Open mike 15/09/2023

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, September 15th, 2023 - 47 comments
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Open 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 …

47 comments on “Open mike 15/09/2023 ”

  1. bwaghorn 1
    15 September 2023 at 6:32 am

    Why arnt people outraged that national wants to hock off houses to foreigners in a housing crisis??

    Reply
    • Cricklewood 1.2
      15 September 2023 at 7:25 am

      The short answer is if you already own a house price increases are good, that and a heap of people have given up. The massive increase over the last 6 years and the higher interest rates have essentially made home ownership impossible for huge swathes of people.

      Reply
    • Graeme 1.3
      15 September 2023 at 7:34 am

      Pretty much getting told to fuck off around Queenstown. I haven't met many who think it's a good idea long term. A few who need it to save their sorry arses, 'cause they will have to sell very soon ( or now), but most are WTF.

      Nicola got a hard time last night over it,

      Ms Willis argued there were more than 95,000 houses valued at more than $2million in New Zealand, and that only a small number of those would need to be sold to overseas buyers for her projections to be achieved.

      Her comments were greeted with rumbles of discontent from the full house, and open scorn from some of her opponents.

      Greens co-leader James Shaw said Ms Willis’ policy was a continuation of "the war on renters" and would price first-home buyers in places such as Queenstown out of the market.

      It's going to be a transformational policy for Queenstown and Central Otago, but obviously not in a good way.

      Biggest criticism is that price changes will be supply side driven, everyone will want $2 million for their house leading to a huge gap in the market below that, effectively freezing the middle and below out of the market.

      Reply
      • Ad 1.3.1
        15 September 2023 at 10:07 am

        Queenstown under National government becomes the accelerated form of what New Zealand is becoming already: grossly unequal, foreigner dominated, and real estate obsessed – to the exclusion of all other values and all other people.

        Queenstown's tourism and density strategies are going in the opposite direction to that.

        Reply
    • Mike the Lefty 1.4
      15 September 2023 at 12:07 pm

      Because they have decided that "Labour bad, National good" and don't want any inconvenient truths to unsettle them.

      Boy, the real estate industry must be positively salivating at the thought of a NACT victory with the inevitable sky rocketing in house prices that will result.

      Reply
  2. SPC 2
    15 September 2023 at 7:45 am

    Gurner climbs down

    But later, Mr Gurner said in a post on LinkedIn that he had "made some remarks about unemployment and productivity in Australia that I deeply regret and were wrong".

    He said there were "important conversations to have in this environment of high inflation, pricing pressures on housing and rentals due to a lack of supply, and other cost of living issues".

    He said his comments were "deeply insensitive" to employees, tradespeople, and families "across Australia" who are affected by cost of living pressures and job losses.

    Mr Gurner added that he appreciated that the loss of a job "has a profound impact" on workers "and I sincerely regret that my words did not convey empathy for those in that situation".

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-66803279

    Full mea culpa.

    Meanwhile here we have David Seymour stating the intent to make 15,000 people redundant before Christmas.

    Will people note who the unrepentant psychopath is?

    Will Luxon say whether that is something National would enact?

    Reply
  3. Barfly 3
    15 September 2023 at 8:19 am

    Has anyone asked Greypower if they have an opinion on Seymour wanting to take money out of their wallets/purses?

    Reply
    • weka 3.1
      15 September 2023 at 8:28 am

      can you please expand on that?

      Reply
      • SPC 3.1.1
        15 September 2023 at 9:30 am

        Part of the ACT cost savings plan is to increase Super by the CPI permanently (not just when the CPI is higher than the increase due with the link to net average wage).

        Reply
        • Brigitte 3.1.1.1
          15 September 2023 at 1:25 pm

          For quite some time NZ Super has been increased by CPI (see s15 of https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2001/0084/latest/whole.html#DLM114216)

          However, there is an override (s16 of above) which states the married rate must be between 66% and 72.5% of average wage (net of standard tax). Normally the lower bound bites so NZ Super increases by more than CPI. Except last year where it was just CPI (so the override didn't apply).

