National loses the plot in Parliament

Written By: - Date published: 4:40 pm, May 24th, 2018 - 91 comments
Categories: Gerry Brownlee, national, Parliament, paula bennett, Politics, same old national, trevor mallard - Tags:

If this afternoon was the result of National’s strategic big wigs in action they need to get new ones.

National took on Trevor Mallard in Parliament and lost.

I have watched the videos and still have no idea what the game plan was.

They started off with a letter containing an ultimatum which Mallard stared down.

They sought to get Mallard to respond by way of point order.  He refused.  This made them look weak and powerless.

They then engaged in a number of ridiculous points of order that were that far off point they were easily disposed of.

Then there was the sight of the petulant David Bennett dragging out a simple requirement for him to withdraw and apologise after making an out of order interjection.

After that Paula Bennett was kicked out for repeated interjections, specifically when Mallard was on his feet.

Hipkins outlined for National what they have to do, which is to set down a notice of motion if they want to take the matter further.

I suspect that this will be the next step that National takes.

Here is the video playback.

Bennett can’t say she wasn’t warned.

91 comments on “National loses the plot in Parliament ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Kat 1
    24 May 2018 at 5:05 pm

    National are proving just how irrelevant they are. They have no real plan to be an opposition rather just winging it until the next election where they firmly believe they will be on the other side of the house. They are looking in far worse disorder than Labour were in 2009.

    • Bunji 1.1
      24 May 2018 at 5:40 pm

      If you can’t score points against the other team… attack the ref?

      • katipo 1.1.1
        25 May 2018 at 12:51 pm

        Was thinking a similar thing, it’s like when player keeps on whinging when a sporting decision hasn’t go their way.

  2. McFlock 2
    24 May 2018 at 5:09 pm

    I especially liked that Hipkins had to tell them how to do their fucking job. Several times, because they didn’t change plan the first time, just stuck to an exercise in irrelevance.

    Hilarious

    • Baba Yaga 2.1
      24 May 2018 at 6:28 pm

      Utu for when National had to show Hipkins how to do his job over the election of the speaker? Seriously though, the point about Mallard leaking to the media is a serious one.

      • Fireblade 2.1.1
        24 May 2018 at 7:35 pm

        “Seriously though, the point about Mallard leaking to the media is a serious one”.

        Yes Gerry Brownlee has accused Trevor Mallard of leaking to the media. If there’s no proof, then Mr Mallard should sue Brownlee’s ample ass for defamation

        • Baba Yaga 2.1.1.1
          24 May 2018 at 7:41 pm

          Yes, let’s see if he does. And if he doesn’t?

          But the issue really is that there is ample proof. Mallard is the only one in the house who heard the remark. The remark was not picked up on any broadcasting medium, or by the authors of Hansard. There is no-one else who could have leaked the remark. And given Mallards hearing challenges, I’d suggest he made it up.

          • Robert Guyton 2.1.1.1.1
            24 May 2018 at 7:54 pm

            Baba Yaga said: “Mallard is the only one in the house who heard the remark.”
            Given that you accept that he did hear the remark, why wouldn’t he quote it to the media when asked?

            • Baba Yaga 2.1.1.1.1.1
              24 May 2018 at 8:00 pm

              I don’t accept he heard the remark. As for quoting it, if he considers it unparliamentary, and no-one has admitted it, his repeating it to the media is also unparliamentary.

              • Robert Guyton …
                24 May 2018 at 8:04 pm

                If you don’t accept that he heard it, why did you write, ““Mallard is the only one in the house who heard the remark.”
                I think you have confused yourself in your rush to attack Trevor Mallard.
                No one has admitted saying it, you say? Indeed, that’s the issue. The Speaker heard it, and the person who said it has failed to own up. The rest is Natty noise.

                • Baba Yaga …
                  24 May 2018 at 9:26 pm

                  “If you don’t accept that he heard it, why did you write, ““Mallard is the only one in the house who heard the remark.””
                  Have you ever heard of sarcasm?

                  “The Speaker heard it, ”
                  And the speaker is, by his own admission, significantly deaf on that side. No-one in the opposition benches heard it. It is not detectable on any media. And it wasn’t recorded in Hansard. Hence the sarcasm.

          • Robert Guyton 2.1.1.1.2
            24 May 2018 at 7:56 pm

            Wrong again, Baba Yaga. The person who made the remark could have spoken to the media, as could any number of those seated nearby to him. Just because the National MPs are saying they didn’t hear it, doesn’t make it true. In fact…

            • Baba Yaga 2.1.1.1.2.1
              24 May 2018 at 8:01 pm

              There is no evidence anyone made the remark. That’s the point. The only one who heard it is partially deaf with a huge axe to grind.

              • Robert Guyton …
                24 May 2018 at 8:06 pm

                There most certainly is evidence that the remark was made: the Speaker of the House heard it and felt obliged to stop proceedings and ask for the culprit to come forward. That person did not. You aren’t using logic, Baba in your argument.

                • Baba Yaga …
                  24 May 2018 at 9:28 pm

                  ‘the Speaker of the House heard it’
                  The significantly deaf speaker heard it, but no-one else did, and there is no recorded record of it. I am indeed using logic. There is no evidence except the ‘hearing’ of a significantly deaf individual. How would that go down in court?

          • One Anonymous Bloke 2.1.1.1.3
            24 May 2018 at 8:03 pm

            There is at least one other person who knows exactly what was said, and knew from the moment they said it.

            Plus, National Party ethics.

            • Baba Yaga 2.1.1.1.3.1
              24 May 2018 at 9:32 pm

              What we know is who used a sexist remark to Judith Collins. It was David Parker.

