Open mike 09/02/2024

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, February 9th, 2024 - 89 comments
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Open mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

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

Step up to the mike …

89 comments on “Open mike 09/02/2024 ”

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  1. Patricia Bremner 1
    9 February 2024 at 7:29 am

    So already the cuts have begun to bite. 100 classrooms on hold, with rising immigration actively worsening things.

    Reports by the Education Minister that she is consulting is interesting. Who with ?you may ask, as Principals say they do not know what the new priorities are, and they have had no formal or face to face contact. Just a list of "On hold" since the election.

    Everyone knows from media statements 3 hours for 3 rs,

    7.5 cuts to budgets, which plus inflation is really huge. (This is capital expenditure which is not included!!) So children miss out again.

    So we are in a freeze.????

    • Muttonbird 1.1
      9 February 2024 at 7:55 am

      It makes sense when you remember the National Party was formed to stop the Labour Party doing anything. They consider 'on hold' to be fulfilling that promise.

    • Ad 1.2
      9 February 2024 at 11:30 am

      It's just the start. And it's serious.

      Mayor Wayne Brown on RNZ this morning recognised how many projects will just be stopped. Even something as big as Eastern Busway, or the new CRL trains. That was one small tax adjustment.

      Brown is forecasting the point for all other mayors: local government should be able to set the priorities for the locals who vote for them. Not Wellington.

      March has more pre-announcements going through every other Department: Health, Education, Welfare, Transport, Kainga Ora, Conservation, SSC, DPMC, Crown Law, DIA, MBIE, MfE, MoT, Maori Affairs, and all the minor quangoes like HRC. Queue groaning.

      Which state entities can defend their forecasts? I'm betting the ones that come out well: Corrections, Police, NZDF, SIS, Treasury.

      March leads to May Budget.

      With those cuts Willis gets to deliver tax cuts. As she and Luxon promised.

      • adam 1.2.1
        9 February 2024 at 4:53 pm

        Tory economic shitfuckary at it's finest.

        • Macro 1.2.1.1
          9 February 2024 at 5:07 pm

          It's TINA time again and I don't mean Tina from Turners.

          Of course there are alternatives, but not in the small minds of Tory s*bs who can't see beyond their wallet.

          • adam 1.2.1.1.1
            9 February 2024 at 5:12 pm

            As always, its the inability of Tory economics to get off it's knees from corporate blowing and jerking which is the real problem.

  2. Muttonbird 2
    9 February 2024 at 7:53 am

    Tova O'Brien makes the point I made yesterday 🙂 that Seymour is undermining Luxon by calling him nervous and a liar. I can't remember this happening before.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/350173342/pm-may-want-get-his-elbows-out-over-treaty-principles-bill

    And, is anyone able to tell us what is this paywalled article?

    Luxon really needs to lance the boil that is David Seymour. Very high risk letting the situation continue.

      • Muttonbird 2.1.1
        9 February 2024 at 8:53 am

        Thanks, Hooten is rightly terrified of Seymour having the time and space to spend the huge amounts of shadowy far right wing funding on manipulating public opinion.

    • Kat 2.2
      9 February 2024 at 8:29 am

      Basically its Hooton being his usual Machiavellian self by attacking Seymour's Treaty Bill while making what seem reasonable suggestions. However on closer scrutiny they are anything but. This gem of an article is about Paul Goldsmith apologising and settling outstanding Ngati Hine grievances by putting a wedge between them and Ngapuhi. Just the sort of Maori vs Maori turmoil he would enjoy setting up.

      My view is if National really want to shut Seymour up they need to back Goldsmith in Epson. As we all know Seymour is only where he is due to the National Party's gerrymandering.

      • Rodel 2.2.1
        9 February 2024 at 8:56 am

        Gerrymandering yes but in the words of a famous (ior infamous )ex president, Epsom is always a rgged election .

      • Belladonna 2.2.2
        9 February 2024 at 1:11 pm

        Gerrymandering is manipulating electorate boundaries to favour a particular political party.

        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerrymandering

        I don't think that there is any evidence of this going on here, and no evidence of the Representation Commission (the organization which sets the electorate boundaries) being influenced by any political party.

        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand_electorates#Distribution

        If you do have evidence of this occurring, then please share it.

