Open mike 17/07/2015

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, July 17th, 2015 - 186 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:

openmikeOpen mike is your post.

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

Step up to the mike …

186 comments on “Open mike 17/07/2015 ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Paul 1
    17 July 2015 at 6:30 am

    New Zealand dollar in free fall.
    Milk prices in free fall.
    Private and public debt on the increase.
    An economy based on real estate, immigration and dairy prices tottering on the brink of collapse.

    When are the media (and New Zealanders) going to start questioning the financial management of this appalling government ?

    • Paul 1.1
      17 July 2015 at 7:17 am

      And how does the media let them get away with comments like .’we’re optimistic about the futures.’

      • Sabine 1.1.1
        17 July 2015 at 7:46 am

        because they are the Kiwis that will sell their properties and businesses to the higher bidder and move elsewhere.

        simple as that.
        its only the poor schmuck that will get to stay behind in a ditch or under a bridge.
        But lets remember, and this is most important, That Labour does it too.

    • Clean_power 1.2
      17 July 2015 at 8:11 am

      It seems you enjoy putting New Zealand down. What’s wrong with ya?

      • Paul 1.2.1
        17 July 2015 at 8:22 am

        zzzzzzzzzzzz

      • Puckish Rogue 1.2.2
        17 July 2015 at 8:51 am

        Paul is a [deleted. Unjustified, unnecessary and likely to start a flame war – MS]

        • Paul 1.2.2.1
          17 July 2015 at 8:57 am

          You don’t like people who challenge your miserable behaviour on this site, do you pr?

          • Puckish Rogue 1.2.2.1.1
            17 July 2015 at 8:59 am

            Its funny but I was about to say the exact same thing to you

            • Paul 1.2.2.1.1.1
              17 July 2015 at 9:07 am

              How about you try posting some opinions that put forward your vision and ‘aspirations’ for New Zealand rather than the carping, snide, petty and puerile comments we have got to know you for?

              Is that within your remit ? Or are you told to simply come here to derail?

              How about commenting on the state of NZ dollar and milk prices and your solutions rather than making ad hominem comments ?

              • Puckish Rogue …
                17 July 2015 at 9:30 am

                My opinion is thus, the lowering of the dollar while not good for exporting is good for manufactoring

                http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/business/70297368/canterbury-manufacturers-relieved-at-a-falling-dollar

                Milk prices are cyclical, there’ll be raises and falls and if you look the industry over the last few decades you’ll see this is nothing new

                Labours cynical ploy at vilifying people with chinese names is, in the long run, a smart play because Labour know that when it comes down to it WinstonFirst will go with National rather then Labour so stealing votes of Winstonfirst with anti-asian rhetoric won’t hurt them at all and any Labour voters disgusted with this ploy will probably just go to the Greens

                Inflation is virtually nothing so prices for consumables are good and mortgage rates are fantastics

                http://www.stats.govt.nz/browse_for_stats/economic_indicators/CPI_inflation/ConsumersPriceIndex_MRJun15qtr.aspx

                So, quite frankly, NZ is in a good place and all the impotent left can do is try to manufacture lies which the voting public of NZ see right through

                • Paul …
                  17 July 2015 at 9:46 am

                  1. Do you not think that the present global dairy milk glut is something new? These articles would suggest this is the case and that it could last for quite a long time. With farming debt huge thanks to conversions to dairy and intensification, any long slump will see the fire sale of farms. And much of this will be to overseas interests.

                  http://www.wsj.com/articles/global-milk-glut-is-udder-misery-for-new-zealand-farmers-1418317202
                  http://www.businessspectator.com.au/article/2015/1/12/china/will-milk-be-next-commodity-turn-sour
                  http://www.china.org.cn/world/Off_the_Wire/2015-04/30/content_35462532.htm

                  2. I agree a lower dollar is good for manufacturing. Sadly we don’t have as much of it as we did before the neoliberal experiment started in the 1980s, but nevertheless, a lower dollar means exporters can compete better. There is one downside to a lower dollar. Higher fuel prices which will impact on the costs of I everything transported by truck in this country. So people’s shopping baskets will cost more.

                  Had we diversified our economy more, the problem of a dairy slump would not have been so severe.
                  Had we placed more emphasis on renewable energy and a more progressive transport policy, the price of fuel would not affect us so much.

