National is being utterly irresponsible

Written By: - Date published: 7:46 am, November 19th, 2021 - 58 comments
Categories: chris bishop, covid-19, health, Judith Collins, national, same old national - Tags:

Yesterday’s behaviour from the National Party reinforced why I should use every spare minute I have to make sure that Labour and the Greens should continue to form the Government.

Because in the middle of a pandemic where the numbers in hospital are increasing and a number of Kiwis have died from a virus that is spreading promising the loosening of current restrictions is the most irresponsible, stupid, foolhardy, idiotic, imbecile thing I could ever expect a political party to do.

The outbreak is finely poised.  Vaccination rates are high, much higher than many other western nations.  Auckland’s daily new case numbers has stabilized, at least for now.  Elsewhere in the country infections are popping up and making their way down Te Ika a Maui.  I fear that the virus may soon cement a base in Te Wai Pounamu.  Hopefully vaccination rates everywhere will be sufficient to see the incursion off, or at least minimise the damage it is causing.

Citizens of Tamaki Makaurau will, all going well, have the chance to travel elsewhere over Christmas.  The right is not absolute, people wishing to travel will need to either be double vaccinated, have a recent negative covid test, or be under the age of 12.  December 15 is the date set.

The rationale is clear.  For as long as possible we need to prevent the spread of Covid to the rest of the country so we can continue to get vaccination rates up.

So what is the most irresponsible thing that a major party could do?

How about saying to all Aucklanders that they should be allowed to travel and that there will be no checks on them?  So that they can spread the virus far and wide.

This is profoundly anti scientific and completely reckless.

We are still in a good position despite recent incursions.  But for an extended period of time there will need to be in place health measures to dampen down the spread.  Loosening restrictions will only invite an increase of cases.

National’s use of this issue for political gain is appalling and totally irresponsible.

58 comments on “National is being utterly irresponsible ”

  1. Patricia Bremner 1

    We could have expected that attitude Micky, as Judith Collins support for Matt King shows complete absorption with undermining the current Government effort.

  2. higherstandard 2

    Link to what National actually said ?

  3. Gezza 3

    What's this post about?

    I can't find any Press Release or see anything like this on the RNZ, Newshub, or The Herald websites?

    • Gezza 3.1

      Is his how Micky’s interpreting this Collins Press Release?
      …………………………..

      “Government’s Covid plan version 4.0 creates summer of chaos
      Judith Collins November 17, 2021

      Today’s announcement by the Prime Minister of a decision and an announcement that may happen in December is just the latest sign the Government has utterly lost the plot, says Leader of the Opposition Judith Collins.

      “This is an announcement that in two weeks’ time there will be an announcement on what the Cabinet will decide. This makes a total nonsense of the idea that we have to wait for public health advice to lift restrictions Aucklanders are currently forced to live under.

      “This is Government on the fly. Today’s bizarre and incomprehensible ‘plan’ will create a summer of chaos for all New Zealanders.

      “Every week that goes by, Kiwis are being flooded with new, confused and contradictory messaging.

      “It was less than four weeks ago the Prime Minister announced the 90 per cent DHB target. Now it has been abandoned.

      “It is clear that the DHB target was only ever about buying the Government time to get its vaccine certificate sorted.

      “If Aucklanders can travel on December 15, they should be able to travel today. Why should we need border checks?

      “The Prime Minister was unable to answer basic questions about how the new stop and search travel system would even work.

      “No idea how many cars police would be pulling over each day.

      “No idea whether people would need to provide photo ID alongside their vaccine certificate.

      “No idea if this would apply to 12-year-olds or just adults.

      “No idea if someone if someone is pulled over just south of Auckland, how will police know whether they have come from Huntly or Auckland?

      “We also hear today that areas with low vaccination will move to level red under the traffic light system. This is yet another criteria added to the traffic light system just weeks after it was announced.

      “This means that areas such as Gisborne or Taupo are now potentially going into tougher restrictions, with only a hundred fully vaccinated people allowed into bars.

      “Every region in New Zealand will now be trying to work out if it has high enough vaccination levels and if its bars and restaurants will be open for Christmas and New Year.

      “It is very hard to see how any of this is going to work.

      “Now, after four ludicrous plans, it’s absolutely clear the whole situation really is truly farcical.

      “National’s position is clear – once we reach 85 per cent double-vaccinated, or on December 1, whichever comes first, regional borders end.

      ‘That’s something everyone can understand.’ ”
      ……………………..

      Why even pay any attention at all to this ridiculously woman? My da would call her “Silly as a two-bob watch!” And he’d be right.

    • mickysavage 3.2

      The graphic is something National released on twitter.

