Labour Reshuffle

Written By: - Date published: 1:49 pm, February 25th, 2013 - 211 comments
Categories: labour - Tags:

Annette King, Phil Twyford, David Clark and Shane Jones to the front bench.

Moroney and Little promoted and given added responsibilities.

Mallard sent to the backbenches, where Cunliffe stays (although now with portfolios).

Hipkins to Education full-time.

They’re already in order here (although only first 20 are “ranked”, and if Clark is “front bench” the front bench now extends to 12…)

1 David Shearer – Leader; Security Intelligence Service; Science and Innovation
2 Grant Robertson – Deputy Leader; Employment, Skills and Training; Arts, Culture and Heritage
3 David Parker – Finance; Attorney-General
4 Jacinda Ardern – Social Development; Children; Assoc Arts Culture and Heritage
5 Clayton Cosgrove – SOEs; Commerce; Trade Negotiations; Assoc Finance
6 Annette King – Health
Pending final AG Report: Shane Jones – Regional Development; Forestry; Assoc Finance
8 Phil Twyford – Housing; Auckland Issues; Assoc Environment
9 Maryan Street – Environment; Disarmament and Arms Control; Assoc Foreign Affairs (ODA)
10 Chris Hipkins – Education; Senior Whip
11 Nanaia Mahuta – Youth Affairs; Māori Development; Assoc Education (Māori)
12 David Clark – Economic Development; Small Business
13 Sue Moroney – ACC; Early Childhood Education; Women’s Affairs
14 Su’a William Sio – Local Government; Pacific Island Affairs; Inter Faith Dialogue; Assoc Foreign Affairs
15 Phil Goff – Foreign Affairs & Trade; State Services; Defence
16 Darien Fenton – Junior Whip; Labour (incl Health and Safety); Immigration; Assoc Arts, Culture and Heritage
17 Damien O’Connor – Primary Industries; Food Safety
18 Clare Curran – Communications and IT; Broadcasting; Open Government; Assoc Economic Development
19 Andrew Little – Justice; Tourism
20 Megan Woods – Tertiary Education; Assoc Science and Innovation; Assoc Transport (Christchurch)

Remainder of Caucus listed by length of time in the House

Trevor Mallard – Shadow Leader of the House; Internal Affairs (incl Ministerial Services); Sport & Recreation; Assoc Finance
Lianne Dalziel – Canterbury Earthquake Recovery; Civil Defence & Emergency Management; Earthquake Commission; Associate Justice
Ruth Dyson – Conservation; Senior Citizens; Disability Issues; Land Information
David Cunliffe – Revenue; Fisheries; Assoc Finance
Parekura Horomia – Māori Affairs; Treaty Negotiations
Moana Mackey – Climate Change; Energy & Resources
Iain Lees-Galloway – Transport; Veterans’ Affairs; Assoc Health (Alcohol and Drugs)
Raymond Huo – Building & Construction; Statistics; Associate Ethnic Affairs
Rajen Prasad – Ethnic Affairs; Social Inclusion; Assoc Social Development
Kris Faafoi – Police; Corrections; Assoc Health (Aged Care)
Carol Beaumont – Consumer Rights & Standards; Associate Employment, Skills and Training
Louisa Wall – Community & Voluntary Sector; Assoc Health (Inequalities); Assoc Sport and Recreation
Rino Tirikatene – Customs; Assoc Māori Affairs
Ross Robertson – Assistant Speaker; Racing; Assoc Disarmament (Small Arms)

211 comments on “Labour Reshuffle ”

  1. One Tāne Huna 1

    Not too bad really. Cunliffe’s talents are under-utilised, though.

    • Bunji 1.1

      With Revenue & Assoc Finance he’ll be right back into the tight 4 of finance (with Parker, Clark on Econ Dev & Cosgrove on SOEs/Commerce), even without a position.

      But interesting that he gets fisheries off Jones – a good sign that some of Jones’ defence of the Fishing Industry was going a bit far? Now if they could only stop him talking about the Greens as well…

      • Anne 1.1.1

        With Revenue & Assoc Finance he’ll be right back into the tight 4 of finance (with Parker, Clark on Econ Dev & Cosgrove on SOEs/Commerce), even without a position.

        I think you might be dreaming Bunji. More likely they (2 of them anyway) will undermine or misconstrue just about every contribution he tries to make.

    • JBug 1.2

      Dumb dumb dumb – This is neither merit-based nor putting our best foot forward. Need our best and our brightest on the front bench. Leaving people like Cunliffe and Louisa Wall languishing on the back bench is only proof that people are scared of him – not that they are keen for the LP to win in 2014. Doesn’t do anything to unify the party either…

    • dancerwaitakere 1.3

      For fuck sake.

      I just listen to the press conference, Shearer said re: Parker that he has “led the debate on the transformation of our economy” and that “there is no-one in the parliament with the depth of understanding of the challenges we are facing [other than Parker].”

      What complete and utter bullshit.

      • JK 1.3.1

        Agree dancerwaitakere. Its a real insult to Cunliffe for him to be made underling to the likes of Parker.

        • onsos 1.3.1.1

          It’s a shame, because he has shown real talent and conviction, but Cunliffe’s position is of his making.

          He’ll be back. The party will bring him back into the fold.

          • xtasy 1.3.1.1.1

            “onsos” – excuse me, who is “the party” on your mind when saying this?

            • Tony 1.3.1.1.1.1

              Absolutely agree with onsos. Having interviewed David Cunliffe, it’s apparent he’s an intelligent man and a talented politician, but he is where he is because of his actions. What is most important right now is solidarity. Despite good intentions and intelligent debate, the notion of solidarity is definitely something many contributors on this website fail to understand or perhaps care about.

              • Colonial Viper

                it’s apparent he’s an intelligent man and a talented politician, but he is where he is because of his actions.

                Yeah thanks for absolving the ABCs of their bullshit manufactured drama and knifing during and after Conference last year, what a great analysis from you.

                You may have conducted an interview, but you didn’t uncover much did you.

                Did Cunliffe foolishly leave his back exposed during Conference last year? Yes he did. But that’s probably because he didn’t expect the blade to be slipped in between the ribs by his caucus “mates”. What a rat ship.

  2. Pete 2

    Good to see advancement for David Clark. He has made a mark in his first year. It’s a damn shame caucus is not mending fences and making use of Cunliffe’s talents.

    • Pete 2.1

      It also seems to be a bit of a boys’ club, with only 35% of the top 20 being women. I think Louisa Wall should have had a nod for all her work on marriage equality.

    • JK 2.2

      David Clark’s mark – as far as I can tell – is that he’s a numbers man. All his Red Alert blogs are about numbers. Where is the “people” instinct in that ? And putting him into economic development when he’s barely been in Parliament two years – that’s a laugh …… farcical …. if it wasn’t so sad. We’ve got a good economic development spokesman, and he’s been downgraded. And THAT is very sad. Bye bye Labour.

      • Blue 2.2.1

        putting him into economic development when he’s barely been in Parliament two years

        David Shearer became the leader of the party after two and a half years in Parliament. Why let inexperience stand in your way?

        • Grassroots 2.2.1.1

          This is really sad for Labour – cannot you see the mistake of putting David Shearer in the leadership role?

      • Bunji 2.2.2

        David Clark’s numbers posts were because he was Revenue spokesperson. He’s a Presbyterian minister – there’s a fair amount of “people” instinct in that…

  3. I’m just happy to see an attempt at renewal.

  4. r0b 4

    Interesting!

    Mallard and Dalziel have allowed themselves to be shuffled down in the interests of renewal – bravo to them.

    I’m disappointed not to see Cunliffe back on the front bench (but I know that’s not how politics works in the “real world” – alas!)

    And just personally, congratulations to my MP David Clark – watch that man!

    All in all, not a bad job from Shearer.

  5. I am absolutely astonished that Lianne Delziel has been thrown out of the top 20,she has
    been a strong fighter for those in Christchurch and has been very good in parliament arguing
    for the people of Christchurch.
    I always felt that David Clark has promise,so, he deserves his spot.
    The reshuffle is an opportunity missed to show the public,voters,members that there
    is a democratic bone in the labour leadership and you don’t have to lick someones boots
    to rise to the top.
    It is incredulous that the Shearer leadership is continuing on a path of the divide and rule
    style of politics, if ever there was a need for the labour leaderhsip to be inclusive and
    concillatory was now, however what labourites have got is a fingerlicking hope that the
    winds blow fair and the masses follow.

    Well they won’t, rest assured.

    • muzza 5.1

      Perhaps its the bad smell that hangs around her with the Peter Ellis case, among other things. Arguing for the people of ChCh, perhaps depends who you speak with, and about what!

