National on the Manus Island crisis

Written By: - Date published: 8:14 am, November 22nd, 2017 - 82 comments
Categories: australian politics, Gerry Brownlee, International, john key, Judith Collins, national, Politics, same old national, the praiseworthy and the pitiful, you couldn't make this shit up - Tags:

Back in 2013 National leader John Key (remember him) offered to Australia to take 150 refugees stationed at Manus Island.

He repeated the offer on a number of occasions.

The offer was referred to in this article from the Herald in 2016:

New Zealand would take 150 refugees each year from Australian detention centres each year if asked to, Prime Minister John Key says.

Ahead of the Australian election on Saturday, Labor leader Bill Shorten said New Zealand could be used as a resettlement option for refugees now on Nauru and Manus Island in Papua New Guinea.

Mr Shorten told ABC-TV that discussions should be first held with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, but New Zealand was “a resettlement nation”.

The 150 quota was agreed between Mr Key and former Australian Labor Prime Minister Julia Gillard in 2013 but has never been used.

“In the instance that Australia decided to invoke that provision we would allow that to happen,” Mr Key said today when asked about Mr Shorten’s comments.

“But at this stage that hasn’t been something that Australian governments have wanted to take up.”

Fast forward to 2017 and the change of Government to the Labour-New Zealand First-Greens.

Nek minnit:

National Party’s Judith Collins said on Twitter it was staggering Ms Ardern, as “the Minister in charge of our nation’s security”, had either not had or not read briefings.

 

Mr Brownlee said Ms Ardern was amping up the response compared to the previous offer from National Party leaders.

“The real point is that we’re selecting refugees to come to New Zealand on the basis of their being would be a good fit for our country, but it still leaves Australia with a massive problem.

“And I think criticising them for dealing with people – that have gone through six countries in some cases trying to get to Australia to seek asylum or refugee status – is pretty harsh.

He said he did not doubt Australia would eventually accept New Zealand’s offer.

“I think that’s a possibility but you’ve got to let them go through that process.”

“Saying that it’s an unacceptable situation and Australia needs to live up to its international responsibilities etcetera, I think that’s a step too far.”

“I think it tends to deny the problem that Australia’s got, so it’s not just the 400 people who are protesting on Manus Island.”

“They’re protesting because they don’t want to leave the facility which Australia is trying to close down and many of those, you’ll find, are not eligible to be considered refugees or asylum seekers so they’ve got other motives for creating the attention they have.”

However, he refused to go into how he might know many of those on Manus Island were not eligible.

He supported Australia’s stance on asylum seekers.

“I think you have, to because this is a country that takes five times the number of refugees that we do per capita, and is dealing with a serious problem, they’ve got big, big sea borders,” he said.

So much to unpick …

Jacinda has been pushing the exact same deal that National reached with the Australian Government.  What is National saying she is guilty of, over enthusiastic advocacy?

If Judith Collins thinks the deal is a threat to our security why did her party support it?

Why does Gerry Brownlee think that it is acceptable to cut the water and power to a site with all those refugees?

And why during nine long years of National Government did they only propose an increase to 1,000 per year but only after 2018 if the numbers of refugees that we took in were so small?

Expect a lot more of this.  National blowing hard on the dog whistle trying to make out that Labour is doing too much and yet not enough when last term National begrudgingly was also trying to do the same but less.

82 comments on “National on the Manus Island crisis ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Tuppence Shrewsbury 1
    22 November 2017 at 8:22 am

    Bit early in to the new governments term to be making “the other side did it too” excuses isn’t it?

    • mickysavage 1.1
      22 November 2017 at 8:25 am

      Bit early in the term for the opposition to attempt to rewrite history.

      • halfcrown 1.1.1
        22 November 2017 at 8:43 am

        +1

        • Aaron 1.1.1.1
          22 November 2017 at 5:39 pm

          Tuppence that is a bizarre comment – No one said Labour is making excuses that the other side did it. The article is in fact pointing out that National seems to have forgotten that they made the exact same offer to Australia that Labour is now making. It’s s sign of incompetence that they can’t remember that and it’s a sign of your own incompetence that you couldn’t work that our from reading this article.

