Open mike 14/06/2022

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, June 14th, 2022 - 67 comments
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For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

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67 comments on “Open mike 14/06/2022 ”

  1. Jester 1

    With Poto Williams being demoted and Trevor Mallard going, that's National's two best assets gone which should strengthen Labour.

    Cabinet reshuffle: Chris Hipkins new Police Minister as PM says Poto Williams 'lost focus' – NZ Herald

    • Ad 1.1

      In my world Conservation is a promotion.

      • Spot on, Ad. Conservation is a very important portfolio!

        • Jimmy 1.1.1.1

          You really should do stand up comedy (or spin for Labour. So in your view Poto has been promoted!)………that's gold!

          Moved to Disabilities and Conservation where Jacinda hopes even Poto cant fuck those up!

          • Ad 1.1.1.1.1

            Conservation is the primary Ministry within which our colonial sins are now washed clean. Sure ain't in Office of Treaty Settlements.

            Check out the depth of partnership through all the national parks that we have with iwi.

            Check out also Minister Williams' depth of background in disability issues.

            Williams was wrong for Police and Ardern has corrected that.

            • Jimmy 1.1.1.1.1.1

              The NZ Herald use the word "Downfall" of Poto. But I guess in your view the NZH is a hard right wing publication.

              It was only a week ago that Jacinda said she had full confidence in Poto but I guess a week is a long time in politics. I agree with your comment "Williams was wrong for Police and Ardern has corrected that." I guess Jacinda has to wear that error of judgement appointing her in the first place, but she took an awful long time to correct that, and has now been forced to act due to public pressure and probably internal polling.

              • Ad

                Over the previous weeks there were plenty of Labour supporters here who defended Williams a whole lot more than Ardern did yesterday. For them, such love is blind.

                I don't particularly like Ardern granted, but TBH Labour is always going to lose a Law and Order debate no matter what they do.

                Ardern has renewed with 18 months to get the game back for a 3rd term.

                • Jimmy

                  "Over the previous weeks there were plenty of Labour supporters here who defended Williams"

                  That is a bit like going to an AA meeting and asking "Do any of you like beer?"

                  People on the Standard will of course defend any Labour or Green MP (and knock any Nats) no matter what they do. Remember when David Clark broke his own party's lockdown rules and went mountain biking, it was all fine according to people on here. Imagine if it had been a National MP that went biking!

              • Corey Humm

                Poto Williams is a fantastic caring and kind person with a huge background with helping the misfortune downtrodden and abused and vulnerable, she was the wrong person for police (and frankly Mahuta is a terrible pic for Mahuta but Mahutas faction is too powerful to reshuffle her)

                Poto will do an incredible job in her new portfolios. Things she is strong and confident in, police was always a bizarre and strange pick for Poto but if you're offered a cabinet position you take it.

                Call it a demotion call it whatever you want but she's still a minister, she's still in an extremely safe seat and will do a very good job with disabilities.

      • I Feel Love 1.1.2

        plus 1 Ad, Conservation is massive, the fact RWs don't get that is rather showing IMO.

    • Ross 1.2

      But weren’t Trevor and Poto doing a great job? And just the other day Kris Faafoi said he loved Parliament and wasn’t going anywhere.

      • Trevor, compared to Carter as speaker, did a great job. Carter was probably the worst speaker in my lifetime (quite a long time!)

        Poto did a great job of supporting the police. Not much will change under Hipkins because strong foundations have been laid by Poto and Labour. He just might be able to answer bully boy Mercenary Mitchell's attacks on the police a little better than Williams (though I think she did a good job of that too).

  2. Blade 4

    A few months back I said if I was advising the PM, I would be telling her to move off shore once her tenure in politics was over.

    Fast forward, and Newshub reports threats against the PM have trebled. It's interesting to note for those who still believe our media is rightwing, the reasons given for these increased threats:

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/06/threats-against-prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-involving-police-almost-triple-in-three-years.html

    Quote:

    ''The official information shows anti-vaccination sentiment was a driving force. Opposition to the Government's firearms crackdown post-March 15 was another factor.''

    Understandable, especially watching well looked after semi-autos being destroyed by dint of a liberal governments ultimate political wet dream.

