Open mike 03/05/2015

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, May 3rd, 2015 - 168 comments
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168 comments on “Open mike 03/05/2015 ”

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  1. One Anonymous Bloke 1
    3 May 2015 at 7:42 am

    How many cabinet ministers have brothers?

    The problem here is that they have to step down, as per Carmel Sepuloni, and stepping down will breach name suppression.

    Convenient, eh.

    • Paul 1.1
      3 May 2015 at 8:18 am

      There is a lot of detail in that article.
      Stuff weren’t very discreet.

    • miravox 1.2
      3 May 2015 at 8:36 am

      Surely a cabinet minster would only need to stand down if s/he was involved with the crime, the investigation or had ministerial responsibility for children, justice or police?

      • ianmac 1.2.1
        3 May 2015 at 8:46 am

        Trying to remember if National made any nasty remarks at Carmel at that time?

        • phillip ure 1.2.1.1
          3 May 2015 at 8:52 am

          i don’t recall any..

        • amirite 1.2.1.2
          3 May 2015 at 9:13 am

          I guess the Nats were silent about Sepuloni in anticipation of their own imminent court case, not for the decency or the goodness of their heart.

        • rawshark-yeshe 1.2.1.3
          3 May 2015 at 9:21 am

          I seem to remember it was the Nats who ‘exposed’ Carmel Sepuloni ?? I recall being very angry at them … maybe it’s just my natural state these days. 🙁

          This story from TV3News has Andrew Little stating clearly that Carmel had no knowledge “of the ordeal’

          http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/carmel-sepulonis-mother-due-in-court-2015022605#axzz3Z1E0H7Ij

          It always had the stench of dirty politics to me.

          And here .. TVOne News claiming to be first to discover the story … ( “Hello Corin — Jason here” and all that). It still stinks.

          http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/labour-welfare-spokesperson-stood-down-mother-faces-benefit-fraud-charges-6242031

        • Anne 1.2.1.4
          3 May 2015 at 10:20 am

          Yes ianmac, during Question Time. Paula Bennett made a reference to Carmel’s situation at the time of her mother’s guilty verdict. Someone will surely remember what she actually said – I can’t. I do remember the Labour members responding in disgust to Bennett’s vindictive comment.

          Surprise, surprise… I don’t think she was called to “withdraw and apologise” but I may be wrong.

          • rawshark-yeshe 1.2.1.4.1
            3 May 2015 at 11:28 am

            Anne .. I remember that too. Have just searched Hansard for Feb 25, but can’t find anything. Are you remembering it was AFTER the actual conviction then ? I can search again …

            • Anne 1.2.1.4.1.1
              3 May 2015 at 12:39 pm

              I can’t remember rawshark-yeshe. I think it must have been after the guilty plea because she would have been treading a fine legal line had she commented beforehand.

              I do remember something happened in response to Madam B’s spite because she stood up and claimed she had only been responding to Sepuloni’s provocation. In other words she was suggesting Carmel started it. That was bullshit. All Carmel did was robustly question her about a social issue which was what she is supposed to do as Paula’s opposite number. Bennett was the one who introduced the personal aspect into the debating chamber.

              • ianmac …
                3 May 2015 at 2:12 pm

                Must have been after Carmel was returned to her spot.

                • rawshark-yeshe …
                  3 May 2015 at 2:45 pm

                  which seems to be March 5 2015 but the house did not sit again til March 10 .. can’t find it, but I know it’s there !

            • Draco T Bastard 1.2.1.4.1.2
              3 May 2015 at 3:16 pm

              IIRC, it was actually the press that informed Sepuloni that her mother was being brought up on charges and they were informed by the minister before Sepuloni was informed at all. It was a nasty Nat attack on Sepuloni via the MSM who had assumed that Sepuloni had already been informed.

              Also note that the author of that piece can’t keep the story straight from one end to the other:

              Earlier this year, Labour spokeswoman Carmel Sepuloni stepped aside while her mother was before the courts on benefit fraud charges.

              Earlier this year Carmel Sepuloni was stood down from her social development spokeswoman role after her mother was charged with several counts of benefit fraud.

              Same fucken article, two different meanings.

              • rawshark-yeshe …
                3 May 2015 at 3:23 pm

                indeed. but we are trying to find Bennett’s attack on her in the house …

                • Draco T Bastard …
                  3 May 2015 at 11:00 pm

                  I could be remembering it wrong and the attack was what started the whole rigmarole in the first place.

      • One Anonymous Bloke 1.2.2
        3 May 2015 at 8:51 am

        The article makes clear it’s a ‘he’.

        He can’t stand down because doing so would breach name suppression. He has to stand down under the circumstances you’ve outlayed.

        Is the National Party capable of negotiating this ethical minefield? Of course not. What will their self-interest dictate?

        • felix 1.2.2.1
          3 May 2015 at 8:58 am

          Where does it refer to the gender of the minister?

          • veutoviper 1.2.2.1.1
            3 May 2015 at 9:03 am

            This sentence in the Stuff article:

            The minister did not respond yesterday to questions about whether he would stand down while the case was before the court.

            • felix 1.2.2.1.1.1
              3 May 2015 at 9:19 am

              Ah thanks. Well that narrows it down considerably.

              • rawshark-yeshe …
                3 May 2015 at 9:37 am

                might also explain why one Hon from down there has had a perpetual misery face for the last few months.

                • felix …
                  3 May 2015 at 10:26 am

                  I think he looks like he was frozen while emotionally transitioning between abject misery and outrageous smugness.

                  • Dave …
                    3 May 2015 at 11:10 am

                    Must be Lumberwhare then, mind you his frozen rictus never changes much.

                  • rawshark-yeshe …
                    3 May 2015 at 11:11 am

                    lol felix.

                    botox even ? maybe he got some from crusher who really does need to stop abusing it. dear crusher’s eyebrows are so very arched she has a look of permanent surprise built in .. must be disconcerting for those close to her.

                    not attacking but commenting on what is a dangerous habit for some. and the weirdest thing is the other facial muscles take over the work of the botox paralysed ones, and develop quite unexpectedly which leads to a great distortion over time and faces can change quite badly.

      • One Anonymous Bloke 1.2.3
        3 May 2015 at 9:29 am

        Under normal circumstances, assuming his areas of responsibility create a conflict, there are a range of options as listed below (1.3.1.1.1). The interesting aspect of this is that any public action will immediately narrow the field – how many brothers can a cabinet minister have, after all.

        National’s initial response – stonewalling – doesn’t bode well for their eventual decision. I expect the correct response would have been – “yes I’m standing down and if you report that you’ll breach a suppression order.”

