Open mike 06/10/2023

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, October 6th, 2023 - 38 comments
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38 comments on “Open mike 06/10/2023 ”

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  1. Dennis Frank 1
    6 October 2023 at 6:18 am

    The panel after the minor party leaders debate was interesting in their analysis, but this reviewer felt the debate itself was unsatisfactory. Unfair, I reckon – nothing obviously wrong with the format. https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/10/06/felix-desmarais-whos-the-loser-in-minor-parties-debate/

    The panel agreed Winston was the loser. Seymour seemed a prat misbehaving, when he wasn't pretending to be a robot. James showed some spine in his style of interaction with the dork. Rawiri came across well.

    • Tony Veitch 1.1
      6 October 2023 at 7:39 am

      Significantly, apart from one mention at the beginning, the panel didn't discuss Seymour at all.

      Act have peaked at 9% IMO, and with the Natz in steady decline, and Winnie showing he's past his use-by date, there's everything to play for.

      As Bomber says, it's not over until the fat blogger sings.

      Also significantly, early voting totals are well below 2020. Which might suggest that people have not yet decided how to vote, whereas in 2020 they'd made up their minds early on.

      Take heart, lefties, it ain't over until it's over!

      • Dennis Frank 1.1.1
        6 October 2023 at 7:57 am

        Yeah, can't disagree Tony. On the face of it Labour being 10% behind National makes it seem a foregone conclusion but I think you're right to be optimistic.

        This electorate is disenchanted with both, so floaters are likely to wash up anywhere and if they watched the minor leaders debate I doubt any undecided would go for the two rightists. That 10% will decide the outcome, I reckon.

      • Patricia Bremner 1.1.2
        6 October 2023 at 12:04 pm

        Tony so correctsmiley. Apparently Chris Hipkins left isolation to some possible good poll news. I would not be surprised after Lux's mean comment the tax debacle plus Winston threatening Jack Tame, and icing on the cake of Act going down …. All good for the Left. Meantime we are working in step, looking like a Government in waiting.

    • AB 1.2
      6 October 2023 at 8:39 am

      The 'expert' panel afterwards were pathetic – not once did they discuss the actual content of what any of the leaders said. It was all ridiculous speculation about the impressions the leaders might have made and the motivations they might have had. They are courtiers, gossiping in the side halls of the palace about the powerful, who's in and who's out, calculating how to keep their careers alive. I had a sudden recall of what Walter Ralegh said about the Elizabethan courtiers: “Say to the court, it glows / and shines like rotten wood”.

      In any case, Shaw was the only one with consistently sane responses across every topic that was discussed, though his reasonableness might seem dull to some. Waititi was pretty good on most topics, but I thought some of the things he said vaguely implied that he wanted parallel Maori political systems which would be hugely problematic constitutionally and in terms of getting public support. Seymour – a deluded, small state, leave it to the market libertarian straight out of the 1980's and personally just a bit weird. Peters is incoherent and irascible – very little of it makes any sense.

      • Dennis Frank 1.2.1
        6 October 2023 at 8:56 am

        I get your angle on the thing. It was indeed displaying an aversion to substance & focus on style. Check out what these two younger gen folk thought: https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/06-10-2023/last-nights-multi-party-debate-was-all-chaos-no-conviction

        Re separatism, I've always seen that as feasible in principle. I recall standing up after Mat Rata did his thing at the Trades hall, telling the crowd about MM's justice policy stand in favour of a separate Maori justice system. I'd been running justice policy for the Greens a couple of years by then (early '93). Didn't tell him that, just told everyone I agreed with him. Was the only person to actually do that in the meeting. Wanted him to know at least one pakeha male was willing to go public in support!

