Local Government election results

Written By: - Date published: 12:01 pm, October 8th, 2016 - 119 comments
Categories: auckland supercity, local body elections, local government, Politics - Tags:

vote-for-pedro

A running post for people to comment on local government election results as they come in.

Expect results to come in from 1 pm.

 

Edit: live results on Stuff as they arrive.

119 comments on “Local Government election results ”

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  1. mickysavage 1
    8 October 2016 at 1:25 pm

    Lianne Dalziel cruises back into the Christchurch mayoralty.

  2. James Thrace 2
    8 October 2016 at 1:45 pm

    Phil Goff takes Auckland.

  3. Takere 3
    8 October 2016 at 2:37 pm

    Chloe S for Deputy? Penny needs a rest or at least think of who could be a replacement Deputy? A plan for a successor?

    Don’t do a Helen!

    • dukeofurl 3.1
      8 October 2016 at 3:00 pm

      Dont be ridiculous!! Since she didnt stand for council Swarbrick wont be anything

      • Sacha 3.1.1
        8 October 2016 at 3:19 pm

        Advisor on engagement to Mayor’s office would be a better fit.

        • dukeofurl 3.1.1.1
          8 October 2016 at 3:58 pm

          Does Auckland really need another middle class white woman who is branding herself.
          The mayoralty was just another step like her earlier clothing label ( I kid you not) and marketing consultancy.

          • dukeofurl 3.1.1.1.1
            8 October 2016 at 4:03 pm

            “She started a clothing label. She became a patron of the arts, working with artists, hiring galleries, pinning down sponsors and selling work to the likes of Sir James Wallace. She worked at 2degrees …..She graduated, and started a marketing consultancy.
            http://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/07-09-2016/let-me-be-your-ruler-the-impatient-ambition-of-chloe-swarbrick/

            Its all the stuff to excite the top 10%, no connection to the big diversity that is Auckland now. Is really being a new generation Vic Crone all that relevant ?

            • Colonial Viper 3.1.1.1.1.1
              8 October 2016 at 6:05 pm

              plus she owns a cafe, is a fashion designer, and a journalist too, plus got her BA and LLB. Now she has been an Auckland Mayoral Candidate too.

              And all by 22 years old eh.

              Some people actually fell for this obvious crap.

              • Sacha …
                8 October 2016 at 9:12 pm

                She impressed me for her understanding of the role. And has achieved more already than many longstanding political hacks.

                Also managed to leverage 3rd place with social media skills rather than money. Those are skills any organisation with a 15% public approval rating should be securing.

                • Colonial Viper …
                  8 October 2016 at 9:34 pm

                  Of course, in a suitable recent grad position.

                  • Sacha …
                    8 October 2016 at 9:42 pm

                    I guess Ms Swarbrick might be willing to add the Mayor’s office to her company’s client list. If Goff is serious about rehabilitiating Council’s reputation with citizens he really can’t ignore such relevant results. Clearly respects her too. Let’s see.

                • Thinkerr …
                  9 October 2016 at 11:22 am

                  Little or Turei (or both) should engage her to teach them how to use social media in an election campaign. If her campaign budget was $9k and she got third from nowhere, she must know something useful.

            • Kiwiri 3.1.1.1.1.2
              8 October 2016 at 7:02 pm

              What does it take to be ‘patron’ of the arts?

    • righty right 3.2
      8 October 2016 at 7:01 pm

      Cathy Casey deputy mayor highest polling councilor

      • save nz 3.2.1
        9 October 2016 at 8:27 am

        Chloe’s policies are pretty scary, like Goff ‘Rogernomics’ generation but for the millennials. Be scared if this women gets in power, if you did not enjoy Rogernomics. It is actually worse if the person is nice and gentle and everyone loves them, noone analyses their policies too carefully, as too busy saying how they remind them of their daughter and how nice it is that youth are connecting.

