More hypocrisy from National

Written By: - Date published: 10:06 am, November 19th, 2007 - 53 comments
Categories: national - Tags:

It’s interesting to see National is attacking Peter Davis, the PM’s husband, over a letter he wrote to the NZ Herald about the Electoral Finance Bill.

Apparently Peter Davis – a respected university professor – is not entitled to views of his own and is merely parroting the lines of the ‘Clark household’. From Bill English’s press release:

“Professor Davis clearly shares Labour’s suspicion of any dollar that isn’t a taxpayer dollar, and Labour’s inability to handle any criticism.

“The letter shows the whole Clark household is out of touch.”

Given Bill English’s complaints about criticism of his son’s racist, homophobic and anti-semitic comments on Bebo, his decision to issue a press release criticising the Clark household rings a little hollow.

But more to the point, isn’t this attack on Davis’ ability to separate his career from that of his partner a little hypocritical, given National’s desperate attempts to make political capital over the Madeleine Setchell affair?

53 comments on “More hypocrisy from National ”

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  1. the sprout 1
    19 November 2007 at 10:16 am

    and then there’s the incoherency of claiming on the one had he’s out of touch, then on the other saying he shoudln’t be involved in the debate.
    still, the more National tries to make itself relevant by focussing on the irrelevant the better.

  2. Daveo 2
    19 November 2007 at 10:17 am

    It’s just shameless opportunism. There are no principles at work in National’s attacks on the govt, it’s just whatever mud they can find to throw at the govt and hope it gets picked up by NZPA. Why aren’t there more journalists calling them on this kind of shit?

  3. Robinsod 3
    19 November 2007 at 10:18 am

    If Peter is not gonna spend $60k on advertising he should just STFU. I mean really writing a letter to the editor – that doesn’t cost anything! Who does he think he is?!

    Oh and this from the bottom of the Herald article:
    [Today] The Electoral Finance Bill is due to be reported back by a select committee, and the Government will again be beaten with a rod it made for its own back.

    How can they be so sure about how it will play out? I guess when they’re running stories straight out of the Nats (unlawfully) leaked minority report they probably get the inside running on their anti-govt campaign too.

  4. the sprout 4
    19 November 2007 at 10:29 am

    “from the bottom of the Herald article… Government will again be beaten with a rod it made for its own back”

    yeah that’s what i thought. so objective, so balanced, so Herald.

  5. JamesK 5
    19 November 2007 at 10:31 am

    I’m with Sprout. As much as National tries to focus on the trivial do you think anyone outside of the Molesworth precinct actually cares? Who the fuck is Hugh Logan to most people?

  6. Benodic 6
    19 November 2007 at 10:40 am

    Thing is, it’s not about Setchell at all – it’s about National furthering the line that this isolated incident represents a government that’s ‘corrupt to the core’ and is hellbent on ‘politicising the public service’.

    If National were really concerned about principles over politics then they wouldn’t have launched this disgraceful attack against Peter Davis.

    (Captcha: Capitalism Seattle – I feel a riot coming on)

  7. Billy 7
    19 November 2007 at 10:41 am

    Peter Davis chose to involve himself in the debate. He should therefore be willing to take the criticism.

    Now that Matt McCCarten has come out against the EFB, by my count it is only Tane and Pete who are for it.

  8. Tane 8
    19 November 2007 at 10:43 am

    Billy, in that case you should probably learn to count.

  9. Nih 9
    19 November 2007 at 10:45 am

    Billy, should YOUR views be individually subject to national review and scathing criticism? No? How about if you’re John Key’s lover or child?

    How about letting the guy speak as a New Zealander and nothing else?

  10. the bean 10
    19 November 2007 at 10:48 am

    ahhh yes matt mccarten, the bastion of left political analysis. the first time i met him i thought ‘what a nice well-meaning chap, seems switched on’. that was until i realised what a self serving guy he really is. who, in their right mind, would work with mathew hooten and pam corkery on an election campaign for that sexist bigoted john tamihere? matt doesn’t care about the left.

  11. Billy 11
    19 November 2007 at 11:02 am

    Nih, once I write a letter to the newspaper, criticism of me is fair enough. If I do not want to be criticised, I shouldn’t write to a national newspaper. Simple, really.

