Labour’s deputy

Written By: - Date published: 10:08 am, October 15th, 2015 - 85 comments
Categories: Annette King, labour, leadership - Tags: ,

An anonymous editorial in The Herald this morning is a mostly well balanced discussion of the issue of Labour’s deputy leader:

Little facing dilemma over deputy choice

Labour’s leader, Andrew Little, faces a dilemma over what sort of deputy he needs. Probably he would be happy to retain the party’s present deputy, Annette King, but he said a year ago the position would be re-opened about now. Ms King has been excellent in the role – loyal, experienced, sensible in public statements, liked and respected by friend and foe, a safe pair of hands. …

But whether Mr Little likes it or not, there is much interest in the possible promotion of Jacinda Ardern. She is young, presentable and appears to have a popular following. A political party in Labour’s predicament cannot afford to let her appeal go to waste. …

Labour needs to project the image of a fresh, new potential government. Ms Ardern can help project that image. Ms King cannot. …

“Fresh” and new vs “experienced” and well respected – a case to be made each way. I don’t think Labour can go wrong, they are both excellent choices, and either would fully support the other whatever decision is made.

Our anonymous editorialist then gets a bit more speculative:

The bigger problem for Mr Little may be that Ms Ardern probably projects that image better than he does, and the last thing he needs is a deputy whose promotion might cause her to be seen as a rival to himself. Ms Ardern no doubt would deny any wish to replace him, and mean it, but if her public reception was much better than his, she would be a contender.

Jacinda has already sincerely and convincingly denied any wish to be leader, and I’m pretty sure that Labour has no appetite at all for another leadership process prior to the next election! So, let’s see the deputy leadership resolved, and a united Labour team getting down to the hard work of the next two years…

85 comments on “Labour’s deputy ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Bill 1
    15 October 2015 at 10:39 am

    I can’t see where the choice is.

    I’m pretty sure Little stated that King would not be deputy in a year as opposed to saying that the position would be open – ie, ‘readvertised’.

    Anyway. Ardern as deputy essentially kills any ambitions Robertson might still harbour for that leadership position.

    • dukeofurl 1.1
      15 October 2015 at 11:19 am

      many has been the deputy that has NOT gone on to leadership. Who was Goffs deputy and Shearer and Cunliffe after that ?
      Clark and Cullen are another case in point

  2. Atiawa 2
    15 October 2015 at 10:47 am

    Andrew needs a Deputy prepared to work as hard as he does.

  3. Hami Shearlie 3
    15 October 2015 at 11:23 am

    Jacinda never ever got the better of Paula Bennett in Parliament – that says it all really- She hasn’t been able to win her seat , mind you neither has Andrew Little! Do we really think that Little is a better leader than David Cunliffe was – I sure don’t!

    • savenz 3.1
      15 October 2015 at 1:17 pm

      +1

      Cunliffe is a lot smarter than Little. Being a barrister means Little thinks he is smarter than he actually is, and is much more able to be manipulated with talk rather than a gut feeling of whether something is right or wrong. And we know how popular barristers are – NOT!

      Little’s half position on spying and TPP which has pretty much dropped support Labour back to where Cunliffe was on increasing pensions and more taxes.

      Labour just seems to want to be as unpopular as possible.

      As for Arden – if you can’t win a seat and the right seem to love you as does MSM – beware!

      The right want an inaction leader in Little and sincere but fairly clueless deputy in Arden who also can not win a seat.

      Nobbled from the inside.

      • Chooky 3.1.1
        15 October 2015 at 5:00 pm

        +100 savenz… re “As for Arden – if you can’t win a seat and the right seem to love you as does MSM – beware!”

        • leftie 3.1.1.1
          16 October 2015 at 9:57 pm

          @Chooky

          Exactly, and the right have become Ardern’s cheer leading squad, begun by Audrey Young, who began to include her in the preferred PM polls. That was strange in itself because Ardern has done nothing to warrant that inclusion in the first place. National with the aid of msm are trying to manipulate Labour again.

    • Chooky 3.2
      15 October 2015 at 4:58 pm

      +100 Hami Shearlie…re- Jacinda ( and she was not loyal to David Cunliffe)…. imo Annette King does a good job as deputy….and the older generation do go out to vote

      If David Cunlife were still leader, as the grassroots Labour members wanted, Labour would win the next Election in coalition with NZF and the Greens

      • The Fan Club 3.2.1
        15 October 2015 at 9:19 pm

        You do realise Annette was pretty much the king of the ABCs right? If we went by “grass roots Labour members” wishes, Robertson would be leader now, he won the members section at the leadership election…

        Aside from that, pleased to see the usual sexist, ageist bullshit being thrown at a skilled young woman.

  4. Colonial Viper 4
    15 October 2015 at 11:31 am

    The job of Deputy Leader is to maintain discipline in caucus and to front up and take the bullets for the Leader on difficult issues.

    Annette King is up to it. Is Jacinda.

    • Phil 4.1
      15 October 2015 at 11:54 am

      The job of Deputy Leader is to maintain discipline in caucus

      King was Phil Goff’s deputy… you’d hardly say that was a period of great caucus discipline and unity.

    • leftie 4.2
      15 October 2015 at 12:01 pm

      @CV

      No, Jacinda is most definitely NOT up to it. I do not think it should be an issue sticking with King.

    • McFlock 4.3
      15 October 2015 at 12:43 pm

      Isn’t discipline the role of the Whips?
      I would have thought the role was more about deflection on difficult issues, but also being able to avoid making shit up when under pressure.

      Either way, both of them are perfectly capable of doing the job.

    • Anne 4.4
      15 October 2015 at 4:07 pm

      +1
      My understanding: Annette agreed to take on the job of deputy for one year only. I hope she has changed her mind. Watch her at QT time in the house. Whenever Little gets up to ask questions she’s ready with her acid barbs knowing they will be picked up by his microphone. Never misses an opportunity to rattle JK’s cage and he doesn’t like it.

