Longstone resignation

Written By: - Date published: 12:18 pm, December 19th, 2012 - 56 comments
Categories: education, Hekia parata - Tags: , ,

From Vernon Small:

Education secretary quits

State Services Commissioner Iain Rennie says he has accepted the resignation of the Secretary for Education Lesley Longstone.

She was appointed to the role in November last year for a five-year term. …

There have been a series of difficulties at the ministry which has been under fire over the Novopay payroll debacle, the Christchurch schools merger and closure consultation process, the court-ordered u-turn of the closure of Nelson’s Salisbury school and the blunder and backdown over increased class sizes.

Can’t say that I blame Longstone for bailing, she was working for a Minister who is clearly well out of her depth. Early versions of Small’s article mentioned conflict with Parata (that seems to have been deleted now). Another fail for Hekia Parata, she’s the one that should be going.

56 comments on “Longstone resignation ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Mike Boon 1
    19 December 2012 at 12:22 pm

    I’m picking that National will hope and hope that we will all ‘forget’ over the Christmas break and they can get on with wrecking things when parliament gets back… I believe Foss will go before Hekia. The National spin machine led by Joyce & Key et. al. really love their weasel words and Parata is so very, very good at talking for hours without ever saying anything. An ideal National mouth. She needs to go but I doubt very much that she will. Accountability for blundering is one of the major missing links in this current government. You only have to look at John Banks’ survival this year for the benchmark.

    • Peter 1.1
      19 December 2012 at 2:26 pm

      Why Foss?

      • Mike Boon 1.1.1
        19 December 2012 at 4:09 pm

        because he’s not Hekia… I reckon she was hand-picked by the Joyce/Key spin machine… You know how much they hate to be proven wrong… or admit fault… or take responsibility… etc etc

  2. CnrJoe 2
    19 December 2012 at 12:23 pm

    the gift that keeps giving should go?

  3. Kevin Welsh 3
    19 December 2012 at 12:30 pm

    Wonder how much the golden handshake is…

  4. marsman 4
    19 December 2012 at 12:35 pm

    I read somewhere that Longstone was involved in establishing Charter Schools in England. The Nats obviously brought her here in order to ram through their Charter School Scam. Who will they get in to do that now? Rebstock? Bazely?

    • Morrissey 4.1
      19 December 2012 at 1:21 pm

      “…to ram through their Charter School Scam. Who will they get in to do that now? Rebstock? Bazely?”

      BANKS.

  5. Tiger Mountain 5
    19 December 2012 at 12:37 pm

    It’s back to Hogwarts for Longstone then and slowly onwards to eventual ignominy for Lady Gardiner.

  6. freedom 6
    19 December 2012 at 12:37 pm

    Who is now going to front up on Cambell Live. The Minister ? Ha!

  7. Dave Kennedy (bsprout) 7
    19 December 2012 at 12:47 pm

    Lesley Longstone’s resignation recognizes that appointing someone, who has no institutional knowledge of our education system, to introduce flawed ideology is doomed to failure. Longstone is a bureaucrat who was tasked implementing policy with little hope of success and it is my bet that her replacement in the role will also be an import. No one from within in New Zealand, who really understands education, would seriously consider it!

  8. NoseViper (The Nose knows) 8
    19 December 2012 at 12:51 pm

    Another overseas appointee gone. There was someone else recently also. I can’t remember her name. Does a name come to mind to anyone ?

    It is my contention that many appointments these days are made with the principle requirement that they are well versed in information technology and in changing systems from personal services to doing most on line. This in preference to getting someone with a ‘passion’ for doing well in their particular specialty. And it is a lucrative international scam where people have a name for being ‘the goods’ revolve around governments owned by large business which no longer look to get people who serve the people’s real needs and interests.

    Interesting that the MOE suggested that the Christchurch council hand over information on school closure to them, and then simply turn down the information requester. These national government departments and executives are conducting personal fiefdoms with ever less interest in serving and hearing what people want.