        Re constitutional status, I'm open-minded. I contributed to Sir Geoffrey's revision right from the start when he appealed for help. Was extremely critical: sent in around 50/60 delineations of exactly what he got wrong. Consequently never got included in his list of helpers – despite giving equal reporting to all his points of merit! But typical Labour turkey, always fos…

    • Mike the Lefty 1.3
      6 October 2023 at 10:55 am

      I thought three waters would be a topic for discussion. Only mentioned once in passing by Seymour. Not quite the terrible socialist trick it was formerly made out to be so it seems.

      • Dennis Frank 1.3.1
        6 October 2023 at 11:28 am

        Good point! A primary issue of contention mentioned only indirectly. Seems like a lapse in programme design by the producers – shoulda showed up on Tame's list of questions. frown

  2. Mike the Lefty 2
    6 October 2023 at 6:35 am

    I hope that viewers noted that Seymour's first speech was to say that he didn't trust his probable coalition partner.

    Luxon must have had his head in his hands most of the debate.

  3. tsmithfield 3
    6 October 2023 at 7:08 am

    Well, I never saw that coming. Absolutely hammering England last night with a bits and pieces team due to injury. We were missing Williamson, Southee, and Ferguson.

    We bowled well to restrict them for 282. Then chased that down in 36 overs for the loss of only one wicket. Conway made 152 no and Ravindra 123 no. If anything qualifies as a complete spanking it has to be this result

    • Tony Veitch 3.1
      6 October 2023 at 7:41 am

      Yes, a comprehensive victory. Now – keep it up for the rest of the tournament!

    • Bearded Git 3.2
      6 October 2023 at 7:46 am

      Some recompense for the final that we drew but was stolen from us 4 years ago.

      I still haven't got over it.

      Henry bowled well.

    • AB 3.3
      6 October 2023 at 8:56 am

      Looks like Ravindra can bat – at least in the subcontinent. Not sure whether he can bowl yet. Conway is class – a gift from the South African diaspora

  4. PsyclingLeft.Always 4
    6 October 2023 at 7:51 am

    Covid-19. Some (conspiracists, political candidates, et al) might like to forget this…

    New Zealand's restrictions during the pandemic saved the lives of about 20,000 people, according to new research.

    Lead author and Otago University public health professor Michael Baker said it was a "strange paradox" of preventative medicine that its success could work against it in people's minds.

    More than 3000 New Zealanders have died from Covid-19, and it is on track to kill 1000 people this year, making it the country's most deadly infectious disease at the moment.

    However, compared with other nations, New Zealand has got off extremely lightly.

    Globally, there have been about 29 million deaths in the past three years, Baker said.

    Covid -19 vaccination saved lives

    Immunisation Advisory Centre medical director professor Nikki Turner said high vaccination rates helped keep the death toll low.

    "New Zealand overall has done really well, but I think people now have got quite short memories and are forgetting how effective it was," Turner said.

    "And we still have the impact ongoing effect of Covid and other respiratory viruses."

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/499516/new-zealand-s-covid-19-response-saved-20-000-lives-research

    Winston First and his Covid-19 trials Inquiry….would be an insult and a travesty. But we have already seen his response to Science/Facts.

    Vote Left !

    • PsyclingLeft.Always 4.1
      6 October 2023 at 8:00 am

      And…Measles again.

      Te Whatu Ora has issued an alert for the whole country after a person with measles flew from Wellington to Auckland on Tuesday 3 October, after attending events in the capital.

      Medical Officer of Health for the Northern Region Jay Harrower said the person, who lives in Northland, attended a week-long National Shakespeare Schools Production at Scots College.

      The students they were in contact with then travelled to other parts of the country.

      Measles was very contagious among people who were not immune, he said.

      Vaccine hesitant? Anti vaxx? Maybe they should think..

      Te Aka Whai Ora Māori Health Authority chief medical officer Dr Rawiri McKree Jansen said this was a "serious wake-up call about the high risk of measles, particularly to our pēpi, tamariki and rangatahi".