        That isn’t what happened though.

      • Murray Rawshark 1.2.4
        3 May 2015 at 6:12 pm

        I don’t think FJK even requires that, going by past events.

    • Charles 1.3
      3 May 2015 at 8:50 am

      I think, really, if a PM can go around dodging the law for his own openly admitted and socially condoned misdeeds, then the degree of seperation between siblings of MP’s is irrelevent, not in the public interest, and not even news. If people only get worked-up because of the type of crime, but otherwise believe the law applies only when it’s convenient, then it’s not a matter of law, or principle.

      Carmel stepping down was a complete idiocy. Hard to be an effective opposition when your own values are so puritanical you fire yourself for things that your opponent can’t comprehend. Especially so, if most of your electorate think the same way as your opponent, secretly, and do the same everyday. The outraged noise people make has no relation to their actual personal values. The end may not justify the means, but who said a politician had to continue with less-than-pure means past the short term end of actually winning?

      • phillip ure 1.3.1
        3 May 2015 at 8:55 am

        i think with carmel her spokesperson- role was factored into her?/the decision to stand down..

        tho’ i thought it was an over-reaction/wasn’t needed..

        • b waghorn 1.3.1.1
          3 May 2015 at 9:13 am

          I agree she shouldn’t of stood down and neither should the nat mp unless he’s linked somehow. No one should be held back because of the sins of there ralitives.

          • One Anonymous Bloke 1.3.1.1.1
            3 May 2015 at 9:18 am

            There are a range of options:

            taking no action;
            enquiring as to whether all affected parties will consent to the member’s or official’s involvement;
            seeking a formal exemption to allow participation (if such a legal power applies);
            imposing additional oversight or review over the official;
            withdrawing from discussing or voting on a particular item of business at a meeting;
            exclusion from a committee or working group dealing with the issue;
            re-assigning certain tasks or duties to another person;
            agreement or direction not to do something;
            withholding certain confidential information, or placing restrictions on access to information;
            transferring the official (temporarily or permanently) to another position or project;
            relinquishing the private interest; or
            resignation or dismissal from one or other position or entity.

            Dealing with COIs is commonplace in industrial and academic circles. Not sure how you justify ignoring them in politics.

          • felix 1.3.1.1.2
            3 May 2015 at 9:23 am

            “I agree she shouldn’t of stood down and neither should the nat mp unless he’s linked somehow. No one should be held back because of the sins of there ralitives.”

            It’s not about being responsible for the sins, it’s about conflict of interest.

            If, for example, it were the Minister of Police who’s brother were facing charges, there would be a clear conflict of interest for the minister.

            If it were Minister of Replacing Lightbulbs in John Key’s office (or whatever the fuck it is they’ve got Paula doing these days) then there probably wouldn’t be much of a conflict.

            • miravox 1.3.1.1.2.1
              3 May 2015 at 9:30 am

              I would have thought minister of police or some such would have stepped aside when he knew his brother was facing charges.

              That’s taking responsibility for the conflict of interest. Responsibility – something the NActs are big on, they say.

            • rawshark-yeshe 1.3.1.1.2.2
              3 May 2015 at 9:41 am

              well yes, of course ! But these are the Nacts. Nothing decent to be expected in any direction.

              Imagine the conflict for such a minister !

            • The Murphey 1.3.1.1.2.3
              3 May 2015 at 11:33 am

              It’s not about being responsible for the sins, it’s about conflict of interest

              Including blackmail

              Such ‘preferences’ are unlikely to be those of ‘recent first timers’ and so direct family relationship becomes very relevant to the discussion

              No doubt the lodges will be a hive of activity

            • McFlock 1.3.1.1.2.4
              3 May 2015 at 1:59 pm

              it’s about conflict of interest

              Perceived conflict of interest.
              Sepuloni standing down for the duration removed any possibility of a conflict, or of an innocent question being mistaken as interference.

            • blue2 1.3.1.1.2.5
              3 May 2015 at 3:26 pm

              Seriously funny comment Felix. Minister of Replacing Lightbulbs. They’re all 1930’s vintage single filament incandescents!

            • blue2 1.3.1.1.2.6
              3 May 2015 at 3:43 pm

              Minister of Replacing Lightbulbs. Totally succinct comment. As the Nats are full of 1930’s vintage, single carbon filament, low wattage types, it would be easy to say that describes them all.

          • RedBaronCV 1.3.1.1.3
            3 May 2015 at 10:37 am

            Note how Stuff put
            “Carmel Sepuloni was stood down” but at the time

            “We have agreed she will step aside” was what Andrew Little said after he appears to have been told very promply by Carmel.

            So it looks like Carmel had a part in the stand down and accepted it as a responsibilty for her not some thing imposed on her by the boss.

            Stuffs comment kinda implies otherwise. It’s a small thing I know but.. Mischief making. Not that any Nact ever seems to vountarily fall on their sword

            • mickysavage 1.3.1.1.3.1
              3 May 2015 at 4:54 pm

              She did. She discussed it with Andrew and agreed that she should voluntarily stand down until the matter was resolved.

        • JanM 1.3.1.2
          3 May 2015 at 9:18 am

          Except that as we all know, with the bias of the MSM the left have to be more cautious than ‘the right to rulers’

        • JanM 1.3.1.3
          3 May 2015 at 9:18 am

          Except that as we all know, with the bias of the MSM the left have to be more cautious than ‘the right to rulers’

      • One Anonymous Bloke 1.3.2
        3 May 2015 at 9:13 am

        Sepuloni wasn’t fired. She returned as soon as the conflict of interest was no longer an issue.

        It’s a perfectly acceptable way of dealing with such conflicts of interest when they arise. Your cynicism notwithstanding, many people understand that they are toxic because they lead to poor decisions being made.

        I agree that the National Party has plumbed new depths of corruption and denial in this regard. Even in their ranks there’s disquiet over it.

        • Incognito 1.3.2.1
          3 May 2015 at 10:20 am

          IIRC Sepuloni did not cease to be a politician and MP. From one of the links in comment 1.2.1.3:

          ”Carmel Sepuloni will remain on the front bench and as the party’s junior whip.”

          Sepuloni did not know anything till it became public knowledge and quick action on the same day was aimed to deal with possible spill-over and public perception.

          As it turned out, it was a temporary measure as Sepuloni’s mother pleaded guilty the next day so it was not going to be a long drawn-out legal affair, etc.

