Maori language is not boring, John Key

Written By: - Date published: 8:06 am, August 2nd, 2015 - 146 comments
Categories: john key, Minister for International Embarrassment, national, Politics, same old national - Tags: ,

john-key1

It must be the pressure is getting to him and he is getting bored as his stint as Prime Minister of New Zealand.  Because John Key is doing some pretty stupid stuff.

The latest is his insulting a young 16 year old woman who asked him a perfectly reasonable question.  She was left upset and embarrassed after he said her suggestion that New Zealand has a month long Maori language week would be boring.  He managed to insult Maori and idealistic young people at the same time. Way to go John.

From Stuff:

A teenage girl was “upset and embarrassed” when the Prime Minister said her suggestion of   a Maori language month would be boring.

The 16-year-old asked  John Key whether he would extend Maori language week, when he visited a school assembly at Waiuku College, on Friday.

Key said he preferred keeping it to a week of Maori language celebrations and that people would get “bored” by a month.

Prime Minister John Key speaks to a Waiuku College assembly about Maori language week, saying people would be “bored” if it was extended to a month.

A spokeswoman for the Prime Minister said Key’s meaning was that the celebrations may be diluted over a longer period.

She said she thought students may have misinterpeted his answer.

Classmate Trent Brown Marsh, 16, said the girl was in tears after assembly and was considering taking time off school because she felt embarrassed.

He said his friend was “basically laughed at”.

“She’s still upset. She doesn’t want to go back to school,” Brown Marsh said. “John Key made the whole school laugh in a rude way.”

Brown Marsh said he was angry that the year 12 girl was invited to talk to Key about Maori language week but then her question was “dismissed”.

“His reply was haha no. He kind of explained (his answer) but it was insensitive.

“It made me feel quite disgusted in what the leader of our country would say about New Zealand culture really, not just mine.

“I feel that my culture’s future depends on having Maori language. One week is such a short amount of time to embrace our culture.”

Coalition colleague Te Ururoa Flavell must be wondering what to do.  He is quoted as saying “[i]t’s boring having to speak English most of the time”.

Thoughts of retiring to Hawaii must be getting stronger and stronger for Key.  Crosby Textor will have their work cut out trying to sort this particular fiasco out.

Stand by for Cameron Slater to launch a hatchet job on the young woman.

146 comments on “Maori language is not boring, John Key ”

  1. Tautoko Mangō Mata 1

    To the 16 year old student student:
    Don McGlashan puts it so well in his song “Girl Make Your Own Mind Up”
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fDgJrNA9t4

    “They’ll try to make you believe in The Invisible Hand
    The sweet self-interest of successful men
    To believe in the chance, however remote
    That the rising tide lifts all the boats

    And you will listen, you will listen
    But girl – make your own mind up
    About the world – make your own mind up
    You’re smarter than all of them
    You’re smarter than all of them”
    https://www.lyricskid.com/lyrics/7-worlds-collide-lyrics/girl-make-your-own-mind-up-lyrics.html

    • HumPrac 1.1

      Good one. +100

    • Marx_not 1.2

      I would describe Don McGlashan as a ‘successful man’ wouldn’t you? And the tide DOES lift all boats…unless they are useless leaking old tubs…

      • Tautoko Mangō Mata 1.2.1

        Don McGlashan is successful, true, but self-interested would not be so applicable. I infer from these lyrics that he is saying that those who have done well out of free market capitalism will try to persuade others to believe that the free market will trickle down far enough to “raise the tide” to improve everyone’s lives. “However remote” refers to the fact that so little trickles down that the tide is always running out.
        Song lyrics, like paintings, can suggest different things to different people and this is simply my interpretation.
        My point was to encourage the year 12 girl to have confidence in herself and her viewpoint. Kudos to her for having the courage to say her piece.
        I doubt that the PM intended his remarks to be a putdown but an attempt to make himself seem to empathise with the school students. For his intended nastiness, Parliamentary question time provides the exemplars.

  2. Sacha 2

    The PM never hears Te Reo in Parnell or Hawaii. Can’t possibly be relevant.

  3. BM 3

    Stuff is a troll site.

    Every story is written to inflame.

    • the question must be – are you inflamed by the behavior of the pm? What do YOU think bm? For me it is further evidence of the disgraceful and pathetic excuse of a leader showing his ignorance and disdain for this country and its people. He must go.

      • BM 3.1.1

        Not really, I doubt he meant any harm.

        Reads like bit of a hit job, too be honest.

        Also, I don’t think Key will be worried, every time these hatchet jobs appear in the news his popularity tends to rise.

        • marty mars 3.1.1.1

          so you’d agree at best he was insensitive. funny how key needs to take an interpreter around now

        • Skinny 3.1.1.2

          It is a hit job on Key and poor at best. I will credit Key for including the Maori-Tory party into his Government, I doubt any other Tory leader would have. And Key has been very keen to settle the Ngapuhi Treaty claim.

          • JanM 3.1.1.2.1

            As I see it the Maori Party was inveigled into supporting the Nats in order to declaw them – certainly not to meet their best aspirations. Their acceptance, I believe, was on the basis of ‘half a loaf is better than no bread’. And Key’s casual insult shows clearly what his stance really is, which appears to be yours also

            • Skinny 3.1.1.2.1.1

              Wrong, I embrace Te Reo Maori every day as we all should. With all the idoits who deliberately and ignorantly keep pronouncing City’s, Towns and Regions incorrectly I can’t be bothered giving it much more thought. Te Reo is being taught in all schools even if by default as correctly pronouncing Maori words, but in a wider degree would be far more productive. Eventually the new generation will shine through and speaking fluent Maori will be common to all Kiwi’s.

              • JanM

                That’s great, Skinny, then I imagine you do not, in fact, agree with the attitude that John Key appears to have taken. That said, why try to make excuses for him?

                • Skinny

                  Look Jan all of us lefties here know what a fool Key is and this is par for the course. Helen Clark and most other PM’s from the past would have been far more diplomatic in their choice of answer.

              • Marx_not

                Using your standards Skinny I could call hundreds of young (and older) Maori ‘idiots’ for mispronouncing and misspelling English words. What would be your excuse for them seeing as English is still the ‘first’ language for most Maori in NZ.

