It’s been observed that our coalition government's intention to scrap the smoking ban will help fund tax cuts that benefit landLords such as Luxon and Willis.
‘Unorthodox’ retrospective cut in taxes on landlords [29 Nov 2023]
Restoring interest deductibility for property investors will cost Government tax coffers a projected $900 million. And in a ‘highly unusual’ twist, some investors may be refunded for tax paid earlier this year.
NAct's cold equations will get Kiwi excess deaths back on track – think priorities.
Excess Deaths in the United States Compared to 18 Other High-Income Countries [22 March 2023]
Targeting health behaviors may also substantially reduce mortality. Each year in the U.S., smoking accounts for 450,000 excess deaths, physical inactivity accounts for 190,000 excess deaths, high salt intake accounts for 100,000 excess deaths, alcohol consumption accounts for 64,000 excess deaths, and low intake of fruits and vegetables account for 58,000 excess deaths. … The role of cigarette smoking may be particularly important given the historically high rates of smoking in the U.S. compared to many of the other countries examined, and the long latency period between smoking and excess deaths from cancer and heart disease. Health behaviors are also linked to social conditions—improving educational attainment, poverty, and inequality may give rise to healthy behaviors.
Can anyone explain to me why Phil Twyford still has any sort of role in the Labour front bench?
He barely hung on to his seat, and he was a weak and bombastic minister whose failure to deliver single handedly dealt two massive blows to Labour's credibility in government over Kiwi build and light rail, failures for which he was rightly sacked.
Yet this morning he turned up up at around 6.50am on RNZ to talk about Luxon's brazen immigration flip flop and predictably he was f*cking weak as piss water. He ummed and ahhed, he even made excuses for Luxon ("Opposition is poetry, government is prose" FFS!). He wouldn't commit Labour to anything different and he argued points of policy detail in a tone of voice which indicated he didn't really give a shit.
For Christ's sake man – it isn't hard. First, you excoriate Luxon for flip flopping, call him a PM who pronouncements can't be trusted by the public, state that Winston Peters is in control of immigration and say this is evidence the PM is weak and easily led, say his flip flop vindicates Labour's policies and that it is going to be three long years until sanity is restored by dumping Luxon, Peters and this government.
Twyford was a hopeless minister and he sounded disinterested and ineffective now he is in opposition. If he is only turning up to eat his lunch and draw his salary he needs to be discarded for someone a bit hungrier and bit angrier.
All the Labour Immigration ministers have departed as have most of the Associate Ministers, so there's not a lot of experience available in the portfolio currently.
#WATCH: The Mayor of Lower Hutt says the region faces "a decade of astronomical rate increases" as it needs to fix more than 200km of water pipe.https://t.co/cu7B8j8HyC— 1News (@1NewsNZ) December 10, 2023
We are seeing the beginning of a new Māori cultural moment – standing up to the self-serving lies of groundswill/anti-3w/cookers and old farts longing for the days of Pakeha hegemony
It's a good way to drive publicity about the issue. *
That said, if the exhibit is to be historically accurate the original English translation and its difference to the Maori language one needs to be acknowledged, not hidden.
After all, to rewrite it, is to contest in the same field as those (majoritarians) who want to re-define the principles of the Treaty.
Part of the reason for opposition to UNDRIP maybe the status of Maori as indigenous and thus their language in the treaty, as per international law *
The word "translation" is the problem. The vandalised English version isn't a translation, it conveys a significantly different meaning than Te Tiriti O Waitangi, the document in Te Reo Māori signed by the chiefs in 1840.
Te Tiriti is the agreement with legal standing, not that English thing that cedes sovereignty.
These people represent themselves and their own perspective – not all Māori.
Do you equate any non-Māori protest as a consensus action for all non-Māori?
While many non-Māori seem to support both the action and the sentiment behind it, they should be clear that it is a specific perspective held by SOME Māori that they support.
Anything less than that is fairly racist. (Assuming that people think alike by virtue of their ancestry is racism in its most insidious and common form.)
Rumour has it that they’ve run out of envelopes on the 9th floor of the Beehive and they still cannot balance the books. Only 8 days left until the unveiling of the Government’s Mini-Budget, which will be a rhetorical masterpiece of political deflection and obfuscation.
Rising authoritarianism around the world and a Climate Change refugee crisis on the horizon so buckle up, it's getting bumpy.
This week, the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London published the latest edition of its authoritative annual Armed Conflict Survey, and it’s not predicting much peace for the holidays. It paints a grim picture of rising violence in in many regions, of wars chronically resistant to broking of peace. The survey — which addresses regional conflicts rather than the superpower confrontation between China, Russia, the US and its allies — documents 183 conflicts for 2023, the highest number in three decades.
You might recall that during the coalition negotiations, Luxon dismissed the role of Deputy PM as "ceremonial".
The ceremony will take place in the House at 2 pm. The PM is away, so Winston gets to answer the questions as Acting PM. Let's see how many headlines he can create, and what will need to be "clarified" afterwards.
Labour, Greens, and media would do well to actually read Naitonal's actual water policy "Local Water Done Well" in particular the CCO and amalgamation bit:
"For many councils, the requirement to become financially sustainable will mean they need to develop a new model. We expect many will choose, on their own terms, the Regional Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) model proposed by C4LD.
A Regional CCO model would allow for three or more neighbouring councils to own a standalone entity with the ability to access long-term borrowing to invest in long-term infrastructure, without it impacting council balance sheets. For example, councils in the Hawke’s Bay region (Central Hawke’s Bay, Hastings, Wairoa, and Napier) presented an independently costed and verified alternative where they voluntarily created a Regional CCO.
The Government rejected this model despite the fact it could address affordability and capacity issues while ensuring clean water for Hawke’s Bay, all while keeping assets in local hands. By 2032, it would even deliver those councils and their ratepayers $18 million in operational savings every year.
We expect a number of councils will choose to form a Regional CCO, but National will not be mandating it, or any other model. If councils can demonstrate an alternative that complies with regulations for both water quality and water infrastructure, and is financially sustainable, National will approve it."
