Lotu-Iiga is going

Written By: - Date published: 3:09 pm, December 14th, 2016 - 41 comments
Categories: Hekia parata, melissa lee, national - Tags: ,

MP for SERCO, Sam Lotu-Iiga, chats with John Key after graduating from the Simon Lusk School of Politics.

The clearing of the decks continues.  Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has announced that he will stand down at the next election and will no doubt lose his Ministerial warrants this weekend when Bill English announces his cabinet reshuffle.

To be honest I consider his retirement will hurt National.  He is one of the candidates who gave National the impression of being respectful of different ethnicities and he performed pretty well in this role.

It was not always like this.  Back in 2005 Don Brash probably blew the election when he gave this remarkable interview full of dog whistle basically claiming that people of different ethnic groups including Maori and also gays were not “mainstream” and the Government should not “pander” to them.

No doubt he had been caught up in his rhetoric from his earlier Orewa speech.  Thankfully a plurality of New Zealanders rejected his divisive world view although it was a close thing.

Idiot Savant records Brash’s mainstream comments in this post.

PRESENTER: Okay. Let’s have a look at some of the other things you said over the weekend. You talked about mainstream New Zealand. What does that mean precisely?

BRASH: It means the large number of New Zealanders whom this Government has neglected for the last six years. This Government has been trying to work hard for minority groups, small parts of the community…

PRESENTER: Which minority groups, which minority groups are we talking about?

BRASH: Well we know, for example, that the Government has been funding Maori programmes more generously than non-Maori programmes…

So if you’re Maori, you’re not a “mainstream” (meaning “real”) New Zealander in Dr Brash’s eyes. But it doesn’t stop there:

PRESENTER: Okay. So Maori is one of the minority groups. What other minority groups?

BRASH: Well we know also that Government has been focusing on prostitution legislation, civil union legislation, all that kind of stuff, which caters for a small minority of people, while neglecting…

In other words, this is about social liberalism, “political correctness”, Labour’s efforts to expand opportunity and erode privilege, and ensure that every New Zealander is treated fairly and equally, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation. But its clear that Brash doesn’t agree with that struggle, because he doesn’t see gays as real New Zealanders:

PRESENTER: No, I just want to pick up on something else here. You talked about civil unions. Does that mean you do not regard gay people as mainstream New Zealanders?

BRASH: Well they’re clearly not, they’re a small minority of people, but let me be clear. I made it very clear in the debate on that issue that I thought this should be dealt with by referendum because it’s a big change in the civil institutions of society. I also said that in the referendum I would vote for it because I have no problem with same sex couples committing to live together faithfully as heterosexual couples do.

PRESENTER: You simply don’t regard gays as part of mainstream New Zealand?

BRASH: Well they are clearly, by definition, a small minority of New Zealanders…

Following the loss National reviewed the reasons and realised that its racist redneck dog whistling did not work and in an increasingly diverse New Zealand it recognised the risk that it would be in a permanent minority.

Then along came John Key with his pleasant demeanour and his trip to Waitangi with Aroha Hudson and his talk of an underclass and how the State had to help.  These were pleasant words and statements designed to create a completely different perception to that which Brash had created.

As said by Bryan Gould the intent was to present a socially liberal front so that the important work of achieving right wing economic reforms could be progressed as quickly as possible.  From the Herald:

John Key certainly had important political gifts, likeability and the ability to communicate and relate to people. Much of the Opposition’s effort was devoted to trying to negate those advantages, in the hope the feet of clay they were sure were there would be exposed to the public gaze.

They failed to understand that the battle was not one of personality politics, but real politics.

The personality was merely the means by which a deadly serious re-making of New Zealand – along ideological lines – was being undertaken.

If we review the Key years, the trends are unmistakable. Business interests have been given top priority, social and environmental issues have been increasingly relegated to the second or third rank. Public assets have been privatised and the public sector and public spending have been subject to constant cuts, the law has been changed when required to suit the interests of overseas corporations.

Lotu-Iiga was an important part of the makeover.  Along with Hekia Parata, Melissa Lee and Kanwal Singh Bakshi he was placed in a winning list position in 2008.  He did better than expected and won the Maungakiekie seat then retained it at the last two elections, each with a 3,000 majority or less.

He was a difficult candidate for Labour.  Being Samoan with a law degree gave him considerable cut through into areas of traditional Labour strength.

There were negative aspects about him.  His use of Simon Lusk as a campaign adviser cast doubt about his success and his judgment. And his handling of the Corrections portfolio was poor although anyone would have struggled with the Serco contract.

Now that he is gone the seat is up for grabs.  Labour’s candidate Priyanka Radhakrishnan is very capable and highly rated by the party.  These are early days but the seat may now be hers.

