Open mike 13/09/2023

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, September 13th, 2023 - 57 comments
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57 comments on “Open mike 13/09/2023 ”

  1. SPC 1
    13 September 2023 at 6:29 am

    Rolling polls

    After the latest result, Stuff’s Rolling Poll showed Labour at a new six-year low of 27.88%. Meanwhile, the National Party was almost 9 points ahead at 36.57%.

    ACT and the Greens were about equal, sitting around 12%

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/132914273/stuffs-rolling-poll-a-few-thousand-voters-could-have-a-dramatic-impact

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jHUjezkF3Y

    Reply
    • Bearded Git 1.1
      13 September 2023 at 7:14 am

      In seats 56-64. It's still on.

      The Left's best bet is that the Greens keep rising. They may attract votes from across the spectrum and people who don't usually vote because of climate change-witness the flooding event in Libya now.

      Reply
      • Belladonna 1.1.1
        13 September 2023 at 7:41 am

        There is zero chance that the Greens will "attract votes from across the spectrum".

        The GP is proudly and definitively a left wing party – there is no chance their economic policies are going to be attractive to a 'soft' ACT voter.

        The rise of the GP in the polls has been at the expense of Labour.

        Just as the rise in ACT is at the expense of National (mostly).

        Reply
        • SPC 1.1.1.1
          13 September 2023 at 7:56 am

          The rise of the Greens is good for the left, the decline of Labour relative to National is the problem for a centre-left government.

          There are people of the centre and right who may be concerned about NACT on environment and conservation and our global future who have already decided to vote on these issues, and more may yet do so.

          Reply
          • Belladonna 1.1.1.1.1
            13 September 2023 at 8:26 am

            There may indeed be centrist voters who are concerned over a National/ACT government. However, they are highly unlikely to move their vote to the GP – and much more likely to move it to Labour (the centre left party).
            Claiming that the GP can attract votes from across the political spectrum is a severe case of rose-coloured glasses distorting reality.

            Reply
            • SPC 1.1.1.1.1.1
              13 September 2023 at 8:35 am

              There are people of the centre and right who may be concerned about NACT on environment and conservation and our global future who have already decided to vote on these issues, and more may yet do so.

              They can vote in a centre-left government by voting Labour (now a centre party).

              Reply
            • Bearded Git 1.1.1.1.1.2
              13 September 2023 at 8:41 am

              So Bella you think that Climate Change is only a Left-Wing issue? With respect, I disagree.

              Reply
              • Tiger Mountain …
                13 September 2023 at 8:54 am

                That is a venerable contradiction of capitalism–the bosses need physical and intellectual labour–at lowest rates and with compliant workers of course, and one would think, a planet to operate on that is not a burnt out sandpit or under water.

                Capitalists also need customers, which intrigues why employers and righties don’t like the basic income concept. At least it would preserve some purchasing power in this time of declining birth rates and AI etc.

                Reply
              • Belladonna …
                13 September 2023 at 9:26 am

                Nope. But I think that the socialist economic policies of the GP are a profoundly left-wing platform.

                Reply
                • Bearded Git …
                  13 September 2023 at 9:55 am

                  So I am arguing that people with strong CC concerns but fairly centrist in other views might be tempted to ignore/live with their (the Greens) other policies and vote for the Greens on CC policies.

                  Reply
                  • Belladonna …
                    13 September 2023 at 10:57 am

                    I think you underestimate the social/economic difference of the GP to centrist policies.

                    Reply
                    • weka …
                      13 September 2023 at 11:16 am

                      It's not that. I've known Act voters who've voted Green. People vote for all sorts of reasons, some understandable, some inexplicable.

                      The argument here is that people will vote on climate ahead of other issues like economics. For some people economics isn't a major criteria for voting choice.

                      It's true that the Greens are essentially a left wing party but in reality they are a green party, which shares a lot with the left, but has its own thing going.

              • Tony Veitch …
                13 September 2023 at 11:35 am

                To coin a political phrase . . . 'the reality is' the Greens are the only party taking climate change seriously.

                Any voter, of whatever political persuasion, if they are at all concerned about the state of the planet, have only one option to vote for!

