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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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?
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.
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
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."
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. 🙄
"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,
"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.)
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.
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.
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.
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.
"Smoking rates have been dropping significantly without the need for making the product illegal. "
Haha! Declined…because people saw sense…nah – the price increased, the squeeze was on – extinction was the natural outcome – but then – Dr.CigaReti, with Chris Bishop's hand firmly installed, called taihoa, and the tobacco industry heaved a (gasping) sign of relief.
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.
"David, 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:
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
I think immunisation rates fell across all vaccinations and across all ethnicities (except Asian perhaps). The overall immunisation coverage is published quarterly but I’m not aware of an update with (nice) graphs. AFAIK, the gap between Māori and non-Māori has not narrowed even.
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.
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.
"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.
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.
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.
Absolutely, disgusting, what is it they say: it starts with animal abuse an indicator for domestic abuse.
This being a horrific form of animal abuse – to me a clear indication for follow up and prosecution. Encouraging young ones to an illegal act. Who cuts open the bely of a live animal?
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)
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:
"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."
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
This did not save Post Office Limited in the courts when earlier judgments were overturned and the subpostmasters convictions quashed and compensation awarded.
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.
Last week police said they opened a fraud investigation into the Post Office, saying officers are looking into potential offences of perjury and perverting the course of justice over investigations and prosecutions carried out by the Post Office.
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Buzz from the Beehive One headline-grabber from the Beehive yesterday was the OECD’s advice that the government must bring the Budget deficit under control or face higher interest rates. Another was the announcement of a $1.9 billion “investment” in Corrections over the next four years. In the best interests of ...
Chris Trotter writes – Had Zheng He’s fleet sailed east, not west, in the early Fifteenth Century, how different our world would be. There is little reason to suppose that the sea-going junks of the Ming Dynasty, among the largest and most sophisticated sailing vessels ever constructed, would have failed ...
David Farrar writes – Two articles give a useful contrast in balance. Both seek to be neutral explainer articles. This one in the Herald on Social Investment covers the pros and cons nicely. It links to critical pieces and talks about aspects that failed and aspects that are more ...
The tikanga regulations will compel law students to be taught that a system which does not conform with the rule of law is nevertheless law which should be observed and applied…Gary Judd KC writes – I have made a complaint to Parliament’s Regulation ...
The future of Te Huia, the train between Hamilton and Auckland, has been getting a lot of attention recently as current funding for it is only in place till the end of June. The government initially agreed to a five year trial, through to April 2026, but that was subject ...
TL;DR: Hamas has just agreed to Israel’s ceasefire plan. Nelson hospital’s rebuild has been cut back to save money. The OECD suggests New Zealand break up network monopolies, including in electricity. PM Christopher Luxon’s news conference on a prison expansion announcement last night was his messiest yet.Here’s my top six ...
A homicide in Ponsonby, a manhunt with a killer on the run. The nation’s leader stands before a press conference reassuring a frightened nation that he’ll sort it out, he’ll keep them safe, he’ll build some new prison spaces.Sorry what? There’s a scary dude on the run with a gun ...
Hi,I know it’s been awhile since there’s been any Webworm merch — and today that all changes!Over the last four months, I’ve been working with New Zealand artist Jess Johnson to create a series of t-shirts, caps and stickers that are infused with Webworm DNA — and as of right ...
The OECD’s chief economist yesterday laid it on the line for the new Government: bring the deficit under control or face higher Reserve Bank interest rates for longer. And to bring the deficit under control, she meant not borrowing for tax cuts. But there was more. Without policy changes—introducing a ...
After a hiatus of over four months Selwyn Manning and I finally got it together to re-start the “A View from Afar” podcast series. We shall see how we go but aim to do 2 episodes per month if possible. … Continue reading → ...
In 2008, the UK Parliament passed the Climate Change Act 2008. The law established a system of targets, budgets, and plans, with inbuilt accountability mechanisms; the aim was to break the cycle of empty promises and replace it with actual progress towards emissions reduction. The law was passed with near-universal ...