                • Skinny

                  “mispronouncing and misspelling English words”

                  Wank on Red Neck what an unintelligent argument. You know it’s a literacy problem rather than deliberate, something that sadly the statistic’s back up. You need to read up next time your at your fella’s bach in Wonga ma ta or Waka ta na.

                  • Gangnam Style

                    “Mispronounce english words” – have you noticed the different ways english is pronounced, NZ english ‘dance’ compared to Australian english ‘dance’, Australians cannot even hear the difference in the words ‘bed’ & beard’ when NZrs pronounce it. But I think maybe you were just being a little bit racist maybe.

                    Also, is there a ‘first’ language in NZ? Are not all 3 official languages equal.

        • “A bit of a hit job”

          Yeah, curse those leftwing infiltrators disguising themselves as high school students. Why, I hear they forced John Key to sound really dismissive. He’s the real victim here.

          🙄

          • Skinny 3.1.1.3.1

            Was there a victim? I didn’t see one. Mind you the generation of hard knocks has changed to sensitive wee cry babies.

          • Tracey 3.1.1.3.2

            chuckle

            That the girl was asked to ask about it in advance makes his answer a bit more baffling cos it suggests he probably knew the questions in advance.

            He has a history of not saying what he means…

        • Gangnam Style 3.1.1.4

          Welcome to David Cunliffes world before the last election…

          • Colonial Viper 3.1.1.4.1

            Yep, a big mistake for Cunliffe to have been pushed from that job early – Labour will regret it in due course. He had much to learn and improve upon but a bit more time and a bit more heat and pressure was all that was required.

            • Hami Shearlie 3.1.1.4.1.1

              Totally agree CV – David Cunliffe was a leader who would have put the Nats under huge pressure, especially now over the TPPA and many other issues. He is a heavy hitter with great intelligence and I really believe he would have grown into a great leader, but alas the ABC crowd saw to his demise for their own selfish ends.

    • Molly 3.2

      BM.

      You have been a regular commentor here for a while, but offer very little of yourself in terms of reasoned opinion.

      It would be great to read more from you that is not predominantly partisan cheerleading. Post some comments that reflect your position on honesty, transparency, ethics, morality and grace.

      After all this time, I still have no idea where you stand on those subjects. That is not true of many of the other regular commenters here, and it would be very interesting to understand what (I assume) a National party supporter is truly thinking.

      • weka 3.2.1

        well he did make an effort the other day to explain how population should be controlled by forcing people to take long term contraception and only approved stock lines would be allowed to breed. Didn’t go into the details much of course.

      • Hanswurst 3.2.2

        It would be great to read more from you that is not predominantly partisan cheerleading.

        Couldn’t we just get a replacement? I think this one’s broken.

  4. mac1 4

    “It made me feel quite disgusted in what the leader of our country would say about New Zealand culture really, not just mine.

    “I feel that my culture’s future depends on having Maori language. One week is such a short amount of time to embrace our culture.”

    The young man is right. Language carries a culture within it, and expresses that culture. A week is not much more than tokenism. He is also right to criticise the PM for this, another demonstration of 1%er insensitivity, and opposite to Maori communal values.

  5. Anne 5

    Definition of a plebeian 1. commoner. 2. of low birth. 3. coarse, base, ignoble.

    That sums up the prime-minster of NZ.

    Once again he shows himself to be nothing more than a sexist buffoon. The same man who thought it funny to pull girls’ pony tails and who once joked that wives/partners are really only studs….

    • sabine 5.1

      Dear Leader i think would fit this one well

      nouveau riche
      ˌnuːvəʊ ˈriːʃ,French nuvo ʀiʃ/
      noun
      1.
      people who have recently acquired wealth, typically those perceived as ostentatious or lacking in good taste.
      “the long-term wealthy and the nouveau riche came flocking to Saint Laurent’s show”
      synonyms: the new rich; More
      adjective
      1.
      relating to or characteristic of the nouveau riche.
      “nouveau-riche social climbers”

      but yes he is ignoble, base and rude. very very rude.

    • Jenny Kirk 5.2

      Anne – you are so right ! Our PM is a boorish uncultured buffoon who knows nothing except how to trade money. He is such an embarrassment to us all.

  6. Ffloyd 6

    Lol. This coming from an idiot that mangles the English language on a daily basis.

  7. Charles 7

    Grammar nit-picker alert!

    Should the title of this post read: “Maori language is not boring, John Key.”

    Otherwise it suggests that the language isn’t boring him. He in fact finds it very interesting.

  8. weka 8

    I think the fact that Key believes Māori language week is all about the celebration says a lot. It’s kind of like sports, right? Something to make everyone feel good for a minute. Nothing to do with ensuring that one of NZ’s official languages survives and then thrives, a language that is still struggling to recover from state suppression.

    Honour the Treaty, John and if you yourself don’t understand what that means listen to your coalition partners or the many other experts in this nation that you supposedly lead.

    He whakamā te kupu Māori mo ’embarrassed’ (whakamā is the Māori word for embarrassed).

    • emergency mike 8.1

      Yes I think that’s the point here weka. For him Maori language week is just another bread and circuses distraction for the masses. He doesn’t have a concept that it is in fact an effort towards helping and preserving our culture. ‘A month? Nah, not sure we could string it out that long.’

  9. Chooky 9

    This casual dismissive racism by jonkey nact is typical of the way Hone Harawira and Mana/int were treated especially in Election year …and Metiria Turei

    ….and how some people have long attempted to treat Winston Peters

  10. Kate Lang 10

    The clottish, boring attitude of john key is what we need less of. Insensitive, insincere, inequitable. Let’s get rid of him asap. Apologies to the child should be on his knees and soon.

  11. Stuart Munro 11

    Key should apologise to the girl. In Maori.

    • Hanswurst 11.1

      I think he should apologise in a language he can speak. Of course, an unfortunate side effect would be that he wouldn’t be able to apologise at all.

      • Molly 11.1.1

        Don’t forget he can apologise in “TwoBottlesofVinoese”… that’s apparently good enough for his supporters.

