Open mike 16/05/2013

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, May 16th, 2013 - 107 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:

Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to Policy in the banner).

Step right up to the mike…

107 comments on “Open mike 16/05/2013 ”

  1. Paul 1

    The Sky city deal..negative externalities

    The Herald mentions these side effects
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10883937

    “However, while Mr Joyce has released a detailed financial report on the deal prepared by corporate advisers KordaMentha, he has yet to release official advice about the social impact of allowing SkyCity an additional 230 pokie machines and 52 more gaming tables as well as ticket-in, ticket-out technology which increases gambling profits…….
    Questioned by Greens co-leader Metiria Turei, Mr Joyce told Parliament those effects had not been quantified. Mr Joyce said the department’s advice would be released in time for the public to consider it before changes to the Gambling Act were made.

    Ms Turei cited a 2010 Australian Productivity Commission gambling study which put the cost to society of each problem gambler as high as A$30,000 ($36,000).”

    From the film, the Corporation, an explanation of Externalities.
    http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=aCGTD5Bn1m0&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DaCGTD5Bn1m0

    And a quote
    “A corporation is an externalizing machine in the same way that a shark is a killing machine. Each one is designed in a very particular way to accomplish certain objectives. In the achievement of those objectives there isn’t any question of
    malevolence or will. The enterprise has within it, and the shark has within it, thosecharacteristics that enable it do that for which it was designed.”

  2. North 2

    Be interesting to know whom Ms “Gold Elite” is ?

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10883942

    Firstly to ask Ms “Gold Elite” whether this Herald report is accurate.

    Secondly, if she were to confirm the bare facts, to pose a reverse Gilmore enquiry – “Who the fuck are you – bitch ?”

    Facebook please assist.

    • Paul 2.1

      That’s what happens in society when you tell people they’re ‘gold elite’.
      A sense of entitlement.

    • Colonial Viper 2.2

      Ah yes, some rich prick, willing to not just inconvenience a disabled woman reliant on a wheelchair, but 150 other people on a plane.

      Make ’em news, and ask them to justify their self-centred shittiness.

      Oh and please mention to them that National needs a new list candidate, this “Gold Elite” biyarch seems to have the qualifications to apply.

      • Draco T Bastard 2.2.1

        +1

        • Colonial Viper 2.2.1.1

          In addition, it’s a statutory requirement to follow the instructions of flight crew if you are a passenger on a plane.

          Charges should be considered.

          • freedom 2.2.1.1.1

            at least put her on Permanent Stand By status on all future bookings 🙂
            might allow her time to think on life if her freedom of movement is handicapped for a change

    • Draco T Bastard 2.3

      It’s the result of the me me me society that we’ve built over the last few decades.

    • David H 2.4

      Definite National supporter got that mememememe down pat!

  3. Adrian 3

    The description points to Judith Collins.

    • Paul 3.1

      They know it was a flight from Auckland to Wellington yesterday. Shouldn’t be too hard to find out which flight it was on. Just needs one tweet!

      • veutoviper 3.1.1

        The Herald article provides the answer in the second to last paragraph:

        “There was no issue with the availability of aisle chairs and the problem experienced on flight NZ247 did not occur often.”

        • North 3.1.1.1

          Which might be simply to say that it’s unusual for the deserving “Gold Elite” to exhibit such cowish behaviour. The point made by Paul at 2.1 about “entitlement” transcending decency remains.

        • Rob 3.1.1.2

          probably Jacinda

          • freedom 3.1.1.2.1

            “well turned out” 40-something blonde -”
            Rob, reading articles before commenting on them is a long accepted method of aiding comprehension

            • Rob 3.1.1.2.1.1

              What, is she not well turned out in your opinion?

              • felix

                She doesn’t have the required personality type.

                What made you bring up her name, Rob?

                • McFlock

                  Probably the same thing that gives him the impression Ardern is blonde.

                  My bet is long-term and excessive drug use.

              • freedom

                “Rob, reading articles before commenting on them is a long accepted method of aiding comprehension”

          • Murray Olsen 3.1.1.2.2

            Improving Rob, but you still need to try harder. You probably just lost your honorary membership in the Blubber Army by mentioning Jacinda without the compulsory comments about teeth. Put your photo up, arsewipe.