41 comments on “Lotu-Iiga is going ”

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  1. Guerilla Surgeon 1
    14 December 2016 at 3:45 pm

    “claiming that people of different ethnic groups including Maori and also gays were not “mainstream” and the Government should not “pander” to them.”

    Probably gain him as many votes as it lost him TBH.

  2. tracey 2
    14 December 2016 at 3:46 pm

    It is just a coincidence that Sam and Craig Foss were considering leaving at the exact moment National needed to look forward thinking and “refreshing”, meanwhile career politician English enters his 28th year on the taxpayer

  3. WILD KATIPO 3
    14 December 2016 at 4:19 pm

    Goodbye Sam. You were incompetent, as is the organisation you belonged to. You at least show some integrity in leaving that organisation. But not after a person has died and a prison descended into something out of Mad Max and the Thunderdome.

  4. WILD KATIPO 4
    14 December 2016 at 4:33 pm

    It was obvious for anyone with a political antennae what Key was flown in for. He was nothing more than the smiling salesman for further inroads by neo liberalism. If one couldn’t see that , they were blind or in denial.

    And obvious also was the National party’s use of tokenism.

    Which in itself, was inverse racism of a particularly insidious and cynical nature.

    As Mike King used to say at the end of every comedy show his line … it could just as easily been applied to Key.

    ”This is John Key and you’ve just been had by Pulp Politics”…

  6. alwyn 6
    14 December 2016 at 6:07 pm

    I think that the people who are still fighting the battle against John Key are rather confused. Like Generals they continue to fight the last war.
    Having a go at attacking Don Brash is even more over the top. That is like arguing that the Air Force must buy lots of Sopwith Camels because the Germans have so many of those dreaded Fokker Eindeckers.
    Don has left the building you know and WW1 is long over. Why did you spend half your offering attacking him?

    • WILD KATIPO 6.1
      14 December 2016 at 6:20 pm

      Because Brash , – like Key and like English – are vicious , dangerous neo liberal Hollow men whose only main goal is to exploit the people of this country to their and their Oligarch colleagues advantage.

      Focusing on one is as valid as focusing on the other.

      They all have the same ideology.

          • BM 6.1.1.1.1
            14 December 2016 at 6:56 pm

            I preferred Kitler, he’s always amusing.

          • alwyn 6.1.1.1.2
            14 December 2016 at 8:18 pm

            Oh dear. What is Godwin’s law again?
            http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Godwin%27s+Law
            Your surrender is accepted.

            • WILD KATIPO 6.1.1.1.2.1
              14 December 2016 at 9:07 pm

              Oh yes… a bit like the other stick you bored trolls like to lean on … what was it again ?

              Something along the lines of KHS or something as equally stupid and childish?

              Which shows you how much attention I and others give to what you have to say and the handful of other sorry poor bored bastards who like to troll here… which is zilch. You simply fulfill the role of the comedic quota for our mild amusement. And of course, … never to be taken seriously.

              Simply thrown a few bones occasionally like you would for the dogs under the table to keep them occupied.

            • Craig H 6.1.1.1.2.2
              14 December 2016 at 10:36 pm

              “A term that originated on Usenet, Godwin’s Law states that as an online argument grows longer and more heated, it becomes increasingly likely that somebody will bring up Adolf Hitler or the Nazis.”

              This part is not terribly accurate, but at least bears vague resemblance to what Godwin said – Godwin’s Law states that as an online discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Hitler approaches 1 i.e. if an online discussion (regardless of topic or scope) goes on long enough, sooner or later someone will compare someone or something to Hitler.

              “When such an event occurs, the person guilty of invoking Godwin’s Law has effectively forfieted the argument.”

              This part is not Godwin’s Law, and is poorly worded – if invoking Godwin’s Law means the argument is forfeited, that could be interpreted as meaning that the person mentioning Godwin’s Law loses the argument (rather than the person making Hitler/Nazi comparisons). If it’s referring to the concept that comparisons to Hitler/Nazis are a lost argument, that’s a debating maxim that predates Godwin’s Law – the point of Godwin’s Law was that if we accept this maxim, then all internet discussion threads will eventually end because someone will eventually mention Hitler, which ends the argument.

              • WILD KATIPO …
                14 December 2016 at 11:19 pm

                Which adds up to a load of yawn.

                The simplistic tactic of labeling anything that gets closer to the truth that there are , in fact , anti democratic and indeed totalitarian symptoms operating within such an ideology as neo liberalism remains for what it is : a simple tool in the kit of the troll and the deflector.

                Which is standard fare for the hapless small number of trolls who habitually get their fix from subverting and deflection of any issue of import here.

                And you will notice also that almost predictably that they will post up some form of irrelevant or minor point at THE TOP of any article – usually with inflammatory overtones – with the sole objective to divert attention from the issue at hand.

