Nats’ ad claims credit for Lab’s infrastructure

Written By: - Date published: 9:43 am, November 1st, 2011 - 51 comments
Categories: election 2011, labour, national, transport - Tags: , ,

Oh dear. This is not what National needed on the back of Goff besting Key in the first debate. National’s new TV ad is on the world-class infrastructure they claim to have built. But it was all planned, funded, and mostly built by Labour. Have National accidentally revealed their real achievement: taking credit for others work?

First up, we have shots of Newmarket Railway station (featuring Conveniently Multi-Ethnic Casttm). There’s lot of shots of people looking happy as they go to get on trains, which I thought National despised. The problem is: Newmarket was upgraded as part of Labour’s Project DART, planned and funded way back in 2006. Although Steven Joyce, the great patron of rail, happily took the credit when he reopened it.

Then, we see a shot of Spaghetti Junction. Specifically, the final section connecting the Northwestern Motorway eastbound to the Northern Motorway northbound. This project wasn’t just planned and funded by Labour, they were completely built under Labour too and finished in 2006. If National had to show a five year old Labour project in its infrastructure ad, how desperate were they?

Beside the shot of Spaghetti Junction are a couple of shots of a motorway with a distinctive overbridge. It’s the Northern Gateway motorway, specifically the ALPURT B2 extension. That was planned and funded, and mostly built under Labour as well. I’m not a fan of this toll road. But I’m less of a fan of parties that say “we’re building world-class infrastructure” and show other parties’ projects.

Finally, there’s John Key giving what I think we’re meant to believe it his professional and informed inspection of the Victoria Park Tunnel (‘the roof is 20mm lower than spec over there! And the camber on that bend is all wrong! What the hell are you people playing at?). National can at least claim that soil was broken on this project under them, just after they came to power. But it was planned, funded, and consented under Labour.

Oh and there’s some shots of fibre-optic cable being laid. You know, the stuff that Labour was planning to roll-out across the country, then National came up with a cheaper and shittier plan that restores Telecom’s monopoly and is already well behind schedule.

Nice ad, National. I’m left thinking ‘you know, Labour got a lot of stuff built in nine years’.

51 comments on “Nats’ ad claims credit for Lab’s infrastructure ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Carol 1
    1 November 2011 at 10:09 am

    Yes, Nikki Kaye has been claiming Labour did nothing for Auckland public transport, while National has done all these rail upgrades. As I frequent user of the Western rail line for the last few years, I know there was a load of upgrades begun under Labour: Newmarket, double-tracking, the New Lynn rail trench (strongly supported by New Lynn MP David Cunliffe)… etc,.

  2. Blighty 2
    1 November 2011 at 10:23 am

    This is so dishonest from National. Good on you for being the first to call them out.

  3. Adrian 3
    1 November 2011 at 10:25 am

    Colin King, yeah you haven’t heard of him, NatMP for Kaikoura and worse than 4 men short , is claiming the new Wairau ( Blenheim ) Hospital, Kaikoura Hosp, Aquaculture Ed Centre, the Awatere bridge ( remember the double decker at Seddon on SH1 ), etc etc. All Labour funded and built. His ads don’t list a single new thing done in the last 3 years, because there hasn’t bloody been any. Lies .. sorry, he must be living in a ” dienimic inviromint”.

    • ianmac 3.1
      1 November 2011 at 3:40 pm

      Adrian.
      Colin King was miffed to be placed on the “wouldn’t be missed” list. He said that he had done heaps for his Kaikoura electorate. (Very safe for National. Puts me in mind of FPP wasted votes.)
      Where do you see his ads claiming work done?
      I feel another letter to editor Marlborough Express brewing in my mischief making mind!

  4. Dv 4
    1 November 2011 at 10:43 am

    I am confused about this.
    The Nats have been blaming Lab for the last three years. Its is only fair to take credit for the infrastructure developed by Lab.

  5. Tombstone 5
    1 November 2011 at 10:44 am

    So where are the media calling Key out on this stuff? It’s there job to ensure that the public are well informed and they’re just not doing it. This is critical because once again Key is exposed for being the lying, devious bastard he is and once again the media is doing nothing to reign him in and keep him honest. This is a critical election and if Key is lying or decieving the public, and blatantly so then he should be exposed for it so voters can make a truly informed choice. I’m getting seriously tired of our toothless media. They’re a bloody disgrace!