      He said immunisation was the best protection against measles.

      https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/499499/measles-alert-issued-for-new-zealand-after-case-flew-from-wellington-to-auckland

    • Incognito 4.2
      6 October 2023 at 9:58 am

      On the topic of Covid-19, Katalin Karikó and Drew Weissman have been awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discoveries concerning nucleoside base modifications that enabled the development of effective mRNA vaccines against COVID-19.

      https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/2023/press-release/

      • PsyclingLeft.Always 4.2.1
        6 October 2023 at 10:03 am

        Truly..Life saving. Thanks for that link.

      • Sanctuary 4.2.2
        6 October 2023 at 11:53 am

        It would be nice to go to your grave as a Nobel prize winner knowing millions of people who may have never heard of you are alive and going about their business because of your discoveries.

        • Adrian 4.2.2.1
          6 October 2023 at 12:07 pm

          Katalin Karikos story is exceptional, born very poor she was a brilliant student and has apparently been working since university at 18 on mRNA technology, almost 50 years of dedication. A huge personal thank you to her for my friends and family who are alive today .

        • Incognito 4.2.2.2
          6 October 2023 at 12:09 pm

          We all try to do our little bit, whatever it is, to make a difference for others, don’t we?

  5. Dennis Frank 5
    6 October 2023 at 8:08 am

    If anyone missed last night's debate there's a useful summary here: https://www.newsroom.co.nz/minor-parties-face-off-for-tvnz-debate

    Good to see James declared the winner by a bunch of non-Greens on that panel!

  6. Dennis Frank 6
    6 October 2023 at 8:33 am

    Luxon's performance review now online: https://www.newsroom.co.nz/performance-review-for-cm-luxon

    KPI Seven: Strategic Communications

    Achieved. Won over Mike Hosking. Survived Jenna and Jessica. Deflected attention away from Uffindell, Kuriger, the Collins years, wife's Tesla discount, owning seven homes and abortion belief. Stalemated the dissection of tax policies until well into the advance voting period. Lifted preferred PM ranking late in the piece to a salvageable level, helped by Chris Hipkins' failure to fire. Listened to Mary Lambie.

    KPI Nine: Take out NZ First

    Failed. Acted late in the piece to rule NZ First and Winston Peters out or in as a potential coalition partner – only to have made the 'in' message too positive and then had to walk back the level of warmth and interest in NZ First. Allowed that party to progress past the 5 percent threshold about three weeks from election day and could not eliminate them from contention, despite Peters' own best efforts. Needs further training from John Key Consultants.

    Section 4: Employee leadership development needs?

    Study the Dealing with Winston Manual, read How to End a Press Conference and Influence People, enrol David in puppy training.

    Tim Murphy is co-editor of Newsroom. I liked his comprehensive description of the diverse role-plays Lux exhibited while out campaigning. yes

    • ianmac 6.1
      6 October 2023 at 1:39 pm

      Read that and as expected Tim Murphy's National bias showed through. I knew before I read it given Murphy's Newsroom record. Such a review should have looked at the credibility issue which Luxon is so weak on.

  7. Bearded Git 7
    6 October 2023 at 8:37 am

    If you listened to the the political commentators on RNZ's Morning Report just now you would have thought the election had already taken place and National had won.

    No mention of National telling lies about its tax policy (its central policy) and getting badly caught out this week. Hardly a mention of the Greens fine polling or of TPM.

    I would love the result to turn out Lab 29 Gr 15 TPM 4 just to see their smug faces drop. This is entirely possible.

    • PsyclingLeft.Always 7.1
      6 October 2023 at 8:57 am

      Hi BG..I link this one? There was some comment about "coalition of chaos" sir Key's (imo plaintive…) call for true blue nat voting…Seymour/Peters belligerence/grudge fest and… other.

      https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018909959/political-panel

      sir Key…

      "I try and hold that firepower a little bit… to be blunt, I genuinely think Christopher Luxon will be a fantastic prime minister."

