National’s relentless negativity

Written By: - Date published: 11:33 am, November 5th, 2022 - 86 comments
Categories: Economy, education, housing, labour, law and "order", national, political parties, Politics, same old national, tax, unemployment, water, workers' rights - Tags:

This week the Herald presented some good news:

Average wages have surged in recent months but the latest unemployment stats show no relief after three months of nailbiting news about labour shortages.

Wages grew 2.6 per cent in the three months ending on September 30.

The September quarter stats have shed some light on whether any progress was been made addressing chronic staff shortages amid challenges from low immigration, inflation, and low population growth.

Many economists were expecting unemployment to fall back to record lows and wage growth to be near record highs.

Instead, the jobless rate stayed at 3.3 per cent.

The biggest leap ever recorded in average hourly earnings occurred over the year to September 30.

Average ordinary hourly earnings, as measured by the Quarterly Employment Survey (QES), increased to $37.86, an annual increase of $2.61 or 7.4 per cent.

“This is the largest annual rise in ordinary time hourly earnings since this series began in 1989,” international and business performance statistics senior manager Darren Allan said.

The LCI’s all salary and wage rates (including overtime) index rose by 3.7 per cent, the second highest annual increase since the series began in 1993.

And in further good news First Union has concluded wage negotiations which will see the living wage for Countdown workers, a 12% wage increase, and which will possibly be the first precursor of a fair pay agreement in Aotearoa.

From Scoop:

Thousands of FIRST Union members at Countdown supermarkets have voted to accept a significant new 2-year Collective Agreement that includes wage increases of around 12%, a starting Living Wage, improvements to pandemic leave and sick leave, and commitments to work collaboratively on urgent security and staffing issues.

The new Collective Agreement, negotiated by a team of FIRST Union delegates and nationally voted on by members over the last month, puts Countdown workers on some of the highest wages in the supermarket industry and could lay the groundwork for a Fair Pay Agreement (FPA) in the sector to cover all workers across the country, said Ben Peterson, FIRST Union Acting Retail and Finance Secretary.

“Full credit goes to our tireless Countdown delegates, who have worked selflessly for their colleagues across Aotearoa to negotiate a deal that benefits everyone who works for the company as well as the communities they live in,” said Mr Peterson.

Mike Hosking responded in typical fashion claiming that the Government has a death rattle about it.  Significant wage increases and low unemployment in Mike’s weird reality are bad things.

I do not think that his unrelenting negativity is random.  It mirrors National’s approach.

And if you needed any proof.

This reflects a general approach throughout the world.  The right campaign on fear, the left campaign on hope.

The arguments are deeply disingenuous.

Economic pressures are caused by overseas events.  As good as Jacinda Ardern is she is not responsible for the Ukraine.

Mortgage rate increases are a world wide phenomenon.    Just this week the Bank of England increased its rate to 3%.

The Housing Crisis could be 12 months away from being radically eased with record numbers of new state and privately owned houses being completed.

Immigration settings have helped reduce housing pressure, housing costs and downwards pressure on wages.

Three Waters is vital.  If anyone can explain how local government can invest the huge amounts of resources required to bring up our water supply to an acceptable level and to make sure that we have water in the future as climate change hits please do so.  Attacking without offering a plausible alternative is deeply, deeply disingenuous.

Student performance deterioration is not something that happens overnight.  Remember National’s cuts to night classes, and to literacy and numeracy programs so that private schools could receive a top up?  Remember Charter Schools, National Standards and class size increases?  Along with poverty and substandard housing the consequences of these defelopments are clearly being seen.

And speed reductions and attacks on the court system are typical populist attacks the right is renowned for.

Of course what is lacking in this relentless negative narrative is alternative policies.

And giving the Prime Minister $360 per week in tax cuts while a worker on the minimum wage gets $2.15 is going to create a huge fiscal hole in the Government’s accounts which mean that a future Government’s ability to adjust will be severely compromised.

