NZ First and Winston seek anti vax vote

Written By: - Date published: 8:37 am, August 14th, 2023 - 53 comments
Categories: covid-19, health, nz first, the praiseworthy and the pitiful, winston peters - Tags:

Winston Peters clearly hopes that enough of us have short memories.

He was an integral part of the 2017 Government whose Covid policies saw our death rate from the disease amongst the lowest in the developed world.  As shown by this graph.

He performed something of a triple summersault with degree of difficulty 3.0 by then turning up to the anti vaccination protests in Wellington and opposing the mandates.

And now he and his party have gone full circle and are actively cultivating anti vaxer candidates for Parliament as shown in this Stuff article written by Charlie Mitchell.

Like Kirsten Murfitt, who Mitchell identifies as Polly, who has some very unusual beliefs, like Donald Trump is secretly a zionist and 911 may not have actually happened.

And she is not the only one.  From the article:

Stuff has identified several other announced NZ First candidates who have shared false or extreme views about the pandemic and other topics.

They include Auckland consultant Janina Massee, who formed her own political party last year called NZ STRONG but folded it last month to join New Zealand First. She has since been confirmed as the party’s Whangaparāoa candidate.

On social media last year, Massee shared a post that asked: “Why are we still being led to the slaughter like so many to the gas chambers[?]”, in a seeming reference Covid-19 vaccines. It is unclear if she wrote the post or simply shared it.

There is also Coromandel candidate Caleb Ansell who has posted QAnon catchphrases and who also called for the defrocking of the Archbishop of Canterbury for opposing a Ugandan Church’s extreme anti gay law stance.

And the Hamilton West candidate Kevin Stone who said that Covid was a “plandemic” orchestrated by multiple governments at the behest of a global financial cartel seeking a “great reduction in the population of the developed world and the virtual enslavement of the remainder”.

NZ First’s candidate vetting is not very good.  Either that or it has calculated that there is a sufficiently large coalition with anti vaxers to get it over the line.

To add to the inevitable sense of drama Winston Peters and David Seymour have recently been throwing tosterone induced barbs at each other and Seymour has said that Act will not sit at the cabinet table with New Zealand First.

If ever there was a potential coalition of chaos it would be National – ACT – New Zealand First.

And the good old Winston side show, that has cursed New Zealand politics for decades, is going to get another airing.

Hold onto your hats.  This is going to get very interesting.

53 comments on “NZ First and Winston seek anti vax vote ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. LawfulN 1
    14 August 2023 at 8:47 am

    So Trump is in cahoots with the Jews. It all makes sense now. Wake up sheeple!

  2. PsyclingLeft.Always 2
    14 August 2023 at 8:57 am

    it has calculated that there is a sufficiently large coalition with anti vaxers to get it over the line

    IMO I dont think there's an "or" . NZF has seen the numbers…and will take …anyone.

    Most dangerous IMO are the hard right conspiracists. Incl :

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/stuff-circuit/300660552/antivax-group-wanting-to-make-nz-ungovernable-targets-local-body-elections

    And, as you say, Mickey Savage , literally

    If ever there was a potential coalition of chaos it would be National – ACT – New Zealand First.

    However, as I have linked earlier Open Mike….the conspiracists also …..hate each other. So there is that.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/132238189/freedom-movement-splintering-amid-infighting-and-the-formation-of-new-political-party

    Cmon Labour/Green/Te Pati Maori . Stand strong. We must not let these, quite frankly frightening, people win.

    For NZ.

  3. Dennis Frank 3
    14 August 2023 at 9:02 am

    smiley He's playing the joker card, huh?

    Still, having attained the threshold, why not be the game-changer? Do opportunism to demonstrate how the opportunities party is failing to do so.

    If all the fringe-right parties were to lose a significant portion of their votes to NZF, that would get it clear over the threshold into a position of leverage.

    He will need to translate their anti-statist agenda into sensible conservatism not to alienate his current supporters though. Using freedom of thought & opinion, that's easily done on a rock-solid traditional basis stretching back to the 18th century.

    • Ngungukai 3.1
      14 August 2023 at 10:01 am

      Hell will Freeze Over b4 Winston and NZF get into a Coalition with National/ACT !!!

      The Big Question now is whether Brian Tamaki and the Destiny Church will they get in behind Winston & NZF. ???

  4. ianmac 4
    14 August 2023 at 9:17 am

    Polly/Murfitt said recently about her being chosen for NZF, that her beliefs will cause a flurry but after 24hours it will be forgotten. (Can't link.)

    Winston will have made some sort of equation like for every Polly-like person in the team there will be X numbers of similar minded folk looking for a place out of the wilderness. It might work enough to gain the 5%. Hard to guess what the genuine NZF folk will do though.

    • Peter 4.1
      14 August 2023 at 9:29 am

      Murfitt thinks the flurry about her beliefs will be forgotten in 24 hours?

