Open Mike 08/02/2019

Written By: - Date published: 7:21 am, February 8th, 2019 - 111 comments
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111 comments on “Open Mike 08/02/2019 ”

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  1. esoteric pineapples 1
    8 February 2019 at 7:37 am

    Excellent interview with United States Green Party leader Jill Stein with a lot of perceptive comments

  2. Incognito 2
    8 February 2019 at 7:48 am

    When you put lipstick on a polished turd it just looks silly and becomes a juvenile joke. Alchemists knew that if you want to turn lead into gold you have to change the essence of it, not scratch the surface.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/110426463/national-party-strategy-already-in-place-as-party-thrashes-out-tactics-for-year-ahead

  4. marty mars 4
    8 February 2019 at 9:30 am

    Wow what a nothing speech unless you’re a dumbarse business as usual zealot. Disappointing

    “Ardern’s first State of the Nation speech was delivered at a Wellington church to a group of largely community and voluntary agencies and focused on poverty and children.

    The setting for Friday’s speech was a room at the upmarket Hilton Hotel in Auckland overlooking the glitzy Viaduct Harbour, attended by top CEOs and managers…That was not the only contrast; in an unusual move, Ardern was preceded by speeches from business sponsors…”

    https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/110444167/pm-jacinda-arderns-state-of-the-nation-speech-sunny-but-clouds-gathering

    • rata 4.1
      8 February 2019 at 11:10 am

      “Sunny but clouds gathering”
      So everything is as it is in Kiwi land.
      Sate of the Nation speeches like Budgets announcements
      are heavy on build up but boringly predictable.
      Gov’t supporters say everything is on track.
      Gov’t opponents say wheels are coming off.
      Delightfully predictable.
      Like night follows day.
      Read life is ticking over well in Ehohdeararower
      Have to giggle.

    • Herodotus 4.2
      8 February 2019 at 12:25 pm

      How “if” climate change is our “Climate change is my generation’s nuclear-free moment” are we being told “A Just Transition Summit in May this year will kick-start a national conversation about what the Just Transition means for New Zealand. ”
      A conservation ??? If it is TAHT important shouldn’t real action and leadership be warranted ??
      Talk or Action ???

    • James 5.1
      8 February 2019 at 10:19 am

      He’s not wrong tho.

    • Kat 5.2
      8 February 2019 at 10:25 am

      More “wedging” propaganda from the king of spin. Aunty Herald is certainly stepping it up though, day by day. If spin were a cancer then the Herald would be guilty of spreading death. The rag is certainly guilty of being a plague on intelligence.

      • Bewildered 5.2.1
        8 February 2019 at 12:54 pm

        Yep herald columnists Hine Elder and Liz Marverlly hard right facists You do realise the herald isn’t thier just to suppprt your left thinking

        • Kat 5.2.1.1
          8 February 2019 at 2:35 pm

          Crikey, didn’t realise that at all……will have to switch to my right thinking then, become a bit more creative.

    • Grantoc 5.3
      8 February 2019 at 10:28 am

      No he is not.

      He’s pointing out political realities. As we approach next year’s election NZ First will need to define itself as something other than Labour’s lap dog if it is to have any hope of re election.

      For starters., watch it apply the pressure on Labour for significant changes to be made to Labours proposed tax reforms and employment law reforms.

      • Kat 5.3.1
        8 February 2019 at 10:39 am

        Interesting, so NZ First is now “Labours lap dog”… after being spun the line for the past year and a half that Winston is the tail wagging the dog and Jacinda Ardern is his “little girl”. Seems the right still can’t get there heads around how a real coalition functions.

      • James 5.3.2
        8 February 2019 at 6:46 pm

        I think you will find you have who’s the lap and who’s the dog the wrong way around.

    • Shadrach 5.4
      8 February 2019 at 10:58 am

      He may be, but much of what he says in that piece is on the money.

      • veutoviper 5.4.1
        8 February 2019 at 11:36 am

        More a case of he is on the money – getting paid to write what he writes.

        • Shadrach 5.4.1.1
          8 February 2019 at 12:00 pm

          Of course he gets paid. I’m sure no-one expects him to write for free?

          • te reo putake 5.4.1.1.1
            8 February 2019 at 12:06 pm

            People get paid for writing their hot takes? I really must get an agent.

