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Mission Creep

Written By: - Date published: 7:06 pm, June 20th, 2016 - 50 comments
Categories: aid, defence, International, iraq, Minister for Photo-ops, Syria, war - Tags: , , ,

Prime Minister John Key has announced that New Zealand’s mission to train Iraqi security forces will continue until November 2018.

At the time, Key insisted it would be for two years, max. The deployment was meant to finish later this year.  Key has regularly said that it was unlikely to be extended. For example, late last year, this was his position:

“Quite frankly this is likely to be a troubled part of the world for a very long period of time – we could arguably stay here forever. But this isn’t New Zealand’s engagement. I think New Zealand has a job to do here. We’re doing it. I think there should be an exit point and that exit point at about two years feels about right to me.”

So why has he changed his mind? He doesn’t really say:

“So it makes sense to continue doing something that adds value to the likelihood of Iraqi peace and security in the future, and to amend our mission to meet the changing environment in Iraq.”

But changing the environment in Iraq is exactly what we were hoping for when the troops were first sent. This is actually what success looks like, so there is no real need for an extension. Andrew Little is correct when he says the government has not successfully argued for extending New Zealand’s mission to Iraq.

Little said Key hadn’t been honest with Kiwis, nor had Key “made the case for mission creep”.

I think our troops have done us proud and no doubt will continue to do so. And, happily, ISIS are being defeated by the coalition ranged against them. It’s good that we’ve played a part in ending religious fascism in Iraq and Syria. But Key has put the creep into this mission. He’s not even ruling out a further extension, so we could have a military presence in Iraq for years to come.

Instead of extending the deployment, Key should have transitioned our contribution from our troops to non-military aid to Iraq. That would have been real leadership and a real help to the citizens of Iraq.

But I guess there are far less macho photo ops in bullet proof vests to be had if all we do is provide real and practical help for the civilian population in their time of need.

 

50 comments on “Mission Creep ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Greg 1
    20 June 2016 at 7:14 pm

    ISIS will be pushed back into Saudi, so the kiwi troops will be home before Xmas, mission accomplished.
    Camp Taji remains a buffer against any IS counter attack as they slip out of Syria,
    unable to combat the Russian backed Syrian forces.

    • Colonial Viper 1.1
      20 June 2016 at 7:17 pm

      Moronic statements from a dreamer who doesn’t understand the first thing about the operational situation in theatre.

      PS Camp Taji is nowhere near the Syrian border.

      • Greg 1.1.1
        20 June 2016 at 7:29 pm

        Its a buffer right in front of Iraq’s capital on the Front line

        Once ISIS slips across the boarder they have 500+ Humvee’s they captured.
        Remember them?

        I aint no dreamer.

        Didnt you get my WW1 quip about being home before Xmas?

        • Colonial Viper 1.1.1.1
          20 June 2016 at 7:33 pm

          Camp Taji remains a buffer against any IS counter attack as they slip out of Syria,

          Camp Taji is a long way from the Syrian border.

          Didnt you get my WW1 quip about being home before Xmas?

          Sorry I was too dense to notice that one…

          • Greg 1.1.1.1.1
            20 June 2016 at 7:53 pm

            And ISIS forces have reported to be made up of 20k Saudi’s if thats a true figure in documents that were captured.
            Saudi want Syria, they wont sacrifice Sunni Territory in Iraq for it.

            Not much is being reported on Saudis war with its neighbor Yemen,

            And Camp Taji has previously been overrun more times post present occupation than Gerry beats Joyce to Bellamies buffet table.

            • Draco T Bastard 1.1.1.1.1.1
              20 June 2016 at 7:55 pm

              And Camp Taji has previously been overrun more times post present occupation than Gerry beats Joyce to Bellamies buffet table.

              [citation needed]

              • Greg …
                21 June 2016 at 11:29 am

                Huh, the Camp being run over is well enough documented.

                Gerry Vrs Joyce, whose out of the box seat first when question time in Parliament is over?

            • Stuart Munro 1.1.1.1.1.2
              21 June 2016 at 4:46 am

              There are many Saudis in ISIS – but apart from the spies they are there independently.

              Saudi want Syria? Why? There’s comparatively little oil there by Saudi standards.

              Regional observers point to the long rivalry between Iran and Saudi for the role of middle east hegemon. With US relations normalising with Iran, Saudi will be monitoring events closely. Yemen is probably the critical item to Saudi – if Yemen were stable then the instability of the other strong neighbours – Syria & Iraq – would generally work to Saudi advantage.

              But – the low oil prices that are afflicting Russia are creating political instability in the Saudi satellites – Kuwait, Bahrain etc. If they continue too long things will start to come apart even in the kingdom.

              • Greg …
                21 June 2016 at 11:32 am

                Saudi wanted Assad out, its more a stretch of Sunni Territory rather than for oil. The King is a lot more ambitious than the previous one.

              • Colonial Viper …
                21 June 2016 at 11:37 am

                Saudi want Syria? Why? There’s comparatively little oil there by Saudi standards.

                Not Saudi Arabia as a country, but many powerful wealthy Sauds want Assad gone because Assad runs a secular, non-Islamic, non-Wahhabi country. That they want gone, and replaced with a fundamentalist islamic state under their own control.