                  • Puckish Rogue …
                    17 July 2015 at 9:51 am

                    Fuel prices are fine and if the diary farmers can’t run their businesses effectively then they need to look at what they’re doing

                    • Paul …
                      17 July 2015 at 9:53 am

                      I give up.

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      17 July 2015 at 9:59 am

                      Seriously I don’t have much time for farmers, farming may be the backbone of NZ but farmers arn’t.

                      Inherited wealth rarely does anyone anygood and farmers are proof of that

                    • millsy …
                      17 July 2015 at 10:09 am

                      Most farmers outsource the risk to sharemilkers, herd managers and contract milkers, so they are more or less insulated from anything that happens. If the worst comes to the worst, they can sell up and walk away.

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      17 July 2015 at 10:30 am

                      Exactly, farmers (most not all of course) crying poverty and simply crocodile tears

                    • Ffloyd …
                      17 July 2015 at 10:31 pm

                      Pr. What’s a diary farmer?… If National can’t run a country properly they need to look at what they’re doing! We are in free fall!

        • adam 1.2.2.2
          17 July 2015 at 11:41 am

          To late MS – but thanks for trying – we got a flame war.

      • Weepus beard 1.2.3
        17 July 2015 at 9:12 am

        Paul is a mine canary and New Zealand is being run like Pike River.

        • mickysavage 1.2.3.1
          17 July 2015 at 7:36 pm

          Yep Paul is very good at identifying important stories and trends. No wonder the right attack him.

          • Weepus beard 1.2.3.1.1
            17 July 2015 at 7:43 pm

            Agreed, and has a lot of energy as well.

            I’d like to acknowledge Paul’s contribution over the time I have visited. I always feel stronger and more prepared to try make a difference after reading his comments.

            • Anne 1.2.3.1.1.1
              17 July 2015 at 7:50 pm

              I don’t know how he does it. I’ve come to the conclusion he has several brains all parked in different places.

      • Draco T Bastard 1.2.4
        17 July 2015 at 9:23 am

        It seems you, along with this government, enjoy destroying NZ through the use of outdated policies that have been proven conclusively (The Great Depression, The GFC, every recession in between and human induced climate change) not to work.

    • Lanthanide 1.3
      17 July 2015 at 9:13 am

      John Key did promise we were “on the cusp of something special”.

  2. Kiwiri 2
    17 July 2015 at 6:50 am

    To my friends who are involved with the celebrations:

    Happy Eyd-e Fetr or Eid al-Fitr 🙂

  3. Paul 3
    17 July 2015 at 7:23 am

    Stephen Joyce on Radio New Zealand mouthing platitudes….”cycles, been through this before, an unusual year, not looking for handouts….blahblahblah….”
    No ideas, no solutions. A government bereft of ideas.
    Even Mr Fix it can’t fix this mess his government is in.

  4. Paul 4
    17 July 2015 at 7:32 am

    Sam Lotu-Iiga is ‘disappointed’ with Serco after online videos are released of fighting within Mt Eden prison.
    Yet he defends Serco’s governance of Mt Eden prison by gibbering on about ‘league tables, highest performing prison in the country, it’s a remand prison, they uphold the highest standards, they are in the exceptional category.’

    It was like listening to an answer machine playing over and over again.
    Totally useless.

    Serco’s boss ( from Scotland) claims they are doing ‘a fantastic job’ , they ‘deliver a very, very good service at Mt Eden’ and that ‘they are the top of the table.’

    Another investigation, another review while the lame stream media fails to follow through on a story.

    • millsy 4.1
      17 July 2015 at 10:15 am

      Private prisons are bascially human flesh trading — no different to the slave trade really. A lot of people forget that in the 18th and 19th centuries they had private prisons as well — private companies also had the transportation contracts for inmates sent to Australia. These fights have a mandingo-ish air about them. Wouldnt be suprised if the guards put them up to it.

      • North 4.1.1
        17 July 2015 at 4:45 pm

        Consider the near incapacity of a mid-60s adult to stem tears on hearing this message delivered with resigned, traumatised eyes by an under 20 year old –

        “If I go back there I’m gonna HAVE to join up with one of them. They want me……”

        For many, many young guys the inevitable consequence of remand in Serco – within days of arrival, unconvicted, unsentenced, earmarked as a prospect, a conscript soldier of the future, by competing gangs. With absolutely no choice about joining/not joining. Oh but life always has hope ! Preferring one gang over another at least protects from the other gang. Fail to declare – daily brutality from all. No wonder Serco’s known as “The Jungle”.