Buzz from the Beehive Local Water Done Well – let’s be blunt – is a silly name, but the first big initiative to put it into practice has gone done well. This success is reflected in the headline on an RNZ report:District mayors welcome Auckland’s new water deal with ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate ConnectionsA farmworker cleans the solar panels of a solar water pump in the village of Jagadhri, Haryana Country, India. (Photo credit: Prashanth Vishwanathan/ IWMI) Decisions made in India over the next few years will play a key role in global ...
Lindsay Mitchell writes – The Children’s Minister, Karen Chhour, intends to repeal Section 7AA from the Oranga Tamariki Act 1989 because it creates conflict between claimed Crown Treaty obligations and the child’s best interests. In her words, “Oranga Tamariki’s governing principles and its act should be colour ...
Geoffrey Miller writes – The gloves are off. That might seem to be the undertone of surprisingly tough talk from New Zealand’s foreign and trade ministers. Winston Peters, the foreign minister, may be facing legal action after making allegations about former Australian foreign minister Bob Carr on Radio New Zealand. ...
Brian Easton writes – This is about the time that the Treasury will be locking up its economic forecasts to be published in the 2024 Budget Economic and Fiscal Update (BEFU) on budget day, 30 May. I am not privy to what they will be (I will report on them ...
Today New Zealand First will introduce a Member’s Bill that will protect women’s spaces. The ‘Fair Access to Bathrooms Bill’ will require, primarily in the interest and safety of women and girls, that all new non-domestic publicly accessible buildings provide separate, clearly demarcated, unisex and single sex bathrooms. This Bill ...
The Green Party is welcoming Climate Change Minister Simon Watts’ continuation of Hon. James Shaw’s cross-party work on climate adaptation, now in the form of a Finance and Expenditure Committee Inquiry. ...
The National Government plans to cut 390 jobs at ACC, including roles in the areas of prevention of sexual violence, road safety and workplace safety. ...
The Government has been caught in opposition to evidence once again as it looks to usher in tried, tested and failed work seminar obligations for job-seeking beneficiaries. ...
The Green Party is welcoming the announcement by the Minister Responsible for RMA Reform Chris Bishop to approve most of the Wellington City Council’s District Plan recommendations. ...
David Seymour has failed to get the sweeping cuts he wanted to the free and healthy school lunch programme, Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. ...
Hon Willie Jackson has been invited by the Oxford Union to debate the motion “This House Believes British Museums are not Very British’ on May 23rd. ...
Green Party MP Hūhana Lyndon says her Public Works (Prohibition of Compulsory Acquisition of Māori Land) Amendment Bill is an opportunity to right some past wrongs around the alienation of Māori land. ...
A senior, highly respected King’s Counsel with decades of experience in our law courts, Gary Judd KC, has filed a complaint about compulsory tikanga Māori studies for law students - highlighting the utter depths of absurdity this woke cultural madness has taken our society. The tikanga regulations will compel law ...
The Government needs to be clear with the people of the Nelson Marlborough region about the changes it is considering for the Nelson Hospital rebuild, Labour health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said. ...
Ministers must front up about which projects it will push through under its Fast Track Approvals legislation, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
The Government is again adding to New Zealand’s growing unemployment, this time cutting jobs at the agencies responsible for urban development and growing much needed housing stock. ...
With Minister Karen Chhour indicating in the House today that she either doesn’t know or care about the frontline cuts she’s making to Oranga Tamariki, we risk seeing more and more of our children falling through the cracks. ...
The Labour Party is saddened to learn of the death of Sir Robert Martin, a globally renowned disability advocate who led the way for disability rights both in New Zealand and internationally. ...
Labour is calling for the Government to urgently rethink its coalition commitment to restart live animal exports, Labour animal welfare spokesperson Rachel Boyack said. ...
Today’s Financial Stability Report has once again highlighted that poverty and deep inequality are political choices - and this Government is choosing to make them worse. ...
The Green Party is calling on the Government to do more for our households in most need as unemployment rises and the cost of living crisis endures. ...
Unemployment is on the rise and it’s only going to get worse under this Government, Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds said. Stats NZ figures show the unemployment rate grew to 4.3 percent in the March quarter from 4 percent in the December quarter. “This is the second rise in unemployment ...
The New Zealand Labour Party welcomes the entering into force of the European Union and New Zealand free trade agreement. This agreement opens the door for a huge increase in trade opportunities with a market of 450 million people who are high value discerning consumers of New Zealand goods and ...