                Basically what Greg said.

            • GregJ 1.1.1.1.1.3
              21 June 2016 at 9:35 pm

              Not much is being reported on Saudis war with its neighbor Yemen,

              That’s because it’s not going well (and there is a sort of unofficial Ramadan “ceasefire”.) The UAE announced a week ago they are pulling their troops out (although no timetable announced). UAE has lost about 85 troops in Yemen in the last year. Oman (which hasn’t taken part in the Gulf Coalition in Yemen) is trying to broker a deal. It is a nasty, vicious little conflict.

  2. Colonial Viper 2
    20 June 2016 at 7:20 pm

    Was Little for this Kiwi deployment to Iraq? Little has just visited our forces in Iraq. Does he not think that our forces are doing valuable work over there? Does he think that they have nothing extra to contribute?

    • te reo putake 2.1
      20 June 2016 at 7:27 pm

      Little was agin it, CV. And yes, he does think they’re doing good work, he said so when he visited Camp Taji recently.

    • Richardrawshark 2.2
      20 June 2016 at 7:41 pm

      No offence but do they stay an extra 18 months on top of the 2 years they were sent. ? 3.5 years on a foreign posting in a war zone.

      Awesome, glad I don’t have to do that to people some with families.

      At least we could have rotated the troops or are they already?

  3. Colonial Viper 3
    20 June 2016 at 7:27 pm

    BTW who is suggesting that Kiwi Forces are now going to be doing more in Iraq than training and security at Camp Taji?

    • Greg 3.1
      20 June 2016 at 7:32 pm

      Security at Camp Taji is run by private contractors, where does it say anything about the troops providing security?

  4. Richardrawshark 4
    20 June 2016 at 7:38 pm

    The Prime bullshitter, strikes again.

    It’s just a joke, has he kept his word on anything whatsoever.

    A PM misleading used to be outrageous and a rare event. Fuck me.

  5. Draco T Bastard 5
    20 June 2016 at 7:47 pm

    So why has he changed his mind? He doesn’t really say:

    That’s probably because he hasn’t.

    We all knew that the mission would go on longer than two years and so it’s no surprise that it now has.

    • Richardrawshark 5.1
      20 June 2016 at 9:43 pm

      In his original announcement on the original posting he says he would review it in 12 months RE staying longer, he had already decided on a permanent posting no doubt, it will be extended again as well, if we are not done by then I would bet.

      I get the feeling key thinks he HAS to be deceptive, and it’s his take on how politics works probably from the US. There is no other reason for his inept subterfuge IMHO.

      • Draco T Bastard 5.1.1
        20 June 2016 at 10:34 pm

        I get the feeling key thinks he HAS to be deceptive, and it’s his take on how politics works probably from the US.

        He does have to be deceptive. If he, or National in general, told the truth of their policies there’s no way that they’d ever be elected to power. But don’t take my word for it, take the word of John Banks (Ex National MP & ex Auckland high debt* mayor):

        If I wear my policy on my sleeve, I won’t get elected.

        * He’s a large part of the reason why Auckland has so much debt now. He sold huge amounts of Auckland’s income generating assets like Airport shares and went on a major spending spree.

        • Richardrawshark 5.1.1.1
          20 June 2016 at 10:37 pm

          Oh I remember banksy alright I was living in Aucks then.

          I hope he remains out of any politics. council or government.

          PS I always wondered if I won lotto tomorrow and had millions would I suddenly turn into a raving Banks? I just don’t get the attitudes of many of these filthy rich people.

  6. Incognito 6
    20 June 2016 at 8:30 pm

    No more ‘mission creep’ than spending $20 billion over the next 15 years IMHO.

    It coincides with the recent reappointments of the Chief and Vice Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force.

  7. Takere 7
    20 June 2016 at 8:36 pm

    What an appropriate title, “Mission Creep.” Just ask any young long haired woman what its like to be around PinKeyo when he gets touchy feelie, Creepie? yah think that’s why Max’s girlfriend(s) don’t last long? The ole man get Mission Creepie?!

    • lprent 7.1
      20 June 2016 at 9:39 pm

      I suspect I may have to start looking at you if I see you while I am in a moderating role.

      As a word of advice, it gets dangerous to go too far attacking family members by association. It flashes warning signs about who is a creep. Even more so when dealing with young (and therefore in my aged view – inherently stupid) family members.

      But even the most shallow of young men do grow up eventually and they really don’t need a moronic and childlike fuckwit like you slagging them off. Now I could demonstrate why it is a bad idea by targeting you with a ruthless precision of decades of social media expertise.

      But perhaps you should ask yourself if being eviscerated in public with words helps with a robust political debate. Some of us would find that as intellectually amusing as your comment on Max Key.

      But perhaps it’d be better if you don’t attract the laughs.

      • Takere 7.1.1
        21 June 2016 at 11:07 am

        I think you had better take a chill pill mate. Pushing the boat out a bit much I think? Having a laugh at someone else’s expense is a favourite sport of Pinokeyo’s. But your right, you’re far to intelligent for me and articulate with clever words (is that what articulate means? I’m not sure?), I’m in awe. Thanks for the education muchly appreciated.
        Thanks LP.