I suspect we are going to see National’s approach for quite a while.  Relentless negativity and no idea of what they are  going to do.  Or how they will afford it.

86 comments on “National’s relentless negativity ”

  1. millsy 1

    National hate the public sector, public services, unions, high wages, or anything else that is collective or for the public good. They have always done so.

    • Patricia Bremner 1.1

      In a nutshell Millsy. Even worse, they are not offering anything except remove all the recent legislation, and offer no real policy ideas.

      But then, what sort of policy would the National dregs and Woodhouse of toilet seat fame come up with?

      What we do know is the decisions and policies will favour those who are comfortable, not the Luxon labeleddevil "bottom feeders!!!"

    • Tony Veitch 1.2

      National hate the public sector, public services

      Because their owners/supporters don't use the public sector very much. They (the rich) have their own hospitals, their own schools.

      About the only aspect of 'society' they (the rich) are dependent on are our roads (to get to the airport for their week in Hawaii etc).

      Hence the Negatives' (also known as NACT) emphasis on RONS and even more roads.

      • Gabby 1.2.1

        My understanding was that the wealthy do very well thank you out of taxpayer money.

      • theotherpat 1.2.2

        "About the only aspect of 'society' they (the rich) are dependent on……also as Voltaire said……"“The comfort of the rich depends upon an abundant supply of the poor.”

    • Chris 1.3

      National stands for nothing except making the wealthy wealthier. That's why all they have when in opposition is criticism of anything government does or plans. It's also why National love social problems because without them there's too little to criticise. The irony, which is that government is supposed be to be about dealing with social problems, is lost on most voters. Their approach is all bundled up in their meaningless description of what Luxon and Willis say they're doing, which is 'keeping government to account'.

  2. Bearded Git 2

    Agreed Micky. Luxon/Willis/Bishop's negativity is staggering.

    National sound negative because they don't actually have any policies of their own apart from tax giveaways for the rich and landlords and a rehash of Bill English's "social welfare" policy which in practice never amounted to more than spin; Labour has social policies that favour the poor anyway.

    • Crashcart 2.1

      I would really like to see someone in the press hold their feet to the fire on this. They get enough time on T.V to say how bad everything Labour is doing is. Invite them on to complain about Labour then simply ask them what they are going to do instead. Don't accept "repeal it". Actually push to find out what is going to put in place instead.

      As they have shown, if you ask even simple questions of their policies, such as how much will repealing the top tax bracket reduce the tax take by, they can't provide a straight answer.

      It's a shame that no body seems interested in actually asking some simple questions.

  3. Hosking had his tongue up John Key's arse for 8 years while house prices doubled, homelessness skyrocketed, and National kicked out state house tenants under false pretences then flogged off the houses to their mates. As well as a fire sale of public assets despite 80% of Kiwis opposed.

    The Herald is the organ of the real estate sector and arrogant twerps. It hasn't evolved much since it was a settler propaganda tool in the NZ land theft wars.

  4. AB 4

    Interesting how Luxy slams Labour for lack of "delivery", but has a long list of things they've done that he wants to repeal. Seems logically contradictory, until you realise that "delivery" means doing things that benefit the 'right' sort of people. And that doesn't mean people in the bottom half of the wealth pyramid.

    • Corey Humm 4.1

      That's a great point the govt should steal that line from you tbh

      • Shanreagh 4.1.1

        I agree Corey and AB.

      • Chris 4.1.2

        Yes, this government is too nice. It needs to tell things how they are, which includes reminding voters every now and then of the many inherited problems Luxon and Willis are relentlessly telling us are this government's fault. Ardern and co could even blow their own trumpets a little because the fact they don't lets Luxon and Willis get away with the almighty 'Labour doesn't deliver' bullshit.

        • Crashcart 4.1.2.1

          Agree. They need to do that in a positive way. They can't just bemoan the mess NACT left them. You will get the classic "well you have had 6 years stop blaming the last government."

