Maori Party won’t take Key’s F&S deal

Written By: - Date published: 1:34 am, June 12th, 2010 - 42 comments
Categories: foreshore and seabed, Maori Issues, maori party - Tags: , ,

‘We don’t know if we can support this‘

It’s a very delicate title for the Maori Party’s press release on National’s foreshore and seabed offer but it reveals much. On the one hand, they know they can’t accept a deal that doesn’t give title to iwi. On the other hand, the co-leaders really don’t want to leave government.

It’s very telling that the Maori Party’s press release said “the caucus” doesn’t think it can accept Key’s offer and Te Ururoa Flavell fronted for the media calling Key’s deal “a bridge too far”. Tariana Turia and Pita Sharples haven’t stated their personal views. The press release pleas for Key to meet with the Iwi Leadership Group: “We have got to a point where it is critical that the Prime Minister hear directly from the iwi leaders”. As if their positions can magically be made reconcilable is a sign of desperation, is a prayer that the inevitable can be avoided.

This is obviously very difficult for the Maori Party’s co-leaders.

By making them ministers, Key very cleverly co-opted Turia and Sharples. They have given his government an illusion of centrism and allowed him to play one coalition partner against the other. He has also made it very difficult for the Turia and Sharples to walk away. Leaving the government means a pay cut and a loss of power, and losing what little ‘wins’ they have gained, like Whanau Ora. All Key loses is a partner that was becoming a liability with his base anyway.

The backbenchers, especially Hone Harawira, are obviously pushing hard for the Party to stand true to its principles.

Which is why they should never have gone into the deal in the first place.

But there’s no option for the Maori Party here. They can’t get the deal they want from National. They can’t buy into a deal that fails to meet their basic objectives on their key issue. They can’t stay in government after failing to make a deal because the relationship would be all give for no gain.

42 comments on “Maori Party won’t take Key’s F&S deal ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. mummybot 1
    12 June 2010 at 4:12 am

    I have to say, the inevitability of it all is quite depressing, like watching a slow moving train wreck. At least when Winnie and NZ First sold out to National in the ’96 election it was theatric – while against his own personal stance (given the history) – the decision wasn’t a complete anathema to his base. This. This is just a mess.

  2. Jenny 2
    12 June 2010 at 7:25 am

    Which is why they should never have gone into the deal in the first place.

    Honestly Marty what choice did they have?

    Isn’t it true Marty, that up to now the Labour Party has refused to take the Maori Party seriously? Ruling out any accommodation with them and even infamously seeks to “destroy the Maori Party” and that when it comes to coalition time, the Maori Party are to be considered “the last cab off the rank”.

    Realising that this sectarian stance by Labour was never going to allow the Maori Party any seat at the table, the sectarian stand of the Labour drove the Maori Party into an alliance with National in a hope of getting some gains for their people.

    Despite what some on this site have claimed, (unfairly in my opinion) that “the Maori Party props up the government”, in fact the Maori Party position is far more subtle than that.

    The Maori Party have admitted from the beginning that they would rather have formed a coalition to the left. But realising that, this had been taken off the table, and knowing that National, with Act had the overall majority to rule with, or without them, the Maori Party attempted with some admittedly modest success to turn this no win situation into some gains for their people.

    It seems that things may be changing, As has been shown on this site, Labour the Greens and the Maori Party are currently working together in practice, to build a protest campaign powerful enough to defeat National’s attack on local body democracy.

    • felix 2.1
      12 June 2010 at 8:53 am

      What choice did they have? Opposition of course.

      Surely the only honourable choice given that the party oppose most of the government’s policy.

      • Sarge 2.1.1
        12 June 2010 at 8:59 am

        To what end?? You don’t tend to acheive much in opposition…….

        • Marty G 2.1.1.1
          12 June 2010 at 9:13 am

          you can stay true to your principles.

          Basically, you guys are saying any political party should back the biggest party… one party state

          • Lew 2.1.1.1.1
            12 June 2010 at 9:19 am

            Bollocks. What you’re arguing is that every generally-left party should always back Labour, no matter how egregiously Labour screwed them. That breeds impunity and entitlement.

            L

            • The Voice of Reason 2.1.1.1.1.1
              12 June 2010 at 9:57 am

              Who’s saying that the Maori Party is any kind of left, Lew? They have been conservative since their formation and willingly chose to go into Government with ACT and their support party, National. I haven’t seen any evidence of them proposing, let alone winning, any left wing policy since taking the keys to the limos. Mind you, they have helped lift the living standards of Maori. Well, five of them, anyway.

              • Lew …
                12 June 2010 at 10:05 am

                If that’s so, why is the left so cut up that they went into government with National?

                Oh, right. It isn’t so. It’s just more jilted bitterness.

                L

                • The Voice of Reason …
                  12 June 2010 at 10:14 am

                  Well, I don’t speak for the left, Lew, just from the left. I’m not sure that too many from the left are cut up about the MP’s current position other than those of their supporters who naively thought they were a progressive alternative.

                  It turns out that they aren’t progressive at all, of course, though I hope that in the future they may move leftward, once the ideologically crippled leaders they currently have exited the scene.