  12. Brownie 12
    19 November 2007 at 11:08 am

    But Nih, John Boscowen has opened himself up to attack from Helen this morning by organising a march (i.e. being attacked on National TV for demonstrating his views).

    Peter does exactly the same by writing a letter in a public forum and thus opening himself (his views, that is – not him personally) to critique.

  13. Robinsod 13
    19 November 2007 at 11:08 am

    So um, Billy if the Labour party picked up on that letter and decided to personally attack you and your household because of it you’d be like, “hey fair enough”?

  14. Tane 14
    19 November 2007 at 11:09 am

    Billy, criticism of Davis is fine, though I do wonder how often the Deputy Leader of the National Party issues press statements (which are picked up by the NZ Herald) attacking people who write letters to the editor.

    But the point is this: English directly attacked Davis’ ability to separate his career from that of his partner, in direct contradiction to his previous comments about Madeleine Setchell and Kevin Taylor.

    He also attacked Helen Clark over comments made by someone else in her household, after complaining that he can’t be held responsible for the activities of a member of his own.

    Don’t you think it’s all just a little hypocritical?

  15. Robinsod 15
    19 November 2007 at 11:14 am

    Brownie – I don’t think the PM has attacked Boscowen’s “household”.

  16. Billy 16
    19 November 2007 at 11:18 am

    Robinsod, you’re all a bit sensitive of you think that the press release constitues a “personal attack”. It points out that Davis supports the legislation, and goes on to attack the legislation. Hardly a “personal attack”. And WTF did Davis think would happen?

  17. Brownie 17
    19 November 2007 at 11:24 am

    Sry all, posted without putting in the “code”.

    Even though I’m a National supporter, English often attacks the person and not the issue. I don’t look favourably on it and think it is rude – especially in the light of the slander Mr Davis has recieved in the past.

  18. Robinsod 18
    19 November 2007 at 11:27 am

    Billy – that’s the first time anyone’s ever called me “sensitive”. You’ve obviously seen right through my hard cynical exterior and into my gentle heart. Maybe there is a place for you in it.

    It’s the fact that National has thrown the weight of its media machine against a private citizen writing a letter to the editor that I have issue with. Bill didn’t like this disparity of power when the media focused on the statements his kid made but he seems pretty keen to score points here. That makes him a hypocrite.

  19. Billy 19
    19 November 2007 at 11:35 am

    Robinsod, if you can’t see any difference between a teenage boy posting on a dumb teenage boy website and the spouse of the Prime Minister writing to a national newspaper, I do not think I will be able to make you see that difference.

  20. Benodic 20
    19 November 2007 at 11:36 am

    Billy are you going to reply to Tane or are you just ignoring it in the hope that it’ll go away?

  21. Billy 21
    19 November 2007 at 11:51 am

    Jesus, Bendonic, Dad4Justice is right, we’re living in a fascist state. I don’t notice Tane responding to every stupid thing I say.

    But since I have stareted: Tane’s criticism is that “English directly attacked Davis’ ability to separate his career from that of his partner…”

    My response to that is: how?

    English said Davis supports this law, and then goes on to say how the law is bad. I can’t see where he “attacks” anything other than the law.

    Anything else I can do for you, Bendonic?

  22. Robinsod 22
    19 November 2007 at 11:57 am

    Billy – I have noticed that if you ask Tane a question he tends to answer it.

  23. dave 23
    19 November 2007 at 11:59 am

    Of course you lefties will not admit that the only reason he wrote the letter to the Herald was because of his relationship to the PM – not his job, qualifications, gender, abilities or anything else. If he did not want to draw attention to himself he could have always made the letter anonymous or left out his occupation and kept us all guessing.
    But he wanted us all to know that he was Helen Clarks husband without specifically telling us.

    It’s called spousal campaigning.

  24. Robinsod 24
    19 November 2007 at 12:05 pm

    Of course you lefties will not admit that the only reason he wrote the letter to the Herald was because of his relationship to the PM

    Oh my god!! You read minds! Quick do me do me – what am I thinking right now?? Jeez Davo – you don’t know why he wrote the letter and “spousal campaigning”? You just made that up you silly boy (I can actually read minds…)

  25. Daveo 25
    19 November 2007 at 12:07 pm

    he wanted us all to know that he was Helen Clarks husband without specifically telling us.

