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Open mike 10/06/2016

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, June 10th, 2016 - 135 comments
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135 comments on “Open mike 10/06/2016”

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  1. Paul 1
    10 June 2016 at 6:13 am

    Another day in John Key’s neo-liberal nightmare.
    We have become a cruel, greedy, uncaring and selfish nation under his wretched leadership.

    Homelessness.
    Our ‘brighter future’

    Some families already thousands in debt to WINZ for emergency motel housing remain in the same accommodation block, with their loans mounting.

    • AsleepWhileWalking 1.1
      10 June 2016 at 9:37 am

      The fact of the matter is that the debt is mounting and she continues to make a “choice” to stay in Auckland.

      • Naki man 1.1.1
        10 June 2016 at 11:05 am

        Debt is not a problem for her, the tax payers are picking up the tab and she will never pay it back.

        • save nz 1.1.1.1
          10 June 2016 at 11:57 am

          @Naki man – by that logic wouldn’t the National and ACT supporters be up in arms that $3000 p/w is being paid with tax payer money because of the governments stupidity on affordable housing?

          • Naki man 1.1.1.1.1
            10 June 2016 at 4:09 pm

            There is no government stupidity on affordable housing. Tax payers should not have to subsidize housing so poor people can live in the most expensive city in the country. Its not rocket science.

            • Pat 1.1.1.1.1.1
              10 June 2016 at 4:12 pm

              why not, tax payers have been subsidizing private landlords for years?

              • Naki man …
                10 June 2016 at 5:48 pm

                Tax payers subsidize the tenants not the landlords.

                • Pat …
                  10 June 2016 at 6:42 pm

                  bollocks…who receives the funds?

                • Adrian …
                  12 June 2016 at 3:01 pm

                  The government subsidize’s the landlord class, and with out these subsidize’s to the land lords, the housing market would collapse overnight…end of story.
                  And what a ridiculous thing to say, people shouldn’t live in Auckland, because of a housing bubble…what sort of mad dystopian logic is that?..do you really actually believe in that as a social policy?
                  What about the mentally disabled… move them out too? do you like that idea as well?
                  Shall we keep on expanding on your logic here shall we, I think we all know where it will take us, and pretty quickly too.

            • Colonial Viper 1.1.1.1.1.2
              10 June 2016 at 4:40 pm

              Why is the government running an economy which creates poor people?

              Why is the free market not coming to equilibrium in the Auckland housing market?

            • Ch-ch Chiquita 1.1.1.1.1.3
              10 June 2016 at 4:50 pm

              I do hope all the poor people living in Auckland will take your advise and move out, leaving their poorly paid jobs behind and move to the regions.

              I wonder who will be the first CEO to pick up the mop and clean the toilet.

        • Paul 1.1.1.2
          10 June 2016 at 4:38 pm

          Your views indicate an inability to show empathy.
          Are you psychopathic?

      • save nz 1.1.2
        10 June 2016 at 11:55 am

        How do you know AsleepWhileWalking?

        Maybe have some compassion. Her son has a physical disability and will need to be around specialist services for a start like hospitals. Also people have community support networks so they are reluctant to leave them in the face of a cruel and stupid government WINZ ideas. (such as paying nearly $3000 p/w to house her and deduct $27 p/w from her benefit to pay it back).

    • save nz 1.2
      10 June 2016 at 11:51 am

      @Paul – thanks another great link.

  2. Paul 2
    10 June 2016 at 6:15 am

    Another day in John Key’s neo-liberal nightmare.
    We have become a cruel, greedy, uncaring and selfish nation under his wretched leadership.

    A cruel and uncaring company.
    Its leader has been knighted. For what?
    Talley’s fined $73,520 over crewman’s decapitation

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/business/306007/talley's-fined-$73,520-over-crewman's-decapitation

    • vto 2.1
      10 June 2016 at 7:36 am

      Reading between the lines, this Talley’s killing has the exact same hallmarks as the drowning of Nick Ecklund on the Grey River bar in 2013 http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8561516/Fisherman-told-crossing-was-safe-father

      Both cases involve Talley’s demanding that a worker’s concerns over safety be overridden for money reasons – in Greymouth to get the (full of fish) boat in – and in the current one to get the (full of fish) net in.

      In both cases you can see that the local “boss” was adamant that the fish must come in, and the safety concerns put to one side.

      In both cases the Talley’s “culture” has ended up killing innocent men.

      The similarities are striking

      The Talleys continue to bolster their reputation as the nastiest most disgusting pigs (apologies to pigs) of people in New Zealand.

      • Paul 2.1.1
        10 June 2016 at 7:41 am

        Are pigs psychopaths ?

        • vto 2.1.1.1
          10 June 2016 at 7:46 am

          No, it is completely the wrong description. In fact, they are below the animal kingdom, and well below the required human kingdom.

          They are not on a par with any living organism

          Dirt is what they are, dirt

          • Robert Guyton 2.1.1.1.1
            10 June 2016 at 9:28 am

            Not wanting to diminish the issue, but… If you are looking for something to represent the lowest state, dirt ain’t it.
            Soil’s astonishingly alive with organisms that our very existence relies upon. It’s gorgeous, vital stuff, and we should speak highly of it, to give dirt its dues.
            My neighbour used a different phrase to describe those he considered despicable and when he made reference to a snake’s cloaca and the lowly position that occupied.

            • vto 2.1.1.1.1.1
              10 June 2016 at 9:45 am

              lol, that’s the one – a snake’s arse

              • Robert Guyton …
                10 June 2016 at 9:54 am

                Even pond scum is worthy of admiration, when it consists living organisms going about their business. I find “orcs” to be a suitable title for those who desecrate and needlessly waste.

                • Puckish Rogue …
                  10 June 2016 at 11:51 am

                  That’s Orcist, its not their fault they were twisted by terrible and dark magics.

                  • Robert Guyton …
                    10 June 2016 at 12:03 pm

                    Choice, Puckish, they trumpet choice and can hardly claim to be victims of some dark father figure, can they. Greed and power seem to be their raisons d’être – dark, Satanic mills and all that.

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      10 June 2016 at 12:45 pm

                      I didn’t think you’d be the type to fall for the writings of the noted propagandist JRR Tolkien

                      Orcs are a peaceful, loving, family based people who only fight to defend their lands and way of life against the encroaching humans

                      Orc power!

                  • Stuart Munro …
                    10 June 2016 at 3:59 pm

                    And living in Orcland…

            • McFlock 2.1.1.1.1.2
              10 June 2016 at 1:24 pm

              Yeah, but snakes are just cruising along doing what they do.

              Cats. Cats are psychopaths. Not only that, but they manipulate people for their own ends.

              I recall one awesome comment about finding pet owners who had died at home – dogs guarded the body and would take several days before nibbling on their former owner. Cats barely wait until the next day’s alarm goes off, lol.

              • Robert Guyton …
                10 June 2016 at 1:43 pm

                “Their lands”
                They’re expansionist war-mongers. Genetically-engineered too. Didn’t end well for them.

                Ent power!

                • Puckish Rogue …
                  10 June 2016 at 2:01 pm

                  Ents are like Pandas, evolutionarily weak links that should be allowed to go extinct

                  We have a duty of care for the orcs as we’re responsible for them

                  • Robert Guyton …
                    10 June 2016 at 2:24 pm

                    “Allowed to go extinct”
                    You think you have any influence at all over ents?
                    You’re a fantasist.
                    You may feel obliged to care for your orcs, feeling as you do, responsible for them, but I don’t. It’s them or us and they’ve been far too long at the wheel.

                  • Paul …
                    10 June 2016 at 4:40 pm

                    Please come out and state you abhor the governments cruel housing policies. Show you care about the vulnerable.