                They love to parade around their pseudo intellectualism in public as if they really believe that anyone here actually gives a damn about their obviously glaring need for constant self affirmation.

                Far easier to give some childish acronym or quote some supposed internet ‘law’ – ( devised by an attorney / writer- not a political scientist , … may I add…. I suppose he got his little slice of fame and time in the sunshine for that little pearl I would imagine …) – as if its truth and to try and close down an issue when it gets beyond their limited comprehension about what the true implications are.

                Anyway … the whole things a yawn and Ive got better things to do.

    • Drowsy M. Kram 6.2
      14 December 2016 at 10:02 pm

      I’m confused. If critiquing the actions of a ‘leader’ who resigned as PM a few days ago is pointless then where does that leave those who have a go at Clark or employ a ‘Labour did it too 8+ years ago’ defense?

      Former PM ‘Honest John’ Key remains (much) more interesting than English (expect Key, Winston and Little to top English in the next preferred PM poll) and is a valid target of continuing efforts to clarify what motivated his expeditious departure.

      • alwyn 6.2.1
        15 December 2016 at 12:22 am

        It is silly to critique Helen of course for any of the policies she promoted.
        However I wasn’t complaining about the attacks on Key.
        I was pointing out that an enormous part of the post was attacking someone who left Parliament long before Clark did. He is also not the Saint to the National Party that Clark seems to be to the Labour Party.
        In terms of preferred PM I think it will be Key, English, Peters and then Little.
        Personal opinion of course.

        • WILD KATIPO 6.2.1.1
          16 December 2016 at 7:59 pm

          English ? … L0L !

          I think it would be safe to say that hes closely tied with an inanimate small , brown , but otherwise incredibly dull cardboard box .

          So long National.

          Back to your knitting you go.

          • alwyn 6.2.1.1.1
            16 December 2016 at 8:35 pm

            You may be right.
            On the other hand who do you think will do well in the next “preferred PM” stakes?
            I’ve given the order I think they will be.
            What is your selection?

    • Enough is Enough 6.3
      15 December 2016 at 10:27 am

      I have to agree with you Alwyn

      Greg appears to be using an interview from a different generation with a leader that was rejected by his own party, as critique of the current National Party.

      I don’t totally disagree with Greg’s conclusion but using Brash like this, is similar to using an interview with Roger Douglas as a basis for critiquing the current Labour Party.

  7. Ad 7
    14 December 2016 at 8:38 pm

    Prime Minister English now has the luxury of a very substantially renewed Cabinet lineup for election year. One can easily see Joyce to Finance, and Smith and Brownlee reallocated downwards.

    The fresh new Ministers will in turn have the luxury of proposing really interesting budget bids for their Departments to spend the governments’ tax largesse.

    This will in turn mean a huge new upwards intake of list MPs for National to front in 2017.

    All of this is vastly different to the manner in which Helen Clark exited stage left.

    The primary legacy of John Key is precisely a powerful and fresh National Party.

    • WILD KATIPO 7.1
      14 December 2016 at 9:19 pm

      Led by the Double Dipper and his fellow Pike River deniers.

      Blips going to have a lot of fun this year with Billy boy Dipper… it’ll be Blips easiest compilation yet to have fun with..

      As for the fake leopard skin wearing blowhard hes selected for Deputy…. shes busy watching in fear those shadows on the wall ,… in fear of one in particular with Judith Collin’s name all over it…

      What a bloody complete circus act.

      • Muttonbird 7.1.1
        14 December 2016 at 9:26 pm

        Perhaps it will be the SCF payout in the dead of the night which will come back to haunt him? He just paid up without even considering SCF was involved in fraud and mismanagement, let alone doing any homework on it.

      • infused 7.1.2
        14 December 2016 at 11:50 pm

        im sure the two people that read blips google bomb can’t wait.

    • Hanswurst 7.2
      14 December 2016 at 9:29 pm

      … under quarter-century parliamentary veteran Bill English. Don’t get me wrong, I think English is highly competent, and at this stage of Key’s gradually waning appeal, English’s removal of the foot-in-mouth doofus factor displayed by John Key could be just as much of a boon for National as the loss of Key’s affable clown qualities are a setback.

      However, the familiarity of English, and the known and divisive faces of Bennett and Joyce, simply make a mockery of your narrative of refreshment. These three will be the media face of the government. It’s almost as though you have decided that National are going to win the election, and are casting about at every turn for supporting evidence. The “bold, vote-winning” promise of tax cuts will win them the election. Key will win them the election. The Kaikoura earthquake will win them the election. Key’s resignation and the subsequent caucus renewal will win them the election. I look forward to the lengthening of this list over the coming months.

      • Ad 7.2.1
        14 December 2016 at 9:35 pm

        All those things and more will currently win them the election.