                Reply
            • AB 1.1.1.1.1.3
              13 September 2023 at 10:18 am

              “Claiming that the GP can attract votes from across the political spectrum is a severe case of rose-coloured glasses”

              It sort of is. But in my experience most voters have no real sense of themselves as being on a political spectrum. They certainly could not define the essential characteristics of any particular position on that notional spectrum. I am astonished sometimes to hear people who in terms of their economic interests should be natural 'left' voters say that they think ACT or NZF have some good ideas. Or by having to explain to a relative why Heather du Plessis Allan is right wing.

              It's true to say that anyone with the level of political and class consciousness to be self-consciously "right-wing", would never vote Green. But that is not all ‘right’ voters. If it was, there would be permanent stasis – parties would not rise or fall, the concept of the Overton window which describes historical changes in the range of what is thinkable, would barely exist.
              I’m not claiming though, that this fact means there is any great hope of a surge in Green votes in the next 4 weeks.

              Reply
        • Roy Cartland 1.1.1.2
          13 September 2023 at 8:59 am

          Nice try. People hop across the spectrum all the time. If the Brook van Delden can go from Greens to ACT, it can definitely happen the other way.

          Reply
          • Belladonna 1.1.1.2.1
            13 September 2023 at 9:25 am

            Nice try. There is a difference between people growing up and changing their political philosophy, and swing voters shifting votes depending on the political climate and the policy platform of the parties within their comfort zone.

            There is zero indication that the GP is benefiting from any votes other than the ex-Labour ones. Greens go up, Labour goes down.

            Reply
            • weka 1.1.1.2.1.1
              13 September 2023 at 11:23 am

              There is zero indication that the GP is benefiting from any votes other than the ex-Labour ones. Greens go up, Labour goes down.

              short of a graph like this, or some research, it's impossible to know that definitively. That leaves us with anecdata.

              Reply
      • Francesca 1.1.2
        13 September 2023 at 9:26 am

        Re the Libyan floods Bearded Git
        I have a horrible feeling that the aftermath of these events is taken up with panicky rebuilding of the status quo, under urgency , rather than big picture reflection .

        We absolutely know we’re in big shit, but the day to day necessities of living have a more pressing urgency .( Get that road fixed I’ve got a filthy mortgage and need to get back to work pronto)

        Reply
        • Bearded Git 1.1.2.1
          13 September 2023 at 5:30 pm

          Fair call Francesca but I do think that, compared with say 40 years ago, people's consciousness of CC has massively increased such that it may be influencing the vote of many people now.

          Even in the short time since the last election in 2020 my reading is that CC has become a more prominent issue.

          Reply
  2. SPC 2
    13 September 2023 at 7:33 am

    Jordan Williams has been debt clocking Luxon on tour and will do so to other parties as well.

    On the video he quotes the IMF on our current account deficit

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2023/09/election-2023-taxpayers-union-says-national-bit-ratty-about-gatecrashed-human-hoarding-event.html

    It is true that the IMF wants government spending constraint, and this is related to our current account deficit, but not for anything related to debt (ours is low).

    "Given the pressing capacity constraints and high and persistent inflation, the monetary and fiscal policy mix must strike a restrictive bias to rebalance the economy – internally and externally," the report said.

    But it warned there were dangers if government spending was too high and/or the RBNZ raised interest rates higher to tackle stubborn inflation, adding up to an outlook which was "highly uncertain".

    It estimated growth over 2023/24 would be about 1 percent, but inflation would not return to the 1-3 percent target band until 2025, and it continued to warn about the high current account deficit, which eased to 8.5 percent of GDP in the first quarter, which it said added to the country's vulnerabilities to global shocks.

    However, the report said the government's financial rules, which set debt limits and government spending targets, gave it sufficient headroom to cope with most shocks.

    The IMF praised our governments financial rules as to debt limit and spending targets.

    It's advice

    For the longer term, the IMF said targeted government spending would be needed to tackle the challenges of climate change, education, and freeing up the labour market, as well as tax reform including capital gains and land taxes, and a lower company tax rate.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/496786/new-zealand-economy-faces-year-or-more-of-tepid-growth-imf-report

    Reply
  3. weka 3
    13 September 2023 at 8:32 am

    Reminder that the Greens wanted a carbon tax not the ETS. Russell Norman speaking about the 2008 ETS legislation,

    I was the Co-Leader of the Green Party at the time, and we were very uncertain as to whether we should provide the necessary votes given that we supported a policy of a straightforward carbon tax, rather than a trading scheme. We also believed that while pricing was one part of the climate policy mix, it wasn’t the only part or even the most important part. The ETS was a very weak policy, but in the end, we voted for it so as to have something rather than nothing. The problem was that as the ETS was even further weakened over the years, it remained in place and gave the appearance that the government had some kind of climate policy when in reality, they didn’t.

    https://www.greenpeace.org/aotearoa/story/predatory-delay-climate-action-fonterra-dairynz-federated-farmers/

    Reply
  4. Ad 4
    13 September 2023 at 8:35 am

    Luxon did not cover himself in glory on RNZ this morning.

