Mood of the smokoroom – fearful

Written By: - Date published: 9:11 am, January 18th, 2024 - 53 comments
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The Council of Trade Unions has completed its annual survey of workers and the mood is grim.

From Felix Desmarais at One News:

The survey, the sixth ‘Mood of the Workforce’ conducted annually by the CTU, gathered 2000 responses. Responses were from people who responded to an email from the CTU to a random selection of 50,000 people from the CTU’s ‘Together’ email list.

The email list is a database of people the CTU had contacted with over the last seven years via petitions, parliamentary submission calls, community events, and fundraising for community causes.

The CTU – which is closely aligned with, although not part of, the Labour Party – said the results of the survey showed more than two-thirds of working people felt the Government would make it harder to meet cost of living pressures, and more than three quarters of respondents believed the Government’s policies would make it harder to secure a “fair” pay rise.

President Richard Wagstaff said the results showed working people felt “insecure at work”.

“The feedback from this year’s survey is that many people are worried about the future of their jobs and well-being of their families.

“It’s clear the rushed and backwards looking repeal of employment legislation passed without consultation has signalled to working people that the Government does not care about their interests or the interests of most New Zealanders.

TV One’s reporting has somewhat toned down the tenor of the comments made.  The CTU’s analysis included these bullet points:

  • 80% of respondents said that the performance of the new government was bad or very bad
  • 70% of respondents said that the new government’s policies would make it more difficult to meet the cost of living over the next 12 months.
  • 53% of respondents said that the new government’s policies would make their job security worse.
  • Many comments from participants identified economic and/or societal divisiveness. They expressed ideas such as the new government “only cares about high-income workers not low-income”, that it  “is working for donors not the rest of us”, and that its policies “will increase inequality”.
  • 10% of comments provided described the government as racist or pandering to racists/racial division
  • The sentiment “the government is taking NZ backwards” appeared in 140 comments.

National’s Nicola Willis replied with a glib throw away line about how the survey only attracted a 4% response.  This  displays a disturbing lack of comprehension.  The survey email was sent to a sample of the CTU’s contact list, not every member.  And the responses poured in.

Of course National could surprise us all, work to improve the plight of ordinary workers, and increase their bargaining power so that wages can increase to address the cost of living crisis National trumpeted about.  But so far its policies have been retrograde.  Getting rid of fair pay agreements and extending the 90 day fire at will law will not improve worker’s conditions.

This National Government is not a John Key Labour lite with privatisation sort of Government.  It is more of the Ruth Richardson mother of all budgets Employment Contracts mode proudly brought to you by its right wing sponsors.  Workers are totally justified to be pessimistic about their future.

53 comments on “Mood of the smokoroom – fearful ”

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  1. James Simpson 1
    18 January 2024 at 9:59 am

    I am not sure you will get to much disagreement from the right on your conclusions.

    Their intention is to limit wage growth as a way to reduce the rate of inflation. Throughout the summer, they have proudly and repeatedly promoted the fact that they have amended the Reserve Bank's mandate. The Reserve Bank will no longer required consider employment when setting the OCR.

    That change will result in increased unemployment which will create downward pressure on wages.

    That was one of their key election promises so I don't see them going back on it and surprising us.

  2. backpats 2
    18 January 2024 at 10:04 am

    How many responses where there from the random selection of addresses emailed?

    • Hanswurst 2.1
      19 January 2024 at 5:54 am

      Just under 2000 within 7 days, according to the PDF summary by the CTU (linked in the post). If Willis' claim of a 4% response-rate is accurate, therefore, the email must have gone out to about 50,000 members.

  3. Tony Veitch 3
    18 January 2024 at 10:04 am

    Of course National could surprise us all, work to improve the plight of ordinary workers, and increase their bargaining power so that wages can increase to address the cost of living crisis National trumpeted about.

    Don't hold your breath!

    • Tricledrown 3.1
      18 January 2024 at 10:27 am

      Giving a $ billion to very well off landlords while the bonded rentiers peasants pay higher prices for rent and everything else.

      Creating more misery for the expendable peasants.

      Wealth disparity on crack!

      We have the same wealth gap as the UK these days.

      So do the class system it's just glossed over spun like it doesn't exist .But it exists.

      The peasants and bonded labourer ie beneficiaries and migrant labourers who often work in slave like conditions.