The National-led Government continues its fiscal jiggery pokery with its Pharmac announcement today, Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall says. “The government has increased Pharmac funding but conceded it will only make minimal increases in access to medicine”, said Ayesha Verrall “This is far from the bold promises made to fund ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
A high-level New Zealand political delegation in Honiara today congratulated the new Government of Solomon Islands, led by Jeremiah Manele, on taking office. “We are privileged to meet the new Prime Minister and members of his Cabinet during his government’s first ten days in office,” Deputy Prime Minister and ...
New Zealand voted in favour of a resolution broadening Palestine’s participation at the United Nations General Assembly overnight, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The resolution enhances the rights of Palestine to participate in the work of the UN General Assembly while stopping short of admitting Palestine as a full ...
Introduction Good morning. It’s a great privilege to be here at the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium. I was extremely happy when the Prime Minister asked me to be his Minister for Infrastructure. It is one of the great barriers holding the New Zealand economy back from achieving its potential. Building high ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced the upcoming Budget will include new funding of $571 million for Defence Force pay and projects. “Our servicemen and women do New Zealand proud throughout the world and this funding will help ensure we retain their services and expertise as we navigate an increasingly ...
New Zealand’s ability to cope with climate change will be strengthened as part of the Government’s focus to build resilience as we rebuild the economy, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “An enduring and long-term approach is needed to provide New Zealanders and the economy with certainty as the climate ...
Jobseeker beneficiaries who have work obligations must now meet with MSD within two weeks of their benefit starting to determine their next step towards finding a job, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “A key part of the coalition Government’s plan to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker ...
A new standalone Social Investment Agency will power-up the social investment approach, driving positive change for our most vulnerable New Zealanders, Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis says. “Despite the Government currently investing more than $70 billion every year into social services, we are not seeing the outcomes we want for ...
Check against delivery Good morning. It is a pleasure to be with you to outline the Coalition Government’s approach to our first Budget. Thank you Mark Skelly, President of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, together with your Board and team, for hosting me. I’d like to acknowledge His Worship ...
Your Excellency Ambassador Meredith, Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassadors from European Union Member States, Ministerial colleagues, Members of Parliament, and other distinguished guests, Thank you everyone for joining us. Ladies and gentlemen - In diplomacy, we often speak of ‘close’ and ‘long-standing’ relations. ...
The Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) will be repealed this year so that a better regime can be put in place to provide New Zealanders safe and timely access to medicines, medical devices and health products, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The medicines and products we are talking about ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, today released his decision on twenty recommendations referred to him by the Wellington City Council relating to its Intensification Planning Instrument, after the Council rejected those recommendations of the Independent Hearings Panel and made alternative recommendations. “Wellington notified its District Plan on ...
Rape Awareness Week (6-10 May) is an important opportunity to acknowledge the continued effort required by government and communities to ensure that all New Zealanders can live free from violence, say Ministers Karen Chhour and Louise Upston. “With 1 in 3 women and 1 in 8 men experiencing sexual violence ...
Associate Education Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government will be delivering a more efficient Healthy School Lunches Programme, saving taxpayers approximately $107 million a year compared to how Labour funded it, by embracing innovation and commercial expertise. “We are delivering on our commitment to treat taxpayers’ money ...
New research on the impacts of extreme weather on coastal marine habitats in Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay will help fishery managers plan for and respond to any future events, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. A report released today on research by Niwa on behalf of Fisheries New Zealand ...
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Winston Peters will lead a broad political delegation on a five-stop Pacific tour next week to strengthen New Zealand’s engagement with the region. The delegation will visit Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Tuvalu. “New Zealand has deep and ...
There has been a material decline in gas production according to figures released today by the Gas Industry Co. Figures released by the Gas Industry Company show that there was a 12.5 per cent reduction in gas production during 2023, and a 27.8 per cent reduction in gas production in the ...
Defence Minister Judith Collins tonight announced the recipients of the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry, saying they all contribute to New Zealanders’ security and wellbeing. “Congratulations to this year’s recipients, whose innovative products and services play a critical role in the delivery of New Zealand’s defence capabilities, ...