        For those who might find it self-comforting to duck responsibility for the inhumanity daily brought down on boys like that in Serco, with the denial inherent in sniffy verbiage like – “Oh, manipulating I see…….” – “20 next birthday…….c’mon…….thats an adult” – “Tut tut tut…….bad choices bad choices !” – to people like that I would say with all the bitter disgust I can summon – “OK, I’m gonna put YOUR sons, YOUR grandsons in Serco for a month !”

        Without further they’d immediately understand. Tears ? They’d be screaming !

        I shouldn’t be harsh. These are the NZ resident replicants of the British investor class all those thousands of miles away. The ones who routinely know all they need to know by dint of their frequent walks not in the moccasins.

        Serco is actually a foremost disgrace of this nation’s many disgraces. It’s no wonder that amongst its ‘guests’ it’s unaffectionately coined “The Jungle”. Serco has a sign out front which in glorious PR verbosity conveys this tiding of successful aspiration – “average stay 23 days”. Yes, well it is a remand prison.

        Are you CERTAIN that 23 days (average) isn’t long enough…….Mr British Investor Replicant In NZ…….to fuck up, random that it’s irreversible, the psyche/mind/body of your sons, your grandsons ? You are silent Sir…….why pray ?

    • TE 4.2
      17 July 2015 at 11:03 am

      don’t forget they will be monitored to see how serco are following the rules and such, who by …. by serco of course.
      How can serco monitor their own company with honesty?

      Still serco bring out their rhetoric “we will deliver good service blah blah blah”
      Is Mt Eden run by a skeleton crew so serco’s shareholders get their moneys worth.?

      What about serco’s loud and proud staements we are COMMITTED to getting recidivism down to 25%.
      The list of their failing is world renown except apparently in NZ

      Sam Lotu-liga should grow a set and get some real investigation going on into this corrections fight club.

      FFS its a crock and National have opened the door to the “everyone else has a better way of ruling I mean running this country.”

  5. Observer (Tokoroa) 5
    17 July 2015 at 7:39 am

    To: Paul

    One of the problems is that we Kiwis do not even understand simple concepts such as advantage and disadvantage in currency.

    I have even been chided on this Standard Left /Green blog – for pointing out that $1.00 of New Zealand money will get you just $0.41 cents of British Pounds.

    This means that if a person from Britain using GBP currency, buys a $million house here, they will pay only $410,000. Whereas of course, a Kiwi using $NZD currency will pay the full $Million Dollar price.

    If the person were to buy two $Million homes in New Zealand, they would pay $820,000 British Pounds.

    Whereas a Kiwi using $NZD buying two $Million Dollar homes would pay $2, 000,000.

    The difference between $2, 000,000 and $820,000 is $1.18 million Dollars.
    Imagine if the same person bought ten NZ$ Million Dollar homes…

    • Paul 5.1
      17 July 2015 at 7:47 am

      There would be no problem if foreign speculators were not allowed to buy houses here.

      • JanMeyer 5.1.1
        17 July 2015 at 11:02 am

        Really? What is your evidence for this highly doubtful claim? Which real estate firm’s data are you relying on, Barfoot and Thompson’s or JamesLaw’s? The complete and utter failure to understand even the basics of how to analyse data and extrapolate robust and defendable conclusions from same by Twyford/Little and half the posters/commenters on this site beggars belief. Suggest you all take some serious time out and only re-enter the fray after several cups of tea. It’s all getting rather silly

  7. Barbara 7
    17 July 2015 at 9:23 am

    Have just heard a interesting interview with a spokesman for the farmers on Breakfast this morning. He was saying that it was disappointing that 500 workers had to be laid off, it was a knee jerk reaction to the falling prices and what management should have been doing (like the farmers I suspect) was put aside fat year by year for the lean times when they happened and not just sacrifice staff – he said it was not good for Fonterra to have staff too busy looking over their shoulders wondering when they were the next when they should be concentrating on growing the business – management should have been concentrating on working on value added commodities etc etc.