      The impoverished minimum wage worker. Who can t pay all the minimum bills

      Lower middle class you wage worker on under $35 per hour. Who just scrapes through

      Middle Middle class who can afford a few luxuries.

      Upper Middle class who can afford to keep all their bills paid and have a late model car and a few luxuries

      Then lower upper class who can afford a decent house a company car with a fuel card have an oversea trip every year

      Then Middle upper class the snobby gobby ones like Luxon Helen Clark Adrrn etc.

      Then the upper class The wide boys John Key type money is no object who don't give a rats about the poorer people and laud it over everyone.

      The two Ronnie's had a skit explaining it years ago.

      When NZ was a fare society.

  4. Tricledrown 4
    18 January 2024 at 10:09 am

    Austerity compounding low returns from our biggest exports will mean a lower tax take rising interest rates imports being dearer then tax cuts causing increased spending causing more inflation.

    Nationals economic policy could be described like putting your foot hard down on the accelerator while you have you handbrake fully on causing the economy to go into a tailspin leaving the economy drifting into a recession.

    • James Simpson 4.1
      18 January 2024 at 10:23 am

      I think we will find that we are already in recession. Liam Dann had a good analysis pre-Christmas

      Liam Dann

      Of course, government policy will accelerate this though.

  5. Pat 5
    18 January 2024 at 10:20 am

    The reason workers are feeling less secure in their employment is the slowing economy….something they witness in their workplace daily and something that has been grinding away for months (in some industries years).

  6. Ffloyd 6
    18 January 2024 at 10:49 am

    Thanks Pat. I feel so much better after reading YOUR reasoning of why workers are feeling less secure in their employment. Nothing to do with the repealing of legislation which was in place to protect their employment security then? Repealing under urgency with no consultations or scrutiny I might add. This COC Govt is very bad for New Zealand/Aotearoa. …..Something I just read recently…..’There is nothing more corrosive to character than money’. ….Very true. The evidence is sitting there in our present Government. All BOTTOM FEEDERS need to stand strong.

    • Pat 6.1
      18 January 2024 at 11:48 am

      There is nothing to be gained by misattributing cause nor erroneous analysis.

      'The fact remains that the economy was slowing prior to the election, the then Government had already announced public service cuts and fair pay agreements do nothing to protect positions that are no longer available.

      But if it makes you feel better by all means blame the current set of managers in the Beehive for events that were in train long before October and outcomes that will occur irrespective of who sits where in Parliament.

      The politicians gave away what little control they had of the real economy decades ago.

      You may wish to consider another factor impacting employment security unmentioned by the CTU…”In the whole of last year 204,327 people arrived in this country on work visas and another 73,659 arrived on student visas.”

      https://www.interest.co.nz/public-policy/125938/number-people-country-work-visas-increased-54-last-year

      • SPC 6.1.1
        18 January 2024 at 1:23 pm

        Given NACT were demanding more workers in (and the return of students), and so were their business backers it cannot be said that this was something they did not want.

        Labour buckled to the post lockdown Enzed mood – lest there be media reports about firms unable to find workers pre election.

        And so instead they got criticised for not maintaining a considered process, demonstrating "incompetence".

        The economy was slowing despite the increase in workers because of RB policy – holding the dollar up to prevent imported inflation (rising rates offshore), managing down property values (because of the poor allocation of QE money via banks) and the effects of weather related (and gib board) shortages.

        • Pat 6.1.1.1
          18 January 2024 at 1:38 pm

          So in summary

          Both Labour and National want increased immigration

          Both National and Labour are subject to media/electoral pressures

          Both National and Labour support central bank independence

          And neither National nor Labour control the weather

          • SPC 6.1.1.1.1
            18 January 2024 at 1:52 pm

            The economy was not slowing because of government action.

            The difference of degree, as per public sector cuts, was significant.

            Fair Pay Agreements apply to more than the public sector.

            The difference between a MW increase of over a $ and one of 50 cents would be c$75 a week in 3 years.

            And when added to the new ability for landlords to remove tenants they have maximised rent from …

  7. Patricia Bremner 7
    18 January 2024 at 11:13 am

    No Pat, it is the threat to the Public Service jobs, the removal of protections, and this Governments 100 day plan, which was cobbled together for the three unlikely coalition partners who care less about ordinary folk.

