Sorry, I can't find the links I was hoping for, but 2 of the big reasons appear to be it being a "security nightmare", plus the number of people (delegates and press) that always accompany the PM.
One of the 52 delegates is Greg Foran – Air NZ CEO. Was able to rustle up 50 empty seats and divert a Narita bound flight to Brisbane to pick them all up!
Journalists should be noting in their diaries for the final bill coming out or at the latest the government's travel bill stats.
The lions share ought to show up on luxons own account since he diverted a plane just for himself and 3 others.
What an embarrassment for NZ (the flights I mean).
Strange logic about "security nightmare" as the Royal Family use commercial flights, no probs. I'd put my money on the "Come join me on NZ Airforce One" buzz for certain people who now have (at best) egg on their face.
Will the government have to pay for Air New Zealand's CEOs ticket on Air NZ?
In reality PMs do have to do international travel and take various hangers on. Easier logistics for media, ministry officials and business to travel together. So…what about a dedicated leased modern AirNZ plane?
Luxury Luxon might like his own ‘rock star’ style private jet and let the others make their own arrangements–but he would expect us taxpayers to fund it.
Hugely expensive to replace the planes Crick, and then they sit around unused for most of the time.
Much cheaper for the country if Luxon an other pollies and their entourages fly first class everywhere on Air New Zealand. At least we own half of this so the exchequer will get some of the profits.
The airforce fleet has a fairly high utilisation, but there's a minimal fleet so they don't have much cover if something breaks.
The aircraft also serve to train people to operate and maintain them, so even when they are on the ground the aircraft are 'working'. That training component implies that the ideal airframe for RNZAF's needs may not be the latest new built kit but something to give maintainers something to do. The 757s, like the 727s before them certainly fill that role.
Without doubt its expensive, Im not convinced flying commercial is the answer either given the often unusual itenaries on the trips and having a functional defense force passenger plane would surely be invaluable in the event of a natural disaster either here of the pacific to get people in and out.
Crick-It's a problem of small nations really. Australia would also only need such plane for the PM and entourage and yet its GDP is seven times that of NZ.
"Luxury Luxon might like his own ‘rock star’ style private jet".
Really? When did he ever say this?
The only New Zealand Prime Minister I can remember who wanted a plane dedicated to providing travel for the incumbent PM was Helen Clark. She was also the last one who used first class travel for overseas trips.
She backed off very, very rapidly when the public reaction to the proposal surfaced. It did not go down very well at all.
I don’t see the problem with the government of New Zealand having a airforce jet to fly senior state officials to important overseas state events. Irrespective of which party is in power.
New Zealanders in general really need to grow up and start acting like adults
David-see my post above re flying first class on Air NZ.
I bet you are one of the people constantly whinging about the previous government spending $51 million investigating a cycle bridge over the harbour, but now you propose to waste far more money than that on an incredibly expensive plane. Grow Up!
Air NZ fly scheduled flights, they don’t have first class, and only limited business class seats are available on each flight.
Added to the above, Air NZ wont fly direct to many destinations we need our state officials to go to. Airlines usually need permission from the host country to land at places they don’t normally fly scheduled flights to.
An RNZAF flight carrying NZ state officials will be automatically cleared to land where the host country will allow. The RNZAF airplane carrying NZ State officials may have other protections than a commercial airline will not.
I have no interest in cycle bridges and was not aware it was up for discussion
They use the Air Force jet, rather than commercial flights, because the cost of flying a bevy of jourmalists is not exposed. If they used commercial flights they either have to pay for the journos or risk no media coverage. The journos are complicit in the BS.
I wouldn't object to the government spending money on a long-term option, subject to proper scrutiny. It makes no difference if the PM is Luxon or Hipkins, Ardern, Key … it's a recurring problem. Needs fixing.
What I do object to is the bullshit politics from Luxon in opposition, which goes straight in the memory shredder as soon as he becomes PM. Like so many other Luxon promises, they were false.
"This latest kerfuffle has seen National leader Christopher Luxon pledging to fly commercial or charter planes for any overseas trips he takes should he become prime minister at this year’s election."
The Australians will have two spare planes in July.
The Federal Government will spend more than $450 million for two new Boeing 737 business jets from unspent money in last year’s Defence’s budget for flying the Prime Minister and his Cabinet around, The Australian has reported.
The jets are due to be delivered in July, replacing two 20-year-old Boeing 737s, and will be used by the Prime Minister, the Governor-General and other government ministers.
We've been here before, this is not the first breakdown. Is it really worth discussing by the media, except as an aside. What happened in the political meetings beforehand? Smoke and mirrors by the media to cover the thinness of international policy coverage .
