Newtering the rhetoric on crime

Written By: - Date published: 1:33 pm, January 11th, 2011 - 37 comments
Categories: crime, politicans, prisons, us politics - Tags:

Our prisons might be worth the current cost if the recidivism rate were not so high, but… half of the prisoners released this year are expected to be back in prison within three years. If our prison policies are failing half of the time, and we know that there are more humane, effective alternatives, it is time to fundamentally rethink how we treat and rehabilitate our prisoners.

That quote is not about New Zealand, but it easily could be – 37 percent of those we release today will have returned to prison two years hence; 44 percent by the three-years from now and a staggering 49 percent by 48 months.

Whether or not one cares what happens to “criminal scum”, it’s evident prisons aren’t performing their primary, and most vital, function of protecting society by reducing crime.

As has been amply demonstrated by comments on The Standard in recent days, there are many who believe that the answer to an ineffective deterrent is more deterrent; that leaving in place the likelihood that fleeing from a police car will result in your death is somehow discouraging an unknown number of drivers from fleeing. At least that’s the obvious conclusion to be drawn from claims that to reserve high speed pursuits only for situations in which the danger of permitting the offender to continue on the road clearly outweighed the danger of chasing them would result in “anarchy”. Unless the state wields the biggest possible stick – ideally studded with a few nails – the argument seems to go, criminality will flourish and the streets will run red with the blood of innocents.

Increasingly, though, people who respond with their critical faculties as opposed to their knees are realising that the present model of law enforcement and incarceration is a failure. Here’s one such commentator:

Some people attribute the nation’s recent drop in crime to more people being locked up. But the facts show otherwise. While crime fell in nearly every state over the past seven years, some of those with the largest reductions in crime have also lowered their prison population…

Consider events in Texas, which is known to be tough on crime. Conservative Republicans joined with Democrats in adopting incentive-based funding to strengthen the state’s probation system in 2005. Then in 2007, they decided against building more prisons and instead opted to enhance proven community corrections approaches such as drug courts. The reforms are forecast to save $2 billion in prison costs over five years.

…we both endorsed corrections reforms in South Carolina that will reserve costly prison beds for dangerous criminals while punishing low-risk offenders through lower-cost community supervision.

Who are these limp wristed liberals, these soft-on-crime civil libertarians? None other than former Congressional Speaker (from 1995 to 1999) and Republican leader Newt Gingrich and Republican leader (from 1984 to 1988) of the California State Assembly Pat Nolan.

While Nolan has gone on to become vice president of Prison Fellowship, a Christian ministry to prisoners, ex-prisoners and their families, Newt Gingrich remains an influential figure on the right whom some speculate will make a run for the Republican Presidential nomination next year. So while Nolan may be motivated by Christian concern for the fallen, Gingrich still very much has his eye on political office, a populist roads to get there – he just seems to have realised that generating fear to get elected and then failing to keep communities safe is a path to eventual disillusionment and electoral failure.

So, perhaps not with the noblest of motives, he’s accepted that politicians need to lead on this issue… to sell what will be, for many voters, an initially unpopular approach on the basis that this is what works. And there’s no denying that work it does:

Florida’s incarceration rate has increased 16 percent, while New York’s decreased 16 percent. Yet the crime rate in New York has fallen twice as much as Florida’s. Put another way, although New York spent less on its prisons, it delivered better public safety.

Given his past record, I doubt Gingrich has so much as a scintilla of concern for prisoners and their families. Instead, what appears to have brought him to this epiphany is the success of prison reform in achieving two objectives: saving the state significant sums of money whilst better protecting the law-abiding public. Both those reasons and valid, legitimate and equally noble. If, in the back of one’s mind, one harbours concern for offenders there’s no need even to mention it… those two measures of success are potentially more than enough on which to construct a platform.

Fertile ground remains for a New Zealand politician to adopt the same stance. Who, I wonder, will have the courage?

Rex Widerstrom is a former advisor to the New Zealand First and ACT parties; a former Parliamentary candidate and political party spokesperson; is presently State Director (WA) of Civil Liberties Australia and represents prisoners in human rights related cases before various courts and tribunals.

37 comments on “Newtering the rhetoric on crime ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Mickysavage 1
    11 January 2011 at 2:07 pm

    Good comment Rex.

    This debate highlights for me recent debates about left-wingers and right wingers brains although your view is more nuanced than that. When the response to crime is fear then an escalating violent response is the only tool in the tool kit. If the response is a rational one then alternatives have to be tried.

  2. Bill 2
    11 January 2011 at 2:09 pm

    Sorry Rex. Can’t resist. Are you suggesting we lob lizards at the ‘get tough’ brigade?

  3. Ana 3
    11 January 2011 at 2:19 pm

    ” Former Governor of WA, John Sanderson, was right in saying that the over-representation of Aboriginal people in prisons would be thought of as civil war in any other part of the world.
    “This whole tough on crime approach is counterproductive… and just creates a prison industrial complex.”

