Open mike 12/05/2016

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, May 12th, 2016 - 119 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:

openmikeOpen mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose. The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Step up to the mike …

119 comments on “Open mike 12/05/2016 ”

  • Comments are now closed

    • Pasupial 1.1
      12 May 2016 at 8:23 am

      That’s; Peter “Palantir” Thiel? Surveillance software crafter for USA spy agencies & LotR fan.

    • joe90 1.2
      12 May 2016 at 12:39 pm

      Thiel rejects democ­racy and has a problem with women voting.

      But I must confess that over the last two decades, I have changed radically on the question of how to achieve these goals. Most importantly, I no longer believe that freedom and democracy are compatible. By tracing out the development of my thinking, I hope to frame some of the challenges faced by all classical liberals today.

      […]

      The 1920s were the last decade in American history during which one could be genuinely optimistic about politics. Since 1920, the vast increase in welfare beneficiaries and the extension of the franchise to women — two constituencies that are notoriously tough for libertarians — have rendered the notion of “capitalist democracy” into an oxymoron.

      http://archive.is/mLvl4

      More on Thiel –

      https://kielarowski.net/tag/peter-thiel/

      • Draco T Bastard 1.2.1
        12 May 2016 at 6:14 pm

        Sounds like he’s figured out that capitalism and democracy are polar opposites and he’s come down in favour of capitalism and dictatorship.

  2. Tautoko Mangō Mata 2
    12 May 2016 at 6:45 am

    Encouraging news on TPP
    Hatch Says White House Fails To Move On Biologics, Signals TPP Vote Has 50-50 Chance

    Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-UT) today (May 11) said the White House remains unwilling to move beyond five years of market exclusivity for biologics in the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) rather than the 12 years he is seeking, and warned that the administration’s failure to change on the issue would essentially kill chances for a Senate vote on the agreement.
    http://insidetrade.com/

  3. Robert Busnac 3
    12 May 2016 at 7:14 am

    With all the discussion about the direction of Labour, it seems to me the best way to bring them back into the fold of the people is for everyone to join and make change from within.. There is certainly little point in going on Facebook and getting into rants about it.. the elite love that we do it…. because at the end of the day we just end up vomiting our disgust, anger and frustration and find ourselves sated and empty. Bring it into the real world..

  4. Penny Bright 4
    12 May 2016 at 7:53 am

    VERY well spoken Green MP Kennedy Graham – outlining what a crock is the NZ Parliamentary process regarding the TPPA.

    I recommend you watch this – less than 5 minutes.

    Penny Bright
    2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.

    (The only Auckland Mayoral candidate who is and has been actively opposed to NZ signing and ratifying the TPPA).

    • Tautoko Mangō Mata 4.1
      12 May 2016 at 8:17 am

      Penny has highlighted the consistency of abuses of process by this government regarding the TPP. It is SHAMEFUL.
      Link relating to Penny’s post below.

      Dr KENNEDY GRAHAM (Green): I rise to address the issue of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). It is just as well that I am doing so for 5 minutes in the general debate because there is no other chance for any member of Parliament to address the treaty as a treaty. Yesterday the Green Party proposed that the select committee report on the treaty, tabled 2 days ago, be subject to a parliamentary debate. The proposal was rejected. That is extraordinary because the TPP is one of the most important treaties to affect New Zealand in many years, yet the Government, unwavering in the belief that it knows best, feels no obligation to have the treaty examination by the select committee debated in Parliament. It is required under the Standing Orders to have debates, three readings, and a plenary Committee, in fact, on the implementing legislation but not on the prior policy issue of the merits of the treaty itself.
      ….

      http://foreignaffairs.co.nz/2016/05/11/draft-transcript-wednesday-11-may-2016/#sthash.dLK062qQ.dpuf

    • Sacha 4.2
      12 May 2016 at 1:09 pm

      “watch this”

      You have included no link, so that’s a tad tricky to achieve.

  5. Rosemary McDonald 5
    12 May 2016 at 8:05 am

    What’s new???

    Grown up beat child. Child’s older sister tells another grown up, (a grown up from a respected anti domestic violence organisation), that grown up asks the abusing grown up and the abusing grown up denies the abuse and blames the older sister.

    Clear? Read it here….http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/79772891/sister-told-social-worker-moko-being-abused

    Some of us challenged Women’s Refuge….and,
    http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1605/S00132/womens-refuge-clarifies-information-about-abuse-allegations.htm

    “Its untrue” says Chief Executive of Women’s Refuge Dr Ang Jury.

    “Women’s Refuge has a robust Child Abuse Reporting Protocol in place and if a disclosure of this kind had been made to us, it would have resulted in an immediate notification of concern to CYF. In this case the information provided to us was around child to child interaction and not at a level for us to have considered that these allegations were serious enough for a notification to Child, Youth and Family.” ”

    Since the first article actually quotes the manager of Te Whare Oranga Wairua Maori Women’s Refuge in Taupo,

    …”said that Marama phoned Shailer to ask if that were true and Shailer blamed the seven year old for the abuse. Marama believed Shailer, even though the refuge was aware Shailer herself had escaped from a violent relationship with Haerewa and had returned to that relationship after Haerewa was let out of prison. ”

    Someone is lying.

    Bastards.

    • Rosemary McDonald 5.1
      12 May 2016 at 8:14 am

      And, if you all want this put into a clever sounding political context…

      This is what happens when you turn an advocacy group into an NGO.

      Give them a Contract with the Government…they are no longer doing actual fucking advocacy…they are now “providing services.”

      The advocate becomes the Chief Executive Officer….

      • Jenny Kirk 5.1.1
        12 May 2016 at 8:30 am

        and what is more, Rosemary McD, the NGO cannot do any advocacy any more otherwise they lose their funding. Neoliberalism has turned genuinely good caring organisations into “service providers” so they have to keep their mouths shut.
        Its just like the scientists who cannot speak out because their employer will also lose their funding.
        But in the case of children – much more serious. What a mess we (a collective we as in all of NZ) have made of our world.
        And now “gangs” of youngsters are terrorising other kids on their way to and from school.
        Maybe if this govt concentrated on dealing with the social ills at home, rather than on the so-called terrorism elsewhere, we’d get an improvement. But don’t hold your breath. From the way ShonKey is playing games in Parliament nothing good is going to come from his govt any time soon.