        No surprises if she gets a job with Goff or a consultancy role for social media marketing ‘to connect with the youth’ for the council. Together they can ‘transform’ Auckland council into ‘more business friendly’, ‘more developer friendly’, ‘more economically driven’ with the National government’s help and get the youth on board with that vision! Help a developer, cram more people in and voila somehow (not sure how) transport is improved and more houses are created (unfortunately at price points many people can’t afford and someone has to pay for the infrastructure and what happens with climate change and disruptive weather events).

        As soon as there is another global crisis, guess what, it will be chaos, with unbuilt developments everywhere (Soho hole), PPP’s screwed up, contractors left without being paid, developers bankrupt (or having the council aka ratepayers bankroll them). While people like to think that the first home buyers then rock up and buy them cheap, history tends to show the opposite happens, the banks will not lend and everything stops including all the jobs. Then we have the 166,000 students of working visas, the 69,000 migrants per year and the returning Kiwis all together with the unemployed Kiwis. One big happy family. sarc.

        Most people just want the council to create a nice community and keep the libraries going, the transport improving, the rubbish collected and the city safe and the rates under control. I don’t buy into the council having a huge role in the housing crisis, I think that the blame leads straight to the government. Councils need to stay out of it because like the Kaipara council we don’t need them to start bankrupting themselves with developments that will end in disaster. http://www.interest.co.nz/bonds/60974/heavily-indebted-and-disgraced-kaipara-district-council-raises-fears-over-bailing-out

        We have already wasted enough on the failed Supercity.

        The majority of voters who did not bother voting, did not have a candidate to vote for.

  4. dukeofurl 4
    8 October 2016 at 3:50 pm

    Results from other Auckland wards

    Whau- Ross Clow (labour)
    Waitemata Mike Lee ( City Vision)
    Waiatakere Penny Hulse & Linda Cooper
    Rodney – Sayers
    Orakei- Desley Simpson (CR)
    North Shore Chris Darby & Chris Hills
    Maungakiekie Denise Krum
    Manurewa-Papakura Daniel Newman & John Walker
    Manukau FILIPAINA, Alf & COLLINS, Fa’anana Efeso (both Labour)
    Howick Sharon Stewart & Dick Quax
    Franklin Bill Cashmore (unopposed)
    Eden Roskill Cathy Casey ( CV) Christine Fletcher(CR)
    Albany John Watson & Wayne Walker

    Auckland Future seems to have flopped, with only one win (existing councillor) Linda Cooper. But of course they ran under CR name and maybe a few independents -Bill Ralston

    • Ad 4.1
      8 October 2016 at 4:08 pm

      Easy left majority there.
      Much much easier to manage than Brown had.

      Richard Hills beating Gillan is excellent. There will be a recount I’m sure.

      Cooper winning by just 700 from Presland says it’s Preslands next time.

      Who is Sayers?

      • dukeofurl 4.1.1
        8 October 2016 at 4:37 pm

        Rodneys Chris Sayers has beaten Penny Webster.

        He seems to have a slick campaign (http://gregsayers.co.nz/) concentrating on roads and nonsense on how hard done by is Rodney.

        he lives on the waterfront at Snells beach
        “Greg has owned and developed a trans-Tasman financial management software company (Real Software Support Ltd), an organisational cultural change company (Connexions Consulting Ltd) and has been a business specialist for PricewaterHouse Coopers.”
        Doesnt really say what hes ‘doing’ now, but Im guessing hes now a housing developer.

      • millsy 4.1.2
        8 October 2016 at 8:12 pm

        Who is left and who is right. Mike Lee and Cathy Casey are the only names that jump out as left. Everyone else is more vague.

        • dukeofurl 4.1.2.1
          8 October 2016 at 9:07 pm

          No success for the new National party brand, Future Auckland.

          And that nasty little bunch of rich ***** on Waiheke with that Jordan Williams vehicle ‘ Ratepayers Alliance ( offshoot of Taxpayers Anti-union) didnt really have much impact either.

      • J Bloggs 4.1.3
        9 October 2016 at 11:30 am

        There were a lot of last minute votes on the North Shore (the ballot box in my local library was close to overflowing), which have yet to be counted, and only 71 votes between Gillon and Hills. That race may not be over yet.