        If you mean that Seymour is using MMP to increase ACT representation in parliament – by gaining a higher individual vote in Epsom than the ACT party vote – and that this is reprehensible; then you would have to condemn virtually every TPM MP for doing the same thing – I think in every Maori electorate the party vote was higher for Labour than it was for TPM.

        • Muttonbird 2.2.2.1
          9 February 2024 at 1:25 pm

          No, the equivalent would be Labour and TPM entering an agreement where Labour deliberately throws Maori seats by encouraging voters to vote for TPM candidate.

          Perhaps you have evidence of this happening in the last election?

          • Belladonna 2.2.2.1.1
            9 February 2024 at 1:40 pm

            Regardless of whether you agree with the practice or not – it is not gerrymandering.

            • Muttonbird 2.2.2.1.1.1
              9 February 2024 at 1:58 pm

              Sure, but your comparison was false. Likely deliberately in an effort to water down the unscrupulous National/ACT arrangement in Epsom.

              • Belladonna …
                9 February 2024 at 2:05 pm

                Is it worse for political parties to openly signal to their (potential) voters? Or for there to just be a nudge and a wink?

                Tactical voting is part and parcel of MMP.

                • Muttonbird …
                  9 February 2024 at 2:34 pm

                  Difference being there's collusion between National and ACT in Epsom, but none in the Maori electorates between Labour and TPM which is what you implied with the comparison.

                  Like I said, a good way to dilute the mischievousness in Epsom is to claim both sides do it, even if that is untrue.

                • bwaghorn …
                  9 February 2024 at 7:06 pm

                  Tactical voting is part and parcel of MMP.

                  To point , but it's only national that have poisoned mmp by keeping act alive ,

                  • Belladonna …
                    10 February 2024 at 9:51 am

                    And I'm quite sure that the same could be said by the Right – over (for example) Jim Anderton.

                    ATM – and for the last couple of elections – ACT have not needed the 'Epsom accommodation' – since their party vote is perfectly sufficient to get them over the 5% threshold.

        • adam 2.2.2.2
          9 February 2024 at 5:08 pm

          Bugger me Belladonna.

          You get Te Pāti Māori are the smartest voters in the country, we be doing polling, we understand overhang. You and others talked about it enough. Oh and Maori know what a deal means, honour, and playing the hand that has been dealt. Te Pāti Māori don't need to beg like some serf.

          We don't need dirty deals, we have an open honest one. Old too, 11 years till hundred years in parlimentary terms with the election of Eruera and Tokouru.

          • Macro 2.2.2.2.1
            9 February 2024 at 5:15 pm

            Yep very clever voting in the Māori electorates and good on them.

          • Belladonna 2.2.2.2.2
            10 February 2024 at 9:56 am

            So tactical voting by Left voters for TPM and Green electorate candidates is fine; but tactical voting by the Right for ACT candidates is morally wrong?

            Tactical voting is the way MMP works. You can't, honestly, decry it on the right, but celebrate it on the left.

            Sooooo not interested in your offer!

            • adam 2.2.2.2.2.1
              11 February 2024 at 6:27 pm

              Straw man – argument on your part.

              No deal was made by Te Pāti Māori for seats. Unlike act and the prime member of the collective of corporate cock suckers. (CCCS)

              The moral question you raise is interesting – should parties gift other parties seats like the prime CCCS has done to act (a minor member of CCCS)?

              Nothing wrong with smart voting, just seat fixing is the moral questionable. Indeed it is a cheapening of democracy, but the right have no problem with that concept, and throw out all sorts of useful idiots to spread it's BS around it.

      • Cricklewood 2.2.3
        9 February 2024 at 5:17 pm

        Previously yes, but he's actually a very active and effective elecorate mp so I doubt a Nat candidate would get near him even with say Luxon's endorsement.

        • Belladonna 2.2.3.1
          10 February 2024 at 9:59 am

          Also Brooke Van Velden took the Tamaki electorate, in the teeth of fierce National opposition – no cup of tea there. ACT (little though you may like them) are currently pulling a substantial percentage of the vote in NZ.

    • Robert Guyton 2.3
      9 February 2024 at 8:46 am

      Has Seymour ever expressed a liking for playing chess?

      He has a series of moves available to him that threaten Luxon with, or hold him in check.