          They need to highlight the mess National left in certain areas and give very specific gains that have been made since.

          I admit a year ago I thought the governments achievement list was pretty thin. Looking back, they have actually started some huge changes and have made progress in areas I thought they were failing in (housing for one).

    • Patricia Bremner 4.2

      yes +1

    • Muttonbird 4.3

      Excellent point, AB.

      The Labour government has delivered, or is about to deliver a lot which is why the business, farming, landlord and other Maori-phobic sectors are so furious right now.

  5. Shanreagh 5

    Three Waters is vital. If anyone can explain how local government can invest the huge amounts of resources required to bring up our water supply to an acceptable level and to make sure that we have water in the future as climate change hits please do so. Attacking without offering a plausible alternative is deeply, deeply disingenuous.

    I wish those against it who seem mainly to be anti 'Murray' would read the above and respond.

    The alternatives so far have not been plausible:

    • we strip off the concept of one entity one vote so Auckland can have a majority vote in its water entity
    • we take a way the right to participate by iwi Maori as Govt endeavours to recognise and honour the Treaty and do good by its Treaty partner.

    These ideas won't get us very far forward.

    You talk of the relentless negativity from the Nats……..

    • newsense 5.1

      Now we’re actually getting to the nitty gritty of it, it seems to me (very far removed from country communities mind) that there may be votes in it in the end. An optimistic reading.

      The option put forward by the Auckland and Chch mayor’s would essentially see small communities dominated by the larger cities. The only way to guarantee investment in rural and provincial water, to avoid astronomical rate rises and to keep water safe is 3 waters. It would require a small contortion, but perhaps one that is being performed.

      That then needs a calculation about if that is a key issue in Auckland and Christchurch or whether it’s votes unlikely to ever have been Labour’s beating a drum.

      • Shanreagh 5.1.1

        The only way to guarantee investment in rural and provincial water, to avoid astronomical rate rises and to keep water safe is 3 waters.

        I agree with this. Also a spirit that says/recognises

        • all legislation is deemed to be remedial. ie we would not be looking at a change unless there was something the matter with the status quo, opponents seem to be a bit slow to cotton on to this. Some seem intent on bringing back the 'badder' elements of the status quo
        • the Crown is bound by the Treaty of Waitangi.
        • let us give this a whirl, it cannot be worse than the present and will probably be better…..now is not the time to 'batten down the hatches' or put 'one's head in the sand' to use some sayings.
    • Gabby 5.2

      I wish the government would show very clearly how we would benefit from 3 wtrs.

  6. bwaghorn 6

    Sysop

    For some reason only one paragraph shows up for this post on the mobile setting

    [Now fixed – MS]

  7. alwyn 7

    It is very hard for National not to be negative in their statements.

    They tell us the truth about what is going on in New Zealand. Unfortunately that is mostly bad news. Very bad news for the average New Zealand resident in fact.

    Labour on the other hand simply ignore reality and dribble on with tales of fantasy, rather than admit the truth about what is going on and try to come up with ways to solve the problems that they, Labour, are creating for the Country.

    Perhaps we can borrow a nickname that the Labour MPs of a few years ago bestowed on one of the National Cabinet members.

    Arise the Honourable Tinkerbelle Grant Robertson and wave your magic wand. Fix the bloody mess you have created. If you won't do that get out of the way and let National take over to fix things.

    • bwaghorn 7.1

      It's funny how the grumpest wingers I can think of with regards of the state of nz are both wealthy woman, (there aren’t related in any way )

      Who live a life of ease, one living in her secluded home with million $ views the other with 2 homes,private school educated kids,and has been round the planet and off to oz and the islands numerous times in the 6 Yeats I've known her, completely insulated from the harder life some live.

      Right wingers are often hate filled,greedy fuckers that live to hit downwards.

    • millsy 7.2

      Wages are at their highest in 3 decades. It is now easier to get a job than at any time in the past 40-50 years. We should return Labour for this reason alone.