    • While I can’t go into specifics, and I don’t directly deal with ministerial/MP enquiries, I can definitely say that from an internal EQC perspective I’m very happy that Lianne has gotten all of the disaster and EQ-recovery related responsibilities, she takes them incredibly seriously and her office works directly with us just as hard as she does in parliament for Christchurch, and she clearly deserves to be in Cabinet especially given the importance of her responsibilities.

      While we’ve gotten good support from the current government in a lot of ways, I’d really like to see how things would function if she had responsibility for the recovery, and what CERA might be like.

    • xtasy 5.3

      Was it on National Radio or whatever, Christchurch is NOT well presented in the new line-up, and that is a REAL worry, given it is still the second largest city, and the major centre down south. Now is David Shearer Mt Albert and Auckland centric, perhaps?

  6. dancerwaitakere 6

    So the top 10 is blindingly ABC, making Jacinda Ardern perhaps the most left wing out of the top 10.

    Does anyone really think this is going to be a great progressive Government come 2014?

    If they wanted some real renewal, lets see Moana instead of Maryan. Louisa instead of, well, anyone of the other 19 on the list above. In fact hasn’t Louisa been an MP now long enough to qualify her for leader. But no, a hard working MP sits in the ‘unranked’ backbenches.

    Not too bad? I say it’s actually bloody shit.

    • Anne 6.1

      Yes.

      It looks to me like all those who supported Cunliffe 15 months ago have been shunted down to/or remain at… the bottom of the heap. And you call that political nous? No, it’s idiocy and indicates that David Shearer is an integral part of the vendetta that continues to be waged against a handful of colleagues by a bunch of Labour Finks.

      I was a strong suppporter of Shearer once. Now its gone.

      I see Fink 2 is no 10. (Fink 1 is 21)

      • David H 6.1.1

        Yep Nothing to make me even think of reconsidering leaving Labour for the Greens and this vendetta against Cunliffe and his supporters has to stop. And there is also nothing to wake up the 800,000 that said fuck ’em last time maybe it will be 1.5 Million this time. Yep and Shonkey wins by default.

    • Murray Olsen 6.2

      Prefacing her mild opposition to the most draconian of NAct’s welfare bashing with the honorific “Comrades” is all that I can see that makes Ardern even remotely left wing. “Comrades, we agree that there is a problem with benefit fraud but think the National approach is slightly harsh, even though we won’t promise to repeal this anti-worker law, comrades” is a satire of student politics, not a left-wing contribution.

      • Rogue Trooper 6.2.1

        Yep

      • xtasy 6.2.2

        Murray Olsen: WELFARE is NOT a PRIORITY for Labour according to the re-shuffle! Full stop, basta, realisation with a hammer hitting head, brain, promptu, claro now. I expected nothing else, and that exposes the two facedness of the present Labour Party.

        If you are a beneficiary, left there in despair, you are out there, hung to dry, by Nats, and Labour will do fuck all for you and me!

  7. Socialist Paddy 7

    Four of the top ten are bloody ex parliamentary staffers. When is the Labour Party going to look like one?

    • ad 7.1

      Our top Socialist performer Darien Fenton gets Labour issues. Robertson gets Employment. Clark gets Economic Devleopment. Take your pick who will electrify the economy to generate the 200,000 full time jobs it now needs.

      Mind you can’t do a worse job than National.

      • Rogue Trooper 7.1.1

        might be an ohm or two of resistance, yet,
        David Clark 🙂
        Darien Fenton 🙂 (could be worse)
        Big Dave as an Assoc.:) 🙂 🙂
        and
        Iain Lees Galloway 🙂

      • Colonial Viper 7.1.2

        I like you ad but you are being so seriously optimistic.

        “Socialist performer”? Why don’t you read Red Rattler’s contributions on The Standard and learn a bit moe about what “socialism” is, then apply That Standard to Fenton et al and see how much “Socialist performance” we actually have here.

        FFS Ronald Reagan and Michael Cullen were fraking socialists under your scale.

  8. Peter 8

    Yep. It appears that factional loyalty means more than ability in the modern day Labour caucus?

    And also, doesn’t Grant Robertson’s workload seem a bit too light?

  9. KhandallaViper 9

    This is NOT Renewal.
    This is NOT prmoting on the basis of talent!
    This is NOT putting a line under the Leadership doubts!

    What message is in this line-up that moight connect to the 800,000 who did not even vote?
    What message is in here that would inspre a young person to join Labour?
    What in the shuffle puts us in a better position to win in 2014?

    Are we going to continue to faill to land strong sharp punches when Key’s defence is down, ala Sky City, Education, Christchurch and GCSB?
    Are we going to send a message to our activist that if they show impatience they will be igmored?
    Are we coing to continue doing the same thing, hoping for a different outcome?

    Shearer will have to do a lot better in his re-shuffle next February. A Lot Lot better.

    • Marty 9.1

      Exactly. Another year wasted, as far as I can see.

      • 4wardthinking 9.1.1

        Exactly – agree – this is a half way to nowhere reshuffle. It has promise but doesn’t deliver. Is not using the best talent in the House either. Cunliffe is underutilised in the House already as far as I can see- except that every time he does speak he trounces the hell out of his colleagues with the number of views on YouTube (if that’s anything to go by). Not even his mother could hit those kind of numbers going at it every day. Sheesh Shearer, wake up and smell the puppeteers! You are better that that, surely?!

        • xtasy 9.1.1.1

          Reading the new Central Leader edition and other news in Auckland, Cunliffe is resigned now to save trees in the Waitakere area that is part of his Titirangi and New Lynn electorate. I do not blame him. If you are rejected and rejected (I can tell some stories), you finally resign and escape into something little, that makes you feel better. What else can you choose. Next he will likely head off too, working for WTO, ILO, UN of whatever organisation, or the EU may find him inspiring to solve their probs. Hey, endless opportunities overseas, that is what 40 to 50 plus thousands of “patriotic” “Kiwis” realise each year, aye?!

  10. ad 10

    In that top 10, Cosgrove, King, Hipkins and Twyford have the power the make decent hits on the government. But pound for pound, they need fresh blood at the 2014 election to really best the newly refreshed National bench.

    Pretty surprised that Transport is taken off Twyford and given to Ian Lees-Galloway. Twyford has done a good job on it, and it’s totally interrelated with the Housing portfolio. If you get Transport right, you can tilt the whole Auckland electorate. If you win Auckland, you can (now) win the country. Does this signal they are readying Juie-Ann Genter for Transport- I think so. Odd move.

    Really odd that Maori is outside the main portfolios, and can be “handled outside of the front bench”. With the decline fo the Maori party in the polls there is a great opportunity to reclaim mana with Maori right across the country; the whole privatisation of further national assets is going to require major engagement. Wrong move.

    Same with Christchurch rebuild. It’s where the majority of non- social welfare expenditure is going to go in the next decade from Government: it needed better oversight that this. Wrong move.

    I’m not convinced by Street at 9; I’m sure she’s a senior figure but her portfolios don’t warrant the position, and she has been utterly ineffective. Wrong move.

    Can’t understand the gift of Economic Development to David Clark. I can’t see him staring down any boardroom in any part of the top end of town. Jones – much as he is greasy – can do that. I have heard him called lazy and incoherent in Parliament. Clearly he has supporters.

    Mahuta did well to hang on at 11; with a new baby and not really firing all of 2012, can’t see her being ranked solely on merit. I guess still better bet than a retiring Horomia.

    Cosgrove has the main dish for this year: whether can can really re-heat the anti-asset sale campaign at all. It’s completely out of the public mind now. And it’s yet to be seen whether he can land clean hits on anything. But he has good rhetorical sparkle, which does count on tv and radio.

    Put a line under those to 10 names and ask: will this lift the polls into enabling us to believe in a change of government? Only the future of the country hangs on that.

    • JK 10.1

      To Ad – Mahuta is there because she’s Ratana – and anyhow when you demote your top Maori player, you have to have someone else up close (No 11) to cover that spot otherwise it looks like an insult to Maori.
      Actually demoting Parekura IS an insult to Maori. Shearer doesn’t know what he’s doing .

      And rOB how can it be “not bad ” for Cunliffe to be made junior to Parker ?

      Nope – this is not a good line-up. Mr Shearer’s so-called mediation and negotiating powers are nowhere to be seen. He’s kept all the rightwingers on the front bench, he’s thrown a nod to Pacific Islanders and Women with Su’a and Sue, and he’s left many Labour activists without much to cling on to.

      Interesting vote in Dom Post’s poll on Shearer’s reshuffle – good 30%, not so good 30% and bad 30% – with over 1100 votes. (Note these are approximate only – couldn’t be bothered going back to check for exact figures).