      • Greg 7.1.2
        21 June 2016 at 11:41 am

        Max Key puts himself out there, just like Cherry Lazer, Key is okay it, so why shouldnt it be open to commentary, bad taste aside.
        Children of the rich dont need careers, they have hobbies.
        I do suspect once John Key retires to Hawaii with his knighthood, its less newsworthy for the media to print gossip about,
        because they wont set foot in NZ when he does retire.

    • Chooky 7.2
      21 June 2016 at 9:03 am

      lol…though

      God fat Gerry Brownlee was pathetic this morning…his imagination is running wild…first it was jihardi brides leaving New Zealand in droves (that turned out to be a lie !)…New Zealanders were puzzled over that story

      and now this …

      …apparently he and jonkey are protecting us from another Orlando massacre…they have their eye on some New Zealanders

      …the sooner this government Is GONE the better

      • Dv 7.2.1
        21 June 2016 at 9:08 am

        Haven’t the USgot a really big commitment to stop ISIS. but that didn’t stop orlando

      • M. Gray 7.2.2
        21 June 2016 at 3:14 pm

        He is pathetic all the time but Ilam voted for him and Chch voted blue last election. So the only ones moaning in chch should be those that didn’t vote blue. Brownlee doesn’t like to be challenged or questioned but neither does most of his colleagues they attack the reporters and are very aggressive and they get away with this behaviour. The quality of reporting is questionable as they got rid of the ones that asks the hard questions perhaps they are sacred of losing there jobs like many other NZers that dare to challenge our hierarchal government.

  8. whispering kate 8
    20 June 2016 at 9:01 pm

    TRP you say in your lead story re the PM “why this sudden change of mind” – I would hazard a guess he has had stern word or two from his US paymasters about upping his game and he has jumped to attention and said “yes sir”.

  9. Jack Ramaka 9
    21 June 2016 at 3:33 am

    What a mess the Middle East is, with what I have been reading, one ex USA Military General said if there was no oil in the Middle East there wouldn’t be a problem. Does anyone really have a long term solution to this mess.

    It appears the US goes in and starts trying to change regimes with B52 Bombers and drone strikes without thinking much about the long term consequences, the cost and the human misery, it creates with these wars.

    Then you have it’s allies Turkey and Israel buying oil from ISIS so they can fund their fighting activities against it’s enemies ie the Iraq and Syrian Government forces and the US forces. The Middle East is awash with military weapons supplied by the USA, Russia and China, all in pursuit of the oil wealth underground meanwhile the civilians of those countries are going through sheer hell.

    Meanwhile the people funding these wars are sitting in their plush offices in Washington and New York directing this human misery from afar, funded by USA taxpayers money. Meanwhile the multinationals are salting away their profits from the oil and war industries in tax havens around the world in an effort to minimise their tax obligations.

  10. Keith 10
    21 June 2016 at 5:56 am

    I assume Bank of America said to John it makes sense to stay and John being who he is couldn’t agreed more!

  11. vto 11
    21 June 2016 at 6:55 am

    First casualty in war is the truth..

    No wonder Key doesn’t notice war – he has not a truth bone in his body

    • Paul 11.1
      21 June 2016 at 6:58 am

      Didn’t he say it was the price of being part of the club?
      Club membership just went up in price.

      • vto 11.1.1
        21 June 2016 at 7:07 am

        The club? The club?..

        The club is the british crown. The NZDF is an army which operates under and for the british crown. It is nowt to do with us. It is all about protecting the crown.

        ffs, the nzdf wouldn’t hesitate to point its guns at us the people, if ordered to do so.

        We pay for it. We supply it with people for slaughter. We make ourselves targets…..

        …but it aint ours

        ….. it is all for the british crown

        that is the club fulla, that is the club. It has a long and inglorious history… we are merely the fodder

  12. b waghorn 12
    21 June 2016 at 7:30 am

    Littles getting a thumping on henry over his troops coming home stance.

    • Puckish Rogue 12.1
      21 June 2016 at 9:18 am

      From a political point of view its not bad from John Key, I suspect theres more on the left that think this is a good idea then there are on the right that think its bad (just opinion) so National won’t lose anything by this

      From a personal point of view I think its a good thing, the worst thing that could happen is for countries to stop trying to take on ISIS and the more countries that take part the better

      • b waghorn 12.1.1
        21 June 2016 at 12:15 pm

        Most people Havn’t got a fucking clue .that’s why its so toxic to democracy to have a national party stooge in the position henry is in.
        By the way its the UN way or NO way imo

        • Puckish Rogue 12.1.1.1
          21 June 2016 at 1:07 pm

          That may be but the UN is useless unless the USA are taking part

          • b waghorn 12.1.1.1.1
            21 June 2016 at 1:17 pm

            The UN is useless because of the USA and the four other veto loving rogue states.

            • Puckish Rogue 12.1.1.1.1.1
              21 June 2016 at 2:31 pm

              and without the USAs money and military backing the UN has nothing

  13. Greg 13
    21 June 2016 at 7:41 am

    Maybe its Max Key’s next video, I joined the Army to go to Camp Taji, but then, we all know politicians keep their children out of conflict zones.

