Open mike 14/06/2016

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, June 14th, 2016 - 92 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:

openmikeOpen mike is your post.

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

Step up to the mike …

92 comments on “Open mike 14/06/2016 ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Paul 1
    14 June 2016 at 6:23 am

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

    It was 7 degrees in Auckland last night.
    It was 3 degrees in Dunedin last night.
    It was 0 degrees in Christchurch last night.

    Not very warm to be sleeping in a car.
    Not very warm to be sleeping in a container.
    Not very warm to be sleeping in a garage.
    Not very warm to be sleeping on the street.

  2. ScottGN 2
    14 June 2016 at 7:36 am

    New Guardian/ICM poll has Leave pulling out to a 6 point lead over Remain in both online and phone polls.
    http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2016/jun/13/eu-referendum-leave-campaign-takes-six-point-lead-in-guardianicm-polls

  3. Sabine 3
    14 June 2016 at 7:42 am

    It appears that the public meeting of our dearest Ms. Bennet, Housing Mis Manager – MP National Party, Nick Smith – Aint no Housing Crisis here – MP National Party and Alfred Ngaro – Still only a List MP – National Party did not go quite as lovely as they thought.

    Anyone who was there could give us an update? 🙂

  4. Janet 4
    14 June 2016 at 7:50 am

    So why isn’t the cyber bulling case against Paula Bennet (beneficiaries details up on the Internet ) being prosecuted? After all, she bragged she’d do it again.

    • Sabine 4.1
      14 June 2016 at 8:15 am

      cause she is speshial, and from the National Party – the party of do as I say not as I do?

    • Gangnam Style 4.2
      14 June 2016 at 9:59 am

      Because she is part of the campaign to stamp out cyber bullying, white is black & black is white in topsy turvey Planet Key. I put up on Open Mike last night a couple incidents of Amy Adams (or her office anyway) leaking stuff to Whaleoil to ‘cyber bully’ Cunliffe, Amy Adams is all teary eyed about ‘cyber bullying’ at the mooment too. They think they are celebrities FFS.

  5. fisiani 5
    14 June 2016 at 8:47 am

    Interesting to hear Andrew Little say on Morning Report that there were enough houses in NZ to house the homeless.
    http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/201804381/little-sets-out-case-for-raising-refugee-quota

    • jcuknz 5.1
      14 June 2016 at 9:02 am

      I think there probably are if owners were not keeping them empty to save on wear and tear.
      Then what about the ‘P’ state houses which with a rub down of ledges be reasonably fit for habitation with a reduction in rent. I have rented both expensive and cheap places and one tolerates either depending on need at the time.

    • AsleepWhileWalking 5.2
      14 June 2016 at 9:16 am

      That there are enough houses is irrelevant because our own people either can’t afford to live in them, or they aren’t allowed to.

    • Richardrawshark 5.3
      14 June 2016 at 10:34 am

      There is, way more than the homeless.

      and if I was in London i’d be walking down some rich estate looking for the nicest home with swimming pool etc that’s empty and squatting it.

      If I was homeless in NZ there are some lovely beachfront homes on the North shore, I’d be squatting in the nicest land banked one I could find.

      If the government cannot do it’s job by ensuring demand in housing and rental accommodation is always in surplus so people can find a place to live like any civilized government would manage then i’d freaking well sort it out myself, trash the place, then move on to the next one till all those home owners got the message there empty houses will get trashed and stopped banking them.

      I bet if P cooks were breaking into empty landbanked houses cooking up and wrecking them, landbanking would disappear real fkn fast wouldn’t it?

      and where there’s an opportunity it’ll happen I wouldn’t be surprised if they are not thinking it now with the amount of empty homes having now been publically shared.

      • BM 5.3.1
        14 June 2016 at 10:43 am

        So you break into a house, which is probably got cameras or is security monitored and cook up P.

        You’d have to be one dumbest Mofo of all time to do that.