          IMO, it was the best action under the circumstances and has left no real ammunition for others to attack Sepuloni, Little, or the Labour Party with. So, at the end of the day (…), ‘the end did justify the means’.

          • One Anonymous Bloke 1.3.2.1.1
            3 May 2015 at 10:31 am

            Yeah, which is why the National Party now has an opportunity* to look corrupt and incompetent by comparison.

            *which I’m sure they’ll seize with both feet.

      • Murray Rawshark 1.3.3
        3 May 2015 at 9:02 pm

        I think Carmel Sepuloni standing down was the best thing overall, because of her responsibility for welfare. A police minister, for example, should be required to stand down if a member of their family is charged with any criminal offence.

        NAct people seem to have a real problem keeping things consensual and legal, don’t they? I’m beginning to wonder if we’ll see a British type of scandal down here.

        • rawshark-yeshe 1.3.3.1
          3 May 2015 at 9:10 pm

          kinda think that would also apply to the chair of a law and order committee,
          right ? Yeah? Nah.

          • Murray Rawshark 1.3.3.1.1
            3 May 2015 at 10:36 pm

            At the end of the day FJK can actually find people who don’t think it should. Many of them are NAct MPs. That worries me.

    • felix 1.4
      3 May 2015 at 9:33 am

      English has at least one brother, Smith has four, Brownlee was hatched from a goose’s egg, Woodhouse is the fifth of nine children.

      Don’t know of any other male Cabinet Ministers from the South Island except John Key and he is so obviously an only child it’s not even worth looking up.

      One of the above would have a very serious conflict of interest due to the nature of their portfolio.

      • rawshark-yeshe 1.4.1
        3 May 2015 at 9:44 am

        Indeed. and all the more reason to try and keep it very, very secret and suppressed.

        old habit for Key by now .. he must have almost mastered it ?

      • weka 1.4.2
        3 May 2015 at 9:55 am

        Why the South Island Ministers?

        • One Anonymous Bloke 1.4.2.1
          3 May 2015 at 10:06 am

          The case is being heard in the Christchurch High Court, and the lawyer is from Dunedin?

          • weka 1.4.2.1.1
            3 May 2015 at 10:15 am

            which applies to the brother, not necessarily the Minister presumably, or am I missing something?

            • felix 1.4.2.1.1.1
              3 May 2015 at 10:22 am

              Not necessarily the Minister, but it does seem more likely, no?

              • weka …
                3 May 2015 at 10:26 am

                Just seen the comments upthread about Dunedin 😉

                • felix …
                  3 May 2015 at 11:05 am

                  I know you’re winking but it looks like you have something stuck in your eye 😀

                  • left for deadshark …
                    3 May 2015 at 11:13 am

                    Good morning felix,
                    Whats happened to the old smilies.?

                    👿

                    • weka …
                      3 May 2015 at 11:13 am

                      WordPress redesigned them and we got them in a recent upgrade.

                    • lprent …
                      3 May 2015 at 11:29 am

                      In their infinite wisdom the WordPress designers decided to change the defaults. They have apparently missed some out. It is possible to revert. Can’t be bothered…

                    • rawshark-yeshe …
                      3 May 2015 at 3:55 pm

                      lprent .. I have a nice bottle of wine or some beersies for you if it helps with the bothering ? 🙂

                    • Lanthanide …
                      3 May 2015 at 4:19 pm

                      +1 for rawshark. The new smilies suck.

                      Look what they’ve done to the roll-eyes one: 🙄 pathetic!

                  • weka …
                    3 May 2015 at 11:13 am

                    You look like you’ve got a very large wedge of grapefruit in your mouth.

                    I hate these fucking Smilies. Bloody wordpress designers, what were they thinking? Not about communication obviously.

          • veutoviper 1.4.2.1.2
            3 May 2015 at 10:40 am

            According to the article, the actual case is scheduled for a District Court hearing (location not specified) – but the interim injunction on naming was issued by a Christchurch High Court judge, presumably pending the DC hearing considering a submission for name suppression.

      • veutoviper 1.4.3
        3 May 2015 at 9:57 am

        Key is not an only child. He has two older sisters here in NZ. He also has two much older half-brothers in the UK. IIRC English has at least two brothers.

      • yabby 1.4.4
        3 May 2015 at 3:06 pm

        Key has two sisters – but is an only son

    • weka 1.5
      3 May 2015 at 9:58 am

      “The problem here is that they have to step down, as per Carmel Sepuloni, and stepping down will breach name suppression.

      Convenient, eh.”

      Two ways to look at that. One is that if there were a conflict of interest the Minister would have stepped down by now for personal or family reasons, but since there isn’t, they haven’t. The other is that it’s National, and why would they do the right thing unless they were forced to?

      • One Anonymous Bloke 1.5.1
        3 May 2015 at 10:05 am

        Would this fall into the ‘no surprises’ category?

        I assume the Police Minister would have been informed. That’s Michael Woodhouse, a list MP from Dunedin.

      • RedBaronCV 1.5.2
        3 May 2015 at 5:10 pm

        or all the four cabinet ministers that fit the criteria could stand down, Key could reshuffle the lot and we would be none the wiser on the specifics. Well no further ahead than now

    • weka 1.6
      3 May 2015 at 10:28 am

      The courts granted an injunction to prevent publication by the SST of the Minister’s name. Does that injunction apply to the public?

      • lprent 1.6.1
        3 May 2015 at 11:10 am

        Likely. As I have no idea who it is, So to conform to the reported suppression, I will just limit people saying explicitly which minister it is.

        I also note that there has been nothing reported about the alleged victims seeking suppression.

        Mind you, after the questions on how Carmel’s mothers name got into media, I am only inclined to follow the letter of suppression orders when it comes to the politically associated.

        If it is good enough for Paula Bennett to play games with the courts and relatives, then I can’t be bothered fighting dirty politics with my hands tied….

      • One Anonymous Bloke 1.6.2
        3 May 2015 at 10:37 pm

        They’ve finally got their story straight. They’ve known about this all along and steps have already been taken to do nothing.

        • McFlock 1.6.2.1
          3 May 2015 at 10:59 pm

          Two things spring to mind:

          He refers repeatedly to the “advice” he’s received, but (as he made plain on HardTalk) he views the purpose of “advice” as being to endorse the decision he wants, rather than a genuinely impartial and expert opinion of what should be done; and

          if “there is no conflict of interest”, then surely there is no “issue” than “can be managed”.

          Fucking slimy liar.

  2. phillip ure 2
    3 May 2015 at 8:15 am

    i heard the idea the wharf-extensions be named after our mayor..

