Nats endorse Goff for mayor?

Written By: - Date published: 11:10 am, October 9th, 2015 - 62 comments
Categories: auckland supercity, local government, phil goff - Tags: , , ,

The NBR reckons the Nats are tacitly endorsing Phil Goff for mayor of Auckland. Text (from the image below) reads:

Ms Simpson is the chair woman of the right-leaning Orakei board and is active in the community. It is believed she and Mr Goff would make a team acceptable to the National party…

The National party is apparently giving tacit approval to Mr Goff’s mayoral campaign. Finance Minister Bill English is understood to have told an insider they are keen on Mr Goff because he can be controlled.

Unlike Labour and the Greens, the National party won’t promote candidates for local body elections and the de facto Nats’ organisation Citizens and Ratepayers has retired its name and partisan politics. …

62 comments on “Nats endorse Goff for mayor? ”

  1. Matthew Hooton 1

    The NBR is correct. There are many links between Goff and National at present.

    • John Shears 1.1

      Ah!!!!!! straight from the trojan horse’s mouth must be the truth.

    • Foreign waka 1.2

      Phil Geoff never was left leaning, never. He joined the labor party when he was very young, almost a school leaver really but progressed to be the #1 fan of Rodger Douglas championed deregulation and free trade – to this day seemingly. Perhaps he is being endorsed because he is all for the TPPA?
      Often forgotten is that he was part of the coup that tried to oust Helen Clark.
      Perhaps many people don’t really remember him and his actions in the past but it always pays to know what one votes for.

  2. Why not? He is as neo-liberal as they come and will be a staunch supporter of the housing bubblers and corporate pirates who will descent on Auckland after the TPPA has been ratified!

    • AmaKiwi 2.1

      I want to know where Goff stands on TPPA. I suspect it might be the same as Helen Clark’s position.

  3. Stephen 3

    Penny Hulse it is then.

    • dukeofurl 3.1

      The AG report into the murky deals done by her during the dying months of the Waitakere Council will put a halt to any of her ambitions.

      [Deleted – you don’t say this sort of thing without concrete proof – MS]

      • dukeofurl 3.1.1

        I didnt want to suggest there was anything personal in Waitakere Citys actions, and of course Penny is a very capable and hard working Deputy mayor.
        But here are some of the areas the AG is looking at:

        Auditor-General Lyn Provost has begun an inquiry into Auckland Council’s involvement in a new town centre at Westgate, which is costing ratepayers about $200 million.

        “Among the concerns and allegations raised with the Auditor-General are ratepayer cash being used to purchase Westgate Rd through the current Westgate Shopping Centre for about $7 million, the council buying assets to help NZRPG’s financial position to start construction early and NZRPG receiving a council-funded project management fee of 8.5 per cent when the going rate was about 4 per cent.

        The Auditor-General has been told the council paid $1000sq m for Westgate Rd that should have been vested free to the council and a “high” price of $630sq m to buy land for the library and town centre.
        http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11394446
        Its the Herald of course so we have to take into account they get A LOT WRONG in what is their home patch- go figure what that says about their accountability, accuracy.

        [That’s better – MS]

        • Sacha 3.1.1.1

          Orsman, therefore angle not to be relied on. Phrases like “ratepayer cash” also suggest this was fed to him by the local Act branch and/or Brewer.

        • savenz 3.1.1.2

          +1 – the council should NOT be dabbling in Westgate!

  4. maui 4

    Its a shame they don’t want a superhero in there.

  5. dukeofurl 5

    This will get the local wingnuts from both sides in a lather.

    I dont know about ‘tacitlly endorse’ ,what ever that means.

    I cant see the CR heavies going for him. The Slater clique ran with a pop up candidate last time, and I think the so called disinterest is just a way of clearing the ground for John Banks ( and his money) or his personally approved proxy.

    My pick is that Michelle Boag is behind AT Chairman Lester Levy going in as a ‘non political’ choice.

    • Sacha 5.1

      “John Banks (and his money) or his personally approved proxy”

      Banks has no power to approve anything – he always did what he was told to by the C&R bosses like David Hay.

      • tracey 5.1.1

        this ^^^^^^

      • dukeofurl 5.1.2

        David hay certainly ran the show as far as councillors were concerned, but he has been out of the picture for some time.
        Notice Banks got himself into big trouble over his fundraising for mayoral race last time, so its a personal effort on his part , not in any way beholden to Hay.
        Banks still has his fingers in the pie, Im sure his money helped the Slaters ( who hes long been close to) fund Palino. Will be same next time around, his influence will be felt if he doesnt run.

    • Ad 5.2

      Lester has far more political power as Chair of Auckland Transport, Chair of Waitemata Health board and Chair of Auckland Health Board, than he would ever have as Mayor. Between those three, he has far more Ministerial and Prime Ministerial access than a mere mayor.