        • Rosemary McDonald 5.1.1.1
          12 May 2016 at 9:11 am

          Thank you Jenny, what I would have said had I the time earlier…but you put it so much better than I would.

          http://www.victoria.ac.nz/sacs/pdf-files/Fears-constraints-and-contracts-Grey-and-Sedgwick-2014.pdf

          “When the funder calls the tune decisions are made by the funder about the legitimacy of the cause.
          Therefore, one of the issues facing voluntary organisations is that of “politicised” funding – their
          budgets are “generated by a political process” (Edwards & Gummer, 1988, p2). Two factors which
          contribute to this politicised funding are identified by Edwards & Gummer, as firstly, disputes over
          goals and, secondly, problems with measurement of effectiveness.”

          I wrote about this having happened in the disability “sector”…see…even I am using corporate speak….

          There used to be steel toe capped booted activists….they wear lipstick and high heels now.

          These people have sold out for a few dollars, and the patina of ‘professionalism’.

          Dr Ang Jury’s statement reads like a press release from Exxon.

          Shame on her.

      • greywarshark 5.1.2
        12 May 2016 at 9:58 am

        Rosemary McDonald
        You are exactly right. The government has help groups like Refuge by the short and curlies. They are unable to do the work they were formed to do. The government funds them for only part of their concerns.

        Some years ago it was the case that government would only fund wages and not enough for the rooms, equipment, maintenance, sundries which were needed to operate and that had to be raised elsewhere. So they are better than cardboard cutouts that give the appearance of presence, but they are disabled as far as the complexity and intensity of the job requires to do it thoroughly.

        This morning someone on Radionz said that social workers at CYF or somewhere are limited in time to actually work with their clients. There is some form with an acronym like KITS that has to be filled in requiring much time and they are sitting at a desk filing information required rather than working in the field.
        The whole outlook of government is based on lack of trust of ordinary people, and not paying out gummint revenue to entities not achieving quick results. This is the link to what I was listening to.

        http://www.radionz.co.nz/audio/player/201800436
        Calls for offenders to be screened for neurodisability
        9:18 AM.Neurodisabilities can range from learning differences like dyslexia, through to Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Research suggests that people with neurodisabilities are highly over-represented in prisons. Today a forum in Wellington, hosted by the Dyslexia Foundation, brings together representatives from the Justice Department, Police and a range of government ministries to explore the common and shared characteristics of neurodisabilites and why they may make people vulnerable when they come into contact with police or the courts. We speak to Chair of the NZ Institute for Educational and Developmental Psychologists Rose Blackett and Eleanor Bensemann, who raised her grandson who has FASD.

        • Rosemary McDonald 5.1.2.1
          12 May 2016 at 10:59 am

          Re- screening offenders for neurodisabilities…we were having that conversation in the eighties….

          Re- the Flaxmere suicides. All of those girls were known to CYFs. I Iistened peripherally to that, I’m sure I head someone from a Community Organisation saying that the families should do better. Hmmm…must follow up on that later.

          Re- declawed advocacy…these people, with their oh so respectable sounding titles…have they so permanently lost their ethical way that they are blind to their failings? That they can carefully construct a press release and think that absolves them of guilt? And truly believe that most will fall for it?

          Be damned about “not sufficient resources”…Te Whare Oranga Wairua Maori Women’s Refuge in Taupo were close to Moko’s murderer…she was doing a social work course for god’s sakes…Trina Marama could have popped round for a coffee and checked on the child…

          They have lost their way, and a child died.

          I used to support Women’s Refuge…they did Good Work.

          Not. Any. More.

    • Maz 5.2
      12 May 2016 at 1:08 pm

      Indeed Rosemary. I too, am shocked at the many times Moko could have been saved, but for the lack of intervention at many levels, he wasn’t.

      Again, we see a breakdown in communication where other immediate and extended whanau members, agencies and departments had not considered for one moment, that these children needed to be removed from this horrifying situation, immediately. There were enough red flags to remove the children and then undertake further investigations. After all, to err on the side of safety in these circumstances, is to save a child.

      Sadly, here we are, trying to make sense of the loop holes that still exist within our government agencies. They are meant to be a child’s first and last line of defence, but once again, they have failed.

      As a past CYF carer and a subsequent mother of a carer, I became concerned about the disclosure and, just as importantly, the non disclosure of information that affected the outcome of decisions made by CYF in my case. I won’t go into detail for obvious reasons, but needless to say, I placed my complete trust in the system. However, it became quite clear to me, that the serious issues I raised as a result of my observations and concerns of, and about the children went no further than the rooms these were discussed in. I sensed a ‘just keep it between you and us’ attitude.

      …and as I have recently discovered, when a government agent claims ‘there is no documentation of any discussion on that matter.’ The chances are, the issues were discussed and documented or discussed and not documented…then conveniently filed away in the ‘hear, see and do nothing’ file.

      My areas of concern go beyond this blog, but I do think, that in the very first instance, CYFs and other agencies need to raise and extend their levels of enquiry. Don’t discount the utterings of a child. In this case, his sister was his only link to survival. I don’t believe for one moment that no adult knew about the horrors unfolding in that household. I shudder, with disappointment and disgust at realising that another child’s death could have been avoided.

      Let’s keep up the debate on this issue Rosemary…well done.

      • Rosemary McDonald 5.2.1
        12 May 2016 at 3:51 pm

        Maz. What can I say? As foster carers to some 60 children, our relationship with CYFs ended when the only option we had to give a little more hope to a wee babe and his young, stigmatised mum was by making an official complaint to the Children’s Commission. We were not the first foster parents to do so.

        My partner and I for weeks took it in turns to phone CYFs regarding this child in our care. Every day. The Court gave them the barrel up…yet still they sat on their hands. Time flies for a little one.

        After all was sorted, CYFs had the fucking audacity to tell us we should have communicated with them better.

        When I am in charge of training ‘social workers’, they would spend at least one day per week reading all the Court and media reports of cases where CYFs and other agencies have stuffed up and a child has died. With pictures.

