Negative vs dirty

Written By: Steve Pierson - Date published: 7:13 pm, September 13th, 2008 - 69 comments
Categories: election 2008 - Tags:

There’s an important difference between negative campaigning and dirty tricks but it already seems the two are getting confused in the media.

Negative campaigning is saying bad things about your opponent that are at least arguably true (eg Clark saying Key was like a tourist at the South Auckland markets).

Dirty campaigning is knowingly telling lies about your opponent (eg the Bush campaign’s lies about McCain in 2000 for example), making attacks on personal issues ie. something that has nothing to do with your opponent’s policies or political persona (eg the attacks on Clark for not having children), or using an unethical practice (eg. telling different audiences contradictory things).

Dirty campaigning should be condemned. Negative campaigning is valid; it is part of contrasting your case for being elected with your opponent’s. It would be better if everyone could just make a positive argument for being elected but the pubic also deserves to know about candidates’ negatives and only their opposition (and, occasionally, the media) will tel us about them. Incidentally, Key says he will not run a negative campaign but does what you hear him say meet that promise? Indeed, every time he say he won’t run a negative campaign he is purposely accusing Labour of being negative. That’s an attack from Key in itself and its usually followed by more hackneyed negative lines about the Government.

While we’re on the topic, when Helen Clark said ‘hard hats on’ to Labour supporters, contrary to what the commentariat seem to think, that did not mean ‘get ready for a dirty campaign’. It meant ‘get ready to work hard’. I can see why someone who never has anything to do with manual labouring would get it wrong; they probably equate a hard hat with a military helmet, to be worn when shrapnel is flying. But working class people know you wear a hard hat when you’re on to a building site. ‘Hard hats on’ means ‘get to work’.

[Update: I didn’t think this was necessary but appearantly it is: I’m not claiming that either side has a monopoloy on employing dirty tricks.]

69 comments on “Negative vs dirty ”

Comments are now closed

Dean 1

13 September 2008 at 7:19 pm

“Negative campaigning is saying bad things about your opponent that are at least arguably true (eg Clark saying Key was like a tourist at the South Auckland markets).”

SP, perhaps Labour could buy 30 seconds of TV advertising to tell Nick Smith to “take his pills” in front of the nation. That would only be negative, not dirty right?

eg the attacks on Clark for not having children indeed.

Do you actually believe what you post?
r0b 2

13 September 2008 at 7:50 pm

I can think of another example of “dirty”. Dragging politician’s families through the gutter for personal amusement. That’s pretty dirty isn’t it Dean. How do you post in the thread “On morality” with a straight face?

Interesting post SP, nice clear distinction. It will be interesting to catalogue examples of both negative and dirty tactics as the campaign progresses.
Dean 3

13 September 2008 at 7:57 pm

“I can think of another example of “dirty’. Dragging politician’s families through the gutter for personal amusement. That’s pretty dirty isn’t it Dean. How do you post in the thread “On morality’ with a straight face?”

Much the same way as you do, r0b. You obviously think turn about is fair play or you wouldn’t defend Labour with such veracity. Which by the way is my new favourite word after your party’s ex favourite foreign bagman – sorry, generous philanthropist – used it so effectively this week.

A Labour party member calling someone to task over dirty politics. The irony is quite delicious.
r0b 4

13 September 2008 at 8:02 pm

Much the same way as you do, r0b.

We both know that’s a lie Dean, and you can’t cite a single example.

You obviously think turn about is fair play or you wouldn’t defend Labour with such veracity.

I defend Labour because they are the anchor of a left wing government for NZ, and that is what is best for the people and the environment of NZ. No other reason.
r0b 5

13 September 2008 at 8:08 pm

defend Labour with such veracity.

Incidentally – for the first and probably last time you are correct with that claim (albeit probably inadvertently).
Dean 6

13 September 2008 at 8:15 pm

“We both know that’s a lie Dean, and you can’t cite a single example.”

We both know you took one sentence from a paragraph and quoted it in isloation. Sorry, didn’t work. Besides:

“Incidentally – for the first and probably last time you are correct with that claim (albeit probably inadvertently).”

How about it, r0b? Should Nick Smith take his pills? Are Labour guilty of dirty politics?

Take your time. However if you prefer you can instead take a leaf out of SP’s book and call me a dick.
monkey boy 7

13 September 2008 at 8:30 pm

How about:
[03 September 2008
“Young people are a group I?m passionate about,? says Mr Key.
So is Gary Glitter.
Posted by Prog Blog at 1:19 PM]

Is that ‘arguably true’? Is this the common currency in ‘left blogs?’ say what you want about Key, as long as it is not an outright lie?

Set the ‘standard’ then wash your hands of it with semantics?
gobsmacked 8

13 September 2008 at 8:39 pm

Monkey-Boy: that would be a joke. Tasteless, perhaps, but nobody with a functioning brain would take it seriously.

As for the Nick Smith jibes, in the House people on National & Labour benches shout stuff at each other. Other parties too, I expect. Some of it isn’t very nice. It has never been any different. If you don’t believe that, start reading your history books. It’s a House of “Representatives”, warts and all.

Everybody who follows politics, and has been around longer than five minutes, knows this. So Dean, you can either play Sanctimonious Maximus, and pretend that It’s All The Other Lot’s Fault S’Not Fair S’Not Fair, or you can credit the rest of us with a bit of sense and stop … well, being a dick.

As for dirty campaigning, that’s another of those tedious “Let’s Ignore the Rest of the World” lines from the embarrassingly insular New Zealand media. Our elections are much cleaner than those in the USA, Australia and the UK, to name but three. Almost pristine by comparison.

John Key will get attacked in the campaign, not because of Dirty Tricks, but for a fully justified reason: he wants to run the country, and he’s not up to the job of Prime Minister. Actually he’s not up to a coherent English sentence.
r0b 9

13 September 2008 at 9:02 pm

We both know you took one sentence from a paragraph and quoted it in isloation.

Nothing in isolation Dean, your whole comment, one sentence, here it is:
http://www.thestandard.org.nz/?p=1454#comment-24082
Dean enjoys dragging politician’s families through the gutter for his own amusement. So he’s perhaps not the best person to comment on matters of morality, or pass judgement on dirty tactics.

(PS – look up “veracity” in a dictionary)
Pascal's bookie 10

13 September 2008 at 9:04 pm

MB, I won’t smear the entire right by pretending they are all as stupid as you. I’ll just ask you.

By what logic can one tasteless shitty post on one blog be representative of the entire left?

How is your comment not a smear on the left? Do you see comments like that one often from the left? How prominent? How much support do they get from lefties? Cites please, or an apology. Take your pick.

Compare that to whaleoil’s photoshops and the support he gets in comments from righties to his more disgusting posts. Or whoever that idiot was that photoshopped Clark’s head onto a hermaphrodite. Or the numerous blogs dedicated to the dycocracy conspiracy mongering, ably led by the popular publisher Ian Wishart.

Tarring ‘the left’ with that single unrepresentative post is an exact example of a dirty tactic.

So thanks for that.
Pascal's bookie 11

13 September 2008 at 9:25 pm

r0b

Thanks for that link, I miss AncientGeek’s comments. There was a righteous dude.