                    • Robert Guyton …
                      10 June 2016 at 5:27 pm

                      “We have become a cruel, greedy, uncaring and selfish nation”
                      Sections of the nation may have, Paul, but not all by any means. There’s huge dismay over the conditions faced by those of us who aren’t blessed with having a warm, safe home.

              • Robertina …
                11 June 2016 at 1:47 pm

                Tellingly, the writer of the first linked piece displays clear psychopathic tendency; a lack of empathy, lack of insight, and misogyny:
                ”….probably like many of the owners’ human relationships (there’s a reason spinsters end up with cats).”

                Labelling cats as psychopathic is projection and anthropomorphism.

                Nice piece on This Way Up today about a (male) cat owner who lost his pet in April and posted a $1000 reward for help.
                Of those who called trying to help, some made it clear they had no interest in the reward.
                While no closer to finding his beloved pet, he says his faith in human nature has been restored.

                • McFlock …
                  11 June 2016 at 3:19 pm

                  see?

                  Humans bend over backwards for cats. The cat probably wandered off to another home that served better cat food. 👿

    • M. Gray 2.2
      10 June 2016 at 1:10 pm

      He deserves his knighthood (Talleys) he fits the Nats criteria of being mean, nasty, selfish, uncaring and greedy.

      ps. I don’t buy Talleys anymore anD never will

  3. Paul 3
    10 June 2016 at 6:18 am

    Another day in John Key’s neo-liberal nightmare.
    We have become a cruel, greedy, uncaring and selfish nation under his wretched leadership.

    Debt fuelled by greed.

    ‘New Zealand has half a trillion dollars in debt.
    “We’ve almost got the perfect storm,” says veteran fund manager Brian Gaynor as he reels off the many reasons New Zealand house prices and debt levels are soaring to precipitous heights.
    There are many ingredients. But right now, New Zealand seems to have them all: not enough building, restrictions on development, surging migration, baby boomer savings, low interest rates and banks that are all too happy to lend for property investment.
    “When you get the perfect storm like we did in the 1980s with the sharemarket, you see things just go up and up. People start to believe they will never fall,” he says.
    “People didn’t believe the sharemarket would fall in the 80s. I’d come in from a trip to Australia and the guy at customs wouldn’t let me in unless I gave him sharemarket tips. It was just euphoria. Everyone was talking about the sharemarket. Now everyone is talking about the property market.”‘

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/personal-finance/news/article.cfm?c_id=12&objectid=11653661

  4. Gangnam Style 4
    10 June 2016 at 6:39 am

    Pretty much answers all of Averagevoters (or whatever he/she calls himself today) questions http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11653678

    They moved to AK because the dad lost his fishing job in South Island, got night shift work, dad had a bit of a breakdown, got in debt & kicked out of their house, HNZ got them a 2 bedroom house, dad lost his job because of hours & stress, been living in tents & van ever since. 7 people in a 2 bedroom house, FFS.

  5. jcuknz 5
    10 June 2016 at 8:14 am

    Gangnam … I do not know the age of the children so six living with parents in two bedroom house may not be quite, QUITE, as bad as it sounds.

    Neither do I know what kind of van and hopefully they didn’t have to sell the tent to buy it. So in times of stress a tent and van seems quite reasonable accomodation but it does depend on what tent and what van, along with what the motor camp charge in rent.,

    There is quite an income going to such a family from winz too. Sorry but I can see too many fishhooks in this story.

    • weka 5.1
      10 June 2016 at 9:14 am

      What do you mean by a tent and a van are reasonable accommodation? Did you read the bits about illness? Pretty sure they weren’t in a camp ground.

      • Gangnam Style 5.1.1
        10 June 2016 at 1:52 pm

        Oh fuck off jcuknz, seriously, can’t be arsed with a reasonable reply to your crap.

        • jcuknz 5.1.1.1
          11 June 2016 at 10:11 am

          unfortunately this family are suffering from the natural result of their own mis choices when ecconomic conditions changed. Plus I happened to read more info that the initial misleading sob story so many have been sucked in by.

          I see the problem as the result of bad choices led on by influences in society
          A fisherman with six children? Going to Auckland without sufficient funds to exist. One can admire somebody who looses their job and upsticks to where maybe there is work … but with six young children … I think that is govt led madness. Six children on an average wage sounds like mis direction by religion. Sorry I blame society for this family’s plight with all the norms it has imposed upon then.

          I will try and not reply to Gangnam whose can only swear at one with whom he disagrees. Hardly a sensible reply like so many discussions I read here on The Standard.

    • marty mars 5.2
      10 June 2016 at 9:38 am

      “So in times of stress a tent and van seems quite reasonable accomodation” with 6 children of any age ?

      You have got to be kidding me. Maybe if you are 20 and out there freedom camping around but not this situation, not even slightly. This is unreasonable accommodation, unreasonable stress. Have you ever LIVED in a van or a tent? I have and that was alone and it was tough let alone with kids and everything.

      Quite an income from WINZ? Jeeze are you for real?

      So your comment imo seems like a mix of right wing memes and judgments. Grow a heart will you.

    • AsleepWhileWalking 5.3
      10 June 2016 at 9:51 am

      Fishhooks? Like how paying rent at 60% + of your income is highly stressful and leads snowballing financial issues and social problems?

      • jcuknz 5.3.1
        11 June 2016 at 10:21 am

        I used to at one stage and I did something about it eventually.

        As a result and reading ‘Responsible Society’ I happen to have the extreme socialistic opinion that there should be a state house to meet the basic needs of everybody who wants it and those who want more should if they can afford it go private. From singles wishing to leave home to families like that we are discussing.

        But if common sense and honesty are ‘right wing memes’ then I am glad I have them whatever they are.

    • mauī 5.4
      10 June 2016 at 10:05 am

      When you were 17 would you want to be living with your 5 siblings in a van? The story is so bad its hard to think its actually real.

    • Draco T Bastard 5.5
      10 June 2016 at 12:10 pm

      That’s just psychopathic BS designed to abrogate any responsibility from you and place all the blame on the victims of capitalism.

      • jcuknz 5.5.1
        11 June 2016 at 4:10 pm

        I have for ever [almost] accepted that it is my responsibility to contribute to society/govt so that these folk can be helped… while others objected to overtime because of the extra tax they paid I accepted that each according to their income should contribute. When I was younger I knew nothing about the embrionic safety nets people enjoy today and I survived by good management, cutting my cloth to suit my income, and using contraceptives. survived despite some poor choices, so it is easy today for me to appear uncaring when I look for the missing info the MSM do not have in their sob stories.

        I was truely moved by AT’s story in the Campbell i/v and can think of things to help but it is hard from the other end of the country. Such as a 12volt solar panel to provide light for her to read and study by, elsewhere I suggested a gas cooker [ not a BBQ thing to live outside the van and be stolen but smaller like I have for emergency use.] to save on fast foods and for when the Marae runs out of money to cook for all of them.

        But then I am a DIYer, built family home and retirement cottage and many other things. so I am sad that so many folk are not and appear hopeless to help themselves.

        • Draco T Bastard 5.5.1.1
          11 June 2016 at 4:39 pm

          They are doing everything they can to help themselves. It’s society that has forced them into living in cars in straitened conditions.

          • jcuknz 5.5.1.1.1
            11 June 2016 at 5:19 pm

            You are both wrong and right respectively in your comments Draco.
            But there are practical ways as I suggested before which would help TA get on but as I have also mentioned when you are down even though you know you are making wrong choices you simply continue for the short term relief which they bring to your impossible situation,

    • Paul 5.6
      10 June 2016 at 4:35 pm

      Defending the indefensible.

    • Paul 5.7
      10 June 2016 at 4:42 pm

      You are defending the indefensible.

  6. Agora 6
    10 June 2016 at 8:32 am

    See Aotearoa before they sell it !

