National’s culture problem

Written By: - Date published: 9:14 pm, August 8th, 2022 - 139 comments
Categories: child discipline, Christopher Luxon, law, law and "order", national, politicans, same old national - Tags:

I wrote a post with the same heading just over a year ago.

To be frank I could not believe our (lefties) luck.  National kept selecting these weird candidates, mostly male Alpha sorts who kept on screwing up badly.  Who can forget the following:

  • Richard Worth and what was it that he did which so incensed the Malaysian Government;
  • Pansy Wong who resigned after her husband was caught conducting business when accompanying her on a Ministerial trip to China;
  • Mike Sabin whose activities Cameron Slater said were almost too horrible for words;
  • Don’t you know who I am Aaron Gilmour who also had CV accuracy problems;
  • Claudette Hauiti who used her parliamentary charge card for a Christmas trip to Australia and spent approximately $23,000 on MP’s expenses after she had announced she was standing down;
  • John Key’s ponytail pulling fetish;
  • The police investigation into Todd Barclay and his use of personal recording devices;
  • Bill English’s mischaracterisation of the truth relating to his police statement;
  • The complaints by four women about Jami-Lee Ross’s behaviour;
  • Andrew Falloon’s resignation for depression caused by the drunken sending of inappropriate graphic material to a woman who was not his wife and was a teenager;
  • Michelle Boag who stood down from all party positions because of the leaking to National MPs of confidential personal health information;
  • Sarah Dowie who in her valedictory speech said that she would claw at the windows or walk across hot coals to get out of the National Caucus;
  • Hamish Walker who was willing to trash the Country’s covid response for political advantage and who racistly claimed that Indians, Pakistanis and Koreans some infected with Covid were on their way to Queenstown while at the same time sending confidential medical information to the media;
  • National’s Palmerston North candidate William Wood who had photos of himself on Social Media impersonating Hitler.

You would think that for a high profile by election and after repeated criticism of National’s selection processes they would make sure that their candidate would be absolutely squeaky clean.

Apparently not.

From the excellent Kirsty Johnson at Stuff:

The National Party’s newest MP, Sam Uffindell, was asked to leave his exclusive boarding school after viciously beating a younger student late at night.

Uffindell only offered the man an apology last year, 22 years after the attack, and nine months before he publicly announced his political aspirations.

He says the timing of his decision to say sorry is not linked to his decision to begin a career in politics, but that the incident had been “nagging” at him, and he wanted to atone.

“It was one of the silliest, stupidest things I’ve ever done. I really regretted it, I do really regret it still,” Uffindell said.

The victim, who was 13 years old at the time, was left with severe bruising and significant trauma.

Police were not involved. Instead, Uffindell was disciplined alongside three other teenagers who joined in on the beating, and asked to leave the school, Auckland’s King’s College. Uffindell was in Year 11, or fifth form, and aged 16 years old when he attacked the younger boy. He went on to finish his schooling at St Paul’s Collegiate in Hamilton.

There is a lot to unpick.

Uffindell was only 16 at the time and he has given an abject apology which according to him was not motivated by his desire to become a politician, even though it was offered a month after Uffindell’s local MP Todd Muller had announced his intention to resign as an MP.

And he has been beating the law and order drum really hard.  Law and order includes bullying Sam.

There are some glaring with emergency lights flashing elements about the incident:

  1. I went to a boys only school 20 years before Uffindell and then there was bullying but not involving the level of violence complained of here.  And attacking younger students even then would have been considered totally unacceptable.
  2. It appears that the incident only came to light because of the victim going public.  I can confidently say it has not emerged because of a desire by Uffindell to do a mea culpa.  Good on him for doing so but it really feels like this was a response to a story and not a desire to confess, something us Catholics can be quite good at.
  3. It trashes National’s latest attacks on young people on jobseeker.  Huge resources have been spent on Uffindell and his ilk and if they fuck up then another private school is found for them.  Being tough on poor kids but providing cover for rich kids is typical but unacceptable.

My biggest rant is how this exemplifies our economic system.  Rich kids have this expectation that if they fuck up then remedial steps can be taken so they can then do other things and eventually become merchant bankers.  The physical brutality they engage in is then replaced by even worse economic brutality.  The results are comparable.  Their victims lead fucked up lives whereas if only they had shown more compassion as a 16 year old student or as a 40 year old merchant banker then things could have been better.

It is no coincidence that school bullies get attracted to being merchant bankers and then National Party MPs.  A properly functioning democratic system would make sure that they were kept well away from power.

139 comments on “National’s culture problem ”

  • Comments are now closed

    • mickysavage 1.1
      8 August 2022 at 9:31 pm

      Mallard never ever sought to hide what he had done.

      • Puckish Rogue 1.1.1
        8 August 2022 at 9:35 pm

        Mallard was an adult, teacher, MP and Speaker, Uffindell was a 15-16 year old student.

        Slight difference in circumstances wouldn't you say?

        By a complete and utter coincidence you didn't happen to see this did you?

        https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/political-poll-national-and-act-can-form-government-labour-at-lowest-since-2017/G2FTXBOE73ANM2EIMO43STQVP4/

        • Robert Guyton 1.1.1.1
          8 August 2022 at 9:43 pm

          Pucky, are you another who believes Mallard, wielding a weapon, beat a 13 year-old boy?

          • Kat 1.1.1.1.1
            8 August 2022 at 10:22 pm

            It was Tau Henare wielding a pair of sunglasses that set upon Trevor Mallard yelling that his time was up…

            Trevor in retaliation knocked Tau to the ground and told him not to be such a provocative intercourse-er

            It's etched on the parliamentary tiles…

        • roy cartland 1.1.1.2
          9 August 2022 at 9:31 am

          Mallard was, and we can only assume still is, an arrogant, idiotic boofhead. Now, how is this National's culture problem again?

      • MickeyBoyle 1.1.2
        8 August 2022 at 9:36 pm

        In fairness, neither did Uffindell. He disclosed this in writing to the party.