          Oddly Labour took credit for increasing Super by more than wages even though they did nothing of the sort. Even odder was that National didn't call them out. They should have known as the Nats 2017 tax cuts meant the lower bound for Super went up and so would have given an increase to pensioners – the reversal of the tax cuts took that away so Labour effectively swapped it for the winter supplement.

          So Act will repeal s16 so Super will increase by CPI (as now) but is very likely to fall as a percentage against the average wage over time. At some point too many pensioners will be struggling so an ad-hoc increase will be granted (or a party will reinstate s16 although not necessarily the same percentage upper and lower bounds).

          Reply
  4. Barfly 4
    15 September 2023 at 9:03 am

    fudged up the reply button

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/winston-peters-sounds-alarm-on-acts-proposed-changes-to-superannuation/IDBTQYV32RHXDL4ABVBCGIQVMY/

    From the article

    Switching to CPI indexation will also ensure that the cost of the pension does not continue to grow inexorably as the economy grows.”

    Act’s budget said the switch would save $1.13 billion across the period to 2026/27. The CTU’s analysis found an additional $1.36b would be saved in the 2027/28 financial year, bringing the total savings to more than $2.8b using revised inflation data.

    Billions of 'savings' to be achieved by reducing what Superannatants receive

    Reply
    • AB 4.1
      15 September 2023 at 10:17 am

      Elder poverty is coming back. The 'strong economy' demands it. Climate change will turbocharge it. As the insurance industry walks away or hikes prices stratospherically, uninsured people will have whatever meagre assets they own wiped out in weather events.

      Reply
  5. Blazer 5
    15 September 2023 at 9:08 am

    Every trick in the…book..NZH-'

    'In a day when National was accused of having a $2.1 billion hole in the costings of its tax policy, Willis came under pressure to release the modelling behind the plan, which National had not yet done.

    Speaking to TVNZ’s Breakfast this morning, Willis said she would resign if a National Government couldn’t deliver on the tax cuts it’s promising.

    ”I would resign because we are making a commitment to the New Zealand people and we intend to keep it,” she said when pushed about whether the foreign buyers’ tax would work.'

    Covered her arse.

    [please supply a direct link for this quote. Please also read this post about moderation and let me know you have read and understood. https://thestandard.org.nz/moderation-notes-in-election-year/ – weka]

    Reply
  6. SPC 6
    15 September 2023 at 10:19 am

    SoftBank owned Gannet media is hiring reporters/correspondents/social media gossip columnists to cover celebrities – for USA Today (Beyonce) and Tennessean (Swift).

    I would have thought SoftBank (big in robotics etc) would have used AI and deep fake tech to do the coverage.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/us-news-site-hiring-dedicated-taylor-swift-beyonce-reporters/ZYX5UNLESVFRVAP2E5NL2NQXRQ/

    Reply
  7. Chris 7
    15 September 2023 at 11:42 am

    Simeon Brown sent me an email today. Un-bloody-believable:

    "Hi Chris,

    When Chris Hipkins claimed he’d focus on ‘bread and butter issues,’ New Zealanders probably didn’t expect him and his ministers to take this quite so literally.

    Today it was revealed that the government has splurged more than $52,000 on extravagant breakfasts.

    The Ministry for Pacific Peoples spent more than $52,000 to promote Labour MPs at four post-budget breakfasts.

    Just this morning, senior Labour minister Ginny Andersen defended the spend as "pretty typical" – this is an insult to New Zealanders across the country who are struggling to pay their bills and figuring out how to cover their mortgage.

    It’s also the second instance of lavish spending from this government agency recently – after it spent $40,000 on a farewell party for its Chief Executive.

    In a cost of living crisis, it’s clear that Chris Hipkins and Labour are wildly out of touch.

