Local Government Election Results

Written By: - Date published: 12:14 pm, October 12th, 2013 - 208 comments
Categories: elections, local body elections, local government - Tags:

The polls are now closed and the count is under way.  I will update this post as results come in but in the meantime some predictions.

Len Brown to comfortably retain the Auckland Mayoralty …

Lianne Dalziel will win by a mile in Christchurch …

Celia Wade Brown to be returned in Wellington on preferences basically because people cannot stand the thought of a John Morrison mayoralty …

Dave Cull to hold off a challenge by Pete George in Dunedin.

Stay tuned for the results as they come in.

UPDATE:

Len has won comfortably, Richard Northey has missed out which is a real loss, Christine Rose lost to Linda Cooper out west which is a real shame and Ross Clow is still behind Noleen Raffles in Whau.  But there are solid left majorities on the Whau and Puketepapa Boards with five Labour candidates elected to Whau and two to Henderson Massey.  And Future West did well in Waitakere …

In Christchurch Lianne Dalziel has bolted in.  Well done.

FURTHER UPDATE:

Auckland Council looks like it is finely balanced.  There are six lefty councillors (Lee, Casey, Hulse, Walker, Watson, and Filipaina), three centrists (Darby, Walker, and Anae), and ten on the right (Webster, Wood, Cooper, Fletcher, Krum, Penrose, Cashmore, Quax, Stewart and Brewer).

Whau is going to be close with the latest count suggesting that Clow (Labour) is ahead of Raffills (former C&R but now independent).

The mayoralties were interesting.  Celia Wade-Brown won in Wellington, Shadbolt won in Invercargill, Hardacre won in Hamilton and Duynhoven lost in New Plymouth.  And former Labour MP Stevie Chadwick won the mayoralty in Rotorua.

208 comments on “Local Government Election Results ”

  1. CC 1

    Hope you are right about Wellington MS but not too confident. Wellington.Scoop has been up with the play about Morrison but the MSM have been busily plying the anti-Wade-Brown lines of the business community and giving the brain-dead contender a pretty uncritical press.

    • mickysavage 1.1

      The beauty about STV cc is that a solid majority can eventually form against a candidate and I expect this is what will happen in Wellington. But yes it could be close. I am sure we will not know the result today.

    • millsy 1.2

      I think Morrison will edge out CWB. From where I am sitting she underestimated the roading rednecks, and her promises of light rail betrayed a complete misunderstanding of a) public transport law and b) political climate.

    • RedBaronCV 1.3

      I like to think that Morrison’s shopping letter will have inspired at least a few to vote against him who might otherwise have not turned out. I think it will be CWB.

      The bulk of the candidates were against” let’s have progress and concrete ourselves a road” apart from the hard right and some of the younger one’s had the “it’s so yesterday” look on their faces so hopefully that is recognised in the turnout and for once I think the left are more motivated than the right.

      CWB’s refusal to spend $350000 on her temporary office will have been noted too.

  2. millsy 2

    Meanwhile, here in New Plymouth we look set to get a slash and burn ACT-type council.

    Harry Duynhoven has struggled as mayor, finding it haard to control some of the egotists down here, as well as people screaming about art funding even though it accounts for only 7% of the council budget. Then he chucks some of the ACT type a bone by ripping out half our rubbish bins, resulting in a more messier district,

    • ghostwhowalksnz 2.1

      Millsy, the mayor doesnt rip out anything !

      he is only one vote on the council, which is the same as other councillors.

      Its not like the US where the mayor is more akin to a CEO

      Sounds like your council is at the slash and burn stage before the election

      • millsy 2.1.1

        Well it was the mayor who commissioned a review of service levels that resulted in the bins being ripped out.

        The slashing and burning will get worse after today. But it looks like that’s the case for all councils, seems to be a bidding war over the cuts they want to cut.

        I dont blame people for not voting.

        • Colonial Viper 2.1.1.1

          Look to your council management, if you want to identify the real power.

          • muzza 2.1.1.1.1

            CV – Correct!

            The “power”, of councils has been removed from the elected members, and is firmly with the suits, who control the purse stings, and control the direction and vibe of our cities!

            To think the elected members are influential in any meaningful way, is outdated!

        • Linz 2.1.1.2

          All the more reason to vote if you ask me.

        • ghostwhowalksnz 2.1.1.3

          What nonsense. The mayor cant commission anything, it has to be approved by the council.

          You still dont understand how it all works do you.

          Anyway hes a goner

  3. Bill Drees 3

    NZ Labour leadership needs to develop a nationwide strategy for local elections.
    We will use the Labour brand in as many places as possible.
    We will make local politics relevant to everyone.

    • Lanthanide 3.1

      “We will use the Labour brand in as many places as possible.”

      I’m pretty sure the parties that contest the national elections are not allowed to stand in the local elections, hence why none of them do. But you get the various proxies like Citizens and Ratepayers in Auckland which are aligned with National/Act, and City Vision which I believe is aligned with Labour? I can’t, and don’t, keep track of any of that, though.

      • Shaz 3.1.1

        You are wrong. Just for the record.Labour and Green candidates are standing in Wellington for example.