      National, on the other hand, want to flood the labour market with cheap immigrants, and make it harder for young New Zealanders to get jobs, or get a decent wage.

      National thinks wages are too high, and that workers have it way too easy, with public holidays, sick leave, and all sorts. Their whole reason of existence is to see all that cut back preferebly by lunchtime.

      • Poission 7.2.1

        Wages are at their highest in 3 decades. It is now easier to get a job than at any time in the past 40-50 years. We should return Labour for this reason alone.

        It is the same everywhere in the world.

        • alwyn 7.2.1.1

          "Wages are at their highest in 3 decades". What a meaningless statement. About the only time that wages have ever fallen was during the Great Depression, from about 1929 to 1933. Millsy could be more positive than that. "Wages are at their highest ever level". The only problem with the statement is that it is almost always true.

          Inflation is at its highest rate in 32 years. The last time it was this high was in the second quarter of 1990. Now is Millsy applauding that? I am certainly not and I would blame it on Robertson, and to a lesser extent Orr.

          • Poission 7.2.1.1.1

            I just noted it is the same everywhere in the world, I am not applauding anyone.

          • millsy 7.2.1.1.2

            Pretty sure that a lot of workers had their wages and conditions slashed when the ECA was passed, plus numerous allowances, etc. Wage growth also bascially flatlined after 1991, with the MW going going up by a few cents/hr.

            Take that Kristine Bartlett, the equal pay carer lady, she was on bascially the same wage in real terms for decades.

            Wages are always suppressed by low inflation. Every. Single. Time. Maybe we should just let inflation rip for a little bit, so people, for once, can get decent wage increases.

            • Poission 7.2.1.1.2.1

              Psst (we are in the 21st century)

              • millsy

                And your point is?

                • Shanreagh

                  Obviously does not get it that the neo-lib 'reforms' 1980s/90s have had a long arms stretching into and influencing our time today. Many good people, possibly future leaders, particularly in the PS lost their jobs in these reforms.

                  A work place I left, voluntarily, after the Environmental 'reforms' of 1987 had 12 restructures/realignments by the time I got a job with them again in 2000. The impact on staff was horrific both mentally and financially. Salaries went down, contributions to super funds went down, money saved from super funds was withdrawn to help fund living costs, pay mortgages so they could afford to keep their homes.

                  Those who had a fundamental belief in the rightness of a job in the PS suffered through ignorant managers. These are people many of whom would have supported their children through tertiary education or into a home, but were not able to, so their children are also reaping what was sown in those days with high student loan debt. Some of them have moved overseas …and will probably not return.

                  And so it goes on.

                  And Poission questions the statement. I would have thought your pseudonym would have given you a little clue about how statistically an event such as the neo-lib stuff would have had an influence down the times we live in.

                  Clue: talk of the ECA is often a short form of the damage that whole experiment wreaked on NZ.

              • Gabby

                Psst let's focus on rate of increase.

                • Poission

                  Yeah good idea,the terminal rate of the Fed is determined to be around 5.25% in 2023.What rate would a price taker economy such as NZ with dual deficits be by election date,and what will the government accounts be?

          • Patricia Bremner 7.2.1.1.3

            That would be silly Alwyn. So the spend on Covid world wide has nothing to do with inflation worldwide? Did Robertson and Orr cause oil prices to rise?

            The interruption to gas lines and wheat crops in Europe was caused by Putin, is Robertson and Orr???

            Gosh they must have a wand if you believe that!!laugh

            • alwyn 7.2.1.1.3.1

              This could be the subject of a very large book, However a brief view. The spend on Covid worldwide caused a lot of inflation. It was worst in the countries that threw the most money at it. That of course includes the US, Britain and, sadly New Zealand.

              The money spent in the first part of 2020 was very sensible. We didn't know what was hitting us or what we could do about it. By the middle of 2020 we should have stopped printing money. Vaccines were by then known to be on the way and we had a decent view of what would happen.