    • North 3.2

      Must say that prospect occurred to me immediately but I dismissed it on account of Judy’s related sense of “noblesse oblige”.

      Further question – how did Ms “Gold Elite” obtain her status ? Frequent flying in performance of a public or quasi-public role ? A “consultant” (or spouse of ) to ShonKey Python’s Flying Circus, savouring good old troughing perhaps ?

      I well recall the media uproar when Charles Chauvel got hoha with the in-flight ill-behaviour of the entitled spawn of an ACT Party official.

      This needs investigation. To be entrusted to no less a figure than the award-winning John Armstrong !

      • karol 3.2.1

        I would have thought that if Ms gold Elite was an MP, it would have been hinted at. Also, the woman in the wheel chair is a TV spokesperson for disability rights, and probably quite politically aware. My guess is she would have known if the elitist woman was an MP.

        • Tim 3.2.1.1

          I was thinking Jooolie Christie at first, but then an Attitude producer should have known the extent of her self-aggrandisement, and would not have been surprised.
          Besides, I’m not sure if she has kuds, and if she does – my deepest sympathy to them

    • Winston Smith 3.3

      Judith Collins:

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judith_Collins

      In her 50s and has one son so probably not her

      • Pascal's bookie 3.3.1

        Interesting you thought it could have been though.

        • alwyn 3.3.1.1

          It wasn’t Winston who thought of her. It was an explicit statement by someone who posts under the identifier Adrian. Why not have a go at him (or her).

          • Pascal's bookie 3.3.1.1.1

            “In her 50s and has one son so probably not her”

            I repeat it, in the hope you might think about it this time.

            • Winston Smith 3.3.1.1.1.1

              I wasn’t there so I can’t say for certain it wasn’t her, like I can’t say for certain it wasn’t Jacinda Adern (it probably wasn’t)

              • Pascal's bookie

                Fair enough, it was a good call. Given she failed the replicant test today I certainly wouldn’t assume she was any better than this either.

  4. Lanthanide 4

    I commented yesterday about Angelina Jolie getting the double mastectomy, and followed up by saying I wasn’t sure if it was covered under the public system in NZ or not.

    Turns out it is. The (expensive, patented) test for the BRCA gene mutations are covered, the mastectomy is covered and the follow-up reconstructive surgery is covered. Heard from a clip of an interview replayed at ~10:20pm last night on National Radio with the creator of the Gift Of Knowledge website who try to increase awareness of the BRCA gene defects.

    • Dv 4.1

      I initially had the thought that if the gene was patented, then may be bearer of the the gene could sue those that held the patent. But sadly it was the test that is patented.

    • David H 4.2

      Well it now seems that, that nasty little mutation has screwed up her chances of living to a ripe old age, unless out come the Ovaries and other associated bits.

  5. Adrian 5

    So why is the waiting list for reconstruction after mascectomies very, very long?

    • Populuxe1 5.1

      Presumably because life-saving and essential surgeries take precedence? Just a guess.

  6. Draco T Bastard 6

    I’ve said before that modern technology can allow us to make collaborative decisions. It appears that other have been thinking the same way:

    https://www.loomio.org/about

    • Bill 6.1

      Approached with a massive dollop of skeptism, not a little cynicism and….thanks for the link. Need to look at it a bit more, but it looks, from a cursory run through, like it could be a very powerful tool for organising. Cheers. 😉

  7. North 7

    Kate Chapman and Tracy Watkins on Stuff – What the hell are you up to ?

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/8677608/Gains-after-five-years-of-pain

    The headline is “Gains after five years of pain”.

    In support (apparently) of this headline Chapman and Watkins furnish comments from four separate quarters. THREE of FOUR comments unmistakeably give the lie to the headline for God’s Sake.

    Only ONE of FOUR comments (from the Khandallah mother with kids – replete with smiling photograph) goes anywhere near supporting the soundbite headline. “Overall I would say things are better……” ????

    Chapman and Watkins – is it standard in your joint journalistic brilliance to engage the clanging non-sequitur ?

    The headline risibly misrepresents the article’s very terms. What’s this about please ?