        They will have fewer coalition options, but they just don’t need them.

        • Hanswurst 7.2.1.1
          14 December 2016 at 10:12 pm

          I don’t think there is any compelling reason why National shouldn’t win the election. However, the conflicting nature of your reasons for claiming that they will, and the almost complete lack of evidence to back those reasons up, suggest that you are putting the cart before the horse. It’s like you have decided, “National will win the election, therefore the appointment of Bill English as PM and his subsequent cabinet reshuffle are to be interpreted as follows: …”, rather than, “English as PM and his cabiniet reshuffle will have the following consequences for the coming election: …”.

      • Muttonbird 7.2.2
        14 December 2016 at 9:49 pm

        Ad is an enigma.

        About 10% of his or her posts are socially conscious and compassionate offerings. 60% are bland, carbohydrate-filled, soporific musings on the question of democracy. The remaining 30% are over-excited troll posts on the undying accuracy and efficacy of John Key’s every move.

        I’m not sure what drives this inconsistency in position and tone except to suggest that more than one person is using the username.

        • Anne 7.2.2.1
          14 December 2016 at 10:02 pm

          Yes. I’ve been lately starting to wonder where Ad’s true allegience lies. In some ways he reminds me of CV – or at least what CV became in the last little while.

          • Hanswurst 7.2.2.1.1
            14 December 2016 at 10:09 pm

            I think Ad and CV are basically as far from each other as you can possibly get.

            • Anne 7.2.2.1.1.1
              14 December 2016 at 10:14 pm

              Oh yes Hanswurst – in terms of political ideology. But there is a similarity in style… a desire to shock/stir the pot for the purpose of…. I’m not sure. 🙁

              • Hanswurst …
                14 December 2016 at 10:21 pm

                Really? I don’t think I’ve ever been shocked by a contribution from Ad. They’re generally exactly what you’d expect from what’s on the tin.

    • Cinny 7.3
      15 December 2016 at 12:10 am

      I must say am rather interested in where Brownlee and Nickoff will end up on Sunday.

      • WILD KATIPO 7.3.1
        15 December 2016 at 12:52 am

        Standing wistfully outside the Logburn Road gates.

        Remembering happier times when they had a part to play at an opening ceremony that now is going to haunt their political careers until they stand down.

  8. Craig H 8
    14 December 2016 at 10:39 pm

    I see Craig Foss is also standing down as a Minister, and not seeking re-election.

    • Cinny 8.1
      15 December 2016 at 12:16 am

      yup there’s a few Nat Mp’s quitting now, may as well have an early election instead of a by election.
      Seeing the ministers stepping down are wanting to stay on to avoid the cost of a by election, which is fine by Bills team; one would think they would be supportive of an early election to avoid the cost of a by election now Shearer is going to Sudan.

      But noooo the outgoing government are too busy pointing fingers to realise they are hypocrites. It’s rather amusing mainstream reporting they may as well cut and paste… resigning for family reasons, not stepping down yet to avoid a byelection spin spin sugar.

      After all 2017 is election year and how many days away is that now..

  9. Olwyn 9
    15 December 2016 at 9:39 am

    Reading this post, I keep returning to this extract from Gould’s article: They failed to understand that the battle was not one of personality politics, but real politics…The personality was merely the means by which a deadly serious re-making of New Zealand – along ideological lines – was being undertaken.

    The question it raises for me is “Since 2008 does the political left still count real politics as on option?” From 2011-2014, they fought tooth and nail against anyone who dared suggest they engage in such a thing, vilifying David Cunliffe, who seemed to think it necessary, and disdaining much of the membership as old Alliance members, rather as their UK counterparts dismissed the Corbynites as trots.

    The thing is, during the social democratic period, there was an underlying real political structure that was broadly inclusive, whoever was at the helm. But the unstated rule of neoliberalism is that the globalist right is allowed to take real ground, while the left must work within whatever ground they end up with. And as long as the left fails to face this challenge, its mana and effectiveness will continue to diminish. If you cannot engage in real politics you are no longer a real political party. I am still trying to determine whether Labour under Andrew Little is willing to pick up the gauntlet or not. I see some promising signs and others that are less so.