    • jcuknz 6.1
      10 June 2016 at 8:35 am

      Too late Agora … that happened two centuries ago. 🙂

      • mauī 6.1.1
        10 June 2016 at 9:27 am

        Yep, I think that started when the surveyors of the New Zealand Company first started drawing lines on a map. We still follow the lines today.

  7. Agora 7
    10 June 2016 at 8:52 am

    .. for a few trinkets. Plus ca change .. nothing changes. Buenvenidos to Puerto Rico … but this time the Conquistadores are different, shell companies from anonymous trusts and people who have history going back to the gold rush.

    Generally it ends badly for those who get in too late .. about now ?

  8. mauī 8
    10 June 2016 at 9:38 am

    Housing New Zealand, oops I mean a single Marae and a single motel owner show leadership on housing crisis. When can we vote these people in as a Government, they are doing the job 100 times better!
    http://i.stuff.co.nz/auckland/80885904/Auckland-motel-opens-doors-to-homeless-families-at-break-even-rates

  9. Agora 9
    10 June 2016 at 10:16 am

    “In much of what was called the Free World, governments and economies are in the throes of self-destruction. Before long we shall witness revolution in several of these countries”.

    https://www.sprottmoney.com/blog/predicting-the-efficacy-of-a-coming-revolution-jeff-thomas.html

    New Zealand is sitting on a half-a-trillion-dollar debt bomb and Kiwis are increasingly treating their houses like cash machines, piling on the debt as they watch the value of their properties soar.

    Reserve Bank figures show household debt, excluding investment property, has risen 23 per cent in the past five years to $163.4 billion. Incomes have risen only 11.5 per cent.

    Households are now carrying a debt level that is equivalent to 162 per cent of their annual disposable income – higher than the level reached before the global financial crisis.

    http://m.nzherald.co.nz/personal-finance/news/article.cfm?c_id=12&objectid=11651648

    • jcuknz 9.1
      11 June 2016 at 10:28 am

      More of the bad choices I wrote of earlier Agora … I am glad I have fully paid for home and only rates to concern me.
      Bad choices rampant throughout our society from a ‘do too little too late’ govt upwards.

  10. Bill 10
    10 June 2016 at 10:16 am

    Just a wee note to people who were waiting for the post I promised on what we can do to get NZ transport emissions to zero by 2030. I haven’t forgotten it or binned it. But this week has been a bit busier than anticipated, and I’m expecting a fair few posts on the potential of roaring flames accompanying the smoking downward spiral that looks suspiciously like NZs housing market.

  11. Bearded Git 11
    10 June 2016 at 11:09 am

    Poll of Polls showing Lab/Gr less than 5% behind Nats and the gap “closing” and “narrowing”. Love the way RNZ are reporting the Lab/Gr BLOCK versus Nats. It’s here:

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/201803965/latest-poll-of-poll-shows-national-still-leads-labour-greens

    • weka 11.1
      10 June 2016 at 2:22 pm

      Excellent.

      National 46%

      Labour 29%
      Greens 9%

      So what happens if at an election it is something like this?

      Nat 44%
      L/G 45%
      NZF 7%

      Who gets to form govt? Is is always the largest block that agrees to a coalition? RNZ appeared to be implying that L/G could go alone if they wanted to and their vote was higher than Nat.

      Edit, here’s the written report with charts,

      http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/306025/poll-of-polls-coalition-has-a-way-to-go

      • Puckish Rogue 11.1.1
        10 June 2016 at 2:45 pm

        Not really wanting to get into the whole “which way will Winston swing” he has always stated his preference is to go with the party with the largest vote so maybe the party with the largest vote could be replaced by the block with the largest vote

        • Expat 11.1.1.1
          10 June 2016 at 5:39 pm

          PR

          That’s the excuse Peters has used in the past to suit his needs, but that could change at any moment, so don’t be surprised.

      • Kiwiri 11.1.2
        10 June 2016 at 2:50 pm

        Securing support for confidence and supply is the main thang!

  12. SPC 12
    10 June 2016 at 2:09 pm

    Can one inherit tin ear?

    Brock father and son, and Key father and son (and the inbred KKK family home) indicate this does happen.

    Max Key says his holding a smoke was only as a prop. He claims that the same was done in film and TV when actors held smokes.

    The prop was designed to promote Max Key as a smoking hot celebrity, and a magazine using him/his social media profile to promote their magazine – whereas in the past celebrities were used to promote smoking. It was often a form of product placement (when the brand was identified) but also to brand the celebrity as smoking hot. I guess he failed to get Mad Men and the promotion and selling of smokes and that such product placement continues to this day.

    Given his father’s comments about the homeless and wider housing/taxation policy third termitis is rampant.

  13. Don't worry. Be happy 13
    10 June 2016 at 2:47 pm

    If one of my sons, at 21, was behaving like Max Key I would be very worried for his mental health.

  14. joe90 14
    10 June 2016 at 2:52 pm

    As expected.

    Annie Linskey Verified account
    ‏@AnnieLinskey

    Warren asked by @maddow if she thinks she is ready to be VP: “Yes. I do.

    Annie Linskey Verified account
    ‏@AnnieLinskey

    Warren says she’s backing Clinton because wants to “be sure that Donald Trump gets nowhere near the White House.”

  15. adam 15
    10 June 2016 at 3:01 pm

    To all the Hilary fans, your crowing is premature.

    Repeating blindly talking points and cheering a cheat does nothing for your reputation. When some of us go, look at her voting record you ignore us, or come back with some trite response.

    But you know faux liberals in the USA context are just about as low as you can get, and Hilary is that, a faux liberal. She is also a cheat.

    Oh and look – she got caught. It seems Bernie won.

    To the so called lefties, who jumped when the corporate media told you to. I’d stop and take a long hard look at yourself at this moment, and remember where you were when the cheat got caught.

    http://trustvote.org/

    • Puckish Rogue 15.1
      10 June 2016 at 3:42 pm

      If, and its a very big if, this comes to pass it would explain why Saunders hasn’t thrown in the towel just yet

      • adam 15.1.1
        10 June 2016 at 4:08 pm

        If it had been stoners in a garage, I would not have put it up.

        There is another person who is following the same road, a guy called Rocky de la fuente who you may like Puckish Rouge, as he is conservative democrat.

        It has been brewing for a while, mainly over exit polls and the fact the above guy has been getting so few votes, when he is actually know and liked within the Latino community.

    • dukeofurl 15.2
      10 June 2016 at 4:13 pm

      Absolutely no news from FBI that I can find (officially) that Clinton Foundation is under any investigation.

      So its just another rubbish line out of the GOP lies machine to catch out the stupid and the ignorant.

    • ianmac 15.3
      10 June 2016 at 5:12 pm

      Interesting Adam. My guess is that the Establishment cannot allow the Election fraud to surface let alone make it to Court. They will rationalise the issue as too damning for the reputation of the USA. Like having Financial institutions being too big to fail.
      This will cause mysterious loss of evidence and of key people. Or maybe extended timelines like a decade or two.
      Hang on in there Bernie.

    • Chooky 15.4
      10 June 2016 at 9:42 pm

      +100 Adam…i did suspect it could have been rigged..the right wing will stop at nothing

      …a lesson for the next Elections in NZ

  16. Puckish Rogue 16
    10 June 2016 at 3:53 pm

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=11654173

    Ok so I’m pro-vaccination so I don’t need to know the reasons why kids should be but theres some photos on how that made me take a short, sharp intake of breath

    Her baby was too young to be vaccinated…be warned its not pleasant

    • Colonial Viper 16.1
      10 June 2016 at 4:44 pm

      Not news. Could be advertising.