Back in March he said to Northland leaders:
"Speaking on Thursday, Luxon said the region’s Three Waters assets would be managed by a single council-controlled-organisation (CCO) or equivalent, on behalf of Far North, Kaipara and Whangārei district councils"
It is far more likely that Auckland's Watercare will move north and take over the equivalent population and water assets of Glen Eden and Henderson put together … just as Watercare have for Waikato.
What Luxon will do is wait until the LTP's are out early next year, then encourage them to beg for a regionalised entity solution.
It will look remarkably like the Labour proposal, but we will beg for it when we see our water rates will otherwise triple.
If councils can demonstrate an alternative that complies with regulations for both water quality and water infrastructure, and is financially sustainable, National will approve it
The Taxpayers Union claims that public service is trying to discredit their own preferred model
working with experts in infrastructure, local government leaders, network-economics specialists, and regulatory economic lawyers, the Taxpayers’ Union has ensured there is an oven ready replacement to Three Waters.
But our model is based on mainstream utility regulation used around the world in water, electricity transmission, airports, and telecommunications. We haven’t reinvented the wheel but have ensured there is a better alternative to both Three Waters and the status quo. It works in a very similar way to how electricity lines companies have to balance both the need for good investment, provide a reliable and safe service, but can’t overcharge or ‘gold plate’ engineer and abuse their natural monopolistic power.
So from our end, the policy work is done and the legal drafting is about 75% complete
This model was well thrashed out through the 3 Waters process and fell over because no Councils would want to voluntarily amalgamate with the basket cases, and subsidise their deferred upgrades. How are ratepayers in lower North Island going to agree to pay for Wellington's problems, or Otago paying to replace Gore's 19th century combined sewer system,
Not going to happen voluntarily, Luxon is going to have to press the compulsory button at some point, then we're back to 3 Waters. Other option is Government pours a shitload of money into Gore and likes, but this could get tricky politically.
There might be the possibility of the Government subsidising Gore (or other smallish rural cities – under the umbrella of the provincial growth fund (or whatever it's being called this time around) – but not a hope in hell of them doing so for Wellington.
For two reasons:
1. There is a perception that Wellington spends its money on 'nice to have' and very expensive cycleways and town hall refurbishments – rather than on basic infrastructure.
2. Wellington has made its opposition to the Right plain – both at a local and at a national level. The government is highly motivated to sit back and say that Wellington has made its bed and now must lie on it.
I was very interested to hear the Queenstown mayor interviewed on RNZ recently – about the water upgrade they've put in place. Not the one (I understand) recommended by the new water authority (some form of membrane as a barrier) – but a lower cost, and much quicker to implement solution (using UV to sterilize the crypto bugs). They are now waiting for Taumata Arowai to sign-off on their solution.
One of the concerns with the 3 waters model was the perception that the water authority (and the regulator) would go with the gold-plated 'best of breed' solution – which is unlikely to be affordable for smaller/poorer regions – rather than a 'good enough' – and/or more suited to local conditions – solution.
NZers need safe, affordable and reliable water services – for years to come.
"Good enough" will do for now. A "gold-plated 'best of breed'" solution sounds expensive for Queenstown, or anywhere in Aotearoa NZ, and the material components, even for some 'good enough' solutions, are sourced overseas.
The worst that could happen is Kiwis (or worse yet, overseas tourists with their lovely lovely $$$) get sick and everyone goes back to boiling water while the problem is sorted – the main thing is to keep the power on. Maybe more Kiwis will be acting as indicators of water quality, going forward – bags not me!!
I can't work out whether you're agreeing with me that sometimes 'good enough' solutions are all that can be afforded; or claiming that someone (whether taxpayer or ratepayer) should pay for the best possible one.
Affordability is a significant issue. You, personally, may be in a position to afford a ten-fold increase in water rates – but many are not.
The point of raising the Queenstown solution (apart from the fact that it's been in the papers recently) – is that they've come up with a much quicker to implement and cheaper solution – which is also (apparently) a better fit for their local conditions. An example of water engineers on the ground knowing their conditions better than staff in a Wellington-based suite of offices.
I can't work out whether you're agreeing with me that sometimes 'good enough' solutions are all that can be afforded…
I'm agreeing with you, but not wholeheartedly. Don't know whether this particular "'good enough' solution" was all the QLDC could afford, or a choice.
As the article you linked to states, that "much quicker to implement and cheaper solution" is also an "interim solution". Plans are afoot to complete a permanent system at the Two Mile plant next year, presumably at some additional cost to the taxpayer and/or ratepayer.
You get what you (can afford to) pay for. I sincerely hope this particular (inexpensive?) infrastructure represents value for money – time will tell. A UV reactor treats the water from one of Palmy bores, and wastewater is also undergoes UV disinfection prior to discharge into the Manawatu river.
An example of water engineers on the ground knowing their conditions better than staff in a Wellington-based suite of offices.
Yes, no reasonable person would suggest "staff in a Wellington-based suite of offices" know the state of the Queenstown Lake District’s water infrastructure better than the local engineers responsible for installing, monitoring and maintaining said infrastructure – that would be silly.
Said infrastructure was sub par in this particular case, by all means
It's too late to worry about the greedy Christchurch kid in the High Chair stealing the lolly jar and gleefully pigging into it when his smartarse mate Winnie has got riverless of candy running down his chin as Lady Nicola is telling you how the world is going to be.
I'm all for a politically neutral public service, but ACT's Todd Stephenson is doing stuff that neither Labour nor Greens would dream of doing to Welly bureaucrats:
Health and Public Service spokesperson Todd Stephenson said ACT welcomed the resignation of any public officials who couldn't "bring themselves to implement the programme outlined by the elected Government".
He said public servants were employed to serve the public through the government of the day to the best of their abilities.
“If someone believes they can’t do that because of their personal political beliefs – including the belief that some ethnic groups should be treated differently by the government simply because of their race – they should resign.
“It’s in no-one’s interest to have top public advisors glumly going through the motions in high-paid positions when potential champions for service delivery would jump at the chance to fill those roles. In short, get with the programme or get out.”
It's fair to say that some of the larger public sector agencies take a while to adjust to a big change of government direction, but they do generally get there and should be left alone to do that.