  12. AB 12

    Let’s not get carried away here – Key’s bungled revelation of what he really thinks is in line with a great deal of Pakeha opinion. People who are not overtly racist to individual Maoris, but very hostile to Maori language and culture and especially to any idea of a different Maori worldview.
    If Key had just said – “I would be concerned that the impact would be diluted over the longer time period. But it’s a interesting idea let’s discuss it!” – he would have left the young woman’s self-esteem intact and quietly buried the idea. That’s pretty much what Clark would have said – but she had far greater intellectual and linguistic resources to call on.

    • weka 12.1

      re your first paragraph, a Prime Minister is meant to lead a government for the whole country, not the lowest common denominator. If that’s what Key really thinks, and he thinks its appropriate to express that opinion in public in his role as PM then he has a conflict of interest between this own ideas and the job he is supposed to be doing. His job as PM isn’t to reflect prejudice and ignorance, it’s to transcend those aspects of the society he is supposed to be governing.

      Completely agree on the second paragraph, but it’s another reason why Key shouldn’t be PM. He’s a clown not a statesman.

    • mickysavage 12.2

      For the past few years AB Key has tried to sound like a Labour Prime Minister from time to time. Hence the trip to Waitangi with Aroha Nathan from McGehan Close. He would never have engaged in a put down like this.

      Fine by me if he now engages in this sort of stuff. He is acting closer to the National norm. I am confident that most Kiwis think that this sort of put down is unbecoming of a politician, particularly the Prime Minister of the country.

      • AB 12.2.1

        I agree with you – and Weka above too.
        I meant, let’s not get carried away with thinking there is any electoral damage to Key from this. My instinct is that he is in line with the bulk of Pakeha opinion.

      • Tracey 12.2.2

        that was when he had to pretend to be ordinary so as to entice Labour voters to National. He is a smokes and mirror guy. He speaks to a much wider audience than the person in front of him, so he has no empathy for the girl or her feelings because his answer is intended for a braoder audience than her. She is, irrelevant.

      • starboard 12.2.3

        What about forging your signature on a painting..or telling your driver to break all speed records to get to a rugby game then making the driver take the rap when the law come a calling? Yes , very unbecoming of a PM.

        • Tracey 12.2.3.1

          I recall her being roundly condemned by media and John key promising higher standards from his Ministers if he became leader.

        • Rawsharkosaurus 12.2.3.2

          How can somebody forge their own signature?

          Precisely which land speed record was broken?

      • miravox 12.2.4

        Yes, the Prime Minister used to have a better political antenna. I’m quite relaxed about seeing it go awry.

    • Tracey 12.3

      and a greater sense of the sensibilities of the people she was interacting with. I think Key lacks empathy and is focusing what mind power he has on the wider audience NOT the person he is directly addressing.

  13. tc 13

    Maoris language month is what it should be. Our language needs a boost and if kiwi music gets a month then the launguage surely should also.

    So much for the smooth operators with such an opportunity lost to Keys ‘casual dismissive racism’ as chooky called it.

    • Bob 13.1

      “Maoris language month is what it should be. Our language needs a boost and if kiwi music gets a month then the launguage surely should also.”
      Maori language year is what it should be.
      I can’t speak for the Prime Minister, but I think the point he was trying to make is that like NZ Music month, where we just get a small selection of songs on repeat for a month and people (like myself) get over it by the end of the month, all that te wiki o te reo Maori seems to throw up in mainstream media is a change of town names while people try to figure out what is happening with the weather.
      Rather than a move to Maori language month, I would prefer a stronger move to getting people engaged with te reo. How about NZ On Air throw some more money towards teaching people the basics of te reo during the week, how about scripted NZ shows like Shortland Street run te reo subtitles during the week, how about free te reo lessons at your local Library / town hall during the week.
      I would rather see the a more focused te wiki o te reo Maori than a watered down month long version, which I think is what the PM was also alluding too (obviously he didn’t do a very good job if a girl left the room crying!)

  14. TE 14

    I don’t think you are a Real NZ’er john key
    You don’t look like one
    Don’t sound like one
    Don’t care like one
    Not honest like one
    Can’t hammer a nail home like one
    and just because you
    Can’t seem to get your tongue round te reo
    Doesn’t mean other NZer’s don’t want to

    In fact I find you Very Disrespectful & Boring.

    • starboard 14.1

      That’s right , attack the man..attack attack attack.

      The left haven’t learnt..you shall stay in opposition until you have.

  15. infused 15

    Not boring, just useless.

  16. Karen 16

    John Key has always reminded me of those boorish, smart alec kids at school that you were just pleased to see the back of. I have never understood why people like him – he is an embarrassment. What I particularly hate is his assumption he speaks for New Zealanders when he comes out with these ignorant, insensitive remarks.

    Loved this tweet from Lamia:

    Lamia I ‏@LI_politico 43m43 minutes ago
    “New Zealand was settled peacefully because Maori were bored by their own culture and they just wanted something new.” – John Key probably

    • starboard 16.1

      Yeah probably was John Key..probably , you know for certain it was or is it just probably ? Pppffttt.

      • Naturesong 16.1.1

        I think it’s a mash up.

        He has on separate occasions made statements that; New Zealand was settled peacefully, that Maori originally welcomed immigration because they wanted the capital, and most recently that a Maori Language month would be boring.

        He also used it as a joke designed demean the questioner, a 16 year old girl asking a reasonable question. What an asshole.

      • Tracey 16.1.2

        Sense of humour transplant starboard? It was clearly tongue in cheek

  17. Blue Horseshoe 17

    Tony Abbott referred to Aboriginal people who live on the lands in remote areas, as making, lifestyle choices

    When looking for genuine and deep seated hatred and disrespect of indigenous cultures , just take a look at a number of the prime ministers in Western Anglophile nations and what they represent

    I resist using the terminology, racism, however I am highly suspicious that there is a component involved. Certainly Key and his ilk have disdain for the lives of people.

  18. Facetious 18

    Nothing to see and a complete beat up. It must be a slow day for the clueless journalist who filed this “story”.

    • Naturesong 18.1

      I am Pakeha (for clarity, Ross Himona’s interpretation is the one that make most sense to me).

      My ancestors came from various areas of north and west Europe, Celts mostly.
      Their acceptance here, my identity as a New Zealander and the legitimacy of my citizenship are directly attributable to the Treaty the British signed with the Maori Tribes who comprise the greater part of Tangata whenua.