      He can crash Luxon's Government at any point and can block National from getting back in should they seek to regain their position.

      While his One Big Mission would go on hold, much of the groundwork has already been done; other branches of the Movement can continue with manipulating the public mind over the role of Māori and the hold they have on resources.

      He's backing himself and playing hardball (as well as chess) imo.

      • Muttonbird 2.3.1
        9 February 2024 at 9:00 am

        At one point I had assumed Seymour would not allow himself too be seen as a trouble maker in government, rather wanting to be a serious, dependable player.

        But now I don't think he cares, his ideological mission to dilute and disperse Te ao Māori too important to him and his backers, to the point of obsession.

    • Bearded Git 2.4
      9 February 2024 at 9:49 am

      Hooton makes some good points in his article today (paywalled) here:

      "Seymour’s bill and “information” campaign will cause ill-informed division and unnecessary angst, before being voted down 112-11 by Parliament. It will then be for Goldsmith, in both his major portfolios, to bring common sense and integrity to heal those wounds. As Justice Minister, he could pick up Prebble’s idea and strengthen everyone’s equal rights of citizenship without undermining anyone’s differing exclusive rights, including to property and other treasures. As Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations, it turns to Goldsmith to succeed …. in settling the historic claims of the northern tribes of Ngāpuhi. Historic settlements don’t extinguish the Crown’s contemporary Treaty obligations but they help iwi put their fury behind them and focus on the economic and social development of their people, in partnership with or independently of the state. Nothing would do more to restore a harmonious relationship between the Crown and northern iwi, while boosting Northland’s struggling economy."

      It is interesting that Hooton has little time for Seymour.

  3. Tiger Mountain 3
    9 February 2024 at 8:55 am

    Act’s Mr Seymour tries to distance himself from Atlas Network. Check out page 7 of the 2008 Atlas Review, Mr Seymour is pictured with some then Atlas leading lights and prospects during his Canadian stint.

    https://admin.atlasnetwork.org/assets/documents/financials/22209874-Atlas-Year-in-Review-2008_1.pdf

    This should be spread far and wide. The association is provable not conspiracy. Act are attacking Te Tiriti not just for “Māori bashing” purposes, but to assist international capital to exploit NZ resources.

    • Muttonbird 3.1
      9 February 2024 at 9:03 am

      Even Gosman, [deleted] saw the problems of being associated with Atlas. Tried very hard to claim there is no such connection.

      [I’ve never heard that about Gosman before and I have no way of checking. Please don’t try and break pseudonyms. I protect them on principle, that includes RW trolls, and you. – weka]

      • Tiger Mountain 3.1.1
        9 February 2024 at 9:21 am

        From the document I linked to @ #3…

        “Graduates of the 2008 Atlas MBA for Think Tanks

        Kwadwo Afari (Citizens Network for Democracy and Economic Development, Ghana)

        Khalil Ahmad (Alternate Solutions Institute, Pakistan) Judith Auma (Inter Region Economic Network, Uganda) Matt Bufton (Institute for Liberal Studies, Canada) Brad Bergh (Caesar Rodney Institute, U.S.A.) Rosamaria Bitetti (Istituto Bruno Leoni, Italy)

        Amit Chandra (Centre for Civil Society, India)
        Alphonse Crespo (Medicine & Liberty, Switzerland)
        D. Dhanuraj (Centre for Public Policy Research, India)
        Rand Getlin (Prometheus Institute, U.S.A.)
        Matt Harrison (Prometheus Institute, U.S.A.)
        Tabriz Jabbarov (Free Minds Association, Azerbaijan)
        Biljana Janeva (OHRID Institute, Macedonia)
        Thomas David Maqway (Center for Prosperity and Economic

        Liberty, Tanzania)
        Arpita Nepal Samriddhi (The Prosperity Foundation, Nepal) Mpumelelo (Lelo) Nxumalo (Committee for the Economic

        Development of Zimbabwe)
        Javier Paz (Fundación Nueva Democracia, Bolivia)
        Omar Shaban Ismail (PalThink for Strategic Studies, Palestine) Jim Shaffer (Public Policy Foundation of West Virginia, U.S.A.) Fernando Staffieri (Fundación Libertad, Argentina)
        David Seymour (Frontier Centre for Public Policy, Canada) Corin Taylor (TaxPayers Alliance, U.K.)
        Sugey Tola (Ecuadorian Institute of Political Economy, Ecuador) Marcin Wegierski (Project Lodz Foundation, Poland) Randolph Williams (Centre for Policy Initiatives, Guyana) Batbold Zagdragchaa (New Policy Institute, Mongolia)”

      • weka 3.1.2
        9 February 2024 at 12:08 pm

        mod note.