        • mickysavage 1.1.2.1
          8 August 2022 at 9:40 pm

          Yep and I wonder why the feck they did not rule him out as a candidate. Did they think this was normal behaviour?

          • Stuart E Ward 1.1.2.1.1
            10 August 2022 at 1:50 am

            This type of behaviour is a prerequisite for the criminal cabal of liars, hypocrites, thugs, bullies, cowards, morons, fraudsters, thieves, traitors and perverts known as the 'national' party…

        • observer 1.1.2.2
          8 August 2022 at 9:46 pm

          As reported by the Herald:

          Uffindell submitted a written account of the incident to the nine members on the selection committee.

          So it's even worse that it first appeared. It wasn't a quiet chat with one person like Goodfellow, it was a formal decision by the party apparatus. Incredible that NINE people on the committee were told the story and all decided the best course of action was … doing nothing.

          It is now really hard to believe that Luxon didn't know.

          • JeremyB 1.1.2.2.1
            9 August 2022 at 2:47 pm

            I think this is quite a strange reflexive action taken by Luxon & Willis.
            Did they know and are now lying or does their party hide information from them?

            • observer 1.1.2.2.1.1
              9 August 2022 at 3:00 pm

              Oldest play in the book. "Yes Minister" did an episode on it 40 years ago.

              Do not tell the people in charge, so they have "plausible deniability".

              Except in this case it's not plausible.

      • Mat Simpson 1.1.3
        9 August 2022 at 12:32 pm

        " Mallard never ever sought to hide what he had done "

        No but he still had and a propensity for violence and is still a member of the NZLP.

  2. Muttonbird 2
    8 August 2022 at 9:33 pm

    You can picture the conversation at HQ.

    Sam Uffindel: I'd like to become National Party MP.

    Peter Goodfellow: What qualifications do you have?

    SU: At boarding school I beat a boy with a chair leg while he was sleeping.

    PG: You'd be perfect for us, sign here!

    • mickysavage 2.1
      8 August 2022 at 9:41 pm

      Heh. Stand by as some try to present this as acceptable and normal behaviour.

      • James Simpson 2.1.1
        9 August 2022 at 10:11 am

        Its neither normal, nor acceptable.

        But do we really want to live in a society where stupid unacceptable things you did when you were 16, disqualify you from participating in society?

        • Barfly 2.1.1.1
          9 August 2022 at 10:42 am

          It seems to me that he has admitted assault with a weapon causing bodily harm while acting in concert with others – should the police be interested?

  3. Robert Guyton 3
    8 August 2022 at 9:41 pm

    Is this the template for National's policy on violent crime?

    If the brutaliser says "sorry", even 22 years later, clean slate!

  4. joe90 4
    8 August 2022 at 10:03 pm

    Sadism is their thing.

    "A group of Year 12 boarders in School House marched a group of the Year 9s outside in the middle of night with pillowcases on their heads and their hands behind their backs, like some sort of prisoners of war," he said.

    "Apparently the idea was to scare them. But as you can imagine the young boys were disoriented, they couldn't see anything.

    "They were petrified. They thought they were going to be beaten up. The boys were beside themselves in horror."

    A senior member of the group allegedly assaulted one of the younger students "by hitting him on the back and legs", the father said.

    "The poor kid didn't see it coming – he couldn't see anything. He was traumatised and called his mother, who came to collect him from the school at 3.30am."

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/elite-school-hit-by-bullying-claim/Y3VAGOITDT6PAMIZK4EYKM62UI/

    • Barfly 4.1
      9 August 2022 at 10:51 am

      I have a conviction for burglary I committed as a 17 year old – I had presumed that would render me a liability for any political party should I want to stand for any political office.

      Am I wrong? Is the problem that I was charged and convicted (rightly) and Sam Uffindel had it swept under the rug with the help of the posh boarding school?

      • alwyn 4.1.1
        9 August 2022 at 11:27 am

        "I had presumed that ….."

        Frankly, if it was about 20 years ago and it was your only offence I don't see why it should preclude you becoming a politician.

        After all a certain New Zealand politician served a year in jail and then, about 24 years later, became Prime Minister. He was certainly the pick of all the Labour Prime Ministers we have had.

        • Mac1 4.1.1.1
          9 August 2022 at 12:12 pm

          And he served his year in prison for?

          Was it anything like the fourteen National party MPs and officials that are mentioned in the post above?

          No. It was for speaking in 1916 against conscription, that use of the state's powers to force young men to kill and be killed, a view which any self-respecting modern libertarian should also support.

          In 1918, Peter Fraser won a by-election, with full public knowledge of the fact that Fraser had served a term of imprisonment.

          Interestingly, Fraser would have been about the same age as another man who won a by-election in 2022 for Tauranga.

          What a difference.

  5. tsmithfield 5
    9 August 2022 at 6:14 am

    Gosh, the sanctimony drips here.

    At what point can someone escape the things they have done as a teenager? How young do we have to be before our past gets ignored?

    I, for one, have done plenty of things as a teenager, that in retrospect I really regret now. I suspect many of us would be the same. It certainly isn't the behaviour I would exhibit today. I grew up from all that decades ago.

    I actually hope he stays on as an MP. The same with anyone else from any other party with a similar story. Whether it is bullying, drugs or whatever else they have done as a teenager.

    I think we are all far to quick to judge, and to quick to overlook our own failings around that age.

      • Kiwijoker 5.1.1
        9 August 2022 at 11:39 am

        Perhaps Pukie you might like to address the behaviour of those National MP s that Mickey has identified rather than indulging in deflection.

      • Drowsy M. Kram 5.1.2
        9 August 2022 at 2:13 pm

        The only current Nat MP (that we know of) with a history of child abuse – at least Uffindell pubically admitted his offending (eventually), which is apparently good enough for some.

