Open mike 16/10/2020

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, October 16th, 2020 - 132 comments
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132 comments on “Open mike 16/10/2020 ”

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  1. Dennis Frank 1
    16 October 2020 at 6:31 am

    Policy.nz summarises every single policy released by the major parties, making it easy for voters to compare. More than 410,000 people have now visited the site and picked their favourites from among the nearly 2,000 policies we’ve published.

    When readers see a policy they like, they can “favourite” that policy and save it to a personalised list. Readers have favourited millions of policies in total. A hard core of more than 3,200 policy-heads favourited more than 100 policies each… https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/16-10-2020/the-most-liked-policy-of-them-all-based-on-400000-new-zealanders-choices/

    The policy favourited by the most readers comes from the Green Party: Create a plan to provide training for new clean energy jobs.

    As for the other parties, the most favourited policy for each party was:

    Māori Party: Stop issuing coal mining permits and phase out industrial coal burning by 2030
    Labour Party: Continue to replace coal heaters with clean energy in schools and hospitals
    National Party: Install cameras on all commercial fishing boats
    New Conservative: Tax house purchases by non-citizens and local investors with two or more properties
    ACT: Support legalisation of euthanasia
    TOP: Increase pay transparency
    NZ First: Keep historic statues

    But is the statue of Colin Meads in Te Kuiti historic?? He's still alive, so I reckon not. Road signs with capital letters as big as a hand-span alert drivers heading north & south to where it can be found, and such civic care & attention to worshippers is indeed heart-warming, but I wonder how long it will take for woke activists to get there & do their eliminating…

    • Barfly 1.1
      16 October 2020 at 6:39 am

      "But is the statue of Colin Meads in Te Kuiti historic?? He's still alive, so I reckon not

      '

      Colin Meads died 3 years ago – sheesh

      • Dennis Frank 1.1.1
        16 October 2020 at 6:49 am

        Oops, obviously I missed that news! blush

        • Incognito 1.1.1.1
          16 October 2020 at 10:06 am

          Brilliant self-elimination!

        • greywarshark 1.1.1.2
          16 October 2020 at 10:25 am

          Watch out for those bold assertions Dennis – too many wrong ones and we will stop paying attention to you!

          My comment on the Greens favoured policy:

          Create a plan to provide training for new clean energy jobs.

          is that I don't like the wording, good intention though. 'Less create, get a plan to provide' and actually have the word 'DO' in it. No paralysis by analysis. My guru Yoda says 'No try – just Do'. Obviously there has to be a plan, and that could be – Utilise all the present programs that are suitable and have been monitored and show good effect, and if they are keen have them put forward method and priorities and amalgamate them all, and have them carry out training, then compare their success rate, and include the trainees in the process for their opinion as to their success or note, and rejig things.

          Get started, refine the practice with the trainees understanding that they are part of the study, and they will feel proud and put their best in. Only a year would see a huge change in attitudes throughout the actual working people at the coalface (new word needed for that). The workers are carrying the country forward and supporting the oldies, the young ones deserve our respect and support.

          So Do That, Greens and prove your wokeness where it is crucial. (And to keep our irony level up for mental health, here is a collection of random opinions about what 'woke' means from the Urban Dictionary.) https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=woke

          • Dennis Frank 1.1.1.2.1
            16 October 2020 at 10:32 am

            actually have the word 'DO' in it. No paralysis by analysis

            I wrote Greens policy on exactly that basis. I saw standard leftist language as defective, so set out to declare intent for exactly that reason.

            Needless to say, subsequent Green policy writers reverted to type. Not quite as blatant with the weasel words as Labour, mind you!

            • greywarshark 1.1.1.2.1.1
              16 October 2020 at 10:47 am

              Ah hah. Well I register my vote for Do and make it fit for purpose, and include the trainers and trainees and listen to them and work out quickly a practical way forward that they will all trial, and report on. Then they will all Own the project, which means that they will all feel that it includes their own ideas and wishes, and that they have 'Skin in the game'.

  2. Dennis Frank 2
    16 October 2020 at 6:43 am

    Simon Wilson asks

    Is there any room to move in Ardern's point-blank rejection of both the Greens' wealth tax and a capital gains tax?

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/simon-wilson-rapture-or-reform-jacinda-ardern-and-the-wealth-tax/7OKVMX7TQQU3E3U4PAG56BF4UY/

    Kate Raworth, the British economist who invented "doughnut economics", spoke via Zoom to a candidates' debate in Freemans Bay last week.

    Raworth's doughnut is a ring that describes the relationship between our standards of living and our use of the world's resources. Inside the ring – in the doughnut hole – it is not possible to live well; outside the ring, we squander resources and ruin the planet.

    We prosper and are in balance with the world when we live within the inner and outer limits of the doughnut. The aim of economics in the 21st century, said Raworth, must be to find a way to get there and stay there. But the Covid crisis has made inequalities worse. "We see it in gender and race, in class and in power." Doughnut economics, said Raworth, offers "a compass for humanity".

    She says she doesn't have all the answers. No one does. Reducing our use of resources means reducing growth, and in conventional terms that creates poverty. But Raworth is not put off. "It's never been done before, but we have to work out how to do it. This is a new science, it's not even 10 years old." In fact, Raworth does have some answers. She's consulting to the city of Amsterdam on its post-Covid rebuild, and several other cities, including Los Angeles and Berlin, have also been inspired by her thinking as they plan their rebuild. I'll write more on this soon.

    I hope he elucidates. Is her framing just a superficial rehash of sustainability? Or does it actually go beyond that, to provide strategic policy frameworks??

    • Incognito 2.1
      16 October 2020 at 10:09 am

      Both/and logic applies!

    • weka 2.2
      16 October 2020 at 1:16 pm

      "Is there any room to move in Ardern's point-blank rejection of both the Greens' wealth tax and a capital gains tax?"

      Good article in other ways, but pity Wilson didn't answer that question. Is there a way now that Labour can agree to some kind of capital gains taxation? Or have they locked themselves, and us, out?

      • Drowsy M. Kram 2.2.1
        16 October 2020 at 1:40 pm

        Ardern has locked the Labour party out of supporting a CGT while she's leader:

        "Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the public has spoken and she won't introduce a capital gains tax while she leads the Labour Party."

