NZ doing more harm than good on climate change

Written By: - Date published: 8:42 am, September 26th, 2015 - 47 comments
Categories: climate change, global warming, International - Tags: , , , ,

How crap is it that we have come to this:

Key told not to attend Paris and to pull NZ delegation
Friday, 25 September 2015, 10:01 am
Press Release: Greenpeace

A coalition of environmental organisations (1), is calling for John Key not to attend the upcoming Paris climate summit, and to pull Tim Groser and the entire New Zealand delegation from the two weeks of talks.

“New Zealand is proving one of the biggest blocks to a meaningful global deal in December. In the interests of a successful outcome and for the good of the climate, we’re asking that our delegation not go,” said Greenpeace climate campaigner Steve Abel.

A letter from the group has gone to the Prime Minister today. (2)

As well as having one of the weakest climate action plans and one of the poorest emission reduction records of the developed nations who’ll be in Paris (3), the New Zealand delegation also wants countries’ emission targets to be non-binding under any agreement, meaning governments could walk away from their targets at any time.

“The world’s ability to manage climate change rests on these targets; they must legally oblige governments to reduce emissions. To call for them to be non-binding is to admit defeat from the outset,” said Niamh O’Flynn from 350 Aotearoa.

“Tim Groser and our delegation’s remit will be to prevent a Paris agreement that commits New Zealand to more climate action,” said Cindy Baxter of Coal Action Network Aotearoa. “They’ll be doing everything they can to bring everyone down to New Zealand’s level, in which case the world will be heading for at least 3-4 degrees of warming.”

International analysis has found New Zealand’s pledge to reduce emissions by 11% by 2030 on 1990 levels to be “inadequate” and key elements of the policy little more than “creative accounting”. (4) The analysis says in reality, New Zealand’s emissions are set to be 11% above 1990 levels by 2030.

“Every head of state, delegate, civic leader, civil servant, NGO representative, man and woman at the December summit should have only one objective in mind – to reach a meaningful global deal that keeps our children and grandchildren safe,” said Steve Abel of Greenpeace.

“New Zealand’s position won’t get us where we need to go; in fact it will drag us in the wrong direction. Our Government has shown neither the courage or fortitude required in Paris. It is not up to the task.

“It would be better for humanity if John Key were to stay home, and instruct Minister Groser and the delegation to do likewise.”

ENDS

1. 350 Aotearoa, Coal Action Network Aotearoa and Greenpeace

2. http://www.greenpeace.org/new-zealand/Global/new-zealand/P3/publications/PrimeMinisterParisSept2015pdf.pdf

3. http://climateactiontracker.org/assets/publications/briefing_papers/NZ_INDC_Assessment_July_2015.pdf

4. http://climateactiontracker.org/news/215/New-Zealand-deploys-creative-accounting-to-allow-emissions-to-rise-.html

47 comments on “NZ doing more harm than good on climate change ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Paul 1
    26 September 2015 at 8:49 am

    I am disgusted by this wretched government. They shame this country.

    And I am even more disgusted by the million people who voted for their selfish and greedy desires rather than putting other people and the planet first.

    Manny New Zealanders have the government they deserve.

    • Smilin 1.1
      26 September 2015 at 9:40 pm

      So true but short of a nation wide all out effort to support Greenpeace in the same vein as the Springbok tour protests we are doomed until 2017

  2. savenz 2
    26 September 2015 at 8:57 am

    +100

    I don’t blame voters though, I first blame the government for their disgusting evil behaviour and treason to Kiwis in their sell off to consumerism and the oil and transport industry etc, and then I blame the opposition who are not doing enough effectively to stop this government, by repeatedly falling into traps to endorse this governments disgusting behaviour and NOT engaging with real public in protest marches and feet on the street to stop them and trying to actually work in opposition in a meaningful way.

    (ok Northland showed the opposition can do it, not only that, be successful, but they need to have a real strategy and look at what works not keep repeating what does not work).

    • savenz 2.1
      26 September 2015 at 8:59 am

      And thirdly I blame MSM for their blatant electioneering and continual negative reporting of opposition and constant reporting of trivia and non reporting of real facts .

    • Paul 2.2
      26 September 2015 at 9:05 am

      There are too many New Zealanders who put their greed above the needs of others.

      Anyone who voted for this government has no excuse. They would prefer to vote for a government because it ensures their house prices go up rather than care about the poor and vulnerable in their own country.

      They are wilfully uninformed. They would prefer to distract themselves with rugby, celebrities and forms of entertainment rather than be informed about the state of the planet.