      • ad 10.1.1

        Any shift in any Maori placement is going to put Maori noses out of joint, every time. It’s the most nuanced territorial role in the country.

        However here’s another metric: which of the front bench could initaite and write bold policy?
        – King can, and has already with Housing
        – Parker can, and with Cunliffe’s assistance was good with CGT
        – Twyford can, particularly in Transport
        – Robertson is certainly a good policy facilitator

        Of course there are others, who have not been included.
        But is this the core of the brains of the outfit?

        Is that enough, or do we need a fresh brain injection in 2014 intake before storming the heights wth policy is possible?

        • Colonial Viper 10.1.1.1

          Labour Housing and CGT were “bold” policies? I think that’s underselling what the concept of “bold” actually means.

        • xtasy 10.1.1.2

          Labour, like Nats have done all the time, are “re-marginalising” Maori voters, that is clear.

          They think they get away with it now, since the Maori Party lost it’s power and credit, and even Hone is struggling with family issues that grow over his head, and that start to stain his Mana Party. This is EVIL stuff. Add the open immigration policies that both Nats, ACT and Labour have promoted for years, and Maori will be on the tiny margin and fringe for good, lost and betrayed once and for all.

          I am still mystified that tangata whenua give any of these f-ing big parties any credit and let them get away with all this BS.

          Hone is far too sort, and Maori Party are losers and sell-out artists.

          Maybe Tame Iti will come up with a new “movement”, aye???

  11. Don't worry be happy 11

    The only shuffle I want to see from Shearer is “off”….Call this leadership? It’s pathetic.

    • Polish Pride 11.1

      Then perhaps you’d like to outline what leadership is and what it is that Labour needs to do to A with regard to policy in each area and B: win the next election.

      • AmaKiwi 11.1.1

        Get a charismatic leader with brains.

        • Polish Pride 11.1.1.1

          And isn’t it sad that this is all that is required to win an election in this day and age.
          Don’t worry about good policy just be charismatic (in fact you don’t even need the brains).

          • AmaKiwi 11.1.1.1.1

            @ Polish Pride

            I don’t know your occupation is, but it is definitely NOT sales.

            Life has ALWAYS been about selling, whether it is a product, service, or policies.

            • Arfamo 11.1.1.1.1.1

              The problem is voters are now just being sold a face. And too many bought it. But the face – the product – has caused a lot of damage,

            • Polish Pride 11.1.1.1.1.2

              No not in sales. I’m in the business of fixing shit thats broken. Something politicians clearly don’t know the first thing about.

              What Arfamo said below is unfortunately exactly right

            • Polish Pride 11.1.1.1.1.3

              And if you think life is about selling, sadly you don’t know the first thing of what ‘life’ is about.

              • AmaKiwi

                @ Polish Pride

                I simplified. My life is NOT about selling. But too often people think because they have a great service or product or do a great job the public should reward them. Sales is about 1) understanding people’s problems; 2) solving those problems.

                You can be a mystic or an artist or whatever and take great satisfaction in it, but don’t get angry that you are poor.

                Likewise, a party can have what they imagine to be brilliant policies but they must understand what people’s problems are and explain how they will solve those problems.

                • Arfamo

                  Well so far “the face” party in government hasn’t solved any problems. Just created more.

                  • AmaKiwi

                    Their supporters would disagree.

                    • Tony

                      Their supporters would disagree because their supporters that are being looked after – not the general population. And who are you calling charismatic? John Key?? They guy is a JOKE. Most people I know who voted National voted for “change” rather than for JK – he really only appeals to white, mainstream, “sales” type people anyway. Selling stuff is for people who either A) love money or B) lack talent

                • Polish pride

                  A good product sells itself…

        • The Pink Postman 11.1.1.2

          Hitler was,a charismatic leader and like it or not had brains . The worlds still recovering .
          Shearer is a decent understanding leader who I have no doubt will turn out to be an excellent
          Social Democratic Labour PM. Just keep watching the Standard.
          However instead of finding fault just work to get those none voter out who were the reason we now have this dreadful gang of Right Wing ant worker Tories.

  12. Freddie 12

    National’s number 5 minister is CERA. the labour spokesperson is an unranked backbencher. notagoodlook.com

  13. js 13

    Isn’t Lianne looking at the Christchurch mayoralty?

    • JK 13.1

      to JS – Lianne said recently she wasn’t interested in the Ch’ch mayoralty. Maybe this is a not-so-subtle tip to get her to change her mind. I hope she doesn’t.

  14. Russell 14

    Curran. Open Government. Snigger. How do Standard commenters and posters feel about that one?

    • Colonial Viper 14.1

      Well I think she really embodies the heart, soul and values of open government and open debate. 😈

      • Rogue Trooper 14.1.1

        🙂

      • The Al1en 14.1.2

        “I think she really embodies the heart, soul and values of open government and open debate.”

        Did you mean

        I think she really thinks she embodies the heart, soul and values of open government and open debate.

        😉

        • Colonial Viper 14.1.2.1

          Yes especially that lol

        • Rhinocrates 14.1.2.2

          I had a manager like her once – she was so narcissistic that she was convinced that the was “quirky” and “outrageous” and that everyone loved her for it (rumour had it that she idolised Ruby Wax and wanted to be like her). She cost the organisation hundreds of thousands of dollars in settlements to people she abused.

          That organisation, led by a former Labour cabinet minister, can’t fire her because they can’t afford the payout she’d demand.

          That’s irony for you. >:(

    • QoT 14.2

      Mainly I continue to chortle/cry at the label – a cliche so cliched the first episode of Yes Minister was named after it. Thirty-three years ago.

      • Colonial Viper 14.2.1

        lol I had actually forgotten that…

        • IrishBill 14.2.1.1

          I should probably mention that she’s still trying to get the National council to put rules in place for members who blog and censures for those who are deemed to have blogged inappropriately.

          • QoT 14.2.1.1.1

            *headdesk*

            • Anne 14.2.1.1.1.1

              Aren’t right-wing, neo-fascist viewpoints in the Labour Party looked upon with horror or has that now changed?

              • QoT

                Clearly it’s different when it’s Curran doing it, because, you know, she believes in Open Government! So it can’t be authoritarian bullshit!

          • Colonial Viper 14.2.1.1.2

            Slow learners in that caucus 😈

          • Lanthanide 14.2.1.1.3

            Wow, really?

            Does she realise membership is voluntary?

            • Socialist Paddy 14.2.1.1.3.1

              Does she fecking realise that she owes a duty to her members to represent the best interests of the Labour Party and that they do not owe her an obligation of preserving her privilege.

              Time for someone to put their hand up for Dunedin South.

              • Colonial Viper

                A 4,200 majority to Curran. If a sitting Cabinet Minister decided to stand in that seat, that majority may start looking very very thin 😈

      • I’d settle for cliché. The way she does open government it’s bloody newspeak.

        That said, she does the admirable job of not completely sucking in the IT portfolio. It’s so easy to do so incredibly badly that I think that actually does deserve praise, even though she doesn’t really *get* IT entirely.

  15. AmaKiwi 15

    “Mr Shearer said his decisions were based on choosing the best person for each job.”

    Except Shearer is not the best person to be leader.

    • Colonial Viper 15.1

      Major reshuffles like this must be run on the ability of capability and merit. The only relevant metric in choosing who goes where on the field is the winning strength of the team going into 2014.

      The shame is, I don’t think that this is what has happened here.

    • Tony 15.2

      Dude, you’re obviously a tory, so why do you care? Or are you just here to try and stir things up…?

      • Tories are allowed to care about how a Labour government would be run, too, just as long as they aren’t concern trolling. The same way we give a hoot about which National MPs are ministers and cabinet members- because we want competent people in important jobs, even if we don’t agree with them.

  16. Michael 16

    ACC taken from a heavyweight (albeit down towards the bottom of the ranking) who knew something about the portfolio and given to a lightweight who knows little and probably cares even less. Ardern’s promotion could be seen as realization that welfare matters to Labour’s base but, OTOH, was probably for packaging reasons. I think Clark and Parker will work well together (they have before) but a shame Cunliffe remains outside. King didn’t do Ryall any damage in health last time; little chance she will do so this time round, either. Labour needs to have someone understudying Goff in Foreign Affairs and Defence; he won’t be there forever, while the Nats have screwed up both portfolios (thanks to McCully and Maestro Coleman).

  17. Alex 17

    I find it incredibly hard to care about reshuffles generally, though I would just like to ask one pertinent question. Have any frontbenchers been matched with portfolios that reflect their careers before they entered parliament? If not, why not?

