Open mike 05/01/2024

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, January 5th, 2024 - 76 comments
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Open mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Step up to the mike …

76 comments on “Open mike 05/01/2024 ”

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  1. SPC 1
    5 January 2024 at 8:29 am

    Sandra Coney notes the consequences of the unfortunate relapse by National to the 2005 era of Donald Orewa Speech Brash.

    When he tried to bribe his way into office with an across the board tax cut programme, rather than help to those most in need – summed up as, Kiwi not those of iwi.

    After decades of affirmative action to try to balance out the legacy of colonialism, they want to deny ethnicity/indigeneity has anything to do with deprivation, and that deprivation has consequences in poor health, poverty and so on.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kahu/sandra-coney-theres-a-link-between-the-new-government-and-the-anti-maori-spiel/YCROSIUGO5FGJKHGJJXNDKQ3JY/

    It is about favour to landlords over tenants, to capital over people.

    And implying that those doing it hard can get by, if the care less about those worse off than themselves. Typically this merely impoverishes the society in which such politicians operate.

    • Anne 1.1
      5 January 2024 at 10:48 am

      Sandra Coney is bang on!

      We are already seeing the first wave of racist initiated vandalism and it won't be the last. It will probably end up in an all out war with some Maori reciprocating the vandalism. The outcome could make the societal division caused by Muldoon and Co. over sporting contact with Apartheid South Africa look like a Sunday School picnic.

    • David 1.2
      5 January 2024 at 11:15 am

      This comment by Sandra Coney "Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and co have unleashed a raft of petty vindictive acts to put Maori in their place because they want them (subservient)" is unsustainable on the facts.

      According to David Farrar (Where all the stories celebrating the increase numbers of Māori in Cabinet? | Kiwiblog) the current Cabinet has 7 Ministers who are Maori, that is 35% of the Cabinet. The previous government ended with 5, or just 28%.

      The Ministers in the new Government who whakapapa Maori hold (or have associates in) significant portfolios, including Health, Housing, Education, Conservation, Children, Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence.

      The leaders of two of the three parties in coalition are Maori, both will be Deputy Prime Ministers over the next 3 years.

      This is real power, real influence.

      But Sandra leaves her best for almost last:

      "Integrating te reo and other features of Māori culture into our daily lives makes us unique, something to be proud of. I believe it’s what most New Zealanders want. We celebrate when we see young Māori achieving, confident in their culture, excelling on the sportsfield. It reflects well on us all as a nation."

      On that I hope we can all agree.

      • SPC 1.2.1
        5 January 2024 at 11:32 am

        The problem is not the composition of the government, but their policies

        What did the Health Minister say about ending the policy of advancing Maori participation in medical education? Nothing. Or ending the Maori Health Authority Te Aka Whai Ora?

        Did having a former sole parent as head of Work and Income in 1998 or as Minister of Social Development do any good – Bennett ended the TIA that she used to develop her career.

        John Key was raised in a state house, but the number of state houses decreased while he was PM.

        Should we be grateful that two political parties that competed for votes by opposing affirmative action for Maori were led by two men with Maori ancestry so no one overseas talks about their racism, just their pandering to it for votes?

        • David 1.2.1.2
          5 January 2024 at 11:48 am

          Having Maori in positions of authority enhances the power and influence they can bring to improving outcomes for Maori. That includes developing and delivering policy. The likely success or otherwise of policies you highlight are subjects of contention, even within Maori.

          • SPC 1.2.1.2.1
            5 January 2024 at 11:57 am

            Until proven otherwise, fig leaf to a pandering to middle class settler concerns about Maori privilege.

            • David 1.2.1.2.1.1
              5 January 2024 at 1:35 pm

              Who are these middle class settlers?

              • SPC …
                5 January 2024 at 1:46 pm

                Those who chose to govern, without regard for the Treaty, after the Governor was superseded by the Premier.

                When democratic government was first instituted in New Zealand, only adult males who owned or rented property of a certain value were permitted to vote

                https://teara.govt.nz/en/document/2484/the-right-to-vote

                Today those the National Party regard as, their voter base.

                • David …
                  5 January 2024 at 1:57 pm

                  Also from Teara:

                  "Māori

                  National has drawn support, and MPs, from Māori of two sorts: those with high iwi rank and those who choose not to go on the Māori electoral roll. The latter group (nearly half of those of Māori descent enrolled in 2018) has significantly affected the result in some general electorates."