    ''Police said it was not possible to determine the motivation for many of the threats because they were simply "offensive, obscene or threatening words directed at the PM".

    Yeah, it's possible to determine another cause for a solid core of threats against the PM. Of course that would be hard for liberal media to report because it may be considered offensive?

    Flash back over a decade ago. Banskie was at his best. He had just received a threat on air from a Maori bro who told Banksie to keep his opinions about Maori to himself, or he would come up to Auckland and ''do Banksie, himself.'' ( Banks was proud to have his own case manager at the racist Race Relations Office.)

    Banks then spoke about the many threats he had received as a politician. He said he ignored most of them because most people who really wish you harm don't rant and rave – they just get on with the job as one person had tried to do.

    So when it comes to the PM, I doubt there's any conspiracy to ''get her'' once she no longer has diplomatic protection. More likely she will be walking to the dairy one day, when Bob Kiwi who is sitting in his car rolling a smoke happens to glance up and sees the woman responsible for not allowing him to hold the hand of his beloved grandma as passed away with no one by her side. The woman who'd brought Bob up. The person he loved the most. His mind goes blank as he exits the car.

    Here's the problem. There are many Bobs up and down the length of our once great land. These people don't detest the PM. They don't dislike her. They hate her with a vengeance.

    • Sanctuary 4.1

      Are you always an idiot, or do you work on it for this site?

    • bobnaki 4.2

      LOL, I think the PM is a child ,in mind only.She hasnt any depth,she shall be remembered by many for what she has forced on NZ,hers to deal with.

    • Louis 4.3

      That's quite an unhinged, rather threatening rant.

      Why should the PM "move off shore once her tenure in politics was over'? I note John key and Paula Bennett, who were quite despised by many still live in NZ. Why should the PM leave NZ? it's her home.

      Sounds like the Bob you are describing is yourself Blade, you're the one that hates the PM with a vengeance.

      • Blade 4.3.1

        ''That's quite an unhinged, rather threatening rant.''

        No it's not. That's what you want it to be. That is my honest opinion. You didn't need to abuse. Or did you?

        ''Why should the PM "move off shore once her tenure in politics was over'? ''

        Well, believe it of not, the answer to that is in my post.

        ''I note John key and Paula Bennett, who were quite despised by many still live in NZ. Why should the PM leave NZ? it's her home.''

        ''Quite true, and of course, Jacinda does not have to leave NZ. My post said… if I was advising her. John Key and Paula Bennett are not in the same dislike club as Jacinda, simply because Jacinda has had to make decisions that have pissed way more people off – whether rightly or wrongly.''

        ''Sounds like the Bob you are describing is yourself Blade, you're the one that hates the PM with a vengeance.''

        I am neutral regarding the PM – she does nothing for me, or against me. In fact I have praised her on occasions. Not that that would interest you with your cheap point scoring.

        • Louis 4.3.1.1

          "Cheap point scoring" That's what you're doing. Your opinion was abusive and threatening, you don't need to be like that but neither are you neutral either when it comes to the PM and her govt, quite the opposite in fact. Key and Bennett did indeed piss off a hell of a lot of people and the anti Jacinda brigade appear to be a minority, albeit loud and fodder for media clickbait. btw, unlike John key, it's not in Jacinda's DNA to do a runner when times get tough. NZ couldn't have a better leader than Ardern, particularly during these global crises.

        • Stuart Munro 4.3.1.2

          In fact I have praised her on occasions.

          Citation required.

          • Blade 4.3.1.2.1

            No need. I have written time and again there is no one better than Jacinda for fronting a crisis. She is the best of all times. I have written she has bewitched the global community(not all though) with her special brand of Jacinda fairy dust.

            Stu.. you are asleep at the wheel. Stay awake and I will learn you.

            • Stuart Munro 4.3.1.2.1.1

              I'm afraid there is every need, Blade.

              You need to establish that you are not merely a toxic turkey begging for the axe by showing that some tiny proportion of your sad contributions are based in fact.

              You are a dull Blade, but the habit of validating your assertions will (eventually) grind away that superficial dross and scale, until you are no longer a blunt instrument.

      • newsense 4.3.2

        I noticed that too. Rather than stop threats of violence against public figures, that she should move. Thankfully she has other advisors.