              What we do know is that it was Trevor Mallard who called Chris Finlayson ‘Tinkerbell’.

              Labour Party ethics?

              What we know is that it was Metiria Turei who committed benefit fraud.

              What we do know is that Gareth Hughes has to ask his sidekick what he thinks.

              And then there’s the Green MP who a Jewish NZ’er has had to ban from contact on social media for anti-Semitic remarks.

              Green Party ethics?

              • One Anonymous Bloke …
                25 May 2018 at 10:24 am

                “They did it too!”

                Where’s your personal responsibility now?

                • Baba Yaga …
                  25 May 2018 at 10:52 am

                  You’d have a point if I was actually arguing that. What I was pointing out was that ethics and politicians are foreigners to one another. Including politicians you support.

                  • Robert Guyton …
                    25 May 2018 at 1:06 pm

                    ” ethics and politicians”
                    Nonsense, again, Baba Yaga. I personally know politicians who act ethically, have strong ethical positions and keep to them whenever they can. I also read about National’s MP’s, so I know where your belief comes from.

      • McFlock 2.1.2
        24 May 2018 at 10:35 pm

        lol
        “leaking”. It was hardy restricted information. It was said in the House. Public information.

        • Baba Yaga 2.1.2.1
          25 May 2018 at 10:21 am

          ‘It was said in the House.’
          Prove it. There is no proof. None. Oh perhaps the word of a half deaf speaker?

          • McFlock 2.1.2.1.1
            25 May 2018 at 1:07 pm

            His word is good enough for what goes on in the House. You want to call him a liar, you prove that.

            • Baba Yaga 2.1.2.1.1.1
              25 May 2018 at 6:13 pm

              His word isn’t good enough. He has made a claim, and repeated it to media. That is now backfiring majorly on him and the PM, as it gets repeatedly endlessly in Parliament and the media. He should put up his evidence or stand, withdraw and apologise.

              • McFlock …
                25 May 2018 at 6:21 pm

                lol
                Like Brownlee, you have no idea how the House works.

                • Baba Yaga …
                  25 May 2018 at 6:36 pm

                  How the house works is irrelevant. The speakers credibility is at stake. He has claimed someone said something which no-one else heard, and for which there is not a shred of evidence. But oh how the PM must hate hearing ‘stupid little girl’ over and over and over…

                  • McFlock …
                    25 May 2018 at 6:46 pm

                    Toryboy stylez right there: the rules are irrelevant, your demands must be satisfied.

                    Every time you guys say “stupid little girl”, it’s a reminder about how incapable you lot are at dealing with her as a strong leader.

                    • Baba Yaga …
                      25 May 2018 at 6:54 pm

                      The rules would be important if they were even moderately relevant to this conversation. They aren’t.

                      As for JA, I’m just waiting for her to turn around so we can see Winnies hand tied to her back.

                    • McFlock …
                      25 May 2018 at 6:58 pm

                      As Hipkins pointed out, if you morons have a problem with the speaker, there is a procedure to go through to resolve that issue.

                      Otherwise you’re just whining like the losers you are. All bleat, no action.

                    • Baba Yaga …
                      25 May 2018 at 8:14 pm

                      Gosh I would have thought calling for honesty in the Speaker of the Parliament was a reasonable request! Seems not if your a lefty.

                    • McFlock …
                      25 May 2018 at 8:30 pm

                      Oh, I think he’s being honest. But your impotent bleats are like music – just think how inconvenient it would be for labgrn if you guys could mount a decent opposition rather than being cowards making barnyard noises and pretending innocence.

                    • Robert Guyton …
                      25 May 2018 at 8:36 pm

                      Those “barnyard noises” … quacking, like ducks? I’ll bet that’s what the juvenile fools did…quacked like (Mallard) ducks! That’s where it sits, ladies and gentlemen, MP’s from the National Party, quacking like … ducks! Imho.

                    • Baba Yaga …
                      25 May 2018 at 8:37 pm

                      “Oh, I think he’s being honest. ”

                      You think. You have no evidence. In fact it is astonishing there is no evidence.

                    • McFlock …
                      25 May 2018 at 8:43 pm

                      On the one hand we have Mallard. On the other we have brownlee and shouty.

                      That’s some pretty good evidence right there. Certainly sufficient for a citizen to draw a conclusion about who’s lying.

                    • Baba Yaga …
                      25 May 2018 at 8:44 pm

                      “That’s where it sits, ”

                      I well remember the hysteria from the left over the last speaker. Now that was clucking.

                    • Baba Yaga …
                      25 May 2018 at 8:45 pm

                      “On the one hand we have Mallard.”

                      Who is deaf in the ear he claims to have heard something that no-one else present heard. Good try McFlock.

                    • mickysavage []
                      25 May 2018 at 8:48 pm

                      No he said he is slightly deaf in one ear. If you look at the video he is looking at Bridges at the time he says the incident happened.

                    • McFlock …
                      25 May 2018 at 8:54 pm

                      Oh, some people claim to not have heard anything. Mallard claims to have heard something from their area. I know who I believe.

                      But let’s say Mallard ignores this issue and, in your opinion, loses all credibility. What happens then? Whatis “at stake” if the nats whine about Mallard but never bother with the actual process to address their perceived injustice?

                      Because it looks to me like nobody else in the House believes them, and nobody gives a fuck anyway. All your bleating seems to be completely repercussion-free.

                  • Robert Guyton …
                    25 May 2018 at 8:34 pm

                    The “Speaker’s credibility” is not at stake, though you’re desperate to frame it that way. The behaviour of the National Opposition is what’s under investigation and I’m guessing, they’ll come out looking … like fools.

