NZ Right Wing Government Moves to Privatise Health

Written By: - Date published: 9:49 am, October 2nd, 2024 - 15 comments
Categories: assets, Christopher Luxon, health, Privatisation, privatisation, Public Private Partnerships, Shane Reti - Tags: , ,

This is a repost of Mountain Tui’s substack article: post

Often when folks ask me what we can do about this government’s short sighted and often dubious policies, I frequently veer to a similar answer:

Share information, stay aware, act locally where you can, stay positive, and wait.

Wait – for what?

Well tonight it became clear.

Last night it was revealed, Health NZ, now led by Luxon’s man. Lester Levy, recommended that the way to manage things going forward including Dunedin hospital’s “cost blowout” was to privatise our hospitals.

Before we proceed and to be clear –

1. There is NO “cost blowout”.

As the Mayor of Dunedin noted, the government intentionally increased the scope of the project and inflated costs

2. The government is refusing to release the rest of the Dunedin hospital estimates, citing it as commercially sensitive. That is very suspect – especially as their first tranch was revealed as bogus accounting.

3. NZ has the money. It is just being used for other priorities: tobacco, roads, charter schools, tax cuts, landlords, trusts etc.

[In addition we have the option of debt, although personally I think that this has been a simple case of extreme economic mismanagement from the start.]

Maybe the “wealthy and sorted” Prime Minister Luxon should have listened to his Trump loving idol, John Key and held off on the $35bn of tax cuts over 10 years?

This government is a true disciple of privatisation, corporatisation and the wealthiest.

Yes, even their tax cuts benefited the wealthiest disproportionately, just as Donald Trump will do for his billionaire backers.

Before the election, Taxpayers Union’s Jordan Williams told his Atlas Network Alliance the right wing parties would win and Taxpayers Union would be helping them to “formulate policy positions”, and take advantage of it all to “restablish New Zealand as a leader of freedom” i.e liberatarianism – which is just trickle down economics and pro-capitalism

They haven’t set a foot wrong – for their goals.

At every single turn, we see Luxon and co. narrate and parrot after the likes of NZ Initative and bow at the feet of capitalistic thought.

Alan Gibbs, the mega-donor and Godfather of ACT once told his party to be more radical and privatise everything in NZ – education, roads, hospitals.

But he’s not the only mega-wealthy one behind this government.

NZ’s richest man Graeme Hart donated $700K in donations to National, ACT and NZ First.

Best Start’s The Wright Family who fund The Platform – listen to Sean Plunkett and you will know what the politics is.

“What is this crazy fixation, love affair, with the the state running things?” Alan Gibbs had lamented years ago.

And the time for them is now.

All that is happening has been sequenced like a business playbook.

For example, this government initially wanted to scale back Nelson hospital (May). However a couple of months ago, they came back saying the cost could be the same, but they still refused to adopt the large scale build that was optimised and designed for Nelson. Instead the government proposed smaller builds, leading to some head scratching on why.

The ‘why’ became clear with Dunedin hospital. i.e. They could not allow Nelson hospital to set a precedent for a large model build because the government needed an excuse to tap down Dunedin.

As those of you who read here know, I have been following Health NZ developments very closely.

From their manufactured $1.4bn “miraculously appearing” deficit [not – Luxon knew about it in October 2023] to the somewhat sham crisis appointment of Lester Levy from Chair to Health Commissioner, to the Nelson hospital decision, to the Dunedin $1.3bn blowout lie, this has always been a series of steps to privatise health.

And now they showed their hand.

TVNZ was happy to echo communications for the government (emphasis mine)

The health agency is suggesting the Government to consider allowing private companies to build – and potentially run – the country’s public hospitals…

On the suggestion, Minister of Health Shane Reti said: “..The most obvious [advantage] is the freeing up of capital that the Crown can then deploy elsewhere.“

And more capital is needed.

Much to the dismay of Dunedin, it was revealed last week their future hospital will be downgraded due to a budget blowout. However, it’s not the only project with issues.

Yes, Reti has spoken. And the media is helping to spread the communique.

This signal is unequivocal.

They want NZ to transform itself, over time, to the UK and the USA health system.

Ditto our education system. Ditto roads. Ditto infrastructure. They are playing the long game.

For those of you who have not, follow the deterioration of the NHS from a world class health system to a broken and replete shell to see why it’s a bad idea.

It started breaking from austerity policies, which are always used as an excuse to privatise.

