National’s annual conference

Written By: - Date published: 9:47 am, November 22nd, 2020 - 64 comments
Categories: election 2020, Judith Collins, national, same old national - Tags:

You would think that the conference held immediately after National suffered one of its worst drubbings in its history National would take the opportunity to refresh its leadership and change its direction.

If you did you will be disappointed.

From Newshub:

In a speech, Goodfellow began by thanking leader Judith Collins saying members “couldn’t be prouder” of her, to which the room clapped.

Goodfellow then went on to both praise and slam the Labour Government’s COVID-19 response and election campaign.

He said “reasoned debate became treasonous” during the campaign and it was a race of celebrity.

Goodfellow then went on to “give credit where credit is due” and praised Jacinda Ardern for her clear communication over the COVID-19 crisis.

In nearly the same breath, he characterised the daily COVID-19 updates as being “televangelistic”.

He finished his speech with a call for the National Party to rebuild and reunite over the next three years.

This is Trumpian in the quality of its analysis.  Slamming the response of Labour’s Covid response is weird.  As the virus ravages through most of the world New Zealand’s response stands out like a beacon.  And there was lots of debate during the campaign.  We even had minor parties peddle conspiracy theories out in plain sight.  The problem was not with free speech being treasonous, it was because the quality of the speech was so poor.

And Goodfellow’s analysis is so shallow.  Fancy praising Ardern’s clear communications but rubbishing the Government’s overall response.

But don’t take my word for this.  National activist Ben Thomas thinks the same.  From Radio New Zealand:

[F]ormer National staffer said Goodfellow was completely out of touch with voters.

Political commentator Ben Thomas said Goodfellow was putting personal gain above the party’s interests.

“He attacked the media and attacked Ardern, and called those Covid briefings a symptom of tyranny. Which is playing to the National Party’s base which is at that AGM that he wants to re-elect him as National Party president, but sounds ridiculous to the wider public, including all of those voters who deserted National to go to Labour.”

Then Judith spoke.

She urged unity, presuming behind her as leader.  She urged her spokespeople to be bold but then trotted out the traditional National themes of government wasteful spending, the shackles holding back innovation and entrepreneurship, the failure of imagination, the lack of ambition, and the tolerance for bland mediocrity.

Apart from a token reference to the high tech sector there was no substance in what she said.

John Key also spoke.  What he said contrasts jarringly with Goodfellow’s analysis.  From Claire Trevett at the Herald:

Key was a guest speaker at the party’s first big gathering since the election, and used it to thump in the home truths about the reasons for the election loss. In short: themselves.

It is usually possible to gauge how far a party has come to terms with a dire election result from the length of time it takes for someone to blame the media and their political opponents for it.

In National’s case, that was not long. It came from President Peter Goodfellow, who railed against what he saw as the “clickbait” and bias of the media. He then launched into the “temporary tyranny” of Jacinda Ardern’s Covid-19 response, her “celebrity” leadership and “tele-vangelical” addresses to the nation.

There was only a fleeting reference to the woes National had brought upon itself.

It was a speech that seemed to show Goodfellow had learned very little about the reasons 2020 brought National to its knees in the first place – or why New Zealanders had thronged to vote for Ardern.

It was a gob-smacking speech. The interesting thing is the party faithful did not seem to buy it.

There was a deathly silence from the 600-odd packed into the room while Goodfellow was going through his tirade. It is likely some quietly agreed with him, but there was no spontaneous applause or murmurs of agreement.

Key’s response to the election result was entirely different.

His speech was not the usual platitudes and diplomatic expressions of support a former leader usually offers.

He delivered a stonker. He told them they had lost 413,800 voters, and he told them why. He told them their voters had flocked to Labour and to Act because of National’s disunity and leadership changes.

He warned them not to assume Ardern’s popularity would wane, because that was a mistake Labour made about him for almost a decade.

And he told them that Labour would spend the next three years focusing on keeping those 413,800 voters, and that it was clever enough to do just that. He set out the prospect National would lose again in 2023, 2026 and 2029.

He said the party needed a plan and a strategy: “Trust me when I tell you, hope is not a strategy.”

But the loudest applause was in response to Key’s warning to any National Party MPs leaking to the media. “If you can’t quit your leaking, quit the party.”