      • Gezza 3.2.1

        Oh, I see. I never visit Twitter. There be dragons there. 🐉

        (Actually it’s really just that I mostly post here on me 2011-release iPad2 & its latest version of Safari is “Not Supported” by the Twit People. )

    • NiandraGem 3.3

      Stop being wilfully obtuse. Maybe you should stick to posting bird videos.

      • Gezza 3.3.1

        I’m not being wilfully obtuse. God almighty, yet another hopeless mind-reader who thinks they know what other people really thinking.

        I have explained my puzzlement over Micky’s post. Micky has explained its origin.

        Maybe you should stick to watching my bird videos & not post comments, if that’s a sample of what your typical contributions amount to?

  4. Enough is Enough 4

    National is playing politics, but…what they are advocating for is essentially what is happening in 3 weeks in any case.

    When the Auckland border comes down the virus will appear in every town in New Zealand within days.

    • Tricledrown 4.1

      National are advocating what's happening in Ireland and Germany letting Covid get out of Control. Forcing future lockdowns closing of hospitalizations large gatherings.

      National don't give a flying fuck about our already overstretched health system or the highly educated health professionals who have cost the taxpayers $ billions to educate.

    • left_forward 4.2

      Has National expressed support for the traffic light system then?

      As far as I was aware, we've only heard that Judith finds it confusing and too hard to understand.

  5. Lukas 5

    Do you really believe there is a difference between what National want and what Labour are going to do other than the date? And that date is only two weeks apart.

    You seem to be doing what you accuse National of- opposing whatever the “other side” put up is your default position.

    • left_forward 5.1

      What?

      The Government projects a set of clear policy guidelines with their best, but sometimes flawed efforts to reduce the harm from this dangerous virus under very challenging circumstances. The opposition, in contrast, projects confusion and befuddlement when everyone, including their own constituents, need unified action.

      So yes, this opposition unthinkingly opposes during a time that requires them to act differently – i.e. with wisdom.

  6. Tiger Mountain 6

    Is “Merv” from Manurewa in a secret bunker somewhere producing these daily mood swing memos from NZ National?

    Hard to take Nats seriously on COVID matters since Mr Woodhouse’s “homeless man” and Ms Boag’s cavalier attitude to privacy, and now, Mr Bishflap’s weekly acrobatics. His flip flops on restrictions and testing could be amusing if worried, sick, and deceased New Zealanders were in anyway funny.

    Surely it is time for serious pundits to admit that National are not genuine in any way on the pandemic beyond political tactics to benefit their class. Leave your post up Micky!

  7. The Nats have missed a massive opportunity here. They could have supported almost everything Jacinda et al have done on a bipartisan basis while criticising the odd obvious error. This would have given them the look of a reasonable party with the interests of the country and wider community at heart.

    Instead they (and especially Chris Whinging Bishop) have carped on endlessly, cravenly supporting the narrow interests of the business elite. They will not be forgiven for this by the electorate. (But the Mike Hosking fan club will vote for them)

    • Brendan 7.1

      Nat voter here.

      If you want the Nat party to agree to what the Government is doing you invite them into the government. And then you modify policy to as such.

      But no such offer has been made as I am aware.

      And so we have the outcome we have now – they are saying what they might do if they were in government.

      Want to shut them down – start working with the Nat's like you did with housing.

      • Ad 7.1.1

        Demonstrably untrue.

        As National's leader said two weeks ago, "adversarial politics should be put aside in case of an emergency – and housing has become an emergency."

        So it was clear in the joint press conference that National could figure our how to form common interest with the government, in an emergency:

        “National sees the Resource Management (Enabling Housing Supply and Other Matters) Amendment Bill as a step forward. The changes it contains will allow New Zealanders to do more on their land without needing a resource consent, reducing the time, cost and complexity that too often greets those who want to build new dwellings.”

        Labour, National announce sweeping housing density law, three-storey homes without consent | Stuff.co.nz

        In COVID National clearly has the capacity to form common approaches with the government, but instead plays raw politics.

      • bwaghorn 7.1.2

        Haha hoho oh my. Surely you just.

        Maybe if national hadn't pissed on everything labour did from the fuckung word go labour might have given them a seat at the covid table ,

  8. Cricklewood 8

    Well Maori vax rates in the North are at 58 percent, given the vaxxed can carry and spread covid should be not be asking for everyone leaving Auckland to the North test negative prior to depature? Protect vulnerable populations etc etc… or are we sending them covid for xmas?

    • Alan 8.1

      um, they could go and get vaccinated….free, accessible, painless, you might even get a voucher.

      • Cricklewood 8.1.1

        But they haven't so…. I guess you're saying tough shit im vaxxed I can go and do what I want…

        Reality is what is happening all over the world has made it clear that a bunch of other measures are needed to help keep a lid on delta vaxx alone doesnt cut it

        • Alan 8.1.1.1

          If people will not accept very easy measures to help themselves, then ultimately it does become their problem.