    • karol 7.1

      Typical: government spin lines in the headlines and at the top of the article; the alternative views and evidence buried at the bottom of the article. This is what counts as balance in the MSM these days.

    • Winston Smith 7.2

      I’m doing much better now than when Labour was last in power and I expect I’ll do better now after this budget then last year

      • karol 7.2.1

        Are you one of the 2%?

      • Colonial Viper 7.2.2

        Newsflash Winston: life in NZ isn’t all about you.

        • Winston Smith 7.2.2.1

          No but I bet theres more people like me than you…like at the last two election results

          • Colonial Viper 7.2.2.1.1

            You see that’s your mistake. Even the most self centred of those people would agree with me that life in NZ is not all about you Winston.

          • veutoviper 7.2.2.1.2

            Some statistics for you, WS – not from Kiwiblog or Whaleoil

            Duty rightie, WS, came on duty at 10.03am this morning and filed 8 comments in the 17 minutes, 10.03am to 10.20am.

            • North 7.2.2.1.2.1

              Veuto……the dick Winston’s just showing off, or trying to.

              He’ll be down New World by 12.00 midday, ostentatiously heaving premium brand products onto the checkout conveyor belt. “Look at Me Look at Me…….”

              A thick Two-Bob-Tory I’d suggest.

          • mickysavage 7.2.2.1.3

            Actually WS most of them are deluded and will never acquire the wealth they think they are destined to have. Like Amway salesmen in a pyramid that traps them into subservient deference to those above them they aint going anywhere.

      • North 7.2.3

        “I’m doing much better now than when Labour……”

        So what Winston ? What does that prove ? Akin to saying that your experience of life is conclusively reflective of the experience of life of the rest of the world.

        You must develop the maturity to forgive others the rank temerity of not focusing on you and you alone. Hopeless case you are.

        • Winston Smith 7.2.3.1

          Its as valid a statement as other people saying they’re worse off

          • Draco T Bastard 7.2.3.1.1

            The problem being that most people are worse off while a selfish few are better off. The fact being that those few are better off because the rest of the population is worse off.

            • Winston Smith 7.2.3.1.1.1

              Well under Labour I was worse off (no WFF for me) and under National I’m better off

              • Colonial Viper

                Didn’t we decide that governing a country is not all about you, Winston?

                No WFF? So you are a top 2%er earning clear over $100K.

                • lprent

                  More likely he doesn’t have kids. From his statements here, you’d have to wonder why anyone (especially a woman with any self-respect) would care to breed with him.

              • Draco T Bastard

                And you’re better off because this government has, purposefully, made the majority of people worse off.

          • North 7.2.3.1.2

            The prevaricating fool Winston Myth aye ?

            Valid as to you maybe, you clever wee master of the universe, or so you claim.

            That’s no proof of any other reality. Who’s interested in your Two-Bob-Tory reality anyway. Hardly a proud thing.

    • Paul 7.3

      Corporate media ..what did you expect?

    • ghostrider888 7.4

      from recent Q.Ts;
      English-“our debts are relatively high”
      Robertson- from the HLFS (supported by Key); “40,000 jobs behind target; above the worst-case scenario of the last budget”.
      Joyce,- “not growing them (jobs) as fast as we would like to”.
      Parker- “current account deficit amongst worst in the world; non-tradeables down 6.4%; unemployment above 7% in Auckland”.
      Brent Edwards- “current account deficit will get worse”.
      Norman- “sceptical NAct will use key (macro-economic) tools”.
      Ardern- “material deprivation risen from 15-21%”.

      ON HOUSE PRICES;
      IMF- “overvalued by 25%; sudden economic shock could damage (modest) recovery, damage banks financial positions; low savings rates persist”- Patrick O’Mara.
      factors behind high house prices
      -supply
      -high building costs; materials and compliance costs.
      -earthquake; as an aside, heard a commentary “imagine what sort of economy NZ would have without the rebuild stimulus???
      English- “they threaten the economy; more affordability in TWO YEARS time”!
      Corin Dann- lying shill.

      Darien Fenton- speaking to the Electronic Transactions (Contract Formation) Amendment Bill- flustered; “I may have the wrong bill”. Goodness gracious me Nana, easy to appreciate the criticism of sitting Labour MPs at times, still, correct assertion that the govt. should be bringing bills to the house that DO have a real impact on IT.