        Or we could treat threats of violence in public life with the severity it deserves and act sharply against extremism. Those who deliberately spread untrue statements about government actions and create all kinds of trouble.

        Spin-off report on online mischief at the protests

        On Groundswell I guess we have to wait until a significant number of farms are rendered uneconomic by flooding and so on and even then perhaps we won’t see any kind of teal/green realization like Aussie.

  3. weka 5

    This is the reality of transition surgery for some. It’s also why so many people are against affirmation of gender identity in children, because once they get to puberty the paths to this kind of surgery is often uncritically offered.

    Tullip is a British man in his thirties who was so distressed he couldn’t give informed consent. His doctors certainly didn’t seek it. He had radical transition surgery on the NHS and is left permanently disabled in multiple ways. This is both medical negligence (I would guess much worse than negligence, there’s the sense of experimentation), but also part of a medical scandal that few will talk about but affects many.

    The politics of this are that large chunks of the left had supported No Debate (the political position that no one should be allowed to criticises any trans issues), and cancel culture to the point that people are afraid to speak out for fear of losing the jobs and careers. Hence we don’t know what is happening, good research isn’t being done, and we are passing bad laws.

    https://twitter.com/wekatweets/status/1536454022407655424

    • Molly 5.1

      Tulip did a good interview last week on Transition Radio Show's Youtube channel. They also interviewed Shapeshifter a couple of weeks ago, another MtF transitioner talking openly about their medical interventions.

      The backstory and timeline of Transition Radio show is interesting to look into, as well.

      Detrans subreddit now at 33.6K members.

      https://youtu.be/qtNVFljdo1E

    • Rosemary McDonald 5.2

      Scrolling through the replies leads to this contribution from the outstanding UnHerd platform.

      Is it a result of the 'baby led' trend that has contributed to this crop of tantrum throwing snowflakes that demand their every wish be not only fulfilled, but accepted and embraced without question by all?

      Time for the grown ups to put aside the 'cringe' from their own youthful struggles and step up and be actual parents.

      I was talking to a friend recently about a mutual friend whose daughter has said she is a boy, and so her mum bought her a chest binder, and I said how sad I found that. My friend was shocked by my sadness.

      “But what would you do if your daughter wanted one?” she asked.

      “I’d ask her what she thought she could do as a boy that she can’t do as a girl, and I’d ask if she wanted to be a boy, or did she want to be different person,” I said.

      “But it’s the daughter’s choice,” my friend said.

      “It would be her choice if she wanted to self-harm. But I wouldn’t buy her the razor,” I replied.

  4. Blade 6

    Political blindness 101. This lot should be the last to be pontificating.

    Quote:

    ''But the changes haven't gone over well at the ACT Party, and Seymour said the reshuffle doesn't change the Government's "lack of talent.''

    Oh, boy!

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/06/act-national-decry-cabinet-reshuffle-say-it-won-t-change-government-s-lack-of-delivery.html

    • Nic the NZer 6.1

      I'm a bit worried about David, he appears to be the only ACT rep allowed to talk to the media. They don't care about his mental health and will work him delusional if he can't delegate. Could ACT find a representative to cover him while he takes a break?

      Surely this lack of sharpness says a lot about why hes considered too Socialist in some circles.

  5. Poission 7

    Stats just released food index inflation came in at 6.8% annual increase,rental index cam in at 3.8% for existing tenancy ,and 5.3% for new tenancy.

    https://www.stats.govt.nz/news/annual-food-price-increase-remains-high-at-6-8-percent/

    https://www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/rental-price-indexes-may-2022/

    prices will not affect next months ocr review as housing costs are still substantive,and property prices need a good wack.

    • Ad 7.1

      Yep my fixed term tenancies ending at the end of this year will have prices going up. Got to pay that higher mortgage.

      • Poission 7.1.1

        Especially with your increased risk of substantive capital loss,on investment watch the capital gains of the last 2 years contract to their real price of around 5 median incomes to median price.

        US mortgage rates just crashed through to 6.13%,and the bloody monday event on wall street saw a 4% wack on your super fund.

        • Ad 7.1.1.1

          My gearing is tiny and the cashflow just needs to stay balanced.

          I'm reasonably sanguine on Growth … so far.