The implications to all of us are very real…even as record numbers of Kiwis continue to join private health care.

And I should have known – this government had already started planting the seeds of privatised health to its base weeks ago:

While the left run after every ball, bone and outrageous statement from this government, their operatives work strategically step by step like a business playbook.

We’ve been asleep.

So – it’s time for action now.

We need our political parties and communities across NZ to protest for health.

Yet stay focused, alert, informed and most of all – peaceful.

To demand this government amend its priorities and budgets for the well being of Kiwis, and not corporate interests.

Our task is not easy when corporate media dominates. But it can be done.

Our task is hardest because the government has a clear playbook it needs to run through – and believe it or not, we are not even a year in yet.

Let’s act, Aotearoa NZ – the time is now or never.

Please pass this message on to those in your network and communities that may benefit from participation, awareness, co-operation and action.

I will also be preparing more details on what you can do to help.

And remember: action and messaging should be on-point, effective, and clear.

PS This is a helpful graph

15 comments on “NZ Right Wing Government Moves to Privatise Health ”

  1. Adrian 1
    2 October 2024 at 10:14 am

    Bastards ! The only answer must be mass protest. If 35,000 turn out in Dunedin and 300 in Wānaka ( that hot bed of lefty radicalism, sarc ) then there is definitely a movement building. We that can, need to do all we can to help it along. Strangely I think Winston may be the only hope, he is always nervous about his support and is in the most precarious position of all the parties, only needing to lose a bit over 1% to be out, and he may be forced to spit the dummy. An early election may be on the cards. So donate now to your party of lefty choice or even volunteer to help. These self-serving bastards have to be stopped.

    Reply
  2. PsyclingLeft.Always 2
    2 October 2024 at 10:40 am

    Some of us (onya Mountain Tui, Mickey Savage et al)…knew that behind the manufactured Health crisis, privatisation was always the goal.

    Last night it was revealed, Health NZ, now led by Luxon’s man. Lester Levy, recommended that the way to manage things going forward including Dunedin hospital’s “cost blowout” was to privatise our hospitals.

    And where is..the money?

    3. NZ has the money. It is just being used for other priorities: tobacco, roads, charter schools, tax cuts, landlords, trusts etc.

    RNZ's Phil Pennington : Priorities aye….

    As for infrastruture spending, health spending is surprisingly small.

    Pennington says a look at Treasury investments from earlier this year, when a chart released on investment planning revealed a figure of about $90b, $70b of that was on roads. Only $2b was spent on health.

    The Spinoff's Hayden Donnell

    Hayden Donnell, roads are most definitely the touchy part. He's written an article about the government's comparative spending titled 'The things that are unaffordable and the things that aren't'.

    He compares the "unaffordable" $3b of Dunedin Hospital to some road projects that are far larger ticket items, including the guestimate of $10b for the Wellington long tunnel, and the four lane highway planned from Auckland to Whangarei that Infrastructure New Zealand says will eat up 10 percent of New Zealand's total infrastructure (not just transport) spend.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/529486/dunedin-hospital-s-low-place-in-infrastructure-must-haves-list

    As you say Mountain Tui..NZ must stand together on this. Its the only way to stop NACT1 from destroying our NZ Health System. I dont think they have quite realised the depth of feeling. Their arrogance comes before..their fall.

    Reply
  3. Belladonna 3
    2 October 2024 at 10:53 am

    Not arguing that privatization may well be a goal.

    However, there is nothing manufactured about the health crisis. We don't have sufficient health infrastructure (whether that's buildings or staff or specialist expertise) to meet our health needs as a country.

    Reply
    • Kay 3.1
      2 October 2024 at 11:02 am

      However, there is nothing manufactured about the health crisis.

      Well yes, there is. Deliberate refusal to initiate forward planning for the health sector workforce over several decades now.

      Deliberately letting hospitals run down to the point where what quick fixes now require total rebuilds.

      The refusal to bring GPs into the public system.

      If that isn't a manufactured crisis?

      Reply
      • Belladonna 3.1.1
        2 October 2024 at 12:47 pm

        Well yes, there is. Deliberate refusal to initiate forward planning for the health sector workforce over several decades now.

        So, all governments over the last several decades are equally culpable?

        Reply
    • SPC 3.2
      2 October 2024 at 11:45 am

      Training and retaining staff and investment in hospitals would cost less than the new road plans and with billions left over.