        Ditto any kind of wealth tax, let alone the Green's.

        "Labour leader Jacinda Ardern has moved to try to kill off National's claims she would bow to the Green Party's wish for a wealth tax by saying she would not implement a wealth tax as long as she is Prime Minister.
        It is a step further than she has gone before – her previous comments on it related to the next term.        "

        There’s very little wriggle room here, which is a pity because I doubt that the wider NZ political scene will be better disposed to the introduction of a significantly more progressive tax system again in my lifetime. A lost opportunity, IMHO.

        • Incognito 2.2.1.1
          16 October 2020 at 1:48 pm

          Don’t look down on detail, look up at the bigger picture and the endless sky. Don’t lose faith.

          • Drowsy M. Kram 2.2.1.1.1
            16 October 2020 at 2:21 pm

            My faith is weak – I'm clinging to hope and a misquote.

            "Now abideth faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is Hope."

            • Incognito 2.2.1.1.1.1
              16 October 2020 at 10:39 pm

              Faith is like melting snow on rocks forming a little trickle that turns into a mountain stream, small, chaotic, disappearing between and underneath rocks. But it gains volume and strength and becomes a steady flow and then a giant river that can transport ships when it nears the sea. Have faith 🙂

        • Draco T Bastard 2.2.1.2
          16 October 2020 at 2:04 pm

          But has the public spoken on a CGT or just the rich?

          I don't seem to recall a referendum on it and that would be the only way to know.

          • Sacha 2.2.1.2.1
            16 October 2020 at 2:10 pm

            Internal polling must say that the contested chunk of 'centre' voters with mortgages don't like it. And I bet the finance industry has been leaning on pollies too.

            • Draco T Bastard 2.2.1.2.1.1
              16 October 2020 at 2:36 pm

              That's what I'm thinking but that's just a small portion of the country and not everyone.

              Perhaps the Greens, after the election, should push for a referendum on it at the next election. Then we'd have the public speaking on it.

            • weka 2.2.1.2.1.2
              16 October 2020 at 2:54 pm

              "Internal polling must say that the contested chunk of 'centre' voters with mortgages don't like it."

              Would be interesting to see how much that changes if the tax was explained properly, both who it would affect and what it would fund.

              There was a poll out today saying that 50% of NZers were in favour of a wealth tax.

              Labour know which side their bread is buttered on though. For now at least.

        • weka 2.2.1.3
          16 October 2020 at 2:53 pm

          yep. She's ruled out a "GCT" and a "wealth tax", but is there any way that Labour can come back from this?

          Don't know why she went that step further on the WT. Maybe their internal polling had them worried?

          • Drowsy M. Kram 2.2.1.3.1
            16 October 2020 at 3:32 pm

            Could be strategy – clear point of difference between the Green and Labour parties? Hopefully the Greens will be in parliament and continue to advocate for a wealth tax. Careful fine-tuning may get the number of NZers in favour up to a clear majority – in this poll 53% of decided voters were is favour of a larger increase in tax paid by wealthy NZers than Labour is proposing.

            Uncertainties include whether the climate for change will be any more favourable in three years' time, and whether Labour will continue to act as a handbrake in order to secure a third term.

            "But perhaps the Greens have actually hit the jackpot.

            The Newshub-Reid Research poll asked voters if Labour should have gone further in taxing the wealthiest New Zealanders.

            Opinion was split, but more voters – 48.7 percent – said yes while 43 percent said no and 8 percent didn't know.

            A majority of Labour's own voters – nearly 60 percent – wanted them to go further, while a third of National voters think so too."

            https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/10/nz-election-2020-newshub-reid-research-poll-shows-nearly-half-of-kiwis-think-wealthy-should-be-taxed-more.html

          • McFlock 2.2.1.3.2
            16 October 2020 at 3:36 pm

            Probably polling (going for the "govern alone" target), but it might also be a caucus/party-stalwart issue as well. Stamping hard on the idea certainly made JuCo's obseesion with it look stupid.

            DTB's idea of a referendum to clear the way is a good 'un, but I also wonder if there are similar tax moves that haven't been ruled out, e.g. shifting the bright line on home investments and suchlike. Greens can leverage them in negotiations, circumstances permitting.

        • woodart 2.2.1.4
          16 October 2020 at 6:13 pm

          huge amount of wriggle room. its done all the time. very similar policy, with a couple of tweaks, call it something else and tadah!.

  3. Dennis Frank 3
    16 October 2020 at 6:54 am

    Chris Trotter's advocacy for yes in the cannabis referendum comes out of a fictional tv character – used to provide plausible deniability, no doubt.

    http://bowalleyroad.blogspot.com/2020/10/fitz-on-cannabis.html

    But Tova's announcement of the Reid Research poll this morning shows a widening gap and the fear-mongering has obviously become contagious amongst the hitherto undecided. Gangsters will be delighted that the nation’s conservatives still want to preserve their monopoly of the market…

    • Barfly 3.1
      16 October 2020 at 7:02 am

      "bugger"

      • greywarshark 3.1.1
        16 October 2020 at 10:41 am

        Thinking about change needed re cannabis et al. 50 shades of grey!

        Oh, oh we are being asked what we think. (We don't, we just react.)

        It's so hard to read through all the stuff about cannabis – it's so dangerous, and it will have so many consequences if we agree to a change. (We mustn't have change.)

        If we agree to change, who knows where this thinking business will end. Having done it once, government will be asking us about everything next. (What do we have gummint for and pay them all that money – how dare they ask us to do their jobs.)

        We might get drug-deranged people come and live nextdoor, and that would be horrible. (We know how bad that can be from reports from one Standardista about what his elderly parents are suffering.)

        Everything will get worse if people aren't under prohibition; it's not good now, so 'they' will get totally out of control. That's what all of us who try to live good lives think, and we don't want to hear any more about differing opinions, it's all greenwash! So there!

    • tc 3.2
      16 October 2020 at 9:17 am

      "Gangsters will be delighted that the nation’s conservatives still want to preserve their monopoly of the market… " You need to get out more Dennis, P is where the gangs are focused and have been for many years now.

      Cannabis isn’t the business it used to be anymore as it's everywhere and anyone can grow it whereas P gives them repeat business.