          • Poission 7.1.1.1.1

            The substantive rates increases coming for AK will be a problem going forward with the debt blowout heading to 20b by 2027.(excluding the cost blowouts and uncosted changes to infrastructure for the light rail lemon.

            • Ad 7.1.1.1.1.1

              Light rail is on central government's books not local government.

              But Auckland Council is on the hook for the cost increases within City Rail Link which are already substantial.

              • Poission

                Treasury stated in the budget update that ownership had yet to be determined for light rail.The cost of land and infrastructure realignment has not been determined or costed into the project,and is expected to double the cost.

                Look at the cost of the blowouts on cycleways alone,all funded on increased debt.

                https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/469068/cycleway-building-programme-faces-delays-deferrals-over-potential-670m-overspend

                • Ad

                  Yes that's Treasury keeping the back door open for a PPP + 'targeted rates'. Whether they went through with a targeted rate, it's not determined if Ak Council would collect it, but I very much doubt they will.

                  Minister Robertson was clearer, saying: "the Government will fund the "lion's share" of the $15b project and look at other options, including "value uplift" – a charge on businesses and developments that benefit from the project – and some kind of targeted rate."

                  Auckland $15b light rail project will largely be paid for by Government and built by 2033, say ministers – NZ Herald

                  In the major projects industry we are generally viewing light rail is dead, unless Labour get back for a third term.

                  My general view of cycleway cost blowouts is simply: every single major transport project is about to blow out. Nothing we can do except kill projects if we want to stay in budget.

                  The QS and Estimating teams are going nuts.

                  • Poission

                    the full cost is 25B as neither land or moving of infrastructure and services has been costed in,treasury warning also stated interest costs and forex costs not fully included.

                    • Ad

                      It's not a project we need to worry about.

                      The $$ for ones on the starting line like PenLink, AMETI to Botany, Riverlink, 2nd Harbour Crossing, Downtown Wellington, and the next tranche of Ak trains … I would watch them closely as they are going to blow sky high.

                  • Poission

                    The QS and Estimating teams are going nuts.

                    In the US and Europe construction materials such as rebar and lumber have fallen off peaks,the latter in the US coming back 55% in 3 months as new inventory stalls in the housing market.

                    The RBNZ review into housing determined the NZ housing and construction sectors were operating at 133% of capacity and it needed to contract to sustainable levels to constrain build inflation.

                    The OECD suggested pausing large infrastructure,to constrain both deflation and forward debt risk.

                    House prices will fall,thats a given as the central banks QT and ratchet interest mechanisms start to rotate both buyers and sellers to the new reality.

  6. Blade 9

    Bloody hell. Compton, here comes Aotearoa. It's been reasonably quiet in my neck of the woods recently. Just a couple of bashings and two ram raids.

    https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/taupiri-shooting-man-dropping-his-child-off-at-school-injured-when-gunman-opened-fire/

    • In Vino 9.1

      Blade – you remind me of Marilyn Monroe luxuriating in a bubble-bath. Except for your appearance, of course.

  7. Eco Maori 10

    Kia Ora whano

    Well the sandflys are still breaking into my whare at will trying to set me up to crashs everyday i go to work next minute national are waving the flag

