Money Week: avoid getting ripped off

Written By: - Date published: 2:35 pm, September 11th, 2012 - 23 comments
Categories: business, Economy - Tags:

The inaugural Money Week has just ended. A week of events and activities to raise awareness about how people can better manage their money (if they have any) and get help to do so. With so many financial instruments out there all prostituting themselves for your hard earned or saved cash – choosing a product that doesn’t result in a fiscally transmitted disease can be difficult.

Since 2006, 66 New Zealand finance companies, funds and mortgage trusts have failed (closed, liquidation, receivership, moratorium, suspended). An estimated $3.5 billion has already been lost with another $8.6 billion still at risk. The Retail Deposit Guarantee Scheme repaid 38,459 investors with a total amount of $1,831 billion dollars. Receiver fees were approximately $22m and legal costs about $10m, with both sure to rise.

Approximately 205,000 people have been left permanently disfigured by this necrotising fortunitis. On post mortem, the Financial Markets Authority identified “significantly inadequate and incomplete disclosure in offer documents and advertisements, and at times the failure of corporate governance in the operations of the companies.”

On that note, my belated contribution to Money Week is to reiterate to all the mums and dads who still have money – before deciding to invest in NZ Assets – scrutinize with a nit comb the offer documents as provided by NZ Inc. trading as the government. Things to be wary of include: a tino rangatiratanga flag on a power pole; power stations lit by candlelight; a water meter stuck to a dam; change of name to Mighty Creek Power; a taniwha as trustee; more wind generation from John Key.

In closing, a eulogy to the many thousands of investors relegated to steerage by the following captains of capital:

  1. National Finance, receivership May 06; 2,026 investors owed $25.5m; Directors: Trevor Allan LUDLOW, Carol Anne BRAITHWAITE and Anthony David BANBROOK; Ludlow convicted under the Crimes Act.

  2. Provincial Finance, receivership June 06; approx 14,000 investors owed $296m; Directors: John Simon EDILSON and Philip Brent WHEELER.