        It is far better to over react to a complaint and have to apologise for the error, than this horror.

        “Let’s keep up the debate on this issue.”

        Please.

    • Daveosaurus 5.3
      12 May 2016 at 5:57 pm

      The elephant in the room here is that, between July and August 2009, 1,470,755 people posted forms in to the returning officers telling them that there wasn’t enough violence against children in New Zealand, and that they wanted more of it. Until such time as this vile attitude is addressed, little children will continue to be murdered by violent thugs in the mass quantities that they are today.

      A possible start would be information sharing between CYF and the electoral office: for the names of the 300,000 or so people who signed Larry Baldock’s petition in the first place to be red-flagged as people who are in favour of violent abuse against children.

      • music4menz 5.3.1
        12 May 2016 at 9:10 pm

        Perhaps it might be more accurate for you to have written [BLiP: Deleted racist crap. First and last warning].

  6. save nz 6
    12 May 2016 at 8:23 am

    Auckland inches closer to motorway toll

    Now who do you think this tax will affect the most as a percentage of their income?

    People on local wages trying to get into work or those who have money to burn?

    If the government had not increased the population of Auckland at staggering proportions each year and driven locals from housing and congesting the motorways, now their new plan to start a tax which will affect the working poor the most.

    Wonder why the working and middle class think National and Labour are the same?

    Yet another way to tax struggling workers and the middle class. (The rich generally live closer in Auckland in Parnell etc, so they do not need to go across the motorway).

    • esoteric pineapples 6.1
      12 May 2016 at 9:55 am

      I’m going up to Auckland this weekend on one of my rare visits to the city. I’m staying overnight a couple of nights but not in the city during the day. Because of the stress of the traffic I wouldn’t consider spending an extra day or two and seeing the sights. As much as l use public transport would find that too difficult to get about the city as well. The point being that one of the unmentioned byproducts of the city’s crazy traffic is less incentive for visitors to spend time there.

    • Expat 6.2
      12 May 2016 at 10:31 am

      save nz

      Tolls on motorways are nothing new, but they are generally confined to new infrastructure, not existing, as existing has already been paid for, the Auckland Harbour bridge is a good example of where tolls have worked, and when paid for, the toll is removed.

      If the Govt intends to Toll existing motorways, then they’r just ripping everyone off, I’d rather see an increase in Alcohol Tax first.

      In Sydney I used to have drive through several tolled motorways each day at a weekly cost of $120, and then another $100 for fuel, these tolled motorways are privately built, and the toll will remain for ever, and just recently the state Govt allowed increases in the tolls which were not inline with inflation, again, just a rip off, but for many, there are no alternatives.

      You right about migration, the Govt should have spent money on infrastructure at the same rate as population increase, but instead they waited for roads to become clogged before recognising the problem, typical, piss poor management, the reactive style, the style that always fails to deliver.

      • Draco T Bastard 6.2.1
        12 May 2016 at 12:38 pm

        You right about migration, the Govt should have spent money on infrastructure at the same rate as population increase, but instead they waited for roads to become clogged before recognising the problem, typical, piss poor management, the reactive style, the style that always fails to deliver.

        Auckland’s roads have been clogged for decades. The usual method to address this was to simply build new roads but that’s obviously isn’t working as the roads just get even more clogged. National tried to say that more roads would do it but even they seem to be starting to wake up to the fact that it won’t.

        f the Govt intends to Toll existing motorways, then they’r just ripping everyone off

        Not really. In fact, it’d probably start saving lives both directly and indirectly as what the toll is for is to get people out of cars and onto public transport and it’ll probably work to fairly large extent.

        • Draco T Bastard 6.2.1.1
          12 May 2016 at 1:46 pm

          Sir Dove-Myer Robinson on his Rapid Transit Scheme – Part 1

          Over the coming weeks I’ll publish all six articles, the first of which is below. One of the things that strikes me about them is that while some aspects have clearly dated, many of the core arguments are just as valid today as they were back over 40 years ago.

          The growing congestion and delays to traffic on the road system will be halted or reduced.
          The improved transport services throughout the whole region will be a direct benefit to non-motorists such as the elderly, the young, the sick, the disabled, and those who cannot afford, or do not wish to own and use private cars, about 50% of the population.

          Part 2
          Part 3

          Of course, the incoming National government scrapped those plans and left us with 40+ years of failed policy to deal with today.

        • Expat 6.2.1.2
          12 May 2016 at 3:56 pm

          Draco

          You can’t improve transport around a city by just Tolling existing roads, it doesn’t work as many cities have found, you first have to have an exceptional public transport system as the alternative, “first” being the operative word, a public transport system that is subsidised to keep the commuting costs down and entice people out of their cars.

          In the early 90’s, my wife used to drive from the North Shore to Parnell every day, the trip by car was about 20 mins, by 1996, that trip was averaging 45 mins, the cost then to use public transport for the same journey was $16 per day, it was only costing $8 per day to run the car in, there was no incentive to use public transport.

          The biggest problem with the existing public transport, is that its not flexible enough, ie: it doesn’t cater for those who work odd hours and those who need to get across the city diagonally, it assumes everyone wants to go to the city centre.

          And, yes, Sir Dove had an excellent foresight for the future of Auckland City (a shame no one listened), but NZ has a terrible reputation for only building infrastructure for “todays” demand, a classic example of this was the harbour bridge, commissioned May 1959, with 4 lanes, two each way, by 1973, the bridge simply couldn’t cope with the traffic and subsequently 2 more lanes were added (the nippon clip ons) as they were referred to, if you look at the Sydney harbour bridge, built in 1923, it’s original construction had 6 lanes, 3 each way and 2 rail lines, it was in the mid 80’s when capacity was exceeded and the under harbour tunnel was constructed, today, the combination of the two are now not meeting the demand, in 1923 when Bradfield built the bridge with 6 lanes, everyone laughed at him for being so exorbitant, but he was designing for the future, he was responsible for most of the early infrastructure in Sydney including the rail network.