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    Mariupol, on the Azov Sea coast, was one of the first cities to suffer almost complete destruction after the start of the Ukraine War started in late February 2022. We remember the scenes of absolute destruction of the houses and city structures. The deaths of innocent civilians – many of ...
    1 day ago
  • Babies and benefits – no good news
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – Ten years ago, I wrote the following in a Listener column: Every year around one in five new-born babies will be reliant on their caregivers benefit by Christmas. This pattern has persisted from at least 1993. For Maori the number jumps to over one in three.  ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago
  • Should the RBNZ be looking through climate inflation?
    Climate change is expected to generate more and more extreme events, delivering a sort of structural shock to inflation that central banks will have to react to as if they were short-term cyclical issues. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMy pick of the six newsey things to know from Aotearoa’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours, as of 9:16 am on Thursday, April 18 are:Housing: Tauranga residents living in boats, vans RNZ Checkpoint Louise TernouthHousing: Waikato councillor says wastewater plant issues could hold up Sleepyhead building a massive company town Waikato Times Stephen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the public sector carnage, and misogyny as terrorism
    It’s a simple deal. We pay taxes in order to finance the social services we want and need. The carnage now occurring across the public sector though, is breaking that contract. Over 3,000 jobs have been lost so far. Many are in crucial areas like Education where the impact of ...
    1 day ago
  • Meeting the Master Baiters
    Hi,A friend had their 40th over the weekend and decided to theme it after Curb Your Enthusiasm fashion icon Susie Greene. Captured in my tiny kitchen before I left the house, I ending up evoking a mix of old lesbian and Hillary Clinton — both unintentional.Me vs Hillary ClintonIf you’re ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 day ago
  • How extreme was the Earth's temperature in 2023
    This is a re-post from Andrew Dessler at the Climate Brink blog In 2023, the Earth reached temperature levels unprecedented in modern times. Given that, it’s reasonable to ask: What’s going on? There’s been lots of discussions by scientists about whether this is just the normal progression of global warming or if something ...
    1 day ago
  • Backbone, revisited
    The schools are on holiday and the sun is shining in the seaside village and all day long I have been seeing bunches of bikes; Mums, Dads, teens and toddlers chattering, laughing, happy, having a bloody great time together. Cheers, AT, for the bits of lane you’ve added lately around the ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Ministers are not above the law
    Today in our National-led authoritarian nightmare: Shane Jones thinks Ministers should be above the law: New Zealand First MP Shane Jones is accusing the Waitangi Tribunal of over-stepping its mandate by subpoenaing a minister for its urgent hearing on the Oranga Tamariki claim. The tribunal is looking into the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • What’s the outfit you can hear going down the gurgler? Probably it’s David Parker’s Oceans Sec...
    Buzz from the Beehive Point  of Order first heard of the Oceans Secretariat in June 2021, when David Parker (remember him?) announced a multi-agency approach to protecting New Zealand’s marine ecosystems and fisheries. Parker (holding the Environment, and Oceans and Fisheries portfolios) broke the news at the annual Forest & ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago
  • Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Bryce Edwards writes  – Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • Matt Doocey doubles down on trans “healthcare”
    Citizen Science writes –  Last week saw two significant developments in the debate over the treatment of trans-identifying children and young people – the release in Britain of the final report of Dr Hilary Cass’s review into gender healthcare, and here in New Zealand, the news that the ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago
  • A TikTok Prime Minister.
    One night while sleeping in my bed I had a beautiful dreamThat all the people of the world got together on the same wavelengthAnd began helping one anotherNow in this dream, universal love was the theme of the dayPeace and understanding and it happened this wayAfter such an eventful day ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Texas Lessons
    This is a guest post by Oscar Simms who is a housing activist, volunteer for the Coalition for More Homes, and was the Labour Party candidate for Auckland Central at the last election. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's pick 'n' mix of the news links at 6:06 am
    The top six news links I’ve seen elsewhere in the last 24 hours as of 6:06 am on Wednesday, April 17 are:Must read: Secrecy shrouds which projects might be fast-tracked RNZ Farah HancockScoop: Revealed: Luxon has seven staffers working on social media content - partly paid for by taxpayer Newshub ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Fighting poverty on the holiday highway
    Turning what Labour called the “holiday highway” into a four-lane expressway from Auckland to Whangarei could bring at least an economic benefit of nearly two billion a year for Northland each year. And it could help bring an end to poverty in one of New Zealand’s most deprived regions. The ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • Bernard's six-stack of substacks at 6:26 pm
    Tonight’s six-stack includes: launching his substack with a bunch of his previous documentaries, including this 1992 interview with Dame Whina Cooper. and here crew give climate activists plenty to do, including this call to submit against the Fast Track Approvals bill. writes brilliantly here on his substack ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • At a glance – Is the science settled?
    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 ...
    3 days ago
  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    3 days ago
  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
    We are in the middle of a climate crisis. Last year was (again) the hottest year on record. NOAA has just announced another global coral bleaching event. Floods are threatening UK food security. So naturally, Shane Jones wants to make it easier to mine coal: Resources Minister Shane Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago
  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
    Is speeding up the trip to and from Wellington airport by 12 minutes worth spending up more than $10 billion? Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me in the last day to 8:26 am today are:The Lead: Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    3 days ago
  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections The June general election in Mexico could mark a turning point in ensuring that the country’s climate policies better reflect the desire of its citizens to address the climate crisis, with both leading presidential candidates expressing support for renewable energy. Mexico is the ...
    3 days ago
  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago
  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    4 days ago
  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • True Blue.
    True loveYou're the one I'm dreaming ofYour heart fits me like a gloveAnd I'm gonna be true blueBaby, I love youI’ve written about the job cuts in our news media last week. The impact on individuals, and the loss to Aotearoa of voices covering our news from different angles.That by ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #15
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 7, 2024 thru Sat, April 13, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week is about adults in the room setting terms and conditions of ...
    5 days ago
  • Feline Friends and Fragile Fauna The Complexities of Cats in New Zealand’s Conservation Efforts