        • Puckish Rogue 5.1.2.1
          9 August 2022 at 7:24 pm

          Do you want a recap of Labours recent history of sexual assault allegations, if you want to go down that path

          • Drowsy M. Kram 5.1.2.1.1
            9 August 2022 at 7:57 pm

            Do you want a recap of Labours recent history of sexual assault allegations, if you want to go down that path

            Pucky, I wouldn’t attempt to excuse Uffindell’s behaviour, or the Nat’s candidate selection process, so how about going down that path yourself – replies could be interesting in the light of recent events.

    • Peter 5.2
      9 August 2022 at 7:01 am

      I appreciate the angle of his age. I appreciate the aspect of behaviour and failings. And I get the coming together of everything because the environment is politics.

      Because of that environment, factors involved have a special light shone on them and they take on a different significance, or have a different significance put upon them. Things are different in the realm of politics and politicians than in 'normal' society and life.

      Witness Jamie-Lee Ross. His personal relationships (philandering) were fine, no problem to his colleagues. Well, fine until he did something unrelated that pissed them off. I accept the behaviour was current when he was outed.

      And the MP for Palmerston North who suffered political and personal assassination at the hands of Judith Collins and Duncan Garner the same.

      Did his behaviour inhibit his ability to do his job? Does Uffindell's? In each case obviously the history, the behaviour, exhibits who and what is in the skin.

    • observer 5.3
      9 August 2022 at 7:28 am

      How many times does it have to be repeated? It's not about then, it's about now.

      National (party or candidate) could have fronted up at any time. Why didn't Uffindell do that?

      Again, read the whole story. A committee of nine people could have said "OK, you have told us what happened, and it was a bad thing, but you were a teenager and the voters will accept that if you trust them with the truth." (And he probably would have won the by-election).

      Not one person in the National party thought that was the right thing to do. Not one wanted to level with the public, who are the only reason any MP has a job.

      If you think that hiding truth from the voters is just fine, then I feel sorry for you.

  6. bwaghorn 6
    9 August 2022 at 6:35 am

    The fact the school never sat the little fuckers down and made them apologize straight away but moved the problem out and swept it all under the carpet tells you more about how the rich live in a different world.

  7. Ad 7
    9 August 2022 at 7:25 am

    The kind of beating that makes sense of their welfare policy.

  8. tsmithfield 8
    9 August 2022 at 7:35 am

    I was a dreadful bully to my younger brother up until the age of about 14. In retrospect, that was probably due to the fact that I was being bullied myself at school. I think I may have even stabbed him in the hand with a small knife or something at one stage.

    So, I guess I could never run for parliament due to my tainted past.

    • observer 8.1
      9 August 2022 at 7:38 am

      Again, missing the point by a mile.

      Candidates are always asked a standard question, along the lines of "is there anything about your past we should know?".

      Disclose, and it's done. It really is that simple.

      • tsmithfield 8.1.1
        9 August 2022 at 8:07 am

        And that is what he did. He disclose his past. So, I guess there is no issue.

        • Gosman 8.1.1.1
          9 August 2022 at 8:16 am

          The trouble is the revelation has raised more questions than it resolved. He arrived back in NZ in 2020 but did not offer an apology till last year. Before the apology he had got himself actively involved in the workings of the National party so it was clear he had aspirations for higher office.

        • observer 8.1.1.2
          9 August 2022 at 8:17 am

          Unless you think the public matter.

  9. observer 9
    9 August 2022 at 7:44 am

    How Luxon handles this today really matters. I don't think Uffindell has to resign. But every Nat in Tauranga who told him there was nothing to see here … well, they should be chucked out of the party.

    Obviously that won't happen, because they don't believe they did anything wrong. They probably think the journalist is to blame for doing her job (a familiar story, ask Nicky Hager).

  10. Gosman 10
    9 August 2022 at 7:52 am

    I just listened to one of the worst political mea culpa interviews on Morning report. It may well qualify as a political suicide note. I'm not sure the benefit of these interviews for Sam Uffindell. It might have paid to do one interview where he read a prepared statement and that was it.

  11. Gosman 11
    9 August 2022 at 8:04 am

    For the enjoyment of the many lefties on here who love to hear a Tory digging themselves deeper in to a hole.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/audio/player?audio_id=2018852724

  12. observer 12
    9 August 2022 at 8:34 am

    If anyone wants to pretend this is just about lefties having a go at righties, here is the ACT candidate doing what Uffindell should have done. It was obviously the right thing to do, and so he did it. Not hard, but too hard for National's candidate:

    https://twitter.com/benmackey/status/1556571240735068160

    • Incognito 12.1
      9 August 2022 at 8:57 am

      They (e.g. Matthew Hooton and Ben Thomas) are baying for Peter Goodfellow’s head, which would be typical National Party scapegoating and BAU.

  13. tsmithfield 13
    9 August 2022 at 9:09 am

    I think we need to look at the implied logic of what is being asserted. This chain of logic is necessary in order to disqualify someone as an MP:

    “Person A committed an act of bullying as a teenager. Therefore, Person A is still a bully 20 years later.”

    To be fair, there are some people who continue to be bullies all their lives, and are very unpleasant people to be involved with. But, often that is not the case, and people feel ashamed of behaviour as a teenager, and have sought to behave in the opposite way for their adult life.

    In my role I am involved in employing various staff. If disclosure of a past incident was given to me, the first thing I would do is to contact various people he had been involved with since, such as employees or co-workers. If that process indicates that incident is not part of that person's character, I would have no problems employing them.

    If National have done their job properly, they would have gone through this sort of process. Personally, I don't think Uffindell needs to be saying anything. The questions should be answered by the people who have selected him.

    • Robert Guyton 13.1
      9 August 2022 at 9:26 am

      Of course you are right, tsmithfield. Your logical, compassionate approach should be taken by political parties, when dealing with those who have committed crimes.

      Let's hope National, when designing their Law & Order policies, take heed of your advice.

      This sentence of yours,

      "If National have done their job properly, they would have gone through this sort of process.", can stand a change of one word;

      "If National had done their job properly, they would have gone through this sort of process."

      Bet they didn't.

    • Barfly 13.2
      9 August 2022 at 11:04 am

      “Person A committed an act of bullying as a teenager

      From the Herald

      A senior member of the group allegedly assaulted one of the younger students "by hitting him on the back and legs", the father said.

