National’s Dirty Politics Machine Attacks Complainant

Written By: - Date published: 6:43 am, June 28th, 2017 - 85 comments
Categories: bill english, David Farrar, Dirty Politics, national - Tags: , ,

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While Bill English has “nothing to add” except the “this just an employment dispute” lie, the National Party’s Dirty Politics Machine has been fired up. Yesterday it was feeding its social media troll army a nasty talking-point to pass around in order to discredit the worker who Todd Barclay – allegedly – illegally spied on.

Hollow Man Matthew Hooton fabricated the framing on Monday’s Radio New Zealand Nine-to-Noon show when he told the audience . . .

. . . Todd Barclay came to believe – one way or another – that they [Barclay’s staff] were saying things about him that are outrageous . . . There was a huge cultural conflict between these people and this led him, I believe, to think it’s a good idea to tape these people . . .

. . .  thus leveraging his RNZ spot to broadcast that Barclay’s – alleged – criminal behaviour was – one way or the other – justified.

Yesterday, newsroom.co.nz ‘s Melanie Reid reported, inter alia, that NZ Police had re-opened its investigation, that the compainant had been re-interviewed, and that contents of one of the conversations – allegedly – illegally recorded by Todd Barclay had involved a discussion about “sex and drugs”.

Nek minit –

Then up pops John Key’s favourite fluffer –

. . . essentially, a variation of “she deserved it” and a sick distraction from the fact that it is a crime to intentionally intercept private communications you are not a party to regardless of the content of those communications.

Unless Hollow Man Hooton and Fluffer Farrar have heard Barclay’s – alleged – recording(s) or been told the content, upon what basis do they feel entitled to state by innuendo that Barclay’s – alleged – victim had been so unprofessional and out-of-control as to be accusing Barclay of being a drug dealer?

NZ Police need to speak to both of them. And soon. It’s possible these Dirty Politics Machine principals could confirm the recording(s) exist and/or that the content has been widely shared. Does their associate Cameron Slater have copies? Has the material for their innuendo come from the 9th Floor? Did it come from Ministerial Services? More likely, Hooton & Farrar have “nothing to add” to the investigation and have been deliberately spreading a lie. In which case, NZ Police need to remind them of the possible consequences of using their public platforms to maliciously attack a complainant in a criminal investigation. It amounts to intimidation.

Of course, this assumes that NZ Police is actually serious about its investigation. As unlikely as that may be, if it is true, its not beyond the realms of possibility that Hooton and Farrar could, potentially, find themselves in the dock alongside National Party Board Member Glenda Hughes facing a charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

85 comments on “National’s Dirty Politics Machine Attacks Complainant ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Ed 1
    28 June 2017 at 6:49 am

    How Farrar and Hooton are treated as civilised commentators, I do not know.
    Quite repulsive people.
    It’s amazing what people will do for money.

    • tc 1.1
      28 June 2017 at 7:03 am

      A sure sign RNZ is compromised by griffin allowing itself to be a DP soapbox for fluffer and hollow hypocrite hootsman.

      A half decent broadcaster would purge these leeches from its programs.

      • Ed 1.1.1
        28 June 2017 at 7:09 am

        Sadly you are so accurate.
        Even John Campbell succumbed to 90 minutes of flag waving, rather than doing any investigative journalism last night.

        • tc 1.1.1.1
          28 June 2017 at 7:28 am

          yes and why proper public broadcasting is urgently required if truth is to be valued above the agenda of wealthy powerful entities and the people/parties in power they own.

          English is now owning DP behaviour so this PM gig is working well for him so far as a legacy of the shonky one.

      • Gosman 1.1.2
        28 June 2017 at 9:08 am

        Once again who would your prefer to be the commentator from the right on that particular segment if not Hooton?

        • Muttonbird 1.1.2.1
          28 June 2017 at 9:15 am

          Josie Pagani.

        • left_forward 1.1.2.2
          28 June 2017 at 9:29 am

          It doesn’t matter who – as long as they have values that honour and dignify people.

          • Gosman 1.1.2.2.1
            28 June 2017 at 9:57 am

            Except you as a hard core leftist likely think most right leaning people are excluded then.

            • McFlock 1.1.2.2.1.1
              28 June 2017 at 10:31 am

              That’s not our problem. If you guys can’t put forward a right wing commentator who thinks about more than their personal paycheque, perhaps you should reconsider your position.