      Keep her Labour if she’s willing to stay in the job. She’s at the peak of her game. Jacinda’s turn will come…

      • Chooky 4.4.1
        15 October 2015 at 5:05 pm

        +100….about Annette King

        ….but I do wonder why some people keep saying “Jacinda’s turn will come”…and “Never mind Jacinda, your turn will come”

        ….why?

        ( who has she been anointed by?…who is spinning for her? ….her performance does NOT warrant this…she had a dream hand of cards in opposition against Paula Bennett…but made no headway)

      • leftie 4.4.2
        16 October 2015 at 9:50 pm

        @Anne

        Should it though? I am not convinced that Jacinda’s turn should come.

  5. Westiechick 5
    15 October 2015 at 12:31 pm

    Jacinda does not impress me. I do not think she speaks effectively on Labour issues. I don’t think she supported the leader during the last election. She is “young” and photogenic. Is that enough? Is there anyone else photogenic available? Annette is great but she has been an MP too long – the Deputy needs to look a bit newer.

    • Phil 5.1
      15 October 2015 at 12:55 pm

      I’ve seen Jacinda present in a couple of different forums (most recently, a while ago now, on CCCFA alongside… Carol Beaumont or Louisa Wall?) and came away with the opposite impression. Jacinda’s sharp and articulate.

      • Anne 5.1.1
        15 October 2015 at 5:35 pm

        Jacinda’s sharp and articulate. Yes she is but I think she would be the first to concede she needs more experience for the job.

        • miravox 5.1.1.1
          16 October 2015 at 8:45 am

          ” I think she would be the first to concede she needs more experience for the job.”

          She became an MP in 2008? Same a s Grant Robertson. I can’t recall anyone saying he needed more experience for deputy.

          She’s either good enough now, or not at all, I reckon.

  6. One Two 6
    15 October 2015 at 1:06 pm

    TPPA will potentially relegate the NZ government to a moot entity, so its entirely appropriate to use physical and biological discussion points around ‘leadership’ candidates

    • Bill 6.1
      15 October 2015 at 2:38 pm

      I think you can forego talking about ‘potential’.

      The more I’ve looked into the structures and parameters of the TPPA, TTIP etc, the more obvious it’s become that the even the sham of democracy is being placed into a wooden box.

      ‘Interesting’ times…

      • One Two 6.1.1
        15 October 2015 at 4:52 pm

        While I’m cautious in using absolutes, things I am certain of is that corporations are locking in greater controls ,and the nation state is finished on current track.

        The consequences of such I am unclear about, but suspect it will lead to increasing levels of resistence and probable violence.

  7. Ad 7
    15 October 2015 at 2:21 pm

    Hate to think too darkly, but in terms of cleaning up after a potential Labour defeat in 2017, I’d go with King cleaning up the mess, over Ardern.

    In fact I’d go with King as Leader and Ardern as Deputy in a post-2017.
    Ardern isn’t ever going to be leadership material – Deputy would peak her.

    Ardern deserves plenty of my respect for getting close in Central Auckland’s super-rich seat. But that’s it. She’s had enough terms to get good hits on the government, and has landed not a scratch.
    She’s far too obvious as an undermining force in caucus.
    Nor has she developed strong policy internally, despite qualifications, experience in Clark’s office, and rhetorical capacity more capacious than the Hindenburg’s.

    But Ardern would bring good supportive MSM profile, and her skincare range should keep her bracketed “young” for some time.

    Should Little lose (let’s charitably call that 50-50), King would be an excellent centrist with caucus headkicker credibility, good Parliamentary scalps, and some surprising donor networks. Ardern could just whip majorities between her magazine cover-shoots.

    • Chooky 7.1
      15 October 2015 at 5:11 pm

      really does Labour NEED this?!…I know you are speaking tongue in cheek

      maybe it should be called the Labour Flossy Party or the Labour Cosmopolitan Party…how about a swimming costume line up?

      …actually bring back David Cunliffe….that would be a winner…and he is the Labour membership choice!

  8. Michael 8
    15 October 2015 at 2:32 pm

    It doesn’t matter who Labour picks as its deputy leader – or its leader, for that matter. It is still unelectable until it decides whether it wants to be a progressive force for social justice or remain committed to the neoliberal status quo. If the second course of action is pursued, Labour may well gain office at some stage in the future but it will never obtain political power.

    • Ad 8.1
      15 October 2015 at 2:41 pm

      If the government changes in 2017 it will be a minor shift within the first term, nothing more. “Progressive force for social justice” is some other universe.

      A win will be because of very minor polling shifts from what they are now, a handful of seats shifting, and the ability to form a coalition by working as a potential alternative government beforehand.

      • Colonial Viper 8.1.1
        15 October 2015 at 2:49 pm

        If nothing substantial changes, why change the government?

        • weka 8.1.1.1
          15 October 2015 at 3:07 pm

          National will do more damage than Labour.

          • Colonial Viper 8.1.1.1.1
            15 October 2015 at 3:55 pm

            That’s not what voters think. And its not reflected in the opinion polls now.

            • weka 8.1.1.1.1.1
              15 October 2015 at 4:05 pm

              Were you asking what voters think? I thought you were asking for some reasons to change the government even if Labour is still neoliberal.

              • Colonial Viper …
                15 October 2015 at 4:11 pm

                In terms of actual damage, yes there would be less from Labour, but the damage is greater in terms of legitimising the globalised market led/neoliberal model of the economy..

                • weka …
                  15 October 2015 at 4:24 pm

                  I think it could be argued either way, but the latter is only legitimate if we have some chance of changing the conversation while National are in power. How are we going with that? In other words it looks like the longer National are in power the more entrenched and applauded neoliberalism has become.