Astoundingly Goodfellow was returned as President.  Lots of lefties cheered as that.

And as part of its reinvigoration it elected David Carter, former MP since 1993 onto its board.  Renewal huh.  Carter had sought presidency of the party but lost to Goodfellow.

I thought it would only be a matter of time before Collins was rolled.  Given events on the weekend and the party’s clear inability to do something radical I am not so sure.

64 comments on “National’s annual conference ”

  1. Chris T 1

    And Goodfellow’s analysis is so shallow. Fancy praising Ardern’s clear communications but rubbishing the Government’s overall response.

    Do you mind pointing out where he rubbished Labour's "overall response" in your article?

    Thanks

    • mickysavage 1.1

      "Goodfellow then went on to both praise and slam the Labour Government’s COVID-19 response and election campaign.

      He said “reasoned debate became treasonous” during the campaign and it was a race of celebrity.

      Goodfellow then went on to “give credit where credit is due” and praised Jacinda Ardern for her clear communication over the COVID-19 crisis."

      • Chris T 1.1.1

        He seems to be just criticising the pointless daily updates that didn't need Ardern there.

        Which to be frank seemed to turn into free party political broadcasts.

        Goodfellow then went on to “give credit where credit is due” and praised Jacinda Ardern for her clear communication over the COVID-19 crisis."

        I see praise of Ardern's overall response, not criticism.

        • Robert Guyton 1.1.1.1

          There are none so blind.

          • Chris T 1.1.1.1.1

            Fair call.

            Explain why Ardern needed to be there and speak for about 25 minutes, when it could have just been Bloomfield.

            • Robert Guyton 1.1.1.1.1.1

              "Explain why…"

              That's a tetchy demand there, ChrisT – are you coffee-deprived or something?

              You said, "He seems to be just criticising…" when in this thread, Mickey has clearly stated that Goodfellow said, “reasoned debate became treasonous” during the campaign and it was a race of celebrity", 2 criticisms more than the "just" you want to focus on. There are none so blind as those who will not see.

              • Chris T

                How is that "rubbishing Labour's overall response"?

                • Robert Guyton

                  "Goodfellow then went on to both praise and slam the Labour Government’s COVID-19 response and election campaign."

                  (My italics)

                  How is slamming Labour's Covid response & election campaign not "rubbishing Labour's overall response" ?

                  I'm somewhat puzzled by your protestations and reasoning, Chris T.

                  • Chris T

                    That is called an opinion sentence without any actual back up quote to what they accusing them of.

                    It would be a bit like me saying "Ardern had a harsh look in her eye, when she read the result of the weed referendum"

                    Utter bollocks I made up.

                    • Incognito

                      Utter bollocks I made up.

                      QFT

                    • Robert Guyton

                      Curious! You don't feel confident that the journalist at the Nat event could be correct in reporting that there was both praise and slamming by Goodfellow? Pray tell why you feel that way!

            • Robert Guyton 1.1.1.1.1.2

              On another thread, Chris T, you wrote,

              "Sorry.

              Re-reading that post I probably came across as a bit blunt and a prick tbf."

              Reading that, I thought, fair call.

            • Craig H 1.1.1.1.1.3

              A lot of the decisionmaking was done at the Cabinet level, so it was correct for a Cabinet Minister to be present to explain those decisions and answer questions about them.

            • bwaghorn 1.1.1.1.1.4

              Because when things are shit a real leader takes the lead .all our daily freedoms we enjoy at this time are due to Ardern convincing this country she had the plan that would work .

            • Incognito 1.1.1.1.1.5

              When the coronavirus struck in February and March, Ardern responded by imposing one of the strictest lockdowns in the world, effectively closing down the economy even as the country had notched barely 200 cases. This was bold. But at daily press conferences, she calmly explained the reasoning behind it and other government decisions and urged New Zealanders—the “team of five million”—to observe the rules and “be kind.” She would often follow up at night with Facebook Live posts from home, wearing a casual sweater and looking directly into her phone as she reiterated key messages. It was a master class in communication, and it worked: The public broadly supported the restrictions, and the pandemic was kept at bay. [my italics]

              https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-10-07/jacinda-ardern-set-to-win-second-term-in-new-zealand-after-covid-response

              • Chris T

                She would often follow up at night with Facebook Live posts from home, wearing a casual sweater and looking directly into her phone

                Thanks

                I rest my case.