It's should be seen alongside – Luxon not wanting any impact assessments of incoming government policy, "when it is going to be ignored". It's compendium. They see the public service role to implement policy, thus an inference of an intent to reduce capacity to advise or formulate policy (and be guided by right wing think tanks instead).
It also seem incredibly ironic that they are choosing to go down this path considering the criticism they levelled at the last two Labour governments regarding transparency along with caring for tax payers dollars..
[…] but ACT's Todd Stephenson is doing stuff […] [my italics]
He’s not doing anything as such. He’s the Health and Public Service spokesperson for ACT and his only official role in this government is Whip for his party AFAIK
He’s just spouting simplistic RW lines and his words and implications could be ripped to pieces mercilessly if he were somebody and I had the time.
I'd notice, he's their public service spokesperson – given his party leader's role in the cabinet, associate finance and their (and coalition) policy of public sector cuts.
I could assist you but doubt it would do any good.
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
[So, your answer is “No”, which doesn’t surprise me.
Secondly, use the Reply button when replying to and/or engaging with another commenter. This would assist the logical flow of comments aka discussion threads, which would do us good.
Thirdly, stop trolling and start engaging.
Bonus comment, “incognito” doesn’t mean what you seem to think it does …
Thats odd. Just watched Parliament on Demand. Government had at least 4 Patsy questions and "Sorry this does not exist" for 3 questions. Chris Hipkins, Camilla Bellich and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer from the Opposition did not replay yet their questions had been asked.
Does this mean that the Government can blank Opposition questions?.
These people are a vengeful, dangerous, incompetent collection of muppets. Everywhere you look they seem hell-bent on doing the maximum amount of damage in the shortest possible time.
The change to setting of road rules as I understand it made it easier for local authorities to set safer, more appropriate speed limits in their areas in consultation with their local communities. Yet these muppets disingenuously present it as a "blanket" imposition of reduced speed limits.
To see Simian Brown smugly smiling behind the Conehead makes me want to puke.
If I sound upset, I am. But I’m also confused. If we mobilise to make them spend more energy on simply keeping things running and giving them less space and time to wreck things, are we playing into their hands?
The maximum speed on that road is 90k. Parts are less than that. Yes to the hugely reduced accident rate. I travel the Blenheim Nelson road each week and reckon the traffic flow is much smoother and cars seldom overtake each other. Wonder why.
In the five-year period prior to the change in speed limits, 52 people were killed or seriously injured on that stretch of state highway – more than 10 people per year.
In the last two years (2021 and 2022), that number has decreased to five. Injury crash numbers had reduced too – down 35%.
What do you reckon – we cross pollinate in Winston and David? I mean personal responsibility and all that, we need to be trusted to make the decisions which are best for ourselves.
So smoke if you want and drive at the speed you want? Nice day today where I was, I didn't need anyone telling me what speed I needed to be driving at for my vehicle and the road.
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Buzz from the Beehive Pharmac has been given a financial transfusion and a new chair to oversee its spending in the pharmaceutical business. Associate Health Minister David Seymour described the funding for Pharmac as “its largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff”. ...
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In 1974, the US Supreme Court issued its decision in United States v. Nixon, finding that the President was not a King, but was subject to the law and was required to turn over the evidence of his wrongdoing to the courts. It was a landmark decision for the rule ...
Every day now just seems to bring in more fresh meat for the grinder.In their relentlessly ideological drive to cut back on the “excessive bloat” (as they see it) of the previous Labour-led government, on the mountains of evidence accumulated in such a short period of time do not ...
This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Megan Valére SosouMarket gardening site of the Itchèléré de Itagui agricultural cooperative in Dassa-Zoumè (Image credit: Megan Valère Sossou) For the residents of Dassa-Zoumè, a city in the West African country of Benin, choosing between drinking water and having enough ...
Buzz from the Beehive Melissa Lee – as may be discerned from the screenshot above – has not been demoted for doing something seriously wrong as Minister of ...
Morning in London Mother hugs beloved daughter outside the converted shoe factory in which she is living.Afternoon in London Travelling writer takes himself and his wrist down to A&E, just to be sure. Read more ...
Mike Grimshaw writes – The recent announcement of the University Advisory Group, chaired by Sir Peter Gluckman, makes very clear where the Government’s focus and priorities lie. The remit of the Advisory Group is that Group members will consider challenges and opportunities for improvement in the university sector including: ...
Eric Crampton writes – The Reserve Bank of New Zealand desperately wants to find reasons to have workstreams in climate change. It makes little sense. They’ve run another stress test on the banks looking to see if they could find a prudential regulation case. They couldn’t. They ...
Rob MacCullough writes – Pundits from the left and the right are arguing that National’s Fast Track Bill that is designed to speed up infrastructure decisions could end up becoming mired in a cesspool of corruption. Political commentator ...
Looking at the headlines this morning it’s hard to feel anything other than pessimistic about the future of humanity.Note that I’m not speaking about the future of mankind, but the survival of our humanity. The values that we believe in seem to be ebbing away, by the day.Perhaps every generation ...
Swabbing mixed breed baby chicks to test for avian influenzaUh oh. Bird flu – often deadly to humans – is not only being transmitted from infected birds to dairy cows, but is now travelling between dairy cows. As of last Friday, Bloomberg News reports, there were 32 American dairy herds ...
On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
What is it with the mining industry? Its not enough for them to pillage the earth - they apparently can't even be bothered getting resource consent to do so: The proponent behind a major mine near the Clutha River had already been undertaking activity in the area without a ...
Photo # 1 I am a huge fan of Singapore’s approach to housing, as described here two years ago by copying and pasting from The ConversationWhat Singapore has that Australia does not is a public housing developer, the Housing Development Board, which puts new dwellings on public and reclaimed land, ...
This afternoon’s interim Waitangi Tribunal report must be taken seriously as it affects our most vulnerable children, Labour children’s spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime. ...
Te Pāti Māori are demanding the New Zealand Government support an international independent investigation into mass graves that have been uncovered at two hospitals on the Gaza strip, following weeks of assault by Israeli troops. Among the 392 bodies that have been recovered, are children and elderly civilians. Many of ...