          Maybe you read the article too fast in your haste to be the first person to comment, but the National Party Social Media team is clearly having trouble getting good staff.

      • Tuppence Shrewsbury 1.1.2
        22 November 2017 at 9:22 am

        You could say the same about the labour government and it’s supporters walking back a significant number of non negotiable bottom lines from before the election.

        With the exception of the years free education and the sales of houses to foreign buyers, hats off to them for those wins, even though i think a years free education for all is not exactly “progressive” in it’s right on meaning

    • One Anonymous Bloke 1.2
      22 November 2017 at 8:47 am

      Excuses? You make excuses for things you’re ashamed of. Nothing to be ashamed of here. Apart from your rank hypocrisy, that is.

      • Tuppence Shrewsbury 1.2.1
        22 November 2017 at 9:20 am

        You were always one of the first to rush in with the “the other side did it too argument doesn’t wash”, now your throwing round hypocrisy with a straight face?

        I disagree with you, but i thought you at least had the intellectual honesty to not try and excuse the same argument when labour aren’t in opposition.

    • McFlock 1.3
      22 November 2017 at 12:50 pm

      Actually, early is the time it’s most suitable.

      When, after almost nine years of changing conditions, the national government was still moaning about the previous Labour government, it looked tired and stupid.

      When the National opposition today complains vehemently about government policies it maintained barely a year ago, it looks hypocritical, tired, and stupid.

    • Pete 1.4
      22 November 2017 at 3:13 pm

      How bizarre to seem to be appealing to some sort of logic, rationality and intelligence with such vacuous nonsense.

      National said something should happen in a situation. They obviously thought that was the best in the circumstances.

      Labour picks up the baton now they’re in the driving seat and go for what National wanted.

      Collins and Brownlee go on a mindless attack hoping to rouse support from the equally mindless, illogical, irrational, unintelligent and vacuous.

      The fact that this clearly is not an “other side did it too” example shows that Collins and Brownlee have hit fertile ground.

  2. Janet 2
    22 November 2017 at 8:33 am

    My morning fun watching the the tired old pale stale Nats desperately trying to keep their places in the Nat opposition. Watch the jockeying for position after the summer break.

  3. Psycho Milt 3
    22 November 2017 at 9:02 am

    Hey, if they can get away with pretending their policy in government was to attempt a re-entry into Pike River if possible, why shouldn’t they pretend they never supported NZ taking in Manus Island inmates?

    • dv 3.1
      22 November 2017 at 9:04 am

      Hey, if they can get away with lying (pretending) their policy in government was to attempt a re-entry into Pike River if possible, why shouldn’t they lying (pretend) they never supported NZ taking in Manus Island inmates?

      Fixed it for you

  4. Enough is Enough 4
    22 November 2017 at 11:13 am

    National does not work on principle.

    This is a result of focus groups. They will be using their dirty strategies and forming policy not on what is right but by what the focus group tell them to do.

  5. patricia bremner 5
    22 November 2017 at 11:17 am

    Love that ‘photo of Jerry. So revealing. Sour down in the mouth complaining.

    • mary_a 5.1
      22 November 2017 at 12:58 pm

      Yep Patricia (5), that pic of old Gerry boy is quite representative of the mood of the lying, nasty losers Natz at present. Still prickling over the election result.

      How he can publicly lie and exaggerate about Natz position re Manus Island refugees, is really mind boggling!

  6. Cinny 6
    22 November 2017 at 1:13 pm

    While people continue to discuss Manus, people are still suffering over there and the PNG locals are angry, resolution is needed for all to prevent anymore damage.

    We should be could be a country that enhances and saves lives, not a country who turns a blind eye due to fear of the unknown, or condemns people to rape, assault, death because we’ve no back bone for standing up against others, and doing what is humane.

    Media in Aussie don’t want to discuss it no doubt being directed by Channel Nine and Murdoch. Keep the issue quiet, dress it down etc.

    The pm who quit aka key, his offer was just for show, ego grooming and voter seduction.

    Our government has the back bone to follow through and do something about it.

    Meanwhile the opposition are appearing to look like a bunch of bitter washed up has beens, desperately spinning propaganda in order to justify their ‘turn around’. The oppositions job is to oppose, personally I didn’t expect anything less from a political party who under values human beings to start with.