  3. Western Bay Finance, receivership Aug 06; 2, 500 investors owed $48m; Directors: James Lindsay SMYLIE and Kaaren Ilse SMYLIE.
  4. First Step Trusts, closed Nov 06; 7,000 investors owed $457m; mezzanine loan investments sold to conservative investors through Money Manager franchises; publicly available records highlights a complex web of inter-relationships between Money Managers founder Doug Somers-Edgar and NZ Funds Management directors and shareholders Gerald Siddall and Russell Tills through at least six companies that benefit financially from First Step.
  5. Bridgecorp Ltd, receivership Jul 07; 14,500 investors owed $459m; Directors: Rodney Michael PETRICEVIC, Bruce Nelson DAVIDSON, Peter David STEIGRAD, Gary Kenneth URWIN and Cornelis Robert ROEST; Petricevic, Roest convicted on Crimes, Company and Securities Act charges. Steigrad convicted under the Securities Act. Urwin and Davidson plead guilty to charges.
  6. Bridgecorp Investments, liquidation Jul 07; 1,334 investors owed $29m; Bridgecorp related entity.
  7. Nathans Finance, receivership Aug 07; 7,082 investors owed $174m; Directors: Mervyn Ian DOOLAN, Kenneth Roger MOSES and Donald Menzies YOUNG; Moses, Doolan and Young found guilty on five charges of breaching the Securities Act.
  8. Chancery Finance, liquidation Aug 07; 1,374 investors owed $17.5m; Director: Gary James STEVENS; Dame Thea Muldoon, the wife of the former prime minister the late Sir Robert Muldoon invested in Chancery
  9. Propertyfinance Group and Propertyfinance Securities, moratorium Aug 07; 3, 000 investors owed $80m; Directors: Darryl Bruce QUEEN, Barnaby Innes SUNDSTRUM and Peter John Morgan TAYLOR; Propertyfinance Securities is a subsidiary under moratorium to 2016 to repay investors.
  10. Five Star Consumer Finance, receivership Aug 07; 2,130 investors owed $54m; Directors: Nicholas George KIRK, Marcus Arthur MACDONALD and Anthony Walpole BOWDEN; Kirk and MacDonald convicted on charges under the Crimes Act, Bowden convicted under the Securities Act.
  11. Antares, liquidation Aug 07; 100 investors owed $3.2m; Directors: Anthony Walpole BOWDEN, Nicholas George KIRK and Marcus Arthur MACDONALD; Bowden, Kirk and MacDonald convicted under the Crimes Act.
  12. Five Star Finance, liquidation June 08; 200 investors owed $42m; Directors: Anthony Walpole BOWDEN, Nicholas George KIRK and Marcus Arthur MACDONALD; Bowden, Kirk and MacDonald convicted under Securities and Crimes Acts
  13. LDC Finance, receivership Sept 07; 1,198 investors owed $22m; Directors: Kevin ELLIOTT, David Gordon MILLER and Christopher John HARDIMAN.
  14. Finance and Investments, receivership Sept 07; 370 investors owed $16m; structured as a partnership between Andrew Harding and Murray Scholfield, LDC’s majority owners.
  15. Clegg and Co, receivership Oct 07; 496 investors owed $15.1m; Director: Brian Samuel CLEGG; Clegg admitted breaching the Securities and Companies Acts by signing untrue prospectuses, giving false or misleading reports and quarterly returns to Clegg & Co Finance’s trustee, and attempting to deceive the Securities Commission.
  16. Beneficial Finance, moratorium Oct 07; 497 investors owed $24.2m; Directors: Mervyn John OLDHAM, Simon Craig OLDHAM and Kane Edward OLDHAM.
  17. Geneva Finance, moratorium Oct 07; 3,292 investors owed $142m; Directors: Peter Edward FRANCIS, David Gerard O’CONNELL, Ronald Robin KING and David William SMALE.
  18. Capital + Merchant Finance, liquidation Nov 07; 7,500 investors owed $167m; Directors: Robert Gordon SUTHERLAND, Neal Medhurst NICHOLLS, Owen Francis TALLENTIRE and Colin Gregory RYAN; Nicholls, Tallentire and Ryan convicted under the Crimes Act.
  19. Capital + Merchant Investments, receivership Nov 7; 60 investors owed $1.5m; As above.
  20. Numeria Finance, receivership Dec 07; 480 investors owed $6.7m; Directors: Owen Francis TALLENTIRE and Neal Medhurst NICHOLLS.
  21. MFS Pacific Finance, failed Mar 08; 11,000 investors owed $274.9M; Director: Jason Robert Duncan MAYWALD.
  22. Boston Finance, receivership Mar 08; 1,300 investors owed $40m; Directors: Adrian Lance GREEN and Stephen Kingsley Edgar TURNER.
  23. ING Funds x 2, failed Mar 08; 13,000 owed $800m; 49% owned by ANZ, with the remainder by ING, a huge Dutch financial house.
  24. QED, failed Mar 08; 40 investors owed $4.5m; Director: Sharon Mary Day; Day convicted of offering securities without a prospectus.
  25. Lombard Finance & Investments, receivership Apr 08; 3,900 investors owed $111m; Directors: The Hon William Patrick JEFFRIES, The Rt Hon Sir Douglas Arthur Montrose GRAHAM, Lawrence Roland Valpy BRYANT and Michael Howard REEVES; All four directors convicted on criminal charges.
  26. Kiwi Finance, receivership Apr 08; 42 investors owed $1.2m; Directors: Rodney Seymour Roberts GREENSILL and Barry Noel LAMBERT; Rhys Greensill says his family is repaying the full reparation of $1.2 million to investors out of a “sense of moral obligation”.
  27. Tower Mortgage and Fund, closed Apr 08; 5,000 investors owed $242m; owned and administered by Trustees Executors Ltd, chaired by former Prime Minister Jim Bolger.
  28. Cymbis NZ / Fairview, receivership Mar 08; 797 investors owed $6.9m; Director: Owen Francis TALLENTIRE.
  29. Belgrave Finance, receivership May 08; 1,000 investors owed $20.5m; Directors: Stephen Charles SMITH and Shane Joseph BUCKLEY; Buckley convicted of criminal charges.
  30. IMP Diversified Income Fund, moratorium Jun 08; 1,015 investors owed $15.8m; Directors: Ruth Margaret RICHARDSON (ex Finance Minister) and Christopher Carbrook ALPE.
  31. Dominion Finance, liquidation Jun 08; 5,939 investors owed $276m; Directors: Terence Maxwell BUTLER, Ann Kathleen BUTLER, Vance Eric ARKINSTALL, Paul Winstone FORSYTH, Robert Barry WHALE and Richard Gilbert BETTLE; T. Butler and Whale, and others, facing criminal prosecutions.
  32. North South Finance, receivership Jun 08; 6,925 investors owed $100m; Directors: Richard Gilbert BETTLE and Vance Eric ARKINSTALL; Criminal charges laid against Bettle and Arkinstall.
  33. St Laurence, receivership Jun 08, 9,000 investors owed $245m; Directors: Kevin John PODMORE, Sandra Ann LEE and John James GOSNEY.