      Or Murfitt will forget her crazy beliefs in 24 hours? The only sure thing if she gets in is that the House will be growing in true representation of the people. The lunacy through the Covid days when witches and all sorts of other strays made their maladies known showed there’s a stack of them. Maybe Murfitt could be their Minister.

    • Sanctuary 4.2
      14 August 2023 at 10:28 am

      The trouble is that Polly-like people usually don't vote, lest the the government implant a tracking device on them at the polling booth. And the sov-cits don't vote because they're too busy building a fallout shelter.

    • Ngungukai 4.3
      15 August 2023 at 3:13 am

      Most of them are dribbling into their tea cups in Rest Homes around the country or have died from Covid since the last Election in 2020

  5. Ngungukai 5
    14 August 2023 at 9:59 am

    Hell will Freeze Over b4 Winston and NZF get into a Coalition with National/ACT !!!

    • Chris 5.1
      14 August 2023 at 10:31 am

      You'd hope so, but luxon and willis are so hellbent on being pm and dpm they'll take anyone. Will be great to see these clowns tango with Peters. At the same time, I hope Hipkins and Labour take advantage of Peters rolling around with the freedom fighters. Hipkins and co need to make some hay here while they can.

      • Anker 5.1.1
        14 August 2023 at 4:12 pm

        Luxon has ruled out Te Pati Maori, so not quite true that they will take anyone.

        Remember that Labour were so desperate to win in 2017 they took Peters.

        • Louis 5.1.1.1
          14 August 2023 at 4:47 pm

          It was not desperation, it is called MMP. Labour had the numbers, thanks to Jacinda and the Labour Party team, to negotiate with other parties to try and form a government. If memory serves, National offered Winston more, but wouldn't budge on policy. At that time Winston was the kingmaker and his decision favoured Labour over the Nats. No major party is going to turn down a chance to be in government.

      • Ngungukai 5.1.2
        15 August 2023 at 3:17 am

        Winston will have Luxton and Willis dancing all over the place if he can put together a Coalition with National, if Winston First get 9% and National can get 35-40% we could have a National/Winston First Coalition Government. Pigs will start flying b4 Winston & NZF go into a Coalition with ACT and Seymour Butt.

    • Louis 5.2
      14 August 2023 at 1:20 pm

      Don't you know Winston's word cannot be trusted?

      'Peters had bitterly criticised his former National colleagues, and appeared to promise that he would not even consider a coalition with Bolger. However, after over a month of negotiations with both parties, Peters decided to enter into a coalition with National"

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winston_Peters

      • Ngungukai 5.2.1
        15 August 2023 at 3:21 am

        The problem was the Alliance Party, they couldn't make up their minds, Winston was trying to put together a Labour/Alliance/NZF Coalition. In the end he had to go with National which turned out to be a disaster.

    • joe90 5.3
      14 August 2023 at 2:11 pm

      It's snowing…

      /

      Max Rashbrooke

      @MaxRashbrooke

      In April, Matthew Hooton argued National donors and strategists were lending NZ First a hand, as they didn't rate Luxon and thought Nats-ACT would fall short but NZF >5% would ensure a centre-right coalition. Lo and behold: ACT/Nat donor Mark Wyborn has given NZF $200k this year.

      https://twitter.com/MaxRashbrooke/status/1690892250291806208

    • Cricklewood 5.4
      14 August 2023 at 4:14 pm

      Act and NZ first have just enough common ground to do (or undo) plenty, mainly around 5 waters, co governence and crime / justice. Its narrow but it could well be enough to give each side enough wins to make a confidence and supply arrangement work and some pretty drastic change throughout the country.

  6. Sanctuary 6
    14 August 2023 at 10:04 am

    If Winston Peters and NZF get over the line on the back of the cookers and crazies then that is a big plus for me, because Winston will simply do what he always does – being an effective safety valve for everyone's drunk granddad and crystal Karen aunt, and once elected he will proceed to completely ignore them whilst being a bloody minded spoiler for any meaningful change and mainly interested in being the centre of attention and getting favours done for his crony mates.

  7. roy cartland 7
    14 August 2023 at 10:06 am

    This is beyond sick. It's not 'interesting', it's catastrophically hazardous. It's the reason aliens don't bother to contact us – we simply aren't worth it.

  8. Ngungukai 8
    14 August 2023 at 10:14 am

    Winston has really lost it now getting into bed with the Anti-Vaxxer Nut Jobs, I did hold out for great things from Winston 30 years ago when I thought he was going to save NZ and turn NZ around after the Neoliberal Experiments of the 1980's ???

    • George 8.1
      14 August 2023 at 5:38 pm

      Winston and his circus of fools. He will suck the life out of Act hopefully and that Freedom party then leave them to their devices lost in the corridors of power, wandering waif like and howling until they find themselves locked in the basement while he enjoys a good whiskey upstairs.