(PS – look up “veracity’ in a dictionary)

spoilsport 😉

I was looking forward to Dean’s uses of his new favorite word.
randal 12

13 September 2008 at 9:37 pm

what really annoys me is the pseuds in the media like fran mouldy who are continually projecting their own infantile id feelings onto the candiadates. Every second thing she says is a perjorative adjective. The electorate can do without these infantilised so called journalists delivering a subjective commentary on everyone they dont like.
mike 13

13 September 2008 at 9:39 pm

Negative or dirty.. depends how you say it really and the look on helens face when she insulted Key was telling.

She is getting very desperate and it was framed by TV1 as such.

The full page pics on the press this morning were priceless too – her dream team partner peters has really taken it out her these past weeks… and more to come apparently, blackjack anyone?
randal 14

13 September 2008 at 9:53 pm

mike that is a barefaced lie. you just heard fran mouldy say that on teevee tonight and until you can back up that assertion with any evidence then you are a liar just like mould.
Dean 15

13 September 2008 at 10:01 pm

“Everybody who follows politics, and has been around longer than five minutes, knows this. So Dean, you can either play Sanctimonious Maximus, and pretend that It’s All The Other Lot’s Fault S’Not Fair S’Not Fair, or you can credit the rest of us with a bit of sense and stop well, being a dick.”

I never said that Labour’s opposition weren’t as bad.

Why is everything an us vs them debate with you lefties? Reminds me of a schoolyard.

r0b:

“Nothing in isolation Dean, your whole comment, one sentence, here it is:
http://www.thestandard.org.nz/?p=1454#comment-24082
Dean enjoys dragging politician’s families through the gutter for his own amusement. So he’s perhaps not the best person to comment on matters of morality, or pass judgement on dirty tactics.”

Nothing in that comment suggested that I agreed with the way Davis has been treated, r0b. It’s not my fault your written comprehension is muddied by your political agenda. I was simply pointing out a truth – the left, such as yourself, like to be offended when such things are mentioned. Yet they’re perfectly capable of ignoring the same from their own bunch.

Which includes you at this point, seeing as you’re avoiding answering wether or not it’s acceptable for Labour MPs to tell Nick Smith to “take his pills”.

I actually expected better from you, but I suppose it is nearly election time so I might have to make some allowances.
MacDoctor 16

13 September 2008 at 10:02 pm

impressive piece of hair-splitting. Of course, it allows you free reign on anything that you consider to be true, regardless of whether it is provable or not.
randal 17

13 September 2008 at 10:13 pm

did you actually make any sense out of that macd? as far as I could see it was all yadda yadda yadda then nick smith take ya pills then a typical tory trick of looking down his nose and playing the paternal bestower on the WHOLE world. well dean should realise that Labour is here to make things fair for ‘all’ while the tories seek to appeal to a narrow base of grabbers and snatchits who can barely disguise their rapaciousness in their ultimately failed quest to get elected.
r0b 18

13 September 2008 at 10:35 pm

Nothing in that comment suggested that I agreed with the way Davis has been treated, r0b

You really are shameless Dean. First it was quoted out of context. Now it doesn’t mean what it means. Nothing in that comment? How about: “Highly amusing”. Hmmm. So anyway, while you’re giving lectures on morality, why not take a good long look in the mirror.

PB I miss AncientGeek’s comments. There was a righteous dude.

I feel like AG is still with us in spirit bookie!

I was looking forward to Dean’s uses of his new favorite word.

Damn you’re right – I shoulda let it run.
DeeDub 19

13 September 2008 at 10:36 pm

Dean:

“seeing as you’re avoiding answering wether or not it’s acceptable for Labour MPs to tell Nick Smith to “take his pills'”

“Why is everything an us vs them debate with you lefties? Reminds me of a schoolyard.”

I guess I’m one of these ‘lefties’ you keep talking about Dean, and I’m a newbie here, but I will say that I don’t think that kind of taunting is pleasing behaviour on either side. However, the fact that people are so passionate about their political beliefs will always lead to a certain amount of name-calling and point scoring. I would think it naive in the extreme to expect otherwise come campaign time.

Either way I’m voting Labour for their policies and you’re probably voting for one of the blue or yellow lot….

But hey, we agree that name calling is not nice. So count me out of the schoolyard.
monkey boy 20

13 September 2008 at 10:41 pm

I think that some authors on The Standard have been campaigning on a negative/dirty tightrope since its inception last August. I also think that if what has so far passed for ‘negative’ is anything to go by, there is more of the same in the pipeline. There is going to be a concerted effort to intensify the negative/dirty campaigning between now and the election, at least.
Now you can put lipstick on it, and dress it up with a neat little speech about ‘negative/versus dirty, hell you can even put a purdy pink chiffon on it, douse it in Chanel No. 5 and call it Gertrude. It is still a pig.
The post we are discussing is an indication that, as unpleasant and morally compromised as some may feel about the unrelenting shit-fest they are about to unleash, even they have consciences. So there is a chink of light breaking through the turds. But it also renders the post a flip-flop of ethical equivocation. Previous evidence indicates a concerted strategy to destroy Key’s credibility which is only going to get nastier – sorry – ‘dirtier’ – sorry – ‘negativer’. Key has said he will not campaign dirty, but you have indicated you will, but just offer the defence that you are merely being ‘negative’. You just lack the courage of your convictions, that is all.
It could be argued.
Paul Robeson 21

13 September 2008 at 10:57 pm

She’s a great prime minister. She’s worth twice what Key is.
randal 22

13 September 2008 at 11:00 pm

well if you want to arguer about all that stuff please go somewhere else. this is a serious blog for people to express their point of viw on the subjects put forward by the keepers of the flame. it is theirs just like anything of yours is yours. if you dont like take a hike.
Robin Grieve 23

13 September 2008 at 11:01 pm

Politics has only really got dirty since Helen Clark took the helm, Cancerous and corrosive are her words I think. It is also another example of the arrogence of the left to accuse others of doing something when they are doing it all the time.eg accusing the Nats on the priveleges commitee for having an agenda as if the Labour MPs don’t, do me a favour what were all the patsy questions. “do you think you could have been talking to his brother Wayne Peters?” What a joke. Well done to the Standard in trying to defend the indefensible.

[lprent: The Standard is a program and has no opinions. There are about 12 people that write articles here, who often have differing opinions. Address it to one of them. ]
Paul Robeson 24

13 September 2008 at 11:05 pm

It has been great to have a prime minister who has put the interests of the country first, and played a coy game- not swinging in behind any of the zealous foreign policy positions of our era, but not neglecting our duty or interests either.

So she signed a painting for charity. It was for charity, and she’s busy.

Key the other week on Ashcroft- I think someone in National met him. Knowing full well ‘Actually it was me and he has just left’.
Paul Robeson 25

13 September 2008 at 11:07 pm

Robin- what do the Nats stand for and who do they represent?

Who is going to benefit from ACC being privatised or ‘opened to competition, apart from Australian insurers and lawyers?

That is the difference between Labour and National.
gobsmacked 26

13 September 2008 at 11:12 pm

Monkey-Boy

Dirty campaigning? Read your own blog. Look up “hypocrite” in your dictionary. Then look in the mirror.

Robin

Politics has only really got dirty since Helen Clark took the helm

Utter rubbish. Ever heard of Muldoon?
Paul Robeson 27

13 September 2008 at 11:12 pm

Iwi/Kiwi

This is cancerous and corrosive.
r0b 28

13 September 2008 at 11:32 pm

I guess I’m one of these â€˜lefties’ you keep talking about Dean, and I’m a newbie here, but I will say that I don’t think that kind of taunting is pleasing behaviour on either side.