    Management can’t even promise there won’t be more workers laid off in the future – not good for management/farmers relationships in the future. I always felt this was going to happen – that the worm would turn. Just being down on the Viaduct Basin in their flash multi-million dollar building with too many chiefs on fat salaries – my old Dad always said spread your investment and not put too many apples in the one basket. Wonder what the management are going to come back and say on the counter attack. Bloody disgrace if you ask me.

    • Draco T Bastard 7.1
      17 July 2015 at 9:29 am

      Wonder what the management are going to come back and say on the counter attack.

      I’m wonder how much the management will pay themselves in bonuses this year.

      • Barbara 7.1.1
        17 July 2015 at 9:40 am

        Yes I agree – some of the top floor’s saleries are absurd let alone bonuses on top. But I think it is interesting that farmers could be turning against the company – I thought the top honcho was a Dutchman and I was always under the impression they drove a hard ship, surely he could have kept the saleries under check. The morale in the lower echelons must be terrible – what’s Humpty Mr Fixit going to say about all this I wonder and as always Key is sunning himself away from all this going down, doing only what teflon can do. Drama couldn’t be better and just as well as there is sweet ….. all on our TV these days.

        • Paul 7.1.1.1
          17 July 2015 at 9:51 am

          Just warbled on this morning on Morning Report.
          Platitudes like it’s a cycle….
          With friends like this, farmers must be thinking….

          • Gosman 7.1.1.1.1
            17 July 2015 at 10:18 am

            Why is it Government’s job to ensure a particular sector of the economy is receiving viable prices for what they produce?

            • Colonial Viper 7.1.1.1.1.1
              17 July 2015 at 11:43 am

              Why is it you frame such stupid questions?

              If you don’t believe that Government should govern, don’t get involved in politics.

              • North …
                17 July 2015 at 10:35 pm

                Brilliant CV ! Gossy’ll be taking it out on every random unaccompanied canine that minding its own business trots on past his place. Run dog run ! CV’s fucked him off and poor duffer can’t help it.

          • Barbara 7.1.1.1.2
            17 July 2015 at 10:26 am

            Why am I not surprised Paul – what never ceases to amaze me is that there are so many citizens in NZ who just cannot see how useless this Govt. is and has been and still think they are managing the economy bla bla. The Govt were the creaters of Fonterra in the first place weren’t they? Is there something in the drinking water that is affecting Nat voters for goodness sake, that people can be so preoccupied and dense as to what is going on. Its soul destroying.

            • alwyn 7.1.1.1.2.1
              17 July 2015 at 11:17 am

              “The Govt were the creaters of Fonterra in the first place weren’t they?”

              Yes they were. The Commerce Commission of the time turned the idea down but the Government decided they knew better and went ahead with it.
              That was in October 2001 that Fonterra started. God, the politicians in the Government of the day must have been crazy, mustn’t they?
              Whoops. That wasn’t a National Government was it. It was the dopey lot on the other side who did it.

              Is there something in the drinking water that is affecting left voters for goodness sake, that they forget their history?

              • Puckish Rogue …
                17 July 2015 at 11:44 am

                Don’t forget David cunliffe had a part to play in the formation of fonterra as well, apparantly 🙂

              • vto …
                17 July 2015 at 11:49 am

                ha ha yes, but even funnier is that farmers jumped on it when they are supposed to be anything but left wing….

                why is that farmers in nz always act in a left wing way, such as establishing coops all over the place, yet talk in a right wing way? Don’t they know about these things? Maybe they would do better if their words matched their actions.

              • Draco T Bastard …
                17 July 2015 at 12:31 pm

                The big mistake that you’re making is thinking that the 5th Labour led government was left wing. It wasn’t. It may have been centrist than National but it still wasn’t of the Left.

                • alwyn …
                  17 July 2015 at 2:26 pm

                  I have never considered that the last Labour Government was “left wing”. They were the supreme pragmatists whose only interest was remaining in power.
                  The last Government we had who did things they believed to be necessary, without considering whether it would keep them in power was when Roger Douglas was the driving force in the Labour Government between the middle of1984 and the end of 1988.
                  What I was commenting on was Barbara’s apparent belief that it was the current, ie Key led Government, and National voters who are to blame for whatever Fonterra may be doing.
                  Barbara clearly doesn’t remember which Government it was that was in charge when Fonterra was created.