    Labour has no respect for taxpayers' money.

    The economic outlook this week showed the Treasury is forecasting a prolonged economic slowdown, combined with high inflation and interest rates – all driven by Labour's reckless spending. When $52,000 on breakfasts is “pretty typical” for Labour, what hope do Kiwis have that Labour will stop the waste?

    Only National can end the wasteful spending, respect taxpayers’ money, balance the books and rebuild our economy to reduce the cost of living so Kiwis can get ahead

    Party Vote National to get our country back on track!

    Simeon Brown
    National Party spokesperson for Public Service"

    https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/09/15/national-targets-ministry-for-pacific-peoples-50k-breakfast-spending/

    [news link added]

    Reply
    • SPC 7.1
      15 September 2023 at 11:47 am

      That's just lazy, getting his lines from ACT and the Taxpayers Union …

      Meanwhile Luxon had a post budget breakfast with business …

      https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/490202/watch-national-party-leader-christopher-luxon-gives-post-budget-speech

      Reply
    • bwaghorn 7.2
      15 September 2023 at 12:03 pm

      Thing is if these spend ups are true we should be pissed,

      Reply
      • SPC 7.2.1
        15 September 2023 at 12:18 pm

        Events in community centres to identify relevant budget initiatives, just basic comms,

        Reply
        • bwaghorn 7.2.1.1
          15 September 2023 at 1:32 pm

          Must be expensive halls to hire!!

          Reply
        • weka 7.2.1.2
          15 September 2023 at 2:01 pm

          $14,000 per event. I want to know the details too, especially because of this,

          It follows Public Service Commissioner Peter Hughes criticising the ministry last month for spending more than $40,000 on a farewell for its departing chief executive last October.

          https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/09/15/national-targets-ministry-for-pacific-peoples-50k-breakfast-spending/

          I want to know how those figures compare to other government department spends on similar events (ie is it normal) and I want details of the events (eg are they large, in which case the spend makes more sense).

          Reply
          • weka 7.2.1.2.1
            15 September 2023 at 2:02 pm

            Nat and Act are obviously double teaming an attack on the Ministry for Pasific Peoples, which is fucked up and needs addressing. To do that the left needs to be transparent about spending, not just casually excuse it.

            Reply
            • bwaghorn 7.2.1.2.1.1
              15 September 2023 at 3:39 pm

              Yip if mostly pakeha departments are doing it to ,

              A; this is a racist beat up,

              B; it does point to a culture of largesse that needs to be stopped,

              Reply
              • Descendant Of Smith …
                15 September 2023 at 4:53 pm

                Is it really that high in todays dollars?

                These were community meetings to explain and answer questions about the budget to communities who do not normally get that well engaged with.

                I would imagine hall hire, tea, coffee, light snack, facilitator, kitchen staff, etc would come to that sort of cost.

                It sucks when we expect poor communities to meet those costs themselves as government agencies have done for so long – government should pay for meetings they organise.

                It is the same with consultation – councils, government etc all expect iwi advice and support for free yet agree quite happy to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees to KPMG, etc.

                This issue was highlighted in several places way back in 1988 in Puao Te Ata Tu. A document that should be more widely read.

                https://www.msd.govt.nz/documents/about-msd-and-our-work/publications-resources/archive/1988-puaoteatatu.pdf

                (d) That funds be allocated to Social Welfare district offices with a high Maori population to provide some remuneration to Maori people who provide assistance to Social Welfare staff in dealing with Maori clients;

                “Get no recognition and or pay for performing special Maori duties.”

                In the area of social work, there were many calls for Maori people to do the work of the “professional”workers. Whereas community workers saw themselves as being on call 24 hours a day, social workers were seen by some to work for only the prescribed hours. The complaint was strong that valuable skills were often used but not paid for when volunteers or community workers were used as a cultural resource for dealing with Maori people.