    Prison victim handed a ‘death sentence’: uncle

    [deleted]

    added

    [lprent: This isn’t a cut’n’paste site. Your own opinions, judicious quoting, and use links please. Don’t make me do the work again because you’re likely to make me decide that too much effort is involved. Read the policy. ]

  4. MikeE 4
    11 January 2011 at 3:14 pm

    Get rid of prison sentances for drug related “crime” (And treat it for what it is, a health issue) and you are going to free up enormous resourses in corrections to

    a) lock up the bad bastards who shouldn’t be let out (face it, burton and the likes aren’t going to get rehibilitated, ever)….
    b) rehabilitate those who still show a chance

    with the added bonus of completely destroying criminal gangs cashflow in NZ..

    but of course, neither the left, nor the right have the balls to do this…

    • Rich 4.1
      11 January 2011 at 5:22 pm

      One area where I agree entirely with MikeE.

    • Deadly_NZ 4.2
      12 January 2011 at 12:42 pm

      Yep I pretty much said the same well probably a bit more on this, and i’ll probablty keep on because it is an incredible amount of money to waste on a weed that makes you feel good. No violence like with Alcohol.

      But with all the dangerous drug sites place Nicotine Alcohol and Caffeine all legal high upon a list.
      http://drbenkim.com/ten-most-dangerous-drugs.html
      or here
      http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2009/nov/02/david-nutt-dangerous-drug-list

      Then maybe if someone HAD the cojone’s to legalise or decriminalise marijuana then the savings to the government would, even pay for Blinglish’s TaxCut ripoff.

      Billions saved on Hunting for plantations (govt can run them)
      Millions saved in the prosecution for Joe Public Havin a toke at home
      Millions saved in not having 5 police cars and a dog arriving as said Joe public’s house co’s he’s havin a toke
      Millions Made in Tax and Govt production Keep the tobacco companies out cos they will be broke cos Nicotine is made Illegal Alcohol is priced Properly.
      The Power of the Gang’s in their ‘tinny houses’ is broken,gives more time and resources to hunt for the dangerous drugs like P’.
      And as NZ well according to the polls, has a healthy following of the weed.
      And it really was only made illegal for some of the oddest and unscientific reasons dreamt up by those who had an agenda. Like Dupont who invented Nylon, he wanted it banned because Hemp would compete with him, here read it for your self.
      http://www.drugwarrant.com/articles/why-is-marijuana-illegal
      http://www.concept420.com/marijuana_cannabis_history_timeline.htm

      Okay thats my 5 cents worth I await the Flames.

  5. Bunji 5
    11 January 2011 at 3:45 pm

    Interestingly Trevor Mallard was also inspired by Standard debate, and proposed Simon Power should work with Labour in stopping prison sentence bidding-wars and come up with an at least 2 party solution. So there may be hope…

    I never understood National’s desperation to get rid of parole (a strong campaigning platform in 2008). It’s like they want the recidivism rate to go up. No, we must not prepare our prisoners for life outside these 4 walls!

    • Rex Widerstrom 5.1
      11 January 2011 at 4:15 pm

      He did? Thanks Bunji, I missed that entirely… unsurprisingly, since AFAIK the MSM didn’t pick it up at all. Whereas when the Opposition AG in in NSW made the same suggestion, media here were all over it.

      I hope he takes the fight right up to Simon Power and keeps pressing for it. And I hope the person who should be making such suggestions, Lianne Dalziel, emerges from hiding and actually makes some contribution to the debate this year.

      Or better yet, Goff reshuffles and gives the position to Trevor, one of the few politicians I can imagine having the kid of guts I call for in my last paragraph.

      • Colonial Viper 5.1.1
        11 January 2011 at 5:41 pm

        We need pollies willing to change society for the better. And a public willing to back them up and make sure through mass pressure that they don’t go weak kneed at the last moment.

      • Philoff 5.1.2
        11 January 2011 at 11:37 pm

        I am pretty sure Dalziel would entirely agree with you Rex, so it might be worth writing to her (if you haven’t already).

    • QoT 5.2
      11 January 2011 at 7:46 pm

      I really felt that Mallard’s post was a bit of a cop-out though – as though the only possible solution is both parties dropping the lock-em-up rhetoric and oh, well, if National won’t play with us then we’ll just keep on with the same old punitive talkbackland rubbish.

      • Rex Widerstrom 5.2.1
        11 January 2011 at 7:53 pm

        You’re right. It’s a toe in the water. How about we all show Trevor that not everyone will chew off his entire leg by sending him a “well done, but…” message?

        And while we’re at it, one to Goff indicating this is one area where Labour could carve out a strong brand position and claim savings which it could then use to buy win votes in the good, old fashioned way.

        • QoT 5.2.1.1
          11 January 2011 at 7:57 pm

          I see your point, Rex, I do. But … Mallard is a senior member of the second-biggest party in Parliament and he’s pretty well paid to theoretically act in the interests of New Zealanders. He doesn’t need minor bloggers to approve every time he posits basing policy on facts, empathy and the safety of NZ communities and the mainstream media isn’t going to tear him to pieces just because a minor blogger who’s obviously a bit radical demands more. (They have plenty of other partisan shit going on.)

          • Rex Widerstrom 5.2.1.1.1
            11 January 2011 at 8:46 pm

            I also see your point QoT… I’ve been (and remain) highly critical of Labour’s performance in this area (and others) and think Lianne Dalziel should be stripped of the portfolio. To be fair to Trevor it is her policy area, and I guess that Labour, like most parties, is subject to all sorts of petty and counter-productive turf wars.