  34. Dorchester Finance, moratorium Jun 08; 7,200 investors owed $168m; Directors: Paul Anthony BYRNES, Michael John FISHER, John James GOSNEY, Stephen SINCLAIR and Grant BAKER.
  35. Canterbury Mortgage Trust, closed July 08; 5,000 investors owed $250m; Trustee Executive: Don McBeath; Fund Managers Canterbury (FMC) is the company that ran the mortgage fund and was paid fees for that. It was set up in 1999 by four law firms to pool their lending operations and attract other law firms to join.
  36. Hanover Finance, moratorium Jul 08; 13,000 investors owed $465m; Director: Mark Stephen HOTCHIN; FMA pursuing civil action against Hotchin and others.
  37. Hanover Capital, moratorium Jul 08; 1,100 investors owed $24m; Director: Mark Stephen HOTCHIN; FMA pursuing civil action against Hotchin and others.
  38. United Finance, moratorium Jul 08; 2,400 investors owed $65m; Director: Mark Stephen HOTCHIN; part of the Hanover group of companies.
  39. Guardian Mortgage Fund, closed Jul 08; 3,700 investors owed $249m; New Zealand Guardian Trust suspended new investments and withdrawals in the Guardian Mortgage Fund.
  40. Totara Mortgage First Mortgage Fund, closed Jul 08; 2,400 investors owed $60m; Fund Chairman, Mark Hopkinson; Fund sold through the Money Managers financial advice group.
  41. AMP Property Fund, suspended Aug 08; 2,900 investors owed $419m; Spokes person, Murray Gribben, Managing Director of AMP Capital New Zealand which owns the fund.
  42. Axa Mortgage Bonds, closed Aug 08; 90 investors owed $117m; Spokes person Ralph Stewart, CEO of Axa New Zealand which owns the fund.
  43. Strategic Finance, liquidation Aug 08; 14,020 investors owed $391m; Directors: Michael (Jock) James Bowie HOBBS, Marc Aubrey LINDALE, Denis Grenville THOM, David John WOLFENDEN, Graham Edward JACKSON and Kerry FINNIGAN.
  44. All Purpose Finance ta St Kilda, receivership Aug 08; 358 investors owed $6.9m; Directors: Peter James HUTCHISON, John Edward FARRY, Oliver Roderick MATSON, Wendy Joan STEIN and Stuart Alexander McCrae PERRY.
  45. Compass Capital, receivership Aug 08; 800 investors owed $15m; Director: Robert John MOODY and Ian Wayne GLADWELL; Company linked to Bridgecorp.
  46. Waipawa Finance, liquidation Aug 08; 220 investors owed $20m; Director: Warren David Bruce PICKETT; Pickett convicted under Crimes and Securities Acts.
  47. Axa Mortgage Funds x 3, suspended Oct 08; 5,000 investors owed $225m; Spokesperson, Ralph Stewart, CEO of Axa New Zealand which owns the funds.
  48. Guardian Mortgage Units, suspended Nov 08; 4,500 investors owed $56m; Spokesperson, Sean Carroll , Managing Director of Guardian Trust which owns the Units.
  49. Orange Finance, receivership Dec 08; 2,500 investors owed $25.6m; Director: Douglas Lloyd SOMERS-EDGAR.
  50. Mascot Finance, receivership Mar 09; 2,511 investors owed 69m; Directors: Kenneth Alexander LANE, Judith Elizabeth LANE, Brian Patrick KREFT and David John STOCK.
  51. Strata Finance, receivership, Apr 09; 21 investors owed .5m; Directors: Alan Walton ROBERTSON and Robert Keith TUCKER.
  52. Structured Finance, moratorium May 09; 172 investors owed $32.5m; company owned by Auckland-based financier Martyn REESBY. Moratorium defaulted on in 2011.
  53. Vision Securities, receivership Apr 10; 953 investors owed $28m; Directors: Robert Athol FOSTER, Aaron James Ivan ARMSTRONG, John Llewellyn JACKSON, Matthew Clement CURRIE, Bruce Charles DAVIDSON and Ronald Douglas ANDERSON.
  54. Rural Portfolio Investments and Rural Portfolio Capital, receivership May 10; McConnon Family owed 60m; Rural Portfolio Investments was set up in 2003 as a joint venture between Craig Norgate and Otago’s McConnon family with the aim of investing in Wrightson, later merged with Pyne Gould Guinness to form PGG Wrightson and as a vehicle for other agribusiness investments.
  55. Rockforte Finance, receivership May 10; 77 investors owed $3.86m; Directors: Nigel Brent O’LEARY, John Patrick GARDNER and Colin Mark SIMPSON; the three directors facing criminal charges.
  56. Viaduct Capital, receivership May 10; 110 investors owed $7.8M; Directors: Bruce Alexander MCKAY and Richard Timothy BLACKWOOD.
  57. Aorangi Securities, statutory management Jun 10; 407 investors owed $98m; Directors: Allan James HUBBARD and Margaret Jane HUBBARD.
  58. Mutual Finance, receivership Jul 10; 400 investors owed $8m; Directors: Lance David MORRISON, Paul Neville BUBLITZ and Paul Raymond Shelley HOCKING (Director of the Institute of the Finance Professionals).
  59. Hubbard Management Funds, statutory management Jul 10; unknown number of investors owed $70m; Allan James HUBBARD and Margaret Jane HUBBARD.
  60. Allied Nationwide Finance, receivership Aug 10; 4,500 investors owed $130m; Directors: Garry Charles BLUETT, Philip Charles LUSCOMBE, Richard Nelson SPEIRS and Paul Alexander MACFIE; subsidiary of Allied Farmers.
  61. South Canterbury Finance, receivership Aug 10; 35,000 investors owed $1.6billion; Director: Stuart James MCLAUCHLAN. Company connected to Allan James Hubbard.
  62. Equitable Mortgages, receivership Nov 10; 6,000 investors owed $178m; Equitable Mortgages is part of Equitable Group which is owned by Chris Spencer, a member of one of New Zealand’s wealthiest families.
  63. Finance and Leasing, receivership Jan 11; 227 investors owed $17m; Directors; David Kipp ALEXANDER and Graeme John MARRIOTT.
  64. NZF Money, receivership Jul 11, 300 investors owed $16.4m; Directors: Pat Redpath O’CONNOR and Mark Hume THORNTON.
  65. Midlands Mortgage Fund, suspended Oct 11; $43m owed to an unknown number of investors; The fund, set up by three central North Island law firms, was one of the creditors of Mr Serepisos, who was declared bankrupt last month over debts of more than $22m. It is unclear how much Midlands had loaned him.
  66. Perpetual Mortgage Fund, moratorium Jul 12; unknown owed $63.4m; fund owned by Pyne Gould’s Perpetual Trust; Pyne’s Gould Managing Director: George Charles Desmond Kerr; Perpetual’s funds have come under scrutiny after the Court of Appeal quashed a bid by Perpetual parent Pyne Gould to keep details of an investigation into related-party loans to George Kerr’s Torchlight fund under wraps.