      As for the relationship between David Seymour and Winston Peters, he said they got on better than he expected.

      https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/election-2023/499518/election-2023-updates-all-the-latest-developments-on-6-october

      lol..so what the fuck does he know ?! Just a creep.

      Anyway BG..I too look for the Left win.

      Edit….ACT…oh yea, there fall has has been very satisfying. Not anywhere near where they were a month ago…Good : )

      Oh and Chris Hipkins..out of Covid isolation. Cmon Chris !

      • Bearded Git 7.1.1
        6 October 2023 at 9:16 am

        Thanks for putting the link up psyc. I thought when they mentioned "Coalition of Chaos" it was in refence to Lab/Gr/TPM, but whatever. The irony is the real chaos has turned out to be on the Right.

        On another issue, I'm not sure that Chris Bishop going on about "you will get a Wealth Tax if Labour gets in" earlier this week is a good tactic given that a study reported last week (I think) said that many people supported this and/or a CGT.

        • PsyclingLeft.Always 7.1.1.1
          6 October 2023 at 10:09 am

          "Coalition of Chaos"

          Yes some real chicken coming to roost, there for sure !

          Multi-party debate exposes lack of trust between David Seymour and Winston Peters

          A debate tonight offered further evidence of the gap between the ACT and NZ First leaders who may soon be in coalition negotiations with the National Party to form a new government.

          National leader Christopher Luxon should be "extremely worried".

          "I think he should be thinking 'yikes, I've got a problem here' if he hasn't already started to think that. I think their antipathy was there for everybody to see."

          RNZ journalist Guyon Espiner said Seymour saying he didn't trust Peters wasn't a great place to be going into a "three-way handshake".

          And James Shaw…showing what we ..always knew.

          As for a winner, the commentators gave it to Shaw.

          https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/on-the-inside/499506/multi-party-debate-exposes-lack-of-trust-between-david-seymour-and-winston-peters

          Cmon the Left !

    • rod 7.2
      6 October 2023 at 4:08 pm

      RNZ national is the voice of the National Party .

      1News is the voice of the National Party

      1ZB is the voice of the National Party

      That's how it folks, and there are plenty more like it in the media sad

  8. Drowsy M. Kram 8
    6 October 2023 at 8:45 am

    Release: National Tax Scam revealed: 99 percent of kiwi households won’t get $250 per fortnight [5 October 2023]

    Earlier this week a sign on my fence was defaced – it now reads “In it for you me”.

    Every lie told incurs a debt to the truth, and sooner or later that debt is paid. But National's big donors won’t be paying, and you can take that to the (ANZ) bank.

    So, some variations on a theme from the little blue book of National party ‘values’.

    Get New Zealand Unearned Income Back on Track

    Get New Zealand Mega Landlords Back on Track

    Get New Zealand Foreign Buyers Back on Track

    Potential Opportunities for Property Investors [6 October 2023]
    A change in government could see more opportunities open up for property investors in New Zealand, with adjustments to the Brightline Test, removal of the foreign buyer ban, and a reinstatement of interest deductibility just some of the policies being considered. Find out how these possible changes could reshape the property market landscape and what the overall impact would be for property investors.

    Sir seems to be salivating a little more than usual this morning… smiley

    Like a gardener preparing for spring, we're nurturing what's thriving and planting new seeds for growth after another month of heady demand in the residential property sector.
    https://rwtakanini.co.nz/news/kiwis-are-getting-their-ducks-in-a-row

    And – it's gone.

    • Bearded Git 8.1
      6 October 2023 at 8:50 am

      Great post Drowsy.

    • Ad 8.2
      6 October 2023 at 12:08 pm

      Labour losing the campaign because of National tax policy has got to go down as one of the most predictable tragedies of our entire political economy.

      • Incognito 8.2.1
        6 October 2023 at 12:43 pm

        Tax cuts of some kind by the NACTs were as predictable as night follows day. Never mind the seeds of discontent that started to sprout and firmly take root in 2020 leading to a more than usual widespread feeling for change. Certainly, Winston Peters tapped that vein well.