    Health has again become the preserve of the well off.

    Education will be undermined by light funding and heavy top down edicts, while Seymore will take from that pot for his charter schools.

    The black ops are active once more in media and in the background, putting up puff pieces to flatter the current “leaders”.

    When small businesses start to fall over, and mortgagee sales start in earnest we will be back into “The Fire Economy”. as Jane Kelsey explained so well in her book.

    Further, when many can not afford insurance any more, there will be no protection from climate change, covid or any other mishap, and those with money will buy up any worthwhile assets.

    We will become renters in our own land or homeless, especially those from families with no assets. They will be told “To work harder”. not quite “Work will set you free” but bloody close to that with the removal of all protections and back to the contracting spiral.

    The growth of money making charities tells you it is a sick society with band aides everywhere, leaning on the American idea of Foundations, where money gifts from the rich are tagged, and not part of taxes.

    Maori are holding a hui to discuss how to counter the Governments moves.
    Workers and other interested parties should send representatives or join online.

    Unions need to rally representatives of all unions, especially the Public Service. and work on strategies. Otherwise the self interested will win. We need to get tech savvy.

    The economy has slowed along with China, and all countries affected by the costs of fighting covid are fighting inflation. The way the USA arranges their recovery, makes it worse for other economies.

    The tale of woe sold to us, is just that, a tale. NZ wealthy did not suffer, NZ workers were supported through it, but those who went down rabbit holes made out it was a health shambles that caused inflation.

    So promised tax cuts were the answer for “the squeezed middle”, until those could not be conjured up in quite the way they dreamed, by selling off properties over 2 mill.

    The idea that this is all down to a “slowing economy” fudges the drastic behaviour of this cabal of greed imo.

    • Tiger Mountain 7.1
      18 January 2024 at 11:37 am

      Yes, the NZCTU should be calling regional delegates and members meetings–non members and families invited where appropriate–to organise action and support for communities as the union busting begins.

      Low membership density is the very reason direct action and community organising is needed–not an excuse not to, as the CTU has claimed over the years (we can only be as strong as our affiliates)–time now to provide some class leadership on a daily basis. Various state sector unions need to drop the BS political neutrality position and get stuck in. Several public sector unions were fine with strike action under a Labour Govt. so lets hope that continues under a filthy tory one!

      Minimum wage is likely to be frozen and whether other workers realise it or not the organised working class set a floor for them, and we all benefit from previous struggles…Paid Parental Leave, Redundancy agreements, weekends! holidays! time for a class left focused union movement to reassert itself.

      The Natzos are quite clear–they are here to enforce a “Tale of Two Cities” NZ Aotearoa, where the cashed up become better off at the expense of the bottom 50%.

    • Pat 7.2
      18 January 2024 at 12:04 pm

      Have a look at your list Patricia and then honestly answer yourself how different the fundamental settings of this coalition and the previous are…..the differences are marginal by design.

    • Tony Veitch 7.3
      18 January 2024 at 1:13 pm

      And when it finally becomes patently obvious even to Nicola that she hasn't the money to pay for the tax cuts for the wealthy and landlords, will she raise GST to 20% or just 17.5%?

      Because it's coming!

  8. Patricia Bremner 8
    18 January 2024 at 1:07 pm

    Pat, you may be in the “lucky” cohort who are not impacted by the changes.
    Your idea of “marginal” is quite strange and unsupported by the facts.
    I do hope your area is not impacted by climate change, as the money for that eventuality is being redirected to Landlords. Just one of those “marginal ” changes. this should link to Pat @ 7.2

    • Pat 8.1
      18 January 2024 at 1:56 pm

      Am I in the "lucky" cohort?…..I am in the cohort that dosnt seek to rail against those things which I cannot change, seeks to understand the causes and does its best to mitigate the ramifications….is that lucky?

      Or do you mean am I inured to economic conditions due to a wealth of financial assets…most certainly not (nor are my offspring) and it is for exactly that reason that I am in the cohort I am.

      • SPC 8.1.1
        18 January 2024 at 2:08 pm

        That sort of makes sense, you're here to gaslight those who think there being daylight being one party and another means anything.

        Just a more subtle nihilist than Corey, then.

        • Pat 8.1.1.1
          18 January 2024 at 3:04 pm

          If you consider facilitating understanding through discussion debate 'gaslighting' the you may be correct….if.