          With regard to saving lives on the road, it wouldn’t matter if you halved the number of vehicles as it’s not the volume that is the problem, it’s the extremely poor driving skills of todays drivers, there has been no increase in the difficulty for obtaining a driving license, since I got mine in the 70’s, yet traffic volumes have increased, requiring a higher standard, so to counter the poor driving skills, road speeds are reduced, again, another example of this is the Dome Valley, reduced to 80 kph due to the high incident rate, most of which are from vehicles crossing the centre line on corners, drivers today fail to adhere to the basic road code of keeping left and failing to give way when required, pulling out in front of an on coming vehicle travelling at 100 kph when all they had to do is have some patients and wait a few more seconds.

          Where I live in NZ, there is no public transport at all, I live 25 kms from the nearest shops, a car is a necessity.

          Also, the high tax on fuel in NZ is supposed to be invested back into improving roading, yet, the money seems to be spent on other things, as the roading infrastructure doesn’t appear to be making much headway, you pay upto 80 cents per litre more for fuel in NZ than across the ditch, that should pay for a lot of improvements.

          • Draco T Bastard 6.2.1.2.1
            12 May 2016 at 6:46 pm

            DracoYou can’t improve transport around a city by just Tolling existing roads, it doesn’t work as many cities have found, you first have to have an exceptional public transport system as the alternative, “first” being the operative word, a public transport system that is subsidised to keep the commuting costs down and entice people out of their cars.

            That is certainly a valid point and one that needs to be taken into account. Especially as buses in Auckland are already full to bursting and are unable to take on any more passengers. That said AT are addressing it slowly. Buses are about to get new frequency of every 15 minutes and trains are going to be running every 10 and each is going to be better integrated as will.

            Still a long way to go but it is being worked on.

            And, yes, Sir Dove had an excellent foresight for the future of Auckland City (a shame no one listened), but NZ has a terrible reputation for only building infrastructure for “todays” demand,

            New Zealand builds cheap and then wonders why things don’t work as expected. It’s gotten worse over the last few decades as the governments lie to us by telling is that we can always have everything cheaper.

            The biggest problem with the existing public transport, is that its not flexible enough, ie: it doesn’t cater for those who work odd hours and those who need to get across the city diagonally, it assumes everyone wants to go to the city centre.

            That too is a concern but I believe that AT are addressing that as well. It’s certainly easier to get to South Auckland from West Auckland than it used to be. In fact, IIRC, you never used to be able to. Still needs work though – two hours to get across town is ridiculous.

    • greywarshark 6.3
      12 May 2016 at 1:00 pm

      If the toll was used to provide better PT then overall good would come from the pain of paying tolls. But looking at the Transport Blog about Auckland’s situation, I see an analysis that says they say one thing and report another and a recent report seems to end up dissing PT and saying more roads – TINA. WTF and other acronyms.

      One of the things was the provision of car parking buildings for park and ride which are doubtful on a cost efficiency basis and how the parking is to be paid, and how much etc. I didn’t see in my quick glance anything about contracting taxis to act as small feeder transport for door to PT hubs, which if organised well could offer efficient transport in people carrier sized vehicles, small shuttle type – electric? That would be additional cost but a great time-saver worth paying for. Also there could be a place for community groups to act as contacts for people carrying regular passengers on a route for koha.

      Things that good-hearted practical community groups could do. They might need funding and not be dependent on irresponsible, uncaring government so we who do care could dip our hands in our pockets to maintain the necessities for a wellbeing society. If the local council set up a citizens community aid charity then the donations could be tax deductible so that we didn’t pay twice for them because government refused to provide.

  7. miravox 7
    12 May 2016 at 8:31 am

    So citizens have to give away privacy because it may hinder security and the fight against terrorism, but foreigners with trusts are entitled to secrecy even though the trust may hide criminal and terrorist funding which destabilise security?

    • save nz 7.1
      12 May 2016 at 8:51 am

      Yep MIravox, under neoliberalism those with wealth make the rules to suit themselves and then pretend to be looking into it when there is a big public scandal. However nothing will be done as in the anti corruption summit, run by Cameron who himself has be caught benefiting from an offshore tax haven. What a joke!

      This is what Oxfam has to say….

      “These havens are the deliberate choice of major governments, especially the United Kingdom and the United States, in partnership with major financial, accounting, and legal institutions that move the money. The abuses are not only shocking, but staring us directly in the face.”

      • John shears 7.1.1
        12 May 2016 at 9:03 am

        Disgusting

      • Draco T Bastard 7.1.2
        12 May 2016 at 12:40 pm

        “These havens are the deliberate choice of major governments, especially the United Kingdom and the United States, in partnership with major financial, accounting, and legal institutions that move the money. The abuses are not only shocking, but staring us directly in the face.”

        QFT

        And that is what we’ve seen from this government as they changed the laws and prevented a review of those laws.

    • Halfcrown 7.2
      12 May 2016 at 11:45 am

      EXCELLENT May I quote that? I would like to add it to my list of quotable qoutes.

  8. Peroxide Blonde 8
    12 May 2016 at 9:11 am

    Grumpy somewhat!

    Speaker The Rt Hon David Carter learns that he is NOT going to London as High Commissioner, unlike his predecessor Lockwood Smith.

    Speaker throws the Prime Minister out of the Parliament.

    Will the PM respond by threatening to withhold the knighthood?

    If this happened in a less developed country we would threaten to withhold aid.

    • Jenny Kirk 8.1
      12 May 2016 at 9:36 am

      What I observed at QuestionTime in Parliament yesterday, and the day before, Peroxide Blonde, was a “set up” between PM and Speaker. Day before Speaker gave a verbal warning to PM. Yesterday he kept talking while Speaker on his feet – now this HAS happened before with PM and Speaker (at other QuestionTimes), and this time Speaker quickly sent him out of the House. It was trivial. It was designed to be yet another distraction from the Panama papers, and also kept the PM from having to answer any more questions.
      A total set-up !!

      • Peroxide Blonde 8.1.1
        12 May 2016 at 12:48 pm

        I understand your thinking Jenny Kirk.

        However I find to difficult to accept that even David Carter would demean the office of Speaker by taking part in a charade.