      "The poor kid didn't see it coming – he couldn't see anything. He was traumatised and called his mother, who came to collect him from the school at 3.30am."

      (Hitting him with a chair leg I understand)

      So senior member of the group and the only one to hit a 13 year old (and with a weapon).

      Well leadership, decisiveness and organisational skills perfectly demonstrated – absolutely National MP material.

      enlightened

    • Anne 13.3
      9 August 2022 at 12:35 pm

      Best comment thus far on this post tsmithfield @ 13

      "The questions should be answered by the people who have selected him."

      Precisely. Uffindell fessed up to the selection committee. It was their judgement to keep the story under wraps. Uffindell went along with it. Not much else he could do.

      Here is Uffindell's interview with media this morning.

      https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/national-party-schoolboy-assault-mp-sam-uffindell-speaks-with-leader-christopher-luxon-after-schoolboy-assault-revealed/YE4V74V5ZJUQRM3KSUKNIWZSTE/

      "I've felt remorse and very upset about this for some time."

      He said it had changed his life, and had an impact on the person he had hit.

      "I'm not proud at all. I was effectively a bully. I was a mean person. There will be other people at high school that I have hurt…”

      My reading of it is that he is – and was – a genuinely contrite man. It was brave of him to front up to the media under such circumstances. He could have run away and hidden until the story had died down. He didn't.

      • Robert Guyton 13.3.1
        9 August 2022 at 4:15 pm

        He was pressed to front.

        • Anne 13.3.1.1
          9 August 2022 at 6:34 pm

          I'm sure he was but the point is he did front. And given the background to the case he made a good fist of it. If he was faking his remorse I believe he would have messed up that media stand-up big time. He didn't.

          • Robert Guyton 13.3.1.1.1
            9 August 2022 at 6:44 pm

            Uffindel "made a good fist of it"?

            Hmmmm…

            He did front (was obliged by the party to front).

            He is, no doubt, remorseful. His victim will have a position on this also, probably deeper-felt than "remorseful".

            Other victims of Uffindel's violent behaviour (self-admitted) will have thoughts as well.

            Perhaps we'll hear from them.

            • Anne 13.3.1.1.1.1
              9 August 2022 at 7:57 pm

              His victim will have a position on this also, probably deeper-felt than "remorseful".

              That is a certainty. Been there Robert. I was targeted by a narcissistic psychopath/sociopath on and off for years. It was part politically motivated and part personal. That person was never brought to justice. It feels sometimes like I still carry the burden on my back.

              I am not trying to downplay the level of brutality by the teen-aged Uffindell. I'm just saying that he is remorseful which is better than well.. not being remorseful.

              • Robert Guyton …
                9 August 2022 at 8:12 pm

                Yes, it is, you are right.

                If/when other assaults by Uffindell emerge, he'll be extra-remorseful.

      • elare 13.3.2
        11 August 2022 at 1:48 pm

        Poppycock Anne… where could he have run to? Hawaii? Luxon doesn't like the stench so Uffies on his own… he'll be relieved of his duties soon…

        • Anne 13.3.2.1
          11 August 2022 at 4:54 pm

          ??

          I was replying to Robert Guyton re – Uffindell. If you think my comments were a reference to Luxon you need to go back to school and do some more comprehension exercises.

  14. Blazer 14
    9 August 2022 at 9:14 am

    Herald headline-'One of the stupidest things I've done'.-Nats MP admits violent high school attack'

    Wonder what the other 'things' are…then!

  15. Gosman 15
    9 August 2022 at 9:25 am

    There are too many questions and issues that his mea culpa has not addressed.

    1) He arrived back in NZ in 2020 and promptly got involved with the Nat's. His apology was in 2021. If it was his arrival back in NZ that prompted his apology this should have occurred in 2020.

    2) He was evasive and downplayed other bullying behaviour at Kings

    3) He did not reveal this before his election when given the chance by the media

    4) He denies weapons were involved despite this being stated as happening by the victim. If a weapon was used this suggests it was premeditated and not just some end of term "jolly japes" gone awry.

    • Robert Guyton 15.1
      9 August 2022 at 9:31 am

      You're unusually worked-up over this, Gosman.

      Do you see an opportunity for ACT in this?

    • Mac1 15.2
      9 August 2022 at 12:20 pm

      Gosman, I share your stand against bullying and your four concerns above.

      But one thing that gets me about this whole episode is that Uffindell is not able to recall whether he used a bed leg as a weapon on his victim.

      I was immediately reminded of John Key not being able to remember what his views were on the Springbok Tour in 1981.

      Unreliable, self-serving forgetfulness.

      Would Tauranga, especially in a by-election, where the make-up of government is not at issue, have voted for a man who admitted beating up four to one on a sleeping 13 year-old with a truncheon sized bed leg, a weapon that had to be premeditatedly obtained?

      There is so much that is wrong about this episode and apology- the language used- "silly'-, the dissatisfaction from the victim about the timing, the less than open disclosure of motivations, the genuineness of the apology.

      Then there is the selection process that again throws up a self-entitled bully, as, Gosman, you mention in 5.2.1.

      Then there is the closing ranks in National.

      Who knew and when? And what else not yet revealed but obfuscated?

      The thousands of people who have been bullied in NZ will take note.

  16. Ad 16
    9 August 2022 at 9:48 am

    The timing of this directly after the National conference is so exquisite I think someone who really really doesn't like Luxon pulled it out of their black file for a deliberate spike.

    They waited to damage the success of the Conference.

    The Who's Who of who would have motive to do this to Luxon would be larger than the Bishop in the Parlour with the Candlestick.

    Whoever it was, top political work there.

    • woodart 16.1
      9 August 2022 at 10:16 am

      my thoughts also AD. is it the woman with the little beady eyes?(sorry dont know her name).