  9. Reality 9
    14 August 2023 at 10:32 am

    Winston is descending into farce. Some years ago he would have been the first to rant and rage against the loopy ones he is now taking on board. Loved The Post cartoon today of NZ First's tinfoil hat. Winston will not like being laughed at.

    He should gracefully retire and go fishing. But some people seem to crave attention and don't know when it is time to step out of the limelight.

    The likeable and sensible Tracey Martin would not wish to line up with some of Winston's newbies.

  10. Shanreagh 10
    14 August 2023 at 10:35 am

    Winston has really lost it now getting into bed with the Anti-Vaxxer Nut Jobs,

    I agree with this……I was actually quite looking forward to a 'run' from Winston & NZ First to add interest and sometimes he does act as a circuit breaker.

    But nut jobs indeed……some of these are not your common garden variety nut jobs but as I say hold higher qualifications in conspiracy theory.

    Pity.

    I have no doubt that some won't want to vote for his people in an electorate but may think 'Winston's Ok' for a party vote.

  11. JeremyB 11
    14 August 2023 at 11:02 am

    They've come a long way since Joe Glenn.

  13. Patricia Bremner 13
    14 August 2023 at 12:28 pm

    Winnie is "In it for Winnie" sadly.

    The Regional fund has had good outcomes. The free Dr.'s visits for under 6 yr olds began the roll out of the now under 13 yrd olds., the gold card. NZF Policies.

    But Winnie has joined the nutters and is just anti anything that benefits Maori, the non Farming group and paints Labour as lying to him.

    He did not do well with National either and they parted badly last time he was in Govt with them.

    With Labour after he said he was "The Handbrake" on ideas, he was voted out. Labour and Greens were voted back in.

    This is a third term, which swing voters often decide. All groups need to compromise, build consensus to govern for all. Look at the groups. Who has managed that difficult task in difficult times?

    Look past occasional personal failures, remember what conditions were like from 2008 to 2017, and what has been coped with while governing and delivering since 2017 to 2023.

    • SPC 13.1
      14 August 2023 at 12:39 pm

      The PGF (in the need for it) reminds one of the saddest moments in US Democratic Party history when a two term POTUS WJC said in late 1999 that the rewards of economic growth of the 1990's had not been shared across all regions and to all Americans – and asked Americans to support his VP Albert Gore into his job, so that this might change. WJC signed into law welfare reform, welfare term limits and faith based provider involvement.

      Peters supported a rising MW, and would have no problem with the FPA, and NZF would by a brake on across the board migration – to insist on Kiwi employment where this was available. That worked well with Labour’s focus on apprenticeships and expectation of employers training people on the job – working with W and I in finding staff).

  14. Ad 14
    14 August 2023 at 2:31 pm

    NZFirst's 11th priority is:

    New Zealand First will collaborate with local council to develop the Dargaville Aerodrome

    https://www.nzfirst.nz/2023_commitments

    … akin to specifying a truck stop for Middlemarch

  15. dumbdumb 15
    14 August 2023 at 2:51 pm

    I dont think you guys are reading the room very well. [deleted]

    Labors only chance of winning has no relevance to their ability to govern but the fact that all parties are found wanting in regards to competence.

    I will personally put two lines through my voting forms with the words no confidence in bold capitals.

    [deleted]

    , as they do Winstons polling will increase and labors will decrease, take that to the bank.

    [you cannot use multiple user names here over time, as you have done for the past few years. Please make sure you use dumbdumb from now on. – weka]

    [I’ve also reviewed your comments and see you have a history of making claims of fact without backing those up with evidence. You will now have to pre-emptively provide evidence for every claim of fact in every comment. Evidence means 1) explaining how the evidence supports your argument 2) quotes 3) links (and time stamps if using audio/video). Links alone are insufficient. This is to prevent wasting moderator time and maintain a high level of debate on TS.

    On covid/vaccination, today you have made at least one non-sensical claims, which I have deleted. If you make claims of fact that aren’t clearly backed up by valid evidence, I will ban you permanently. Ask if you are unclear, or just stay clear of the topic. – weka]

    • weka 15.1
      14 August 2023 at 3:22 pm

      mod note. Please reply within 24 hours agreeing that you will provide evidence each time, and that you will stick to your new user name.

      • dumbdumb 15.1.1
        14 August 2023 at 4:18 pm

        Yeah fairplay weka , I just stop in for a look every now and then (I probably comment twice a year) and wouldnt remember my last userrname if it was in front of me.

        But in total fairness you deleted my comments that were neither abusive nor factually incorrect. I will however quite happily meet your requests.