        Never underestimate the attraction of imperial pomp and ceremony to older Nats (and a few of our own too)!

  9. North 9
    12 May 2016 at 9:16 am

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/79880503/why-john-key-went-on-the-attack-over-the-panama-papers

    Dear Tracy Watkins writing in Stuff. As usual, clapping John Key. No analysis, just story about the story.

    • TC 9.1
      12 May 2016 at 1:13 pm

      That would require intellectual rigour. Watkins probably still waves the lockwood teatowel about dreaming about her idol shonky john

  10. maui 10
    12 May 2016 at 9:18 am

    Media makes it all about him, gives him the bad boy rep, and forgets about accountability. Predictable.

    http://i.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/79894070/Prime-Minister-John-Key-laughs-off-getting-booted-from-the-House

  11. save nz 11
    12 May 2016 at 9:34 am

    28% of US bees wiped out this winter, suggesting bigger environmental issues

    http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/11/bee-colony-deaths-environmental-problems

    • Pasupial 11.1
      12 May 2016 at 10:33 am

      Not just in the winter either:

      Over the year, from April 2015 to March 2016, beekeepers lost 44% of their colonies – the highest annual loss on record. Until six years ago annual figures were not kept as it was assumed colony losses were only suffered during winter, but similar declines are now occurring year-round…

      “We are seeing greater cost pressures to pollinate crops. It costs around $200 a year to keep a colony alive and replace a queen. You’re lucky if you make $200 a year through the honey produced, so a lot of operators aren’t even breaking even. There are a lot who are really hurting.”

      Environmental groups have called for a range of common pesticides to be phased out to help bee populations recover. The Environmental Protection Agency is investigating the risk posed by neonicotinoids, the world’s most widely used class of insecticides, with initial results suggesting they may pose a risk to honeybees and the $15bn in agricultural value they provide through pollination.

      • gsays 11.1.1
        12 May 2016 at 11:31 am

        Hi pasipual and save nz, speaking to friend who has lots of colleagues in marine biology.
        He is of the opinion that the oceans are in a perilous state, far worse than the terrestrial situation.

        • Bill 11.1.1.1
          12 May 2016 at 11:35 am

          Any marine biologist I speak to tends to use the term “fucked”.

          • save nz 11.1.1.1.1
            12 May 2016 at 12:57 pm

            The problem is with our corrupt MSM the message does not get out in the way it should. Instead (if at all) a small article about declining bees with large article above about a digger holding up traffic or the bachelor dumping his girlfriend.

            We really are at rock bottom MSM. I guess the corporations who own them don’t care and think they are too old, have enough money, so it does not matter if the natural environment is decimated.

            • Bill 11.1.1.1.1.1
              12 May 2016 at 1:58 pm

              The problem’s much deeper than that.

              Many scientists don’t speak out or speak up. Some don’t care – they’re the worst of ‘geeks’ lost in the pursuit of knowledge. Others are just shit scared that their career’s will be jeopardised or that funding will disappear.

              And we’re locked into the same headlong rush, and for much the same reasons, as they are. The mortgage, the career, the understanding that to provide the best for our children we do this…which just happens, unfortunately, to be totaling the prospects for any kind of comfortable future.

    • Colonial Viper 11.2
      12 May 2016 at 11:38 am

      Monsanto says: roundup is safe, no problems here, please keep pouring on your wheat fields.

    • TC 11.3
      12 May 2016 at 1:16 pm

      We see alot more wasps of various types which also threatens bees

  12. adam 12
    12 May 2016 at 9:46 am

    The belief that the TPP would be stopped or changed by the parliamentary process, the going through submissions and select committees has failed. Not one thing has changed.

    The TPP will be rammed through today, in all probability.

    We are now one step closer to a new form of totalitarianism at the hands of the corporations.

    Democracy takes hard work – you need to fight for it, like liberty and freedom. The idea that this form of democracy we have slipped into, has anything close to bearing fruit of our liberation and freedom died with a whimper, not a roar – this day.

    In 35 years we have gone from a reasonably robust democracy with massive participation, to a shallow democracy with over a third of the population not voting. Local government is also weak to the point of irrelevance.

    And the worst part, the absolute worst part. Is this transformation is so bloody beige. It’s just a non bloody event, and almost everyone is just letting this slip in.

    Well you can’t complain no one warned you, not now.

    • save nz 12.1
      12 May 2016 at 9:51 am

      +1 Adam but a lot of people are concerned about the complexity and thoroughness of the way National are destroying our country and transferring it’s wealth and identity.

      • adam 12.1.1
        12 May 2016 at 9:58 am

        At this point, unless the MPs who are suppose to be on left do something today. Then I believe all of the members of parliament are complicit, in the hollowing out of the thread of democracy we have left.

        • Tautoko Mangō Mata 12.1.1.1
          12 May 2016 at 10:26 am

          I disagree that all MPs are complicit. The opposition MPs on the select committee hearing submissions fought as hard as they could as shown in their minority reports. National have stymied any debate on the TPP, John Key has pulled a stunt diversion to distract the media who are also currently distracted by their precarious job situations.
          Time for Labour, Greens and NZ First to collectively say that should they become the Government, they will have a referendum on whether to pull out of the TPP.

          • adam 12.1.1.1.1
            12 May 2016 at 11:04 am

            Piffle at this point Tautoko Mangō Mata.

            Sorry, but this this systemic failure. And your blind trust in the system, is just more of the beige I was talking about.

            Once this is pushed through, there is no pulling out.

          • Colonial Viper 12.1.1.1.2
            12 May 2016 at 11:32 am

            Labour was complicit.

            They had the perfect opportunity over the last 12 months to differentiate themselves from National and lead the groundswell of popular discontent against the TPP, and to consequently bring an amazing amount of pressure to bear on the Select Committee.

            But of course, Little, and Labour, and fundamentally pro free trade, and they have said it several times now.

            So instead they sat on the TPP fence trying to keep the globalist western establishment on side, and ended up writing a few strong words in minority reports that hardly any voters will notice.

            Time for Labour, Greens and NZ First to collectively say that should they become the Government, they will have a referendum on whether to pull out of the TPP.

            Little has already committed to staying in the TPP and renegotiating what he can (which will be nothing).