      For our nation’s leader to repeatedly and publicly undermine the history and nature of Maori culture, the Treaty and colonisation is worrisome. It feeds into that sleeping monster present just under the surface of New Zealand society; colonial racism*.

      *I don’t know if that’s an actual term, but I’m guessing you know what I’m talking about

  19. maui 19

    Reminds me of the “gay red top” comment he made. He can be vindictive and I think he enjoys bullying behaviour when he’s got a pack to support him, ie a school assembly.

    • Tracey 19.1

      he is a white hetereosexual, monied, male. He doesn’t know how minorities feel…

      • starboard 19.1.1

        So am I . Does that make me a bad person ? If I were gay with money would that make it better?

        • Tracey 19.1.1.1

          Not a bad person it just generally means that you don’t understand what it is like to be a minority and the treatment that infers. As your comment below indicates you also don’t mind generalisations so why did mine bother you?

      • alwyn 19.1.2

        “white hetereosexual, monied, male”

        Actually three out of four of those categories are minorities.
        In the world as a whole to be white is to be in a minority.
        To be moneyed is to be in a minority.
        To be male is to be in a minority (I think).
        The only one that is a majority is to be heterosexual.

        • Charles 19.1.2.1

          Just adding the bits not seen…

          In the world as a whole to be white is to be in a minority… with a certain amount of accumulated/associated power over those less white.

          To be moneyed is to be in a minority… with a certain amount of accumulated/associated power over those less monied. This one crosses cultural and racial lines.

          To be male is to be in a minority (I think)… with a certain amount of assumed/accumulated power over those less, well, male. This one often crosses racial lines.

          Context is everything. It’s not just a head count issue, but you knew that. I just like wasting my time on Sundays.

        • Tracey 19.1.2.2

          but not treated like other minorities, which was my point, which I expect you know. That they are in fact minority groupings and this PM consistently fails to feel empathy for other minority groupings makes it less likely to be a result of ignorance then.

  20. starboard 20

    Hey he’s just saying it how it is and how most of the country feels about MLW.

    • Tracey 20.1

      So you agree with him. Cool but that doesn’t mean he is reflecting how “most” of this country feels about it.

      • starboard 20.1.1

        Look I’m sorry but it really is how 90% of the country feels. They are not interested in it. If they were, don’t you think there would be more uptake? Facts have to be faced , most Kiwis think ML is quaint but that’s about it.

        • Tracey 20.1.1.1

          “Look I’m sorry but it really is how 90% of the country feels.”

          so enlighten me, how do you know what 90% feel? Do you just assume if you feel/believe something it must be the majority?

    • miravox 20.3

      Hey he’s just saying it how it is and how most of the country feels about MLW

      And yet we still have MLW. If most of the country (as you assume) can’t be arsed about MLW, why on earth would there be an issue with a MLM? ‘Most’ people can continue to ignore it as they already to.

      Even if your view of how many people feel MLW is boring, the Prime Minister was way off with his ill-considered in his response to a young person dipping into political discussion.

  21. ropata 21

    He reveals his true intent, two of them . What he really is saying i dont care for the children and i dont care for( as they call it ) jungle law as seen from a freemasons view.

  22. Exile 22

    Hmm, I think the answer is simpler than most of you. John Key relies on his polls. I doubt his polls show strong support for more Maori language outside of committed left-wing activists are some Maori.
    So John Key can safely say that Maori language is boring, not worth the time, and a niche language. He knows that it wont hurt him politically. That those who vote for National are just fine with it because his polls probably show that the majority of both National and Labour voters feel the same on this issue.

    Lets be honest, how popular would more money into Maori language be?
    How many votes would we gain from pushing that initiative. (My guess is that it would be a netloss not a netgain.

    Personally I think language knowledge and training in NZ is abysmal. I expect job candidates to be bilingual because i think it makes them more open to the world and more open to change. That doesn’t mean I expect them to speak Maori, im happy if they speak any two languages.
    But the school system doesn’t encourage languages. In today’s NZ there is little need to speak Maori and those, not Maori, who learn the language do so more out of genuine interest that need.

    In Europe most kids are taught 2 or 3 languages in school. Thats what we should aim for. Its a great policy, and if we again follow the working model from Europe, the kids get to choose their language. This is great since it reduces the no don’t learn the language resistance and instead creates a situation where parents actively can choose what direction they want from their children.
    In Europe they have between 2-3 choices, for example french/german/latin. In NZ choices are likely to be perhaps maori / mandarin / spanish/french. The bonus of this is of course that the rather large and more and more influential group of Mandarin Chinese voters would see Labour as championing one of their most important questions and that we actually have a policy that is both supported by business and by minorities. A win/win policy.

    Our other choice, as seen from countries with a large minority with a dominant language is to make the minority language compulsory in schools. I don’t recommend this and see it as creating tension rather than building bridges. I also see this as a guarantee we wont be in power for another two decades.
    In countries where the teaching of minority languages have been made compulsory, you struggle to see a greater uptake or fluency. A suitable example is Finland where the Finnish-speaking majority previously had compulsory Swedish (the minority language) education. Unfortunately since the need to speak Swedish wasn’t noticed by the Finnish speakers, few of them bothered with it and just floated through the classes being told by parents to focus on other subjects. You also saw a negative feeling towards the minority develop when students had to learn what they deemed where an unnecessary skill. In short the politicians tried to create facts that didnt have the support of the people and thus failed.
    Only in majority Swedish speaking regions were the uptake and commitment noticeable. (Similar to what I would assume wed see if Maori became part of the curriculum, the case example would be the Chinese mayor of Gisbourne, whose Maori sound pretty fluent to me).

    With that said we desperately need a school reform where breadth, depth, including more language training and more subjects taught to the students are our focus. At present we seem to be going in the wrong direction, focusing on so called modern independent learning techniques (that only work in a few academically staged tests). But thats another point all together and education policy is a vote winner if we can position ourselves as champions of a better school system.

    • emergency mike 22.1

      He was talking to a high school teenager. He could have fobbed her question off easily with something like “A month eh? It’s an interesting idea, something we could possibly maybe consider thinking about looking into sometime much later. Maori language week is great because blah blah blah. Next question.”

      He’s putting down her suggestion like she is a left wing opponent because he reckons it’s a safe dog-whistle to his core supporters? Even if that’s the case it’s just bizarre that we have a PM who addresses questions from high school students like that. Maybe he should stop calling David Farrar every five minutes.