                  "Labour has had much more support in the Māori electorates, which National stopped contesting until 2023. However, it recognised that it needed wider connections with Māori. In 2008 incoming Prime Minister John Key signed a support deal with the Māori Party, which held five of the seven Māori electorates, and made the two party co-leaders ministers outside cabinet. Among the concessions were Whānau Ora – a whānau-based health initiative."

                  Party composition and organisation – Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand

          • Anne 1.2.1.2.2
            5 January 2024 at 12:42 pm

            You live in an unreal world David. It's one thing to have largely token Maori in your line-up, its another altogether to deliver policies that will lift Maori and the poor generally out of the doldrums. The previous government was getting there… albeit slowly due to the irritating interference of a world wide pandemic and extreme weather events.

            Despite their pre-election rhetoric, this government has already sown the seeds of racism and potential social upheaval on a grand scale, and anyone who deludes themselves otherwise is – like you – living in an unreal world.

            In short, they lied pre-election and they will continue to lie for as long as gullible voters let them get away with it. So, pick yourself up and return to reality or forever hold your tongue. 🙄

            • Molly 1.2.1.2.2.1
              5 January 2024 at 1:18 pm

              "… its another altogether to deliver policies that will lift Maori and the poor generally out of the doldrums. "

              Policies to lift "the poor out generally out of the doldrums", will have the advantage of lifting also the percentage of Māori who are poor as well.

              This approach has the benefit of providing for all those in poverty – Māori and non-Māori alike.

              • Robert Guyton …
                5 January 2024 at 1:30 pm

                "Policies to lift "the poor out generally out of the doldrums", will have the advantage of lifting also the percentage of Māori who are poor as well. "

                Unless you return them to the doldrums by demeaning them; for example,

                belittling their native tongue.

                • Molly …
                  5 January 2024 at 1:42 pm

                  "Unless you return them to the doldrums by demeaning them; for example, belittling their native tongue."

                  If people are sent into the doldrums by having access to tax-funded Te Reo lessons at any time they choose to do so, in many cases – at a venue of their choice if they can arrange enough for minimum class size – I think their view of "belittling" like yours – is flawed.

                  Also, it is a definite redirection away from the question of poverty. But that appears to be your favoured style, Robert.

                  (Interestingly, you have shown very little concern about the actual "belittling" of the words: woman, girls and females, lesbian, gay, homosexual, single-sex, mother, breastfeeding etc. that have been promoted by government.)

                  • Drowsy M. Kram …
                    5 January 2024 at 1:53 pm

                    But that [redirection] appears to be your favoured style…

                    Interestingly, you have shown very little concern about…

                    Imho, anyone can suffer an attack of redirection. Happy New Year smiley

                    • Molly …
                      5 January 2024 at 2:01 pm

                      I was copying Robert's style since it seemed his preferred mode.

                      Let's see if it works, even if it meanders away from the original conversation.

                    • Incognito []
                      5 January 2024 at 2:40 pm

                      Your reply to RG @ 1:42 pm was full of ad homs. You also accused him of “a definite redirection away from the question of poverty” when RG’s was a direct and specific reply to your assertion of “lifting also the percentage of Māori”.

                      Your last paragraph in parentheses was a diversion and a personal attack on RG.

                      Your pathetic reasoning for your piss-poor comment is that you were copying RG’s style & preference and it is nothing but a passive-aggressive excuse for ‘engaging’ with RG (and some other commenters) in an inflammatory fashion.

                      Do you intend to continue this in 2024?

                    • Molly …
                      5 January 2024 at 6:34 pm

                      @incognito

                      "Do you intend to continue this in 2024?"

                      Unlikely. I prefer my usual form of sticking to the point, and asking others to do the same.

                      But – as you may be aware – the personal appeal of The Standard is not as strong as it once was, so the visits will be sporadic, if that is of any comfort.

                    • Incognito []
                      5 January 2024 at 7:46 pm

                      Thank you for acknowledging the problem and your commitment to sticking to the point. By setting an example, one can hope that others will follow it.

                      FWIW, I’m not bothered either way by frequent/infrequent visits and commenting, as I place more value on the quality of comments and what they add to the debating culture here.

                  • weka …
                    5 January 2024 at 2:19 pm

                    wait, people have access to learning te reo any time they like? Where is this mythical NZ exactly?