    The refugees aren’t going to come to NZ and be a bunch of arseholes, why…? Because they are begging for us to save their lives, why would they do something to get kicked out of a country they’ve asked to help them? No doubt they will end up being stand out citizens like many many other refugees that have come here.

    Send the frigate to pick them up please and to hell with Aussie politics, lets save and improve lives instead.

    • Zorb6 6.1
      22 November 2017 at 4:02 pm

      Very rose coloured specs you wear. And what about their wives and children ?

      • red-blooded 6.1.1
        22 November 2017 at 4:10 pm

        What’s your point re wives and children? NZ has a long history of allowing spouses and immediate family of refugees to join them. Why would that be different in this case?

        • Zorb6 6.1.1.1
          22 November 2017 at 4:36 pm

          They are just opportunists. Where will they all be housed?Can’t house the people here already.

          • McFlock 6.1.1.1.1
            22 November 2017 at 4:38 pm

            Nice. Use national’s incompetence to justify your heartlessness, why don’t ya…

            • Zorb6 6.1.1.1.1.1
              22 November 2017 at 5:23 pm

              Not a very helpful answer at all.More motels you think?

              • McFlock …
                22 November 2017 at 5:37 pm

                It was a stupid question. I believe the current offer is to simply put the 150 as part of out current annual quote of refugees, whom we already have facilities for (housing is the least of it).

                The current quota is more than the number of refugees on Manus. Therefore we can do the same for the lot of them.

                • Zorb6 …
                  22 November 2017 at 6:36 pm

                  So any other genuine refugees allowable under of a quota of 750?can forget it,because you have decreed these ones a priority.NFI.

                  • One Anonymous Bloke …
                    22 November 2017 at 6:41 pm

                    “Genuine”

                    Unlike your argument.

                  • mickysavage …
                    22 November 2017 at 6:52 pm

                    Labour’s policy was to double the quota anyway. Stop creating false equivalences.

                    • Zorb6 …
                      22 November 2017 at 7:09 pm

                      No false equivalence.Thats why the ?Policy been enacted yet?The false equivalence is dragging up National commentary from last year and a tale of a now worthy citizen who ate roots and bugs in the jungle,and then fast forward,arrived in NZ.

                • Zorb6 …
                  22 November 2017 at 7:13 pm

                  Changed your tune lately I see.As you’ve been told ,the number including wives and children would be in the thousands.How many will be staying with you?

                  • McFlock …
                    22 November 2017 at 11:06 pm

                    That applies to all refugees who come in under our quota.

                    As for who stays at my place, maybe I’ll have some spare room after I kick your mother out in the morning.

                    • Zorb6 …
                      23 November 2017 at 7:29 am

                      I actually asked ‘will’ be staying with you.So leave mum,alone.You are so compassionate and at the same time,so unrealistic.

                    • McFlock …
                      23 November 2017 at 1:34 pm

                      Yes, I saw what you asked. And I’ll do my 4,000,000th part of helping those refugees, don’t you worry your delicate little head about it.

                      So will you.

              • Cinny …
                22 November 2017 at 6:09 pm

                July 3, 2016 under the national coalition government.

                The obvious win for the government in putting the issue of the refugee quota up against homelessness could be to play off supporters of increasing the refugee quota against supporters of action on homelessness, without actually doing anything significant on either.

                https://thespinoff.co.nz/featured/03-07-2016/justifying-a-meagre-refugee-quota-because-of-the-homeless-problem-is-a-terrible-terrible-argument/

                • Zorb6 …
                  22 November 2017 at 6:41 pm

                  Alert,we now have a new Govt.Don’t use the old Govt and their principles as a prop.It is irrelevant.

                  • Cinny …
                    22 November 2017 at 7:27 pm

                    You are so missing the point Zorb, the only props are the ones you are using to delude and distract.

                    Meanwhile the reality is….

                    Refugees aren’t escaping poverty they are escaping persecution.

                    Refugees do not leave their country, family and livelihoods to steal our jobs or freeload on our hard-earned tax money. They come to survive.

                    Refugees are often well educated, they are Dr’s, Nurses, Teachers, Builders. Does NZ need more people in these occupations? Of course we do.