              • DoublePlusGood …
                17 July 2015 at 2:17 pm

                No, I have no problem blaming Labour for that balls-up.

      • aidan 7.1.2
        17 July 2015 at 11:33 am

        yup, there goes the fat

  8. North 8
    17 July 2015 at 10:12 am

    Good morning fellow Lefties.

    I spent 7 hours yesterday driving to and from visiting at that tomb of souls MECF-Serco in Mt Eden. That’s another story. I mention it only to explain how not until this morning did I see TRP’s post of yesterday – “An Open Letter To The Real Estate Whistleblower” – and comment between TRP and Tracey and others in the thread commencing with CV @ 4.1.1.1 My comment on that post earlier today is resubmitted here on OM in response to ridiculous and growing rancour in the debate. I’m motivated as a peacemaker here rather than as a muckraker, even if you’re left in no doubt as to my instant colours. Whether I succeed in that motivation is yours to choose – really only inviting everyone to pause for “a cup of tea……” so to speak.

    ” North…

    17 July 2015 at 8:53 am

    Tracey, no reply button to your comment timed 5.18 pm. Accordingly (and I don’t know where this comment will end up) I use the one on TRP’s comment of 2.06 pm –

    You say – “Grow up TRP. You tried to shut CV down.”

    What the hell then is the “Racist !” mantra levelled (in varying pitch) against others ? Forgive me the observation that it looks very much like a shutting-down device. Dependent on pitch it shapes also as a device for brutal humiliation.

    I have a mind’s eye list of the Morality-Day-Trippers at the top of which are BM and Fisiani obviously. Given their customary, boldly vaunted taste for any cruel ‘-ism’ one might identify, their credibility here is zero. I dismiss them. No apologies. Entirely meet. Their true home is WhaleOil.

    I cannot dismiss as moral thugs and arseholes you and CV and numerous others deservedly holding space on my similarly held second list – a list of decent, caring, philosophically mature, unafraid, morally consistent and resilient people who figure there after months, years of expressions which suggest innate possession of those qualities.

    Is my estimation of you and CV and others wrong ? Of course it’s not. That is exactly why, apart from my one angry excursion into ‘the feral’ in response to one commenter (that person whom when not invoking dismissive bullying against others I know to be) “decent, caring etc etc……” – that is why I have tried to be respectful. CV particularly comes to mind.

    Please contemplate how atrocious is the charge “Racist !” to those on my third list – people who are not in true character unlike you and CV and the many others on my second list. For my sins I include Twyford in that third list. To paint him a machiavellian amoral schemer as some have purported is fanciful frankly.

    For me the reflexive “Racist !” charge sits on a spectrum from careless indulgence to cheap disrespect to the feral. It is not OK to give over to any point on that spectrum the broad issue at hand, viz. the various but always linked facets of the exponential shutting out of stakeholders in this country.

    That broad issue is what has jointly exercised for so long the people on my second and third lists – this commonality might actually suggest an all-inclusive list.

    Surely, if we’re talking of essence, it’s highly improbable that a bunch of “Racists !” could have sat undetected for so long in the welcoming company of others on that all-inclusive list ? ”

    More tea anyone ?

  9. RedLogix 9
    17 July 2015 at 10:20 am

    I know we’ve done Greek to death – but this makes an interesting read:

    Without rehearsing 15 years of Greek controversy, let me just say that the country’s crisis is a collective responsibility of the creditors, the EMU elites, the Greek oligarchy and, ultimately, of a jejune Alexis Tsipras.
    The Troika bail-out in 2010 was intended to save the euro and European banks at a time when there were no defences against contagion. Greece was not saved. It was sacrificed. The roots of the “Greek Spring” can be traced to this original sin.
    The EMU creditors never acknowledged their own guilt. They never made an honest attempt to negotiate with Syriza, even on matters of common ground. They demanded that the austerity terms of the prior Memorandum be enforced to the letter, hiding behind Pharisaical talk of rules.
    Let us not forget that the European Central Bank brought about the final collapse by freezing emergency liquidity to the Greek banks, forcing Syriza to shut the lenders’ doors, impose capital controls and halt imports.
    It was a political decision – dressed up with technical flammery – and was arguably illegal. It is very hard to reconcile with the ECB’s treaty duty to uphold financial stability. One plain fact is clear: technocrats brought an elected government to its knees.

    Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/business/world-business/greece-bailout-breaking-the-spell-for-europes-leftwing-parties-20150716-giddzu.html#ixzz3g5zC4lxj

    From a self-proclaimed conservative no less.

    • Draco T Bastard 9.1
      17 July 2015 at 11:06 am

      Greece, Europe, and the United States

      What will become of Europe? Clearly the hopes of the pro-European, reformist left are now over. That will leave the future in the hands of the anti-European parties, including UKIP, the National Front in France, and Golden Dawn in Greece. These are ugly, racist, xenophobic groups; Golden Dawn has proposed concentration camps for immigrants in its platform. The only counter, now, is for progressive and democratic forces to regroup behind the banner of national democratic restoration. Which means that the left in Europe will also now swing against the euro.

      Interestingly enough, Galbraith still seems to think that the US is a shining light of democracy.

      • RedLogix 9.1.1
        17 July 2015 at 11:16 am

        Exactly. Dark days for Europe ahead. Perhaps quite soon.

        This is the deepest stupidity of all – the EU was founded and largely supported by Socialist and left-wing parties seeking way to break Europe out an age-old destructive cycle of nationalistic rivalries and wars. And to provide an economic platform which might lend a counter-balance to the USA.

        The USA liberal establishment was happy to support the project as it gave a security buffer with the USSR.

        But in a fit of utter, blind, ideological stupidity the EU technocrats have severed off the very branch they were perched upon. No-one believes in them anymore.

        The EU is doomed. And there is no rule to say that what rises from the ashes will be better.

        • Colonial Viper 9.1.1.1
          17 July 2015 at 11:51 am

          Fascinating to watch the US (through the IMF) try to sway the Eurogroup to its senses. Apparently the latest IMF document stating that Greece needed a 30 year repayment holiday was put in front of all assembled EU finance ministers last weekend.

          They ignored it.

          • vto 9.1.1.1.1
            17 July 2015 at 11:56 am

            Are the Germans simply reverting to form do you think?

            superior Aryans and all that horseshit…

          • Olwyn 9.1.1.1.2
            17 July 2015 at 12:31 pm

            People like you and RedLogix, being better versed in international affairs than I am, are no doubt better equipped than I am to comment on this, but it looks to me as if the US and the UK are on the one hand trying to shove neo-liberal economics down everyone’s throats, and on the other trying to get as many countries as possible onside so as to contain/threaten/separate the BRIC countries. However quite a few people have had a gutful of the harsh neo-lib formula and are getting harder to keep onside. So they may see the need to give some ground on the neo-lib front to keep Greece and other similarly placed countries within the EU.

      • RedLogix 9.1.2
        17 July 2015 at 1:05 pm

        Jeeze DtB … that is SO worth a read. And it’s Galbraith saying it. :very slow headshake:

  10. Morrissey 10
    17 July 2015 at 10:21 am

    Bernard Manning was damned for his racist taunts;
    So how does Jerry Seinfeld get away with it?
    Nine to Noon, Radio NZ National, Friday 17 July 2015

    This morning, Lynn Freeman interviewed one Jennifer Keishin Armstrong, a Seinfeld-worshipper who has written a book grandly titled Seinfeldia: The Secret World of the Show About Nothing That Changed Everything. It was interesting enough, with both women sharing affectionate memories of some of the features of the show, from Kramer’s brilliant physical comedy to the hilariously deranged “Soup Nazi”.

    But there’s more to Seinfeld than snappily written comedy. A lot of what Seinfeld gets up to is anything but funny. He has been, and continues to be, involved in some exceptionally nasty business. Sometimes this nastiness even found its way into the show itself. I sent Lynn Freeman a little reminder…..

    Jerry Seinfeld

    Dear Lynn,

    I am always concerned when I hear adulatory comments about Jerry Seinfeld. Yes, his show is well written and it is funny, but there was a darker and more sinister side: unlike the great comedians of the past, Seinfeld does not identify or empathise with the poor and downtrodden, he expresses contempt for them.

    In one infamous scene, Jerry says to Elaine, “Hey that’s life. Good-looking men have the same advantages. You don’t see any handsome homeless.”

    It’s perhaps not a coincidence that Seinfeld himself continues to express support for extreme right wing causes in the United States and Israel, most infamously on David Letterman’s show when he expressed his contempt for, and amusement at, the plight of Palestinians in the Occupied Territories.