Welcome to you all - it is a pleasure to be here this evening.I would like to start by thanking Greg Lowe, Chair of the New Zealand Defence Industry Advisory Council, for co-hosting this reception with me. This evening is about recognising businesses from across New Zealand and overseas who in ...
It is a pleasure to be speaking to you as the Minister for Digitising Government. I would like to thank Akolade for the invitation to address this Summit, and to acknowledge the great effort you are making to grow New Zealand’s digital future. Today, we stand at the cusp of ...
New Zealand is urging both Israel and Hamas to agree to an immediate ceasefire to avoid the further humanitarian catastrophe that military action in Rafah would unleash, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The immense suffering in Gaza cannot be allowed to worsen further. Both sides have a responsibility to ...
A new online data dashboard released today as part of the Government’s school attendance action plan makes more timely daily attendance data available to the public and parents, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. The interactive dashboard will be updated once a week to show a national average of how ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced Rosemary Banks will be New Zealand’s next Ambassador to the United States of America. “Our relationship with the United States is crucial for New Zealand in strategic, security and economic terms,” Mr Peters says. “New Zealand and the United States have a ...
The Government is considering creating a new tier of minerals permitting that will make it easier for hobby miners to prospect for gold. “New Zealand was built on gold, it’s in our DNA. Our gold deposits, particularly in regions such as Otago and the West Coast have always attracted fortune-hunters. ...
Minister for Trade Todd McClay today announced that New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will commence negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA). Minister McClay met with his counterpart UAE Trade Minister Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi in Dubai, where they announced the launch of negotiations on a ...
New Zealand Sign Language Week is an excellent opportunity for all Kiwis to give the language a go, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. This week (May 6 to 12) is New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Week. The theme is “an Aotearoa where anyone can sign anywhere” and aims to ...
Six tertiary students have been selected to work on NASA projects in the US through a New Zealand Space Scholarship, Space Minister Judith Collins announced today. “This is a fantastic opportunity for these talented students. They will undertake internships at NASA’s Ames Research Center or its Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), where ...
New Zealanders will be safer because of a $1.9 billion investment in more frontline Corrections officers, more support for offenders to turn away from crime, and more prison capacity, Corrections Minister Mark Mitchell says. “Our Government said we would crack down on crime. We promised to restore law and order, ...
The OECD’s latest report on New Zealand reinforces the importance of bringing Government spending under control, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The OECD conducts country surveys every two years to review its members’ economic policies. The 2024 New Zealand survey was presented in Wellington today by OECD Chief Economist Clare Lombardelli. ...
The Government has delivered on its election promise to provide a financially sustainable model for Auckland under its Local Water Done Well plan. The plan, which has been unanimously endorsed by Auckland Council’s Governing Body, will see Aucklanders avoid the previously projected 25.8 per cent water rates increases while retaining ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters discussed the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, and enhanced cooperation in the Pacific with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock during her first official visit to New Zealand today. "New Zealand and Germany enjoy shared interests and values, including the rule of law, democracy, respect for the international system ...
The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop today released his decision on four recommendations referred to him by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, opening the door to housing growth in the area. The Council’s Plan Change 92 allows more homes to be built in existing and new ...
Thank you, John McKinnon and the New Zealand China Council for the invitation to speak to you today. Thank you too, all members of the China Council. Your effort has played an essential role in helping to build, shape, and grow a balanced and resilient relationship between our two ...
The Government is modernising insurance law to better protect Kiwis and provide security in the event of a disaster, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly announced today. “These reforms are long overdue. New Zealand’s insurance law is complicated and dated, some of which is more than 100 years old. ...
The coalition Government is refreshing its approach to supporting pay equity claims as time-limited funding for the Pay Equity Taskforce comes to an end, Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says. “Three years ago, the then-government introduced changes to the Equal Pay Act to support pay equity bargaining. The changes were ...
Structured literacy will change the way New Zealand children learn to read - improving achievement and setting students up for success, Education Minister Erica Stanford says. “Being able to read and write is a fundamental life skill that too many young people are missing out on. Recent data shows that ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay says Canada’s refusal to comply in full with a CPTPP trade dispute ruling in our favour over dairy trade is cynical and New Zealand has no intention of backing down. Mr McClay said he has asked for urgent legal advice in respect of our ‘next move’ ...