      All Mayors – even the Auckland one – are treated with complete patrician contempt by Ministers.

      The power in New Zealand is no longer primarily in the elected Mayors and Ministers, it’s in the CCO and Crown Company Chairs, and the entity Chief Executives.

      Lester Levy understands this, and will never enter the realm of politics directly.

  6. Sacha 6

    “the de facto Nats’ organisation Citizens and Ratepayers has retired its name”

    just re-branded as ‘Community and Residents’, but still the same penny-pinching dullards that C&R have always been.

    • tracey 6.1

      snap

    • mickysavage 6.2

      Yep they are contesting the electricity trust elections as we speak

      • Visubversa 6.2.1

        And they had billboards up 3 weeks before City Vision. Plenty of $$$ to pay contractors to do it.

        • tracey 6.2.1.1

          At least 3 weeks… I began to think I had missed a year and it was mayor elections already.

          • alwyn 6.2.1.1.1

            Horrible isn’t it?
            I start getting the feeling that we are heading toward the US system of permanent campaigning. The Presidential election seems to have been running for years already and it is still 13 months before the election.

            On the other hand that may be better than the Singapore method where the Government announces the date of the election, and the electoral boundaries and electorate sizes (number of MPs in each one) only about 9 days before the election.
            It makes it pretty well impossible for opposition parties which is, of course, the reason they do it.

            • millsy 6.2.1.1.1.1

              How many MP’s does Singapore have.

              From what I understand, it can be dropped into the land area between New Plymouth, Waitara and Inglewood without even touching the sides…

    • dukeofurl 6.3

      Youre half right- CR brand still works for them in the central isthmus, but isnt any use in the greater Auckland area.

      Noelene Raffils tried to call herself some sort of CR and Community Independent last time and lost. She even ditched the blue for orange.

      The so called Ratepayers Alliance (ARA), really a group of property investors likely has links with CR.
      CR will use the ARA to back CR friendly candidates outside isthmus wards next elections

      • Sacha 6.3.1

        Isn’t the ‘Ratepayers Alliance’ connected with libertarians in Act and National like their Taxpayers Onion parent group? Not likely to appeal to many.

  7. tracey 7

    “Unlike Labour and the Greens, the National party won’t promote candidates for local body elections and the de facto Nats’ organisation Citizens and Ratepayers has retired its name and partisan politics. …”

    Citizens and Ratepayers has change dits name but its website refers to its history. As for the above paragraph it should read

    Unlike Labour and the Greens, the National party won’t openly promote candidates for local body elections preferring to do it in a duplicitous manner and the de facto Nats’ organisation Citizens and Ratepayers has renamed itself to divert attention from its right wing partisan politics. …

  8. Tiger Mountain 8

    Goff would make a reasonable Mayor compared to many others, but he would not even need to be captured by the business lobby, he is already there

    this type of headline and speculation makes it more and more obvious that a new “Minto for Mayor” type candidate is needed–a clear difference
    –Free public transport
    –slash the $100,000 plus salaries
    –sit the CCOs on their arses and make them transparent and accountable on pain of dismissal
    –clear positions on favouring public transport vs more roads
    –a Living Wage City

    right wing candidates blather on about rate increases but you can count on them both increasing non commercial rates and flogging off the ports and anything else not nailed down

    • Ad 8.1

      How many sad re-runs of the Mana Party, or the Cunliffe 2014 disaster, does the hard left need to learn the hard lesson of electable politics in New Zealand?

  9. Bearded Git 9

    From memory I think Goff came out against the silly “single wharf” Auckland Council compromise. That makes him a considerably better bet than Brown.

    The whole wharf-thing fell apart in the High Court anyway. Does anyone out there know what is happening now on the wharf issue?

    • dukeofurl 9.1

      Ports has dropped the whole thing now. The board and management who pushed it a few years back have moved on.

  10. Sanctuary 10

    I would have thought having a Boag-aligned faction of the Auckland National party endorsing a Labour politician for mayor rather than the possibility of allowing the sort of creature the dirty politics Whaleoil/Collins faction might come up with run with any sort of a chance of winning says volumes about how hopelessly split the National party is in Auckland than anything about Labour in particular.

    • tracey 10.1

      Fair comment. I hope Goff takes advantage of their support and then proves them (and me) wrong by being a mayor that isn’t beholden to economics/business alone.

    • Brendon Harre -Left wing Liberal 10.2

      Agreed. It could be worse. Maybe even Phil Goff is a Trojan Horse for the left playing a long game to finally undermine Neo-Liberalism in Auckland. Please don’t too many people laugh…

    • tc 10.3

      Or how powerless the mayor actually is under nacts supercity structure and also consider that on his day (not that he’s had many lately) Goff is very effective against the gov’t so potentially removes him from that theatre.

