Leave Josie Butler alone

Written By: - Date published: 3:56 pm, February 10th, 2016 - 83 comments
Categories: Abuse of power, activism, democracy under attack, national, Steven Joyce, the praiseworthy and the pitiful - Tags:

Fairfax media is suggesting that Josie Butler, hurler of the fake dildo at Steven Joyce, may be facing repercussions at work.

From Stuff:

The employer of a woman who threw a dildo at Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce refuses to say if she will be disciplined.

Josie Butler, a nurse at Hillmorton Hospital in Christchurch, leapt to international fame after flinging the toy in the face of Joyce at Waitangi

She said she was “very concerned” about the effects of the TPP on her patients.

“We already have over 300,000 children living below the poverty line, I don’t want to live in a country where families have to choose between potentially life saving medication or feeding their children because of the increased price of medications under the TPPA.”

Canterbury District Health Board general manager of people and capability Michael Frampton said the DHB would not comment on whether Butler faced any disciplinary measures.

I trust the reticence to comment is based on a preference to not discuss any staff matters publicly rather than because there is action contemplated.  Because people should not be punished for symbolic political action performed when they are not working.  And because all the signs suggest that Josie is a dedicated passionate nurse.

She was praised for her efforts during the Canterbury earthquake and received public praise for her efforts.  She was awarded a Christchurch Earthquake Award for provided life saving CPR and first aid to the injured on Colombo Street.  From the Christchurch Press:

Hillmorton Hospital psychiatric nurse Josie Butler, 26, who graduated last week, is certain the voluntary work contributed to her academic success.

In town when the magnitude-6.3 quake struck, she immediately started offering medical assistance, working until 9pm at the Moorhouse Medical Centre.

She later worked at Princess Margaret Hospital, rest homes and welfare centres with the nursing volunteer army.

Butler said the experience of performing medical procedures “without somebody looking over your shoulder” was a huge confidence boost.

“It was quite stressful, but I want to nurse in Sudan, and now I know I can cope with any situation,” she said.

“We all agree it ignited a passion . . . that nursing is more than just a job; it’s a way of life.”

I presume that the story is mischievous and nothing will happen to her.  But as Helen Kelly states you have to wonder why the media would contact the employer to even ask if disciplinary action will occur.

Many think that she deserves praise rather than discipline for her action.  Certainly it would be a travesty if her act of civil disobedience resulted in disciplinary action being taken.

83 comments on “Leave Josie Butler alone ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Gangnam Style 1
    10 February 2016 at 4:32 pm

    She’s quite a remarkable person.

    • Matthew Hooton 1.1
      11 February 2016 at 8:44 am

      She certainly is.

      She says “the TPPA is the rape of our tino rangitiratanga, the torture our basic human rights, and the murder of our people”.

      She is someone willing to insult victims of murder, rape and torture to make a political point against an economic partnership agreement she clearly doesn’t understand at all.

      But I do agree her employer should leave her alone. She’s entitled to do and say what she likes in her own time.

        • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 1.1.1.1
          11 February 2016 at 9:19 am

          Yes. It’s impossible anay two people could think the same thing about comparing a trade deal to torture, rape and murder.

          • Muttonbird 1.1.1.1.1
            11 February 2016 at 10:54 am

            Matthew Hooton has had days to find faux offence in Butler’s words but interestingly waited until McLeod wrote a piece doing the same before voicing concern.

        • Matthew Hooton 1.1.1.2
          11 February 2016 at 2:34 pm

          No, I hadn’t seen that until just now. Thanks for the link.

      • Lucy 1.1.2
        11 February 2016 at 9:24 am

        Her commitment to her fellow citizens has been acknowledged and documented during the earthquake. For you to say that she is insulting to victims is bloody crass, the fact that she is working in Hillmorton means that she is probably in a position to understand the victims of rape than you. You assume that anyone opposed the TTP doesn’t understand it but if I had to chose between your understanding or Prof Jane Kelsey’s, I would have to say that the academic trumps you every time!

        • Lucy 1.1.2.1
          11 February 2016 at 9:28 am

          Hate this on iPad – was responding to Matthew Hooten but comment ended up further down with no edit!