                    • Baba Yaga …
                      25 May 2018 at 8:40 pm

                      Yep, his credibility is at stake. He has made a claim alleging a comment no-one else heard. This is of course against the backdrop of his increasingly arbitrary and petulant displays in parliament.

                  • Robert Guyton …
                    25 May 2018 at 8:49 pm

                    “But oh how the PM must hate hearing ‘stupid little girl’ over and over and over…”
                    No, Baba Yaga, you duffer, that’s music to her ears! All New Zealanders who hear it think, “That’s not right! She’s … actually, pretty good!”
                    National, shooting itself…in the … whatever !

          • Robert Guyton 2.1.2.1.2
            25 May 2018 at 1:07 pm

            “half-deaf”?
            Can you define that for us, given that you’re making the claim. Trevor can hear how well, exactly; you claim to know.

          • Robert Guyton 2.1.2.1.3
            25 May 2018 at 1:11 pm

            “Prove it”, you squeak.
            Earlier, you claimed there was no evidence. There was; the statement from the Speaker; evidence, that’s what evidence is. Now, you demand proof from a commenter on a blog. Are you becoming a little light-headed with all this Natty noise, Baba Yaga? How could someone here provide proof? Let’s test you though: you’ve claimed Trevor’s “half-deaf” and couldn’t hear well enough for his word to be reliable; prove it.
            (Hint: you can’t)

            • McFlock 2.1.2.1.3.1
              25 May 2018 at 1:34 pm

              baba’s just bleating the latest flailing excuses from Shouty’s dismal opposition.

              The poor wee chap hasn’t had an original thought since kindergarten.

            • Baba Yaga 2.1.2.1.3.2
              25 May 2018 at 6:06 pm

              The speakers statement is not evidence. Given his known deafness, it is barely worthwhile for anything.

              • Muttonbird …
                25 May 2018 at 6:08 pm

                The Nats were desperately shouting it not 10 meters away. Hard to miss, Baby aga.

              • Robert Guyton …
                25 May 2018 at 8:31 pm

                The Speaker’s statement is evidence: are you, dare I say it, stupid ?

                • Baba Yaga …
                  25 May 2018 at 8:42 pm

                  The speakers statement is his statement. It is not evidence when he is making the claim. Evidence would be corroboration, you know, like another MP having heard the comment. Or the comment having been picked up on any recording or by Hansard. Your just clutching at straws.

                  • Robert Guyton …
                    25 May 2018 at 8:51 pm

                    You
                    do
                    not
                    understand
                    what “evidence”
                    is
                    Baba
                    Yaga

                    • fender …
                      25 May 2018 at 9:43 pm

                      Evidence points strongly to there being more Baa Baa than Baba about this Yaga.

                  • fender …
                    25 May 2018 at 9:22 pm

                    So if you get pulled over and ticketed for not wearing a seat-belt you will claim the officer has no evidence???

                  • Robert Guyton …
                    25 May 2018 at 9:31 pm

                    Baba. Take a break. Make some enquiries. Get back to us. We’re a forgiving lot. Mostly.

        • Robert Guyton 2.1.2.2
          25 May 2018 at 9:11 pm

          Baba is struggling. It’s a bit sad to watch… but fun at the same time 🙂

  3. Robert Guyton 3
    24 May 2018 at 5:14 pm

    Trevor’s the rock National is dashing itself to pieces on.
    Rock on, Trev!

  4. bwaghorn 4
    24 May 2018 at 5:14 pm

    My guess is they are trying to provoke the hot headed mallard in to a melt down .
    They hate democracy and will try to destroy this government at any cost

    • Anne 4.1
      24 May 2018 at 5:30 pm

      My guess is they are trying to provoke the hot headed mallard in to a melt down.

      That is exactly what they are doing. They should know better because Mallard has been in parliament since the beginning of the 1980s and no-one knows Standing
      Orders better than he does.

      It is a premeditated attempt to stare him down in the hope he will blink first. They think because there’s 42 of them and only one of him they will win. I think they’re right out of luck.

      • bwaghorn 4.1.1
        24 May 2018 at 5:54 pm

        Nothing feels sweeter than not letting arseholes get to you.

        • Cinny 4.1.1.1
          24 May 2018 at 7:14 pm

          Nothing feels sweeter than not letting arseholes get to you

          mos def, Bwaghorn.

          Those nats are throwing tanties and wobblies all over the place, super amusing from here, but it must be incredibly frustrating for Trev, and its an utter waste of taxpayers money.

      • alwyn 4.1.2
        24 May 2018 at 9:50 pm

        “because there’s 42 of them”.
        You sound thoroughly confused Anne.
        None of the parties in the New Zealand Parliament has “42 of them”, at least if by that you mean MPs..
        The closest is the Labour Party with 46.
        Clearly you must believe that it is the Labour Party that is trying to destroy Trevor. I knew he was unpopular but not to quite that extent.
        Please tell us more. What is their next step?

        • Anne 4.1.2.1
          25 May 2018 at 10:42 am

          Yeah alwyn. I mixed up the percentage gained by National with the actual number of MPs. Tried to change it before timed out but couldn’t re-access comment.