Hi DeeDub, welcome aboard. Nice to welcome a newbie – I’ve been here too long.

Yes, agreed, I think that particular incident went over the line. Labour have been running the Government for 9 years, and although their record is excellent, it isn’t perfect.

But compare the occasional stupid comment (Labour) with, as Paul Robeson rightly points out, Orewa and Iwi/Kiwi and the like. Compare it with The Hollow Men. Compare it with running a deliberately deceptive Labour Lite facade to try and conceal your secret agenda and get yourself elected. Compare it with what National will do to this country if they do manage to deceive their way in to government…
higherstandard 29

14 September 2008 at 6:41 am

r0b

You were starting to froth in your last paragraph.

Nice to see everyone forming into two lines on this post and shouting at each other bit like parliament at question time.

Clinton was right with his view that the get your hard hats comment by the PM meant that she wanted people to get to work but her speech on Friday in my opinion suggests that this years campaigning for the political parties is going to be characterised by playing on peoples fears, smears and character assassination.

As gobsmacked said way back this is pretty much situation normal for politics in most of the countries we are similar to – and the reason why in trustworthiness and popularity stakes politicians and political machines perform rather poorly.
monkey boy 30

14 September 2008 at 6:49 am

Dirty campaigning? Read your own blog. Look up “hypocrite’ in your dictionary. Then look in the mirror.

Gosh Gobby can’t you take a joke? Just lighten up.
monkey boy 31

14 September 2008 at 6:56 am

Actually, on reflection you are right, i am not above using sly innuendo or entendre. But have I ever refused to discuss an opposing view? have I ever told anyone they are ‘banned ofr life’ if I do not enjoy their opinions? have I ever been linked to a political party organisation? Did I ever claim I was set up to represent a party or movement, then use the blog as a platform to advocate for something with a tenuous link to that? If that qualifies me as a hypocrite, then guilty as charged.
monkey boy 32

14 September 2008 at 7:05 am

Actually I was so stung by the accusation gobby – I looked it up: Hypocrite
Noun:
a person who pretends to be what he or she is not [Greek hupokrinein to pretend].

I think I qualify for a sick-pass on this one.
But, everyone! don’t take my word for it go to ‘Monkey with Typewriter’ for my unique take on current affairs and politics with searing insightful political commentary, and make up your own minds. It’s online right now!

Yes! hat’s waht I said! you can make up your own minds!
randal 33

14 September 2008 at 7:53 am

I dont think I will bother going there if it is the same lackluster stuff that you write here. sorreeeeee…why waste the effort?
DeeDub 34

14 September 2008 at 8:00 am

Robin Grieve:

“Cancerous and corrosive are her words I think”

Thank you Yoda. Not sure why, but I thought you might ne a left-wing Jedi master?
Tanya 35

14 September 2008 at 9:22 am

The right-wirng is the best, honest, brightest place to be. Go Nat’s, save NZ from the brink of oblivion! Let Labour fight dirty, the voter’s will appreciate Key’s much fresher approach!
monkey boy 36

14 September 2008 at 9:47 am

There may be merit in what you say, randal. It’s your choice. You are entitled to your opinion. In fact you have a right to holding your opinion. So should you ever visit and tell me the same, I still would not censor you, on the grounds that i did not agree. I have a couple of visitors to MWT, one is a absolute wing-nut of teh right poersuasion. I don;t hold his views, and actually think he is a bit pathalogical. But he has a right. And debate is about shallenging opinions, not shutting them down, by smearing the other person..
r0b 37

14 September 2008 at 10:02 am

And debate is about shallenging opinions, not shutting them down, by smearing the other person.

Hypocrite fits you perfectly monkey. How can you deliver your little homilies on quality debate and not smearing when you write rubbish like this:
http://www.thestandard.org.nz/?p=2826#comment-83192

Honestly, grow up.
DeeDub 38

14 September 2008 at 10:19 am

Never mind the negative versus dirty debate…. did anyone just see Phil Goff on Agenda having Guyon Espiner for breakfast?

Brilliant!
forgetaboutthelastone 39

14 September 2008 at 10:49 am

yeah loved that – Guyon Espiner gets the smackdown from phil goff. Very interesting Agenda actually. Mainly because of the total ineptitude of these journalists on show for everyone to see.
mike 40

14 September 2008 at 11:19 am

Speaking of dirty tricks…
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10532061

“Rochelle Rees told the Herald on Sunday she was interested in politics but not affiliated to any party”

Really being elected onto the National Executive of Young Labour isn’t afffiliated to any party?

The left caught out again lying to the public – pathetic
forgetaboutthelastone 41

14 September 2008 at 11:58 am

mike:

Too bad for you that the MSM in New Zealand have too many trivial things to concern themselves with to be bothered with something like ‘the facts’.
barnsleybill 42

14 September 2008 at 12:09 pm

Mike, that story is really about the completely “clueless” journalist Cliff Taylor. A tech journo doing a story fed to him about a google bomb and he does not bother googling the person who fed him the story.
More lazy, clueless journalism.
Rochelle appears to have a sense of humour if you can look past the anti human pro furry animals aspect to her personality.

[lprent: She should have – she isn’t a sysop yet. But she is a pretty good coder.]
mike 43

14 September 2008 at 12:18 pm

So just like when helen clark misleads the public it’s the medias fault for not asking the correct questions.

This deception thing is becoming quite regular from the left.

“Campaign on trust” what a joke
barnsleybill 44

14 September 2008 at 12:31 pm

Clueless Cliff Taylor has updated the story, updated it without basic fact checking on the new info she has fed him this morning.
One thing the left and right appear to agree on is the elementary school standard of print journalists in this country.
Draco TB 45

14 September 2008 at 1:49 pm

Never mind the negative versus dirty debate . did anyone just see Phil Goff on Agenda having Guyon Espiner for breakfast?

Got youtube?
barnsleybill 46

14 September 2008 at 2:47 pm

I saw it Draco, with Goff installed as labour leader six months ago they would have been 10 points in front.
burt 47

14 September 2008 at 3:40 pm

Paul Robeson

She’s a great prime minister. She’s worth twice what Key is.

According to what the Auditor General discovered as illegally spent tax payers money and taking into account National’s “blunder” with their GST. The PM is worth 8 times what Key is worth.
randal 48

14 September 2008 at 4:17 pm

So Keys is using espinnerer for his fall guy now. Just as well I suppose as he {keys} is liable to lose his tmeper when anyone dares to question him. Hell this election is getting tacky already…zip a deedooodah zipadeeday…
Pascal's bookie 49

14 September 2008 at 5:06 pm

burt, that’s been done to death and you know that if the AG had used 12 instead of 3 months, the Nat’s would have been in the same boat as Labour.
Pascal's bookie 50

14 September 2008 at 5:21 pm

r0b

I feel like AG is still with us in spirit bookie!

True, now that I think about it a little.
Bill 51

14 September 2008 at 5:29 pm

Barnsley Bill and Draco TB

If Goff ‘slapped down’ Espiner, is that really a cause for ‘celebration’?

If journo’s were in any way half decent at their jobs then ALL politicians would dread upcoming interviews. But they’re not. So politicians aren’t. And that isn’t good for any of us.

A good journalist wouldn’t indulge in beat-up, or rumour/gossip. They wouldn’t focus on personalities. They would have done their homework and any politician who tried to peddle a dodgy line would be made breakfast of.