    • Ad 3.2
      9 February 2024 at 11:33 am

      Stop worrying about ACT. They are already out-manoeuvered.

      Not even the Greens had their core legislation strangled at birth.

      • Muttonbird 3.2.1
        9 February 2024 at 6:26 pm

        Seems naive. The longer it goes on the more difficult it is to shut down.

        If it's true Luxon is sniffing the wind on public opinion and he made the call to now be unequivocal, that decision must have been aided by the mahi done at Waitangi.

        Quite why he'd hand over operations to David Seymour is baffling. Even more difficult now for Luxton to control the narrative.

        Still, making Rimmer associate justice minister only to then strip him of it would be profound. He might have to do that.

      • bwaghorn 3.2.2
        9 February 2024 at 7:11 pm

        Act where point fuck all of a % a few years back, don't take them lightly, especially with a weak as f pm who's only goal is to be pm.

        • Muttonbird 3.2.2.1
          9 February 2024 at 7:21 pm

          Just 6 years ago in 2017 ACT got 0.5% of the party vote.

          There many reasons for the resurgence to 8% in 2023 but the most important was the collapse of the National Party in 2020.

  4. Robert Guyton 4
    9 February 2024 at 10:04 am

    Nick Rockel reckons:

    "That’s the ugly truth. ACT are happy to have this debate even if it goes nowhere. Although I’m sure they still believe that the money, which is no doubt behind this, will speak loudly when the time comes.

    It’s hard not to draw the conclusion from this that Seymour has played Luxon, and that he has won."

    https://nickrockel.substack.com/p/little-by-little

    "

  5. Anne 5
    9 February 2024 at 10:25 am

    This Herald article is somewhat concerning:

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/police-commissioner-andrew-coster-and-police-minister-mark-mitchell-texts-reveal-insight-into-relationship/ZCCH2R5YKNEUNCCBWNHNEOMSHQ/

    Police minister Mitchell and Commissioner Coster seem to have a matey relationship – sufficiently so to be passing text messages about operational matters and warnings of… who might be waiting somewhere to get an impromptu interview with the minister.

    Did Coster have such a relationship with the previous government minsters? I doubt it. It smacks of a form of political nepotism and a potential lack of impartiality when dealing with certain sections of society.

    Bearing in mind Mark Mitchell is known to be a bully boy, this situation does not auger well for fair and impartial policing practices.

    • weka 5.1
      9 February 2024 at 10:45 am

      Nash overstepped the bounds as Police Minister by contacting Coster, and subsequently lost his job after two more similar issues (not to do with Coster).

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_Nash#2023_ministerial_indiscretions_and_resignation

      Imo the Police Commissioner should not be texting the Police Minister at all. The message from Coster telling Mitchel about talking to a journalist should have been a formal email not a causal text. We have a degree of separation between police and government for good reasons, and part of that is how the appearance of separation.

      • Anne 5.1.1
        9 February 2024 at 11:10 am

        "We have a degree of separation between police and government for good reasons,…"

        Precisely.

        Not wishing to appear to be defending Coster, but Mitchell is not past placing the relationship on a more 'intimate' level to ensure he has control of everything that is occurring regardless of whether it falls under his jurisdiction or not.

    • Tiger Mountain 5.2
      9 February 2024 at 10:45 am

      Well if nothing else it certainly reveals “Andy” is a bit of a crawler. It should not be assumed any top cop is a liberal–NZ Police culture is still by and large macho, violent, misogynist, racist and holds long lasting grudges. Modern cops sometimes put some trendy spin on their activities but I predict policing will be more heavy duty and targeting the bottom 50% under this Govt.

      A peaceful Palestine solidarity action at Lyttleton was subjected to police violence and elderly people pepper sprayed even after they had moved off a roadway onto the footpath, veteran activist 70 year old John Minto coming in for particular attention and a nasty bashing by gum chewing arrogant coppers.