    • One Two 16.2
      10 June 2016 at 6:20 pm

      “ If you don’t vaccinate you’re an idiot

      By Vanessa Brown”

      Tipping point was breached some time ago, and all the emotive & abusive vitriol from dupes like Vanessa Brown can do nothing but speed up the outcome!

      Observe as the the truth plays out around world , as it already is

      No more than about 10 years and that industry, along with others built on fraud, are finished

  17. Paul 17
    10 June 2016 at 5:04 pm

    “All this homelessness stuff is turning the people off our Dear Leader. What can we do ?”
    “I know. let’s try to scare them.”

    http://insights.nzherald.co.nz/article/assaults-in-public-places

    • Gangnam Style 17.1
      11 June 2016 at 5:19 am

      Headline the other day “How do you know if your house has been used as a P-Lab”.

  18. Expat 18
    10 June 2016 at 5:54 pm

    Not a single comment on the reserve banks decision to not cut the cash rate, great, all those with a mortgage of $500k could be saving $150 a month, but instead, the banks profits will increase, fewer exports will leave NZ and there will be fewer jobs, but on the bright side, that new Mercedes won’t cost any more………………..

    • Colonial Viper 18.1
      10 June 2016 at 7:48 pm

      Not a single comment on the reserve banks decision to not cut the cash rate, great, all those with a mortgage of $500k could be saving $150 a month, but instead, the banks profits will increase,

      Seriously are you talking about. Explain to me how the NZRB cutting the cash rate does a single thing to reduce bank profits.

      The NZRB cutting the cash rate is an opportunity for banks to INCREASE their profits by not passing along the cut.

      I mean, WTF dude.

      • Expat 18.1.1
        10 June 2016 at 8:31 pm

        In a real country, Banks are forced to pass on the reductions, but maybe NZ does not fall into that category, I’ll be honest, if you don’t see the the benefits of a cash rate reduction, then there is no point in arguing with you, savings are already at the bottom of the heap, the best investment is in real estate, hence the high prices and speculation.

        The lower cash rate helps businesses, helps stop speculation on the dollar, gives exporters a competitive opportunity (produce and manufacturing) and increases employment opportunities, but, heck, I’m sure you’d prefer to be able to buy that new Mercedes, ay.

        Get yourself into the modern world and out of the conservative rout pushed by your mate English.

        • Colonial Viper 18.1.1.1
          10 June 2016 at 8:39 pm

          I’m afraid that your theories are all out of touch with reality.

          ZIRP is designed to help speculators and hurt savers and pensioners.

          Free money created by central banks flowing into Wall St and other financial assets have been used to widen wealth inequality in the world and has been an ingredient in skyrocketing Auckland house prices.

          Further, evidence from overseas shows that investment banks and retail banks will access this cheap money from central banks but will not lend it to small and medium businesses for real world capital investment, leading to banks hoarding huge sums of reserves.

          It seems that your financial perspective is one of the 0.1%.

          You’ve been found out.

          • Expat 18.1.1.1.1
            10 June 2016 at 9:01 pm

            We’re talking NZ, propping up the NZ dollar DOE’S not help ordinary Kiwi’s, it only helps speculators, I’m sure if ordinary Kiwi’s new that their mortgage would be reduced by a rate cut, then they would certainly support it, and all that money saved goes back into the local economy.
            Comparing what they might do in the US is considerably different from that in NZ, so your comparison is invalid, NZers are being ripped off with highest interest rates in the developed world, and you know that and still argue against it, all I can say is that living in a small SI town, not effected by the housing affordability problems, has effected your ability to recognise the real benefits of the global changes in interest rates.

            • Colonial Viper 18.1.1.1.1.1
              10 June 2016 at 9:13 pm

              If you were truly interested in lowering the value of the NZD you wouldn’t choose the near irrelevant mechanism of interest rates as the way to do it.

              You’d use a far more targetted tool.

              As I said, you’ve been found out.

            • Pat 18.1.1.1.1.2
              10 June 2016 at 9:21 pm

              have you considered WHY NZ has higher interest rates?

        • Pat 18.1.1.2
          10 June 2016 at 8:44 pm

          “The lower cash rate helps businesses, helps stop speculation on the dollar, gives exporters a competitive opportunity (produce and manufacturing) and increases employment opportunities, but, heck, I’m sure you’d prefer to be able to buy that new Mercedes, ay.”

          except the low interest rates and QE is not going into productive investment is it….its going into property and sharemarket bubbles….and that is the problem.

          there is no demand or appetite for risk.

          • Colonial Viper 18.1.1.2.1
            10 June 2016 at 9:20 pm

            Expat is trying to position dangerous financial policies which benefit the top 1% to 2% the most, as being generally good for the entire population. It’s an old trick.

            • Pat 18.1.1.2.1.1
              10 June 2016 at 9:24 pm

              the question is does he understand what he is proposing?…..if he has to explain why, his argument defeats itself

            • Expat 18.1.1.2.1.2
              10 June 2016 at 9:56 pm

              Your the one trying to trick everyone, the top 2% don’t benefit as much as the “ordinary” Kiwi, your argument to keep high rates does not, so your argument is invalid, FFS, you’ve got investors coming to NZ borrowing money at 1%, and getting a better return than any where else, only Kiwi’s are handicapped.

              It’s only people like you who want to buy that new Mercedes at low prices that share your view.

              Read my comment below on Wheeler, financial reviewers think he’s a joke.

              Considering you aim to be on the side of the left your acting like delegates from ACT party, rip off the general population for the sake of that new Mercedes.

          • Expat 18.1.1.2.2
            10 June 2016 at 9:23 pm

            Try govt regulation, but first you need a govt, your argument is what they all say, but the benefits to existing mortgage holders is far greater and REAL.

            • Pat 18.1.1.2.2.1
              10 June 2016 at 9:26 pm

              we have record low interest rates….how low do you need to go? negative perhaps?

              • Expat …
                10 June 2016 at 9:58 pm

                2.25% is the highest in the world, so 1.5% is not unreasonable and is competitive.

                • Pat …
                  10 June 2016 at 10:07 pm

                  and why are our interest rates higher than most in the OECD?
                  …clue , it has nothing to do with competitiveness.

                  • Expat …
                    10 June 2016 at 10:19 pm

                    It’s called manipulation of the “markets”, JK’s main policy.

                    You obviously don’t care about exporters, farmers debt, these things affect all of us.

                    • Pat …
                      10 June 2016 at 10:24 pm

                      no its called increased risk….we need to borrow from overseas because we don’t save enough AND we have had a negative trade imbalance forever…so we pay a premium,

                      I care an awful lot about farmers and exporters as when they go bust (as many are very concerned about currently) I do no business

            • Colonial Viper 18.1.1.2.2.2
              10 June 2016 at 9:33 pm

              Try govt regulation, but first you need a govt, your argument is what they all say, but the benefits to existing mortgage holders is far greater and REAL.

              You favour a policy which will accelerate property asset prices and fuck those who are trying to buy their first house.

              Again it is a policy which favours financial speculators and the highly leveraged, and fucks savers.

              Mate, you’ve been found out.

              • Expat …
                10 June 2016 at 10:03 pm

                Mate, don’t you understand what “regulation” means, I know the govt doesn’t, but was hopping you had a better understanding.

                Explain why Kiwi’s should pay higher interest rates than any other country in the world, and please make it a valid reason.

    • Colonial Viper 18.2
      10 June 2016 at 8:34 pm

      And one more thing. You’re preference to cut interest rates injures savers and pensioners who rely on a pitiful 3.25% return on their term deposits in order just to live.

      We are in a world where financial speculators and others leveraged to the hilt are advantaged by central banks while savers and pensioners are punished further and further.

      You seem to like this ‘new world order’.