                  • Robert Guyton …
                    5 January 2024 at 4:19 pm

                    Thanks, Incognito and nicely put. I feel Molly has a chip 🙂

            • David 1.2.1.2.2.2
              5 January 2024 at 1:45 pm

              The evidence is against you, Anne. The new Minister of Health is not a 'largely token' Maori. He is a highly regarded clinician with vast experience in public and private health delivery. The new Minister for Children and the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence experienced a childhood of "homelessness, poverty and neglect" (National Portrait: ACT MP Karen Chhour, from state child to Member of Parliament | Stuff.co.nz). These are people with precisely the real life experience to greatly benefit Maori.

          • Patricia Bremner 1.2.1.2.3
            5 January 2024 at 1:35 pm

            David,surprise Winston Peters called his party "New Zealand First" meaning????Well he did not call it 'Aotearoa First'….

            A values statement plain to see. He prefers the Dutch derivative. That's hardly Maori.

            Further, when Winston wanted to advertise his history, did he bring his Kaupapa? No he referred to a cowboy rodeo where he was ‘riding again.’

            • David 1.2.1.2.3.1
              5 January 2024 at 1:50 pm

              And Rawiri Waititi wearing a cowboy hat in Parliament? This could get very silly.

              • Robert Guyton …
                5 January 2024 at 4:50 pm

                What hat do you suggest he wears, David?

                Top?

                Maga?

                A tweed golf cap?

                A Phrygian cap?

                What do you approve of?

                • David …
                  5 January 2024 at 5:11 pm

                  You'll need to ask Patricia.

                  • Incognito …
                    5 January 2024 at 5:40 pm

                    Robert asked you, so either you answer the question or you stay silent. Unless you’re trolling here.

                    • David …
                      5 January 2024 at 7:41 pm

                      Robert is being obtuse. He totally missed the point about the parallel between horses for Winston and cowboy hats for Rawiri.

                    • Incognito []
                      5 January 2024 at 8:06 pm

                      Neither Robert, Patricia, nor I are mind readers and you could have made it clear much sooner that you were thinking of some kind of parallel between Winston’s horses and Rawiri Waititi’s hat. TBH, I don’t get this alleged parallel; does Winston ride his horse to Parliament or into the Debating Chamber? Try to be clearer from now on and you might get somewhere.

              • Patricia Bremner …
                5 January 2024 at 7:03 pm

                That is part of Rawiri Waititi East Coast Kaupapa with horses, and war history, so why are you bringing that into the conversation?

                As for "silly" it is silly to assume Maori ancestry equals Maori values, so numbers become just that unless the community work s done.

            • Molly 1.2.1.2.3.2
              5 January 2024 at 1:58 pm

              "David,surprise Winston Peters called his party "New Zealand First" meaning????Well he did not call it 'Aotearoa First'….

              A values statement plain to see. He prefers the Dutch derivative. That's hardly Maori."

              That's quite an assumptive leap Patricia. Even for The Standard.

              As for Aotearoa, it refers to the North Island. I hesitate to link to Duncan Garner, since some take fright over sources but he relates the historial use here:

              https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2021/08/duncan-garner-should-we-change-the-name-of-new-zealand-to-aotearoa-no-and-here-s-why.html

              Also, Winston Peters himself refers to his personal use in his opening speech to Parliament, so you can hear from the man himself what his reasons are:

              https://youtu.be/KJafGRNvJwg?si=-xJ-lf8DgbOVXjqC&t=731

            • Drowsy M. Kram 1.2.1.2.3.3
              5 January 2024 at 2:28 pm

              Dutch explorer Abel Tasman, "the first European visitor to New Zealand", "named the islands Staten Land", but times change, and so may names – flags even. Early European maps labelled Stewart Island the 'South' island, and the South Island was labelled 'Middle' island.

              I'm naturally conservative (don’t like change), but Aotearoa NZ appeals to me.

              A Kiwi Myth: The Post-Racial Society
              These attitudes still persist today partly due to the conservative nature of the social institutions in which these values are deeply embedded and partly due to our refusal to acknowledge them. The effects of these past actions are still felt today despite their discontinuation. Without recognising the harm that has been done, nothing will ever change and history is liable to repeat itself.

