s basically just made up,” Leary said.

    “People might go, `Well, maybe it’s worth mining Stewart Island because $7b is a lot of money’, whereas in fact there’s basically no way there’s $7b worth [of minerals] there. What it’s doing is misleading the public.”

    He said there was probably nothing of economic value on Stewart or Great Barrier islands. “There might be $7b of minerals there, but New Zealand might win the next soccer World Cup but we’re not going to. It’s just fantasy.”

    Leary said that without open-pit mining on Stewart Island it would be “physically impossible” to extract $7b of minerals.”

  9. Bomber 9
    26 March 2010 at 5:55 pm

    Did Labour after countering that they never allowed any mining on schedule 4 land in fact allow 168.5 hectares of land at Hart Creek, inside Paparoa National Park? Was this schedule 4 land and if it was what was the rational please?

    • Lew 9.1
      26 March 2010 at 5:58 pm

      If I’ve understood correctly, according to Goff on The Panel just now that land was not in S4 at the time the green light was given, but was added later.

      L

    • lprent 9.2
      26 March 2010 at 6:03 pm

      http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/PB/Business/QOA/5/b/9/49HansQ_20100325_00000005-5-Mining-in-Conservation-Areas-Potential.htm

      Hon Dr NICK SMITH: The mine in the Paparoa National Park I drew members’ attention to, which Chris Carter approved in May 2006, is in an area that at that time was not included in schedule 4. That is why it is true that if an area is in schedule 4, it cannot be mined. But the point being made by Labour members—that they never approved mining in national parks—is false.

      It wasn’t schedule 4 land. I’d have to google a bit further (probably into the gazette) to find out why it had a ‘mining permit’ (covers a wide range of activities) approved. But I suspect that it :-

      a. Was a prospecting permit rather than a mining permit.
      b. It is pretty routine to do a geological survey before changing the state of land.
      c. The last geological surveys in Paparoa (from memory) were relatively sketchy ones done in the 60’s by Geological Survey. Could be wrong on that…
      d. I notice the Nick Smith etc weren’t saying who had the permit. Even DOC requires one..
      e. Feels like National trying to do diversion spin…
      f. I’m heading home after a hard day over a hot compiler. This national bullshit is just there to avoid actually answering some real questions. Pretty pathetic.. ProgBlog had the best post on it….

  10. Bomber 10
    26 March 2010 at 6:18 pm

    Cheers – thanks for that

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    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    6 hours ago

  • Where is the Power Button on an ASUS Laptop?
    Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    6 hours ago

  • How to Start a Dell Laptop: A Comprehensive Guide
    Dell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    6 hours ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Serious populist discontent is bubbling up in New Zealand
    Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    6 hours ago

  • How to Take a Screenshot on an Asus Laptop A Comprehensive Guide with Detailed Instructions and Illu...
    In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    6 hours ago

  • How to Factory Reset Gateway Laptop A Comprehensive Guide
    A factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    6 hours ago

  • The Folly Of Impermanence.
    “You talking about me?”  The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
    Bowalley Road
    9 hours ago

  • A crisis of ambition
    Roger Partridge  writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    9 hours ago

  • Have 308 people in the Education Ministry’s Curriculum Development Team spent over $100m on a 60-p...
    Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    9 hours ago

  • 'This bill is dangerous for the environment and our democracy'
    Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    10 hours ago

  • The Bank of our Tamariki and Mokopuna.
    Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    11 hours ago

  • The worth of it all
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    14 hours ago

  • What is the Hardest Sport in the World?
    Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    17 hours ago

  • What is the Most Expensive Sport?
    The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    17 hours ago

  • Pickleball On the Cusp of Olympic Glory
    Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    17 hours ago

  • The Origin and Evolution of Soccer Unveiling the Genius Behind the World’s Most Popular Sport
    Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    17 hours ago

  • How Much to Tint Car Windows A Comprehensive Guide
    Tinting car windows offers numerous benefits, including enhanced privacy, reduced glare, UV protection, and a more stylish look for your vehicle. However, the cost of window tinting can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article provides a comprehensive guide to help you understand how much you can expect to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    17 hours ago

  • Why Does My Car Smell Like Gas? A Comprehensive Guide to Diagnosing and Fixing the Issue
    The pungent smell of gasoline in your car can be an alarming and potentially dangerous problem. Not only is the odor unpleasant, but it can also indicate a serious issue with your vehicle’s fuel system. In this article, we will explore the various reasons why your car may smell like ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    17 hours ago

  • How to Remove Tree Sap from Car A Comprehensive Guide
    Tree sap can be a sticky, unsightly mess on your car’s exterior. It can be difficult to remove, but with the right techniques and products, you can restore your car to its former glory. Understanding Tree Sap Tree sap is a thick, viscous liquid produced by trees to seal wounds ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    17 hours ago