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    IN THE CURRENT MIX of electoral alternatives, there is no longer a credible left-wing party. Not when “a credible left-wing party” is defined as: a class-oriented, mass-based, democratically-structured political organisation; dedicated to promoting ideas sharply critical of laissez-faire capitalism; and committed to advancing democratic, egalitarian and emancipatory ideals across the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Hipkins fires up in leaders’ debate, but has the curtain already fallen on the Labour-led coalitio...
    Labour’s  Chris Hipkins came out firing, in the  leaders’ debate  on Newshub’s evening programme, and most of  the pundits  rated  him the winner against National’s  Christopher Luxon. But will this make any difference when New  Zealanders  start casting their ballots? The problem  for  Hipkins is  that  voters are  all too ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    4 days ago

  • Govt is energising housing projects with solar power – and fuelling the public’s concept of a di...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Not long after Point of Order published data which show the substantial number of New Zealanders (77%) who believe NZ is becoming more divided, government ministers were braying about a programme which distributes some money to “the public” and some to “Maori”. The ministers were dishing ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • MIKE GRIMSHAW: Election 2023 – a totemic & charisma failure?
    The D&W analysis Michael Grimshaw writes –  Given the apathy, disengagement, disillusionment, and all-round ennui of this year’s general election, it was considered time to bring in those noted political operatives and spin doctors D&W, the long-established consultancy firm run by Emile Durkheim and Max Weber. Known for ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • FROM BFD: Will Winston be the spectre we think?
    Kissy kissy. Cartoon credit BoomSlang. The BFD. JC writes-  Allow me to preface this contribution with the following statement: If I were asked to express a preference between a National/ACT coalition or a National/ACT/NZF coalition then it would be the former. This week Luxon declared his position, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • California’s climate disclosure bill could have a huge impact across the U.S.
    This re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Andy Furillo was originally published by Capital & Main and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. The California Legislature took a step last week that has the potential to accelerate the fight against climate ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Untangling South East Queensland’s Public Transport
    This is a cross post Adventures in Transitland by Darren Davis. I recently visited Brisbane and South East Queensland and came away both impressed while also pondering some key changes to make public transport even better in the region. Here goes with my take on things. A bit of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    4 days ago

  • Try A Little Kindness.
    My daughter arrived home from the supermarket yesterday and she seemed a bit worried about something. It turned out she wanted to know if someone could get her bank number from a receipt.We wound the story back.She was in the store and there was a man there who was distressed, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • What makes NZFirst tick
    New Zealand’s longest-running political roadshow rolled into Opotiki yesterday, with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters knowing another poll last night showed he would make it back to Parliament and National would need him and his party if they wanted to form a government. The Newshub Reid Research poll ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago

  • September AMA
    Hi,As September draws to a close — I feel it’s probably time to do an Ask Me Anything. You know how it goes: If you have any burning questions, fire away in the comments and I will do my best to answer. You might have questions about Webworm, or podcast ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    4 days ago

  • Bludgers lying in the scratcher making fools of us all
    The mediocrity who stands to be a Prime Minister has a litany.He uses it a bit like a Koru Lounge card. He will brandish it to say: these people are eligible. And more than that, too: These people are deserving. They have earned this policy.They have a right to this policy. What ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • More “partnerships” (by the look of it) and redress of over $30 million in Treaty settlement wit...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point of Order has waited until now – 3.45pm – for today’s officially posted government announcements.  There have been none. The only addition to the news on the Beehive’s website was posted later yesterday, after we had published our September 26 Buzz report. It came from ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • ALEX HOLLAND: Labour’s spending
    Alex Holland writes –  In 2017 when Labour came to power, crown spending was $76 billion per year. Now in 2023 it is $139 billion per year, which equates to a $63 billion annual increase (over $1 billion extra spend every week!) In 2017, New Zealand’s government debt ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • If not now, then when?
    Labour released its fiscal plan today, promising the same old, same old: "responsibility", balanced books, and of course no new taxes: "Labour will maintain income tax settings to provide consistency and certainty in these volatile times. Now is not the time for additional taxes or to promise billions of ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • THE FACTS:  77% of Kiwis believe NZ is becoming more divided
    The Facts has posted –        KEY INSIGHTSOf New Zealander’s polled: Social unity/division 77%believe NZ is becoming more divided (42% ‘much more’ + 35% ‘a little more’) 3%believe NZ is becoming less divided (1% ‘much less’ + 2% ‘a little less’) ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the cynical brutality of the centre-right’s welfare policies
    The centre-right’s enthusiasm for forcing people off the benefit and into paid work is matched only by the enthusiasm (shared by Treasury and the Reserve Bank) for throwing people out of paid work to curb inflation, and achieve the optimal balance of workers to job seekers deemed to be desirable ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    5 days ago

  • Wednesday’s Chorus: Arthur Grimes on why building many, many more social houses is so critical
    New research shows that tenants in social housing - such as these Wellington apartments - are just as happy as home owners and much happier than private tenants. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The election campaign took an ugly turn yesterday, and in completely the wrong direction. All three ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • Old habits
    Media awareness about global warming and climate change has grown fairly steadily since 2004. My impression is that journalists today tend to possess a higher climate literacy than before. This increasing awareness and improved knowledge is encouraging, but there are also some common interpretations which could be more nuanced. ...
    Real ClimateBy rasmus
    5 days ago