                (c) District Executive Committees should be formed in each Social Welfare Department district. Each Committee shall consist of up to 9 persons appointed to represent the community on the nomination of the Maori tribal authorities and the nominations of other community interests. The Director of Social Welfare (in person) and the Director of Maori Affairs are to be members. The Chairperson should be one of the non-public service members. ‘Members are to be paid in the normal way.

                It is also worth noting the home ownership levels in this report.

                45% of Maori own their own houses (with or without a mortgage) and 50% are renting whereas for non-Maori the comparable figures are 73% owning and 24% renting.

                Reply
                • weka …
                  15 September 2023 at 5:17 pm

                  Is it really that high in todays dollars?

                  No idea. I guess it comes down to how big the events were. I can't see any reason to automatically assume the amounts are excessive (although the $40K send off to an exec is raising my eyebrow). But I do think the issue should be managed transparently and MSM once again are failing us here. They could explain all that. We will see if they over the next few days.

                  My beef is that I remember in the 90s Treasurry spend $70,000 redecorating one of their offices. Later WINZ spent some godawful amount rebranding. I think when some people are used to having those kinds of budgets they see things differently.

                  It certainly jars against the CoL crisis. The left need a good way to respond to this that doesn't buy into the cut govt spending bullshit and that pushed back against the targeted racism.

                  Reply
                  • Descendant Of Smith …
                    15 September 2023 at 6:06 pm

                    I had the impression that the cost was high predominantly because of the gifts from each individual group that MPP represents. There are not too many agencies that cover off so many different but linked cultures with their own rivalries/sense of face.

                    The key in the the decision process I suspect was MPP's choice to fund the gifts as opposed to the groups funding them themselves. Once that call had been made the cost was always going to be high due to the number of gifts.

                    While I would have left it to the groups to fund their own gifts it is a bit like no school uniforms. The wealthier groups would have better gifts and the poorer group either lesser gifts or would have to sacrifice more. The Ministry paying would help ensure some evenness.

                    Again while personally I don't think much of the whole thing about well paid public servants getting gifts when leaving I accept others have a different view.

                    I just think there are nuances that need to be explored before drawing too many conclusions.

                    I am much more supportive of meeting with the community than CEO farewell's.

                    Pacific Peoples Minister Barbara Edmonds told Newshub the post-budget breakfasts were community events and around 700 people attended in person across the country plus others attended online.

                    "Pacific communities have long been overlooked in post-budget communication and are not always aware of how initiatives in the Budget affect them," Edmonds said.

                    700 attended which catering wise comes to $35-00 a head. Haven't organised an event for a long time but that seems to me a little high but I'm clueless about current costs.

                    Much of the cost seems to be the three sets of AV equipment to presumably stream. I have done this recently and commercial equipment is expensive to hire.

                    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2023/09/ministry-for-pacific-peoples-under-fire-for-spending-over-50-000-on-budget-breakfasts.html

                    What does seem obvious from the tone of the headlines is that it is primarily a racist attack with little investigation or even notice of what the Ministry actually said in response. Certainly ACT don't refer to it as a series of three community meetings – you get the impression it was the staff at MPP having a fancy shout in the office on government funds.

                    Reply
          • Michael P 7.2.1.2.2
            18 September 2023 at 4:49 pm

            Why can't they just have a morning tea with cake and sausage rolls like we used to?

            Reply
    • Anne 7.3
      15 September 2023 at 12:39 pm

      Have you provided both the Greens and Labour with a copy of his claims? There are so many outright lies I'm sure they could turn the tables on the weasel.

      It might even be one of those “[insert MP’s name here]” electorate communications that the John Key Nat government was so keen on producing.

      Reply
  8. Joe90 8
    15 September 2023 at 11:47 am

    Another day another lie.