    • Colonial Viper 17.1

      What if your career before Parliament was Parliament?

      Will Labour be able to show the electorate that it has what it takes to be different and to deliver, and hence to turn out the 800,000 who did not vote in 2011.

      18 months and counting down, to the next elections.

      • Skinny 17.1.1

        Viper the Nats are doing the job for Labour r.e the hundreds of thousands of non engaged non voters. With all the nasty welfare/ privacy/ youth/ education etc policies the slackers will come out to vote national out. Should be a good contest between Labour & Greens as to who gets the huge party votes on offer.

  18. pollywog 18

    Fa’afoi gets Police and Corrections?

    Nigga puhlease!…just cos he prolly got a few cuzzies on the inside don’t mean he knows shit about jack.

    Crushers gotta be pissing herself laughing thinking how this chump is gonna try keep her honest.

    • Skinny 18.1

      Polly you have had too many crackers! Chris is a top guy in my books but I won’t be justifying that to you.

      Little should have got ACC ( scheming Sue?… I nod my head in disbelief) & associate employment Robbie needs a hand with all the jobs he has.

  19. tc 19

    Congratulations to DS on making his first significant moves toward making labour an even smaller party in 2014.

    The old guard is expectedly featured, loose cannons (jones) and non performers (Curran etc) not demoted and obvious matches not made (Twyford keeping transport to go with housing, Little getting employment or similar) and DC being thrown a bone attached to some minders.

    The ‘peter principle’ in action as expected, the hollowen and advsiers like Hoots etc will be very pleased.

    • Socialist Paddy 19.1

      Aye. It is almost as if ABC are setting Shearer up by making him make the divisions in Caucus even more stark. Cunliffe supporters are almost all demoted and Shearer supporters or those whose support he bought off are promoted.

      What is the bet that Robertson within the next 12 months stages a coup “in the interests of the party”. Shame he did not think about the interests of the party 15 months ago.

      And don’t get me started on Shane Jones. I bet he touted himself to both sides to get himself the biggest advantage.

      • tc 19.1.1

        Relying on Jones to be an effective member of the team sums it up for me.

        The man’s never been anything but a loud mouthed, rude, self serving lazy ineffective member of both gov’t and opposition. In a word untrustworthy.

        • Socialist Paddy 19.1.1.1

          Aye. The fecker is as much a socialist as I am a Monarchist. He is Labour’s version of Peter Dunne but without the social graces.

          He has done nothing for the party. Yet he has so much power?

          It is time for the members to take their party back from the careerists and timeservers and psychopaths.

  20. the sprout 20

    Precisely the post of bullshit you can reliably expect from the ABCers ruling the Labour caucus.
    Talentless, divisive, myopic.
    A triumph of self-interest over duty – Roger Douglas would be proud.

  21. Annette King 21

    For your information Michael I have never been up against Ryall . I left health in 2005. Two ministers followed me who were against Ryall as opposition spokesperson- Pete Hodgson and David Cunliffe.

    • David 21.1

      I would say I wish you the best of luck Annette, but you don’t need it, you have a wealth of experience to draw on. It would be good to see some hits on Ryall, he’s got more teflon than DuPont. I am hoping that the people who don’t seem to match up to the portfolios ( I don’t need to elaborate, plenty of people already have) are in preparation for handing some portfolios to the greens. I have faith, I haven’t written off Labour in the least, but if you leave the greens in the lurch again, I will be getting on my soapbox.

    • George D 21.2

      Thanks Annette. I look forward to you engaging the health sector against the mendacious Ryall.

    • @ Annette, great to see you engaging with us, you apply yourself well in the house,strong
      and articulate and i have often thought you would make a good leader.
      I have no faith in Shearer, would you consider the leadership at all ?

    • hush minx 21.4

      It will be interesting to see you in action Annette, given your extensive experience in the portfolio, which I think dates back to opposition in the 1990s? But I am curious about how you choose to engage with commentators here. I seem to recall one of the previous times you came on there was a series of questions that you didn’t get back to.? From my experience watching stuff, I think one of the most important aspects of real engagement in this social media space is the art of following and replying. Of course we’re happy to know your reading but the next step would be cool too…

    • Rupert Snodgrass (stupid banned troll) 21.5

      Full Moons.

      And teenaged boys.

    • Michael 21.6

      I stand corrected, Annette. Go get him. May I suggest that a pledge by Labour to restore DHB cuts to Disability Support Services (in real terms, no faffing about with “details” that undermine the entire pledge – cf “income related” [sic] rents for HNZ tenants) and cancellation of contracts awarded to foreign loss-leaders, with no compensation, would be an excellent way for you to begin your new role.

    • xtasy 21.7

      Annette, I hope you will read the emails that a mate of mine sent to you and Ardern, re “Rising to the Challenge”, the NatACT agenda for mental health and addiction services for the coming 5 years!

      NO extra money, NO extra care that can be measured, NO support of relevance, much of lies, lies and more lies by a Nat led government, so now come you, in your new portfolio, being the “old” one, and on which I congratulate you, and which I picked correctly as being given back to you.

      That goes in line with the NatACT “welfare policies”, now before Parliament, about which your party has only offered “moderate” criticism, but hey, was it not the additional “health spend”, that was to make it all “work” and get sick and disabled into some form of work again???

      I look forward for your delivery of attacks and more, to the “rile” bastard on the other side!

      Your last chance this may be, to put your stamp on NZ politics to change for the better.

    • Anne 21.8

      For your information Annette King I don’t think the Labour Party has an ounce of moral fibre left in its body. I started out my work career as a school dental nurse too, and I’ve followed your political career with much interest. I’ve been involved with the Labour Party in some form or another since the early 1970s and yes… I know where a few bodies are buried. Not yours I hasten to add – have to cover oneself these days with the paranoid mutterings coming from the third floor of Bowen House.

      So, what do we have now?

      A leader who thinks its smart politics to dump on anyone who didn’t vote for him in Dec 2011, and who continues to punish them. Pathetic. Now we know the real reason why Charles Chauval quit the nest. Perhaps Labour’s most fiercely intelligent legal mind too. And don’t anyone throw in the rejoinder he has denied it because he has no choice but to do so.

      A fellow called Chris Hipkins who calls a colleague a Fink… and then proves to be the one who is the Fink. The parliamentary leadership arranges for him to spy on the counting of a caucus “secret ballot” so he could leak the results to them… who voted what way etc. Pathetic.

      Another fellow called Trevor Mallard who has been leaking like a sieve to the media for how long? The past four years? Pathetic.

      But wait… they get rewarded. Yes, we all know Mallard’s demotion is a Clayton’s demotion..

      I could go on but I won’t… no wonder Labour is a divided mess, and the current parliamentary leadership team (official and unofficial) must take the vast bulk of the blame.

  22. AmaKiwi 22

    Tomorrow I send in my LP membership renewal form . . . shredded.

    • George D 22.1

      Go on then, you’ve been promising this for a while.

    • xtasy 22.2

      Always be mindful of the environment, recycle, re-use and have a safe wipe of your bottom if that saves water, other paper or whatever other resource that could be wasted instead. You are hero if you can do this AK, you are worthy, indeed.

  23. NoseViper (The Nose knows) 23

    I think Jane Clifton was having a ‘go’ at TS when on Jim Mora’s Panel. She made some veiled remarks about certain bloggers being paranoid?, or something about the present leadership driving the decisions, and said that Annette King was very popular. Some people just can’t get beyond treating politics as a sporting contest, where picking the next winner is merely a talking point.

    • Anne 23.1

      I think Jane Clifton was having a ‘go’ at TS when on Jim Mora’s Panel. She made some veiled remarks about certain bloggers being paranoid?

      Aha… now that is interesting!

      • hush minx 23.1.1

        Well she probably hears more of the anti ts perspective than the pro to be fair… might help if she read it?

    • Puddleglum 23.2

      I heard that too.

      I thought it a bit unwise for her to comment about suggestions by a few “fear and loathing prone people who tend to write on a few blogs” that people like King, Mallard and Goff are “evil people in control of the Labour Party“. She apparently found the suggestions ridiculous.

      Such a comment goes beyond political commentary and starts to look like personally defending particular politicians by going out of her way to ridicule their critics. The hesitant delivery suggests that she was aware that she was treading a fine line.

      Podcast is here

      The comment is about 19mins 40s into the tape for those interested.

      • jbug 23.2.1

        I’m not sure Jane Clifton is in a very informed position to determine just how many people are represented on this blog – certinaly quite a few more than her “mate” in Parliament would probably like to admit?