            And while he may not need “minor bloggers” to approve (I presume you speak for yourself with that description BTW 😉 ) a quick look through the comments on any MSM online story on crime and punishment issues is enough to deter any party from a stance that might be picked up as “soft” on crime (look at the poll that showed, apparently, 72% of people supported police chases, even though many end in death and most are of petty criminals).

            Considering the baying of the hounds is always audible in the distance, a few soothing noises from minor bloggers may encourage this principle to emerge timidly from whatever cave in the Labour manifesto it’s been hiding in 🙂

            • QoT 5.2.1.1.1.1
              11 January 2011 at 8:53 pm

              They’re sure not going to like my next post, then so thankfully I am the minor blogger I was talking about!

              I worry we’re (we = the left) stuck in a bind, though. The media clearly has no interest in dropping the fearmongering and crime-hype, and don’t want to undermine their own propaganda by letting slip that there’s another way to look at and treat these issues. But if they’re almost never going to actually be fair and balanced and fact-based … how can we ever advocate for good, solid, compassionate policy when they have such a huge influence on the debate?

              Which is pretty much why I (as a pseudonymous blogger with no current career-stake in parties’ political success) think we just say fuck ’em and go the whole hog with radical, strident policy.

              • Rex Widerstrom …
                11 January 2011 at 9:13 pm

                Ooo I can’t wait for your next post now. That’s some sophisticated link whoring 😉

                A “radical, strident policy” is fine if you want to stake out a principled position but not very helpful in winning hearts and minds, which we (we = anyone not in the lynch mob) presumably want. Because public support (read: votes) is the only thing that’ll give polticians the courage.

                If, as some commenters are saying, McVicar is fading from prominence well he can afford to – his work is all but done. NZ society is riddled with people who’d buy tickets to an execution, and care not one whit about the actual guilt of the prisoner. If McVicar never says a word (not that I’m predicting that happy event), his echoes will live on in the words of people like Michael Laws and Ron Mark.

                If someone who matters (like a senior politician in NZ’s second largest political party) takes a strong – but not too radical, so as not to risk being dismissed as a moonbat – stance against McVicar-style hatred, the media is offered an alternative “infotainment” – a brawl between competing ideologies. And ironically it needs, initially at least, a McVicar figure against whom he or she can debate.

                • QoT …
                  11 January 2011 at 9:45 pm

                  Ha, I’m such a tease. But yeah, it’s good progress for Mallard to even be talking about this. Damn social change and its inherent slowness.

                  • Bunji …
                    11 January 2011 at 10:42 pm

                    I’d say, QoT, that the media a) read blogs and b) don’t like to be out of touch. So if they get a feeling that there’s a significant feeling against “lock ’em up” out there, they’re likely to tone down their rhetoric too. Every “minor blogger” helps. Of course letters to the editor and MPs might have a more direct effect, but hey, it’s all in the right direction.

                    And yes, damn social change and its inherent slowness…
                    (I’m sure we’ll get equal pay and boardroom representation for women, equal job opportunities for non-whites and gay people not being assaulted for their sexuality some time soon…)

                    • QoT …
                      11 January 2011 at 11:07 pm

                      Any day now, Bunji, according to the latest memo!

                    • Blondie …
                      11 January 2011 at 11:54 pm

                      Absolutely, the media read blogs. I found myself being quoted by mainstream media quite frequently when I was writing for Whaleoil.

                      So I would have no doubt whatsoever that the media also read The Standard and other online publications. Hence, it is well worth putting forth our viewpoints online – as a well-executed argument may well sway the MSM and public opinion.

  6. Treetop 6
    11 January 2011 at 3:58 pm

    Addicition, mental health issues and the lack of jobs all need to be addressed to prevent going to prison or returning to prision.

    • Bill 6.1
      11 January 2011 at 4:26 pm

      Gee. Like socially centred policies? Meaning, getting rid of the underlying causes of addiction and crime and so on? Can’t see that happening any time ( and I don’t mean ‘any time soon’) while we are stuck with Labour or National led governements.

      • Treetop 6.1.1
        11 January 2011 at 5:36 pm

        One cannot expect a person to find their mojo when thrown in the can for a health issue or the effects of not finding work. Jail solves nothing for these offenders as they are reacting to causes which when addressed does reduce the condition/problem which is the imbalance/stress in their life.

  7. IrishBill 7
    11 January 2011 at 6:28 pm

    Bloody good post. I’ve been heartened by the move away from lock ’em up rhetoric in the media and the fact McVicar seems to have been sidelined. Perhaps there is some hope yet.

  8. mickysavage 8
    11 January 2011 at 10:11 pm

    I agree personally with the sentiment expressed by Rex.

    One aspect that I would offer to explain, rather than to justify, Labour’s stance during the last Government was that it was heavily influenced by English Labour’s “third way”. Tony Blair campaigned in 1997 with a theme of “tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime” and this amongst other policies was thought to have made Labour electable in the UK.

    As I said I agree with the intent and the need to get away from current punishment models but god damn it how do you bring the electorate with you?

    • Rex Widerstrom 8.1
      11 January 2011 at 10:37 pm

      Thanks mickey. Alas WA Labor under Geoff Gallop (a longstanding personal friend, dating back to university days, of Blair’s) took the same approach. Blair has a lot to answer for… there are times I wish people would just take a break from lambasting him over Iraq so the damaging effects of his other policies could be debated more often.