  14. Jenny Kirk 14
    21 June 2016 at 9:36 am

    Andrew Little on Breakfast this morning said (a) the Iraqui army is useless and its not them that have pushed back at ISIS – its other countries’ troops who are doing that, and (b) If Iraq is freed from ISIS then he expects civil war to erupt there – and THAT is when NZ troops will be needed to do their usual good job as a peacekeeping force for the UN. His comments were backed up by journalist Jon Stephenson.

  15. shorts 15
    21 June 2016 at 10:02 am

    Has ever a deployment (continued or not) ever been so poorly justified on behalf of the NZ Govt (or any for that matter) – can they at least explain what we get from staying? lets not pretend for a second we’re helping the Iraqi troops – who will flee or fight regardless of how much training and western money and gear is thrown at them

    We’re not defeating ISIS and any current victories being played out against them will not last – or even if they do ISIS will only be replaced by another group

    And while at it, its great Little has come out against this but I don’t believe him for a second either – his stance reeks of opposition party opposing than any concrete party stance against this conflict/peace keeping. What is Labours policy on the middle east? Is it to muddle through keeping up appearances with our “friends” like Nationals?

    We’re all gutless

  16. Byd0nz 16
    21 June 2016 at 10:07 am

    Uncle Sam made the call like he ordered key to up military spending. NZ is an underling of the military regime that is America, what will it be like ff Uncle Donald becomes Uncle Sams right hand man and orders NZ to drop the nuclear ban.

  17. save nz 17
    21 June 2016 at 11:44 am

    Is Max Key signing up?

  18. the pigman 18
    21 June 2016 at 7:14 pm

    What was it, 2 years or 18 months ago you were beating the drum for the NZ deployment, TRP? I’m a little time-stretched for reviewing your previous post(s) on the subject.

    NZ has nothing nor ever had anything to contribute there. This mission was always best left to the interested parties (Syria, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Israel, the US, and Russia), who are interestedly pursuing their own veiled interests. Instead we went and painted a target on our forehead for confused lone wolf shitbirds to regard NZ as part of the folly.

    Are you surprised in the least by the extension/mission creep? That’s a genuine question.

    • te reo putake 18.1
      22 June 2016 at 8:30 am

      No, I’m not really surprised. However I remain OK with us going in the first place. We needed to show solidarity against ISIS and this was a good signal that we were on board. Still, two years is enough and we should now switch to humanitarian aid.

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    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    3 days ago

  • BRYCE EDWARDS’ Political Roundup:  The Beehive’s revolving door and corporate mateship
    * Bryce Edwards writes – New Zealanders are uncomfortable with the high level of influence corporate lobbyists have in New Zealand politics, and demands are growing for greater regulation. A recent poll shows 62 per cent of the public support having a two-year cooling off period between ministers leaving public ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: The Beehive’s revolving door and corporate mateship
    New Zealanders are uncomfortable with the high level of influence corporate lobbyists have in New Zealand politics, and demands are growing for greater regulation. A recent poll shows 62 per cent of the public support having a two-year cooling off period between ministers leaving public office and becoming lobbyists and ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago

  • A miracle pill for our transport ills
    This is a guest post by accessibility and sustainable transport advocate Tim Adriaansen It originally appeared here.   A friend calls you and asks for your help. They tell you that while out and about nearby, they slipped over and landed arms-first. Now their wrist is swollen, hurting like ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    3 days ago

  • The Surprising Power of Floating Wind Turbines
    Floating offshore wind turbines offer incredible opportunities to capture powerful winds far out at sea. By unlocking this wind energy potential, they could be a key weapon in our arsenal in the fight against climate change. But how developed are these climate fighting clean energy giants? And why do I ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • The next Maori challenge
    Over the past two or three weeks, a procession of Maori iwi and hapu in a series of little-noticed appearances before two Select Committees have been asking for more say for Maori over resource management decisions along the co-governance lines of Three Waters. Their submissions and appearances run counter ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago

  • Secret “war-crime” warrants by International Criminal Court is mischief-making
    The decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue war crimes arrest warrants for the Russian President and the Russia Children Ombudsman may have been welcomed by the ideologically committed but otherwise seems to have been greeted with widespread cynicism (see Situation in Ukraine: ICC judges issue arrest warrants ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    4 days ago

  • How to answer Drunk Uncle Kevin's Climate Crisis reckons
    Let’s say you’re clasping your drink at a wedding, or a 40th, or a King’s Birthday Weekend family reunion and Drunk Uncle Kevin has just got going.He’s in an expansive frame of mind because we’re finally rid of that silly girl. But he wants to ask an honest question about ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • National’s Luxon may be glum about his poll ratings but has he found a winner in promising to rai...
    National Party leader Christopher Luxon may  be feeling glum about his poll ratings, but  he could be tapping  into  a rich political vein in  describing the current state of education as “alarming”. Luxon said educational achievement has been declining,  with a recent NCEA pilot exposing just how far it has ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    4 days ago