    (as an act of gratitude on the part of his bosses @ the wharf-company..?

    ..esp. seeing as he cast the casting vote for it – in a split council..eh..?..

    ..he made it happen..all his own work – lest we forget..)

    …so..’browns’ dump’..?…’browns’ car-park’..?…’browns’-folly’..?..’browns’-brown-nose’..?

    ..suggestions welcomed

  3. AsleepWhileWalking 3
    3 May 2015 at 8:25 am

    Another mental health victim failed by indifferent DHB staff. How many more will die before anyone is held accountable?

    http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2015/05/01/guest-blog-tony-stevens-why-did-my-brother-die/

  4. phillip ure 4
    3 May 2015 at 8:32 am

    the idea – now law in victoria – that foreigners be only allowed to buy new houses..

    ..is a good one..

    ..and one we should adopt..

    ..it will add to the housing stock – and will stimulate ‘the market’ to build the houses needed..

    ..what’s not to love about all that..?

    http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/may/02/extra-tax-on-foreign-property-investors-in-victoria-to-balance-infrastructure-cost

    oh..!..and of course an extra sales tax and land tax…

    ..and of course foreign investors will have to register..

    ..with serious penalties for scamming the scheme..

    ..that all looks quite tidy to me..

    • greywarshark 4.1
      3 May 2015 at 1:32 pm

      Sounds good medicine in the present housing climate. And then reduce the number of immigrants. We need to sop behaving like Mr Cresote taking more on all the time. Is there a medical doctor in the House that can administer it plus laxative to those sitting with minds and ends bound up and stultified?

      I am not happy about the many ordinary people who might have their lives ruined when the bubble bursts. I have seen the disruption it causes in good people’s lives as they try and adjust to financial difficulties and their drop in the pecking order when they have been working hard, bettering themselves and doing all the right things.

  5. Paul 5
    3 May 2015 at 8:37 am

    Important investigation into Foetal Alcohol Syndrome on RNZ at the moment.
    When will we tackle the multinational liquor companies ?

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/insight/audio/201752639/insight-for-3-may-2015-nz's-neglected-foetal-alcohol-problem

    • Molly 5.1
      3 May 2015 at 9:27 am

      I have a close friend with a daughter who has FASD, and the disability is heartbreaking and permanent.

      After years of reading and researching this condition in an effort to provide support, I despair when I read reassurances by experts in newspaper articles that moderate or light drinking is fine. (An obvious problem with this is that people’s ideas of moderate or light vary greatly).

      That is also the recommendation I was receiving while I was pregnant.

      Knowing now the damage that can be caused, only abstinence is the reassurance most mothers would need to avoid this syndrome.

      • Paul 5.1.1
        3 May 2015 at 9:32 am

        Pity governments do not listen to the public and experts on the matter.

        NZLC R114 Alcohol In Our Lives: Curbing the Harm

        ‘Key policy recommendations include:

        _ the introduction of a new Alcohol Harm Reduction Act;

        _ raising the price of alcohol by an average of 10% through excise tax increases;

        _ regulating irresponsible promotions that encourage the excessive consumption, or purchase, of alcohol;

        _ returning the minimum purchase age for alcohol to 20;

        _ strengthening the rights and responsibilities of parents for the supply of alcohol to minors;

        _ introducing national maximum closing hours for both on and off-licences; ( 4am and 10pm respectively )

        _ increasing the ability of local people to influence how and where alcohol is sold in their communities;

        _ increasing personal responsibility for unacceptable or harmful behaviours induced by alcohol, including a civil cost recovery regime for those picked up by the police when grossly intoxicated;

        _ moving over time to regulate alcohol advertising and sponsorship.

        http://www.lawcom.govt.nz/project/review-regulatory-framework-sale-and-supply-liquor/publication/report/2010/alcohol-our-lives

        http://www.lawcom.govt.nz/sites/default/files/publications/2010/04/Publication_154_464_Part_2_Intro.pdf

        • tricledrown 5.1.1.1
          3 May 2015 at 10:53 am

          Paul they certainly listen to the alcohol lobby.
          Maybe its because they are aloud fund political parties especially the National Party.

          • phillip ure 5.1.1.1.1
            3 May 2015 at 3:28 pm

            i wd actually give dunne the ‘bleary-eyed-award’ – for his services to big-alcohol..

            ..national are close behind –

            – but runners-up to dunne – in the sell-out stakes..

            • halfcrown 5.1.1.1.1.1
              3 May 2015 at 6:27 pm

              “i wd actually give dunne the ‘bleary-eyed-award’”

              Nah, I would give him The Biggest Traitorous Self Seeking Turd Ever Award.

  6. Penny Bright 6
    3 May 2015 at 8:42 am

    For those concerned Aucklanders who want to ‘stand up and be counted’ against Mayor Len Brown’s , (in my view) treacherous sellout – supporting the Ports of Auckland ‘compromise’ in extending one wharf?

    PROTEST!

    WHEN: Today – Sunday : May 2015

    TIME: 11am

    WHERE: Quay Street

    What is happening here, in my view, is a disgrace.

    Where’s the fire? What’s the rush?

    The legality of the (non-notified) resource consents upon which these wharf extensions are based, as I understand it,, are still before the Court.

    The idea that the wharf extension work can go ahead – then be ‘deconstructed’ at a later date, if found in Court to be illegal, is simply madness, in my view.

    It is not just multi-national shipping companies or overseas cruise ship companies that have an interest in the Ports of Auckland and how that land is developed, or harbour ‘reclaimed’.

    Why on earth would you charge ahead with wharf extension work, before full, proper, comprehensive, consultation and consideration of the issues involved?

    Whose interests are being served in this unseemly and ill-considered rush?

    Follow the dollar?

    What do concerned citizens need to do to STOP extension work on the wharves?

    Physically occupy them?

    What a disaster this corporate-controlled Auckland ‘Supercity’ (for the 1%) has been for the majority of citizens and ratepayers!

    Penny Bright

    http://www.pennybright4mayor.org.nz

    • Bearded Git 6.1
      3 May 2015 at 11:39 am

      Somebody should maybe apply for a “stop-work” directive now while the court decides whether the wharf consents should have been publicly notified.

      Given the completely bleedin’ obvious public interest in this matter I would have thought that the court action to have the wharf consent publicly notified has a high chance of success. In fact by backing down on one wharf POAL have already considerably weakened their case.

      I don’t think POAL can argue that this work is in any way urgent.