        • KhandallaViper 23.2.1.1

          Mora is a CRAP WEAK twit.
          The interview remonds me how much the innner wellington crowd id seperated form teh rest of NZ.

          List to it in full. BORING middle class salaried smug gits

    • xtasy 23.3

      NoseViper:

      “I think Jane Clifton was having a ‘go’ at TS when on Jim Mora’s Panel. She made some veiled remarks about certain bloggers being paranoid?”

      Yes, I get paranoid every time I have to think about what the hell goes on in NZ. I am not alone though!

  24. Craig Glen viper 24

    ( Shaking head shaking head) We Labour are screwed, National could easily get a third term. Being a Labour member is like being a Liverpool support, aint won shit for a long time and isnt likely to win in the foreseeable future.

    • Colonial Viper 24.1

      3 Tory terms is fairly common though, historically.

      And Labour only need to get 31% or 32% on E-day to take the Treasury benches. (Although Winnie would have to co-operate…)

  25. gobsmacked 25

    David Shearer on Annette King: “She was voted 3rd most sexiest woman in Parliament” (speaking on Newstalk ZB).

    And it’s a prepared line, coz he’s just repeated it on Radio Live with Duncan Garner.

    Memo to David: ask Phil Goff about Liz Hurley. This really doesn’t work.

    • RedBaronCV 25.1

      Nice bit of disrespect there for a senior politician. Hope Annette reads out the sexiest men list. Remind me again – how many women vote labour –

    • Arfamo 25.2

      Please tell me he didn’t really say “most sexiest”. If he can’t even handle basic grammar what the hell is he any good at?

    • QoT 25.3

      Also, even ignoring the sexist wank, it’s a piss-weak deflection from the fact that King is many things, but hardly a fresh new face to bring a fresh new approach to healthcare.

      • Ennui in Requiem 25.3.1

        Fekk I hate agreeing with you, but it is such B Grade sexist wank. What sort of crass pillock would make such a pathetic statement? More to the point what sort of pathetic political party would allow this bunch of nonentities to parade as MPs? I am so bored with Labour.

  26. talavera 26

    Imagine what would happen if Graham Henry/Richie McCaw left one of their star players on the bench during a key game – we would think they were idiots. I cannot think of any clearer sign of fearful and weak leadership than what Shearer has just done re: Cunliffe.

    If you want to win, field your strongest team – make the most of the talent you have.

    I’ve been a LP member in the past, but there’s no way I’d consider getting involved again while Shearer’s at the helm.

    • gobsmacked 26.1

      Shearer was asked by Larry Williams if Cunliffe was going to roll him: Shearer replied “Bring it on”.

      He made it clear he was joking but by then my head was already on the desk …

      • talavera 26.1.1

        Sounds a bit like his recent comments that there is ‘absolutely’ room for homophobic views in the Labour Party. He has an unfortunate way of opening his mouth and thinking later – something that usually rules out a political career for most other people. The ABC crowd seem to be blind to this.

        If Shearer insists on staying around, please at least someone get him some media training!

        • felixviper 26.1.1.1

          Too late for training talavera. The game is on. The ball is in play.

          He fumbles, he drops, he scores another own goal.

        • Arfamo 26.1.1.2

          He’s had media training!! He just doesn’t have the nouse to apply it intelligently. They obviously told him he needs to sound tougerh so now he responds to media prods like a chest-beating gorilla and it just doesn’t work.

          • Arfamo 26.1.1.2.1

            *tougher. Gawd. When will the edit function be fixed.

            • hush minx 26.1.1.2.1.1

              Actually I think he’s had lots of media training and on an ongoing basis. Is goods to see that he has improved, though I guess you could argue it’s off a low base!

              • Socialist Paddy

                Aye I no longer cross my fingers hoping that he does not make a complete tosspot of himself and I am confident that he will be barely adequate.

                But FFS is this what we are allowed to expect? What other miraculous qualities does he bring to the job that allows us to ignore his rather large inadequacies?

                • Colonial Viper

                  He can talk down an AK74 pointed to his face and save millions of people. Also something about being able to successfully negotiate with terrorists and rebels?

    • Hami Shearlie 26.2

      Totally agree, talavera! The biggest idiot and worst leader that Labour have ever had is Shearer. The most arrogant EVER!! What kind of man would stand for the leadership, lose 9 out of 10 debates and STILL put himself forward?? They’ve given Cunliffe some portfolios to use his great intelligence and innovative thinking, yet have made sure he’s in the background so he can’t get any publicity or credit!! The ABC crowd are very used to the big fat salaries (some have been there since the 1980’s) and don’t want a leader who will shake things up – it’s all about keeping big salaries, and safeguarding personal advancement, much more important than the Labour Party membership and the general public who are suffering!!

      • Paul 26.2.1

        Maybe some people wanted a ineffective Labour leader…or at least one who would not break the neo-liberal grip on this country if she/he won. Tony Blair was supported by business in the UK because he was never going to undo the Thatcherite revolution. The Labour right are too compromised by the events of the 1980s…after all, it was a cabal of them that ushered in NZ’s own revolution which turned it from an egalitarian society to the free market dog it remains today.

      • centro 26.2.2

        I think the argument that the old guard are only there for the salaries isn’t the reason they stay. Politicians of their experience and stature would most likely get far higher paying jobs if they left. I think they just really believe in the direction the party is going which we may not all agree with but you can’t fault them for doing what they believe is best for the country.

        • Socialist Paddy 26.2.2.1

          But they are proved wrong repeatedly. They do not have any principles and they cannot gain ascendancy in the opinion polls.

          They are double losers. They should feck off and let the next generation take over.

        • Colonial Viper 26.2.2.2

          Politicians of their experience and stature would most likely get far higher paying jobs if they left.

          Please name 4 organisations which you believe would offer (or have offered) ex Labour Government ministers jobs paying $250K pa or more.

    • Ennui in Requiem 26.3

      No talavera: ever heard on 10 man rugby? You play a bunch of forwards who have no subtelty, just bash and crash, plus a first five and half back whose instruction is to kick the ball. The other 5 backs are mere spectators, their job is to not offer anything that looks like flair or is risky. Labours list are entirely capable of the stodgy game plan, it requires little IQ, attempts nothing.

      The end result is the opposition lose because they try something and get shut down by the negativity, Labours 10 men win by one point, the crowd is bored and go home unhappy. They lose their fan base and produce far less than meets the eyes. Sad really.

  27. Coronial Typer 27

    So if merit had been the sole criteria, which of the new Top Ten would be there?

    – Shearer? Wouldn’t make the top 20.
    – Robertson? Practically silent outside the beltway.
    – Parker? Hasn’t landed so much as a jab on Joyce.
    – Ardern. Has sustained good profile, without major damage onto Bennett.
    – Cosgrove? Hasn’t focused the anti- asset sale petition project, and should have made far stronger SOE hits. Maybe top 20.
    – King. Labour’s only standout policy in 5 years.
    – Jones? Should have had a slow public rehabilitation, nor pre-emptied public release of A-G report. Also wouldn’t make the top 20.
    – Twyford. Strong performer. One to unquestionably deserves the place, on merit.
    – Street? So risibly weak that should no longer be in Parliament.
    – Hipkins Great hits, but so’s a Piniata. Maybe top 10 as a growth prospect.

    Instead we get yet another slow revenge play, like Hannibal salting the fields before the Romans arrive.

    The best chance of beating National as a Labour team is to have your best performers ranked in the highest place. Not this.

    Anyone game to rank what a purely merit-based shadow Cabinet top 10 would look like?

  28. ad 28

    Ok so here is the counterfactual, run as if (my version of) merit was the sole criteria. My version being that this would be the best bunch and best grouping from what we have in Labour now for changing the government. With attractive policy groupings.

    1. King. Leader, SIS.

    2. Cunliffe. Finance, Economic Development, Savings and Public Capital, SOE’s.

    3. Ardern Poverty Alleviation (replacing Social Welfare), Children

    4. Parker. Science and Innovation, Commerce, Attorney General, Justice

    5. Dalziell. Health, Senior Citizens, Superannuation

    6. Twyford. Housing, Transport, Auckland, Regional Development, Canterbury Rebuild

    7. Robertson. Environment, Conservation, Climate Change, Primary Industries, Food Safety

    8. Mahuta. Treaty settlements, Maori, Constitutional Reform, Internal Affairs

    9. Goff. Trade, Defence, Disarmament, State Services, Immigration

    10. Hipkins. Education, Tertiary Education, Maori Education

    • Colonial Viper 28.1

      Finance is too big to have anything else substantial in there apart from maybe Savings and Public Capital which may be complementary.

      I reckon GFC part two is going to start up in earnest sometime during 2014 or 2015…who ya gonna call???