    • capn insano 4.2
      9 October 2016 at 2:18 pm

      Oh fuck me, did Quax and Stewart get in again?! Arsebiscuits.

  5. Takere 5
    8 October 2016 at 4:23 pm

    With Auckland won by Goff, Wellington by Lester & Dalziel in Ch-Ch …. gotta be good for Labour?

    • alwyn 5.1
      8 October 2016 at 5:43 pm

      I don’t really give a damn whether it is good or bad for Labour.
      I care about Wellington and it will be bloody terrible for us, the residents of Wellington.

      • left for dead 5.1.1
        8 October 2016 at 8:23 pm

        Suck it in alwyn, but maybe time it between wind gusts, or their will be even less oxygen too feed that grey matter of yours.

    • Ad 5.2
      8 October 2016 at 7:48 pm

      Overall yes.
      Good left-green majorities in Dunedin, Christchurch, Auckland, Wellington. A good good day.

  6. Macro 6
    8 October 2016 at 4:47 pm

    Celebrating a good win here in the local community board. But downcast that divisive ex Nat MP Sandra Goudie

    Ms Goudie’s departure will be welcomed by opposition parties, who questioned her competence. “It is surely time for her to be removed from the chairmanship of the law and order select committee, which has at times been a dysfunctional mess,” said the TransTasman political newsletter last month. “She isn’t hacking it. Difficult to deal with as well.”

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/4541853/MP-Sandra-Goudie-quitting-Parliament
    has pipped much preferred candidate Peter French for Mayor. Grrrr

    • millsy 6.1
      8 October 2016 at 8:13 pm

      I wouldnt want to be a mangrove…

      • Macro 6.1.1
        8 October 2016 at 10:15 pm

        Incredible isn’t it!
        The have no understanding of the challenges facing Whangamata in particular, and the East Coastal towns, from Sea level rise and they want to rip out the one sure protection, so they can moor a few more boats.
        On the western side – facing less problems from storm surge, the people get it, and the mangroves are left to get on with their thing, and also act as nursery plants for other trees and wetland plants to establish.
        Our new Mayor will back “development” because “she listens”.

        • DoublePlusGood 6.1.1.1
          8 October 2016 at 11:46 pm

          In Whangamata, removal of the mangroves means more silt gets through to the harbour bar and the beaches. That should develop the dunes long term.

  7. Ovid 7
    8 October 2016 at 4:52 pm

    Dave Cull has been returned as mayor in Dunedin. I preferred Aaron Hawkins, but I ranked Cull second so I’m ok with it. The rest of council will be interesting as a few incumbents stood down this election.

    • Pasupial 7.1
      8 October 2016 at 5:30 pm

      I did the same Hawkins/ Cull ordering myself. At least it wasn’t Vandervis or the Whiley Coyote as Mayor!

      Unfortunately Pat Wall didn’t make over the line for the Green Party on the ORC, he only got 299 votes less than Kempton. All old faces there, except Noone who has moved over from the DCC.

      https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/otago-regional-council-results

      In better news; Michael Laws lost his try at the Dunstan branch of the ORC, though by less than a hundred votes!

      [snap Weka on that last paragraph]

  8. Ovid 8
    8 October 2016 at 5:02 pm

    And for Dunedin City Council according to this voting guide by local activist Mark Baxter, it’s around 9:5 in favour of the centre-left to left bloc, so a reasonable result.

    • Pasupial 8.1
      8 October 2016 at 5:56 pm

      DCC results are in. Good for the Greens that Marie Laufiso made it in (Brockville is a very politically disengaged part of town – unless they all vote out of zone, and I don’t thing Otago Pasifika have ever had an elected representative before). Down side is that Conrad Steadman also made it in; “Former policeman, currently a real-estate agent, if that wasn’t bad enough he was recently spotted schmoozing with John Key when Key was last in Dunedin, politics are completely right wing” (from Ovid’s link above, but just to save me typing much the same in my own words).

      https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/dcc/six-new-faces-dcc

      • Colonial Viper 8.1.1
        8 October 2016 at 6:08 pm

        “`I just think Dunners is on the cusp of something great, and I just want to do my bit.”