      • Anno1701 1.1.3
        11 February 2016 at 11:01 am

        “She is someone willing to insult victims of murder, rape and torture”

        clutching at straws

        and actually a little cringe-worthy to read

        I feel grubby now thanks ……

      • repateet 1.1.4
        11 February 2016 at 11:58 am

        Matthew Hooton consistently insults our intelligence to make political points. I suppose he’s self-employed so that makes it okay.

      • weka 1.1.5
        11 February 2016 at 2:41 pm

        “She is someone willing to insult victims of murder, rape and torture to make a political point against an economic partnership agreement she clearly doesn’t understand at all.”

        Which is exactly what you have just done Matthew. Please don’t misappropriate rape culture politics here, it’s a wretched thing to do, even by your standards.

        • rhinocrates 1.1.5.1
          11 February 2016 at 8:33 pm

          Reading any attempt by Hooton to claim the moral high ground leaves one feeling particularly filthy.

          Certainly his mansplaining attempt to pretend to know about rape politics scrapes right through the bottom of the barrel.

      • Carlos ward 1.1.6
        17 February 2016 at 8:59 pm

        Matthew, please tell me exactly how she insulted victims of rape and murder?

  2. Chooky 2
    10 February 2016 at 4:43 pm

    +100 Great Post!

  3. Ffloyd 3
    10 February 2016 at 5:11 pm

    I was really impressed with her aim. Bluddy good shot. Shame Joyce’s mouth wasn’t wide open.

  4. cogito 4
    10 February 2016 at 5:41 pm

    Best protest action ever. Well done to Josie Butler. She deserves a medal.

    How about a giant blow-up dildo outside the next National Party event with Key’s face painted at the top….? In the words of old Corporal Jones (Dad’s Army), “they don’t like it up ’em.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhWlAKdlQp4

  5. Dazzer 5
    10 February 2016 at 5:50 pm

    Idiotic action but I would not support her losing her job for being an idiot.

    Deserve a medal?? All this will do will make politicians of all colours a target and create a culture where security will take precedence. And if I was a politician I would ask if someone can get that close to through a squeaky tool (not a dildo for those who care about these things) then what else could they do.

    As others have noted, I’m equally bemused by the its-ok-when we do it attitude which seems to be prevalent.

    That said, unless her contract explicitly covers this, being an idiot should not be a cause for her to lose her job.

    • Lanthanide 5.1
      10 February 2016 at 6:05 pm

      “All this will do will make politicians of all colours a target”

      Yeah, ’cause politicians aren’t already targets. When Brash got mud thrown at him, they were actually aiming behind him. When a lamington landed on John Boscowan’s head, it was a caterer that tripped.

      “and create a culture where security will take precedence.”

      Yeah, ’cause politicians don’t have security around them already, and Josie wasn’t immediately apprehended by security and led away from the scene.

      “then what else could they do.”

      Well, maybe if the politicians listened to the public, and put the TPPA up to a referendum (seems good enough for ultimately inconsequential subjects such as the flag), they wouldn’t have to protest to get their voices heard.

      “That said, unless her contract explicitly covers this, being an idiot should not be a cause for her to lose her job.”

      I doubt it would be legal for anyone to lose their job for *political* protest, after a first offence. That includes contracts where there is a requirement to uphold good moral character in public (TV personalities, prominent sports people etc). Because it’s a political protest, I would expect a “final warning” for any first-time offender.

    • cogito 5.2
      10 February 2016 at 8:05 pm

      “All this will do will make politicians of all colours a target”

      Right now ordinary NZers are the targets of an arrogant and lying government. We either keep on taking their lies or we take action.
      In many other countries protest action would be far more ugly than throwing a plastic toy at a politician.

      I absolutely applaud Josie for her guts and well chosen item. Up yours Key & co.

    • weka 5.3
      10 February 2016 at 8:21 pm

      “As others have noted, I’m equally bemused by the its-ok-when we do it attitude which seems to be prevalent.”

      Whose attitude is that precisely, because I haven’t noticed it?