      • Tamati 3.1.2

        Nope- in South Auckland most left wing candidates run as Labour. The results so far show them doing well.

      • lprent 3.1.3

        Wrong – there are several Labour tickets in Auckland

      • Rich 3.1.4

        In FPP areas like Auckland, it makes more sense to have a coalition like City Vision contest the progressive vote. In Wellington, Labour and Green run separate campaigns, and I imagine Labour voters mostly give their second prefs to the dominant left-wing party.

      • Rich 3.1.5

        In FPP areas like Auckland, it makes more sense to have a coalition like City Vision contest the progressive vote in many wards. In Wellington, Labour and Green run separate campaigns, and I imagine Labour voters mostly give their second prefs to the dominant left-wing party.

    • That can have negative consequences too, if their local candidates don’t meet expectations or become unpopular. I’d say both Labour and the Greens need to protect their brands when dabbling in local politics, but should utilise them well. I think we’re beginning to see that in Wellington, and I hope Auckland was also the same as people are saying. 🙂

  4. ratesarerevolting 4

    LBIAFC !

  5. Draco T Bastard 5

    Len Brown as mayor

    Apparently Lianne Dalziel has also been elected mayor of Chch.

    • tinfoilhat 5.1

      Woeful ……. another 3 years of Len Brown putting up the rates, pandering to big business, grossly overpaying his sycophants and CCO managers and stuffing Auckland’s finances.

      Good on Lianne Dalziel she will be excellent for Christchurch.

      • Herodotus 5.1.1

        http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1308/S00258/council-development-charges-reined-in-to-assist-housing.htm
        What do you think that nationals proposal will do for rates. Who us to pay for the new infrastructure to support growth ?
        And do you think any savings to developers will be reflected in reduced pricing of housing ? Property development pricing is not based on a cost plus, any fool who tells you this should be avoided and their credibility should be greatly diminished. It is based on market forces.

      • Draco T Bastard 5.1.2

        another 3 years of Len Brown putting up the rates,

        Contrary to what most NZers seem to think, you really can’t get anything for less than it costs no matter what the economists and RWNJs say.

      • muzza 5.1.3

        tinfoilhat…

        The Mayor , does not put up rates!

        Clearly you have no idea where the revenue disappears to, or potentially what sort of spending directly impacts rates bills, so let me give you a hint!

        Consultancies, independent consultants, contractors (paid well over market rates) and other crony appointments who control entire departments purse string. Procurement processes, unmanaged contracts internal/external, central govt legislative changes which relieve council of revenue streams (new booze bylaws), AC have to foot the bill, and won’t see a cent of revenue, the list is endless!

        Thats before the “accounting methods” are considered, asset write-downs/revaluations, off the book derivatives (swaps), its all designed to steal the city assets from the people!

        The Mayor(s), have no power to stop it…go look into it!

        Dalziel won’t do squat for ChCh, why anyone would think it makes a difference is beyond me.

        Which council underwrites the debt of most NZ councils again…oh yeah!

    • tc 5.2

      I took that link, its that woman bashing shock jock veitch……warning next time please DTB I came straight back and am off for a shower.

      • The Al1en 5.2.1

        Yep, kicked her so hard he broke her back. Should never be forgotten what type of man he is.
        I’d never show my face again in public, let alone get on the radio. What’s that about having no shame. Croc teared mea culpa just won’t do it for me.

        • Paul 5.2.1.1

          He knows the right people and says the right things.
          How to get on in the New Zealand of today…

        • QoT 5.2.1.2

          Should never be forgotten what type of man he is.

          And before anyone says “Oh, give him a second chance” I always like to note (a) that he’s suffered very little in terms of his career, and (b) second chances are for people who actually want to change, not abusive shitbags who say things like “I make no excuse for my behaviour, except to say …” followed by a long list of excuses.

          • Matthew Whitehead 5.2.1.2.1

            He can have a second chance somewhere where he has absolutely no influence over public opinion. I do not want anyone who commits violence against women in the media.

    • lprent 5.3

      Saw him heading into the Kingslander when I was having lunch. He looked happy.

  6. Pascal's bookie 6

    Dave Cull to hold off a challenge by Pete George in Dunedin.

    Big call.

    • lprent 6.1

      Damn. Why did the people of Dunedin fail to move him off the blogosphere and into something more suited to his unique talents

      😈

      • Pete 6.1.1

        I left him unranked on my ballot, but points to him for standing and doing what he could to get involved. Now if we can avoid Hillary Calvert winning a seat on council, I’d be happy.

  7. Pascal's bookie 7

    Julie Fairey (who has retained her board spot) is tweeting the hell of the Akl results as she gets them:

    http://twitter.com/juliefairey

  8. Tracey 8

    why have cameron brewer’s billboards been thanking for his re-election for 3 weeks?

    • Colonial Viper 8.1

      Did anyone stand against him in his ward? Was he elected unopposed?

      I see Lianne won the Christchurch mayoralty by a mile…over 3x more votes than the no 2 choice for Mayor. Well done.

    • lprent 8.2

      From memory he was the only candidate in his ward

      • mickysavage 8.2.1

        Yep. Nest time someone needs to stand up and oppose. Even in the most blue of places democracy works better if someone does.