      They have a responsibility to their grandchildren and beyond to pass on a planet fit to live on.

      I do not feel the same charity to them.

      They are grown adults.

      • Macro 2.2.1
        26 September 2015 at 11:52 am

        Well said Paul – I have no empathy for those who continue to support the parties of Greed over poverty.

  3. BM 3
    26 September 2015 at 9:12 am

    You won’t see any politician apart from the greens standing up and saying anything.

    Why do you think that is.

    • Paul 3.1
      26 September 2015 at 9:15 am

      Because the zeitgeist in our society is driven by short term consumerism.
      Most people ( you included?) have been trained to think in a certain way that makes them put consumerism as a good thing.
      Politicians also operate on this short term cycle.
      The financial markets work on this cycle.

      We need to change our zeitgeist.
      Or we are stuffed.

      • BM 3.1.1
        26 September 2015 at 9:27 am

        Nothing is going to change, until water starts lapping at the door then people will see the problem and steps will be taken to sort the problem.
        Sure, it might be too late or we’ll just adapt to our changing world, like humans always have.

        This is the way it will be, there’s nothing anyone person,organization or political party can do about it.

        • marty mars 3.1.1.1
          26 September 2015 at 9:36 am

          why do you keep commenting on the various posts around this issue then – why not just keep your mouth shut and let others talk/discuss the issues as they wish to – I think you are just a dim blowhard with limited cognitive capacity and even less understanding – a typical rightie in other words – your thoughts are worth less than nothing as you’ve shown with your comments above.

        • Paul 3.1.1.2
          26 September 2015 at 9:42 am

          Your comment ‘we’ll just adapt to our changing world, like humans always have’ shows how woefully uninformed you are about the scale of the problem.

          And it would appear you have clearly set out opinions, despite a lack of background reading on the subject.

          This is the greatest problem humanity has ever faced. And you are part of the problem with your ‘there’s nothing we can do about it’ approach. Like John Key and Tim Groser, you are an obstacle to solving the problem. They should refrain from going to Paris. You could refrain from debating the issue.

    • Heather Grimwood 3.2
      26 September 2015 at 1:10 pm

      Sorry BM. (3)…you need to become more informed before you spread noxious catchphrases

  4. savenz 4
    26 September 2015 at 9:34 am

    I agree more and more people are getting greedy but by blaming the voters it is self defeating as it is letting off the enablers who did a bad job, like the opposition and the MSM who are controlling this message. Not every voter has a massive IQ and can see past the Pandas, all blacks and how incompetent the MSM says the opposition are and this rock star economy we are having. Can you blame people for being stupid and therefore able to be manipulated or should you blame the manipulators?

    I particularly hated what the opposition did to the Internet Mana party last election. Instead of concentrating on winning against National they instead wasted energy by picking off fledglings who believe in social equality and helping the most needy. Against took away more important message of what a terrible job the Natz were doing!

    The real worry for many is if we replace National are we going to get National Lite? Red Peak instead of Silver Fern?

    While it might seem selfish for people to worry about their property, clearly having a roof over your head is pretty important to many and going back to the 1980’s high interest rates, negative equity etc is a scary thought for many. The left wing rants against property owners is counter productive.

    In NZ both Maori and Pakeha have an affinity for property and land – it is part of the culture here, and telling Maori are greedy for having land etc – I just think the opposition and others need to understand that blaming property and land owners for being greedy is just another way for National to get more votes. Owning land and property does not mean you agree with the Natz far from it, many want everything the Greens stand for, clean environment, climate change controls etc and Labour more jobs etc – but the opposition need to get over pet peeves about property owners and concentrate on less negative messages. It is not the Kiwis buying up the property – we have a massive influx of immigration that need to be housed and have a lot of money from real wages overseas!

    Corbyn is popular because he is the real deal. But do we have the equivalent?

    • Paul 4.1
      26 September 2015 at 9:45 am

      A lot of people choose to ignore the issues.
      You are far too generous to those property owners who buy rentals.
      Politicians reflect the selfishness of society.

      • savenz 4.1.1
        26 September 2015 at 10:03 am

        My personal view is that the 1970’s when both parents started to go our to work and therefore put their kids into daycare has contributed to the idea that ‘money’ from ‘wages’ is more important than social and family relations to the subsequent generations.

        Studies have shown that Romanian orphans kept in institutions can never develop love and empathy after 2 years if they have proper love and care withheld.

        While I don’t wan’t to imply that is what can happen in daycare (but the Natz have reduced the quality of daycare providers – to meet the market) – I would love to see parents being supported to look after their own kids for at least 3 years – that is when kids develop empathy and so forth.