  • Bennie Bashing.
    If there’s one thing the mob loves more than keeping Māori in their place, more than getting tough on the gangs, maybe even more than tax cuts. It’s a good old round of beneficiary bashing.Are those meanies in the ACT party stealing your votes because they think David Seymour is ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • The kindest cuts
    Labour kicks off the fiscal credibility battle today with the release of its fiscal plan. National is expected to follow, possibly as soon as Thursday, with its own plan, which may (or may not) address the large hole that the problems with its foreign buyers’ ban might open up. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • Green right turn in Britain? Well, a start
    While it may be unlikely to register in New Zealand’s general election, Britain’s PM Rishi Sunak has done something which might just be important in the long run. He’s announced a far-reaching change in his Conservative government’s approach to environmental, and particularly net zero, policy. The starting point – ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    5 days ago

  • At a glance – How do human CO2 emissions compare to natural CO2 emissions?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • How could this happen?
    Canada is in uproar after the exposure that its parliament on September 22 provided a standing ovation to a Nazi veteran who had been invited into the chamber to participate in the parliamentary welcome to Ukrainian President Zelensky. Yaroslav Hunka, 98, a Ukrainian man who volunteered for service in ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    6 days ago

  • Always Be Campaigning
    The big screen is a great place to lay out the ways of the salesman. He comes ready-made for Panto, ripe for lampooning.This is not to disparage that life. I have known many good people of that kind. But there is a type, brazen as all get out. The camera ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • STEPHEN FRANKS: Press seek to publicly shame doctor – we must push back
    The following is a message sent yesterday from lawyer Stephen Franks on behalf of the Free Speech Union. I don’t like to interrupt first thing Monday morning, but we’ve just become aware of a case where we think immediate and overwhelming attention could help turn the tide. It involves someone ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Competing on cruelty
    The right-wing message calendar is clearly reading "cruelty" today, because both National and NZ First have released beneficiary-bashing policies. National is promising a "traffic light" system to police and kick beneficiaries, which will no doubt be accompanied by arbitrary internal targets to classify people as "orange" or "red" to keep ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • Further funding for Pharmac (forgotten in the Budget?) looks like a $1bn appeal from a PM in need of...
    Buzz from the Beehive One Labour plan  – for 3000 more public homes by 2025 – is the most recent to be posted on the government’s official website. Another – a prime ministerial promise of more funding for Pharmac – has been released as a Labour Party press statement. Who ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: The Vested interests shaping National Party policies
    As the National Party gets closer to government, lobbyists and business interests will be lining up for influence and to get policies adopted. It’s therefore in the public interest to have much more scrutiny and transparency about potential conflicts of interests that might arise. One of the key individuals of ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    6 days ago

  • Labour may be on way out of power and NZ First back in – but will Peters go into coalition with Na...
    Voters  are deserting Labour in droves, despite Chris  Hipkins’  valiant  rearguard  action.  So  where  are they  heading?  Clearly  not all of them are going to vote National, which concedes that  the  outcome  will be “close”. To the Right of National, the ACT party just a  few weeks  ago  was ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    6 days ago

  • GRAHAM ADAMS: Will the racists please stand up?
    Accusations of racism by journalists and MPs are being called out. Graham Adams writes –    With the election less than three weeks away, what co-governance means in practice — including in water management, education, planning law and local government — remains largely obscure. Which is hardly ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on whether Winston Peters can be a moderating influence
    As the centre-right has (finally!) been subjected to media interrogation, the polls are indicating that some voters may be starting to have second thoughts about the wisdom of giving National and ACT the power to govern alone. That’s why yesterday’s Newshub/Reid Research poll had the National/ACT combo dropping to 60 ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    6 days ago

  • Tuesday’s Chorus: RBNZ set to rain on National's victory parade
    ANZ has increased its forecast for house inflation later this year on signs of growing momentum in the market ahead of the election. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: National has campaigned against the Labour Government’s record on inflation and mortgage rates, but there’s now a growing chance the Reserve ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • After a Pittsburgh coal processing plant closed, ER visits plummeted
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Katie Myers. This story was originally published by Grist and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. Pittsburgh, in its founding, was blessed and cursed with two abundant natural resources: free-flowing rivers and a nearby coal seam. ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • September-23 AT Board Meeting
    Today the AT board meet again and once again I’ve taken a look at what’s on the agenda to find the most interesting items. Closed Agenda Interestingly when I first looked at the agendas this paper was there but at the time of writing this post it had been ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    6 days ago