  9. Bill Drees 9

    Labour wins Whau Board.
    The Labour campaign in Whau ( New Lynn 80%) won 5 of the 7 seats.
    This is a great success for Labour’s Ross Clow, Catherine Farmer, Susan Zhu, Ruby Schaumkel and Simon Matafai.

    Running RED Labour brand is local elections is now proven to work.
    Debate over.

  10. Bill Drees 10

    Ross Clow is 89 votes behind Raffills in Whau.

    Recount

  11. Ant 11

    We really should have online voting in 2013. The way the local body elections have been run has been pathetic, the turnout is equally pathetic.

    • Colonial Viper 11.1

      No to online voting. If you can’t get off your ass to vote, your opinion should be discounted.

      • Draco T Bastard 11.1.1

        Really CV? Didn’t realise that you were so much in favour of creating a class system.

        • Colonial Viper 11.1.1.1

          Call it what you want, but no online voting for you mate.

          • Draco T Bastard 11.1.1.1.1

            We’ll get it and probably sooner rather than later. Just have to make sure that it’s not on dedicated voting machines with proprietary software on them.

            • Colonial Viper 11.1.1.1.1.1

              Yes because the internet and webapps and protocols like https and PC operating systems/Android/OS X have proven to be so secure and uncompromised. I mean what the fuck.

              Why not just gift your democracy away to the intelligence services Draco.

              • Sanctuary

                Voting ought to be a celebration of democracy. To that end, I would make voting day for local body and national elections a mid-week paid public holiday to anyone who votes, and just an unpaid day off for those that don’t.

                And I would fund street parties, food festivals and stuff in parks for people to get out and celebrate the vote, after they’ve voted.

                • Colonial Viper

                  Now you are talking good sir 🙂

                  Back that 101%!!!

                • Tamati

                  Election day in Australia is quite an occasion apparently. Pretty much every booth has a massive sausage sizzle, perhaps we should implement them here?

                  • Murray Olsen

                    Voting in Australia can take quite a while, with papers a metre or so long, and hundreds of names to rank. If people weren’t fed, they’d drop dead of hunger. Having an Aussie BBQ (best in the world, cobber!) means they survive long enough to get home and be sick when they see who gets into the Senate.

              • Draco T Bastard

                Yes because the internet and webapps and protocols like https and PC operating systems/Android/OS X paper trails and people have proven to be so secure and uncompromised.

                How many peoples vote was lost because they marked it slightly incorrectly? How many don’t vote because placing a special vote is too much hassle? One that I’ve heard in Auckland this election: How many don’t get to vote because their voting papers never turned up?

                Both systems can be compromised and both systems can be instituted in such a way so that any compromise will be found and acted upon.

                • Tamati

                  I received precisely four ballot papers for the previous tenants of my flat. I’d be highly surprised if any of them voted.

                  What if we held local elections the same day as general elections? Happens overseas.

                • Stephen

                  No, they really can’t.

                  Think about the success of spam and phishing, think about how easy DDOS is to do, think about how successful most large government IT projects are, and then think about how much you really trust the intregrity of an online system.

                  At least paper can be verified by any group of reasonably intelligent lay people. With an online system you’re reduced to a small group of experts saying “trust us” (and to be clear, I am one of those kind of people and I work for a firm that would likely tender to build such a system).

                  What I really don’t get is that people tout online voting as the answer to low voter engagement, but any research I’ve seen suggests that it’s about disillusionment with contemporary politics, not the difficulty of casting a vote.

                  When people are motivated, they will go to great lengths to vote (eg see how African Americans defied all the disincentives the GOP put in their way in Ohio to turn out for Obama). When they don’t give a shit about the candidates or parties, they won’t vote no matter how easy it is.

                  • karol

                    Agree, Stephen.

                  • Ant

                    People tout online voting as part of a solution to low turnouts, not the solution. In local body elections the postal ballot is just as open to abuse and fraud as any online vote would be.

                    It’s only a matter of time before online voting is the norm, there’s no reason why it can’t be part of a suite of methods for voting.

                  • Colonial Viper

                    DTB is still operating out of a religion of progress, ‘it’s high tech so it must be better’ paradigm.

                    Of course someone can nick a couple of dozen voting papers out of letter boxes down the street and fill them out, or maybe make a ballot box with a few hundred votes in it go missing.

                    But with online and networked systems you can tamper with hundreds of thousands (or millions) of votes simultaneously, in a co-ordinated manner.

                    To paraphrase lessons learnt the hard way by the Colonial Fleet – there’s very good reasons for not networking the computers on a Battlestar, despite all the claims of ‘increased speed and efficiency’ and ‘modernisation’.

                    After all, why take a robust proven system and replace it with something fragile and easily breakable?

                    • karol

                      And so say all of us.

                    • Colonial Viper

                      Nice one karol 🙂

                      And so say we all.

                    • karol

                      Oh. I didn’t quite get the words right, CV. 🙁

                      Next time 🙂

                    • Ant

                      The Pegasus did okay with modern systems until Lee dinged it.

                    • Draco T Bastard

                      DTB is still operating out of a religion of progress, ‘it’s high tech so it must be better’ paradigm.