        I hope you also carry this form of censorship to all others as I often see embellishment and misinformation presented here. For the record I would never censor you or any other person as i would much rather debate and possibly learn from another, just saying

        [One of your deleted asssertions was “The population at large now realizes that covid was a scam and so was the vaccine”. You have said again that this is factually correct. It’s not, it’s an unsubstantiated opinion, and one I have a high confidence would be proven wrong if we went into it Because you have doubled down, I’m now banning you until the end of the year. Because it’s election year, we’ve been clearing out commenters who won’t respect moderation, who waste moderator time, and who lower the standard of debate – weka]

  16. tc 16
    14 August 2023 at 4:58 pm

    "……clearly hopes that enough of us have short memories." appears to be what NACT and NZF are relying on also as the last time NACT were voted in state houses were flogged despite promises of no more asset sales by Shonkey.

    Desperation from Winnie combined with the lust for power from NACT to execute their backers desires makes this an all to familiar situation.

  17. Thinker 17
    14 August 2023 at 6:41 pm

    This is the first election where people can predict which party Winston will go with after the election. Normally, it's a strength of his that he offers genuine choice to his supporters through post-election negotiations with both parties.

    By giving people the wink that he's likely to join National, he's making himself a bit more irrelevant, especially if National goes with ACT. The latter will want to keep NZF out or, if absolutely necessary, make a few concessions in return for confidence and supply.

    Increasingly it’s becoming a bit “First Past the Post” between Labour/Greens and National/ACT.

  18. Ad 18
    14 August 2023 at 10:02 pm

    Labour+NZF were great together.

    Labour+Greens fell apart inside a year.

    What happened?

    • Ngungukai 18.1
      15 August 2023 at 3:31 am

      Correct Labour & NZF were great together however NZF had some very competent people like Tracey Martin and Ron Mark (ex Minister of Defence), probably one of the best Minister's of Defence the country has had in the past 70 years. Unfortunately these people have all now left and all you have is Winston, Shane Jones and the rest of his motley crew.

    • weka 18.2
      15 August 2023 at 9:28 am

      Labour+Greens fell apart inside a year.

      what?

      • arkie 18.2.1
        15 August 2023 at 9:40 am

        Labour+NZF were great together.

        This statement probably needs to be interrogated too.

  19. Stan 19
    15 August 2023 at 6:16 pm

    To – dumbdumb

    "The population at large now realizes that COVID was a scam and so was the vaccine"

    Can I just say – "up yours and all the nutters who feel like you!"

    Regards

    Coal-face doctor

    Mods – please remove this if you feel it's personal abuse. As a frontline Dr I can't believe people can be so ignorant, hope you can understand my feelings.

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    Do you believe New Zealand runs its general elections fairly and competently? As a voter, can you be confident that the votes on your ballot will be counted towards the final result? As a political scientist, I’ve been asked these questions many times and always answered “yes”, with very few ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

  • The Song of Saqua: Volume VIII
    Thus far May has followed on from a quiet April in the blogging department, but in fairness, it has been another case of doing what I am supposed to be doing, namely writing original fiction. Plus reading. So don’t worry – I have been productive. But in order to reassure ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    4 days ago

  • Pretending to talk other people’s languages
    Fakes can come in many forms.A Rolex, for instance.A tan can be fake. Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • What’s new? A social agency with an emphasis on “investment” instead of “wellbeing” – b...
    Buzz from the Beehive A new government agency will open for business on July 1 – the Social Investment Agency. As a new standalone central agency effective from 1 July, it will lead the development of social investment across Government, helping ministers understand who they need to invest in, what ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • Following the political money
    Bryce Edwards writes –    “Follow the money” is the classic directive to journalists trying to understand where power and influence lie in society. In terms of uncovering who influences various New Zealand political parties and governments, it therefore pays to look at who is funding them. The ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Hipkins would rather no one remember that he was Minister of Education
    Alwyn Poole writes –  After being elected to Parliament in 2008 the maiden speech of Hipkins was substantially around education policy. He was Labour’s spokesperson for education 2011 – 2017. He was Minister for Education from 2017 until February 2023. This is approximately 88% of the time Labour ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Fashionable follies
    Eric Crampton writes –  A fashion industry group is lobbying for protections. They make the usual arguments and a newer one. None of it makes sense. An industry group says it pumped $7.8 billion into the economy last year – that’s 1.9 percent of New Zealand’s GDP. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Justice for Bainimarama!
    In December 2006, Fiji's military leader Voreqe Bainimarama overthrew the elected government in a coup. He ruled Fiji for the next 16 years, first as dictator, then as "elected" Prime Minister. But now, he's finally been sent to jail where he belongs. Sadly, this isn't for his real crime of ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • March for Nature in June
    Don't like National's corrupt Muldoonist "fast-track" law? Aotearoa's environmental NGO's - Greenpeace, Forest & Bird, WWF, Coromandel Watchdog, Coal Action Network Aotearoa, Kiwis Against Seabed Mining, and others - have announced a joint march against it in Auckland in June: When: 13:00, 8 June, 2024 Where: Aotea Square, Auckland You ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • Bernard’ s Dawn Chorus & Pick ‘n’ Mix for Thursday May 9
    Seymour describes sushi as too woke for school meals. There are no fish sushi meals recommended by the School Lunches programme. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / Getty ImagesTL;DR: The Government will swap out hot meals for packaged sandwiches to save $107 million on school lunches for poor kids. MSD has pulled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • The non-woke $3 Lunch.
    I don't mind stealin' bread from the mouths of decadenceBut I can't feed on the powerless when my cup's already overfilled, yeahBut it's on the table, the fire's cookin'And they're farmin' babies, while slaves are workin'The blood is on the table and the mouths are chokin'But I'm goin' hungry, yeahSome ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Labour’s chickens come home to roost
    The Ardern Government’s chickens came home to roost yesterday with the news that the country is short of natural gas. In 2018, Labour banned offshore petroleum exploration, and industry executives say that the attendant loss of confidence by the industry impacted overall investment in onshore gas fields. Energy Resources Minister ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • Calvin Reviews Lord of The Rings
    Hi,If you’ve been digging through the newly launched Webworm store (orders are being dispatched worldwide as I type!) you’ll have noticed the best model we had was Calvin.This is Calvin.Calvin.Calvin is 7, and is the son of my producer over on Flightless Bird, Rob — aka “Wobby Wob”. Rob also ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago

  • Climate Adam: How to visualise Climate Change (ft. Katharine Hayhoe)
    This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Adam Levy. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). Climate change is everywhere. And when something's everywhere it can feel like it's nowhere. So how do we get our heads ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • The wrong direction
    Some good news on climate change today: the energy transition away from fossil fuels is picking up speed, and renewables now make up 30% of global electricity supply. Meanwhile, in Aotearoa, we're moving in the opposite direction, with Genesis Energy announcing that it will resume importing Indonesian coal. Their official ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • National hates democracy
    Its a law like gravity: whenever a right-wing government is elected, they start attacking democracy. And now, after talking to their Republican and Tory and Fidesz chums at the International Democracy Union forum in Wellington, National is doing it here, announcing plans to remove election-day enrolment. Or, to put it ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • No Tikanga Please, We're Lawyers.
    Yesterday Winston Peters focussed his attention on the important matter at hand. Tweeting. Like the former, and quite possibly next, orange POTUS, from whom he takes much of his political strategy, Winston is an avid X’er.His message didn’t resemble an historic address this time. In fact it was more reminiscent ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • Member’s Day
    Today is a Member's Day, and it seems we've entered the slowdown as things emerge from select committee. First up is the committee stage of Greg O'Connor's Child Protection (Child Sex Offender Government Agency Registration) (Overseas Travel Reporting) Amendment Bill, which will be followed by the second readings of Stuart ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • Hurrah for coal – Shane Jones welcomes Genesis Energy’s import plans as natural gas production s...
    Buzz from the Beehive A significant decline in natural gas production has given Resources Minister Shane Jones an opportunity to reiterate his enthusiasm for the mining and burning of coal. For good measure, he has praised an announcement from Genesis Energy that it will resume importing coal. He and Energy ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Following the political money
    “Follow the money” is the classic directive to journalists trying to understand where power and influence lie in society. In terms of uncovering who influences various New Zealand political parties and governments, it therefore pays to look at who is funding them. The political parties are legally obliged to make ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    6 days ago

  • A Left-Right ranking of universities in NZ: a practical guide for students and parents
    Rob MacCullough writes – Here is my subjective ranking on a “most-left” to “most-right” scale of most of our major NZ Universities, with some anecdotal (and at times amusing) evidence to back up the claim. Extreme Left   Auckland University of Technology Evidence The ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  •  Inflation and GST thresholds
    Eric Crampton writes –  I hadn’t thought about this one until a helpful email showed up in my inbox.It’s pretty obvious that income tax thresholds should automatically index with inflation – whether to anchor the thresholds in percentiles of the income distribution, or to anchor against a real ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Green Party grapples with persistent scandals
    Jacqui Van Der Kaay writes –  Parliament’s speaker had no option but to refer Green MP Julie Anne Genter to the Privileges Committee for her behaviour in the House last Wednesday evening. The incident, in which she crossed the floor to wave a book and yell at National ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • A law school to be avoided – Auckland University of Technology
    Gary Judd writes – The Dean of the law school at the Auckland University of Technology is someone called Khylee Quince. I have been sent her social media posting in which she has, over the LawNews headline “Senior King’s Counsel files complaint about compulsory tikanga Maori studies for ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • 17 people in Malaita stand in way of China’s takeover of the Solomons
    Cleo Paskal writes – WASHINGTON, D.C.: ‘Many of us have received phone calls from [the opposing camp] telling them if they join the camp they will be given projects for their wards and $300,000 [around US$35,000] each’, says former Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani. The elections in Solomon Islands aren’t ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the Hamas Ceasefire Offer, and Mark Mitchell’s Incompetence
    With hindsight, it was inevitable that (a) Hamas would agree to the ceasefire deal brokered by Egypt and Qatar and that ( b) Israel would then immediately launch attacks on Rafah, regardless. We might have hoped the concessions made by Hamas would cause Israel to desist from slaughtering thousands more ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    6 days ago