        • Ad 8.1.1.2
          15 October 2015 at 3:17 pm

          Because this lot are just too boring.

          No current combination would get me exciting good government for New Zealand.

          This is a boring, lucky, stupid government.

          So I’ll settle for a fresh, boring government.

        • b waghorn 8.1.1.3
          15 October 2015 at 4:03 pm

          From the little I understand of the overton window labour can’t go tearing off to the far left ,not that I’m’ saying they want to or will given the chance.

          • weka 8.1.1.3.1
            15 October 2015 at 4:09 pm

            why not? And it’s not like they’re being asked to go far left. Just left would be a good start.

            • b waghorn 8.1.1.3.1.1
              15 October 2015 at 4:27 pm

              As I said I have a limited understanding of the overton window ,but doesn’t it mean you can only slowly shift the masses left or right .
              I just want a labour lead government because at least they make a bit of an effort to close the gaps.

          • Ad 8.1.1.3.2
            15 October 2015 at 4:39 pm

            Think of it as an Ovaltine Window.
            Just a nice sit-down in a warm seat.

    • Mike the Savage One 8.2
      15 October 2015 at 5:00 pm

      The sad truth may be that the wider populace is now so brain-washed, they no longer believe in traditional Labour policies such as social justice, and will only vote in another nasty party, that protects the privileges of the privileged, and many middle class people with a home and one to two cars consider themselves as having a “right” to be privileged voters.

      The MSM that embraced John Key before the election in 2008 have done a thorough job in marginalising all those that think and act as traditional left politicians. Just turn on the radio, the TV and read on many news websites, the crap there is what the populace get fed, and most are too busy or indifferent, to bother questioning and challenging the BS.

      NZ is more like the US now, more than it ever has been.

      Jacinda did not convince me that much when spokesperson for social development, and her appeal seems to be rather with mainstream people, wanting only a slightly softer version of the present government. Annette King is also not getting my support, given her past failings.

      I would say it won’t make much of a policy difference who will be the deputy leader in Labour.

      • Michael 8.2.1
        15 October 2015 at 8:45 pm

        Isn’t it the role of political leadership to persuade the electorate to vote for alternative policies to the status quo? Unless, of course, the leadership favours the status quo.

  9. Clean_power 9
    15 October 2015 at 2:55 pm

    The winner should be Ardern, who will be paving the way for Robertoson to have another go at the leadership.

  10. Bill Drees 10
    15 October 2015 at 3:49 pm

    Arden has never won an electorate seat. A second division MP in my opinion.

    Arden is aloof and disdainful when attending regional conferences. She does not come across as someone comfortable with the masses. She turns on the charm when there is something in it for her.

    I can well imaging Robertson and Shearer pushing for Ardern to replace King. She is a tool of their careerist “moderate” circle.

    Sepuloni is a real MP with real Labour Values. She beats Ardern hands down.

    • Ad 10.1
      15 October 2015 at 4:19 pm

      Roll your RRRs Bill.

      Arderrrrrrn!
      Arderrrrrrrn!

    • Chris 10.2
      15 October 2015 at 4:27 pm

      “Sepuloni is a real MP with real Labour Values. She beats Ardern hands down.”

      There aren’t any Labour MPs with real Labour values left. They’ve either gone, many in disgust with what Labour’s become, or have taken on the neo-liberal bullshit as an act of self-preservation.

      • Ad 10.2.1
        15 October 2015 at 4:41 pm

        Not true.
        Plenty of good ones still there.

        • weka 10.2.1.1
          15 October 2015 at 5:16 pm

          who are the others apart from Sepuloni?

          • the pigman 10.2.1.1.1
            16 October 2015 at 12:55 am

            Well let’s play along:

            Iain Lees-Galloway, Sue Moroney, Jenny Salesa, Louisa Wall and David Cunliffe for starters…

            • Chris 10.2.1.1.1.1
              16 October 2015 at 1:21 am

              What’s Phil Twyford like? A right-winger dressed in light-winger clothes? I really don’t know.

            • weka 10.2.1.1.1.2
              16 October 2015 at 8:27 am

              Thanks pigman.

              (aren’t you on a ban currently?).

              • the pigman …
                16 October 2015 at 3:03 pm

                Still the queen of mendacious questions I see.

                See, I think you know the answer to this one too. CV locked me out of his thread because he couldn’t stand being put to proof over his baseless assertions of “fact”.

                [lprent: You’re lucky. I just had a look at the comments you referred to.

                If I’d had seen it in context when moderating (ie recognized that you were doing it on CV’s post) or if CV had posted a link to your comments or your handle in the authors backend, I would have banned you from the site rather just than the post and for some time.

                It wouldn’t have been for the substance of what you said. It would have been for the stupid behaviour of abusing an author on their own post. We can easily live without commenters who do not provide the work that keeps this site operational. But we need authors and moderators to make the site work. We don’t need idiots attacking them at a personal level and reducing the probability of them wanting to provide content and site oversight.

                Since CV dealt with it his way this time then I won’t review that decision my way. The only thing he asked was if we had a mechanism of enforcing single post bans, but it simply wasn’t explicit enough for me to start investigating. But I’ll start keeping an eye on the comments in CV’s posts a bit more in case that behaviour appears to be targeting a relatively new author without global moderating rights. Be warned. ]

                • the pigman …
                  16 October 2015 at 3:36 pm

                  CV started with the personalised shit, telling me he “couldn’t give a pig’s arse what labour say on fucking Facebook”, when I pointed out what Labour were saying on social media, which contradicted the substance of his post.

                  Anyway, this is sandpit level stuff, and if I recall correctly, those with the power always prevail there.

                  [lprent: And that was a personal attack on you – how? Perhaps you’d better reread my note a few times until you understand it.