      • Expat 18.2.1
        10 June 2016 at 9:28 pm

        All ready covered savers, there is no money in savings now, is there? so much larger benefits for all in lower mortgage interest rates, FFS, why don you think these overseas investors bring the money in, lower interest rates, ay, so why can’t ordinary Kiwi’s have that same advantage FFS, Kiwi’s are being ripped off.

        You need to get with the global interest rates, just because of your isolation doesn’t negate your ignorance.

        Wheelers rate changes over the last 4 years are an international joke, there all over the place like a “mad persons shit”, if you get my drift.

        • Colonial Viper 18.2.1.1
          10 June 2016 at 9:34 pm

          Thanks for admitting that you’re writing off the future income of savers and pensioners in favour of bankers, speculators and debtors.

          That’s all I needed from you.

          • Expat 18.2.1.1.1
            10 June 2016 at 10:15 pm

            You sound like my old neighbour, in their 70’s, used to keep $40k in the savings account so that they wouldn’t have to pay “fees”, when all they had to do is change banks.

            Get real, bank savings are the lowest form of return and have been for a few years now, if you think propping up the dollar is good for a minority group who chooses to invest in bank savings, then you really are selfish, lower interest rates helps far more people than those “savers”, but please explain why Kiwi’s should have to pay a premium to buy their own home, you know the young families who work hard and pay the Tax that funds your pension, please explain why they shouldn’t have a fair go.

            Bloody conservatism……….

            • Expat 18.2.1.1.1.1
              10 June 2016 at 10:32 pm

              You guys are living in a bubble, and can’t see the reality of what is occurring from the smokescreen, it’s much easier to view from outside of that bubble and get a very clear view.

              Get with the times, there is very low returns from bank savings, if you look at Japans 30 year bond rate, they are paying 0.3%, and there are plenty of investors buying those bonds, so get yourselves into the real world, interest rates aren’t going up for some time, there are no winners from this, that’s why property speculation is rampant, oh except in Germany, where they regulate speculators out of of the market and oversupply housing availability, something the govt could do, if it had the guts.

              • Pat …
                10 June 2016 at 10:37 pm

                Germany has had population decrease for some time….is deflationary….why do you think they want a million working age refugees

                • Colonial Viper …
                  10 June 2016 at 11:56 pm

                  Merkel has the backing of the business class in this. Put downward pressure on wages and break up those pesky unions.

              • Colonial Viper …
                10 June 2016 at 10:58 pm

                Oh look, the little 0.1%er says that returns from bank deposits are low, while advocating interest rate policies to lower them even further.

                Punishing savers and pensioners and rewarding speculators and the highly leveraged.

                Go away mate I figured out your number already.

  19. Adrian Thornton 19
    10 June 2016 at 7:43 pm

    Mike Williams- Voice from the Left?
    Mike Williams former Labour education officer, Party President, and regular ‘Voice from the Left’ during Monday’s Nine to Noon on RNZ’s “Voices from the left and the right” slot, is not filling the role of left wing commentator as per the show’s description.
    The voice from the Right is usually quite ably filled by Matthew Hooton, and it’s worth noting Matthew argues from a fairly radical position.
    However Mike Williams’s voice from the Left has for some time, been a source of quiet (and sometimes not so quiet) rage for me. As it turns out this is also true for my more politically aware friends.

    The Radio NZ show usually goes something like this;
    A topic is introduced by Kathryn Ryan, the topic is taken up by one of the voices, and a position taken, the other voice counters with their position, then at some point through this exchange Williams often ends up in either a sort of agreement with Hooton or somehow just leaves the Lefts position lying abandoned on the floor somewhere in the centrist meaningless nowhere land. You will note when this moment has arrived with Williams’s oral punctuation marks either; “but watch this space” or “there is plenty of water to go under this bridge” or “it’s no silver bullet”

    Now his centrist positions might have been fine in 1984 under Douglas, or Clarke for that matter, but in case he hasn’t noticed these same centrist left/right policies from both sides have left the country with more class divisions, pay stagnation, more poverty, a failing Health system, prison population explosion etc etc.
    When we should expect moral outrage and indignation from our media commentators, we are served tacit agreement. The same tacit agreement among from the established media and political class that is starting to fuel extreme nationalism across Europe and the U.S. What we need to hear from our left wing commentators is some… well, left wing thinking. If Hooton’s radical Randian rantings can represent the right on a show like Nine to Noon, surely there is an equivalent for left. Let Kathryn patrol the centre if that’s called objectivity.

    As I am from the Hawkes Bay I am not at all surprised by Williams’s position. I get his opinion pieces in The Hawkes Bay Today to read. Some of which had me reading them twice, just to see if they could in fact be actually penned by the former Labour Party President.
    From writing a puff piece for the Serco run Wiri south Auckland prison;
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503459&objectid=11446050
    Defending Judith Collins;
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503459&objectid=11593717
    To where he thinks Bill English could teach the Labour Party a thing or two about how to spend money in social spending, hospitals etc.…(what!).
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/hawkes-bay-today/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=1503459&objectid=11616187

    So in short, I believe Mike Williams has lost his right to speak for us on the Left, if you agree then please email RNZ, and ask them to get in someone who can.
    Please remember this is one of the few (only?) weekly discussions of Left/Right politics and policies in New Zealand mainstream media, so it is vital that they have the right person.
    ninetonoon@radionz.co.nz
    Any suggestions of who could fill this important slot?

    • Pat 19.1
      10 June 2016 at 7:56 pm

      they replaced mike Williams with Stephen Mills(?) briefly….why they didn’t continue with him I have no idea….he at least pulled M.Hooton up on his obvious BS

    • mickysavage 19.2
      10 June 2016 at 8:24 pm

      Mike is fine. Out of the current group of left wing commentators he is by far the best. Compare him to Pagani, Trotter …

      • Vinnie 19.2.1
        10 June 2016 at 8:29 pm

        Can you come up with some positive comments to describe why “mike is fine”? I can’t.

      • Pat 19.2.2
        10 June 2016 at 8:32 pm

        sorry MS,,,apart from a brief spark last week he has been weak…..who knows why, but that is not the point…when Hooton knew he would be challenged (by Mills) he was more circumspect on his BS…didnt stop him, but certainly slowed him down….sometimes MW so poor KR feels obliged to step in for him.

  20. Adrian Thornton 20
    10 June 2016 at 8:06 pm

    Yes I agree, he was a good start.

  21. Vinnie 21
    10 June 2016 at 8:25 pm

    Couldn’t agree more!

  22. Adrian Thornton 22
    10 June 2016 at 8:28 pm

    He is not fine, he’s been riding on the center line so long he doesn’t which lane he is in…I do.

  23. Adrian Thornton 23
    10 June 2016 at 9:14 pm

    Thanks for that link Pat.
    Here is a perfect example, Mike with a golden opportunity to rigorously attack Hooton on Nationals inept budget, you couldn’t get an easier gift than this….but no, KR has to step in again and again to take the (least) position that Mike should be taking.
    It is painful to listen to.

  24. jcuknz 24
    12 June 2016 at 3:31 pm

    What puts me off Nine to Noon is the incessant contribution from Ryan.