      The sworn police unspoken but primary task is to maintain capitalist property relations. It is why the plods turn up to a union picket in 10 minutes after an employer phone call, and may…get around to investigating your car break in.

      Coster can not be trusted, was always suspicious why the Groundswell occupation of Parliament was not evicted on day one. Coster’s job is safe if he implements Mitchell’s bully boy agenda.

      • weka 5.2.1
        9 February 2024 at 10:47 am

        Coster can not be trusted, was always suspicious why the climate action occupation of Parliament was not evicted on day one. Coster’s job is safe if he implements Mitchell’s bully boy agenda.

        How does that read?

        or this one,

        Coster can not be trusted, was always suspicious why the tangata whenua occupation of Parliament was not evicted on day one. Coster’s job is safe if he implements Mitchell’s bully boy agenda.

        • Tiger Mountain 5.2.1.1
          9 February 2024 at 11:29 am

          Is that your version of a thought experiment weka?

          It may surprise you to know that I think Parliament grounds and surrounds should be free of long term occupations by any group.

          • weka 5.2.1.1.1
            9 February 2024 at 12:08 pm

            Protest is a legitimate part of democracy. We shouldn't be asking for permission. The freedom protests fucked that up, I don't know if Coster made that worse or less worse.

            • weka 5.2.1.1.1.1
              9 February 2024 at 12:10 pm

              to clarify that a bit, the UK and Australia have both brought in legislation that undermines right to protest and thus democracy. In that sense Coster did right, but the fallout may mean we end up with such reactionary legislation. It would be good if the left didn't buy into that.

              • gsays …
                9 February 2024 at 12:50 pm

                In a related tangent, it is my understanding, after talking to a senior police official, that Coster was called into a meeting with 3 senior politicians. This was the early days of the Wellies parliament occupation.

                Police orders at around 6pm was that the steps of the Beehive were the line no-one was to cross. At around 10pm (after said meeting) the orders were changed and that was when the first, clumsy attempt to clear the grounds was made.

                Political interference, like being influenced by lobbyists, isn't just a National thing.

                • weka …
                  9 February 2024 at 1:16 pm

                  quite agree that political interference isn't just a Nat thing. Reference also Nash, which makes me think it's an authoritarian thing instead (political compass).

                  It's on my list to go back and look at the protest and what happened and write about it. Might talk to you when I get going on that, if that's ok, pick your brains.

      • Anne 5.2.2
        9 February 2024 at 11:39 am

        Interesting about the Palestine action at Lyttleton.

        There was a recent Sunday gathering of around 200 protesters who marched to the Devonport Naval Base. I happened to drive past the local reserve where they were assembling. There were police officers everywhere – including van loads of them tucked around corners. Not knowing what was going on, I slowed down to have a good look at the protesters' banners. Next minute a posse of police officers appeared close by watching me intently as if they suspected I was about to commit a violent act. We're talking about an elderly woman here. I sped off in astonishment.

        • Tiger Mountain 5.2.2.1
          9 February 2024 at 12:06 pm

          It seems like “orders from the top” re policing the Palestinian solidarity actions.

          I guess ports are regarded as strategic assets not to be interfered with by the likes of ordinary people trying to stop the Israeli butchers.

          • Belladonna 5.2.2.1.1
            9 February 2024 at 1:52 pm

            Don't know about ports in general – but a naval base is another matter. Unsurprising that there was elevated security with a protest specifically directed towards them.

        • Michael P 5.2.2.2
          9 February 2024 at 2:41 pm

          "…police officers appeared close by watching me intently as if they suspected I was about to commit a violent act. "

          What did you expect them to do ignore you completely?

          If a van slows down close to a group of protesters especially when the issue at hand is so highly emotional and violent then of course the police (if they are doing their job) are going to scrutinize it closely.

          • Anne 5.2.2.2.1
            9 February 2024 at 5:46 pm

            Oh dear:

            1) The march hadn't started so there was no "highly emotional" activity.

            2) There was no violence before, during or after the event according to media reports.

            3) There were plenty of passing motorists although not as I passed the scene.

            4) There was no van in sight – apart from police vans around the corner.

            5) It was a small Toyota Yaris.