                  You are comparing a sandpit, made not by those who play in it and who grasp power, with this site that adsorbs a lot of voluntary time and effort by a few people. I think that you need to look at your grasp of priorities otherwise your idiotic sense of unearned personal entitlement will bite you in the arse. ]

                  • weka …
                    16 October 2015 at 3:45 pm

                    ‘nyah, nyah, he started it first’ certainly sounds like a sandpit.

                    As for mendacious, I had genuinely forgotten it was just from that thread. I asked rather than asserted, and put it in brackets as an aside. That you interpreted that as mendaciousness after I just thanked you for something is about you not me.

                    Myself, I usually just deal with the behaviour in front of me rather than carrying shit across from other debates (the exception to that would be PG, whoc can never be taken at face value IMO). You appear to bring in your own stuff and project it onto others (here and in CV’s thread).

                    • the pigman …
                      16 October 2015 at 3:55 pm

                      Ok, you do read a lot everyday, I accept you probably forgot. I do think it’s quite cheeky to diss the Labour Party from the sidelines and not keep an eye on their individual MPs, but again, you may not be so attuned to Auckland activity.

                      As for CV… I usually agree with him, but his personal experiences with local organising and the shit that was brought to bear on him has left him somewhat one-eyed. I know I’m not the only one who thought that reading his thread and his responses, and they left me rather stunned.

                      Everyone carries over their experiences. That’s how we learn.

                    • weka …
                      16 October 2015 at 6:08 pm

                      I have no idea wha happens in Auckland 😉 and my question about Labour MPs was genuine. Bomber put up a few posts about various Labour MPs and factions during the Cunliffe leadership hooha, and yes it will have a big Bomber slant to it up still useful to someone like me who doesn’t know that much about them.

                      As for CV, I agree people bring their experiences with them and that CV probably wrote out of extreme frustration, but that doesn’t make his perspective invalid. My comment about bringing things in from past debates was more about using previous conflict/animosity against people or using their RL against them instead of arguing the issue itself. You so totally deserved the ban for how you behaved towards the author and at the time I was surprised that Lynn didn’t toss you out on your ear. I would have been very interested in your view on why CV was wrong about his analysis of Labour but that got lost in the noise. (I appreciate that people at work don’t always have the time to formulate comments).

    • rod 10.3
      15 October 2015 at 4:53 pm

      @ Bill Drees
      Steven Joyce and Tim Grocer have never won an electorate seat either. are they second division MP’s in your opinion as well.

      • Chris 10.3.1
        15 October 2015 at 5:25 pm

        Joyce is in the nasty division and Groser is in the puppet division.

      • Bill Drees 10.3.2
        15 October 2015 at 5:29 pm

        My comment reflects Labour culture. Getting endorsement from the public by asking for votes street by street is valued higher than getting elected by greasing through selection and moderation committees.

        Not too hot on Nat culture.

    • tracey 10.4
      16 October 2015 at 4:11 pm

      Yeah… give her a marginal seat and then bash her for not winning. Give her Mt Roskill/Owairaka when Goff goes, will you then condemn her for getting an easy seat?

  11. tangled_up 11
    15 October 2015 at 3:53 pm

    Since Little became leader there has been a subsequent decline in gaffes and infighting which has resulted in a big enhancement of their credibility in the eyes of the public which the polls have been slowly but surely showing. I think that to go with Jacinda would build on this momentum and be a smart political move due to her public appeal from not coming across as just another stodgy old politician.

    • b waghorn 11.1
      15 October 2015 at 4:07 pm

      She used to handle her self well when she was on the morning news opposite that slimy nat falla Lee ross

    • Bill Drees 11.2
      15 October 2015 at 4:07 pm

      If we stand for nothing harder than “motherhood and appke pie” we will win the next election!
      Select Ardern because she causes no ripples!

      Next great idea please!

      • Chooky 11.2.1
        15 October 2015 at 5:21 pm

        re “If we stand for nothing harder than “motherhood and apple pie”( sexist?..and wrong)

        …actually motherhood is quite/very hard… and Jacinda is not a mother …but Annette King is…Annette King also wins her Electorate Seat

        “King is married with one daughter, and has three step-sons.[2] She is a cousin of National minister Chris Finlayson, from whom she received verbal abuse in Parliament in September 2013.[15] Finlayson has also opposed her in the Rongotai electorate since the 2008 election.”

        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Annette_King

        • Chris 11.2.1.1
          16 October 2015 at 1:16 am

          None of that stuff about king matters because she’s a two-faced lying piece of right wing filth. When in opposition during the 1990s she jumped up and down about every health and welfare policy change til she was blue in the face. And good on her for that. Then from 1999 when Labour became the government she started supporting everything she and her party had so vehemently opposed not so much as a few months earlier. At best king’s a jaded old career politician who needs to go.

  12. Matthew Hooton 12
    15 October 2015 at 5:49 pm

    There is no choice at all here. If those are the two candidates, it has to be Jacinda even though I personally don’t rate her and like and admire Annette. Labour has to achieve a generational change the way National manages to do progressively – compare current cabinet with post-2008 election lot.

  13. Anne 13
    15 October 2015 at 6:08 pm

    She’s on the front bench mate. Same set-up as the Nats. Their most senior pollies are all men in their late 40s/50s. No generational change there. I sense method in your idle thoughts.

  14. McFlock 14
    15 October 2015 at 6:17 pm

    Oh shiznet, I just realised: more of the same crap from tory media.

    Why is it even a two-candidate race? Why is it being viewed as some major decision?

    After the leadership election, media pundits tried to plug Robertson as the enemy within, encouraging the fighting of the previous few years. Robertson pledged loyalty in unconditional terms, Little is strong, and there’s not been a repeat of intra-caucus warfare. So now they’re simply tweaking the plan into another forced dichotomy, Ardern vs King. Ignore everyone else (all of whom would have something to offer the job) and get the beltway quarterbacks to start a rucus.