One can only wonder about bio-metrics and personal electronic device ID and the direction of people to phone banking (needing an identified phone to use cards online). So the system can include those who do not travel.
The NSA uses the term "Treasure Map" for a reason.
Beyond it is police digital photo records (DNA/fingerprints), the public street CCTV etc and NW suburban street cameras.
Privacy is now offline and inside the home.
PS Warning – there is high tech for gangstalking people in the home.
Nothing in this new report surprises me. Ever since the Snowden whistleblower leaks and 5 Eyes, it's obvious our 'privacy' has been totally compromised.
And credit for using the press conference and her own case to encourage more women to get checked. One high profile headline in the news is worth any number of ads. She might have saved a life today.
"The military program started under former President Donald Trump and continued months into Joe Biden's presidency, Reuters found – even after alarmed social media executives warned the new administration that the Pentagon had been trafficking in COVID misinformation. The Biden White House issued an edict in spring 2021 banning the anti-vax effort, which also disparaged vaccines produced by other rivals, and the Pentagon initiated an internal review, Reuters found.
A senior Defense Department official acknowledged the US military engaged in secret propaganda to disparage China's vaccine in the developing world, but the official declined to provide details."
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People travelling on State Highway 1 north of Hamilton will be relieved that remedial works and safety improvements on the Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway were finished today, with all lanes now open to traffic, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“I would like to acknowledge the patience of road users ...
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds, has announced a new appointment to the board of Education New Zealand (ENZ). Dr Erik Lithander has been appointed as a new member of the ENZ board for a three-year term until 30 January 2028. “I would like to welcome Dr Erik Lithander to the ...
The Government will have senior representatives at Waitangi Day events around the country, including at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, but next year Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has chosen to take part in celebrations elsewhere. “It has always been my intention to celebrate Waitangi Day around the country with different ...
Two more criminal gangs will be subject to the raft of laws passed by the Coalition Government that give Police more powers to disrupt gang activity, and the intimidation they impose in our communities, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. Following an Order passed by Cabinet, from 3 February 2025 the ...
Attorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Justice Christian Whata as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Whata’s appointment as a Judge of the Court of Appeal will take effect on 1 August 2025 and fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Hon Justice David Goddard on ...
The latest economic figures highlight the importance of the steps the Government has taken to restore respect for taxpayers’ money and drive economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Data released today by Stats NZ shows Gross Domestic Product fell 1 per cent in the September quarter. “Treasury and most ...
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Minister of Education David Seymour today announced legislation changes to strengthen freedom of speech obligations on universities. “Freedom of speech is fundamental to the concept of academic freedom and there is concern that universities seem to be taking a more risk-averse ...
Police Minister, Mark Mitchell, and Internal Affairs Minister, Brooke van Velden, today launched a further Public Safety Network cellular service that alongside last year’s Cellular Roaming roll-out, puts globally-leading cellular communications capability into the hands of our emergency responders. The Public Safety Network’s new Cellular Priority service means Police, Wellington ...
State Highway 1 through the Mangamuka Gorge has officially reopened today, providing a critical link for Northlanders and offering much-needed relief ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“The Mangamuka Gorge is a vital route for Northland, carrying around 1,300 vehicles per day and connecting the Far ...
The Government has welcomed decisions by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and Ashburton District Council confirming funding to boost resilience in the Canterbury region, with construction on a second Ashburton Bridge expected to begin in 2026, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Delivering a second Ashburton Bridge to improve resilience and ...
The Government is backing the response into high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Otago, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says. “Cabinet has approved new funding of $20 million to enable MPI to meet unbudgeted ongoing expenses associated with the H7N6 response including rigorous scientific testing of samples at the enhanced PC3 ...
Legislation that will repeal all advertising restrictions for broadcasters on Sundays and public holidays has passed through first reading in Parliament today, Media Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “As a growing share of audiences get their news and entertainment from streaming services, these restrictions have become increasingly redundant. New Zealand on ...
Today the House agreed to Brendan Horsley being appointed Inspector-General of Defence, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Mr Horsley’s experience will be invaluable in overseeing the establishment of the new office and its support networks. “He is currently Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, having held that role since June 2020. ...
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government has agreed to the final regulations for the levy on insurance contracts that will fund Fire and Emergency New Zealand from July 2026. “Earlier this year the Government agreed to a 2.2 percent increase to the rate of levy. Fire ...
The Government is delivering regulatory relief for New Zealand businesses through changes to the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act. “The Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Amendment Bill, which was introduced today, is the second Bill – the other being the Statutes Amendment Bill - that ...