                    “New Zealand has problems. Our poverty level is too high. Our suicide rates are through the roof, and that isn’t acceptable. But what is even more unacceptable is sitting back and watching fellow humans serve out an unwarranted and horrific death sentence, when we are in a position to help.”

                    http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/opinion/2017/11/aziz-al-sa-afin-manus-island-is-all-of-our-shame-to-bear.html

                    • Zorb6 …
                      22 November 2017 at 7:33 pm

                      ‘they are Dr’s, Nurses, Teachers, Builders. Does NZ need more people in these occupations? Of course we do.’How many from Manus Is are of these vocations?Interesting to learn that they were not escaping poverty.Poverty is a big problem for thousands of NZ’ers.Will they be bringing money as well as the skills you list,or don’t you really know?

                    • Cinny …
                      22 November 2017 at 9:17 pm

                      Zorb your right wing narratives are wasted on compassionate people.

                      Often refugees have used all of their money surviving until they reach safety. Sometimes that takes years.

                      Interesting how much importance you put on money, in that case wouldn’t such skilled people enhance our economy?

                      Refugees want to feel safe, just like anyone else.

                      When your children see refugees on tv suffering and ask you, what did you do to help? What will you tell them?

                      I tell my children they are worth more than all the money and riches in the world and that I would rather be penniless with them in my life, than trade them for all the money in the world.

                    • Zorb6 …
                      23 November 2017 at 7:24 am

                      I see ,its your own personal affirmation as a worthy human being you seek.’I tell my children they are worth more than all the money and riches in the world and that I would rather be penniless with them in my life, than trade them for all the money in the world.’Are you extending the ‘they’ to these refugees?
                      Try being penniless,you won’t like it.Do you play the violin,I wonder.

                    • greywarshark …
                      23 November 2017 at 1:41 pm

                      Cinny
                      I guess you have stopped now. But please don’t bang your head against a brick wall. It hurts me to watch it – don’t know about you!

                    • Cinny …
                      23 November 2017 at 1:48 pm

                      Life is more important than money. Life is not a competition.

                      Try being penniless you say… been there, like I said life is more important than money.

                      Your turn Zorb…………

                      Grey 🙂 It’s rather fascinating this interaction like a psychological experiment. All good here and thank you.

          • One Anonymous Bloke 6.1.1.1.2
            22 November 2017 at 5:45 pm

            Opportunists

            So is Peter Thiel, and what’s wrong with that again? I know some answers to that question. Do you?

            As for your betters on Manus Island, their refugee status can easily be tested against international and NZ law.

            State your case. Please 😈

      • Cinny 6.1.2
        22 November 2017 at 5:03 pm

        Twisting the narrative again Zorb?

        Ha ! Rose coloured glasses, you have no clue.

        Yes people flee their countries so they are not killed, you call them opportunists!

        Have I told you about Ngan? Her husband was murdered by the Khmer Rouge, she fled with her children, one of them a toddler, hiding during the day and running through the jungle at night, eating bugs and roots. Eventually making it to NZ as a refugee.

        She’s now a NZ citizen, helps out in the community, her 3 children have all gone through university. Her family is an asset to our country.

        Is she an opportunist too? Herself and her family would all be dead now if they had stayed there.

        Then we hear the… what about the people here that need housing? Well what are YOU doing to help them Zorb? Last time you told me you were too busy working and paying for your own rent to help anyone else. Go figure, complain people aren’t getting enough help, yet do nothing to help them yourself.

        Are you worried you are going to miss out on something if we allow manus island refugees into NZ?

        • Zorb6 6.1.2.1
          22 November 2017 at 5:25 pm

          Forget the heart warming anecdote. We have a housing shortage. I guess you have a home so you’re alright eh.

          • Cinny 6.1.2.1.1
            22 November 2017 at 5:59 pm

            What are you doing to help those without a home Zorb? The housing for refugees is already accounted for.

            Prior government is to blame for housing issues in NZ. Current government is trying to resolve it.

            Homeless people are generally fine with us letting in refugees.

            “Massey University sociology professor Paul Spoonley said migrants created a net economic gain for New Zealand, contributing more to tax coffers than they took out.”