      • North 5.3.2
        14 June 2016 at 10:57 pm

        Yeah but if you went off on the squatting buzz the local cops would do you for burglary…….they’d protect the interests of the wealthy. It’s always been that way. Cops look after the interests of the wealthy. Cops serve the rich. And smash over the poor. As do judges. While prattling on about their love of justice. No. I see it every day. Been seeing it for 40 years. Judges look after their own three hundy a year. And their sense of superiority. It’s only when you get quite old like me that you actually see what’s been in front of your face for decades. Fuk’n sick ! And no respect for them. And they wonder why more perspicacious people than me very early on say “Fuck You !”

    • jcuknz 6.1
      14 June 2016 at 8:55 am

      If you believe that you will believe anything 🙂

    • Draco T Bastard 6.2
      14 June 2016 at 9:51 am

      Well then, can you explain why it’s National and act that are putting in place psychotic policies and the Left that are against them?

      • Puckish Rogue 6.2.1
        14 June 2016 at 9:57 am

        Act is derived from Labour and National has been infiltrated by rampant lefties, hence why Nationals not removing WFF or interest free student loans…damn clever of the lefties I have to admit 🙂

      • fisiani 6.2.2
        14 June 2016 at 10:55 am

        I give you a complete list of National’s policies in every portfolio.
        Care to point out any policy therein that is psychotic.
        On the contrary it is self evident that progress is being made across all portfolios. NZ is now obviously a far better place than in 2008. Our economy is growing, Wages are far ahead of inflation, record numbers are employed.

        https://national.org.nz/plan/our-policies

        • KJT 6.2.2.1
          14 June 2016 at 11:18 am

          2008 was the bottom of a world wide recession.

          Imagine the shit we would be in if National had been the Government for the previous nine years. Tax cuts and borrowing.

          Median wages are down. Living standards for most are down. Quoting an average wage pushed up by 100k rises at the top end, while the rest are dropping, is a favourite right wing fudge.

          Also failing to mention that 1 hour a week, and zero hour McJobs, are now counted as employed.

        • jcuknz 6.2.2.2
          14 June 2016 at 1:01 pm

          Not sure what psychotic is or means but record numbers merely reflects the return of hard working kiwis who believe NZ is not as bad as where they were.

          Like Coleman trying to defend the neglect of the health service by quoting the increase in dollars allocated since 2008 which like most government pronouncements ignores true inflation, not the artificial cherry picking COI, and immigration increasing the need.

          For some, things are obviously better ,but not for those at the bottom of the heap not seeing their investment in property rising but having to live on the streets etc.

          • Stuart Munro 6.2.2.2.1
            14 June 2016 at 5:10 pm

            No mate – they’re leaving Oz because that fuckwit Turnbull is doing the same damage there Key has already done to NZ, so the job market is collapsing – and they have no rights to social welfare in Oz. Second class citizens cos our weak government wouldn’t protect our traditional equality there.

        • Draco T Bastard 6.2.2.3
          14 June 2016 at 2:39 pm

          Care to point out any policy therein that is psychotic.

          Every single bloody one of them.

          Attacking beneficiaries
          Selling state assets
          Subsidies to big business while undermining small business
          And the list goes on and on and on.

          On the contrary it is self evident that progress is being made across all portfolios.

          If what you’re after is increasing poverty and more and more failure by government then progress is certainly being made.

          Of course, the only people who want that happens to be psychotics but it does happen to be what National are achieving.

          Our economy is growing, Wages are far ahead of inflation, record numbers are employed.

          Once we remove the housing bubble and the spurt of economic activity caused by the Christchurch quakes we’ll find that the economy has been going backwards since 2008. The only people getting wages rises are in the top 20%. Everyone else is either stagnant or going backwards. Record numbers of people employed in part time jobs is a sign of desperation.

          All the indicators we have show that the economy and our society is going backwards.

          • KJT 6.2.2.3.1
            14 June 2016 at 9:42 pm

            Not quite correct DTB. The only ones getting pay rises are the top ) 0 .5% of wage earners, (17% pay rises) and Union members (2.5%).