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...
Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...
Tonight’s court decision to overturn the summons of the Children’s Minister has enabled the Crown to continue making decisions about Māori without evidence, says Te Pāti Māori spokesperson for Children, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. “The judicial system has this evening told the nation that this government can do whatever they want when ...
It appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...
The Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...
Labour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...
The Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...
Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...
The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...
The government's decision to reintroduce Three Strikes is a destructive and ineffective piece of law-making that will only exacerbate an inherently biased and racist criminal justice system, said Te Pāti Māori Justice Spokesperson, Tākuta Ferris, today. During the time Three Strikes was in place in Aotearoa, Māori and Pasifika received ...
Cuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...
The Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...
New Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...
More essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...
Te Pāti Māori is disgusted at the confirmation that hundreds are set to lose their jobs at Oranga Tamariki, and the disestablishment of the Treaty Response Unit. “This act of absolute carelessness and out of touch decision making is committing tamariki to state abuse.” Said Te Pāti Māori Oranga Tamariki ...
The Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...
Cancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...
A laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...
Te Pāti Māori co-leader Rawiri Waititi, and Mema Paremata mō Tāmaki-Makaurau, Takutai Tarsh Kemp, will travel to the Gold Coast to strengthen ties with Māori in Australia next week (15-21 April). The visit, in the lead-up to the 9th Australian National Kapa haka Festival, will be an opportunity for both ...
The Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...
The National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...
The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say. “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff. “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says. “Every day, ...
Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges. “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service. It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
Distinguished guests - It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders. Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...
The Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...
New Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...
Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...
The Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...
“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...
New Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...
The Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...
Education Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...
A stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...
Asia Pacific Report A Pacific civil society alliance has condemned French neocolonial policies in Kanaky New Caledonia, saying Paris is set on “maintaining the status quo” and denying the indigenous Kanak people their inalienable right to self-determination. The Pacific Regional Non-Governmental Organisations (PRNGOs) Alliance, representing some 15 groups, said in ...
Koi Tū New Zealand cannot sit back and see the collapse of its Fourth Estate, the director of Koi Tū: The Centre for Informed Futures, Sir Peter Gluckman, says in the foreword of a paper published today. The paper, “If not journalists, then who?” paints a picture of an industry ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra Foreign investment proposals with implications for Australia’s strategic or economic security will face tougher scrutiny, under a policy overhaul to be announced by Treasurer Jim Chalmers on Wednesday. At the same time, the government ...
A Waitangi Tribunal inquiry report has warned government that a repeal of Section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act could cause harm to children in care. ...
The Treasury has published today three new papers covering government consumption multipliers, automatic stabilisers and the impacts of global shocks on New Zealand’s economy. ...
Asia Pacific Report The Pacific state of Hawai’i’s House of Representatives has joined the state’s Senate in calling for a ceasefire in Israel’s war on Gaza, becoming the first state to pass such a resolution, reports Hawaii News Now. In March, the Senate passed a ceasefire resolution with a 24–1 ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Christopher Ferrie, A/Prof, UTS Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Research and ARC DECRA Fellow, University of Technology Sydney PsiQuantum The Australian government has announced a pledge of approximately A$940 million (US$617 million) to PsiQuantum, a quantum computing start-up company based in Silicon Valley. Half ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Hunter Bennett, Lecturer in Exercise Science, University of South Australia Cameron Prins/Shutterstock If you spend a lot of time exploring fitness content online, you might have come across the concept of heart rate zones. Heart rate zone training has become more ...
SPECIAL REPORT:By Eugene Doyle He is the most popular Palestinian leader alive today — and yet few people in the West even know his name. Absolutely no one in Gaza or the West Bank does not know him. That difference speaks volumes about who dominates the media narrative that ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Will McCallum, PhD Candidate – School of Communication and Creative Arts, Deakin University Earlier this year, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton accused Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of not supporting Operation Sovereign Borders – the military-led border security operation that has “closed Australia’s borders ...
By Melyne Baroi in Port Moresby A Papua New Guinea MP, Peter Isoaimo, who had been ousted by the National Court in an alleged bribery case, has been reinstated by the Supreme Court on appeal. A three-member Supreme Court bench found that the National Court had erred in finding that ...
Publisher Chris Holdaway reflects on the unique project of collecting the work of the late, terrific poet Schaeffer Lemalu. One of the nice things you can do as a truly independent publisher is to make the books that writers want to make, whatever they happen to be. That’s how I’ve ...
Those profiled in the stamp series served on overseas deployments from 1995 onwards, and all have been awarded theNew Zealand Operational Service Medal. ...
Last night’s dismal poll result for the coalition government shows the limits of trying to govern as an opposition, argues Joel MacManus. There’s a quote from the American political activist Barbara Deming: “Vengeance is not the point; change is. But the trouble is that in most people’s minds, the thought ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Shireen Morris, Associate Professor and Director of the Radical Centre Reform Lab at Macquarie University Law School, Macquarie University Leonid Andronov/Shutterstock Foreign interference in Australian democracy poses a growing risk to our national sovereignty. It refers to coercive, corrupt or ...
A defendant charged by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has pleaded guilty to four charges of obtaining by deception in relation to a mortgage fraud scheme. Sentencing has been scheduled for 14 August 2024. ...
What to say when pesky journalists ask gotcha questions like ‘can you name a single book you’ve ever read?’ and ‘did you read it, or did you just see the movie?’This week, Act Party arts spokesperson Todd Stephenson foolishly agreed to an interview with Newsroom’s Steve Braunias regarding his ...
Explainer - What will a ban on cellphones in schools achieve? Can students use them during lunch breaks? And what happens if you need to contact your child? ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Jodi Rowley, Curator, Amphibian & Reptile Conservation Biology, Australian Museum, UNSW Sydney Jodi Rowley, CC BY-NC-ND In winter 2021, Australia’s frogs started dropping dead. People began posting images of dead frogs on social media. Unable to travel to investigate the deaths ...