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed further progress on the Hawke’s Bay Expressway Road of National Significance (RoNS), with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) Board approving funding for the detailed design of Stage 1, paving the way for main works construction to begin in late 2025.“The Government is moving at ...
The Government today released a request for information (RFI) to seeking interest in partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned land with low farming and conservation value (excluding National Parks) Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced. “Planting trees on Crown-owned land will drive economic growth by creating more forestry jobs in our regions, providing more wood ...
Court timeliness, access to justice, and improving the quality of existing regulation are the focus of a series of law changes introduced to Parliament today by Associate Minister of Justice Nicole McKee. The three Bills in the Regulatory Systems (Justice) Amendment Bill package each improve a different part of the ...
A total of 41 appointments and reappointments have been made to the 12 community trusts around New Zealand that serve their regions, Associate Finance Minister Shane Jones says. “These trusts, and the communities they serve from the Far North to the deep south, will benefit from the rich experience, knowledge, ...
The Government has confirmed how it will provide redress to survivors who were tortured at the Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital Child and Adolescent Unit (the Lake Alice Unit). “The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care found that many of the 362 children who went through the Lake Alice Unit between 1972 and ...
It has been a busy, productive year in the House as the coalition Government works hard to get New Zealand back on track, Leader of the House Chris Bishop says. “This Government promised to rebuild the economy, restore law and order and reduce the cost of living. Our record this ...
“Accelerated silicosis is an emerging occupational disease caused by unsafe work such as engineered stone benchtops. I am running a standalone consultation on engineered stone to understand what the industry is currently doing to manage the risks, and whether further regulatory intervention is needed,” says Workplace Relations and Safety Minister ...
Mehemea he pai mō te tangata, mahia – if it’s good for the people, get on with it. Enhanced reporting on the public sector’s delivery of Treaty settlement commitments will help improve outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders, Māori Crown Relations Minister Tama Potaka says. Compiled together for the ...
Mr Roger Holmes Miller and Ms Tarita Hutchinson have been appointed to the Charities Registration Board, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Louise Upston says. “I would like to welcome the new members joining the Charities Registration Board. “The appointment of Ms Hutchinson and Mr Miller will strengthen the Board’s capacity ...
More building consent and code compliance applications are being processed within the statutory timeframe since the Government required councils to submit quarterly data, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “In the midst of a housing shortage we need to look at every step of the build process for efficiencies ...
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey is proud to announce the first three recipients of the Government’s $10 million Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund which will enable more Kiwis faster access to mental health and addiction support. “This fund is part of the Government’s commitment to investing in ...
New Zealand is providing Vanuatu assistance following yesterday's devastating earthquake, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. "Vanuatu is a member of our Pacific family and we are supporting it in this time of acute need," Mr Peters says. "Our thoughts are with the people of Vanuatu, and we will be ...
The Government welcomes the Commerce Commission’s plan to reduce card fees for Kiwis by an estimated $260 million a year, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says.“The Government is relentlessly focused on reducing the cost of living, so Kiwis can keep more of their hard-earned income and live a ...
Regulation Minister David Seymour has welcomed the Early Childhood Education (ECE) regulatory review report, the first major report from the Ministry for Regulation. The report makes 15 recommendations to modernise and simplify regulations across ECE so services can get on with what they do best – providing safe, high-quality care ...
The Government‘s Offshore Renewable Energy Bill to create a new regulatory regime that will enable firms to construct offshore wind generation has passed its first reading in Parliament, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says.“New Zealand currently does not have a regulatory regime for offshore renewable energy as the previous government failed ...
Summer resissue: Has the country changed all that much in three decades? Loveni Enari compares his two New Zealands. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member ...
Summer reissue: Alex Casey goes on a killer journey aboard the Tormore Express.The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member today.It was a dark and ...
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Summer reissue: In October, we counted down the top 100 New Zealand TV shows of the 21st century so far (read more about the process here). Here’s the list in full, for your holiday reading pleasure. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue ...
Summer reissue: Told in one crucial moment from every year, by The Spinoff’s founder Duncan Greive. The Spinoff needs to double the number of paying members we have to continue telling these kinds of stories. Please read our open letter and sign up to be a member today.2014: An ...
