Open mike 02/07/2024

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, July 2nd, 2024 - 55 comments
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55 comments on “Open mike 02/07/2024 ”

  1. PsyclingLeft.Always 1
    2 July 2024 at 9:34 am

    Kāinga Ora chief's exit: New chair at odds with Christopher Luxon over performance

    The government has made a number of changes at its social housing agency and signalled more would be on the way, in response to a recent highly critical review chaired by Sir Bill English.

    It concluded the agency was underperforming and not financially viable.

    In response to Prime Minister Christopher Luxon saying Kāinga Ora had been "chronically underperforming" Moutter said he had no wish to disagree with Luxon.

    HOWEVER…..

    "It is an incredible achievement to have built that many new homes in this market over the last year and many thousands in the years prior."

    A looming bleak future ..

    Child Poverty Action Group's housing spokesperson, Alan Johnson, said it was no suprise about the lack of new housing from KO.

    He predicted homelessness would start to increase due to the government "sitting on its hands".

    It was "magical thinking" if the government believed community housing providers would fill the gaps.

    And where to from here?

    The government was allocating $200 million for 1500 new units over the next three years.

    "The reality is that won't be enough … what we probably will see is the entry of private capital to fund those houses at some future cost to taxpayers so what we are seeing is the slow privatisation of the provision of state housing."

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/521039/kainga-ora-chief-s-exit-new-chair-at-odds-with-christopher-luxon-over-performance

    Privatisation. Where the NActFirst scumbags were always heading…..

    Reply
    • Jimmy 1.1
      2 July 2024 at 10:05 am

      I think it is ridiculous that the chief executive gets six months salary to leave. He is not being made redundant. Should be a months notice. Some of these contracts are ridiculous.

      Reply
      • Belladonna 1.1.1
        2 July 2024 at 10:32 am

        My understanding is, from the press coverage, that he's claiming that the job now isn't the same as the job he signed up for (contract renewal last year) – "These changes are material to the chief executive role, reducing its scale and accountabilities significantly,"

        https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/520986/kainga-ora-ceo-andrew-mckenzie-quits-over-government-changes

        Personally, I don't believe that this is the case. However, government departments have a long history of featherbedding the exit of their senior management team – whether that's months of gardening leave, or significant redundancy periods.

        I think that anyone who signs up for a contract renewal, or accepts an appointment, in the year before an election – should have zero redundancy if they choose to leave after the new government's policies change. It's a risk you should evaluate before you accept the job.

        Given the stoush there's been over the KO budget blowout (both during the previous Labour government, as well as the current one) – in a commercial organization he'd be at risk of being dismissed for cause.

        https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/government-faces-60-year-debt-blowout-after-building-costs-explode/R7L54GYHNIEJD3Z6TQDFOYRJMI/

        Reply
      • bwaghorn 1.1.2
        2 July 2024 at 10:52 am

        I think

        That's debatable

        Reply
      • Bearded Git 1.1.3
        2 July 2024 at 12:06 pm

        Jimmy-he is effectively being made redundant. He signed up to run KO as a social housing renter and BUILDER .

        Despite the fact that KO has been highly successful in building state houses, including 3,500 last year, this government has made it absolutely clear that KO's role as a house builder is now ended. This was justified by the conclusions reached in the jacked-up report by Bill English.

        Luxon and co. have made it plain that only private companies will build social housing in the future with a pathetic $200m in the budget to support this process. The need for the private companies to make significant profits in this process will mean rents will inevitably rise.

        The billions saved by the government by KO not building social housing (thus increasing homelessness and the cost of putting homeless people up in motels) will be used to pay for tax cuts for the better off, which is what Key/English did over 9 years.

        To end this farce vote Labour or Green in 2026.

        Reply
      • Mike the Lefty 1.1.4
        2 July 2024 at 12:48 pm

        It is called colloquially "buying out a contract".

        If they want him gone early then they have to make it worth it for him.

        The government must REALLY want him gone if they are prepared to pay that.

        I bet you would take the money if you were in his position, Jimmy.

        Reply
      • Patricia Bremner 1.1.5
        2 July 2024 at 1:44 pm

        He has given eight years service. His contract was written under a National government. His job description has been totally changed. He has the right to be paid for 6 months as the Government triggered the move from building Social houses to just being a Landlord.

        As with the ferries, Luxon's politics are costly and short sighted.angry

        Vote Green or Labour Or Te Parti Maori in’26

        Reply
      • aj 1.1.6
        2 July 2024 at 5:11 pm

        It's effectively a constructive dismissal.

        Reply
    • Georgecom 1.2
      2 July 2024 at 5:01 pm

      Yes. According to luxon, bishop & english KO is a real concern and underperforming. The chair of the KO board says the outgoing CEO has done a great job and made some real achievements. Wonder which of the 2 camps I would trust to be more accurate

      Reply
  2. Tiger Mountain 2
    2 July 2024 at 9:43 am

    While Labour were never going to build enough state houses and apartments for my liking–or the actual need–they did actually complete a few thousand some of which are “still in the pipeline” and will be finished.