          If lprent is around my details are not appearing again. Have to fill in box each time. A few comments disappearing. Have tried many times to ‘Log In’ but system doesn’t like me. 🙁

          • dukeofurl 4.1.2.1.1
            25 May 2018 at 10:54 am

            Same happening with me. I think its a security measure.
            There is no login for commentators . I think thats for contributors

          • alwyn 4.1.2.1.2
            25 May 2018 at 11:56 am

            “system doesn’t like me”.
            Join the club.
            It gets really frustrating when you type the comment before putting in the name and so on and then you lose the lot. I really should learn to copy the whole thing before I hit submit.
            Almost equally frustrating is if you make a typo in the Mail box, get it slightly incorrect and it vanishes off for hours into the “new chums” box for review.

  5. Matthew Whitehead 5
    24 May 2018 at 5:18 pm

    Here is the exchange at the beginning that Micky alludes to:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch&v=i2T3BeAcDJ0

    • Grey Area 5.1
      24 May 2018 at 5:36 pm

      404 Not Found for me Matthew.

    • dukeofurl 5.2
      24 May 2018 at 5:41 pm

      The video doesnt normally give the sound for interjections, which those in the chamber can hear.
      I understand thats deliberate for microphones not to relay interjections unless they are right next to the person speaking.
      I think national well know that as well.
      Hansard wont have interjections either except in some circumstances when its a legit part of the debate

  6. Craig Glen Eden 6
    24 May 2018 at 5:26 pm

    Mallard did well, National not so much. The Government needs to get out and sell/sail its policies while National are left smashing themselves against the rock as Robert Guyton states above.

  7. Allan Alach 7
    24 May 2018 at 5:55 pm

    Trevor must have felt like he was back in his teaching days trying to handle a class of unruly adolescents. That’s the standard of behaviour that National exhibited.

  8. ScottGN 8
    24 May 2018 at 5:59 pm

    So while National have been playing silly buggers in the House the Transport Minister has offered to resign for talking on his phone after the plane doors were closed. Nice illustration of just how irrelevant the Opposition is at the moment.

    • alwyn 8.1
      24 May 2018 at 9:56 pm

      Why, oh why, did Labour not take the chance to get rid of the most spectacular example of an idiot in the Cabinet?
      They should have accepted his resignation and got rid of him from everything and for good. That would have been the really sensible thing and by far the best thing for both the Government and for New Zealand.
      Bloody fools. They missed their opportunity and now he will continue his stupid behaviour,

  9. Barfly 9
    24 May 2018 at 6:32 pm

    That picture brings to mind the quote “the banality of evil” – they look so ordinary

    • Katipo 9.1
      25 May 2018 at 1:06 pm

      True!
      & symbolic, that an issue galvgalvanizing the National Party into collective outrage is about themselves.

  10. greg 10
    24 May 2018 at 6:37 pm

    speaker mallard should double the punishment nact are spoiled little kids who have lost the play thing our taxes to steal i think speaker mallard is doing a fantastic job and the fact nact are upset proves hes on the right track

  11. cleangreen 11
    24 May 2018 at 7:57 pm

    “National took on Trevor Mallard in Parliament and lost.”

    They shure did loose today, as they looked like a shunned mullet when trevor pulled them up.

    Shit it was so exciting to see them sqirm on their chairs and whale as Paula Bennet got the sack and David Bennet tried to get at Trevor instead and he tackled him to the floor (literally) .
    National have gone nuts.

  12. greywarshark 12
    24 May 2018 at 8:24 pm

    Nice pic. The Class of 2018. They’re on the carpet already!

  13. mac1 13
    24 May 2018 at 9:48 pm

    Ms Bennett said tonight that they decided in the National caucus not to have a mass walk-out today at question time.

    http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2018/05/it-s-got-personal-paula-bennett-says-speaker-mallard-has-personal-vendetta.html

    “Ms Bennett said Mr Mallard is singling her out in a personal vendetta.

    “Shadow Leader of the House Gerry Brownlee denied any deliberate goading of the Speaker on the part of the National Party.

    “I think we went in in good faith, hoping to meet halfway,” Ms Bennett added. “I don’t think it’s unreasonable for him to have addressed our letter that was actually serious concerns we have.”

    Let’s examine those three reported statements.

    Bennett repeatedly misbehaves in the House resulting in her being told to leave, is disrespectful to the Speaker while he is ruling on a point of order and on his feet. She dares to say she went in there to meet him half way.

    Brownlee denies any deliberate goading of the Speaker. That is not what I saw in Question Time today on TV. I saw a lack of decorum, deliberate challenging, repeatedly done.

    They issue the Speaker an ultimatum by saying respond to this letter by 2 pm Thursday, and call a non-response unreasonable?

    They ignore proper procedure when in serious disagreement with the Speaker by not choosing to have a Notice of Motion, but instead offer an ultimatum to the person who is so highly ranked that he is third in the country behind the Governor-General and the Prime Minister.

    What Ms Bennett has said is contrary to facts.

    She said in the news item cited. “”I knew he would be gunning for me and thought he might throw me out given a chance.”

    She deliberately gave him the chance. For her to say that her conduct today was meeting someone half way is a travesty of the truth. I can see why she never got the job as Leader of her party. Can anyone imagine Winston Peters or James Shaw’s reaction to being met ‘half way’ in that manner in coalition talks?

    She, and Brownlee, have gone to the media, knowing that the Speaker may not. He can’t get down in the gutter with this crew and slug it out in the papers.

    Gutless, petulant, vindictive, narcissist, despicable behaviour.

    I am angry that these National MPs drag down the good name of Parliament, of our system of democracy, of the institution of the Speaker, because they can’t handle themselves, the pressure, the idea of defeat, the idea that they just may not have what their supporters and backers want, because they fear they are losing.

    They have one honourable way out. Go to Parliament with a Notice of Motion. Persuade them of the justice of their cause. Hear the verdict of their peers in the highest council in the land.