    • elare 16.2
      11 August 2022 at 1:51 pm

      nice fantasy … operatives of the left etc. spy stories and Tom Brown's schooldays… keep dreaming

  17. Weasel 17
    9 August 2022 at 10:29 am

    A notable omission from your rogues gallery is the former National Party candidate Jake Bezzant who impersonated his former girlfriend using explicit images of her in order to impersonate her in sexting conversations with other men.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300322828/former-national-candidate-jake-bezzant-leaves-party-as-serious-allegations-emerge

    • Barfly 17.1
      9 August 2022 at 11:06 am

      Didn't he have a dodgy CV as well?

    • Mat Simpson 17.2
      9 August 2022 at 12:41 pm

      Continuing with the rogues gallery ,

      " Brownlee received criticism during the 1999 election campaign when he ejected Neil Able, a 60-year-old Native Forest Action campaigner, from the National Party's 1999 election campaign launch. The ejection took place with what many, including watching journalists, considered excessive force. Neil Able started civil assault proceedings against Brownlee, seeking damages of $60,000. In 2002, a District Court judge found in favour of Mr Able that Brownlee had "used excessive and unnecessary force on Mr Abel when he tried to remove him from a staircase handrail". Brownlee was ordered to pay Neil Able $8,500 in damages. Brownlee later sought unsuccessfully to have $48,000 of his legal fees reimbursed by the Government.

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerry_Brownlee

  18. Keith Christie 18
    9 August 2022 at 10:51 am

    Do the Nats still persist with reintroducing the 3 strikes law? And if so keeping this s o a b in reeks of the most heinous hypocracy.

    • Nordy 18.1
      9 August 2022 at 11:02 am

      The repeal bill will have its 3rd Reading today. It's no surprise that National continue to speak with 'a forked tongue'. It is their MO.

    • Mike the Lefty 18.2
      9 August 2022 at 11:47 am

      Why don't they promise to reintroduce public punishment in the pilliary while they are about it?

    • Gosman 18.3
      9 August 2022 at 11:53 am

      It is an ACT party policy and will likely be one of the key elements of any post election governing relationship between ACT and National.

  19. rrm (yes the kiwiblog one) 19
    9 August 2022 at 11:12 am

    He needs to be expelled fron National. This isn't a youthful bad taste joke or crass remark. This type of school bullying affects people's entire lives and it's cowardly and disgusting. I don't think Uffindell deserves a lifetime of penance but he's not suitable as a party candidate or MP.

    Luxon needs to take a high road and sack him. As Helen Clark – eventually – did the right thing and stopped protecting Darren Hughes.

    Closing ranks and insisting there's nothing to se here, a la Jacinda and the Labour youth drinking camp groper, isn't an acceptable standard.

    • Gosman 19.1
      9 August 2022 at 11:54 am

      Technically he can't fire him as he is an electorate MP. The most they can do is ask him to resign or withdraw the whip.

  20. Mike the Lefty 20
    9 August 2022 at 11:42 am

    So Luxon didn't know about this incident? It is my understanding that most party candidate selection processes involve asking a prospective candidate if they have any skeletons in their closet and if so what are they? Seems this didn't happen. Once again National looks like a bunch of clowns and ACT will reap the benefits.

    • observer 20.1
      9 August 2022 at 2:50 pm

      I do wish more people would read the details before commenting.

      For the umpteenth time, Uffindell was asked, and he did answer – in writing.

      Having been informed, National then did nothing. They thought it could be safely hidden from the public.

      It is frankly scandalous that nine anonymous Nats on a committee are getting off scot-free with no media attention, simply because we know Uffindell's name, but we don't know theirs. (They – of course – are not fronting or apologising at all).

  21. outofbed 21
    9 August 2022 at 11:55 am

    Who Was that Nat MP whose family was convicted of abuse against farm animals

    Found it

    Babara Kruger animal abuse

    [Don’t drag family members (incl. children), spouses, or relatives into it and vice versa – Incognito]

  22. Peter 22
    9 August 2022 at 12:08 pm

    Over the hours the story changed in it's telling. Last night Uffindell (from him I presume) had been "asked to leave" the school.

    On the RNZ News at 12:00 it's "chucked out."

  23. tsmithfield 23
    9 August 2022 at 12:14 pm

    Above I said:

    "If disclosure of a past incident was given to me, the first thing I would do is to contact various people he had been involved with since, such as employees or co-workers."

    Well, it looks like this was exactly the course that was followed.

    "He said Uffindell's admission during selection had triggered deeper background checks….Luxon said National's character checking extended to speaking to people who had known Uffindell since after the King's College incident."

    So, it seems Uffindell did exactly the right thing, and appropriate checks were done. No reason for Uffindell to resign, and IMO he shouldn't even be making public comments about it. A statement by the National Party along the lines above should have been sufficient.

    • Nordy 23.1
      9 August 2022 at 12:57 pm

      You don't have to keep up your defence of Uffindel. His and the National Party stories are looking shakier by the minute. He now admits to being a bully at school – i.e. multiple incidents of violence. This was all hidden from voters and the wider party (it seems). Why do you what to defend this?

      • tsmithfield 23.1.1
        9 August 2022 at 1:42 pm

        Exactly the problem. He shouldn't be saying anything but leaving it to the party.

        The party selected him after his disclosure. It is up to the party to make a statement about it. Him talking about it makes it worse.

        • observer 23.1.1.1
          9 August 2022 at 2:55 pm

          He is following orders.

          He would be fully entitled to say "I told National the truth and they told me it didn't matter, and I should say nothing in public". Which is obviously what happened.

          But he has been told not to drag anyone else down with him. Not if he wants a future in the party.

          • Anne 23.1.1.1.1
            9 August 2022 at 6:42 pm

            I hadn't thought it through to that extent observer but I think you are 100% correct. Have personally seen that kind of behaviour before.

            Will the media do the hard yards and flush the truth out? Probably not.

        • elare 23.1.1.2
          11 August 2022 at 1:54 pm

          you seem extremely naive to the ways of politics… why so?