      • Robert Guyton 1.2.2
        5 January 2024 at 1:20 pm

        "According to David Farrar"

        Dies laughing.

      • weka 1.2.3
        5 January 2024 at 2:31 pm

        The leaders of two of the three parties in coalition are Maori, both will be Deputy Prime Ministers over the next 3 years.

        This is real power, real influence.

        It is. But, they still have to work within hugely problematic policy positions which presumably they largely agree with.

        And, women have long known that having women in positions of power is a two edged sword. It can create a false impression about equity and equality. Hence when I argue that we would be better off letting women run things for a while lefty dudes (and dudettes) bring up Thatcher. The right know full well that it's possible to put women into positions of power and still control women's power. Hence Shipley, Richardson and Bennett and the terrible things done to poor women by their hands.

        That there are Māori in the new government is a good thing. But it's also something that should just be happening now to create political diversity and representation. It doesn't signify much about policy though.

        • David 1.2.3.1
          5 January 2024 at 4:25 pm

          Policy is not divorced from increased political diversity and representation. For example, I would argue that Shane Reti's background gives him a unique perspective to achieve greater equity for Maori in targeting immunisation rates, which have declined significantly in recent years.

          • Robert Guyton 1.2.3.1.1
            5 January 2024 at 4:53 pm

            "…Maori in targeting immunisation rates, which have declined significantly in recent years."

            Thanks to the cookers who voted for Winston Peters.

            • David 1.2.3.1.1.1
              5 January 2024 at 5:06 pm

              The immunisation rates for Maori were declining well before Covid.

              • Incognito …
                5 January 2024 at 5:52 pm

                Overall Māori immunisation rates had been declining gradually before Covid-19 but this decline accelerated during the pandemic and it was much faster compared to the total NZ population. The result is that Māori have fallen even further behind.

                As always, it helps to strengthen your argument if you support them with evidence/data from reputable sources. Just saying.

              • Robert Guyton …
                5 January 2024 at 6:32 pm

                Cookers were active before Covid.

                • David …
                  5 January 2024 at 7:32 pm

                  Are you suggesting they are the reason Maori vaccination rates dropped to the extent they did? Cookers? Really?

                • weka …
                  6 January 2024 at 9:08 am

                  Cookers were active before Covid.

                  I mentioned recently that I was considering moderation the use of the word cooker. Here I don't actually know what you are talking about, because the term cooker arose from the pandemic.

                  It would be great if you would find a replacement word that doesn't tie into pejoratives in the general culture. You're a good word person, see if you can find use a term to use that is useful and neutral.

          • weka 1.2.3.1.2
            5 January 2024 at 5:40 pm

            sure, Reti etc will mean that NACTF will have a (somewhat) more progressive right wing position than if the benches were fill with white blokes. It's liberal conservatism.

            You claimed that Coney's words about National's motivations aren't supported by fact. But you argument doesn't mean that National won't implement policy that will harm Māori, it just demonstrates that we have a 2024 government not a 1964 one. What you are saying isn't incompatible with Coney's point and it's entirely possible for National to make some things worse while improving other things that would otherwise have been dire with an earlier RW version of government.

            For instance, National increase benefits in their last term. But not for all beneficiaries, and not enough to lift people out of poverty. They got a lot o kudos and political capital from the increase, which is how they play the game. Since Turei, it's not possible to be so outwardly benefit hating, but a lot of punishment can be done with a carrot in one hand and a stick in the other.

            • David 1.2.3.1.2.1
              5 January 2024 at 8:12 pm

              "But you argument doesn't mean that National won't implement policy that will harm Māori,"

              Of course, but Coney goes far beyond that. She claims that "Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and co have unleashed a raft of petty vindictive acts to put Maori in their place because they want them (subservient)." And that " After decades of action, supported by all governments, to revive te reo, they are trying to stamp out any official mention." The first claim is bordering on irrational, the second demonstrably false.

              • Robert Guyton …
                5 January 2024 at 8:35 pm

                "Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and co have unleashed a raft of petty vindictive acts…"

                Coney is correct, it's plain to see to all but the craven

              • weka …
                6 January 2024 at 9:14 am

                Coney is expressing an opinion about the government's positioning. Her analysis is that a motivator for their policies is to put Māori in their place. Not everyone is going to agree with that, but I think given the responses of the three parties to 3 waters, as well as the referendum on the Treaty, it's not an unreasonable opinion.