      This is national we’re talking about here where it’s look after your mates and keep your enemies closer.

    • Stephen 10.4

      The Collins faction heading right. Everyone else heading centre-left

  11. Stuart Munro 11

    I always thought he was foreign affairs – and like McCully, better seen from a distance. Cleaner than McCully – but that’s not much of a recommendation

  12. Tory 12

    Nats endorsing (perhaps) Goff?, so what. Mayor only has 1 vote and is only a mouthpiece for council. Why do I not hear voices of support for Len from this site, is it the philandering was even too much for the Left?

    • One Anonymous Bloke 12.1

      At least he isn’t held in quite as much contempt as ratfuckers Slater, Wewege and Palino. They’re all yours.

    • Tiger Mountain 12.2

      not sticking up for the wharfies at POA did it for this voter, Len has straddled the left/right divide on council and been substantially captured by the shadowy Auckland business lobby, his personal life actually turned into a plus–exposing Pallino, Wewege and Slaters senior and junior for the sleazes they are

      • Atiawa 12.2.1

        Brown has as much politics as Goff. But Goff needs to exit. Jacinda would be a great mayoral candidate & Auckland Mayor. Was it Kitts who held Wellingtons Mayoral chains and was Centrals MP?

        Jacinda for Mayor.

  13. Penny Bright 13

    Where does Phil Goff stand on the, in my opinion, mechanism for the corporate takeover of the Auckland region, unelected Council (Corporate) Controlled Organisations (CCOs)?

    Where does Phil Goff stand on citizens and ratepayers lawful rights to ‘open, transparent and democratically accountable’ local government?

    I’ve put my freehold home on the line, to defend citizens and ratepayers LAWFUL rights to transparent and democratically accountable’ local government.

    What’s Phil Goff done?

    In my opinion, Phil Goff might keep his pants on in the Ngati Whatua room – but apart from that, nothing will fundamentally change in this ‘Supercity’ (for the 1%).

    Penny Bright

    Confirmed 2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate

    • Naki man 13.1

      “I’ve put my freehold home on the line, to defend citizens and ratepayers LAWFUL rights to transparent and democratically accountable’ local government.”

      Do you know what “freehold” means???

    • alwyn 13.2

      “What’s Phil Goff done?”
      I believe he has paid his rates.

  14. Penny Bright 14

    Where does Phil Goff stand on the TPPA?

    Penny Bright

    • Sacha 14.1

      What power does the Auckland Mayor have over the TPP? Or the supercity legislation which decreed CCOs, for that matter? Wrong target.

  15. mpledger 15

    As if Geoff is ever going to forgive the right for the way the Nats and the GSB screwed him at the second to last election.

    It’s a pity he didn’t do a Jon Stephenson to them.

  16. Mike the Savage One 16

    The present situation in this country, and also in Auckland, leaves me close to despair. Now I read this that the Nats are inclined to support Phil Goff as new mayor for Auckland. This proves to be the quiet alliance that we have, between the farcical “left” in Parliament and the government we have. There are only some differences, and when looking at the right wing of Labour, where Goff has clearly been for many years, the lines of division are very blurred. Goff I once felt inclined to support as MP when I once lived in his electorate, that is very many years ago.

    Many years have passed, and I now consider him to be an utter hypocrite, hence he not surprisingly led Labour to their defeat in 2011, as few gave him much credit.

    He is now a senior, on the back benches so to say, and so he is looking for a nice pre-retirement job, and that one as mayor would just suit him nicely, as it is also a chance of running the city he lives in and claims to care about.

    After the Rodney Hide created Super City, that was though already planned and anticipated by Labour before the Nat government of 2008, we have a situation here that resembles more of a dictatorship than a true democracy. I follow Council affairs and the PAUP hearings, and what I see and read is shocking and dreadful. The agenda is dominated by business and developers, in cooperation with Council, more or less, to create the city of the future, ordinary citizens getting little voice at all.

    So Phil wants to take over the heritage of one failed Len Brown, the mayor of dominance of Council, of the Supercity, hell bent on growth for growth’s sake, well connected to big and middle business, happy to work with the Committee for Auckland, also full of pro business and private enterprise, laissez faire supporters and lobbyists, and I can really see where that journey will take us.

    The ordinary citizen is already very disconnected, has no trust or hope, or otherwise simply sheepishly follows the idiocy propagated by Council and the developer and business lobby. We have no democracy, as the ones that are supposed to make up Auckland have no real voice anymore, yes most do not even bother anymore, they simply let others make decisions and they are just focused on their personal affairs and advantages or whatever interests.