    In 2020 they should have gone for broke and done a massive flat pack/modular build from Euro and Chinese imports given the local developers basically going on strike re social housing. Pepperpotting houses including tiny houses for homeless and emergency housing in every provincial town would have seriously stuck it to the grasping landlords.

    Reply
    • Macro 2.1
      2 July 2024 at 10:33 am

      Just down the road from where I live KO, (to use CL's terminology) have replaced 2 very old state houses on 2 large and damp sections with 8 new and very attractive smaller homes for single parents. The sections are now well drained and attractively planted, the homes are well finished including curtaining and heat pumps. Doesn't sound like much, but I'll bet the new families living in them are very happy to be there.

      Reply
      • Belladonna 2.1.1
        2 July 2024 at 10:46 am

        I think that that's been the case for the majority of the KO developments – replacing older homes on largish sections, with apartment blocks.

        This is the one just down the road from me. 9 old homes replaced with 85 apartments.

        https://kaingaora.govt.nz/en_NZ/news/northcote-development-celebrates-opening-85-new-public-homes-at-ngahuripoke/

        I hold no brief for the design of these (I think they are ugly, and the blocks are crammed too close together) – they certainly fulfill the requirement to get as many homes as possible onto the site.

        There is still KO development going on adjacent and across the road – building more of the same.

        Reply
        • Visubversa 2.1.1.1
          2 July 2024 at 12:07 pm

          If you drive along Hendon Ave in Owairaka you can see an amazing transformation of the previous built environment. Gone are the old "State Houses", bult in the 1950's out of 6 varieties of tacky boarding and held together with thumb tacks. Houses where the biggest room was the kitchen, and the second bedroom was about 6m2 and expected to hold 3 children.

          Now, there is a variety of modern, warm and dry homes – some duplexes, some town houses and some 3, 4 or 5 level apartment blocks. Almost finished is the big apartment building on the corner of Hendon Ave and Richmond Rd which uses modular construction just like the one being built for Seniors opposite to old Library building in Pt Chevalier.

          Reply
          • Tiger Mountain 2.1.1.1.1
            2 July 2024 at 12:21 pm

            Exactly what is possible with the political will. When I had the misfortune to live in Whangārei for several years we had a hell of battle to get a 37 dwelling state house development–mix of duplexes and smaller apartments etc–built in the ostensibly middle class suburb of Maunu.

            But it did happen, despite Dr Reti immediately siding with the aggrieved white locals and lifestyle farmers miles away, not wanting dirty filthy state tenants in their neighbourhood driving down property values.

            242 submissions to WDC against, and 6 including me for. An independent Commissioner against all odds decided the development was in line with the Council long term plan and stated social goals.

            Reply
        • Obtrectator 2.1.1.2
          2 July 2024 at 12:20 pm

          Not a word about transport links, as far as I was able to see. With what looks like little or no car-parking space, that's going to be crucial.

          Reply
          • Macro 2.1.1.2.1
            2 July 2024 at 2:11 pm

            Well for the state homes to which I have been referring, the public transport passes by their front door so to speak – and the obliging driver will stop at any point to enable disabled, and mums with babies alight closest to their home. The bus stop is at most about 100 m away and the bus runs hourly and is $2 for adults and $1 for children 5 – 16, free for gold card and pre schoolers. There is also parking spaces for residents cars. The sections have also been tree planted (small natives, hebes, et al ) , fenced for individual privacy, and clothes lines, a small shed for bikes, etc as well.

            Reply
          • Visubversa 2.1.1.2.2
            2 July 2024 at 4:28 pm

            Hendon Ave has been reworked with raised pedestrian crossings and a new "cross town" bus link that affords access to New North Rd for CBD buses and goes to Avondale and New Lynn.

            There is some nice planting and there were already good street trees which have been retained to provide amenity,

            Reply
          • Belladonna 2.1.1.2.3
            2 July 2024 at 6:02 pm

            The Northcote one does have a bus service to the CBD and to Takapuna. It isn't a very good bus service, but it does exist. It's also within walking distance (about 15-20 minutes) to the Northern busway interchange at Akoranga Station.

            Bus, observationally, the vast majority of the tenants have cars, and the street parking in the surrounding streets and shopping centre is an ongoing issue.

            Reply
        • Patricia Bremner 2.1.1.3
          2 July 2024 at 1:49 pm

          Have you crossed the road to ask them Belladonna?

          devil

          Reply
        • Bearded Git 2.1.1.4
          3 July 2024 at 6:36 am

          I have seen a large number of impressively designed state houses built recently in Epuni, a few hundred metres from where one of my sons lives.

          Reply
    • Louis 2.2
      2 July 2024 at 12:18 pm

      "a few thousand" Tiger Mountain?

