Later Todd

Written By: - Date published: 1:37 pm, June 21st, 2017 - 127 comments
Categories: Abuse of power, national/act government, Politics, the praiseworthy and the pitiful - Tags:

Todd Barclay has announced that he will not stand in the 2017 General Election for the Clutha-Southland Seat.

Congratulations to Newsroom for doing the real work of the fourth estate.

Now the focus will be on Bill English and why he sought to deceive the New Zealand people and hide the truth of what happened.

And some tweets …

127 comments on “Later Todd ”

  1. weka 1

    Lol the blue men (no idea who they are though).

  2. weka 2

    Did I get this right, the was announced with a press release, no-one from National has fronted up to the media yet? Is English still doing a press conference at 2pm?

  3. Macro 3

    Oh dear! How SAD!! Neva Mind..
    Such a distinguished Parliamentary career.

  4. Andre 4

    Now comes all the spin about how firm decisive action was taken, which papers over how the senior Nats covered this up for months.

  5. Ad 5

    I wanted him to stay. Just for the smell.

    It’s the only purely political mistake this lot have made in nearly the whole term.

    Prime Minister, advice for you:

    Get yourself on the next plane to Bermuda,
    pop open a bevvy,
    and get yourself a fresh story for the weekend.

    • Bearded Git 5.1

      He will be around for the next 3 months as an example of the lying toerags National prefers as MP’s. Big mistake-he should have resigned.

  6. David Mac 6

    Just often enough for us to keep believing in it democracy works.

    He’s departing because the people spoke.

    • Draco T Bastard 6.1

      Whereas he should be departing because he’s going to jail.

      Of course, he should have gone to jail last year.

      • David Mac 6.1.1

        That would not be the move of someone motivated by love. He has paid a high price. My life got better when I invested my revenge energy into other pursuits.

        We can’t go around banging up everyone we don’t like in Dracoland man. We’ll have to rehabilitate the prick. Good looking boy, when do the Chippendales audition for new dancers?

        • Draco T Bastard 6.1.1.1

          That would not be the move of someone motivated by love.

          Really? You sure about that?

          There is Light and Dark in the universe that often comes from the same source.

          He has paid a high price.

          He hasn’t paid any price and that’s the problem. MPs and the rich tend to not pay for their crimes and then go on to keep doing them.

    • Red 6.2

      Off to flat with Darren Hughes in the U.K. That’s where all dodgy MPs of all persuasions go, Phillip field, David benson tennis ball pope john Kirk ………..

      • Sacha 6.2.1

        Sounds like a great reality tv pitch. Go for it!

        • dukeofurl 6.2.1.1

          I have a Title , – House of Shame.
          We could be co -executive Producers !

        • Halfcrown 6.2.1.2

          @6.2.1 Sacha wrote

          “Sounds like a great reality tv pitch. Go for it!”

          You don’t know how near you are to the truth there Sacha. In the 80’s there was a TV series ” The New Statesman” about a Tory MP called Alan B’Stard.
          This little snot from Southland looks like him and acts like him. The scary bit about it on the TV it was a comedy whereas this obnoxious little snot is for real.

      • North 6.2.2

        You missed Gilmore.

  7. dukeofurl 7

    he gets more than 3 months paid leave, as I doubt he will be showing his face in the electorate before the election

    This is a smack in the face for Hooten, he was all over twitter saying Bill English cant sack him . Well he just did, in the usual national party way by offering money.

    • Draco T Bastard 7.1

      Well he just did, in the usual national party way by offering money.

      [citation needed]

      • dukeofurl 7.1.1

        Nothing is said but we have a hint in the ‘leaders budget money’ which was paid to Dickens. Why wouldnt they pay out an MP as well.?

        They have a long string of ‘unmovable Mps’ who move on.

        from recollection , not all the leaders budget is audited by the Auditor general.
        I dont know the exact numbers but nationals leaders budget was over $7 mill per year 5 years ago

    • weka 7.2

      technically English didn’t sack him (he can’t). And the pay off for National is keeping their easy majority in the house.