Loading…(function(i,s,o,g,r,a,m){var ql=document.querySelectorAll('A[data-quiz],DIV[data-quiz]'); if(ql){if(ql.length){for(var k=0;k<ql.length;k++){ql[k].id='quiz-embed-'+k;ql[k].href="javascript:var i=document.getElementById('quiz-embed-"+k+"');try{qz.startQuiz(i)}catch(e){i.start=1;i.style.cursor='wait';i.style.opacity='0.5'};void(0);"}}};i['QP']=r;i[r]=i[r]||function(){(i[r].q=i[r].q||[]).push(arguments)},i[r].l=1*new Date();a=s.createElement(o),m=s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];a.async=1;a.src=g;m.parentNode.insertBefore(a,m)})(window,document,'script','https://take.quiz-maker.com/3012/CDN/quiz-embed-v1.js','qp');Got a good quiz question?Send Newsroom your questions.The post Newsroom daily quiz, Wednesday 25 December appeared first on Newsroom. ...
The Court of Appeal has dismissed Mike Smith’s “ambitious” climate claim against Attorney-General Judith Collins.Smith, a Māori climate activist, and Ngāpuhi and Ngāti Kahu elder, appealed a High Court decision that found his claims against the Crown – that its action on climate change was inadequate – untenable.The Appeal Court’s ...
Trish McKelvey is listed 139 times in the index of the New Zealand women’s cricket tome The Warm Sun On My Face, authored by Trevor Auger and Adrienne Simpson.She wrote the foreword for the book and headlines two chapters addressing crucial events in the evolution of the sport.McKelvey’s appointment as New Zealand ...
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What's the bet Luxon finds the money down the back of the couch for an upgrade of the VIP Airforce plane!
We can't have the PM embarrassed on the international stage – but we can let cancer patients suffer and die.
It is, after all, a matter of choices!
What's wrong with commercial flights?
Sorry, I can't find the links I was hoping for, but 2 of the big reasons appear to be it being a "security nightmare", plus the number of people (delegates and press) that always accompany the PM.
Here's one link – 52 trade delegates and press.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/politics/350312535/government-faces-bills-fly-tokyo-after-defence-force-plane-woes
One of the 52 delegates is Greg Foran – Air NZ CEO. Was able to rustle up 50 empty seats and divert a Narita bound flight to Brisbane to pick them all up!
Journalists should be noting in their diaries for the final bill coming out or at the latest the government's travel bill stats.
The lions share ought to show up on luxons own account since he diverted a plane just for himself and 3 others.
What an embarrassment for NZ (the flights I mean).
Strange logic about "security nightmare" as the Royal Family use commercial flights, no probs. I'd put my money on the "Come join me on NZ Airforce One" buzz for certain people who now have (at best) egg on their face.
Will the government have to pay for Air New Zealand's CEOs ticket on Air NZ?
ok I suppose that's a good reason.
Looks like the plane has more insight regarding carrying dead weight than NZ voters.
ooo /burn
In reality PMs do have to do international travel and take various hangers on. Easier logistics for media, ministry officials and business to travel together. So…what about a dedicated leased modern AirNZ plane?
Luxury Luxon might like his own ‘rock star’ style private jet and let the others make their own arrangements–but he would expect us taxpayers to fund it.
Dont think Air NZ has enough working planes to meet their own demand. Goes back to the issue with the Rolls Royce engines.
Realistically we need to replace the existing, hopefully it would be something we could get cross party consensus on.
Hugely expensive to replace the planes Crick, and then they sit around unused for most of the time.
Much cheaper for the country if Luxon an other pollies and their entourages fly first class everywhere on Air New Zealand. At least we own half of this so the exchequer will get some of the profits.
The airforce fleet has a fairly high utilisation, but there's a minimal fleet so they don't have much cover if something breaks.
The aircraft also serve to train people to operate and maintain them, so even when they are on the ground the aircraft are 'working'. That training component implies that the ideal airframe for RNZAF's needs may not be the latest new built kit but something to give maintainers something to do. The 757s, like the 727s before them certainly fill that role.
Without doubt its expensive, Im not convinced flying commercial is the answer either given the often unusual itenaries on the trips and having a functional defense force passenger plane would surely be invaluable in the event of a natural disaster either here of the pacific to get people in and out.
Crick-It's a problem of small nations really. Australia would also only need such plane for the PM and entourage and yet its GDP is seven times that of NZ.
Did hear on the radio we're also using it to get people / gear in and out of Antarctica.
"Luxury Luxon might like his own ‘rock star’ style private jet".
Really? When did he ever say this?
The only New Zealand Prime Minister I can remember who wanted a plane dedicated to providing travel for the incumbent PM was Helen Clark. She was also the last one who used first class travel for overseas trips.
She backed off very, very rapidly when the public reaction to the proposal surfaced. It did not go down very well at all.
Not quite the last one, although according to honest John it was Labour's fault
I don’t see the problem with the government of New Zealand having a airforce jet to fly senior state officials to important overseas state events. Irrespective of which party is in power.