              Robbo had, unfortunately, got a taste for money printing and throwing it at anything that moved and Orr went along with it.

              If you think that what happened here was inevitable try looking at Switzerland. It is a small country with an open economy and its own currency. In other words it is very like New Zealand. They behaved themselves monetarily however while our Finance Minister went nuts. Their year on year inflation to September 2022 was 3.3% and the figure for the year 2020 is expected to be 2.6%.

              Oil prices are less relevant in Switzerland than here because they rely on electric power from Hydro and Nuclear more than we do.

              They also regulate prices more than most countries. They use sound economic reasons for the decisions rather than "feelz" though.

              https://globaleurope.eu/globalization/the-strong-swiss-franc-and-5-other-reasons-for-switzerlands-low-inflation/

          • Clive Macann 7.2.1.1.4

            Quote: Inflation is at its highest rate in 32 years. The last time it was this high was in the second quarter of 1990. Now is Millsy applauding that? I am certainly not and I would blame it on Robertson, and to a lesser extent Orr.

            Funny how the high inflation is worldwide. Robertson must be extremely influential to have the power to control several hundred countries around the world. Bit greedy of him to keep NZ as one of the lowest globally though.

      • Binders full of Women 7.2.2

        My wages haven't changed and now the wages are buying 8% less 🙁

        My union have been offered 2% ..sigh thanks for nothing Robertson & Orr.

        • millsy 7.2.2.1

          You would probably get 0% if National was in power. Plus you would have to pay more for prescriptions, doctors visits, power, etc.

        • Patricia Bremner 7.2.2.2

          That actually fits in with the negative attitude Binders full of Women.

          You personally are not benefitting in terms of pay, but sick leave? safety during a pandemic? petrol subsidy? Doctors visits? and many other improvements.

          Policies may have kept you in work.

          I remember when Key would announce a 50 cent an hour rise once a year.

          • Shanreagh 7.2.2.2.1

            Yes Patricia, there are clues here:

            https://www.theguardian.com/world/shortcuts/2012/oct/17/binders-full-of-women-romneys-four-words

            extract

            'Instead, he managed to conjure an image confirming every feminist's worst fears about a Romney presidency; that he views women's rights in the workplace as so much business admin, to be punched and filed and popped on a shelf. Worse still, it was irrelevant to the question he'd actually been asked, about pay inequality. And, according to several fact-checkers, untrue. He didn't ask for the binders full of women. The list was compiled before he even took office. It wasn't just a gaffe: it was a Freudian slip, a filibuster and a falsehood.'

            Perhaps he has some records of
            ‘Binders full of moaners’

        • Shanreagh 7.2.2.3

          thanks for nothing Robertson & Orr.

          Well the maths I grew up says that 2% is actually bigger than 0%. I diagnose a severe case of ingratitude.

          You might want to spend some of the 2% on buying a wooden peg so that you can put it in your mouth crossways. Tip given by a wellness specialist brought in to help staff during one of our restructurings. Apparently putting the peg in mimics the muscles of a smile and a smile triggers endorphins and endorphins make you feel better in yourself. You never know it might stimulate some gratitude as well.

          And even if this is not correct the peg in the mouth is a signal to others that 'I am feeling a bit bad treta me kindly' And this happens alot during restructurings. , especially since all the way trhough Covid you

          • Shanreagh 7.2.2.3.1

            DOH

            Last para should have read

            And even if this is not correct the peg in the mouth is a signal to others that 'I am feeling a bit bad treat me kindly' And this happens alot during restructurings.

    • Grey Area 7.3

      Please fuck off. You add nothing to any discussion here other than obfuscation, whataboutism and right wing spin. Please go away.

    • Mike the Lefty 7.4

      So can you tell us what National are going to do?

      I would like to know but if you ask them you are accused of petty politics.

      • millsy 7.4.1

        National are going slash wages. Simple as that. They do not want workers earning high wages.

    • KJT 7.5

      Love your satire, Alwyn.