      I think Gingrich is on to how to take the electorate with us. Try saying this:

      – Half the people we send to prison are going to commit at least one more crime within four years of their release, and it doesn’t seem to matter how tough we make our prisons because figures from the US and NZ are much the same. So prisons aren’t protecting you.

      – On the other hand, alternatives to prison have been proven to work in reducing reoffending.

      – Alternatives to prison are always cheaper than prison. Why should taxpayers waste their money sending someone to a crime university when we’re wasting that money on one out of every two “graduates”, because they remain criminals?

      – The money we save by not sending x people to prison equates to $y. This represents z number of [other good things the voter is likely to want].

      – So, no matter how much you may personally hate criminal scum, do you want;
      – – A safer community
      – – Less money spent on those scum
      – – Lots more of z
      or do you just want revenge?

      Use facts and figures, shown where possible as pictograms and graphs (so even Paula Bennett will understand! 😀 )

      There’s a belief that the old Muldoon technique of an easel of charts on stage will turn people off. It won’t. Admittedly I used Powerpoints in 1996 to illustrate immigration statistics and alternatives but people – some people at least – have both the intelligence and the willingness to try to understand.

    • QoT 8.2
      11 January 2011 at 11:11 pm

      To quote eastsidekate, “the third way is a lot like the other two, only more condescending.”

  9. Colonial Viper 9
    12 January 2011 at 11:29 am

    Looks like the new Republican Governor for Georgia has been willing to vary from the hard line. Apparently 1 in 13 Georgians are under correctional control currently and it is emptying the state’s coffers.

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/10/nathan-deal-drug-addicts-jail_n_807016.html

    For violent and repeat offenders, we will make you pay for your crimes. For other offenders who want to change their lives, we will provide the opportunity to do so with Day Reporting Centers, Drug, DUI and Mental Health Courts and expanded probation and treatment options. As a State, we cannot afford to have so many of our citizens waste their lives because of addictions. It is draining our State Treasury and depleting our workforce.

    • nadis 9.1
      12 January 2011 at 12:16 pm

      That seems sensible. More so than any other topic law and order is a discourse which is captured by extremes at both ends (it is society’s fault versus lock them up forever). Reshape the debate in economic terms (to justify to the right) and always recognise there is a small number of irredeemable bad bastards who do need locking up then an intervention/treatment and lock up the really bad ones barbell strategy would, I am sure, be palatable for the mainstream.

      I also think people miss the point when they say “harsh sentences don’t act as a deterrent.” That is true for the vast majority of non-premeditated activity. But when a bad bastard gets a long sentence to most NZ’ers looking at the news, the sentence isn’t designed to be a deterrent to others it’s designed to keep that bad bastard out of the community which he has elected to opt out from.

      The real difficulty in selling this new approach though is where the SST gathers its strength from – victim impact. Scenario – P addict breaks burgles a house, assaults an elderly homeowner, makes off with low value goods. Yes I agree, a poorly educated, unemployed P addict stealing for addiction fits into the category that should be actively managed rather than locked up, but how do you square that with an elderly homeowner with a broken nose? For the homeowner the assault is probably massively life changing (off to a rest home etc). How do you sell the policy then? Stats are one thing but an identifiable individual is much more emotive.

      • Deadly_NZ 9.1.1
        12 January 2011 at 1:26 pm

        But at the End of the day if the scumbag is so cowardly as to break into a house when they know the person inside is helpless should be locked up for a very very long time then at least the poor person who got assaulted knows that scumbag s not coming back. it’s not much but peace of mind is good. Unfortunatly these are the type of scumbag that seems to get bail because they have a lawyer on speed dial. this needs to be tightened up.

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  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Hipkins fires up in leaders’ debate, but has the curtain already fallen on the Labour-led coalitio...
    Labour’s  Chris Hipkins came out firing, in the  leaders’ debate  on Newshub’s evening programme, and most of  the pundits  rated  him the winner against National’s  Christopher Luxon. But will this make any difference when New  Zealanders  start casting their ballots? The problem  for  Hipkins is  that  voters are  all too ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    3 days ago

  • Govt is energising housing projects with solar power – and fuelling the public’s concept of a di...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Not long after Point of Order published data which show the substantial number of New Zealanders (77%) who believe NZ is becoming more divided, government ministers were braying about a programme which distributes some money to “the public” and some to “Maori”. The ministers were dishing ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • MIKE GRIMSHAW: Election 2023 – a totemic & charisma failure?
    The D&W analysis Michael Grimshaw writes –  Given the apathy, disengagement, disillusionment, and all-round ennui of this year’s general election, it was considered time to bring in those noted political operatives and spin doctors D&W, the long-established consultancy firm run by Emile Durkheim and Max Weber. Known for ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • FROM BFD: Will Winston be the spectre we think?
    Kissy kissy. Cartoon credit BoomSlang. The BFD. JC writes-  Allow me to preface this contribution with the following statement: If I were asked to express a preference between a National/ACT coalition or a National/ACT/NZF coalition then it would be the former. This week Luxon declared his position, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • California’s climate disclosure bill could have a huge impact across the U.S.
    This re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Andy Furillo was originally published by Capital & Main and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. The California Legislature took a step last week that has the potential to accelerate the fight against climate ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Untangling South East Queensland’s Public Transport
    This is a cross post Adventures in Transitland by Darren Davis. I recently visited Brisbane and South East Queensland and came away both impressed while also pondering some key changes to make public transport even better in the region. Here goes with my take on things. A bit of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    3 days ago