    .
    Deborah Russell MP 🐝

    @BeeFaerie
    Posted without comment

    https://twitter.com/BeeFaerie/status/1702040255199854634

    Reply
  9. Bruce Ellis 9
    15 September 2023 at 1:07 pm

    Just heard that Kim Hill is retiring – apart from some in depth interviews. Radio listening will never be the same. She is a real treasure.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/498069/host-kim-hill-leaves-rnz-s-saturday-morning-show-it-is-time-for-a-change-for-me

    Reply
    • gsays 9.1
      15 September 2023 at 5:14 pm

      I've just heard that on the 5pm news.

      I agree about being a treasure, from time to time the transistor got hollered at but more often than not Kim Hill made great radio.

      Reply
  10. rod 10
    15 September 2023 at 3:08 pm

    Where would the National Party and Act be whithout their army of right wing

    sycophants, toadies, stooges, poodles, lackeys, puppets, bootlickers, cronies, lapdogs,

    and snipers, who infest and operate in the msm ??

    Well the answer is, no fecking where, IMO

    Reply
    • Barfly 10.1
      15 September 2023 at 3:15 pm

      Well overtime the MSM's corrupt lack of balance is adding voters to the right wing parties. Looks like

      Liars, thieves and politicians …..should be

      Liars, thieves, politicians and reporters

      /Shrug

      Reply
  11. dv 11
    15 September 2023 at 4:57 pm

    What is the cost to run parliament? Tried to look, but nothing forthcoming?

    Reply
  12. adam 12
    15 September 2023 at 5:22 pm

    God bless the UAW and lets help them in their Strike.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TizKLyU634

    Reply

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  • The party of business deals with the future by pretending it isn’t coming
    Years and years ago, when Helen Clark was Prime Minister and John Key was gunning for her job, I had a conversation with a mate, a trader who knew John Key well enough to paint a helpful picture.It was many drinks ago so it’s not a complete one. But there’s ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • 2023 More Reading: September (+ Old Phuul update)
    Completed reads for September: The Lost Continent, by C.J. Cutcliffe Hyne Flatland, by Edwin Abbott All Quiet on the Western Front, by Erich Maria Remarque The Country of the Blind, by H.G. Wells The Day of the Triffids, by John Wyndham A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    4 days ago

  • Losing The Left.
    Descending Into The Dark: The ideological cadres currently controlling both Labour and the Greens are forcing “justice”, “participation” and “democracy” to make way for what is “appropriate” and “responsible”. But, where does that leave the people who, for most of their adult lives, have voted for left-wing parties, precisely to ...
    Bowalley Road
    4 days ago

  • The New “Emperor’s New Clothes”.
    “‘BUT HE HASN’T GOT ANYTHING ON,’ a little boy said ….. ‘But he hasn’t got anything on!’ the whole town cried out at last.”On this optimistic note, Hans Christian Andersen brings his cautionary tale of “The Emperor’s New Clothes” to an end.Andersen’s children’s story was written nearly two centuries ago, ...
    Bowalley Road
    4 days ago

  • BRYCE EDWARDS: The vested interests shaping National Party policies
      Bryce Edwards writes – As the National Party gets closer to government, lobbyists and business interests will be lining up for influence and to get policies adopted. It’s therefore in the public interest to have much more scrutiny and transparency about potential conflicts of interests that ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • LINDSAY MITCHELL: A conundrum for those pushing racist dogma
    Lindsay Mitchell writes – The heavily promoted narrative, which has ramped up over the last six years, is that Maori somehow have special vulnerabilities which arise from outside forces they cannot control; that contemporary society fails to meet their needs. They are not receptive to messages and ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • CHRIS TROTTER:  The greater of two evils
    Not Labour: If you’re out to punish the government you once loved, then the last thing you need is to be shown evidence that the opposition parties are much, much worse.   Chris Trotter writes – THE GREATEST VIRTUE of being the Opposition is not being the Government. Only very ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • The Hoon around the week to Sept 30
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:Labour presented a climate manifesto that aimed to claim the high ground on climate action vs National, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Midwives’ pay equity offer reached
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