                  • Lew …
                    12 June 2010 at 10:26 am

                    Because it’s possible to be progressive without supporting indigenous rights to self-determination?

                    No, it’s not. Sorry about that. Progressivism includes indigenism and opposing racism, just like it includes feminism.

                    L

                    • The Voice of Reason …
                      12 June 2010 at 10:43 am

                      Er, what are you on about, Lew?

                      Of course it’s possible to be progressive without supporting indigenous rights to self determination. It’s a more ‘perfect’ political approach to be progressive on all matters, but a party could be progressive on peace, women’s rights, animal rights, racism and a whole host of other things, without a specific commitment to self determination.

                      A failure or weakness in one specific policy area does not mean that overall a party is not progressive.

                    • Lew …
                      12 June 2010 at 6:59 pm

                      I disagree. I think you’d disagree, too, if it were a different issue — such as class, for instance. Can a party be progressive without a commitment to economic justice? If so, how?

                      L

              • Jenny …
                13 June 2010 at 12:17 am

                The Voice of (un)Reason on the Maori Party:

                I haven’t seen any evidence of them proposing, let alone winning, any left wing policy since taking the keys to the limos. Mind you, they have helped lift the living standards of Maori. Well, five of them, anyway.

                Putting aside VOR’s bigoted depiction of Maori Party MPs as self serving opportunists only in parliament for the perks. I will instead point to left wing policy VOR claims that he hasn’t “seen any evidence of them proposing….”.

                However in attempting to do this, I am mindful of the saying that there are none so blind, as those who choose not to see.

                Off the top of my head, (others might like to add more):

                The Maori Party are the main leaders in parliament calling for the removal of GST from healthy food. A Maori Party initiative that Phil Goff says Labour will consider supporting.

                The Maori party also strongly opposed the Three Strikes Law and made a statement that they are prepared to work with any others to remove this law.

                Recently the Maori Party has joined with Labour and the Greens in a protest campaign against National’s attack on Local Body democracy.

                And of course the Maori Party is opposed to the statutory removal of legal and internationally recognised, traditional indigenous people’s customary rights and usage, specifically in New Zealand, around the issue of the seabed and foreshore.

                I challenge any supporter of this enactment to try and justify that this was a left wing move by the last Labour Government.

                VOR if you can stop spewing your irrational sectarian hatred for even 5 minutes maybe you would like to have a go.

                It would also be good if (for a nice change) you refrained from making stuff up and instead supplied some facts or even links to back up your argument.

                • The Voice of Reason …
                  13 June 2010 at 7:06 pm

                  Terrific, Jenny. And things they have actually achieved since being handed the keys to the limos? Other than significantly increasing the incomes of 5 MP’s?

                  And, by the way, I support the left wing party that 30-40% of NZ voters also prefer. I don’t support a race based splinter party, who, by definition, are sectarian. So stop misusing the term and put up some facts about the Maori Party in Government that don’t show them to be either incompetent underachievers or more accurately, pretty damn happy with their bawbees and Beemers.

                  • Jenny …
                    14 June 2010 at 11:51 pm

                    VOR in your earlier comment you stated that:

                    I haven’t seen any evidence of them proposing, let alone winning, any left wing policy

                    So I showed you the left wing policy they have proposed.

                    But still you couldn’t see it.

                    Of course you also mentioned “winning” any left wing policy.

                    The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People is one left wing policy that the Maori Party championed and won from a minority position over opposition from within both Labour and National.

                    On the question of GST off food. The Maori Party have managed to move the debate to the left. So much so, that it looks likely that Labour will support Rahui Katene’s private members bill for the removal of GST from healthy food. This also is a win.

                    Getting Labour’s support for the removal of GST off food is far more than just a symbolic win, because by voting for this in opposition, Labour becomes committed to supporting this left wing proposal when they are returned to government. Which I hope will be as soon as possible.

                    The inescapable truth is, that a Labour Greens Maori Party electoral accommodation would be an unbeatable combination.

                    All it requires is a bit of good will and an open mind.

                    VOR, the only reason Labour may not be returned to the treasury benches next year, is, if blind sectarians like you have their way in the Labour Party.

                    This in my opinion would be a disaster.

                    I am of the firm opinion that a second term of National led Government during the continuing W recession will be extremely destructive for this country, and must be avoided if at all possible.

                    VOR as you yourself point out, Labour has the support of “30-40% of NZ voters”, which, without coalition partners is not a majority.

                    To not even consider the Maori Party as a future coalition partner would be irresponsible.

                    When conservative parties like United Future and New Zealand First are considered perfectly acceptable coalition partners by Labour, the question must be asked why is the Maori Party considered by people like you to be beyond the pale?

                    Going on past record, I don’t expect to get any rational explanation from you VOR. But this is still a worthwhile question that needs to be discussed.

            • felix 2.1.1.1.1.2
              12 June 2010 at 10:31 am

              Lew,

              All I suggested was that the maori party would be more true to their principles by sitting in opposition to the govt.

              I don’t see this as “backing Labour”.

              Frankly, it’s you who seems a little bitter this morning.