            • Shadrach 5.4.1.1.1.1
              8 February 2019 at 12:20 pm

              Hot takes? One of Hooten’s gigs is as a political commentator. Why should he do it for free?

              • veutoviper …
                8 February 2019 at 12:40 pm

                One of Hooten’s gigs is as a political commentator stirrer. FIFY

                He’s been a bit out of the picture over recent months with his study period in the UK, holidays etc, so of course he has to stir hard to bring his return back to notice and make himself seem relevant again.

                • Shadrach …
                  8 February 2019 at 3:09 pm

                  Stirrer, commentator, who knows. He is commissioned to write, which is why he’s paid. Get over it.

                  • Charlie …
                    8 February 2019 at 4:43 pm

                    Hooten is a wanker, his commentary is shit stirring drivel and he is commissioned to produce this crap for propaganda purposes not to enlighten the reader. So you get over it.

              • Incognito …
                8 February 2019 at 10:14 pm

                Why should he do it for free?

                Because he gets the enjoyment as well.

            • Tamati Tautuhi 5.4.1.1.1.2
              8 February 2019 at 4:46 pm

              Hoots = RWNJ

  6. Alan 6
    8 February 2019 at 9:53 am

    so what part of his article can you factually dispute?

  7. veutoviper 7
    8 February 2019 at 9:58 am

    Calling mickysavage, lprent or whoever …

    Can we please have our nine years back, please. I really don’t want to be back in 2010 with Key in charge.

    Thank you in advance.

  8. Morrissey 8
    8 February 2019 at 10:28 am

    Meet the next President of the United States

    She effortlessly confounds this panel of fools trying to confront her and embarrass her. It’s funny in a grim and black sort of fashion, with the funniest thing of all being the sight of Zbigniew Brzezinski’s hapless daughter trying to look serious….

    https://news.grabien.com/story-tulsi-gabbard-assad-not-enemy-united-states

  9. esoteric pineapples 9
    8 February 2019 at 10:29 am

    “You can be sure that every government in the world is going to rethink putting any money in London, as they used to do, when they are watching this political manipulation with the money they entrust to the British. It is very dangerous for the world, but for Britain particularly.”

    “Economist and co-founder of Democracy at Work Prof. Richard Wolff joins News.Views.Hughes to discuss the freezing of Venezuelan funds in the Bank of England amid the deepening political crisis in Caracas. He says the Bank of England’s decision is a signal to all countries out of step with US interests to withdraw their money, as the Bank has shown itself to be “under the thumb of the United States.” He also opines on the “horrific prospects” of regime change in Venezuela. ”

  10. francesca 10
    8 February 2019 at 10:36 am

    I’ve been smelling the smoke from Pigeon Valley for days now
    Yesterday I saw smoke wafting down our river valley and thought some idiots burning, rang a few neighbours who’d been told by the fire chief, its Pigeon Valley
    We live 128 kms away, in pretty much a straight line
    A disturbing sensation, the smell of smoke , and probably fast becoming the new summer normal

    • marty mars 10.1
      8 February 2019 at 11:07 am

      Yep I smelt and saw smoke in the early morning yesterday – we are norwest from it with a big hill in the way.

      I think this will become a horrible scarey norm.

    • Cinny 10.2
      8 February 2019 at 2:04 pm

      Just came back from Richmond, sheez the smoke is thick there, you can’t see any of the surrounding hills.

      Was walking around with my eyes streaming wanting a facemask,

      It’s the worst day for smoke since the fire started, possibly because there was no wind this morning.

      Would liken it to the photos we see of extremely polluted cities in China.

      Here in Motueka the sky is half smoke, and half blue sky.

      The sky in Richmond is completely obscured by smoke, it’s really bad.

      Heard from a chopper pilot that the smoke makes it hard to see where to release the water from monsoon buckets. They are concentrating on saving houses.

      Wind has picked up again.

      Wakefield is being evacuated.

    • patricia bremner 10.3
      8 February 2019 at 10:04 pm

      Sorry, that has been the way of it in Australia. That smell, the smoggy sunrises and sets following the fire/burn off news, seeing blackened areas, and wild life struggle.

    • Muttonbird 10.4
      8 February 2019 at 10:24 pm

      Has anyone investigated whether the person operating the machinery in the area was a smoker?

