Labour where art thou?

Written By: - Date published: 11:59 am, October 20th, 2009 - 45 comments
Categories: labour - Tags:

I’m not going to repeat the list of all the things that are starting to make people angry and scared or catalogue the broken promises (privatising ACC fast approaching in National’s first term) or go over in fine detail the fact that National are anything but Labour lite. I just to know where the hell is Labour? Where’s Phil Goff’s leadership here? C’mon guys. If you can’t find ammo for opposition, if you can’t take control of the reigns in this environment, with protests and street marches, and crap coalition management and the media finally biting into National, when will you?

I know Phil’s got it in him. I’ve seen him in action and he’s impressed me but it feels like Labour’s gone to ground because of the polls. The poll results are to be expected less than a year out from an election – and an election where Labour got decicively whupped by an incredibly popular National leader – but to get ahead, Labour’s got to get out there. We know Helen Clark’s star started to spiral earthwards when she got defensive and lost touch with her base. Let’s learn from our own history.

Labour, turn your attention to your people who are being screwed by National’s cuts in services and hikes in cost.

Get angy about it.

And then let us know that you are. When you do that, we’ll be there right behind you.

45 comments on “Labour where art thou? ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. roger nome 1
    20 October 2009 at 12:06 pm

    It will be interesting to see who can set the agenda re the mmp referendum. No doubt NACT will come out with a question like:

    “Would you prefer an electoral system which requires more of your tax dollars going to pay mp’s salaries, or less”

    If Goff and co remain limp wristed on this issue it will be an outrage.

    • IrishBill 1.1
      20 October 2009 at 12:09 pm

      Too late, he’s already welcomed the referendum. They’ll be scared shitless of being framed as anti-democratic. Another day another wasted opposition opportunity.

      • Lew 1.1.1
        20 October 2009 at 12:35 pm

        If they didn’t welcome the referendum, they would be branded anti-democratic, and they would hand the Nats electoral reform on a platter. The only way they can come away looking good is to say ‘bring it on’ and campaign hard for a proportional, representative system which doesn’t subjugate minority voices and concerns.

        Unfortunately, given its current tendency to attack those minority voices whenever they stray outside the traditional Labour ouevre, Labour isn’t really behaving like an MMP party.

        L

  2. vidiot 2
    20 October 2009 at 12:09 pm

    Best summed up as Phil Goffstrich. Head in the sand, oblivious to what’s going on around.

    Yes there are issues that Phil could be soap boxing on, but he isn’t, he’s awol and that isn’t helping Labour one iota.

    Phil doesn’t have a midas touch, he’s more like a plumber from Paeroa – every things turning to shit and he’s left his tools at home.

    • Bill 3.1
      20 October 2009 at 12:39 pm

      Rumour has it that it was indeed the labour old guard removed all the counterweights from the sash windows in this part of town.

    • Ianmac 3.2
      20 October 2009 at 12:41 pm

      Hey Lew! Don’tcha know that apathy is much more comfortable? But maybe if enough of “them” Got as Mad As Hell, perhaps then I will lift up mine window and shout “I’m as MAD as……………..”

    • indiana 3.3
      20 October 2009 at 12:59 pm

      The people were mad as hell in Nov 2008 and did something about….

  4. mickysavage 4
    20 October 2009 at 12:27 pm

    I am not sure that this criticism is fair. Labour is struggling to get exposure but this is because the phone is still off the hook and most of the electorate are still ignoring them.

    They could be sharper and more focussed and the messaging could be simpler.

    But we are living in a world where the MSN still focuses on the banal and the idiotic and I do not think that Labour can be held responsible for this …

    • Daveo 4.1
      20 October 2009 at 12:35 pm

      Why is the phone off the hook?

      Because “They could be sharper and more focussed and the messaging could be simpler.”

      Labour can’t keep blaming the media forever. At some point they have to step back and take a long hard look at themselves.