                As for the claim that this government is trying to stamp out official mention of te reo Māori, how they have handled te reo names in government departments suggests antipathy towards integrating te reo fully into NZ society. If it was simply a case of too far too fast and Labour having failed to bring people along with the changes (my own view), the messaging would have been different. As it is, the messaging has come across as putting te reo in its place.

    • Muttonbird 1.3
      5 January 2024 at 4:32 pm

      A very short opinion piece. Have to wonder whether it had been heavily edited.

      One thing she refers to and which I think is a major concern is the underlying intent of David Seymour and others to homogenise New Zealand culture. They want to dilute Māori culture and identity, and therefore reduce or remove the uniqueness and pride we feel as a country with that identity.

      That is a form of cultural genocide, a way of finally delivering the full British way of life to NZ, and fulfilling the colonialist intent.

  4. Molly 4
    5 January 2024 at 6:51 pm

    The recently broadcast ITV series looks to be worth the watch. Covering the Horizon Software and British subpostmasters scandal, viewers are reporting their appalled reaction to what is being portrayed. (See comments on video below)

    Series trailer for Mr Bates vs The Post Office:

    https://youtu.be/zPkvYXufpAY?si=_039M__816Kdbydx

    For those who don't know much of the detail, Computer Weekly are a great source, as they were actively investigating the issues when other media were not interested and following up:

    https://www.computerweekly.com/feature/Post-Office-Horizon-scandal-explained-everything-you-need-to-know

    "After more than 20 years, what is now referred to as the Post Office Horizon scandal has become headline news. Computer Weekly has played an important part in exposing what has been described as the widest miscarriage of justice in UK history.

    In 1999, the Post Office’s single shareholder, the UK government, began automating accounting processes at about 14,000 Post Office branches. This saw the introduction of a centralised computer system from supplier Fujitsu, which all branches were connected to. This system replaced traditional paper-based accounting practices.

    But problems ensued, and there was a sudden increase in the number of subpostmasters suffering unexplained accounting shortfalls. Rather than investigate the problems and fix them, the Post Office blamed the branch operators, many of whom it prosecuted for financial crimes, with many more made bankrupt and sacked."

    • I Feel Love 4.1
      5 January 2024 at 10:31 pm

      One of the most saddest things I have watched in a long time, unbelievable what these people went through, are still going through. I found it quite hard sometimes it's quite distressing but worth it in the end. Reminded me about the Nova Pay debacle from years back.

      • Molly 4.1.1
        7 January 2024 at 8:04 am

        Have it on my to watch list, but will wait until I'm in the right frame of mind to watch. I've been following the story since I heard about it a few years ago, and what I know will no doubt have me raging at the innocent tv screen.

        Apparently, there has been some (belated) action on the part of the police to investigate:

        https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/police-horizon-post-office-metropolitan-police-toby-jones-b2474108.html

        I am not reassured by the fact this follows the release of the ITV series. It is as if the information had to be presented in digestible form before investigation, or as if it could no longer be ignored, now that there was more public awareness and outrage.

    • SPC 4.2
      5 January 2024 at 11:22 pm

      Post Office Counters Limited was created as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Post Office in 1987.

      After the Post Office statutory corporation was changed to a public company, Royal Mail Group, in 2001, Post Office Counters Limited became Post Office Limited.

      Royal Mail Group Limited, trades as Royal Mail, is a British postal service and courier company. It is owned by International Distributions Services. The company was established in September 2013, in anticipation of its initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange in October 2013.

      So a privately owned corporation trading as Royal Mail owns Post Office Limited and thus limiting its liabilities serves the shareholders therefor since 2013 – and prior to that the value for the share issue by the government.

      No wonder they ran when Second Sight saw what they saw in 2012.

      The City of London, the Crown and corruption, a story as old as time. This should be before Law Lords and the Privy Council, some would say this level of corruption is a government level scandal.

      The Times, the Financial Times, Daily Telegraph, Sunday Times … where they hell were you.

      • SPC 4.2.1
        6 January 2024 at 6:11 am

        Having a second look at it, it seems that the affairs of Post Office Limited and Royal Mail were separated prior to moves to the public share issue, so the government was quarantined from direct culpability in the courts.

        The Cameron-Clegg (Tories-LD) coalition 2010-2015.