  11. Observer Tokoroa 11
    8 February 2019 at 10:50 am

    Hooten The Screamer

    As is the way with John Key, Simon Bridges, and Assorted Standard Trolls, Hooten screams when he is loosing his brain and his guts.

    He often screams at Kathryn Ryan who for some reason invites him on her women’s program each week.

    Winston Peters is beyond Hooten. Nearly everything on the Planet is beyond Hooten. I sometimes think dear Mathew has a little piggy bank tin on his desk. He has no other Horizon whatsoever.

    Neither have the Trolls. Basically children doing their simple child’s play.

    Not Hooten, but serious Business men and women will recognise the frequent ups and downs in World economy, and its effect on NZ. The more far seeing Business sector will be alert to new hazards – unforseen. But prepared for by Robertson.

    John Key or his stand in servants, and Mathew Hooten will raise the Gst by at least 3%. To rub the noses of the poor into the Hooten / Key / English shit policy

    Winston will breeze home. Shayne will bring the Northern Horses home.

    Jacinda will protect the Poor. For, She is that way inclined. The World knows Her.

    Take a happy kiddies holiday Matthew.

  12. Observer Tokoroa 12
    8 February 2019 at 11:21 am

    Yes Gabby

    Women are better Listeners.

  13. greywarshark 13
    8 February 2019 at 11:45 am

    Smoke haze over Nelson city. Dead silence for some time, few birds, momentary footsteps, computer whirring. Creepy.

    Coincidentally, I have just bought a DVD of film The Quiet Earth – was thinking about Bruno Lawrence.
    When everyone around him vanishes overnight, scientist Zac Hobson (Bruno Lawrence) finds himself seemingly the only person on the planet. The isolation initially drives him to the brink of suicide, but eventually Zac adapts to a day-to-day routine. After meeting two other survivors, Joanne (Alison Routledge) and Api (Peter Smith), a Maori, the trio roams New Zealand trying to understand what caused everyone else to disappear, why they remained behind — and whether disaster will strike again.

    The speed of the fire as it began and the shock of it to the first people involved.
    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/110446721/nelson-bush-fire-man-first-on-the-scene-shocked-at-speed-of-spreading-flames

    • Cinny 13.1
      8 February 2019 at 3:05 pm

      Grey, Walters Bluff, by Founders in the city is now on fire.

      Not sure where you are, but keep safe please.

    • Puckish Rogue 13.2
      8 February 2019 at 5:16 pm

      Still shows that one of the mot powerful images in a movie is a simple, wide shot of a city with no people in it

      Gets me everytime

    • patricia bremner 13.3
      8 February 2019 at 10:12 pm

      Grey pack be ready, just in case. Take water and a first aid kit. Kia kaha. Fire takes no prisoners, especially with the unpredictable wind.

  14. greywarshark 14
    8 February 2019 at 1:14 pm

    Some little miracles occur every day that we don’t know about. Here is one that has come to light, a story of survival and love and a turning from bitterness – a treasure that stands out from BAU.

    The book The Tattooist of Auschwitz will remind us of things we would like to forget, but they are part of our human story.
    https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/afternoons/audio/2018681016/the-tattooist-of-auschwitz

    For three years, he [Lale Sokolov] was the one who used a needle and black ink to tattoo numbers on the arms of new arrivals.

    The day he tattooed Gita Furman would change his life forever. They fell in love in a place built on hate, survived the camp and settled in Australia.

    When Lale decided to tell his secret, he chose Heather Morris, a screenwriter from Te Awamutu, living in Melbourne.

    She tells Jesse Mulligan about her debut novel The Tattooist of Auschwitz, based on their love story, is now being adapted for television.

    Morris says she met Sokolov through a friend who knew his son. After the death of his wife, Sokolov had told his son to find him someone who he could tell his story too. Morris says the pain of his loss was still raw.

    “This is a man whose wife of over six decades has just died and he was incredibly grief stricken. He wouldn’t lift his head above the level of the floor for several weeks when I met him. All he would say to me each time was ‘hurry up and tell my story’ even though he hadn’t really given me anything apart from his and Gita’s names and that they met in Auschwitz.

  15. joe90 15
    8 February 2019 at 2:48 pm

    Someone tried to blackmail Jeff Bezos.