      • Red 7.2.1

        Pragmatic decision in the honest John mold, hence why we have national government for the last 9 years and will do so after September for another 3

        • WILD KATIPO 7.2.1.1

          I’m glad you used the word ‘ mold’.

          You have in one fell and spectacular infusion of originality and brilliant concordance with orthodox literacy used the justifiably correct and excellently descriptive term to outline in resounding fashion the inherent quality’s present in that once esteemed but now proven to be in such utterly unmitigated terms the most fraudulently corrupt and self serving Prime Minister New Zealand has ever had the tragic misfortune to ever have had to endure.

          The correct term and spelling you were looking for is ‘ mould’.

          However, … depending on whether we choose to use the English version or the American English version… mold probably would have done the trick just as well , mate.

        • Gabby 7.2.1.2

          in the honest John mold, ie plastering over a world of deeper shit.

    • Kevin 7.3

      Takes time to organise the cushy directorships.

      Looking forward to the police prosecution now and this little toe rag serving time. (Wishful thinking).

    • mordecai 7.4

      Probably cheaper than a by-election though?

  8. Dorothy Bulling 8

    Where does Glenys Dickson figure in all this? Although she was the innocent and wronged party in all this, the fact remains that she secured a sum of “hush money”, that with her many years of experience, she must have been aware of the source of some of the money. Does this make her, effectively a blackmailer?

    • weka 8.1

      How does that make her a blackmailer?

      Given that it’s unusual to use the PM fund, I can quite easily see she wouldn’t have known the source of the money.

    • Draco T Bastard 8.2

      You need to read this post and thus get yourself educated.

      Really, you should never listen to the oily one as he thicker than two short planks and less educated.

    • lprent 8.3

      It was severance pay. From what it sounds like, it was a forced resignation due to the actions of another parliamentary employee – Todd Barclay.. Where did you get the idea that there was a confidentiality condition? Basically you are just wrong.

      Oh that’s right – I believe it was from the idiot who lied about making formal complaints to their employer – Parliamentary services.

    • David Mac 8.4

      Not a blackmailer because there is every chance that if Glenys had of stayed on anything she still enjoyed about her job after Bill left would of been taken from her.

      A bit like the chat Bill had with Todd earlier today. “Sorry sport, you’re going to have to launch yourself at your own sword.”

    • Ad 8.5

      Awesome slur there Dorothy.
      Great to see you Nat supporters poisoning your own wells.

    • Draco T Bastard 8.6

      I know, how about we look at the law?

      Walk with me, if you will, through s117.

      Subsection (a) sets out that a person who “dissuades or attempts to dissuade a person, by threats, bribes, or other corrupt means, from giving evidence in any cause or matter (whether civil or criminal[)]” commits an offence punishable by up to seven years imprisonment. Subsection (e) furthers the ambit of this section by adding that a person who “willfully attempts in any other way to obstruct, prevent, pervert, or defeat the course of justice in New Zealand” is also guilty of the same offence.

      Clear so far? Good.

      Now take a look at a few of the quotes that have come out from the key National players in this scandal:

      Bill English’s statement that a “larger than normal settlement […] part-paid from the Prime Minister’s budget in order to avoid potential legal action” takes on a bit of a different light, now, doesn’t it.

      More to the point, presuming for the moment that the statement Dickson has given to Police about her interactions with various high-up National functionaries is accurate [and I see no reason, at this point to doubt it], what are we to make of her being told that going all the way to Court would make things “difficult” for her and her family? Or, for that matter, the very pointed emphasis that she’d be singlehandedly responsible for “[taking] down the National Party” if she persisted with her police complaint.

      By the looks of things there’s been several crimes committed by National MPs and assorted hanger’s on.

      Blackmail? Nope, just bringing those possible crimes to light.

      • Red 8.6.1

        Did she refuse to give evidence or just withdraw her complaint

        • Draco T Bastard 8.6.1.1

          Sounds like you’re trying to blame the victim as is normal for RWNJs.