But that’s not happening. I guess part of the reason is no journalist wants to be the one who sticks their neck out first and is subsequently denied access to the next spoonfed sitting of ‘official’ pap.

My point is not whether Goff or Espiner were in the right on Agenda. If a politician can get the better of a journalist who abides by the do’s and don’ts outlined above, then said journalist should be looking for a new job. And they should be seeking alternative employment if they do not abide by the do’s and don’ts…’cause then they ain’t failed journalists; they just ain’t journalists at all.
lprent 52

14 September 2008 at 5:51 pm

mike:

Really being elected onto the National Executive of Young Labour isn’t afffiliated to any party?

Last time I looked the Young Labour exec was about 20 strong. In other words about a third of the people who turned up to the conference. It wasn’t exactly hard to get elected on to it. I think what you have to do is tor turn up and not vehemently object to getting elected.

Rochelle was on it for a year but hasn’t even been a NZLP member for a few years. Like manay of the posters here, she tends towards the greens. I her case because they have a better policy about the treatment of animals.
monkey boy 53

14 September 2008 at 6:43 pm

r0b I really do think that there is a danger that New Zealand is heading for ‘banana republic’ status. Which is why I wrote my post. Anyone who wished to make a contribution and rebutt or debate it then all the better. For goodness sake, I’m running a blog called ‘Monkey with Typewriter’ don’t you think that there may be a eentsy clue that i am being provocative or giving myself range to indulge inn the satirical?
If you want to put your head in the sand, and pretend that all is rosy in the garden, then fine. I think there are serious constitutional issues at stake here, and Helen Clark is for better or sorse, exhibiting a natural human tendency to exploit them. Not because she is a bad person, but because the checks and balances are so ineffective they render a government even under MMP as a potential despotism. Don’t take my word for it read up on Mike Moore the other week. Like I said to randal your own opinion is your prerpgative. This is the election campaign now. It is about debating and challenging issues and it is about engaging provoking and arguing. How many times have you endorsed the ‘secret agenda’ meme? All well and good, can’t I do a ‘banana republic’ meme?
By the way in case you forgot, I also posted this on the same day:
“Actually – on reflection – I was rude to do this (post a copy) so, I’ll pre-empt the reasonable thing to do, and ask whoever is moderating if they would please delete my long link-whore-post.
heheh you said â€˜wank'”
As you may divine from the ‘wank’ reference ‘growing up’ is not an option, I’ve seen what it does to people.
Draco TB 54

14 September 2008 at 9:11 pm

with Goff installed as labour leader six months ago they would have been 10 points in front

That’s what I was saying about a year ago. HC has been a great PM for us but the allure is wearing thin.

If Goff ‘slapped down’ Espiner, is that really a cause for â€˜celebration’?

Bill, all I was asking for was a youtube copy so that I could watch it. I don’t watch TV and the TVNZ OnDemand website only seems to work if you have MS Windows installed. (Wonder if the next Labour government could be persuaded to legislate that all government departments and SOEs etc have to use open standards rather than proprietary ones – show their support for a free-market)

But, yeah, the reporter should be able to hold their own against a politician that they’re interviewing. It would be much better for our democracy.
Ari 55

14 September 2008 at 9:13 pm

Not because she is a bad person, but because the checks and balances are so ineffective they render a government even under MMP as a potential despotism.

No more than under FPP- in fact, considerably less so.

Under FPP, you were likely to have a government composed of a single party. (and maybe the occasional independent who lends support) Single-party governments are much more inclined to despotic tendencies, as multi-party governments are far more likely to destabilise under those conditions.

Really, the constitutional issues you allude to are themselves the problem- mainly, the parliament exercises sovereignty in New Zealand, even if it is nominally invested in the Monarch.
Seeyaseeya 56

14 September 2008 at 9:17 pm

Who cares? ‘Dirty’ old Labour and it’s publicly-funded blogs are gone come November 8…wonder who the Opposition will be once the party implodes?

[lprent: Your previous pseudonym was better – I liked the pie part. BTW: This blog site is paid for me. That makes it private property not public. The NZLP has been around for over 90 years and is still going very strong, it will be interesting to see what your comments are when they win the treasury benches again. ]
Bill 57

14 September 2008 at 9:23 pm

Draco TB and Barnsley Bill.

Fucking hell, I’ve just gone back to your comments. Blame it on the snarky bastard hang over….maybe not. Sorry you guys. I must have been halluci-reading or something.
r0b 58

14 September 2008 at 9:52 pm

i am being provocative or giving myself range to indulge inn the satirical?

On your own blog MB you can do what ever you like, knock yourself out, it won’t bother me at all. But if you come here and deliver little homilies about not smearing other people, then expect to be called on your hypocrisy.

And as for your banana republic line for goodness sake, go for a little walk, or do whatever it is that you do to calm down. NZ hasn’t been in danger of being a banana republic since we got rid of Muldoon. If you have valid points to make on your blog you won’t be doing them any favours by losing them in the kind of juvenile nonsense I linked to above.
Tim Ellis 59

15 September 2008 at 3:04 am

I feel like I’ve missed the boat on this thread, but having popped out of the country for a couple of days and already missing my politics fix I thought I’d comment anyway.

I agree SP, there is a difference between negative campaigning and dirty campaigning. I would categorise them differently, with different categories. I agree that telling either broad truths about your opponent, or emphasising what are clearly reasonable, albeit arguable summaries of your opponents weaknesses, is negative campaigning. Examples of this might be Helen Clark saying “John Key isn’t committed to kiwisaver”, or National responding: “Labour can’t be trusted to deliver tax cuts”.

I think a clear example of negative campaigning was the pamphlet the Exclusive Brethren sent out in the 2005 election. From memory the EBs made about fourteen key assertions about Green Party policy, of which seven were factually hard to dispute, six were hyperbolic but reasonably arguable debating points, and one a difficult claim to justify. More on that soon.

Where negative campaigning uses extreme hyperbole to create fear among, or prejudice against a certain group of vulnerable people, I would call that dirty campaigning. That’s the below-the-belt stuff. Sending a fake eviction notice to state house tenants from a would-be National Party minister is a classic example of that.

Pretty much any campaigning that drags a politician’s family into the debate is just plain dirty. Trevor Mallard was guilty of this with his disgraceful comments in Parliament about Don Brash a couple of years ago. Likewise, some of the filth put around about Helen Clark falls into the same category. The snow-job on Colin Moyle some thirty years ago the same.

Anything defamatory is dirty. If you can’t defend it in court, then you shouldn’t be saying it. The smear on John McCain is a good example of this.

I think a further example of dirty campaigning is negative campaigning that has come about through the use of dirty tricks. Using stolen or private correspondence to attack your opponent falls into this group. So too is being dishonest about the motive for the campaign.

This is where the Exclusive Brethren campaign in 2005 moved from negative to dirty. They were dishonest about their identities. They claimed to be merely a half-dozen concerned businessmen, and gave false addresses. Any reading of their material demonstrated that they were trying to encourage voters to vote for, or against, a party or a group of parties. Trying to be cute by claiming otherwise made it dirty.

Rochelle Rees’ google-bomb attempt almost crossed over from negative to dirty, because she was dishonest about her political affiliations. She is no more a neutral, interested observer than the Exclusive Brethren were. Her google-bomb was intended to encourage people not to vote for John Key, because she supports, presumably, the LPG group. It doesn’t matter whether she’s still affiliated to a particular political party. She is affiliated, as the Exclusive Brethren were, to a group of parties by taking the approach she did.