    He shoved their threats right back up their arse.

    https://medium.com/@jeffreypbezos/no-thank-you-mr-pecker-146e3922310f

    • Andre 15.1
      8 February 2019 at 3:05 pm

      Arkell v Pressdram was admirably more succinct.

    • te reo putake 15.2
      8 February 2019 at 4:05 pm

      Good on him!

      One small moment of unintended humour – Bezos blanked out Dylan Howard’s phone number in the email’s body (917 XXX-XXXX), but left it untouched in the signature section at the bottom of the email. Quite tempted to give the man a call, see how this is working out for him 😉

    • Cinny 16.1
      8 February 2019 at 3:22 pm

      Just heard from exhusband the motorway out of Nelson towards Atawhai is now closed because of the new fire.

      He said two houses have already gone, But that’s not confirmed.

  17. CHCoff 17
    8 February 2019 at 3:24 pm

    Can the city water mains be tapped into with fire hoses?

    & wet blankets to dash it out on the ground one on one?

    • Andre 17.1
      8 February 2019 at 3:29 pm

      Around here the firefighters can. The connections are under metal rectangular covers with FH cast into them.

    • Cinny 17.2
      8 February 2019 at 3:30 pm

      Not sure CHCoff.

      Walters Bluff is a steep hill, was told there is around 6 choppers there at the moment, also told that the best way to fight that particular fire is by air.

      Also told that most of the ground crews are at the other fire.

      Freaking scary stuff, so dry here.

      Behind Walters Bluff is lots of forest and walking tracks.

      Edit… the wind has picked right up now.

      • CHCoff 17.2.1
        8 February 2019 at 3:37 pm

        would like to be there fighting this b@#$%Y fire!

      • greywarshark 17.2.2
        8 February 2019 at 3:38 pm

        Latest I have found.

        https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2019/02/large-blaze-flares-up-near-homes-near-nelson-cbd.html

        The flames are flicking up the hill behind the houses on the subdivision and look quite bright and fast moving, rather like those earlier on at Pigeon Valley.

        People are getting worried. How could this happen, another fire!

        Position It’s fairly close to the old cemetery on the way out of Nelson main road to Blenheim, with high hill covered with grass that will be dry beside and behind it and there is high steep road on Walters Bluff where the fire is. Then a bit further over towards the city on the flat is Founders heritage park with huge amount of money spent on it and irreplaceable old buildings in it and that’s bordered by flat part, Miyazu Japanese Garden, the Marae and surrounding buildings and then closely settled housing. I have friends further over the hill but not far as the fire moves. So a worry.

        • Cinny 17.2.2.1
          8 February 2019 at 3:40 pm

          Thanks for the link Grey, you ok at yours?

          • greywarshark 17.2.2.1.1
            8 February 2019 at 4:37 pm

            Yes quite a distance away, friend lives on the other side of the hill, there was talk about them evacuating but the road is blocked by police going towards the city – can’t go there. The suggestion was to go to Saxtons Field in Stoke but there are Wakefield people there I think. We run the risk of being overwhelmed if more happens.

            Apparently the guy who reported the Walters Bluff fire saw it right from the beginning and said there was no one to be seen – it looked like spontaneous combustion down in a ravine – could have been a bottle or bright aluminium tin who knows. Not impossible. Friend says that there are eucalypts and that they spark. Lots of coming and going with helicopters. They are getting salt water – the tide is in apparently otherwise there can be quite a muddy area near the coastal road.

  18. greywarshark 18
    8 February 2019 at 4:09 pm

    Someone is talking about the possibility of arson. It’s so strange that the first thing some do is to make the situation worse by thinking badly of someone so they can be blamed for it all. It may be a barbecue gone wrong, even a cigarette butt, there was a known fire from one recently put out. I

    If all the teenagers had something constructive to do during the holidays, that could cut risk by 50% I think. A teenager escaped from a house he/she was in which was engulfed in fire minutes – that was in the last few days. Firefighters saved the house but was burnt and blackened. Got to watch out for those computers – can eat up time while something is on the stove getting over hot.

    • Cinny 18.1
      8 February 2019 at 4:37 pm

      Grey, the siren has just gone off again here in the last few minutes…

      • greywarshark 18.1.1
        8 February 2019 at 4:40 pm

        Keep us posted. Cinny and car turned round. Surely I don’t have to worry about that. I’m not too far from the Grampians and very dry up there.