    It’s all a pile of crap – Little will choose a solid deputy. If anyone else in caucus desperately wanted the job and lost out, they’ll get favours and the rest of caucus will keep them in line. I’d say that almost everyone in caucus knows their best opportunity is to work together. Nobody wants to be in opposition forever.

    • Anne 14.1
      15 October 2015 at 7:12 pm

      Unfortunately there’s a few commenters here who haven’t figured out the latest DP game plan McFlock – more’s the pity.

      I’m hoping Little will talk Annette into staying as deputy for a while longer.

  15. feijoa 15
    15 October 2015 at 7:18 pm

    Well the right has been pushing for Ardern ( see Hoots , above) which is always a worry
    They must have some dirt on her.

    • McFlock 15.1
      15 October 2015 at 8:39 pm

      nah, just stirring.

      If Ardern had lost the leadership election, they’d be plugging Robertson, or Sepuloni. Anything to sow disorder and mistrust.

  16. Michael 16
    15 October 2015 at 8:48 pm

    It’s probably time to look closer at the Greens for effective opposition to the Nats.

    • Chooky 16.1
      16 October 2015 at 8:28 pm

      not on present form…bring back Annette Sykes and Laila Hare and Hone…and John Minto…this is the party we need !….with Winston allowed in coalition as elder statesman if he behaves himself

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    Election Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t have time for. You’re welcome, etc. Let us press on, etc. 1.  What did Christopher Luxon use to his advantage in ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago

  • Pure class warfare
    National unveiled its fiscal policy today, announcing all the usual things which business cares about and I don't. But it did finally tell us how National plans to pay for its handouts to landlords: by effectively cutting benefits: The biggest saving announced on Friday was $2b cut from the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago

  • Ask Me Anything about the week to Sept 29
    Photo by Anna Ogiienko on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session for paying subscribers about the week that was for an hour, including:duelling fiscal plans from National and Labour;Labour cutting cycling spending while accusing National of being weak on climate;Research showing the need for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago

  • Weekly Roundup 29-September-2023
    Welcome to Friday and the last one for September. This week in Greater Auckland On Monday, Matt highlighted at the latest with the City Rail Link. On Tuesday, Matt covered the interesting items from Auckland Transport’s latest board meeting agendas. On Thursday, a guest post from Darren Davis ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 day ago

  • Protest at Parliament: The Reunion.
    Brian’s god spoke to him. He, for of course the Lord in Tamaki’s mind was a male god, with a mighty rod, and probably some black leathers. He, told Brian - “you must put a stop to all this love, hope, and kindness”. And it did please the Brian.He said ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago

  • Labour cuts $50m from cycleway spending
    Labour is cutting spending on cycling infrastructure while still trying to claim the higher ground on climate. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Labour Government released a climate manifesto this week to try to claim the high ground against National, despite having ignored the Climate Commission’s advice to toughen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago

  • The Greater Of Two Evils.
    Not Labour: If you’re out to punish the government you once loved, then the last thing you need is to be shown evidence that the opposition parties are much, much worse.THE GREATEST VIRTUE of being the Opposition is not being the Government. Only very rarely is an opposition party elected ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 day ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #39 2023
    Open access notables "Net zero is only a distraction— we just have to end fossil fuel emissions." The latter is true but the former isn't, or  not in the real world as it's likely to be in the immediate future. And "just" just doesn't enter into it; we don't have ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Chris Trotter: Losing the Left
    IN THE CURRENT MIX of electoral alternatives, there is no longer a credible left-wing party. Not when “a credible left-wing party” is defined as: a class-oriented, mass-based, democratically-structured political organisation; dedicated to promoting ideas sharply critical of laissez-faire capitalism; and committed to advancing democratic, egalitarian and emancipatory ideals across the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    2 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • Hipkins fires up in leaders’ debate, but has the curtain already fallen on the Labour-led coalitio...
    Labour’s  Chris Hipkins came out firing, in the  leaders’ debate  on Newshub’s evening programme, and most of  the pundits  rated  him the winner against National’s  Christopher Luxon. But will this make any difference when New  Zealanders  start casting their ballots? The problem  for  Hipkins is  that  voters are  all too ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    2 days ago

  • Govt is energising housing projects with solar power – and fuelling the public’s concept of a di...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Not long after Point of Order published data which show the substantial number of New Zealanders (77%) who believe NZ is becoming more divided, government ministers were braying about a programme which distributes some money to “the public” and some to “Maori”. The ministers were dishing ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • MIKE GRIMSHAW: Election 2023 – a totemic & charisma failure?
    The D&W analysis Michael Grimshaw writes –  Given the apathy, disengagement, disillusionment, and all-round ennui of this year’s general election, it was considered time to bring in those noted political operatives and spin doctors D&W, the long-established consultancy firm run by Emile Durkheim and Max Weber. Known for ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • FROM BFD: Will Winston be the spectre we think?
    Kissy kissy. Cartoon credit BoomSlang. The BFD. JC writes-  Allow me to preface this contribution with the following statement: If I were asked to express a preference between a National/ACT coalition or a National/ACT/NZF coalition then it would be the former. This week Luxon declared his position, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • California’s climate disclosure bill could have a huge impact across the U.S.
    This re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Andy Furillo was originally published by Capital & Main and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. The California Legislature took a step last week that has the potential to accelerate the fight against climate ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Untangling South East Queensland’s Public Transport
    This is a cross post Adventures in Transitland by Darren Davis. I recently visited Brisbane and South East Queensland and came away both impressed while also pondering some key changes to make public transport even better in the region. Here goes with my take on things. A bit of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    2 days ago