                Welcome to the MSM turning into womens day

                • Incognito

                  I rest my case.

                  Most appreciated.

                  Welcome to the MSM turning into womens day [sic]

                  FB is not MSM. FB is not “womens day” [sic] either.

                  You demanded an answer to this question @ 1.1.1.1.1:

                  Explain why Ardern needed to be there and speak for about 25 minutes, when it could have just been Bloomfield.

                  Don’t ask questions if you cannot handle the answers.

                  • Chris T

                    Or you could just answer.

                    What exactly did she add after Bloomfields summaries apart from a Labour ad?

                    • Robert Guyton

                      She calmed the farm, Chris, and the farm needed calming.

                      And so do you smiley

                    • mac1

                      What she added for me was the weight and authority of the highest elected position in the country in giving advice, support and instruction to five million citizens- advice that was constructive and effective as anyone can appreciate from the Covid results here compared to just about anywhere.

                      Why? Because that was Leadership, and I for one am proud of my country's leader and grateful that she was PM.

                      Cometh the hour, cometh the woman.

                      I note in passing that countries which did well with Covid tended to have women in the leadership role whereas countries that bolloxed the job were run by men……………

                    • Chris T

                      Mac1

                      Sorry. There is know reply button on your post

                      I get people like to think some how sex comes into leadership.

                      That is cool and you are right with Covid. And Ardern’s…At least initially handling it well.
                      Your problem is when most countries came out of WW2 and all flourished they were all dudes,

                      Which is obviously a shallow way of looking at things.

                      While I admit Ardern has done as well as other leaders have after bad shit, it is hardly a new thing and I personally think the sex of the person in charge is irrelevant as long as they are doing a good job,

                    • mac1

                      Chris T, I was being a little jocular there with the gender attributions. I was reflecting a FB post I saw which posted three women leaders and three men leaders and then underneath made the point the difference between the two groups was not their sex but the way they dealt with Covid-19. Trump, Johnson, Bolsonaro versus Ardern, Merkle, Jacobsdóttir.

                      Though I do wonder whether the willingness of these three women to be compassionate, wise and able to take advice is at least a part of the feminine psyche as opposed to the butch, brutal and narcissistic hubris of the three men exhibiting the worst of male traits.

                      Ask yourself. Would you rather be a woman around these three men or a male around these three women- in terms of treatment?

                      Many years ago, I attended a Play Centre Conference. I was the only male there as a participant, (the only male apart from a bus driver and the caretaker.) I remember thinking that I was being treated with far more respect than if I had been the sole woman in a group of 150 men.

                      Interesting musings……

                    • Chris T

                      It actually is to be fair!

                      Not that many moons ago I worked for a place where I was the the only bloke out of about 20 people.

                      I learnt a few things.

                      Women like meetings. I have no idea why. They just cant do shit without a meeting. TBF it is probably better than just going in blind, like blokes do.

                      They tend to be nice as to work with and actually care.

                      And last, They can be the most dirtiest talkers when you go to the pub and they forgent there is a bloke (me) there.

                      Had some funny nights, but all good people

                    • Incognito

                      It has already been answered to you here many times but you seem unwilling to hear and/or accept the answer. After a while, your rather demanding line of questioning is becoming tedious especially when it is clear that we’re all wasting our time trying to engage with you in good faith. I have a solution for that 😉

                      You may want to explain how the PM appearing alongside the DGH during lockdowns was, for all intents and purposes, free ads for the Labour Party. In some parts of the world, people were dropping like flies and we were watching party ads!? You’re starting to test the boundaries of incredulousness.

                • Rapunzel

                  Rather like the"bit", I admit I only saw as it's paywalled, from Audrey Young on Collins "She was well turned out in a smart blue wool coat, fine jewellery and "

                  With a link https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/audrey-young-election-2020-national-leader-judith-collins-almost-a-pro-on-the-campaign-trail/WWFEAOBL6UUSLJ2MVUXM4LE7CE/

            • Scott 1.1.1.1.1.6

              Because the success of NZs response was the success of people being compliant with the lockdown.

              And the compliance was down to leadership and communication.

              To not be there would be have been shirking the responsibility and failing to lead, leaving people aimless.