        Kids need to be more valued in this country and teaching them about ‘real’ things not ‘consumer’ things is very important. Remember the child benefit for all parents etc.

        Now, kids are considered to be expensive burdens on the country that immigration can fulfil. A bit like the environment. Just something meaningless to be exploited.

        Greed can be a way for people who have had real values like love and affection withheld, to be coping.

        But I think in NZ, property and land comes from the Maori and has a special place in Kiwi’s hearts. It is not a voter winner to meddle with and not a good message to equate property with greed.

        • RedLogix 4.1.1.1
          26 September 2015 at 1:32 pm

          Studies have shown that Romanian orphans kept in institutions can never develop love and empathy after 2 years if they have proper love and care withheld.

          Yup. The first and critical step in growing decent, capable human beings. There is SO much more we could being doing.

          Our grossly materialistic society only measures education in purely vocational and peripheral terms, and for this reason misses the core and essential aspects.

  5. savenz 5
    26 September 2015 at 10:13 am

    Greed to me is intensive farming like pig farming, exploiting an animals suffering to save money or privatisation of water and power and state housing, with holding medicine or spending money on roads instead of public transport.

    Not doing our duty by reducing climate change.

    Taking away funding from climate change and giving scientist grants of nearly 10 million to oil companies.

    Someone, having a rental property so that someone can rent it, does not seem to be greedy and inducing suffering at all. It just seems like a normal service that people need. I think it is part of the Natz plan to blame landlords to deflect blame on where it should be going.

    Greed is selling off State houses for no reason or exploiting tenants in state houses by not maintaining them but giving the money out in dividends and all the other greedy things they are doing.

    • Paul 5.1
      26 September 2015 at 10:16 am

      And if you vote for a government that supports all this, then you are wilfully ignorant or as selfish as the government you voted for.

    • Draco T Bastard 5.2
      26 September 2015 at 12:43 pm

      Someone, having a rental property so that someone can rent it, does not seem to be greedy and inducing suffering at all.

      Except for the fact that it is greedy and does induce suffering.

      It just seems like a normal service that people need.

      Which is why all housing should be state owned with the tenants paying a small amount each week to cover maintenance. Everyone would have a home and everyone would be better off – except the bludgers presently known as landlords.

      • weka 5.2.1
        26 September 2015 at 1:46 pm

        Except I don’t want the National Party dictating the conditions under which I live. There is much that can be done to address inequity, but the state aren’t necessarily more trustworthy than private owners. It’s a nice idea in theory, but in reality I suspect we would swap one set of problems for another.

        Me and people I know have lived in some houses that would be considered by the state to be substandard and I doubt that were they nationalised that the state would improve them, they’d knock them down instead. Not only is that anti-sustainability, but it would remove many houses in areas where housing would never be replaced. Fine if you consider housing to be a utilitarian need, not fine if you consider homes and communities and relationship to the land to be important.

        The innovation that comes out of the owner/builder community in NZ would also be lost if the state were in control of that (although there’s probably no reason why people couldn’t build those houses and sell them to the state).

        • Draco T Bastard 5.2.1.1
          26 September 2015 at 2:12 pm

          Except I don’t want the National Party dictating the conditions under which I live.

          Which is why we would set it up so that they can’t. In fact, one of the things I’ve come to realise over the years is that we need to limit what our governments can do.

          There is much that can be done to address inequity

          And getting rid of private ownership of housing is actually one of those things that needs to be done. It is this private ownership that drives the rentier capitalism that we have today that is driving up inequality, increasing poverty and even driving the FTAs.

          Me and people I know have lived in some houses that would be considered by the state to be substandard and I doubt that were they nationalised that the state would improve them, they’d knock them down instead.

          If they’re as bad as you say then the only real option is to knock them down. Doesn’t matter who owns them.

          The innovation that comes out of the owner/builder community in NZ would also be lost

          Can’t say that I’ve ever seen any innovation by owner/builders and I’ve known a few. Seen them do some really silly things that required a builder to fix though.

          Owner/builder’s aren’t really the place to develop innovation. Much better to have a forum where ideas can be discussed, developed and finally prototyped and then made available to the community. Such a place would be the Learning Centres that I mentioned a couple of years ago.

    • Paul 5.3
      26 September 2015 at 1:29 pm

      People need housing.
      They do not need private housing.
      The result is clear.
      Overpriced, cold, mouldy accommodation for the poor and vulnerable.