I say almost crossed over, because I don’t personally see google-bombing, the way she did, as anything more than a prank from a young radical. I thought it was funny at the time. It also simply isn’t effective. Who, really, would google the word “clueless” in a New Zealand domain, and press the “I feel lucky” button? I just can’t see it as having any influence on voters, fullstop. It has been reported all over the show in NZ media, but I can’t imagine why anybody would go googling the word “clueless” in New Zealand, and then click that button to bring up the result.

Further, calling somebody “clueless” is hardly defamatory. It’s like google-bombing Helen Clark as, let’s say for argument’s sake, “green-eyed”. How many people would actually google that expression?

If somebody had google-bombed John Key with something downright horrible, with an expression that might actually be searched, like “rapist”, then that would be dirty.

On the whole, though, I think this stuff is self-regulating. Constant negative campaigning, or any dirty campaigning, tends to fall pretty flat with voters.
Higherstandard 60

16 September 2008 at 8:22 am

“Given his background in Merrill Lynch, which has just gone belly up, I would have thought New Zealanders would come to the conclusion you wouldn’t put a man like that in charge of New Zealand’s economy,’ says Finance Minter Michael Cullen.

Negative, dirty or just plain desperate ?
Bill 61

16 September 2008 at 8:33 am

And then there is….Merril Lynch bought for bargain basement price by Bank of America who are down 20%, Lehman Brothers gone, $40 billion attempted rescue package for AIG, Bank of England throwing £5 billion at the banks, NZ’s Australian banks exposed to sub-prime loans….

Is it still too premature to gather the gear for a party?
Robinsod 62

16 September 2008 at 8:38 am

$40 billion attempted rescue package for AIG, Bank of England throwing £5 billion at the banks

F*ckn welfare parasites…
Bill 63

16 September 2008 at 8:48 am

On the bright side (of the dark side?) anyone willing to make a bet that the US brings down the global economy stands to make a killing – as long as they GO SHORT!

Oh. And any idea how the US is going to fund it’s next war given all this?
Bill 64

16 September 2008 at 8:58 am

And in a nice wee slight of hand…Bank of America buys Merril Lynch; transfers its bad debts into Merril Lynch. Merril Lynch goes bankrupt and Bank of America walks away.

Think I can do the same; set up a subsidiary of myself and transfer my student debt?
Vanilla Eis 65

16 September 2008 at 9:16 am

Bill: It (almost) worked for Enron.

Amazing the ways you can make money if you have a little bit of knowledge about how the corporate world works.

Captcha: Mistake smallest (It certainly wasn’t!)
higherstandard 66

16 September 2008 at 9:19 am

Ah yes Enron the Godfathers of Kyoto and carbon trading.
Bill 67

16 September 2008 at 9:29 am

Ah dear…”The extra Bank of England funds were almost five times oversubscribed by banks, which put in bids totalling £24.1 billion..”

And on top of the $40 billion Merill Lynch buy out “a consortium of commercial and investments banks have also agreed to extend 70 US billion dollars of credit.”

Makes you wonder (maybe).

And the Nats want to borrow how much? From where? At what cost? Go Nat!
Vanilla Eis 68

16 September 2008 at 9:42 am

HS: Enron got up to some considerably dodgy shit, but mostly they failed because they had terrible accounting practices and flat-out lied to the public about their (non-existent) profits. There’s a reason that their accounting firm, previously among the top 5 in the US(PWC, DeLoitte, KPMG etc), folded when Enron did.

I don’t really see what that has to do with carbon trading on an open market.
bill brown 69

16 September 2008 at 9:48 am

What’s the bet that the Nats $50 per week tax cut will disappear because of “global economic factors” around December 2008?

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You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
4 days ago

What is Mexico doing about climate change?
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
Skeptical Science
4 days ago

State of humanity, 2024
2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
4 days ago

Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
4 days ago

The case for cultural connectedness
A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
4 days ago

Useful context on public sector job cuts
David Farrar writes – The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated. While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
4 days ago

Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
4 days ago

Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
5 days ago

True Blue.
True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
5 days ago

Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
PolitikBy Richard Harman
5 days ago

2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #15
A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 7, 2024 thru Sat, April 13, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week is about adults in the room setting terms and conditions of ...
Skeptical Science
5 days ago

Fast-track submissions period must be extended
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
Greens
5 hours ago

Release: Progress on climate will be undone by Govt
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
Labour Blog
5 hours ago

Release: Dark day for Kiwi kids as a third of Govt cuts affect them
News that 1000 jobs at the Ministry of Education and Oranga Tamariki could go is devastating for future generations of New Zealanders. ...
Labour Blog
2 days ago

Release: Alarm as Government signals further blow to school lunches
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Labour Blog
2 days ago

Release: Quick, submit – stop Govt’s dodgy approvals bill
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Labour Blog
3 days ago

Government throws coal on the climate crisis fire
The Government’s policy announced today to ease consenting for coal mining will have a lasting impact across generations. ...
Greens
3 days ago

Release: Public transport costs to double as National looks at unaffordable roading project instead
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
Labour Blog
4 days ago

Release: Cost of living in Auckland still not a priority
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Labour Blog
4 days ago

Greens look to fast-track submissions on harmful law
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Release: Govt should stop making people’s lives harder and build more homes
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Release: Melissa Lee missing in action on media
The action Melissa Lee promised to protect democracy and the media sector is missing, Media and Communications spokesperson Willie Jackson said. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Landlord Government leaves little hope for renters
The Government’s announcement on tenancy rules prove that it does not care about renters. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Opportunity to build a more sustainable economy
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Significant step forward in fixing cruel and unjust past
A significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Missed opportunity but NZ will surely one day recognise the right to a sustainable environment
New Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...
Greens
1 week ago

Release: Don’t cut our lunches – clear message sent to Government
Tens of thousands of people are demanding the Government commits to fully funding free and healthy school lunches. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

Release: Govt makes U-turn on Suicide Prevention Office
Labour welcomes the Government’s U-turn on the closure of the Suicide Prevention Office, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
Labour Blog
1 week ago

CCC issues warning over further climate delay
Today’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Luxon targets lame and lousy example of leadership
If talk is cheap, Chris Luxon’s “targets” are bankrupt. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Luxon targets are lousy example of leadership
If talk is cheap, Chris Luxon’s “targets” are bankrupt. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Release: Commitment to disability communities missing from Govt priorities
Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Methane target review is dangerous duplication
The Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Release: Government must commit to school building project for disabled students
The Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Release: National must take mental health seriously
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and his Government colleagues have made a meal of their mental health commitments, showing how flimsy their efforts to champion the issue truly are, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Referendums for Māori wards a racist step backwards
The Government's imposed referendum on Māori wards is a racist step backwards for Māori representation, and disregards Te Tiriti o Waitangi. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Release: Job losses at Health not worth it for tax cuts
New Zealand will feel the harm of the National Government’s reckless cuts to jobs at the health ministry for generations, says Ayesha Verrall. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Press release: No Māori initiatives in Government’s nothing plan
Māori are yet to see anything from this Government except cuts, reversals and taking our people backwards, Māori Development spokesperson Willie Jackson said. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Thirty six point PR spin
The Government’s ‘36 point’ plan for the next three months is as pointless as it is hollow. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Thirty six point PR spin
The Government’s ‘36 point’ plan for the next three months is as pointless as it is hollow. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Thirty six point PR spin
The Government’s ‘36 point’ plan for the next three months is as pointless as it is hollow. ...
Greens
2 weeks ago