      I don’t think dildos should be used in this way as part of political protest. I’m not a fan of rape analogies being used in this way either. We live in a culture that already has a huge problem with the differences between sex and pleasure and rape and sexual assualt and physical violence. Actions like this don’t improve that (for similar reasons I thought sending dildos to those dudes holed up in the National Park in the US was also misguided). If Joyce is a survivor of sexual abuse, then the humiliation is much bigger.

      Having said that, all kudos to Butler for making her protest funny and well targeted and managed with grace (quite a feat). I don’t have too much of a problem with things being thrown at politicians so long as no one gets hurt.

      Needless to say, this has absolutely nothing to do with her job.

  6. Macro 6
    10 February 2016 at 5:50 pm

    I can’t believe that – who ever it was – had the moral and civic ineptitude to ask such a stupid question. If NZers can’t protest about such a heinous “agreement”, this is a sorry place to live.

    • Olwyn 6.1
      10 February 2016 at 8:33 pm

      … you have to wonder why the media would contact the employer to even ask if disciplinary action will occur.

      It raises questions about the conditions that the journalists themselves must meet to retain their jobs. Whoever followed up that line of inquiry seems to think that offending a National minister just has to mean big trouble at work.

      • Macro 6.1.1
        10 February 2016 at 8:40 pm

        Yep that is my thinking on the matter too! A very sorry state we now live in.

        • shorts 6.1.1.1
          11 February 2016 at 9:49 am

          could be a reporter doesn’t want the protest action and thus story to die*, further highlighting either their outrage at the action or subtle support for the thrower

          *apologies to anyone who has died or knows someone who has died and takes offence at my use of the word

      • B 6.1.2
        11 February 2016 at 3:29 pm

        Lets face it, stuff turned into a click-bait machine long ago. We are more likely to see a false idol celebrity featured on the front page, completely ignoring their responsibility as the mainstream news source to keep the population well informed. Like you said, there must be morally intact journalists tearing their hair out at the state of things and their is no doubt that the media throughout NZ has been monopolized and hijacked to influence public opinion for shareholder interests. We need philosophers in politics and journalists running the media, not bankers in politics and money driving the media.

  7. McGrath 7
    10 February 2016 at 6:01 pm

    There could be a “reputation” clause in her contract that Stuff might be aware of.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 7.1
      10 February 2016 at 6:04 pm

      She’s enhanced her own reputation: some of that light will shine on her employer, and so she enhanced theirs too.

      She even enhanced Steven Joyce’s reputation: he handled the dildo to the face better than he’s handled any of his Ministerial portfolios.

    • lprent 7.2
      10 February 2016 at 6:06 pm

      One that prevents her from taking protest action unrelated to her job or profession?

      If there is then her employers need to be dragged in front of a court to explain themselves.

  8. Lanthanide 8
    10 February 2016 at 6:08 pm

    Josie Butler is a committed left-wing activist. She has organised many TPPA protests in Christchurch, and I think she even flew to Australia and joined in a protest there as well (gay marriage maybe?).

  9. marty mars 9
    10 February 2016 at 6:12 pm

    I think it was a good stunt and the gnats don’t like that – sadly, and I hope I’m wrong, the rightmachine will turn on her and I hope she is, and remains, okay. NO it shouldn’t happen – but it does. Kia kaha Josie – keep your friends close, real close.

    edit re lanth above – If that is the case then that is good news because those networks will protect her and she will be ready for the filthy tricks.

    • Anne 9.1
      10 February 2016 at 9:34 pm

      … those networks will protect her and she will be ready for the filthy tricks.

      Like… conducting bizarre hoaxes against her knowing she will be too scared to tell anyone for fear of them not believing her. Like… damage to property eg. deep scratches gouged along outside panels of car – shift workers especially prone due to easy access to car. Mysterious broken home windows and possibly a few mysterious home break-ins thrown in for good measure. Oh and a very popular trick: nuisance phone-calls – eg person doesn’t speak but can hear breathing.