      • alwyn 22.1.1

        He wasn’t putting her down, as you claim.
        He was doing what he normally does when asked a question and was telling her what he actually thinks. Do you really want him to behave like Little, or Peters? They are the people who routinely “fob people off” as you put it.
        That is the reason they are generally disliked by most New Zealand people and why Key is so popular. Personally I greatly prefer someone who tells us what he thinks, rather than like his predecessor who lied to us.

        • emergency mike 22.1.1.1

          Well I prefer someone who doesn’t pull a waitresses pony tail until she starts crying. And doesn’t answer a high school student’s question in a way that makes her start crying. But each to their own I guess. What a popular guy.

          Don’t like liars? Seen blip’s list lately?

        • tangled_up 22.1.1.2

          That is the reason they are generally disliked by most New Zealand people
          What evidence is this opinion based on? A preferred prime minister poll only asks someone who they prefer as prime minister.

        • Tracey 22.1.1.3

          49% o the voting population wanted National. Let’s not keep distorting it into majority of NZers, most people and so on.

          Key tells you what you want him to here he thinks alwyn, there is a difference.

        • Tautoko Mangō Mata 22.1.1.4

          John Key says what he wants you to believe. He doesn’t want people to bother to think rationally and consider the verifiable evidence relating to the validity of his spin.

    • In Vino 22.2

      I am a language teacher (French, German, English) and I agree with everything you say, Exile.
      But it seems that most want to bang on about John Key (as boring as a month of compulsory spelling lessons), and do not want to debate education as an issue.
      I like learning languages (obviously) and would welcome a Maori Language Month.
      We are a minority, and John Key plays to the majority.
      He goofed a bit in his response to the girl’s suggestion, in that he thoughtlessly belittled it. Silly. That will be the big issue. He often goofs – the majority think it endearing.
      Sorry, but in thinking we should take education matters seriously, you and I are part of a smaller group than ever…
      Kia kaha

  23. emergency mike 23

    This is the first time John Key has made a young woman start crying since the last time he made a young woman start crying. Something’s not quite right about this guy.

    • Charles 23.1

      No, no, let him carrry on along these lines, please. He’s doing a great job of reducing the likelihood of smart young people voting National, any time soon. Like many Captains of NZ Industry, he’s exercising the classic “Destroy Our Future Client Base/Market Share” strategy*.

      *A clever and mysterious strategy, often employed at every opportunity, for reasons no one knows, or ever will – which makes it even more cunning.

  24. Clemgeopin 24

    From his dismissive rude reply, Key has actually shown his true racist anti-Maori colours.

    Maori is one of our three official national languages. It is a shame that we as a nation have not shown the Maori language and its rich culture much love, respect and its true place, apart from some token PC consideration during special occasions.

    It is great that Maori get along so well with the people living in this country in spite of the injustices they suffered historically. It would be wonderful if everyone could familiarise with the indigenous culture and learn the language.

    I agree with the Waiuku student. A month long dedication for the language will make a great difference to bridge this gap and make us a better country.

    I wholeheartedly support such a move. I also think that Te Reo should be made compulsory in all New Zealand schools at least at all the primary and intermediate levels.

    P.S:

    [1] I do not know Maori. Here is my first effort today via google:
    Mauruuru no te pānui. Te ti’aturi nei au e, e tautoko a koutou i tenei.
    Please google its translation to see what it means. Here is the link for translating:
    https://www.google.com/search?q=translate&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

    [2] Recently I came across an inspiring speech by a non-Maori student about the Maori language. Here is the link:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6-SdrRxPOQ

    Cheers!

  25. Steve Wrathall 25

    “John Key made the whole school laugh in a rude way.” Didn’t realize the country is lead by someone so powerful.

  26. Sable 26

    I’m royally pissed off with an education system that pushes Maori language down our child’s throat. We are not Maori and our values are reading, writing and math focused. Instead of focusing on things that will one day get our child a job we have this silly distraction as part of the curriculum. And God help anyone who objects!

    If you are Maori fair enough. If not people should have the right to choose whether their child learns any Maori or not. Seems cultural sensitivity is a one way street in NZ.

    • How’s this for cultural sensitivity: Fuck off out of our country, you bigoted shit. If you don’t like it here, go somewhere else. Leave the kid, though. It’s not their fault one of their parent’s an idiot.

    • Gangnam Style 26.2

      Actually my child has the maori language pushed out of her throat with her beautiful pronunciation. Hes 7, I just asked him does he mind learning it at school, he doesn’t. Do I mind, of course not, hes a bright child that can walk & chew out the same time. I’m sorry if your children are a little bit slow, but NZ has an excellent remedial education so all is not lost yet!

      • Sable 26.2.1

        Ha listen to old Gangham. You criticize me by taking cheap shots at a child. Lower than a snakes belly….BTW ours is in the top tier for math. If I’m not mistaken employers think math skills are important but heck what do I know….(laughing)…

        • Tracey 26.2.1.1

          Well done for seeing your child’s purpose in life to be rote learned into a job… How old is this child that is having Maori pushed down their throat?

          I won’t make a dig at your child but I do think that his/her parent needs to know that ignorance is an illness…

          It’s ok though, cos education is the cure.

          • Sable 26.2.1.1.1

            Nothing like being condescending Tracey. By the way is there a point in there somewhere? As a lawyer I would have thought you would be more convincing…..

    • Clemgeopin 26.3

      Sable, this is really Maori land, my friend. Besides, one does not do everything just to get a job. Students don’t learn everything in a school just to get a job. There is more to life and living than that. I do understand your thinking though as there are many people that think in such a narrow manner. Enlarge your thinking and enlighten yourself a little more. That will only do you, your kids and the country an enormous amount of good. It is very easy for children to learn different languages. It will only enhance them, not deprive them of anything. Think about it. Mihi, e kite koe.

      • marty mars 26.3.1

        well said clem

      • Tracey 26.3.2

        Kia ora!

      • Sable 26.3.3

        Funny Clem. Last time I looked lots of people from lots of diverse cultures live here in NZ. Why is it only Maori land exactly? And yes, my man, education is about employment at the end of the day.