                      Don’t kid yourself.

                      To paraphrase lessons learnt the hard way by the Colonial Fleet – there’s very good reasons for not networking the computers on a Battlestar, despite all the claims of ‘increased speed and efficiency’ and ‘modernisation’.

                      Yes, because everything that happens in a fictional story translates perfectly across to the real world.

                      But with online and networked systems you can tamper with hundreds of thousands (or millions) of votes simultaneously, in a co-ordinated manner.

                      And be caught. Well, at least detected and controlled.

                  • Draco T Bastard

                    Think about the success of spam and phishing,

                    What’s the actual percentage? Sure, it works but usually through someone’s stupidity and not through the vulnerabilities of the system. Throw in security tokens and a standard phishing scam won’t work either.

                    think about how easy DDOS is to do,

                    And think about how easy it is to make online voting available over 30 days instead of half a day.

                    At least paper can be verified by any group of reasonably intelligent lay people.

                    Online voting can be verified by the person casting the vote which can’t be done with a paper system. I have no idea if my vote was properly counted and no way of finding out with a paper system but such would be an integral part of an online system.

            • Sanctuary 11.1.1.1.1.2

              voting machines are a solution in search of a problem.

              • Draco T Bastard

                The solution that online voting is the solution to is representative democracy.

              • Murray Olsen

                That’s what they said about lasers. No one had any idea what to do with them, but it’d be interesting to try living without them today.
                I think online voting will become available. The main problem is not in the voting, but rather what a government with the slimmest of majorities does for the whole of the term. Fundamentalist right wingers like the Key, Abbott, Cameron, or Bjelke-Newman governments can do a hell of a lot of damage in three years.

    • RedBaronCV 11.2

      One size doesn’t fit all , I don’t agree with online voting, a lay person can’t tell if it has been manipulated but why not postal ballots, plus online option plus actual booths well marked for the two weeks of local body elections

  12. Tracey 12

    He is not my area cv but I hope someone did stand against him

    • Colonial Viper 12.1

      Ahhhhh unfortunate then, from August:

      http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/18548051/brewer-set-to-be-re-elected-in-orakei-unopposed/

      Auckland Councillor for Orakei, Cameron Brewer, said he was not expecting to be re-elected unopposed and will hit the campaign trail regardless, keen to get some more centre-right councillors elected across Auckland.

      “Getting elected unopposed is a rare occurrence for any councillor and political torture for someone like me who loves retail politics. Rest assured I won’t be taking the foot off the pedal. I want to see a few more political colleagues around the table.

      “Hearty congratulations to Howick councillors Dick Quax and Sharon Stewart who will also be re-elected unopposed. Our early re-election will hopefully enable a bit more public and media focus on some of the critical battleground wards.”

  13. Len Brown mayor of auckland, Daziel mayor of christchurch. No surprises there. Hopefully Daziel will really get the east of chch up and running.

    Some upsets along the way in some councils, not good news for the far left side of labours party.

    John Minto finishing fourth, most people here, said he could upset for second and most likely finish third, that must be a huge blow for the Mana party given Auckland’s maori population.

    With all the media attention Anjum Rahman got, over the other candidates in hamilton east, surprised she only finished in eight place, I may totally disagree with what she says, but she seems hard working.

    Overall election results seems a victory for those who are either centre left or centre right.

    Not good for the ideologists.

    • Draco T Bastard 13.1

      John Minto finishing fourth, most people here, said he could upset for second and most likely finish third, that must be a huge blow for the Mana party given Auckland’s maori population.

      I very much wanted to vote for Minto but as it was an FPP election and not a proportional one I voted for Brown so as not to split the vote. I suspect quite a few people thought and acted the same way.

      We really, really, need proportional voting.

      • Brett Dale 13.1.1

        Auckland had fpp??

        I thought no one used that anymore?

      • tinfoilhat 13.1.2

        You voted for Brown so you are happy with the status quo despite what you say on this forum.

        • Paul 13.1.2.1

          People can vote negatively……..to prevent a even worse outcome.
          DTB is allowed to be not be happy with status quo despite voting for a candidate.
          Given the Tweedledee Tweedledum politics we presently have, it’s often the caseeople have to do this.
          In the US, many voted for Obama simply because Romney was worse.

      • toad 13.1.3

        Ditto me.

      • Tamati 13.1.4

        STV isn’t really proportional voting, there can only be one winner. We could have PR at the council level, however, as the party system is so weak at the local level it would be pretty farcical.

        • Draco T Bastard 13.1.4.1

          STV isn’t really proportional voting, there can only be one winner.

          It gets the person with the highest preference rather than the person with the greatest plurality which can actually be a minority.

          • Tamati 13.1.4.1.1

            Yes, but it isn’t “proportional” in the strictest sense. Just ask the Australian Green party. Still an improvement on FPP.

          • Matthew Whitehead 13.1.4.1.2

            Voting can only be proportional in multi-winner contests. You can’t have a proportionally elected mayor if they’re directly voted on, but you can have a proportionally elected council. 🙂

            What you’re talking about is a system that meets the mutual majority criteria, ie. where a subset of candidates exists that 50% of all voters prefer above the remaining candidates, the winner shall be elected from that subset. STV meets this criteria.