    • Ee 5.1
      1 November 2011 at 11:14 am

      The same media that constantly cut Goff off in the leader debate?
      The same media that is owned by the big businesses that Key raises GST and borrows money to provide tax cuts for?
      The internet is a wonderful thing, there was a time when we the people had no way of finding out when our governments acted like this, now we do.
      MMP is a wonderful system, there was a time when we could not hold our politicians accountable for their actions, now we can.
      Spread the word, tell people what is happening. Do not rely on the tv to tell us the truth, the truth doesn’t sell. Keys plastic smile and empty promises sell.
      This is all Key can do.
      He lies, slanders and misdirects.
      His whole campaign rests on his belief that New Zealanders are too ignorant and lazy to really look at his policy. That’s why all Nationals billboards are just his face. That’s why he lies in debates and lies in their adverts.

      Because he believes that we’re stupid enough to believe it.

    • Maggie May 5.2
      1 November 2011 at 11:57 am

      You will not find the media reigning John Key they have lifestyles to protrect.
      They may loose tax cuts after the election and have to operate under fairer policies.

      It is the usual National Party philosophy, ‘I care only about myself ‘ trouble is these people very quickly expect those they don’t care about to make this the kind of place they want to live in.

    • coolas 5.3
      1 November 2011 at 12:42 pm

      So true. The MSM have convinced themselves Nats will get a second term. I had a glimpse of this at a dinner with several high powered journos who all said that Key will win the election. Why are you so sure? I asked. They grin and say, ‘Cos we don’t get one term Governments.’ ‘It’s their turn.’ People are still sick of Labour.’

      To a man, and one woman, these journos seemed to me: smug, complacent, and lazy. Just like John Key.

      • jingyang 5.3.1
        1 November 2011 at 11:40 pm

        Wow. Did you point out to them that Labour in 1957-60 and 1972-75 were both one term governments? Maybe the journos simply meant we “don’t get one term National governments”

        “It’s their turn” Christ, now you’ve got me thinking that these journos are actually all 3-year-olds whining in the playground about whose turn it is cos they have such short attention spans.

        “People are still sick of Labour” – perhaps, But can’t we still be “even more sick of National”?
        Why do they still seem to equate not liking Labour with voting National – after 5 MMP elections?

        I agree with you coolas, what a bunch of smug useless tossers.

        • Colonial Viper 5.3.1.1
          1 November 2011 at 11:55 pm

          journalists with 3 year old mental ages have no memory of what John Key promised even 6 months ago, let alone what happened in 1972-1975.

    • Fila Hope 5.4
      1 November 2011 at 11:44 pm

      WE are the new media..

    • Maggie May 5.5
      7 November 2011 at 9:15 am

      The media want a National government elected so they are not reporting in the interests of the country they are reporting in their interests.

      National voters walk into a polling booth and vote National because they only care about themselves thereby forfeiting any right to ask others to care about them.

  6. Afewknowthetruth 6
    1 November 2011 at 11:29 am

    Labour shouldn’t be bosting about how much wealth they squandered on infrastructure that will have no utility in the near future.

    As peak oil bites ever harder, the billions of dollars spent on roads will be seen as one of the greatest misallocations of resources in history (along with airports)….. a bit like the people on Easter Island who were psychologically locked into building statues and were blind to the fact that they were destroying their life support systems; that particular population collapsed via canniballism.

    A bit further down the track, when the grid fails, the billions of dollars spent on rail systems in Auckland will be seen as a horrendous waste of resources.

    The truth takes a while to leak past guardians of dysfuntion and the censorship that takes place in western societies, of course, but eventually the tide of collapse becomes too great to be concealed:

    ‘The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) slashed its growth forecasts for some of the world’s biggest economies and said “without decisive action the outlook is gloomy”.

    Decisive action? What a joke! The clowns and criminals who call themsleves our leaders are looting the till as fast as they can while there is still something left to loot and are setting up their bolt holes in preparation for the meltdown that is not ar off now. Meanwhile, they con the masses into believing that unsustainable debt levels can be sustained by additional loans that increase the debt levels.

    The exact timing for the collapse of industrial civilisation cannot be determined precisely, of course, but a good guideline would be the end of economic growth by 2012 and ‘pretty much all over’ for most industrial economies by around 2020.