            Though you could argue that the Institute of Directors and the Managers old boy Club/association, are Unions.

            Perfectly correct that any economic gains under National have been due to an Earthquake and speculation.

            More wealth leaves the country now, to bankers and finance, than all our export earnings.

        • Greg 6.2.2.4
          17 June 2016 at 11:56 am

          Wage increases are Nationals propaganda statistical fiction, most workers are lucky to get inflationary rises, a few might be lucky to get over 3% a very very few.
          Tourism industry is having a boom, yet according to Seek, its wage increases are only 0.6%.
          Its a recession time after winter.

    • Richardrawshark 6.3
      14 June 2016 at 10:37 am

      Fisiani is here again, you must love skating the thin line of getting banned.

      Cause your here again.

      • KJT 6.3.1
        14 June 2016 at 11:21 am

        I love Fizzer.

        Excellent satire, as always!

        I met a Texan while sailing in the Bay of Islands recently. Perfect stereotype of a Gun-tot-ng, kill the rag heads, return the Mexicans, Southerner.

        Reminded me of Fizzer.

    • Crashcart 6.4
      14 June 2016 at 1:35 pm

      I guess this just shows that these particular researchers have demonstrated that they have a sever lack of ability to interpret their data. Any conclusions, past or present, that they have come up with should be taken with a grain of salt.

      I can see why more conservative people would want to gloat over it though. I know I would if the shoe was on the other foot.

  7. Puckish Rogue 7
    14 June 2016 at 9:04 am

    The science is settled 🙂

  8. Draco T Bastard 8
    14 June 2016 at 10:01 am

    Felix Marwick: Govt’s use of Crown cars during Northland by-election unethical

    A further analysis of recently released GPS data from the Government’s fleet of ministerial limousines is giving fresh evidence as to why, perhaps, officials really didn’t want their details exposed to public view. For not only does the data expose a pattern of repeated speeding infringements by the cars, it also gives some valuable insights into how they are used.

    It’s psychotic actions like this that really piss people off.

    • Richardrawshark 8.1
      14 June 2016 at 10:40 am

      No, you see Labour did it, so now it’s ok, apparently.

      /sarc

      Also on the grand scale of shit this governments been up to, this is a mere spec on the display screen to brush aside, so we can get a better view of the real snidey stuff they get up too.

  9. adam 9
    14 June 2016 at 10:02 am

    Did you just write an apologist piece for the misadventures in USA foreign policy?

    And you painted a social democrat as a extremist.

    I think you crossed some line advantage, not sure what that line is – but I think you crossed it.

    [lprent: You certainly did. Moved to OpenMike as being off topic. ]

    • Ad 9.1
      14 June 2016 at 12:24 pm

      Thought you moisties would just love that little Sanders tweak. 😉

      • adam 9.1.1
        14 June 2016 at 12:52 pm

        You just keep moving to the right, you natural home is so national.

        Wow on the sexism – I thought you clinton supporter opposed that sort of thing. Must have had you all wrong.

        [lprent: Ok, now I am moderating.

        Off topic. Moved to OpenMike. Banned for a week for being off topic, and attacking an author rather than their argument. You have been doing way too much of it.

        Next time I see you do a irrelevant diversion or a attack on an author without a argument about their argumenmt, you will get a three month ban. I’m getting tired of that again. ]

    • lprent 9.2
      14 June 2016 at 12:57 pm

      I think you crossed some line advantage, not sure what that line is – but I think you crossed it.

      Or using the razor, possibly you aren’t that nuanced or clear on how international politics has operated over recent centuries and how it now operates.

      Certainly your comment didn’t show any obvious familiarity with the topic, instead preferring to deal with a trivial aspect of it without even defining scarcity were talking about.

      Ad’s contribution was interesting. Your one demonstrated stupidity and the pig ignorance I’d expect at whaleoil.

      Good thing I was not in moderating mode when I read it..

      Btw: in my opinion, it’d be a close race between Trump and Sanders about who is the most ignorant about international politics. Having just one Woodrow Wilson in a century is more than enough.