  • Try A Little Kindness.
    My daughter arrived home from the supermarket yesterday and she seemed a bit worried about something. It turned out she wanted to know if someone could get her bank number from a receipt.We wound the story back.She was in the store and there was a man there who was distressed, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • What makes NZFirst tick
    New Zealand’s longest-running political roadshow rolled into Opotiki yesterday, with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters knowing another poll last night showed he would make it back to Parliament and National would need him and his party if they wanted to form a government. The Newshub Reid Research poll ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago

  • September AMA
    Hi,As September draws to a close — I feel it’s probably time to do an Ask Me Anything. You know how it goes: If you have any burning questions, fire away in the comments and I will do my best to answer. You might have questions about Webworm, or podcast ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    3 days ago

  • Bludgers lying in the scratcher making fools of us all
    The mediocrity who stands to be a Prime Minister has a litany.He uses it a bit like a Koru Lounge card. He will brandish it to say: these people are eligible. And more than that, too: These people are deserving. They have earned this policy.They have a right to this policy. What ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • More “partnerships” (by the look of it) and redress of over $30 million in Treaty settlement wit...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point of Order has waited until now – 3.45pm – for today’s officially posted government announcements.  There have been none. The only addition to the news on the Beehive’s website was posted later yesterday, after we had published our September 26 Buzz report. It came from ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • ALEX HOLLAND: Labour’s spending
    Alex Holland writes –  In 2017 when Labour came to power, crown spending was $76 billion per year. Now in 2023 it is $139 billion per year, which equates to a $63 billion annual increase (over $1 billion extra spend every week!) In 2017, New Zealand’s government debt ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • If not now, then when?
    Labour released its fiscal plan today, promising the same old, same old: "responsibility", balanced books, and of course no new taxes: "Labour will maintain income tax settings to provide consistency and certainty in these volatile times. Now is not the time for additional taxes or to promise billions of ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • THE FACTS:  77% of Kiwis believe NZ is becoming more divided
    The Facts has posted –        KEY INSIGHTSOf New Zealander’s polled: Social unity/division 77%believe NZ is becoming more divided (42% ‘much more’ + 35% ‘a little more’) 3%believe NZ is becoming less divided (1% ‘much less’ + 2% ‘a little less’) ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the cynical brutality of the centre-right’s welfare policies
    The centre-right’s enthusiasm for forcing people off the benefit and into paid work is matched only by the enthusiasm (shared by Treasury and the Reserve Bank) for throwing people out of paid work to curb inflation, and achieve the optimal balance of workers to job seekers deemed to be desirable ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    3 days ago

  • Wednesday’s Chorus: Arthur Grimes on why building many, many more social houses is so critical
    New research shows that tenants in social housing - such as these Wellington apartments - are just as happy as home owners and much happier than private tenants. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The election campaign took an ugly turn yesterday, and in completely the wrong direction. All three ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Old habits
    Media awareness about global warming and climate change has grown fairly steadily since 2004. My impression is that journalists today tend to possess a higher climate literacy than before. This increasing awareness and improved knowledge is encouraging, but there are also some common interpretations which could be more nuanced. ...
    Real ClimateBy rasmus
    3 days ago

  • Bennie Bashing.
    If there’s one thing the mob loves more than keeping Māori in their place, more than getting tough on the gangs, maybe even more than tax cuts. It’s a good old round of beneficiary bashing.Are those meanies in the ACT party stealing your votes because they think David Seymour is ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • The kindest cuts
    Labour kicks off the fiscal credibility battle today with the release of its fiscal plan. National is expected to follow, possibly as soon as Thursday, with its own plan, which may (or may not) address the large hole that the problems with its foreign buyers’ ban might open up. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago

  • Green right turn in Britain? Well, a start
    While it may be unlikely to register in New Zealand’s general election, Britain’s PM Rishi Sunak has done something which might just be important in the long run. He’s announced a far-reaching change in his Conservative government’s approach to environmental, and particularly net zero, policy. The starting point – ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    4 days ago

  • At a glance – How do human CO2 emissions compare to natural CO2 emissions?
    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 ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • How could this happen?
    Canada is in uproar after the exposure that its parliament on September 22 provided a standing ovation to a Nazi veteran who had been invited into the chamber to participate in the parliamentary welcome to Ukrainian President Zelensky. Yaroslav Hunka, 98, a Ukrainian man who volunteered for service in ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    4 days ago

  • Always Be Campaigning
    The big screen is a great place to lay out the ways of the salesman. He comes ready-made for Panto, ripe for lampooning.This is not to disparage that life. I have known many good people of that kind. But there is a type, brazen as all get out. The camera ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • STEPHEN FRANKS: Press seek to publicly shame doctor – we must push back
    The following is a message sent yesterday from lawyer Stephen Franks on behalf of the Free Speech Union. I don’t like to interrupt first thing Monday morning, but we’ve just become aware of a case where we think immediate and overwhelming attention could help turn the tide. It involves someone ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Competing on cruelty
    The right-wing message calendar is clearly reading "cruelty" today, because both National and NZ First have released beneficiary-bashing policies. National is promising a "traffic light" system to police and kick beneficiaries, which will no doubt be accompanied by arbitrary internal targets to classify people as "orange" or "red" to keep ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • Further funding for Pharmac (forgotten in the Budget?) looks like a $1bn appeal from a PM in need of...
    Buzz from the Beehive One Labour plan  – for 3000 more public homes by 2025 – is the most recent to be posted on the government’s official website. Another – a prime ministerial promise of more funding for Pharmac – has been released as a Labour Party press statement. Who ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: The Vested interests shaping National Party policies
    As the National Party gets closer to government, lobbyists and business interests will be lining up for influence and to get policies adopted. It’s therefore in the public interest to have much more scrutiny and transparency about potential conflicts of interests that might arise. One of the key individuals of ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