              • Gosman …
                28 June 2017 at 11:22 am

                That’s not how free speech or giving differing perspectives air time works. As much as you may dislike Hooton and Farrar their views are shared by a significant section of society. These people’s views should be heard especially on a State funded media outlet.

                • Muttonbird …
                  28 June 2017 at 11:31 am

                  Ironic that their position undoubtedly is to scrap all public broadcasting. Where then would these two send their invoices if not to the NZ taxpayer?

                • weka …
                  28 June 2017 at 11:55 am

                  “As much as you may dislike Hooton and Farrar their views are shared by a significant section of society.”

                  You think that a significant section of society think that Dirty Politics is a valid and useful political tool? What are you basing that opinion on?

                • McFlock …
                  28 June 2017 at 12:43 pm

                  Is that what I said? No.

                  All I said was that if you can’t nominate a right wing commentator who isn’t a corrupt fuckwit, maybe you’re on the side of the baddies.

            • left_forward 1.1.2.2.1.2
              28 June 2017 at 11:02 am

              No, not at all. We have seen throughout history, ‘Dirty Politics’ occurring on the left and the right.

              • Gosman …
                28 June 2017 at 11:23 am

                I’m curious about what you regard as dirty politics on the left.

                • left_forward …
                  28 June 2017 at 11:44 am

                  Some exponents through the ages… Stalin, Mao, Blair – I’m sure you know this.

                  • Gosman …
                    28 June 2017 at 11:47 am

                    You’re comparing the excesses of Mao and Stalin to what Tony Blair and the current government does are you?

                    Also as far as I was aware Tony Blair is regarded as right wing by leftists like you.

                    • left_forward …
                      28 June 2017 at 11:55 am

                      No, just some examples – the degree of excess is irrelevant – and yeah Blair is probably more right. But I concede to Carolyn’s more accurate view below. Dirty Politics probably doesn’t exist on the left.

                  • Carolyn_nth …
                    28 June 2017 at 11:48 am

                    Nah. The Hager definition of “dirty politics” as practiced under John Key, was a two track thing: talk positive in public; have a well-oiled smear machine operating at a distance from the PM, but linked to his office.

                    Stalin and Mao were all one track of nasty stuff as policy as far as I’m aware. Blair was just a deluded fool linked to the MSM and populist politics, trying to balance neoliberal and some weak social welfare policies.

                    I’m not sure there is a two track approach on the left.

                    • weka …
                      28 June 2017 at 5:40 pm

                      +1

                      in this case, we have Bill English trying to appear like everything’s good, while the henchmen run damage in the background. It doesn’t even matter now whether there is direct communication out of the PM’s office to the cabal, their lines are well rehearsed enough.

                    • Gosman …
                      28 June 2017 at 6:28 pm

                      There is. You are just too biased to see it.

                    • In Vino …
                      28 June 2017 at 10:03 pm

                      No bias – just no evidence. For once in your internet life, Gosman, can you actually provide convincing proof of one of your assertions? Proof of that two track approach on the right?

        • ankerawshark 1.1.2.3
          28 June 2017 at 12:17 pm

          Glenys Dickson or Mr Davey……they would be good right wing commentators….

          I am impressed particularly with Mr Davey’s ethics and code of conduct (there is more known about how he proceeded rather than Glenys at this stage which is not to cast any aspersions on her.

        • Brigid 1.1.2.4
          28 June 2017 at 1:11 pm

          Glenys Dickson

    • Jack P 1.2
      3 July 2017 at 5:47 pm

      IT’s the right wing media portraying them as commentators. It is like CNN, CBS, MSNBC, ABC, Fox which is successful. The states are loaded with mainstream media hype (fake news) and it is very prevalent in New Zealand unfortunately because kiwis are a trusting sort and the wool is being pulled over their eyes. I haven’t watched TV in 4 years since the last election because Key got off the hook with Dirty Politics because of the media. Sorry guys, but its the media that will try to sway the public by telling only half truths or not giving any coverage at all. A true investigative journalist could have kicked Key out after the South Canterbury Finance debacle. Instead he was protected by the media.

  2. riffer 2
    28 June 2017 at 6:58 am

    Indeed.

    Certain websites should surely be expecting a Netsafe HDCA warning? That’s how it works isn’t it?