            I don’t see how this leaves room for Labour to now suggest a referendum.

            • Tautoko Mangō Mata 12.1.1.1.2.1
              12 May 2016 at 12:23 pm

              @CV- You are probably right. Labour have been a total disappointment over this issue.

              • save nz …
                12 May 2016 at 12:59 pm

                You are all right, but now pressure from voters need to be on the opposition to do something. Walk out, do a demonstration, whatever they need to do something today to show the public that they are against TPP and it a very important issue.

                • Sacha …
                  12 May 2016 at 6:23 pm

                  Too late. The time to oppose was *before* the last election. We all saw what Labour decided to do instead. Thanks a bunch.

  13. save nz 13
    12 May 2016 at 9:48 am

    “3 oligarchs-turned-governors who are laying ruin to their states
    Rick Scott, Matt Bevin and Bruce Rauner have gutted social services for the poor. The results speak for themselves”

    http://www.salon.com/2016/05/11/4_oligarchs_turned_governors_who_are_laying_ruin_to_their_states_partner/

    An interesting segment…

    “The New Normal

    Bevin, Scott and Rauner do not represent a lunatic fringe in the 2016 GOP; they are the party’s new normal. They have no problem with growing inequality in their states or the fact that economically, the U.S. is looking more and more like a classic banana republic where a wealthy minority gets richer and richer while big chunks of the population barely survive.

    If Bevin, Scott and Rauner had any real understanding of economics, they would realize that banana republics and oligarchies are ultimately unsustainable because when working class people are broke, they cannot afford to buy products and help keep companies afloat. Henry Ford realized that, and even multi-billionaire Warren Buffett has acknowledged that growing inequality is problematic for capitalism and has at least been endorsing centrist Democrats like Obama and Hillary Clinton.”

    Has John Key, wannabe and possible oligarch found the neoliberal holy grail, a way to sustain a banana republic in NZ by using wealth immigration to keep adding new people to buy products to keep the economy going and hide the fact that more and more locals can’t afford the basics?

    • Draco T Bastard 13.1
      12 May 2016 at 7:46 pm

      Has John Key, wannabe and possible oligarch found the neoliberal holy grail, a way to sustain a banana republic in NZ by using wealth immigration to keep adding new people to buy products to keep the economy going and hide the fact that more and more locals can’t afford the basics?

      Nope, he hasn’t. Paraphrasing Adam Smith: You need 500 poor people to maintain one rich person.

      So all that bringing rich people in does is put more pressure on the poor. Add in the fact that National will continue to cut wages for the workers and government spending so as to cut taxes on the rich and what he’s done is bring the collapse of New Zealand’s society closer.

      Capitalism has never worked and has always resulted in the ruin of the society that adopted it.

      • Puckish Rogue 14.1.1
        12 May 2016 at 10:33 am

        Agreed, John Key has done a very good job of misdirection and it worked.

        • Enough is Enough 14.1.1.1
          12 May 2016 at 10:49 am

          He is a crook, but quite simply a brilliant politician.

          • Colonial Viper 14.1.1.1.1
            12 May 2016 at 11:37 am

            And the left continue to underestimate him over and over again.

            • Bob 14.1.1.1.1.1
              12 May 2016 at 1:28 pm

              “If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is temperamental, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. If sovereign and subject are in accord, put division between them. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected .”
              ― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

              Either the left are ‘pretending’ to be weak, or they just have no coherent plan against him at all and will continue to fail.

            • adam 14.1.1.1.1.2
              12 May 2016 at 11:33 pm

              NO Colonial Viper, no one under estimates him. They just use the wrong tactics to beat him. It’s ignore him. Out and out, ignore him – he loves and thrives on the attention. He does very well with it, both positive and negative.

              So ignore him, go out to the communities who do not vote and get them politicised. Let people make up their own minds. The thing that beats national every-time, is an engaged body politic, not a few activist.

              • Colonial Viper …
                13 May 2016 at 12:12 am

                You may be correct, but if I went back the last 12 months and looked up on The Standard all the authored posts which were headlined:

                1) Key lied again!
                2) Key caught out again!
                3) Key fumbles again!
                4) Key complicit again!
                5) Planet Key again!
                6) Key angry mad again!
                7) Key shady-as again!
                8) Key a pervert again!
                9) Key the dropkick again!
                10) Key $$$ bankster again!

                I’d come up with a hundred posts. And the left wing brains on The Standard are up there with the best that exist in NZ.

        • Draco T Bastard 14.1.1.2
          12 May 2016 at 7:48 pm

          An yes, the RWNJ comes in to congratulate FJK on his lying and corruption.

          • adam 14.1.1.2.1
            12 May 2016 at 11:34 pm

            We at least he is being honest, with himself, and that Draco T Bastard is far better than the way Puckish use to communicate.

    • Pasupial 14.2
      12 May 2016 at 11:06 am

      PR

      If you truly believe; “the Panama Papers scandal has been a bust” then why do you feel the need to spin the topic so incessantly?

      It’s not all about Key (though protecting their idol is always uppermost in the mind of worshipers), it’s about; NZ being used as a cog in an international tax haven machine. You may not have a problem with that, but it’s not going to go away just because even you are getting bored with your line of denial.

      • Puckish Rogue 14.2.1
        12 May 2016 at 11:21 am

        If you truly believe; “the Panama Papers scandal has been a bust” then why do you feel the need to spin the topic so incessantly?

        – Probably because I like it when what I predict actually comes true (mind you this was a pretty easy one to predict)

        It’s not all about Key (though protecting their idol is always uppermost in the mind of worshipers), it’s about; NZ being used as a cog in an international tax haven machine. You may not have a problem with that, but it’s not going to go away just because even you are getting bored with your line of denial.