  • Climate Change: More Labour foot-dragging
    Yesterday the IPCC released the final part of its Sixth Assessment Report, warning us that we have very little time left in which to act to prevent catastrophic climate change, but pointing out that it is a problem that we can solve, with existing technology, and that anything we do ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • Te Pāti Māori Are Revolutionaries – Not Reformists.
    Way Beyond Reform: Rawiri Waititi and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer have no more interest in remaining permanent members of “New Zealand’s” House of Representatives than did Lenin and Trotsky in remaining permanent members of Tsar Nicolas II’s “democratically-elected” Duma. Like the Bolsheviks, Te Pāti Māori is a party of revolutionaries – not reformists.THE CROWN ...
    Bowalley Road
    4 days ago

  • When does history become “ancient”, on Tinetti’s watch as Minister of Education – and what o...
    Buzz from the Beehive Auckland was wiped off the map, when Education Minister Jan Tinetti delivered her speech of welcome as host of the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers “here in Tāmaki Makaurau”. But – fair to say – a reference was made later in the speech to a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • Climate Catastrophe, but first rugby.
    Morning mate, how you going?Well, I was watching the news last night and they announced this scientific report on Climate Change. But before they got to it they had a story about the new All Blacks coach.Sounds like important news. It’s a bit of a worry really.Yeah, they were talking ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • What the US and European bank rescues mean for us
    Always a bailout: US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said the Government would fully guarantee all savers in all smaller US banks if needed. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: No wonder an entire generation of investors are used to ‘buying the dip’ and ‘holding on for dear life’. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Who will drain Wellington’s lobbying swamp?
    Wealthy vested interests have an oversized influence on political decisions in New Zealand. Partly that’s due to their use of corporate lobbyists. Fortunately, the influence lobbyists can have on decisions made by politicians is currently under scrutiny in Guyon Espiner’s in-depth series published by RNZ. Two of Espiner’s research exposés ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

  • It’s Raining Congestion
    Yesterday afternoon it rained and traffic around the region ground to a halt, once again highlighting why it is so important that our city gets on with improving the alternatives to driving. For additional irony, this happened on the same day the IPCC synthesis report landed, putting the focus on ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    4 days ago

  • Checking The Left: The Dreadful Logic Of Fascism.
    The Beginning: Anti-Co-Governance agitator, Julian Batchelor, addresses the Dargaville stop of his travelling roadshow across New Zealand . Fascism almost always starts small. Sadly, it doesn’t always stay that way. Especially when the Left helps it to grow.THERE IS A DREADFUL LOGIC to the growth of fascism. To begin with, it ...
    Bowalley Road
    4 days ago

  • Good Friends and Terrible Food
    Hi,From an incredibly rainy day in Los Angeles, I just wanted to check in. I guess this is the day Trump may or may not end up in cuffs? I’m attempting a somewhat slower, less frenzied week. I’ve had Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s new record on non-stop, and it’s been a ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    4 days ago

  • At a glance – What evidence is there for the hockey stick?
    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
    5 days ago

  • Carry right on up there, Corporal Espiner
    RNZ has been shining their torch into corners where lobbyists lurk and asking such questions as: Do we like the look of this?and Is this as democratic as it could be?These are most certainly questions worth asking, and every bit as valid as, say:Are we shortchanged democratically by the way ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • This smells
    RNZ has continued its look at the role of lobbyists by taking a closer look at the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff Andrew Kirton. He used to work for liquor companies, opposing (among other things) a container refund scheme which would have required them to take responsibility for their own ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • Major issues on the table in Mahuta’s  talks in Beijing with China’s new Foreign Minister
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta has left for Beijing for the first ministerial visit to China since 2019. Mahuta is  to  meet China’s new foreign minister Qin Gang  where she  might have to call on all the  diplomatic skills  at  her  command. Almost certainly she  will  face  questions  on what  role ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    5 days ago

  • Inside TOP's Teal Card and political strategy
    TL;DR: The Opportunities Party’s Leader Raf Manji is hopeful the party’s new Teal Card, a type of Gold card for under 30s, will be popular with students, and not just in his Ilam electorate where students make up more than a quarter of the voters and where Manji is confident ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • Make Your Empties Go Another Round.
    When I was a kid New Zealand was actually pretty green. We didn’t really have plastic. The fruit and veges came in a cardboard box, the meat was wrapped in paper, milk came in a glass bottle, and even rubbish sacks were made of paper. Today if you sit down ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on how similar Vladimir Putin is to George W. Bush
    Looking back through the names of our Police Ministers down the years, the job has either been done by once or future party Bigfoots – Syd Holland, Richard Prebble, Juduth Collins, Chris Hipkins – or by far lesser lights like Keith Allen, Frank Gill, Ben Couch, Allen McCready, Clem Simich, ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    5 days ago

  • CHRIS TROTTER:  Te Pāti Māori’s uncompromising threat to the status quo
    Chris Trotter writes – The Crown is a fickle friend. Any political movement deemed to be colourful but inconsequential is generally permitted to go about its business unmolested. The Crown’s media, RNZ and TVNZ, may even “celebrate” its existence (presumably as proof of Democracy’s broad-minded acceptance of diversity). ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Shining a bright light on lobbyists in politics
    Four out of the five people who have held the top role of Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff since 2017 have been lobbyists. That’s a fact that should worry anyone who believes vested interests shouldn’t have a place at the centre of decision making. Chris Hipkins’ newly appointed Chief of ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    5 days ago