              • Lew …
                12 June 2010 at 7:07 pm

                My response wasn’t to you, Felix, because while I disagree with your view (I don’t think going into government in and of itself was contrary to the māori party’s principles, and I think anyone who claims it is just doesn’t understand those principles very well), it’s an arguable position. I was reversing Marty’s idiotic reductive “if you’re not with us, you’re against us” generalisation.

                L

        • ghostwhowalksnz 2.1.1.2
          12 June 2010 at 9:39 am

          Thats why its called ‘opposition’ Duhhh

        • Jenny 2.1.1.3
          12 June 2010 at 9:59 pm

          To what end?? You don’t tend to acheive much in opposition .

          I agree with what you are saying, here Sarge.

          Effectively because of Labour’s opinion of the Maori Party, Felix is not just asking the Maori Party to go into opposition, but effectively, to go into opposition permanently, no matter which ever of the two major parties holds the Treasury benches.

          As this would be rather pointless.

          As you asked, the question is, “To what end??”

          Maybe some Labour Party supporters who want to continue the policy of snubbing the Maori Party might like to answer?

          How about you, Voice of Unreason?

          • felix 2.1.1.3.1
            12 June 2010 at 10:16 pm

            Um, not permanently. Just while they, you know, oppose the govt.

          • Lew 2.1.1.3.2
            13 June 2010 at 9:32 am

            But Jenny, they were just overreacting about the FSA. They should have realised that it was just the tough-love of realpolitik, it was for their own good really, and if they’d just sucked it up like good little subalterns in the knowledge that the master would eventually throw a few scraps down to even up the ledger, the world would have been at rights.

            L

      • Lew 2.1.2
        12 June 2010 at 9:15 am

        The crucial thing was to demonstrate their independence from Labour. They did that — it’s the reason why most of the folk around here hate and revile them (when they’re not pretending pity and regret, of course). They were clear from the beginning that they would work in good faith with the FSA repeal and replacement with something more agreeable as the medium-term goal, and now — supposing they do in fact walk away — they’ll be able to do so having done what they said they’d come to do. Not to succeed in that goal, since that was never within their control — but to push hard for it against a party which only a few years ago declared the FSA too generous.

        As long as they do walk away, they can do so with heads held pretty high. They gave the government no reason to renege on the agreement to work in good faith, and yet, renege they did. Can’t do much about that. National’s bad faith toward tangata whenua may have been inevitable, but now it’s proven, and it won’t soon be forgotten.

        And as Sarge says, they’d have gotten nothing in opposition, and demonstrated that Labour treat them like shite with impunity. There’s no mana in that.

        L

        • Marty G 2.1.2.1
          12 June 2010 at 9:19 am

          The crucial thing was to demonstrate their independence from Labour.” it’s like a teenager getting into drugs to teach their parents a lesson.

          It’s nothing praiseworthy.

          and don’t you accuse me of only pretending regret. my regret is genuine.

          if they walk away, they will do so having given away so much and got bugger all back. and they will be admitting they were wrong all along.

          and don’t you fall into this ‘always back the govt” authoritarian bullshit

          • Lew 2.1.2.1.1
            12 June 2010 at 9:30 am

            At least now Labour will get the message — hopefully, anyway — that they can’t crap all over their oldest and most loyal voting bloc without consequences. By the same token, the full extent of National’s poor faith is also crystal clear — I think that’s a result everyone can be happy with.

            I don’t think they should always back the government — only to the extent where it is compatible with their principles or where there’s a chance of achieving a major policy concession. That was previously the case, is no longer the case, and now I’m calling for them to walk away just as strongly as you are. That’s the difference: regardless of what might have been possible, you think they should have foregone it and sided with Labour on ideological and historical loyalty grounds. I don’t. That’s what I mean by independence.

            L

            • Marty G 2.1.2.1.1.1
              13 June 2010 at 8:44 pm

              “That’s the difference: regardless of what might have been possible, you think they should have foregone it and sided with Labour on ideological and historical loyalty grounds. ”

              no, lew. I didn’t think they should take the deal because I could see this future. Everyone could but those in lalaland.

  3. Ron 3
    12 June 2010 at 8:17 am

    It wasn’t so much that Labour wouldn’t take MP seriously. There was a huge level of antagonism between them – specially Tariana and Helen. It turns out this partly because Tariana is essentially a Tory.
    Also (though I think Labour were gutless about this) whenever Labour did anything that smacked of pandering to Maori, a racist National opposition used it to good effect – mobilising the racist heartland very effectively.
    IF Laour had included the MP in government we never would have heard the end of it. Whanau Ora? Special rules for kura kaupapa? Can you imagine National’s response to those initiatives?
    I think it was politically untenable for Labour to include the MP in government and it points to the cynical racism of National that they did.

  4. The Voice of Reason 4
    12 June 2010 at 8:22 am

    Not sure that I agree that they can’t stay in Government, Marty. What reason do they have to leave? The Nats have followed the agreement to the letter, given them their ‘review’ of the F&S Act and even though the review has predictably turned out badly for the Maori Party, it is still not an excuse to break their word.