The above list is a compilation of publicly available information sourced from the following sites:

Adele

23 comments on “Money Week: avoid getting ripped off ”

  1. Tiger Mountain 1

    Sort of puts WINZ “benefit fraud” into perspective. How about including the current account deficit as well, the CAD consists substantially of repatriated profits to overseas owned corporates. Another form of business fraud.

    • David H 1.1

      I did a rough count and these fucking thieves have stolen over 6 BILLION dollars. And all they got was a smack on the hand.

  2. Marjorie Dawe 2

    It is quite amazing that a lot of the assets have been sold on at fire sale prices and only a fraction of what they are worth. Hubbard assets were a good example of this.

    • tc 2.1

      SCF bailout has a stench the Gov’t would like you all to look away from and focus on the PM making another funny.

      How many other finance companies participants got such treatment ?

      Hotchin’s a sacrificial lamb, deserving but largely symbolic as not one of the old boys club he’s expendable. Their deal with Allied farmers had a real whiff to it which ended up stinking Allied out.

    • insider 2.2

      Yes toxic loans with little hope of repayment are worth so much….

  3. Marjorie Dawe 3

    I wonder how many mum and dad investors actually have any money left after all of this fraud. Its a bit off that these criminals get off so lightly if they ever get to court yet someone who is hungry and lifts food from a supermarket probably gets a harsher punishment.

  4. Dv 4

    That is a depressing list. It is good that it has been collected and placed in one spot.

  5. tc 5

    This list is one reason why our regulatory framework is regarded as a joke and complicit in the rip off by standing around doing squat in terms of transparency and publicly charging those not complying.

    Having no decent journalism is also a factor as Hotchin had form from his coromandel affairs (as does blinky) and the bulk of them were second tier lenders to over geared developers which’s a classic house of cards.