            “Economists say the long term benefits of taking in refugees need to become as much a part of the debate as the upfront costs.”
            http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/71875305/Refugees-are-good-for-NZs-economy-economists-say

            • Zorb6 6.1.2.1.1.1
              22 November 2017 at 6:39 pm

              ‘Homeless people are generally fine with us letting in refugees.’you just ‘sense’ this do you?Show some evidence if you have some.When NZ’ers are sleeping in cars ,they deserve to be helped first ,its logical to those that appreciate logic.

              • Cinny …
                22 November 2017 at 7:09 pm

                I’ve asked around Zorb, I help the homeless do you?

                • Zorb6 …
                  22 November 2017 at 7:10 pm

                  Yes.My feedback is clear.Charity begins at home.Go down to the Marae in Mangere and ask them what they think of your plans.

                  • Cinny …
                    22 November 2017 at 9:00 pm

                    Charity begins at home? The whole earth is home to humans.

                    I don’t live in Auckland, but am happy to go to the local marae here and ask them.

                    Meanwhile… you still have not answered my question… what do YOU do to help those suffering homelessness etc in NZ?

                    • Zorb6 …
                      23 November 2017 at 7:20 am

                      Let us know what they tell you after you visit the Marae.

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      23 November 2017 at 7:47 am

                      Been there done that.

                      Rangi told Te Karere that if we were opening up our marae to refugees “then we should be doing it for our own people living on the streets and those struggling to find homes.”

                      …

                      What was left out of the news item, says Rangi, was that he has no problem with the extra 250 refugees a year. And it wasn’t a case of welcoming either refugees or local homeless. Rangi reckons New Zealand, like his marae, are able to do both.

                      His marae has an ongoing relationship with Iraqi refugees in that community. It supports them and helps educate Iraqis about Māori values and history. As far as Rangi is concerned, it all boils down to manaakitanga. And he’s confident other marae in Tamaki feel the same way.

                      Not that you’d* get that from the news item.

                      *they’re talking about you, Zorb6. 😆

                    • Zorb6 …
                      23 November 2017 at 7:55 am

                      So I was correct,endorsed by what Rangi said.The fact he was not opposed to another 250 added to the refugee quota is not a salient point in this discussion.When Cinny pops down,she can ask him about NZ welcoming and housing a couple of thousand more.Be very interested in what he says.

                    • Cinny …
                      23 November 2017 at 7:56 am

                      Once again you refuse/avoid answering my question Zorb…

                      What are YOU doing to help with homelessness in NZ?

                    • One Anonymous Bloke …
                      23 November 2017 at 8:03 am

                      Rangi said we should do both. I know it suits your delusions to ignore that and twist his words. He works with refugees, so I think he just might know about their families.

                      You were wrong: Rangi rejected what you said. All you’re doing now is displaying your low character.

                    • Zorb6 …
                      23 November 2017 at 8:34 am

                      @Cinny…I donate to worthy causes.
                      @OAB…your comprehension is suss,if you interpret what Rangi said as being anything other than what I stated.

                    • Cinny …
                      23 November 2017 at 1:59 pm

                      Nice to know you give money to a cause you deem worthwhile, zorb.

                  • One Anonymous Bloke …
                    23 November 2017 at 8:40 am

                    Rangi:

                    it wasn’t a case of welcoming either refugees or local homeless. Rangi reckons New Zealand, like his marae, are able to do both.

                    His marae has an ongoing relationship with Iraqi refugees in that community. It supports them and helps educate Iraqis about Māori values and history. As far as Rangi is concerned, it all boils down to manaakitanga.

                    Zorb6:

                    They’re all opportunists.

                    One of these things is not like the other one.

  7. piper 7
    22 November 2017 at 3:05 pm

    Our present coalition have made offers to the P.N.G. AND Aussie governments,what more can they do.

    As for Gerry,he and quite a few of the old guard nats will be considering over the holiday break,can we take or be bothered bleeting for the next three years across the house.

    • Puckish Rogue 7.1
      22 November 2017 at 3:10 pm

      They can make the offer and then stop sticking their noses in the business of our most important ally

        • Cinny 7.1.1.1
          22 November 2017 at 9:28 pm

          From the same article that you posted Baba…

          “However, the timing of the leak, and several others in Australian publications, suggests rising levels of frustration within the Australian Government that Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was putting undue pressure on a domestic Australian policy issue.”