          • Red 8.6.1.1.1

            oooh touchy today draco, get a poor mark at school , just raising a legal point to iprent legal arguement, may have no merit at all but I don’t know, now back to your homework,

        • Gabby 8.6.1.2

          It’s a shame she hasn’t named the ‘official’ who enquired after the wellbeing of her family.

  9. Aaron 9

    It’s a shame he’s gone actually, a guy like Todd is pure gold to the opposition!

    • Enough is Enough 9.1

      I agree

      I was hoping he would cling on so we could hammer the Tory boy for the next 90 days. Unfortunately now it will be yesterday’s news by the weekend,

      • roadrage 9.1.1

        Rubbish. Todd in order to win favor has gone in a timed fashion as English has to distract from the huge budget in health fiasco. As per usual get the bad news out all at once.

    • RJL 9.2

      Except that he isn’t gone. Still in Parliament, still voting for National, still getting paid.

      Barclay should resign now; and Bill English should too. Both lied to NZ public in an attempt to cover up an illegal act.

      • mauī 9.2.1

        I’m sure the New Zealand business community will identify. Have an out of control manager being a complete asshole to your staff. Keep them on for 3 months.

    • Red 9.3

      I agree but this is offset by our official opposition( ( the 26 per centres) been pretty dead set useless and a joke for 9 years

  10. Michael 10

    Now that Barclay’s parliamentary career is over, I hope the Police reopen their investigation and charge him over his criminal offending. Nothing less that a prison sentence is will do (BTW, I’m sure Barclay’s former constituents in the Milton prison will give him their customary welcome to new inmates).

    • Kevin 10.1

      “(BTW, I’m sure Barclay’s former constituents in the Milton prison will give him their customary welcome to new inmates).”

      Apparently Slur John knows all about that…

  11. D'Esterre 11

    If this were a country where pollies acted ethically, Bill English would resign. But I’m not holding my breath….

  12. Gristle 12

    Criminal Things still to be resolved:
    1. Was Tod Barcley responsible for illegally recording Ms Dickson
    2. Were people in the National Party responsible for obstucting justice, or trying to
    3. Were these same people interfering with a witness

    Civil Litigation Things still to be resolved
    4. Was Ms Dickson defamed by claims that she was the subject of employment discipline procedures.

    Political Things to be resolved
    5. Will Bill English credibility deficit be such that it affects electoral outcomes.

    Travel Things to be resolved.
    6. During the remainder of his life as an MP, will Tod ever visit any part of Southland that isn’t associated with Queenstown

  13. dukeofurl 13

    The internal war in national as the factionas battle it out over who was responsible for the ‘mess’ becoming public will be a delight to behold

    “Taping scandal: National Party board member who advised Glenys Dickson to withdraw Todd Barclay complaint named”

    Notice no byline on this story !
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11880114

    Its an internal hit job on Glenda Hughes, she was the one sent down south to smooth over the party ructions after pre selection but ended up joining the anti- Barclay faction

    • ianmac 13.1

      Not sure dukeofurl how “Its an internal hit job on Glenda Hughes,…”
      or how do you know she ended up as the “anti-Barclay faction.”

      ” Inquiries by the Herald have revealed Glenda Hughes was the board member Dickson referred to as making the call.

      Hughes is a former police officer and national sporting champion who now works as a media and public relations consultant.

      She holds a number of high-profile positions as a director on the NZ Racing Board along with her position as a director on the National Party board.”

      • dukeofurl 13.1.1

        Just read the Newsroom stories more closely. They said she came part of the anti Barclay faction

        That herald story came from the beehive, as it doesnt have by line.

        An old trick as that would pin point the obvious.

    • weka 13.2

      “Its an internal hit job on Glenda Hughes,”

      Do you mean she was set up then, or is being named now to undermine her?

  14. Cinny 14

    Question please, would the Minister of Finance be responsible for signing off any outgoings from the PMs ‘slush fund’?