    Strengthening the NZX with SOE floats is like strengthening a paper mache house with some more paper mache.

  6. tracey 6

    Could we add the liquidating of developing and building companies on a per project basis to avoid liability for the next ten years, thus passing the cost of their particular brand of “entrepreneurism” on tot he local councils (Ratepayers) to foot the bill.

  7. Rich 7

    From my old blog, 2005: http://observationz.blogspot.co.nz/2005/03/accidents-waiting-to-happen.html

    There should be a rule that any organisation borrowing from the public has to comply with banking reserve and prudential requirements (which can only be met by large organisations with the ability to spread risk across thousands of accounts). Ideally, all banks would be state or community owned.

    Labour could and should have closed the finance companies. Unfortunately, they saw keeping the credit driven property boom (which was giving their voters the illusion of wealth) as critical.

    • mike e 7.1

      they tried to regulate the finance companies i pretty sure peters and dunne undermined the legislation

      • Colonial Viper 7.1.1

        That’s a pretty piss poor excuse mike e. Cullen must have known how poor the prudential practices at many of those firms were.

        95% of those finance companies should have been regulated out of existence a long time before they failed.

    • prism 7.2

      rich 7
      Well said.

  8. Raymond A Francis 8

    You have to wonder who was running the country while these people were building their gilded fantasy traps

  9. prism 9

    Ariadna
    How enigmatic is that? Was she meaning Rich and was she being ironic?

  10. prism 10

    Adele
    What a time consuming job and how illuminating your post is. The news comes up about this or that company having been caught out then they pass like ships in the night with more following singly. Seeing them all together is mind-numbing. But I guess that’s the last thing to do – let your mind go numb. This Money Week you refer to, it hasn’t crossed my narrow view. So I need to keep alert about it all year acshully.

    Another thing that gets me is how the politicians and economists always waffle on negatively about setting an interest ceiling on the basis that it will become the rate of choice for everyone. A few Money Week graduates banging desks might ensure that the rip-off merchants can’t charge as high as 500 per cent (I believe). And I think it is possible to forbid interest being quoted at a daily rate, which is one of the innocent-sounding scams the boys and girls from the ‘hood pull.

  11. Adele 11

    Tēnā koe, Prism

    Thank you. It was you that prompted me to add more flesh to the bones. I came across Money Week in my research efforts, and thought – what a perfect angle. The unfortunate reality about loan sharks is that they will continue to exist for as long as there is a desperate need or want for money.

    • prism 11.1

      Kia Ora Adele
      Well what you supplied was a knockout. Ordinary people don’t understand the immensity of the losses so grouping them great as I said. And Money Week excellent idea.

      I was concerned when I read that USA businesses were offering financial training in schools. I had the feeling that it was brainwashing by them to gain future customers. And that is no doubt true but I think the importance of understanding our system of exchange and how we should use it and make sure it’s not abused needs to start at primary.

      Kia pai tō rā (I discovered the Omniglot page with phrases so may get to practice on you now and then if okay.)

  12. RedLogix 12

    I’ve been too busy to properly write up the Steven Keen seminar on Monday, but briefly: during the excellent Q&A session at the end, Keen was quite dismissive of the whole ‘mum and dad’ investor notion.

    “They should be in their bedrooms and with their kids … investment is for entrepreneurs and fund managers”

    This response arose in the context of a question about ‘guaranteed minimum incomes’, of which Keen was very supportive.

    And he is quite right, ordinary people have far more important priorities in life and there is far too big an asymmetry of information flow for them to ever be successful investors. Ordinary honest people need a reliable income from an sound source, it’s just wrong to force them into the clutches of thieves and con-men.

  13. ad 13

    I am just so pleased to see someone took the time to assemble all of this – it looked like a huge amount of work. Huge respect to the author.

    205,000 people is like a massive slice of those with significant savings – better known as New Zealand’s middle class – having their lives permanently damaged. The whole nation is greatly poorer as a result.

  14. vto 14

    A sad but real account, missing only a few components of the story. Such as – most documents in fact outlined in enough detail where the invested money was going. It was going to property and development lending mostly. This was clear and enabled me to guide my own family away from the deals. I recall one such document which went like this, all in clear english….

    It was a retirement village. Stage I had been completed and they needed money for stage II. The idea was that all money anticipated to be raised by developing and selling stage II would be advanced to the developer by the investments made. Those investments would then be repaid on completion of the development and sale of stage II. Did you see what they did there? They included the anticipated profit in the advance. The developer got the profit before a spade had even entered the dirt.