  • Try A Little Kindness.
    My daughter arrived home from the supermarket yesterday and she seemed a bit worried about something. It turned out she wanted to know if someone could get her bank number from a receipt.We wound the story back.She was in the store and there was a man there who was distressed, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • What makes NZFirst tick
    New Zealand’s longest-running political roadshow rolled into Opotiki yesterday, with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters knowing another poll last night showed he would make it back to Parliament and National would need him and his party if they wanted to form a government. The Newshub Reid Research poll ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago

  • September AMA
    Hi,As September draws to a close — I feel it’s probably time to do an Ask Me Anything. You know how it goes: If you have any burning questions, fire away in the comments and I will do my best to answer. You might have questions about Webworm, or podcast ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    3 days ago

  • Bludgers lying in the scratcher making fools of us all
    The mediocrity who stands to be a Prime Minister has a litany.He uses it a bit like a Koru Lounge card. He will brandish it to say: these people are eligible. And more than that, too: These people are deserving. They have earned this policy.They have a right to this policy. What ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • More “partnerships” (by the look of it) and redress of over $30 million in Treaty settlement wit...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point of Order has waited until now – 3.45pm – for today’s officially posted government announcements.  There have been none. The only addition to the news on the Beehive’s website was posted later yesterday, after we had published our September 26 Buzz report. It came from ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • ALEX HOLLAND: Labour’s spending
    Alex Holland writes –  In 2017 when Labour came to power, crown spending was $76 billion per year. Now in 2023 it is $139 billion per year, which equates to a $63 billion annual increase (over $1 billion extra spend every week!) In 2017, New Zealand’s government debt ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • If not now, then when?
    Labour released its fiscal plan today, promising the same old, same old: "responsibility", balanced books, and of course no new taxes: "Labour will maintain income tax settings to provide consistency and certainty in these volatile times. Now is not the time for additional taxes or to promise billions of ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • THE FACTS:  77% of Kiwis believe NZ is becoming more divided
    The Facts has posted –        KEY INSIGHTSOf New Zealander’s polled: Social unity/division 77%believe NZ is becoming more divided (42% ‘much more’ + 35% ‘a little more’) 3%believe NZ is becoming less divided (1% ‘much less’ + 2% ‘a little less’) ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the cynical brutality of the centre-right’s welfare policies
    The centre-right’s enthusiasm for forcing people off the benefit and into paid work is matched only by the enthusiasm (shared by Treasury and the Reserve Bank) for throwing people out of paid work to curb inflation, and achieve the optimal balance of workers to job seekers deemed to be desirable ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    4 days ago

  • Wednesday’s Chorus: Arthur Grimes on why building many, many more social houses is so critical
    New research shows that tenants in social housing - such as these Wellington apartments - are just as happy as home owners and much happier than private tenants. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The election campaign took an ugly turn yesterday, and in completely the wrong direction. All three ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • Old habits
    Media awareness about global warming and climate change has grown fairly steadily since 2004. My impression is that journalists today tend to possess a higher climate literacy than before. This increasing awareness and improved knowledge is encouraging, but there are also some common interpretations which could be more nuanced. ...
    Real ClimateBy rasmus
    4 days ago

  • Bennie Bashing.
    If there’s one thing the mob loves more than keeping Māori in their place, more than getting tough on the gangs, maybe even more than tax cuts. It’s a good old round of beneficiary bashing.Are those meanies in the ACT party stealing your votes because they think David Seymour is ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • The kindest cuts
    Labour kicks off the fiscal credibility battle today with the release of its fiscal plan. National is expected to follow, possibly as soon as Thursday, with its own plan, which may (or may not) address the large hole that the problems with its foreign buyers’ ban might open up. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago

  • Green right turn in Britain? Well, a start
    While it may be unlikely to register in New Zealand’s general election, Britain’s PM Rishi Sunak has done something which might just be important in the long run. He’s announced a far-reaching change in his Conservative government’s approach to environmental, and particularly net zero, policy. The starting point – ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    5 days ago

  • At a glance – How do human CO2 emissions compare to natural CO2 emissions?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • How could this happen?
    Canada is in uproar after the exposure that its parliament on September 22 provided a standing ovation to a Nazi veteran who had been invited into the chamber to participate in the parliamentary welcome to Ukrainian President Zelensky. Yaroslav Hunka, 98, a Ukrainian man who volunteered for service in ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    5 days ago