  14. cleangreen 14
    25 May 2018 at 8:20 am

    National is equal to civil dis-obedience sadly as part of a criminal act of sabotage on our parliamentary system.

    I would not be surprised if ex-National speaker David Carter was behind this unruly strategy as he is strangely quiet over this isn’t he just now?

    Remember he was (according to Trevor Mallard) assisting him in his new job for awhile earlier.

    Greg is 100% correct as national are embarking on a ‘mob rule’ action now in an attempt to sack the new government and should be hauled over the coals by the PM and her Parliamentary Crown Legal team for attempting to take over the elected Government as they always refused to recognise MMP from the beginning.

    This is the end result of a ‘dysfunctional mob rule opposition’ now we see ahead and must be arrested before we descend into anarchy.

    National = akin to mafias.

    welcome to a third world opposition party form of unruly government if National get back in again.
    scary times ahead.

    Labour need to firmly take control here.

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    On the 11th of April 1945 advancing US forces liberated the Nazi concentration camp of Buchenwald near Weimar in Germany. In the coming days, under the order of General Patton, a thousand nearby residents were forced to march to the camp to see the atrocities that had been committed in ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • The party of business deals with the future by pretending it isn’t coming
    Years and years ago, when Helen Clark was Prime Minister and John Key was gunning for her job, I had a conversation with a mate, a trader who knew John Key well enough to paint a helpful picture.It was many drinks ago so it’s not a complete one. But there’s ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago

  • 2023 More Reading: September (+ Old Phuul update)
    Completed reads for September: The Lost Continent, by C.J. Cutcliffe Hyne Flatland, by Edwin Abbott All Quiet on the Western Front, by Erich Maria Remarque The Country of the Blind, by H.G. Wells The Day of the Triffids, by John Wyndham A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    2 days ago

  • Losing The Left.
    Descending Into The Dark: The ideological cadres currently controlling both Labour and the Greens are forcing “justice”, “participation” and “democracy” to make way for what is “appropriate” and “responsible”. But, where does that leave the people who, for most of their adult lives, have voted for left-wing parties, precisely to ...
    Bowalley Road
    2 days ago

  • The New “Emperor’s New Clothes”.
    “‘BUT HE HASN’T GOT ANYTHING ON,’ a little boy said ….. ‘But he hasn’t got anything on!’ the whole town cried out at last.”On this optimistic note, Hans Christian Andersen brings his cautionary tale of “The Emperor’s New Clothes” to an end.Andersen’s children’s story was written nearly two centuries ago, ...
    Bowalley Road
    2 days ago

  • BRYCE EDWARDS: The vested interests shaping National Party policies
      Bryce Edwards writes – As the National Party gets closer to government, lobbyists and business interests will be lining up for influence and to get policies adopted. It’s therefore in the public interest to have much more scrutiny and transparency about potential conflicts of interests that ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • LINDSAY MITCHELL: A conundrum for those pushing racist dogma
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – The heavily promoted narrative, which has ramped up over the last six years, is that Maori somehow have special vulnerabilities which arise from outside forces they cannot control; that contemporary society fails to meet their needs. They are not receptive to messages and ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • CHRIS TROTTER:  The greater of two evils
    Not Labour: If you’re out to punish the government you once loved, then the last thing you need is to be shown evidence that the opposition parties are much, much worse.   Chris Trotter writes – THE GREATEST VIRTUE of being the Opposition is not being the Government. Only very ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • The Hoon around the week to Sept 30
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:Labour presented a climate manifesto that aimed to claim the high ground on climate action vs National, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Litanies, articles of faith, and being a beneficiary
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past two weeks.Friday 29Play it, ElvisElection Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Litanies, articles of faith, and being a beneficiary
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past two weeks.Friday 29Play it, ElvisElection Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • The ‘Recession’ Has Been Called Off, But Some Households Are Still Struggling
    While the economy is not doing too badly in output terms, external circumstances are not favourable, and there is probably a sizeable group of households struggling because of rising interest rates.Last week’s announcement of a 0.9 percent increase in volume GDP for the June quarter had the commentariat backing down ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    3 days ago

  • Climate Change: The wrong direction
    This week the International Energy Association released its Net Zero Roadmap, intended to guide us towards a liveable climate. The report demanded huge increases in renewable generation, no new gas or oil, and massive cuts to methane emissions. It was positive about our current path, but recommended that countries with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • “Racism” becomes a buzz word on the campaign trail – but our media watchdogs stay muzzled when...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Oh, dear.  We have nothing to report from the Beehive. At least, we have nothing to report from the government’s official website. But the drones have not gone silent.  They are out on the election campaign trail, busy buzzing about this and that in the hope ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Play it, Elvis
    Election Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t have time for. You’re welcome, etc. Let us press on, etc. 1.  What did Christopher Luxon use to his advantage in ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Pure class warfare
    National unveiled its fiscal policy today, announcing all the usual things which business cares about and I don't. But it did finally tell us how National plans to pay for its handouts to landlords: by effectively cutting benefits: The biggest saving announced on Friday was $2b cut from the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • Ask Me Anything about the week to Sept 29
    Photo by Anna Ogiienko on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session for paying subscribers about the week that was for an hour, including:duelling fiscal plans from National and Labour;Labour cutting cycling spending while accusing National of being weak on climate;Research showing the need for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Weekly Roundup 29-September-2023
    Welcome to Friday and the last one for September. This week in Greater Auckland On Monday, Matt highlighted at the latest with the City Rail Link. On Tuesday, Matt covered the interesting items from Auckland Transport’s latest board meeting agendas. On Thursday, a guest post from Darren Davis ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    4 days ago