        • marty mars 18.1.1.1
          8 February 2019 at 4:46 pm

          I’m sure no issue and keep listening. There may be some surprises with these fires. Stay safe.

          • Cinny 18.1.1.1.1
            8 February 2019 at 6:31 pm

            Will do, you keep safe too Marty.

            • veutoviper 18.1.1.1.1.1
              8 February 2019 at 8:05 pm

              Thinking of you all, Cindy – that goes for everyone in the Nelson, Tasman area. Cannot mention MM cause I am not flavour of the month at present and got told not to think about him and his whanau, but cannot help myself. Love your area of the country and really feeling for you all.

              • marty mars …
                8 February 2019 at 10:57 pm

                Lol yes you cannot help yourself – you’re still in my good books

                • veutoviper …
                  9 February 2019 at 10:16 am

                  Good to hear, Lol! Seriously take care, the situation there is very precarious. Just listened to some of the press conference this morning and they are obviously really worried about the wind levels in the next day or so.

                  And thanks for pointing out the contra proferentem principle re Te Tiriti. I am no scholar/expert on TT issues but was still amazed at some of the ignorance/misinformation of some of the thinking and opinions that came out in the last few days. Won’t mention any names.

                  • marty mars …
                    9 February 2019 at 10:42 am

                    The whole region is in drought – we aren’t near wakefield although I have friends there. I hope the big one sorted soon but that wind – it is chaos in action. Other worries are copycat fires and just idiot ciggie butts or whatever – so dry, won’t take much.

  19. greywarshark 19
    8 February 2019 at 4:58 pm

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12202124

    Nelson residents are being evacuated after a second fire broke out in Walters Bluff.
    The fire is located in Sir Stanley Whitehead Reserve… near top of Walters Bluff

    Telecommunications provider Spark said a cell tower in Wakefield was in the direct path of the fire.
    Flame retardant had been deployed at the tower, and the company was trying to bring in a back-up cell site.

    Conflicting stories about how they started. I still have my landline with this sort of thing in mind. Video put up yesterday about how complexity disadvantages ‘advanced’ countries! Lots of aerial movement. I hope that everyone gets through this intact. There has been a car? crash on the coastal highway they say serious.

    • Cinny 19.1
      8 February 2019 at 6:29 pm

      Thanks for that info Grey, if there was a crash on the coastal highway that will explain the siren.

  20. greywarshark 20
    8 February 2019 at 6:35 pm

    But I think it was near Tui Glen which is on the way out of Nelson not in Motueka direction, unless you get the sound carrying across water. Not sure just where you are.

    Apparently another blaze up before 6pm on city side along from Walters Bluff – winds expected to pick up so they are working hard to damp down.

  21. greywarshark 21
    8 February 2019 at 7:08 pm

    Robert and WetheBleeple
    Do you like this?

    Love the universe, let’s travel together etc
    Here is someone who built an island out of trash.

  22. CHCoff 22
    8 February 2019 at 7:43 pm

    Air operations ceased after reports of a drone at the Walter’s Bluff incident, The Tasman-Marlborough Fire Area Facebook page reported.

    “Please, if you know whom this is please ask them to stop,” the statement read.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12202124

    • Psycho Milt 22.1
      8 February 2019 at 9:57 pm

      Please, if you know someone who insists on using the word “whom” but uses it wrongly, please ask them to stop.

      • ChCoff 22.1.1
        8 February 2019 at 10:12 pm

        Actually i think it may be you who are mixed up Psycho Milt, to it’s usage, but whatever the case, the meaning is clear so it is a perfectly valid phrase all the same where it matters.

        • Psycho Milt 22.1.1.1
          8 February 2019 at 10:57 pm

          There’s no need to use the word “whom” at all in modern English, so insisting on using it and then using it incorrectly is grating. As to its usage, that’s the annoying thing – its misuse is now so widespread that people will argue the toss with you when you point it out it’s for use with objects, not subjects.

      • greywarshark 22.1.2
        8 February 2019 at 10:32 pm

        Please don’t let us start on that pedant thing again – it nips my nickers.