      All-Blacks assault-on-female charge withdrawn.
      McDonalds- Police “heavy-handed” towards protesters; perceived conflict of interest as 11,000 Police Association members receive discounted fast-food; 10-50% from various franchisees.Corruption?

      More anonymous social-media bullying; ask.fm.

      The average age of a New Zealand truck-driver is 51 years of age; shakes head.
      48 women in New Zealand die of a heart-attack every week.
      Dementia rates likely to double in the next 30 years.

      17:9 He who covers over an offense promotes love yet whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

      17:10 A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool.

      17:17 A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity.

      Call The Doctor

      Overseas; The CIA confiscate Associated Press records exposing a counter-insurgency operation.

  8. Anne 8

    Fascinating reading:

    Dane Susan second choice for race job – OIA documents

    The interview panel consisted of Defence Ministry chief, Helene Quilter, NZ Post Group chief, Brian Roche and Secretary for Justice, Andrew Bridgman.

    Who selected, or caused to be selected, this panel? – Judith Collins?

    Why were they chosen? – because they knew what Judith Collins expected of them?

    Why did they describe Susan Devoy in such over the top glowing language? – because they knew there were far better qualified candidates available, but because they weren’t former sports stars and didn’t fulfil the National Party affiliation test, they were not going to be acceptable to the minister?

    In other words, they were ministerial ‘grease’ balls?

  9. karol 9

    And the OIA gets released under cover of budget day.

  10. Winston Smith 10

    Seriously someone in the Labour party should stop MPs tweeting:

    http://www.whaleoil.co.nz/2013/05/the-nasty-party-returns-no-surprises-it-is-sue-moroney/

    • fender 10.1

      Seriously someone needs to inform Winston Smith that Chris73 likes to be the one providing the whale-crap links.

  11. Anne 11

    The Whale Blubber calling Labour “the nasty party”. What a glorious contradiction in terms.

    Winston Smith, please go back to Whale Oil. It’s where you belong. It requires no intellectual substance. Perfect for right wing nut jobs.

    • karol 11.1

      Indeed, Anne. With the Aaron Gilmore business, we have seen how nasty National can be to its own. Many right wingers seem so self unaware, and/or devious. They spend a lot of time projecting their own faults and weaknesses onto the left.

      • Populuxe1 11.1.1

        And vice versa, but with more “Holier than thou” sanctimoniousness.

        • Colonial Viper 11.1.1.1

          The irony.

        • North 11.1.1.2

          So Pop-Soap you’re saying that identifying the ugliness of “Gold Elite”, self-obssession, a defiant lack of broad social awareness, and ShonKey Python cargo-cultism – that’s sanctimony is it ?

          Get a grip. Pick up your mate Winston Myth and off to Slater Porn. Your natural habitat.

          • Tim 11.1.1.2.1

            I was thinking (in my entra – preen- urial dreams) that I might try a new summertime thirst quencher – one of those iced delicacies that satisfies the immediate desire, but has no nutritional value.
            It’ll be called a Populuxicle. It’ll have a vast surface area one can suck on, but it’s longer term content and structure will be as useful as the last time I had to point Percy at the parquet. The populuxicle will of course feel the ultimate pleasure in its being devoured by its cast of thousands seeking to quench their thirst.
            I admit my Popsicle competitors might unleash all hell to ensure their market has a superior product, but the Populuxicle – if only by virtue of its better labelling will provide the market with ‘choice’. Something we’ve been sadly lacking over recent times.
            There’ll be various versions of the Populuxicle with appropriate labelling, but esentially based on the flavours used.
            I aniticipate that Populuxicle 1 will be based on the humble mango, though later there’ll be 1.1 (with a coriander addition), a 1.2 (with a hint of capsicum) …. and so on
            Populuxicle 2 will be based on the humble strawberry, and 3 – the banana

          • Populuxe1 11.1.1.2.2

            No, simply that there’s plenty of bullshit on both sides, so take your pick: the greedy neoliberal tories of the right or the sanctimonious career bureaucrats of the left.