    The above example was explained in the documents but it took some time to figure it out. My parents had already read it and completely missed the scheme. They did not invest and the scheme went bust.

    Point: Much of the information was in fact printed but people either did not bother reading (why bother when Doug Graham is there ay?) or they did not understand the deal.

    And here is the other nuance – herd behaviour. Typical of boom and bust. Everyone piled in. And then when it started to wobble everyone piled out. All at the same time. Typical. Bloody lemmings off the cliff hastening their own demise. If one is going to follow the herd then expect herd-like results.

    Both those points are a bit rough on the investors and are just a sideline to the fundamental flaws inherent in the finance company business model.

    Actually, a third point. Most of that money has not been “lost”, it has simply changed to a different form elsewhere in the economy, in different hands.

    Here is the solution – ban usury.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • New Zealand has never been closed for business
    1. What was The Curse of Jim Bolger?a. Winston Peters b. Soon after shaking his hand, world leaders would mysteriously lose office or shuffle off this mortal coilc. Could never shake off the Mother of All Budgetsd. Dandruff2. True or false? The Chairman of a Kiwi export business has asked the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 hour ago
  • Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    Jack Vowles writes – New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 hours ago
  • Melissa Lee and the media: ending the quest
    Chris Trotter writes –  MELISSA LEE should be deprived of her ministerial warrant. Her handling – or non-handling – of the crisis engulfing the New Zealand news media has been woeful. The fate of New Zealand’s two linear television networks, a question which the Minister of Broadcasting, Communications ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 hours ago
  • The Hoon around the week to April 19
    TL;DR: The podcast above features co-hosts and , along with regular guests Robert Patman on Gaza and AUKUS II, and on climate change.The six things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 hours ago
  • The ‘Humpty Dumpty’ end result of dismantling our environmental protections
    Policymakers rarely wish to make plain or visible their desire to dismantle environmental policy, least of all to the young. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top five news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 hours ago
  • Nicola's Salad Days.
    I like to keep an eye on what’s happening in places like the UK, the US, and over the ditch with our good mates the Aussies. Let’s call them AUKUS, for want of a better collective term. More on that in a bit.It used to be, not long ago, that ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 hours ago
  • Study sees climate change baking in 19% lower global income by 2050
    TL;DR: The global economy will be one fifth smaller than it would have otherwise been in 2050 as a result of climate damage, according to a new study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) and published in the journal Nature. (See more detail and analysis below, and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    7 hours ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-April-2024
    It’s Friday again. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week on Greater Auckland On Tuesday Matt covered at the government looking into a long tunnel for Wellington. On Wednesday we ran a post from Oscar Simms on some lessons from Texas. AT’s ...
    8 hours ago
  • Jack Vowles: Stop the panic – we’ve been here before
    New Zealand is said to be suffering from ‘serious populist discontent’. An IPSOS MORI survey has reported that we have an increasing preference for strong leaders, think that the economy is rigged toward the rich and powerful, and political elites are ignoring ‘hard-working people’.  The data is from February this ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    10 hours ago
  • Clearing up confusion (or trying to)
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters is understood to be planning a major speech within the next fortnight to clear up the confusion over whether or not New Zealand might join the AUKUS submarine project. So far, there have been conflicting signals from the Government. RNZ reported the Prime Minister yesterday in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    11 hours ago
  • How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log iPhone Without Computer
    How to Retrieve Deleted Call Log on iPhone Without a Computer: A StepbyStep Guide Losing your iPhone call history can be frustrating, especially when you need to find a specific number or recall an important conversation. But before you panic, know that there are ways to retrieve deleted call logs on your iPhone, even without a computer. This guide will explore various methods, ranging from simple checks to utilizing iCloud backups and thirdparty applications. So, lets dive in and recover those lost calls! 1. Check Recently Deleted Folder: Apple understands that accidental deletions happen. Thats why they introduced the Recently Deleted folder for various apps, including the Phone app. This folder acts as a safety net, storing deleted call logs for up to 30 days before permanently erasing them. Heres how to check it: Open the Phone app on your iPhone. Tap on the Recents tab at the bottom. Scroll to the top and tap on Edit. Select Show Recently Deleted. Browse the list to find the call logs you want to recover. Tap on the desired call log and choose Recover to restore it to your call history. 2. Restore from iCloud Backup: If you regularly back up your iPhone to iCloud, you might be able to retrieve your deleted call log from a previous backup. However, keep in mind that this process will restore your entire phone to the state it was in at the time of the backup, potentially erasing any data added since then. Heres how to restore from an iCloud backup: Go to Settings > General > Reset. Choose Erase All Content and Settings. Follow the onscreen instructions. Your iPhone will restart and show the initial setup screen. Choose Restore from iCloud Backup during the setup process. Select the relevant backup that contains your deleted call log. Wait for the restoration process to complete. 3. Explore ThirdParty Apps (with Caution): ...
    13 hours ago
  • How to Factory Reset iPhone without Computer: A Comprehensive Guide to Restoring your Device
    Life throws curveballs, and sometimes, those curveballs necessitate wiping your iPhone clean and starting anew. Whether you’re facing persistent software glitches, preparing to sell your device, or simply wanting a fresh start, knowing how to factory reset iPhone without a computer is a valuable skill. While using a computer with ...
    20 hours ago
  • How to Call Someone on a Computer: A Guide to Voice and Video Communication in the Digital Age
    Gone are the days when communication was limited to landline phones and physical proximity. Today, computers have become powerful tools for connecting with people across the globe through voice and video calls. But with a plethora of applications and methods available, how to call someone on a computer might seem ...
    21 hours ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #16 2024
    Open access notables Glacial isostatic adjustment reduces past and future Arctic subsea permafrost, Creel et al., Nature Communications: Sea-level rise submerges terrestrial permafrost in the Arctic, turning it into subsea permafrost. Subsea permafrost underlies ~ 1.8 million km2 of Arctic continental shelf, with thicknesses in places exceeding 700 m. Sea-level variations over glacial-interglacial cycles control ...
    21 hours ago
  • Where on a Computer is the Operating System Generally Stored? Delving into the Digital Home of your ...