    A new report has proved that the present Auckland population and way the city is run, with industry, transport, and much else, is polluting water, rivers, lakes, streams, the air, and is putting resources under stress. The RMA is planned to be under further review by Central Government, and with endless growth, we can say goodbye to “the most lieveable city in the world”, I guess. But who cares, it is all about growth, business, population, no matter what, we are told, we need growth, as when growth stalls, there will be disaster. Tell me though about the damned disaster we will have with this damned unabated, relentless growth agenda?

    But as I read many comments on this blog, most seem only concerned with side issues or rather personal feel good issues or with ridiculing John Key.

    Perhaps it is time to get damned serious about the future of this country and Auckland, and put all this political scheming aside, as I cannot see how Auckland will do any better with Goff, the front fighter for globalisation and free trade all over. He was one of the supporters of the disaster that has come to NZ, and that will yet bring the greater consequences to us, but signing all these FTAs, that will make us “better off”, they say, really?

    Any candidate for Auckland supported by Matthew Hooton must immediately be disqualified, due to this association, it is idiocy, if any of the so called “left” give Goff their support or vote.

    • Smilin 16.1

      of course all this keeping up with the Joneses is costly just to have basic infrastructure always in need the greater the city expands and we always need a new concept of governance that is nothing like any of the old ,new spin that keeps the now in vogue whether in the long run it will suffice, work in progress, but we must keep those damned lefties in check change their defiance of the inevitable adherence to the dream of of the right

    • Atiawa 16.2

      Mayor Jacinda. Jacinda for Mayor.

      I enjoyed your post Savage.

  17. North 17

    Persuasive, Mike The Savage. Hope not too much. Sad if so. Our institutions do not serve…..can’t say I don’t share your fear.

  18. Smilin 18

    Seems we live in an age where everything is happening and there’s never enough time money and energy to do what is required to address the issues in full so et moves like giant amoebae absorbing et and leaving partial results after devouring the most significant points of progress

  19. Tory 19

    MTSO, what a load speculative drivel, one minute newspapers like the NZH or the NBR are the devil incarnate, next minute you are lapping it all up as it suits your agenda. Why not stick to the Socialist Worker and save yourself all this angst?

    • Mike the Savage One 19.1

      ???What are you on about??? I do not get it, when did I declare NZH or NBR “the devil incarnate”? I think you have lost oversight over your physical and mental capabilities, as somehow it does not quite make sense, what I read, and what you direct at me and my comment.

  20. savenz 20

    Is there any ‘left’ candidates to vote for?

    The so called ‘left’ councillors are voting to cut down the Kauris’s and give away our Harbour.

    Phil Goff is not left. Although if the Nats are talking him as one of their own could be a strategy to lose him votes so someone even worse sails in.

    It’s like the 2014 general election again.

    • millsy 20.1

      He will be no different from Brown then, giving the right 90% of what they wanted. Why else could the right only find a has-been diner owner from NYC to take him on in ’13?