      Sorry …you may want to deny it, but New Zealand contains a lot of selfish people who have bought the neoliberal mantra. And they know it a nightmare for others. And they don’t care. These are the people Key calls aspirational.
      Key and his cadre could not have been reelected otherwise.
      Selfish governments are elected by selfish people.

      • RedLogix 5.3.1
        26 September 2015 at 1:35 pm

        You both misidentify the problem.

        I (and many other landlords as well) take pride in providing safe, warm and well-maintained rentals.

        Some people do not.

        The difference is not the nature of the rental business, but the character of the people.

        • Paul 5.3.1.1
          26 September 2015 at 1:38 pm

          You may be a good landlord.
          However, the system rewards bad landlords.
          The government knows this.
          And bad landlords know this.
          So do the selfish voters who support this crony capitalist government.

          • RedLogix 5.3.1.1.1
            26 September 2015 at 1:46 pm

            And on that point I 100% agree.

            I’d be the first person to welcome greatly improved standards and a substantial reform of the legislation. The legal and cultural context of residential renting in this country is grossly substandard.

            Even the Australians generally are better at it than we are.

            • weka 5.3.1.1.1.1
              26 September 2015 at 1:47 pm

              +1

              We know that the state is currently a pretty crap landlord. Why would we want them to own all the houses in NZ?

              • Paul …
                26 September 2015 at 1:51 pm

                The state is a bad landlord because the governments of NZ have followed neoliberal ideology for 30 years.
                A socialist or social democratic government would provide safe warm affordable housing. Look at how Germany operates.

                • weka …
                  26 September 2015 at 1:56 pm

                  Nevertheless, unless you want to overthrow the government and force it to be socialist 😉 there is no way in NZ presently to prevent the state from being a crap landlord.

                  I don’t mind that I pay rent. I do mind that I pay rent to someone who is paying off a mortgage that is excessive and only exists because of greed. But the basic idea of me paying someone else to let me live in their home, I don’t have a problem with that.

                  • Draco T Bastard …
                    26 September 2015 at 2:19 pm

                    But the basic idea of me paying someone else to let me live in their home, I don’t have a problem with that.

                    I do as it means that they’re living on the work of someone else and getting more out of it than the someone else. Capitalists happen to be the biggest bludgers ever.

                    • weka …
                      26 September 2015 at 3:14 pm

                      Obviously that’s true in some situations, but not others. The people I rent off built this house themselves. They borrowed money to do that. I’m paying that back for them for a while in exchange for having a nice place to live. It’s fair in this situation (although as mentioned, the mortgage/rent/land value thing isn’t).

                      Possibly part of my view on this relates to the fact that while I do contribute to society, I’m not in paid employment. The government pays my income. It’s all just money going around. Which leaves unfairness in the landlords acruing wealth once the mortgate is paid off (and the problem of the banksters) and the subsequent inequtity that creates acros society, but I think there are other ways of resolving that other than making the government my landlord instead.

        • Draco T Bastard 5.3.1.2
          26 September 2015 at 2:17 pm

          The difference is not the nature of the rental business, but the character of the people.

          Actually, it’s the basic nature of business and capitalism. You may be a good person but that doesn’t mean that the next person will be. Hell, even if a majority of landlords are good there’s still going to be the arseholes that take and don’t give a fuck.

          This is, of course, why we got rid of feudalism and why we now need to be getting rid of capitalism. Both sets of private ownership and dictatorship have more downsides than good.

          • weka 5.3.1.2.1
            26 September 2015 at 3:28 pm

            why stop at land ownership? Should everything belong to the state?

            • Draco T Bastard 5.3.1.2.1.1
              26 September 2015 at 7:01 pm

              Ah, the RWNJ argument by exclaiming about extremes.

              The two things that should not be privately owned are land and businesses and the businesses shouldn’t be owned by the government either. I’m starting to think that there’s a good argument for cars not to be privately owned as well.

  6. infused 6
    26 September 2015 at 10:29 am

    yawn Greenpeace.

    I’m sure JK will be right on it.

  7. maui 7
    26 September 2015 at 12:00 pm

    There isn’t much to be proud of as a New Zealander right now. Unless you’re a non flag waving rugby fanatic. It probably would be better if John Key decided not to go to work on monday and all the days thereafter, we might be able to get shit done. The suggestion to also replace our finance minister with a rubber chicken is particularly visionary. It would put us back in surplus faster and we would see an end to the destructive economics.

    • savenz 7.1
      26 September 2015 at 12:59 pm

      Replace our finance minister with a rubber chicken is particularly visionary.

      Love it! Someone do a graphic!

      • maui 7.1.1
        26 September 2015 at 1:03 pm

        Credit to Stuart Munro. He has full rights on said chicken.