  10. AsleepWhileWalking 10
    14 June 2016 at 10:06 am

    https://youtu.be/qMcYKbaEbt8

    “It was a terrible, turmultous time for us. We were being supeanared by the US goverment. We didn’t have confidentiality agreements with our employers because we were government employees…”

  11. Sans Cle 11
    14 June 2016 at 10:39 am

    Interesting BBC Radio Hardtalk episode (25 min) with Prof Peter Singer (philosopher).
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03xdkqs

    Talks (amongst many other things) about utilitarianism and equality, but is a realist and acknowledges that such idealism does not lead to redistribution across society.

  12. Dennis Merwood 12
    14 June 2016 at 12:11 pm

    Where to start with this sycophantic clap trap?
    I live in the US.
    I voted for Obama twice.
    More fool me!
    He has not done one thing I wanted when I voted for him.
    He has surely been Bush II.
    Lets start with……”That would be a legacy and role for the U.S. as useful for the world as Obama’s has been in domestic policy.”
    What has been Obama’s legacy and role in domestic politics?
    Lets start there…..
    I’m waiting with baited(!) breath.

    [lprent: Moving your topic to OpenMike. I suggest that you read the last section of our about.

    No – you must….
    Have you read this page? We must do nothing. The posters post on the topics they want to (with a few limitations from the sysop). If you really absolutely want your ideas to be heard, then start a blog and start learning to write. You can probably find a more compatible blog on our blogroll. Or you can comment on the posts that our posters write and follow our rather lenient rules.

    I’d suggest that you don’t demand that people talk on YOUR topic again outside of OpenMike. Authors set the debate. We then allow a wide latitude once debate starts, but it must start on the topic that the author addressed. The next time I see you deliberately try to divert a post, you will also get a holiday long enough to allow you to make your own outlet for your thoughts, and time to find out why simple minded ranting for a fool doesn’t gain an audience. ]

  13. veutoviper 13
    14 June 2016 at 12:17 pm

    I thought I was going mad – or a sudden case of dementia.

    On several overnight RNZ National hourly news bulletins and also on the first part of Morning Report, it was reported that Cameron Slater – and Carrick Graham – are being sued by three health researchers for defamation in relation to posts on WO. Then it went quiet with no further mentions.

    I tried to find items on the RNZ website and via Google on this earlier this morning without success. RNZ now has an item up on the website proving that I am not going mad etc.

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/306338/health-researchers-sue-whale-oil

    As it is reasonably short, here is the article in full (minus photo of CS).

    Three public health researchers have filed defamation proceedings against the Whale Oil blogger Cameron Slater and the tobacco industry lobbyist Carrick Graham.

    The proceedings were filed in the High Court in Auckland by Professor Doug Sellman from the University of Otago, Professor Boyd Swinburn from the University of Auckland and Shane Bradbrook, and relate to a series of blog posts and comments published on the Whale Oil website.

    Mr Slater and his site, as well as Mr Graham, were featured in a book by the investigative journalist Nicky Hager, Dirty Politics. [Photo of CS removed.]

    The book revealed Mr Graham was involved in the articles targetting the applicants.

    The case focuses on articles with a negative focus on public health experts and advocates, which the three applicants claim is still going on.

    Another case to keep CS occupied … [Edit – this issue is now being picked up by other media, eg Stuff etc.]

    This afternoon a case management conference is also being held in the Auckland High Court before Judge Asher re the ongoing case between Slater and Matthew Blomfield, with each of them representing themselves. https://www.courtsofnz.govt.nz/business/calendar/daily-lists/2Tue14062016.pdf

    A couple of weeks ago, Slater dropped his appeal against an earlier decision by Judge Asher in relation to this defamation case against Slater, so it will be interesting to see the outcome of today’s conference, although it may not be made public.

    http://www.defamationupdate.co.nz/sites/all/pdf/2014/Slater-v-Blomfield-2014-NZHC-2221.pdf

    • Rodel 13.1
      14 June 2016 at 4:48 pm

      Good. I’ve missed the slater…Chardonnay & schadenfreude sandwiches all round.