    Sauce for the goose, and all that…

  3. Tamati Tautuhi 3
    28 June 2017 at 7:21 am

    The Slime Element and a Stasi like approach has entered the National Party over the past 9 years ?

    Hooton, Farrar and Slater are part of the National Party’s Slime Network spreading propoganda and misinformation.

    • tc 3.1
      28 June 2017 at 7:30 am

      Via taxpayer funded outlets as paid gigs, you gotta hand it to national that’s a pretty sweet deal.

      • Ed 3.1.1
        28 June 2017 at 7:41 am

        The employment of Griffin and Hosking are an affront to a democratic media.

        • Tamati Tautuhi 3.1.1.1
          28 June 2017 at 8:32 am

          Honkin Hoskings is a National Party deseminator of information, party policy and thoughts on various issues even though he is not a card carrying member of the National Party.

          • Tamati Tautuhi 3.1.1.1.1
            28 June 2017 at 8:34 am

            Hoskings and TV One the State Broadcaster do not give a balanced view of NZ Politics and Issues.

            • mpledger 3.1.1.1.1.1
              28 June 2017 at 9:33 am

              I happened to switch to tv from a dvd to look at the tv guide for that evening and was unfortunate to land on tv1 and Hoskings. He was happily saying about how there should be no food regulations and people should learn what restaurants to avoid by getting sick at them (never mind thinking through the cost that would give to the health system, ACC and lost employee days). I guess tv1 values shallow, reactionary dribble.

    • Gosman 3.2
      28 June 2017 at 9:13 am

      They are invited on specifically to discuss topics from a right wing perspective just as left wing commentators are invited on to discuss things from a left wing perspective. Why is this wrong?

      • left_forward 3.2.1
        28 June 2017 at 9:31 am

        Because their values are shit – different political perspectives can be given in a manner that dignifies people and truth.

      • Stuart Munro 3.2.2
        28 June 2017 at 10:04 am

        A genuine vox pop would be better.

        Neither left nor right reactionary is particularly original – what matters more is how it affects people on the ground.

        These opinion panels are not diverse or interesting; their role is to persuade not to discover or to inform.

      • Skinny 3.2.3
        28 June 2017 at 10:09 am

        Hooton got rightfully called out over his snake oil about the foreign student scheme on RNZ yesterday. But still he went off on a tangent making shit up.

        How Barclay wasn’t disciplined at the time for recording his staffer is beyond me. How he got selected after this totally unacceptable situation just shows the influence of big money (tobacco) that is bringing down our democracy.

        An insight into the rotten goings on within the National party.

        I now fully expert English to be replaced by Bennett or Mr Fix It Joyce as caretaker Pm till after the election in the best interests of democracy.

        • Gabby 3.2.3.1
          28 June 2017 at 11:19 am

          More the organisation skills of the Barclay family who seemed to be in the right places to cast votes for their Wee tousled Toddy.

      • weka 3.2.4
        28 June 2017 at 10:33 am


        They are invited on specifically to discuss topics from a right wing perspective just as left wing commentators are invited on to discuss things from a left wing perspective. Why is this wrong?

        Because both of them are aligned with Dirty Politics. I have zero problem with the media using RW commentators alongside LW ones. But I do have a problem with them using ones where there are such conflicts of interest. Better to use actual RW commentators not spin doctors.

    • Red 3.3
      28 June 2017 at 10:44 am

      Stasi where left wing support group where they not

  4. ianmac 4
    28 June 2017 at 8:16 am

    Would Farrar be liable for defamation charges? He does not name but it is pretty clear who he is denigrating.

  5. Muttonbird 5
    28 June 2017 at 8:38 am

    Aren’t Barclay, Hooten, Farrar, and Graham all bought and paid for by the tobacco lobby? Water finds it’s own level, I guess.

    • tc 5.1
      28 June 2017 at 2:49 pm

      Whoever has the dosh and a ‘worthy’ cause gets to employ their skills.

      Hooten is a professional spin doctor with questionable morality as his behaviour over Hagers details showed.

      You dont get to be too choosy when you peddle spin and bs.

  6. Keith 6
    28 June 2017 at 9:33 am

    It does RNZ no credit whatsoever this have either of these cockroaches on their station

    Why do they seek their warped and horribly tainted opinions?