            6) The driver was a harmless, short-sighted elderly lady [with special medium vision glasses] peering at the scene and wondering what it was about.

            7) Methinks the cops in question were going about their business with just a tad too much enthusiasm.

            8) Finally, I saw it as an amusing moment, but it would seem your soh needs a seriously good polish old chap.

            Edit: And the venue was one 1 km away from the Naval Base.

            • Michael P 5.2.2.2.1.1
              9 February 2024 at 11:00 pm

              Sorry not sure why I said van must have been stuck in my head from the police vans you mentioned.

              In regards to 1) and 2) I meant the Israel / Palestine issue as a whole, not the particular event involved here. Police have been told to be extra vigilant in regard to any activities associated with current events in the Middle East and for good reason,

              3) Yes but were they slowing down to have a good look as you were?

              6) The police didn't know that.

              8) You may have had an amusing moment but for the police, never amusing and always incredibly stressful.

              But at the end of the day, they could have just been glaring at you for rubber necking.

              • Anne …
                10 February 2024 at 10:38 am

                The police were under no stress whatsoever at that point. All was peaceful and there was no shouting. If it wasn't for the flags etc. one would have thought it was a social function around the band-stand – a popular place for festivities.

                I'm sure some of the cars did slow down for the same reason and would have got similar treatment.

                A different story once they started marching and chanting of course, and when they came close to the Naval Base entrance, one would expect the police to be very much on the alert to any possible infringements. As far as I know there were none.

                Accept it was nothing more than a slightly amusing interlude in response to TM’s comment re- another protest march. You were not there. I was.

      • Ad 5.2.3
        9 February 2024 at 12:19 pm

        You're not going to get in control of gang crime with a Beta.

    • Ad 5.3
      9 February 2024 at 12:17 pm

      Coster's term finishes in April 2025. That’s his maximum.

      To survive even to April Coster has to get gun crime and gang crime trending down fast.

      Unfortunately Coster is on record saying gun crime will stay high for years.

      https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/494168/escalated-gun-crime-expected-to-remain-a-problem-for-years-police

      Put a fork in him – he's done.

      • alwyn 5.3.1
        9 February 2024 at 2:46 pm

        "That’s his maximum."

        Are you sure about that? The maximum term a Commissioner can be appointed for is five years but, unless they have changed the laws in the last few years there is nothing to stop them being appointed for a second term.

        Coster's predecessor, Mike Bush was first appointed to a term that ran for 3 years from April 2014 until 2017. He was then reappointed for a second term of three years that finished in April 2020. He served for 6 years.

        As far as I know there is no reason to prevent Coster being offered another, or even several more, term(s).

        https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Bush

  6. Kat 6
    9 February 2024 at 11:05 am

    "Mitchell has reset the relationship with Coster but there are still a Cabinet minister or two who refer to him as "Cuddles Coster" – an insinuation he's soft on crime………."

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2023/12/police-minister-mark-mitchell-thinks-commissioner-andrew-coster-has-potential-to-be-good-leader.html

  7. bwaghorn 7
    9 February 2024 at 4:36 pm

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/508763/minister-of-education-erica-stanford-promises-plan-to-build-more-cost-effective-classrooms

    Canceled class rooms now and more bullshit from the nats,

    Roofs falling on kids and rain getting in, only in poor people areas I expect.

    • Muttonbird 7.1
      9 February 2024 at 6:19 pm

      Incredible. Two months in and we are already at the stage of, 'your children's classrooms are too luxurious'.

      • bwaghorn 7.1.1
        9 February 2024 at 7:12 pm

        Not their children's though I bet,

        Want to change aotearoa for good?

        Ban private schools and health insurance!

        • Belladonna 7.1.1.1
          10 February 2024 at 11:09 am

          Ha! All that will happen is an increased influx into the 'desirable' areas with 'good' schools – pushing house prices even higher. 'Double Grammar zone' will be even more unaffordable.

          And a substantial increase in health tourism.

          • Drowsy M. Kram 7.1.1.1.1
            10 February 2024 at 1:00 pm

            "Three great forces rule the world: stupidity, fear and greed." – Einstein

            'Double Grammar zone' will be even more unaffordable.

            Not unaffordable to all Kiwis, clearly, given your projected "increased influx".