        • weka 26.3.3.1

          One reason is because the Treaty of Waitangi is between Māori iwi and the Crown, where the Crown represents all non-Māori. That was a treaty created from Pākehā values btw. All the other cultures you are thinking about are included.

          Te reo isn’t just about the vocab and grammar. It’s about being able to understand te ao Māori (the Māori world). Such understanding both creates better race relations and gives depth to NZ culture. There are things that can be understood in Māori that are hard to understand in any other way. It’s unique to NZ, we should value that.

        • Clemgeopin 26.3.3.2

          The thing is this : True, getting a job is important. Specialising in skills, trades or academic subjects is quite important to get good jobs or to be in good professions. Knowing good English is of course crucial to work in NZ or abroad. No doubt you are correct. But the learning of the basics of the local language, Maori, as a child, does not prevent or stop that child from achieving all that I mentioned above or all that you aspire for your child. Why would it?

          It has only positives with absolutely no negatives. One other thing it may do is make the child more broad minded, more knowledgeable, more tolerant and less racist in his/her future life. Above all, it will enrich the child in many ways and ultimately make NZ a better, more tolerant, more cohesive, happier and more peaceful nation. Who does not want that? Ka kite apopo.

      • Clemgeopin 26.3.4

        My first line should say,
        ‘Sable, this is really Maori land, in which both Maori and non Maori live in a partnership as per the Treaty of Waitangi’.

        • Sable 26.3.4.1

          Yes but you didn’t mate. Still you were not insulting so I’ll accept your point even if I do not share it.

    • maui 26.4

      That “silly distraction” is called culture, if you want to live in a country where we’re taught the Queen’s English from primary school and learn the art of sipping tea, etc, then fine, but I would call that torture.

      • Sable 26.4.1

        If Maori were our first language I’d be just as passionate about that Maui. Its not and cold hard facts are you need a damn good education to succeed these days.

        • maui 26.4.1.1

          I might have different idea on success to you then. Success to me is not about having multiple degrees, a McMansion, and a +$100,000 salary. I would have thought that was the only version of “success” a couple of year ago. Successful people to me are people who make their community better, volunteer their time to do that, in fact you could even call them legends. A lot of them probably have very little material wealth and perhaps not much education either. But they are educated in things like social values, environmental responsibility and caring. If they are improving/helping an area of society or a local physical resource, then I can think of no better definition of success.

    • Tracey 26.5

      Which country are you and your children living in Sable where they push ” Maori language down our child’s throat.”?

      It is sad that you see your child’s education as a mere vehicle to turn them into a job getter.

      • Sable 26.5.1

        Education is about jobs Tracey. Its about a child’d future happiness and yes that is predicated on getting a good job. You can look at it any way you like but thats the truth.

        Given how bad things are too its more important than ever.

        • Naturesong 26.5.1.1

          Education is about learning how to learn.

          Learning skills for a job is called vocational training (also apprenticeships, internships etc.).

    • Skinny 26.6

      “I’m royally pissed off with an education system that pushes Maori language down our child’s throat.”
      I wonder if the son (Prince William) of the royal toilet cleaner will take the throne once the head of ‘the firm’ falls face down in her pudding?

      TRP is right…fuck off back to old Blighty ya whinging Pom. Back to the slum where you hail from. Yours is the worst anti Kiwi comment I think I’ve seen on here.

      • Sable 26.6.1

        Skinny on facts. I’m third generation Kiwi chuckles. Great grandad co-founded the Communist party and was instrumental in the formation of Labour. By the way what have you got against the British? Hearing a lot of bias here but none of it is mine. (laughing).

        • miravox 26.6.1.1

          Yep Sable, Skinny was quite wrong in suggesting that unimaginative, boring bigots are foreign. Aotearoa is quite capable of producing truckloads of those who don’t give a toss about the health and wealth of language and culture that is unique to the place despite three generations (kata).

          • te reo putake 26.6.1.1.1

            Not to mention not giving a toss about their kid’s development. Learning a second language is incredibly good for them. It’s not a bad thing for an adult either.

            • miravox 26.6.1.1.1.1

              +1 yes, that too.

              I’m learning Austrian-German (different to German-German I am often told) at the moment. Difficult to learn as an adult is an understatement. All the comments about how much easier it would be if I learned languages (any of them) as a child make me sigh with regret.

        • Skinny 26.6.1.2

          Yeah they say good blood often dilutes to failure. In your case I tend to agree. Your a disgrace to your bloodlines.

    • Molly 26.7

      “I’m royally pissed off with an education system that pushes Maori language down our child’s throat. “
      Your Majesty, I’m a republican at heart so excuse the failure to address you in the manner in which you have been accustomed. If the system is doing what you say, then it is surprising to me that Te Reo speakers in NZ are declining… Are you entirely sure that what you say is based in fact?

      “We are not Maori and our values are reading, writing and math focused.”
      Do you understand that both parts of this sentence relate to different topics?
      ie. We are not Māori. Our (sic) values are reading, writing and math focused.
      The way you have written it implies that Māori do not also value reading, writing and math. Surely, you did not mean to imply that?

      “Instead of focusing on things that will one day get our child a job we have this silly distraction as part of the curriculum.”
      Silly distraction? Once again, you seem to imply that understanding the culture of the tangata whenua of a country is not important to those who live there. Regardless of which country you speak of in the world, understanding the values and world view of the indigenous people of that country contributes to a richer experience of that locale. Understanding the culture of Māori in NZ, does the same for all who live here. Be reassured, Māori already understand and have experience of the culture brought to NZ by the Crown. Time for a reciprocal action – don’t you think?

      “And God help anyone who objects! “ Along with being a republican, also not religious, so less said on this the better.

      “If you are Maori fair enough.”
      This short sentence packs a punch. Can be taken in a variety of ways, none of them complimentary to the author. But let’s just start with the fact that “fair” and “Māori” are often mutually exclusive when it comes to dealing with the systems set in place by the Crown, education being one of them. Perhaps independent education of your own will enlighten you to the past and current experiences of Māori students in our education system.

      ” If not people should have the right to choose whether their child learns any Maori or not. “
      Yes, if you want to perpetuate a continuation of a political and societal system where any gains or acknowledgement are only won after years of battling and are always precarious. Then the continuation of a national ignorance of our own history and contributing culture is necessary.