        SERIOUSLY???

        • Pasupial 8.1.1.1
          8 October 2016 at 6:31 pm

          I didn’t see that in Ovid’s link – do you have some context on who said that where & when CV? It does sounds pretty gormless and vague, but isn’t in the candidate booklet blurb for either Laufiso or Stedman (though it’d be right at home amongst the other banalities).

          • weka 8.1.1.1.1
            8 October 2016 at 6:44 pm

            It was in the ODT link. One could speculate on CV’s motivation for posting the quote out of context, or just post the whole thing 😉

            Damian Newell said he was `”absolutely ecstatic”.

            “I’m over the moon mate.”

            “`I just think Dunners is on the cusp of something great, and I just want to do my bit.”

            His first order of business was the Dunedin Hospital upgrade.

            “`We need that upgrade now, and we need to make as much noise about as we can.

            “Obviously it’s a central government issue, but as a council we need to make some noise.”

            • Pasupial 8.1.1.1.1.1
              8 October 2016 at 8:45 pm

              Thanks Weka, it took me a surprisingly long time to realise what ODT link you meant – the online version has a bad habit of changing text until the physical copy is printed (or I have a bad habit of not screen capturing; take your pick). When I posted the link there was only two paragraphs listing the returning and new councillors.

              Newell’s a bit of a strange one, with links to Labour (at one stage being considered for a labour endorsement for DCC). But also involved in real estate (which puts him well down my list), and his public comes mainly from his being a radio personality with his More FM dayjob. Have to see how he does in his new role.

              Also, re the DCC; “green bloc”; that’s a surprisingly robust strawman that the Dunedin Right wingers love to bash about. Despite endless rumours (mainly from Vandervis & Whiley) there has been no actual evidence of councillors meeting outside hours to concoct nefarious agendas. But that idea is evidently more palatable to their egos than their own proposals are just not good enough to get a majority vote.

      • weka 8.1.2
        8 October 2016 at 6:18 pm

        That’s great about Laufiso, and having two Green ticket councillors. Dunedin always strikes me as being an interesting mix of conservative and progressive.

        Mr O’Malley said he would be talking to the likes of the South Dunedin Action Group to get on top of issues in the suburb, and find out about the new hotel.

        On whether he could work with Mayor Dave Cull, who was accused by some candidates during the election of having formed a “green bloc” on the council, Mr

        O’Malley said: “Oh yeah, I don’t have any issues.”

        What was that about?

  9. weka 9
    8 October 2016 at 5:26 pm

    Looks like Michael Laws didn’t make it onto the Otago Regional Council, so that’s cause for celebration.

  10. weka 10
    8 October 2016 at 5:42 pm

    Russel Norman ‏@RusselNorman 1h1 hour ago

    Central Govt now lost their pro water pollution majority on Hawkes Bay council and only keeping it in Canterbury by blocking full democracy.

    https://twitter.com/RusselNorman/status/784594328253530112

    • weka 10.1
      8 October 2016 at 5:47 pm

      Looks like HB council has swung in favour of no Ruataniwha dam


      The culture at Hawke’s Bay Regional Council could change, now anti-dam campaigner Paul Bailey sits at the council table.

      …

      He and Mr Kirton are the only new additions to the council – with all other incumbents seeking re-election successful – however their presence could shift the councils support on the controversial Ruataniwha dam.

      Napier ward hopefuls Martin Williams and Moira Irving – who had stated their support for the dam – have not been elected.</i<

      http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503462&objectid=11725142

      • mauī 10.1.1
        8 October 2016 at 8:53 pm

        That’s encouraging. I checked out the HB vote expecting it to be a big turnout, but it seemed to be the usual numbers.

      • Kevin 10.1.2
        9 October 2016 at 10:55 am

        Hugely excited by this!

        Still a lot of work to be done but first step has been taken. No more rubber stamping with the chaimans casting vote.