      Reply
      • Belladonna 3.2.1
        2 October 2024 at 12:49 pm

        Evidence?

        And, if it's so cheap, how come Labour didn't do it in 2023?

        Reply
        • SPC 3.2.1.1
          2 October 2024 at 1:09 pm

          Are you unaware of the amount allocated by the C of C for new roads?

          Check what National says in its Health policy about training enough staff.

          Reply
    • Mountain Tui 3.3
      2 October 2024 at 12:00 pm

      Their crisis was 100% manufactured.

      Reply
      • Belladonna 3.3.1
        2 October 2024 at 12:45 pm

        No. The ballooning of waiting times, and failure to treat in a timely manner have been getting worse for decades. It may not be a crisis in your book, but waiting for more than a year for a specialist appointment, is a crisis in mine.

        https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/300950265/thousands-waiting-more-than-a-year-for-planned-medical-treatment

        Reply
        • Mountain Tui 3.3.1.1
          2 October 2024 at 1:04 pm

          It's a manufactured crisis 100% – that doesn't mean there have not been weaknesses in our health system.

          Refer chart above – this government is worse than Key's – health funding is in the deficit now.

          And it means this government is intentionally starving it and breaking it down. Doctors and nurses have been whistleblowing for months for a reason.

          Their narratives have all been lies: from the $3bn Dunedin hospital "blowout" to the $1.4b "unexpected" deficit that Luxon admitted he knew about in October 2023.

          "That’s the standard technique of privatization: defund, make sure things don’t work, people get angry, you hand it over to private capital" – Chomsky

          Reply
  4. Kay 4
    2 October 2024 at 11:05 am

    I'm interested to know what these privatisation zealots want to have happen to the many NZers who can't get health insurance due to pre-existing conditions, themselves included.

    Reply
  5. Drowsy M. Kram 5
    2 October 2024 at 11:59 am

    Three great forces rule the world: stupidity, fear and greed. – Einstein

    The real reason behind Act’s push to redefine the Treaty principles
    [30 Sept 2024]
    Some say the Treaty Principles Bill is rooted in ignorance, but Rupert O’Brien argues the Act Party is making a calculated move to remove a significant barrier to its privatisation and deregulation agenda.

    A privatisation blast from the past – Air NZ, BNZ, Auckland Airport, ECNZ, Govt Print, Ministry of Works and Development, NZ Steel, POSB, Telecon NZ, NZ Rail…

    Our self-serving CoC MPs are certainly privatisation-friendly, and NAct's donors will be wetting themselves at the prospect of profiting off privatisation / asset stripping.

    Generating Scarcity [PDF]
    A decade of data shows next to no growth in national generating capacity against $11 billion in dividends for shareholders, 142 percent of net profit after tax.

    A 320-word letter in the Gisborne Herald dovetails nicely with MT's excellent post.

    Privatisation costs us all [31 July 2024; excerpts]
    Usually if the National and Act parties defund public services, and pretend there are 14 levels of management when there aren’t, and budget shortfalls when it’s government choice, it leads to privatisation.

    Last time in govt, food services (not in Gisborne thankfully), breast screening and various other auxiliary functions were privatised around New Zealand. That’s much more expensive than being funded directly. Private providers charge more as they redirect profit for their shareholders.
    …
    Previous National govts have been working their way through public assets and every time they’re in government, we lose more ownership.

    Last time it was power generators and retailers, state houses (all 1140 in Tauranga) and part of Air NZ. Since then our prices for services and rents have increased.

    Luxon even said last week that he’s not averse to Kiwibank being sold. We have Kiwibank because we were getting ripped off by the Australian banks, thanks to Jim Anderton who was in a coalition with the Labour Party.

    From banks, housing, charter schools, ferries, ACC (too soon?), water etc. etc., to our public health services, there's very little our self-serving CoC MPs wouldn't serve up to their backers, the goal being privatisation of everything from which a buck can be extracted.

    Doesn't end well, but the 'top' 10% will be salivating – private capital never sleeps.


    https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/16-08-2022/the-side-eyes-two-new-zealands-the-table

    Reply
  6. Mike the Lefty 6
    2 October 2024 at 1:19 pm

    Privatisation would certainly be the most convenient way for this government to get the problem of public health off their hands – Public Health, nasty, inconvenient – too much like hard work.

    Parts of the system would be auctioned out to the lowest bidder – a race to the bottom. It would become like the US, different levels of hospitals where you would go according to how much you can pay or how much health insurance you have.