      “Seems cultural sensitivity is a one way street in NZ.”
      And so say all of us.

      Well past time for Māori to have it reciprocated.
      Do it for free, and get back to us when you have proven that you have spent as much time learning Maori language and culture, as the typical fifteen year old Māori teenager has spent learning yours. (/sarc).

  27. ZTesh 27

    Is there another witness or clip for this? It seems kind of strange to be basing such a reaction around a single witness in an audience of hundreds….

    Reading between the lines it sounds more like he is guilty of speaking honestly about how your average Joe Bloggs would view and respect a ‘language month’ as opposed to actually a week which they might at least make an effort for.

    • The PM’s office confirms it:

      “The Prime Minister’s office says students have misinterpreted what was said and that Mr Key is in favour of Maori Language Week.”

      However, the hundreds of kids who heard his words are all mistaken as to what they meant and the victim burst into tears for no good reason at all. Glad we’ve cleared that up.

      • ZTesh 27.1.1

        Oh I don’t doubt he said it, but as to the tone, impact and intent….well we haven’t had hundreds of kids come forth to corroborate this side of it or even a single other witness for that matter.

        I personally think Maori language month is a good idea, but I think this story, and the reaction to it, is a verging on the hysterical.

    • Tracey 27.2

      it’s amazing. Now you speak for the average Joe Blogs. All these Maori language naysayers who know what “most” NZers think and feel.

  28. BM 28

    I’m doing my bit for Maori language week by watching Marae kai masters.

    Good show, loved what they did with the rotten corn.

  29. b waghorn 29

    This is an open letter to key and any of his little acolytes.

    What’s boring is living in a country where the islands are named Norff island
    and souff island instead of te ika oh Maui and te wai ponamu. And our fucking cities and towns names are recycled from towns most of use couldn’t find on a map if our lives depended on it.
    And where the hell is Old Zealand exactly.

    • In Vino 29.1

      Good final point. While we are about changing the flag, and, thanks to an innocent by-line by Little, changing the stodgy National Anthem, why do we not come to grips with the real issue: finding a decent name for our country. The name ‘New Zealand’ really sucks. We are not a reinvention of some region in Holland. I am tired of all the “New” names that European explorers so unimaginatively gave to places they found that other people had already discovered. New York, New South Wales, New Caledonia, New Orleans, etc. What on earth did any of those places do to deserve such inappropriate names?

  30. tangled_up 30

    “I spoke to the principal who said there had been a debate on Maori TV about this particular issue, so he had listened intently to my answer and said I was thoughtful, respectful and there was no issue.”

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/70762635/john-key-disputes-claims-he-said-maori-language-month-would-be-boring

  31. Grantoc 31

    The story was made up by the Sunday Star Times, for whatever reason.

    Its nothing more than shoddy journalism.