  • Auckland Council Draft Budget – an unnecessary backwards step
    Feedback on Auckland Council’s draft 2023/24 budget closes on March 28th. You can read the consultation document here, and provide feedback here. Auckland Council is currently consulting on what is one of its most important ever Annual Plans – the ‘budget’ of what it will spend money on between July ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    5 days ago

  • Talking’ Posey Parker Blues
    by Molten Moira from Motueka If you want to be a woman let me tell you what to do Get a piece of paper and a biro tooWrite down your new identification And boom! You’re now a woman of this nationSpelled W O M A Na real trans woman that isAs opposed ...
    RedlineBy Admin
    6 days ago

  • More Māori words make it into the OED, and polytech boss (with rules on words like “students”) ...
    Buzz from the Beehive   New Zealand Education Minister Jan Tinetti is hosting the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers for three days from today, welcoming Education Ministers and senior officials from 18 Pacific Island countries and territories, and from Australia. Here’s hoping they have brought translators with them – or ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Social intercourse with haters and Nazis: an etiquette guide
    Let’s say you’ve come all the way from His Majesty’s United Kingdom to share with the folk of Australia and New Zealand your antipathy towards certain other human beings. And let’s say you call yourself a women’s rights activist.And let’s say 99 out of 100 people who listen to you ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • The Greens, Labour, and coalition enforcement
    James Shaw gave the Green party's annual "state of the planet" address over the weekend, in which he expressed frustration with Labour for not doing enough on climate change. His solution is to elect more Green MPs, so they have more power within any government arrangement, and can hold Labour ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • This sounds familiar…
    RNZ this morning has the first story another investigative series by Guyon Espiner, this time into political lobbying. The first story focuses on lobbying by government agencies, specifically transpower, Pharmac, and assorted universities, and how they use lobbyists to manipulate public opinion and gather intelligence on the Ministers who oversee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • Letter to the NZ Herald: NCEA pseudoscience – “Mauri is present in all matter”
    Nick Matzke writes –   Dear NZ Herald, I am a Senior Lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Auckland. I teach evolutionary biology, but I also have long experience in science education and (especially) political attempts to insert pseudoscience into science curricula in ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • So what would be the point of a Green vote again?
    James Shaw has again said the Greens would be better ‘in the tent’ with Labour than out, despite Labour’s policy bonfire last week torching much of what the Government was doing to reduce emissions. File Photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The Green Party has never been more popular than in some ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • Gas stoves pose health risks. Are gas furnaces and other appliances safe to use?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Sarah Wesseler Poor air quality is a long-standing problem in Los Angeles, where the first major outbreak of smog during World War II was so intense that some residents thought the city had been attacked by chemical weapons. Cars were eventually discovered ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Genetic Heritage and Co Governance
    Yesterday I was reading an excellent newsletter from David Slack, and I started writing a comment “Sounds like some excellent genetic heritage…” and then I stopped.There was something about the phrase genetic heritage that stopped me in tracks. Is that a phrase I want to be saying? It’s kind of ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • BRIAN EASTON: Radical Uncertainty
    Brian Easton writes – Two senior economists challenge some of the foundations of current economics. It is easy to criticise economic science by misrepresenting it, by selective quotations, and by ignoring that it progresses, like all sciences, by improving and abandoning old theories. The critics may go ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Geoffrey Miller: New Zealand’s Middle East strategy, 20 years after the Iraq War
    This week marks the twentieth anniversary of the Iraq War. While it strongly opposed the US-led invasion, New Zealand’s then Labour-led government led by Prime Minister Helen Clark did deploy military engineers to try to help rebuild Iraq in mid-2003. With violence soaring, their 12-month deployment ended without being renewed ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    6 days ago

  • The motorways are finished
    After seventy years, Auckland’s motorway network is finally finished. In July 1953 the first section of motorway in Auckland was opened between Ellerslie-Panmure Highway and Mt Wellington Highway. The final stage opens to traffic this week with the completion of the motorway part of the Northern Corridor Improvements project. Aucklanders ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    6 days ago

  • Kicking National’s tyres
    National’s appointment of Todd McClay as Agriculture spokesperson clearly signals that the party is in trouble with the farming vote. McClay was not an obvious choice, but he does have a record as a political scrapper. The party needs that because sources say it has been shedding farming votes ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • As long as there is cricket, the world is somehow okay.
    Rays of white light come flooding into my lounge, into my face from over the top of my neighbour’s hedge. I have to look away as the window of the conservatory is awash in light, as if you were driving towards the sun after a rain shower and suddenly blinded. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • So much of what was there remains
    The columnists in Private Eye take pen names, so I have not the least idea who any of them are. But I greatly appreciate their expert insight, especially MD, who writes the medical column, offering informed and often damning critique of the UK health system and the politicians who keep ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • 2023 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A chronological listing of news articles posted on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week: Sun, Mar 12, 2023 thru Sat, Mar 18, 2023. Story of the Week Guest post: What 13,500 citations reveal about the IPCC’s climate science report   IPCC WG1 AR6 SPM Report Cover - Changing ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • Financial capability services are being bucked up, but Stuart Nash shouldn’t have to see if they c...
    Buzz from the Beehive  The building of financial capability was brought into our considerations when Social Development and Employment Minister Carmel Sepuloni announced she had dipped into the government’s coffers for $3 million for “providers” to help people and families access community-based Building Financial Capability services. That wording suggests some ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 week ago