              • Chris T

                There is a difference between not being there at all and getting a free ad for your partyevery day for weeks

                • Robert Guyton

                  Really difficult to understand that sentence, Chris T.

                  You really have thrown yourself into this thread though, if you don't mind me saying so, you've made no headway at all!

  2. Reality 2

    We will all remember National being happy with John Key's "celebrity" photo ops and smiling and waving! So rather hypocritical for Goodfellow to bemoan Jacinda's popularity. Clutching at straws. Pathetic.

    Perhaps he should have focussed on the grubby tactics of some of their MPs and party members during this election year. And demanded some ethics and decent behaviour in future. Labour also ran an excellent campaign in comparison.

    • Chris T 2.1

      You probably don't want to go down that road.

      • Rapunzel 2.1.1

        Neither do you – if the full extent & where Falloon & co's efforts were displayed & what they were people will really see & understand why Muller panicked. That Collin's utilised her favoured "double down" on ILG's family will show clearly what her nature is like – it's more than overdue.

        • Phillip ure 2.1.1.1

          Do tell..!

        • Chris T 2.1.1.2

          That Collin's utilised her favoured "double down" on ILG's family will show clearly what her nature is like – it's more than overdue.

          Do you have a link to this?

          Thanks

          • Robert Guyton 2.1.1.2.1

            Collins' statements about doubling-down and revenge are well known. This is not an admirable approach to managing personal relationships or political matters, in my opinion. She said it loudly and clearly, proudly even, and in that we take her at her word; she said she would, she did and will continue to behave appallingly when she chooses to.

          • Rapunzel 2.1.1.2.2

            There are somethings you won't actually see word for word in writing but the double down/pay back double is an accepted trait of Collins & exactly the trait shown when she shot a warning bullet across the bows of the govt by revealing ILG's personal indiscretion to the entire country. IMO which I'm allowed to have it was a sort of an insurance against the scope of the imagery Falloon was distributing & the fact it wasn't limited to him. Stuff & Barry Soper both alluded to it briefly but were shut down by a more dignified set of behaviour on the part of govt.

          • Incognito 2.1.1.2.3

            Not sure what exactly you’re chasing after or what windmill you’re tilting at but FWIW here’s the opinion of a ‘hard lefty’ on JC in context:

            It was an appalling way to behave. It was the politics of personal destruction to gain a tiny electoral advantage in a hectic news cycle.

            https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/122222331/ministerial-takedown-offers-a-glimpse-into-a-judith-collins-premiership

            • mac1 2.1.1.2.3.1

              Incognito, exactly. I found the same article as an answer to Chris T's demand for proof of accusations. Didn't bother to respond. Thanks for doing so.

            • Rapunzel 2.1.1.2.3.2

              Just based my comments on the fact unfortunately because I saw the "image" as the "spreading"of it was wider than Falloon – he was reckless enough to be caught. Whether it was a "meme" that was bring trolled around or a "porno" image it was briefly referred to (in a Stuff – I think – story) as something targetting a "Government MP – I'll have another go at finding it). Barry Soper also tried to raise that aspect of it at a stand-up press conference at the time & was dismissed with a dignified silence. The detail of all that is, once again IMO, why I believe Collins made an "example"of ILG is I have no doubt any pursuing of the scope of spreading of the image out anyone with skeletons in the closet on notice,

    • JO 2.2

      Too late Chris T, sorry. A lot of extremely alert people were watching your fellow legionnaires ignoring the blind bends, potholes, impassable slips and sudden drop-offs in their bold march along that particular road. As they do now.

  3. Ad 3

    Well we complain here enough about Labour.

    And then we get to see the alternative. Life isn't so bad after all.

    • Anne 3.1

      It came across to me like the good cop/bad cop routine being played out in reverse order:

      Goodfellow was the bad cop pandering to disinformation and prejudice which would have appealed to a significant chunk of his audience and probably assured him a further term as party president.

      Key followed with the good cop drill pointing out the reality of their loss and what they needed to do about it or else fade into obscurity.

      Very little happens by chance in the National Party. There is always calculated method in their apparent madness.

      • Stuart Munro 3.1.1

        Given the choice was between Carter and Goodfellow, he may even have been the lesser evil.