      And at work… harassment in form of a few inexplicable computer crashes making ability to perform related tasks difficult. Changing figures or calculations so it looks like you are incompetent. Oh, and encouraging colleagues to pimp on you over trumped-up charges of misbehaviour.

      Yep. As a whistle-blower many years ago that’s what ‘they’ did to me. I hope you’re right mm and the networks will protect her from the ‘hired’ thugs.

      • vto 9.1.1
        10 February 2016 at 9:36 pm

        Anne, you have outlined another right wing trait, also personified in John Key…

        cowardice

      • marty mars 9.1.2
        10 February 2016 at 9:38 pm

        All we can do is hope Anne, so that the shit you and others have gone through is stopped from happening. Kia kaha Anne.

        • Anne 9.1.2.1
          10 February 2016 at 10:26 pm

          Thanks marty mars. It all happened a long time ago but I was deeply affected at the time and for some years afterwards. That is why I will take any opportunity to talk about my experiences in the hope others will become aware this type of “shit” does occur and is almost always carried out by thugs associated with the political right wing. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.

          • Heather Grimwood 9.1.2.1.1
            11 February 2016 at 9:37 am

            To Anne…..My astonishment that an obvious Nat supporter or wanna-be M.P. perpetrated this filthy behaviour to me knew no bounds….( and NOT so long ago!) I felt great sorrow that someone who presented to the community as a person of respectability/integrity was actually still at early toddler stage and a coward. I am aware of several WOMEN in politics to whom this has happened, again suggesting viewpoint of the toddler. I certainly believe that Josie in her forthrightness has, possibly more than she ever dreamed, done much to focus attention to the TPPA cause.

  10. One Anonymous Bloke 10
    10 February 2016 at 6:12 pm

    Her employers may need to be protected from centre-right thugs too.

  11. James 11
    10 February 2016 at 6:17 pm

    Personally I think she is an idiot.

    I think her protest action was stupid.

    I dont think she is remarkable, nor does she deserve a medal (FFS – really? a Fucken medal)

    However – I do believe (Strongly) that people should be allowed to protest (even if I disagree with them 😉 ), and that their actions should not (as long as they are legal) be raised or of any interest to their employer.

    So – yep – Im with you – she deserves to be left alone on this one.

    • ankerawshark 11.1
      10 February 2016 at 7:16 pm

      HI James, Do you think the same thing about John K? Is he an idiot in your books for pony tails pulling (repeat offender) and getting into a cage and engaging with a prison rape joke?

      If not why not?

    • mickysavage 11.2
      10 February 2016 at 7:52 pm

      I agree with your conclusion!

    • Macro 11.3
      10 February 2016 at 8:42 pm

      Personally I think she is an idiot.
      Only an idiot would think that

    • Jay 11.4
      11 February 2016 at 4:08 am

      Her actions were not legal. We all have a right to peaceful protest. This was not peaceful, it was assault. With a weapon.

  12. Tautoko Mangō Mata 12
    10 February 2016 at 6:41 pm

    “TPPA a bad move for New Zealand
    3 February 2016
    For several years New Zealand nurses and many other national and international nursing experts have been pointing out the risks to our health system posed by the Trans Pacific Partnership.
    “It now appears that our current government has not heeded our concerns. They have disregarded the evidence and chosen to put greedy big businesses ahead of New Zealand’s health and well-being,” says New Zealand Nurses Organisation (NZNO) president Grant Brookes.

    “We believe it is a big mistake for John Key to sign the TPPA. It is a hugely unpopular move and most New Zealanders know there is nothing in it for them.”

    http://www.nzno.org.nz/about_us/media_releases/articletype/articleview/articleid/2206/tppa-a-bad-move-for-new-zealand

    Dear media, can you please stop focussing on the protesters and start asking the hard questions of the government. Don’t accept generalised BS answers. Also try asking TPP supporters why they support the deal and ask them to counter the negatives. Don’t accept the “better in than out”: ask them for evidence, cost benefit analysis, etc. Stop taking the easy route and be real journalists!

  13. weston 13
    10 February 2016 at 6:54 pm

    i have a vast respect for hard working nurses like josie butler and i think her protest action was inspired and can only hope inspiring !!