      • karol 13.1.5

        I’m with DTB. At first I was thinking to vote Minto when Brown looked like he faced no opposition. By the time I got round to voting, some journos were talking up Palino, so I voted Brown for mayor.

        Partly, Brown’s direction is influened by the power of the government (and the AKL council un elected CCOs), and partly by the make up of the council members.

        I voted Clow (Labour) for Whau councillor, and Labour + Mana for the Whau Board.

      • ghostwhowalksnz 13.1.6

        Minto got around 10,000 votes , about the same for penny Bright. Which is pretty good for fringe candidates

      • Penny Bright 13.1.7

        Actually, the provisional vote has myself 4th with 10,685 votes and John Minto
        (Mana Movement) 5th with 10,279 votes.

        I am THRILLED with that result, as it shows, in my opinion, that thousands of Aucklanders are waking up to the corrupt, corporate control of the Auckland region, by the unelected private lobby group – the Committee for Auckland.

        Candidate Affiliation Candidate No Votes Received Rank
        BERRY, Stephen Affordable Auckland 101 12577
        BRIGHT, Penny Independent 102 10635
        BROWN, Len Independent 103 148944 1
        BUTLER, Jesse 104 1348
        CHEEL, Tricia 105 1083
        DUFFY, Paul 106 2838
        GOODE, Matthew 107 1908
        HUSSEY, Emmett Independent 108 2668
        KRUGER, Susanna Susara Independent 109 2025
        MINTO, John Mana Movement 110 10279
        O’CONNOR, Phil Christians Against Abortion 111 2773
        PALINO, John Independent 112 98930
        SHADBOLT, Reuben Independent 113 2905
        UNASA, Uesifili Independent 114 7251
        VERMUNT, Annalucia Communist League 115 788
        WILLMOTT, David Roads First 116 1547
        YOUNG, Wayne Working for the Homeless 117 3605
        INFORMAL 118 1454
        BLANK 119

        _______________________________________________________________________

        ‘Anti-corruption/ anti-privatisation’ campaigner
        2013 Auckland Mayoral candidate

        http://www.pennybright4mayor.org.nz

    • Sanctuary 13.2

      Minto’s gaining less votes than Penny Bright ought to act as a cold, wet bucket of aquatic reality to the more strident Mana supporters.

      • marty mars 13.2.1

        These outcomes are expected in this society we have created, even though many (or a few) would like it different. Onward and upward Mana and its supporters soldier on to create a better country for us all.

      • Murray Olsen 13.2.2

        I don’t see why. Voting for, and getting behind Mana requires more commitment to change and activism because, as the word movement suggests, it necessitates being active and building something new. Voting for Penny Bright requires believing that councillors can be honest, follow their own rules, and not privatise anything. It’s capitalism with good manners mixed with a bit of delsuion about the past, whereas Mana is a substantial change.

    • QoT 13.3

      most people here, said he could upset for second and most likely finish third

      Prove it or shut the fuck up.

      • Brett Dale 13.3.1

        QOT:

        People here were saying it, that he could finish second, but he would get third place, he
        ended up get fifth, so shut the fuck up yourself.

        Im certainly not going thru posts from six months back.

        • Paul 13.3.1.1

          Then, if you are can’t be bothered to do this, don’t make unproven assertions.
          Oh yeah, you’re a right wing troll, so that’s why you’re on this site.

          • Brett Dale 13.3.1.1.1

            Paul:

            Oh please, I was being ripped into for saying he wont finish in the top three.

            Selective Memories?

            • QoT 13.3.1.1.1.1

              Brett, “selective memory” is when people choose which things-that-happened to remember.

              What you’ve got is “making shit up and refusing to back your statements”.

        • Lanthanide 13.3.1.2

          Remember that time when Brett Dale said he would vote Green at the next election? It was about 6 months ago in a comment on open mic. I can’t be bothered going through posts to find it, so just take my word on it.

  14. Auckland Mayor.

    BROWN, Len 148944
    PALINO, John 98930
    BERRY, Stephen 12577
    BRIGHT, Penny 10635
    MINTO, John 10279

    • lprent 14.1

      Penny will be happy. She wasn’t last.
      Definitely a two horse race with one of them hobbling…

    • tinfoilhat 14.2

      Gosh what does that work out to as a % of eligible voters, looks to be a pretty woeful turnout.

      • Paul 14.2.1

        If it feels like you have so little choice no wonder many don’t vote.
        If Cunliffe’s Labour and the Greens offer a real alternative, just watch people get off their couches….

  15. Chris 15

    http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/19362158/stv-means-delay-in-results/

    “Seven local bodies are using the complex Single Transferable Vote System (STV), which means their results are taking much longer.
    They are Dunedin, Greater Wellington, Kapiti Coast, Marlborough, Palmerston North, Porirua and Wellington.”

    A long wait for some of us 🙁

    • Mac1 15.1

      Marlborough’s results are in. Mayor Sowman returned for fourth term. Three new councillors, though one result of these in doubt with 2 % specials to be counted. All in all, a conservative council.