    He was asked clearly what he would do as a result of the PREFU, and simply said that "National will release its fiscal position prior to the start of early voting." And stuck with that line.

    At least Robertson said they had a plan, there may well be other plans, but they and the ratings agencies were comfortable with that plan.

    It felt chillingly like National knew what they were going to do but it was too scary to release to the public.

    Reply
    • ianmac 4.1
      13 September 2023 at 8:45 am

      Yes. Feel a bit sorry for Luxon. He seems to be so inflexible and gets hooked into a negative line and rubbishes any alternative. Even opinions cast by right leaning economists such as Taxpayers Union are rubbish according to Luxon. We should be shouting, "Show me the money."

      Even at this stage in the Election Cylcle you might expect clarity.

      https://www.rnz.co.nz/audio/player?audio_id=2018906693

      Reply
    • SPC 4.2
      13 September 2023 at 8:49 am

      He's lucky the PREFU 2023-2026 forecast was as government friendly as it was.

      His real issue is managing the fiscal tightness given the declining revenue from rent and the brightline built into their plan – the now expected (even by them) failure to meet forecasts for foreign buyer tax or the online gambling tax and lack of likelihood of making the cost savings forecast in the manner claimed.

      Reply
    • Peter 4.3
      13 September 2023 at 9:07 am

      Really, is Luxon covering himself in glory on RNZ this morning of any significance? Any electoral significance?

      This late in the piece him obfuscating on RNZ about things like the PREFU, and simply sticking with some meaningless line means what?

      And too Robertson saying they had a plan the ratings agencies were comfortable with.

      The other day a Fijian rugby winger had to simply capture the bouncing ball and go over to score a try near the end of the game. He blew it. The ball doesn't seem to be bouncing awkwardly for Luxon. There's no opposition up in his face putting him under immense pressure. There are no unusual circumstances. The time clock is running down. A wide gap is obvious on the scoreboard.

      Reply
      • Incognito 4.3.1
        13 September 2023 at 9:15 am

        The polls are something between scores on the field and punters’ dreams at the TAB with a cacophony of voice-overs from pundits and puppets.

        Reply
      • Ad 4.3.2
        13 September 2023 at 9:17 am

        It won't likely change any votes.

        It is an indicator of the decision-making we will get from Luxon as Prime Minister.

        Reply
  5. Adrian 5
    13 September 2023 at 9:31 am

    The bouncing ball is the media being favourable to Luxon et al. They want chaos and change because it sells papers and where do you think some of that 8 million goes to.. overcharged advertising for one. Want proof, I could not find any commentary, let alone a favourable one on thee quite good Prefu story on Stuff yesterday, it’s as if it didn’t happen, and as for John Keys statements that the National overseas house buyers tax was not a goer, only QandA made and issue of it. If it smells like corruption….

    Reply
    • riffer 5.1
      13 September 2023 at 1:17 pm

      I don't know about corruption. That one rings about as true as the $55 million JIF causing corruption.

      I'd be more putting it down to laziness and ineptitude from the media on this one. It's just too hard for most of them to get their heads around, let alone have an objective opinion on it. Besides, any journalist that tries to do a decent story gets buried anyway.

      Reply
  6. arkie 6
    13 September 2023 at 2:14 pm

    Climate emergency? What emergency?

    In December 2020, the New Zealand government declared a climate change emergency.

    But are we acting like we’re in an emergency?

    The short answer is no.

    International science and policy analysts Climate Action Tracker rated New Zealand’s current climate actions and policies as “highly insufficient”.