          As to daylight between one party and another….if the teams agree as to the format of the game does the game change if one team or another wins?

          • Patricia Bremner 8.1.1.1.1
            18 January 2024 at 4:49 pm

            Yes the "game" can aim at fairer rules for those with less.

            Doing away with the checks and balances and saying "they're all the same and nothing can be done" is rubbish defeatist and negates strategies to rebalance. It rubbishes voting.

            The fact you are in the cohort affected should rile you, and have you planning how to cope. Or do you believe it is all ordained, and we are helpless?

            I hope not, because that is what is wanted. Subservient workers and unemployed grateful for any "scrap" of charity.

            People have died to protect these rights. Why the hell are you so accepting and critical of well directed anger?

            I see responses like yours and Corey’s aimed at your own instead of the rich and powerful, who beat down opposition any way they can with their power and money. We need to use our numbers and the rules of the game, plus expose their crooked schemes.

            The 3 amigos have removed rights with urgency and no consultation. Like we don't matter. Well we do matter and some of us intend to fight back, because what has been done is plain wrong on any level.

            • Tiger Mountain 8.1.1.1.1.1
              18 January 2024 at 5:01 pm

              yes

            • Pat 8.1.1.1.1.2
              18 January 2024 at 5:18 pm

              "Yes the "game" can aim at fairer rules for those with less."

              Indeed it can (and should)…as I have outlined on numerous occasions. Labour refuses to go there

              "Doing away with the checks and balances and saying "they're all the same and nothing can be done" is rubbish defeatist and negates strategies to rebalance. It rubbishes voting."

              I have never said nothing can be done…on the contrary, I have called for progressive taxation, a compression of remmuneration and public ownership of infrastructure. In these manners they are the same….it dosnt rubbish voting because if sufficient agree then they are forced to change.

              "The fact you are in the cohort affected should rile you, and have you planning how to cope. Or do you believe it is all ordained, and we are helpless?"

              All cohorts are affected….some however more immediately than others.

              "People have died to protect these rights. Why the hell are you so accepting and critical of well directed anger?"

              Yes people have (and people have also died fighting them) …my criticism is the anger is NOT well directed.

              "I see responses like yours and Corey’s aimed at your own instead of the rich and powerful, who beat down opposition any way they can with their power and money. We need to use our numbers and the rules of the game, plus expose their crooked schemes."

              And I see mindless support of 'our team' and unthinking criticism of the other as detrimental to gaining sufficient support for real meaningful change.

              "The 3 amigos have removed rights with urgency and no consultation. Like we don't matter. Well we do matter and some of us intend to fight back, because what has been done is plain wrong on any level."

              The coalition has made changes to some policies rapidly and without consultation….just as the previous government did in implementing many.

              Ultimately they both succeed or fail by the will of the majority….the trick is to build policies wanted by the majority.

              • Drowsy M. Kram …
                18 January 2024 at 7:00 pm

                And I see mindless support of 'our team' and unthinking criticism of the other as detrimental to gaining sufficient support for real meaningful change.

                Liberal use of "mindless" and "unthinking" may also be "detrimental to gaining sufficient support for real meaningful change" – time will tell.

                “TOAD! TOAD!” The People chant in mindless fervour.

                ….the trick is to build policies wanted by the majority.

                If only the majority understood what’s best in the long run – that's the 'trick'.

                • Pat …
                  18 January 2024 at 7:26 pm

                  "If only the majority understood what’s best in the long run – that's the 'trick'."

                  The voting public are always right….despite your misgivings

                  • Drowsy M. Kram …
                    18 January 2024 at 7:46 pm

                    The voting public are always right….

                    Despite your misgivings about the "mindless' and "unthinking"? smiley

                    Still, maybe we’re on the cusp of “real meaningful change” – time will tell.

                  • Drowsy M. Kram …
                    18 January 2024 at 8:45 pm

                    Yes despite the mindless and unthinking…..for the alternatives are worse.

                    Democracy is indeed the best of a bad bunch (imho), but does it necessarily follow that voters (including the "mindless" and "unthinking") "are always right"? That seems incompatible with our impending environmental and societal collapse, but perhaps your view of the prospects for this iteration of civilisation is rosier than mine.

                    Unlike you, I'm not convinced "the voting public are always right".