    Yours sincerely,

    Morrissey Breen
    Northcote Point

    • Lanthanide 10.1
      17 July 2015 at 11:07 am

      Seinfeld does not identify or empathise with the poor and downtrodden, he expresses contempt for them.

      In one infamous scene, Jerry says to Elaine, “Hey that’s life. Good-looking men have the same advantages. You don’t see any handsome homeless.”

      Your example is very poor, then, out of context. That doesn’t sound like is expressing contempt for homeless people; just acknowledging in a very glib and superficial way what anyone who has seen multiple homeless people would conclude.

      It’s like calling Labour pointing out that there is a disproportionate number of Chinese buyers of houses in NZ ‘racist’.

    • Skinny 10.2
      17 July 2015 at 12:25 pm

      It is a Jew Arab thing which has been going down for centuries. There are plenty of American Jews that kick the crap out of Palestinians.

      A couple of years ago a group of friends and I were at a bar, we started playing pool with a group from israel. Things cut up rough when one of them made a nasty remake about the Occupied Territories and Arabs. It become an all in brawl which was quite unsettling as 3 of their females were involved, extremely vicious they were with 1 punching and kicking a mate in the head after she decked him. When I saw this I remembered thinking these fuckers all do time in their army. After that I didn’t feel so bad cracking her over the head with a pool cue and laying into the rest, telling them to cut it out and clear off. They did but not before one of them smashed a bottle across a bounces jaw. It’s the only time I’ve hit a woman and thankfully the last.

      • Colonial Viper 10.2.1
        17 July 2015 at 3:51 pm

        Yeah, they are a very interesting population and psyche.

        • Morrissey 10.2.1.1
          17 July 2015 at 4:29 pm

          Their psyche is irrelevant. It’s their crimes that matter.

          • Draco T Bastard 10.2.1.1.1
            18 July 2015 at 5:47 pm

            Their crimes are the result of their psyche which is seems to be a result of their vicious culture.

      • Morrissey 10.2.2
        17 July 2015 at 4:02 pm

        Good Lord, Skinny, remind me not to accompany you to any bars in future!

        For the record, I have met one or two former Israeli soldiers, and they were very nice guys. One of them helped me fix my car, which had overheated.

        I know that many of them are racist and violent, but that’s a sine qua non of serving in the Occupied Territories. New Zealand soldiers behaved just as badly in Egypt and Palestine in World War I, and in Samoa in the 1920s. Let’s not forget that even the worst of the soldiers is like that only because they are placed there to do a job that a few corrupt and fanatical politicians have sent them there to do.

        • North 10.2.2.1
          17 July 2015 at 10:15 pm

          Morrissey, you put me in mind of the time 7 or more years ago while on the Auckland-North trip I picked up an obviously foreign hitch hiker – one can ‘tell’ somehow.

          Anyway, he was a conscript IDF reservist. Mid 20s. Recounted as a late-teens soldier in Tel Aviv or some other populous Israeli centre, patrolling with one other soldier. Completely randomly the other soldier was first to step up into a bus for the ‘terrorist check’.

          Boom ! Passengers died, as did the other soldier. This guy was injured quite seriously quite how I don’t now recall.

          You know, when that guy got out of my car my senses were all compassion. Me, one who’s wrecked dinner parties, weirdly had a furious go with the proprietor of a classy motel I stayed at in Ahipara (one night only – next morning was excruciating), suffered stern tickings-off from close friends re my unintelligible (to them) “Palestine stuff”. As (I hope) a very human being it was salutary to meet and talk with another human being, a tool of evil, who’d paid a personal price.

          That said, to the couch squatters of Khandallah (and seemingly damned near everywhere else in this ‘kind’ country), those who watch TV One’s coverage of the biennial fish-in-a-barrel killing-fest on Gaza and sighingly, mock-sagely remark – “Well…..they WILL keep on firing those rockets……” – no quarter from me for you bastards !

          • Chooky 10.2.2.1.1
            18 July 2015 at 4:45 pm

            lol…interesting conversation which i have only just read…just to add to it….we have a NZ artist friend ( who used to have a picture of Gaddaffi in his kitchen..he was an admirer) who picked a hitch hiker up at the bottom of the Takaka Hill on the Motueka side…turned out the hitch hiker was Israeli ….so they argued all the way up the Takaka Hill …at the top, unwisely the Israeli said that “Palestine is just a bunch of real estate for the pickings”…!