  • Labour may be on way out of power and NZ First back in – but will Peters go into coalition with Na...
    Voters  are deserting Labour in droves, despite Chris  Hipkins’  valiant  rearguard  action.  So  where  are they  heading?  Clearly  not all of them are going to vote National, which concedes that  the  outcome  will be “close”. To the Right of National, the ACT party just a  few weeks  ago  was ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    4 days ago

  • GRAHAM ADAMS: Will the racists please stand up?
    Accusations of racism by journalists and MPs are being called out. Graham Adams writes –    With the election less than three weeks away, what co-governance means in practice — including in water management, education, planning law and local government — remains largely obscure. Which is hardly ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on whether Winston Peters can be a moderating influence
    As the centre-right has (finally!) been subjected to media interrogation, the polls are indicating that some voters may be starting to have second thoughts about the wisdom of giving National and ACT the power to govern alone. That’s why yesterday’s Newshub/Reid Research poll had the National/ACT combo dropping to 60 ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    4 days ago

  • Tuesday’s Chorus: RBNZ set to rain on National's victory parade
    ANZ has increased its forecast for house inflation later this year on signs of growing momentum in the market ahead of the election. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: National has campaigned against the Labour Government’s record on inflation and mortgage rates, but there’s now a growing chance the Reserve ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • After a Pittsburgh coal processing plant closed, ER visits plummeted
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Katie Myers. This story was originally published by Grist and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. Pittsburgh, in its founding, was blessed and cursed with two abundant natural resources: free-flowing rivers and a nearby coal seam. ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • September-23 AT Board Meeting
    Today the AT board meet again and once again I’ve taken a look at what’s on the agenda to find the most interesting items. Closed Agenda Interestingly when I first looked at the agendas this paper was there but at the time of writing this post it had been ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    4 days ago

  • Electorate Watch: West Coast-Tasman
    Continuing my series on interesting electorates, today it’s West Coast-Tasman.A long thin electorate running down the northern half of the west coast of the South Island. Think sand flies, beautiful landscapes, lots of rain, Pike River, alternative lifestylers, whitebaiting, and the spiritual home of the Labour Party. A brief word ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Big money brings Winston back
    National leader Christopher Luxon yesterday morning conceded it and last night’s Newshub poll confirmed it; Winston Peters and NZ First are not only back but highly likely to be part of the next government. It is a remarkable comeback for a party that was tossed out of Parliament in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago

  • 20 days until Election Day, 7 until early voting begins… but what changes will we really see here?
    As this blogger, alongside many others, has already posited in another forum: we all know the National Party’s “budget” (meaning this concept of even adding up numbers properly is doing a lot of heavy, heavy lifting right now) is utter and complete bunk (read hung, drawn and quartered and ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    5 days ago

  • A night out
    Everyone was asking, Are you nervous? and my response was various forms of God, yes.I've written more speeches than I can count; not much surprises me when the speaker gets to their feet and the room goes quiet.But a play? Never.YOU CAME! THANK YOU! Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • A pallid shade of Green III
    Clearly Labour's focus groups are telling it that it needs to pay more attention to climate change - because hot on the heels of their weaksauce energy efficiency pilot programme and not-great-but-better-than-nothing solar grants, they've released a full climate manifesto. Unfortunately, the core policies in it - a second Emissions ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • A coalition of racism, cruelty, and chaos
    Today's big political news is that after months of wibbling, National's Chris Luxon has finally confirmed that he is willing to work with Winston Peters to become Prime Minister. Which is expected, but I guess it tells us something about which way the polls are going. Which raises the question: ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • More migrant workers should help generate the tax income needed to provide benefits for job seekers
    Buzz from the Beehive Under something described as a “rebalance” of its immigration rules, the Government has adopted four of five recommendations made in an independent review released in July, The fifth, which called on the government to specify criteria for out-of-hours compliance visits similar to those used during ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • Letter To Luxon.
    Some of you might know Gerard Otto (G), and his G News platform. This morning he wrote a letter to Christopher Luxon which I particularly enjoyed, and with his agreement I’m sharing it with you in this guest newsletter.If you’d like to make a contribution to support Gerard’s work you ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • LINDSAY MITCHELL: Alarming trend in benefit numbers
    Lindsay Mitchell writes –  While there will not be another quarterly release of benefit numbers prior to the election, limited weekly reporting continues and is showing an alarming trend. Because there is a seasonal component to benefit number fluctuations it is crucial to compare like with like. In ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • BRIAN EASTON: Has there been external structural change?
    A close analysis of the Treasury assessment of the Medium Term in its PREFU 2023 suggests the economy may be entering a new phase.   Brian Easton writes –  Last week I explained that the forecasts in the just published Treasury Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update (PREFU 2023) was ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • CRL Progress – Sep-23
    It’s been a while since we looked at the latest with the City Rail Link and there’s been some fantastic milestones recently. To start with, and most recently, CRL have released an awesome video showing a full fly-through of one of the tunnels. Come fly with us! You asked for ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    5 days ago