    • reason 13.2
      14 June 2016 at 10:51 pm

      well spotted veutoviper ……

      Nationals Dirty Politics attacks on health professionals ( and some police officers ), took place when the Nat Government was intent on ignoring this …….”Women, children and young adults experience more harm from others drinking” … and

      “It is evident that the burden of alcohol-related injuries and violence falls disproportionately on some population groups, for example those living in more deprived neighbourhoods, Māori, Pacific peoples, children and young people.” …and

      “It is clear that alcohol use in New Zealand is contributing to increased inequalities ”

      These Alcohol facts…. and another one hundred and one just like them were ignored by the nats in The New Zealand Law Commission report on New Zealand alcohol abuse:

      http://www.ahw.org.nz/resources/Briefing%20papers/2012/Policy%20Briefing%20Paper%20Alcohol%20Injuries%20and%20Violence%20final%20draft%2012.11.12.pdf

      and they also ignored the serious but simple recommendations to lower alcohol abuse contained in the report…..

      Now we are at the point in time in New Zealand where 50% of police work is domestic and family violence ………. much of it associated with alcohol.

      Key, Collins, Bennett, Tolley and that cow Adams all voted for pro-booze profits legislation.

      Adams is still fighting against advertising restrictions …….

      How much needless extra domestic violence and child abuse have the Nats been responsible for ??? .

      A couple of Sercos worth ?.

      • North 13.2.1
        14 June 2016 at 11:31 pm

        Even the Law Commission’s corrupted. It’s membership includes the pungently flatulent and spittle-ent ‘Wayne’ of some time TS fame. Whose wife got ‘appointed’ to the District Court bench a few years ago……..ha ha ha.

        Merit-Ocracy ?

        No. Old-Boy-Ocracy !

  14. Ad 14
    14 June 2016 at 12:32 pm

    http://www.roymorgan.com/morganpoll

    OK so it’s one poll, of course, but Australia is Labour’s for the taking …. if …..

    Voting intention:
    Australian Labor 32.5%
    Liberal-National 37.5%
    Greens 13%
    Independents 17%

    Two-Party Preferred:
    Australian Labor 51%
    Liberal-National 49%

    This is tight. But a win would be a great signal for us here.

    • Pat 14.1
      14 June 2016 at 11:37 pm

      a poll of one Melbournian has both parties equally disdained and is causing paralysis….

  15. ianmac 15
    14 June 2016 at 12:37 pm

    “Three top health professionals have lodged a defamation claim against blogger Cameron Slater and PR consultant Carrick Graham alleging a long running campaign against them on the Whale Oil website. ”
    Has this already been noted?
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/81040297/blogger-cameron-slater-faces-defamation-action-from-health-researchers

    • Rosie 15.1
      14 June 2016 at 2:37 pm

      “Has this already been noted?”

      Yep,

      by veutoviper at 13. Intriguing news. It sounds like the three academics have had enough of the continual slander and misrepresentation directed at them by whaleblah.

      I was always thought it was extremely arrogant or incredibly stupid, not sure which one, for whaleblah to continue with his attacks after Dirty Politics was published.

      • ianmac 15.1.1
        14 June 2016 at 3:10 pm

        Oops. Thanks Rosie. Surely you don’t think Cameron is stupid? Perhaps he has been promised protection from some elevated person. Ha!

        • Rosie 15.1.1.1
          14 June 2016 at 3:24 pm

          I’ve got to say I thought I was hearing things when I heard it on RNZ this arvo.

          Rancid lamp oil stupid? Nooooooooo, never. ……. 😀

      • weka 15.1.2
        14 June 2016 at 3:36 pm

        Good for them. About time more people started standing up and doing something about Dirty Politics.

        Lolz Graham thinking cupcakes.