      I hope, for your sake, it is not unconscious!

    • Chris 7.6

      "It is very hard for National not to be negative in their statements."

      But they don't even try. It's all this 'we're keeping the government to account' bullshit that stops them coming up with anything productive. If Labour changed all of its policies and did what National says should happen Luxon and Willis would instantly call it rubbish because "our job is to keep the government to account". Would be good if this could be conveyed to the majority of the voting public, but it won't be.

  8. Muttonbird 8

    This week Air NZ announced the resumption of direct flights to Bali. They sold 3500 seats in 24 hours.

    There is no squeezed middle in NZ, that is an illusion.

    As always the people suffering are the people at the bottom and the National Party has never ever advocated for them.

    • Leighton 8.1

      I disagree. 3500 seats on a plane is nothing in a population of five million. The top 10% of earners and asset-rich retirees are still doing fine. The "middle class" of self-employed or salaried mortgage holders are absolutely hurting right now. Pretending otherwise will doom Labour in 2023, not help it.

      • Muttonbird 8.1.1

        I am middle class self-employed and, apart from feeling burnt out, have never done better. Did not book a ticket to Bali, mind.

        You've been listening My Cockskin, haven't you?

        • Leighton 8.1.1.1

          No I never go near the cesspit that is Newstalk ZB. I am just at a stage in my life where I have occasion to talk to lots of middle class families with young children, although clearly not the same people as you. What line of work are you in, if you don't mind me asking?

  9. Leighton 9

    The most annoying thing about Hosking's "broken record" columns about how shit we have it is that if National won the election you just know that the tone would immediately change and everything in NZ would instantly be sunshine and rainbows before anything had ever actually changed.

    • alwyn 9.1

      Well there is one person who may be pleased. A rough calculation tells me that Grant Robertson will get a reduction in his income tax of roughly $66,000 per year when a National, or ACT Government takes over the reins at the end of next year.

      He may not be that pleased of course. He will be dropping down from Deputy PM to a ordinary MP.

      The Country will probably be happy on his behalf though.

      • alwyn 9.2.1

        It is nice to see that Grant might get a little consolation isn't it?

        What is that phrase? "Every cloud has a silver lining"?

        I'm happy to see that I have amused you.

    • georgecom 9.3

      Hosking was wanking on in a column about NZs commitments to mitigate climate change the other day, how absurd it was to charge farmers for emissions and how no other country would careless what NZ pledged to do. Summed the man up.

      The planet probably would care, and the rest of us in due course if we simply let the globe warm unabated. China, the US, Aussie, Europe, they could all take Hoskings lead and claim the same – someone else should take responsibility but not us. It's like he hasn't figured out the simple realities – this isn't a choice thing, the planet is warming and if collectively we don't do something the future for generations to come is bleak.

      If you thought this type of moan, squawk, bitch and whine and then bury your head in the sand attitude was dead, sadly not. Pretty much Hosking from the last several years.

      • newsense 9.3.1

        It probably wouldn’t hurt for a journalist or several to do a survey of how farmers have been treated elsewhere.

        But otherwise I advocate some city activism- get out there to collect for farmers in street corners! With an accompanying information campaign. In Aussie the Chasers did a bit where they collected money for private schools outside public schools.

        In a comparison they probably don’t mind, Groundswell reminds me of Viking raids- make the city pay your debts and then hoon around rubbing it in.

    • Patricia Bremner 9.4

      +1

  10. mosa 10

    " As good as Jacinda Ardern is " it’s time to feed the kids Prime Minister.

    The poorest always get hit hardest meaning Māori, Pacifica, beneficiaries, renters and the disabled are the first to be hurt by any economic recession.

    And these are the people Jacinda solicits votes from !

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/478097/parents-struggling-to-make-ends-meet-as-cost-of-living-crisis-bites

    Food inflation is at a 30 year high.

    First time home buyers are facing rapidly skyrocketing mortgages.

    Renters are being pushed to the brink.