    Do we forget the signs over every public hospital entrance during the Bolger government that read "cashier"?

    But the public would be bombarded with claims how much more efficient it would be using data carefully manufactured and handpicked to make it easy to sell the private model.

    Public health must be a service, not a business.

    Reply

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  • The Hoon around the week to Sept 27

    The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-hosts & talking about the week’s news with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on the latest climate news, including research suggesting a doubling of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere could trigger 8° of warming ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Could a doubling of Co2 trigger 8° of warming?

    Long stories short, here’s the top six news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer:A seventh planetary boundary, for ocean acidification will soon be breached, and may have already done so, according to ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Trust Us, Luxon Said

    Just a little something for the painHospital food getting you down?Honey now I'm not one to complainBut this hangin' aroundIs wearing me outSong by David Gray.Yesterday, Dr Shane Reti, the Minister of Health, and Chris Bishop, the duty Minister for looking sad, sincere and determined, announced that Dunedin’s promised new ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Treasury warns of unprecedented cuts in real spending per capita to achieve surplus

    Kia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Friday, September 27:Treasury’s Chief Economics Adviser Dominick Stephens gave the year’s most important speech yesterday, saying real and per-capita cuts in public spending implied by the Government’s surplus ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 27-September-2024

    Welcome to the end of the week and the end of the month. Ready to “spring forward” to Daylight Saving Time this weekend? As always, this post is brought to you by a largely volunteer crew. If you’d like to support our work and keep the posts coming, we welcome ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    5 days ago
  • Please consider submitting on the offshore mining bill: We have 4 full days left

    The National led Coalition government intends to bring back offshore oil and gas mining. Shane Jones made that clear as soon as he got into power last year:“Mining is coming back!” he declared in Parliament in December.And this year: “Drill, Baby, Drill!”It’s his brand of politics.It feels futile but I ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • The Long and the Short: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.

    “While a nationwide vote to confirm, or not, the public’s understanding of our foundational constitutional document would be ‘divisive’, ‘racist’, a ‘blunt instrument’, and therefore completely out of the question, a referendum to extend the life expectancy of elected politicians, which no one not deeply involved with the governing process ...
    Bowalley Road
    5 days ago
  • Procedures, Processes and Principles: Is It Possible To Defend The Treaty Of Waitangi And Democracy?

    Out Of The Loop: The great insight of sympathetic Pakeha jurists, like Sir Geoffrey Palmer, was that, suitably empowered, the judiciary and the executive branch of the state could take on the role formerly played by the non-elected governors of mid-nineteenth century New Zealand. Māori resources could be protected, and ...
    Bowalley Road
    5 days ago
  • Has Government Become A Public-Private Partnership?

    Dirty Deals Done In The Dark: There will be times when it is to the considerable advantage of both National and Labour to be able to shrug philosophically and pardon themselves for cooperating in the introduction of controversial and divisive policies by explaining to an outraged public that this is simply ...
    Bowalley Road
    5 days ago
  • Is National A White Supremacist Party?

    By Their Deeds Shall Ye Know Them: When the defeated Reform and United parties were persuaded to unite under the rubric of “National” in 1936, the values advanced were unashamedly imperialist and white supremacist. Eighty-eight years later, National is at pains to distance itself (coalition agreements permitting) from the most obvious ...
    Bowalley Road
    5 days ago
  • On the way to another “Mother of All Budgets”?

    Finance Minister Nicola Willis yesterday dismissed a grim warning from the Treasury that the country was headed for a fiscal crisis. Treasury Deputy Secretary Dominick Stephens said that fulfilling the Government’s promise to get the country’s books back to surplus by 2027-28 would require cuts to Government services “unprecedented in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • The Three-Headed Taniwha Has Begun Biting Itself

    When ACT, National, and New Zealand First joined together in a three-way coalition at the end of the last year, it was met with predictions of backstabbing, stonewalling, and inter-party politics. Many seemed convinced this government would get little done with such a diverse agenda. If only that had been ...
    Sapphi’s SubstackBy Sapphi
    6 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #39 2024

    Open access notables Refined Estimates of Global Ocean Deep and Abyssal Decadal Warming Trends, Johnson & Purkey, Geophysical Research Letters: Deep and abyssal layer decadal temperature trends from the mid-1980s to the mid-2010s are mapped globally using Deep Argo and historical ship-based Conductivity-Temperature-Depth (CTD) instrument data. Abyssal warming trends are widespread, ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago
  • Embrace the heresy, touch the third rail