  23. Eco Maori 23
    9 February 2019 at 8:40 am

    Eco says its all about ballance ying yang everything needs to be ballanced .
    We need to work with mother nature We need more Wahine in power to get the ballance back . 5 degrees is the difference in enviroment temperatures that give or takes away the polar ICE CAPS
    {{{How social media is inspiring children to save the natural world }}}

    It’s true that many young people stare at screens instead of being out in the wild – but others use technology to form a global community of conservationists

    Six years ago, I wrote with a certain amount of sadness a rather gloomy report for the National Trust entitled Natural Childhood. It highlighted the barriers standing in the way of engaging young people with nature: primarily dangers from traffic, parental fears of “stranger danger”, and a growing aversion to exposing children to any form of risk. I concluded that we faced the very real danger of a “lost generation”, who might never engage with the natural world.
    Young people were, and still are, we’re told, disconnected from nature, staring at screens when they should be out in the wild. {{{But what I hadn’t predicted back then is that it is these screens that are now enabling our children to join forces to save the natural world. The rise of new technology – especially social media – has allowed a new generation to connect with those who share their interests in a way that I never could have believed possible}}} when I wrote Natural Childhood. As one young ornithologist recently told me: “I thought I was the only birder at my school, but on Facebook I found half a dozen others in my local area.”

    Another budding young naturalist, Abbie Barnes (who climbed Kilimanjaro in the same week she got her A-level results), introduced me to a young man working for conservation in Kenya. When I asked how long they had known each other, Abbie laughed, saying: “We’ve never actually met before, but we’ve connected on social media for the past couple of years.”
    {{{{{{When I look at this generation, and see their commitment, passion, hard work and inspirational actions, I’m inclined to think that they might just succeed. Eco say we will succeed}}}}}}}
    Stephen Moss is a naturalist and author, based in Somerset. His latest book is The Wren: A Biography (Square Peg). He is involved with AFoN as a mentor
    Ka kite ano links below.

    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/jan/25/social-media-inspiring-children-to-save-natural-world

    • greywarshark 23.1
      9 February 2019 at 12:23 pm

      Thanks for your great comments lately ecomaori. I am reading through them slowly – very packed info. The odd paragraph to break them up would be helpful.

      Easier to read and understand your points then.

  24. Eco Maori 24
    9 February 2019 at 11:12 am

    Some Eco Maori Music for the minute.

  25. Eco Maori 25
    9 February 2019 at 12:18 pm

    Some Eco Maori Music for the minute

  26. Eco Maori 26
    9 February 2019 at 6:42 pm

    Kia ora Newshub most of the World glaciers are losing Ice faster than scientist predicted.
    Its cool that LGBT Community still has alot of Tau toko support after all the fuss made by some people Ka pai.
    Condolences to Albert Finneys whanau I have watched a few of the movies he acted in.
    Its not looking good for the people and there stock in an around Townsville Queensland Australia.
    There are to many Actors playing games with Venezuela all for there oil they are causing Alot of harm to the tamariki children and the people all for greedy billionaire. Ka kite ano YEA RIGHT can’t touch this

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    TL;DR: In news breaking this morning:The Ministry of Education is cutting $2 billion from its school building programme so the National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government has enough money to deliver tax cuts; The Government has quietly lowered its child poverty reduction targets to make them easier to achieve;Te Whatu Ora-Health NZ’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Weekly Roundup 26-July-2024

    Kia ora. These are some stories that caught our eye this week – as always, feel free to share yours in the comments. Our header image this week (via Eke Panuku) shows the planned upgrade for the Karanga Plaza Tidal Swimming Steps. The week in Greater Auckland On ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 day ago
  • God what a relief

    1. What's not to love about the way the Harris campaign is turning things around?a. Nothingb. Love all of itc. God what a reliefd. Not that it will be by any means easye. All of the above 2. Documents released by the Ministry of Health show Associate Health Minister Casey ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • Trust In Me

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Thursday, July 25 are:News: Why Electric Kiwi is closing to new customers - and why it matters RNZ’s Susan EdmundsScoop: Government drops ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Possum: Demon or Friend?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:40 am on Wednesday, July 24 are:Deep Dive: Chipping away at the housing crisis, including my comments RNZ/Newsroom’s The DetailNews: Government softens on asset sales, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • LXR Takaanini

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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