    I guess the submitters and most of the commenters on The Standard will keep playing the game -of focusing on distractions and ignoring reality- for as long as they can.

    • shreddakj 6.1
      1 November 2011 at 12:01 pm

      @Afewknowthetruth

      Ignoring reality? Tell that to the folk over on the right wing, us proud liberals are all for alternative energy sources. Labour pretty much wants to stop drilling deep sea oil, don’t even get me started on the Greens, you probably couldn’t find a more pro-alternative-energy party in the southern hemisphere. Get down off your conspiracy horse and come back to reality.

    • Colonial Viper 6.2
      1 November 2011 at 12:30 pm

      A bit further down the track, when the grid fails, the billions of dollars spent on rail systems in Auckland will be seen as a horrendous waste of resources.

      NZ is excellent at keeping its grid operating with 1950’s and 1960’s technology.

    • Draco T Bastard 6.3
      1 November 2011 at 1:04 pm

      A bit further down the track, when the grid fails,

      The grid won’t fail in NZ. We have the resources and expertise to maintain it indefinitely. It may be more constrained but it won’t fail.

      The present financial/ownership/economic model doesn’t work but that doesn’t mean that we can’t maintain an industrial society that is sustainable. We just have to cut back on what we take from the environment and also get rid of profit.

      • insider 6.3.1
        1 November 2011 at 1:09 pm

        Of course the grid can fail. Any grid can if put under enough stress. NZ is more vulnerable because of the long and stringy nature meaning we don’t have many alternative pathways for power. It’s a surprise it doesn’t fail more often. No it won’t collapse long term unless we have a societal collapse, but then neither will most things.

        • Draco T Bastard 6.3.1.1
          1 November 2011 at 2:04 pm

          Well, I suppose NAct could get back in and do more cost cutting and maintenance will therefore not be done and so the grid could fail, yes. But if we don’t vote in NAct and the government accepts reality rather than the present delusional economic paradigm then the grid has a chance of being maintained. As I said – we have the capability.

        • rail man 6.3.1.2
          6 November 2011 at 8:11 am

          yes of course it can fail, not for the demand placed on it for normal operations i.e if all the fleet was in one substation zone all at full power that this would represent half of the total capacity the line is capable of prviding but for incidents like wire strike at level crossings, infrastructure failing leading to derailed units taking out the overhead wire, power supply to ak fails due to over demand or other such incident similar to the hoist in Onehunga striking the HT wire leading to an Auckland wide blackout…

    • llamapajama 6.4
      1 November 2011 at 7:50 pm

      ‘…the billions of dollars spent on roads will be seen as one of the greatest misallocations of resources in history.’

      Uh, you realise National has upped its expenditure on new roads and simultaneously cut back on money for public transport, right?

      • Maggie May 6.4.1
        2 November 2011 at 2:56 pm

        You gotta remember these guys Stephen Joyce is giving roading contracts to are his mates, if there is going to be a failing economy you gotta protect your mates first, the workers are only there to pay for it..

    • mik e 6.5
      1 November 2011 at 8:25 pm

      A few I thought the world was ending according to your thruth the world has ended the share market and world banking collapsed and crashed beyond redemption god you would make a good National party leader making ridiculous claims Nov 1st and alls well that ends well

  7. Tigger 7
    1 November 2011 at 12:20 pm

    Time for BSA Election Programme complaint. Accuracy.

    • Draco T Bastard 7.1
      1 November 2011 at 1:06 pm

      Actually, that’s correct. It’s obvious false advertising and that is against the law.

      • Tigger 7.1.1
        1 November 2011 at 2:29 pm

        It’s misleading and it’s what the standard is there to stop. Can someone tell me when and where this has played on TV?

        • One Anonymous Bloke 7.1.1.1
          1 November 2011 at 2:37 pm

          Does it matter? They’ve posted it online – please don’t tell me the rules don’t apply to the interwebs.

  8. JS 8
    1 November 2011 at 12:26 pm

    Hopefully the Labour Party’s keyholes website will continue fact checking such Nat claims.

  9. Anthony 9
    1 November 2011 at 12:28 pm

    Too bad people will hear this and believe it…

  10. MrSmith 10
    1 November 2011 at 2:54 pm

    You really have to ask if the people running the National campaign are trying to sabotage it, winging it has worked fine till the spotlight has been brought to bare.
     