In the year ended March 2024, 0.4 percent of home transfers were to people who didn’t hold New Zealand citizenship or a resident visa, according to figures released by Stats NZ today. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Wasay Majid, Research Assistant , University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau New Zealand’s accommodation supplement scheme is facing scrutiny, with Social Development Minister Louise Upston recently saying “there is merit in considering whether the current settings are fair and sustainable long-term”. The ...
By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor The first prime ministerial candidate has been announced in Solomon Islands and it is not Manasseh Sogavare. The man of the hour is Jeremiah Manele, the MP for Hograno/Kia/Havulei constituency in Isabel Province, who served as minister of foreign affairs in the last government. ...
Protesting the removal of bins by leaving piles of your dog’s shit for others to deal with doesn’t make you a hero – it’s precious and entitled behaviour. You haven’t truly lived until you’ve stood on the shoreline of Auckland’s Cheltenham beach, desperately trying to scoop increasingly liquid dog shit ...
Analysis - Christopher Luxon will be alert to the factors driving the dire polling, but won't be waving the white flag just yet, RNZ political editor Jo Moir writes. ...
Writer, teacher and academic Vincent O’Sullivan died on Sunday 28 April. Here we gather tributes from friends, colleagues, and students who remember his extraordinary contributions. I went down to the garage tonight. There was a bird shrieking out in the bush, in the dark, maybe a kākā. Miraculously, through the ...
As part of our series exploring how New Zealanders live and our relationship with money, a burnt-out corporate escapee explains how she gets by ‘working as little as possible’. Want to be part of The Cost of Being? Fill out the questionnaire here.Gender: Female Age: 31 Ethnicity: Pākehā Role: Contractor in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Timothy Schmidt, Professor of Chemistry, UNSW Sydney Albert Russ / Shutterstock The icebreaker of many a barbeque conversation is something like “what do you do for a crust?” “I teach chemistry at university,” is what we usually reply. Then silence. Our ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Asher Flynn, Associate Professor of Criminology, Monash University Shutterstock Sexual harassment is often considered to be a person-to-person act, but new research shows Australians are also experiencing and perpetrating workplace harassment in large numbers through technology. Our latest study shows one ...
A petition signed by more than 16,500 people, demanding the government take stronger action to halt the genocide of Palestinians by the State of Israel, is being presented to the House of Representatives today by Hon Phil Twyford. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Burnett, Honorary Associate Professor, ANU College of Law, Australian National University jenmartin/Shutterstock April has been a bad month for the Australian environment. The Great Barrier Reef was hit, yet again, by intense coral bleaching. And Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek delayed ...
Winston Peters might not give a ‘rat’s derriere’ about last night’s poll, but it revealed the unusual absence of a honeymoon period and little payoff for the government’s action plan approach, writes Anna Rawhiti-Connell in this excerpt from The Bulletin, The Spinoff’s morning news round-up. To receive The Bulletin in ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Marco de Jong, Lecturer, Law School, Auckland University of Technology Getty Images Details released by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet under the Official Information Act reveal New Zealand officials have been considering involvement in AUKUS from the outset. ...
The government's treatment of Māori raised eyebrows, with countries saying New Zealand needed to do more to reduce health, education and justice inequities. ...
The age of criminal responsibility was one of numerous human rights issues raised during Aotearoa New Zealand’s UPR. Other key themes were racism and discrimination, the disproportionate representation of Māori in prison, and to uphold the UN Declaration ...
In a sitdown interview ahead of his final day at Parliament this week, the former Green Party co-leader tells RNZ about his lowest point during 2017's rough election campaign. ...
Is the fringe radio station really in a financial crisis, or is it just running a hyped-up donation drive? Fringe internet radio station Reality Check Radio was launched by the anti-vaccine mandates group Voices for Freedom in March 2023. For the next year, it undertook probably the most aggressive promotional ...
Above the Fold: On Monday, the biggest Māori screen production company faced down the biggest funder of Māori content at the High Court. It was an incredibly tense moment – then, just as quickly, it resolved. Duncan Greive breaks down a strange day in the screen sector.Yesterday morning, Māori ...
When it comes to talking about the Government’s controversial fast-track consenting process, political scientist Richard Shaw refers to the famous Chinese sci-fi novel Three-Body Problem, while RNZ’s In Depth journalist Farah Hancock talks about zombie projects. Shaw is referring to the three-party coalition Government and how the proposed legislation is ...
Opinion: The debate over single gender versus co-educational schooling has long been controversial. I went to a co-ed school and was inspired by a remarkable woman who was my maths teacher, and because of her deep knowledge and passion for the subject, I knew that maths was definitely an option ...
He won everything and he earned a knighthood and he was a senior literary figure to the point that he was a living monument to himself until his death in the weekend at 86, but there was something about Vincent O’Sullivan that flew under the radar, that was independent and ...
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It’s a ride that’s lasted almost 30 years for mother and daughter BMX riders Nancy and Toni James, and the next stop is the World Championships in Rock Hill, South Carolina. Almost 27 years ago, Nancy and her husband Gerrard took their oldest child, Daniel, to the Waitākere BMX Club. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Rick Sarre, Emeritus Professor of Law and Criminal Justice, University of South Australia The rate of women killed by their partners in Australia grew by 28% from 2021–22 to 2022–23, according to new statistics released today by the Australian Institute of Criminology ...
Ministry of Disabled People employees were promised a permanent role, but were told to start packing three weeks before their fixed term contract finished, says a former employee. ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew Blakers, Professor of Engineering, Australian National University Clean Energy Council / Neoen As Australia’s rapid renewable energy rollout continues, so too does debate over land use. Nationals Leader David Littleproud, for example, claimed regional areas had reached “saturation point” and ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Brendan C. Walsh, Sessional Academic, The University of Queensland Arrest for witchcraft (1866) by John PettieNGV, CC BY-NC In recent decades, governments the world over have increasingly taken action to address the dark history of witch-hunting. In western Europe, memorials to ...
By Mark Rabago, RNZ Pacific Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas correspondent The US Department of Justice is being urged to condemn and cease its reliance on the “Insular Cases” — a series of US Supreme Court opinions on US territories, which have been labelled racist. Senate Judiciary Committee chair Dick ...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Kara Dadswell, Senior Lecturer in Psychology, Victoria University Ask your son or daughter, niece, or nephew to draw you a picture of a sport coach. They will most probably draw a man. Why? Our latest research published in the Psychology of Sport ...