            Despite divisive distractions, even the most one-eyed will be hard-pressed to ignore rhe corrosive effects of wealth inequality on societal resilience over the next few years, although adopting a 'head in the sand' strategy might just do it.

            Sad really, because when the overshoot chickens come home to roost, money will mean bugger all – still, make hay while the sun shines.

            Human ‘behavioural crisis’ at root of climate breakdown, say scientists [13 Jan 2024]

            “Is it ethical to exploit our psychology to benefit an economic system destroying the planet?” asks Barnard. “Creativity and innovation are driving overconsumption. The system is driving us to suicide. It’s conquest, entitlement, misogyny, arrogance and it comes in a fetid package driving us to the abyss.”

            The team is adamant that solutions that do not tackle the underlying drivers of our growth-based economies will only exacerbate the overshoot crisis.

            “Everything we know and love is at stake,” says Barnard. “A habitable planet and a peaceful civilisation both have value, and we need to be conscious about using tools in ethical and justice-based ways. This is not just about humanity. This is about every other species on this planet. This is about the future generations.”

            “I do get frustrated that people sit in paralysis thinking, what do I do? Or what must we do? There are moral hazards everywhere. We have to choose how to intervene to keep us working on a path forward as humanity, because everything right now is set up to strip us of our humanity.”

            World scientists’ warning: The behavioural crisis driving ecological overshoot>/strong>

            ‘The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of’.
            – Edward Bernays, Propaganda, 1928

  8. gsays 8
    9 February 2024 at 5:05 pm

    You gotta love the naivety of some people.

    After a years long investigation, a pimp gets 10 months home d. for exploiting 15 Brazillian women migrants.

    The "national manager of immigration investigations, ” hoped the sentence would be a deterrent.

    This chap, Michael Sloan, can carry on his parasite ways while still wearing his ankle bracelet.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350174437/kiwi-man-sentenced-role-illegal-international-sex-worker-operation

    Edit: I thought, originally, home d. was for crimes that didn’t occur in the home.

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Recent Posts

  • Bernard’s Saturday Soliloquy for the week to July 27

    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: My top six things to note around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the week to July 27 were:1. The Minister for Ford Rangers strikes againTransport Minister Simeon Brown was again the busiest of the Cabinet ministers this week, announcing an ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 hour ago
  • Ticket To Anywhere

    You got a fast carAnd I want a ticket to anywhereMaybe we make a dealMaybe together we can get somewhereAny place is betterYesterday’s newsletter, Trust In Me, on the report of abuse in state care, and by religious organisations, between 1950 and 2019, coupled with the hypocrisy of Christopher Luxon ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 hours ago
  • Stories of varying weight

    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on anything you may have missed. Share Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 hours ago
  • Balancing External Security and the Economy

    New Zealand is again having to reconcile conflicting pressures from its military and its trade interests. Should we join Pillar Two of AUKUS and risk compromising our markets in China? For a century after New Zealand was founded in 1840, its external security arrangements and external economics arrangements were aligned. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    19 hours ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: The unravelling of the offsets

    The ‘50 Shades of Green’ farmers’ protest in 2019 was heavy on climate change denial, but five years on, scepticism and criticism about the idea that pine forests can save us is growing across the board. File photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top six news items of note in climate ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • What makes us tick

    This morning the sky was bright.The birds, in their usual joyous bliss. Nature doesn’t seem to feel the heat of what might angst humans.Their calls are clear and beautiful.Just some random thoughts:MāoriPaul Goldsmith has announced his government will roll back the judiciary’s rulings on Māori Customary Marine Title, which recognises ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 day ago
  • Foreshore and seabed 2.0

    In 2003, the Court of Appeal delivered its decision in Ngati Apa v Attorney-General, ruling that Māori customary title over the foreshore and seabed had not been universally extinguished, and that the Māori Land Court could determine claims and confirm title if the facts supported it. This kicked off the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the Royal Commission report into abuse in care

    Earlier this week at Parliament, Labour leader Chris Hipkins was applauded for saying that the response to the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care had to be “bigger than politics.” True, but the fine words, apologies and “we hear you” messages will soon ring ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 26

    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
    19 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
    22 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
    22 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 ...
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  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

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  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

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  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

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    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

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  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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  • 'Pacific Futures'

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