        The Postal Services Act 2011 Post Office Limited independent of Royal Mail Group on 1 April 2012.

        With MPs beginning to raise issues, the government-owned Post Office was forced to take concerns seriously. In 2012, to satisfy demands from politicians, it launched an external review and mediation scheme to look at cases where subpostmasters were alleging problems.

        As part of this, the Post Office appointed and paid forensic accountancy company Second Sight to investigate cases. There were fears this would be used to sweep the issue under the carpet. But if this was the Post Office’s plan, as many suspected, it backfired. It soon became apparent to Second Sight that the subpostmasters were not thieves and fraudsters, but hard-working people struggling with a computer system and an organisation that cared for the reputation of that computer system over the very welfare of its subpostmaster network.

        In 2013, Second Sight produced an interim report that revealed serious concerns about the system.

        Why did the Post Office end the mediation scheme and stop Second Sight’s investigation?

        In March 2015, on the eve of the publication of its full investigation report, Second Sight’s work was stopped and the mediation scheme was closed.

        https://www.computerweekly.com/feature/Post-Office-Horizon-scandal-explained-everything-you-need-to-know

        This did not save Post Office Limited in the courts when earlier judgments were overturned and the subpostmasters convictions quashed and compensation awarded.

        • lprent 4.2.1.1
          6 January 2024 at 9:04 am

          That was horrendous.

          Building systems without operator audit abilities is just outright stupid.

          Allowing criminal prosecution by what is effectively a private company, apparently without govermental oversight, is just a obvious route to miscarriages of justice.

          But doing legal coverups of technical advice in legal actions should result in the disbarment of the lawyers doing it. They are officers of the court and responsible to the court – not to concealing relevant information to the court.

    • SPC 4.3
      10 January 2024 at 9:55 am

      A lot of action very recently after a TV drama.

      Justice Secretary Alex Chalk has met with senior judges to discuss possible solutions to the Post Office IT scandal.

      https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-67918976

      Government ministers have promised a plan as soon as later this week to help hundreds of sub-postmasters clear their names.

      One idea being explored is passing a new law that would exonerate hundreds wrongfully convicted.

      https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-67925304

      https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-67920145

      https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-67925872

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    Trust in me in all you doHave the faith I have in youLove will see us through, if only you trust in meWhy don't you, you trust me?In a week that saw the release of the 3,000 page Abuse in Care report Christopher Luxon was being asked about Boot Camps. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 26

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking about the Royal Commission Inquiry into Abuse in Care report released this week, and with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on a UN push to not recognise carbon offset markets and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 26, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Transport: Simeon Brown announced $802.9 million in funding for 18 new trains on the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines, which ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Radical law changes needed to build road

    The northern expressway extension from Warkworth to Whangarei is likely to require radical changes to legislation if it is going to be built within the foreseeable future. The Government’s powers to purchase land, the planning process and current restrictions on road tolling are all going to need to be changed ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #30 2024

    Open access notables Could an extremely cold central European winter such as 1963 happen again despite climate change?, Sippel et al., Weather and Climate Dynamics: Here, we first show based on multiple attribution methods that a winter of similar circulation conditions to 1963 would still lead to an extreme seasonal ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • First they came for the Māori

    Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedFirst they came for the doctors But I was confused by the numbers and costs So I didn't speak up Then they came for our police and nurses And I didn't think we could afford those costs anyway So I ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Join us for the weekly Hoon on YouTube Live

    Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on UnsplashWe’re back again after our mid-winter break. We’re still with the ‘new’ day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when we have our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Will the real PM Luxon please stand up?

    Notes: This is a free article. Abuse in Care themes are mentioned. Video is at the bottom.BackgroundYesterday’s report into Abuse in Care revealed that at least 1 in 3 of all who went through state and faith based care were abused - often horrifically. At least, because not all survivors ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Will debt reduction trump abuse in care redress?

    Luxon speaks in Parliament yesterday about the Abuse in Care report. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:PM Christopher Luxon said yesterday in tabling the Abuse in Care report in Parliament he wanted to ‘do the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Olywhites and Time Bandits

    About a decade ago I worked with a bloke called Steve. He was the grizzled veteran coder, a few years older than me, who knew where the bodies were buried - code wise. Despite his best efforts to be approachable and friendly he could be kind of gruff, through to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Why were the 1930s so hot in North America?