        – Ok I accept that for you this viewpoint is correct but for others on here, especially as alluded to by Chris Trotter, its all about taking down John Key

        – Hopefully John Shewan can make some recommendations to make NZs laws around foreign trusts more robust then

        • b waghorn 14.2.1.1
          12 May 2016 at 11:29 am

          “”– Hopefully John Shewan can make some recommendations to make NZs laws around foreign trusts more robust then””

          Ha ha comedy gold

          • Puckish Rogue 14.2.1.1.1
            12 May 2016 at 11:31 am

            Well that’s one point of view, another could be to wait to see what he comes up with as well

            • b waghorn 14.2.1.1.1.1
              12 May 2016 at 11:38 am

              Can you point me to any review that has been carried out by one of keys pets that has made a significant change to the problem at hand.

              Just so I can live in hope you understand.

  15. Anno1701 15
    12 May 2016 at 9:59 am

    Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was once a director of an offshore company set up by Mossack Fonseca, data from the Panama Papers shows

    http://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/panama-papers-malcolm-turnbull-named-20160511-got0di.html

    • Puckish Rogue 15.1
      12 May 2016 at 10:36 am

      See now that’s the kind of hit the left need against John Key, it may well be innocent, its legal yet it doesn’t look good at all

    • save nz 15.2
      12 May 2016 at 10:53 am

      The right wing politicians are all in the trough!

    • Expat 15.3
      12 May 2016 at 10:55 am

      It will be interesting to see if the media or opposition pick this up, there is an election campaign going on that has 55 days to run, and at the moment the race is 50/50.

      Turnbull is an absolute disappointment, at the beginning of the election he said he wanted to fight it on IDEAS, but every time he opens his mouth, he’s attacking Labour, stating their policies because he doesn’t have any of his own, (sound familiar) he hasn’t produced a single coherent policy since trashing Abbott, they call his recent budget, a “fudget”, an apt name for the redistribution of wealth to the rich, he’s still arguing that “trickle down” theory actually works, he’s underestimated the intelligence of the electorate, and it’s only the very devoted who support him.

      • framu 15.3.1
        12 May 2016 at 3:24 pm

        ” (sound familiar)”

        some of it is word for word – and not just nz/aus either

        • Sacha 15.3.1.1
          12 May 2016 at 6:29 pm

          Crosby Textor are good at being paid several times for the same ‘advice’ in Aus, UK, NZ. Hence cusp, boatpeople, etc.

  16. Puckish Rogue 16
    12 May 2016 at 10:39 am

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/79899206/andrew-little-faces-legal-challenge-unless-he-apologises-to-scenic-hotel-group

    This is interesting, does Andrew Little apologize because Labours finances are in the toilet and defending this would be a massive drain (I’m assuming it would be a massive drain as lawyers aren’t cheap) but risk looking like a chump or does he stand his ground and gain respect for standing up for what he believes in (from his and his supporters point of view)

    • save nz 16.1
      12 May 2016 at 10:53 am

      Andrew Little should not apologise – take it to court. I think being in the public eye against Scenic Hotels aid donation to the tax haven Nuie might be just what the doctor ordered to wake up Kiwis to the everyday corruption the Natz get up to!

      I would also give to the Labour legal campaign just as I gave to the campaign when Nicky Hager won against the police.

      • Puckish Rogue 16.1.1
        12 May 2016 at 11:02 am

        That is not a bad idea and it would be a very good outcome if successful, the problem is though if its shown in the courts that what Andrew Little said isn’t true then it could be really damaging to himself and Labour and worse would give more support to John Key

        Be interesting to be a fly on the wall at that meeting

        • Gangnam Style 16.1.1.1
          12 May 2016 at 12:52 pm

          Good, sunlight is the best disinfectant & all that, been waiting for this.

          • Puckish Rogue 16.1.1.1.1
            12 May 2016 at 1:09 pm

            I agree, its a win-win situation for all, if theres found to be bribery (or some similar term) then punishment can be meted out and if Andrew Little is found to be wrong well he’ll just have to take what he gets as well

            Probably a distraction Labour don’t need at the moment though

            • framu 16.1.1.1.1.1
              12 May 2016 at 3:23 pm

              the thing is – did little actually defame scenic hotels and can it be proven that he was claiming a fact and not an opinion?

              from my reading of it little can easily argue that he was criticising those that oversaw the decision and not the recipient – and that the “stinks to high heaven” was his honest opinion

              just how many of these defamation cases even make it to court? – they all seem to hinge on the complainant having to prove things which are very hard to prove

              to me this has more of a legal threat aspect to it made with full knowledge that the court time and cost, not the validity of the claim, is what will bring about a resolution

              but yeah , the question is “cost and distraction vs outcome” for labour

              • Puckish Rogue …
                12 May 2016 at 3:29 pm

                Short answer is basically yes to all. I would like to see this go to court to see who actually is right (or wrong) in this instance however it probably wouldn’t be very good (overall) for Labour if it did go to court.

                So because of the cost involved and considering theres a by-election coming up plus a general election in the not too distant future I’m going to predict a claytons apology from Little sometime on Friday, but I’ve known to be wrong in the past before and I may well be wrong here

      • Chuck 16.1.2
        12 May 2016 at 7:40 pm

        I really do hope you are correct save nz, and Little decides to defend this little court case. It would be worth its weight in gold seeing Jacindas dad on the stand giving evidence against Andy Little.

        But I doubt he will…Labour is broke, Little will be receiving advice to apologize as he is not even remotely close to a strong position on this.

        Demanding an AG inquiry…fine no issue. But saying it “stinks to high heaven” maybe that’s why his press secretary “resigned”??

  17. Hami Shearlie 17
    12 May 2016 at 10:45 am

    Have Clare Trevett and Audrey Young been sucked up into an alien spaceship? Where on earth are they – don’t they know that there are screeds and screeds of documents to pore over from Panama?

  18. Puckish Rogue 18
    12 May 2016 at 11:26 am

    Fair enough, I think its important to read it but its not pleasant reading

  19. Penny Bright 19
    12 May 2016 at 11:43 am

    http://m.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11637378

    “The Super City has got a big tick from a report card issued today by the Committee for Auckland lobby group.”

    A number of whose member companies contract to Auckland Council (and some CCOs.)

    https://www.fyi.org.nz/request/1188/response/5083/attach/html/2/Customer%20Response.pdf.html

    How is it not a MAJOR ‘conflict of interest’ that Auckland Council and some CCOs are actually MEMBERS of the Committee for Auckland lobby group?

    http://www.committeeforauckland.co.nz/membership/members

    How come in New Zealand (perceived to be the 4th ‘least corrupt country in the world’, according to, in my view, the effectively meaningless Transparency International 2015 ‘Corruption Perception Index’ ) there are no legislative controls on ‘lobbying’?