    People will come up with good ideas and discussion if given some scenarios and asked if they have any suggestions as to their preference and how they could be done better. They will soon find the holes and recognise the good points and their ideas have to be listed and then discussed to gain majority agreement. That’s how to consult effectively.

    • veutoviper 8.1
      19 December 2012 at 1:16 pm

      It was Janet Grossman who quit in June 2012 after less than a year as head of WINZ.

      http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10844946

      • NoseViper (The Nose knows) 8.1.1
        19 December 2012 at 5:31 pm

        Thanks veutoviper
        I knew it wasn’t long ago.
        Here are some interesting features about her background that underlines the importance of IT background to appointees, not intimate and deep knowledge of the nature of their area of employment.

        <blockquote>The project to set up the Work and Income’s public self-service kiosks began before Grossman started, but the development and rollout was finalised in October, on her watch. Major security flaws allowed public access to corporate and private information for 1432 individuals. The ministry is conducting four employment investigations following a report into the privacy breaches.

        But Labour welfare spokeswoman Jacinda Ardern said if Grossman did receive the $97,000, it would be an extremely costly appointment on top of headhunting and relocating her. (There was an allowance of up to $50,000 for relocating expenses.)

        (It makes a joke of how women applying for jobs at the coalface strike negative comments about whether they might leave to have children. These trough feeders can nobly give their all for a short time, and finding it unsuitable or if hubby gets a good job offer elsewhere, leave early with a heap of money. You get it every which way.)

        Ministry of Social Development chief executive Brendan Boyle would not provide a breakdown of the $97,000 payment. He said five senior managers left this year and it would be “extremely presumptuous to assume” it went to one person.</blockquote>

        Perhaps the State Services Commission need to have a change of bums on seats as well as the Ministry of Education chess players, who need to get used to getting alongside real people. There is big money in human resources. I think that the huge salaries that are offered are actually a moral hazard to ensure the business remains bloated in its rewards for everyone.

        Can’t work out the editing. There is a change to my edit window with icons presented within it. Using blockquote didn’t work. There was no paragraphing that I put in either. I’m seeing quite a few sets of – ampersand n b s p ; except they are consecutive within the text.

  9. karol 9
    19 December 2012 at 1:07 pm

     The latest version on Stuff by Tracy Watkins et al, mentions a strained relationship with Parata:
     
     Secretary of Education Lesley Longstone has been forced to quit over a strained relationship with Education Minister Hekia Parata.
     
    Longstone’s resignation, which could cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars, will raise questions about how long Parata can remain in the portfolio, after a series of blunders.
     
    State Services Commissioner Iain Rennie confirmed today had accepted the resignation.
     
    The decision for her to quit was made two to three weeks ago, he said.
    “The last six months have been especially challenging.
     

  10. fabregas4 10
    19 December 2012 at 1:25 pm

    She will not be missed. I have always believed and continue to do so that the role of the Secretary for Education is to provide a buffer for political ideology and what is best for education. Of course Longstone was not appointed to a government that would have allowed this to get in the way of their dismanteling of public education and chose someone who would follow their party line but it is quite clear that a better Secretary, a stronger one, a more knowledgeable and able one, could have and should have got in the way of the self foot shooting party to ensure that our kids were served well.

    It is a lesson for all Ministers to pick someone who actually knows something about the job and who they trust to tell them when they are doing dumb things. And that they should take the time to listen.

    Wonder if Longstone ever managed to get to a school?

  11. ruup 11
    19 December 2012 at 1:51 pm

    Hope the don’t pay her via NOVAPAY

    • bad12 11.1
      19 December 2012 at 3:03 pm

      Interesting that you should mention the No-pay people, one rumor doing the rounds at the moment is that the Parliament is also paid using the Novopay system,

      Anyone clued up on this??? sure as hell don’t hear of any big f**k-ups with the pay of that lot….