  7. Anne 7
    28 June 2017 at 9:52 am

    Like a lot of right wing “sociopoaths” they can ooze charm and goodwill. Heard Farrar on RNZ’s The Panel yesterday and he sounded like your friendly, helpful next-door neighbour. I wonder if these radio and TV hosts or their producers ever read the crap they write online, or their often sordid little twitter comments. They paint a different picture of their personalities altogether.

    If Glenys Dickson learned of Barclay’s conduct involving “sex and drugs” she would not have been doing her job if she hadn’t expressed her concerns. Having been through a similar experience I can imagine how her detractors are getting at her. The spreading of lies and innuendo is only part of it. There are methods of harassment and intimidation that are almost impossible to prove because they occur when there are no witnesses. It is the victim’s word against the protagonists’ and since they usually have the power or seniority… their word is always believed.

  8. Pete 8
    28 June 2017 at 9:53 am

    I don’t know what the “Fluffer” in Farrar meant. When we were kids a ‘fluff’ was a fart.

    My observations suggest Farrar is far more solid that that.

  9. weka 9
    28 June 2017 at 10:47 am

    Unless Hollow Man Hooton and Fluffer Farrar have heard Barclay’s – alleged – recording(s) or been told the content, upon what basis do they feel entitled to state by innuendo that Barclay’s – alleged – victim had been so unprofessional and out-of-control as to be accusing Barclay of being a drug dealer?

    Yes, very odd that they went there so quickly after the initial Newsroom report.

    On the other hand, it’s possible that Barclay was dealing drugs and that the staff in Gore had legitimate concerns. Who would know?

    • Penny Bright 9.1
      28 June 2017 at 10:55 am

      In my view, Glenda Dickson was a ‘whistle-blower’ NOT a ‘snitch’.

      IF Todd Barclay’s activities were affecting his ability to do his job as MP for Clutha/Southland – then Glenda Dickson was right, in my opinion, to ‘blow the whistle’.

      Penny Bright
      2017 Independent candidate for Tamaki.

      • Draco T Bastard 9.1.1
        28 June 2017 at 11:55 am

        RWNJs really don’t like people who point out that they or their leaders are wrong and so will attack them mercilessly as we’ve seen over this and other incidences by National over the last few years.

      • Anne 9.1.2
        28 June 2017 at 4:30 pm

        Precisely Penny Bright @9.1. She was a whistle-blower.

        I guarantee it was the first time in her life she found herself in a position where she felt she had to do it. And for her efforts she has been denigrated and obviously ‘sent to Coventry’ by those she once trusted and respected. The sense of betrayal must be profound.

        • bwaghorn 9.1.2.1
          28 June 2017 at 4:35 pm

          whistle blower huh? her first response was to take the money , she’s just scrambling up a slippery pole now trying to look good

          • Anne 9.1.2.1.1
            28 June 2017 at 4:59 pm

            Actually most of it was severance pay bwaghorn. I’m assuming she was working under a specific contract with Parliamentary Services.

            She also received a “top up” which came from the former PM’s Parliamentary Service fund. That was the hush money bit. I know from experience the way superiors effectively bully a whistle-blower into submission. In my case, the managers took out a caveat preventing me from discussing the matter with anyone. In Glenys Dickson’scase they paid her off. I expect she was given no other option.

            • bwaghorn 9.1.2.1.1.1
              28 June 2017 at 5:15 pm

              ” I expect she was given no other option.”
              whistle blowing is standing up to the bullies and burning the house down as you leave , not going for severance pay

              • weka …
                28 June 2017 at 5:41 pm

                This is a pretty clear case of standing up to bullies. I’m sure if National had done the right thing she would have taken the settlement and left it alone. They didn’t and so she took the matter further much later. I wouldn’t call it whistleblowing, but it was still a good stand.

              • Anne …
                28 June 2017 at 5:56 pm

                You have no idea bwaghorn. If you stand up to those kind of bullies they chop your head off. No-one stands by you. Your peers run for cover fearing the same will happen to them. Bizarre things start to happen and you begin to fear for your safety. You have a mortgage to pay off and maybe other debts so you stick it out for as long as you can. There comes a time when you have no choice but to accept a severance pay-out for the sake of your sanity.

                And if you are a woman then the harassment is worse because they know they can more easily get away with it. If you call them out they use the… “she’s just a neurotic female who is making up stories” line of defence. And they are almost always believed.