    I’m sorry, that just doesn’t make any sense.

    Peter Davis was writing in his professional capacity as a sociology professor at the University of Auckland. That’s how he signed his letter off. Not once did he mention the PM.

    Of course anyone who knows anything about politics will know he’s the PM’s husband. I just think it’s rather off for National to make out like he can’t have an opinion of his own.

  26. the bean 26
    19 November 2007 at 12:13 pm

    maybe he should have got a christo-fundy group to send the letter on his behalf

  27. Billy 27
    19 November 2007 at 12:14 pm

    What a beat up.

    Davis wrote to the paper. It is precious in the extreme to object to criticism of what he wrote once he did so.

    Surely you guys have something valid to criticise National about. I’d get on with that, because this just makes you look like a bunch of nancy-boys.

  28. MikeE 28
    19 November 2007 at 12:27 pm

    The difference being – National aren’t trying to make his letter illegal!

  30. Insolent Prick 30
    19 November 2007 at 12:42 pm

    Stop telling lies, Tane. Nowhere does Bill English say that Peter Davis isn’t entitled to express an opinion.

    How you can compare a political position on an issue in a newspaper, taken by a professor of sociology, who happens to be the PM’s husband, with views expressed on a bebo page by a child is extraordinary.

    Peter Davis waded into the political debate. What is bizarre is that of all the people in New Zealand, the only person the Labour Party could find to defend the Bill is the PM’s husband.

    More than 2,000 people marched down Queen Street opposing the worst piece of legislation in recent history. Defending it, are the PM and her husband. It does say a lot about how out of touch with the rest of New Zealand the Davis-Clark partnership is.

    Oh, and if you somehow think the publicly expressed political opinion of the PM’s spouse is not news, you’ve got even greater credibility problems. How very hollow of you all.

  31. Robinsod 31
    19 November 2007 at 12:56 pm

    Insolent Liar – You’re back! I thought you’d read back through a few of your old posts, thought about why you bother and then decided to hang yourself. The cops (who have a bit of experience in such things) put the size of the Queen Street march at 1500 and yet you seem to want to continue using the phrase “more then 2,000”. So you are caught out lying again eh? What a surprise.

  32. Billy 32
    19 November 2007 at 1:00 pm

    …and don’t forget, Robinsod, most of those marchers were white. Everyone seems to agree that what white people are concerned about doesn’t matter.

  33. Nih 33
    19 November 2007 at 1:02 pm

    You’re missing the point of my post Billy. You and everyone else from that cult hideout of yours are taking Peter Davis’s comments as if it were the PM speaking through him. It’s not. His relationship with his wife shouldn’t be what you judge his personal views by.

    The summary of all this is that anything he says is immediately countered and tossed out without real consideration. About all the attention it got was to be spat upon.

  34. Robinsod 34
    19 November 2007 at 1:03 pm

    Billy – who cares what colour they are? Are you a racist?

  35. Billy 35
    19 November 2007 at 1:06 pm

    Oh I see, Nih. If he had been Gordon Totty from Blockhouse Bay everyone would have considered carefully the excellent points he had to make and changed his or her opinion based on his excellent argument. Just because he is married to the PM, everyone is looking past his excellent arguments and discounting them.

    I assume you are one of the Knights. That being the case, it is a bit rich to accuse me of being a member of a cult.

  36. the sprout 36
    19 November 2007 at 1:09 pm

    Impotent Prick, i’d say it’s more likely that in their feverish desire to manufacture the impression of a pro-Herald anti-Government groundswell, Peter Davis’ letter to the editor is the only one they wanted to print.

  37. Nih 37
    19 November 2007 at 1:11 pm

    Knights? What the fuck are you raving about?

    You’re rarely coherent although I’ve occasionally seen normal people agreeing with your posts. You can do better than deliberately misunderstanding everything you read.

  38. Billy 38
    19 November 2007 at 1:17 pm

    Are you not one of the Knights who say “Nih”, then?