    • Craig Glen viper 11.2
      19 December 2012 at 4:42 pm

      Hope they do.

  12. irascible 12
    19 December 2012 at 2:02 pm

    Interesting that the comments in this blog http://localbodies-bsprout.blogspot.co.nz/2012/04/lesley-longstone-management-style.html have been demonstrated to have come true very quickly.

  13. Fortran 13
    19 December 2012 at 2:27 pm

    Great – a win win for the Teachers.
    Now let’s get Parata, and give her a political lesson she will not forget.

    • Craig Glen viper 13.1
      19 December 2012 at 3:19 pm

      I dont think any teachers want to give politicians a political lesson. Teachers are to busy doing a thankless job with limited resources to worry about creating more learning oportunities for politicians. The issue here is not Teachers or the Unions doing anything, this is stupid policy being implemented by a stupid National Government who have no bloody idea about how education works and they are making a bloody mess of it. Teachers use to get paid before No Pay came along! Its time for National to start taking some resposibility for its stuff ups, no blaming anyone else its personal responsibilty time its National’s “watch” its time for National to start fronting up, no more hiding like the last election.

  14. Treetop 14
    19 December 2012 at 3:00 pm

    Longstone is the first of many government appointees who will walk due to her job being untenable when it comes to there being a so called budget surplus in 2014/2015.

  15. higherstandard 15
    19 December 2012 at 3:34 pm

    Moron, good riddance, now Parata should fuck off.

    Put Ryall in to sort it out.

  16. Mary 16
    19 December 2012 at 4:19 pm

    Now, if the Labour Party had a modicum of opposition in them they’d use this as an example to say how toxic, nasty and underhand this government is. They’d make links to Key’s lies through convenient brain fades and the screeds of other ideologically driven nasties and begin to start showing the public the reality of what this government’s about.

    But I have no confidence that Labour can do this. The Greens may get close, but there’s no guarantee. Hone will hit the nail on the head by joining all the dots but the problem with Hone is that while he tells the truth nobody listens to him. Labour need to learn how to be an opposition party but I’m afraid they’re just not up to it. I blame their lightweight advisers but what ever the reason is Shearer might make some lame remarks along the lines of “we need to ensure that this never happens again” then for Key and his mates it’ll be business as usual. Pathetic, just pathetic.

    • ScottGN 16.1
      19 December 2012 at 4:36 pm

      Actually Hipkins and Turei have moved pretty smartly on this today, both of them have been loudly demanding that Parata resign. Key has been forced to issue a statement expressing confidence in his minister.

      • bad12 16.1.1
        19 December 2012 at 5:00 pm

        That will be the second time in 2 weeks that Slippery has ‘expressed His confidence’ in the Minister, what was a promise from the prime Minister worth again???…

        • ScottGN 16.1.1.1
          19 December 2012 at 5:38 pm

          John Key’s word isn’t worth jack. The government has managed this departure in the most depressingly cynical way possible. According to Rennie Longstone’s resignation was decided 2 weeks ago, which, had it been announced at the time would have allowed this issue to be debated in the final session of parliament. Instead the whole thing’s been deliberately delayed until the week before Christmas and the Minister can’t comment because she’s on fucking holiday!

      • Mary 16.1.2
        19 December 2012 at 6:17 pm

        Sure, but they’re not using this as an example of the toxic agenda this government has overall. They need to learn how to join the dots but their advisers don’t have the nous.

  17. onsos 17
    19 December 2012 at 4:34 pm

    In the realm of magical thinking that dominates cabinet, this will be viewed as a positive step. For those of us who would like to see this government fail, because most everything it succeeds at is disastrous for the people of the country, we can only hope that Key backs Perata all the way.