    Let’s examine some numbers.This is a public transport number.3% And this is an invitation to make an educated guess: In the morning rush hour in Wellington on Thorndon Quay, what proportion of the vehicles are buses?Yes indeed …the answer is:3% However, what do we find if we look inside those buses? Care ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • Another abuse of democracy

    This week National introduced its long-threatened bill to repeal the offshore drilling ban and promote the fossil fuel industry, and rammed it through to select committee. Today the select committee opened for submissions. If you have an opinion on this corrupt, ecocidal legislation, you will need to speak up quick ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • Bye, Bye Health !

    Bye, Bye hospital plans.Today Rachel Thomas reported - $3.2 billion is sleighted to come out of “hospital and mental health infrastructure projects”, and it seems the first formal casualty is Dunedin hospital, South Island.ODT reports former Labour Cabinet minister Pete Hodgson saying:“At the end of the day, the question is ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: New Zealand’s trade deal with the UAE could unlock Middle East

    New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are moving closer together – at record pace. Just a year after agreeing to enter initial talks, Wellington and Abu Dhabi have concluded negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (or CEPA for short). The deal will go down as one of ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    6 days ago
  • Things That Make You Go… Dang

    Pull up like a shipwreck in reverseYeah, I do, yeah, I doMaybe it's foreverMaybe it's just shampooDangSong by Caroline PolachekToday, a few things that, depending on your age, might make you go - that’s outrageous, or hmm, maybe WTAF, or just plain old dang.Specifically, I’ll be covering:When Press Secretaries resign, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • Minister ignored widespread concern about GPS, official documents confirm

    Two weeks ago, the Ministry of Transport proactively released two tranches of documents that show the advice officials provided to Minister of Transport Simeon Brown as he directed the shaping of his draft and final Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport. You can find the documents via the MoT ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    6 days ago
  • An attack ‘unbecoming of a leader’

    Kia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Thursday, September 26:Days after realising hundreds of thousands of tax-free gains on the sale of one of his rental properties, PM Christopher Luxon responded yesterday to ANZ CEO ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • On The Government’s Bizarre Hostility To A Capital Gains Tax

    Oyez oyez, CEO Antonia Watson, CEO of the biggest bank in New Zealand has come out in favour of a capital gains tax! Actually, this is not a daring new idea. Over the past three decades the IMF, the World Bank, the expert Tax Working Group and most mainstream economists ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    6 days ago
  • Hamish is out. Has had enough of Luxon role

    Following on from my earlier post … ‘Hamish Rutherford always looks grim these days‘, well, it seems that enough is enough for Hamish Rutherford (and fair enough too). Stuff reports: [Rutherford’s] message said: “It has been an absolute honour to work for Christopher Luxon both in Opposition and for the ...
    The PaepaeBy Peter Aranyi
    7 days ago
  • Climate Adam: Turning the Tide on Climate Change

    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). As the world heats, we face the consequences from rising seas, extreme weather, and the spread of disease. But what can ...
    Skeptical Science
    7 days ago
  • Reasons to feel positive

    Reason to feel positive # 1The next of Life's Little Victories could be just around the cornerSince I got back I have been hearing a wheezing choking rasping sound coming from the Number One Boss element of our gas stove. Wheezy gas is never something you want to hear coming ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 days ago
  • David Seymour Got His Wish – Charter Schools Are Back. Who Is Getting the $$$ ?

    OPINIONThis morning I wrote that the Charter Schools Bill had passed its final reading. Jan Tinetti called it a “sad, sad day for New Zealand education”. And Green Party MP Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan said the move is “not about education, it’s about privatisation”.$153mn for charter schools in what teachers and ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    7 days ago
  • David Seymour: “The Government is Broke” & Other Politics Headlines

    Note: Video of the fricken’ targets and a nanny state mentality at end. Read more ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Climate Change: We can’t afford the gas industry

    Yesterday, National finally introduced its long-threatened bill to repeal the offshore drilling ban and promote the fossil fuel industry to the House. They'll be ramming it through its first reading under urgency this afternoon, and while it will go to select committee, they will almost certainly try their usual stunt ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago
  • Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft

    In your mind you have capacities, you knowTo telepath messages through the vast unknownPlease close your eyes and concentrateWith every thought you thinkUpon the recitation we're about to singCalling occupants of interplanetary craftCalling occupants of interplanetary, most extraordinary craftSongwriters: John Woloschuk / Terry DraperThink of the capabilities of the human ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Nine public transit lessons from Perth

    This guest post by Darren Davis originally appeared on his excellent blog, Adventures in Transitland, and is republished here by kind permission. A while ago, I wrote about Perth’s public transport journey, outlining how Perth got to where it is now. I recommend reading that piece if you haven’t already, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    1 week ago
  • ANZ CEO says ‘it’s time’ for a Capital Gains Tax

    Kia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Wednesday, September 25:Ad agency climate activist group Comms Declare today launched the New Zealand version of the globally compiled ‘F list,’ which names 14 local agencies “which have ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Parliament to get its own police force

    Parliament yesterday moved to give its security staff powers of search, seizure and arrest. In effect it is establishing a quasi Parliamentary police force which will have the power to handcuff and detain offenders.  But it will be a force with some heavy restrictions on what it can do. Most ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 week ago
  • How to complain about a delayed OIA release

    A few years back, Te Kawa Mataaho / Public Service Commission started releasing OIA statitistics, on the theory that this would allow failure to be identified and managed, and so improve performance. It may have done so initially, but then the iron laws of bureaucracy (and specifically, Goodhart's and Campbell's) ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago
  • Just have a think: Arctic Sea Ice minimum 2024. Three degrees Celsius warming now baked in?

    This video includes conclusions of the "Just have a Think" channel's creator Dave Borlace. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). From the video‘s description: Arctic Sea ice reaches it's minimum extent each year around the middle of September. This ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago
  • Let them eat glue

    What is real, what is fake?  Do we really know any more?Let's say you want to make tonight’s dinner a bit more appealing by trying something new.Why don't I google it? You say.You type: Idea for fresh and exciting meal.Google tells you: Pizza!  Here's a topping combo that will wow ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • Progressing remote building inspections

    The Government is progressing plans to increase the use of remote inspections to make the building and consenting process more efficient and affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.  “We know that the building and construction sector suffers from a lack of innovation. According to a recent report, productivity ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 hour ago
  • PPTA accepts charter schools

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour welcomes the PPTA putting a proposal to members at its annual conference to change its constitution and allow membership of teachers who work in charter schools. “The PPTA has had a come to Jesus moment on charter schools. This is a major departure from the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 hours ago
  • New TAIC Chief Commissioner appointed

    David Clarke has been announced as the Chief Commissioner of the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC). David Clarke is a barrister specialising in corporate and commercial law and he has over 20 years experience in governance roles in commercial, public and charitable sectors. He also is a current TAIC Commissioner. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • Government secures market access for blueberries to Korea

    The Government has secured market access for New Zealand blueberries to Korea, unlocking an estimated $5 million in annual export opportunities for Kiwi growers Minister for Trade and Agriculture Todd McClay today announced.  “This is a win for our exporters and builds on our successful removal of $190 million in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • South Pacific Defence Ministers meet in Auckland

    Partnership and looking to the future are key themes as Defence Ministers from across the South Pacific discuss regional security challenges in Auckland today, Defence Minister Judith Collins says. The South Pacific Defence Ministers’ Meeting (SPDMM) brings together Defence Ministers, Chiefs of Defence and Secretaries of Defence from New Zealand, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Children’s Unit opens at Rotorua Hospital

    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti today opened the refurbished Children’s Unit at Rotorua Hospital, which will provide young patients and their families in the Lakes District with a safe, comfortable and private space to receive care.  “The opening of this unit is a significant milestone in our commitment to improving ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Minor variations no longer major problem

    It is now easier to make small changes to building plans without having to apply for a building consent amendment, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Previously builders who wanted to make a minor change, for example substituting one type of product for another, or changing the layout of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • New diplomatic appointments

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced seven diplomatic appointments.   “Protecting and advancing New Zealand’s interests abroad is an extremely important role for our diplomats,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to announce the appointment of seven senior diplomats to these overseas missions.”   The appointments are:   Andrew ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • SuperGold Information Hub live

    The first iteration of the SuperGold Information Hub is now on-line, Minister for Seniors Casey Costello announced today. “The SuperGold Hub is an online portal offering up-to-date information on all of the offers available to SuperGold cardholders. “We know the SuperGold card is valued, and most people know its use ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • New fund to clean up old landfill and dump sites