Release: Social housing off Government’s to-do list
The Coalition Government’s refusal to commit to ongoing funding for social housing is seeing the sector pull back on developments and families watch their dreams of securing a home fade away, says Labour Housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty. ...
Labour Blog
2 weeks ago

Release: Less money in most people’s pockets this April
Changes to minimum wage and benefit indexation means many New Zealanders will get less this year, as the Government gives a big tax break to landlords instead. ...
Labour Blog
3 weeks ago

$41m to support clean energy in South East Asia
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 hours ago

Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder list
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
7 hours ago

Judicial appointments announced
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
8 hours ago

Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in Singapore
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
9 hours ago

Value of stopbank project proven during cyclone
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
9 hours ago

Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visit
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
9 hours ago

Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
12 hours ago

Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
23 hours ago

Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

Taupō takes pole position
The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

Government backing mussel spat project
The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

Government focused on getting people into work
Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 day ago

Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Inflation coming down, but more work to do
Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
2 days ago

Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
3 days ago

Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner. The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
4 days ago

Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel. “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says. "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
5 days ago

Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board. “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti. “I have asked her to ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Roads of National Significance planning underway
The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Navigating an unstable global environment
New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States. “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Joint US and NZ declaration
April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research. “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
1 week ago

Communities Against The Fast-track Heartened By ‘Overwhelming’ Public Response; Disgusted By ‘...
With submissions closing today, Macassey-Pickard says groups around the country have been supporting a huge range of people to make their submissions. ...
Scoop politics
55 mins ago

Renters Rights To Drastically Reduce Under Landlord Government
The Government’s announced changes around tenancy rules set renters’ rights back by nearly a decade. ...
Scoop politics
60 mins ago

NZPI Submission on Fast Track Approvals Bill
Our response to the new legislation is informed by targeted conversations with practitioners working in the system and through an implementation lens. ...
Scoop politics
1 hour ago

Fast Track Invite List Includes Most Destructive Industries In New Zealand
The new ‘Fast-track Approvals Bill’ would give just three Ministers the power to approve or deny development projects. They would avoid the usual checks and balances that are in place to protect rivers, land, the ocean, and communities. ...
Scoop politics
1 hour ago

Eugene Doyle: Helen Clark on why AUKUS isn’t in New Zealand’s national interest
COMMENTARY: By Eugene Doyle Helen Clark, how I miss you. The former New Zealand Prime Minister — the safest pair of hands this country has had in living memory — gave a masterclass on the importance of maintaining an independent foreign policy when she spoke at an AUKUS symposium held ...
Evening ReportBy Asia Pacific Report
1 hour ago

Government releases list of organisations shoulder-tapped for fast-track consents
The government's released the list of organisations provided with information on how to apply - just hours before public submissions on the bill close. ...
Radio NZ – political
3 hours ago

The Week in Politics: Job cuts surge and Waitangi Tribunal trouble
Analysis - It's been a grim week for public servants, while trouble is also brewing between the government and Waitangi Tribunal. ...
Radio NZ – political
3 hours ago

It never rains but it pours: intense rain and flash floods have increased inland in eastern Australi...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Milton Speer, Visiting Fellow, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Technology Sydney Before climate change really got going, eastern Australia’s flash floods tended to concentrate on our coastal regions, east of the Great Dividing Range. But that’s changing. Now ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
4 hours ago

Watch: Christopher Luxon speaks to media in Manila
The PM has defended how he's talked up NZ trade on his trip to Southeast Asia, after criticism from his own delegation. ...
Radio NZ – political
4 hours ago

‘It could be the death of the museum’: why research cuts at a South Australian institution have ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Elizabeth Finkel, Vice-Chancellor’s Fellow, La Trobe University Sia Duff / South Australian Museum In February, the South Australian Museum “re-imagined” itself. In the face of rising costs and inadequate government funds, CEO David Gaimster, who took the reins last June, declared ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
4 hours ago

Government signs off $41m clean energy deal with Asian Development Bank
The government has committed $41 million to clean energy transition at the Asian Development Bank's Energy Transition Mechanism. ...
Radio NZ – political
4 hours ago

Are 2 mid-career AFL retirements a sign Australian athletes are taking brain health more seriously?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alan Pearce, Professor, School of Allied Heath, Human Services & Sport, La Trobe University, La Trobe University This week, Collingwood AFL player Nathan Murphy announced his retirement, brought on by his concussion history and ongoing issues. The 24-year-old’s seemingly sudden retirement, ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
6 hours ago

Luxon: Waitangi Tribunal comments from coalition parties 'ill considered'
Comments from ACT and NZ First ministers about the Tribunal were "ill considered" and "that message will be underscored" to them, the PM says. ...
Radio NZ – political
6 hours ago

Mental Health Foundation Facing Staff Cuts From Govt Funding Squeeze
The Mental Health Foundation provides support and resources for those facing the loss of their job, so it’s wrong in the very week the Government adds another 1000 jobs to its tally of cuts, that this is happening. ...
Scoop politics
7 hours ago

I wholeheartedly recommend The President: a brilliant revival of a play of decay, terror and revulsi...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Alexander Howard, Senior Lecturer, Discipline of English and Writing, University of Sydney Daniel Boud/Sydney Theatre Company Decay, terror, revulsion. These are three of the central themes of Thomas Bernhard’s rarely performed play The President. The Austrian is one of the greatest ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
7 hours ago

How the coolest little capital is shrinking
It's not the first time a government has targeted public servants for job cuts, but this time Wellington is really feeling it. ...
Radio NZ – political
7 hours ago

Ministers accused of Cabinet Manual breach with threats to Waitangi Tribunal
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says threats by ministers Shane Jones and David Seymour to reform or close down the Waitangi Tribunal were “ill-considered”, as legal experts say the ministers may have breached Cabinet Manual conventions. “I think those comments are ill-considered and we expect all ministers to actually exercise good ...
NewsroomBy Marc Daalder
7 hours ago

Many prisoners go years without touching a smartphone. It means they struggle to navigate life on th...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Ye In (Jane) Hwang, Postdoctoral Research Associate at School of Population Health, UNSW Sydney Shutterstock You’d be hard pressed to find any aspect of daily life that doesn’t require some form of digital literacy. We need only to look back ten ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
7 hours ago

Good news: midlife health is about more than a waist measurement. Here’s why
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rob Newton, Professor of Exercise Medicine, Edith Cowan University Pexels/RDNE stock project You’re not in your 20s or 30s anymore and you know regular health checks are important. So you go to your GP. During the appointment they measure your waist. ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
7 hours ago

The Friday Poem: ‘Mitochondrial Problem’ by Evangeline Riddiford Graham
A new poem by Evangeline Riddiford Graham. Mitochondrial Problem I. It was long drive to Kansas for the man and his dog but you have to understand he said She doesn’t fly. Which calls to mind not carsick shitting barking or whining but a dog who chooses not to as ...
The SpinoffBy Evangeline Riddiford Graham
8 hours ago

The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending April 18
The only published and available best-selling indie book chart in New Zealand is the top 10 sales list recorded every week at Unity Books’ stores in High St, Auckland, and Willis St, Wellington. AUCKLAND 1 Hemingway’s Goblet by Dermot Ross (Mary Egan Publishing, $38) Hot off the press, this debut ...
The SpinoffBy The Spinoff Review of Books
8 hours ago