      • Smilin 7.1.2
        26 September 2015 at 9:49 pm

        or toxic nano particles in our food causing our brains not to function properly when faced with the vision of the National party ,
        Granny’s day room everything is just lovely but we’ve got to sell it when she goes.
        NZ after all the pretty pictures are used up and Nationalcorp cant think up new bs to pull over our eyes

  8. Draco T Bastard 8
    26 September 2015 at 1:19 pm

    This explains Nationals actions perfectly.

  9. Poission 9
    26 September 2015 at 1:45 pm

    As well as having one of the weakest climate action plans and one of the poorest emission reduction records of the developed nations who’ll be in Paris

    Well we could emulate europes and the UK labour gvts disasters for a quick fix viz a viz Kyoto.

    http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/sep/22/the-rise-diesel-in-europe-impact-on-health-pollution

    http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/news/uk_news/Environment/article1511239.ece?shareToken=a0604f4f15724c64bf94ff6c3ad6d00f

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    Election Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t have time for. You’re welcome, etc. Let us press on, etc. 1.  What did Christopher Luxon use to his advantage in ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Pure class warfare
    National unveiled its fiscal policy today, announcing all the usual things which business cares about and I don't. But it did finally tell us how National plans to pay for its handouts to landlords: by effectively cutting benefits: The biggest saving announced on Friday was $2b cut from the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • Ask Me Anything about the week to Sept 29
    Photo by Anna Ogiienko on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session for paying subscribers about the week that was for an hour, including:duelling fiscal plans from National and Labour;Labour cutting cycling spending while accusing National of being weak on climate;Research showing the need for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Weekly Roundup 29-September-2023
    Welcome to Friday and the last one for September. This week in Greater Auckland On Monday, Matt highlighted at the latest with the City Rail Link. On Tuesday, Matt covered the interesting items from Auckland Transport’s latest board meeting agendas. On Thursday, a guest post from Darren Davis ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    3 days ago

  • Protest at Parliament: The Reunion.
    Brian’s god spoke to him. He, for of course the Lord in Tamaki’s mind was a male god, with a mighty rod, and probably some black leathers. He, told Brian - “you must put a stop to all this love, hope, and kindness”. And it did please the Brian.He said ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Labour cuts $50m from cycleway spending
    Labour is cutting spending on cycling infrastructure while still trying to claim the higher ground on climate. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Labour Government released a climate manifesto this week to try to claim the high ground against National, despite having ignored the Climate Commission’s advice to toughen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • The Greater Of Two Evils.
    Not Labour: If you’re out to punish the government you once loved, then the last thing you need is to be shown evidence that the opposition parties are much, much worse.THE GREATEST VIRTUE of being the Opposition is not being the Government. Only very rarely is an opposition party elected ...
    Bowalley Road
    3 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #39 2023
    Open access notables "Net zero is only a distraction— we just have to end fossil fuel emissions." The latter is true but the former isn't, or  not in the real world as it's likely to be in the immediate future. And "just" just doesn't enter into it; we don't have ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Chris Trotter: Losing the Left
    IN THE CURRENT MIX of electoral alternatives, there is no longer a credible left-wing party. Not when “a credible left-wing party” is defined as: a class-oriented, mass-based, democratically-structured political organisation; dedicated to promoting ideas sharply critical of laissez-faire capitalism; and committed to advancing democratic, egalitarian and emancipatory ideals across the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

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

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    4 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    5 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    6 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
    7 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
    7 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week 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
    1 week ago

  • New national direction provides clarity for development and the environment
    The Government has taken an important step in implementing the new resource management system, by issuing a draft National Planning Framework (NPF) document under the new legislation, Environment Minister David Parker said today. “The NPF consolidates existing national direction, bringing together around 20 existing instruments including policy statements, standards, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 hours ago

  • Government shows further commitment to pay equity for healthcare workers
    The Government welcomes the proposed pay equity settlement that will see significant pay increases for around 18,000 Te Whatu Ora Allied, Scientific, and Technical employees, if accepted said Health Minister Ayesha Verrall. The proposal reached between Te Whatu Ora, the New Zealand Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago

  • 100 new public EV chargers to be added to national network
    The public EV charging network has received a significant boost with government co-funding announced today for over 100 EV chargers – with over 200 charging ports altogether – across New Zealand, and many planned to be up and running on key holiday routes by Christmas this year. Minister of Energy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day 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
    1 day 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
    4 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
    4 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
    5 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
    6 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
    2 weeks ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Government invests in West Coast’s roading resilience
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