    Cats, with their independent spirit and beguiling purrs, have captured the hearts of humans for millennia. In New Zealand, felines are no exception, boasting the highest national cat ownership rate globally [definition cat nz cat foundation]. An estimated 1.134 million pet cats grace Kiwi households, compared to 683,000 dogs ...

    5 days ago
  • Or is that just they want us to think?
    Nice guy, that Peter Williams. Amiable, a calm air of no-nonsense capability, a winning smile. Everything you look for in a TV presenter and newsreader.I used to see him sometimes when I went to TVNZ to be a talking head or a panellist and we would yarn. Nice guy, that ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • Fact Brief – Did global warming stop in 1998?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Did global warming stop in ...
    6 days ago
  • Arguing over a moot point.
    I have been following recent debates in the corporate and social media about whether it is a good idea for NZ to join what is known as “AUKUS Pillar Two.” AUKUS is the Australian-UK-US nuclear submarine building agreement in which … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    6 days ago
  • No Longer Trusted: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    Turning Point: What has turned me away from the mainstream news media is the very strong message that its been sending out for the last few years.” “And what message might that be?” “That the people who own it, the people who run it, and the people who provide its content, really don’t ...
    6 days ago
  • Mortgage rates at 10% anyone?
    No – nothing about that in PM Luxon’s nine-point plan to improve the lives of New Zealanders. But beyond our shores Jamie Dimon, the long-serving head of global bank J.P. Morgan Chase, reckons that the chances of a goldilocks soft landing for the economy are “a lot lower” than the ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    6 days ago
  • Sad tales from the left
    Michael Bassett writes –  Have you noticed the odd way in which the media are handling the government’s crackdown on surplus employees in the Public Service? Very few reporters mention the crazy way in which State Service numbers rocketed ahead by more than 16,000 during Labour’s six years, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac Day
    Science, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago
  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago
  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    23 hours ago
  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government redress for Te Korowai o Wainuiārua
    The Government is continuing the bipartisan effort to restore its relationship with iwi as the Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill passed its first reading in Parliament today, says Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith. “Historical grievances of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua relate to 19th century warfare, land purchased or taken ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Focus on outstanding minerals permit applications
    New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals is working to resolve almost 150 outstanding minerals permit applications by the end of the financial year, enabling valuable mining activity and signalling to the sector that New Zealand is open for business, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.  “While there are no set timeframes for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Applications open for NZ-Ireland Research Call
    The New Zealand and Irish governments have today announced that applications for the 2024 New Zealand-Ireland Joint Research Call on Agriculture and Climate Change are now open. This is the third research call in the three-year Joint Research Initiative pilot launched in 2022 by the Ministry for Primary Industries and Ireland’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Tenancy rules changes to improve rental market
    The coalition Government has today announced changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to encourage landlords back to the rental property market, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “The previous Government waged a war on landlords. Many landlords told us this caused them to exit the rental market altogether. It caused worse ...
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  • Boosting NZ’s trade and agricultural relationship with China
    Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay will visit China next week, to strengthen relationships, support Kiwi exporters and promote New Zealand businesses on the world stage. “China is one of New Zealand’s most significant trade and economic relationships and remains an important destination for New Zealand’s products, accounting for nearly 22 per cent of our good and ...
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    1 week ago
  • Freshwater farm plan systems to be improved
    The coalition Government intends to improve freshwater farm plans so that they are more cost-effective and practical for farmers, Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay have announced. “A fit-for-purpose freshwater farm plan system will enable farmers and growers to find the right solutions for their farm ...
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    1 week ago

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