          • weka 23.1.1.2.1
            11 August 2022 at 2:01 pm

            you're new to commenting here, so a headsup: we prefer to avoid ad homs. If you think tsmithfield's comment is naive, explain your own thinking, how you think the comment is naive. Rather than taking a potshot at the commenter.

  24. Adrian 24
    9 August 2022 at 12:39 pm

    The problem is the lawn-n-order hypocrisy in his commencement speech.

    • tsmithfield 24.1
      9 August 2022 at 12:58 pm

      Hypocrisy how? If he is clearly a different person to back then, given how long ago it was, his behaviour at that point of time is no consequence to views he might hold now.

      I employed a young woman (am I allowed to use that term these days??) for a role as a youth worker in a trust of which I am a board member.

      She disclosed to us that she had been a one-person crime-wave in her youth. What impressed us was how much she had turned her life around in the subsequent seven years. The factors critical to us was that she was no longer that person, and that, given the passage of time, she was unlikely to go in that direction again.

      Would I have considered her a hypocrite for expressing concern about youth crime? Absolutely not.

    • James Simpson 24.2
      9 August 2022 at 1:19 pm

      So if you do something dumb as a teenager, you can not in the future call that same thing dumb?

    • Anne 24.3
      9 August 2022 at 6:51 pm

      The problem is: the National Party administrators did a cover-up job and thought they would get away with it.

  25. Stuart Munro 25
    9 August 2022 at 12:59 pm

    It's a tricky one, and I am inclined to think that something along the lines of a statute of limitations ought to be exercised in relation to youthful follies. But that being said I would also look for signs of learning and or growth of character to set against the dark side of the ledger. Considering the wretched oiks that seem to make up National these days it looks very same-old same-old.

    But in terms of fitness for office, Bill English's use of deception to obtain an unjust or illegal advantage is more anomalous. It slid by under Key, but would not have under any government with any remaining shreds of integrity.

  26. tsmithfield 26
    9 August 2022 at 1:10 pm

    Another point, is that a lot of MPs from both sides of the house will likely be very nervous if misdemeanors as a teenager are to be considered relevant years after the event.

    For instance, the punch-up involving Mallard, and the actions of turning sprinklers on protesters might be seen as isolated incidents. But, if it came to light that he had been a bully at high school, the events could be linked, and argued to demonstrate character that hadn't changed over the time. If that happened, it could call into question his suitability for a diplomatic role.

    The old story that we have to be careful about pointing fingers because there could be three fingers pointed directly back at us.

    • Nordy 26.1
      9 August 2022 at 1:27 pm

      Feeble attempt to distract from a deteriorating situation. Try harder.

      • tsmithfield 26.1.1
        9 August 2022 at 1:35 pm

        I have already made the case above in earlier comments. No need to make it again.

        • Hanswurst 26.1.1.1
          9 August 2022 at 1:41 pm

          Yeah well that's bullshit. You've not made the case that Mallard has a history of bearing up people weaker then himself, and then pretending it didn't happen, or even that he was a bully at school. What you have done is engage in a scattergun series of tenuous analogies with almost no detail whatsoever.

    • Hanswurst 26.2
      9 August 2022 at 1:30 pm

      If you have a case to make that a particular parliamentarian was a bully at school, and that that is relevant to them or their party's platform, why don't you make it, rather than engaging in bizarrely convoluted 'what ifs' and 'what abouts'?

      • elare 26.2.1
        11 August 2022 at 1:56 pm

        sadly that's all the Nats have plus one of the finest groups of Sociopaths in the country!

    • Incognito 26.3
      9 August 2022 at 1:40 pm

      If, if, if, et cetera. You do seem to do some finger pointing yourself here and you seem to be grasping at straws.

      It is not the MP but the Party that fucked up big time, again. The National Party to be more precise. Not only have they now a fresh ‘brand-new’ National MP who’s grasping for air, but they also managed to light a fire underneath their own party, again. It is sucking all the oxygen away and we see the National Party leadership floundering as before. SSDD. That bunch is unfit to govern.

  27. roy cartland 27
    9 August 2022 at 2:36 pm

    Just watched his media front-up. A deceitful, hypocritical, entitled bully he may be, but gotta hand it to him: I haven't seen someone keep as cool under questioning since Key.

    He could be a very dangerous little shit indeed.

  28. Jimmy 28
    9 August 2022 at 2:41 pm

    Interesting to hear this guys view on the Sam Uffindell saga.

    I guess he is more right leaning than many on this blog.

    "Comrades I have difficulty not rolling my eyes when the woke want to destroy someone for a 10 year old tweet, I can’t believe we are wasting time on crucifying a new MP for something he did when he was 16.

    Look, I can’t stand National MPs at the best of times, and it pains me to defend one, but the mistakes a child makes can’t be held over them forever."

    https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2022/08/09/groan-in-defence-of-sam-bloody-uffindell/

    • roy cartland 28.1
      9 August 2022 at 2:57 pm

      He has publicly defended/advocated violence in the past. There was an article on TDB about how Hone Harawira and a gang of his mates went down and beat up a group of white boys dressed as 'mowrees'. Bradbury said that was the right thing, the only thing to do in that situation.

      Have looked for the story since, but can't find it (he wouldn't deny it if anyone were to ask him about it though).

      Weird to defend the actions of a 'silly' 16yo while advocating for the voting age to be lowered.

    • Lone Comet 28.2
      10 August 2022 at 2:00 am

      Yes, seriously flawed blog by Bradbury completely conflating what actually this issue is about, which isn't just some light-hearted bullying done by a 16 year old.

  29. observer 29
    9 August 2022 at 3:08 pm

    Luxon responds:

    "The thing that could've been different, frankly, is that I should've been informed rather than finding out yesterday. The second thing is, is that the delegates ultimately should've been informed.

    Most importantly, I think the voters in Tauranga should've been informed so that they could form their own judgement."

    I agree on all 3 points. So what are you going to do about your party's cover-up, Chris?

    Nothing.

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/08/national-s-previous-scandals-under-scrutiny-after-sam-uffindell-amits-to-violently-assaulting-boy-at-school.html

    • Mac1 29.1
      9 August 2022 at 4:38 pm

      Get him to resign and resubmit himself to a fully informed Tauranga electorate?