    • xtasy 28.2

      Re Ardern: What the hell is she doing?

      On Tuesday (yesterday, 26.02.) the Nats used staged questions to ask Bennett on the “success” of “reforms” in welfare, so she “sold” her “Future Focus” crap, as if it was the best selling item in town.

      Ardern, like on hundreds of other cases, sat there, never bothered to raise any “supplementary question”.

      She recently “profiled” herself in Auckland’s Central Leader paper, showing off with people from BAMA, a beneficiary advocacy service in Mt Albert. So what the f*** has Ardern done to help beneficiaries, or to raise their concerns, I ask? NADA!

      She should not have kept the social welfare portfolio, but then also, who else in Labour’s caucus would bother?

      • Ad 28.2.1

        re: Robertson, curiously mute on Nick Smith’s decision to “call in” the proposed toll road to Fiordland, and also the monorail. Politicising what should be a full and independent hearing with full media and public scrutiny is simply wrong. Robertson should have shouted that out hard. There’s a surprising number of blue-greens in English’s electorate who would have welcomed the political support about their opposition to these projects.

        When Nick Smith assents the monorail (as we know he will), will Twyford or anyone else break out with a rendition of the Simpsons’ “Monorail Song”, just as Brownlee did to Twyford about Auckland’s City Rail Link?

  29. No game changer.

    Go back to your constituencies and prepare for government 😆

  30. You can see very clearly that ‘the wankers’ are taking the most serious issues seriously …………….

    Moana Mackey – Climate Change; Energy & Resources

    Not knocking Moana, (I’m sure she is as inept as any of them) But the 2 main ‘issues’ we face don’t even get in the top 20, let alone #1
    WASF

  31. Here’s a new theme in answer to the ABC’s
    ‘ABS ‘ Anyone But Shearer’.
    There is ABS brakes,(i think), well they need to be applied and soon.

  32. Tim 32

    “Labour Reshuffle”:
    a mediocre start that demonstrates some awareness of the life-long Labour voter’s pissed-offness. There’s till time before the next election to demonstrate that egos aren’t trumping representation.
    Not YET enough for a change though in my (and probably about 30 others in family & friends) to give a party vote to a left alternative (OTHER than Labour) even though they may reluctantly support a Labour electorate candidate (Robertson).

    The least worst option is no longer Labour especially when there are options where alternative political parties have shown a repeated commitment to principle, unlike Labour who demonstrate a paranoia towards highly intelligent, logical and rational candidates with ideas and a commitment that isn’t based on a sense of entitlement resulting from longevity as politicians.

    There’s time, but brinksmanship with the voter is not a good idea. For us – it’s no longer about opting out – but opting back in! as there is with many others.

    Best outcome – bovver boy at the back, but its a crying shame there’s not an over-ambitious, insipid little prick placed as doorman standing just behind the back bench.

  33. felixviper 33

    Shit team.

    Sorry but there it is. It’s the reserves and the golden oldies.

    It’s like if the Nats put Collins and Ryall on the back bench and gave the top jobs to Aaron Gilmore and Tau.

  34. Truelabour 34

    There are so many issues that stand out from this reshuffle but I’ve selected just three to highlight:
    1. Maryan loses Health because she didn’t scored hits against Ryall. Lets look back a few years. Straight after the 2008 election, Ruth Dyson is the Health Spokesperson. She loses the portfolio because she wasn’t deemed effective in the role (Ruth demoted). The porfolio is given to Grant Robertson. He doesn’t score any hits either but he continues on a trajectory of being promoted and now Maryan is demoted for under performing (how convenient that underperformance is ignored in some instances)
    2. Chris Hipkins is promoted in to the education spokesperson role because according to his caucus mates (the same ones who would have been put the resources behind him to get the publicity that he did get) he performed well while Mahuta was on maternity leave. In the ‘real’ world, if someone was seconded in to a role because a woman went on maternity leave, you couldn’t just dispense of her because you felt that her replacement had done a better job. But hey – who are we to hold the Labour Party to good employment law. It’s important to keep in mind here that the leadership never truly backed Mahuta as the education spokesperson – in fact I think it is fair to say that she was pretty much set up to fail (well done labour).
    3. Louisa Wall gets her marriage equality members bill up and does a stellar job of fronting the issue (the greens could have so easily run this issue) and yet, she doesn’t feature in the list of MPs promoted….?

    It’s this kind of thing that leaves a Labour voter shaking their head in dismay. You just want the party to GENUINELY get their shit together. One of Labours fundamental principles is ‘fairness’ but that doesn’t seem to factor in to labour caucus practice.

    • Arfamo 34.1

      The only way Shearer is going to get any traction before the next election is probably for this crew to all now get their noses to the grindstone, get their media performances polished, and for him to let them front on all portfolio-related issues. He is a media disaster. If Labour are stuck with him, maybe he needs to rebrand himself completely as someone with a different style of political management, someone who will put together policy and manage that process, and then just direct and back his shadow cabinet. He should stop trying to match Key by mimicking his style and being the principal spokesperson. He can’t sell himself as an anti-Key. It doesn’t work. He’s not a “quick on his feet” thinker and that’s painfully obvious. The less he says, the wiser he sounds.

  35. RedBaronCV 35

    At the very least you’d think self interest would click in.
    DC on the front bench would have dragged in a few more votes and brought a prime ministerial salary closer.
    Some how Shearer doesn’t have the perspective. This country has been in some sort of recession (high unemployment) for the bulk of the last 30 years, right wing induced, and he goes ” wages haven’t moved much since 2009.” Actually they haven’t moved much since 1989.

    • Arfamo 35.1

      I agree. My fear is Labour under Shearer is going to turn out to be really only National-lite, fiddling at the margins, essentially maintaining the new right economic approach of the last 30 years. I’m looking for the party that has a better plan than simply a continuation these divisive and economically corrosive policies.

  36. saarbo 36

    I recently went to a Labour party branch meeting, what a joke. I have concluded that Labour is in a mess. There is no way that this party could run an affective government when it cant even run its own party. I come back feeling disillusioned with Labour, so will join the Green Party.

    But realistically we are not going to have a strong left government in New Zealand without a strong Labour Party, certainly in the short term anyway. That is why the polls are not budging, even though National cant put a foot right. Danyl McLaughlan has hit it on the head “I’ve seen people on Twitter wondering how anyone could still support National, but if you think about the Shearer-led Labour/Greens/New Zealand First alternative, it’s hard to imagine that being anything other than a short-lived disaster. Centrist support for National seems very sensible from that perspective.”.

    If this Labour party do fail in 2014 then there needs to be a massive clean out and re build, personally I believe that is probably the best path for New Zealand long term.

  37. Truelabour 37

    A shadow cabinet based on four things – merit, rejuvenation, public appeal and ability to perform with the portfolio:

    1. David Cunliffe (Economic Development and Revenue)
    – Whether the caucus likes it or not, DC is the best one to lead labour at this time. He’s smart and can speak competently to a range of issues. He’s also got much more public appeal than DS. The public need to believe that the the leader of the labour party can be the leader of the country.
    2. Andrew Little (Deputy leader – Employment Skills Training, Labour)
    – This is his area of expertise and it is what could win Labour the next election
    3. David Parker (Finance)
    – Only because if DC is in the leadership role there DP is the only other person really equipped to take on this portfolio
    4. Jacinda Ardern (Health, Arts Culture and Heritage)
    – Unfortunately she’s not ‘street’ enough to take on Paula. No one else has made a dent in Ryall but she works hard and will try to get him from every angle – it’s definitely worth a try. Auckland Central = Arts and JA hangs in those circles so makes sense that she also holds this.
    5. Grant Robertson (Environment and SOE’s)
    – He’s got more connections in the public sector than any other labour MP and has his hand on the pulse when it comes to SOE’s. The environment is something that could be a strength of his.
    6. Louisa Wall (Social Development, Children)
    – She’s tough and is like a dog with a bone when it comes to these types of issues. She could take it to Paula
    7. Sue Moroney (Education and tertiary)
    – Hardworking and knows the issues
    8. Phil Twyford (Housing, Auckland Issues and Transport)
    – Housing and transport are two major auckland issues. He’s competent and can cover these three things well.
    9. Lianne Dalziel (Justice, Attorney General, Earthquake recovery)
    – She has been under utilised. One of the most competent labour MPs. Should be acknowledged for being so.
    10.Nanaia Mahuta (Maori Development, Youth, Associate Education)
    – She seems to have resigned herself from having lost education but shouldn’t be under estimated. Give her these jobs for now but when labour wins the next election, she could take on any of the other big portfolios

    Note – when you look at the above line up you see a good mix of the two different camps. Its a unifying arrangement but one that works and doesn’t compromise Labour being able to put it’s best foot forward in the major portfolio areas. This is the stuff that could win Labour the 2014 election.