  5. vidiot 5
    20 October 2009 at 12:29 pm

    This what’s wrong with Labour:

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10604330

    You want people to be employed (and not unemployed), yet you wont let the company employ more staff on different terms to yours.

    This is 2009, not 1953. I would have thought Andrew would have appreciated getting $xxx per annum in union subscriptions from these new workers vs putting his existing members jobs @ risk.

    • Daveo 5.1
      20 October 2009 at 12:38 pm

      Um, in case you haven’t noticed it’s not the Labour Party on strike, it’s a group of EPMU members who have democratically elected to take action.

      I fail to see what your problem is with this strike. The company wants to cut terms and conditions for new workers in the collective. Workers at the company rightly see this as a threat to their own terms and conditions and to the integrity of the collective agreement so they’re taking strike action to stop it.

      Is your alternative for the workers to simply kneel down and accept every cut to terms and conditions that employers demand? At what point do you stop? Just think about it for a second.

      There’s also no suggestion that any jobs are at risk. Employers are just using the recession to try it on. Workers, through their collective strength, are standing up for themselves.

      The question is why you immediately jump to the defence of the employer here, even inventing stories about job losses without knowing the facts.

  6. Evidence-Based Practice 6
    20 October 2009 at 12:29 pm

    Phil Goff addressed the ACC protesters yesterday at parliament and got a good response.

  7. Tammy Gordon 7
    20 October 2009 at 12:42 pm

    I’m glad to hear it EBP. And I get that the media’s not going to give them an easy run. But that’s why they’re going to have to think hard about how else to get exposure and to ‘reconnect’ with people. If getting into the MSM isn’t working for them, then they have to come up with other ways of doing things. And to make sure that we know what they’re doing and why and how we can get involved too if we want to.

    • HitchensFan 7.1
      20 October 2009 at 1:27 pm

      nice post Tammy. I so agree. We need to see some passion in opposition from Labour. If they do that at the moment my pick is NZ will get in behind them. Despite the polls, there is a swelling tide of discontent out there…

  8. Adrian 8
    20 October 2009 at 12:47 pm

    One message ” The National Government doesn’t care about you” repeat ad infinitum.

  9. SHG 9
    20 October 2009 at 1:03 pm

    Helen Clark’s star started to spiral earthwards

    This would be the Helen Clark who is polling nearly twice as popular in “preferred leader” as Goff, right?

  10. BLiP 10
    20 October 2009 at 1:06 pm

    Its hard to fight to good fight when the most likely beneficiary won’t lift a finger. Consider what happened the last time John Key was caught out in another blatant lie – Labour does nothing. Surely they could have got a headline or two out of that – but, nah . . . nothing. Nada. Zip. Zero. The big duck’s egg.

    Why? Well according to Mallard:

    In normal circumstances I would refer the matter to the Speaker but he has now repeatedly ruled that Minister’s obligation to tell the truth finishes with their primary answer and does not apply to supplementary answers.

    Surely, let the record show that on each and every occasion the Prime Minister lies to the House that the Opposition took action regardless. This non-response from Labour amounts to permission to lie.

    Can you imagine the foaming at the mouth fury of the MSM if it had been Helen who deliberately and without cause lied about a government department?

    • Draco T Bastard 10.1
      20 October 2009 at 5:17 pm

      Exactly what I told mallard on his post. He’s letting the nation down by not taking these lies to the speaker.

  11. Tammy Gordon 11
    20 October 2009 at 1:10 pm

    Yep SHG that’s her, elected out with 33.9%. Fickleness in politics is par for the course. That’s why Goff should ignore the polls and concentrate on people.

  12. gingercrush 12
    20 October 2009 at 1:23 pm

    The Standard is a pleasing read today. He also needs to get himself involved in soft media. I do love how Mickey is seemingly unwilling to criticise the party he supports. If the media aren’t giving you exposure and the electorate arent listening. You simply have to try harder. Its that simple. This Goff’s one and only chance to be Prime Minister. To say that the honeymoon is why his poll ratings are going down is pretty stupid.