      Police would likely welcome a refocus of scarce resources to combat P so if it doesn’t pass then it’s job done scaremongers, NZMA, Key etc

    • ianmac 3.3
      16 October 2020 at 10:22 am

      Dennis what was the Reid Research poll released by Tova this morning?

  4. gsays 4
    16 October 2020 at 7:02 am

    In regards the euthanasia referendum this article touched on an issue that adds to the reservations I have with what is proposed:

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/euthanasia-debate/123070527/would-legal-assisted-dying-add-to-our-dire-suicide-figures

    From the article, "Before legalisation in 2002, the Netherlands had some of the lowest suicide rates in Europe. For a period of 4-5 years after legalisation, that rate continued to fall, in line with what had previously been happening. However, from 2007, the rates started increasing dramatically and, over the next 10 years, increased by a staggering total of 33 per cent."

    I found this news chilling, the Netherlands is looking at extending euthanasia to 1-12 year olds. How long until we are considering this?

    https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54538288

    • Morrissey 4.1
      16 October 2020 at 9:29 am

      the Netherlands is looking at extending euthanasia to 1-12 year olds. How long until we are considering this?

      It won't be long. It's cheaper than actually providing hospice care.

      • Incognito 4.1.1
        16 October 2020 at 11:24 am

        Can you please make a comparison between NZ and the Netherlands and qualify how long it will take? I think it would be asking too much ask if I were also to ask for your figures showing that euthanasia of 1-12 year olds is cheaper than hospice care but this is a separate issue anyway.

        • greywarshark 4.1.1.1
          16 October 2020 at 2:00 pm

          That's a flip, throwaway comment about the very young rates Morrissey. Please don't treat this important issue as an opportunity for a quip, not in a public discourse. How you talk to your friends and family can be a comment in passing, but on here it 'sticks in the throat'.

          • Morrissey 4.1.1.1.1
            16 October 2020 at 5:03 pm

            Actually, I take with extreme seriousness the issue of people advocating for the "euthanising" of anyone, including young people.

            Or do you trust the assurances about "safeguards" by that renowned moral philosopher David Seymour?

            • Incognito 4.1.1.1.1.1
              16 October 2020 at 10:47 pm

              Then make your case on how the Netherlands compares to NZ. So far, all you have done is a throwaway comment that lacks context and nuance, no critical analysis or any thought from you.

              If you think this debate is important and if you want to contribute, you’d better sharpen up!

    • Drowsy M. Kram 4.2
      16 October 2020 at 12:00 pm

      "In 2018, altogether 1,829 people in the Netherlands took their own lives, which is 88 fewer than in 2017. The number of suicides declined among young people aged 10 to 19 years, from 81 in 2017 to 51 in 2018. The number went up slightly among persons aged 20 to 39 years and among female residents."
      https://www.cbs.nl/en-gb/news/2019/26/fewer-suicide-deaths-in-2018

      From 1995 to 2006 the the Netherland’s suicide rate was between 9.5 and 10.7 per 100,000. In 2018 (the most recent year for which data is given in the link), the rate was 10.6 per 100,000.

      The decrease in 2018 means the suicide rate is back at the 2012 level of 10.6 per 100,000. In the 1980s the rate was as high as 14.6 per 100,000 (for 1984).

      • Incognito 4.2.1
        16 October 2020 at 12:05 pm

        Thank you.

        There is a fundamental difference between suicide and euthanasia, which commenters here have completely ignored so far, for some reason. I think it is misleading to put the two in one sentence as if they are somehow similar or equal.

        • gsays 4.2.1.1
          16 October 2020 at 3:05 pm

          I wasn't trying to conflate the two issues. One can have an impact on another though.

          In the article by Dion Howard he says "In the early stages of the End of Life Choice debate in Parliament, I noticed something shocking: the young people I was working with were rehearsing the very-same arguments used by those supporting euthanasia – autonomy, dignity and compassion – and applying them to their own situations."

          Then "In my mind, I understand that assisted dying and suicide can, in principle, be distinguished from each other. That point is often made. But my real-life experience, and that of others in the field of mental health support, is that there is a huge potential for what the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention has called “overlap cases”.

          • Incognito 4.2.1.1.1
            16 October 2020 at 10:58 pm

            All good, nothing personal. Although there is, of course, overlap and points of connection, I personally think we’ll have a better chance at constructive and positive debate if we keep the two separate, at least at the outset.

  5. outofbed 5
    16 October 2020 at 7:11 am

    “I found this news chilling, the Netherlands is looking at extending euthanasia to 1-12 year olds.”
    “How long until we are considering this? ”
    Well considering under the rules ..those poor children are suffering unbearable pain and are terminally ill…

    I hope we are considering it as soon as possible.

    But then I don’t form opinions based on listening to my imaginary friend.

    • gsays 5.1
      16 October 2020 at 7:30 am

      Imaginary friend? Big assumptions there, outofbed.

      The line between suicide and euthanasia isn't blurred for you at all?

      I would rather, we as a society, were talking about what a life lived as fully as possible looks like and how to achieve it.

      • greywarshark 5.1.1
        16 October 2020 at 2:10 pm

        It would be good if we could live a life as fully as possible but people have to learn how to appreciate what they have to do that. We had a good life with opportunities for social mobility and advancement but for various reasons we gave up on that.

        People can feel they have had a full life and choose to die at an early age if matters deterioratel for them. In fact when someone has gone through a process of personal and family/friends resignation and legal organisation, they are often happier without care for the future. Enjoy the life you have is the answer, and put some money aside to give to refugees in foreign countries – whether economic or fleeing violence.

        That helps to give perspective about one's own situation.

        • gsays 5.1.1.1
          16 October 2020 at 6:02 pm

          "It would be good if we could live a life as fully as possible but people have to learn how to appreciate what they have to do that. "

          Showing gratitude is a great step in the right direction.

      • Draco T Bastard 5.1.2
        16 October 2020 at 2:19 pm

        I would rather, we as a society, were talking about what a life lived as fully as possible looks like and how to achieve it.

        How would someone who is either drugged out of their mind so that they can't do anything or in so much pain that they can't do anything going to live their life fully?

        • gsays 5.1.2.1
          16 October 2020 at 2:53 pm

          Ideally the pursuit of a meaningful life has begun before being stupified with drugs or in chronic pain.