  • Bernard’ s Dawn Chorus & Pick ‘n’ Mix for Wednesday May 8
    Placards and mourners outside the Kilbirnie Mosque following the Christchurch terror attack: MSD has terminated the Kaiwhakaoranga service, which has been used by 415 families since the attacks. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The Government’s pledge to only cut ‘back office’ staff rather than ‘frontline’ services is on increasingly shaky ground, with ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • A few PT announcements
    There’s been a few smaller public transport announcements over the last week or so that I thought I’d cover in a single post. Fareshare I’ve long called for Auckland Transport to offer a way to enable employer-subsidised public transport options. The need for this took on even more importance ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    6 days ago

  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Green Party grapples with persistent scandals
    Parliament’s speaker had no option but to refer Green MP Julie Anne Genter to the Privileges Committee for her behaviour in the House last Wednesday evening. The incident, in which she crossed the floor to wave a book and yell at National Minister Matt Doocey, reflects poorly on Genter and ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    6 days ago

  • At a glance – Tree ring proxies and the divergence problem
    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

  • Nothing to sneer at
    Who likes being sneered at? Nobody. Worse yet, when the sneerer has their facts all wrong, and might well be an idiot.The sneer in question is The adults are in charge now, and it is a sneer offered in retort to criticism of this new Government, no matter how well ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • Still on their bullshit
    When in government, Labour pushed to extend the Parliamentary term to four years, to reduce accountability and our ability to vote out a bad government. And now, they're trying to do it through the member's ballot, with a Four-Year Parliamentary Term Legislation Bill. The bill at least requires a referendum ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • Drawn
    A ballot for a single Member's Bill was held today, and the following bill was drawn: Public Works (Prohibition of Compulsory Acquisition of Māori Land) Amendment Bill (Hūhana Lyndon) The bill would prevent the government from stealing Māori land in breach of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • A nod and a wink that will unnecessarily cost Aucklanders tens of millions per year
    Simeon Brown, alongside Wayne Brown, is favouring a political figleaf now in exchange for loading up tens of millions in extra interest costs on Auckland ratepayers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Ratings agency Standard & Poor’s is pushing back hard at suggestions from Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    7 days ago

  • Correcting the Corrections announcement – a fiscal farce that should bother the OECD
     Buzz from the Beehive One headline-grabber from the Beehive yesterday was the OECD’s advice that the government must bring the Budget deficit under control or face higher interest rates. Another was the announcement of a $1.9 billion “investment” in Corrections over the next four years. In the best interests of ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days ago

  •  Like it or not, the Kiwis are either going into ‘Pillar 2’ – or they are going to China
    Chris Trotter writes –  Had Zheng He’s fleet sailed east, not west, in the early Fifteenth Century, how different our world would be. There is little reason to suppose that the sea-going junks of the Ming Dynasty, among the largest and most sophisticated sailing vessels ever constructed, would have failed ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago

  • A balanced and an unbalanced article
    David Farrar writes – Two articles give a useful contrast in balance. Both seek to be neutral explainer articles. This one in the Herald on Social Investment covers the pros and cons nicely. It links to critical pieces and talks about aspects that failed and aspects that are more ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago

  • Deeply unserious country
    Every bit of this seems insane. And people wonder why productivity is falling through the floor. Energy News reports that the Environment Court finally threw out Allan Crafar’s appeal against a solar farm. From the story: Consent was granted in 2022. Crafar appealed November 2022. On what grounds? That ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago

  • Senior King’s Counsel files complaint about compulsory tikanga Māori studies for law students
    The tikanga regulations will compel law students to be taught that a system which does not conform with the rule of law is nevertheless law which should be observed and applied…  Gary Judd KC writes –  I have made a complaint to Parliament’s Regulation ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago

  • https://www.greaterauckland.org.nz/?p=77196
    The future of Te Huia, the train between Hamilton and Auckland, has been getting a lot of attention recently as current funding for it is only in place till the end of June. The government initially agreed to a five year trial, through to April 2026, but that was subject ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    7 days ago

  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Tuesday, May 7
    TL;DR: Hamas has just agreed to Israel’s ceasefire plan. Nelson hospital’s rebuild has been cut back to save money. The OECD suggests New Zealand break up network monopolies, including in electricity. PM Christopher Luxon’s news conference on a prison expansion announcement last night was his messiest yet.Here’s my top six ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    7 days ago