    More children are living in cars than we recorded in 2017 when Labour first came to Government.

    27 000 are on emergency housing wait lists.

    Our truancy rates are soaring.

    https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2022/11/03/waatea-news-column-dear-jacinda-we-need-to-feed-the-kids/

    • millsy 10.1

      You cannot being food prices down by cutting the health or welfare budget, which is what National wants to do.

      We need to clamp down on corporate greed in this country.

  11. Mike the Lefty 11

    The country may be in good shape economically and fiscally but socially it is not.

    Violent crime appears to be on the rise. I say "appears" because it is so much in the news these days.

    The public health system is under duress that hasn't been seen for very many decades.

    There is a deceptively large anarchistic block in society becoming increasingly emboldened and willing to do almost anything to pamper their delusions of grandeur.

    COVID is still a threat, but our society has now seemingly decided that it is no worse than flu and if old people get it – that's their tough luck.

    The agricultural sector are under pressure to reform from their environmentally destructive old ways, but reforms cost money and they don't want to pay.

    Our towns and cities are congested with cars, you could make all public transport free in NZ and the increase in patronage would probably be minimal.

    After all the post-COVID talk of how our tourism sector must change and we can't go on with the old methods – cruise ships are back again and just as coast-despoiling and oil guzzling as ever.

    Nobody can open their mouth or write a sentence anymore without being accused of being racist, sexist or the worst – being an old white male.

    Whatever rhetoric they disgorge National cannot and will not fix all our society's problems. National's default response to anything is to do nothing. We don't need parties that will do nothing – we need ones that will take action.

    Labour, despite having a dynamic leader, seems too half-hearted in its approach to so many problems – despite the fact that it holds a parliamentary majority in its own right.

    We need a bold transformative government for the future.

    With National (and ACT) we certainly won't get it.

    • observer 11.1

      Nobody can open their mouth or write a sentence anymore without being accused of being racist, sexist or the worst – being an old white male.

      What a shame that you had to throw in that thought-free, fact-free sentence as well.

      As an old white male I open my mouth and write sentences daily. I can't remember the last time I was accused of being racist or sexist, and if I was I would continue to open my mouth and write sentences, so that we can debate the issue. And sometimes I might say "fair point, I hadn't really thought of that". This is called learning, and it is good. (Otherwise I would have the same opinions as I always had, and that would not be good).

      • Shanreagh 11.1.1

        (Otherwise I would have the same opinions as I always had, and that would not be good).

        Great point. It always worries me when people say I've always voted XXXXX or I have always believed Y. The latest example of this being John Key who shared that he would always vote for the right and would probably have voted for Bolsanaro or Trump.

        Voting this way to me indicates a person lacks discernment. It is worrying.

        Good post Observer.
        Good post too Mike the Lefty until you included the sentence that Observer has commented on.

    • Hunter Thompson II 11.2

      Labour's current position is not good, but it would be 1000 times worse if National had a competent leader with political experience.

      The country needs an effective opposition to keep the government up to the mark.

      What concerns me and many other New Zealanders is the way Labour seems to be setting us on a course for major constitutional change without public consultation. That is leading to a total lack of trust.

  12. adam 12

    That's because the far right who have taken over the conservative parties in the west are scum.

  13. Patricia Bremner 13

    If NZ goes for the National Act combination, it will not be a Conservative Government, it will be a Destructive Government.
    They will play a dangerous game of Jenga or Tumble Tower, as they remove pieces of legislation.crying

    Their Tax strategy will mean they will reward the wealthy while removing hard won worker rights.
    The promise to bring back the 90 day issue and open to any migration says it all.

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  • Stories of varying weight

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Open access notables Could an extremely cold central European winter such as 1963 happen again despite climate change?, Sippel et al., Weather and Climate Dynamics: Here, we first show based on multiple attribution methods that a winter of similar circulation conditions to 1963 would still lead to an extreme seasonal ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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 ...
    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
    22 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
    24 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

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