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    Connor Bamford, Queen’s University Belfast Since December 2019, there has been a cluster of 59 cases of pneumonia in Wuhan, eastern China. The pneumonia is associated with a previously unidentified coronavirus related to the deadly SARS virus. Seven of those cases are thought to be serious, and one person – ...
    SciBlogsBy Guest Author
    2 weeks ago

  • Yes, koalas are cute – but should we bring them to NZ? Errm, no
    It’s been hard to miss the extreme fires raging across Australia and the tragic plight of the animals – human and otherwise – affected by the fires’ insatiable spread. I know I’ve been captivated and concerned by the tales of how Australia’s famous wildlife has been coping. Koalas approaching cyclists ...
    SciBlogsBy Sarah-Jane O'Connor
    2 weeks ago

  • National’s negative campaigning
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    The Jackal
    2 weeks ago

  • Ending the government’s charade over water
    For the past decade, the government has been responding to the obvious Treaty issues raised by water allocation with the mantra that "no-one owns water". But last year, the Waitangi Tribunal ruled that actually, Māori owned it, and that those rights had never been extinguished. They recommended that iwi bring ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 weeks ago

  • Northern Ireland joins the civilised world
    Same-sex marriage has finally become legal in Northern Ireland. But not through any decision of the Northern Irish Executive or Assembly, which has only just reformed after a three year walkout by the DUP; instead, Westminster made that decision for them. I've talked before about the constitutional impropriety of this, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 weeks ago

  • I had an intense conversation at work today.
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    Skeptical Science
    2 weeks ago

  • French transport workers take on Macron over pension reform
    by John Edmundson Starting on December 5th, 2019 workers in the Parisian rail network commenced an open-ended strike in opposition to French President Emmanuel Macron’s proposed changes to their pension scheme. Rail workers in the Metro Underground have, for decades, had retirement conditions that compensate them for the low wages, ...
    RedlineBy Admin
    2 weeks ago

  • What a difference the decimal point makes
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    SciBlogsBy Marcus Wilson
    2 weeks ago

  • Who’s Going To Stop Him?
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    Bowalley Road
    2 weeks ago

  • A worker’s story
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    RedlineBy Daphna
    2 weeks ago

  • 2020 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #2
    A chronological listing of news articles linked to on the Skeptical Science Facebook Page during the past week, i.e., Sun, Jan 5, 2020 through Sat, Jan 11, 2020 Editor's Pick Debunked Australian Bushfire Conspiracy Theories Were Pushed by Alex Jones, Murdoch Media   As unusually intense and widespread bushfires have ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 weeks ago

  • J.K. Rowling, the Seattle Library, and the Issue That Must Not Be Named
    This article was submitted to Redline by Seattle-based activist Lucinda Stoan J.K. Rowling recognizes repression when she sees it.  That’s why the author of the wildly popular Harry Potter books recently tweeted in defense of Maya Forstater. Forstater lost her job for stating that sex is real and immutable. A judge ...
    RedlineBy Daphna
    2 weeks ago

  • Rules of Empire: Laws simply do not apply and “National Security” excuses all else.
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    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    2 weeks ago

  • Indian lessons for NZ workers – the January 8 general strike
                    by Phil Duncan On Wednesday (January 8) another massive general strike took place in India.  Some 250 million industrial workers, white-collar workers, agricultural labourers struck against the government’s economic policies and attacks on the Muslim population through new proposed citizenship rules. This ...
    RedlineBy Admin
    2 weeks ago

  • Climate Change: The action that counts
    Over on Newsroom, Professor Jacqueline Beggs writes about the action she is taking on climate change. Its the usual list: reduce meat, don't fly, consume less. I'm doing some of this myself, and none of it hurts - but the way our economic system is constructed means the impact of ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 weeks ago

  • Fossil fuel political giving outdistances renewables 13 to one
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    Skeptical Science
    2 weeks ago

  • Animal response to a bushfire is astounding. These are the tricks they use to survive
    Dale Nimmo, Charles Sturt University Have you ever wondered how our native wildlife manage to stay alive when an inferno is ripping through their homes, and afterwards when there is little to eat and nowhere to hide? The answer is adaptation and old-fashioned ingenuity. Australia’s bushfire season is far from ...
    SciBlogsBy Guest Author
    3 weeks ago

  • Should I ditch my fossil-fueled car?
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    SciBlogsBy Guest Author
    3 weeks ago

  • Speaker: Planet History: Taking Tea with Quentin
    This interview with Quentin Crisp is part of a series of articles republished from Planet, the independent magazine I edited in the early 90s from a base at 309 Karangahape Road, along with Grant Fell, Rachael Churchward, Fiona Rae, David Teehan, Mere Ngailevu and others.Inevitably, you forget things, and over ...
    Public Address
    3 weeks ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #1, 2020
    Supply Side How are we doing with CO2 emissions? It's an important question, increasingly posed to a mixed bag of CO2 contributors who may or may not provide accurate reportage. Liu et al present a new, additional means of measurement based on satellite observations of nitrogen dioxide co-emitted from ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 weeks ago

  • Donald Trump’s strategic gamble
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    The Jackal
    3 weeks ago

  • Is the prostitute the seller or the sold?
    Excerpts from Being and Being Bought, by Kajsa Ekis Ekman, Spinifex Press, 2013. Ekman, a Swedish journalist and critic, brings together a Marxist and feminist analysis of prostitution and surrogacy in this groundbreaking book. This is the third part of a synopsis and brief commentary of the book by Daphna Whitmore. Part 1 was ...
    RedlineBy Daphna
    3 weeks ago

  • The climate crisis is also a biodiversity crisis
    Dr Andrea Byrom Like many of us, the summer break has seen me transfixed with horror at the scale and magnitude of the bushfire crisis in Australia. As an ecologist, I can’t help but be appalled at the loss of some of Australia’s most beautiful ecosystems and landscapes. And ...
    SciBlogsBy Guest Author
    3 weeks ago

  • Apathy in the face of disaster
    Warning: This article contains topics that might trigger right wing snowflakes!Unless you’ve had your head buried in a billabong for the last four months you’d of heard about the Australian bush fires. The fires have been unprecedented, with approximately five million hectares (12.35 million acres) of land burned nationwide. More ...
    The Jackal
    3 weeks ago

  • Jeremy Clarkson – God is an arsonist
    You've really got to wonder if Jeremy Clarkson is worshiping the right deity? I mean thinking that Australia is somehow deserving of the calamity that has befallen it in the form of unprecedented bush fires is one thing, but claiming God intentionally likes to cause people and animals immeasurable pain ...
    The Jackal
    3 weeks ago

  • Labour opposes leisure
    Finland's new Prime Minister has made headlines by pushing for a 4-day week. So what does new Zealand's "centre-left" government think? Nope. They'd rather people kept working themselves into misery and death:The Government does not plan to follow Finland's lead to encourage businesses to offer staff a four-day week. [...] ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 weeks ago

  • Week That Was: 2020
    We are back for 2020! From changes to Family Funded Care, to a record high number of Kiwis in construction in the trades - we're already back making progress on those long-term challenges. Read all about it and more ...
    Labour Blog
    3 days ago

  • Winston Peters: “Ihumātao deal still a long way off”
    Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters told Mike Hosking that a settlement deal regarding Ihumātao in Auckland is still a long way off. The Maori King's flag was lowered at the site near Auckland Airport yesterday, sparking suggestions an announcement of a deal could be made by Waitangi Day. Pania Newton, ...
    NZ First News
    4 days ago

  • Winston Peters accuses Gerry Brownlee of ‘politicising’ Holocaust memorial
    Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters is accusing Gerry Brownlee of "politicising" a Holocaust memorial event after the National MP questioned the lack of Kiwi representation there. The Yad Vashem World Holocaust Remembrance Centre in Jerusalem, Israel, is holding the World Holocaust Forum on January 23 to mark 75 years since ...
    NZ First News
    4 days ago

  • Provincial Growth Fund to help Waipukurau Pā sites attract thousands of tourists
    The Ngā Ara Tipuna - Waipukurau Pā Site Interpretation project is receiving $2.798 million from the Provincial Growth Fund. It is is expected to boost the town's employment and tourism, creating sixteen new jobs once completed and attract up to 15,000 visitors a year. Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development ...
    NZ First News
    5 days ago