New Zealanders in general really need to grow up and start acting like adults
David-see my post above re flying first class on Air NZ.
I bet you are one of the people constantly whinging about the previous government spending $51 million investigating a cycle bridge over the harbour, but now you propose to waste far more money than that on an incredibly expensive plane. Grow Up!
Air NZ fly scheduled flights, they don’t have first class, and only limited business class seats are available on each flight.
Added to the above, Air NZ wont fly direct to many destinations we need our state officials to go to. Airlines usually need permission from the host country to land at places they don’t normally fly scheduled flights to.
An RNZAF flight carrying NZ state officials will be automatically cleared to land where the host country will allow. The RNZAF airplane carrying NZ State officials may have other protections than a commercial airline will not.
I have no interest in cycle bridges and was not aware it was up for discussion
They use the Air Force jet, rather than commercial flights, because the cost of flying a bevy of jourmalists is not exposed. If they used commercial flights they either have to pay for the journos or risk no media coverage. The journos are complicit in the BS.
I wouldn't object to the government spending money on a long-term option, subject to proper scrutiny. It makes no difference if the PM is Luxon or Hipkins, Ardern, Key … it's a recurring problem. Needs fixing.
What I do object to is the bullshit politics from Luxon in opposition, which goes straight in the memory shredder as soon as he becomes PM. Like so many other Luxon promises, they were false.
"This latest kerfuffle has seen National leader Christopher Luxon pledging to fly commercial or charter planes for any overseas trips he takes should he become prime minister at this year’s election."
The New Zealand PM’s ancient plane is embarrassing – but an upgrade risks too much of a backlash | Henry Cooke | The Guardian
The Australians will have two spare planes in July.
https://thenightly.com.au/politics/taxpayers-to-pay-450m-for-anthony-albaneses-two-new-luxury-boeing-737-business-jets–c-14723362
We've been here before, this is not the first breakdown. Is it really worth discussing by the media, except as an aside. What happened in the political meetings beforehand? Smoke and mirrors by the media to cover the thinness of international policy coverage .
A study about the Five Eyes shared information system has come to us of the public.
That border checks can include devices was a known, this explains the architecture being built.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2024/06/the-truth-about-the-shadowy-migration-5-and-what-they-know-about-you.html
One can only wonder about bio-metrics and personal electronic device ID and the direction of people to phone banking (needing an identified phone to use cards online). So the system can include those who do not travel.
The NSA uses the term "Treasure Map" for a reason.
Beyond it is police digital photo records (DNA/fingerprints), the public street CCTV etc and NW suburban street cameras.
Privacy is now offline and inside the home.
PS Warning – there is high tech for gangstalking people in the home.
Nothing in this new report surprises me. Ever since the Snowden whistleblower leaks and 5 Eyes, it's obvious our 'privacy' has been totally compromised.
Green Party presser happening soon (midday):
Green Party to hold press conference about personal and sensitive matter – NZ Herald
Live: Green Party announces sudden press conference about 'personal and sensitive' matter | RNZ News
Marama Davidson will be taking a few months off for health reasons.
Shoutout to Marama the most humane and empathic MP we have.
Kia kaha Marama.
Seconded. All aroha to her.
And credit for using the press conference and her own case to encourage more women to get checked. One high profile headline in the news is worth any number of ads. She might have saved a life today.
Yes, all the very best for a full recovery.
Bunch of fuckwits.
"The military program started under former President Donald Trump and continued months into Joe Biden's presidency, Reuters found – even after alarmed social media executives warned the new administration that the Pentagon had been trafficking in COVID misinformation. The Biden White House issued an edict in spring 2021 banning the anti-vax effort, which also disparaged vaccines produced by other rivals, and the Pentagon initiated an internal review, Reuters found.
A senior Defense Department official acknowledged the US military engaged in secret propaganda to disparage China's vaccine in the developing world, but the official declined to provide details."
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/world/2024/06/investigation-pentagon-ran-secret-anti-vax-campaign-in-the-philippines-to-undermine-china-during-covid-pandemic.html
https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/usa-covid-propaganda/
That was odd. All of a sudden my internal network went off. Everything looked like it was working.
That included the network gateway for the server, therefore the standard web server.
Rebooted the network switch and everything came back online.
Adding a backup switch now and changing the cable routing to remove the single single point of failure.
Spanish more to solar panels for their homes.
It’s interesting they have done this before much take up of heat pumps (cooling in summer).
And think they need to move to battery storage (for the grid) now, despite still having a low EV take up
They are looking at battery storgae but
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czkkgnp1d2xo