    Whatever they do, this shows up the Maori Party MP’s as naive at best, useful idiots at worse. It’s all mana reduction from here on in.

  5. Fisiani 5
    12 June 2010 at 8:33 am

    The National Government is hororably offering to Repeal the F+S Act , give up government ownership and make the land public domain and restore to Maori the opportunity to test any claims to ownership in the Courts.
    This would give the Maori Party their founding aim.
    Any reasonable person would accept.

    • Marty G 5.1
      12 June 2010 at 8:54 am

      iwi can’t get title under National’s offer. Public domain is crown ownership in drag.

    • felix 5.2
      12 June 2010 at 8:56 am

      “hororably”

      Freudian slip? 😉

    • ghostwhowalksnz 5.3
      12 June 2010 at 9:44 am

      So 12000 other titles for the foreshore are OK ( mostly pakeha or business), but Maori become a special class who cant get it.?
      Who is ‘honourable’ that offers such a deal?

      • Tiger Mountain 5.3.1
        12 June 2010 at 10:31 am

        So true Ghost, there are literally hundreds of such titles on peninsulas and beach front properties all around Northland, no go zones for Maori and pakeha alike, gated and fenced by the sometimes overseas based owners.

    • ianmac 5.4
      12 June 2010 at 10:39 am

      No claims of “ownership” are even considered. Maybe customary rights which is available now.

  6. Craig Glen Eden 6
    12 June 2010 at 9:48 am

    The Maori Party have some pretty deep divisions at present and I think it will only be with the retiring of Tariana that this Party will be able to move forward and align itself with Parties on the left.
    Maori politics is very complicated and very personal. Ron’s comment is correct (See above) and as a result Tariana has actively caused division between Labour and the Maori Party. Tariana is a Tory, this is why she never fitted in Labours ranks. At the time she entered politics she had no other strong vehicle for her to get to power, she went with Labour because that was her best vehicle at the time. National would certainly not of had anything to do with her. Many Maori gave this Party a chance but I think the Maori Party will have their work cut out for them in the next election.
    For this Party to have any chance of survival Tariana will have to go she is not popular in her own Parties base out side of the Whanganui Region. Interesting times ahead for the Maori Party I think the Seabed and foreshore issue will prove a double edged sword for Tariana.

  7. ghostwhowalksnz 7
    12 June 2010 at 10:17 am

    Reading the MP press release, the MP are throwing up their hands, asking for a face to face meeting with Key.

    You an’t getting it.
    Key is the salesman, sell the sizzle and then leave it to the hard faced bastards to trap you in the fine print.

    There is no way he will meet with this Iwi leadership group. Not. Ever.
    treat them as equals ?
    Letterman yes . Maori No

    You can almost feel their desperation, hiding behind a door , saying we have done all we were asked, now its up to ( insert scapegoat here) to take it further. Anyway the BMW is waiting to take me to ( insert minor function here).
    Foreshore & seabed is MP signature issue ??

  8. ianmac 8
    12 June 2010 at 10:44 am

    As a sometimes viewer of Maori Television, I have watched recent interviews with leaders saying that Public Ownership is going to be Ok. From that small step comes gradual improvement to “title” and thence to commercial operations like aquaculture. Small steps but forward.
    This may not be the falling out of Nat v MP at all.

    • ghostwhowalksnz 8.1
      12 June 2010 at 11:44 am

      Its a good negotiation tactic to say we are walking away.
      But while the MP may say yes, the iwi ( its ‘their’ foreshore) are putting a line in the sand as they do seem to not be able to get what private title all ready have.
      The reality is Nationals first offer is Crown ownership with a bone carving necklace wrapped around it. Next up they will offer muskets and blankets to go with it.

  9. J Mex 9
    12 June 2010 at 5:46 pm

    “The reality is Nationals first offer is Crown ownership with a bone carving necklace wrapped around it. Next up they will offer muskets and blankets to go with it.”

    The problem for Labour is that their first offer to the MP was an extended middle finger.

    • ghostwhowalksnz 9.1
      13 June 2010 at 10:16 am

      Yeah. They didnt get them into government on a promise of a ‘new’ deal either. At least MP knew where they stood. The iwi groups can see now where MP support gets them . SFA as Turia wont walk away

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    Hi,Paying Webworm members such as yourself keep this thing running, so as 2023 draws to close, I wanted to do two things to say a giant, loud “THANKS”. Firstly — I’m giving away 10 Mister Organ blu-rays in New Zealand, and another 10 in America. More details down below.Secondly — ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago

  • The Prime Minister's Dream.
    Yesterday saw the State Opening of Parliament, the Speech from the Throne, and then Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s dream for Aotearoa in his first address. But first the pomp and ceremony, the arrival of the Governor General.Dame Cindy Kiro arrived on the forecourt outside of parliament to a Māori welcome. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • National’s new MP; the proud part-Maori boy raised in a state house
    Probably not since 1975 have we seen a government take office up against such a wall of protest and complaint. That was highlighted yesterday, the day that the new Parliament was sworn in, with news that King Tuheitia has called a national hui for late January to develop a ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago

  • Climate Adam: Battlefield Earth – How War Fuels Climate Catastrophe
    This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Adam Levy. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). War, conflict and climate change are tearing apart lives across the world. But these aren't separate harms - they're intricately connected. ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • They do not speak for us, and they do not speak for the future
    These dire woeful and intolerant people have been so determinedly going about their small and petulant business, it’s hard to keep up. At the end of the new government’s first woeful week, Audrey Young took the time to count off its various acts of denigration of Te Ao Māori:Review the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Another attack on te reo
    The new white supremacist government made attacking te reo a key part of its platform, promising to rename government agencies and force them to "communicate primarily in English" (which they already do). But today they've gone further, by trying to cut the pay of public servants who speak te reo: ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • For the record, the Beehive buzz can now be regarded as “official”
    Buzz from the Beehive The biggest buzz we bring you from the Beehive today is that the government’s official website is up and going after being out of action for more than a week. The latest press statement came  from  Education Minister  Eric Stanford, who seized on the 2022 PISA ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Climate Change: Failed again
    There was another ETS auction this morning. and like all the other ones this year, it failed to clear - meaning that 23 million tons of carbon (15 million ordinary units plus 8 million in the cost containment reserve) went up in smoke. Or rather, they didn't. Being unsold at ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell On The Government’s Assault On Maori
    This isn’t news, but the National-led coalition is mounting a sustained assault on Treaty rights and obligations. Even so, Christopher Luxon has described yesterday’s nationwide protests by Maori as “pretty unfair.” Poor thing. In the NZ Herald, Audrey Young has compiled a useful list of the many, many ways that ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    3 days ago

  • Rising costs hit farmers hard, but  there’s more  positive news  for  them this  week 
    New Zealand’s dairy industry, the mainstay of the country’s export trade, has  been under  pressure  from rising  costs. Down on the  farm, this  has  been  hitting  hard. But there  was more positive news this week,  first   from the latest Fonterra GDT auction where  prices  rose,  and  then from  a  report ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    3 days ago

  • ROB MacCULLOCH:  Newshub and NZ Herald report misleading garbage about ACT’s van Veldon not follo...
    Rob MacCulloch writes –  In their rush to discredit the new government (which our MainStream Media regard as illegitimate and having no right to enact the democratic will of voters) the NZ Herald and Newshub are arguing ACT’s Deputy Leader Brooke van Veldon is not following Treasury advice ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Top 10 for Wednesday, December 6
    Even many young people who smoke support smokefree policies, fitting in with previous research showing the large majority of people who smoke regret starting and most want to quit. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s my pick of the top 10 news and analysis links elsewhere on the morning of Wednesday, December ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Eleven years of work.
    Well it didn’t take six months, but the leaks have begun. Yes the good ship Coalition has inadvertently released a confidential cabinet paper into the public domain, discussing their axing of Fair Pay Agreements (FPAs).Oops.Just when you were admiring how smoothly things were going for the new government, they’ve had ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Why we're missing out on sharply lower inflation
    A wave of new and higher fees, rates and charges will ripple out over the economy in the next 18 months as mayors, councillors, heads of department and price-setters for utilities such as gas, electricity, water and parking ramp up charges. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Just when most ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • How Did We Get Here?
    Hi,Kiwis — keep the evening of December 22nd free. I have a meetup planned, and will send out an invite over the next day or so. This sounds sort of crazy to write, but today will be Tony Stamp’s final Totally Normal column of 2023. Somehow we’ve made it to ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    4 days ago

  • At a glance – Has the greenhouse effect been falsified?
    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
    4 days ago

  • New Zealaders  have  high expectations of  new  government:  now let’s see if it can deliver?
    The electorate has high expectations of the  new  government.  The question is: can  it  deliver?    Some  might  say  the  signs are not  promising. Protestors   are  already marching in the streets. The  new  Prime Minister has had  little experience of managing  very diverse politicians  in coalition. The economy he  ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    4 days ago

  • You won't believe some of the numbers you have to pull when you're a Finance Minister
    Nicola of Marsden:Yo, normies! We will fix your cost of living worries by giving you a tax cut of 150 dollars. 150! Cash money! Vote National.Various people who can read and count:Actually that's 150 over a fortnight. Not a week, which is how you usually express these things.And actually, it looks ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Pushback
    When this government came to power, it did so on an explicitly white supremacist platform. Undermining the Waitangi Tribunal, removing Māori representation in local government, over-riding the courts which had tried to make their foreshore and seabed legislation work, eradicating te reo from public life, and ultimately trying to repudiate ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • Defence ministerial meeting meant Collins missed the Maori Party’s mischief-making capers in Parli...
    Buzz from the Beehive Maybe this is not the best time for our Minister of Defence to have gone overseas. Not when the Maori Party is inviting (or should that be inciting?) its followers to join a revolution in a post which promoted its protest plans with a picture of ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • Threats of war have been followed by an invitation to join the revolution – now let’s see how th...
     A Maori Party post on Instagram invited party followers to ….  Tangata Whenua, Tangata Tiriti, Join the REVOLUTION! & make a stand!  Nationwide Action Day, All details in tiles swipe to see locations.  • This is our 1st hit out and tomorrow Tuesday the 5th is the opening ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Top 10 for Tuesday, December 4
    The RBNZ governor is citing high net migration and profit-led inflation as factors in the bank’s hawkish stance. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s my pick of the top 10 news and analysis links elsewhere on the morning of Tuesday, December 5, including:Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr says high net migration and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • Nicola Willis' 'show me the money' moment
    Willis has accused labour of “economic vandalism’, while Robertson described her comments as a “desperate diversion from somebody who can't make their tax package add up”. There will now be an intense focus on December 20 to see whether her hyperbole is backed up by true surprises. Photo montage: Lynn ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • CRL costs money but also provides huge benefits
    The City Rail Link has been in the headlines a bit recently so I thought I’d look at some of them. First up, yesterday the NZ Herald ran this piece about the ongoing costs of the CRL. Auckland ratepayers will be saddled with an estimated bill of $220 million each ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    4 days ago