Department of Conservation closing Dunedin centre, but no jobs lost
Visitor habits are changing and DOC needs to adapt in a financially sustainable way, its operations director says. ...
Radio NZ – political
8 hours ago

Unions Collaborate With Thousands Of Job Cuts
With New Zealand officially in recession, a swathe of mass sackings is currently sending shockwaves through the entire working class. ...
Scoop politics
8 hours ago

Watch live: Christopher Luxon speaks to media in Manila
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is speaking to reporters in Manila after pledging greater defence cooperation with the Philippines. Watch live. ...
Radio NZ – political
8 hours ago

Government sent please explain letter to Wellington City Council over transport disagreement
The contents were revealed in correspondence from Simeon Brown and Chris Bishop to Wellington's Mayor. ...
Radio NZ – political
8 hours ago

Some families push back against journalists who mine social media for photos – they have every rig...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Laura Wajnryb McDonald, PhD candidate in Criminology, University of Sydney Less than 24 hours after Ashlee Good was murdered in Bondi Junction, her family released a statement requesting the media take down photographs they had reproduced of Ashlee and her family without ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
8 hours ago

Mental Health Foundation staff cuts loom, with funding falling behind rising costs
Chief executive Shaun Robinson said it has not had any government funding cut, but government-funded contracts have not kept pace with rising costs. ...
Radio NZ – political
8 hours ago

The ‘devil comet’ 12P/Pons-Brooks has finally become visible from Australia. What can we expect?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jonti Horner, Professor (Astrophysics), University of Southern Queensland Pons–Brooks visible from Utah, March 9 2024. James Peirce/Flickr, CC BY-NC-ND If you’re a fan of all things space, you’ve doubtless heard about the “devil comet”, which has been captivating keen-eyed observers in the ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
9 hours ago

Rugby stadiums are sold as an economic asset – but NZ needs to ask if they’re really worth it
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Robert Hamlin, Senior Lecturer in Marketing , University of Otago A multi-billion dollar stadium precinct has been proposed for Auckland, one of three proposals in front of Auckland Council for a new stadium in the city. The council is also considering revamping ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
9 hours ago

Auckland dog attacks: Callouts for attacks on other animals going up
Roaming dogs are responsible for more than a thousand attacks on animals each year, and the number is growing. ...
Radio NZ – political
10 hours ago

What access to puberty blockers means for trans young people and their whānau
The Ministry of Health has delayed the release of its evidence brief on the safety, reversibility and mental health and wellbeing outcomes for puberty blockers. While we wait, Julia de Bres speaks to those with firsthand experience. Best practice gender-affirming healthcare is based on trans people’s self-determination and agency. The ...
The SpinoffBy Julia de Bres
10 hours ago

NZ and Philippines pledge defence cooperation amid rising tensions
The commitment came after a sit-down meeting between Christopher Luxon and President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Romualdez Marcos Jr overnight. ...
Radio NZ – political
11 hours ago

How superblocks can help reimagine city life
Barcelona’s city streets have gone from traffic-clogged to pedestrian-friendly. How? Superblocks. Ellen Rykers explains. This is an excerpt from our weekly environmental newsletter Future Proof. Sign up here. Last week I read a great interview with renowned urbanist Janette Sadik-Khan by The Spinoff’s Wellington editor Joel MacManus: “You can reimagine streets, ...
The SpinoffBy Ellen Rykers
11 hours ago

Fire engineering expertise may take a big hit with job cuts at MBIE
The public sector cuts are poised to take out a big chunk of expertise at the country's building regulator. ...
Radio NZ – political
12 hours ago

“Fast-track Law To Kill Kiwi”: Students Say Fight Against Anti-democracy Legislation Is Only Jus...
Student groups ‘Climate Action VUW’, Schools Strike 4 Climate and VUWSA will be on the street in Wellington today, the last day for submissions on the Fast-track Approvals Bill, with a message that the fight against the Government’s ‘War on ...
Scoop politics
12 hours ago

‘We have thousands of Modis’: the secret behind the BJP’s enduring success in India
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sofia Ammassari, Research Fellow, Griffith University Since 2014, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s popularity has grown exponentially – and so has the formidable organisational machine of his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). These two factors will be key to delivering the BJP a ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
12 hours ago

Online schooling is not just for lockdowns. Could it work for your child?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendon Hyndman, Associate Professor of Education (Adjunct) & Senior Manager (BCE), Charles Sturt University During COVID almost all Australian students and their families experienced online learning. But while schools have long since gone back to in-person teaching, online learning has not gone ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
12 hours ago

Hear me out: You can shove your reusable period products
Yes, they’re better for the environment. No, that’s not a good enough reason for me to use them. Once every 26 days or so, my period arrives, and if struck by an act of God, I am caught red-crotched without products. How, after 17 years of this, do I still ...
The SpinoffBy Kristin Kelly
13 hours ago

Rip It Up And Start Over – Fast-Track Approvals Bill Needs To Be Scrapped
“It will cause significant harm to our environment and communities. It is completely at odds with New Zealanders’ relationship with nature and our need for a low-carbon, sustainable economic future." ...
Scoop politics
13 hours ago

Maori Authority Warns Government On Fast Track Legislation
The Chair of the National Maori Authority, Matthew Tukaki, has warned a Parliamentary Select Committee that fast-tracking legislation is a perilous practice that undermines the core tenets of democracy, transparency, and accountability. ...
Scoop politics
13 hours ago

Why the government’s haste in changing the health system could come back to haunt it
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Tenbensel, Associate Professor, Health Policy, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau Getty Images Since coming into power, the coalition government has adopted a simple but shrewd see-how-fast-we-can-move political strategy. However, in the health sector this need for speed entails ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
13 hours ago

Many suicides are related to gambling. How can we tackle this problem?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Anastasia Hronis, Clinical Psychologist, University of Technology Sydney Darya Sannikova/Pexels Whether you’re watching TV, attending a footy game, or eating a meal at your local pub, gambling is hard to escape. Although the rise of gambling is not unique to Australia, ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
13 hours ago

Things that go buzz in the night – our global study found there really are more insects out after ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Mark Wong, Forrest Fellow, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia Have you ever wondered if there are more insects out at night than during the day? We set out to answer this question by combing through the scientific ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
13 hours ago

Why don’t Australians talk about their salaries? Pay transparency and fairness go hand-in-hand
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Carol T Kulik, Research Professor, University of South Australia IR Stone/Shutterstock In Australia, it’s not the done thing to know – let alone ask – what our colleagues are paid. Yet, it’s easy to see how pay transparency can make pay ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
13 hours ago

‘Character’ And Its Impact On Immigration Status
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is sounding a warning to migrants, that running foul of the law may see them leaving the country prematurely. ...
Scoop politics
13 hours ago

20,000 more on jobseeker benefits than this time last year
The government’s plan to get 50,000 people off jobseeker support by 2030 has had a rocky start, writes Catherine McGregor in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Beneficiary numbers are up – and so are ...
The SpinoffBy Catherine McGregor
14 hours ago

All of the Raglan Roast cafes in Wellington, ranked from worst to best
Raglan Roast is a staple of Wellington coffee culture. But with five branches across the capital, which one is the best? I am a die-hard Raglan Roast fan. It’s consistently the most affordable cafe in Wellington, and one of the only places you can get a coffee after 3pm. So, ...
The SpinoffBy Zoë Mills
17 hours ago