          As a start, learning mastery of the monkey mind. Putting the mind to task and being able to still or calm the mind. Instead of following it on one of its loops on high rotation.

          • gsays 5.1.2.1.1
            16 October 2020 at 3:17 pm

            Sorry, missed the how part- simple breathing excercises, meditation, yoga, tai chi.

            • Draco T Bastard 5.1.2.1.1.1
              16 October 2020 at 3:29 pm

              And if that person is less than a year old?

              Or how about if, even if 12 years old, has a mind of a 4 month old and its never going to get any better?

              Or has a disease so debilitating that they cannot move by themselves?

              Do you think these people are going to be learning simple breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, tai chi? To live a more full life?

              At what point do we call keeping them alive torture?

              • Morrissey …
                16 October 2020 at 5:00 pm

                Artificially prolonging a life by hooking someone up to a respirator—yes, it is reasonable to call that torture. Of course nature should be allowed to take its course in those cases. But to kill someone is something else entirely. And why are doctors expected to have to do the killing?

                • Draco T Bastard …
                  16 October 2020 at 5:06 pm

                  But to kill someone is something else entirely.

                  Under the conditions I listed – no its not. Keeping them alive is enacting torture upon them.

                  And why are doctors expected to have to do the killing?

                  Because they're the ones qualified to diagnose and to properly use the drugs needed to enact a painless death.

                  • Morrissey …
                    16 October 2020 at 9:01 pm

                    Allowing someone to die is very different to "enacting a painless death", which is a euphemism for killing that person.

                    And, as I am sure you know, doctors take the Hippocratic Oath, which forbids them killing a patient.

                    • Incognito …
                      16 October 2020 at 11:04 pm

                      You’re like a bull in a China shop. What do you know about the Hippocratic Oath and euthanasia? Very little, by the sounds of it. Are you familiar with medical ethics? It doesn’t look that way.

              • gsays …
                16 October 2020 at 5:50 pm

                A one year old has to do less work than we do, it is only just starting to have an idea of self. Far less of an ego to overcome, still mostly a universal being.

                "Or how about if, even if 12 years old, has a mind of a 4 month old and its never going to get any better?"

                Better? As good as you are?

                "Or has a disease so debilitating that they cannot move by themselves?

                Do you think these people are going to be learning simple breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, tai chi? To live a more full life?"

                If they do, they will be able to able to discern between pain and suffering.

                • Draco T Bastard …
                  16 October 2020 at 6:47 pm

                  /facepalm

                  You really don't get it do you?

                  The ones I describe are never, ever going to have a fulfilling life because their life is torture.

                  And you want to continue torturing them.

                  • gsays …
                    16 October 2020 at 6:55 pm

                    I reckon I get it ok.

                  • Sacha …
                    16 October 2020 at 11:17 pm

                    If you believe that having impaired thinking or movement is "torture", you are closer to eugenics attitudes than you may be comfortable acknowledging.

                    Please own your own idea of what fulfilment is rather than projecting it onto others.

    • Morrissey 5.2
      16 October 2020 at 11:15 am

      I hope we are considering it as soon as possible.

      ???? What would you use? Poison? Gas?

      • Incognito 5.2.1
        16 October 2020 at 11:08 pm

        Until you’re able to lift your game beyond your current puerile level, I think it might be better if you refrain from commenting and just listen.

  6. PsyclingLeft.Always 6
    16 October 2020 at 8:07 am

    "Fatal police pursuit should not have been started: IPCA"

    https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/fatal-police-pursuit-should-not-have-been-started-ipca

    Well theres a first. How many of these Police pursuits (often through busy streets) are necessary/safe? Some think otherwise…

    • greywarshark 6.1
      16 October 2020 at 10:56 am

      The police are breeding specially for the genes with the chase impulse in their recruits. It is a closely guarded secret. It is planned that it will be as innate in the traffic police, as it is in dogs chasing cats. (I have heard this through the grapevine.)

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hajBdDM2qdg

      • greywarshark 6.1.1
        16 October 2020 at 11:02 am

        https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/428474/woman-rammed-repeatedly-on-motorway-shocked-by-police-response

        How's this for mature, responsible response in transport control!

        Hermione McKeich says she was driving in a 100km/h zone between Melling and Petone, north of Wellington city, when the terrifying experience happened without warning.

        She told RNZ's David Reid that four men in a small truck laughed as they crashed into her small Mazda, using their vehicle as a weapon against her.

        I have had a small experience of reporting bad behaviour and it being belittled. My complaint was followed up, but the perp had some excuse and the matter was just dismissed.

        • PsyclingLeft.Always 6.1.1.1
          16 October 2020 at 12:03 pm

          Well, yes. I'm a Driver and Cyclist. Some of the fwits on our roads are mind boggling. Biking…Ive had them come so close the Campervan side mirror nearly hit me, cars "purposely" similar…Anyway it certainly makes you Situationally Aware. Re reporting…was it *555?

          And an FYI (for The Interested) I support our NZ Police. They have an, at times difficult/hazardous job. I honestly feel that some of the pursuit chases they have engaged in were unnecessary/dangerous.

          • greywarshark 6.1.1.1.1
            16 October 2020 at 2:17 pm

            A kind and thoughtful man in Nelson developed a springy device that a cyclist could fit on the hub or the seat, can't remember. It stuck out to the legal width of spacing for cyclist's safety. I think it had a little yellow flag drawing attention to that outer line. They didn't sell, it was withdrawn. But maybe it needs to be recalled as judging distance is hard for drivers.

            • PsyclingLeft.Always 6.1.1.1.1.1
              16 October 2020 at 2:35 pm

              Ah yea that would work. But sadly, maybe only for the kind and thoughtful Driver? I was talking to some German/Swiss/Dutch Cyclists (pre Covid) and they said they had never struck so many seemingly angry/aggressive Drivers. They had the Hi Vis gear and Vis flags on upright flexi poles. One of the guys , sick of being passed so close, did like you said and mounted it off to right. He said some morons were actually going past trying to grab it !?

              Oh and re your link with lady being rammed? Far out…they were prob P'd up. She def shouldnt been chasin them. Slack Police, aye..