          I am not saying tough shit, I am saying take advantage of the easily accessed solution – help yourself, stop blaming everyone else.

          How hard is that?

    • alwyn 8.2

      "are we sending them covid for xmas?"

      Labour are far more generous than that. They aren't just going to give a Christmas present to North Auckland. They are going to let the entire country have Covid for Christmas. Thank you Santa.

      • Enough is Enough 8.2.1

        Yeah but they are delaying it by two weeks from what National is proposing.

        Somehow one is following science, the other is "being utterly irresponsble"

        • Ed1 8.2.1.1

          No police checks? I did not realise Labour were proposing to have no restrictions on movements, and presumably free movement for both vaccinated and unvaccinated – including no requirements for Vaccination certificates. Enough is indeed enough ; small differences can have a large effect on outcomes.

          • Enough is Enough 8.2.1.1.1

            Do you seriously think the Police will check the vaccine status of every person leaving Auckland?

        • lprent 8.2.1.2

          Yeah but they are delaying it by two weeks from what National is proposing.

          Not even close you complete idiot…

          To quote the scientific moron the dishonourable Judith Collins.

          “National’s position is clear – once we reach 85 per cent double-vaccinated, or on December 1, whichever comes first, regional borders end.

          ‘That’s something everyone can understand.’ ”

          What she means is that it is simple enough for her to understand. Simple for everyone else to understand as well – she doesn't want to take any precautions about the spread of covid-19.

          Look at what she says elsewhere in her press statement – she implies but carefully doesn't state (becasue she likes being a weasel) – that National wouldn't have police checks for people being double vaccinated.

          Probably that borders like entry to places like pubs would be unrestricted as well. – to make it easier for the hospo industry and for covid-19 to spread. Next she will be stating that that the vaccination docs are a waste of time – probably because she can't figure out how to work it on her phone (she was known to be a useless technophobe when she was a lawyer).

          Looks like National are just chasing the nutter vote – like you.

          Taking her at her word,

          • Enough is Enough 8.2.1.2.1

            I have no idea why you would think National's position is supported by me?

            Nowhere have I even remotely advocated for the position they are taking.

            The 14 December date is artificial and has only been made so that Aucklanders can go to the bach for Christmas. It has nothing to do with public health.

          • Higherstandard 8.2.1.2.2

            Bad week ?

      • bwaghorn 8.2.2

        So alwyn you favour still keeping Auckland locked down ,or is it up?

  9. Ad 9

    Maori leaders in Northland are also being completely irresponsible.

    Covid 19 Delta outbreak: Northern iwi leaders condemn Auckland border call – 'you may as well send up body bags' – NZ Herald

    "The Māori leaders' forum in the North, Te Kahu o Taonui, raised its concerns in a statement.

    Ngāti Kahu chair Professor Mākere Mutu says it's not the responsibility of Te Kahu o Taonui to check vaccination statuses.

    "Te Tai Tokerau will not be the collateral damage – you might as well send body bags," she said.

    They should stop the bullshit moaning and issue a statement to all Northland unvaccinated Maori instead, along the lines of "take responsibility for yourselves and each other and get vaccinated and you have until December 15th".

    Stop the histrionics and blaming the government when all they have to do is get off their asses and get vaccinated, rather than worry about the 93%+ double vaccinated Aucklanders by December 15th.

    • left_forward 9.1

      What patronising nonsense ad. Do you think that Northland Maori should all think the same and all be held accountable for each other's behaviour? Are you responsible for the behaviour of the members of your family, or your kind?

      Te Kahu o Taonui are legitimately expressing their concerns about the safety of their people.. they are not moaning.

      Do not presume they are not working hard to send out messages and increase vaccinations… the evidence of the impressive efforts by Northland Maori leaders suggests otherwise.

    • Sacha 9.2

      all they have to do is get off their asses and get vaccinated

      Yep, must be laziness that's the problem. Same as in 1918. You'd think they would learn. Oh, roadblocks you say?

  10. Reality 10

    John Bishop is a sour bitter loser. He has all these critical things to say about our PM, but not a peep about Judith Collins' failing leadership and numerous shortcomings.

    There was nothing wrong with the PM being photographed in the APEC attire. She is the PM after all. It was great to see an attractive photo on the front page of the Dominion Post. We easily can recall "soft" photos of John Key mincing down a catwalk for example. And people are genuinely interested in little Neve snippets occasionally.

    Wonder what he would say about Judith Collins and Simon Bridges embarrassing themselves cavorting round the stage at their conference. In contrast, Jacinda has always conducted herself with dignity on all occasions.