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    3 days ago
  • BRYCE EDWARDS: The vested interests shaping National Party policies
      Bryce Edwards writes – As the National Party gets closer to government, lobbyists and business interests will be lining up for influence and to get policies adopted. It’s therefore in the public interest to have much more scrutiny and transparency about potential conflicts of interests that ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • LINDSAY MITCHELL: A conundrum for those pushing racist dogma
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – The heavily promoted narrative, which has ramped up over the last six years, is that Maori somehow have special vulnerabilities which arise from outside forces they cannot control; that contemporary society fails to meet their needs. They are not receptive to messages and ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • CHRIS TROTTER:  The greater of two evils
    Not Labour: If you’re out to punish the government you once loved, then the last thing you need is to be shown evidence that the opposition parties are much, much worse.   Chris Trotter writes – THE GREATEST VIRTUE of being the Opposition is not being the Government. Only very ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to Sept 30
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:Labour presented a climate manifesto that aimed to claim the high ground on climate action vs National, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Litanies, articles of faith, and being a beneficiary
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past two weeks.Friday 29Play it, ElvisElection Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Litanies, articles of faith, and being a beneficiary
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past two weeks.Friday 29Play it, ElvisElection Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • The ‘Recession’ Has Been Called Off, But Some Households Are Still Struggling
    While the economy is not doing too badly in output terms, external circumstances are not favourable, and there is probably a sizeable group of households struggling because of rising interest rates.Last week’s announcement of a 0.9 percent increase in volume GDP for the June quarter had the commentariat backing down ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Climate Change: The wrong direction
    This week the International Energy Association released its Net Zero Roadmap, intended to guide us towards a liveable climate. The report demanded huge increases in renewable generation, no new gas or oil, and massive cuts to methane emissions. It was positive about our current path, but recommended that countries with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • “Racism” becomes a buzz word on the campaign trail – but our media watchdogs stay muzzled when...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Oh, dear.  We have nothing to report from the Beehive. At least, we have nothing to report from the government’s official website. But the drones have not gone silent.  They are out on the election campaign trail, busy buzzing about this and that in the hope ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • Play it, Elvis
    Election Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t have time for. You’re welcome, etc. Let us press on, etc. 1.  What did Christopher Luxon use to his advantage in ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Pure class warfare
    National unveiled its fiscal policy today, announcing all the usual things which business cares about and I don't. But it did finally tell us how National plans to pay for its handouts to landlords: by effectively cutting benefits: The biggest saving announced on Friday was $2b cut from the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Ask Me Anything about the week to Sept 29
    Photo by Anna Ogiienko on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session for paying subscribers about the week that was for an hour, including:duelling fiscal plans from National and Labour;Labour cutting cycling spending while accusing National of being weak on climate;Research showing the need for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 29-September-2023
    Welcome to Friday and the last one for September. This week in Greater Auckland On Monday, Matt highlighted at the latest with the City Rail Link. On Tuesday, Matt covered the interesting items from Auckland Transport’s latest board meeting agendas. On Thursday, a guest post from Darren Davis ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    5 days ago
  • Protest at Parliament: The Reunion.
    Brian’s god spoke to him. He, for of course the Lord in Tamaki’s mind was a male god, with a mighty rod, and probably some black leathers. He, told Brian - “you must put a stop to all this love, hope, and kindness”. And it did please the Brian.He said ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Labour cuts $50m from cycleway spending
    Labour is cutting spending on cycling infrastructure while still trying to claim the higher ground on climate. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Labour Government released a climate manifesto this week to try to claim the high ground against National, despite having ignored the Climate Commission’s advice to toughen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Greater Of Two Evils.
    Not Labour: If you’re out to punish the government you once loved, then the last thing you need is to be shown evidence that the opposition parties are much, much worse.THE GREATEST VIRTUE of being the Opposition is not being the Government. Only very rarely is an opposition party elected ...
    5 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #39 2023
    Open access notables "Net zero is only a distraction— we just have to end fossil fuel emissions." The latter is true but the former isn't, or  not in the real world as it's likely to be in the immediate future. And "just" just doesn't enter into it; we don't have ...
    5 days ago
  • Chris Trotter: Losing the Left
    IN THE CURRENT MIX of electoral alternatives, there is no longer a credible left-wing party. Not when “a credible left-wing party” is defined as: a class-oriented, mass-based, democratically-structured political organisation; dedicated to promoting ideas sharply critical of laissez-faire capitalism; and committed to advancing democratic, egalitarian and emancipatory ideals across the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    5 days ago
  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • Hipkins fires up in leaders’ debate, but has the curtain already fallen on the Labour-led coalitio...
    Labour’s  Chris Hipkins came out firing, in the  leaders’ debate  on Newshub’s evening programme, and most of  the pundits  rated  him the winner against National’s  Christopher Luxon. But will this make any difference when New  Zealanders  start casting their ballots? The problem  for  Hipkins is  that  voters are  all too ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    5 days ago
  • Govt is energising housing projects with solar power – and fuelling the public’s concept of a di...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Not long after Point of Order published data which show the substantial number of New Zealanders (77%) who believe NZ is becoming more divided, government ministers were braying about a programme which distributes some money to “the public” and some to “Maori”. The ministers were dishing ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • MIKE GRIMSHAW: Election 2023 – a totemic & charisma failure?