              • greywarshark …
                16 October 2020 at 2:54 pm

                We have always had hoons but I think a prolonged period of teaching not to be concerned about others, just be an individual and go for it, has meant many young males (and females) in NZ have become anti-social and angry 'white trash'. There isn't a better term for them. These people come from families where there isn't a lot of philosophical thought! Nor religion, of a kind that promotes kind thought and good sharing community. And when there are insufficient jobs that go on a regular basis, there is opportunity to get drugged or liquored up and amuse themselves. And then when there is testing for drugs before you can get a job, there is a really vicious circle.

                The Vicious Cycle: Why the Poor Get Poorer

                A vicious cycle (also known as a vicious circle) is when a chain of negative events reinforce themselves. The situation spirals in a downward loop, becoming increasingly worse with time.

                https://www.jumpstartyourdreamlife.com/vicious-and-virtuous-cycles/

                • PsyclingLeft.Always …
                  16 October 2020 at 3:10 pm

                  Yea I would agree re hoons….they were probably racing horses back from the pub in the day….

                  And re "a prolonged period of teaching not to be concerned about others"? Could we call that the neolib nineties?

                  Gonna take a LONG time to heal us. Hope our New Govt takes on it board.

                  Re the Cycle thing…talking to Dutch (born on a bike : ) and other Euro/Scandinavian Cyclists, its just a whole different mindset. In Holland if a car has an incident with a cyclist the onus is on the Driver to prove they weren't in the wrong. Aside from that they look more…

                • Draco T Bastard …
                  16 October 2020 at 3:23 pm

                  Nor religion, of a kind that promotes kind thought and good sharing community.

                  Can't say that I've ever seen religion promoting that. War seems to be more of what religions cause instead.

              • Gabby …
                16 October 2020 at 3:59 pm

                It's just possible the vehicle owner has a 'glittering future' and is therefore immune to prosecution.

            • Draco T Bastard 6.1.1.1.1.2
              16 October 2020 at 2:42 pm

              If a driver finds it hard to judge distance then they probably shouldn't be driving.

    • Draco T Bastard 6.2
      16 October 2020 at 2:28 pm

      "The authority believes that the circumstances of this pursuit highlight the assistance pursuit controllers would gain from the greater use of technology to give access to accurate and comprehensive "real time" location and speed data," it said.

      More cameras and RADAR connected to an AI to estimate route and best place to apprehend the criminals would be the only way for this to work. Such will, inevitably, result in people whinging about the excessive use of surveillance by the police.

      • PsyclingLeft.Always 6.2.1
        16 October 2020 at 2:37 pm

        Ah what? Is this a dig?

        • Draco T Bastard 6.2.1.1
          16 October 2020 at 2:48 pm

          The IPCA has come out with a statement about the use of more technology so as to help prevent these kinds of pursuit and death happening again.

          But, as we've seen time and time again on here, almost everyone complains about the use of technology by the police to catch criminals. Calling it Orwellian and excessive and that the police shouldn't be able to watch everyone's every move despite the fact that its public information.

          Thing is, I suspect that the statement by the IPCA is actually propaganda to help sell the idea of the police having more cameras and RADAR.

          • PsyclingLeft.Always 6.2.1.1.1
            16 October 2020 at 2:56 pm

            Yea I wasnt focusing too much on the IPCA…as they are well known for "nothing to see here,move along".

            It probably is more to do with Andrew Becroft calling it…

            Commissioner Becroft said if it's known young people are more likely to be killed or harm others as a result of a police pursuit, then the policy of chasing them should change.

            He referenced a previous report from NZ Police which showed that between 2014 and 2017, police pursuits resulted in 22 deaths, five of which were of children under the age of 18.

            "It's good that Police have been working on a culture change and training recruits in the dangers involved with chasing young drivers," he said on Friday.

            https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2020/10/children-s-commissioner-calls-for-police-pursuits-of-young-drivers-to-stop.html

            I used to be on "another political site" where the majority were in favour of chasing and indeed if it led to the young kids death then "good". Even when the poor buggers were burnt to death….Fuck those kind of ghouls…..

  8. Morrissey 8
    16 October 2020 at 9:23 am

    The Show Trial of Julian Assange carries on, virtually ignored by New Zealand's government and media

    The Israeli-American human rights activist Miko Peled says early in this video: "What I find terribly troubling is the fact that so few journalists are actually standing up for him."

    Hopefully, after the election, Jacinda Ardern will find the courage to speak out about this obscene persecution.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNskcUR-L3s&feature=emb_logo

    • Incognito 8.1
      16 October 2020 at 10:14 am

      You expect the NZ Government to comment on individual court cases overseas?

      • Morrissey 8.1.1
        16 October 2020 at 10:58 am

        Of course. She's supposed to show leadership, and integrity.

        Do you think New Zealand was wrong to speak out against the apartheid regime in South Africa?

      • Byd0nz 8.1.2
        16 October 2020 at 11:03 am

        Not while participating in 5-eyes.

        Uncle Sam will sanction dissenters.

        • Morrissey 8.1.2.1
          16 October 2020 at 11:25 am

          True. But does Andrew Little have to be so craven as he was the other day when backing the Trump regime's demand to make phone data available to the likes of Mike Pompeo and his cronies?

      • francesca 8.1.3
        16 October 2020 at 12:19 pm

        The NZ government often comments on international goings on , particularly if prompted by our 5Eyes partners

        Its a human rights issue, and our govt has often issued "statements" on that matter though admittedly only when supporting US/UK stances

        • Incognito 8.1.3.1
          16 October 2020 at 1:18 pm

          I thought my question was quite specific and clear. Obviously, my bad 🙁

          • Sacha 8.1.3.1.1
            16 October 2020 at 1:43 pm

            There will always be more answers than questions..

          • Brigid 8.1.3.1.2
            16 October 2020 at 9:31 pm

            The answer of course is "No"

            None of us expects the government to comment on this individual overseas court case.

            If it were to comment on this case, we know that such comment will have been dictated to it by the prosecuting country.