    • Phillip ure 3.2

      @ad..(to your glib conclusion..)..um..!..no..!…and in case labour don't realise it yet..if they fail to deliver they stand to bleed large amounts of votes to greens and maori party..and a certainty is they can wave bye-bye to the maori seats…unlike the clark years (the incrementalism on real issues and middle-class/corporate welfare ardern is aping) there are now those two parties there to pick up those 'transforming' reins discarded by labour…this may be a time of great success for labour (of course explained by handling of covid/national in disarray) but it is also a time of great peril for them….if they don't deliver real reform on poverty etc (and only what she promised in 2016 after all)…that support/mandate will disappear like a sandcastle facing the incoming tide..

      • Ad 3.2.1

        From Key's view – far more representative and politically experienced than yours – the risk is the opposite: Labour in power for 12 years or even more.

        Sometimes politics really is a popularity contest.

        • Phillip ure 3.2.1.1

          That is a very f.p.p.-based prediction…I tend to think we are reaching a new maturity in m.m.p….i don't see the maori party going away again anytime soon…and they will soon enough own the maori seats..(a good thing..to my mind)..and I see the green party support growing…reasons:they aren't seen as scary any more ..and the growing climate change imperatives becoming normalised..mean that they are a/the party for these times…and the left/social-democrats in labour will see more and more merit in voting for the greens ..to have more chance to get the political outcomes they so desire…so yes..labour may well be part of coalition governments for the foreseeable future…but it will be as a far more equal partner to both the greens and the maori party..this period of them ruling alone is an aberration..with a use-by date of 2023…and if labour continue with their neoliberal incrementalism…they could end up squabbling with national over that ever-diminishing pool of voters continuing to support/cleave to that bankrupt/tattered ideology…(think nz first nativism as the blueprint for their rump-party future..)

          • Ad 3.2.1.1.1

            Are you sure you're not on Trump's election fraud litigation team?

            You'd have to be for that amount of foolish optimism.

            Labour just ate the Greens' lunch, threw a scrap to the Maori Party, and have had the highest vote share since Norman Kirk.

            Not only are the Greens now irrelevant to government, the entire left is now irrelevant.

            If you want the attention of this government, own a business.

            • Phillip ure 3.2.1.1.1.1

              All of which supports what I said…and the reasons why,.not the least of which is the hubris amplified/personified by your words..(oh.!.and your (obligatory?) insult is a tad laboured..eh..?..

  4. Tiger Mountain 4

    Was “Merv” re-elected?

    • Incognito 4.1

      Merv was so confused that he ended up calling the AA for directions to the venue, which he couldn’t remember the name of. Mervellous!

  5. Stuart Munro 5

    I'm not sure Goodfellow is a necessary loss for National, given that the Boagiewoman has removed her shadowy presence from National's campaign. But the dirty tricks that became prevalent under Key are not consistent with the image they mean to project, as a party of competent managers – safe hands on the wheel for the choppy seas of the post – Covid world. Dirty tricks come with invidious impressions:

    CUNNING, n. The faculty that distinguishes a weak animal or person from a strong one. ~ Ambrose Bierce.

    If National want to regain their lost voters, they need a bit of ἀρετή. Ardern has some.

  6. roy cartland 6

    I thought that central quote of Key's, re leaking, was disgraceful. Such deceit – the very idea that the public should know what these people are like and how they operate is grounds for expulsion?!

    Ugh.

  7. george.com 7

    I am picking Collins to be rolled before the next election. The poison cup she currently holds would not be a popular thing to inherit I think. A number of National MP's will still be holding their noses having Collins as leader. The pong will not be very pleasant. Any time Collins preaches loyalty the malodour of hypocrisy will be stronger still. As she stands she won't lead National to victory in 2023. If she is their best bet it illustrates just how deep down into the barrel National is stratching. Muller was right when he stated "National won't win the election with Bridges as leader.' The same applied to him and applies to Collins.

    • tc 7.1

      Judes warming the seat for Luxon who has parliamentary ropes to learn first then she'll likely be shuffled aside.

      Uncomfortable questions from a decent media would be around this perceived arrangement or simply why is she still there after even Nationals base seemed to reject her.

  8. observer 8

    I realize that the "1 pm" myth is now ingrained in the National party folklore, but just for historical accuracy, this was what happened …

    May 22 2020: Caucus coup against Bridges, Muller new leader.