  • And I don't want the world to see us.
    Is this the most shambolic government in the history of New Zealand? Given that parliament hasn’t even opened they’ve managed quite a list of achievements to date.The Smokefree debacle trading lives for tax cuts, the Trumpian claims of bribery in the Media, an International award for indifference, and today the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Cooking the books
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis late yesterday stopped only slightly short of accusing her predecessor Grant Robertson of cooking the books. She complained that the Half Yearly Economic and Fiscal Update (HYEFU), due to be made public on December 20, would show “fiscal cliffs” that would amount to “billions of ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • Most people don’t realize how much progress we’ve made on climate change
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The year was 2015. ‘Uptown Funk’ with Bruno Mars was at the top of the music charts. Jurassic World was the most popular new movie in theaters. And decades of futility in international climate negotiations was about to come to an end in ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Of Parliamentary Oaths and Clive Boonham
    As a heads-up, I am not one of those people who stay awake at night thinking about weird Culture War nonsense. At least so far as the current Maori/Constitutional arrangements go. In fact, I actually consider it the least important issue facing the day to day lives of New ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago

  • Bearing True Allegiance?
    Strong Words: “We do not consent, we do not surrender, we do not cede, we do not submit; we, the indigenous, are rising. We do not buy into the colonial fictions this House is built upon. Te Pāti Māori pledges allegiance to our mokopuna, our whenua, and Te Tiriti o ...
    Bowalley Road
    5 days ago

  • You cannot be serious
    Some days it feels like the only thing to say is: Seriously? No, really. Seriously?OneSomeone has used their health department access to share data about vaccinations and patients, and inform the world that New Zealanders have been dying in their hundreds of thousands from the evil vaccine. This of course is pure ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • A promise kept: govt pulls the plug on Lake Onslow scheme – but this saving of $16bn is denounced...
    Buzz from the Beehive After $21.8 million was spent on investigations, the plug has been pulled on the Lake Onslow pumped-hydro electricity scheme, The scheme –  that technically could have solved New Zealand’s looming energy shortage, according to its champions – was a key part of the defeated Labour government’s ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • CHRIS TROTTER: The Maori Party and Oath of Allegiance
    If those elected to the Māori Seats refuse to take them, then what possible reason could the country have for retaining them?   Chris Trotter writes – Christmas is fast approaching, which, as it does every year, means gearing up for an abstruse general knowledge question. “Who was ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • BRIAN EASTON:  Forward to 2017
    The coalition party agreements are mainly about returning to 2017 when National lost power. They show commonalities but also some serious divergencies. Brian Easton writes – The two coalition agreements – one National and ACT, the other National and New Zealand First – are more than policy documents. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Climate Change: Fossils
    When the new government promised to allow new offshore oil and gas exploration, they were warned that there would be international criticism and reputational damage. Naturally, they arrogantly denied any possibility that that would happen. And then they finally turned up at COP, to criticism from Palau, and a "fossil ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • GEOFFREY MILLER:  NZ’s foreign policy resets on AUKUS, Gaza and Ukraine
    Geoffrey Miller writes – New Zealand’s international relations are under new management. And Winston Peters, the new foreign minister, is already setting a change agenda. As expected, this includes a more pro-US positioning when it comes to the Pacific – where Peters will be picking up where he ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the government’s smokefree laws debacle
    The most charitable explanation for National’s behaviour over the smokefree legislation is that they have dutifully fulfilled the wishes of the Big Tobacco lobby and then cast around – incompetently, as it turns out – for excuses that might sell this health policy U-turn to the public. The less charitable ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    5 days ago

  • Top 10 links at 10 am for Monday, December 4
    As Deb Te Kawa writes in an op-ed, the new Government seems to have immediately bought itself fights with just about everyone. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Here’s my pick of the top 10 news and analysis links elsewhere as of 10 am on Monday December 4, including:Palau’s President ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • Be Honest.
    Let’s begin today by thinking about job interviews.During my career in Software Development I must have interviewed hundreds of people, hired at least a hundred, but few stick in the memory.I remember one guy who was so laid back he was practically horizontal, leaning back in his chair until his ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Geoffrey Miller: New Zealand’s foreign policy resets on AUKUS, Gaza and Ukraine
    New Zealand’s international relations are under new management. And Winston Peters, the new foreign minister, is already setting a change agenda. As expected, this includes a more pro-US positioning when it comes to the Pacific – where Peters will be picking up where he left off. Peters sought to align ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    6 days ago