    Its analysis shows if every country acted as we are, we are on track to see a 4˚C temperature rise – far surpassing the goal of limiting it to the 1.5˚C needed to avoid the most devastating impacts of climate change.

    https://www.renews.co.nz/are-we-acting-like-were-in-a-climate-emergency/

    There isn't anymore time for inaction. Party vote Green

    Reply
    • satty 6.1
      13 September 2023 at 3:37 pm

      Agreed. The National (Polluter) Party and ACT will set us back for many many years (after very little progress under Labour). Here a quick overview where each party stands:

      Stuff – Climate election survey: See how the parties compare

      We have to get our farming, tourism and transport emissions down drastically and rapidly.

      Reply
      • bwaghorn 6.1.1
        13 September 2023 at 5:40 pm

        We have to get our farming, tourism and transport emissions down drastically and rapidly.

        Agreed, but how do you do it whole still providing benifits,Healthcare, schooling and all the other nice things those things pay for.

        Reply
  7. Joe90 7
    13 September 2023 at 5:15 pm

    Luxon talking about Grant Robertson. The lowered brows, narrowed eyes and raised upper lip combined are a classic expression of disgust.

    I reckon it's Upper Room Luxon talking about Robertson.

    April #Nationalnotfittogovern

    @KoAprilahau

    The face of a jealous panicked incompetent Tory. What Grant has done is show their incompetence. The national and Act wrong again. What a laugh.

    https://twitter.com/KoAprilahau/status/1701574971284431343

    Reply

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    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past two weeks.Friday 29Play it, ElvisElection Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Litanies, articles of faith, and being a beneficiary
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past two weeks.Friday 29Play it, ElvisElection Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • The ‘Recession’ Has Been Called Off, But Some Households Are Still Struggling
    While the economy is not doing too badly in output terms, external circumstances are not favourable, and there is probably a sizeable group of households struggling because of rising interest rates.Last week’s announcement of a 0.9 percent increase in volume GDP for the June quarter had the commentariat backing down ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    5 days ago

  • Climate Change: The wrong direction
    This week the International Energy Association released its Net Zero Roadmap, intended to guide us towards a liveable climate. The report demanded huge increases in renewable generation, no new gas or oil, and massive cuts to methane emissions. It was positive about our current path, but recommended that countries with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • “Racism” becomes a buzz word on the campaign trail – but our media watchdogs stay muzzled when...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Oh, dear.  We have nothing to report from the Beehive. At least, we have nothing to report from the government’s official website. But the drones have not gone silent.  They are out on the election campaign trail, busy buzzing about this and that in the hope ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • Play it, Elvis
    Election Hell special!! This week’s quiz is a bumper edition featuring a few of the more popular questions from last weekend’s show, as well as a few we didn’t have time for. You’re welcome, etc. Let us press on, etc. 1.  What did Christopher Luxon use to his advantage in ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Pure class warfare
    National unveiled its fiscal policy today, announcing all the usual things which business cares about and I don't. But it did finally tell us how National plans to pay for its handouts to landlords: by effectively cutting benefits: The biggest saving announced on Friday was $2b cut from the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago

  • Ask Me Anything about the week to Sept 29
    Photo by Anna Ogiienko on UnsplashIt’s that time of the week for an ‘Ask Me Anything’ session for paying subscribers about the week that was for an hour, including:duelling fiscal plans from National and Labour;Labour cutting cycling spending while accusing National of being weak on climate;Research showing the need for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • Weekly Roundup 29-September-2023
    Welcome to Friday and the last one for September. This week in Greater Auckland On Monday, Matt highlighted at the latest with the City Rail Link. On Tuesday, Matt covered the interesting items from Auckland Transport’s latest board meeting agendas. On Thursday, a guest post from Darren Davis ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    5 days ago