                    • Pat …
                      18 January 2024 at 9:04 pm

                      If you consider that democracy is the best option then the voters must always be right ….otherwise you are suggesting there is a better system.

                      And democracy does not preclude environmental nor societal collapse though I would suggest that it is the system that would likely delay both of those the longest.

                  • Drowsy M. Kram …
                    18 January 2024 at 9:59 pm

                    If you consider that democracy is the best option then the voters must always be right ….otherwise you are suggesting there is a better system.

                    Nope, I'm not suggesting there is a better system. Like you, democracy is my preferred option – I just don't believe that “the voters must always be right“. Surely you aren't suggesting that voters are (collectively) always infallible – what then would be the point of a supermajority?

                    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Referendums_in_New_Zealand#Parental_corporal_punishment

                    Imho, the idea that in a democracy "the voters must always be right" is illogical – all individuals, groups, and even majorities make mistakes, for example when voter views are seriously at variance with facts.

                    To err is human – we can agree to disagree.

                    • Pat …
                      18 January 2024 at 10:16 pm

                      I did not say voters (or the governments they elect) are infallible.

                      They are however always right (or correct if you prefer) in their selection of government, otherwise you are questioning the method of governance…or suggesting that there is a better system (which you have twice agreed you dont believe there is).

                      It is so because ultimately the consequences of those decisions impact all….rightly or wrongly, and who is best to determine whether those decisions need to be revisited/changed/enhanced?….those impacted….and how best to ascertain such?….by majority.

                      Nothing else offers such ability to recognise and correct errors.

                  • Drowsy M. Kram …
                    18 January 2024 at 11:59 pm

                    They are however always right (or correct if you prefer) in their selection of government, otherwise you are questioning the method of governance….

                    Obviously, the result of a correctly conducted democratic vote is (correctly/rightly) democratic. I (mis)interpreted your assertion that "the voting public are always right" to mean that voters are 'correct' (without error) in the broader sense, but (as you alluded to), this is not always (or perhaps even often) the case, hence the need to "correct errors".

                    I hope we can agree that even the 'best' (new and improved) democracies are failing to correct errors at an alarming rate – probably just a natural result of the human 'overshoot' condition.

                    Still, democracy is preferable to non-democratic governance – just imagine what a global democracy could achieve on spaceship Earth.

                    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_globalization

                  • Drowsy M. Kram …
                    19 January 2024 at 5:37 pm

                    I also suspect that democracy is at its most effective a smaller scale.

                    yes A shame, then, that our first global civilisation is so big – mismatch!

              • Patricia Bremner …
                18 January 2024 at 7:52 pm

                Pat First thanks for your full reply. Your last point.

                "To build Policies wanted by the majority."

                That is not what the majority voted in, as Policy building was not very evident.

                It was tax cuts which are not viable in this economic climate, plus promises to their base to change back laws which they considered punitive.

                Policies for nation building are thin on the ground imo.

                • Pat …
                  18 January 2024 at 8:06 pm

                  You are making a grand assumption on the reason(s) why the coalition received the votes they did…..tax cuts may have been the motivation (or part of) for some and may not have been.

                  The fact is they received the required votes to form a Government….and within 3 years we will have the opportunity to pass judgement on how we think they have performed.

                  • Patricia Bremner …
                    19 January 2024 at 2:18 pm

                    Pat, on reflection, after reading over the whole thing plus DMKs contribution…Wow your passive aggression is showing. 'Mindless railing', and now "grand assumption.' Just wow.

                    You are very critical but you do not offer any solutions, just passive aggressive comebacks. I note Drowsy M Kram tried to show you the fallacies in your statements, and then you redirected the conversation to democracy.

                    I looked back and many of your "discussions" are like that. "Above the fray" Well good luck with that. There are plenty of subtle digs from you at the left and supporters, but few comments critical of the right… except as a passive observer. No doubt you will return the serve, but try to discuss the points without the pejoratives thanks.

                    • Pat …
                      19 January 2024 at 2:44 pm

                      Wow your passive aggression is showing. 'Mindless railing', and now "grand assumption.' Just wow."

                      Im sure you will find passive aggression when you misquote me….perhaps you may wish to reread what I wrote.

                      "You are very critical but you do not offer any solutions, just passive aggressive comebacks. I note Drowsy M Kram tried to show you the fallacies in your statements, and then you redirected the conversation to democracy."