  • Auckland rail tunnel the world’s most expensive
    Auckland’s city rail link is the most expensive rail project in the world per km, and the CRL boss has described the cost of infrastructure construction in Aotearoa as a crisis. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The 3.5 km City Rail Link (CRL) tunnel under Auckland’s CBD has cost ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • First big test coming
    The first big test of the new Government’s approach to Treaty matters is likely to be seen in the return of the Resource Management Act. RMA Minister Chris Bishop has confirmed that he intends to introduce legislation to repeal Labour’s recently passed Natural and Built Environments Act and its ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • The Song of Saqua: Volume III
    Time to revisit something I haven’t covered in a while: the D&D campaign, with Saqua the aquatic half-vampire. Last seen in July: https://phuulishfellow.wordpress.com/2023/07/27/the-song-of-saqua-volume-ii/ The delay is understandable, once one realises that the interim saw our DM come down with a life-threatening medical situation. They have since survived to make ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    6 days ago

  • Chris Bishop: Smokin’
    Yes. Correct. It was an election result. And now we are the elected government. ...
    My ThinksBy boonman
    6 days ago

  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #48
    A chronological listing of news and opinion articles posted on the Skeptical Science  Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Nov 26, 2023 thru Dec 2, 2023. Story of the Week CO2 readings from Mauna Loa show failure to combat climate change Daily atmospheric carbon dioxide data from Hawaiian volcano more ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Affirmative Action.
    Affirmative Action was a key theme at this election, although I don’t recall anyone using those particular words during the campaign.They’re positive words, and the way the topic was talked about was anything but. It certainly wasn’t a campaign of saying that Affirmative Action was a good thing, but that, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • 100 days of something
    It was at the end of the Foxton straights, at the end of 1978, at 100km/h, that someone tried to grab me from behind on my Yamaha.They seemed to be yanking my backpack. My first thought was outrage. My second was: but how? Where have they come from? And my ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 days ago