    For the honchos in cabinet, government is a matter of will. Through will power and the power of positive thinking, everything will come right. This is the MO for Key, who is consistently pushing English to push the same message. It’s not just electoral politics that sees them making outlandish predictions (there will be a surplus, the asset sales will proceed according to schedule, unemployment will decline, etc.). They actually think that their very belief in these things, and their belief in themselves, can make it happen.

    It is no surprise that the two fancied contenders (Collins and Joyce) exemplify this same trait, as do the favoured bulldozers (Brownlee and Bennett). Tolley was rewarded for this nonsense, and Perata has talked the game throughout. It doesn’t matter that she has been wrong, and she has failed to do what she is told.

    Longstone will now be construed as somebody who lacked the will power to carry out policy. The other option for Key would be to question his own beliefs, which is not allowed, or his judgement in backing Perata, which is not allowed either.

    On the bright side, Perata is incapable of getting anything done — making her the best minister in government — and she is a total electoral liability. As the opposition calls for her sacking, they must be careful not to call too loud; the last thing we want is for her actually to be replaced.

    • Northshoreguynz 17.1
      19 December 2012 at 5:04 pm

      Part of me wants to agree, the other parts wants an MOE focused on teaching and learning.

  18. Penny Bright 18
    19 December 2012 at 5:08 pm

    SHOULD HEKIA PARATA RESIGN AS MINISTER OF EDUCATION?
     
    Yes?  No?

    Have your say……

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8099165/Education-secretary-quits

    Penny Bright
    ‘Anti-corruption campaigner’
    http://www.dodgyjohnhasgone.com

  19. Flossy 19
    19 December 2012 at 5:13 pm

    Wasn’t the conflict in part that the Secretary was sandwiched between an “underperforming” Deputy Secretary for Performance and Change and her sister, the Minister?

  20. Populuxe1 20
    19 December 2012 at 6:26 pm

    Whatever happened to ministerial accountability? Dumping on the flunkies is shameful.

  21. bad12 21
    19 December 2012 at 6:39 pm

    There’s still big trouble in store for Hekia in the New Year, involved also may be Longstone, depending just how far up the food chain the investigation goes into who advised the Christchurch City Council to lie to those in the education sector who had requested under the auspices of the Official Information Act information they believed the City Council held on the closure of schools in that city,

    What ‘is known’ is that someone in the Ministry of Education gave the advise to lie to the City Council,

    What isn’t known is just WHO gave the order for such advice, illegal, to be passed to the Christchurch City Council,

    You have to wonder whether Longstone has been given Her 30 pieces of silver and advised to scarper in an effort by the Slippery National Government to in effect short-circuit the investigation…

  22. North 22
    19 December 2012 at 6:49 pm

    Stuff online poll: Should Parata resign ?

    Yes 85.6%

    No 14.4%

  23. Chris Oden 23
    19 December 2012 at 6:58 pm

    How much is parata being paid to be such an abject and abysmal failure in her position as moe.AND she will be getting a raise with backpay for the privilege of being one of NZs most useless and unintelligent ministers of all times.
    She should be sacked! But that will not happen because our latest you tube star and part time prime minister has blessed her with his “con fidence” Ergo, she is safe. key will be using his usual just wait and they(us) will forget in a week. It will be sweet. No one doubts me and my “popularity” Everyone adores me so if I say you’re ok then that is what the masses will believe.So just go on holiday with your big raise and back pay and don’t give a thought to the masses.They don’t matter.They are purely incidental!
    Now, must get back to my real passion, being the biggest twit on the airwaves you will ever hear. God! I love me!!
    Tedious little man!!

  24. Dv 24
    19 December 2012 at 7:03 pm

    Langstone resigned because she had a communication break down with Parata.

    Translation, Parata doesnt speak English.

    • veutoviper 24.1
      19 December 2012 at 7:57 pm

      LOL.

      Your comment reminded me of this great comment under the Audrey Young article on the Herald on whether Parata should resign –

      “Perhaps Hekia can consult her contingency plan to facilitate transition options”.