  • Monday’s Chorus: Not building nearly enough
    We are heading into another period of fast population growth without matching increased home building or infrastructure investment.Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Labour and National detailed their house building and migration approaches over the weekend, with both pledging fast population growth policies without enough house building or infrastructure investment ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • Game on; Hipkins comes out punching
    Labour leader Chris Hipkins yesterday took the gloves off and laid into National and its leader Christopher Luxon. For many in Labour – and particularly for some at the top of the caucus and the party — it would not have been a moment too soon. POLITIK is aware ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • Tax Cut Austerity Blues.
    The leaders have had their go, they’ve told us the “what?” and the “why?” of their promises. Now it’s the turn of the would be Finance Ministers to tell us the “how?”, the “how much?”, and the “when?”A chance for those competing for the second most powerful job in the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • MIKE GRIMSHAW:  It’s the economy – and the spirit – Stupid…
    Mike Grimshaw writes – Over the past 30-odd years it’s become almost an orthodoxy to blame or invoke neoliberalism for the failures of New Zealand society. On the left the usual response goes something like, neoliberalism is the cause of everything that’s gone wrong and the answer ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #38
    A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Sep 17, 2023 thru Sat, Sep 23, 2023. Story of the Week  Opinion: Let’s free ourselves from the story of economic growth A relentless focus on economic growth has ushered in ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • The End Of The World.
    Have you been looking out of your window for signs of the apocalypse? Don’t worry, you haven’t been door knocked by a representative of the Brian Tamaki party. They’re probably a bit busy this morning spruiking salvation, or getting ready to march on our parliament, which is closed. No, I’ve ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • Climate Town: The Brainwashing Of America's Children
    Climate Town is the YouTube channel of Rollie Williams and a ragtag team of climate communicators, creatives and comedians. They examine climate change in a way that doesn’t make you want to eat a cyanide pill. Get informed about the climate crisis before the weather does it for you. The latest ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • Has There Been External Structural Change?
    A close analysis of the Treasury assessment of the Medium Term in its PREFU 2023 suggests the economy may be entering a new phase. Last week I explained that the forecasts in the just published Treasury Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update (PREFU 2023) was similar to the May Budget BEFU, ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago

  • Another Labour bully
    Back in June, we learned that Kiri Allan was a Parliamentary bully. And now there's another one: Labour MP Shanan Halbert: The Labour Party was alerted to concerns about [Halbert's] alleged behaviour a year ago but because staffers wanted to remain anonymous, no formal process was undertaken [...] The ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • Climate Change: Ignoring our biggest problem
    Its that time in the election season where the status quo parties are busy accusing each other of having fiscal holes in a desperate effort to appear more "responsible" (but not, you understand, by promising to tax wealth or land to give the government the revenue it needs to do ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • New community-level energy projects to support more than 800 Māori households
    Seven more innovative community-scale energy projects will receive government funding through the Māori and Public Housing Renewable Energy Fund to bring more affordable, locally generated clean energy to more than 800 Māori households, Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods says. “We’ve already funded 42 small-scale clean energy projects that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Huge boost to Te Tai Tokerau flood resilience
    The Government has approved new funding that will boost resilience and greatly reduce the risk of major flood damage across Te Tai Tokerau. Significant weather events this year caused severe flooding and damage across the region. The $8.9m will be used to provide some of the smaller communities and maraes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Napier’s largest public housing development comes with solar
    The largest public housing development in Napier for many years has been recently completed and has the added benefit of innovative solar technology, thanks to Government programmes, says Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods. The 24 warm, dry homes are in Seddon Crescent, Marewa and Megan Woods says the whanau living ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Te Whānau a Apanui and the Crown initial Deed of Settlement I Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me...
    Māori: Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna te Whakaaetanga Whakataunga Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna i tētahi Whakaaetanga Whakataunga hei whakamihi i ō rātou tāhuhu kerēme Tiriti o Waitangi. E tekau mā rua ngā hapū o roto mai o Te Whānau ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Plan for 3,000 more public homes by 2025 – regions set to benefit
    Regions around the country will get significant boosts of public housing in the next two years, as outlined in the latest public housing plan update, released by the Housing Minister, Dr Megan Woods. “We’re delivering the most public homes each year since the Nash government of the 1950s with one ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Immigration settings updates
    Judicial warrant process for out-of-hours compliance visits 2023/24 Recognised Seasonal Employer cap increased by 500 Additional roles for Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement More roles added to Green List Three-month extension for onshore Recovery Visa holders The Government has confirmed a number of updates to immigration settings as part of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Poroporoaki: Tā Patrick (Patu) Wahanga Hohepa
    Tangi ngunguru ana ngā tai ki te wahapū o Hokianga Whakapau Karakia. Tārehu ana ngā pae maunga ki Te Puna o te Ao Marama. Korihi tangi ana ngā manu, kua hinga he kauri nui ki te Wao Nui o Tāne. He Toa. He Pou. He Ahorangi. E papaki tū ana ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Renewable energy fund to support community resilience
    40 solar energy systems on community buildings in regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and other severe weather events Virtual capability-building hub to support community organisations get projects off the ground Boost for community-level renewable energy projects across the country At least 40 community buildings used to support the emergency response ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • COVID-19 funding returned to Government
    The lifting of COVID-19 isolation and mask mandates in August has resulted in a return of almost $50m in savings and recovered contingencies, Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. Following the revocation of mandates and isolation, specialised COVID-19 telehealth and alternative isolation accommodation are among the operational elements ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Appointment of District Court Judge
    Susie Houghton of Auckland has been appointed as a new District Court Judge, to serve on the Family Court, Attorney-General David Parker said today.  Judge Houghton has acted as a lawyer for child for more than 20 years. She has acted on matters relating to the Hague Convention, an international ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government invests further in Central Hawke’s Bay resilience
    The Government has today confirmed $2.5 million to fund a replace and upgrade a stopbank to protect the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant. “As a result of Cyclone Gabrielle, the original stopbank protecting the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant was destroyed. The plant was operational within 6 weeks of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Govt boost for Hawke’s Bay cyclone waste clean-up
    Another $2.1 million to boost capacity to deal with waste left in Cyclone Gabrielle’s wake. Funds for Hastings District Council, Phoenix Contracting and Hog Fuel NZ to increase local waste-processing infrastructure. The Government is beefing up Hawke’s Bay’s Cyclone Gabrielle clean-up capacity with more support dealing with the massive amount ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Taupō Supercars revs up with Government support
    The future of Supercars events in New Zealand has been secured with new Government support. The Government is getting engines started through the Major Events Fund, a special fund to support high profile events in New Zealand that provide long-term economic, social and cultural benefits. “The Repco Supercars Championship is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • There is no recession in NZ, economy grows nearly 1 percent in June quarter
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