    • dukeofurl 14.1

      Likely only the PM at the time. Thats why its referred to as ‘leaders Fund’

      • Cinny 14.1.1

        Thanks, so Key would have done the payout all on his own, without having to ask the man who was looking after the books first.

        • RJL 14.1.1.1

          Don’t be ridiculous.

          a) Key wouldn’t have done anything of the sort “on his own”. At the very least, there would be administrators who would actually process the payment.

          b) The context is a dysfunctional relationship between English’s successor and English’s ex-staff, and English admits to knowing that a payment was made and that it was “larger” than expected. English probably wouldn’t be a part of the documented approval chain. However, that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t know where the payment came from. Even if he wasn’t directly told, he has been in Parliament for 27 years (as long as Barclay has been alive). English knows how Parliament works and would know full well where the payment came from.

          • Cinny 14.1.1.1.1

            From your answer RJL and thanks for that, it seems to be just how I expected. English would have known all about it. Especially if he was the one responsible for finance at the time. He appear to be denying any knowledge of details yesterday, carefully chosen words no doubt.

            • Cinny 14.1.1.1.1.1

              Awesome, Hyde explained it on the wireless. An MP has a fund, if there is not enough money left in their fund at the end of the year to pay any expenses, Parliamentary Services will automatically take it out of their parties ‘leaders fund’ to settle the debt.

  15. RedLogix 15

    English will survive, they have no choice this close to an election.

    Bill was just too close to the people involved, and rather than seeing and managing the political risk upfront and early, he let the matter drift hoping it would either resolve itself (which it looked like it had) or he could control any fallout.

    Helen Clark made the same political mistake with Philip Field, not recognising early enough the potential for real damage.

    Personally I thought Field got a rough deal, his actions were stupidly ill-conceived and self serving, but I never saw any malice. By contrast everything about Barclay stinks of a proto-John Key clone, another slime-ball sociopath that frankly National is well rid of.

    The real damage to English will be internal, his own people have seen him stumble and they will be taking notes. Unless he wins this election convincingly, he’s going to be retired to the back paddock within a year.

    • weka 15.1

      “English will survive, they have no choice this close to an election.”

      I think so too, but they might not have a choice. Depends on how long this plays out for. If the police end up charging Barclay (or investigating the party), that’s not going to go well during the election campaign.

      MSM will be all over this, which is lovely really 🙂

      • RedLogix 15.1.1

        The role of the Police also attracting attention here. More than a few journos drawing unfavourable comparisons with how they get treated if they step on the wrong toes.

        Oh and Barclay’s open and shut defamation against Dickson is an absolute doozy.

        • weka 15.1.1.1

          what’s the open and shut defamation bit?

          • RedLogix 15.1.1.1.1

            I probably should have prefaced that with an “alleged”.

            Watch this:

            https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2017/06/20/35010/allegations-barclay-invented-complaints

            • One Anonymous Bloke 15.1.1.1.1.1

              Barclay was careful (slimy little piece of National Party that he is) not to identify the “staff member”.

              • Ross

                But he said he complained about a staff member. Presumably there’s a record of that complaint unless of course he simply invented the story. But the inference was that he’d received complaints about the person he paid hush money to. Maybe the Privacy Commissioner could ask Todd Barclay for a copy of his complaint. Being the honourable young man that he is, I’m sure he’d be keen to assist.

                • One Anonymous Bloke

                  I think it’s fairly clear that he made up the complaint, which is why people are describing it as defamatory.

              • weka

                Wonder how much he’s paid in lawyer’s fees in the past few years. His whole communication looks like it’s been run via a legal expert.

  16. Ovid 16

    One thing that came of this is a stronger profile for Newsroom. I made a donation to them yesterday because of this and I’d encourage people here to think about doing the same if they have the means.

  17. One Anonymous Bloke 18

    *Assume David Attenborough accent*

    The young Nat, bewildered, has learned a bitter lesson. Mimicking the elders’ behaviour in public does not curry favour. He returns to his gutter to lick his wounds.

    • mauī 18.1

      In one months time he will re-emerge as a fully fledged gutter hog. Finding other gutter hogs they will visit websites and proceed to gnaw through whatever they can in the hope of redemption.