      • Rhinoviper 24.1.1
        19 December 2012 at 10:05 pm

        “Perhaps Hekia can consult her contingency plan to facilitate transition options”.

        Oh God, I understood that. Pray for me.

  25. saarbo 25
    19 December 2012 at 8:04 pm

    Parata used her childhood experience in large class sizes to justify increasing the ratio of Children to Teachers. Paraphrase “When I went to school on the East Coast I was in classes with over 40 children and look at me”

    Well, given her catastrophic cock ups, MOE now have very clear proof that large class sizes lead to extreme narcissism, inability to understand questions, bad judgement, inability to answer questions with any clarity, having an elevated opinion of your own abilities, a blame mentality………

  26. Georgecom 26
    19 December 2012 at 8:31 pm

    Longstone had to go.

    Her relationship with Parata had deteriorated
    She was involved in the class size spanking the Government took and, I would pick, has little idea about the implications of Paratas decision
    She was involved in the Christchurch school closure debacle
    She was part of the Novopay disaster
    She was on deck when the Government was forced to back down over the closure of Salisbury School
    She tried to front foot the introduction of charters schools,which had failed overseas to remedy education underachievement and isn’t needed in NZ.

    However, the person who created all these problems for her needs to go as well, Hekia Parata.

    Longstone inherited the shonky and bungled National Standards policy. That goes back to Tolleys failure
    Tolley also presided over the initial development of Novopay
    Parata was the person behind the class size policy
    Parata lead the Christchurch school closure debacle
    Parata was the Minsiter when the Salisbury School closure was overturned in the courts
    Parata was the Minister, alogn with Banks, responsible for bringing in Charter Schools.
    Parata set the tone for her relationship with Longstone, not vice versa.

    Longstone gone, Parata has to be next. Her failure to front on this issue has seen the total destruction of her credibility within 12 months.

  27. Chris Oden 27
    19 December 2012 at 9:18 pm

    Not only parata should go but key should go also. I am sick and tired of this effing sideshow that is key. He has made a laughing stock of our Parliamentary system aided and abetted by media who are equivalent to a dog lying on its back waiting for rub on its tummy.
    Oh! and also, Bouncy Paula, waste of a large amount of space. What have these people achieved Just the total ripping out of the heart and soul of New Zealand.
    Their platitudes about “or kids””our children” are so false they are laughable coming from these overfed, overdressed, overmadeup so called CARING women that it is an insult to all real women out in the Community doing the jobs that these abysmal apologies for womenhood should be addressing.
    Shame on parata and bennett.They are not Honourable.

  28. AwakeWhileSleeping 28
    19 December 2012 at 11:02 pm

    Parata, the invisible minister.

  29. North 29
    19 December 2012 at 11:09 pm

    It’s now a virtual convention (seemingly without notoriety ???) that whenever the shit hits the fan our “leaders”, the PM, cabinet ministers, the backwoodsmen sitting behind them…….all run for cover.

    Morning Report and “the bird…..”. How well we know it.

    Morning Report and “the minister was not available for comment”. How well we know it.

    These are the people who in poses from near malice to vacuous vivacity exhort us to perform all the things that make Planet Key great – responsibility, accountability, manning-up, owning your shit.

    My God.

  30. tracey 30
    20 December 2012 at 8:42 am

    Rememver the decision to cut diplomats and how the ceo, not the minister took the fall…. Major pattern

  31. NoseViper (The Nose knows) 31
    20 December 2012 at 9:10 am

    There was a comment at 7.12 a.m. on Radionz on Longstone. –
    According to Teacher Education Professor John O’Neill at Massey University, the Secretary for Education Lesley Longstone lacked a crucial understanding of New Zealand’s education sector.

    He also made the point that she seemed to be aligned to the government’s education privatisation direction. So when the advice that government gets from its supposed impartial and widely experienced and objective civil servants is actually slanted from the beginnings, it’s no wonder we are running around in ever decreasing circles until we reach paralysis and are frozen in mid-speech.