          Some more info to enlighten you Baba…

          “this hasn’t become the media spectacle one might expect – only two reporters have been there to cover the story.

          “The Australian government has tried very hard to shape the narrative about what is happening on Manus and Nauru, and it’s done so very effectively, because it’s so hard for journalists to be able to go there and to tell the stories of what is happening,” says Elaine Pearson, director, HRW Australia.”

          “Photojournalist Matthew Abbott tried to go to Manus Island last week, but was refused entry. A year earlier, he published a story on Manus locals brutally attacking two refugees.

          When he tried to enter Papua New Guinea in the visa on arrival line the immigration officer said “are you involved with publishing disruptive material from lManus Island? That’s when I knew that there was no way I was getting to Papua New Guinea,” says Abbott.”

          http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/listeningpost/2017/11/manus-island-australia-pulling-media-strings-171118083724605.html

          • Baba Yaga 7.1.1.1.1
            22 November 2017 at 10:27 pm

            “However, the timing of the leak, and several others in Australian publications, suggests rising levels of frustration within the Australian Government that Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was putting undue pressure on a domestic Australian policy issue.”

            So?

            The rest of your post is a story about a photo journalist who didn’t even visit Manus making unsubstantiated claims, and the head of HRW. Not very informative. Or credible.

            • Cinny 7.1.1.1.1.1
              22 November 2017 at 11:14 pm

              Not very informative or credible? yeah right lmao.

              First up the photojournalist was RETURNING to Manus Island, he had visited there last year and did a story on it but was refused entry this time because the story didn’t shine the situation in a positive light.

              “During my trip to Manus in 2016, I witnessed the aftermath of two refugees being beaten up with metal pipes by a mob of locals, one of the reasons the men were – and still are – too afraid to leave the camp. I got detained for photographing the violent attack. Police told me not to publish the photos and the manager of the detention centre warned me: “What you do now will determine whether you are ever allowed to visit PNG again.” I published the photos.”

              Obviously you didn’t watch the 9min story which FEATURED on last weeks episode of The Listening Post (weekly programme that examines and dissects the world’s media, how they operate and the stories they cover) on Al Jazeera, which I posted. Photo’s often speak volumes.

              “Typically, the images Australians are seeing are distant and limited. Taken from afar, they lack the faces and personal stories that tend to affect audiences. They fail to capture what’s happening up close.
              And the few outlets the authorities in Canberra have allowed into the camp: The Australian newspaper and Sky – both owned by Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp – and Channel 9, are known for sticking to the government’s line.”

              Images are an important part of journalism, what would online newspapers be like without the pictures? What would TV news be like without the pictures?

              Here’s a handy dandy link to the photojournalists work from his trip to Manus Island last year.
              http://www.matthewabbott.com.au/PHOTOJOURNALISM/Camp-Dead-End—Manus-Island-2016/3/caption

              • Baba Yaga …
                23 November 2017 at 11:45 am

                The journalist hasn’t been there for a year. And they are recounting abuses we already know occurred. How does that change anything about the character of the inhabitants our government wants to welcome into our society?

                • Cinny …
                  23 November 2017 at 1:39 pm

                  The journalist was refused entry, along with a number of other reporters when he tried to revisit. Which reeks of a coverup

                  The character of the australian government is what is questionable.

                  • Baba Yaga …
                    23 November 2017 at 3:00 pm

                    Being refused entry doesn’t reek of anything. The Australian Government is trying to stop an avalanche of illegals arriving in their countries from nations who need to get their own shit together. That our government is prepared to undermine Australia’s efforts is more than mildly pathetic.

  8. Michael 8
    22 November 2017 at 3:59 pm

    Brownlee is calculating that everyone else has forgotten his government made the same offer. He may well be right, present readers excepted.

  9. piper 9
    22 November 2017 at 4:18 pm

    The Aussies,now found another passport outsider in their ranks of governing government,how long,snap election on the cards then we shall have a proper ally on our side.

  10. Tanz 10
    22 November 2017 at 4:23 pm

    Labour never campaigned on this pre-election (not surprised), nor did they say they were going to throw three million dollars of taxpayer money at the cause.
    All we have had so far is backtracking and fudging of policies promised pre-election. Even Pike River, for crying out loud.