    The operating system (OS) is the heart and soul of a computer, orchestrating every action and interaction between hardware and software. But have you ever wondered where on a computer is the operating system generally stored? The answer lies in the intricate dance between hardware and software components, particularly within ...
    21 hours ago
  • How Many Watts Does a Laptop Use? Understanding Power Consumption and Efficiency
    Laptops have become essential tools for work, entertainment, and communication, offering portability and functionality. However, with rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns, understanding a laptop’s power consumption is more important than ever. So, how many watts does a laptop use? The answer, unfortunately, isn’t straightforward. It depends on several ...
    21 hours ago
  • How to Screen Record on a Dell Laptop A Guide to Capturing Your Screen with Ease
    Screen recording has become an essential tool for various purposes, such as creating tutorials, capturing gameplay footage, recording online meetings, or sharing information with others. Fortunately, Dell laptops offer several built-in and external options for screen recording, catering to different needs and preferences. This guide will explore various methods on ...
    21 hours ago
  • How Much Does it Cost to Fix a Laptop Screen? Navigating Repair Options and Costs
    A cracked or damaged laptop screen can be a frustrating experience, impacting productivity and enjoyment. Fortunately, laptop screen repair is a common service offered by various repair shops and technicians. However, the cost of fixing a laptop screen can vary significantly depending on several factors. This article delves into the ...
    21 hours ago
  • How Long Do Gaming Laptops Last? Demystifying Lifespan and Maximizing Longevity
    Gaming laptops represent a significant investment for passionate gamers, offering portability and powerful performance for immersive gaming experiences. However, a common concern among potential buyers is their lifespan. Unlike desktop PCs, which allow for easier component upgrades, gaming laptops have inherent limitations due to their compact and integrated design. This ...
    21 hours ago
  • Climate Change: Turning the tide
    The annual inventory report of New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions has been released, showing that gross emissions have dropped for the third year in a row, to 78.4 million tons: All-told gross emissions have decreased by over 6 million tons since the Zero Carbon Act was passed in 2019. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    22 hours ago
  • How to Unlock Your Computer A Comprehensive Guide to Regaining Access
    Experiencing a locked computer can be frustrating, especially when you need access to your files and applications urgently. The methods to unlock your computer will vary depending on the specific situation and the type of lock you encounter. This guide will explore various scenarios and provide step-by-step instructions on how ...
    23 hours ago
  • Faxing from Your Computer A Modern Guide to Sending Documents Digitally
    While the world has largely transitioned to digital communication, faxing still holds relevance in certain industries and situations. Fortunately, gone are the days of bulky fax machines and dedicated phone lines. Today, you can easily send and receive faxes directly from your computer, offering a convenient and efficient way to ...
    24 hours ago
  • Protecting Your Home Computer A Guide to Cyber Awareness
    In our increasingly digital world, home computers have become essential tools for work, communication, entertainment, and more. However, this increased reliance on technology also exposes us to various cyber threats. Understanding these threats and taking proactive steps to protect your home computer is crucial for safeguarding your personal information, finances, ...
    24 hours ago
  • Server-Based Computing Powering the Modern Digital Landscape
    In the ever-evolving world of technology, server-based computing has emerged as a cornerstone of modern digital infrastructure. This article delves into the concept of server-based computing, exploring its various forms, benefits, challenges, and its impact on the way we work and interact with technology. Understanding Server-Based Computing: At its core, ...
    24 hours ago
  • Vroom vroom go the big red trucks
    The absolute brass neck of this guy.We want more medical doctors, not more spin doctors, Luxon was saying a couple of weeks ago, and now we’re told the guy has seven salaried adults on TikTok duty. Sorry, doing social media. The absolute brass neck of it. The irony that the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    24 hours ago
  • Jones finds $410,000 to help the government muscle in on a spat project
    Buzz from the Beehive Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones relishes spatting and eagerly takes issue with environmentalists who criticise his enthusiasm for resource development. He relishes helping the fishing industry too. And so today, while the media are making much of the latest culling in the public service to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • Again, hate crimes are not necessarily terrorism.
    Having written, taught and worked for the US government on issues involving unconventional warfare and terrorism for 30-odd years, two things irritate me the most when the subject is discussed in public. The first is the Johnny-come-lately academics-turned-media commentators who … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    1 day ago
  • Despair – construction consenting edition
    Eric Crampton writes – Kainga Ora is the government’s house building agency. It’s been building a lot of social housing. Kainga Ora has its own (but independent) consenting authority, Consentium. It’s a neat idea. Rather than have to deal with building consents across each different territorial authority, Kainga Ora ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • Coalition promises – will the Govt keep the commitment to keep Kiwis equal before the law?
    Muriel Newman writes – The Coalition Government says it is moving with speed to deliver campaign promises and reverse the damage done by Labour. One of their key commitments is to “defend the principle that New Zealanders are equal before the law.” To achieve this, they have pledged they “will not advance ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • An impermanent public service is a guarantee of very little else but failure
    Chris Trotter writes –  The absence of anything resembling a fightback from the public servants currently losing their jobs is interesting. State-sector workers’ collective fatalism in the face of Coalition cutbacks indicates a surprisingly broad acceptance of impermanence in the workplace. Fifty years ago, lay-offs in the thousands ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • What happens after the war – Mariupol
    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    1 day ago
  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    1 day ago
  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 day ago
  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    2 days ago
  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    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 ...
    3 days ago
  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    3 days ago
  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    3 days ago
  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    3 days ago
  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    4 days ago
  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #15
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 7, 2024 thru Sat, April 13, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week is about adults in the room setting terms and conditions of ...
    5 days ago
  • Feline Friends and Fragile Fauna The Complexities of Cats in New Zealand’s Conservation Efforts