            • Incognito 8.1.3.1.2.1
              16 October 2020 at 9:47 pm

              Your answer is almost correct except for the fact that some of us expect so, apparently 😉

  9. greywarshark 9
    16 October 2020 at 11:18 am

    Good move, good news.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/428477/success-of-rangatahi-courts-applauded-by-judges-and-minister

    Critique of local Council not good, but may be good news if there is the right sort of improvement.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/428478/southland-businesses-concerned-about-invercargill-council

    …The Department of Internal Affairs requested information from the council in August following rising tensions between elected members, and at times, with staff…

    It followed feedback from many of the 450 businesses the chamber represents and concerns also raised by the Department that several high profile capital projects – including the multi-million dollar city block development – were testing the capacity of the council to provide strong, unified leadership.

    The Chamber believed there was a vacuum in leadership around the council table and many councillors didn't understand their governance role, he said…

    How does the Department of Internal Affairs itself shape up? I can't remember what recent reports on their behaviour and usefulness have shown.

    But it is inevitable that there will be disputes up and down the country as government entities bow to private interests. Bureaucracy has a lot of power and publicly elected councillors may say something is an 'operational matter' or be neutered by other interests, apart from any ineptness they show themselves. The civil servants/bureaucracy may just concentrate on efficiencies and projects that local governments in similar areas have introduced as modern, whatever those at the receiving end think. Then there is the high level of salary to the CEO and top managers and recruitment of overseas or neo-lib-soaked 'change agents' ushering in new approaches like weather bombs before moving away to their next target.

  11. Pat 11
    16 October 2020 at 2:04 pm

    Looking like almost 2 million will have voted before the election day proper.

    https://elections.nz/stats-and-research/2020-general-election-advance-voting-statistics/

  13. Dennis Frank 13
    16 October 2020 at 3:24 pm

    The Newshub-Reid Research poll asked voters if Labour should have gone further in taxing the wealthiest New Zealanders. Opinion was split, but more voters – 48.7 percent – said yes while 43 percent said no and 8 percent didn't know.

    A majority of Labour's own voters – nearly 60 percent – wanted them to go further, while a third of National voters think so too.

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/10/nz-election-2020-newshub-reid-research-poll-shows-nearly-half-of-kiwis-think-wealthy-should-be-taxed-more.html

    But here's a surprise: a quarter of the Greens' supporters think the wealthy should not be taxed further.

    I'm not one. I'd like to see a journo interview the Greens co-leaders about that though. See how they handle the news that a quarter of the Greens support base disagrees with the principle underlying the wealth tax policy. My guess is that they would carefully explain that GP policy research didn't discover that fact. They may then add that some deep thought may be required post-election…

    • Sacha 13.1
      16 October 2020 at 3:59 pm

      Oh noes, only three-quarters of Green supporters back the policy! That goose needs chasing..

      • Dennis Frank 13.1.1
        16 October 2020 at 4:11 pm

        Yep. All good pc-drones know minorities must be included in democratic process. Why oh why did they make the elementary mistake of not discovering such a huge minority before designing the policy?? That's what they'll be bemoaning now. Shock horror, reach for the smelling salts…

        • Drowsy M. Kram 13.1.1.1
          16 October 2020 at 4:35 pm

          Relax Dennis – don't have a binary! The key follow-up question for that 25% minority is: "Would you swallow this 'progressive wealth tax rat' and party vote Green anyway?" Maybe the Green party drones did their research after all, but forgot to inform you of the results you – can't think why wink

    • weka 13.2
      16 October 2020 at 4:14 pm

      "We've heard from a number of people who are millionaires who've said actually, they would happily contribute more in tax," said Shaw.

      "It's about making sure everyone has enough to live," said Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson.

    • weka 13.3
      16 October 2020 at 4:17 pm

      GP policy gets developed by active members. As I'm sure you know 😉

      Out of the 60 people the poll spoke to who vote Green, 15 were oppose to taxing wealthy people more? What's the margin of error on that?

      And what was the actual question?

      So many people don't understand who the WT would affect and how. Betting the ratios change over time as it gets explained properly in the MSM.

    • Graeme 13.4
      16 October 2020 at 4:30 pm

      There's a big difference between agreeing that the wealthy should bear a greater taxation burden and agreeing with the proposed wealth tax.

      I'd like to know how much, if any, focus group work was done on the wealth tax policy outside their own circle. A lot of un-necessary discussion has happened that shouldn't have happened in the last week of a campaign. Although the Green Party's polling went up in the final polls, whether that was because of the tax policy or despite it probably can't be answered.

      • weka 13.4.1
        16 October 2020 at 5:05 pm

        I don't think the poll was on the WT, but Labour taxing wealthy people more.

        That we're having this conversation at all is a credit to the Greens, no matter what kind of solutions we end up with for social security, and the housing crisis. Now we can have a wide ranging public conversation about fairness and how to create it.

    • Incognito 13.5
      16 October 2020 at 11:21 pm

      Please keep up, the poll question was quite specific.

      See how they handle the news that a quarter of the Greens support base disagrees with the principle underlying the wealth tax policy.

      This is another example of intellectual overreach.

  14. Tiger Mountain 14
    16 October 2020 at 4:58 pm

    ”Nat-hub’s” Tova has been hawking a “nail biter” poll for 6pm tonight that “puts the election on a knife edge”…

    • Te Aro Resident 14.1
      16 October 2020 at 6:09 pm

      Desperate headline from Tova. The only knife edge is Labour getting a majority of seats – 61. The Greens are on 6.3% and 8 seats, so Labour has mates. No path to victory for National and ACT. Labour clearly the winner.

  15. Descendant Of Smith 15
    16 October 2020 at 5:12 pm

    Now a trust to preserve and maintain this is something I could contribute to. Does make me wonder though how many writers retreats there are around New Zealand?

    I'd rather a trust own it than the state because future governments can't be "trust"ed to not sell it off for a later profit – just like Waikato University is doing so.

    Chancellor Neil Quigley told Stuff it would be selling the home, used by many creatives and academics as a holiday home and a writers’ retreat.

    The only thing stopping it from going on the open market, would be if the King family bought the house back.

    But the property’s price tag is now in the millions and serious maintenance is required. Daughter Rachael King said she needs some assistance to preserve the site.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/300133040/michael-kings-daughter-seeks-support-to-preserve-creative-taonga-in-coromandel

  16. Anne 16
    16 October 2020 at 5:23 pm

    This is an interesting headline:

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/10/nz-election-2020-jacinda-ardern-addresses-nasty-nanny-rumours-like-a-pro.html\ (my bold)

    Headline still on site as having been put there an hour ago. Page missing, so been pulled. Sounds to me like the filthy yarn has been doing the rounds again. Also the accompanying photo of Jacinda looks suspicious. Think its been tampered with or it isn’t Jacinda.