  • Always Be Campaigning
    The big screen is a great place to lay out the ways of the salesman. He comes ready-made for Panto, ripe for lampooning.This is not to disparage that life. I have known many good people of that kind. But there is a type, brazen as all get out. The camera ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • STEPHEN FRANKS: Press seek to publicly shame doctor – we must push back
    The following is a message sent yesterday from lawyer Stephen Franks on behalf of the Free Speech Union. I don’t like to interrupt first thing Monday morning, but we’ve just become aware of a case where we think immediate and overwhelming attention could help turn the tide. It involves someone ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Competing on cruelty
    The right-wing message calendar is clearly reading "cruelty" today, because both National and NZ First have released beneficiary-bashing policies. National is promising a "traffic light" system to police and kick beneficiaries, which will no doubt be accompanied by arbitrary internal targets to classify people as "orange" or "red" to keep ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • Further funding for Pharmac (forgotten in the Budget?) looks like a $1bn appeal from a PM in need of...
    Buzz from the Beehive One Labour plan  – for 3000 more public homes by 2025 – is the most recent to be posted on the government’s official website. Another – a prime ministerial promise of more funding for Pharmac – has been released as a Labour Party press statement. Who ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: The Vested interests shaping National Party policies
    As the National Party gets closer to government, lobbyists and business interests will be lining up for influence and to get policies adopted. It’s therefore in the public interest to have much more scrutiny and transparency about potential conflicts of interests that might arise. One of the key individuals of ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    5 days ago

  • Labour may be on way out of power and NZ First back in – but will Peters go into coalition with Na...
    Voters  are deserting Labour in droves, despite Chris  Hipkins’  valiant  rearguard  action.  So  where  are they  heading?  Clearly  not all of them are going to vote National, which concedes that  the  outcome  will be “close”. To the Right of National, the ACT party just a  few weeks  ago  was ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    5 days ago

  • GRAHAM ADAMS: Will the racists please stand up?
    Accusations of racism by journalists and MPs are being called out. Graham Adams writes –    With the election less than three weeks away, what co-governance means in practice — including in water management, education, planning law and local government — remains largely obscure. Which is hardly ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on whether Winston Peters can be a moderating influence
    As the centre-right has (finally!) been subjected to media interrogation, the polls are indicating that some voters may be starting to have second thoughts about the wisdom of giving National and ACT the power to govern alone. That’s why yesterday’s Newshub/Reid Research poll had the National/ACT combo dropping to 60 ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    5 days ago

  • Tuesday’s Chorus: RBNZ set to rain on National's victory parade
    ANZ has increased its forecast for house inflation later this year on signs of growing momentum in the market ahead of the election. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: National has campaigned against the Labour Government’s record on inflation and mortgage rates, but there’s now a growing chance the Reserve ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • After a Pittsburgh coal processing plant closed, ER visits plummeted
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Katie Myers. This story was originally published by Grist and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. Pittsburgh, in its founding, was blessed and cursed with two abundant natural resources: free-flowing rivers and a nearby coal seam. ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • September-23 AT Board Meeting
    Today the AT board meet again and once again I’ve taken a look at what’s on the agenda to find the most interesting items. Closed Agenda Interestingly when I first looked at the agendas this paper was there but at the time of writing this post it had been ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    5 days ago

  • Electorate Watch: West Coast-Tasman
    Continuing my series on interesting electorates, today it’s West Coast-Tasman.A long thin electorate running down the northern half of the west coast of the South Island. Think sand flies, beautiful landscapes, lots of rain, Pike River, alternative lifestylers, whitebaiting, and the spiritual home of the Labour Party. A brief word ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Big money brings Winston back
    National leader Christopher Luxon yesterday morning conceded it and last night’s Newshub poll confirmed it; Winston Peters and NZ First are not only back but highly likely to be part of the next government. It is a remarkable comeback for a party that was tossed out of Parliament in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • 20 days until Election Day, 7 until early voting begins… but what changes will we really see here?
    As this blogger, alongside many others, has already posited in another forum: we all know the National Party’s “budget” (meaning this concept of even adding up numbers properly is doing a lot of heavy, heavy lifting right now) is utter and complete bunk (read hung, drawn and quartered and ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    6 days ago

  • A night out
    Everyone was asking, Are you nervous? and my response was various forms of God, yes.I've written more speeches than I can count; not much surprises me when the speaker gets to their feet and the room goes quiet.But a play? Never.YOU CAME! THANK YOU! Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • A pallid shade of Green III
    Clearly Labour's focus groups are telling it that it needs to pay more attention to climate change - because hot on the heels of their weaksauce energy efficiency pilot programme and not-great-but-better-than-nothing solar grants, they've released a full climate manifesto. Unfortunately, the core policies in it - a second Emissions ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • A coalition of racism, cruelty, and chaos
    Today's big political news is that after months of wibbling, National's Chris Luxon has finally confirmed that he is willing to work with Winston Peters to become Prime Minister. Which is expected, but I guess it tells us something about which way the polls are going. Which raises the question: ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • More migrant workers should help generate the tax income needed to provide benefits for job seekers
    Buzz from the Beehive Under something described as a “rebalance” of its immigration rules, the Government has adopted four of five recommendations made in an independent review released in July, The fifth, which called on the government to specify criteria for out-of-hours compliance visits similar to those used during ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Letter To Luxon.
    Some of you might know Gerard Otto (G), and his G News platform. This morning he wrote a letter to Christopher Luxon which I particularly enjoyed, and with his agreement I’m sharing it with you in this guest newsletter.If you’d like to make a contribution to support Gerard’s work you ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • LINDSAY MITCHELL: Alarming trend in benefit numbers
    Lindsay Mitchell writes –  While there will not be another quarterly release of benefit numbers prior to the election, limited weekly reporting continues and is showing an alarming trend. Because there is a seasonal component to benefit number fluctuations it is crucial to compare like with like. In ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • BRIAN EASTON: Has there been external structural change?
    A close analysis of the Treasury assessment of the Medium Term in its PREFU 2023 suggests the economy may be entering a new phase.   Brian Easton writes –  Last week I explained that the forecasts in the just published Treasury Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update (PREFU 2023) was ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • CRL Progress – Sep-23
    It’s been a while since we looked at the latest with the City Rail Link and there’s been some fantastic milestones recently. To start with, and most recently, CRL have released an awesome video showing a full fly-through of one of the tunnels. Come fly with us! You asked for ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    6 days ago