The rights of our children and young people will be enhanced by changes the coalition Government will make to strengthen oversight of the Oranga Tamariki system, including restoring a single Children’s Commissioner. “The Government is committed to delivering better public services that care for our most at-risk young people and ...
The Government is making it easier for minor changes to be made to a building consent so building a home is easier and more affordable, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “The coalition Government is focused on making it easier and cheaper to build homes so we can ...
New Zealand lost a true legend when internationally renowned disability advocate Sir Robert Martin (KNZM) passed away at his home in Whanganui last night, Disabilities Issues Minister Louise Upston says. “Our Government’s thoughts are with his wife Lynda, family and community, those he has worked with, the disability community in ...
Good evening – Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us. ...
The revamped school lunch programme is budgeting $3 per lunch, rather than the current $8. But is it really so simple to cut costs? Shanti Mathias investigates. Last week, associate education minister and Act Party leader David Seymour announced the government’s revamped school lunch programme, which will provide food to ...
Exactly 100 years ago, on the eve of another Paris Olympics, young Kiwi Gwitha Shand was the talk of the swimming world. The 19-year-old from Christchurch had broken the world record in the 440-yard freestyle multiple times leading up to the 1924 Olympics, and was described in newspapers as one ...
The New Zealand book trade is still reeling after the shock news that Penguin has axed its head of publishing. The redundancy comes just as the biggest week of the year in New Zealand literature is set to take place. The winners of the Ockham national book awards are announced ...
A rest home with a concierge, iced tea fountain, hybrid Jaguars to drive, and caviar on the menu. That’s not imaginary or from some far-flung country – it’s reality here in Aotearoa. Oceania Healthcare just officially opened ‘The Helier’ – a retirement apartment and aged-care complex in the Auckland suburb ...
The USA and China are beefing, Winston Peters is getting sued by some Australian guy, and Helen Clark and Don Brash are friends now? Here’s everything you need to know about Aukus but were too afraid to ask. What is Aukus?Aukus, which stands for Australia, the United Kingdom, and ...
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Asia Pacific Report About 1000 people in Aotearoa New Zealand gathered for a two-hour rally in central Auckland today and marched down Queen Street and returned to Aotea Square to mark the Nakba three days early — and protest over Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza. They called for an immediate ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra As it looks to an election next year when holding up Labor’s female vote will be vital, Treasurer Jim Chalmers has declared Tuesday will bring “a budget for mums and middle Australia”. “The primary ...
By Repeka Nasiko in Suva “Justice has won,” says Fiji’s acting Director of Public Prosecutions John Rabuku following the sentencing of former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former police commissioner Sitiveni Qiliho. Speaking to The Fiji Times, Rabuku said that while they welcomed the judgment by acting Chief Justice Salesi ...
The foreign affairs minister has landed in Solomon Islands for the first leg of his Pacific tour, and an audience with the newly elected Prime Minister. ...
On an unusually hot night in January 2019, a little boy’s lifeless body was found face up in a small town’s sewage oxidation pond. To the police, it was an open and shut case: three-year-old Lachlan Jones had run away from his home in the Southland town of Gore, climbed ...
PNG Post-Courier New Zealand High Commissioner Peter Zwart and PNG Defence Minister Dr Billy Joseph welcomed a C-130 Hercules to Port Moresby this week to support Papua New Guinea’s response to the March 24 earthquake and recent severe flooding. “Papua New Guinea has requested New Zealand’s assistance to transport emergency ...
Grub Street King Luxon rode through the streets Of King’s Landing, and was troubled By the sight of hungry urchins in the mud. “Who would be the best of my Lords To deal with this negative optic?” He pondered. The answer came to him instantly. “Seymour!” he said to himself. ...
“The Bill does not provide environmental protection, good quality decision making, certainty, public participation or speed. It should be withdrawn.” ...
RNZ News Television New Zealand has breached its collective agreement with the E tū union when deciding on discontinuing programmes, the Employment Relations Authority has ruled. It was announced in March that 68 staff members who work for news programmes Midday and Tonight, consumer justice programme Fair Go, current affairs ...