      Clint Smith @ClintVSmith

      "borrowed and spent billions" is a weird way to refer to building 22,000 homes through the government build programme. it's not like the money disappeared. most of the new homes are state houses or transitional housing that are assets on the government's books.

      Quote

      Newsroom @NewsroomNZ ·

      May 27

      Directors of Kāinga Ora stand accused of inadequately governing the agency as it borrowed and spent billions Govt suggests board's been asleep at the wheel https://newsroom.co.nz/2024/05/27/govt-targets-a-board-asleep-at-the-wheel/…

      8:00 AM · May 27, 2024

      https://x.com/ClintVSmith/status/1794820867261960449

      Reply
  3. joe90 3
    2 July 2024 at 10:37 am

    From Sotomayor's dissent:

    Orders the Navy’s Seal Team 6 to assassinate a political rival? Immune. Organizes a military coup to hold onto power? Immune. Takes a bribe in exchange for a pardon? Immune. Immune, immune, immune.

    Let the President violate the law, let him exploit the trappings of his office for personal gain, let him use his official power for evil ends. Because if he knew that he may one day face liability for breaking the law, he might not be as bold and fearless as we would like him to be. That is the majority’s message today.

    Even if these nightmare scenarios never play out, and I pray they never do, the damage has been done. The relationship between the President and the people he serves has shifted irrevocably. In every use of official power, the President is now a king above the law.

    https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/23pdf/23-939_e2pg.pdf

    Reply
  4. tWig 4
    2 July 2024 at 11:38 am

    Israel torture of civilian Gazan prisoners reported in The Guardian.

    "The head of the Gaza Strip’s biggest hospital has accused Israel of torturing him and other detainees, following his release after seven months in Israeli prisons and detention facilities….he and other prisoners were subjected to “almost daily torture” while in detention in Israel. Mistreatment included assaults with batons and dogs, deprivation of food and medicine, as well as physical and psychological humiliation, Abu Salmiya said."

    Reply
    • joe90 4.1
      2 July 2024 at 12:16 pm

      The world's most moral army.

      /

      “The situation there is more horrific than anything we’ve heard about Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo.” This is how Khaled Mahajneh describes the Sde Teiman detention center as the first lawyer to visit the facility. More than 4,000 Palestinians whom Israel arrested in Gaza have been held at the military base in the Naqab/Negev since October 7; some of them have subsequently been released, but most remain in Israeli detention.

      […]

      ‘To take revenge on whom?’

      In recent months, international media outlets have published several testimonies of released prisoners as well as doctors who worked at Sde Teiman. For Israeli doctor Dr. Yoel Donchin, who spoke to the New York Times, it was unclear why Israeli soldiers had detained many of the people he treated, some of whom were “highly unlikely to have been combatants involved in the war” based on pre-existing physical ailments or disabilities.

      The Times also reported that doctors at the facility were instructed not to write their names on official documents or address each other by name in the presence of patients, for fear of being later identified and charged with war crimes at the International Criminal Court.

      “They stripped them down of anything that resembles human beings,” one witness who worked as a medic at the facility’s makeshift hospital told CNN. “[The beatings] were not done to gather intelligence. They were done out of revenge,” another witness said. “It was punishment for what they [the Palestinians] did on October 7 and punishment for behavior in the camp.”

      https://www.972mag.com/sde-teiman-prisoners-lawyer-mahajneh/

      Reply
  5. tc 5
    2 July 2024 at 12:25 pm

    Hearing from a family member their diabetes sensors that were to be fully funded from 1/7 are now not being funded.

    Very late notice, going to cost hundreds per month. Thought Frontline health wasn't to be impacted ?

    Reply
    • Barfly 5.1
      2 July 2024 at 3:06 pm

      Media asleep on this?

      Reply
    • Descendant Of Smith 5.2
      2 July 2024 at 3:44 pm

      A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away….

      Medicines-buying agency Pharmac says it believes it can soon fund devices that would remove the need for people with type 1 diabetes to prick a finger to check their blood sugar levels.

      Pharmac announced on Tuesday it was seeking bids from suppliers of continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin pumps and pump accessories for people with type 1 diabetes.

      For the past five years, Diabetes NZ has called on Pharmac to fund the devices, but Pharmac’s chief medical officer, Dr David Hughes, said the agency can only now consider the move following last year’s budget increase.

      For the tens of thousands of New Zealanders living with type 1 diabetes, “having funded access to these devices would be life changing”, Hughes said.

      https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/300925375/pharmac-looks-set-to-fund-lifechanging-diabetes-devices

      Reply
      • Corokia 5.2.1
        2 July 2024 at 7:30 pm

        The proposal that was going to start on July 1st didn't fund one of the insulin pumps that many type 1s are using. There was a lot of feedback about that, people not wanting to change away from a pump that they knew worked well. So, it all went ba ck to Pharmac for more consultation and the date has been pushed back to…..whenever….