  • Things that make you go Hmmmm.
    Do you ever come across something that makes you go Hmmmm?You mean like the song?No, I wasn’t thinking of the song, but I am now - thanks for that. I was thinking of things you read or hear that make you stop and go Hmmmm.Yeah, I know what you mean, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • The hoon for the week that was to March 19
    By the end of the week, the dramas over Stuart Nash overshadowed Hipkins’ policy bonfire. File photo: Lynn GrieveasonTLDR: This week’s news in geopolitics and the political economy covered on The Kākā included:PM Chris Hipkins’ announcement of the rest of a policy bonfire to save a combined $1.7 billion, but ...
    The KakaBy Peter Bale
    1 week ago

  • Crown apology to Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-a-Rua
    Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Minister Andrew Little has delivered the Crown apology to Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-a-Rua for its historic breaches of Te Tiriti of Waitangi today. The ceremony was held at Queen Elizabeth Park in Masterton, hosted by Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairarapa Tāmaki nui-a-Rua, with several hundred ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Minister of Foreign Affairs meets with Chinese counterpart
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Nanaia Mahuta has concluded her visit to China, the first by a New Zealand Foreign Minister since 2018. The Minister met her counterpart, newly appointed State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Qin Gang, who also hosted a working dinner. This was the first engagement between the two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government delivering world-class satellite positioning services
    World-class satellite positioning services that will support much safer search and rescue, boost precision farming, and help safety on construction sites through greater accuracy are a significant step closer today, says Land Information Minister Damien O’Connor. Damien O’Connor marked the start of construction on New Zealand’s first uplink centre for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • District Court Judges appointed
    Attorney-General David Parker has announced the appointment of Christopher John Dellabarca of Wellington, Dr Katie Jane Elkin of Wellington, Caroline Mary Hickman of Napier, Ngaroma Tahana of Rotorua, Tania Rose Williams Blyth of Hamilton and Nicola Jan Wills of Wellington as District Court Judges.  Chris Dellabarca Mr Dellabarca commenced his ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • New project set to supercharge ocean economy in Nelson Tasman
    A new Government-backed project will help ocean-related businesses in the Nelson Tasman region to accelerate their growth and boost jobs. “The Nelson Tasman region is home to more than 400 blue economy businesses, accounting for more than 30 percent of New Zealand’s economic activity in fishing, aquaculture, and seafood processing,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • National’s education policy: where’s the funding?
    After three years of COVID-19 disruptions schools are finally settling down and National want to throw that all in the air with major disruption to learning and underinvestment.  “National’s education policy lacks the very thing teachers, parents and students need after a tough couple of years, certainty and stability,” Education ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Free programme to help older entrepreneurs and inventors
    People aged over 50 with innovative business ideas will now be able to receive support to advance their ideas to the next stage of development, Minister for Seniors Ginny Andersen said today. “Seniors have some great entrepreneurial ideas, and this programme will give them the support to take that next ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government target increased to keep powering up the Māori economy
    A cross government target for relevant government procurement contracts for goods and services to be awarded to Māori businesses annually will increase to 8%, after the initial 5% target was exceeded. The progressive procurement policy was introduced in 2020 to increase supplier diversity, starting with Māori businesses, for the estimated ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Continued progress on reducing poverty in challenging times
    77,000 fewer children living in low income households on the after-housing-costs primary measure since Labour took office Eight of the nine child poverty measures have seen a statistically significant reduction since 2018. All nine have reduced 28,700 fewer children experiencing material hardship since 2018 Measures taken by the Government during ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Speech at Fiji Investment and Trade Business Forum
    Deputy Prime Minister Kamikamica; distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. Tēnā koutou katoa, ni sa bula vinaka saka, namaste. Deputy Prime Minister, a very warm welcome to Aotearoa. I trust you have been enjoying your time here and thank you for joining us here today. To all delegates who have travelled to be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government investments boost and diversify local economies in lower South Island
    $2.9 million convertible loan for Scapegrace Distillery to meet growing national and international demand $4.5m underwrite to support Silverlight Studios’ project to establish a film studio in Wanaka Gore’s James Cumming Community Centre and Library to be official opened tomorrow with support of $3m from the COVID-19 Response and Recovery ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government future-proofs EV charging
    Transport Minister Michael Wood has today launched the first national EV (electric vehicle) charging strategy, Charging Our Future, which includes plans to provide EV charging stations in almost every town in New Zealand. “Our vision is for Aotearoa New Zealand to have world-class EV charging infrastructure that is accessible, affordable, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • World-leading family harm prevention campaign supports young NZers
    Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment Priyanca Radhakrishnan has today launched the Love Better campaign in a world-leading approach to family harm prevention. Love Better will initially support young people through their experience of break-ups, developing positive and life-long attitudes to dealing with hurt. “Over 1,200 young kiwis told ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • First Chief Clinical Advisor welcomed into Coroners Court
    Hon Rino Tirikatene, Minister for Courts, welcomes the Ministry of Justice’s appointment of Dr Garry Clearwater as New Zealand’s first Chief Clinical Advisor working with the Coroners Court. “This appointment is significant for the Coroners Court and New Zealand’s wider coronial system.” Minister Tirikatene said. Through Budget 2022, the Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Next steps for affected properties post Cyclone and floods