Asia Pacific Report Barangay New Zealand’s Rene Molina has interviewed the country’s first Filipino Green MP Francisco Hernandez who was sworn into Parliament yesterday as the party’s latest member. This is the first interview with Hernandez who replaces former Green Party co-leader James Shaw after his retirement from politics to ...
An Australian Strategic Policy Institute report says Pillar Two could raise the industry to state of the art capability - or "crush" it "under the weight of the globe's biggest player". ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marlene Longbottom, Associate Professor, Indigenous Education & Research Centre, James Cook University ShutterstockThis article contains information on deaths in custody and the violence experienced by First Nations people in encounters with the Australian carceral system. It also contains references to ...
“Instead of following along countries that are investing in death and better ways of killing people faster, we need to invest in life and in making Aotearoa a fair, just and equitable place where everyone has what they need for a dignified life.” ...
MARIAMENO KAPA-KINGI, TPM MP FOR TAI TOKERAU This Government will not waver in its mission to exterminate Māori. CHRISTOPHER LUXON Oh well look you know I don’t think that hard-working Kiwis want to hear language like that. It’s just really unhelpful rhetoric. My Government is genuinely committed to advancing outcomes ...
The body positivity movement started with women confronting the unrealistic expectations and unrepresentative portrayals of them in media and advertising. Men weren’t part of it … their bodies hadn’t been sexualised to the same extremes and they didn’t really need it. But now that’s changed. And in a warped sort ...
The New Zealand comedy legend takes us through her life in television, including the time she hugged Elton John and the unshakeable legacy of a girl named Lyn. In 1981, Ginette McDonald stood on the stage of Auckland’s St James Theatre and directly addressed Queen Elizabeth II. It was a ...
An essay by Lily Duval from the just-released anthology Otherhood: Essays on being childless, childfree and child adjacent.I was 22 when my friend Alice gave birth in the living room of our pokey Addington flat. She laboured in the blow-up pool for hours. Garish fish swam along the inflated ...
Ella Borrie on the best books about motherhood she’s come across so far. Over the past few years I’ve been drawn to books about motherhood. I’m fascinated by the joys and horrors of becoming a parent. The question of children also feels more pressing than it used to. It’s like ...
Out of gift ideas for mum? You can’t go wrong with a bottle of toilet cleaner and a new squeegee. Emily Writes is the writer and editor of Emily Writes Weekly. This week marks five years since I published a post on The Spinoff about Mother’s Day marketing titled ‘A ...
My husband is posted overseas for 12 months and I’m armed with an expensive, newfangled vibrator. Will I miss him? The Sunday Essay is made possible thanks to the support of Creative New Zealand.A few days after my husband leaves, a new sex toy arrives at the front door. Nestled ...
Jaimie Baird’s new book Here Today Gone Tomorrow is a record of four decades of graffiti and street art in Wellington, told through more than 1,200 photographs. He spoke with Joel MacManus about what inspired the book. How did you first get interested in photographing street art? I remember ...
Editor Madeleine Chapman looks back at a busy week where food of all political leanings dominated. Sometimes you’re just going about your week thinking you’ve got a good handle on what might be coming as far as news topics and then someone (usually a politician) says something so ridiculous that ...
In a week of cold rain and frost, the climate in courtroom four upstairs at the Invercargill courthouse was simmering with restrained indignation. At times it felt like the famous Mexican standoff scene from Reservoir Dogs, or, as someone watching the proceedings described it, there was so much throwing of ...
A banner notification alerts me to the fact that I’ve received an Instagram message from @felicity.loves. She always comments on my posts. I shouldn’t have opened the message, but clicked on the notification before rationalising this. OMG! Are you in Wellys? X I debate not replying, but Instagram will inform ...
In Melbourne’s hardscrabble western suburbs where AFL – Aussie rules football – is a state religion, Callum Donaldson has been quietly grafting away, four months into an odyssey that he hopes will take him to another promised land: the NRL. It was a solid 2023 for the softly spoken 20-year-old ...
Pacific Media Watch Television New Zealand Pacific correspondent Barbara Dreaver has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to investigative journalism and Pacific communities in a ceremony at Government House, reports 1News. She has been the Pacific correspondent for 1News since 2002, breaking many ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Tuesday’s budget will respond to the deepening public agitation over Australia’s housing shortages by pouring new money into crisis accommodation for women and children, social housing and infrastructure. A specially-convened national cabinet late Friday ticked ...