    Goff needs to get the agenda going. They Labour need to appear positive and not be so negative. I don’t think negativity works with newer governments. Hence, you can’t do what National did from Brash onwards simply because Brash was a leader when Helen Clark already had a term under her belt was well into her second. Goff didn’t help himself when he simply disappeared after the Labour conference. They Labour got very good positive coverage and I don’t think Labour capitalised on that.

    We’re now heading towards November. So he has about a month to get some exposure. Once we hit December, parliament shuts down and politics is a rarity in the media. When we get back into February/March Labour really needs to have lift their game.

    • BLiP 12.1
      20 October 2009 at 2:51 pm

      Nah. Brash stuffed it up all by himself.

    • Ianmac 12.2
      20 October 2009 at 5:16 pm

      Good comment Ginge.
      The issues which engage us here may not be of the slightest interest to the general public. The things that did seem to resonate last year were little bits of sometimes big issues. Light bulbs? Showers? Violence? To many the complications of ACC or Global Warming are too hard to find little bits to hang them on. What can Labour do? Be passionate? Keep on plugging away really because the uncaring people are more concerned about jobs and Christmas and are just not that interested in politics. For now. The current Nact can only get better at management and if the bad bits floating around at the moment don’t hurt them, I do not expect anything will – for a while.

    • GFraser 12.3
      20 October 2009 at 7:22 pm

      Trouble is GC that no matter what Labour do our media is going to run them down.
      Example tonight from Tory3 news, there was a piece regarding the Government receiving support from an unexpected quarter over thier ACC amendments. Now silly old me thought it would be Labour they were on about, WRONG it was the Maori Party.
      Correct me if i’m wrong but I am sure Labour offered support about three hours before the MP came in. But no mention on Tory3 news about Labours initiative.
      So no wonder people like Mickey get worked up about the often unfair treatment Labour receives from the MSM.
      Hell the Nats have it easy, if Labour had tried some of thier tricks the squealing from our media would loud and long.
      See how clever Key would look if he received the treatment Goff receives, we have such a gutless press corp.

      • mike 12.3.1
        20 October 2009 at 8:00 pm

        Good grief – you know things are really bad when the the media get the blame for a parties sad demise.

        “But no mention on Tory3 news about Labours initiative”
        Are you serious? the ‘initiative’ was to do nothing at all. No wonder the public are turning off labour even more – they see the nats at least trying to deal with the issues instead of brushing them under the carpet like helen and co

    • mickysavage 12.4
      20 October 2009 at 8:17 pm

      Goff had a really good Labour Party conference and then went to the US for various talks. He did not make the Letterman Show, nor did he get the chance to talk to the UN. This happens when you are opposition leader.

      I bet that he spent every minute that he was awake of every day trying to improve things for NZ and he got absolutely no coverage from the media for it.

      And we then brand him a failure because he did not appear on the Letterman Show or bare his bum or get arrested for something so that he could make the news headlines.

      So successful pollies are those that attract the superficial and transient attention of the MSM and the serious hardworking sorts are failures.

      I really think we need to rethink this.

      • gobsmacked 12.4.1
        20 October 2009 at 8:41 pm

        Yes, today was a classic example.

        Goff wrote a letter to John Key about ACC.

        Key lied about the letter, in Parliament this afternoon.

        Goff pointed out that Key had misled Parliament, and promptly produced the letter as evidence.

        Slam dunk. Fact versus fiction. With all the evidence instantly and effortlessly available to journalists: the Hansard, the letter, the media releases.

        So, did the media report that the Prime Minister had lied – yet again? No.

        And that’s Phil Goff’s fault?

        • mickysavage 12.4.1.1
          20 October 2009 at 9:12 pm

          Key needs to be pinged. He is like Winston Peters but with a smile.

          He has been telling porkies for a while.