  14. Keith 14
    10 February 2016 at 7:09 pm

    You don’t embarrass a Nat MP, much less a millionaire minister without the devil’s little henchmen being called upon to properly ruin this womans life.

    But you best believe The National Party will be firmly behind it!

    • Anne 14.1
      10 February 2016 at 7:28 pm

      She will be hounded and harassed for a long time to come and much of it might be clandestine which means there’s nothing she can do about it.

  15. Whateva next? 15
    10 February 2016 at 7:11 pm

    She has courage and creativity, and has certainly drawn attention to the fears of many New Zealanders like no-one else could, despite vast efforts of so many.
    It wil be a dillemma for the very conservative nursing council who have to work in line with ministry.trouble is the ministry of health is not working in line with the people, so something had to snap.

  16. vto 16
    10 February 2016 at 7:32 pm

    Good on Josie.

    Her protest action was entirely in keeping with the ethos of John Key and pulling pony tails of girls, making rape jokes holding a bar of soap, telling public radio that he pisses in the shower (how fucking gross).

    Josie the protestor meet John Key.

    The perfect couple

  17. Muttonbird 17
    10 February 2016 at 10:11 pm

    Billingsley
    Bailey
    Butler

  18. Bill 18
    10 February 2016 at 11:52 pm

    Micky. What’s a “fake dildo” when it’s at home? She threw a dildo and a dildo isn’t a “fake sex toy”. It’s an actual ‘real McCoy’ sex toy, y’know…a dildo.

    edit. any chance people buy dildos en masse to launch at these … cause almost all politicians are?

  19. Jay 19
    11 February 2016 at 4:03 am

    Is it actually “civil disobedience” to assault somebody? In her opinion the TPP will cause harm, so therefore it’s okay for her to assault and humiliate a Minister of the Crown? Can someone explain how and why it’s okay to do such a thing.

    If it’s okay to do this, then is it okay for somebody to assault other people who’s opinion we disagree with? If someone attacked an anti-tppa protestor would this also be considered civil disobedience?

    Are we condoning this behaviour merely because we don’t like and agree with Steven Joyce. If we don’t agree with him and other ministers can they expect to be assaulted again? Is that okay?

    Isn’t this why we have the law? To have a set of rules implied impartially?

    As a supporter of our present government, I would nevertheless decry any similar attack on any labour party politician or any other person, on the basis that it is illegal and wrong. The alternative is lawlessness. Lawlessness and mob rules is fine and dandy while you’re part of the mob. Once you’re not, I expect it’s decidedly unpleasant.

    Thoughts?

    • Muttonbird 19.1
      11 February 2016 at 6:15 am

      The Police did not lay charges therefore no assault took place.

      • lurgee 19.1.1
        11 February 2016 at 5:23 pm

        The Police did not lay charges therefore no assault took place.

        That ‘logic’ would mean that the vast numbers of rapes and acts of misogynistic violence and sexual abuse the police never hear about never happened.

        Don’t be silly about this. Just because someone lobbed something at a rightwing politician doesn’t mean it is all right. Just because that person is also a nurse doesn’t mean it is all right. It legitimises a nasty yah-boo, infantile style of politics. Key probably is quite happy because now whenever he’s criticised for calling Labour rapist supporters, he can say, “Yeah, but it was fine when that nurse chucked a willy at Joycey. Sauce for the goose, and at least I’m only calling Andrew Little mean things, not chucking a prostate tickler at him.”

        It also distracts from actual important debate.

        • McFlock 19.1.1.1
          11 February 2016 at 9:05 pm

          It might have distracted from the important debate, but it did clearly express sentiments that cannot really be expressed via debate. It expressed these sentiments in a manner that could not possibly, by the very nature of the object, injure or harm anyone.

          Debate is rational. It is useful for exploring those things that should be based on reason, like policy. But leadership is not just about being the smartest person in the room. The deflating abilities of a large rubber prick are aimed at the puffery of these bastards.