The best article I’ve read yet about the new triumvirate.
Verity Johnston nails it.
There is no honeymoon : just the morning after..
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/301020842/verity-johnson-this-isnt-the-honeymoon-period-its-the-morning-after
Yes thanks Ed. Verity sums it all up so well.
Thanks Ed. Well as one famous Pacifica said "I have no confidence in this Government."
It’s been observed that our coalition government's intention to scrap the smoking ban will help fund tax cuts that benefit landLords such as Luxon and Willis.
NAct's cold equations will get Kiwi excess deaths back on track – think priorities.
https://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/article/undoctored/cumulative-pandemic-deaths-graph-more-effective-1000-words
The pressure is growing………maybe a protest song or three……
https://www.stuff.co.nz/environment/climate-news/133430933/neil-finn-joins-the-call-urging-the-government-to-walk-away-from-new-oil-and-gas
Then there is van vampire and the luxury clown…….
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/301025002/nz-politics-live-government-moves-to-undo-labours-employment-laws
Can anyone explain to me why Phil Twyford still has any sort of role in the Labour front bench?
He barely hung on to his seat, and he was a weak and bombastic minister whose failure to deliver single handedly dealt two massive blows to Labour's credibility in government over Kiwi build and light rail, failures for which he was rightly sacked.
Yet this morning he turned up up at around 6.50am on RNZ to talk about Luxon's brazen immigration flip flop and predictably he was f*cking weak as piss water. He ummed and ahhed, he even made excuses for Luxon ("Opposition is poetry, government is prose" FFS!). He wouldn't commit Labour to anything different and he argued points of policy detail in a tone of voice which indicated he didn't really give a shit.
For Christ's sake man – it isn't hard. First, you excoriate Luxon for flip flopping, call him a PM who pronouncements can't be trusted by the public, state that Winston Peters is in control of immigration and say this is evidence the PM is weak and easily led, say his flip flop vindicates Labour's policies and that it is going to be three long years until sanity is restored by dumping Luxon, Peters and this government.
Twyford was a hopeless minister and he sounded disinterested and ineffective now he is in opposition. If he is only turning up to eat his lunch and draw his salary he needs to be discarded for someone a bit hungrier and bit angrier.
All the Labour Immigration ministers have departed as have most of the Associate Ministers, so there's not a lot of experience available in the portfolio currently.
Monday
Tuesday
We are seeing the beginning of a new Māori cultural moment – standing up to the self-serving lies of groundswill/anti-3w/cookers and old farts longing for the days of Pakeha hegemony
Te Papa should remove English version of the Treaty of Waitangi – Māori legal expert | RNZ News
It's a good way to drive publicity about the issue. *
That said, if the exhibit is to be historically accurate the original English translation and its difference to the Maori language one needs to be acknowledged, not hidden.
After all, to rewrite it, is to contest in the same field as those (majoritarians) who want to re-define the principles of the Treaty.
Part of the reason for opposition to UNDRIP maybe the status of Maori as indigenous and thus their language in the treaty, as per international law *
The word "translation" is the problem. The vandalised English version isn't a translation, it conveys a significantly different meaning than Te Tiriti O Waitangi, the document in Te Reo Māori signed by the chiefs in 1840.
Te Tiriti is the agreement with legal standing, not that English thing that cedes sovereignty.
Sure, my bad. I should have said the English language version.
These people represent themselves and their own perspective – not all Māori.
Do you equate any non-Māori protest as a consensus action for all non-Māori?
While many non-Māori seem to support both the action and the sentiment behind it, they should be clear that it is a specific perspective held by SOME Māori that they support.
Anything less than that is fairly racist. (Assuming that people think alike by virtue of their ancestry is racism in its most insidious and common form.)
Of course, I have connection to Ngāpuhi, and good luck getting them to agree on anything 😂
Would they all agree with Molly's comment?
Hone Heke might, he liked to argue and be contentious!
"Would they all agree with Molly's comment?"
Why would that be an expectation?
"Of course, I have connection to Ngāpuhi, and good luck getting them to agree on anything"
Me, too.
Indeed
Another excellent piece from Rob Campbell.
https://newsroom.co.nz/2023/12/11/the-case-for-strong-and-stable-pay-and-conditions/
Rumour has it that they’ve run out of envelopes on the 9th floor of the Beehive and they still cannot balance the books. Only 8 days left until the unveiling of the Government’s Mini-Budget, which will be a rhetorical masterpiece of political deflection and obfuscation.
Thank goodness then, for their Very Big Brains and Enormous Intellects!
And their huge skill in managing things and getting outcomes.
It's all labours fault!!!
Rising authoritarianism around the world and a Climate Change refugee crisis on the horizon so buckle up, it's getting bumpy.
This week, the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London published the latest edition of its authoritative annual Armed Conflict Survey, and it’s not predicting much peace for the holidays. It paints a grim picture of rising violence in in many regions, of wars chronically resistant to broking of peace. The survey — which addresses regional conflicts rather than the superpower confrontation between China, Russia, the US and its allies — documents 183 conflicts for 2023, the highest number in three decades.
https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2023-12-10/it-s-not-just-ukraine-and-gaza-war-is-on-the-rise-everywhere
""It's higgledy-piggledy, and it's got things they designed when they were at pre-school, and it's lovely.""
From Stuff's article on Nicola Willis' mini-budget.
🙂
Link?
https://tkr.ro/e/EQ6lWePZXxY2Eez6
I wonder if Willis will bother going back to Parliament after the break. She looks miserable in politics, but sounds happy talking about family life
She was born miserable.
You might recall that during the coalition negotiations, Luxon dismissed the role of Deputy PM as "ceremonial".
The ceremony will take place in the House at 2 pm. The PM is away, so Winston gets to answer the questions as Acting PM. Let's see how many headlines he can create, and what will need to be "clarified" afterwards.
Will he use the opportunity to pardon Barry Young?