    • toad 15.2

      A delay in results is a minor downside of having a much more democratic system in STV. I’d support democracy over timeliness every time. Unfortunately, as a reluctant resident of the SuperCity (I live in the legacy Franklin District Council area) we had FPP forced upon us by Rodney Hide.

    • Draco T Bastard 15.3

      Seven local bodies are using the complex Single Transferable Vote System (STV)

      I really hate misreporting like this. STV is not complex.

  16. Te Reo Putake 16

    Laws loses in Wangaz, mayor Annette Main reelected by 3000 votes.

  17. greywarbler 17

    sanctuary
    Yes let’s have some life and vitality in our politics. It’s too much a SEP approach now. Politics is boring, it’s not a top priority, it’s for other people who undersand it, some queer people think about it like a hobby or something. That’s the wird place we have come to after all that effort and earnestness to get us a vote so we were respected citizens, sort of.

  18. weka 18

    Um, where are people getting the results?

  19. toad 19

    They are fair spewing over at Kiwiblog re some of the results; not to mention some thinly veiled racism:

    Viking2 (10,020) Says:
    October 12th, 2013 at 4:41 pm
    Longknives (3,089) Says:
    October 12th, 2013 at 4:33 pm

    I don’t understand it either Michaels- Len Brown, famous round Auckland for pulling ‘Gangsta’ hand signals whilst wearing a ‘Len Brown is my Homeboy’ T-Shirt. I mean- Which demographic would be dumb enough to fall for that patronising and blatantly insulting rubbish??

    Just as bad in Rotorua. Stupid Chadwick in charge.

    • lprent 19.1

      They are fair spewing over at Kiwiblog re some of the results

      I hate will love to think what it will be like next year because after looking at what has been happening for the last month or so, they will really hate it.

  20. millsy 20

    Oh dear.

    Harry got the boot and we have a right wing slash and burn austerity style, ACT council in New Plymouth.

    Libary services are going to be slashed, water meters dropped in, services out sourced, halls closed, parks demolished, and art works sold, Detroit-style.

    Anyone remotely left wing on council has been tossed out. Plain and simple.

  21. millsy 21

    So, with regards to Auckland, I take it the right has gained control of Auckland Council?

    (Good to see Hitler miss out in Whanganui).

    • karol 21.1

      So, with regards to Auckland, I take it the right has gained control of Auckland Council?

      How do you work that out?

      weka, Auckland Council results are here – click on the relevant PDFs.

      I can’t work out whether it’s left or right dominated because many of the tickets mean nothing to me.

      The shake up in the Whau Board (my ward) is pretty significant.
      Labour 5 members out of 7.
      Ross Clow knocked Derek Battersby off top spot – he’s down to 3 and in a minority. Battersby has been an elected rep in the area since forever, and has pretty strong name recognition.

      It was definitely a good move to stand a Labour Team here, because last time, the right/conservatives won by default. And clearly, in Cunliffe’s turf, there’s an appetitie for Labour reps.

      • Tamati 21.1.1

        I think they were referring to the “governing body” a.k.a The council, not the local boards.

        Hard to tell at this point, but it looks as if the Shore has gone slightly to the left, which is surprising given that it is usually very strongly National in general elections.

        • karol 21.1.1.1

          Ye, I realised that, Tamati. But, I can’t tell which way the council members have gone on balance.

        • Wayne 21.1.1.2

          Tamati,

          The Shore has pretty much stayed where it was. Chris Darby should be a good councillor, and effectively he replaces Anne Hartley. I see Chris as a fiscally conservative Green.

          The Local Board, (Devonport-Takapuna) not much change, pleased to see Alison Roe elected. I voted for Mike Cohen – at the local board level political orientation is not the key thing for me. Grant Gillon was a surprise, since he is not really local, but he is a hard worker, and for Council, he does think strategically- unlike some!

          But as for the main event, the Auckland Council. On my call, it has become a moderate centre-right council. In truth the current settings of council plans will generally prevail.

          However, there could be some impact on rates settings with the uniform general charge going up to around $500 to $600 in the next rates round. Probably some modest pruning of projected debt levels. Getting to 275% of rates is a bit of an issue. The current rates increases of 2.9% will be the anticipated norm.

          It will be a Council that the Mayor will easily be able to work with.

          • Anne 21.1.1.2.1

            I see Chris as a fiscally conservative Green.

            Umm… think you might be a little bit out there Wayne. He does a good job keeping it out of the limelight (being the Shore and all that), but my understanding is he’s a Labour man. However you appear to appreciate he’s good value. Btw, it’s Ann Hartley not Anne.

            Otherwise I agree with you. That’s a turn-up for the books. 🙂

            • Wayne 21.1.1.2.1.1

              Chris might be Labour in formal sense, but locally he projects as a Green (though not in the political party sense). He always talks about prudent spending and keeping costs down.

            • toad 21.1.1.2.1.2

              Um, I thought Chris Darby was closer to the Greens than Labour. Pretty sure he used to be a Green Party member, although I’m not sure if he still is. May have moved to Labour, although in recent years most of the movement has been the other way.