  9. PsyclingLeft.Always 9
    6 October 2023 at 12:35 pm

    How low can Luxo limboooo…..Im sure the Limbo in the link is slightly different but IMO Christopher Luxon is getting limbo-lower: )

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/on-the-inside/499553/power-play-is-new-zealand-heading-for-a-post-election-limboland

  10. Stephen D 10
    6 October 2023 at 4:08 pm

    Pablo interesting as ever on the nasty in politics

    https://www.kiwipolitico.com/2023/10/bully-pulpits-and-the-politics-of-nastiness/

    “It is well known that National has been for some time looking to US rightwing spin doctors for campaign guidance and narratives (crime! waste! taxes!), but now Winston First and ACT’s David Seymour have decided to go full US conspiracy theory (Winston: globalists! mandates!) and pseudo-libertarian racist (David: free speech! bureaucrats! Treaty separatists!). The tone of politics in NZ has gotten cruder (see: Chris Bishop, Judith Collins) and more personal (e.g. treatment of Kiri Allen). The corporate media has clearly decided to go full Murdoch in approach (with a few exceptions duly noted) by stirring partisan and racial division and polemics, focusing on personal foibles and conflicts rather than platforms/proposals and going for “gotcha” moments rather than offering dispassion analyses of the policy platforms of the respective parties.”

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    Open access notables A Global Increase in Nearshore Tropical Cyclone Intensification, Balaguru et al., Earth's Future: Tropical Cyclones (TCs) inflict substantial coastal damages, making it pertinent to understand changing storm characteristics in the important nearshore region. Past work examined several aspects of TCs relevant for impacts in coastal regions. However, ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Losing confidence in the integrity of NZ elections
    Do you believe New Zealand runs its general elections fairly and competently? As a voter, can you be confident that the votes on your ballot will be counted towards the final result? As a political scientist, I’ve been asked these questions many times and always answered “yes”, with very few ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago

  • The Song of Saqua: Volume VIII
    Thus far May has followed on from a quiet April in the blogging department, but in fairness, it has been another case of doing what I am supposed to be doing, namely writing original fiction. Plus reading. So don’t worry – I have been productive. But in order to reassure ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    4 days ago

  • Pretending to talk other people’s languages
    Fakes can come in many forms.A Rolex, for instance.A tan can be fake. Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • What’s new? A social agency with an emphasis on “investment” instead of “wellbeing” – b...
    Buzz from the Beehive A new government agency will open for business on July 1 – the Social Investment Agency. As a new standalone central agency effective from 1 July, it will lead the development of social investment across Government, helping ministers understand who they need to invest in, what ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • Following the political money
    Bryce Edwards writes –    “Follow the money” is the classic directive to journalists trying to understand where power and influence lie in society. In terms of uncovering who influences various New Zealand political parties and governments, it therefore pays to look at who is funding them. The ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Hipkins would rather no one remember that he was Minister of Education
    Alwyn Poole writes –  After being elected to Parliament in 2008 the maiden speech of Hipkins was substantially around education policy. He was Labour’s spokesperson for education 2011 – 2017. He was Minister for Education from 2017 until February 2023. This is approximately 88% of the time Labour ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Fashionable follies
    Eric Crampton writes –  A fashion industry group is lobbying for protections. They make the usual arguments and a newer one. None of it makes sense. An industry group says it pumped $7.8 billion into the economy last year – that’s 1.9 percent of New Zealand’s GDP. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Justice for Bainimarama!
    In December 2006, Fiji's military leader Voreqe Bainimarama overthrew the elected government in a coup. He ruled Fiji for the next 16 years, first as dictator, then as "elected" Prime Minister. But now, he's finally been sent to jail where he belongs. Sadly, this isn't for his real crime of ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • March for Nature in June
    Don't like National's corrupt Muldoonist "fast-track" law? Aotearoa's environmental NGO's - Greenpeace, Forest & Bird, WWF, Coromandel Watchdog, Coal Action Network Aotearoa, Kiwis Against Seabed Mining, and others - have announced a joint march against it in Auckland in June: When: 13:00, 8 June, 2024 Where: Aotea Square, Auckland You ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • Bernard’ s Dawn Chorus & Pick ‘n’ Mix for Thursday May 9
    Seymour describes sushi as too woke for school meals. There are no fish sushi meals recommended by the School Lunches programme. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / Getty ImagesTL;DR: The Government will swap out hot meals for packaged sandwiches to save $107 million on school lunches for poor kids. MSD has pulled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • The non-woke $3 Lunch.
    I don't mind stealin' bread from the mouths of decadenceBut I can't feed on the powerless when my cup's already overfilled, yeahBut it's on the table, the fire's cookin'And they're farmin' babies, while slaves are workin'The blood is on the table and the mouths are chokin'But I'm goin' hungry, yeahSome ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Labour’s chickens come home to roost
    The Ardern Government’s chickens came home to roost yesterday with the news that the country is short of natural gas. In 2018, Labour banned offshore petroleum exploration, and industry executives say that the attendant loss of confidence by the industry impacted overall investment in onshore gas fields. Energy Resources Minister ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • Calvin Reviews Lord of The Rings
    Hi,If you’ve been digging through the newly launched Webworm store (orders are being dispatched worldwide as I type!) you’ll have noticed the best model we had was Calvin.This is Calvin.Calvin.Calvin is 7, and is the son of my producer over on Flightless Bird, Rob — aka “Wobby Wob”. Rob also ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago

  • Climate Adam: How to visualise Climate Change (ft. Katharine Hayhoe)
    This video includes conclusions of the creator climate scientist Dr. Adam Levy. It is presented to our readers as an informed perspective. Please see video description for references (if any). Climate change is everywhere. And when something's everywhere it can feel like it's nowhere. So how do we get our heads ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • The wrong direction
    Some good news on climate change today: the energy transition away from fossil fuels is picking up speed, and renewables now make up 30% of global electricity supply. Meanwhile, in Aotearoa, we're moving in the opposite direction, with Genesis Energy announcing that it will resume importing Indonesian coal. Their official ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • National hates democracy
    Its a law like gravity: whenever a right-wing government is elected, they start attacking democracy. And now, after talking to their Republican and Tory and Fidesz chums at the International Democracy Union forum in Wellington, National is doing it here, announcing plans to remove election-day enrolment. Or, to put it ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • No Tikanga Please, We're Lawyers.
    Yesterday Winston Peters focussed his attention on the important matter at hand. Tweeting. Like the former, and quite possibly next, orange POTUS, from whom he takes much of his political strategy, Winston is an avid X’er.His message didn’t resemble an historic address this time. In fact it was more reminiscent ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Member’s Day
    Today is a Member's Day, and it seems we've entered the slowdown as things emerge from select committee. First up is the committee stage of Greg O'Connor's Child Protection (Child Sex Offender Government Agency Registration) (Overseas Travel Reporting) Amendment Bill, which will be followed by the second readings of Stuart ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • Hurrah for coal – Shane Jones welcomes Genesis Energy’s import plans as natural gas production s...
    Buzz from the Beehive A significant decline in natural gas production has given Resources Minister Shane Jones an opportunity to reiterate his enthusiasm for the mining and burning of coal. For good measure, he has praised an announcement from Genesis Energy that it will resume importing coal. He and Energy ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Following the political money
    “Follow the money” is the classic directive to journalists trying to understand where power and influence lie in society. In terms of uncovering who influences various New Zealand political parties and governments, it therefore pays to look at who is funding them. The political parties are legally obliged to make ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    6 days ago