    • KhandallaViper 37.1

      Spot on….nearly but not inspired..

      “Grant Robertson (Environment and SOE’s)
      – He’s got more connections in the public sector than any other labour MP and has his hand on the pulse when it comes to SOE’s. The environment is something that could be a strength of his.”

      The lad only knows planet government. He has not had a breath of air outside on the beltway.

    • xtasy 37.2

      It is largely dream stuff agenda but then again:

      “6. Louisa Wall (Social Development, Children)
      – She’s tough and is like a dog with a bone when it comes to these types of issues. She could take it to Paula”

      Now that could be addressing issues I face daily, but Ardern is to me like a useless opportunist with a lifestyle she chose to “live” politics, to “further” her later “career”, and while she only shows the odd bit of appearance (Central Leader on “BAMA”, Auckland, 20.02.13), she does FUCK ALL for the ordinary beneficiary, of whom I happen to presently be one of.

      Thank you Jacinda, you need to bloody learn and get the smell of sweat, stench and despair into your nostrils, before you even think of representing us!

      I see and hear NOTHING that you have done for us since you have been social security spokesperson. How the f-ing hell does anybody in a party like yours get such a “job”, if I may ask? Is this a put your name in the pot and we will draw the winner kind of game?

      Never to vote Labour ever again, for sure, thanks!

  38. KhandallaViper 38

    Clare Curran has not delivered in her Telco role: she failed to analyse and challenge the Telecom Chorus split.
    Clare Curran has not delivered to the Labour organisation: she failed to deliver a basic blog site; coals to Eskimos.
    Clare Curran has not delivered to the people of Dunedin. see her poor performance here
    http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/MPP/Electorates/e/6/f/DBHOH_Lib_EP_DunedinSouth_TOC_1-Dunedin-South-Electorate-Profile.htm
    (that puts her in the same league as King, Robertson, Hipkins and Mallard- a de-facto wellinton clique member)

    clare curran HAS delivered loyalty to Shearer.

    she is a winner….

  39. Jenny 39

    A pretty comprehensive list of portfolios and responsibilities.

    But no shadow cabinet MP is named as responsible for Climate Change Issues.

    Even the National Party makes a front row MP responsible for Climate Change.

    At number 14 Hon. Tim Groser, Minister of Trade, Minister for Climate Change Issues.

    This exposes the Labour Party as a CCI party.

    The Labour Party under David Shearer leadership, is actively ignoring climate change. And hoping for a deal, the Greens are falling into line.

    That the Labour Party can get away with this, is only because of the connivance and agreement of the parliamentary Green Party leadership.

    The only front bench Labour MP who actively spoke out against climate change has been demoted and silenced.

    It all points to a terrible and corrupt Obama/Romney type three way electoral stitch up in 2014. Where it is agreed by all three major parties not to challenge, or defy the powerful fossil fuel lobby.

    • xtasy 39.1

      Jenny – It is ignoring that and welfare, for sure. But they may be intent on handing the difficult portfolios to the likely Green Party coalition or support members. They will likely give them the difficult ones, so to ruin them, same as National is rubbishing the Maori Party, as Labour earlier rubbished the Alliance, as others did all the same before.

      The agenda is clear, set the agenda, challenge, hand difficult jobs to the weak and small, yet needed parties, and in the end, they will try to look better, and hope for more votes. Simple, really.

      • Jenny 39.1.1

        Jenny – It is ignoring that and welfare, for sure. But they may be intent on handing the difficult portfolios to the likely Green Party coalition or support members.

        xtasy

        In this list Climate Change is not a portfolio anymore.

        The Labour Party in deliberately downgrading of Climate Change so that it is no longer a portfolio.

        Ensures that whoever is awarded it, will be powerless to do anything.

        How ugly, how corrupt, how tragic.

  40. Benjamin B. 40

    Conservation, *who*? I am totally unable to find a single connection between Ruth Dyson and conservation. Instead I found a drink driving thing. Is that all that Labour has? Really? Even Kate Wilkinson was more of a conservationist.

    • Colonial Viper 40.1

      Nick Smith a very strong Conservation Minister. Unfortunately I do not believe that Dyson will be able to touch him.

      • Benjamin B. 40.1.1

        Yeps he’s strong in a way that nobody needs… except the ‘business’ ‘community’ who celebrates him as the ‘new mining czar’, i.e. ork: http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/nick-smith-new-mining-czar-ck-126120

        And he probably has all sorts of tricks up his sleeves, so Ruth Dyson is presumably no match for him.

        This is certainly not a way to get conservationists’ votes.

        • Colonial Viper 40.1.1.1

          And you think putting Dyson in that portfolio is a serious alternative for winning Green votes?

          I’ll put it another way. National aren’t interested in winning votes of Labour. They’re looking at winning the Blue-Greens back off the Greens.

    • xtasy 40.2

      Benjamin B.: Get honest, the most “conserving” substance that exists is ALCOHOL, right!

  41. peterlepaysan 41

    This “reshuffle” is going make all those non voters turn out and vote for the LP at the next general election?

    I do not think so.

    All those non voters are looking for is a a party that cares about what matters to them, not Wall Street morally bankrupt wheeling dealing Gordon Gecko economic ideology.

    Caucus cabals need very deep war chests to manipulate their membership.

    The LP is bankrupt. The membership is revolting (what is new?) but are a shadow of what once was.

    Shearer has the singular misfortune of being the right person in the right place at the right time to oversee the LP demise.

    Until the LP caucus realises that there is actually an electorate out there, and it matters, the NZLP is doomed to failure.

    Sigh!

    • xtasy 41.1

      Let me repeat this again:

      It is time for a NEW Left Party to form and take off, the time could and should never be better. Those that honestly have ideas, answers and care for the average NZ workers and non workers, they deserve much better than this shit presented by a lying Labour Party that does not even represent workers and disenfranchised. It is trying to become a middle of the road win all votes party, to compete with a National Party under Key that did the same in 2008.

      Shearer and Labour leaders need their bloody heads read to present this hopeless line up and crap to the public.

      I say again, to all those that do NOT bloody GET IT.

      Labour is finished, lost and gone, and think out, create, found and start a truly left of centre, social democratic, or socialist, democratically minded, resolute, dedicated, firm and bloody HONEST LEFT PARTY, thanks.

      I hate repeating myself, I mean bloody well.

  42. Ed 42

    Overall it seems to me a compromise all around, which is really what I would have expected. It has some moves that may well be a signal for either an improved performance or further reduced responsibilities. I can’t get very excited about order other than those seated in the front row whose smiling faces should strike fear into the current government; it includes a welcome return to responsibilities for Cunliffe, and effectively a challenge to him to shine in those areas. Too much is made of personality and not enough of policies and commitments. Lets hope we see some commitments to reverse some of the more stupid / egregious of Nationals errors, while also outlining each time the principles behind such decisions. I am pleased that maternity leave is being treated seriously; I hope that Nanaia Mahuta returns in due course with added perspectives and benefits from the ability to take a slightly different perspective for a while.

    There may well be further changes closer tot he election, but the priority in the next period will be bedding down, with the help of membership, the detail behind the principles the party holds, and the priorities for what looks like yet another disaster economy to be inherited by a Labour government.

  43. the pigman 43

    Fuck “bedding down”, that is all caucus-apologists have been saying for the last 18 months. It has been an abject failure.

    Meanwhile Trevor Mallard is making a song and dance on his facebook page (in case anyone cared) and is at pains to highlight that his demotion was all about his plans to be Speaker after the next election… *shudder*… while his annointed successor continues in the patsy job of shooting holes in Parata and presumably preparing for another round of flipping out at DC on television after DS loses 2014.

    gg Labour.

    • xtasy 43.1

      Drunk on his new “partner” and re-invigorated sex life, on past “fame”, arrogance, ignorance, stupidity or whatever, that is where you assign certain persons to the gutter, the toilet, the street theatre, the asylum or whatever. They surely have no more place in charge.

  44. xtasy 44

    No more of we ask, we say, we need, weseek, we may, we think and all that, WE WANT and WE NEED that must be the bloody message, dear David, dig it, hear it, earn it and deliver it, thank you!

    Labour says, stands for, and Labour IS, demands, bla bla and bla, I want to hear that, no drivel, mediocre chat talk and the likes.

    Maybe, maybe, maybe one day, one night and all the rest, stand your ground thank you.