  • Protest at Parliament: The Reunion.
    Brian’s god spoke to him. He, for of course the Lord in Tamaki’s mind was a male god, with a mighty rod, and probably some black leathers. He, told Brian - “you must put a stop to all this love, hope, and kindness”. And it did please the Brian.He said ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Labour cuts $50m from cycleway spending
    Labour is cutting spending on cycling infrastructure while still trying to claim the higher ground on climate. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Labour Government released a climate manifesto this week to try to claim the high ground against National, despite having ignored the Climate Commission’s advice to toughen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • The Greater Of Two Evils.
    Not Labour: If you’re out to punish the government you once loved, then the last thing you need is to be shown evidence that the opposition parties are much, much worse.THE GREATEST VIRTUE of being the Opposition is not being the Government. Only very rarely is an opposition party elected ...
    Bowalley Road
    5 days ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #39 2023
    Open access notables "Net zero is only a distraction— we just have to end fossil fuel emissions." The latter is true but the former isn't, or  not in the real world as it's likely to be in the immediate future. And "just" just doesn't enter into it; we don't have ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Chris Trotter: Losing the Left
    IN THE CURRENT MIX of electoral alternatives, there is no longer a credible left-wing party. Not when “a credible left-wing party” is defined as: a class-oriented, mass-based, democratically-structured political organisation; dedicated to promoting ideas sharply critical of laissez-faire capitalism; and committed to advancing democratic, egalitarian and emancipatory ideals across the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    6 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • Road rage at Kia Kaha Primary School
    It is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha Primary School!It can be any time when you are telling a story.Telling stories about things that happened in the past is how we learn from our mistakes.If we want to.Anyway, it is not the school holidays yet at Kia Kaha ...
    More than a fieldingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • Hipkins fires up in leaders’ debate, but has the curtain already fallen on the Labour-led coalitio...
    Labour’s  Chris Hipkins came out firing, in the  leaders’ debate  on Newshub’s evening programme, and most of  the pundits  rated  him the winner against National’s  Christopher Luxon. But will this make any difference when New  Zealanders  start casting their ballots? The problem  for  Hipkins is  that  voters are  all too ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    6 days ago

  • Govt is energising housing projects with solar power – and fuelling the public’s concept of a di...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Not long after Point of Order published data which show the substantial number of New Zealanders (77%) who believe NZ is becoming more divided, government ministers were braying about a programme which distributes some money to “the public” and some to “Maori”. The ministers were dishing ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • MIKE GRIMSHAW: Election 2023 – a totemic & charisma failure?
    The D&W analysis Michael Grimshaw writes –  Given the apathy, disengagement, disillusionment, and all-round ennui of this year’s general election, it was considered time to bring in those noted political operatives and spin doctors D&W, the long-established consultancy firm run by Emile Durkheim and Max Weber. Known for ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • FROM BFD: Will Winston be the spectre we think?
    Kissy kissy. Cartoon credit BoomSlang. The BFD. JC writes-  Allow me to preface this contribution with the following statement: If I were asked to express a preference between a National/ACT coalition or a National/ACT/NZF coalition then it would be the former. This week Luxon declared his position, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • California’s climate disclosure bill could have a huge impact across the U.S.
    This re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Andy Furillo was originally published by Capital & Main and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. The California Legislature took a step last week that has the potential to accelerate the fight against climate ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago

  • Untangling South East Queensland’s Public Transport
    This is a cross post Adventures in Transitland by Darren Davis. I recently visited Brisbane and South East Queensland and came away both impressed while also pondering some key changes to make public transport even better in the region. Here goes with my take on things. A bit of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    6 days ago

  • Try A Little Kindness.
    My daughter arrived home from the supermarket yesterday and she seemed a bit worried about something. It turned out she wanted to know if someone could get her bank number from a receipt.We wound the story back.She was in the store and there was a man there who was distressed, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • What makes NZFirst tick
    New Zealand’s longest-running political roadshow rolled into Opotiki yesterday, with New Zealand First leader Winston Peters knowing another poll last night showed he would make it back to Parliament and National would need him and his party if they wanted to form a government. The Newshub Reid Research poll ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • September AMA
    Hi,As September draws to a close — I feel it’s probably time to do an Ask Me Anything. You know how it goes: If you have any burning questions, fire away in the comments and I will do my best to answer. You might have questions about Webworm, or podcast ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago

  • Bludgers lying in the scratcher making fools of us all
    The mediocrity who stands to be a Prime Minister has a litany.He uses it a bit like a Koru Lounge card. He will brandish it to say: these people are eligible. And more than that, too: These people are deserving. They have earned this policy.They have a right to this policy. What ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    7 days ago

  • More “partnerships” (by the look of it) and redress of over $30 million in Treaty settlement wit...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point of Order has waited until now – 3.45pm – for today’s officially posted government announcements.  There have been none. The only addition to the news on the Beehive’s website was posted later yesterday, after we had published our September 26 Buzz report. It came from ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    7 days ago

  • ALEX HOLLAND: Labour’s spending
    Alex Holland writes –  In 2017 when Labour came to power, crown spending was $76 billion per year. Now in 2023 it is $139 billion per year, which equates to a $63 billion annual increase (over $1 billion extra spend every week!) In 2017, New Zealand’s government debt ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago

  • If not now, then when?
    Labour released its fiscal plan today, promising the same old, same old: "responsibility", balanced books, and of course no new taxes: "Labour will maintain income tax settings to provide consistency and certainty in these volatile times. Now is not the time for additional taxes or to promise billions of ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    7 days ago

  • THE FACTS:  77% of Kiwis believe NZ is becoming more divided
    The Facts has posted –        KEY INSIGHTSOf New Zealander’s polled: Social unity/division 77%believe NZ is becoming more divided (42% ‘much more’ + 35% ‘a little more’) 3%believe NZ is becoming less divided (1% ‘much less’ + 2% ‘a little less’) ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the cynical brutality of the centre-right’s welfare policies
    The centre-right’s enthusiasm for forcing people off the benefit and into paid work is matched only by the enthusiasm (shared by Treasury and the Reserve Bank) for throwing people out of paid work to curb inflation, and achieve the optimal balance of workers to job seekers deemed to be desirable ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    7 days ago

  • Wednesday’s Chorus: Arthur Grimes on why building many, many more social houses is so critical
    New research shows that tenants in social housing - such as these Wellington apartments - are just as happy as home owners and much happier than private tenants. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The election campaign took an ugly turn yesterday, and in completely the wrong direction. All three ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    7 days ago

  • Bennie Bashing.
    If there’s one thing the mob loves more than keeping Māori in their place, more than getting tough on the gangs, maybe even more than tax cuts. It’s a good old round of beneficiary bashing.Are those meanies in the ACT party stealing your votes because they think David Seymour is ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    7 days ago

  • The kindest cuts
    Labour kicks off the fiscal credibility battle today with the release of its fiscal plan. National is expected to follow, possibly as soon as Thursday, with its own plan, which may (or may not) address the large hole that the problems with its foreign buyers’ ban might open up. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 week ago

  • Green right turn in Britain? Well, a start
    While it may be unlikely to register in New Zealand’s general election, Britain’s PM Rishi Sunak has done something which might just be important in the long run. He’s announced a far-reaching change in his Conservative government’s approach to environmental, and particularly net zero, policy. The starting point – ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    1 week ago

  • At a glance – How do human CO2 emissions compare to natural CO2 emissions?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • How could this happen?
    Canada is in uproar after the exposure that its parliament on September 22 provided a standing ovation to a Nazi veteran who had been invited into the chamber to participate in the parliamentary welcome to Ukrainian President Zelensky. Yaroslav Hunka, 98, a Ukrainian man who volunteered for service in ...
    Open ParachuteBy Ken
    1 week ago

  • Youth justice programme expands to break cycle of offending
    The successful ‘Circuit Breaker’ fast track programme designed to stop repeat youth offending was launched in two new locations today by Children’s Minister Kelvin Davis. The programme, first piloted in West and South Auckland in December last year, is aimed at children aged 10-13 who commit serious offending or continue ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago

  • Major milestone with 20,000 employers using Apprenticeship Boost
    The Government’s Apprenticeship Boost initiative has now supported 20,000 employers to help keep on and train up apprentices, Minister for Social Development and Employment Carmel Sepuloni announced in Christchurch today. Almost 62,000 apprentices have been supported to start and keep training for a trade since the initiative was introduced in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago

  • Government supporting wood processing jobs and more diverse industry
    The Government is supporting non-pine tree sawmilling and backing further job creation in sawmills in Rotorua and Whangarei, Forestry Minister Peeni Henare said.   “The Forestry and Wood Processing Industry Transformation Plan identified the need to add more diversity to our productions forests, wood products and markets,” Peeni Henare said. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago

  • Government backing Canterbury’s future in aerospace industry
    The Government is helping Canterbury’s aerospace industry take off with further infrastructure support for the Tāwhaki Aerospace Centre at Kaitorete, Infrastructure Minister Dr Megan Woods has announced. “Today I can confirm we will provide a $5.4 million grant to the Tāwhaki Joint Venture to fund a sealed runway and hangar ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago

  • Updated forestry regulations increase council controls and require large slash removal
    Local councils will have more power to decide where new commercial forests – including carbon forests – are located, to reduce impacts on communities and the environment, Environment Minister David Parker said today. “New national standards give councils greater control over commercial forestry, including clear rules on harvesting practices and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago

  • New Zealand resumes peacekeeping force leadership
    New Zealand will again contribute to the leadership of the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt, with a senior New Zealand Defence Force officer returning as Interim Force Commander. Defence Minister Andrew Little and Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta have announced the deployment of New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • New national direction provides clarity for development and the environment
    The Government has taken an important step in implementing the new resource management system, by issuing a draft National Planning Framework (NPF) document under the new legislation, Environment Minister David Parker said today. “The NPF consolidates existing national direction, bringing together around 20 existing instruments including policy statements, standards, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government shows further commitment to pay equity for healthcare workers
    The Government welcomes the proposed pay equity settlement that will see significant pay increases for around 18,000 Te Whatu Ora Allied, Scientific, and Technical employees, if accepted said Health Minister Ayesha Verrall. The proposal reached between Te Whatu Ora, the New Zealand Public Service Association Te Pūkenga Here Tikanga Mahi ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • 100 new public EV chargers to be added to national network
    The public EV charging network has received a significant boost with government co-funding announced today for over 100 EV chargers – with over 200 charging ports altogether – across New Zealand, and many planned to be up and running on key holiday routes by Christmas this year. Minister of Energy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Safeguarding Tuvalu language and identity
    Tuvalu is in the spotlight this week as communities across New Zealand celebrate Vaiaso o te Gagana Tuvalu – Tuvalu Language Week. “The Government has a proven record of supporting Pacific communities and ensuring more of our languages are spoken, heard and celebrated,” Pacific Peoples Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Many ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • New community-level energy projects to support more than 800 Māori households
    Seven more innovative community-scale energy projects will receive government funding through the Māori and Public Housing Renewable Energy Fund to bring more affordable, locally generated clean energy to more than 800 Māori households, Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods says. “We’ve already funded 42 small-scale clean energy projects that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Huge boost to Te Tai Tokerau flood resilience
    The Government has approved new funding that will boost resilience and greatly reduce the risk of major flood damage across Te Tai Tokerau. Significant weather events this year caused severe flooding and damage across the region. The $8.9m will be used to provide some of the smaller communities and maraes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago

  • Napier’s largest public housing development comes with solar
    The largest public housing development in Napier for many years has been recently completed and has the added benefit of innovative solar technology, thanks to Government programmes, says Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods. The 24 warm, dry homes are in Seddon Crescent, Marewa and Megan Woods says the whanau living ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Te Whānau a Apanui and the Crown initial Deed of Settlement I Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me...
    Māori: Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna te Whakaaetanga Whakataunga Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna i tētahi Whakaaetanga Whakataunga hei whakamihi i ō rātou tāhuhu kerēme Tiriti o Waitangi. E tekau mā rua ngā hapū o roto mai o Te Whānau ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Plan for 3,000 more public homes by 2025 – regions set to benefit
    Regions around the country will get significant boosts of public housing in the next two years, as outlined in the latest public housing plan update, released by the Housing Minister, Dr Megan Woods. “We’re delivering the most public homes each year since the Nash government of the 1950s with one ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Immigration settings updates
    Judicial warrant process for out-of-hours compliance visits 2023/24 Recognised Seasonal Employer cap increased by 500 Additional roles for Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement More roles added to Green List Three-month extension for onshore Recovery Visa holders The Government has confirmed a number of updates to immigration settings as part of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Poroporoaki: Tā Patrick (Patu) Wahanga Hohepa
    Tangi ngunguru ana ngā tai ki te wahapū o Hokianga Whakapau Karakia. Tārehu ana ngā pae maunga ki Te Puna o te Ao Marama. Korihi tangi ana ngā manu, kua hinga he kauri nui ki te Wao Nui o Tāne. He Toa. He Pou. He Ahorangi. E papaki tū ana ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Renewable energy fund to support community resilience
    40 solar energy systems on community buildings in regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and other severe weather events Virtual capability-building hub to support community organisations get projects off the ground Boost for community-level renewable energy projects across the country At least 40 community buildings used to support the emergency response ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • COVID-19 funding returned to Government
    The lifting of COVID-19 isolation and mask mandates in August has resulted in a return of almost $50m in savings and recovered contingencies, Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. Following the revocation of mandates and isolation, specialised COVID-19 telehealth and alternative isolation accommodation are among the operational elements ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Appointment of District Court Judge
    Susie Houghton of Auckland has been appointed as a new District Court Judge, to serve on the Family Court, Attorney-General David Parker said today.  Judge Houghton has acted as a lawyer for child for more than 20 years. She has acted on matters relating to the Hague Convention, an international ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Government invests further in Central Hawke’s Bay resilience
    The Government has today confirmed $2.5 million to fund a replace and upgrade a stopbank to protect the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant. “As a result of Cyclone Gabrielle, the original stopbank protecting the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant was destroyed. The plant was operational within 6 weeks of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Govt boost for Hawke’s Bay cyclone waste clean-up
    Another $2.1 million to boost capacity to deal with waste left in Cyclone Gabrielle’s wake. Funds for Hastings District Council, Phoenix Contracting and Hog Fuel NZ to increase local waste-processing infrastructure. The Government is beefing up Hawke’s Bay’s Cyclone Gabrielle clean-up capacity with more support dealing with the massive amount ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Taupō Supercars revs up with Government support
    The future of Supercars events in New Zealand has been secured with new Government support. The Government is getting engines started through the Major Events Fund, a special fund to support high profile events in New Zealand that provide long-term economic, social and cultural benefits. “The Repco Supercars Championship is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • There is no recession in NZ, economy grows nearly 1 percent in June quarter
    The economy has turned a corner with confirmation today New Zealand never was in recession and stronger than expected growth in the June quarter, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said. “The New Zealand economy is doing better than expected,” Grant Robertson said. “It’s continuing to grow, with the latest figures showing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Highest legal protection for New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs
    The Government has accepted the Environment Court’s recommendation to give special legal protection to New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs, Te Waikoropupū Springs (also known as Pupū Springs), Environment Minister David Parker announced today.   “Te Waikoropupū Springs, near Takaka in Golden Bay, have the second clearest water in New Zealand after ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • More support for victims of migrant exploitation
    Temporary package of funding for accommodation and essential living support for victims of migrant exploitation Exploited migrant workers able to apply for a further Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa (MEPV), giving people more time to find a job Free job search assistance to get people back into work Use of 90-day ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Strong export boost as NZ economy turns corner
    An export boost is supporting New Zealand’s economy to grow, adding to signs that the economy has turned a corner and is on a stronger footing as we rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle and lock in the benefits of multiple new trade deals, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. “The economy is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Funding approved for flood resilience work in Te Karaka
    The Government has approved $15 million to raise about 200 homes at risk of future flooding. More than half of this is expected to be spent in the Tairāwhiti settlement of Te Karaka, lifting about 100 homes there. “Te Karaka was badly hit during Cyclone Gabrielle when the Waipāoa River ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Further business support for cyclone-affected regions
    The Government is helping businesses recover from Cyclone Gabrielle and attract more people back into their regions. “Cyclone Gabrielle has caused considerable damage across North Island regions with impacts continuing to be felt by businesses and communities,” Economic Development Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Building on our earlier business support, this ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • New maintenance facility at Burnham Military Camp underway
    Defence Minister Andrew Little has turned the first sod to start construction of a new Maintenance Support Facility (MSF) at Burnham Military Camp today. “This new state-of-art facility replaces Second World War-era buildings and will enable our Defence Force to better maintain and repair equipment,” Andrew Little said. “This Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Foreign Minister to attend United Nations General Assembly
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will represent New Zealand at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this week, before visiting Washington DC for further Pacific focussed meetings. Nanaia Mahuta will be in New York from Wednesday 20 September, and will participate in UNGA leaders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Midwives’ pay equity offer reached
    Around 1,700 Te Whatu Ora employed midwives and maternity care assistants will soon vote on a proposed pay equity settlement agreed by Te Whatu Ora, the Midwifery Employee Representation and Advisory Service (MERAS) and New Zealand Nurses Association (NZNO), Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. “Addressing historical pay ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

  • New Zealand provides support to Morocco
    Aotearoa New Zealand will provide humanitarian support to those affected by last week’s earthquake in Morocco, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. “We are making a contribution of $1 million to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to help meet humanitarian needs,” Nanaia Mahuta said. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

  • Government invests in West Coast’s roading resilience
    The Government is investing over $22 million across 18 projects to improve the resilience of roads in the West Coast that have been affected by recent extreme weather, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed today.  A dedicated Transport Resilience Fund has been established for early preventative works to protect the state ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

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