  • Protest at Parliament: The Reunion.
    Brian’s god spoke to him. He, for of course the Lord in Tamaki’s mind was a male god, with a mighty rod, and probably some black leathers. He, told Brian - “you must put a stop to all this love, hope, and kindness”. And it did please the Brian.He said ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Labour cuts $50m from cycleway spending
    Labour is cutting spending on cycling infrastructure while still trying to claim the higher ground on climate. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Labour Government released a climate manifesto this week to try to claim the high ground against National, despite having ignored the Climate Commission’s advice to toughen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • The Greater Of Two Evils.
    Not Labour: If you’re out to punish the government you once loved, then the last thing you need is to be shown evidence that the opposition parties are much, much worse.THE GREATEST VIRTUE of being the Opposition is not being the Government. Only very rarely is an opposition party elected ...
    Bowalley Road
    4 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #39 2023
    Open access notables "Net zero is only a distraction— we just have to end fossil fuel emissions." The latter is true but the former isn't, or  not in the real world as it's likely to be in the immediate future. And "just" just doesn't enter into it; we don't have ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Chris Trotter: Losing the Left
    IN THE CURRENT MIX of electoral alternatives, there is no longer a credible left-wing party. Not when “a credible left-wing party” is defined as: a class-oriented, mass-based, democratically-structured political organisation; dedicated to promoting ideas sharply critical of laissez-faire capitalism; and committed to advancing democratic, egalitarian and emancipatory ideals across the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Hipkins fires up in leaders’ debate, but has the curtain already fallen on the Labour-led coalitio...
    Labour’s  Chris Hipkins came out firing, in the  leaders’ debate  on Newshub’s evening programme, and most of  the pundits  rated  him the winner against National’s  Christopher Luxon. But will this make any difference when New  Zealanders  start casting their ballots? The problem  for  Hipkins is  that  voters are  all too ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    4 days ago

  • Govt is energising housing projects with solar power – and fuelling the public’s concept of a di...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Not long after Point of Order published data which show the substantial number of New Zealanders (77%) who believe NZ is becoming more divided, government ministers were braying about a programme which distributes some money to “the public” and some to “Maori”. The ministers were dishing ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • MIKE GRIMSHAW: Election 2023 – a totemic & charisma failure?
    The D&W analysis Michael Grimshaw writes –  Given the apathy, disengagement, disillusionment, and all-round ennui of this year’s general election, it was considered time to bring in those noted political operatives and spin doctors D&W, the long-established consultancy firm run by Emile Durkheim and Max Weber. Known for ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • FROM BFD: Will Winston be the spectre we think?
    Kissy kissy. Cartoon credit BoomSlang. The BFD. JC writes-  Allow me to preface this contribution with the following statement: If I were asked to express a preference between a National/ACT coalition or a National/ACT/NZF coalition then it would be the former. This week Luxon declared his position, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • California’s climate disclosure bill could have a huge impact across the U.S.
    This re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Andy Furillo was originally published by Capital & Main and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. The California Legislature took a step last week that has the potential to accelerate the fight against climate ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Untangling South East Queensland’s Public Transport
    This is a cross post Adventures in Transitland by Darren Davis. I recently visited Brisbane and South East Queensland and came away both impressed while also pondering some key changes to make public transport even better in the region. Here goes with my take on things. A bit of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago

  • Try A Little Kindness.
    My daughter arrived home from the supermarket yesterday and she seemed a bit worried about something. It turned out she wanted to know if someone could get her bank number from a receipt.We wound the story back.She was in the store and there was a man there who was distressed, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • What makes NZFirst tick
    New Zealand’s longest-running political roadshow rolled into Opotiki yesterday, with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters knowing another poll last night showed he would make it back to Parliament and National would need him and his party if they wanted to form a government. The Newshub Reid Research poll ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • September AMA
    Hi,As September draws to a close — I feel it’s probably time to do an Ask Me Anything. You know how it goes: If you have any burning questions, fire away in the comments and I will do my best to answer. You might have questions about Webworm, or podcast ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago

  • Bludgers lying in the scratcher making fools of us all
    The mediocrity who stands to be a Prime Minister has a litany.He uses it a bit like a Koru Lounge card. He will brandish it to say: these people are eligible. And more than that, too: These people are deserving. They have earned this policy.They have a right to this policy. What ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • More “partnerships” (by the look of it) and redress of over $30 million in Treaty settlement wit...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point of Order has waited until now – 3.45pm – for today’s officially posted government announcements.  There have been none. The only addition to the news on the Beehive’s website was posted later yesterday, after we had published our September 26 Buzz report. It came from ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • ALEX HOLLAND: Labour’s spending
    Alex Holland writes –  In 2017 when Labour came to power, crown spending was $76 billion per year. Now in 2023 it is $139 billion per year, which equates to a $63 billion annual increase (over $1 billion extra spend every week!) In 2017, New Zealand’s government debt ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • If not now, then when?
    Labour released its fiscal plan today, promising the same old, same old: "responsibility", balanced books, and of course no new taxes: "Labour will maintain income tax settings to provide consistency and certainty in these volatile times. Now is not the time for additional taxes or to promise billions of ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • THE FACTS:  77% of Kiwis believe NZ is becoming more divided
    The Facts has posted –        KEY INSIGHTSOf New Zealander’s polled: Social unity/division 77%believe NZ is becoming more divided (42% ‘much more’ + 35% ‘a little more’) 3%believe NZ is becoming less divided (1% ‘much less’ + 2% ‘a little less’) ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the cynical brutality of the centre-right’s welfare policies
    The centre-right’s enthusiasm for forcing people off the benefit and into paid work is matched only by the enthusiasm (shared by Treasury and the Reserve Bank) for throwing people out of paid work to curb inflation, and achieve the optimal balance of workers to job seekers deemed to be desirable ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    5 days ago