    The D&W analysis Michael Grimshaw writes –  Given the apathy, disengagement, disillusionment, and all-round ennui of this year’s general election, it was considered time to bring in those noted political operatives and spin doctors D&W, the long-established consultancy firm run by Emile Durkheim and Max Weber. Known for ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • FROM BFD: Will Winston be the spectre we think?
    Kissy kissy. Cartoon credit BoomSlang. The BFD. JC writes-  Allow me to preface this contribution with the following statement: If I were asked to express a preference between a National/ACT coalition or a National/ACT/NZF coalition then it would be the former. This week Luxon declared his position, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • California’s climate disclosure bill could have a huge impact across the U.S.
    This re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Andy Furillo was originally published by Capital & Main and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. The California Legislature took a step last week that has the potential to accelerate the fight against climate ...
    6 days ago
  • Untangling South East Queensland’s Public Transport
    This is a cross post Adventures in Transitland by Darren Davis. I recently visited Brisbane and South East Queensland and came away both impressed while also pondering some key changes to make public transport even better in the region. Here goes with my take on things. A bit of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    6 days ago
  • Try A Little Kindness.
    My daughter arrived home from the supermarket yesterday and she seemed a bit worried about something. It turned out she wanted to know if someone could get her bank number from a receipt.We wound the story back.She was in the store and there was a man there who was distressed, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • What makes NZFirst tick
    New Zealand’s longest-running political roadshow rolled into Opotiki yesterday, with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters knowing another poll last night showed he would make it back to Parliament and National would need him and his party if they wanted to form a government. The Newshub Reid Research poll ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago
  • September AMA
    Hi,As September draws to a close — I feel it’s probably time to do an Ask Me Anything. You know how it goes: If you have any burning questions, fire away in the comments and I will do my best to answer. You might have questions about Webworm, or podcast ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • Bludgers lying in the scratcher making fools of us all
    The mediocrity who stands to be a Prime Minister has a litany.He uses it a bit like a Koru Lounge card. He will brandish it to say: these people are eligible. And more than that, too: These people are deserving. They have earned this policy.They have a right to this policy. What ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • More “partnerships” (by the look of it) and redress of over $30 million in Treaty settlement wit...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point of Order has waited until now – 3.45pm – for today’s officially posted government announcements.  There have been none. The only addition to the news on the Beehive’s website was posted later yesterday, after we had published our September 26 Buzz report. It came from ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • ALEX HOLLAND: Labour’s spending
    Alex Holland writes –  In 2017 when Labour came to power, crown spending was $76 billion per year. Now in 2023 it is $139 billion per year, which equates to a $63 billion annual increase (over $1 billion extra spend every week!) In 2017, New Zealand’s government debt ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • If not now, then when?
    Labour released its fiscal plan today, promising the same old, same old: "responsibility", balanced books, and of course no new taxes: "Labour will maintain income tax settings to provide consistency and certainty in these volatile times. Now is not the time for additional taxes or to promise billions of ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • THE FACTS:  77% of Kiwis believe NZ is becoming more divided
    The Facts has posted –        KEY INSIGHTSOf New Zealander’s polled: Social unity/division 77%believe NZ is becoming more divided (42% ‘much more’ + 35% ‘a little more’) 3%believe NZ is becoming less divided (1% ‘much less’ + 2% ‘a little less’) ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the cynical brutality of the centre-right’s welfare policies
    The centre-right’s enthusiasm for forcing people off the benefit and into paid work is matched only by the enthusiasm (shared by Treasury and the Reserve Bank) for throwing people out of paid work to curb inflation, and achieve the optimal balance of workers to job seekers deemed to be desirable ...
    7 days ago
  • Wednesday’s Chorus: Arthur Grimes on why building many, many more social houses is so critical
    New research shows that tenants in social housing - such as these Wellington apartments - are just as happy as home owners and much happier than private tenants. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The election campaign took an ugly turn yesterday, and in completely the wrong direction. All three ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    7 days ago
  • Bennie Bashing.
    If there’s one thing the mob loves more than keeping Māori in their place, more than getting tough on the gangs, maybe even more than tax cuts. It’s a good old round of beneficiary bashing.Are those meanies in the ACT party stealing your votes because they think David Seymour is ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago
  • The kindest cuts
    Labour kicks off the fiscal credibility battle today with the release of its fiscal plan. National is expected to follow, possibly as soon as Thursday, with its own plan, which may (or may not) address the large hole that the problems with its foreign buyers’ ban might open up. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    7 days ago
  • Green right turn in Britain? Well, a start
    While it may be unlikely to register in New Zealand’s general election, Britain’s PM Rishi Sunak has done something which might just be important in the long run. He’s announced a far-reaching change in his Conservative government’s approach to environmental, and particularly net zero, policy. The starting point – ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    7 days ago
  • At a glance – How do human CO2 emissions compare to natural CO2 emissions?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    1 week ago
  • How could this happen?
    Canada is in uproar after the exposure that its parliament on September 22 provided a standing ovation to a Nazi veteran who had been invited into the chamber to participate in the parliamentary welcome to Ukrainian President Zelensky. Yaroslav Hunka, 98, a Ukrainian man who volunteered for service in ...
    1 week ago
  • Always Be Campaigning
    The big screen is a great place to lay out the ways of the salesman. He comes ready-made for Panto, ripe for lampooning.This is not to disparage that life. I have known many good people of that kind. But there is a type, brazen as all get out. The camera ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • Youth justice programme expands to break cycle of offending