      • One Anonymous Bloke 18.1.1

        If he stays out of prison, I’m sure Teamtalk will have him.

      • WILD KATIPO 18.1.2

        ‘ But sadly , with the approach of the harsh electoral winter , and is the fate of so many other of the Greater spotted gutter hogs ,… the ready supply of websites is simply not sufficient to feed their voracious political appetites , and in a weakened state , withdraw into a deep dark hole,… and die. ‘

    • ianmac 18.2

      Great OAB. It works with the right accent.

  18. Sarah Dowie
    “”It was the right decision for Todd – he’s a young man with a bright future. As he said in his statement he’s putting the party ahead of his employment dispute and I wish him all the best.

    “He’s a really hard-working MP but it’s time for him to move on,” she said.”

    His employment dispute?

    Yeah, right.

    • weka 19.1

      Bet lots of Southlanders are calling it that though. ‘Say it enough and it becomes true’, Crosby Textor rulebook.

    • simonm 19.2

      Sarah’s always welcome to join him if she likes – perhaps they could start a consultancy together…

  19. Ian 20

    Well thats the end of that. Do you think Mr 7 % has made any traction over this very important event.

    • ianmac 20.1

      Ian hardly the point is it? Not for us really. Suppose you wonder will Bill’s popularity take a hit. Not the point either.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 20.2

      Look everyone, here’s a bitter old fool to tell us he’s going to vote for criminal scum no matter what they do.

      • Ian 20.2.1

        I honestly don’t know what all the fuss is about.Everything is recorded these days.The so called criminal act was hardly the crime of the century.Just a beat up by desperados on all sides in my opinion.

        • Robert Guyton 20.2.1.1

          It has to be “the crime of the century” before you’ll take interest, Ian? All other crimes should be dismissed because you regard them as minor?
          Concerning world view you hold there, Ian.

          • Ian 20.2.1.1.1

            Sorry mate.your cryptic logic is good but you have missed my point.In1 week this non story Will be dead
            It has provided a breathing space for Andrre Little to pontificate on why he can’t get any tractionin the polls.

        • Ed 20.2.1.2

          Trolling away….

        • the pigman 20.2.1.3

          Let’s not forget when Bradley Ambrose *accidentally* left his dictaphone on the table at the Banks/Keys cup of tea, the police obtained warrants without notice and raided media establishments across Auckland to seize those tapes.

          Exact same offense under s216B of the Crimes Act. Double standard, much?

        • RJL 20.2.1.4

          You don’t know what the fuss is about because you are a pathetic fool, Ian.

    • Twas a terrible day , yes it twas,
      When th’ media was a buzz just because,
      Young Toddles had taped
      Some words that did ape ,
      His incompetence , spite and his guile,

      So in confessing to Bill ,
      He was so advised,
      To let all those sleeping dogs lie.
      And so with that grand counsel ,
      Carried on his discourse
      Thinking that would be that for awhile.

      Unbeknownst to him ,
      The story wore thin,
      When the news latched onto a feed
      The land then was filled
      Of collusion with Bill,
      And nay story matched up with his deed…

      ” Oh , – woe is me !” , Todds was heard to lament,
      As Bill spake two different tales,
      Of one it was said ,
      ”I cannot recall ! ”
      Of the other
      ”We met face to face in the hall !!!”

      So Toddles was shown,
      With his cover being blown,
      His friendship with Bill now was over
      And all that remains,
      Of this sorry refrain,
      Be resignation
      – Like a pig no longer in clover !!!

      • RedLogix 20.3.1

        There was a young man from Gore
        Who thought the Party rather a bore
        So with tonsils emergent, he babbled effulgent,
        And regretted he’d ever been born.

        Yours is way better WK, but I had to give it a go 🙂

    • Ed 20.4

      Will the levels of inequality and poverty in the country persuade you to abandon National?