  • Wednesday’s Chorus: Arthur Grimes on why building many, many more social houses is so critical
    New research shows that tenants in social housing - such as these Wellington apartments - are just as happy as home owners and much happier than private tenants. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The election campaign took an ugly turn yesterday, and in completely the wrong direction. All three ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • Bennie Bashing.
    If there’s one thing the mob loves more than keeping Māori in their place, more than getting tough on the gangs, maybe even more than tax cuts. It’s a good old round of beneficiary bashing.Are those meanies in the ACT party stealing your votes because they think David Seymour is ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • The kindest cuts
    Labour kicks off the fiscal credibility battle today with the release of its fiscal plan. National is expected to follow, possibly as soon as Thursday, with its own plan, which may (or may not) address the large hole that the problems with its foreign buyers’ ban might open up. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • Green right turn in Britain? Well, a start
    While it may be unlikely to register in New Zealand’s general election, Britain’s PM Rishi Sunak has done something which might just be important in the long run. He’s announced a far-reaching change in his Conservative government’s approach to environmental, and particularly net zero, policy. The starting point – ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    6 days ago

  • At a glance – How do human CO2 emissions compare to natural CO2 emissions?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • How could this happen?
    Canada is in uproar after the exposure that its parliament on September 22 provided a standing ovation to a Nazi veteran who had been invited into the chamber to participate in the parliamentary welcome to Ukrainian President Zelensky. Yaroslav Hunka, 98, a Ukrainian man who volunteered for service in ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    6 days ago

  • Always Be Campaigning
    The big screen is a great place to lay out the ways of the salesman. He comes ready-made for Panto, ripe for lampooning.This is not to disparage that life. I have known many good people of that kind. But there is a type, brazen as all get out. The camera ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • STEPHEN FRANKS: Press seek to publicly shame doctor – we must push back
    The following is a message sent yesterday from lawyer Stephen Franks on behalf of the Free Speech Union. I don’t like to interrupt first thing Monday morning, but we’ve just become aware of a case where we think immediate and overwhelming attention could help turn the tide. It involves someone ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Competing on cruelty
    The right-wing message calendar is clearly reading "cruelty" today, because both National and NZ First have released beneficiary-bashing policies. National is promising a "traffic light" system to police and kick beneficiaries, which will no doubt be accompanied by arbitrary internal targets to classify people as "orange" or "red" to keep ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • Further funding for Pharmac (forgotten in the Budget?) looks like a $1bn appeal from a PM in need of...
    Buzz from the Beehive One Labour plan  – for 3000 more public homes by 2025 – is the most recent to be posted on the government’s official website. Another – a prime ministerial promise of more funding for Pharmac – has been released as a Labour Party press statement. Who ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: The Vested interests shaping National Party policies
    As the National Party gets closer to government, lobbyists and business interests will be lining up for influence and to get policies adopted. It’s therefore in the public interest to have much more scrutiny and transparency about potential conflicts of interests that might arise. One of the key individuals of ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    6 days ago

  • Labour may be on way out of power and NZ First back in – but will Peters go into coalition with Na...
    Voters  are deserting Labour in droves, despite Chris  Hipkins’  valiant  rearguard  action.  So  where  are they  heading?  Clearly  not all of them are going to vote National, which concedes that  the  outcome  will be “close”. To the Right of National, the ACT party just a  few weeks  ago  was ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    6 days ago

  • GRAHAM ADAMS: Will the racists please stand up?
    Accusations of racism by journalists and MPs are being called out. Graham Adams writes –    With the election less than three weeks away, what co-governance means in practice — including in water management, education, planning law and local government — remains largely obscure. Which is hardly ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on whether Winston Peters can be a moderating influence
    As the centre-right has (finally!) been subjected to media interrogation, the polls are indicating that some voters may be starting to have second thoughts about the wisdom of giving National and ACT the power to govern alone. That’s why yesterday’s Newshub/Reid Research poll had the National/ACT combo dropping to 60 ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    6 days ago

  • Tuesday’s Chorus: RBNZ set to rain on National's victory parade
    ANZ has increased its forecast for house inflation later this year on signs of growing momentum in the market ahead of the election. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: National has campaigned against the Labour Government’s record on inflation and mortgage rates, but there’s now a growing chance the Reserve ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • After a Pittsburgh coal processing plant closed, ER visits plummeted
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Katie Myers. This story was originally published by Grist and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. Pittsburgh, in its founding, was blessed and cursed with two abundant natural resources: free-flowing rivers and a nearby coal seam. ...
    Skeptical Science
    7 days ago

  • September-23 AT Board Meeting
    Today the AT board meet again and once again I’ve taken a look at what’s on the agenda to find the most interesting items. Closed Agenda Interestingly when I first looked at the agendas this paper was there but at the time of writing this post it had been ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    7 days ago

  • Electorate Watch: West Coast-Tasman
    Continuing my series on interesting electorates, today it’s West Coast-Tasman.A long thin electorate running down the northern half of the west coast of the South Island. Think sand flies, beautiful landscapes, lots of rain, Pike River, alternative lifestylers, whitebaiting, and the spiritual home of the Labour Party. A brief word ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago

  • Big money brings Winston back
    National leader Christopher Luxon yesterday morning conceded it and last night’s Newshub poll confirmed it; Winston Peters and NZ First are not only back but highly likely to be part of the next government. It is a remarkable comeback for a party that was tossed out of Parliament in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    7 days ago

  • 20 days until Election Day, 7 until early voting begins… but what changes will we really see here?
    As this blogger, alongside many others, has already posited in another forum: we all know the National Party’s “budget” (meaning this concept of even adding up numbers properly is doing a lot of heavy, heavy lifting right now) is utter and complete bunk (read hung, drawn and quartered and ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    1 week ago

  • A night out
    Everyone was asking, Are you nervous? and my response was various forms of God, yes.I've written more speeches than I can count; not much surprises me when the speaker gets to their feet and the room goes quiet.But a play? Never.YOU CAME! THANK YOU! Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand resumes peacekeeping force leadership
    New Zealand will again contribute to the leadership of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, with a senior New Zealand Defence Force officer returning as Interim Force Commander. Defence Minister Andrew Little and Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta have announced the deployment of New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago

  • New national direction provides clarity for development and the environment
    The Government has taken an important step in implementing the new resource management system, by issuing a draft National Planning Framework (NPF) document under the new legislation, Environment Minister David Parker said today. “The NPF consolidates existing national direction, bringing together around 20 existing instruments including policy statements, standards, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago

  • Government shows further commitment to pay equity for healthcare workers
    The Government welcomes the proposed pay equity settlement that will see significant pay increases for around 18,000 Te Whatu Ora Allied, Scientific, and Technical employees, if accepted said Health Minister Ayesha Verrall. The proposal reached between Te Whatu Ora, the New Zealand Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago

  • 100 new public EV chargers to be added to national network
    The public EV charging network has received a significant boost with government co-funding announced today for over 100 EV chargers – with over 200 charging ports altogether – across New Zealand, and many planned to be up and running on key holiday routes by Christmas this year. Minister of Energy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Safeguarding Tuvalu language and identity
    Tuvalu is in the spotlight this week as communities across New Zealand celebrate Vaiaso o te Gagana Tuvalu – Tuvalu Language Week. “The Government has a proven record of supporting Pacific communities and ensuring more of our languages are spoken, heard and celebrated,” Pacific Peoples Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Many ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • New community-level energy projects to support more than 800 Māori households
    Seven more innovative community-scale energy projects will receive government funding through the Māori and Public Housing Renewable Energy Fund to bring more affordable, locally generated clean energy to more than 800 Māori households, Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods says. “We’ve already funded 42 small-scale clean energy projects that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Huge boost to Te Tai Tokerau flood resilience
    The Government has approved new funding that will boost resilience and greatly reduce the risk of major flood damage across Te Tai Tokerau. Significant weather events this year caused severe flooding and damage across the region. The $8.9m will be used to provide some of the smaller communities and maraes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Napier’s largest public housing development comes with solar
    The largest public housing development in Napier for many years has been recently completed and has the added benefit of innovative solar technology, thanks to Government programmes, says Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods. The 24 warm, dry homes are in Seddon Crescent, Marewa and Megan Woods says the whanau living ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Te Whānau a Apanui and the Crown initial Deed of Settlement I Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me...
    Māori: Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna te Whakaaetanga Whakataunga Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna i tētahi Whakaaetanga Whakataunga hei whakamihi i ō rātou tāhuhu kerēme Tiriti o Waitangi. E tekau mā rua ngā hapū o roto mai o Te Whānau ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Plan for 3,000 more public homes by 2025 – regions set to benefit
    Regions around the country will get significant boosts of public housing in the next two years, as outlined in the latest public housing plan update, released by the Housing Minister, Dr Megan Woods. “We’re delivering the most public homes each year since the Nash government of the 1950s with one ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Immigration settings updates
    Judicial warrant process for out-of-hours compliance visits 2023/24 Recognised Seasonal Employer cap increased by 500 Additional roles for Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement More roles added to Green List Three-month extension for onshore Recovery Visa holders The Government has confirmed a number of updates to immigration settings as part of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Poroporoaki: Tā Patrick (Patu) Wahanga Hohepa
    Tangi ngunguru ana ngā tai ki te wahapū o Hokianga Whakapau Karakia. Tārehu ana ngā pae maunga ki Te Puna o te Ao Marama. Korihi tangi ana ngā manu, kua hinga he kauri nui ki te Wao Nui o Tāne. He Toa. He Pou. He Ahorangi. E papaki tū ana ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Renewable energy fund to support community resilience
    40 solar energy systems on community buildings in regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and other severe weather events Virtual capability-building hub to support community organisations get projects off the ground Boost for community-level renewable energy projects across the country At least 40 community buildings used to support the emergency response ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • COVID-19 funding returned to Government
    The lifting of COVID-19 isolation and mask mandates in August has resulted in a return of almost $50m in savings and recovered contingencies, Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. Following the revocation of mandates and isolation, specialised COVID-19 telehealth and alternative isolation accommodation are among the operational elements ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Appointment of District Court Judge
    Susie Houghton of Auckland has been appointed as a new District Court Judge, to serve on the Family Court, Attorney-General David Parker said today.  Judge Houghton has acted as a lawyer for child for more than 20 years. She has acted on matters relating to the Hague Convention, an international ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government invests further in Central Hawke’s Bay resilience
    The Government has today confirmed $2.5 million to fund a replace and upgrade a stopbank to protect the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant. “As a result of Cyclone Gabrielle, the original stopbank protecting the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant was destroyed. The plant was operational within 6 weeks of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Govt boost for Hawke’s Bay cyclone waste clean-up
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