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  • 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
    3 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. ...
    3 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 ...
    3 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
    3 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
    3 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 days ago
  • BRIAN EASTON: Has there been external structural change?
    A close analysis of the Treasury assessment of the Medium Term in its PREFU 2023 suggests the economy may be entering a new phase.   Brian Easton writes –  Last week I explained that the forecasts in the just published Treasury Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update (PREFU 2023) was ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • CRL Progress – Sep-23
    It’s been a while since we looked at the latest with the City Rail Link and there’s been some fantastic milestones recently. To start with, and most recently, CRL have released an awesome video showing a full fly-through of one of the tunnels. Come fly with us! You asked for ...
    4 days ago
  • Monday’s Chorus: Not building nearly enough
    We are heading into another period of fast population growth without matching increased home building or infrastructure investment.Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Labour and National detailed their house building and migration approaches over the weekend, with both pledging fast population growth policies without enough house building or infrastructure investment ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Game on; Hipkins comes out punching
    Labour leader Chris Hipkins yesterday took the gloves off and laid into National and its leader Christopher Luxon. For many in Labour – and particularly for some at the top of the caucus and the party — it would not have been a moment too soon. POLITIK is aware ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • Tax Cut Austerity Blues.
    The leaders have had their go, they’ve told us the “what?” and the “why?” of their promises. Now it’s the turn of the would be Finance Ministers to tell us the “how?”, the “how much?”, and the “when?”A chance for those competing for the second most powerful job in the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • MIKE GRIMSHAW:  It’s the economy – and the spirit – Stupid…
    Mike Grimshaw writes – Over the past 30-odd years it’s become almost an orthodoxy to blame or invoke neoliberalism for the failures of New Zealand society. On the left the usual response goes something like, neoliberalism is the cause of everything that’s gone wrong and the answer ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #38
    A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Sep 17, 2023 thru Sat, Sep 23, 2023. Story of the Week  Opinion: Let’s free ourselves from the story of economic growth A relentless focus on economic growth has ushered in ...
    5 days ago
  • The End Of The World.
    Have you been looking out of your window for signs of the apocalypse? Don’t worry, you haven’t been door knocked by a representative of the Brian Tamaki party. They’re probably a bit busy this morning spruiking salvation, or getting ready to march on our parliament, which is closed. No, I’ve ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • Climate Town: The Brainwashing Of America's Children
    Climate Town is the YouTube channel of Rollie Williams and a ragtag team of climate communicators, creatives and comedians. They examine climate change in a way that doesn’t make you want to eat a cyanide pill. Get informed about the climate crisis before the weather does it for you. The latest ...
    7 days ago
  • 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. Last week I explained that the forecasts in the just published Treasury Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update (PREFU 2023) was similar to the May Budget BEFU, ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    7 days ago
  • Another Labour bully
    Back in June, we learned that Kiri Allan was a Parliamentary bully. And now there's another one: Labour MP Shanan Halbert: The Labour Party was alerted to concerns about [Halbert's] alleged behaviour a year ago but because staffers wanted to remain anonymous, no formal process was undertaken [...] The ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    7 days ago
  • Climate Change: Ignoring our biggest problem
    Its that time in the election season where the status quo parties are busy accusing each other of having fiscal holes in a desperate effort to appear more "responsible" (but not, you understand, by promising to tax wealth or land to give the government the revenue it needs to do ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    7 days ago
  • JERRY COYNE: A good summary of the mess that is science education in New Zealand
    JERRY COYNE writes –  If you want to see what the government of New Zealand is up to with respect to science education, you can’t do better than listening to this video/slideshow by two exponents of the “we-need-two-knowledge-systems” view. I’ve gotten a lot of scary stuff from Kiwi ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago
  • Good news on the GDP front is accompanied by news of a $5m govt boost for Supercars (but what about ...
    Buzz from the Beehive First, we were treated to the news (from Finance Minister Grant Robertson) that the economy has turned a corner and New Zealand never was in recession.  This was triggered by statistics which showed the economy expanded 0.9 per cent in the June quarter, twice as much as ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days ago
  • The Scafetta Saga
    It has taken 17 months to get a comment published pointing out the obvious errors in the Scafetta (2022) paper in GRL. Back in March 2022, Nicola Scafetta published a short paper in Geophysical Research Letters (GRL) purporting to show through ‘advanced’ means that ‘all models with ECS > ...
    Real ClimateBy Gavin
    7 days ago
  • Friday's Chorus: Penny wise and pound foolish
    TL;DR: In the middle of a climate emergency and in a city prone to earthquakes, Victoria University of Wellington announced yesterday it would stop teaching geophysics, geographic information science and physical geography to save $22 million a year and repay debt. Climate change damage in Aotearoa this year is already ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    7 days ago
  • CHRIS TROTTER: Calling the big dog’s bluff
      For nearly thirty years the pundits have been telling the minor parties that they must be good little puppies and let the big dogs decide. The parties with a plurality of the votes cast must be allowed to govern – even if that means ignoring the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago
  • The electorate swing, Labour limbo and Luxon-Hipkins two-step
     Another poll, another 27 for Labour. It was July the last time one of the reputable TV company polls had Labour's poll percentage starting with a three, so the limbo question is now being asked: how low can you go?It seems such an unlikely question because this doesn't feel like the kind ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    1 week ago
  • A Womance, and a Nomance.
    After the trench warfare of Tuesday night, when the two major parties went head to head, last night was the turn of the minor parties. Hosts Newshub termed it “the Powerbrokers' Debate”.Based on the latest polls the four parties taking part - ACT, the Greens, New Zealand First, and Te ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • When The Internet Rushes To Your Defense
    Hi,You can’t make this stuff up.People involved with Sound of Freedom, the QAnon-infused movie about anti-child trafficker Tim Ballard, are dropping like flies. I won’t ruin your day by describing it here, but Vice reports that footage has emerged of executive producer Paul Hutchinson being inappropriate with a 16-year-old trafficking ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 week ago
  • Doubts about Robertson’s good news day
    The trading banks yesterday concluded that though GDP figures released yesterday show the economy is not in recession, it may well soon be. Nevertheless, the fact that GDP has gone up 0.8 per cent in the latest quarter and that StatsNZ revised the previous quarter’s figure to show a ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 week ago
  • The Votes That Media Dare Not Speak Its Name
    .Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work..A recent political opinion poll (20 September) on TV1 presented what could only be called bleak news for the Left Bloc:National: 37%, down two points equating to 46 seatsLabour: 27%, down one point (34 ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    1 week ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #38 2023
    Open access notables At our roots Skeptical Science is about cognition of the results of climate science research in the minds of the entire human population. Ideally we'd be perfectly communicating understanding of Earth's climate, and perfectly understood. We can only approximate that, but hopefully converging closer to perfection. With ...
    1 week ago
  • Failing To Hold Back The Flood: The Edgy Politics of the Twenty-First Century.
    Coming Over The Top: Rory Stewart's memoir, Politics On The Edge, lays bare the dangerous inadequacies of the Western World's current political model.VERY FEW NEW ZEALANDERS will have heard of Rory Stewart. Those with a keen eye for the absurdities of politics may recognise the name as that of the ...
    1 week 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
    23 hours 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
    1 day 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
    2 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
    3 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
    5 days 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
    6 days 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
    7 days 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
    7 days 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
    7 days 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
    7 days 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week ago
  • Highest legal protection for New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs
    The Government has accepted the Environment Court’s recommendation to give special legal protection to New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs, Te Waikoropupū Springs (also known as Pupū Springs), Environment Minister David Parker announced today.   “Te Waikoropupū Springs, near Takaka in Golden Bay, have the second clearest water in New Zealand after ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    2 weeks ago
  • Government invests in West Coast’s roading resilience
    The Government is investing over $22 million across 18 projects to improve the resilience of roads in the West Coast that have been affected by recent extreme weather, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed today.  A dedicated Transport Resilience Fund has been established for early preventative works to protect the state ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Government invests in Greymouth’s future
    The Government has today confirmed a $2 million grant towards the regeneration of Greymouth’s CBD with construction of a new two-level commercial and public facility. “It will include a visitor facility centred around a new library. Additionally, it will include retail outlets on the ground floor, and both outdoor and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 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
    2 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
    2 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
    2 weeks ago
  • Government invests in top of the south’s roading resilience
    $12 million to improve the resilience of roads in the Nelson, Marlborough and Tasman regions Hope Bypass earmarked in draft Government Policy Statement on land transport $127 million invested in the top of the south’s roads since flooding in 2021 and 2022 The Government is investing over $12 million to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago
  • New Zealanders continue to support the revitalisation of te reo as we celebrate Te Wiki o te Reo Mā...
    Ko tēnei te wiki e whakanui ana i tō tātou reo rangatira. Ko te wā tuku reo Māori, e whakanuia tahitia ai te reo ahakoa kei hea ake tēnā me tēnā o tātou, ka tū ā te Rātū te 14 o Mahuru, ā te 12 o ngā hāora i te ahiahi. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago
  • New Wildlife Act to better protect native species
    The 70-year-old Wildlife Act will be replaced with modern, fit-for-purpose legislation to better protect native species and improve biodiversity, Minister of Conservation Willow-Jean Prime has announced.   “New species legislation is urgently needed to address New Zealand’s biodiversity crisis,” Willow-Jean Prime said.   “More than 4,000 of our native species are currently ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago
  • Further safety initiatives for Auckland City Centre
    Central and Local Government are today announcing a range of new measures to tackle low-level crime and anti-social behaviour in the Auckland CBD to complement Police scaling up their presence in the area. “Police have an important role to play in preventing and responding to crime, but there is more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

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