  11. Stephanie Rodgers 11
    8 October 2016 at 5:44 pm

    Wellington City Council results here. A very healthy line-up of Labour, Greens and other lefty candidates.

    http://wellington.govt.nz/your-council/elections/elections-2016/results

  12. ianmac 12
    8 October 2016 at 5:53 pm

    Colin King was the National MP for Kaikoura but stood for Mayor of Blenheim.
    John Leggett won the Blenheim Mayoralty with double the number the votes that Colin received.
    Am pleased with the result.

    • Anne 12.1
      8 October 2016 at 6:25 pm

      Wasn’t Leggett the target of a DP hit by Simon Lusk and Cameron Slater? If so, glad to see those two losers (Jordan William’s mates) have lost out yet again!

      • ianmac 12.1.1
        8 October 2016 at 6:31 pm

        We think so Anne. It seemed to my conspiracy mind that in exchange for exiting Kings MP seat, that Lusk and co would get him the Mayorship as a reward, but Mice and men…..

  13. joe90 13
    8 October 2016 at 6:07 pm

    He’s a lovely fellow and all that but to be honest Hamish McDouall’s greatest contribution as our new mayor could well be his holding the cabinet club candidate to a distant second.

    PRELIMINARY ELECTION RESULTS
    MAYOR
    Hamish McDouall will be Whanganui’s new Mayor. The preliminary results for the Mayoral contest are:
    MCDOUALL, Hamish (6724)
    TAYLOR, Alan (3841)

    [..]

    WHANGANUI DISTRICT COUNCILLORS
    (12 vacancies)
    The preliminary results indicate that the following 12 candidates are elected as councillors:
    REID, Hadleigh (9265)
    CLEVELAND, Murray (8746)
    BENNETT, David (8607)
    ANDERSON, Charlie (8421)
    CRAIG, Helen (8316)
    JOBLIN, Kate (8273)
    VINSEN, Rob (7954)
    TAYLOR, Alan (7949)
    CHANDULAL-MACKAY, Josh (7417)
    DUNCAN, Jenny (6861)
    BAKER-HOGAN, Philippa (6745)
    YOUNG, Graeme (6256)

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/wanganui-chronicle/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503426&objectid=11725228

  14. lprent 14
    8 October 2016 at 6:17 pm

    What happened in christchurch?

    • Peter Swift 14.1
      8 October 2016 at 6:46 pm

      As predicted by the predictable rabid, vocal minority extreme left dingbats, the eminently electable Minto gave normal, sensible leftie LD a right bloody nose, giving the missing millions waiting for an ultra messiah a glimmer of hope in this labour party neo liberal nightmare world of NZ 2016.

      Or, in the real world, Lianne Dalziel romped to a landslide re-election victory as she beat nearest rival John Minto by a resounding 60,000 votes.

      As templates go, it was a bit of a fizzer

    • pat 14.2
      8 October 2016 at 10:29 pm

      in CHCH surprisingly it appears Rochelle Phipps missed making the CDHB…oh and LD was returned as Mayor.
      In Ashburton the democracy opponent was replaced,

    • Craig H 14.3
      9 October 2016 at 1:27 am

      The People’s Choice (centre-left, a lot of Labour members involved…) won 7 of 16 wards, so with the Mayor and a couple of other independent councillors, there’s a clear majority there.

  15. Cinny 15
    8 October 2016 at 6:31 pm

    Right winger Rachel Reese easily re-elected as Mayor of NELSON, poor buggers, there wasn’t much choice sadly.
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/85109104/Rachel-Reese-re-elected-as-Nelson-mayor

    Maybe she will do something about Lewis Stanton this term, LMFAO yeah right.
    http://www.newshub.co.nz/tvshows/paulhenry/protest-to-get-lewis-stanton-off-nelson-streets-2016100711

    Centre left winger Richard Kempthorne easily wins his 4th term as Mayor of the TASMAN DISTRICT COUNCIL. Mum will be thrilled. Voting is tight for the third seat in Motueka.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/85094195/richard-kempthorne-wins-fourth-term-as-tasman-mayor

  16. EE 16
    8 October 2016 at 7:05 pm

    Congratulations Mike Lee

    • Muttonbird 16.1
      8 October 2016 at 7:11 pm

      Did he win against that appalling rightwing ex-media-type, Ralston?