    The Government via the Cyclone Taskforce is working with local government and insurance companies to build a picture of high-risk areas following Cyclone Gabrielle and January floods. “The Taskforce, led by Sir Brian Roche, has been working with insurance companies to undertake an assessment of high-risk areas so we can ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • New appointment to Māori Land Court bench
    E te huia kaimanawa, ko Ngāpuhi e whakahari ana i tau aupikinga ki te tihi o te maunga. Ko te Ao Māori hoki e whakanui ana i a koe te whakaihu waka o te reo Māori i roto i te Ao Ture. (To the prized treasure, it is Ngāpuhi who ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Government focus on jobs sees record number of New Zealanders move from Benefits into work
    113,400 exits into work in the year to June 2022 Young people are moving off Benefit faster than after the Global Financial Crisis Two reports released today by the Ministry of Social Development show the Government’s investment in the COVID-19 response helped drive record numbers of people off Benefits and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Vertical farming partnership has upward momentum
    The Government’s priority to keep New Zealand at the cutting edge of food production and lift our sustainability credentials continues by backing the next steps of a hi-tech vertical farming venture that uses up to 95 per cent less water, is climate resilient, and pesticide-free. Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor visited ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Conference of Pacific Education Ministers – Keynote Address
    E nga mana, e nga iwi, e nga reo, e nga hau e wha, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou kātoa. Warm Pacific greetings to all. It is an honour to host the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers here in Tāmaki Makaurau. Aotearoa is delighted to be hosting you ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • New $13m renal unit supports Taranaki patients
    The new renal unit at Taranaki Base Hospital has been officially opened by the Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall this afternoon. Te Huhi Raupō received around $13 million in government funding as part of Project Maunga Stage 2, the redevelopment of the Taranaki Base Hospital campus. “It’s an honour ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Second Poseidon aircraft on home soil
    Defence Minister Andrew Little has marked the arrival of the country’s second P-8A Poseidon aircraft alongside personnel at the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Base at Ohakea today. “With two of the four P-8A Poseidons now on home soil this marks another significant milestone in the Government’s historic investment in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Further humanitarian aid for Türkiye and Syria
    Aotearoa New Zealand will provide further humanitarian support to those seriously affected by last month’s deadly earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, says Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta. “The 6 February earthquakes have had devastating consequences, with almost 18 million people affected. More than 53,000 people have died and tens of thousands more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Community voice to help shape immigration policy
    Migrant communities across New Zealand are represented in the new Migrant Community Reference Group that will help shape immigration policy going forward, Immigration Minister Michael Wood announced today.  “Since becoming Minister, a reoccurring message I have heard from migrants is the feeling their voice has often been missing around policy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • State Highway 3 project to deliver safer journeys, better travel connections for Taranaki
    Construction has begun on major works that will deliver significant safety improvements on State Highway 3 from Waitara to Bell Block, Associate Minister of Transport Kiri Allan announced today. “This is an important route for communities, freight and visitors to Taranaki but too many people have lost their lives or ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Ginny Andersen appointed as Minister of Police
    Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has today appointed Ginny Andersen as Minister of Police. “Ginny Andersen has a strong and relevant background in this important portfolio,” Chris Hipkins said. “Ginny Andersen worked for the Police as a non-sworn staff member for around 10 years and has more recently been chair of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Government confirms vital roading reconnections
    Six further bailey bridge sites confirmed Four additional bridge sites under consideration 91 per cent of damaged state highways reopened Recovery Dashboards for impacted regions released The Government has responded quickly to restore lifeline routes after Cyclone Gabrielle and can today confirm that an additional six bailey bridges will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Foreign Minister Mahuta to meet with China’s new Foreign Minister
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta departs for China tomorrow, where she will meet with her counterpart, State Councillor and Foreign Minister Qin Gang, in Beijing. This will be the first visit by a New Zealand Minister to China since 2019, and follows the easing of COVID-19 travel restrictions between New Zealand and China. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Education Ministers from across the Pacific gather in Aotearoa
    Education Ministers from across the Pacific will gather in Tāmaki Makaurau this week to share their collective knowledge and strategic vision, for the benefit of ākonga across the region. New Zealand Education Minister Jan Tinetti will host the inaugural Conference of Pacific Education Ministers (CPEM) for three days from today, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • State Highway 5 reopens between Napier and Taupō following Cyclone Gabrielle
    A vital transport link for communities and local businesses has been restored following Cyclone Gabrielle with the reopening of State Highway 5 (SH5) between Napier and Taupō, Associate Minister of Transport Kiri Allan says. SH5 reopened to all traffic between 7am and 7pm from today, with closure points at SH2 (Kaimata ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Special Lotto draw raises $11.7 million for Cyclone Gabrielle recovery
    Internal Affairs Minister Barbara Edmonds has thanked generous New Zealanders who took part in the special Lotto draw for communities affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. Held on Saturday night, the draw raised $11.7 million with half of all ticket sales going towards recovery efforts. “In a time of need, New Zealanders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government delivers a $3 million funding boost for Building Financial Capability services
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