        A lot of frustration on the Type 1 FB pages

        Reply
        • Descendant Of Smith 5.2.1.1
          2 July 2024 at 11:39 pm

          I was aware of that but the issue TC raised was about the funding of sensors rather than the defunding of one pump brand.

          Reply
          • tc 5.2.1.1.1
            3 July 2024 at 7:55 am

            Its caused financial stress as it was all good to go but appears to have made way for tax cut funding at the 11th hour.

            Cruel and needless as we give more to the already well off, how very national.

            Reply
  7. Corokia 7
    3 July 2024 at 12:51 pm

    It seems that Pharmac has bundled the funding of sensors and pumps in one package, so the hold up because of pumps is causing a delay which is also affecting the funding of sensors.

    As a non pump user, currently paying over $55 a week for a sensor, I'm not happy with the delay.

    Reply

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    Sun is up, I'm a messGotta get out now, gotta run from thisHere comes the shame, here comes the shameYesterday Golriz Ghahraman’s fall from grace was complete. Convicted and sentenced, more harshly that I’d anticipated. In my view Golriz had suffered quite disproportionally already, considering the nature of her crime. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #26 2024
    Open access notables Tipping point in ice-sheet grounding-zone melting due to ocean water intrusion, Bradley & Hewitt, Nature Geoscience: Here we develop a model to capture the feedback between intruded ocean water, the melting it induces and the resulting changes in ice geometry. We reveal a sensitive dependence of the ...
    Skeptical Science
    7 days ago

  • At the start of 2020, no-one was in a position to say where that virus was taking us
    Some of the wilder things that have crossed our paths in the last couple of weeks:Wilder thing #1: A snake sunning itself on the hot asphalt as we came riding towards itDick was in front and was slowing down to take a picture, thinking it to be another carcass.But this ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 days ago

  • Climate Change: A strapped chicken “review”
    As part of its coalition agreement, the climate-change denier National government promised its climate-change denier coalition partners a review of our agricultural methane reduction target. Today they announced the members of their "independent" review, and released its terms of reference. I'm not familiar with the academic records of the panel, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    7 days ago

  • In Praise of National.
    And you can see it in the way they look at youFeel it in the way they treat youAlways the last to knowAlways the first to leaveJust let them walk all over youLaugh through the punches and the painLet the life-blood drain away from youThey're right, you're wrongOK, first things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • Six incredibly popular climate policies
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Karin Kirk Astrong majority of registered voters support certain policies aimed at tackling climate change, according to recent research by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication (the publisher of this site) and the Center for Climate Change Communication at George Mason ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the freeing of Julian Assange
    Finally, Julian Assange is free after 12 years of confinement, much of it spent while under the threat of rendition to the US to face charges carrying a term of 175 years in prison. Yet ultimately, Assange has not been set free because the charges (of espionage and conspiracy to ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    1 week ago

  • Was the 2024 Auckland RLTP Competition Rigged?
    A note to readers This satirical post is based on this document. Received from Auckland Transport under a LGOIMA request. the document reveals the ranking process used by the working group for the Regional Land Transport Plan (RLTP). It shows how the RLTP working group (Auckland Transport, KiwiRail, NZTA/Waka Kotahi, and ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    1 week ago

  • Bernard’s mid-winter pick ‘n’ mix for Thursday, June 27
    TL;DR: Six things from Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy I think are worth noting on the morning of Thursday, June 27:The NZIER has estimated almost a third of new spending in Budget 2024 will have worsened the Government’s Paris agreement climate liability, which Treasury has already estimated at up to $23.7 billion. ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • The Strange Split Reality of Brooke Fraser
    Hi,Four days ago New Zealand pop royalty Brooke Fraser broke yet another record — largest attendance for a Kiwi solo artist at her Spark Arena gig.She was joined on stage by the Auckland Philharmonia orchestra, Radio New Zealand gushing that it was “hard to pick a singular high point of ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 week ago

  • Tax the rich!
    Whenever people make the perfectly sensible suggestion that the world could solve its problems by taxing billionaires, the latter's stooges flood the zone with claims it would never work. Apparently billionaires are so inherently criminal that they would evade such taxes, laundering their money and hiding it in criminal jurisdictions ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • Climate Change: Beaten by the Danes
    This week the National government introduced legislation to remove agriculture from the ETS, ensuring our largest polluters continue to get a free ride for as long as they hold power. But while National is dragging us backwards, Denmark is moving forwards, and is making its farmers pay for their pollution: ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • King of the Cookers
    Breathe.Inhale deeply through your nose, and hold it.Open your mouth slightly. Exhale slowly, feel the breath passing over your lips.Hear it. You’re alive.Statistically, if the last government hadn’t taken the actions it did, about twenty of you, even in my small audience, would be dead now. If I do a ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • Growing affordability concerns over power and housing
    TL;DR: Electricity affordability is a growing concern for households and small businesses, despite falling generation costs for solar and wind, a survey has found.Meanwhile, Stats NZ is forecasting more than a third of 19-29 year olds will stay living at home within the next two decades, no doubt because of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Some fine ideas for making Aotearoa safer
    This is a guest post by Darren Davis, reposted with his kind permission. It originally appeared on his excellent blog Adventures in Transitland, which we warmly encourage you to check out. Aotearoa has one of the worst road safety records in the developed world. Australia is doing quite a bit ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    1 week ago