  • “Common sense will prevail, not extremism” Winston Peters backs Shane Jones’ pro-meat stance
    New Zealand First leader Winston Peters is backing his MPs who have spoken out against a new climate change teaching resource that advises students to eat less meat to save the planet. The new teaching resource, announced by Education Minister Chris Hipkins and Climate Change Minister James Shaw, tells students ...
    NZ First News
    6 days ago

  • Violent assault on paramedic highlights need for law change
    Darroch Ball MP, Spokesperson for Justice Today’s horrific violent assault of an on-duty female paramedic which rendered her unconscious is truly unsettling. “Our thoughts are with the paramedic, her loved ones and the St John’s team at Warkworth Station,” says New Zealand First Justice Spokesperson Darroch Ball. “Harsher penalties for perpetrators ...
    NZ First Press Release
    7 days ago

  • Acting PM Winston Peters confirms NZDF troops in Iraq not hit by Iranian attacks
    Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters called for calm and diplomacy following Iranian missile strikes on bases housing United States troops in Iraq, but confirmed New Zealand's base in the country was not hit. The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) was earlier today investigating claims New Zealand's base in Iraq had ...
    NZ First News
    1 week ago

  • Kaikōura $10.88 million boost in tourism & business
    Fletcher Tabuteau MP, Parliamentary Undersecretary for Regional Economic Development The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is investing $10.88 million to boost business and tourism opportunities in Kaikōura, Parliamentary Undersecretary for Regional Economic Development, Fletcher Tabuteau announced today. As part of the Kaikōura Marina Development Programme, the following two projects will receive ...
    NZ First Press Release
    1 week ago

  • Delivering a stable water supply to Wairarapa
    Hon. Ron Mark, New Zealand First List MP based in Wairarapa The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is investing $7.11 million to create a sustainable water supply for the Wairarapa. The PGF will provide a $7 million investment to Wairarapa Water Limited to progress the Wairarapa Water Storage Scheme towards procurement, consenting, ...
    NZ First Press Release
    2 weeks ago

  • Housing consents hit highest level since 1974
    Housing consents have hit a 45-year high, as Statistics NZ data shows a total of 37,010 residential consents were issued in the year to November --- the first time they have breached the 37,000 mark since the mid-1970s. Statistics NZ said the trend had been rising since late 2011, when ...
    NZ First News
    2 weeks ago

  • Darroch Ball MP: “Violence against first responders is a problem on the rise”
    New Zealand First MP Darroch Ball says that a paramedic being kicked unconscious last night in an attempted burglary in Warkworth, north of Auckland, is a symptom of a larger problem. "Incidents like this are becoming more and more frequent...and it’s getting worse," Mr Ball said. The MP is pushing for ...
    NZ First News
    2 weeks ago

  • Minister Ron Mark asks NZDF to conduct fire risk assessment from defence point of view
    Defence Minister Ron Mark said there was nothing to prevent similar large-scale bushfires seen in Australia from also happening in New Zealand, and has asked the New Zealand Defence Force to conduct a nfire risk assessment from a defence point of view. The defence assessment would help prevent a disaster ...
    NZ First News
    3 weeks ago

  • Defence Minister Mark expresses “absolute confidence” in NZDF forces stationed in Iraq
    While feeling worried about increased Middle East tensions, Defence Minister Ron Mark said he had "absolute confidence" in New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) leadership. His statements come as the fate of Kiwi troops stationed in Iraq comes under intense scrutiny. Forty-five Defence Force personnel were thought to be in the ...
    NZ First News
    3 weeks ago

  • ‘No Body, No Parole’ Bill is pointless dog-whistling
    Darroch Ball MP, Spokesperson for Law and Order National MP Tim Macindoe Member’s Bill, Concealment of Location of Victim Remains Bill does not do what he claims. The Bill specifies a requirement for the Parole Board to only “consider” denying parole if an offender refuses to disclose the location of the body. ...
    NZ First Press Release
    3 weeks ago

  • New Zealand Defence Force sends support to Australia
    Hon. Ron Mark, Minister of Defence Minister of Defence Ron Mark today announced New Zealand is sending three Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 helicopters and crew, and two NZ Army Combat Engineer Sections as well as a command element to support the Australian Defence Force efforts in tackling the Australian ...
    NZ First Press Release
    3 weeks ago

  • Minister pays tribute to journalist, author and broadcaster, Gordon McLauchlan
    The Minister of Broadcasting, Communications and Digital Media, Kris Faafoi, has paid tribute to well-known New Zealand author, journalist and broadcaster, Gordon McLauchlan, following Mr McLauchlan’s death today. “Gordon held a statesman-like place in New Zealand’s media, which was fittingly acknowledged in last year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours, when he was ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 hours ago

  • Minister wishes best of luck to those heading back to school
    As Kiwi kids and teachers return to classrooms over the coming weeks, the families of around 428,000 students will feel a bit less of a financial pinch than in previous years, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said today. “The Government’s decision to increase funding for schools that don’t ask parents for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago

  • Health staff to meet flights from China as precautionary measure
    Public health staff will begin meeting flights from China from tomorrow, to actively look for signs of the novel coronavirus and provide advice, information and reassurance to passengers. Health Minister Dr David Clark says the additional measures are being taken following the arrival of the disease in Australia, via flights ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • National Yearling Sales 2020
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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Government and construction industry to build big, lift productivity with Transformation Plan
    Delivering the workforce and productivity gains required to build the houses, schools, roads, rail and hospitals New Zealand needs will become easier with the Government-industry Construction Sector Transformation Plan launched today, Minister for Building and Construction Jenny Salesa says. “The action plan launched today delivers on the Government’s Construction Sector ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Log trains to begin on Wairoa-Napier line
    Log trains are about to start running between Wairoa and Napier following Provincial Growth Fund investment to reopen the rail line, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones says. The Government invested $6.2 million to reopen the mothballed rail line which was closed after significant storm damage in 2012. “With PGF ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Minister of Defence concludes successful visit with his US counterpart
    Minister of Defence Ron Mark met with United States Secretary of Defense Mark Esper today. “This was an excellent opportunity to meet with one of our closest security partners,” Ron Mark said. “The main focus of the meeting was to discuss challenges that New Zealand and the United States share ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • New Zealand acknowledges ICJ decision on Myanmar
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters today acknowledged the ruling of the International Court of Justice in relation to the Rohingya people in Myanmar. The ruling ordered the Government of Myanmar to take all measures within its power to prevent the commission of acts of genocide in relation to members of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • NZ’s trade aims advanced at Davos meetings
    A proposal to cut “trade and production-distorting subsidies” in the agricultural sector by 2030 has set out important measures to ensure a fair agricultural trading system.  Speaking after attending meetings of trade ministers in Davos, Switzerland, Minister for Trade and Export Growth David Parker welcomed the joint proposal from the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Great news for New Zealanders with cystic fibrosis
    Health Minister Dr David Clark says he is delighted that PHARMAC has struck a provisional deal to fund Kalydeco – a medicine which is set to improve the quality of life for about 30 New Zealand children and adults with cystic fibrosis. “While rare, cystic fibrosis is an awful inherited ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • New Zealand least corrupt country in the world
    New Zealand has regained its position as the least corrupt country in the world for the second time under this Coalition Government, says Justice Minister Andrew Little. “New Zealanders can be proud that our reputation as one of the least corrupt countries in the world has been restored,” says Andrew ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Boost for Rēkohu/Wharekauri/Chatham Islands Community Conservation
    Community conservation in Rēkohu/Wharekauri/the Chatham Islands is receiving a boost, with grants to support local projects announced today by Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage. “Rēkohu/Wharekauri/ the Chatham Islands are home to 20 per cent of New Zealand’s threatened bird species and 11 per cent of New Zealand’s threatened plant species. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Rātana Pā goes high-tech with UFB
    Iwi, hapu and visitors to Rātana Pā near Whanganui now have access to ultra-fast broadband following its connection, completed in time for annual Rātana celebrations, Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones says. The connection and associated hardware were funded from the Provincial Growth Fund’s $21 million Marae Digital Connectivity programme, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Govt’s strong financial management acknowledged
    The Government’s strong financial management and plan to future proof the economy with new infrastructure investment has gained further recognition from an international ratings agency. Credit rating agency Fitch has upgraded one of its main metrics assessing the Government’s books, lifting its foreign currency AA rating outlook to ‘positive’ from ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Boost in Whānau Ora funding to keep changing lives
    Whānau throughout New Zealand are set to benefit from an extra three million dollars that will go directly to Whānau Ora Commissioning Agencies, the Minister for Whānau Ora Peeni Henare announced today.  Including previous funding boosts, the Agencies will now receive $87 million this year between them.  In Budget 2019 ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • More people getting into work
    The December quarter benefit numbers released today show the Government’s plan to get people off the benefit and into work is starting to pay off,” Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni said.   “Nearly 19,000 people cancelled their benefit and went into work in the last few months of the year – ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Wairoa gets up to $6.1m to rebuild heart of CBD
    The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is investing up to $6.1 million to revitalise business and tourism opportunities in Wairoa, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau announced today. The PGF is funding: Up to $4.8 million for the Wairoa Integrated Business and Tourism Facility Up to $960,000 for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Major Events support for creative and cultural events
    Creative and cultural events that highlight New Zealand’s diverse culture and build national pride are set to get a funding boost through the Major Events Fund, Economic Development Minister Phil Twyford said today. The new Creative and Cultural Events Incubator, which is funded through the Major Events Fund, will open ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Classroom internet in hundreds of schools to get a boost
    The Government has begun a massive IT upgrade to provide more seamless internet access to 200 schools around the country. Te Mana Tūhono – Technology in Schools work programme will launch with a pilot of 10 smaller state schools early this year. IT equipment that gives students access to the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Construction workforce, apprenticeships hit record highs
    Working with industry and committing to rebuild New Zealand’s infrastructure has produced a record high number of Kiwis working in the construction industry and learning trades, says Minister for Building and Construction Jenny Salesa. New figures available today from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and the Tertiary Education ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • NZ concludes digital economy trade talks with Singapore and Chile
    A new trade agreement concluded today helps New Zealand exporters and consumers take advantage of opportunities from digital trade.    Minister for Trade and Export Growth David Parker together with Chile’s Vice Minister of Trade Rodrigo Yañez and Singapore’s Minister of Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing, have announced conclusion of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Provincial Growth Fund to fund Waipukurau cultural development and tourism
    The Ngā Ara Tipuna -  Waipukurau Pā Site Interpretation project will receive $2.798 million from the Provincial Growth Fund to create an authentic cultural tourism experience, Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau announced today “The project will inform visitors about the history of six pā sites in Waipukurau with a combination ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • 21 new judges boost diversity, improve access to justice
    Twenty-one new District Court judges have been appointed in a move that will improve access to justice and boost diversity on the bench. The new judges include replacements for retirements and 10 new positions. Attorney-General David Parker today announced the 14 judges who can immediately be named, with the remainder ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Puhinui to Auckland Airport in 10 minutes
    Aucklanders are another step closer to getting rapid transit to the airport, with the start of construction to upgrade State Highway 20B to the airport, Transport Minister Phil Twyford announced today. SH20B will be upgraded with additional lanes in each direction, dedicated to bus and high-occupancy vehicles between Pukaki Creek ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Advancing New Zealand’s trade agenda focus of Europe meetings
    World Trade Organisation reform, agricultural trade and a free trade agreement with the United Kingdom will be the focus of Minister for Trade and Export Growth David Parker’s visit to Europe this week. David Parker leaves on Tuesday for a series of meetings in the UK and Switzerland that aim ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Minister of Defence to visit counterparts in US and Canada
    The Minister of Defence, Ron Mark, departed today for the United States and Canada where he will meet with his counterparts.  While in Canada Minister Mark will meet with his counterpart, Minister of National Defence Harjit Sajjan.  “New Zealand and Canada are close friends, and share an instinctive like-mindedness on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government to deliver family carers $2000 pay rise, expand scheme to spouses this year
    The Coalition Government is delivering this year the changes to Funded Family Care the disability sector has long-asked for, says Associate Minister of Health Jenny Salesa. “Today we are announcing the details of our big changes to Funded Family Care, including an annual average pay boost of $2,246.40 for funded ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Ko te reo kua mū: Piri Sciascia
    Minister for Māori Development Nanaia Mahuta joins te ao Māori in their sorrow as they learn of the loss of one of the great orators and spokespersons of a generation – Piri Sciascia.  “The son of Pōrangahau was a staunch advocate for Māori development and served his people for over ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Minister opens new ecosanctuary at Cape Farewell
    A new ecosanctuary with a predator proof fence on Golden Bay’s Cape Farewell, which will restore a safe home for sea birds, rare native plants, giant snails, and geckos, was officially opened today by the Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage. “There has been a fantastic community effort supported by the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Pacific partners work together to provide additional support to Australia
    The NZDF continues to support the Australian Defence Force (ADF) as it battles fires in Victoria and New South Wales, including by transporting Republic of Fiji Military engineers from Nadi to Australia, announced Defence Minister Ron Mark. On Saturday morning a NZDF Boeing 757 will depart New Zealand to uplift ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Kaikōura $10.88 million boost in tourism & business
    The Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) is investing $10.88 million to boost business and tourism opportunities in Kaikōura, Parliamentary Undersecretary for Regional Economic Development, Fletcher Tabuteau announced today. As part of the Kaikōura Marina Development Programme, the following two projects will receive PGF funding: A $9.88 million investment to begin the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Govt accounts in surplus, debt remains low
    The Government’s books are in good shape with the accounts in surplus and expenses close to forecast, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. The Treasury today released the Crown accounts for the five months to November. The operating balance before gains and losses (OBEGAL) was above forecast by $0.7 billion resulting ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Auckland focus for first Police graduation of 2020
    The number of Police on the Auckland frontline is increasing with the graduation today of a special locally-trained wing of new constables. Police Minister Stuart Nash says the graduation of eighteen officers from Recruit Wing 333-5 means that more than 1900 new Police have been deployed since the Coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Wairarapa gets $7.11m PGF water boost
    The Provincial Growth Fund is putting $7.11 million into creating a sustainable water supply for Wairarapa, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau announced today. The following two projects will receive Provincial Growth Fund (PGF) funding: A $7 million investment in Wairarapa Water Limited for the pre-construction development of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Progress with new Police station in Mahia
    Community safety and crime prevention in the East Coast community of Mahia has moved forward with the opening of a new Police station to serve the growing coastal settlement. Police Minister Stuart Nash has officially opened the new station, which was relocated almost 20 kilometres along the coast from the nearby ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Plans to protect the future of whitebaiting announced
    With several native whitebait species in decline the Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage has today released proposals to standardise and improve management of whitebait across New Zealand. “The need for action for a healthy whitebait fishery has never been greater,” Eugenie Sage said.  “Four of the six whitebait species are ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • New resource for schools to increase awareness and understanding of climate change
    A new Ministry of Education resource available for schools in 2020 will increase awareness and understanding of climate change, Education Minister Chris Hipkins said today. “The resource, Climate Change – prepare today, live well tomorrow, will help students understand the effects of climate change at a local, national and global ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Getting more out of our most productive firms
    Finance Minister Grant Robertson has approved the terms of reference for an Inquiry into the economic contribution of New Zealand's frontier firms. Frontier firms are the most productive firms in the domestic economy within their own industry. “These firms are important as they diffuse new technologies and business practices into ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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