                      Again, reread what I wrote…e.g. "I have never said nothing can be done…on the contrary, I have called for progressive taxation, a compression of remmuneration and public ownership of infrastructure. In these manners they are the same….it dosnt rubbish voting because if sufficient agree then they are forced to change."

                      My conversation with Drowsy was about democracy…hardly a redirection.

                      "I looked back and many of your "discussions" are like that. "Above the fray" Well good luck with that. There are plenty of subtle digs from you at the left and supporters, but few comments critical of the right… except as a passive observer. No doubt you will return the serve, but try to discuss the points without the pejoratives thanks."

                      Wow, just wow!

                    • Tiger Mountain …
                      19 January 2024 at 3:55 pm

                      Pat = Passive Aggressive Tory…

  9. Chess Player 9
    18 January 2024 at 8:42 pm

    Possibly I missed this detail in the post, but my questions would be:

    1. How many of the 50,000 'randomly selected' replied, and were surveyed to get the 2,000 responses?

    2. How many people are on the total CTU list?

    3. Why was the full list not surveyed? (you know, to get a full picture)?

    Not doubting at all that people feel under pressure due to the so called cost of living crisis, but keen to get some perspective based on statistical integrity.

    • Incognito 9.1
      18 January 2024 at 9:19 pm

      It is [as] in the Post.

      Commentary and notes on methodology

      The sixth annual mood of the workforce survey was conducted between 3 January and 10 January, 2024 and had 1,990 recipients.

      The survey is based on people who respond to an email to a random selection of 50,000 people from the CTU’s Together email list. This is a database of people we have had contact with over the last seven years via petitions, parliamentary submission calls, community events, and fundraising for community causes. They have given previous permission to be contacted by the CTU.

      https://union.org.nz/working-people-fear-for-their-future-and-new-zealands/

      Any further question regarding the methodology and ‘statistical integrity’ should be directed to NZCTU @ https://union.org.nz/contact/ and your Statistics Professor if you’re still completing your studies at uni.

      Undoubtedly, your scepticism of “the so called cost of living crisis” is well founded.

  10. Mike the Lefty 10
    19 January 2024 at 10:08 pm

    In my workplace people who a couple of months ago were dancing in the streets at the fall of the Labour government are now asking themselves "what have we done?"

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    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 26

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking about the Royal Commission Inquiry into Abuse in Care report released this week, and with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on a UN push to not recognise carbon offset markets and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 26, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Transport: Simeon Brown announced $802.9 million in funding for 18 new trains on the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines, which ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Radical law changes needed to build road

    The northern expressway extension from Warkworth to Whangarei is likely to require radical changes to legislation if it is going to be built within the foreseeable future. The Government’s powers to purchase land, the planning process and current restrictions on road tolling are all going to need to be changed ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #30 2024

    Open access notables Could an extremely cold central European winter such as 1963 happen again despite climate change?, Sippel et al., Weather and Climate Dynamics: Here, we first show based on multiple attribution methods that a winter of similar circulation conditions to 1963 would still lead to an extreme seasonal ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • First they came for the Māori

    Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedFirst they came for the doctors But I was confused by the numbers and costs So I didn't speak up Then they came for our police and nurses And I didn't think we could afford those costs anyway So I ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Join us for the weekly Hoon on YouTube Live

    Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on UnsplashWe’re back again after our mid-winter break. We’re still with the ‘new’ day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when we have our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Will the real PM Luxon please stand up?

    Notes: This is a free article. Abuse in Care themes are mentioned. Video is at the bottom.BackgroundYesterday’s report into Abuse in Care revealed that at least 1 in 3 of all who went through state and faith based care were abused - often horrifically. At least, because not all survivors ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Will debt reduction trump abuse in care redress?

    Luxon speaks in Parliament yesterday about the Abuse in Care report. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:PM Christopher Luxon said yesterday in tabling the Abuse in Care report in Parliament he wanted to ‘do the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Olywhites and Time Bandits

    About a decade ago I worked with a bloke called Steve. He was the grizzled veteran coder, a few years older than me, who knew where the bodies were buried - code wise. Despite his best efforts to be approachable and friendly he could be kind of gruff, through to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Why were the 1930s so hot in North America?