    This is going to turn out like the rugby world cup final, then I was being told by everyone we had it in the bag, all we had to do was show up (so I got on the french at 15-1 and almost cleaned up). 
     
    This election is shaping up the same way, silly mistakes will lose National the game, also you’d have to think Jinkskey believes what he has been reading in the paper.

  11. Chris S 11
    1 November 2011 at 6:23 pm

    Welp, I’ve sent a complaint to the Advertising Standards Authority. Let’s see if they rule on it.

  12. Sam 12
    1 November 2011 at 9:45 pm

    Got Michael Woodhouse’s campaign leaflet in the mail the other day. Top of the list for National’s achievements in Dunedin was keeping the neuro surgery unit. Another one to add to the list.

  13. jingyang 13
    1 November 2011 at 11:54 pm

    I’ve left a comment on youtube regarding this video, but it has to be accepted 🙂 so I don’t think they’ll let it through.

    I’ve also flagged it as inappropriate under “mass advertising” “misleading text”.

  14. Jamie 14
    2 November 2011 at 11:56 am

    I agree with what the article is saying, and most of the comments, but have you ever heard of proof reading and spell checking? This goes for the comments as well. In just a quick read of the article I spotted two pretty obvious errors, and the comments from you lot are chock-a-block full of spelling errors. It detracts from your argument if you cant even spell properly guys and girls.

    • MrSmith 14.1
      2 November 2011 at 3:59 pm

      Lightin up Jamie.

      • Vicky32 14.1.1
        6 November 2011 at 4:33 pm

        Although she/he does have a point! If I can make sure I make no/zero/zip/nada spelling and grammar errors, anyone can! It’s not that hard… (on second thoughts, maybe it is for native New Zealanders, but compared to cooking for instance, it’s a doddle…)

  15. Greg 15
    2 November 2011 at 1:12 pm

    Here’s my complaint to the ASA:

    “The ad breaches Rule 2 and is misleading.

    It shows images of infrastructure planned, consented, funded and mostly completed under Labour — while John Key’s voice asserts “National is building world-class infrastructure… better roads and rail”.

    A detailed breakdown of the projects can be found here: http://thestandard.org.nz/nats-ad-claims-credit-for-labs-infrastructure/

    Claiming someone else’s work as your own is substantially misleading. Any reasonable person without sufficient knowledge of the details would look at these images and form the impression all of the projects shown in the ad “belong” to National — giving no credit to the party that actually did the work, while implying National has been much more productive (in terms of infrastructure) than it actually has been.

    I believe this ad breaches RULE 2: Truthful Presentation – Advertisements should not contain any statement or visual presentation or create an overall impression which directly or by implication, omission, ambiguity or exaggerated claim is misleading or deceptive, is likely to deceive or mislead the consumer, makes false and misleading representation, abuses the trust of the consumer or exploits his/her lack of experience or knowledge. (Obvious hyperbole, identifiable as such, is not considered to be misleading).”

    • Greg 15.1
      2 November 2011 at 1:28 pm

      Seems the BSA should be involved. It handles “election programmes” which “typically consist of paid advertisements for political parties or candidates” (http://www.bsa.govt.nz/general-guidance/)

      Use this form: http://www.bsa.govt.nz/privacy-or-election-programmes-complaint/

      Here’s my objection. Copy and paste at will.

      “This election programme in the form of a paid advertisement for the National Party is fundamentally misleading.

      It shows images of infrastructure planned, consented, funded and mostly completed under Labour — while John Key’s voice asserts “National is building world-class infrastructure… better roads and rail”.

      Claiming someone else’s work as your own is substantially misleading. Any reasonable person without sufficient knowledge of the details would look at these images and form the impression all of the projects shown in the ad “belong” to National — giving no credit to the party that actually did the work, while implying National has been much more productive (in terms of infrastructure) than it actually has been.

      A detailed breakdown of the projects can be found here: http://thestandard.org.nz/nats-ad-claims-credit-for-labs-infrastructure/

      I believe this ad breaches Standards P6 (balance – does not allow for Labour’s contribution), P7 (fairness – uses Labour’s work to portray National in an unfairly positive light) and P8 (accuracy – it is simply inaccurate to show projects developed to completion under Labour as being somehow National’s achievements).”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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