      Insist on a 'no surprises' policy from the selection process.

      Develop a rigorous and inclusive selection process for National Party candidates so that the National Party can once again promote decent, humane, fair-minded and fair-behaving people with a regard for balanced and diverse representation in terms of race, gender, ethnicity and age.

      I say this in some seriousness because at some stage National/ACT will get back into power and their serious lack of quality, experience and diversity would be a current worry.

      • observer 29.1.1
        9 August 2022 at 4:58 pm

        Yes, it's the underlying issue that really matters here. How a potential government picks its potential members.

        National have had 3 chances since 2020 to show that they were "turning over a new leaf". First, the post-election review. Second, the departure of Collins. Third, the departure of Goodfellow.

        In each case, there's no indication that they have changed at all – or want to.

        That's why I keep saying it's not just about Uffindell. We'll be reading about the next candidate/MP soon. The same story: only the names will change.

  30. Tiger Mountain 30
    9 August 2022 at 3:19 pm

    The natzos all too often represent a certain sector of New Zealanders–the dark settler descendants benefiting from stolen or dubiously acquired land, the petit bourgeoisie, commodity fetishists, self employed, farmers and provincial contractors, and the composition has changed over time. Religious nutters, neo libs and rural reactionary conservatives all feature to varying degrees in National Party life.

    The natzo dirty little secret that Sirkey understood so well, was that NZ National represents first and foremost international capital and finance capital–while managing to co-opt thousands of voters that are only ever going to be on the receiving end of the Australian Banks etc. but they identify with the ‘big boys’ on an aspirational basis.

    RSAs, coastal holiday parks and bowling clubs have closed in numbers across the nation and these were once “Rob’s Mob” home turf. Now the natzo fans sit online seeking their five minutes of fame with filthy comments about women and beneficiaries.

    The psychology is interesting, a few years back there was a contender for the National Party Northland Electorate Seat–Mark Tan–seemed a somewhat modern farmer type, beaten by bent ex copper Mike Sabin of course due largely to the Nat’s absolute thrall for ex plods. But who should turn up throwing bricks at cops near the end of the Wellington “Convoy” occupation (photo of this run by Northland Age newspaper) but one Mr Tan.
    Tan was on sabbatical leave from his Prinicipal role at Abundant Life Christian school in Kaitaia because he was anti COVID vaccination!

    Mr Uffindel should go and quickly. If he had apologised soon after the assault, or even years ago after reflection, my usual position would have kicked in–most people deserve redemption and a second chance. But this twister waited till he knew he was running for political office, so sod ’im.

  31. observer 31
    9 August 2022 at 3:35 pm

    The ACT candidate talks a lot of sense. (Yes I know, and now I feel dirty, but still …)

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/bay-of-plenty/129523116/act-byelection-candidate-calls-for-national-party-to-apologise-to-tauranga-voters

    It’s not good enough just to say ‘we thought it wouldn’t come up, so we didn’t say anything’.

    But that is exactly what they thought.

    • Robert Guyton 31.1
      9 August 2022 at 4:24 pm

      ACT sniff opportunity in pulling the rug out from under National's feet – that's it, no more.

  32. Tony Veitch (not etc.) 32
    9 August 2022 at 4:42 pm

    I'm on observer's side on this one: it's not really about what Uffindell did all those years ago, but about how the Natz handled the matter NOW!

    But, as a retired teacher, can I just add: a school normally wouldn't expel a student for a first offence, particularly from a rich school like Kings, with lots of lawyers waiting in the wings. 3 other boys were suspended, which suggests Sam was either the ringleader or had a prior history of offending. Which suggests the school was pissed off completely with his behaviour, and wanted him gone. Not a good look for an MP who will get to vote on the Three Strikes repeal!

    It would be very interesting to have a look at the school records!

    • In Vino 32.1
      9 August 2022 at 10:32 pm

      As another retired teacher, I am also intrigued that having been horrifically 'asked to leave' Kings College, he somehow got quietly moved to Hamilton's élite 'St Paul's Collegiate'.

      Hell, what a punishment it is to be asked to leave Kings!!

  33. aj 33
    9 August 2022 at 6:22 pm

    To those who describe him as a child – no. He would have held a driving license. Considered adult enough for that.

    The other thing that bothers me is his size. He seems to be a tall man now, 6' – something, and at 16 he would have been a big boy. A bully is a bully but this guy would have been much bigger than his victim. He's a thug, a cowardly thug.

  34. observer 34
    9 August 2022 at 6:49 pm

    It gets worse. And still the main point is being ignored by most in the media. It's not about Uffindell.

    Todd McClay is a senior National MP. He was on the selection committee and admits he knew about the bullying, because Uffindell told the committee.

    So what did this senior MP do?

    "McClay, involved in Uffindell's byelection campaign, cited a focus on other issues as a reason for not publicising the incident during the campaign.

    Asked why he didn't tell Luxon, McClay said it was not his duty."

    Those are two pathetic excuses. If a Minister (in ANY government) gave such a flimsy excuse, they would be toast.

    So why the hell isn't he?

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/sam-uffindell-scandal-proves-selection-process-must-change-luxon/ZOYGN7YE3T733LK2G52GQYK2SE/

  35. Robert Guyton 35
    9 August 2022 at 6:57 pm

    Oh no!

    Now they're making light of Uffindell's liking for night-clubbing!

  36. Jackel 36
    9 August 2022 at 10:27 pm

    I thought the national party were a right wing political party not a rehabilitation service for the local yobbos.

  37. arkie 37
    9 August 2022 at 11:39 pm

    Uffindell has been 'stood down' pending further investigation after more allegations.

    These are apparently now worthy of action:

    National leader Christopher Luxon released a separate statement, describing the accusations as "very concerning".

    …

    "The investigation will be conducted by Maria Dew QC and I expect it to take two weeks."