    Cats, with their independent spirit and beguiling purrs, have captured the hearts of humans for millennia. In New Zealand, felines are no exception, boasting the highest national cat ownership rate globally [definition cat nz cat foundation]. An estimated 1.134 million pet cats grace Kiwi households, compared to 683,000 dogs ...

    5 days ago
  • Or is that just they want us to think?
    Nice guy, that Peter Williams. Amiable, a calm air of no-nonsense capability, a winning smile. Everything you look for in a TV presenter and newsreader.I used to see him sometimes when I went to TVNZ to be a talking head or a panellist and we would yarn. Nice guy, that ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • Fact Brief – Did global warming stop in 1998?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Did global warming stop in ...
    6 days ago
  • Arguing over a moot point.
    I have been following recent debates in the corporate and social media about whether it is a good idea for NZ to join what is known as “AUKUS Pillar Two.” AUKUS is the Australian-UK-US nuclear submarine building agreement in which … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    6 days ago
  • No Longer Trusted: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    Turning Point: What has turned me away from the mainstream news media is the very strong message that its been sending out for the last few years.” “And what message might that be?” “That the people who own it, the people who run it, and the people who provide its content, really don’t ...
    6 days ago

  • Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
    The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago
  • Judicial appointments announced
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 hours ago
  • Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
    Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa.  The summit is co-hosted ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago
  • Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
    A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago
  • Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul.    “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago
  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago
  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago
  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago
  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government redress for Te Korowai o Wainuiārua
    The Government is continuing the bipartisan effort to restore its relationship with iwi as the Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill passed its first reading in Parliament today, says Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith. “Historical grievances of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua relate to 19th century warfare, land purchased or taken ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-04-19T04:15:03+00:00