  • Saying Goodbye To a Friend
    The audio in today’s newsletter contains a conversation I had last year with journalist Elizabeth Williamson, author of an incredibly moving book on Sandy Hook. We talked America, conspiracies, and Alex Jones. It’s been gathering dust for reasons we’ll get to, but I wanted to share our conversation today. ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 week ago

  • The real reasons why Councils opposed Three Waters
    The anti Three Waters campaign which seemed so simple during the election campaign is now bogged down in a Select Committee as submitter after submitter raises issues with the replacement legislation. The so-called “Local Water Done Well” has now morphed into the Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill, which ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 week ago

  • At a glance – What caused early 20th Century warming?
    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
    1 week ago

  • A privilege
    On we go, at 20 kilometres an hour, truly the best pace for rolling through the world and breathing it all in.Fascinating to get to see two, four, twenty new places each day. Marvellous to get to see how very many different ways you can make it good for people ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • Unbridled power again
    There's a couple of pieces about architect-of-our-constitution Geoffrey palmer's views on the current government doing the rounds today. The first, on Newsroom is an excerpt from a speech he gave to a Young Labour meeting last weekend, in which he says NZ an executive paradise, not democratic paradise. The Spinoff ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • National’s secret schools
    The government just introduced its Education and Training Amendment Bill to the House. The name is deliberately obfuscatory, because what the bill actually does is reintroduce charter schools - effectively allowing National to privatise the education system. That's corrupt and it stinks, but to add insult to injury, National's new ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • Bernard's mid-winter pick 'n' mix for Tuesday, June 25
    Confidence about future job availability collapsed after Budget 2024 to lows last seen during the the Global Financial Crisis of 2008/09. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Employee confidence in more jobs being available in a year’s time collapsed in the first two weeks of June after the Budget, falling ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • “I Don't Care”
    Walking through the rooms in my headI came across your image,You looked at me with that sweet smile and saidSomething they won't let me repeatWe hurt the ones we love the mostIts a subtle form of complimentAfter you’ve watched Christopher Luxon for a while you think to yourself - that ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • Gordon Campbell on cancer drugs, and the Great Ferries Cancellation Disaster of ’23
    The decision taken last December to cancel the contract for the two purpose-built Cook Strait ferries – without having a Plan B in mind, let alone in place – has been a calamity that’s going to haunt New Zealand for decades to come, long after the Luxon government has been ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    1 week ago

  • June-24 AT Board Meeting
    Today the Auckland Transport board meets again,so I’ve taken a look through the items on their public agenda to see what’s interesting. Musical Chairs The first item of note is another change to the make-up of the AT Board. The legislation that established Auckland Transport allows for Waka Kotahi to ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    1 week ago

  • Colonial oppression in Kanaky
    How does France deal with opponents of its colonisation of the Pacific? Arrest them and deport them to France to face prosecution in a foreign court: A group of pro-independence leaders charged with allegedly organising protests that turned into violent unrest in New Caledonia last month was indicted on ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • Media Link: Post-pandemic economics and the rise of national populism” on “A View from Afar.”
    On this edition of AVFA Selwyn Manning and I discuss post-pandemic economics and the rise of national populism. It seems that a post-pandemic turn to more nationalist economic policies may have encouraged the rise of populists who use xenophobia and … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    1 week ago

  • Climate Change: National’s vice-signalling
    Two weeks ago the climate denier government announced they would be giving farmers what they want and removing agriculture from the ETS. On Friday they introduced the bill for it to the House. Due to past efforts and backdowns, the Climate Change Response Act has a lot of inactive clauses ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago

  • The Left’s Joyous Cherub: Keith Locke, 1944 – 2024.
    The Struggle Continues: Keith Locke belonged to a generation that still believed in a world that could be, through struggle, relieved of its chains. That struggle constituted the core of a life lived with purpose, courage and determination. MANY NEW ZEALANDERS would, no doubt, have been surprised to discover that Keith Locke was ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago

  • The Night Before Yule: A Reprint
    A couple of my stories – A Breath Through Silver, and The Last Libation – have previously earned themselves reprints. Well, I am pleased to report that the nice people at Heroic Fantasy Quarterly (https://www.heroicfantasyquarterly.com/) have included my narrative horror-poem, The Night Before Yule, in their newly-compiled Best Of anthology. ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago

  • Bernard’s mid-winter pick ‘n’ mix for Monday, June 24
    TL;DR: Responding to the grounding of the Aratere over the weekend, the Government has signalled it will buy new replacement ferries, but only enough to replace existing freight capacity.That would effectively limit Aotearoa-NZ’s ability to handle any growth in population or the need to reduce emissions by shifting freight from ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago

  • Greater Auckland 2.0 – we need your help!
    Hi, we’re Greater Auckland. We’ve been a part of the landscape for over 15 years now. Over that time, we’ve provided informed commentary, evidence-based analysis, and inspiring visions for the future of Tāmaki Makaurau. You might know us from such hits as: The Congestion-Free Network 2013 (and its 2017 ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago

  • Distractions and Inaction.
    Fancy, a fast carA bag full of lootI can nearly guaranteeYou'll end up with the bootThe Prime Minister arrived home, perhaps a bit surprised, maybe even secretly a little pleased at the diversion, to find the country falling apart. Things going more badly that even his c-list, self back-slapping, trip ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • KiwiRail aground while Government obfuscates
    The problems at KiwiRail go further and deeper than the maintenance issue, which caused the inter-island ferry Aratere to run aground on Saturday. The company is also the subject of a damning report published last week about the way it runs its rail operations from the Transport Accident Investigation Commission. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 week ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #25
    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, June 16, 2024 thru Sat, June 22, 2024. Stories we promoted this week, by publication date: Before June 16 ‘Unprecedented mass coral bleaching’ expected in 2024, says expert, ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 weeks ago

  • The Realm Of The Possible.
    The People’s House: What would it be like to live in a country where a single sermon could prick the conscience of the comfortable? Where a journalist could rouse a whole city to action? Where the government could be made to respond to the people’s concerns? Where real change was possible? And ...
    Bowalley Road
    2 weeks ago

  • Public Service Day
    Good morn or evening friendsHere's your friendly announcerI have serious news to pass on to everybodyWhat I'm about to sayCould mean the world's disasterCould change your joy and laughter to tears and painIt's thatLove's in need of love todayDon't delaySend yours in right awayHate's goin' 'roundBreaking many heartsStop it pleaseBefore ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 weeks ago

  • When is a road of National significance not a road of National significance?
    I loved everything about my first Cook Strait ferry crossing: a day parked in the car in howling Wellington wind and driving Wellington rain, waiting to hear if they were going to sail or not; watching the huge black ministerial limousines come and go; listening to the adventures of Chicken ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 weeks ago

  • Fact Brief – Was the Medieval Warm Period a global event?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by John Mason in collaboration with members from the Gigafact team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Was the Medieval Warm Period a global ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 weeks ago

  • Aotearoa Runs Aground
    Your face has fallen sad nowFor you know the time is nighWhen I must remove your wingsAnd you, you must try to flyCome sail your ships around meAnd burn your bridges downWe make a little history, babyEvery time you come aroundWhen I went to bed last night I thought the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 weeks ago

  • New tools announced to tackle kina barrens
    Increasing the recreational daily catch limit for kina around the northeastern North Island and a new special permit to remove kina will help tackle kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Kina barrens are areas of rocky reef where healthy kelp forests have been consumed by an overpopulation ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    48 mins ago

  • 500th RCG mobile tower delivered at Anawhata
    The Government has marked a major milestone for rural connectivity at the official opening of the 500th RCG mobile tower in Anawhata today, Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Rural, rugged and remote, like many of the 500 towers delivered, RCG worked alongside community stakeholders to deliver better connectivity for Anawhata ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago

  • Endeavour Fund updated to grow the economy
    Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins today released the updated Endeavour Fund Investment Plan – the Government’s $55 million per annum fund for science and research. “Endeavour is the Government’s largest contestable fund investing in science and research. It is crucial that this investment aligns with this Government’s priority ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago

  • Critical minerals stocktake underway
    Work on a critical minerals list and a stocktake of New Zealand’s known mineral potential is underway and will be key to enabling a strategic, considered approach to developing the country’s resources and strengthening mineral resilience, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. Together, the list and the stocktake will identify the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago

  • Further boost for Wairoa Mayoral Relief Fund
    The Government is providing a further $500,000 to the Wairoa Mayoral Relief Fund to help the community following flooding last week, Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell announced during a visit to the district today. “I have been back on the ground in Wairoa today to get a further ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago

  • Govt delivers consistency for assessing Kiwi kids
    The Coalition Government is delivering consistency in student assessment, giving parents certainty on how their child’s doing at school, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Currently, the first glimpse at student achievement is when children sit NCEA. It’s far too late to learn in Year 10 or 11 if they have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago

  • Prime Minister heads to United States for NATO
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will visit the United States from 9-12 July. Mr Luxon will begin his visit by building New Zealand’s profile with politicians in Washington DC, meeting members of the US Administration and of Congress. “The United States is the world’s largest economy and our second biggest trading partner. It ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago

  • Free cervical screening for at risk women to continue
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has confirmed that cervical screening will continue to be free for women with higher risk of cervical cancer.  “Our Government is committed to achieving better cancer outcomes for New Zealanders, and screening programmes are critical to getting an early diagnosis and timely treatment,” says Dr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Kāinga Ora board refreshed, new Letter of Expectations issued
    The board of Kāinga Ora – Homes & Community has been refreshed and Ministers have issued a new Letter of Expectations demanding better financial performance, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says.“Earlier this year we released the report of the independent review into Kāinga Ora led by Sir Bill English, which found ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • New Zealand, Solomon Islands boost partnership
    New Zealand and Solomon Islands are boosting their partnership in areas aimed at enhancing security and prosperity, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters says.    “Solomon Islands is a very important Pacific partner for New Zealand, and we are pleased to be findings ways to do more together for mutual benefit,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • NZ wood and wool to benefit through new trade deal
    New Zealand today concluded a groundbreaking trade deal with Costa Rica, Iceland, and Switzerland, to remove tariffs on hundreds of products that benefit sustainability and the environment, Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. “The Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability (ACCTS) opens up commercial opportunities for New Zealand businesses ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Handover of airfield in Solomons
    New Zealand and Australia have highlighted their strong commitment to Solomon Islands aviation and economic development through the handover of the upgraded Seghe Airfield today.   “The upgrade of the Seghe Airfield runway in Western Province will enable flights to operate under all weather conditions, making operations safer and more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government to tackle driver licence wait times
    The Government is rolling out changes to the driver licencing system to tackle the unacceptable wait times facing New Zealanders trying to sit their driver licence tests across the country, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Since the previous government’s decision last year to remove re-sit fees for theory and practical ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • World Choir Games to boost Auckland economy
    Around 11,000 singers from 40 countries will be taking to the stage in Auckland next week for the 13th World Choir Games, generating important economic and cultural benefits for the supercity, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “It’s the biggest choral competition and festival in the world, so I’m absolutely ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Kermadec Arc mineral reservation extended
    A reservation over the Kermadec Arc preventing the granting or extending of minerals prospecting, exploration, and mining permits will be extended for 18 months from 5 July, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones’ declaration, enabled under the Crown Minerals Act 1991, will extend consecutive existing reservations, the latest of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government taking action to support media sector
    The Government is taking immediate action to support New Zealand’s media and content production sectors, while it develops a long-term reform programme, Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Firstly, the Government will progress the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill with amendments, to support our local media companies to earn ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Congratulations to Ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Puku o te Ika a Māui
    Tākina Puanga, mānawatia a Matariki, mānawatia te huinga whetū! Congratulations to Ngā Kura Kaupapa Māori o Te Puku o te Ika a Māui on winning this year’s national secondary schools kapa haka competition Te Huinga Whetū, Māori Development Minister Tama Potaka says. “It was great to hear the stage rumbling ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Keeping Kiwis safe is Govt priority in Q3 plan
    The coalition Government's latest Action Plan will have a strong focus on making Kiwis safer and restoring law and order, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced. “The Government I lead is one of action and we are already making meaningful changes that will keep Kiwis safe in their homes, workplaces ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Government Q2 Action Plan delivers for Kiwis
    A successful second quarter Action Plan shows the coalition Government has continued to build on the momentum of its first 100 days, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says.  “Our Government Action Plan was laser-focused on rebuilding the economy and reducing the cost of living, restoring law and order, and delivering better ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Protecting homeowners’ rights in natural disasters
    Associate Finance Minister David Seymour is glad to see the Natural Hazards Insurance Act come into force today, further protecting homeowners’ rights after a natural hazard event and seeing the Earthquake Commission (EQC) become the Natural Hazards Commission. “The Government is committed to ensuring Kiwis continue to get reliable insurance ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Budgeting pressure relief for renters
    Restoring the brightline test to two years will help increase the supply of residential property putting downward pressure on rent, Revenue Minister Simon Watts says. “From 1 July, the brightline test will replace the five and ten-year periods with a more balanced two-year period. “Every day, New Zealanders are struggling ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Regional Infrastructure Fund opens to applications
    Councils, iwi, businesses and community organisations with infrastructure projects that support regional priorities are invited to apply for funding from the Regional Infrastructure Fund, which opened today. “The Coalition Government is focused on growing the economy. We are doing everything we can to enable an export-led recovery, regional prosperity and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • New hospital building, new health policy, new health targets to benefit New Zealanders
    Kia ora koutou katoa – it’s a pleasure to join you here at Tōtara Haumaru on Auckland’s North Shore I would like to begin by acknowledging the many hands, over many years, that have been involved in the creation of this wonderful new facility Tōtara Haumaru, particularly those who are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Defence partnership with Tonga celebrated