  20. Double dipper
    Caught zipper
    Bodice-ripper
    Ticket-clipper
    Nip-sipper
    Flop-flipper
    Young nipper
    Day-tripper

    All over
    Blue Rover

  21. mac1 22

    Todd Barclay had not much of a clue tha’
    If he told what was less than the truth- Ah,
    And lied to his boss
    He’d be given the toss-
    Told to toddle from Southland and Clutha.

  22. RRM 23

    Say what you like about Todd Barclay.. atl least his staff member who he abused and screwed over was GETTING PAID at a level above the minimum wage!

    Vote Labour to protect worker’s pay and conditions!
    Oh, wait…

    Vote labour for a better minimum wage!
    Oh, wait..

    Vote labour for a rental WoF that will prevent the poor from being exploited by unscrupulous landlords with substandard accommodation!
    Oh, wait…

    Vote labour to curb immigration and give kiwis a fair go at jobs!
    Oh, wait…

    Vote Labour, no principles, just lies and empty slogans. Now with ZERO credibility on their 3 main campaign platforms.

    • Ed 23.1

      Troll.

    • simonm 23.2

      Gosh, aren’t you clever? You should be working for Crosby Textor on National’s coming election campaign. It really looks like you’ve got the skills to repeat the amazing success they had in the UK elections for Theresa and the Tories. You’ve sure convinced me with your fabulous debating skills!
      Oh, wait…

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    Note: As a paid-up Webworm member, I’ve recorded this Webworm as a mini-podcast for you as well. Some of you said you liked this option - so I aim to provide it when I get a chance to record! Read more ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    19 hours ago
  • Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6.06 pm on March 18
    TL;DR: In my ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Monday, March 18:IKEA is accused of planting big forests in New Zealand to green-wash; REDD-MonitorA City for People takes a well-deserved victory lap over Wellington’s pro-YIMBY District Plan votes; A City for PeopleSteven Anastasiou takes a close look at the sticky ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Peters holds his ground on co-governance, but Willis wriggles on those tax cuts and SNA suspension l...
    Buzz from the Beehive Here’s hoping for a lively post-cabinet press conference when the PM and – perhaps – some of his ministers tell us what was discussed at their meeting today. Until then, Point of Order has precious little Beehive news to report after its latest monitoring of the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • Labour’s final report card
    David Farrar writes –  We now have almost all 2023 data in, which has allowed me to update my annual table of how  went against its promises. This is basically their final report card. The promise The result Build 100,000 affordable homes over 10 ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • “Drunk Uncle at a Wedding”
    I’m a bit worried that I’ve started a previous newsletter with the words “just when you think they couldn’t get any worse…” Seems lately that I could begin pretty much every issue with that opening. Such is the nature of our coalition government that they seem to be outdoing each ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Geoffrey Miller writes – Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on Dune 2, and images of Islam
    Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture ...
    2 days ago
  • New Rail Operations Centre Promises Better Train Services
    Last week Transport Minster Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre. The new train control centre will see teams from KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail working more closely together to improve train services across the city. The Auckland Rail Operations Centre in ...
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things at 6.36am on Monday, March 18
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in an exit interview with Q+A yesterday the Government can and should sustain more debt to invest in infrastructure for future generations. Elsewhere in the news in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 6:36am: Read more ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. It is more than just a happy ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    2 days ago
  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to March 25 and beyond
    TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Bitter and angry; Winston First
    New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • Out of Touch.
    “I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The bewildering world of Chris Luxon – Guns for all, not no lunch for kids
    .“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    3 days ago
  • Expert Opinion: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
    3 days ago
  • Manufacturing The Truth.
    Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet –  is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
    3 days ago
  • A Powerful Sensation of Déjà Vu.
    Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
    3 days ago
  • Can you guess where world attention is focussed (according to Greenpeace)? It’s focussed on an EPA...
    Bob Edlin writes –  And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Further integrity problems for the Greens in suspending MP Darleen Tana
    Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Greens’ transparency missing in action
    For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    5 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    6 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    6 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    6 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Government moves to quickly ratify the NZ-EU FTA
    "The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago
  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
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