    Also, National did not push and push the issue as Ardern is, telling our big neighbour what they should be doing. Winston, where are you on this? Totally invisible so far…or maybe regretting selling out for baubles galore. One good thing, Kingmaker for Winston has gone forever and 2020 (or sooner) will pretty much be only a two-horse race. National have already risen in the polls since the election (which of course, they won).

  11. Sparky 11
    22 November 2017 at 8:41 pm

    Seem to be doing a lot things like National including pursuit of the CP(TPP)…..

  12. Cinny 12
    22 November 2017 at 11:30 pm

    Media silence in Aussie around this issue says it all really….

    “Media missing in Manus

    With an escalating crisis on Manus Island, where are all the reporters on the ground?

    And now to the other big story of the week, at least in some sections of the media.

    And no, not Sophie Monk, we’re talking about the developing crisis on Manus Island:”

    http://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/transcripts/s4760651.htm

  13. Delia 13
    23 November 2017 at 6:25 pm

    At least Labour get a response from Australia, National were barely noticed by them, bit like a nice lap dog in the room.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Stories of varying weight

    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on anything you may have missed. Share Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 hours ago
  • Balancing External Security and the Economy

    New Zealand is again having to reconcile conflicting pressures from its military and its trade interests. Should we join Pillar Two of AUKUS and risk compromising our markets in China? For a century after New Zealand was founded in 1840, its external security arrangements and external economics arrangements were aligned. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    17 hours ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: The unravelling of the offsets

    The ‘50 Shades of Green’ farmers’ protest in 2019 was heavy on climate change denial, but five years on, scepticism and criticism about the idea that pine forests can save us is growing across the board. File photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top six news items of note in climate ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    22 hours ago
  • What makes us tick

    This morning the sky was bright.The birds, in their usual joyous bliss. Nature doesn’t seem to feel the heat of what might angst humans.Their calls are clear and beautiful.Just some random thoughts:MāoriPaul Goldsmith has announced his government will roll back the judiciary’s rulings on Māori Customary Marine Title, which recognises ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    23 hours ago
  • Foreshore and seabed 2.0

    In 2003, the Court of Appeal delivered its decision in Ngati Apa v Attorney-General, ruling that Māori customary title over the foreshore and seabed had not been universally extinguished, and that the Māori Land Court could determine claims and confirm title if the facts supported it. This kicked off the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the Royal Commission report into abuse in care

    Earlier this week at Parliament, Labour leader Chris Hipkins was applauded for saying that the response to the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care had to be “bigger than politics.” True, but the fine words, apologies and “we hear you” messages will soon ring ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: In news breaking this morning:The Ministry of Education is cutting $2 billion from its school building programme so the National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government has enough money to deliver tax cuts; The Government has quietly lowered its child poverty reduction targets to make them easier to achieve;Te Whatu Ora-Health NZ’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Weekly Roundup 26-July-2024

    Kia ora. These are some stories that caught our eye this week – as always, feel free to share yours in the comments. Our header image this week (via Eke Panuku) shows the planned upgrade for the Karanga Plaza Tidal Swimming Steps. The week in Greater Auckland On ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 day ago
  • God what a relief

    1. What's not to love about the way the Harris campaign is turning things around?a. Nothingb. Love all of itc. God what a reliefd. Not that it will be by any means easye. All of the above 2. Documents released by the Ministry of Health show Associate Health Minister Casey ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • Trust In Me

    Trust in me in all you doHave the faith I have in youLove will see us through, if only you trust in meWhy don't you, you trust me?In a week that saw the release of the 3,000 page Abuse in Care report Christopher Luxon was being asked about Boot Camps. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 26

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

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

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent talking about the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s release of its first Emissions Reduction Plan;University of Otago Foreign Relations Professor and special guest Dr Karin von ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #29 2024

    Open access notables Improving global temperature datasets to better account for non-uniform warming, Calvert, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society: To better account for spatial non-uniform trends in warming, a new GITD [global instrumental temperature dataset] was created that used maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to combine the land surface ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

    New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-07-26T23:40:53+00:00