  • Look who’s stepped up to champion Winston
    There’s no news to be gleaned from the government’s official website today  – it contains nothing more than the message about the site being under maintenance. The time this maintenance job is taking and the costs being incurred have us musing on the government’s commitment to an assault on inflation. ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • What's The Story?
    Don’t you sometimes wish they’d just tell the truth? No matter how abhorrent or ugly, just straight up tell us the truth?C’mon guys, what you’re doing is bad enough anyway, pretending you’re not is only adding insult to injury.Instead of all this bollocks about the Smokefree changes being to do ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • The longest of weeks
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Friday Under New Management Week in review, quiz style1. Which of these best describes Aotearoa?a. Progressive nation, proud of its egalitarian spirit and belief in a fair go b. Best little country on the planet c. ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • Suggested sessions of EGU24 to submit abstracts to
    Like earlier this year, members from our team will be involved with next year's General Assembly of the European Geosciences Union (EGU). The conference will take place on premise in Vienna as well as online from April 14 to 19, 2024. The session catalog has been available since November 1 ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • Under New Management
    1. Which of these best describes Aotearoa?a. Progressive nation, proud of its egalitarian spirit and belief in a fair go b. Best little country on the planet c. Under New Management 2. Which of these best describes the 100 days of action announced this week by the new government?a. Petulantb. Simplistic and wrongheaded c. ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • While we wait patiently, our new Minister of Education is up and going with a 100-day action plan
    Sorry to say, the government’s official website is still out of action. When Point of Order paid its daily visit, the message was the same as it has been for the past week: Site under maintenance Beehive.govt.nz is currently under maintenance. We will be back shortly. Thank you for your ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • DAVID FARRAR: Hysterical bullshit
    Radio NZ reports: Te Pāti Māori’s co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer has accused the new government of “deliberate .. systemic genocide” over its policies to roll back the smokefree policy and the Māori Health Authority. The left love hysterical language. If you oppose racial quotas in laws, you are a racist. And now if you sack ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • Ministers visit Hawke’s Bay to grasp recovery needs
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined Cyclone Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell and Transport and Local Government Minister Simeon Brown, to meet leaders of cyclone and flood-affected regions in the Hawke’s Bay. The visit reinforced the coalition Government’s commitment to support the region and better understand its ongoing requirements, Mr Mitchell says.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • New Zealand condemns malicious cyber activity
    New Zealand has joined the UK and other partners in condemning malicious cyber activity conducted by the Russian Government, Minister Responsible for the Government Communications Security Bureau Judith Collins says. The statement follows the UK’s attribution today of malicious cyber activity impacting its domestic democratic institutions and processes, as well ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Disestablishment of Te Pūkenga begins
    The Government has begun the process of disestablishing Te Pūkenga as part of its 100-day plan, Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills Penny Simmonds says.  “I have started putting that plan into action and have met with the chair and chief Executive of Te Pūkenga to advise them of my ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Climate Change Minister to attend COP28 in Dubai
    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will be leaving for Dubai today to attend COP28, the 28th annual UN climate summit, this week. Simon Watts says he will push for accelerated action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement, deliver New Zealand’s national statement and connect with partner countries, private sector leaders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • New Zealand to host 2024 Pacific defence meeting
    Defence Minister Judith Collins yesterday announced New Zealand will host next year’s South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting (SPDMM). “Having just returned from this year’s meeting in Nouméa, I witnessed first-hand the value of meeting with my Pacific counterparts to discuss regional security and defence matters. I welcome the opportunity to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Study shows need to remove distractions in class
    The Government is committed to lifting school achievement in the basics and that starts with removing distractions so young people can focus on their learning, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.   The 2022 PISA results released this week found that Kiwi kids ranked 5th in the world for being distracted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Minister sets expectations of Commissioner
    Today I met with Police Commissioner Andrew Coster to set out my expectations, which he has agreed to, says Police Minister Mark Mitchell. Under section 16(1) of the Policing Act 2008, the Minister can expect the Police Commissioner to deliver on the Government’s direction and priorities, as now outlined in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • New Zealand needs a strong and stable ETS
    New Zealand needs a strong and stable Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) that is well placed for the future, after emission units failed to sell for the fourth and final auction of the year, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says.  At today’s auction, 15 million New Zealand units (NZUs) – each ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • PISA results show urgent need to teach the basics
    With 2022 PISA results showing a decline in achievement, Education Minister Erica Stanford is confident that the Coalition Government’s 100-day plan for education will improve outcomes for Kiwi kids.  The 2022 PISA results show a significant decline in the performance of 15-year-old students in maths compared to 2018 and confirms ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Collins leaves for Pacific defence meeting
    Defence Minister Judith Collins today departed for New Caledonia to attend the 8th annual South Pacific Defence Ministers’ meeting (SPDMM). “This meeting is an excellent opportunity to meet face-to-face with my Pacific counterparts to discuss regional security matters and to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to the Pacific,” Judith Collins says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Working for Families gets cost of living boost
    Putting more money in the pockets of hard-working families is a priority of this Coalition Government, starting with an increase to Working for Families, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. “We are starting our 100-day plan with a laser focus on bringing down the cost of living, because that is what ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Post-Cabinet press conference
    Most weeks, following Cabinet, the Prime Minister holds a press conference for members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery. This page contains the transcripts from those press conferences, which are supplied by Hansard to the Office of the Prime Minister. It is important to note that the transcripts have not been edited ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Lake Onslow pumped hydro scheme scrapped
    The Government has axed the $16 billion Lake Onslow pumped hydro scheme championed by the previous government, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says. “This hugely wasteful project was pouring money down the drain at a time when we need to be reining in spending and focussing on rebuilding the economy and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • NZ welcomes further pause in fighting in Gaza
    New Zealand welcomes the further one-day extension of the pause in fighting, which will allow the delivery of more urgently-needed humanitarian aid into Gaza and the release of more hostages, Foreign Minister Winston Peters said. “The human cost of the conflict is horrific, and New Zealand wants to see the violence ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Condolences on passing of Henry Kissinger
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters today expressed on behalf of the New Zealand Government his condolences to the family of former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who has passed away at the age of 100 at his home in Connecticut. “While opinions on his legacy are varied, Secretary Kissinger was ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Backing our kids to learn the basics
    Every child deserves a world-leading education, and the Coalition Government is making that a priority as part of its 100-day plan. Education Minister Erica Stanford says that will start with banning cellphone use at school and ensuring all primary students spend one hour on reading, writing, and maths each day. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • US Business Summit Speech – Regional stability through trade
    I would like to begin by echoing the Prime Minister’s thanks to the organisers of this Summit, Fran O’Sullivan and the Auckland Business Chamber.  I want to also acknowledge the many leading exporters, sector representatives, diplomats, and other leaders we have joining us in the room. In particular, I would like ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Keynote Address to the United States Business Summit, Auckland
    Good morning. Thank you, Rosemary, for your warm introduction, and to Fran and Simon for this opportunity to make some brief comments about New Zealand’s relationship with the United States.  This is also a chance to acknowledge my colleague, Minister for Trade Todd McClay, Ambassador Tom Udall, Secretary of Foreign ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • India New Zealand Business Council Speech, India as a Strategic Priority
    Good morning, tēnā koutou and namaskar. Many thanks, Michael, for your warm welcome. I would like to acknowledge the work of the India New Zealand Business Council in facilitating today’s event and for the Council’s broader work in supporting a coordinated approach for lifting New Zealand-India relations. I want to also ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Coalition Government unveils 100-day plan
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has laid out the Coalition Government’s plan for its first 100 days from today. “The last few years have been incredibly tough for so many New Zealanders. People have put their trust in National, ACT and NZ First to steer them towards a better, more prosperous ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand welcomes European Parliament vote on the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement
    A significant milestone in ratifying the NZ-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was reached last night, with 524 of the 705 member European Parliament voting in favour to approve the agreement. “I’m delighted to hear of the successful vote to approve the NZ-EU FTA in the European Parliament overnight. This is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

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