    Couple that to a new entrant to cabinet from the aggressively ambitious women rookies who are picked because they are bright, fluent and as good in a scrum as a bloke, then we don’t get sober reflection and desire to serve the people well. It’s self-advancement, serve the party and get promotion and what are oodles of money compared to your average josephine.

  32. Dv 32
    20 December 2012 at 9:24 am

    Just listened to a Canterbury principal who is trying to appoint staff to replace staff leaving. Cant appoint permanent because of the uncertainty.
    (He also said that staff changes had increases in problems with NovaPay and thinks problems will continue for several months.)

    Where is the Minister?
    On holiday and getting a pay rise!!

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    TL;DR: These six news links stood out in the last 24 hours to 7:16am on Monday, April 22:Labour says Kiwis at greater risk from loan sharks as Govt plans to remove borrowing regulations NZ Herald Jenee TibshraenyHow did the cost of moving two schools blow out to more than $400m?A ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to April 29 and beyond
    TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to April 29 include:PM Christopher Luxon is scheduled to hold a post-Cabinet news conference at 4 pm today. Stats NZ releases its statutory report on Census 2023 tomorrow.Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivers a pre-Budget speech at ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #16
    A listing of 29 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 14, 2024 thru Sat, April 20, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week hinges on these words from the abstract of a fresh academic ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: The Government’s new fast-track invitation to corruption
    The ability of the private sector to quickly establish major new projects making use of the urban and natural environment is to be supercharged by the new National-led Government. Yesterday it introduced to Parliament one of its most significant reforms, the Fast Track Approvals Bill. The Government says this will ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago

  • Thank you
    This is a column to say thank you. So many of have been in touch since Mum died to say so many kind and thoughtful things. You’re wonderful, all of you. You’ve asked how we’re doing, how Dad’s doing. A little more realisation each day, of the irretrievable finality of ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Determining the Engine Type in Your Car
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    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • How to Become a Race Car Driver: A Comprehensive Guide
    Introduction: The allure of racing is undeniable. The thrill of speed, the roar of engines, and the exhilaration of competition all contribute to the allure of this adrenaline-driven sport. For those who yearn to experience the pinnacle of racing, becoming a race car driver is the ultimate dream. However, the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • How Many Cars Are There in the World in 2023? An Exploration of Global Automotive Statistics
    Introduction Automobiles have become ubiquitous in modern society, serving as a primary mode of transportation and a symbol of economic growth and personal mobility. With countless vehicles traversing roads and highways worldwide, it begs the question: how many cars are there in the world? Determining the precise number is a ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • How Long Does It Take for Car Inspection?
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    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • Who Makes Mazda Cars?
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    3 days ago

  • How Often to Replace Your Car Battery A Comprehensive Guide
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    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • Can You Register a Car Without a License?
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    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • Mazda: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Reliability, Value, and Performance
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    3 days ago

  • What Are Struts on a Car?
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    3 days ago

  • What Does Car Registration Look Like: A Comprehensive Guide
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    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    3 days ago

  • How to Share Computer Audio on Zoom
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    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • How Long Does It Take to Build a Computer?
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    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • How to Put Your Computer to Sleep
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    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • What is Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT)?
    Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • iPad vs. Tablet Computers A Comprehensive Guide to Differences
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    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • How Are Computers Made?
    A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • How to Add Voice Memos from iPhone to Computer
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    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • Why My Laptop Screen Has Lines on It: A Comprehensive Guide
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    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • How to Right-Click on a Laptop
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    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • Where is the Power Button on an ASUS Laptop?
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    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • How to Start a Dell Laptop: A Comprehensive Guide
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    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Serious populist discontent is bubbling up in New Zealand
    Two-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