  • A Left-Right ranking of universities in NZ: a practical guide for students and parents
    Rob MacCullough writes – Here is my subjective ranking on a “most-left” to “most-right” scale of most of our major NZ Universities, with some anecdotal (and at times amusing) evidence to back up the claim. Extreme Left   Auckland University of Technology Evidence The ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  •  Inflation and GST thresholds
    Eric Crampton writes –  I hadn’t thought about this one until a helpful email showed up in my inbox.It’s pretty obvious that income tax thresholds should automatically index with inflation – whether to anchor the thresholds in percentiles of the income distribution, or to anchor against a real ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Green Party grapples with persistent scandals
    Jacqui Van Der Kaay writes –  Parliament’s speaker had no option but to refer Green MP Julie Anne Genter to the Privileges Committee for her behaviour in the House last Wednesday evening. The incident, in which she crossed the floor to wave a book and yell at National ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • A law school to be avoided – Auckland University of Technology
    Gary Judd writes – The Dean of the law school at the Auckland University of Technology is someone called Khylee Quince. I have been sent her social media posting in which she has, over the LawNews headline “Senior King’s Counsel files complaint about compulsory tikanga Maori studies for ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • 17 people in Malaita stand in way of China’s takeover of the Solomons
    Cleo Paskal writes – WASHINGTON, D.C.: ‘Many of us have received phone calls from [the opposing camp] telling them if they join the camp they will be given projects for their wards and $300,000 [around US$35,000] each’, says former Malaita Premier Daniel Suidani. The elections in Solomon Islands aren’t ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the Hamas Ceasefire Offer, and Mark Mitchell’s Incompetence
    With hindsight, it was inevitable that (a) Hamas would agree to the ceasefire deal brokered by Egypt and Qatar and that ( b) Israel would then immediately launch attacks on Rafah, regardless. We might have hoped the concessions made by Hamas would cause Israel to desist from slaughtering thousands more ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    6 days ago

  • Bernard’ s Dawn Chorus & Pick ‘n’ Mix for Wednesday May 8
    Placards and mourners outside the Kilbirnie Mosque following the Christchurch terror attack: MSD has terminated the Kaiwhakaoranga service, which has been used by 415 families since the attacks. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The Government’s pledge to only cut ‘back office’ staff rather than ‘frontline’ services is on increasingly shaky ground, with ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • A few PT announcements
    There’s been a few smaller public transport announcements over the last week or so that I thought I’d cover in a single post. Fareshare I’ve long called for Auckland Transport to offer a way to enable employer-subsidised public transport options. The need for this took on even more importance ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    6 days ago

  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Green Party grapples with persistent scandals
    Parliament’s speaker had no option but to refer Green MP Julie Anne Genter to the Privileges Committee for her behaviour in the House last Wednesday evening. The incident, in which she crossed the floor to wave a book and yell at National Minister Matt Doocey, reflects poorly on Genter and ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    6 days ago

  • At a glance – Tree ring proxies and the divergence problem
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Nothing to sneer at
    Who likes being sneered at? Nobody. Worse yet, when the sneerer has their facts all wrong, and might well be an idiot.The sneer in question is The adults are in charge now, and it is a sneer offered in retort to criticism of this new Government, no matter how well ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • Still on their bullshit
    When in government, Labour pushed to extend the Parliamentary term to four years, to reduce accountability and our ability to vote out a bad government. And now, they're trying to do it through the member's ballot, with a Four-Year Parliamentary Term Legislation Bill. The bill at least requires a referendum ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • Drawn
    A ballot for a single Member's Bill was held today, and the following bill was drawn: Public Works (Prohibition of Compulsory Acquisition of Māori Land) Amendment Bill (Hūhana Lyndon) The bill would prevent the government from stealing Māori land in breach of Te Tiriti o Waitangi. It ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • A nod and a wink that will unnecessarily cost Aucklanders tens of millions per year
    Simeon Brown, alongside Wayne Brown, is favouring a political figleaf now in exchange for loading up tens of millions in extra interest costs on Auckland ratepayers. Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Ratings agency Standard & Poor’s is pushing back hard at suggestions from Local Government Minister Simeon Brown and Mayor Wayne Brown ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • Correcting the Corrections announcement – a fiscal farce that should bother the OECD
     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 ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days ago