      • Winston Smith 11.1.2

        The difference being that Gilmore left reasonably quickly whereas Labours erstwhile coilition partner NZfirst don’t seem to be able to convince horan to move on and of course MPs called Carter and Field seemed to hang around for an eternity…

        • Te Reo Putake 11.1.2.1

          Rubbish. Both Gilmore and Horan hung around for a couple of weeks. The difference is that NZF showed some spine and chucked him out of their party. National just relied on the dirty tricks brigade to destroy Gilmore’s reputation further to the point where he had no option but too resign from Parliament. He’s still a loyal, card carrying Nat.

          ps, erstwhile coalition partner? I thought it was National sucking up to NZF last week. Desperate times for lil Johnny Sparkles.

          • Winston Smith 11.1.2.1.1

            I think you’ll find that Horan didn’t hang around for weeks rather that hes still there

            • felix 11.1.2.1.1.1

              Bollocks. He was kicked out of his party very quickly, something Key and National didn’t have the spine to do with Gilmore at all.

              • aerobubble

                Fact is Gilmore caused his own grief, Horan family is causing his, and so in order to protect MPs from those who would bully and use their knowledge of a particular MP to influence and so parliament, it stands to reason why Horan must not leave, least it becomes open session on the rest of them. Duh. In the week that the government offers up the biggest gambler pork in history of this country, its hard to beat Horan over the head over any alleged issues. Duh. It would certainly be opportune if the govt gave Horan a nice job outside parliament and take the smell away but that would require Key having some smarts. But I bet most MPs could quite easily find themselves hassled by family if the cards fell differently.

            • Te Reo Putake 11.1.2.1.1.2

              “I think you’ll find that Horan didn’t hang around for weeks rather that hes still there”

              Not as a member of NZ First.

              And at least Peters actually met with Horan and put the difficult questions to him directly. Key, being a gutless wonder, didn’t even speak to Gilmore. Just left it to Slater and Lusk.

        • Pascal's bookie 11.1.2.2

          Laugh.

          Gilmore was staying till Lusk et al started blackmailing him into leaving

          Meanwhile the PM was saying it was all up to Gilmore, and hesitated to start proceedings against him because it was expensive and took ages. The National party’s rules are like the USSR’s constitution; a pretty piece of paper with no relation to how the thing actually operates.

        • lprent 11.1.2.3

          …Labours erstwhile coilition partner NZfirst…

          Wasn’t John Key claiming he was talking to Winston about cooperation over several things including the next term a few weeks ago? Before NZ First refuted it…

          Bearing in mind the imminent death of Act and Tainted Future, the failing health of the Maori party, and what currently looks like the 1-3% abortion of Colin Craig’s ego party. National desperately needs a coalition party with some voting muscle in the next parliament. They are quite likely to wind up as being the biggest minority party – unable to form a viable government.

          Which is why they get more and more desperate as Labour + Greens (mostly because of the Greens) edge closer to being able to govern together.

          I’m going to be amused by the abrupt change of heart by National fools like yourself over the next 18 months as the electoral realities slowly chisel their way into your (alleged but never sighted) intelligence..

        • Murray Olsen 11.1.2.4

          If leaving quickly is such a virtue, WS, cya 🙂

    • Ed 11.2

      Whale appears to be trying to rehabilitate himself prior tot he change of government:
      http://www.whaleoil.co.nz/2013/05/why-is-nathan-guy-lying/

  12. Poission 12

    More evidence that the fictional being the “market ” is a casino with loaded dice ie the fix is in.

    http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-14/statoil-raided-by-competition-authorities-in-oil-price-probe.html

    Similarly in us electricity markets with JP Morgan now suspended from electricity trading.

    http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323744604578473432303787220.html

    • aerobubble 12.1

      How free market is the Auckland gambling market now one player has a conference center paid out of future licensing concessions?

      • North 12.1.1

        In a gala turf-turning ceremony to be named the “Sir ShonKey Python Fuck The Nation Centre”.

    • vto 12.2

      The free market doesn’t work in many most situations..

      Latest example being Bill English’s admission that the free market is incapable of providing for the demand of low cost housing in Auckland.