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/472560/national-mp-sam-uffindell-stood-down-from-caucus-while-more-allegations-investigated

  38. newsense 38
    10 August 2022 at 12:13 am

    So if this is blue on blue dirty tricks who could it be? Someone who knew the original story, but perhaps was also in a position to prevent it coming out until now. And perhaps even in a position to get the candidate selected knowing that this story was sitting in the background.

    It seems like the story was held until the end of conference.

    There is the possibility it was just the victim.

    But as more accusations surface we’re seeing a staggered release of information.

    Who benefits?

    Unclear:

    Act perhaps. The liberal, allegedly, wing of the National party. The government. Any leadership contender or any leader or ranking member of the previous generation who has been discarded. Perhaps some internal politics of Kings and their old boy network for school yard reasons even! (TV producers start scribbling furiously.)
    Though I’ve conflated the revenge and promotion motivations there a bit.

    The disfunction of Andrea Vance’s book can not have entirely dissipated. A bit of blood in the water, rumblings of dissatisfaction with Luxon’s leadership from Hooton (who are his clients?) a week or two ago and now this seemingly well organised and long planned hit and who knows what will happen next. There has been a steady attack on Luxon the way there never was on Key. With his ascension planned and signaled well in advance, perhaps his plotters have also had time to prepare.

    What next?

  39. observer 39
    10 August 2022 at 6:48 am

    On the AM show just now, Luxy threw Uffy under the bus.

    Asked if he trusted his MP, the leader basically said "did then, don't now". Not a verbatim quote, but a summary. The independent review is for show, the verdict's already in.

  40. PsyclingLeft.Always 40
    10 August 2022 at 7:42 am

    National MP Sam Uffindell has been stood down from the party's caucus while an investigation is carried out into further allegations of bullying raised by RNZ.

    A woman who flatted with the Tauranga MP while at at the University of Otago in 2003 has told RNZ's Morning Report Uffindell was an aggressive bully who once pounded on her bedroom door, screaming obscenities, until she fled through her window.

    https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/national-mp-stood-down-after-claims-he-bullied-flatmate-dunedin

    As usual with bullies…there is not ONE incident….but definitely a trail of victims. More to come I would say…

  41. Sanctuary 41
    10 August 2022 at 7:50 am

    I hear tell (INCOMING GOSSIP ALERT FROM IMPECABLE SOURCE) the Kings Old Boy's closed FB groups have lit up over this, as indicated Uffindell is apparently errrr, ahem remembered by many in a not entirely pleasant way.

  42. observer 42
    10 August 2022 at 8:02 am

    Today's fiendishly difficult quiz question: Who said …

    "I'm very confident we'll get a great candidate in Tauranga – we've got a great local organisation, and they'll have a great selection I'm sure"

    You already know …

  43. Mac1 43
    10 August 2022 at 8:19 am

    And Goodfellow, the former National Party president, was quoted as saying the party was "proud of our democratic selection process".

    "Ultimately it will be up to local Tauranga Party members to decide who will be our National candidate in the byelection".

    The 'democratic candidate selection process' that threw up another unsuitable 'winner' to go forward.

    The pre-screening process that 'democratically' kept from its Tauranga delegates information that should have led to another candidate being preferred.

  44. Jenny how to get there 44
    10 August 2022 at 8:22 am

    "The trick is…" has he changed.

    Christopher Luxon on TVNZ Breakfast this morning.

    It's a trick?

    Sam Uffindell bullied teenagers, his boss wants to bully teenagers.

    National's culture is a culture of bullying.

    • Incognito 44.1
      10 August 2022 at 8:44 am

      Technically, under 25s are not all teenagers, but yes, National wants to bully people who do it tougher than others.

  45. Mac1 45
    10 August 2022 at 8:54 am

    There is another issue that underlies this whole saga that we will have to address.

    Uffindell was never it seems dealt with properly, at both secondary schools and then at University. He was never subjected to a process that could have aided his reform.

    He now claims to be reformed and I hope he is but the evidence shown by how he minimises what he did, hid what he did, only apologised when he needed to to get further advantage, does not give me strong hope.

    It seems that he was never dealt with in a life-changing way.

    I once discovered a 50 year old conman masquerading as a drug and alcohol counsellor with an organisation for which I was a trust member. He was taken to court and convicted.

    The point is that he had never been prosecuted by various firms who had also found him out earlier. He was just fired and left to carry on his deceitful and harmful criminality.

    It seems it was all too difficult to literally arrest his behaviour.

    Too much is left unchecked. Too much is left to others as their problem. Too much is condoned or worse encouraged by similarly disposed individuals.

    Churches are now struggling with the consequences of their avoidance of properly dealing with criminal behaviour.

    And now we all struggle with consequences of an inherently gutless lack of social responsibility.

    I have maintained fo fifty years that people should be involved in politics and social institutions in a mass way. That way, we dilute and even overcome the poor policy and practice that we so often get because it is left to a small group of people often with dodgy personal lives and agendas.

    And this week we are suffering because not enough people are coming forward to enter local political life as candidates for councils to even fill the seats available!

  46. joe90 46
    10 August 2022 at 9:12 am

    Wonder if his fellow young nats insist he sits in the front row.

    https://twitter.com/LexRegina72/status/1557091446729183232

  47. Mike the Lefty 47
    10 August 2022 at 9:58 am

    It occurs to me that if Sam Uffindel's shenanigans had been disclosed BEFORE the by-election he would still have won. Tauranga is basically true blue and the "boys will be boys" defense would have gained plenty of support in such an electorate. But they weren't and that was National's mistake.

    • Mac1 47.1
      10 August 2022 at 10:06 am

      Maybe so. I have a hope for the MMP system that while people in an electorate can vote for the party of their choice they can vote out someone who is not worthy of support beyond being that party's candidate.

      Especially so during a byelection that will not affect the balance of power.

      Further I hope that people can again en masse get involved in party organisations as members and more to assure good candidates and policies.

      Leaving it to others means we often get to wear other's mistakes, beliefs and actions.

      Vote, join, campaign!

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    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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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