    There seems to be a very intense jealousy from the Nats about Jacinda. And for Bishop to claim she has no skills to deal with tough times is ludicrous. She has had more tough times in her four years as PM than many other leaders in the past.

    • aj 10.1

      I kept this quote from someone on twitter a few weeks ago. So true.

      There is certainly an enormous amount of antipathy among older men in conservative circles about Jacinda. Way beyond what any impartial analysis would indicate. I agree it is largely because of her personal characteristics, which enrage some beyond reason

  11. Pete 11

    There are people like Mike Hosking telling the world that the Government has totally mishandled covid. There is the Groundswell group (with their next big protest coming up) telling the world that the Government has totally mishandled everything.

    So to salve the disgruntlement the Government should just butt out and let people get on. Because people need to be trusted and because we know people will act responsibly.

    "For an extended period of time there will need to be in place health measures to dampen down the spread." Well we'll do that won't we because we're appreciate the possible dire consequences?

    Bullshit. And when people act like people are wont to do and things are down the crapper the Groundswell mob will have something else to bitch about won't they. Of course it'll be the Government's fault

    • bwaghorn 11.1

      Made the mistake of engaging with a frothy anti Jacinda type on facbook, (his 1st post said he’d debate with anyone) turnd instantly into personal abuse (his side only)with a few other terriers nipping at my flanks ,

      Makes me wonder why I've been here defending rural kiwis for fucking far to long.

  12. observer 12

    There is no National party position on the Covid response any more.

    Any of us can point to a statement by one MP one day and then a different one from another MP the next day. Mandates, for or against? Vax passports, for or against? Police checks on the roads, for or against? Protests, for or against? You tell me.

    Some might think this is classic forked-tongue strategy, contradictory messages to different audiences, wink wink. It's an old trick as we all know.

    But in this case I think it's simply the deep divisions in the party and the collapse of caucus discipline. There isn't really any strategy at all, just a power play between leadership candidates. And they really don't care about the consequences for anybody outside their private club. Not even in a pandemic.

    • tc 12.1

      Nationals been consistent through covid. Whatever it takes to get back in.

      Score political points where possible, weasle words, it's all labours fault etc

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    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    1 day ago
  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 day ago
  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    1 day ago
  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    3 days ago
  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    3 days ago
  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    3 days ago
  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    3 days ago
  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    4 days ago
  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #15
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 7, 2024 thru Sat, April 13, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week is about adults in the room setting terms and conditions of ...
    5 days ago
  • Feline Friends and Fragile Fauna The Complexities of Cats in New Zealand’s Conservation Efforts

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

    5 days ago
  • Or is that just they want us to think?
    Nice guy, that Peter Williams. Amiable, a calm air of no-nonsense capability, a winning smile. Everything you look for in a TV presenter and newsreader.I used to see him sometimes when I went to TVNZ to be a talking head or a panellist and we would yarn. Nice guy, that ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • Fact Brief – Did global warming stop in 1998?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Did global warming stop in ...
    6 days ago
  • Arguing over a moot point.
    I have been following recent debates in the corporate and social media about whether it is a good idea for NZ to join what is known as “AUKUS Pillar Two.” AUKUS is the Australian-UK-US nuclear submarine building agreement in which … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    6 days ago
  • No Longer Trusted: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    Turning Point: What has turned me away from the mainstream news media is the very strong message that its been sending out for the last few years.” “And what message might that be?” “That the people who own it, the people who run it, and the people who provide its content, really don’t ...
    6 days ago
  • Mortgage rates at 10% anyone?
    No – nothing about that in PM Luxon’s nine-point plan to improve the lives of New Zealanders. But beyond our shores Jamie Dimon, the long-serving head of global bank J.P. Morgan Chase, reckons that the chances of a goldilocks soft landing for the economy are “a lot lower” than the ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    6 days ago
  • Sad tales from the left
    Michael Bassett writes –  Have you noticed the odd way in which the media are handling the government’s crackdown on surplus employees in the Public Service? Very few reporters mention the crazy way in which State Service numbers rocketed ahead by more than 16,000 during Labour’s six years, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • In Whose Best Interests?
    On The Spot: The question Q+A host, Jack Tame, put to the Workplace & Safety Minister, Act’s Brooke van Velden, was disarmingly simple: “Are income tax cuts right now in the best interests of lowering inflation?”JACK TAME has tested another MP on his Sunday morning current affairs show, Q+A. Minister for Workplace ...
    6 days ago
  • Don’t Question, Don’t Complain.
    It has to start somewhereIt has to start sometimeWhat better place than here?What better time than now?So it turns out that I owe you all an apology.It seems that all of the terrible things this government is doing, impacting the lives of many, aren’t necessarily ‘bad’ per se. Those things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

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