      “Free market can’t do it”, says Bill English, “hence we need central government intervention. In fact it is the same with dairy farmers who also need big government intervention. Oh and also the sharemarket the NZX who last week we gave MRP.”….. Bill English was wearing a red tie at the press conference..

  13. Pascal's bookie 13

    Best thing on the internet today:

    https://twitter.com/danylmc/status/334844888128573441

    • ghostrider888 13.1

      The next big Idea ; how symbols, language and intelligence evolved from our primate ancestors to modern humans.
      Stanley I. Greenspan
      Stuart G. Shanker

  14. xtasy 14

    A youngnster many years ago I dreamt, I also dreaded, I read about adventures in North America, South America, Middle East and more. I loved adventrure books, and despite of them being largely fictitious, they taught me heaps. There is a world out there, and I can tell a lot about it. But we have now a society, also in NZ, where all this does NOT matter, at least it seems that way.

    We have overseas investors and others take away our rights and what we used to believe in. we are mere servants in our own country, more or less. The government wil l never admit this, but we are, and day to day busines will let you all know. It is time to call an end to this selling out, this self discapacitating nonsense, and to take hold again of your own affairs and country, that is NZ!

    I have no answers at this stage, but offer a vague comment of a revolution of a sorts attached:

    That is not what most of you want, but offer ideas and deliver, we are on the brink!!!

    [lprent: corrected your email typo as i released from moderation. ]

  15. xtasy 15

    Dare I say, the “left” in NZ is virtually non existent, you guys need to blod wake yup and get a damned life, as what I see is a total failure to deal with a “budget” of a “benevolent” “right wing” type. Yes, it is a bad budget, and it is full of hatred to the poor, but it serves most in middle class, and is this not the honest failure of Labour and the Left, to not have a better answer to cater for the middle class???

    I declare to ALL of YOU, being Labour, National, or any party slightly a bit towards the “centre” MY WAR, and that is THE WAR, of many others, that are at the BOTTOM, the very BOTTOM, the LOSERS, in this society, that BOTH of your ROTTEN parties try to cater for, the rot, the betrayal, the lies we had for so damned long, that is against THE TRULY LEFT, that you spread, has to take and be an bloody END.

    WE had bloody ENOUGH, of this crap, and no matter whether it is a shallow dealer like Shearer, or another right wing, attempted populist like Key, we hate and despise you both and all.

    YOU are LIARS, TRAITORS, convenient servers to economic self serving key operators. There is NO TRUST many, if not most, have in YOU.

    So get a LIFE, get off your target and carpet, YOU do NOT deserve TRUST and CREDIT to be part of AnY GOVERNMENT!

    Go and go to HELL, Key, Shearer and ALL LIARS!

    [lprent: Corrected your email typo as I released it from moderation. Since I had the comment open in an editor, I also fixed your excessive capitals, a type and an example of poor grammer. The former in a better type size making the max height of the characters of affected paragraphs the same as the expected average height, and the latter in bold and a strikeout. Perhaps you shouldn’t give me an opportunity to do so in the future? ]

    • xtasy 15.1

      Admittedly a bit over the top, but get to the facts, and caps are not really all that much of the post made. But then again, I will not bother arguing about nitty gritty. I will in future write everything in tiny letters then so it will not offend and will not even be noticed, I suppose.

      nor was a protest outside vector arena in auckland city noticed today, by most, ahem, well, most media were there, even all tv stations, did film, and simon collins, useless social affairs journo from granny nz herald was there, but no reports, as if it did not take place.

      democracy in nz is a sick joke, it does not exist, and being lectured about sizes of letters does not encourage. i indeed want to sign off for good from this unintelligent society called nz, where most do not give a shit for each other, and it is everyone for their own aggrandisement.

      wish i had never come to this lost land!

    • Populuxe1 15.2

      I think someone needs to have some time out on the naughty seat until they calm down. Democracy works here just fine, some of the parties need to sort their shit out.

      • The Al1en 15.2.1

        I contest democracy works just fine here.
        It can’t when peter jackson and sky city can buy laws.
        It can’t when party members are denied a vote by at least 22 of caucus.
        It can’t when ministers of the crown get off scot free for lying about receiving anonymous donations.

        No argument with the last ten words.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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