    Defence Minister Judith Collins will visit the Kingdom of Tonga to take part in the opening of a New Zealand-funded His Majesty’s Armed Forces Leadership Centre and to meet with counterparts.  “New Zealand has a long, shared military history with Tonga and the development of this leadership centre is an ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Wairarapa lakes return to iwi ownership
    Today the Crown joined Rangitāne and Ngāti Kahungunu at Papawai Marae to mark the return of Wairarapa Moana to iwi, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith and Māori Crown Relations Minister Tama Potaka says. “The legal transfer of the ownership of Wairarapa Moana is the final chapter in a fraught dispute between ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Government passes Clean Car Importer Standard Bill
    Changes to the Land Transport (Clean Vehicle Standard) Act will enable changes to the emissions targets more easily with a review of the Clean Vehicle Standard currently underway, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Large changes in technology, fuel efficiency, and consumer trends and preferences means that the Clean Car Importer Standard ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Fire and Emergency New Zealand board reappointments
    Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden has today announced that four members have been reappointed to the Fire and Emergency New Zealand [FENZ] board. “I am pleased to announce that Rebecca Keoghan has been reappointed as chair for a two-year term of office,” says Ms van Velden.  Rebecca was appointed ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Therapeutic Products Act repeal bill gets 1st reading
    The Government has taken further steps to providing better regulation for medicines, medical devices, and natural health products with the first reading of a bill to repeal the Therapeutic Products Act 2023. Repealing the Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) shows the Government is listening to the concerns of industry and consumers, says Associate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • $343.5 million allocated by Te Puna Tahua Lottery Grants Board
    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says $343.5 million in lottery profits have been allocated to New Zealand communities across the country – an increase of around $29.8 million from previous years.  “The distribution of lottery profits can have a significant and enduring impact on the lives of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Emergency support for East Coast flooding
    Civil Defence payments are now available for people affected by the severe weather in Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti to help cover some emergency costs, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston has announced. “We want to make sure those communities that are doing it tough because of the latest severe ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Government progressing commitment to reinstate livestock exports by sea
    The coalition Government is progressing its commitment to reinstate livestock exports by sea, with public consultation set to start before September, Associate Minister of Agriculture Hon Andrew Hoggard says. Reinstating livestock exports by sea will require an amendment to the Animal Welfare Act 1999 and strengthened welfare standards will be ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Minister releases Tauranga District Plan decisions
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today released his decisions on elements of Tauranga City Council’s Intensification Planning Instrument. Two recommendations were referred to the Minister after the Council rejected two of those made by the Independent Hearings Panel. “I was asked by the Tauranga City Council to reject two ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • High-level political delegation to visit Pacific
    Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will lead a high-level political delegation to Solomon Islands, Nauru and Niue next week.  "New Zealand's relationships in the Pacific are fundamental to our foreign policy, and we are determined to continue strengthening them,” says Mr Peters.  “We look forward to engaging with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Wānaka’s first primary birthing unit opened
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joined Health Minister Dr Shane Reti to officially open a new primary birthing unit in Wānaka today.  Dr Reti says the event demonstrates the Government’s commitment to improving health infrastructure and is particularly special as it will support many families before birth and in the first ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • GPS 2024: Record transport investment to drive economic growth
    The final Government Policy Statement on land transport 2024 (GPS 2024) outlines the Government’s ambitious $22 billion transport plan to boost productivity and support economic growth, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Upon being elected, the Government was clear that we wanted to make good on our transport promises to New Zealanders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • King’s Counsel appointments 2024
    Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointments of 19 King’s Counsel.   Also known as a silk, in reference to a gown traditionally worn as part of their robes, the rank of King’s Counsel is awarded to barristers sole who have demonstrated excellence in their careers or, from time to time, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Crime data underpins need for law & order action
    New crime data highlights how critical the Government’s plan is to restore law and order, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “The latest New Zealand Crime and Victims Survey data is shameful, with New Zealanders experiencing 1.88 million incidents of crime between November 2022 and October 2023. “There were 185,000 New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Independent panel to review methane science and targets appointed
    The Government is delivering on its promise to commence an independent review of the methane science and targets for consistency with no additional warming from agriculture emissions, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay say.  “An independent panel announced today, will report back to the Government by ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Government repeals costly log trade legislation
    The Government today repealed legislation requiring the compulsory registration of log traders and forestry advisers. “The existing legislation fails to deliver outcomes and places unnecessary costs on forest businesses,” Forestry Minister Todd McClay says. “I am confident that voluntary registration through the New Zealand Institute of Forestry is a better ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Build To Rent Bill passes first reading
    The Overseas Investment (Build To Rent and Similar Rental Developments) Amendment Bill has passed its first reading this evening, Housing and Associate Finance Minister Chris Bishop says.“We need to take every option available to increase the supply of housing in New Zealand, and Build to Rent is one of those ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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