  • How to Take a Screenshot on an Asus Laptop A Comprehensive Guide with Detailed Instructions and Illu...
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    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • How to Factory Reset Gateway Laptop A Comprehensive Guide
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    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • The Folly Of Impermanence.
    “You talking about me?”  The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...
    Bowalley Road
    4 days ago

  • A crisis of ambition
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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Have 308 people in the Education Ministry’s Curriculum Development Team spent over $100m on a 60-p...
    Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • 'This bill is dangerous for the environment and our democracy'
    Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • The Bank of our Tamariki and Mokopuna.
    Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • The worth of it all
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, 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?Full story Share ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • What is the Hardest Sport in the World?
    Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • What is the Most Expensive Sport?
    The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • Pickleball On the Cusp of Olympic Glory
    Introduction Pickleball, a rapidly growing paddle sport, has captured the hearts and imaginations of millions around the world. Its blend of tennis, badminton, and table tennis elements has made it a favorite among players of all ages and skill levels. As the sport’s popularity continues to surge, the question on ...
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    4 days ago

  • The Origin and Evolution of Soccer Unveiling the Genius Behind the World’s Most Popular Sport
    Abstract: Soccer, the global phenomenon captivating millions worldwide, has a rich history that spans centuries. Its origins trace back to ancient civilizations, but the modern version we know and love emerged through a complex interplay of cultural influences and innovations. This article delves into the fascinating journey of soccer’s evolution, ...
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    4 days ago

  • How Much to Tint Car Windows A Comprehensive Guide
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    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • Why Does My Car Smell Like Gas? A Comprehensive Guide to Diagnosing and Fixing the Issue
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    4 days ago

  • How to Remove Tree Sap from Car A Comprehensive Guide
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    4 days ago

  • How Much Paint Do You Need to Paint a Car?
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    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • Can You Jump a Car in the Rain? Safety Precautions and Essential Steps
    Jump-starting a car is a common task that can be performed even in adverse weather conditions like rain. However, safety precautions and proper techniques are crucial to avoid potential hazards. This comprehensive guide will provide detailed instructions on how to safely jump a car in the rain, ensuring both your ...
    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    4 days ago

  • Can taxpayers be confident PIJF cash was spent wisely?
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    Point of OrderBy gadams1000
    4 days ago

  • EGU2024 – An intense week of joining sessions virtually
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    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Submission on “Fast Track Approvals Bill”
    The following was my submission made on the “Fast Track Approvals Bill”. This potential law will give three Ministers unchecked powers, un-paralled since the days of Robert Muldoon’s “Think Big” projects.The submission is written a bit tongue-in-cheek. But it’s irreverent because the FTAB is in itself not worthy of respect. ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    4 days ago

  • The Case for a Universal Family Benefit
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    PunditBy Brian Easton
    5 days ago

  • A who’s who of New Zealand’s dodgiest companies
    Submissions on National's corrupt Muldoonist fast-track law are due today (have you submitted?), and just hours before they close, Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop has been forced to release the list of companies he invited to apply. I've spent the last hour going through it in an epic thread of bleats, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • On Lee’s watch, Economic Development seems to be stuck on scoring points from promoting sporting e...
    Buzz from the Beehive A few days ago, Point of Order suggested the media must be musing “on why Melissa is mute”. Our article reported that people working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Melissa Lee’s ministerial colleagues and we drew ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • New Zealand has never been closed for business
    1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago

  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago

  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago

  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago

  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024
    Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing  At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin    Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho    Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today.    I am delighted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government to introduce revised Three Strikes law
    The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • New diplomatic appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions.   “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says.    “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and Somalia
    New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today.   “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho Collective
    Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale.  “It is good ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Supporting better financial outcomes for Kiwis
    The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Trade relationship with China remains strong
    “China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.   Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • PM’s South East Asia mission does the business
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 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
    5 days 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
    5 days 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
    5 days 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
    5 days 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
    5 days 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
    5 days 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
    5 days 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
    5 days 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
    6 days 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
    6 days 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
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  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
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