And table the documents.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/301025086/construction-companies-and-directors-charged-in-firstever-criminal-cartel-prosecution
”Two construction companies and two directors have been charged after allegedly colluding to rig bids for infrastructure projects in Auckland.
The charges have been filed by the Commerce Commission in the country’s first-ever prosecution for criminal cartel conduct.”
So, let’s put business in charge. What possibly could go wrong!?
How long does it take for a new PM to move into negative polling? (defined as more unfavourable than favourable)
Ardern: over 5 years.
NEW POLL: PM's Favourability Goes Negative While Labour Hits A Record Low | Scoop News
Luxon: a few days.
Honeymoon over: Christopher Luxon drops, NZ First overtakes Act in new poll – NZ Herald
On that basis, he should resign about now.
Luxon was never that strong, his numbers only eclipsed Hipkins late in the election campaign.
The Nats bench is pretty lacklustre, but the Lux option seemed plausible enough to fool Kiwis briefly.
"the Greens have registered a big drop"
10.8%….they polled 11.6% in the election so margin of error stuff.
Labour, Greens, and media would do well to actually read Naitonal's actual water policy "Local Water Done Well" in particular the CCO and amalgamation bit:
https://assets.nationbuilder.com/nationalparty/pages/17598/attachments/original/1677282667/Local_Water_Done_Well_policy_document.pdf?1677282667
"For many councils, the requirement to become financially sustainable will mean they need to develop a new model. We expect many will choose, on their own terms, the Regional Council Controlled Organisation (CCO) model proposed by C4LD.
A Regional CCO model would allow for three or more neighbouring councils to own a standalone entity with the ability to access long-term borrowing to invest in long-term infrastructure, without it impacting council balance sheets. For example, councils in the Hawke’s Bay region (Central Hawke’s Bay, Hastings, Wairoa, and Napier) presented an independently costed and verified alternative where they voluntarily created a Regional CCO.
The Government rejected this model despite the fact it could address affordability and capacity issues while ensuring clean water for Hawke’s Bay, all while keeping assets in local hands. By 2032, it would even deliver those councils and their ratepayers $18 million in operational savings every year.
We expect a number of councils will choose to form a Regional CCO, but National will not be mandating it, or any other model. If councils can demonstrate an alternative that complies with regulations for both water quality and water infrastructure, and is financially sustainable, National will approve it."
Back in March he said to Northland leaders:
"Speaking on Thursday, Luxon said the region’s Three Waters assets would be managed by a single council-controlled-organisation (CCO) or equivalent, on behalf of Far North, Kaipara and Whangārei district councils"
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/nationals-christopher-luxon-says-northland-councils-would-keep-control-of-their-three-waters/YYWIHGXOVRH3TKTK26HKOKWMSU/
It is far more likely that Auckland's Watercare will move north and take over the equivalent population and water assets of Glen Eden and Henderson put together … just as Watercare have for Waikato.
What Luxon will do is wait until the LTP's are out early next year, then encourage them to beg for a regionalised entity solution.
It will look remarkably like the Labour proposal, but we will beg for it when we see our water rates will otherwise triple.
The Taxpayers Union claims that public service is trying to discredit their own preferred model
Source, just get on their email list.
As one might well note, the TU is not a fan of councils owning assets that can be owned and operated by corporations.
https://www.taxpayers.org.nz/bay_of_plenty_sell_assets
Out of interest, what’s the date of the Onion’s e-mail?
Today.
This model was well thrashed out through the 3 Waters process and fell over because no Councils would want to voluntarily amalgamate with the basket cases, and subsidise their deferred upgrades. How are ratepayers in lower North Island going to agree to pay for Wellington's problems, or Otago paying to replace Gore's 19th century combined sewer system,
Not going to happen voluntarily, Luxon is going to have to press the compulsory button at some point, then we're back to 3 Waters. Other option is Government pours a shitload of money into Gore and likes, but this could get tricky politically.
There might be the possibility of the Government subsidising Gore (or other smallish rural cities – under the umbrella of the provincial growth fund (or whatever it's being called this time around) – but not a hope in hell of them doing so for Wellington.
For two reasons:
1. There is a perception that Wellington spends its money on 'nice to have' and very expensive cycleways and town hall refurbishments – rather than on basic infrastructure.
2. Wellington has made its opposition to the Right plain – both at a local and at a national level. The government is highly motivated to sit back and say that Wellington has made its bed and now must lie on it.
I was very interested to hear the Queenstown mayor interviewed on RNZ recently – about the water upgrade they've put in place. Not the one (I understand) recommended by the new water authority (some form of membrane as a barrier) – but a lower cost, and much quicker to implement solution (using UV to sterilize the crypto bugs). They are now waiting for Taumata Arowai to sign-off on their solution.
One of the concerns with the 3 waters model was the perception that the water authority (and the regulator) would go with the gold-plated 'best of breed' solution – which is unlikely to be affordable for smaller/poorer regions – rather than a 'good enough' – and/or more suited to local conditions – solution.
https://crux.org.nz/crux-news/qldc-water-fix-we-have-delivered-on-what-we-said-we-would-do
NZers need safe, affordable and reliable water services – for years to come.
"Good enough" will do for now. A "gold-plated 'best of breed'" solution sounds expensive for Queenstown, or anywhere in Aotearoa NZ, and the material components, even for some 'good enough' solutions, are sourced overseas.
The worst that could happen is Kiwis (or worse yet, overseas tourists with their lovely lovely $$$) get sick and everyone goes back to boiling water while the problem is sorted – the main thing is to keep the power on. Maybe more Kiwis will be acting as indicators of water quality, going forward – bags not me!!
I can't work out whether you're agreeing with me that sometimes 'good enough' solutions are all that can be afforded; or claiming that someone (whether taxpayer or ratepayer) should pay for the best possible one.
Affordability is a significant issue. You, personally, may be in a position to afford a ten-fold increase in water rates – but many are not.
The point of raising the Queenstown solution (apart from the fact that it's been in the papers recently) – is that they've come up with a much quicker to implement and cheaper solution – which is also (apparently) a better fit for their local conditions. An example of water engineers on the ground knowing their conditions better than staff in a Wellington-based suite of offices.