          I thought Labour has done well with its attacks. Worth, Lee, Smith, so far it ha worked. They should think about Key next.

          He is incompetent. Helen would have been so embarassed if she made the same mistakes he did.

          • mike 12.4.1.1.1
            20 October 2009 at 9:23 pm

            “They should think about Key next”

            Yeah mick the whole election campaign based on attacking Key worked a treat with the public didn’t it.
            Why are you lefties such aggressive sods hell bent ‘attacking’ anyone that doesn’t agree with your fucked up view of the world?

            • mickysavage 12.4.1.1.1.1
              20 October 2009 at 9:36 pm

              Actually Mike

              It is because he has a really important job and he is totally incompetent.

              He could do a great deal of damage to my country and I am really afraid.

              I think that he should be replaced by someone with some understanding and empathy.

              Phil will do fine.

            • lprent 12.4.1.1.1.2
              20 October 2009 at 10:42 pm

              Ummm – it seems to me that we are merely following your good example… Perhaps we should resurrect some of your statements from last year.

  13. mike 13
    20 October 2009 at 5:42 pm

    Please don’t ask Phil to get angry – I cringe when he gets that little bit of foam in the corner of his mouth as he rages out of control…

  14. Mental Mickey 14
    20 October 2009 at 9:29 pm

    Just to be a pedant (and finally put my Bursary English to use),

    “Where for art though” actually asks *why*.

    In Romeo and Juliet, Juliet is asking herself why Romeo has to be a Montague, not where he is.

    C’mon guys; don’t tell us the Baz Luhrmann film is the only Shakespeare you’ve seen.

    • Amity 14.1
      20 October 2009 at 9:37 pm

      But if it was in actual *reality* Romeo would be- YOU GUESSED IT- A total fuckwit.

      Typical!

      The days of the old, are well and ‘truly’ over.

      • BLiP 14.1.1
        20 October 2009 at 10:16 pm

        The question is: are you in actual reality?

        • Amity 14.1.1.1
          20 October 2009 at 10:34 pm

          Whatever ‘reality’ is? Can you define ‘reality’? I bet you can’t.
          What is ‘reality’ really? Is it what our 5 senses tell us, or is it more?
          And does it really matter to most, because I doubt many would understand?
          Anyway a mere ‘boy’ doesn’t really matter, does it? I doubt it dents my perception of ‘reality’……or hinders my understanding.

  15. Amity 15
    20 October 2009 at 10:40 pm

    And the ‘reality’ that exists as a ”co-reality”. Yes I’m SURE I am right wouldn’t you agree? Like it isn’t as if Romeo is seriously up to scratch?

  16. tc 16
    21 October 2009 at 1:06 pm

    Rule 1: Keep the message simple and repeat repeat repeat
    Rule 2: All opposition follow rule 1.
    Rule 3: Shake the former high flying cabinet memebers out of their lethargy to get out there and do Rule 1……yes that means you A. King !
    Rule 4: Never miss an opportunity to use Rule 1.

    When the ACC blowout was put out there I thought Labor were far too quiet when now they could be nagging MSM with simple messages about the porkys etc.

    People who decide gov’ts can’t get to grips with complexity………keep it simple/repeat ad nauseum…..did wonders for JK in 08.

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    Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloitte report for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Let's Win This

    You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Waimahara: The Singing Spirit of Water

    There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’s Oliver LewisScoop: Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announced the Board of Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • HealthNZ and Luxon at cross purposes over budget blowout

    Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 19

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent talking about the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s release of its first Emissions Reduction Plan;University of Otago Foreign Relations Professor and special guest Dr Karin von ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #29 2024

    Open access notables Improving global temperature datasets to better account for non-uniform warming, Calvert, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society: To better account for spatial non-uniform trends in warming, a new GITD [global instrumental temperature dataset] was created that used maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to combine the land surface ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

    The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Nine priority bridge replacements to get underway

    The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

    New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
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