By Kaneta Naimatu in Suva Journalists in the Pacific region play an important role as the “eyes and ears on the ground” when it comes to reporting the climate crisis, says the European Union’s Pacific Ambassador Barbara Plinkert. Speaking at The University of the South Pacific (USP) on World Press ...
Aldora Itunu is back in the Black Ferns squad after a three-year absence. The last of her 24 internationals was an underwhelming loss to France (7-29) in Castres to conclude the disastrous 2021 Northern Tour. The powerhouse prop won a Rugby World Cup in 2017 and thought she was done. ...
The fight to control major transport policy and projects in Auckland has burst into the open again, with councillors rejecting Mayor Wayne Brown’s latest attempt to steer things more under his influence. Councillors from the left and right broke ranks on the mayor’s bid to control Auckland Transport more directly ...
Exhausted by the general election campaign, horrified by the twilight zone of coalition negotiations, distracted by the silly season and waiting for the honeymoon to begin, Raw Politics has been in hibernation since October. From today, we’re back. Our weekly political video show and podcast returns for ...
By Patrick Decloitre, RNZ Pacific correspondent French Pacific desk Authorities in the small town of Boulouparis have commemorated Armistice Day on May 8 with a new memorial honouring New Zealand soldiers who were stationed in New Caledonia during World War II. The ceremony took place in the township on the ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Sara Dehm, Senior lecturer, international migration and refugee law, University of Technology Sydney The High Court unanimously ruled today that the Australian government can keep asylum seekers in immigration detention indefinitely in cases where they do not “voluntarily” cooperate with their own ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kim Munro, Lecturer, Creative Industries and Digital Media, University of South Australia Twenty-four hours after the release of Macklemore’s pro-Palestine protest song Hind’s Hall on social media on May 7, the video had already notched up over 24 million views. In ...
Failing to anticipate the complexity of the consenting system is being cited as the the current builder's shortcomings, an Infrastructure Commission review says. ...
Failing to anticipate the complexity of the consenting system is being cited as the the current builder's shortcomings, an Infrastructure Commission review says. ...
350 Aotearoa is calling the Environment Select Committee’s decision to allow oral submissions from just 40% of individual, unique submitters who asked to speak to the committee ‘a disgraceful blight to democracy’. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By James Helal, Assistant Dean (Sustainability), The University of Melbourne Dubai skylineAleksandarPasaric/Pexels Since ancient times, people have built structures that reach for the skies – from the steep spires of medieval towers to the grand domes of ancient cathedrals and mosques. Today ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Edward Musole, PhD Law Student, University of New England Girts Ragelis/ShutterstockRecent trends show Australians are increasingly buying wearables such as smartwatches and fitness trackers. These electronics track our body movements or vital signs to provide data throughout the day, with ...
Papua New Guinea experienced a significant earthquake on 24 March in East Sepik and there has also been recent flooding there and in surrounding provinces. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Yousuf Mohammed, Dermatology researcher, The University of Queensland Maridav/Shutterstock You wake up, stagger to the bathroom and gaze into the mirror. No, you’re not imagining it. You’ve developed face wrinkles overnight. They’re sleep wrinkles. Sleep wrinkles are temporary. But as your ...
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
State House numbers
https://fyi.org.nz/request/20087/response/77519/attach/3/Response%20letter%20to%20JB%20OIA.pdf
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.
Until proven otherwise, fig leaf to a pandering to middle class settler concerns about Maori privilege.
Who are these middle class settlers?
Those who chose to govern, without regard for the Treaty, after the Governor was superseded by the Premier.
https://teara.govt.nz/en/document/2484/the-right-to-vote
Today those the National Party regard as, their voter base.
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
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. 🙄
"… 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.
"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.
"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.)
Imho, anyone can suffer an attack of redirection. Happy New Year
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.
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?
@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.
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.
wait, people have access to learning te reo any time they like? Where is this mythical NZ exactly?
Thanks, Incognito and nicely put. I feel Molly has a chip 🙂
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.
"The new Minister of Health is not a 'largely token' Maori. "
Dr, CigaReti?
Seems he's badly compromised.
I don't think so.