      This is a good thing because new reality TV addicts and bus route transport junkies like Grieve and Reynolds both backed the loser in Ralston.

    • seeker 16.2
      8 October 2016 at 7:18 pm

      Ditto EE.

  17. millsy 17
    8 October 2016 at 7:05 pm

    Any good news for the left here?

    All I see in the provinces is a bunch of Rotarians being swapped for another bunch of Rotarians.

    Congratulations to Goff, Dalzeil and Lester though.

  18. righty on 18
    8 October 2016 at 7:08 pm

    those idiots hat voted in a lefty council in Auckland john key will have no choice but to appoint a commissioner to run Auckland and they next years election should be canceled the country cant afford the left taking power john must move no and take executive control we can risk an election loss

    • dv 18.1
      8 October 2016 at 7:36 pm

      So you are saying the right can’t afford democracy!!!

      • righty on 18.1.1
        8 October 2016 at 8:38 pm

        the country cant afford democracy the lefty are a threat to the economy and house prices there economic vandals national must rule there is no choice the left are economic terrorists

        [letting this out of moderation (reluctantly). How about using some punctuation, and please try and make some political argument, otherwise the vitriol gets boring and you are starting to look like a troll – weka]

      • Sacha 18.1.2
        8 October 2016 at 9:23 pm

        Tis an extravagance, guv.

      • DoublePlusGood 18.1.3
        8 October 2016 at 10:11 pm

        A few left-wing people get in and it’s clearly the apocalypse so we obviously have to have a coup.

  19. Muttonbird 19
    8 October 2016 at 7:14 pm

    What now for the Farrar/Leggett/Espiner crowd? Soundly beaten by the people of Wellington who can see through dirty politics any and every day of the week.

  20. Robert Guyton 20
    8 October 2016 at 7:48 pm

    Eric Roy made Southland Regional Council, btw.
    As did I 🙂

  21. Jono 21
    8 October 2016 at 8:59 pm

    Centre-left Sheryl Mai back in Whangarei as Mayor with an increased majority and in the face of a well-financed right wing populist vanity party Go-Whangarei ticket. Green Anna Murphy in as Councillor for the coastal and Hikurangi ward beating right wing councillor for the coast SuzY Bretherton and coming only four votes behind long term rural councillor of the same ward, Greg Martin. Only two Go-Whangarei councillors got in so that’s great f or the mid-North

  22. Stephanie Rodgers 22
    8 October 2016 at 9:05 pm

    Mike Tana who just finished his term as President of the PSA won the mayoralty in Porirua. I’m sure he’ll be a welcome lefty relief … 👿

  23. Bigdog 23
    9 October 2016 at 7:48 am

    Cheered me up no end that Mike Lee won.The thought of that latte swilling twat Ralston was to much to contemplate 😂

  24. Grey Area 24
    9 October 2016 at 9:00 am

    Amid concern about local body election voting levels I am left wondering whether the fostering of apathy in national politics is also increasing disinterest at the local level.

    And as for calls for the introduction of on-line voting to make it easier, I must admit finding a NZ Post mailbox near where I live was a mission,

    • dukeofurl 24.1
      9 October 2016 at 9:22 am

      Did you go online ? NZ Post has its website which will tell you.

      • Grey Area 24.1.1
        9 October 2016 at 9:42 am

        It was more a comment about NZ Post becoming a parcel delivery company. Since I last posted a letter (which isn’t that long ago) NZ Post has obviously been busy removing mailboxes. There used to be one at the end of our street, then another about 1.5km away and so on. Obviously mail volumes have dropped, I understand that, but a sign of the times. **sigh**

    • mauī 24.2
      9 October 2016 at 10:48 am

      I think we’ll get really high turnout, say 80%, in a few years. This should happen as the western economies hit crisis points, with what Nicole Foss calls the diminishing trust horizon. Under economic stress people will be trading locally to survive and local governance is going to be crucial.