    • McFlock 15.2
      14 June 2016 at 3:34 pm

      Give ’em enough rope… 🙂

  16. Ad 16
    14 June 2016 at 3:39 pm

    The losing campaign managers for Bush, Rubio, and Cruz walk into a bar, and dish it out on losing, on Trump, and on Hilary:

    http://highline.huffingtonpost.com/articles/en/sad/

    You have to be a bit of a political nerd for this interview, but it’s honest and straight about The Game.

  17. weka 17
    14 June 2016 at 3:43 pm

    Can anyone tell me what the Greens’ twitter logo is about?

    https://twitter.com/NZGreens

  18. Adrian 18
    14 June 2016 at 6:00 pm

    [You’re currently banned. You’re welcome back next Tuesday. TRP]

    • BM 18.1
      14 June 2016 at 6:12 pm

      Prepare for the bold font.

    • mauī 18.2
      14 June 2016 at 6:29 pm

      You have a legitimate grievance and I’m sure many on here support you like I do.

      Probably the best thing to do is when you come back, do not comment on TRP’s posts or any guest posts (as TRP probably has moderator control over those too). That should improve your chances of not getting banned from the Standard. Such is life.

  19. Chooky 19
    14 June 2016 at 8:47 pm

    ‘Our Daily Brexit: ‘UK leaving EU could spell end of Western political civilisation’, EC chief’

    https://www.rt.com/uk/346523-brexit-tusk-civilisation-orlando/

    …”Deutsche Bank predicts the British stock market could actually benefit from Brexit, as a drop in the value of the pound would give a boost to UK exports.

    Although the bank forecasts a 5 percent fall in the FTSE100, this dip will still be outperforming the German DAX which will fall as much as 10 percent in the event of Brexit…

  20. North 20
    14 June 2016 at 9:17 pm

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11656425

    What a fucking joke ! Two million shitty bucks ?

    Let’s not forget that at an earlier stage Teina Pora while out on licence had forbidden contact with a mate whom he’d met in prison…….who was probably a soul who helped Teina to preserve his sanity. Stopped him from topping himself.

    And then all the authorities, Parole Board et al, were clutching their fucking pearls because apparently Teina out on licence after 21 years had hooked up with some woman. Oh how fucking gross of that boy !!!!!

    You’re still treating Teina like a piece of shit you bastards. Ten, twenty million bucks wouldn’t be enough !

    And what of Super Detective Steve Rutherford ? Who DID IT to Teina. Living happily (not if he has a conscience) in retirement in Ohope or somewhere. On a goodish pension which probably exceeds 100 grand a year.

    I well remember seeing him in the public area of the Papakura District Court easily a couple of decades ago. Young greenhorn cops approaching him in utter supplication, genuflecting. And Rutherford accepted the adoration with a smug, self-satisfied smile. How many other people’s lives did this ‘Super-Cop’ destroy ?

    This beast who destroyed Teina’s life…….because the vanity of ‘Super-Cop’ over-rode all……even justice. A curse on you Steve Rutherford, ‘Super-Cop’. There’s much more than two mill’ allocated to you from when you did this to Teina and in the years ahead. Hope you feel ashamed man. Doubt it. You’re an unrepentant bastard. Shit karma to you man.

    • KJT 20.1
      14 June 2016 at 9:28 pm

      Makes you wonder how many others were “fitted up” that we do not know about.

      • Chooky 20.1.1
        15 June 2016 at 10:50 am

        I suspect Scott Watson is one….the water taxi driver said he did NOT deliver the victims to Watson’s boat, but to another…his evidence was ignored

        David Bain would be another….travesty of justice….his sister’s pimp mysteriously disappeared to Australia for the court case …also disappeared or destroyed was her notebook with her clients

        • KJT 20.1.1.1
          16 June 2016 at 7:57 pm

          Wondered about Watson when part of the evidence was that he was cleaning up the cassette tapes in his boat after a trip. This was considered suspicious?
          I read that when I was wiping down all my boat electrics etc after a long trip. As you do.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-07-27T00:41:43+00:00