  • Monday’s Chorus: Not building nearly enough
    We are heading into another period of fast population growth without matching increased home building or infrastructure investment.Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Labour and National detailed their house building and migration approaches over the weekend, with both pledging fast population growth policies without enough house building or infrastructure investment ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • Game on; Hipkins comes out punching
    Labour leader Chris Hipkins yesterday took the gloves off and laid into National and its leader Christopher Luxon. For many in Labour – and particularly for some at the top of the caucus and the party — it would not have been a moment too soon. POLITIK is aware ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • Tax Cut Austerity Blues.
    The leaders have had their go, they’ve told us the “what?” and the “why?” of their promises. Now it’s the turn of the would be Finance Ministers to tell us the “how?”, the “how much?”, and the “when?”A chance for those competing for the second most powerful job in the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • MIKE GRIMSHAW:  It’s the economy – and the spirit – Stupid…
    Mike Grimshaw writes – Over the past 30-odd years it’s become almost an orthodoxy to blame or invoke neoliberalism for the failures of New Zealand society. On the left the usual response goes something like, neoliberalism is the cause of everything that’s gone wrong and the answer ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 week ago

  • Safeguarding Tuvalu language and identity
    Tuvalu is in the spotlight this week as communities across New Zealand celebrate Vaiaso o te Gagana Tuvalu – Tuvalu Language Week. “The Government has a proven record of supporting Pacific communities and ensuring more of our languages are spoken, heard and celebrated,” Pacific Peoples Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Many ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago

  • New community-level energy projects to support more than 800 Māori households
    Seven more innovative community-scale energy projects will receive government funding through the Māori and Public Housing Renewable Energy Fund to bring more affordable, locally generated clean energy to more than 800 Māori households, Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods says. “We’ve already funded 42 small-scale clean energy projects that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Huge boost to Te Tai Tokerau flood resilience
    The Government has approved new funding that will boost resilience and greatly reduce the risk of major flood damage across Te Tai Tokerau. Significant weather events this year caused severe flooding and damage across the region. The $8.9m will be used to provide some of the smaller communities and maraes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Napier’s largest public housing development comes with solar
    The largest public housing development in Napier for many years has been recently completed and has the added benefit of innovative solar technology, thanks to Government programmes, says Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods. The 24 warm, dry homes are in Seddon Crescent, Marewa and Megan Woods says the whanau living ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Te Whānau a Apanui and the Crown initial Deed of Settlement I Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me...
    Māori: Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna te Whakaaetanga Whakataunga Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna i tētahi Whakaaetanga Whakataunga hei whakamihi i ō rātou tāhuhu kerēme Tiriti o Waitangi. E tekau mā rua ngā hapū o roto mai o Te Whānau ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Plan for 3,000 more public homes by 2025 – regions set to benefit
    Regions around the country will get significant boosts of public housing in the next two years, as outlined in the latest public housing plan update, released by the Housing Minister, Dr Megan Woods. “We’re delivering the most public homes each year since the Nash government of the 1950s with one ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Immigration settings updates
    Judicial warrant process for out-of-hours compliance visits 2023/24 Recognised Seasonal Employer cap increased by 500 Additional roles for Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement More roles added to Green List Three-month extension for onshore Recovery Visa holders The Government has confirmed a number of updates to immigration settings as part of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Poroporoaki: Tā Patrick (Patu) Wahanga Hohepa
    Tangi ngunguru ana ngā tai ki te wahapū o Hokianga Whakapau Karakia. Tārehu ana ngā pae maunga ki Te Puna o te Ao Marama. Korihi tangi ana ngā manu, kua hinga he kauri nui ki te Wao Nui o Tāne. He Toa. He Pou. He Ahorangi. E papaki tū ana ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Renewable energy fund to support community resilience
    40 solar energy systems on community buildings in regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and other severe weather events Virtual capability-building hub to support community organisations get projects off the ground Boost for community-level renewable energy projects across the country At least 40 community buildings used to support the emergency response ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • COVID-19 funding returned to Government
    The lifting of COVID-19 isolation and mask mandates in August has resulted in a return of almost $50m in savings and recovered contingencies, Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. Following the revocation of mandates and isolation, specialised COVID-19 telehealth and alternative isolation accommodation are among the operational elements ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Appointment of District Court Judge
    Susie Houghton of Auckland has been appointed as a new District Court Judge, to serve on the Family Court, Attorney-General David Parker said today.  Judge Houghton has acted as a lawyer for child for more than 20 years. She has acted on matters relating to the Hague Convention, an international ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government invests further in Central Hawke’s Bay resilience
    The Government has today confirmed $2.5 million to fund a replace and upgrade a stopbank to protect the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant. “As a result of Cyclone Gabrielle, the original stopbank protecting the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant was destroyed. The plant was operational within 6 weeks of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Govt boost for Hawke’s Bay cyclone waste clean-up
    Another $2.1 million to boost capacity to deal with waste left in Cyclone Gabrielle’s wake. Funds for Hastings District Council, Phoenix Contracting and Hog Fuel NZ to increase local waste-processing infrastructure. The Government is beefing up Hawke’s Bay’s Cyclone Gabrielle clean-up capacity with more support dealing with the massive amount ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Taupō Supercars revs up with Government support
    The future of Supercars events in New Zealand has been secured with new Government support. The Government is getting engines started through the Major Events Fund, a special fund to support high profile events in New Zealand that provide long-term economic, social and cultural benefits. “The Repco Supercars Championship is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • There is no recession in NZ, economy grows nearly 1 percent in June quarter
    The economy has turned a corner with confirmation today New Zealand never was in recession and stronger than expected growth in the June quarter, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said. “The New Zealand economy is doing better than expected,” Grant Robertson said. “It’s continuing to grow, with the latest figures showing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Highest legal protection for New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs
    The Government has accepted the Environment Court’s recommendation to give special legal protection to New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs, Te Waikoropupū Springs (also known as Pupū Springs), Environment Minister David Parker announced today.   “Te Waikoropupū Springs, near Takaka in Golden Bay, have the second clearest water in New Zealand after ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • More support for victims of migrant exploitation
    Temporary package of funding for accommodation and essential living support for victims of migrant exploitation Exploited migrant workers able to apply for a further Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa (MEPV), giving people more time to find a job Free job search assistance to get people back into work Use of 90-day ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Strong export boost as NZ economy turns corner
    An export boost is supporting New Zealand’s economy to grow, adding to signs that the economy has turned a corner and is on a stronger footing as we rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle and lock in the benefits of multiple new trade deals, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. “The economy is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Funding approved for flood resilience work in Te Karaka
    The Government has approved $15 million to raise about 200 homes at risk of future flooding. More than half of this is expected to be spent in the Tairāwhiti settlement of Te Karaka, lifting about 100 homes there. “Te Karaka was badly hit during Cyclone Gabrielle when the Waipāoa River ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Further business support for cyclone-affected regions
    The Government is helping businesses recover from Cyclone Gabrielle and attract more people back into their regions. “Cyclone Gabrielle has caused considerable damage across North Island regions with impacts continuing to be felt by businesses and communities,” Economic Development Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Building on our earlier business support, this ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • New maintenance facility at Burnham Military Camp underway
    Defence Minister Andrew Little has turned the first sod to start construction of a new Maintenance Support Facility (MSF) at Burnham Military Camp today. “This new state-of-art facility replaces Second World War-era buildings and will enable our Defence Force to better maintain and repair equipment,” Andrew Little said. “This Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Foreign Minister to attend United Nations General Assembly
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will represent New Zealand at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this week, before visiting Washington DC for further Pacific focussed meetings. Nanaia Mahuta will be in New York from Wednesday 20 September, and will participate in UNGA leaders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Midwives’ pay equity offer reached
    Around 1,700 Te Whatu Ora employed midwives and maternity care assistants will soon vote on a proposed pay equity settlement agreed by Te Whatu Ora, the Midwifery Employee Representation and Advisory Service (MERAS) and New Zealand Nurses Association (NZNO), Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. “Addressing historical pay ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • New Zealand provides support to Morocco
    Aotearoa New Zealand will provide humanitarian support to those affected by last week’s earthquake in Morocco, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. “We are making a contribution of $1 million to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to help meet humanitarian needs,” Nanaia Mahuta said. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Government invests in West Coast’s roading resilience
    The Government is investing over $22 million across 18 projects to improve the resilience of roads in the West Coast that have been affected by recent extreme weather, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed today.  A dedicated Transport Resilience Fund has been established for early preventative works to protect the state ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Government invests in Greymouth’s future
    The Government has today confirmed a $2 million grant towards the regeneration of Greymouth’s CBD with construction of a new two-level commercial and public facility. “It will include a visitor facility centred around a new library. Additionally, it will include retail outlets on the ground floor, and both outdoor and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

  • Nanaia Mahuta to attend PIF Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will attend the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, in Suva, Fiji alongside New Zealand’s regional counterparts. “Aotearoa New Zealand is deeply committed to working with our pacific whanau to strengthen our cooperation, and share ways to combat the challenges facing the Blue Pacific Continent,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

  • PREFU shows no recession, growing economy, more jobs and wages ahead of inflation
    Economy to grow 2.6 percent on average over forecast period Treasury not forecasting a recession Inflation to return to the 1-3 percent target band next year Wages set to grow 4.8 percent a year over forecast period Unemployment to peak below the long-term average Fiscal Rules met - Net debt ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

  • New cancer centre opens in Christchurch
    Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall proudly opened the Canterbury Cancer Centre in Christchurch today. The new facility is the first of its kind and was built with $6.5 million of funding from the Government’s Infrastructure Reference Group scheme for shovel-ready projects allocated in 2020. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

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