      • Cinny 9.1.3
        28 June 2017 at 6:53 pm

        x infinity Penny

  10. Penny Bright 10
    28 June 2017 at 10:51 am

    ‪The RULES covering the Leader’s Budget.

    Speaker’s Directions which sets out the amounts for Leader’s funding, and what it can and can’t be used for.‬
    ‪ ‬
    ‪https://www.parliament.nz/media/3661/speakers-directions-2014-including-amendment-directions-2015-and-2017.pdf‬

    (Haven’t yet studied this information – just got it.

    See what YOU can find! 🙂

    Penny Bright

    2017 Independent candidate for Tamaki.

  11. Psycho Milt 11
    28 June 2017 at 12:02 pm

    I have to admit to suffering complete consternation at this. The Nats ask Hooton and Farrar to do something to get this seemingly never-ending daily shit-fest off the media’s radar. Hoots and Farrar come up with the so-cunning-you-could-etc plan of putting it out there that Barclay is also an alleged drug dealer. Wouldn’t somebody among the Nats look at that plan and go “Er, what? You’re suggesting what, now? Maybe you misunderstood – we want you to make this go away, not fuel it! What’s wrong with you, man?” Well, apparently not, because here are Hooton and Farrar giving the media today’s fresh dip-the-Nats-in-shit topic. I give up, it just makes no sense.

    • tc 11.1
      28 June 2017 at 2:54 pm

      Its not about sense its about muddying the waters with spin and bs.

      Todds expendable as hes no longer standing. You can see how they miss eades command post to set the tone and direct traffic.

    • weka 11.2
      28 June 2017 at 5:45 pm

      That’s pretty much what I thought. They want to spin that Barclay’s a drug dealer, what are they on?

      However they may also be conceding that this won’t go away, so plan B is to smear Dickson and co even if that damages Barclay further (although at this stage it’s moot whether his reputation can be further damaged. I guess it might affect employment prospects).

    • KJT 11.3
      29 June 2017 at 12:29 pm

      But! But. Barclay is a drug dealer. He worked for a tobacco company.

  12. North 12
    28 June 2017 at 12:32 pm

    Think I heard somewhere that today’s guests at 4.00 pm on The Panel RNZ are Grande Dame Boagy of the National Party and her bestie Brian Edwards. Presumably Barclaygate will rate a mention.

  13. Et Tu Brute 13
    28 June 2017 at 12:55 pm

    I’m of two minds. It is against the law. He was wrong. He handled it badly. I don’t like him. But also, I do get the argument about being in his shoes. Not an excuse, but as the victim of harassment I get it. You know someone has a grudge and are making your life hell with unwarranted accusations. You don’t have enough to take it to court. Do-gooders want to ease the tension by saying you’re imagining it. Stirrers want to tell you what’s being said, but not go on record. Random people suddenly turn hostile. I’d like to say I’d ignore it and try to get on with life as everything falls apart, and hope it didn’t effect me. But I also am not sure I would take the high ground. Barclay could have just fired his staff and cleaned house. For an MP that is easy. He stuffed up by making it complicated. For people who aren’t MPs, we can’t get rid of ex’s, employees, bosses, neighbours etc… nearly as easily.

    • McFlock 13.1
      28 June 2017 at 1:11 pm

      Even if the rumours put about by hooten and farrar are true, there’s still the point that someone with a degree in commercial law, corporate experience, and previous experience in the offices of multiple ministers should have:
      a) known that unlawfully intercepting a communication is highly illegal and immediately endangers your position in any employment dispute; and
      b) been competent enough to resolve the issue in a legal and upstanding manner.

      As it is, any doubts his electorate official had about his suitability and competence to be an MP have been thoroughly validated.

    • Red 13.2
      28 June 2017 at 1:32 pm

      First time ever ETB I agree with you, albeit that’s not a ringing endorsement on this site, so take cover 😀

      • weka 13.2.1
        28 June 2017 at 1:59 pm

        The difference between what ETB just wrote and what you write (e.g. the comment I just moderated, see OM for the warning), is that ETB wrote a considered argument based on their experience and opinion. Nothing there that is even remotely on a moderation radar, and in terms of commenting I’d rate it highly in terms of contribution to the site. You on the other hand look like you are running round take pot shots at lefties. Not only is it boring, you will eventually get the attention of a moderator. I don’t mind short, sharp witticisms so long as they’re not a pattern of trolling. You’ve been here long enough to know these differences.