              Anyway, (unusually) I agree with Wayne. I think it will be a stable Council and one that will largely stick to current policy settings. Most of the moderate centrists will not buy into the extremist neoliberal stuff that the likes of Cameron Brewer and Dick Quax would like to happen, and will continue to support environmental & public transport initiatives promoted by the green/left on the Council.

    • toad 21.2

      Not as simple as that, millsy. Based on past voting records, election manifestos and past political alignments, I would say it is quite tightly balanced. My assessment is:

      Right: WEBSTER, WOOD, COOPER, RAFFILS, BREWER, KRUM, J WALKER, PENROSE, QUAX

      Centre: ANAE, FLETCHER, CASHMORE, STEWART

      Left: BROWN, W WALKER, WATSON, DARBY, HULSE, LEE, CASEY, FILIPAINA

      Anae and Fletcher are both former National MPs, but both have had fallings out with the Nats and have tended to vote independently. Stewart & Cashmore probably vote National, but are not hard-right party hacks. The fact that ACT policy aligned Niko Kloeten stood against Cashmore in Franklin in an FPP election ward would indicate Cashmore is no stooge of the hard right.

      The balance is probably slightly to the right, but the right don’t have a caucus like they did in the bad old C&R Auckland City days.

  22. Sookie 22

    Jeebers save us, that Photoshopped lunatic Hilary Calvert got on to the DCC Council. The deadlock between grumpy right wing nutters and idealistic Greenie types is going to cause Dave Cull no end of headaches, poor chap.

    From the Oddity:

    Mr Cull’s fellow Greater Dunedin candidates Richard Thomson, Jinty MacTavish and Kate Wilson and Chris Staynes retained their seats on the Dunedin City Council.

    Joining them on the council are Mr Benson-Pope (Independent), Mike Lord (Greater Dunedin), Hilary Calvert (Independent), Lee Vandervis (Independent), Aaron Hawkins (Green), Neville Peat (Independent), Doug Hall (Independent), John Bezett (Independent), Andrew Whiley (Independent).

    Incumbents Teresa Stevenson and Paul Hudson failed to be re-elected.

  23. Pascal's bookie 23

    Journos on twitter calling Wellington for Celia.

  24. Jono 24

    Sheryl Mai is the new Mayor in Whangarei. Experiences councillor, centreish greenish and actually got some things done when she was last on Council. Our last mayor was a wedding celebrant known for getting his clients names wrong and talking about himself constantly during services, elected knowing nothing about the job and taken out by health trouble halfway through his term. Go Sheryl! The usual mix of grey suits, old farmers and small business people otherwise back as councillors, mores the pity.

    Wayne Brown out in the Far North after a major drubbing at The hands of Hone Carter. He may be a National man but he knows the district and they know him, and should be a great deal less divisive.

    As for Kaipara, well, they are poked whatever the score.

  25. Pascal's bookie 25

    Apparently all the Green candidates for WCC and WRC were elected.

  26. Outofbed 26

    Just come from the Green Party party Wellington
    5 stood 5 elected and Celia WB

    • bad12 26.1

      Yes an excellent result for the Green’s here in Wellington, congratulations to all those who stood, and congratulations to the people of Wellington for an excellent poll,

      i don’t think 2014 will see the first electorate seat in the Parliament won by the Green but i am picking it to be likely in 2017 and believe that it will be a Wellington seat the Greens will win,

      Wellington radicalism begins and ends here in Wellington with the Green Party and it’s a radicalism that reaches across all demographics right up into the middle class,

      i am pleased, it’s a result i voted for, expected, and this confirms my views about Wellington politics at the present…

  27. Anne 27

    Congrats to Celia Wade-Brown and the Wellington Green councillors.

  28. BM 28

    Wow, I can’t believe Wade-brown got voted back in, she’s fucking useless.

    I’m wondering, due to the really low turn out people are voting along red/blue lines, instead of the strength of the candidates.

    Normally that sort of voting would be canceled out by the volume of people who don’t vote along party lines, but because the turnout is so pathetic party voters are having a much larger influence on the out come than what would normally be expected.

    • Pascal's bookie 28.1

      The right put up a sexist, plagiarising, fuckwit for a candidate on the basis that he played cricket a million years ago.

      Also noteworthy that the Greens took more council spots, indicating that it isn’t CWB that voters blame for the deadlocks in council.

      No good crying about it, or trying to think of reasons for why what happened doesn’t mean what it quite clearly means. But if you must, you’ll find company over on the kb thread.

      • RedBaronCV 28.1.1

        Trying to work out the council composition. Lambton has labour, green, right, southern, labour, green, eastern green ?? what about the rest ?

      • BM 28.1.2

        That’s where you’re wrong, the right put up no candidates, that’s the problem.

        It’s stupid beyond belief, that National put no emphasize into local body politics.

        I don’t know if the thinking is that, all the quality left wing people will be tied up in local body politics thus making the road easier for more right wing candidates on a national level.

        Personally I disagree, the right needs to be more organized at a local level, really it’s the like rugby, without strength at grass roots, you’re never going to get a strong national team.

        • QoT 28.1.2.1

          Yes, how silly of anyone to think that Nicola Young might be a “right” candidate, as the daughter of a National Party MP, sister of a National Party MP, great-granddaughter of a Reform Party MP, and 2005 National Party list candidate.