Auckland uni students threaten rent strike over rising accommodation fees
Residents of University of Auckland halls are being urged to withhold their accommodation fees from May 1, in a bid to force the university to take student concerns over rent hikes seriously. The University of Auckland is facing a strike from students over the cost of on-campus accommodation. The Students ...
The SpinoffBy Stewart Sowman-Lund
17 hours ago

Warning of death from a million cuts as Oceans Secretariat dissolved
Shane Jones says people voted for change, but opponents say small cuts such as ending a special oceans secretariat are starting to add up The post Warning of death from a million cuts as Oceans Secretariat dissolved appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Andrew Bevin
17 hours ago

Defence deal to counter Beijing’s aggression in South China Sea
New Zealand and the Philippines have signed a new maritime security agreement and stated their concerns over activity in the South China Sea, as Chinese vessels continue to flout international law. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Philippines President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos committed to signing a Mutual Logistics Supporting Arrangement by ...
NewsroomBy Laura Walters
17 hours ago

Wellington’s ebb and flow of public servants
The thousands of government “back-office” job cuts are causing widespread pain in the capital city. In today’s episode of The Detail, we speak to three journalists and a think tank researcher, looking at the larger picture around the cuts and what effect it will have on Wellington, a city that’s ...
NewsroomBy Tom Kitchin
17 hours ago

New Zealand transport planning has gone off the rails
Opinion: The famed American architect and urban designer Daniel Burnham once said, “Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men’s blood!” Burnham wouldn’t have been referring to the transport plans in Aotearoa New Zealand over the past five years; projects so big they hadn’t the credibility to ...
NewsroomBy Dr Timothy F Welch
17 hours ago

Daily crossword, Friday 19 April
The post Daily crossword, Friday 19 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Newsroom Puzzles
17 hours ago

Brakes on transport and logistics sector as demand for freight slows
The transport sector is currently in the slow lane The post Brakes on transport and logistics sector as demand for freight slows appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Emma Hatton
17 hours ago

Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 19 April
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[quiz],DIV[quiz],A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp'); Got a good quiz question? Send Newsroom your questions. The post Newsroom daily quiz, Friday 19 April appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Newsroom Puzzles
17 hours ago

Financial literacy should be on all of us
Opinion: With maths understanding at 42 percent for Year 8 students, there’s no doubt something has to be done. But how? The post Financial literacy should be on all of us appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Bryce Marsden
17 hours ago

Missy rustles to stardom in Canada
Hineaupounamu ‘Missy’ Nuku has been scaling mountains in Canada for her college basketball team, the Lakeland Rustlers. Alberta is currently home for the 20-year-old point guard, who is in her first year of a scholarship at Lakeland College, where she is studying for a business degree. She has certainly made ...
NewsroomBy Aiden McLaughlin
17 hours ago

Emissions fall again – now NZ needs to up the pace
Official figures confirm New Zealand produced less climate pollution in 2022 than in any other year in the 21st century The post Emissions fall again – now NZ needs to up the pace appeared first on Newsroom. ...
NewsroomBy Marc Daalder
17 hours ago

Grattan on Friday: Ethnic tensions will complicate the Albanese government’s multicultural policy ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra When ASIO boss Mike Burgess delivered his annual threat assessment earlier this year, he stressed the rising danger posed by espionage and foreign interference. “In 2024, threats to our way of life have surpassed ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
22 hours ago

Group plans work to improve safety of female MPs
New research shows harassment of elected officials - especially women - is on the rise. ...
Radio NZ – political
23 hours ago

Ukraine warns of WW3 ahead of long-stalled Congress aid vote
Ukraine's Prime Minister says his country desperately needs the US to approve long-stalled security assistance. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

PSA astonished Education Minister expects hiring of contractors to review curriculum
Hiring contractors is an appalling solution when people who could do the work are losing their jobs, the PSA says. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Crown lawyers attempt to block Waitangi Tribunal summons to Minister for Children
The Tribunal had called on Minister for Children Karen Chhour to provide evidence at an urgent inquiry into the repeal of Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Luxon refuses to guarantee public consultation on AUKUS Pillar 2
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says it's "far too premature" to be confirming whether the public would be consulted on joining AUKUS Pillar 2. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Visualising the 1800s or designing wedding invitations: 6 ways you can use AI beyond generating text
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By T.J. Thomson, Senior Lecturer in Visual Communication & Digital Media, RMIT University Midjourney image by T.J. Thomson As more than half of Australian office workers report using generative artificial intelligence (AI) for work, we’re starting to see this technology affect every ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Falls, fractures and self-harm: 4 charts on how kids’ injury risk changes over time and differs fo...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Lisa Nicole Sharwood, Injury epidemiologist | Expert Witness, UNSW Sydney Sergey Novikov/Shutterstock Injuries are the leading cause of disability and death among Australian children and adolescents. At least a quarter of all emergency department presentations during childhood are injury-related. Injuries can ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Choice and control: will NDIS reforms mean people with disability don’t get to decide who they liv...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Di Winkler, Adjunct Associate Professor, Living with Disability Research Centre, La Trobe University Shutterstock/Ground Picture Many Australians with disability feel on the edge of a precipice right now. Recommendations from the disability royal commission and the NDIS review were released late ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Asbestos in playground mulch: how to avoid a repeat of this circular economy scandal
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Salman Shooshtarian, Senior Lecturer, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT University Salman Shooshtarian Asbestos has been found in mulch used for playgrounds, schools, parks and gardens across Sydney and Melbourne. Local communities naturally fear for the health of their ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Could Albanese’s bet on homegrown green industries be the boost our regions deserve?
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Madeline Taylor, Senior Lecturer, Macquarie University Cloudy Designs/Shutterstock Right now, there’s a global race underway. The goal: bring back manufacturing and energy jobs as the energy transition speeds up. In 2022, America launched its mammoth Inflation Reduction Act and the ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

Watch: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon won't say if government will consult public on joining ...
Asked multiple times if the public will be consulted on joining the defence pact, Luxon repeatedly said that was yet to be worked through. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Watch live: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon speaks in Philippines
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is speaking to reporters on the third leg of his Southeast Asia trip, from Manila in the Philippines. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Māori lawyers call Shane Jones' Waitangi Tribunal comments 'inappropriate'
The Māori Law Society says his comments breach the principle of the separation of powers and the Cabinet Manual. ...
Radio NZ – political
1 day ago

Abortions Increase 25% Since Law Change
Family First says that the latest abortion statistics make grim and upsetting reading, with a 25% increase in abortions since the decriminalisation of abortion in March 2020. According to an Official Information Act request received by Right to Life ...
Scoop politics
1 day ago

Over Half Of New Zealanders Feel That The Country Is In Decline And That Our Society Is Broken
Ipsos New Zealand's inaugural participation in a global study on populism reveals a pervasive sense of societal and economic decline among New Zealanders. MORE DETAILS AND FULL REPORT HERE Ipsos New Zealand's inaugural participation in a global study ...
Scoop politics
1 day ago

Australia’s new defence strategy is big on ideas, but lacks one key ingredient: well-trained soldi...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Layton, Visiting Fellow, Strategic Studies, Griffith University There have been a lot of defence announcements recently about buying new equipment, building up Australia’s manufacturing capabilities, creating local jobs, new legislation to support AUKUS and even a new defence chief. In ...
Evening ReportBy The Conversation
1 day ago

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