  7. JanM 7
    3 May 2015 at 8:49 am

    What a delightful idea of Jonathan Milne (Editorial in Stuff) to name John Key “Father of the Year”. I’m sure every child would be thrilled to have a father who has sexually harassed a young woman and, thereby, made himself an international laughing stock!

    • Paul 7.1
      3 May 2015 at 9:02 am

      The NZ media really is a propaganda arm of the multinational corporates who are benefiting from Key’s looting of the country.

    • b waghorn 7.2
      3 May 2015 at 9:16 am

      I’d conslder myself a failure of a father if [r0b: Leave Key’s family out of it please]

      • b waghorn 7.2.1
        3 May 2015 at 9:41 am

        Yeah did try to delete it but was to late sorry

      • JanM 7.2.2
        3 May 2015 at 9:50 am

        That’s a bit hard, perhaps – as adults we make our own decisions for our own reasons and we don’t always do things the way our parents would like us to. Interesting that she feels the need to explore that subject, though, as she has perhaps received some negative or disempowering messages about women in her upbringing.

    • philj 7.3
      3 May 2015 at 9:33 am

      The story seems to have disappeared before my eyes.

  8. phillip ure 8
    3 May 2015 at 9:19 am

    andrew little back from hanging with miliband and piketty..

    ..but has come back with no new ideas..(he says he was focused on ‘organisational’-stuff..(!)..)

    ..he almost left skid-marks on the screen – he reversed so severely away from any pikkety-stylings solutions for here..

    ..(oh dear..!..)

    • Once was Tim 8.1
      3 May 2015 at 9:39 am

      ah …. now I see what you mean! (at first I was confused as to the kind of skid marks you were meaning). my judgment was obviously clouded when I first read your comment @PU – Mediawatch in the background where the name Hosking was getting a run

  9. Once was Tim 9
    3 May 2015 at 9:23 am

    Another Macskasy gem ( http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2015/05/03/the-nation-reveals-gobsmacking-incompetence-by-ministers-english-and-lotu-iiga/ )

    Sums things up fairly well really.
    What’s really sad is that such a huge proportion of the population has become so disengaged, so utterly disinterested and completely dumbed down they’re unable to see the bleeding obvious when it jumps up and bites them in the bum.

    My biggest hope that any new government will recognise just how huge the media’s role in all of this has been and they commit to a PSB system.

    • Kevin 9.1
      3 May 2015 at 9:44 am

      If The Nation carry on like this, they will be up for ‘review’ in no time.

    • halfcrown 9.2
      3 May 2015 at 11:36 am

      I saw that dick Jamie White on the panel afterwards praising prat English and how debt really was not a problem. Funny that I thought, wasn’t the vast amount of debt left by Muldoon, that fucking Douglas, you know Douglas who founded the Act party, used as an excuse to pillage the country’s infrastructure to sell off to every known spiv to mankind.

      • repateet 9.2.1
        3 May 2015 at 12:10 pm

        Jamie Whyte’s thinking about the end game. Running up debt is not serious for us, our descendants will take care of it. Selling off the education system will make billions and save billions … and hospitals … and anything else.

        • halfcrown 9.2.1.1
          3 May 2015 at 12:16 pm

          Hey thanks for that repateet, I noticed I spelt Whyte incorrect.
          Can’t win them all I suppose.

      • Draco T Bastard 9.2.2
        3 May 2015 at 5:56 pm

        Well, I suppose debt isn’t a problem when you’re planning on using it as an excuse to loot the nation as both Act and National have done.

  10. te reo putake 10
    3 May 2015 at 9:26 am

    Congratulations, it’s a royal! So what’s the new sprog going to be called?

    I’m told Prince Philip is keen on naming the newbie Nigella Faragia, but according to the betting sites I’ve consulted the most popular options are Borisina at 6/2, Cameronella 8/2, and the favourite, Dame Margaret Hilda Thatcher Windsor, at 7/4.

  11. AndrewLittleforleader 11
    3 May 2015 at 9:41 am

    Credit for Andrew Little for being prepared to listen and respond to policy ideas from a rank and file Kiwi voter concerned about the housing bubble:
    http://readingthemaps.blogspot.co.nz/2015/05/andrew-little-my-father-in-law-and-new.html

  12. phillip ure 12
    3 May 2015 at 11:05 am

    i just realised why the nation was markedly better than usual..

    ..there was no gower gurning/glomming/sneering at us..

    ..no gower doing the interviews..

    ..to the nation – gower is like a thermometer on a clock..sitting on a mantlepiece..

    ..it just makes you ask..’why would you?’..

  13. les 13
    3 May 2015 at 11:46 am

    Lisa Owen gave Sam Lotu-Iiga and Serco a thorough pasting on the Nation.

    • b waghorn 13.1
      3 May 2015 at 12:06 pm

      I have second hand anecdotal word that serco prisons are far more violent than state ones ,contraband is more freely available ,prisoners spend more time locked down due to lower staff numbers. But the menus better.

  14. greywarshark 14
    3 May 2015 at 1:19 pm

    I’ve just been reading John Cleese’s bio. He has been Labour, SDP and ha views on the Liberal Democrats, and was for proportional representation.

    Of the present. Talking to Der Spiegel in 2015, Cleese took a critical position on how the things were in the world. He told he had reached a point when he “saw that our existence here is absolutely hopeless. I see the rich people have got a stranglehold on us. If somebody had said that to me when I was 20, I would have regarded him as a left-wing loony.”[51]
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Cleese

  15. Philip Ferguson 15
    3 May 2015 at 2:48 pm

    Children of the ayatollahs flaunt their wealth:

    “Three deadly road accidents in one week, involving expensive cars driven by super-rich young Iranians, have dominated the past week’s news in Iran – especially after the country’s supreme leader, ayatollah Ali Khamenei, used a meeting with police chiefs to criticise fast-driving, wealthy youngsters. Khamenei said: “I hear that young people from the generation of wealth, a generation intoxicated by their money, are driving luxury cars and parading in the streets, making the streets insecure. . . This is an example of psychological insecurity.”1

    “The cars involved in these accidents were Porsches, Ferraris and Maseratis driven by sons and daughters of ayatollahs or their cronies. . .”

    https://rdln.wordpress.com/2015/05/03/iran-children-of-ayatollahs-flaunt-their-wealth-but-new-wave-of-workers-protests-begin/

  16. Draco T Bastard 16
    3 May 2015 at 2:56 pm

    Ricky Gervais

    I’m sick of Trophy Hunters trying to excuse their grim sport by saying they provide a service. They exploit the needs of the poor. They pay lots of money to go and shoot a magnificent animal because the authorities need the cash, and then claim they are doing a good deed.