    • Sacha 13.3
      28 June 2017 at 2:09 pm

      Barclay could have easily and quickly got rid of his staff under parliamentary services rules rather than spy on and complain about them. The power in that relationship goes strictly one way.

      There seems to be a basic clash of expectations between him and others in his local party apparatus about what an MP does. Like treating constituents with respect when they visit your office. Like turning up to events you’re the keynote speaker at rather than going out partying then calling in sick.

      Otherwise, who cares what the guy got up to in his own time.

      • dukeofurl 13.3.1
        28 June 2017 at 4:48 pm

        Yes they do when you are an MP. Hes in the wrong job if he thinks he can be just like any other late twenties successful executive who isnt in a steady relationship.
        Rightly or wrongly he choose mainly rural conservative farming electorate, and he has to meet their expectations.
        Once the coverup began…

  14. David Mac 14
    28 June 2017 at 6:59 pm

    Hootie and the Blowfish pitching Todd as a drug dealing sex fiend is odd. I can’t see how any upside isn’t swamped by the suspicions it arouses.

    They’re saying: ‘How would you feel if your PA was spreading drug/sex allegations about you?’

    Personally, I’d knock on her office door and ask “What the hell is this rumour all about?” Just like Matt and Dave would. To click a dictophone onto ‘Record’ is still just plain creepy.

    I smell a spin trap. I just haven’t worked out what way it’s going to spin yet.

  15. patricia bremner 15
    28 June 2017 at 7:16 pm

    For someone to say one day
    ” Bill English should shut the f…k up”
    to come forward on another day with suggestions is odd!!
    Muddy? or “Look over here!!”
    Distraction or diversion perhaps?
    I thought….. What do they want us to NOT to look at? KEY????
    Our household is highly suspicious of their motives!!

  16. JustMe 16
    28 June 2017 at 7:37 pm

    I have been wondering if Todd Barclay or Bill English have ever heard of Watergate. Because it looks like they both do not remember what happened to President Nixon sometime afterwards(the Watergate scandal).
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watergate_scandal
    But then it’s likely Bill English will typically respond that US laws are totally different to NZ laws. And if he does so then I will say that is a lousy cop-out/excuse.
    We must remember however that in his love affair of the United States John Key whilst pm of NZ would have happily had laws changed that favoured the US legal system(s).
    And in regards to the National government attacks on the complainant; well it does seem that whenever they are caught in a corner of their OWN making they(National)have a go at anyone and everyone else around them. It looks like a well trodden track record of bullying and intimidation.
    To date we have seen on more than one occasion Bill English blatantly lying and when he gets caught out lying he refuses to admit he has lied. He has ruined any credibility he ever had to begin with.
    Now I don’t want to get too personal about Bill English but I can only guess he doesn’t lie to the Catholic church but because he is a MP he is all fine and happy to lie to New Zealanders many of whom are not Catholics. If the entire population of NZ was Catholic then I am sure he wouldn’t happily lie to kingdom come.
    Todd Barclay probably thought that whilst an mp he could boss and bully everyone around him. But for him to feel that need to tape his staff shows he was truly insecure about himself, his position and of course the people that worked with him.
    In conclusion there is one important matter that mps no matter what political party they hark from that must know and remember and that is bullying and arrogance must never have any part in a government. That is what a future government after September 2017 needs to remember. But if they want to travel down the same path as the current government then no matter how many of us vote in time arrogance and bullying will always become part of the mixture.

    • David Mac 16.1
      28 June 2017 at 8:21 pm

      Rather than Watergate, I think we’ve got a Goregate going on.

      Glenys worked for Bill for 17 years in their little community. I think it’s safe to assume they became mates. In my little community the one place I bump into people I haven’t seen for ages is the local 4 Square. Its where I catch up on the latest gossip. The Barclay family operate their local 4 Square. Bill was saying ‘G’day’ to Todd when he was an 11 year old boy topping up the Coke fridge.

      I think this has turned into the mess it has because the poo has settled in our PM’s tiny home nest and Bill has been torn between allegiances, his human fragility exposed.

  17. Tautoko Mangō Mata 17
    28 June 2017 at 8:27 pm

    Move over, the “Evil Six”

    The Dirty Politics machine 2017 : “Rima Rūpahu”
    Matthew Hooton, David Farrar, Jordyn Williams, Cam Slater, Mike Hosking,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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