    • Jo 19.2
      11 February 2016 at 2:43 pm

      Assault? Humiliate? Illegal? Wrong? Change a name and you’d be talking about the way things always were around the country, in more robust times than we live in now.

      That’s my thought anyway. Here are some opinion-free facts, with a fun idea for a post-election community fundraiser on the side:

      http://www.elections.org.nz/election-day-through-years/night-town
      ‘Election nights were still lively and sometimes disorderly occasions.
      […] Groups of young men would often throw eggs, rotten fruit, flour-bombs or firecrackers, and drunken fights were common.’

    • McFlock 19.3
      11 February 2016 at 3:06 pm

      Oh, I daresay if you really want to push that line you can do a McCready and lay an assault complaint with police. And following the law, they might decide to give her a warning, or prosecute her for assault. Probably the summary offences act one, not even the really juicy crimes act charge. Or she can fight it in court and maybe even go for a discharge w/o conviction because it might affect her employment or travel.

      But while deliberating the case, the judge would have to compare a rubber-dick slap in the face against a saturday-night jawbreaker.

      “Humiliation” isn’t illegal. Unless it’s done electronically, in which case it might be covered by the bullshit “cyber-bullying” law. But everyone has a pretty much free shot against anyone else to “humiliate” them, as long as they don’t counsel suicide, use offensive language or behaviour, and don’t incite anyone else to violence.

  20. te reo putake 20
    11 February 2016 at 8:22 am

    I think it’s very unlikely Josie Butler will face disciplinary action. Given that no offence was taken by Joyce (good on him for having a sense of humour), no charges were laid by the police (they obviously saw it as not being in the public interest to prosecute), and it wasn’t done in the course of her employment.

    There has already been a similar case, where a doctor jumped on an MP’s car:

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/284613/activist-doctor-escapes-disciplinary-action

  21. Undecided 21
    11 February 2016 at 8:47 am

    I don’t think her action was a good thing simply because the act of throwing the dildo has overshadowed the reason for throwing it

    If you ask most people a couple months down the track they’ll remember the ding dong dildo but they probably won’t remember why it was thrown

    She shouldn’t have any repercussions on her job though

  22. savenz 22
    11 February 2016 at 9:58 am

    Her employer should give her a medal!

    Typical the Natz can’t handle it and trying to get her in trouble!!

    Bullies!

    • lurgee 22.1
      11 February 2016 at 5:24 pm

      Usually the bully is the one throwing stuff.

      • Puddleglum 22.1.1
        11 February 2016 at 5:56 pm

        That’s not been my experience.

        Usually the bully dominates the overall situation and uses efforts to resist or fight back by the bullied (e.g., a weak punch, spitting into the bully’s face, etc.) as an excuse to exert ever more dominance.

        And bullies dominate just in order to terrorise both the bullied and anyone else who might think of challenging them.

        The whole point of the bullying strategy is that you get to humiliate weaker people by showing that their efforts to resist you are entirely ineffectual.

        Most of the time they therefore don’t need to ‘throw things’.

  23. DH 23
    11 February 2016 at 10:06 am

    “Fairfax media is suggesting that Josie Butler, hurler of the fake dildo at Steven Joyce, may be facing repercussions at work.”

    I read it as Fairfax applying pressure on her employer to consider punishing her.

    There doesn’t appear to be any suggestion they were tipped off to actions by her employer and if there are no facts to this why are Fairfax making a story out of it?

  24. Tarquin 24
    11 February 2016 at 10:06 am

    Leave the poor girl alone. Her only friend ran off with a politician.

  25. JonL 25
    11 February 2016 at 6:16 pm

    ” general manager of people and capability ” WTF is that – HR manager?

  26. Brian Smith 26
    11 February 2016 at 6:41 pm

    This is a good example of the ‘fourth estate’ aiding and abetting the fascist surveillance state by exposing and punishing those who dare to exercise their rights and freedoms. Ponytailgate was another example of the Herald exposing and punishing someone exercising her rights and freedoms (if you think that sexual harassment by a PM should not be made public, you clearly are a fascist who does not believe in democracy). At least the Nazi’s were upfront with their Ministry of Propaganda.