    If they really wanted to do a good deed they would donate the money, and NOT shoot the animal. They would be heroes then. As opposed to murdering scum.

    This unnecessary killing is one of horrible effects of the ‘market’ where everything is for sale.

    • phillip ure 16.1
      3 May 2015 at 3:33 pm

      ‘magnificent’/beautiful animals – those cows…

      ..and of course their offspring..

      ..what do people call them..?…’veal’..that’s right..!

      • Draco T Bastard 16.1.1
        3 May 2015 at 10:56 pm

        Why Almost Everything Dean Ornish Says about Nutrition Is Wrong

        Ornish goes to argue that protein and saturated fat increase the risk of mortality and chronic disease. As evidence for these causal claims, he cites a handful of observational studies. He should know better. These types of studies—which might report that people who eat a lot of animal protein tend to develop higher rates of disease—“only look at association, not causation,” explains Christopher Gardner, a nutrition scientist at the Stanford Prevention Research Center. They should not be used to make claims about cause and effect; doing so is considered by nutrition scientists to be “inappropriate” and “misleading.” The reason: People who eat a lot of animal protein often make other lifestyle choices that increase their disease risk, and although researchers try to make statistical adjustments to control for these “confounding variables,” as they’re called, it’s a very imperfect science. Other large observational studies have found that diets high in fat and protein are not associated with disease and may even protect against it. The point is, it’s possible to cherry-pick observational studies to support almost any nutritional argument.

        We have to eat and a good, healthy diet with a variety of fresh foods (including meat) seems to be the best option. And that makes animals killed for food a necessary killing.

        I won’t bother replying to you after this as, quite frankly, the argument’s just not worth the time.

  17. Reddelusion 17
    3 May 2015 at 3:39 pm

    I see little is now polling lower than cunliff and shearer, peters has taken over as opposition, greens and labour relationship dysfunctional, national on 49pc, all trending well for 2017

    [lprent: so where is the link to the poll. ]

    • Clemgeopin 17.1
      3 May 2015 at 3:57 pm

      Ah, but The Parnell Pony-Tail Puller is still doing well. That should keep you and all other RW pricks happy!

      • greywarshark 17.1.1
        3 May 2015 at 6:33 pm

        Why Key 49%? It has just occurred to me, late, that we are no longer looking at politicians as servants of the country and the people, we are looking at them from a point of view of them appearing in a reality show. Key is the most amusing, fluent and attention-grabbing on offer. He could be replaced by, is it, Paul Henry if he can keep his ratings up. Understanding the reality of reality shows for life is the answer I think.

        • felix 17.1.1.1
          3 May 2015 at 6:47 pm

          So can we still vote him off the island?

          • greywarshark 17.1.1.1.1
            4 May 2015 at 9:42 am

            @ felix
            LOL. But seriously, good question! Waghorn below may have an inkling of future events. His crystal ball is showing portents.

    • b waghorn 17.2
      3 May 2015 at 4:24 pm

      Collins will roll key next year then she will become the next Shipley kicked out at the next election to spend the rest of her life putting her snout in one trough after the other.

  18. Clemgeopin 18
    3 May 2015 at 3:59 pm

    Nate Silver’s UK election result prediction, updated for 2 May:

    http://fivethirtyeight.com/interactives/uk-general-election-predictions/

  19. Clemgeopin 19
    3 May 2015 at 4:58 pm

    And it’s a win for Mayweather, unanimous on points.
    All 3 judges in favour of Mayweather.
    116-112×2 & 118-110 all judges for FM

    Floyd “We did what we had to do tonight… I’m a calculated fighter and he’s a tough fighter.”
    Pacquiao says “I thought I won the fight, he didn’t do nothing.”

    • b waghorn 19.1
      3 May 2015 at 5:33 pm

      Always going to be tough for Manny to win on points.

      • Clemgeopin 19.1.1
        3 May 2015 at 8:35 pm

        Snippets from news items. [I am sure you WANT to know this!]

        As Mayweather put it: “Tickets are going for between $8,000 and $400,000 to $500,000. You know, we call this the billionaire boys’ club.”

        Plenty have stumped up big bucks to be there, with Tony Buzbee, an attorney who paid $74,000 for a pair of 12th-row seats, telling CNN: “It’s going to be a once in a lifetime type of fight, and I’m going to be there just for the event of it all.

        Pacquiao fan Mark Sarmiento, paid $7,500 to be there,

        Here’s a look at the numbers behind the boxers:

        60:40 — revenue split in favor of Mayweather.

        $300-400m — the estimated total revenue for the May 2 bout.

        38 — Mayweather’s age; two years older than his opponent.

        5 — The number of years it took to strike a deal between the two boxers.

        $1.5m — How much Pacquiao’s shorts alone will be worth after six companies bid for sponsorship space.

        $25,000 — The value of the mouth guard adorned with diamonds and gold Mayweather will wear on fight night.

        $1,500 — starting price for tickets in U.S. dollars.

        8 — Pacquiao is the first and only eight-division world champion with 10 world titles to his name.

        1 — Mayweather’s ranking on last year’s Forbes highest-paid athletes list.

        $105m — The amount “Money” earned last year.

        $180,000 — The price ringside tickets had skyrocketed to by April 27 (5 days before the fight.)

        16,800 — Capacity at the MGM Grand Garden arena where the fight will take place.

        5 — The number of boxers Pacquiao and Mayweather have both fought. The “famous five”: Juan Manuel Marquez, Ricky Hatton, Oscar De La Hoya, Shane Mosley and Miguel Cotto.

        $100 — The fee pay-per-view subscribers will shell out to watch the fight, which will be aired jointly on Showtime and HBO.

        $300m — Expected pay-per-view buys with the most sales coming from U.S., Puerto Rican and Canadian markets, according to Repucom.

        $5.6m — The winning bid for official fight sponsorship by Tecate beer.

        57 — The number of wins throughout Pacquiao’s career. Mayweather has less at 47 wins, but…

        0 — Mayweather remains undefeated in his fight career (Pacquiao, on the other hand, has suffered 5 losses.)

        .@FloydMayweather got hanged a check for $100 million tonight. "There's nothing you can buy anymore." #MayPac— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) May 3, 2015

  21. felix 21
    3 May 2015 at 6:24 pm

    So it seems there’s these weird calendars with pictures of Young Nats girls with long hair wearing not much except “I’m a Key Person” t-shirts.