    New Zealand has no ‘Register of Lobbyists’, no ‘Code of Conduct’ for lobbyists, and even more obscene, in my opinion, ‘public’ bodies like Auckland Council and some Auckland Council CCOs are actually MEMBERS of private sector lobby groups like the Committee for Auckland (and the NZ Property Council)?

    Anyone else deeply concerned about this?

    What is Transparency International NZ doing about it?

    Penny Bright
    2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.

  20. Repateet 20
    12 May 2016 at 11:51 am

    Judith Collins can go to all the corruption conferences she likes but will that sort out actual corruption in New Zealand?

    Find out more:
    Friends, senior students, teachers, parents, and the community of Rangiora:
    https://networkonnet.wordpress.com

    Local MP Matt Doocey says on his site “It’s a privilege to be the MP for Waimakariri, representing our community in Parliament.”

    He clearly is not representing his community in Parliament.

    • Sacha 20.1
      12 May 2016 at 6:31 pm

      “Judith Collins can go to all the corruption conferences she likes but will that sort out actual corruption in New Zealand?”

      While she’s away, perhaps.

    • Draco T Bastard 20.2
      12 May 2016 at 8:05 pm

      Judith Collins can go to all the corruption conferences she likes but will that sort out actual corruption in New Zealand?

      It’s not supposed to, it’s supposed to look like National are doing something about the growing corruption in New Zealand.
      But considering that they’re the source of the growing corruption in New Zealand just how effective do you think that they want it to be?

      • Draco T Bastard 20.2.1
        12 May 2016 at 8:08 pm

        Dammit, no edit on phone.

      • North 20.2.2
        12 May 2016 at 8:51 pm

        Yeah Judith Collins……poacher turned gamekeeper. Without the slightest sense of irony. Wonder who’ll be driving the motor company car she got given, while she’s away. Hubby I guess, toting the government paid for fuel card. Talk about sucking gravy. Entitled Baggage !

  21. McFlock 21
    12 May 2016 at 2:37 pm

    Ah, Stuff website. 8 stories visible on the frontpage without scrolling down at my default resolution, 3 of those “reporting” about some aspect of “The Bachelor” reality TV show.

    God bless those warriors of the fourth estate…

    • b waghorn 21.1
      12 May 2016 at 2:44 pm

      When “story ” on tv3 started last night and the lead was the bachelor story, the little dark voice in me jumped up and said ” bring on rampant cc to reboot the system as humans have reached peak stupid.

  22. Puckish Rogue 22
    12 May 2016 at 4:28 pm

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/79906787/protesters-block-entry-to-dunedin-banks

    – Not a good look if you want people to be swayed to your ideas by forcing the elderly to be carried

  23. North 23
    12 May 2016 at 8:42 pm

    Oh……America ???

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=11638305

    Yes he’s a “free American” as he says. He’s not a dead American like Trayvon. And since he’s not dead he can put his ‘possessions’ on E-Bay. Like a rapist swingin’ his ugly dick down Times Square. Of course. Of course also…….I’m not gonna weep when the death threats he’s been getting……well you know.

  24. North 24
    12 May 2016 at 10:27 pm

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/4355159/Ex-police-officer-sentenced-for-perjury

    This is the tip of the iceberg in terms of perjury by cops. They’re encouraged in it because they know that most judges are dispositionally inclined to believe whatever shit they say. Simply because they’re cops. Some judges actually believe it’s an unshakeable rule of law. “Cops don’t lie. How unreasonable of you, counsel, to postulate otherwise !”

    They (district court judges) are signed up on six grand a week which of course encourages them to believe that all is more or less well in the system which pays them six grand a week.

    Ratshit that anybody else probably woulda been ordered to do actual time on the score that “Your offending strikes at the very core of justice !” That line usually accompanied by a fat sneer from the signed up one towards the scummy poor person in the dock.

    I live in a locality where of about 48 cops there are two whom in my personal experience I know to be unmitigated liars. Worse, one in particular lies with a smile. As to the other an honourable police prosecutor has virtually acknowledged that fact to me personally.

    The damage I have seen those two do would not have been done except with the complicity of the faux omnipresence of the signed up on three hundy a year one.

  25. Salsy 25
    12 May 2016 at 10:37 pm

    So Goff supported the TPPA – Its a huge political move. Personally think he should have stood with his party, and denounced it. Let Auckland decide.

    “Fellow Labour MP David Shearer had told the Herald he personally supported the TPP, but later said he would be voting along party lines”

    Mess…

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11638263

  26. Penny Bright 26
    12 May 2016 at 11:11 pm

    TPPA Bill passes it’s first reading – supported by Labour MP and 2016 ‘Independent’ Auckland Mayoral candidate Phil Goff.

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/303716/tpp-passes-first-parliament-reading

    “…The bill passed 62 votes to 59.

    National, Act, United Future and Labour’s Phil Goff voted in favour while the rest of the Labour Party, the Greens, New Zealand First and the Maori Party opposed the bill.”

    Penny Bright

    2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate – who is and has actively opposed the signing and ratification of the TPPA.

  27. Penny Bright 27
    12 May 2016 at 11:26 pm

    I predict that Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turbull’s previous tax haven connections revealed through the Panama Papers will cost him the upcoming Australian election.

    At the end of the day – I predict NZ Prime Minister John Key will not be feeling quite so comfortable about the Panama Papers and their latest revelations?

    http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/may/12/malcolm-turnbull-listed-in-panama-papers

    “Malcolm Turnbull’s role in offshore company revealed in Panama Papers
    The Australian PM was director of a British Virgin Islands company that had dealings with Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca in the early 90s

    • Read the documents listing Malcolm Turnbull’s directorship here
    …..”

    Penny Bright
    2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

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

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

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

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

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

    The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Nine priority bridge replacements to get underway

    The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

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

    New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-07-27T01:47:59+00:00