  25. james 25
    10 October 2016 at 8:35 am

    Glad to see that Penny Blight 1/2’ed her vote this election and was a dismal failure (again).

    Seems the more people who know who she is the less that vote for her.

    Shes a walking embarrassment.

    • Wensleydale 25.1
      10 October 2016 at 8:45 am

      You’re an unpleasant, bitter little person, aren’t you James? You’ll give yourself an ulcer at this rate.

      • James 25.1.1
        10 October 2016 at 10:38 am

        Not at all. Not bitter – I think she’s bat shit crazy and I’m glad that she’s been seen as such.

        Far from an ulcer- I’m pretty relaxed.

  26. Sacha 26
    14 October 2016 at 6:35 pm

    Ak mayoral votes laid out like seats in parliament:
    https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CurdT9fWgAARqqY.jpg:large

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    TL;DR: In news breaking this morning:The Ministry of Education is cutting $2 billion from its school building programme so the National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government has enough money to deliver tax cuts; The Government has quietly lowered its child poverty reduction targets to make them easier to achieve;Te Whatu Ora-Health NZ’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Weekly Roundup 26-July-2024

    Kia ora. These are some stories that caught our eye this week – as always, feel free to share yours in the comments. Our header image this week (via Eke Panuku) shows the planned upgrade for the Karanga Plaza Tidal Swimming Steps. The week in Greater Auckland On ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 day ago
  • God what a relief

    1. What's not to love about the way the Harris campaign is turning things around?a. Nothingb. Love all of itc. God what a reliefd. Not that it will be by any means easye. All of the above 2. Documents released by the Ministry of Health show Associate Health Minister Casey ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • Trust In Me

    Trust in me in all you doHave the faith I have in youLove will see us through, if only you trust in meWhy don't you, you trust me?In a week that saw the release of the 3,000 page Abuse in Care report Christopher Luxon was being asked about Boot Camps. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 26

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking about the Royal Commission Inquiry into Abuse in Care report released this week, and with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on a UN push to not recognise carbon offset markets and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 26, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Transport: Simeon Brown announced $802.9 million in funding for 18 new trains on the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines, which ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Radical law changes needed to build road

    The northern expressway extension from Warkworth to Whangarei is likely to require radical changes to legislation if it is going to be built within the foreseeable future. The Government’s powers to purchase land, the planning process and current restrictions on road tolling are all going to need to be changed ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #30 2024

    Open access notables Could an extremely cold central European winter such as 1963 happen again despite climate change?, Sippel et al., Weather and Climate Dynamics: Here, we first show based on multiple attribution methods that a winter of similar circulation conditions to 1963 would still lead to an extreme seasonal ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • First they came for the Māori

    Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedFirst they came for the doctors But I was confused by the numbers and costs So I didn't speak up Then they came for our police and nurses And I didn't think we could afford those costs anyway So I ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Join us for the weekly Hoon on YouTube Live

    Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on UnsplashWe’re back again after our mid-winter break. We’re still with the ‘new’ day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when we have our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Will the real PM Luxon please stand up?

    Notes: This is a free article. Abuse in Care themes are mentioned. Video is at the bottom.BackgroundYesterday’s report into Abuse in Care revealed that at least 1 in 3 of all who went through state and faith based care were abused - often horrifically. At least, because not all survivors ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Will debt reduction trump abuse in care redress?

    Luxon speaks in Parliament yesterday about the Abuse in Care report. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:PM Christopher Luxon said yesterday in tabling the Abuse in Care report in Parliament he wanted to ‘do the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Olywhites and Time Bandits

    About a decade ago I worked with a bloke called Steve. He was the grizzled veteran coder, a few years older than me, who knew where the bodies were buried - code wise. Despite his best efforts to be approachable and friendly he could be kind of gruff, through to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Why were the 1930s so hot in North America?