  27. Robert Atack 27
    19 February 2016 at 8:28 am

    Hi Josie, good on you for the stunt you pulled with Steven Joyce, you got off lightly, which is cool, don’t get me wrong, it cost me over $2,000 for my little stunt about 10 years ago … but that is another story. This will be a different ‘slant’ on the TPPA and your and everyone’s protesting, bear with me on this ) First the whole global BS scam of continued economic growth is about over, did you know there were zero cargo ships in the Atlantic Ocean last month … for a week or so? Also the China Sea was empty of cargo ships for some time? Also there is over 100 million barrels of oil sitting in oil tankers around the world at the moment, with no where to unload? Gold is going through the roof at the moment, because everything else is in the basement, and heading for hell wink emoticon Then there is the current period of Abrupt Climate Change we are going through, ‘we’ spiked @ 405.6 ppm CO2 last week, and the Arctic ice isn’t growing at the moment, when this is meant to be it’s fastest time of growth? in fact last month areas in the Arctic were something like 50 degrees f hotter than ‘normal’ it was actually raining in the Arctic. I predict that with 6 months people will be looking back with fondness at the quaint idea that the TPPA will come into force, or have the slightest influence on what is left of this financial or environmental ‘system’ . Again good on you for standing up …. but you are kind of playing into the hands of TPTB, because as long as you ignore the FACTS that the game is over, you are alowing them to kick this BS can further down the road. On the other hand if you could all understand human extinction could be as little as 15 years away, maybe ‘we’ could get some truth out there , maybe the bull shitting bastards at the top could do something that would let us go extinct gracefully, instead of the blood bath we face ( which if it took 10 years would look like 7 Boxing Day tsunamis per day. But don’t listen to me I’m just a 4th form dropout pop head, you could have a quick read of this maybe ? http://guymcpherson.com/climate-chaos/introduction/ Good luck

    Introduction (Part 1 of 3)
    *a* Latest additions are flagged with two asterisks on each side. ** To access only the latest information (on most browsers), use CTRL-F, type two asterisks into the “find” box, and hit “Return” or “Enter.” Note that this essay has grown from a few thousand words in January 2013 to the current mass…
    guymcpherson.com

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    Descending Into The Dark: The ideological cadres currently controlling both Labour and the Greens are forcing “justice”, “participation” and “democracy” to make way for what is “appropriate” and “responsible”. But, where does that leave the people who, for most of their adult lives, have voted for left-wing parties, precisely to ...
    Bowalley Road
    23 hours ago

  • The New “Emperor’s New Clothes”.
    “‘BUT HE HASN’T GOT ANYTHING ON,’ a little boy said ….. ‘But he hasn’t got anything on!’ the whole town cried out at last.”On this optimistic note, Hans Christian Andersen brings his cautionary tale of “The Emperor’s New Clothes” to an end.Andersen’s children’s story was written nearly two centuries ago, ...
    Bowalley Road
    23 hours ago

  • BRYCE EDWARDS: The vested interests shaping National Party policies
      Bryce Edwards writes – 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 ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • LINDSAY MITCHELL: A conundrum for those pushing racist dogma
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – The heavily promoted narrative, which has ramped up over the last six years, is that Maori somehow have special vulnerabilities which arise from outside forces they cannot control; that contemporary society fails to meet their needs. They are not receptive to messages and ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • CHRIS TROTTER:  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.   Chris Trotter writes – THE GREATEST VIRTUE of being the Opposition is not being the Government. Only very ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • The Hoon around the week to Sept 30
    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:Labour presented a climate manifesto that aimed to claim the high ground on climate action vs National, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago

  • Litanies, articles of faith, and being a beneficiary
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past two weeks.Friday 29Play it, ElvisElection 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 ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago

  • Litanies, articles of faith, and being a beneficiary
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past two weeks.Friday 29Play it, ElvisElection 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 ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    1 day ago

  • The ‘Recession’ Has Been Called Off, But Some Households Are Still Struggling
    While the economy is not doing too badly in output terms, external circumstances are not favourable, and there is probably a sizeable group of households struggling because of rising interest rates.Last week’s announcement of a 0.9 percent increase in volume GDP for the June quarter had the commentariat backing down ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    2 days ago