  • HM Prison Aotearoa.
    A homicide in Ponsonby, a manhunt with a killer on the run. The nation’s leader stands before a press conference reassuring a frightened nation that he’ll sort it out, he’ll keep them safe, he’ll build some new prison spaces.Sorry what? There’s a scary dude on the run with a gun ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago

  • Get Your Webworm Merch!
    Hi,I know it’s been awhile since there’s been any Webworm merch — and today that all changes!Over the last four months, I’ve been working with New Zealand artist Jess Johnson to create a series of t-shirts, caps and stickers that are infused with Webworm DNA — and as of right ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    7 days ago

  • Top OECD economist puts Willis between a rock and a hard place
    The OECD’s chief economist yesterday laid it on the line for the new Government: bring the deficit under control or face higher Reserve Bank interest rates for longer. And to bring the deficit under control, she meant not borrowing for tax cuts. But there was more. Without policy changes—introducing a ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    7 days ago

  • COVID-19 Inquiry terms of reference consultation results received
    “The results of the public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has now been received, with results indicating over 13,000 submissions were made from members of the public,” Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says. “We heard feedback about the extended lockdowns in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago

  • The Pacific family of nations – the changing security outlook
    Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, other Members of Parliament Acting Chief of Defence Force, Secretary of Defence Distinguished Guests  Defence and Diplomatic Colleagues  Ladies and Gentlemen,  Good afternoon, tēna koutou, apinun tru    It’s a pleasure to be back in Port Moresby today, and to speak here at the Kumul Leadership ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago

  • NZ and Papua New Guinea to work more closely together
    Health, infrastructure, renewable energy, and stability are among the themes of the current visit to Papua New Guinea by a New Zealand political delegation, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Papua New Guinea carries serious weight in the Pacific, and New Zealand deeply values our relationship with it,” Mr Peters ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago

  • Driving ahead with Roads of Regional Significance
    The coalition Government is launching Roads of Regional Significance to sit alongside Roads of National Significance as part of its plan to deliver priority roading projects across the country, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “The Roads of National Significance (RoNS) built by the previous National Government are some of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago

  • New Zealand congratulates new Solomon Islands government
    A high-level New Zealand political delegation in Honiara today congratulated the new Government of Solomon Islands, led by Jeremiah Manele, on taking office.    “We are privileged to meet the new Prime Minister and members of his Cabinet during his government’s first ten days in office,” Deputy Prime Minister and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • New Zealand supports UN Palestine resolution
    New Zealand voted in favour of a resolution broadening Palestine’s participation at the United Nations General Assembly overnight, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The resolution enhances the rights of Palestine to participate in the work of the UN General Assembly while stopping short of admitting Palestine as a full ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Speech to the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium
    Introduction Good morning. It’s a great privilege to be here at the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium. I was extremely happy when the Prime Minister asked me to be his Minister for Infrastructure. It is one of the great barriers holding the New Zealand economy back from achieving its potential. Building high ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • $571 million for Defence pay and projects
    Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced the upcoming Budget will include new funding of $571 million for Defence Force pay and projects. “Our servicemen and women do New Zealand proud throughout the world and this funding will help ensure we retain their services and expertise as we navigate an increasingly ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Climate change – mitigating the risks and costs
    New Zealand’s ability to cope with climate change will be strengthened as part of the Government’s focus to build resilience as we rebuild the economy, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “An enduring and long-term approach is needed to provide New Zealanders and the economy with certainty as the climate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Getting new job seekers on the pathway to work
    Jobseeker beneficiaries who have work obligations must now meet with MSD within two weeks of their benefit starting to determine their next step towards finding a job, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “A key part of the coalition Government’s plan to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Accelerating Social Investment
    A new standalone Social Investment Agency will power-up the social investment approach, driving positive change for our most vulnerable New Zealanders, Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis says.  “Despite the Government currently investing more than $70 billion every year into social services, we are not seeing the outcomes we want for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Getting Back on Track
    Check against delivery Good morning. It is a pleasure to be with you to outline the Coalition Government’s approach to our first Budget. Thank you Mark Skelly, President of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, together with  your Board and team, for hosting me.   I’d like to acknowledge His Worship ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • NZ – European Union ties more critical than ever
    Your Excellency Ambassador Meredith,   Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassadors from European Union Member States,   Ministerial colleagues, Members of Parliament, and other distinguished guests, Thank you everyone for joining us.   Ladies and gentlemen -    In diplomacy, we often speak of ‘close’ and ‘long-standing’ relations.   ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Therapeutic Products Act to be repealed
    The Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) will be repealed this year so that a better regime can be put in place to provide New Zealanders safe and timely access to medicines, medical devices and health products, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The medicines and products we are talking about ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Decisions on Wellington City Council’s District Plan
    The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, today released his decision on twenty recommendations referred to him by the Wellington City Council relating to its Intensification Planning Instrument, after the Council rejected those recommendations of the Independent Hearings Panel and made alternative recommendations. “Wellington notified its District Plan on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Rape Awareness Week: Government committed to action on sexual violence
    Rape Awareness Week (6-10 May) is an important opportunity to acknowledge the continued effort required by government and communities to ensure that all New Zealanders can live free from violence, say Ministers Karen Chhour and Louise Upston.  “With 1 in 3 women and 1 in 8 men experiencing sexual violence ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Smarter lunch programme feeds more, costs less
    Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government will be delivering a more efficient Healthy School Lunches Programme, saving taxpayers approximately $107 million a year compared to how Labour funded it, by embracing innovation and commercial expertise. “We are delivering on our commitment to treat taxpayers’ money ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Report provides insights into marine recovery
    New research on the impacts of extreme weather on coastal marine habitats in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay will help fishery managers plan for and respond to any future events, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. A report released today on research by Niwa on behalf of Fisheries New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • NZ to send political delegation to the Pacific
    Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will lead a broad political delegation on a five-stop Pacific tour next week to strengthen New Zealand’s engagement with the region.   The delegation will visit Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Tuvalu.    “New Zealand has deep and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Low gas production threatens energy security
    There has been a material decline in gas production according to figures released today by the Gas Industry Co.  Figures released by the Gas Industry Company show that there was a 12.5 per cent reduction in gas production during 2023, and a 27.8 per cent reduction in gas production in the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Defence industry talent, commitment recognised
    Defence Minister Judith Collins tonight announced the recipients of the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry, saying they all contribute to New Zealanders’ security and wellbeing. “Congratulations to this year’s recipients, whose innovative products and services play a critical role in the delivery of New Zealand’s defence capabilities, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Speech to the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry
    Welcome to you all - it is a pleasure to be here this evening.I would like to start by thanking Greg Lowe, Chair of the New Zealand Defence Industry Advisory Council, for co-hosting this reception with me. This evening is about recognising businesses from across New Zealand and overseas who in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Speech to the Sixth Annual New Zealand Government Data Summit
    It is a pleasure to be speaking to you as the Minister for Digitising Government.  I would like to thank Akolade for the invitation to address this Summit, and to acknowledge the great effort you are making to grow New Zealand’s digital future. Today, we stand at the cusp of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Ceasefire agreement needed now: Peters
    New Zealand is urging both Israel and Hamas to agree to an immediate ceasefire to avoid the further humanitarian catastrophe that military action in Rafah would unleash, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “The immense suffering in Gaza cannot be allowed to worsen further. Both sides have a responsibility to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Daily school attendance data now available
    A new online data dashboard released today as part of the Government’s school attendance action plan makes more timely daily attendance data available to the public and parents, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour.  The interactive dashboard will be updated once a week to show a national average of how ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Ambassador to United States appointed
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced Rosemary Banks will be New Zealand’s next Ambassador to the United States of America.    “Our relationship with the United States is crucial for New Zealand in strategic, security and economic terms,” Mr Peters says.    “New Zealand and the United States have a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • New permit proposed for recreational gold mining
    The Government is considering creating a new tier of minerals permitting that will make it easier for hobby miners to prospect for gold. “New Zealand was built on gold, it’s in our DNA. Our gold deposits, particularly in regions such as Otago and the West Coast have always attracted fortune-hunters. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • NZ and the UAE launch FTA negotiations
    Minister for Trade Todd McClay today announced that New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will commence negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). Minister McClay met with his counterpart UAE Trade Minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Dubai, where they announced the launch of negotiations on a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • New Zealand Sign Language Week an opportunity for anyone to sign
    New Zealand Sign Language Week is an excellent opportunity for all Kiwis to give the language a go, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week (May 6 to 12) is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week. The theme is “an Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhere” and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Next stop NASA for New Zealand students
    Six tertiary students have been selected to work on NASA projects in the US through a New Zealand Space Scholarship, Space Minister Judith Collins announced today. “This is a fantastic opportunity for these talented students. They will undertake internships at NASA’s Ames Research Center or its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • $1.9 billion investment to keep NZ safe from crime
    New Zealanders will be safer because of a $1.9 billion investment in more frontline Corrections officers, more support for offenders to turn away from crime, and more prison capacity, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says. “Our Government said we would crack down on crime. We promised to restore law and order, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • OECD reinforces need to control spending
    The OECD’s latest report on New Zealand reinforces the importance of bringing Government spending under control, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The OECD conducts country surveys every two years to review its members’ economic policies. The 2024 New Zealand survey was presented in Wellington today by OECD Chief Economist Clare Lombardelli.   ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Agreement delivers Local Water Done Well for Auckland
    The Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Gaza and the Pacific on the agenda with Germany
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today.    "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Decision allows for housing growth in Western Bay of Plenty
    The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Speech to New Zealand China Council
    Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today.    Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Modern insurance law will protect Kiwi households
    The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
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    2 weeks ago

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