    July 14 20201: Muller quits, Collins new leader.

    Before, during and after those dates, a hundred stories (and that's no exaggeration) about the National party, all created by the National party. Too many to list, pick almost any date at random, you'll find a resignation or a row or a gaffe or a leak. They were incredibly creative in finding ways to grab the headlines – all bad.

    Between those dates (and 102 days in total) … Covid-19 cases: zero. Ardern gave only a handful of press briefings, and hardly anybody watched. Because it wasn't the news.

    The National party was the news. Every day. And that is all on them.

  9. Jester 9

    I think they are crazy to keep Goodfellow on, but not surprised about Judith staying as leader.

  10. Peter 10

    Will Carter get his Knighthood in the New Year's List or in the June lot?

  11. Robert Guyton 11

    According to Willie Jackson, Goodfellow said:

    “Democracy gave way to a time to a form of temporary tyranny; no-one should fear death threats or violence for voicing an opinion no matter how much you disagree, but that was the reality in a Jacindamania world and I’m sure you felt that too throughout the year, I certainly did,”

    Idiocy.

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    This is a guest post by Connor Sharp of Surface Light Rail  Light rail in Auckland: A way forward sooner than you think With the coup de grâce of Auckland Light Rail (ALR) earlier this year, and the shift of the government’s priorities to roads, roads, and more roads, it ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    13 hours ago
  • Why Are Bosses Nearly All Buffoons?
    Note: As a paid-up Webworm member, I’ve recorded this Webworm as a mini-podcast for you as well. Some of you said you liked this option - so I aim to provide it when I get a chance to record! Read more ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    15 hours ago
  • Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6.06 pm on March 18
    TL;DR: In my ‘six-stack’ of substacks at 6.06pm on Monday, March 18:IKEA is accused of planting big forests in New Zealand to green-wash; REDD-MonitorA City for People takes a well-deserved victory lap over Wellington’s pro-YIMBY District Plan votes; A City for PeopleSteven Anastasiou takes a close look at the sticky ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Peters holds his ground on co-governance, but Willis wriggles on those tax cuts and SNA suspension l...
    Buzz from the Beehive Here’s hoping for a lively post-cabinet press conference when the PM and – perhaps – some of his ministers tell us what was discussed at their meeting today. Until then, Point of Order has precious little Beehive news to report after its latest monitoring of the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago
  • Labour’s final report card
    David Farrar writes –  We now have almost all 2023 data in, which has allowed me to update my annual table of how  went against its promises. This is basically their final report card. The promise The result Build 100,000 affordable homes over 10 ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • “Drunk Uncle at a Wedding”
    I’m a bit worried that I’ve started a previous newsletter with the words “just when you think they couldn’t get any worse…” Seems lately that I could begin pretty much every issue with that opening. Such is the nature of our coalition government that they seem to be outdoing each ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Geoffrey Miller writes – Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on Dune 2, and images of Islam
    Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture ...
    1 day ago
  • New Rail Operations Centre Promises Better Train Services
    Last week Transport Minster Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre. The new train control centre will see teams from KiwiRail, Auckland Transport and Auckland One Rail working more closely together to improve train services across the city. The Auckland Rail Operations Centre in ...
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's six newsy things at 6.36am on Monday, March 18
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in an exit interview with Q+A yesterday the Government can and should sustain more debt to invest in infrastructure for future generations. Elsewhere in the news in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 6:36am: Read more ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. It is more than just a happy ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    2 days ago
  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to March 25 and beyond
    TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Bitter and angry; Winston First
    New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    2 days ago
  • Out of Touch.
    “I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The bewildering world of Chris Luxon – Guns for all, not no lunch for kids
    .“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    3 days ago
  • Expert Opinion: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
    3 days ago
  • Manufacturing The Truth.
    Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet –  is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
    3 days ago
  • A Powerful Sensation of Déjà Vu.
    Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
    3 days ago
  • Can you guess where world attention is focussed (according to Greenpeace)? It’s focussed on an EPA...
    Bob Edlin writes –  And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Further integrity problems for the Greens in suspending MP Darleen Tana
    Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Greens’ transparency missing in action
    For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    5 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    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:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    5 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    6 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    6 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Government moves to quickly ratify the NZ-EU FTA
    "The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago
  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
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