  45. RobertM 45

    Magnificent. Shearer has shown great courage. Lianne Dalziel has been too flaky and her support of Edward Malarky and Selmans fanatical anti alcohol and anti joy campaign was a bit too far. People are meant to have a life of pleasure and joy not to slave for Bridges $550 min wage. As a middle class wastrel, its half of what I can barely survive on twice that.
    David Parker and the support finance team of Cunliffe, Cosgrove and Shane Jones is immensely strong. I’m a fan of Cunliffe and Jones and believe there centrists who will try and take NZ forward with none of the extremity of Prebble and the former member for St Albans and deputy leader

    • Colonial Viper 45.1

      “take NZ forward” to where???

      Why was Dalziel singled out as flaky and not…a dozen and a half other Labour MPs who weren’t Cunliffe supporters but far more flaky?

      Magnificent. Shearer has shown great courage.

      Yeah the AK74 thing very boring and irrelevant

  46. Hami Shearlie 46

    I just saw David Cunliffe speaking in Parliament!! Talking eloquently on child-support with no notes. A very engaging and clever man – It just confirms why he should be Labour’s leader every time he speaks. David Shearer – Look in the mirror and realise you are NOT and will NEVER BE a viable leader for the Labour Party!! And make the caucus look in the same mirror!!

    • Grassroots 46.1

      +1

      • xtasy 46.1.1

        Hah, yes, to me David Shearer looks like an unwashed, smelly, wet towel, and I met a fair few faces like him, generally all unappealing.

        And Labour put his face on their front website 10-fold. It is like selling smelly socks to the sensitive, choosy buyers. Horrific, really, so what the hell is making those in majority in caucus tick, one wonders. It cannot be common sense and intelligence.

        Ghastly all this, I am sorry, I have given up some time ago anyway. There are and will be other options.

  47. Caleb 47

    http://cutyourhair.wordpress.com/2013/03/01/where-is-christchurch-in-the-labour-reshuffle/ This is a shameless plug for my own blog, where I’ve noted promotions, demotions, regions and factions/cliques… on the latter I’m not too confident, so anyone who cares to can please feel free to correct me or fill out my information.

Links to post

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • 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
    1 hour 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
    3 hours ago
  • How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log iPhone Without Computer
    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A StepbyStep 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 thirdparty applications. So, lets dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. Thats 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. Heres 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. Heres how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose Erase All Content and Settings. Follow the onscreen 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 ThirdParty Apps (with Caution): ...
    4 hours 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 ...
    11 hours 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 ...
    12 hours 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 ...
    12 hours 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 ...
    12 hours 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 ...
    12 hours 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 ...
    13 hours 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 ...
    13 hours 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 ...
    13 hours 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
    14 hours 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 ...
    15 hours 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 ...
    15 hours 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, ...
    15 hours 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, ...
    15 hours 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
    15 hours 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
    16 hours 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
    19 hours 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
    19 hours 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
    19 hours 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
    20 hours ago
  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    21 hours ago
  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    22 hours ago
  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    22 hours ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    22 hours ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    23 hours ago
  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 day ago
  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    1 day ago
  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    3 days ago
  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    3 days ago
  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    3 days ago
  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    3 days ago
  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, 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?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    4 days ago
  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #15
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 7, 2024 thru Sat, April 13, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week is about adults in the room setting terms and conditions of ...
    5 days ago
  • Feline Friends and Fragile Fauna The Complexities of Cats in New Zealand’s Conservation Efforts

    Cats, with their independent spirit and beguiling purrs, have captured the hearts of humans for millennia. In New Zealand, felines are no exception, boasting the highest national cat ownership rate globally [definition cat nz cat foundation]. An estimated 1.134 million pet cats grace Kiwi households, compared to 683,000 dogs ...

    5 days ago
  • Or is that just they want us to think?
    Nice guy, that Peter Williams. Amiable, a calm air of no-nonsense capability, a winning smile. Everything you look for in a TV presenter and newsreader.I used to see him sometimes when I went to TVNZ to be a talking head or a panellist and we would yarn. Nice guy, that ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • Fact Brief – Did global warming stop in 1998?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Did global warming stop in ...
    6 days ago
  • Arguing over a moot point.
    I have been following recent debates in the corporate and social media about whether it is a good idea for NZ to join what is known as “AUKUS Pillar Two.” AUKUS is the Australian-UK-US nuclear submarine building agreement in which … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    6 days ago
  • No Longer Trusted: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    Turning Point: What has turned me away from the mainstream news media is the very strong message that its been sending out for the last few years.” “And what message might that be?” “That the people who own it, the people who run it, and the people who provide its content, really don’t ...
    6 days ago
  • Mortgage rates at 10% anyone?
    No – nothing about that in PM Luxon’s nine-point plan to improve the lives of New Zealanders. But beyond our shores Jamie Dimon, the long-serving head of global bank J.P. Morgan Chase, reckons that the chances of a goldilocks soft landing for the economy are “a lot lower” than the ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    6 days ago
  • Sad tales from the left
    Michael Bassett writes –  Have you noticed the odd way in which the media are handling the government’s crackdown on surplus employees in the Public Service? Very few reporters mention the crazy way in which State Service numbers rocketed ahead by more than 16,000 during Labour’s six years, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • In Whose Best Interests?
    On The Spot: The question Q+A host, Jack Tame, put to the Workplace & Safety Minister, Act’s Brooke van Velden, was disarmingly simple: “Are income tax cuts right now in the best interests of lowering inflation?”JACK TAME has tested another MP on his Sunday morning current affairs show, Q+A. Minister for Workplace ...
    6 days ago
  • Don’t Question, Don’t Complain.
    It has to start somewhereIt has to start sometimeWhat better place than here?What better time than now?So it turns out that I owe you all an apology.It seems that all of the terrible things this government is doing, impacting the lives of many, aren’t necessarily ‘bad’ per se. Those things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • Auckland faces 25% water inflation shock
    Three Waters became a focus of anti-Government protests under Labour, but its dumping by the new Government hasn’t solved councils’ funding problems and will eventually hit the back pockets of everyone. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 8:06 am today are:The Government ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Small accomplishments and large ironies
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Share Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Song of Saqua: Volume VII
    In order to catch up to the actual progress of the D&D campaign, I present you with another couple of sessions. These were actually held back to back, on a Monday and Tuesday evening. Session XV Alas, Goatslayer had another lycanthropic transformation… though this time, he ran off into the ...
    6 days ago
  • Accelerating the Growth Rate?
    There is a constant theme from the economic commentariat that New Zealand needs to lift its economic growth rate, coupled with policies which they are certain will attain that objective. Their prescriptions are usually characterised by two features. First, they tend to be in their advocate’s self-interest. Second, they are ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    7 days 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
    9 hours 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
    15 hours 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
    16 hours 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
    18 hours 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
    19 hours 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
    21 hours 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
    22 hours 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
    1 day ago
  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government redress for Te Korowai o Wainuiārua
    The Government is continuing the bipartisan effort to restore its relationship with iwi as the Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill passed its first reading in Parliament today, says Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith. “Historical grievances of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua relate to 19th century warfare, land purchased or taken ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Focus on outstanding minerals permit applications
    New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals is working to resolve almost 150 outstanding minerals permit applications by the end of the financial year, enabling valuable mining activity and signalling to the sector that New Zealand is open for business, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.  “While there are no set timeframes for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Applications open for NZ-Ireland Research Call
    The New Zealand and Irish governments have today announced that applications for the 2024 New Zealand-Ireland Joint Research Call on Agriculture and Climate Change are now open. This is the third research call in the three-year Joint Research Initiative pilot launched in 2022 by the Ministry for Primary Industries and Ireland’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Tenancy rules changes to improve rental market
    The coalition Government has today announced changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to encourage landlords back to the rental property market, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “The previous Government waged a war on landlords. Many landlords told us this caused them to exit the rental market altogether. It caused worse ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Boosting NZ’s trade and agricultural relationship with China
    Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay will visit China next week, to strengthen relationships, support Kiwi exporters and promote New Zealand businesses on the world stage. “China is one of New Zealand’s most significant trade and economic relationships and remains an important destination for New Zealand’s products, accounting for nearly 22 per cent of our good and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Freshwater farm plan systems to be improved
    The coalition Government intends to improve freshwater farm plans so that they are more cost-effective and practical for farmers, Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay have announced. “A fit-for-purpose freshwater farm plan system will enable farmers and growers to find the right solutions for their farm ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Fast Track Projects advisory group named
    The coalition Government has today announced the expert advisory group who will provide independent recommendations to Ministers on projects to be included in the Fast Track Approvals Bill, say RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones. “Our Fast Track Approval process will make it easier and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-18T19:40:37+00:00