    Oh yeah, and Collins is giving them to journalists.

    https://twitter.com/TovaOBrien/status/594720165830402048

    • ianmac 21.1
      3 May 2015 at 7:17 pm

      Wonder if Key was cropped out of the photos?

    • b waghorn 21.2
      3 May 2015 at 8:25 pm

      Just when you start thinking things couldn’t get weirder .
      If Collins isn’t gunning for key I’ll eat my hat, imagine if that photo was taken in keys house!!!

      • rawshark-yeshe 21.2.1
        3 May 2015 at 9:19 pm

        seems certain your hat is safe !!!

        • Skinny 21.2.1.1
          3 May 2015 at 9:54 pm

          Collins is on an upwards march and she won’t stop till she sits at the top of the pile. Curious to know who is the spin merchant she has hired to do her PR. Hooton would know which one of his ilk has a clean enough record to do the job?

          • b waghorn 21.2.1.1.1
            4 May 2015 at 7:31 am

            On the bright side between the stuff and tv3 articles I’ve seen in the last day I’ve only seen one pro Collins comment from the I reckon crowd and that was from a rwnj .

  22. Rosemary McDonald 22
    3 May 2015 at 10:35 pm

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/68234530/key-says-minister-willing-to-step-down-over-brother-facing-indecency-charges

    “”The advice I’ve received is that there is no conflict of interest and the issue can be managed. People appreciate that Cabinet ministers, like anyone else, have family but I’m quite confident the position can be managed.”

    Thus spake Our Leader.

  23. lprent 23
    4 May 2015 at 4:18 am

    The server had an error with its mail system yesterday. One of its virtual drives dropped out due to windows server munting its structure.

    Last night while restarting the system after fixing that, it uncovered a InnoDB database index error. Maybe from the power plug problem earlier in the week.

    It’d work most of the time, but the database that The Standard runs on would abruptly crash while reading comments (or just counting them for posts). The safety system would restart the database, and then it’d do the same thing a few minutes later. Damn irritating getting slow pages and the odd message about the database not being available.

    After a bit of pain trying several ways of fixing that, I extracted the database using a kludge to bypass the errors and rebuilt the database from scratch.

    No comments appear to have been lost, just some sleep and probably some words of wisdom from offshore.

    I now suspect that the database error has been there a while. All of a sudden the database backups got faster and quieter, the way they were last month when I made them nice.

    • miravox 23.1
      4 May 2015 at 7:06 am

      “One of its virtual drives dropped out due to windows server munting its structure.

      Yep. I understand that sentence, I think. As for the rest – I’m pleased you’re there to sort it. Thanks so very much. Sorry about your destroyed sleep,

  24. Heartbleeding Liberal 24
    5 May 2015 at 5:18 pm

    Was there a post on this? I think there probably should be.

    http://www.3news.co.nz/nznews/corrections-minister-defends-serco-run-prison-2015050217#axzz3ZEpLFqlM

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    Back in January a StatsNZ employee gave a speech at Rātana on behalf of tangata whenua in which he insulted and criticised the government. The speech clearly violated the principle of a neutral public service, and StatsNZ started an investigation. Part of that was getting an external consultant to examine ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Are we fine with 47.9% home-ownership by 2048?

    Renting for life: Shared ownership initiatives are unlikely to slow the slide in home ownership by much. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:A Deloitte report for Westpac has projected Aotearoa’s home-ownership rate will ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Let's Win This

    You're broken down and tiredOf living life on a merry go roundAnd you can't find the fighterBut I see it in you so we gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsWe gonna walk it outAnd move mountainsAnd I'll rise upI'll rise like the dayI'll rise upI'll rise unafraidI'll rise upAnd I'll ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Waimahara: The Singing Spirit of Water

    There’s been a change in Myers Park. Down the steps from St. Kevin’s Arcade, past the grassy slopes, the children’s playground, the benches and that goat statue, there has been a transformation. The underpass for Mayoral Drive has gone from a barren, grey, concrete tunnel, to a place that thrums ...
    Greater AucklandBy Connor Sharp
    4 days ago
  • A major milestone: Global climate pollution may have just peaked

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections Global society may have finally slammed on the brakes for climate-warming pollution released by human fossil fuel combustion. According to the Carbon Monitor Project, the total global climate pollution released between February and May 2024 declined slightly from the amount released during the same ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Tuesday, July 23 are:Deep Dive: Penlink: where tolling rhetoric meets reality BusinessDesk-$$$’s Oliver LewisScoop: Te Pūkenga plans for regional polytechs leak out ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Tuesday, July 23

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Tuesday, July 23, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Health: Shane Reti announced the Board of Te Whatu Ora- Health New Zealand was being replaced with Commissioner Lester Levy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • HealthNZ and Luxon at cross purposes over budget blowout

    Health NZ warned the Government at the end of March that it was running over Budget. But the reasons it gave were very different to those offered by the Prime Minister yesterday. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon blamed the “botched merger” of the 20 District Health Boards (DHBs) to create Health ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2500-3000 more healthcare staff expected to be fired, as Shane Reti blames Labour for a budget defic...

    Long ReadKey Summary: Although National increased the health budget by $1.4 billion in May, they used an old funding model to project health system costs, and never bothered to update their pre-election numbers. They were told during the Health Select Committees earlier in the year their budget amount was deficient, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Might Kamala Harris be about to get a 'stardust' moment like Jacinda Ardern?

    As a momentous, historic weekend in US politics unfolded, analysts and commentators grasped for precedents and comparisons to help explain the significance and power of the choice Joe Biden had made. The 46th president had swept the Democratic party’s primaries but just over 100 days from the election had chosen ...
    PunditBy Tim Watkin
    5 days ago
  • Solutions Interview: Steven Hail on MMT & ecological economics

    TL;DR: I’m casting around for new ideas and ways of thinking about Aotearoa’s political economy to find a few solutions to our cascading and self-reinforcing housing, poverty and climate crises.Associate Professor runs an online masters degree in the economics of sustainability at Torrens University in Australia and is organising ...
    The KakaBy Steven Hail
    5 days ago
  • Reported back

    The Finance and Expenditure Committee has reported back on National's Local Government (Water Services Preliminary Arrangements) Bill. The bill sets up water for privatisation, and was introduced under urgency, then rammed through select committee with no time even for local councils to make a proper submission. Naturally, national's select committee ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Vandrad the Viking, Christopher Coombes, and Literary Archaeology

    Some years ago, I bought a book at Dunedin’s Regent Booksale for $1.50. As one does. Vandrad the Viking (1898), by J. Storer Clouston, is an obscure book these days – I cannot find a proper online review – but soon it was sitting on my shelf, gathering dust alongside ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On The Biden Withdrawal

    History is not on the side of the centre-left, when Democratic presidents fall behind in the polls and choose not to run for re-election. On both previous occasions in the past 75 years (Harry Truman in 1952, Lyndon Johnson in 1968) the Democrats proceeded to then lose the White House ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    5 days ago
  • Joe Biden's withdrawal puts the spotlight back on Kamala and the USA's complicated relatio...