  • Electorate Watch: West Coast-Tasman
    Continuing my series on interesting electorates, today it’s West Coast-Tasman.A long thin electorate running down the northern half of the west coast of the South Island. Think sand flies, beautiful landscapes, lots of rain, Pike River, alternative lifestylers, whitebaiting, and the spiritual home of the Labour Party. A brief word ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • Big money brings Winston back
    National leader Christopher Luxon yesterday morning conceded it and last night’s Newshub poll confirmed it; Winston Peters and NZ First are not only back but highly likely to be part of the next government. It is a remarkable comeback for a party that was tossed out of Parliament in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • 20 days until Election Day, 7 until early voting begins… but what changes will we really see here?
    As this blogger, alongside many others, has already posited in another forum: we all know the National Party’s “budget” (meaning this concept of even adding up numbers properly is doing a lot of heavy, heavy lifting right now) is utter and complete bunk (read hung, drawn and quartered and ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    7 days ago

  • A night out
    Everyone was asking, Are you nervous? and my response was various forms of God, yes.I've written more speeches than I can count; not much surprises me when the speaker gets to their feet and the room goes quiet.But a play? Never.YOU CAME! THANK YOU! Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 days ago

  • A pallid shade of Green III
    Clearly Labour's focus groups are telling it that it needs to pay more attention to climate change - because hot on the heels of their weaksauce energy efficiency pilot programme and not-great-but-better-than-nothing solar grants, they've released a full climate manifesto. Unfortunately, the core policies in it - a second Emissions ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    7 days ago

  • A coalition of racism, cruelty, and chaos
    Today's big political news is that after months of wibbling, National's Chris Luxon has finally confirmed that he is willing to work with Winston Peters to become Prime Minister. Which is expected, but I guess it tells us something about which way the polls are going. Which raises the question: ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    7 days ago

  • More migrant workers should help generate the tax income needed to provide benefits for job seekers
    Buzz from the Beehive Under something described as a “rebalance” of its immigration rules, the Government has adopted four of five recommendations made in an independent review released in July, The fifth, which called on the government to specify criteria for out-of-hours compliance visits similar to those used during ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days ago

  • Letter To Luxon.
    Some of you might know Gerard Otto (G), and his G News platform. This morning he wrote a letter to Christopher Luxon which I particularly enjoyed, and with his agreement I’m sharing it with you in this guest newsletter.If you’d like to make a contribution to support Gerard’s work you ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago

  • LINDSAY MITCHELL: Alarming trend in benefit numbers
    Lindsay Mitchell writes –  While there will not be another quarterly release of benefit numbers prior to the election, limited weekly reporting continues and is showing an alarming trend. Because there is a seasonal component to benefit number fluctuations it is crucial to compare like with like. In ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 week ago

  • BRIAN EASTON: Has there been external structural change?
    A close analysis of the Treasury assessment of the Medium Term in its PREFU 2023 suggests the economy may be entering a new phase.   Brian Easton writes –  Last week I explained that the forecasts in the just published Treasury Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update (PREFU 2023) was ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 week ago

  • 100 new public EV chargers to be added to national network
    The public EV charging network has received a significant boost with government co-funding announced today for over 100 EV chargers – with over 200 charging ports altogether – across New Zealand, and many planned to be up and running on key holiday routes by Christmas this year. Minister of Energy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago

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

  • New community-level energy projects to support more than 800 Māori households
    Seven more innovative community-scale energy projects will receive government funding through the Māori and Public Housing Renewable Energy Fund to bring more affordable, locally generated clean energy to more than 800 Māori households, Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods says. “We’ve already funded 42 small-scale clean energy projects that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Huge boost to Te Tai Tokerau flood resilience
    The Government has approved new funding that will boost resilience and greatly reduce the risk of major flood damage across Te Tai Tokerau. Significant weather events this year caused severe flooding and damage across the region. The $8.9m will be used to provide some of the smaller communities and maraes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Napier’s largest public housing development comes with solar
    The largest public housing development in Napier for many years has been recently completed and has the added benefit of innovative solar technology, thanks to Government programmes, says Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods. The 24 warm, dry homes are in Seddon Crescent, Marewa and Megan Woods says the whanau living ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Te Whānau a Apanui and the Crown initial Deed of Settlement I Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me...
    Māori: Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna te Whakaaetanga Whakataunga Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna i tētahi Whakaaetanga Whakataunga hei whakamihi i ō rātou tāhuhu kerēme Tiriti o Waitangi. E tekau mā rua ngā hapū o roto mai o Te Whānau ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Plan for 3,000 more public homes by 2025 – regions set to benefit
    Regions around the country will get significant boosts of public housing in the next two years, as outlined in the latest public housing plan update, released by the Housing Minister, Dr Megan Woods. “We’re delivering the most public homes each year since the Nash government of the 1950s with one ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Immigration settings updates
    Judicial warrant process for out-of-hours compliance visits 2023/24 Recognised Seasonal Employer cap increased by 500 Additional roles for Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement More roles added to Green List Three-month extension for onshore Recovery Visa holders The Government has confirmed a number of updates to immigration settings as part of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Poroporoaki: Tā Patrick (Patu) Wahanga Hohepa
    Tangi ngunguru ana ngā tai ki te wahapū o Hokianga Whakapau Karakia. Tārehu ana ngā pae maunga ki Te Puna o te Ao Marama. Korihi tangi ana ngā manu, kua hinga he kauri nui ki te Wao Nui o Tāne. He Toa. He Pou. He Ahorangi. E papaki tū ana ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Renewable energy fund to support community resilience
    40 solar energy systems on community buildings in regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and other severe weather events Virtual capability-building hub to support community organisations get projects off the ground Boost for community-level renewable energy projects across the country At least 40 community buildings used to support the emergency response ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • COVID-19 funding returned to Government
    The lifting of COVID-19 isolation and mask mandates in August has resulted in a return of almost $50m in savings and recovered contingencies, Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. Following the revocation of mandates and isolation, specialised COVID-19 telehealth and alternative isolation accommodation are among the operational elements ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Appointment of District Court Judge
    Susie Houghton of Auckland has been appointed as a new District Court Judge, to serve on the Family Court, Attorney-General David Parker said today.  Judge Houghton has acted as a lawyer for child for more than 20 years. She has acted on matters relating to the Hague Convention, an international ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government invests further in Central Hawke’s Bay resilience
    The Government has today confirmed $2.5 million to fund a replace and upgrade a stopbank to protect the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant. “As a result of Cyclone Gabrielle, the original stopbank protecting the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant was destroyed. The plant was operational within 6 weeks of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Govt boost for Hawke’s Bay cyclone waste clean-up
    Another $2.1 million to boost capacity to deal with waste left in Cyclone Gabrielle’s wake. Funds for Hastings District Council, Phoenix Contracting and Hog Fuel NZ to increase local waste-processing infrastructure. The Government is beefing up Hawke’s Bay’s Cyclone Gabrielle clean-up capacity with more support dealing with the massive amount ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Taupō Supercars revs up with Government support
    The future of Supercars events in New Zealand has been secured with new Government support. The Government is getting engines started through the Major Events Fund, a special fund to support high profile events in New Zealand that provide long-term economic, social and cultural benefits. “The Repco Supercars Championship is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • There is no recession in NZ, economy grows nearly 1 percent in June quarter
    The economy has turned a corner with confirmation today New Zealand never was in recession and stronger than expected growth in the June quarter, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said. “The New Zealand economy is doing better than expected,” Grant Robertson said. “It’s continuing to grow, with the latest figures showing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

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

  • More support for victims of migrant exploitation
    Temporary package of funding for accommodation and essential living support for victims of migrant exploitation Exploited migrant workers able to apply for a further Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa (MEPV), giving people more time to find a job Free job search assistance to get people back into work Use of 90-day ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Strong export boost as NZ economy turns corner
    An export boost is supporting New Zealand’s economy to grow, adding to signs that the economy has turned a corner and is on a stronger footing as we rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle and lock in the benefits of multiple new trade deals, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. “The economy is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

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

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

  • New maintenance facility at Burnham Military Camp underway
    Defence Minister Andrew Little has turned the first sod to start construction of a new Maintenance Support Facility (MSF) at Burnham Military Camp today. “This new state-of-art facility replaces Second World War-era buildings and will enable our Defence Force to better maintain and repair equipment,” Andrew Little said. “This Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Foreign Minister to attend United Nations General Assembly
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will represent New Zealand at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this week, before visiting Washington DC for further Pacific focussed meetings. Nanaia Mahuta will be in New York from Wednesday 20 September, and will participate in UNGA leaders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Midwives’ pay equity offer reached
    Around 1,700 Te Whatu Ora employed midwives and maternity care assistants will soon vote on a proposed pay equity settlement agreed by Te Whatu Ora, the Midwifery Employee Representation and Advisory Service (MERAS) and New Zealand Nurses Association (NZNO), Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. “Addressing historical pay ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

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

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

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

  • Nanaia Mahuta to attend PIF Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will attend the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, in Suva, Fiji alongside New Zealand’s regional counterparts. “Aotearoa New Zealand is deeply committed to working with our pacific whanau to strengthen our cooperation, and share ways to combat the challenges facing the Blue Pacific Continent,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

  • PREFU shows no recession, growing economy, more jobs and wages ahead of inflation
    Economy to grow 2.6 percent on average over forecast period Treasury not forecasting a recession Inflation to return to the 1-3 percent target band next year Wages set to grow 4.8 percent a year over forecast period Unemployment to peak below the long-term average Fiscal Rules met - Net debt ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

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

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