I'm agreeing with you, but not wholeheartedly. Don't know whether this particular "'good enough' solution" was all the QLDC could afford, or a choice.
As the article you linked to states, that "much quicker to implement and cheaper solution" is also an "interim solution". Plans are afoot to complete a permanent system at the Two Mile plant next year, presumably at some additional cost to the taxpayer and/or ratepayer.
You get what you (can afford to) pay for. I sincerely hope this particular (inexpensive?) infrastructure represents value for money – time will tell. A UV reactor treats the water from one of Palmy bores, and wastewater is also undergoes UV disinfection prior to discharge into the Manawatu river.
Yes, no reasonable person would suggest "staff in a Wellington-based suite of offices" know the state of the Queenstown Lake District’s water infrastructure better than the local engineers responsible for installing, monitoring and maintaining said infrastructure – that would be silly.
Said infrastructure was sub par in this particular case, by all means
It's too late to worry about the greedy Christchurch kid in the High Chair stealing the lolly jar and gleefully pigging into it when his smartarse mate Winnie has got riverless of candy running down his chin as Lady Nicola is telling you how the world is going to be.
I'm all for a politically neutral public service, but ACT's Todd Stephenson is doing stuff that neither Labour nor Greens would dream of doing to Welly bureaucrats:
https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/12/12/get-with-the-programme-or-get-out-acts-message-to-public-officials/
Health and Public Service spokesperson Todd Stephenson said ACT welcomed the resignation of any public officials who couldn't "bring themselves to implement the programme outlined by the elected Government".
He said public servants were employed to serve the public through the government of the day to the best of their abilities.
“If someone believes they can’t do that because of their personal political beliefs – including the belief that some ethnic groups should be treated differently by the government simply because of their race – they should resign.
“It’s in no-one’s interest to have top public advisors glumly going through the motions in high-paid positions when potential champions for service delivery would jump at the chance to fill those roles. In short, get with the programme or get out.”
It's fair to say that some of the larger public sector agencies take a while to adjust to a big change of government direction, but they do generally get there and should be left alone to do that.
It's should be seen alongside – Luxon not wanting any impact assessments of incoming government policy, "when it is going to be ignored". It's compendium. They see the public service role to implement policy, thus an inference of an intent to reduce capacity to advise or formulate policy (and be guided by right wing think tanks instead).
100%..
It also seem incredibly ironic that they are choosing to go down this path considering the criticism they levelled at the last two Labour governments regarding transparency along with caring for tax payers dollars..
We need a General Strike to warn him he is there at the people's pleasure.
He’s not doing anything as such. He’s the Health and Public Service spokesperson for ACT and his only official role in this government is Whip for his party AFAIK
He’s just spouting simplistic RW lines and his words and implications could be ripped to pieces mercilessly if he were somebody and I had the time.
I'd notice, he's their public service spokesperson – given his party leader's role in the cabinet, associate finance and their (and coalition) policy of public sector cuts.
Thanks, I didn’t know that. My point stands though; he has no formal power or responsibility except to stir up negative sentiments.
Incognito your comments explain your name.
Your comments display a lack of comprehension.
I could assist you but doubt it would do any good.
[TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]
[So, your answer is “No”, which doesn’t surprise me.
Secondly, use the Reply button when replying to and/or engaging with another commenter. This would assist the logical flow of comments aka discussion threads, which would do us good.
Thirdly, stop trolling and start engaging.
Bonus comment, “incognito” doesn’t mean what you seem to think it does …
This is your warning – Incognito]
Mod note
Thats odd. Just watched Parliament on Demand. Government had at least 4 Patsy questions and "Sorry this does not exist" for 3 questions. Chris Hipkins, Camilla Bellich and Debbie Ngarewa-Packer from the Opposition did not replay yet their questions had been asked.
Does this mean that the Government can blank Opposition questions?.
Hansard ianmac?
More likely a technical problem ianmac. I had the same response.
https://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/national/government-announces-major-change-to-speed-limit-rules/ar-AA1lmdiQ?rc=1&ocid=winp1taskbar&cvid=4008cd3034f249efa12045043642a0b2&ei=4
These people are a vengeful, dangerous, incompetent collection of muppets. Everywhere you look they seem hell-bent on doing the maximum amount of damage in the shortest possible time.
The change to setting of road rules as I understand it made it easier for local authorities to set safer, more appropriate speed limits in their areas in consultation with their local communities. Yet these muppets disingenuously present it as a "blanket" imposition of reduced speed limits.
To see Simian Brown smugly smiling behind the Conehead makes me want to puke.
If I sound upset, I am. But I’m also confused. If we mobilise to make them spend more energy on simply keeping things running and giving them less space and time to wreck things, are we playing into their hands?
"Simian".. was that intentional or was it spell check?
Because either way.. it's very funny.
Intentional. Part of me says you can't take these Muppets seriously but part of says we have to.
At the moment we have yet another extreme weather event in the Hutt Valley but a government with CC deniers in it. We are in deep shit.
Somebody just texted in to Checkpoint saying that reducing the speed limit between Nelson and Blenheim has reduced fatalities by 80%
I have not researched if this is true but I have driven this road several times and the 80k limit makes total sense on this twisty and steep route.
The maximum speed on that road is 90k. Parts are less than that. Yes to the hugely reduced accident rate. I travel the Blenheim Nelson road each week and reckon the traffic flow is much smoother and cars seldom overtake each other. Wonder why.
In the five-year period prior to the change in speed limits, 52 people were killed or seriously injured on that stretch of state highway – more than 10 people per year.
In the last two years (2021 and 2022), that number has decreased to five. Injury crash numbers had reduced too – down 35%.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/opinion/132042835/the-quickest-way-to-save-lives-on-the-road-is-to-reduce-the-speed-limit
What do you reckon – we cross pollinate in Winston and David? I mean personal responsibility and all that, we need to be trusted to make the decisions which are best for ourselves.
So smoke if you want and drive at the speed you want? Nice day today where I was, I didn't need anyone telling me what speed I needed to be driving at for my vehicle and the road.