    This is a free articleCoverageThis morning, US President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the Presidential race. And that is genuinely newsworthy. Thanks for your service, President Biden, and all the best to you and yours.However, the media in New Zealand, particularly the 1News nightly bulletin, has been breathlessly covering ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Why we have to challenge our national fiscal assumptions

    A homeless person’s camp beside a blocked-off slipped damage walkway in Freeman’s Bay: we are chasing our tail on our worsening and inter-related housing, poverty and climate crises. Photo: Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

    What has happened to it all?Crazy, some'd sayWhere is the life that I recognise?(Gone away)But I won't cry for yesterdayThere's an ordinary worldSomehow I have to findAnd as I try to make my wayTo the ordinary worldYesterday morning began as many others - what to write about today? I began ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • A speed limit is not a target, and yet…

    This is a guest post from longtime supporter Mr Plod, whose previous contributions include a proposal that Hamilton become New Zealand’s capital city, and that we should switch which side of the road we drive on. A recent Newsroom article, “Back to school for the Govt’s new speed limit policy“, ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Monday, July 22 are:Today’s Must Read: Father and son live in a tent, and have done for four years, in a million ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Monday, July 22

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Monday, July 22, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:US President Joe Biden announced via X this morning he would not stand for a second term.Multinational professional services firm ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #29

    A listing of 32 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, July 14, 2024 thru Sat, July 20, 2024. Story of the week As reflected by preponderance of coverage, our Story of the Week is Project 2025. Until now traveling ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago
  • I'd like to share what I did this weekend

    This weekend, a friend pointed out someone who said they’d like to read my posts, but didn’t want to pay. And my first reaction was sympathy.I’ve already told folks that if they can’t comfortably subscribe, and would like to read, I’d be happy to offer free subscriptions. I don’t want ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • For the children – Why mere sentiment can be a misleading force in our lives, and lead to unex...

    National: The Party of ‘Law and Order’ IntroductionThis weekend, the Government formally kicked off one of their flagship policy programs: a military style boot camp that New Zealand has experimented with over the past 50 years. Cartoon credit: Guy BodyIt’s very popular with the National Party’s Law and Order image, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    6 days ago
  • A friend in uncertain times

    Day one of the solo leg of my long journey home begins with my favourite sound: footfalls in an empty street. 5.00 am and it’s already light and already too warm, almost.If I can make the train that leaves Budapest later this hour I could be in Belgrade by nightfall; ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

    Hi,We’ll get to the horrific world of male diet influencers (AKA Beefy Boys) shortly, but first you will be glad to know that since I sent out the Webworm explaining why the assassination attempt on Donald Trump was not a false flag operation, I’ve heard from a load of people ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

    Do you remember Y2K, the threat that hung over humanity in the closing days of the twentieth century? Horror scenarios of planes falling from the sky, electronic payments failing and ATMs refusing to dispense cash. As for your VCR following instructions and recording your favourite show - forget about it.All ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 20

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts being questioned by The Kākā’s Bernard Hickey.TL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 20 were:1. A strategy that fails Zero Carbon Act & Paris targetsThe National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government finally unveiled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Pharmac Director, Climate Change Commissioner, Health NZ Directors – The latest to quit this m...

    Summary:As New Zealand loses at least 12 leaders in the public service space of health, climate, and pharmaceuticals, this month alone, directly in response to the Government’s policies and budget choices, what lies ahead may be darker than it appears. Tui examines some of those departures and draws a long ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Flooding Housing Policy

    The Minister of Housing’s ambition is to reduce markedly the ratio of house prices to household incomes. If his strategy works it would transform the housing market, dramatically changing the prospects of housing as an investment.Leaving aside the Minister’s metaphor of ‘flooding the market’ I do not see how the ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • A Voyage Among the Vandals: Accepted (Again!)

    As previously noted, my historical fantasy piece, set in the fifth-century Mediterranean, was accepted for a Pirate Horror anthology, only for the anthology to later fall through. But in a good bit of news, it turned out that the story could indeed be re-marketed as sword and sorcery. As of ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā's Chorus for Friday, July 19

    An employee of tobacco company Philip Morris International demonstrates a heated tobacco device. Photo: Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy on Friday, July 19 are:At a time when the Coalition Government is cutting spending on health, infrastructure, education, housing ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 8:30 am on Friday, July 19 are:Scoop: NZ First Minister Casey Costello orders 50% cut to excise tax on heated tobacco products. The minister has ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 19-July-2024

    Kia ora, it’s time for another Friday roundup, in which we pull together some of the links and stories that caught our eye this week. Feel free to add more in the comments! Our header image this week shows a foggy day in Auckland town, captured by Patrick Reynolds. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: A market-led plan for failure

    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. A discussion recorded yesterday is in the video above and the audio of that sent onto the podcast feed.The Government released its draft Emissions Reduction ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Tobacco First

    Save some money, get rich and old, bring it back to Tobacco Road.Bring that dynamite and a crane, blow it up, start all over again.Roll up. Roll up. Or tailor made, if you prefer...Whether you’re selling ciggies, digging for gold, catching dolphins in your nets, or encouraging folks to flutter ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Trump’s Adopted Son.

    Waiting In The Wings: For truly, if Trump is America’s un-assassinated Caesar, then J.D. Vance is America’s Octavian, the Republic’s youthful undertaker – and its first Emperor.DONALD TRUMP’S SELECTION of James D. Vance as his running-mate bodes ill for the American republic. A fervent supporter of Viktor Orban, the “illiberal” prime ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 19

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 19, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:The PSA announced the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) had ruled in the PSA’s favour in its case against the Ministry ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 19

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent talking about the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s release of its first Emissions Reduction Plan;University of Otago Foreign Relations Professor and special guest Dr Karin von ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #29 2024

    Open access notables Improving global temperature datasets to better account for non-uniform warming, Calvert, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society: To better account for spatial non-uniform trends in warming, a new GITD [global instrumental temperature dataset] was created that used maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to combine the land surface ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

    Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum.  While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation.  “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan.  “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

    The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Nine priority bridge replacements to get underway

    The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

    New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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