Shane Reti’s Martin Luther King moment for Māori health, and his plans to make that dream reality – NZ Herald
"“The dream I have for Māori is to lift pretty much every health metric we have to the level we have for non-Māori,” Reti told the Herald."
So, taihoa on the smoking-reduction programme then?
Com-pro-mised, Dr. CigaReti!
Nicotine for the Win!
(Lung cancer – it's a Colonialist myth! Smoke-on!)
Smoking rates have been dropping significantly without the need for making the product illegal. (New Zealand’s smoking rates continue to decline | Ministry of Health NZ). Shane Reti is far more interested in reversing the real declines in Maori health outcomes.
"Smoking rates have been dropping significantly without the need for making the product illegal. "
Haha! Declined…because people saw sense…nah – the price increased, the squeeze was on – extinction was the natural outcome – but then – Dr.CigaReti, with Chris Bishop's hand firmly installed, called taihoa, and the tobacco industry heaved a (gasping) sign of relief.
You are very transparent, David.
There are a number of reasons smoking has declined, all without making the product illegal. Meanwhile, Reti gets on with business.
Since when has prohibition of any addictive substance actually worked?
Gradual extinction plus reasoned dialogue with users will work.
Sudden prohibition won't, as seen before.
This process was sound.
It has been torpedoed by industry, using proxies ( ex-employees-now-Nat MP's etc.)
"He is a highly regarded clinician…"
Was
"CigaReti" is not a flattering handle.
It’s your handle. It’s childish and inaccurate.
Pointed and funny. Big ups to whoever conceived of that elegant handle!
Nicotine Willis is wry, but Dr. CigaReti is gold.
David, 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.’
And Rawiri Waititi wearing a cowboy hat in Parliament? This could get very silly.
What hat do you suggest he wears, David?
Top?
Maga?
A tweed golf cap?
A Phrygian cap?
What do you approve of?
You'll need to ask Patricia.
Robert asked you, so either you answer the question or you stay silent. Unless you’re trolling here.
Robert is being obtuse. He totally missed the point about the parallel between horses for Winston and cowboy hats for Rawiri.
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.
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.
Did you not realise that horses are part of Winston’s kaupapa?
"David, 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
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.
"According to David Farrar"
Dies laughing.
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.
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.
"…Maori in targeting immunisation rates, which have declined significantly in recent years."
Thanks to the cookers who voted for Winston Peters.
The immunisation rates for Maori were declining well before Covid.
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.
did Māori immunisation rates fall across vaccines generally? Have they come back up since the covid restrictions were lifted? (or too soon to know?)
I think immunisation rates fell across all vaccinations and across all ethnicities (except Asian perhaps). The overall immunisation coverage is published quarterly but I’m not aware of an update with (nice) graphs. AFAIK, the gap between Māori and non-Māori has not narrowed even.
I recently made a comment related to this, with some links that might be helpful (https://thestandard.org.nz/is-the-coalition-government-back-jabbing-maori/#comment-1982250).
Fair call.
Cookers were active before Covid.
Are you suggesting they are the reason Maori vaccination rates dropped to the extent they did? Cookers? Really?
They certainly played their part. They played their audience also.
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.
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.
"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.
"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
… and the blind.
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.
Thanks, Weka. We can disagree but those are reasonable thoughts.
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.
100% support, Muttonbird.
This is one of the most excellent articles on AI that I’ve read in a while.
https://theconversation.com/ai-is-our-promethean-fire-using-it-wisely-means-knowing-its-true-nature-and-our-own-minds-219320
Name them and shame them, who the heck would do this to an animal?
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/woman-mocked-for-trying-to-stop-group-cutting-pregnant-shark-open-alive/JV2Z4B32PNAZPJJQAEH3LFVNE4/
Absolutely, disgusting, what is it they say: it starts with animal abuse an indicator for domestic abuse.
This being a horrific form of animal abuse – to me a clear indication for follow up and prosecution. Encouraging young ones to an illegal act. Who cuts open the bely of a live animal?
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9024712/
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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
All convictions are being quashed.
https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/01/11/hundreds-of-uk-post-workers-to-have-wrongful-convictions-overturned/
A lot of action very recently after a TV drama.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-67918976
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-67925304
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-67920145
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-67925872