  • How Much Paint Do You Need to Paint a Car?
    The amount of paint needed to paint a car depends on a number of factors, including the size of the car, the number of coats you plan to apply, and the type of paint you are using. In general, you will need between 1 and 2 gallons of paint for ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    17 hours ago

  • Can You Jump a Car in the Rain? Safety Precautions and Essential Steps
    Jump-starting a car is a common task that can be performed even in adverse weather conditions like rain. However, safety precautions and proper techniques are crucial to avoid potential hazards. This comprehensive guide will provide detailed instructions on how to safely jump a car in the rain, ensuring both your ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    17 hours ago

  • Can taxpayers be confident PIJF cash was spent wisely?
    Graham Adams writes about the $55m media fund — When Patrick Gower was asked by Mike Hosking last week what he would say to the many Newstalk ZB callers who allege the Labour government bribed media with $55 million of taxpayers’ money via the Public Interest Journalism Fund — and ...
    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    23 hours ago

  • EGU2024 – An intense week of joining sessions virtually
    Note: this blog post has been put together over the course of the week I followed the happenings at the conference virtually. Should recordings of the Great Debates and possibly Union Symposia mentioned below, be released sometime after the conference ends, I'll include links to the ones I participated in. ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 day ago

  • Submission on “Fast Track Approvals Bill”
    The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    1 day ago

  • The Case for a Universal Family Benefit
    One Could Reduce Child Poverty At No Fiscal CostFollowing the Richardson/Shipley 1990 ‘redesign of the welfare state’ – which eliminated the universal Family Benefit and doubled the rate of child poverty – various income supplements for families have been added, the best known being ‘Working for Families’, introduced in 2005. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 day ago

  • A who’s who of New Zealand’s dodgiest companies
    Submissions on National's corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law are due today (have you submitted?), and just hours before they close, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has been forced to release the list of companies he invited to apply. I've spent the last hour going through it in an epic thread of bleats, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago

  • On Lee’s watch, Economic Development seems to be stuck on scoring points from promoting sporting e...
    Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago

  • New Zealand has never been closed for business
    1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago

  • Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • Melissa Lee and the media: ending the quest
    Chris Trotter writes –  MELISSA LEE should be deprived of her ministerial warrant. Her handling – or non-handling – of the crisis engulfing the New Zealand news media has been woeful. The fate of New Zealand’s two linear television networks, a question which the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago

  • The Hoon around the week to April 19
    TL;DR: The podcast above features co-hosts and , along with regular guests Robert Patman on Gaza and AUKUS II, and on climate change.The six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago

  • The ‘Humpty Dumpty’ end result of dismantling our environmental protections
    Policymakers rarely wish to make plain or visible their desire to dismantle environmental policy, least of all to the young. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago

  • Nicola's Salad Days.
    I like to keep an eye on what’s happening in places like the UK, the US, and over the ditch with our good mates the Aussies. Let’s call them AUKUS, for want of a better collective term. More on that in a bit.It used to be, not long ago, that ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • Study sees climate change baking in 19% lower global income by 2050
    TL;DR: The global economy will be one fifth smaller than it would have otherwise been in 2050 as a result of climate damage, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and published in the journal Nature. (See more detail and analysis below, and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • Weekly Roundup 19-April-2024
    It’s Friday again. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week on Greater Auckland On Tuesday Matt covered at the government looking into a long tunnel for Wellington. On Wednesday we ran a post from Oscar Simms on some lessons from Texas. AT’s ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    2 days ago

  • Jack Vowles: Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  The data is from February this ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    2 days ago

  • Clearing up confusion (or trying to)
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago

  • How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log iPhone Without Computer
    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A Step–by–Step Guide Losing your iPhone call history can be frustrating, especially when you need to find a specific number or recall an important conversation. But before you panic, know that there are ways to retrieve deleted call logs on your iPhone, even without a computer. This guide will explore various methods, ranging from simple checks to utilizing iCloud backups and third–party applications. So, let‘s dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. That‘s why they introduced the “Recently Deleted“ folder for various apps, including the Phone app. This folder acts as a safety net, storing deleted call logs for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. Here‘s how to check it: Open the Phone app on your iPhone. Tap on the “Recents“ tab at the bottom. Scroll to the top and tap on “Edit“. Select “Show Recently Deleted“. Browse the list to find the call logs you want to recover. Tap on the desired call log and choose “Recover“ to restore it to your call history. 2. Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you might be able to retrieve your deleted call log from a previous backup. However, keep in mind that this process will restore your entire phone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, potentially erasing any data added since then. Here‘s how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose “Erase All Content and Settings“. Follow the on–screen instructions. Your iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen. Choose “Restore from iCloud Backup“ during the setup process. Select the relevant backup that contains your deleted call log. Wait for the restoration process to complete. 3. Explore Third–Party Apps (with Caution): ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
    Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
    Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    2 days ago

  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    2 days ago

  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
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