  •  Like it or not, the Kiwis are either going into ‘Pillar 2’ – or they are going to China
    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 ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago

  • A balanced and an unbalanced article
    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 ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago

  • Deeply unserious country
    Every bit of this seems insane. And people wonder why productivity is falling through the floor. Energy News reports that the Environment Court finally threw out Allan Crafar’s appeal against a solar farm. From the story: Consent was granted in 2022. Crafar appealed November 2022. On what grounds? That ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago

  • Senior King’s Counsel files complaint about compulsory tikanga Māori studies for law students
    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 ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago

  • https://www.greaterauckland.org.nz/?p=77196
    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 ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    7 days ago

  • Bernard’s pick 'n' mix for Tuesday, May 7
    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 ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    7 days ago

  • HM Prison Aotearoa.
    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 ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago

  • Get Your Webworm Merch!
    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 ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    7 days ago

  • Top OECD economist puts Willis between a rock and a hard place
    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 ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    7 days ago

  • The Pacific family of nations – the changing security outlook
    Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, other Members of Parliament Acting Chief of Defence Force, Secretary of Defence Distinguished Guests  Defence and Diplomatic Colleagues  Ladies and Gentlemen,  Good afternoon, tēna koutou, apinun tru    It’s a pleasure to be back in Port Moresby today, and to speak here at the Kumul Leadership ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago

  • NZ and Papua New Guinea to work more closely together
    Health, infrastructure, renewable energy, and stability are among the themes of the current visit to Papua New Guinea by a New Zealand political delegation, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Papua New Guinea carries serious weight in the Pacific, and New Zealand deeply values our relationship with it,” Mr Peters ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago

  • Driving ahead with Roads of Regional Significance
    The coalition Government is launching Roads of Regional Significance to sit alongside Roads of National Significance as part of its plan to deliver priority roading projects across the country, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “The Roads of National Significance (RoNS) built by the previous National Government are some of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago

  • New Zealand congratulates new Solomon Islands government
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • New Zealand supports UN Palestine resolution
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Speech to the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • $571 million for Defence pay and projects
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Climate change – mitigating the risks and costs
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Getting new job seekers on the pathway to work
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Accelerating Social Investment
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Getting Back on Track
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • NZ – European Union ties more critical than ever
    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.   ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Therapeutic Products Act to be repealed
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Decisions on Wellington City Council’s District Plan
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Rape Awareness Week: Government committed to action on sexual violence
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Smarter lunch programme feeds more, costs less
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Report provides insights into marine recovery
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • NZ to send political delegation to the Pacific
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Low gas production threatens energy security
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Defence industry talent, commitment recognised
    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, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Speech to the Minister of Defence Awards of Excellence for Industry
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Speech to the Sixth Annual New Zealand Government Data Summit
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Ceasefire agreement needed now: Peters
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Daily school attendance data now available
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Ambassador to United States appointed
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • New permit proposed for recreational gold mining
    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. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • NZ and the UAE launch FTA negotiations
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • New Zealand Sign Language Week an opportunity for anyone to sign
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Next stop NASA for New Zealand students
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • $1.9 billion investment to keep NZ safe from crime
    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, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • OECD reinforces need to control spending
    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.   ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Agreement delivers Local Water Done Well for Auckland
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Gaza and the Pacific on the agenda with Germany
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Decision allows for housing growth in Western Bay of Plenty
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Speech to New Zealand China Council
    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 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Modern insurance law will protect Kiwi households
    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. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Government recommits to equal pay
    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 ...
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  • Transforming how our children learn to read
    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 ...
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  • NZ not backing down in Canada dairy dispute
    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’ ...
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  • Stronger oversight for our most vulnerable children
    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 ...
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    2 weeks ago

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