        • Descendant Of Sssmith 28.1.2.2

          http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communities_and_Residents

          Seems odd that in your world the citrats have never existed. Always been right aligned with strong links to the National Party. Been around for years and years and years.

        • mickysavage 28.1.2.3

          Well … [switching into gloat mode] …

          Out west the right wing which included Paula Bennett’s campaign manager got their arse handed to them on a plate. They finished well down.

          Their council candidate succeeded but she has been around for ages and she kept saying that she was an independent and had nothing to do with the National Party, even though she is still number 73 on National’s list.

          But I do agree that Local Government should be the breeding ground for future central government MPs. So out west you should be really afraid …

    • bad12 28.2

      BM, i don’t think you know s**t about anything, certainly not about local Wellington politics that’s for sure,

      i commented a couple of month’s ago that Wellington has gone Green and the underlying political impetus of anything happening at a ‘street level’ in this town usually has a strong Green influence,

      Low turn-outs usually favor the right-wing candidates, that of course may not hold true in a transferable voting contest, but, reports are that Wellington had a higher turnout than last year so your ‘low vote’ may actually be more of ‘you thunk it therefor as usual it’s s**t’,

      Lolz, you don’t think much of Celia Wade-Brown, as a wing-nut i would hardly have you think otherwise, stick around tho won’t you, when the Green Party have control of the Wellington City Council i am sure they will really give one of your ilk lots to wail and whine about…

      • BM 28.2.1

        All I can say is thank fuck I don’t live in Wellington.
        After seeing the assortment of lefty dross that’s been voted in, makes me glad I live in Hamilton at least the Mayor is vaguely competent.

        • bad12 28.2.1.1

          Lolz, really, Lolz, sorry for the insult to Hamiltonian’s, but why i havn’t picked a dead head like you for being a natural fit in the ‘Tron’ befor is beyond me…

        • miravox 28.2.1.2

          otoh I know a few people pretty happy to have left Hamilton and to call Wellington home, go figure.

        • tc 28.2.1.3

          Hardaker will keep screwing hamilton over, v8’s, water meters, presiding over a toxic council in a town that is flush with dairy money so nobody is really paying attention.

  29. vto 29

    vto party got no votes

  30. Pascal's bookie 30

    A Welly local has created this gif, he has already apologised but the damage has been done:

    http://i.imgur.com/n7Z9st0.gif

  31. Tracey 31

    Can a mayor look bad because they are often out voted by a majority holding a diff ideology to them?

  32. Sanctuary 32

    I am going out now, but take this thought to bed – Celia Wade-Brown retained the Wellington mayoralty, thus vastly annoying the Dom-Post editorial team and that dork David Farrar (who clearly can’t stand her). A piece of schadenfreude to make any good socialist smile as they sup their victory chardonnay. Or, as I would less charitably put it, “I can’t see you smiling as you suck on that, Farrar.”

    • miravox 32.1

      So Wellington has a no bypass council, with Greens elected in the Central City and on the regional council?… I surely hope so… It might even make a dithering, bike-riding Mayor take a stand.

  33. Armchair Critic 33

    Robert Guyton reelected to Environment Southland. Well done Robert.

  34. Varity 34

    fingers crossed this is Shadbolts last term down here.

    • Curtis 34.1

      We really need someone with a bit of charisma to run against him. I really think we need to set up a left wing ticket to fight the Old Boys Club and to give working people the knowledge of who they are actually voting for rather than all these ‘independents’

    • Craig 34.2

      Seven terms!!!

  35. tc 35

    Akl is interesting, brown has his work cut out with the likes of brewer, fletcher etc

    sham about northey but money and promotion pays dividends and krum got herself about….lesson in that if beaumont cares to pay attention in the GE.

  36. karol 36

    Ross Clow wins Whau seat on the Auckland Council!!! Preliminary results. Dancing for joy! Great day for the left in the Whau area! One more leftie on the council!

    Does that mean Labour ward member Farmer leads/chairs the Whau Board?

    • Frank 36.1

      It would be nice if someone, anyone actually did something here in the Whau, I have lived here for ten years and it has gone backwards. We must have the worse footpaths in the city and they are digging them up again.

  37. Draco T Bastard 37

    Auckland Council Elections 2013 – Voters lost…again.

    A Majority of Votes Elected No One (Again)

    52.52% of all votes returned across Auckland did not elect anyone at all.

    First Past the Post at work again. It splits the vote up among all the candidates and the people with the highest totals are elected, no matter how low their proportion of the total vote may be. In 2010 the percentage of votes returned electing no one was 62.5%.

    Not much to add, FPP proven to be failing the people – again.

  38. Craig 38

    Could I suggest a follow-up guest piece on the Single Transferable Vote option and what can be done to encourage its use in local body elections- and the amendment of the Auckland supercity enabling legislation for that purpose, come to that?

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    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    2 days ago
  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    2 days ago
  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    2 days ago
  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    3 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    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 ...
    3 days ago
  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    3 days ago
  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    4 days ago
  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    4 days ago
  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    5 days ago
  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • $41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
    New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago
  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 hours ago
  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago
  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago
  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago
  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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