    Dirty politics?

  17. Uncle Scrim 17
    16 October 2020 at 7:14 pm

    I loved Newshub's description of the final poll tonight as a 'nailbiter'. The only nailbiting thing was whether Labour can govern alone (which the Reid Research Newhub poll suggests they could, just, with 61 seats) or whether it's an arrangement with the Greens. Labour 46, Nat 31, Act 7, Green 6 is very consistent with CB's last couple of polls. Tova says tomorrow night is going to be incredibly exciting – but it won't be really, at least not in the sense of a cliffhanger. Just a few stories around the edges of the main narrative. Obviously she wants viewers to tune in.

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    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 ...
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    3 days ago

  • Apposite Quotations.
    How Long Is Long Enough? Gaza under Israeli bombardment, July 2014. This posting is exclusive to Bowalley Road. ...
    Bowalley Road
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  • What’s a life worth now?
    You're in the mall when you hear it: some kind of popping sound in the distance, kids with fireworks, maybe. But then a moment of eerie stillness is followed by more of the fireworks sound and there’s also screaming and shrieking and now here come people running for their lives.Does ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Howling at the Moon
    Karl du Fresne writes –  There’s a crisis in the news media and the media are blaming it on everyone except themselves. Culpability is being deflected elsewhere – mainly to the hapless Minister of Communications, Melissa Lee, and the big social media platforms that are accused of hoovering ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Newshub is Dead.
    I don’t normally send out two newsletters in a day but I figured I’d say something about… the news. If two newsletters is a bit much then maybe just skip one, I don’t want to overload people. Alternatively if you’d be interested in sometimes receiving multiple, smaller updates from me, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • Seymour is chuffed about cutting early-learning red tape – but we hear, too, that Jones has loose...
    Buzz from the Beehive David Seymour and Winston Peters today signalled that at least two ministers of the Crown might be in Wellington today. Seymour (as Associate Minister of Education) announced the removal of more red tape, this time to make it easier for new early learning services to be ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Will politicians let democracy die in the darkness?
    Politicians across the political spectrum are implicated in the New Zealand media’s failing health. Either through neglect or incompetent interventions, successive governments have failed to regulate, foster, and allow a healthy Fourth Estate that can adequately hold politicians and the powerful to account. Our political system is suffering from the ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago

  • Was Hawkesby entirely wrong?
    David Farrar  writes –  The Broadcasting Standards Authority ruled: Comments by radio host Kate Hawkesby suggesting Māori and Pacific patients were being prioritised for surgery due to their ethnicity were misleading and discriminatory, the Broadcasting Standards Authority has found. It is a fact such patients are prioritised. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • PRC shadow looms as the Solomons head for election
    PRC and its proxies in Solomons have been preparing for these elections for a long time. A lot of money, effort and intelligence have gone into ensuring an outcome that won’t compromise Beijing’s plans. Cleo Paskall writes – On April 17th the Solomon Islands, a country of ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Climate Change: Criminal ecocide
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    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • Is saving one minute of a politician's time worth nearly $1 billion?
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    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Long Tunnel or Long Con?
    Yesterday it was revealed that Transport Minister had asked Waka Kotahi to look at the options for a long tunnel through Wellington. State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago

  • Smoke And Mirrors.
    You're a fraud, and you know itBut it's too good to throw it all awayAnyone would do the sameYou've got 'em goingAnd you're careful not to show itSometimes you even fool yourself a bitIt's like magicBut it's always been a smoke and mirrors gameAnyone would do the sameForty six billion ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • What is Mexico doing about climate change?
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    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • State of humanity, 2024
    2024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?When I say 2024 I really mean the state of humanity in 2024.Saturday night, we watched Civil War because that is one terrifying cliff we've ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    4 days ago

  • Govt’s Wellington tunnel vision aims to ease the way to the airport (but zealous promoters of cycl...
    Buzz from the Beehive A pet project and governmental tunnel vision jump out from the latest batch of ministerial announcements. The government is keen to assure us of its concern for the wellbeing of our pets. It will be introducing pet bonds in a change to the Residential Tenancies Act ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • The case for cultural connectedness
    A recent report generated from a Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) survey of 1,224 rangatahi Māori aged 11-12 found: Cultural connectedness was associated with fewer depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms and better quality of life. That sounds cut and dry. But further into the report the following appears: Cultural connectedness is ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Useful context on public sector job cuts
    David Farrar writes –    The Herald reports: From the gory details of job-cuts news, you’d think the public service was being eviscerated.   While the media’s view of the cuts is incomplete, it’s also true that departments have been leaking the particulars faster than a Wellington ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell On When Racism Comes Disguised As Anti-racism
    Remember the good old days, back when New Zealand had a PM who could think and speak calmly and intelligently in whole sentences without blustering? Even while Iran’s drones and missiles were still being launched, Helen Clark was live on TVNZ expertly summing up the latest crisis in the Middle ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    4 days ago

  • Govt ignored economic analysis of smokefree reversal
    Costello did not pass on analysis of the benefits of the smokefree reforms to Cabinet, emphasising instead the extra tax revenues of repealing them. Photo: Hagen Hopkins, Getty Images TL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 7:26 am today are:The Lead: Casey Costello never passed on ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago

  • True Blue.
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    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Who is running New Zealand’s foreign policy?
    While commentators, including former Prime Minister Helen Clark, are noting a subtle shift in New Zealand’s foreign policy, which now places more emphasis on the United States, many have missed a key element of the shift. What National said before the election is not what the government is doing now. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #15
    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, April 7, 2024 thru Sat, April 13, 2024. Story of the week Our story of the week is about adults in the room setting terms and conditions of ...
    Skeptical Science
    4 days ago

  • Feline Friends and Fragile Fauna The Complexities of Cats in New Zealand’s Conservation Efforts

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

    Gareth’s WorldBy admin
    5 days ago

  • Or is that just they want us to think?
    Nice guy, that Peter Williams. Amiable, a calm air of no-nonsense capability, a winning smile. Everything you look for in a TV presenter and newsreader.I used to see him sometimes when I went to TVNZ to be a talking head or a panellist and we would yarn. Nice guy, that ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago

  • Fact Brief – Did global warming stop in 1998?
    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park in collaboration with members from our Skeptical Science team. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Did global warming stop in ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • Arguing over a moot point.
    I have been following recent debates in the corporate and social media about whether it is a good idea for NZ to join what is known as “AUKUS Pillar Two.” AUKUS is the Australian-UK-US nuclear submarine building agreement in which … Continue reading → ...
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    6 days ago

  • No Longer Trusted: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    Turning Point: “What has turned me away from the mainstream news media is the very strong message that its been sending out for the last few years.” “And what message might that be?” “That the people who own it, the people who run it, and the people who provide its content, really don’t ...
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    6 days ago

  • Mortgage rates at 10% anyone?
    No – nothing about that in PM Luxon’s nine-point plan to improve the lives of New Zealanders. But beyond our shores Jamie Dimon, the long-serving head of global bank J.P. Morgan Chase, reckons that the chances of a goldilocks soft landing for the economy are “a lot lower” than the ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    6 days ago

  • Sad tales from the left
    Michael Bassett writes –  Have you noticed the odd way in which the media are handling the government’s crackdown on surplus employees in the Public Service? Very few reporters mention the crazy way in which State Service numbers rocketed ahead by more than 16,000 during Labour’s six years, ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • In Whose Best Interests?
    On The Spot: The question Q+A host, Jack Tame, put to the Workplace & Safety Minister, Act’s Brooke van Velden, was disarmingly simple: “Are income tax cuts right now in the best interests of lowering inflation?”JACK TAME has tested another MP on his Sunday morning current affairs show, Q+A. Minister for Workplace ...
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    6 days ago

  • Don’t Question, Don’t Complain.
    It has to start somewhereIt has to start sometimeWhat better place than here?What better time than now?So it turns out that I owe you all an apology.It seems that all of the terrible things this government is doing, impacting the lives of many, aren’t necessarily ‘bad’ per se. Those things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • Auckland faces 25% water inflation shock
    Three Waters became a focus of anti-Government protests under Labour, but its dumping by the new Government hasn’t solved councils’ funding problems and will eventually hit the back pockets of everyone. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 8:06 am today are:The Government ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • Small accomplishments and large ironies
    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.Share Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • The Song of Saqua: Volume VII
    In order to catch up to the actual progress of the D&D campaign, I present you with another couple of sessions. These were actually held back to back, on a Monday and Tuesday evening. Session XV Alas, Goatslayer had another lycanthropic transformation… though this time, he ran off into the ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    6 days ago

  • Accelerating the Growth Rate?
    There is a constant theme from the economic commentariat that New Zealand needs to lift its economic growth rate, coupled with policies which they are certain will attain that objective. Their prescriptions are usually characterised by two features. First, they tend to be in their advocate’s self-interest. Second, they are ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    7 days ago

  • Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the Philippines
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr.  The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago

  • Government commits $20m to Westport flood protection
    The Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    14 hours ago

  • Taupō takes pole position
    The Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    15 hours ago

  • Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners.  “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago

  • Government backing mussel spat project
    The Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    18 hours ago

  • Government focused on getting people into work
    Benefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago

  • Clean energy key driver to reducing emissions
    The Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    21 hours ago

  • Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forward
    The Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic Partnership
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Government consults on extending coastal permits for ports
    RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Inflation coming down, but more work to do
    Today’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • School attendance restored as a priority in health advice
    Refreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sector
    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International Congress
    Associate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector.    "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Removing red tape to help early learners thrive
    The Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tape
    Changes to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationship
    Trade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister Lee
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.   Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ ties
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.  During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Antarctica New Zealand Board appointments
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner.  The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Finance Minister travels to Washington DC
    Finance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlords
    The coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being considered
    State Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • New Zealand condemns Iranian strikes
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel.    “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says.    "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plans
    Hundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand Chair
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board.   “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti.  “I have asked her to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Roads of National Significance planning underway
    The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Navigating an unstable global environment
    New Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States.    “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • NZ welcomes Australian Governor-General
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for Winter
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago

  • NZ and the US: an ever closer partnership
    New Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Joint US and NZ declaration
    April 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperation
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research.   “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government redress for Te Korowai o Wainuiārua
    The Government is continuing the bipartisan effort to restore its relationship with iwi as the Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill passed its first reading in Parliament today, says Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith. “Historical grievances of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua relate to 19th century warfare, land purchased or taken ...
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    1 week ago

  • Focus on outstanding minerals permit applications
    New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals is working to resolve almost 150 outstanding minerals permit applications by the end of the financial year, enabling valuable mining activity and signalling to the sector that New Zealand is open for business, Resources Minister Shane Jones says.  “While there are no set timeframes for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Applications open for NZ-Ireland Research Call
    The New Zealand and Irish governments have today announced that applications for the 2024 New Zealand-Ireland Joint Research Call on Agriculture and Climate Change are now open. This is the third research call in the three-year Joint Research Initiative pilot launched in 2022 by the Ministry for Primary Industries and Ireland’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Tenancy rules changes to improve rental market
    The coalition Government has today announced changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to encourage landlords back to the rental property market, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “The previous Government waged a war on landlords. Many landlords told us this caused them to exit the rental market altogether. It caused worse ...
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    1 week ago

  • Boosting NZ’s trade and agricultural relationship with China
    Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay will visit China next week, to strengthen relationships, support Kiwi exporters and promote New Zealand businesses on the world stage. “China is one of New Zealand’s most significant trade and economic relationships and remains an important destination for New Zealand’s products, accounting for nearly 22 per cent of our good and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Freshwater farm plan systems to be improved
    The coalition Government intends to improve freshwater farm plans so that they are more cost-effective and practical for farmers, Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay have announced. “A fit-for-purpose freshwater farm plan system will enable farmers and growers to find the right solutions for their farm ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • New Fast Track Projects advisory group named
    The coalition Government has today announced the expert advisory group who will provide independent recommendations to Ministers on projects to be included in the Fast Track Approvals Bill, say RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones. “Our Fast Track Approval process will make it easier and ...
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    1 week ago

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