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters and Bob Henson Those who’ve trawled social media during heat waves have likely encountered a tidbit frequently used to brush aside human-caused climate change: Many U.S. states and cities had their single hottest temperature on record during the 1930s, setting incredible heat marks ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • Throwback Thursday – Thinking about Expressways

    Some of the recent announcements from the government have reminded us of posts we’ve written in the past. Here’s one from early 2020. There were plenty of reactions to the government’s infrastructure announcement a few weeks ago which saw them fund a bunch of big roading projects. One of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Thursday, July 25 are:News: Why Electric Kiwi is closing to new customers - and why it matters RNZ’s Susan EdmundsScoop: Government drops ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Possum: Demon or Friend?

    Hi,I felt a small wet tongue snaking through one of the holes in my Crocs. It explored my big toe, darting down one side, then the other. “He’s looking for some toe cheese,” said the woman next to me, words that still haunt me to this day.Growing up in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Not a story

    Yesterday I happily quoted the Prime Minister without fact-checking him and sure enough, it turns out his numbers were all to hell. It’s not four kg of Royal Commission report, it’s fourteen.My friend and one-time colleague-in-comms Hazel Phillips gently alerted me to my error almost as soon as I’d hit ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Thursday, July 25, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day were:The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry published its final report yesterday.PM Christopher Luxon and The Minister responsible for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • A tougher line on “proactive release”?

    The Official Information Act has always been a battle between requesters seeking information, and governments seeking to control it. Information is power, so Ministers and government agencies want to manage what is released and when, for their own convenience, and legality and democracy be damned. Their most recent tactic for ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • 'Let's build a motorway costing $100 million per km, before emissions costs'

    TL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:Transport and Energy Minister Simeon Brown is accelerating plans to spend at least $10 billion through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to extend State Highway One as a four-lane ‘Expressway’ from Warkworth to Whangarei ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Lester's Prescription – Positive Bleeding.

    I live my life (woo-ooh-ooh)With no control in my destinyYea-yeah, yea-yeah (woo-ooh-ooh)I can bleed when I want to bleedSo come on, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)You can bleed when you want to bleedYea-yeah, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)Everybody bleed when they want to bleedCome on and bleedGovernments face tough challenges. Selling unpopular decisions to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Casey Costello gaslights Labour in the House

    Please note:To skip directly to the- parliamentary footage in the video, scroll to 1:21 To skip to audio please click on the headphone icon on the left hand side of the screenThis video / audio section is under development. ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    3 days ago
  • Why is the Texas grid in such bad shape?

    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Headline from 2021 The Texas grid, run by ERCOT, has had a rough few years. In 2021, winter storm Uri blacked out much of the state for several days. About a week ago, Hurricane Beryl knocked out ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on a textbook case of spending waste by the Luxon government

    Given the crackdown on wasteful government spending, it behooves me to point to a high profile example of spending by the Luxon government that looks like a big, fat waste of time and money. I’m talking about the deployment of NZDF personnel to support the US-led coalition in the Red ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:40 am on Wednesday, July 24 are:Deep Dive: Chipping away at the housing crisis, including my comments RNZ/Newsroom’s The DetailNews: Government softens on asset sales, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • LXR Takaanini

    As I reported about the city centre, Auckland’s rail network is also going through a difficult and disruptive period which is rapidly approaching a culmination, this will result in a significant upgrade to the whole network. Hallelujah. Also like the city centre this is an upgrade predicated on the City ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    3 days ago
  • Four kilograms of pain

    Today, a 4 kilogram report will be delivered to Parliament. We know this is what the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care weighs, because our Prime Minister told us so.Some reporter had blindsided him by asking a question about something done by ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, July 24, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Beehive: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to use PPPs to fund, build and run a four-lane expressway between Auckland ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Luxon gets caught out

    NewstalkZB host Mike Hosking, who can usually be relied on to give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon an easy run, did not do so yesterday when he interviewed him about the HealthNZ deficit. Luxon is trying to use a deficit reported last year by HealthNZ as yet another example of the ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • A worrying sign

    Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Are we fine with 47.9% home-ownership by 2048?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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