    The successful ‘Circuit Breaker’ fast track programme designed to stop repeat youth offending was launched in two new locations today by Children’s Minister Kelvin Davis. The programme, first piloted in West and South Auckland in December last year, is aimed at children aged 10-13 who commit serious offending or continue ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago
  • Major milestone with 20,000 employers using Apprenticeship Boost
    The Government’s Apprenticeship Boost initiative has now supported 20,000 employers to help keep on and train up apprentices, Minister for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni announced in Christchurch today. Almost 62,000 apprentices have been supported to start and keep training for a trade since the initiative was introduced in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Government supporting wood processing jobs and more diverse industry
    The Government is supporting non-pine tree sawmilling and backing further job creation in sawmills in Rotorua and Whangarei, Forestry Minister Peeni Henare said.   “The Forestry and Wood Processing Industry Transformation Plan identified the need to add more diversity to our productions forests, wood products and markets,” Peeni Henare said. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago
  • Government backing Canterbury’s future in aerospace industry
    The Government is helping Canterbury’s aerospace industry take off with further infrastructure support for the Tāwhaki Aerospace Centre at Kaitorete, Infrastructure Minister Dr Megan Woods has announced. “Today I can confirm we will provide a $5.4 million grant to the Tāwhaki Joint Venture to fund a sealed runway and hangar ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago
  • Updated forestry regulations increase council controls and require large slash removal
    Local councils will have more power to decide where new commercial forests – including carbon forests – are located, to reduce impacts on communities and the environment, Environment Minister David Parker said today. “New national standards give councils greater control over commercial forestry, including clear rules on harvesting practices and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago
  • New Zealand resumes peacekeeping force leadership
    New Zealand will again contribute to the leadership of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, with a senior New Zealand Defence Force officer returning as Interim Force Commander. Defence Minister Andrew Little and Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta have announced the deployment of New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • New national direction provides clarity for development and the environment
    The Government has taken an important step in implementing the new resource management system, by issuing a draft National Planning Framework (NPF) document under the new legislation, Environment Minister David Parker said today. “The NPF consolidates existing national direction, bringing together around 20 existing instruments including policy statements, standards, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Government shows further commitment to pay equity for healthcare workers
    The Government welcomes the proposed pay equity settlement that will see significant pay increases for around 18,000 Te Whatu Ora Allied, Scientific, and Technical employees, if accepted said Health Minister Ayesha Verrall. The proposal reached between Te Whatu Ora, the New Zealand Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • 100 new public EV chargers to be added to national network
    The public EV charging network has received a significant boost with government co-funding announced today for over 100 EV chargers – with over 200 charging ports altogether – across New Zealand, and many planned to be up and running on key holiday routes by Christmas this year. Minister of Energy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Safeguarding Tuvalu language and identity
    Tuvalu is in the spotlight this week as communities across New Zealand celebrate Vaiaso o te Gagana Tuvalu – Tuvalu Language Week. “The Government has a proven record of supporting Pacific communities and ensuring more of our languages are spoken, heard and celebrated,” Pacific Peoples Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Many ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • New community-level energy projects to support more than 800 Māori households
    Seven more innovative community-scale energy projects will receive government funding through the Māori and Public Housing Renewable Energy Fund to bring more affordable, locally generated clean energy to more than 800 Māori households, Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods says. “We’ve already funded 42 small-scale clean energy projects that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Huge boost to Te Tai Tokerau flood resilience
    The Government has approved new funding that will boost resilience and greatly reduce the risk of major flood damage across Te Tai Tokerau. Significant weather events this year caused severe flooding and damage across the region. The $8.9m will be used to provide some of the smaller communities and maraes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Napier’s largest public housing development comes with solar
    The largest public housing development in Napier for many years has been recently completed and has the added benefit of innovative solar technology, thanks to Government programmes, says Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods. The 24 warm, dry homes are in Seddon Crescent, Marewa and Megan Woods says the whanau living ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Te Whānau a Apanui and the Crown initial Deed of Settlement I Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me...
    Māori: Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna te Whakaaetanga Whakataunga Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna i tētahi Whakaaetanga Whakataunga hei whakamihi i ō rātou tāhuhu kerēme Tiriti o Waitangi. E tekau mā rua ngā hapū o roto mai o Te Whānau ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Plan for 3,000 more public homes by 2025 – regions set to benefit
    Regions around the country will get significant boosts of public housing in the next two years, as outlined in the latest public housing plan update, released by the Housing Minister, Dr Megan Woods. “We’re delivering the most public homes each year since the Nash government of the 1950s with one ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Immigration settings updates
    Judicial warrant process for out-of-hours compliance visits 2023/24 Recognised Seasonal Employer cap increased by 500 Additional roles for Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement More roles added to Green List Three-month extension for onshore Recovery Visa holders The Government has confirmed a number of updates to immigration settings as part of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Poroporoaki: Tā Patrick (Patu) Wahanga Hohepa
    Tangi ngunguru ana ngā tai ki te wahapū o Hokianga Whakapau Karakia. Tārehu ana ngā pae maunga ki Te Puna o te Ao Marama. Korihi tangi ana ngā manu, kua hinga he kauri nui ki te Wao Nui o Tāne. He Toa. He Pou. He Ahorangi. E papaki tū ana ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Renewable energy fund to support community resilience