    A new Contaminated Sites and Vulnerable Landfills Fund will help councils and landowners clean up historic landfills and other contaminated sites that are vulnerable to the effects of severe weather, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says.  "This $30 million fund, part of our Q4 Action Plan, increases the Government’s investment in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Increased medicines access welcomed following budget boost

    Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour has welcomed the increased availability of medicines for Kiwis resulting from the Government’s increased investment in Pharmac. “Pharmac operates independently, but it must work within the budget constraints set by the Government,” says Mr Seymour. “When our Government assumed office, New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Foreign Minister completes successful week of international engagements

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters today wrapped up a week of high-level engagements at the United Nations in New York and in Papeete, French Polynesia.   “Our visit to New York was about demonstrating New Zealand’s unwavering support for an international system based on rules and respect for the UN Charter, as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Final 2024 Action Plan focused on infrastructure

    The Government’s Quarter Four (Q4) Action Plan will be focused on making it easier and faster to build infrastructure in New Zealand as part of its wider plan to rebuild the economy, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. “My Government has been working at pace to get the country back on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Four new laws to tackle crime passed in Q3

    New Zealanders will be safer as a result of the Government’s crackdown on crime which includes tougher laws for offenders and gangs delivered as part of the Quarter Three (Q3) Action Plan, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says. “I’m proud to say we have delivered on 39 of the 40 actions ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government partnership boosting vineyard productivity

    The Government is backing a new world-leading programme set to boost vineyard productivity and inject an additional $295 million into New Zealand’s economy by 2045, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay today announced. The Next Generation Viticulture programme will transform traditional vineyard systems, increasing profitability by $22,060 per hectare by 2045 without ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Strong support for NZ minerals strategy

    Over 90 per cent of submissions have expressed broad support for a New Zealand minerals strategy, indicating a strong appetite for a considered, enduring approach to minerals development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.  A summary of the 102 submissions on the draft strategy has been published today by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Snapper catch limits up, orange roughy down

    Catch limits for several fisheries will be increased following a review that shows stocks of those species are healthy and abundant. The changes are being made as part of Fisheries New Zealand’s biannual sustainability review, which considers catch limits and management settings across New Zealand’s fisheries. “Scientific evidence and information ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Reforming the building consent system

    The Government is investigating options for a major reform of the building consent system to improve efficiency and consistency across New Zealand, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says.   “New Zealand has some of the least affordable housing in the world, which has dire social and economic implications. At the heart ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Cost-benefit analysis for potential third medical school completed

    The Government has announced that an initial cost-benefit analysis of establishing a third medical school based at the University of Waikato has been completed and has been found to provide confidence for the project to progress to the next stage. Minister of Health Dr Shane Reti says the proposal will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Government delivers sensible approach to speed limits

    The Government’s new speed limit rule has today been signed to reverse Labour’s blanket speed limit reductions and enable Kiwis to get to where they want to go quickly and safely, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  Reverse Labour’s blanket speed limit reductions on local streets, arterial roads, and state highways ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister to meet with Pacific Island climate leaders

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts is travelling to Fiji on Monday to attend a Ministerial Meeting (Talanoa) with Pacific Island Countries, Australia, and New Zealand. “Attending the Talanoa will reinforce New Zealand’s commitment to supporting climate resilience in the Pacific and advancing action in the areas of climate change,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Human rights recommendations accepted

    The Government is accepting the majority of human rights recommendations received at the fourth Universal Period Review in Geneva, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “We have considered all 259 recommendations from the United Nations. We are supporting 168 and partially supporting 12 of these recommendations. “Recommendations related to women’s rights, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Geotech work begins on Warkworth to Te Hana Road of National Significance

    The Government is continuing to move at pace on the Northland Expressway, with significant geotechnical investigations now underway for phase one from Warkworth to Te Hana, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “With thousands of motorists and freight travelling through Northland, we’re focused on delivering for this region to grow our economy. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Free mental health resources for business owners

    The Government and Auckland Business Chamber have entered a memorandum of understanding which will enable mental health and wellbeing resources for business owners to be freely available, Small Business and Manufacturing Minister Andrew Bayly says. “As a former business owner, I know first-hand the toll running a business can take ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission board appointment announced

    Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey and Rural Communities Minister Mark Patterson have announced the Government has appointed Wayne Langford to the Board of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission for a five-year term of office. Mr Langford is the National President of Federated Farmers and is also their spokesperson for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • New Game Animal Council appointments

    Hunting and Fishing Minister Todd McClay today announced one new, and one returning, appointment to the Game Animal Council (GAC).  Mr McClay is thrilled to announce first time appointment Glenn MacPherson and welcomes the reappointment of keen pig and deer hunter Eugene Rewi.  MacPherson is currently president of the Te ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • STAR attendance system template released

    Associate Education spokesperson David Seymour says the Government has released a new resource to inform the introduction of Stepped Attendance Response (STAR) systems in every school. “The response to the announcement of the STAR system has been hugely supportive. Educators have been in touch to express their support, which gives ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • New Zealand National Statement to the UN General Assembly – ‘The Spirit of San Francisco’

    Mr. President Nearly four score years ago, nations exhausted from a cataclysmic World War came together in San Francisco to create the United Nations Charter. Forged in the immediate aftermath of that war, then New Zealand Prime Minister Peter Fraser held “the greatest hopes” for the Charter’s success, which he ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Charter Schools Authorisation Board appointments announced

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced his appointments to the new statutory Charter Schools Authorisation Board.  Leading Kiwi educator Justine Mahon has been appointed as Chair of the Board. She is joined by Board members Catherine Isaac, Neil Paviour-Smith, Professor Elizabeth Rata, Rōpata Taylor, Dee-Ann Wolferstan and Doran ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Clubs and Ranges Bill passes first reading

    Improvements to the way shooting clubs and ranges are regulated are on the way with the Arms (Shooting Clubs, Shooting Ranges and Other Matters) Amendment Bill passing its first reading says Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee.   “The package of reforms in this Bill will enable simple and effective regulation ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Want to make a difference? Go to school

    Students should be in school and learning instead of protesting during school hours, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says in response to the school climate strike planned for Friday 27th September. “If students feel strongly about sending a message, they could have waited until Monday, when the end of term ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Peer Mental Health Service Launched, Further Support Planned

    Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says the new peer support service launched in Middlemore’s Emergency Department today is a positive step towards improving mental health outcomes. “Having someone with lived experience available to support someone in mental distress can make a crucial difference. With the right training and clinical supervision, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • New reporting for amateur charter fishing vessels

    A proposed new electronic reporting system will make it simpler for amateur charter vessels to record and report fish catch information, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. “The new digital reporting, via an app, will replace the paper-based system which is out of date and slow,” Mr Jones says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Building a stronger weather forecasting system

    The Government is looking at integrating the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) and the MetService to improve the weather forecasting system for New Zealand, Science, Innovation & Technology Minister Judith Collins says. “We have agreed in-principle to NIWA acquiring the MetService, with the MetService retaining its role ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Next steps on the New Dunedin Hospital

    The Government is seeking advice on two options for delivering the New Dunedin Hospital project within its existing funding appropriation to ensure the people of Dunedin get the modern, fit-for-purpose medical facilities they need. At the same time, Ministers have warned that much-needed upgrades to other regional hospitals could be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • No child left behind with STAR system

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says that the Government is delivering real solutions to get kids back in the classroom, introducing the Stepped Attendance Response (STAR) system. “Any student who reaches a clearly defined threshold of days absent will trigger an appropriate and proportionate response from their school and the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • New Zealand concludes trade agreement with the UAE

    New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates have concluded negotiations on a trade agreement, which will unlock economic opportunities for Kiwi exporters and create stronger supply chains with one of our most important trading partners in the Gulf region. This agreement was concluded in just over 4 months following the launch ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Data shows school attendance is on the rise

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says data released today shows increased school attendance in Term 2 of 2024 with 53.2 per cent of students regularly attending, an increase of 6.1 percentage points compared to the same term last year. Regular attendance across primary students increased by 7 percentage points, to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Supercharging schools to teach maths

    The coalition Government is supercharging schools to lift maths achievement by delivering new resources and more support for teachers and students for Term 1 next year.  “$30 million will fund resources including workbooks, teacher guidance and lesson plans for the 2025 school year. Resources will be available in English and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Tougher sentences on the horizon for criminals

    Sentencing reforms that will ensure criminals face tougher consequences and victims are prioritised have passed first reading in Parliament today, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Despite a 33 per cent increase in violent crime, there has been a concerning trend where the courts have imposed fewer and shorter prison sentences. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

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