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters and Bob Henson Those who’ve trawled social media during heat waves have likely encountered a tidbit frequently used to brush aside human-caused climate change: Many U.S. states and cities had their single hottest temperature on record during the 1930s, setting incredible heat marks ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • Throwback Thursday – Thinking about Expressways

    Some of the recent announcements from the government have reminded us of posts we’ve written in the past. Here’s one from early 2020. There were plenty of reactions to the government’s infrastructure announcement a few weeks ago which saw them fund a bunch of big roading projects. One of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Thursday, July 25

    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 Thursday, July 25 are:News: Why Electric Kiwi is closing to new customers - and why it matters RNZ’s Susan EdmundsScoop: Government drops ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Possum: Demon or Friend?

    Hi,I felt a small wet tongue snaking through one of the holes in my Crocs. It explored my big toe, darting down one side, then the other. “He’s looking for some toe cheese,” said the woman next to me, words that still haunt me to this day.Growing up in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Not a story

    Yesterday I happily quoted the Prime Minister without fact-checking him and sure enough, it turns out his numbers were all to hell. It’s not four kg of Royal Commission report, it’s fourteen.My friend and one-time colleague-in-comms Hazel Phillips gently alerted me to my error almost as soon as I’d hit ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Thursday, July 25, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day were:The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry published its final report yesterday.PM Christopher Luxon and The Minister responsible for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • A tougher line on “proactive release”?

    The Official Information Act has always been a battle between requesters seeking information, and governments seeking to control it. Information is power, so Ministers and government agencies want to manage what is released and when, for their own convenience, and legality and democracy be damned. Their most recent tactic for ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • 'Let's build a motorway costing $100 million per km, before emissions costs'

    TL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:Transport and Energy Minister Simeon Brown is accelerating plans to spend at least $10 billion through Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to extend State Highway One as a four-lane ‘Expressway’ from Warkworth to Whangarei ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Lester's Prescription – Positive Bleeding.

    I live my life (woo-ooh-ooh)With no control in my destinyYea-yeah, yea-yeah (woo-ooh-ooh)I can bleed when I want to bleedSo come on, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)You can bleed when you want to bleedYea-yeah, come on (woo-ooh-ooh)Everybody bleed when they want to bleedCome on and bleedGovernments face tough challenges. Selling unpopular decisions to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Casey Costello gaslights Labour in the House

    Please note:To skip directly to the- parliamentary footage in the video, scroll to 1:21 To skip to audio please click on the headphone icon on the left hand side of the screenThis video / audio section is under development. ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    3 days ago
  • Why is the Texas grid in such bad shape?

    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Headline from 2021 The Texas grid, run by ERCOT, has had a rough few years. In 2021, winter storm Uri blacked out much of the state for several days. About a week ago, Hurricane Beryl knocked out ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on a textbook case of spending waste by the Luxon government

    Given the crackdown on wasteful government spending, it behooves me to point to a high profile example of spending by the Luxon government that looks like a big, fat waste of time and money. I’m talking about the deployment of NZDF personnel to support the US-led coalition in the Red ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Wednesday, July 24

    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 7:40 am on Wednesday, July 24 are:Deep Dive: Chipping away at the housing crisis, including my comments RNZ/Newsroom’s The DetailNews: Government softens on asset sales, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • LXR Takaanini

    As I reported about the city centre, Auckland’s rail network is also going through a difficult and disruptive period which is rapidly approaching a culmination, this will result in a significant upgrade to the whole network. Hallelujah. Also like the city centre this is an upgrade predicated on the City ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    3 days ago
  • Four kilograms of pain

    Today, a 4 kilogram report will be delivered to Parliament. We know this is what the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care weighs, because our Prime Minister told us so.Some reporter had blindsided him by asking a question about something done by ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Wednesday, July 24

    TL;DR: As of 7:00 am on Wednesday, July 24, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Beehive: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced plans to use PPPs to fund, build and run a four-lane expressway between Auckland ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Luxon gets caught out

    NewstalkZB host Mike Hosking, who can usually be relied on to give Prime Minister Christopher Luxon an easy run, did not do so yesterday when he interviewed him about the HealthNZ deficit. Luxon is trying to use a deficit reported last year by HealthNZ as yet another example of the ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    3 days ago
  • A worrying sign

    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

  • 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
    18 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
    21 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
    21 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
    23 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
    1 day 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

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