  39. the sprout 39
    19 November 2007 at 1:22 pm

    nih, he thinks you’re one of the Knights Templar OTO. must be reading his mum’s Reader’s Digest

  40. Billy 40
    19 November 2007 at 1:25 pm

    Robinsod: “Billy – who cares what colour they are? Are you a racist?”

    Sorry, Robinsod. Missed your post. Before Bendonic jumps down my throat for avoiding the question…

    I get it. You’re teasing.

  41. Nih 41
    19 November 2007 at 1:29 pm

    I believe it’s “ni” and no. Nice way to appear credible with worthwhile views though.

  42. milo 42
    19 November 2007 at 1:44 pm

    It may well be unwise, and probably not what the Prime Minister wanted, but Peter Davis is entitled to his view. I also think we should cut the guy some slack. Being the Spouse of a PM – and not just any PM, but a pretty dominating and somewhat controversial figure – is not easy. He’s human, give the guy a break.

  43. Billy 43
    19 November 2007 at 1:44 pm

    Why so angry, Nih? Maybe you should head over to KB. Here at the Standard we pride ourselves on conducting civilised debate.

    And anyway, you started it by saying I hung out in a cult hideout…

  44. Nih 44
    19 November 2007 at 1:47 pm

    What makes you think I’m angry? Oh, I get it. You ran out of arguments.

  45. Billy 45
    19 November 2007 at 2:12 pm

    Sigh. Yes, Nih. That’s it. You won. You successfuly beat down the argument that it is OK to judge Peter Davis differently because of who he is married to.

    Only problem is, I don’t remember anyone actually arguing that.

  46. Nih 46
    19 November 2007 at 2:25 pm

    Fuck you have a short memory. I was connecting your original comment with your buddies on Kiwiblog insisting that Peter Davis was a pen name for Helen Clark.

    Are you saying you don’t support their views?

    Anyway, keep arguing and trying to score points on me over simplistic, distorted issues. It keeps you occupied while The Standard continue to speak the truth.

  47. Billy 47
    19 November 2007 at 3:19 pm

    Well you shouldn’t assume, Nih. You had no basis for making such a connection. I haven’t read KB on that topic today.

    I am not sure that whether or not Peter Davis was fronting for Helen is the point. It is certainly not a point to which I have attached any significance.

    Where are you going with all this childish chest beating? I have to say, I am finding it a little tiresome. I am starting to fear that you are obsessed with me. For this reason, I propose to ignore you for a while in the hope that you will go away.

  48. Tamaki resident 48
    19 November 2007 at 8:48 pm

    no one seems to have mentioned the fact that the Herald chooses what letters to publish, and then uses one of those letters to try and make a story out of it. This seems to be a case of making the news, not simply reporting it!

  49. AncientGeek 49
    19 November 2007 at 10:04 pm

    If I understand this correctly, Bill English issued a press release commenting on a letter to the newspaper. He discussed the person who wrote the letter, and then argued against the thesis of the letter.

    That is distinctly strange – did Bill English think that he was unable to write a letter that would be published? The appropriate forum for responding to a letter in a newspaper is a responding letter in the paper.

    BTW: I’ve known Peter for years. Anyone who thinks that his opinions are the same as Helen’s has never bothered to talk to him.

  50. Nih 50
    20 November 2007 at 12:21 am

    For this reason, I propose to ignore you for a while in the hope that you will go away.

    Biggest backdown I’ve seen in a while. Combine that with that soft-wristed “chest beating” comment and I’m wondering if you’re even ready for ordinary debate.

  51. richgraham 51
    20 November 2007 at 8:19 pm

    The Labour Party of NZ is a fascist organization.

  52. Robinsod 52
    20 November 2007 at 8:24 pm

    Yeah rich – that’ll be why you’ve had the special police come around and bust you for daying so. Get a life.

  53. Nih 53
    21 November 2007 at 5:10 am

    Robinsod, you made me think of this:

    http://www.theonion.com/content/node/29257

    I think having some police trained in making Very Special arrests would be ideal in the case of some of the KB inmates.

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  • 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
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    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
    18 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
    21 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
    21 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
    23 hours 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

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

    Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum.  While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation.  “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan.  “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

    The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Nine priority bridge replacements to get underway

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