  • Climate Change: The wrong direction
    This week the International Energy Association released its Net Zero Roadmap, intended to guide us towards a liveable climate. The report demanded huge increases in renewable generation, no new gas or oil, and massive cuts to methane emissions. It was positive about our current path, but recommended that countries with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • “Racism” becomes a buzz word on the campaign trail – but our media watchdogs stay muzzled when...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Oh, dear.  We have nothing to report from the Beehive. At least, we have nothing to report from the government’s official website. But the drones have not gone silent.  They are out on the election campaign trail, busy buzzing about this and that in the hope ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Play it, Elvis
    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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    2 days 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    1 week 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
    1 week ago

  • Safeguarding Tuvalu language and identity
    Tuvalu is in the spotlight this week as communities across New Zealand celebrate Vaiaso o te Gagana Tuvalu – Tuvalu Language Week. “The Government has a proven record of supporting Pacific communities and ensuring more of our languages are spoken, heard and celebrated,” Pacific Peoples Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Many ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours 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
    3 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
    3 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
    4 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
    5 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
    1 week 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
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    1 week ago

  • Govt boost for Hawke’s Bay cyclone waste clean-up
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    1 week ago

  • Taupō Supercars revs up with Government support
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    1 week ago

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

  • Highest legal protection for New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs
    The Government has accepted the Environment Court’s recommendation to give special legal protection to New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs, Te Waikoropupū Springs (also known as Pupū Springs), Environment Minister David Parker announced today.   “Te Waikoropupū Springs, near Takaka in Golden Bay, have the second clearest water in New Zealand after ...
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    1 week ago

  • More support for victims of migrant exploitation
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    2 weeks ago

  • Strong export boost as NZ economy turns corner
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    2 weeks ago

  • Funding approved for flood resilience work in Te Karaka
    The Government has approved $15 million to raise about 200 homes at risk of future flooding. More than half of this is expected to be spent in the Tairāwhiti settlement of Te Karaka, lifting about 100 homes there. “Te Karaka was badly hit during Cyclone Gabrielle when the Waipāoa River ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • Further business support for cyclone-affected regions
    The Government is helping businesses recover from Cyclone Gabrielle and attract more people back into their regions. “Cyclone Gabrielle has caused considerable damage across North Island regions with impacts continuing to be felt by businesses and communities,” Economic Development Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Building on our earlier business support, this ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • New maintenance facility at Burnham Military Camp underway
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    2 weeks ago

  • Foreign Minister to attend United Nations General Assembly
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    2 weeks ago

  • Midwives’ pay equity offer reached
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    2 weeks ago

  • New Zealand provides support to Morocco
    Aotearoa New Zealand will provide humanitarian support to those affected by last week’s earthquake in Morocco, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. “We are making a contribution of $1 million to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to help meet humanitarian needs,” Nanaia Mahuta said. ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • Government invests in West Coast’s roading resilience
    The Government is investing over $22 million across 18 projects to improve the resilience of roads in the West Coast that have been affected by recent extreme weather, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed today.  A dedicated Transport Resilience Fund has been established for early preventative works to protect the state ...
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    2 weeks ago

  • Government invests in Greymouth’s future
    The Government has today confirmed a $2 million grant towards the regeneration of Greymouth’s CBD with construction of a new two-level commercial and public facility. “It will include a visitor facility centred around a new library. Additionally, it will include retail outlets on the ground floor, and both outdoor and ...
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    3 weeks ago

  • Nanaia Mahuta to attend PIF Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
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    3 weeks ago

  • PREFU shows no recession, growing economy, more jobs and wages ahead of inflation
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    3 weeks ago

  • New cancer centre opens in Christchurch
    Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall proudly opened the Canterbury Cancer Centre in Christchurch today. The new facility is the first of its kind and was built with $6.5 million of funding from the Government’s Infrastructure Reference Group scheme for shovel-ready projects allocated in 2020. ...
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    3 weeks ago

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