    40 solar energy systems on community buildings in regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and other severe weather events Virtual capability-building hub to support community organisations get projects off the ground Boost for community-level renewable energy projects across the country At least 40 community buildings used to support the emergency response ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • COVID-19 funding returned to Government
    The lifting of COVID-19 isolation and mask mandates in August has resulted in a return of almost $50m in savings and recovered contingencies, Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. Following the revocation of mandates and isolation, specialised COVID-19 telehealth and alternative isolation accommodation are among the operational elements ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Appointment of District Court Judge
    Susie Houghton of Auckland has been appointed as a new District Court Judge, to serve on the Family Court, Attorney-General David Parker said today.  Judge Houghton has acted as a lawyer for child for more than 20 years. She has acted on matters relating to the Hague Convention, an international ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Government invests further in Central Hawke’s Bay resilience
    The Government has today confirmed $2.5 million to fund a replace and upgrade a stopbank to protect the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant. “As a result of Cyclone Gabrielle, the original stopbank protecting the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant was destroyed. The plant was operational within 6 weeks of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Govt boost for Hawke’s Bay cyclone waste clean-up
    Another $2.1 million to boost capacity to deal with waste left in Cyclone Gabrielle’s wake. Funds for Hastings District Council, Phoenix Contracting and Hog Fuel NZ to increase local waste-processing infrastructure. The Government is beefing up Hawke’s Bay’s Cyclone Gabrielle clean-up capacity with more support dealing with the massive amount ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Taupō Supercars revs up with Government support
    The future of Supercars events in New Zealand has been secured with new Government support. The Government is getting engines started through the Major Events Fund, a special fund to support high profile events in New Zealand that provide long-term economic, social and cultural benefits. “The Repco Supercars Championship is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • There is no recession in NZ, economy grows nearly 1 percent in June quarter
    The economy has turned a corner with confirmation today New Zealand never was in recession and stronger than expected growth in the June quarter, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said. “The New Zealand economy is doing better than expected,” Grant Robertson said. “It’s continuing to grow, with the latest figures showing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Highest legal protection for New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs
    The Government has accepted the Environment Court’s recommendation to give special legal protection to New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs, Te Waikoropupū Springs (also known as Pupū Springs), Environment Minister David Parker announced today.   “Te Waikoropupū Springs, near Takaka in Golden Bay, have the second clearest water in New Zealand after ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • More support for victims of migrant exploitation
    Temporary package of funding for accommodation and essential living support for victims of migrant exploitation Exploited migrant workers able to apply for a further Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa (MEPV), giving people more time to find a job Free job search assistance to get people back into work Use of 90-day ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Strong export boost as NZ economy turns corner
    An export boost is supporting New Zealand’s economy to grow, adding to signs that the economy has turned a corner and is on a stronger footing as we rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle and lock in the benefits of multiple new trade deals, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. “The economy is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Funding approved for flood resilience work in Te Karaka
    The Government has approved $15 million to raise about 200 homes at risk of future flooding. More than half of this is expected to be spent in the Tairāwhiti settlement of Te Karaka, lifting about 100 homes there. “Te Karaka was badly hit during Cyclone Gabrielle when the Waipāoa River ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Further business support for cyclone-affected regions
    The Government is helping businesses recover from Cyclone Gabrielle and attract more people back into their regions. “Cyclone Gabrielle has caused considerable damage across North Island regions with impacts continuing to be felt by businesses and communities,” Economic Development Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Building on our earlier business support, this ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • New maintenance facility at Burnham Military Camp underway
    Defence Minister Andrew Little has turned the first sod to start construction of a new Maintenance Support Facility (MSF) at Burnham Military Camp today. “This new state-of-art facility replaces Second World War-era buildings and will enable our Defence Force to better maintain and repair equipment,” Andrew Little said. “This Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Foreign Minister to attend United Nations General Assembly
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will represent New Zealand at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this week, before visiting Washington DC for further Pacific focussed meetings. Nanaia Mahuta will be in New York from Wednesday 20 September, and will participate in UNGA leaders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago
  • Midwives’ pay equity offer reached
    Around 1,700 Te Whatu Ora employed midwives and maternity care assistants will soon vote on a proposed pay equity settlement agreed by Te Whatu Ora, the Midwifery Employee Representation and Advisory Service (MERAS) and New Zealand Nurses Association (NZNO), Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. “Addressing historical pay ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago
  • New Zealand provides support to Morocco
    Aotearoa New Zealand will provide humanitarian support to those affected by last week’s earthquake in Morocco, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. “We are making a contribution of $1 million to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to help meet humanitarian needs,” Nanaia Mahuta said. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago
  • Government invests in West Coast’s roading resilience
    The Government is investing over $22 million across 18 projects to improve the resilience of roads in the West Coast that have been affected by recent extreme weather, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed today.  A dedicated Transport Resilience Fund has been established for early preventative works to protect the state ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

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