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters and Bob Henson Those who’ve trawled social media during heat waves have likely encountered a tidbit frequently used to brush aside human-caused climate change: Many U.S. states and cities had their single hottest temperature on record during the 1930s, setting incredible heat marks ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • Throwback Thursday – Thinking about Expressways

    Some of the recent announcements from the government have reminded us of posts we’ve written in the past. Here’s one from early 2020. There were plenty of reactions to the government’s infrastructure announcement a few weeks ago which saw them fund a bunch of big roading projects. One of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Thursday, July 25 are:News: Why Electric Kiwi is closing to new customers - and why it matters RNZ’s Susan EdmundsScoop: Government drops ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Possum: Demon or Friend?

    Hi,I felt a small wet tongue snaking through one of the holes in my Crocs. It explored my big toe, darting down one side, then the other. “He’s looking for some toe cheese,” said the woman next to me, words that still haunt me to this day.Growing up in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Not a story

    Yesterday I happily quoted the Prime Minister without fact-checking him and sure enough, it turns out his numbers were all to hell. It’s not four kg of Royal Commission report, it’s fourteen.My friend and one-time colleague-in-comms Hazel Phillips gently alerted me to my error almost as soon as I’d hit ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Thursday, July 25, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day were:The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry published its final report yesterday.PM Christopher Luxon and The Minister responsible for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • A tougher line on “proactive release”?

    The Official Information Act has always been a battle between requesters seeking information, and governments seeking to control it. Information is power, so Ministers and government agencies want to manage what is released and when, for their own convenience, and legality and democracy be damned. Their most recent tactic for ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • 'Let's build a motorway costing $100 million per km, before emissions costs'

    TL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:Transport and Energy Minister Simeon Brown is accelerating plans to spend at least $10 billion through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to extend State Highway One as a four-lane ‘Expressway’ from Warkworth to Whangarei ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Lester's Prescription – Positive Bleeding.

    I live my life (woo-ooh-ooh)With no control in my destinyYea-yeah, yea-yeah (woo-ooh-ooh)I can bleed when I want to bleedSo come on, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)You can bleed when you want to bleedYea-yeah, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)Everybody bleed when they want to bleedCome on and bleedGovernments face tough challenges. Selling unpopular decisions to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Casey Costello gaslights Labour in the House

    Please note:To skip directly to the- parliamentary footage in the video, scroll to 1:21 To skip to audio please click on the headphone icon on the left hand side of the screenThis video / audio section is under development. ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    3 days ago
  • Why is the Texas grid in such bad shape?

    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Headline from 2021 The Texas grid, run by ERCOT, has had a rough few years. In 2021, winter storm Uri blacked out much of the state for several days. About a week ago, Hurricane Beryl knocked out ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on a textbook case of spending waste by the Luxon government

    Given the crackdown on wasteful government spending, it behooves me to point to a high profile example of spending by the Luxon government that looks like a big, fat waste of time and money. I’m talking about the deployment of NZDF personnel to support the US-led coalition in the Red ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:40 am on Wednesday, July 24 are:Deep Dive: Chipping away at the housing crisis, including my comments RNZ/Newsroom’s The DetailNews: Government softens on asset sales, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • LXR Takaanini

    As I reported about the city centre, Auckland’s rail network is also going through a difficult and disruptive period which is rapidly approaching a culmination, this will result in a significant upgrade to the whole network. Hallelujah. Also like the city centre this is an upgrade predicated on the City ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    3 days ago
  • Four kilograms of pain

    Today, a 4 kilogram report will be delivered to Parliament. We know this is what the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care weighs, because our Prime Minister told us so.Some reporter had blindsided him by asking a question about something done by ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, July 24, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Beehive: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to use PPPs to fund, build and run a four-lane expressway between Auckland ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Luxon gets caught out

    NewstalkZB host Mike Hosking, who can usually be relied on to give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon an easy run, did not do so yesterday when he interviewed him about the HealthNZ deficit. Luxon is trying to use a deficit reported last year by HealthNZ as yet another example of the ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • A worrying sign

    Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Are we fine with 47.9% home-ownership by 2048?

    Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloitte report for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Let's Win This

    You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Waimahara: The Singing Spirit of Water

    There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’s Oliver LewisScoop: Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announced the Board of Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • HealthNZ and Luxon at cross purposes over budget blowout

    Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

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