            …at which point our friend then biffed him out of the car and told him to go take a hike down the other side ….

            imo great that NZers feel passionately for the injustices and killings perpetuated against the Palestinians and the loss of their land of Palestine!

  11. Puckish Rogue 11
    17 July 2015 at 10:33 am

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11482300

    Probably more accurate then Labours stolen data

    • RedLogix 11.1
      17 July 2015 at 10:37 am

      And arguably makes matters worse.

      You’ve just presented evidence of one ethnic group representing 9% of the population buying 100% of real-estate currently on offer in Auckland.

      Whichever way you cut it – that has some ugly implications.

      • Puckish Rogue 11.1.1
        17 July 2015 at 10:43 am

        Nope

        “Mr Law said all were either New Zealand citizens or permanent residents.”

        • RedLogix 11.1.1.1
          17 July 2015 at 10:55 am

          And your point is?

          • Puckish Rogue 11.1.1.1.1
            17 July 2015 at 11:04 am

            We’re all kiwis

            • RedLogix 11.1.1.1.1.1
              17 July 2015 at 11:09 am

              What – so why mention the ethnicity of these kiwi buyers in the article at all?

              • Puckish Rogue …
                17 July 2015 at 11:30 am

                I’m guessing its because some kiwis feel unfairly vilified by Labour and are attempting to redress the unfairness by pointing out whats really happening

                • RedLogix …
                  17 July 2015 at 11:47 am

                  And by logical extension it must be that suddenly none of the 91% of people in Auckland are at all interested in buying real-estate.

                  Good oh – problem solved. Can’t imagine what the fuss was all about.

    • Draco T Bastard 11.2
      17 July 2015 at 11:13 am

      Nope, it’ll be even less accurate as it only pertains to 23 sections and not all of Auckland.

      • RedLogix 11.2.1
        17 July 2015 at 11:17 am

        Of course – but lets not spoil PR’s little game here.

      • Puckish Rogue 11.2.2
        17 July 2015 at 11:32 am

        Wow less accurate than something the Labour party announces with great glee thats really inaccurate

        • Draco T Bastard 11.2.2.1
          17 July 2015 at 12:26 pm

          What the Labour Party released wasn’t as accurate as we’d like but it was accurate enough to show what’s happening. The BS you provided was, well, bullshit.

          I assume it’s something that C/T and National have come up with to try and spin the facts as they do when the facts don’t go their way.

          • The lost sheep 11.2.2.1.1
            17 July 2015 at 12:34 pm

            What the Labour Party released wasn’t as accurate as we’d like but it was accurate enough to show what’s happening.

            It was accurate? If so, can someone tell me how many of the buyers on the list were foreign nationals from places other than China?

              • The lost sheep …
                17 July 2015 at 1:11 pm

                Can Labour prove that any individual buyer is foreign? No. All we have is their last name.

                So no way of determining whether even the Chinese sounding names belong to Foreign nationals, let alone say anything about the 60% of non-Chinese names?

                So ‘accurate’ enough to back a cheap political shot or a racial prejudice, but not quite like the dictionary says huh?
                ” correct in all details; exact.”

                • Charles …
                  17 July 2015 at 2:13 pm

                  (You don’t need to see the data.)

                  We don’t need to see the data.

                  (This isn’t the data you’re looking for.)

                  This isn’t the data we’re looking for.

                  (Move along…)

                  Move along… Move along!

            • McFlock 11.2.2.1.1.2
              17 July 2015 at 12:51 pm

              lol
              How many days into it and you still haven’t bothered to read up on what you’re talking about?

              No surprises there.

              • The lost sheep …
                17 July 2015 at 1:21 pm

                I’ve read enough to know that this was an principally an attempt to win back a few votes from the xenophobes that Winston panders to.

                Either that or it was simply a continuation of the utter lack of commonsense political judgement Labour have been displaying for the last 9 years.

                Can’t imagine Helen Clark approving this kind of dumb shit.

                • Gangnam Style …
                  17 July 2015 at 2:33 pm

                  “wreckers & haters” she said.

                  • Puckish Rogue …
                    17 July 2015 at 2:51 pm

                    Giving Dear Leader her dues she was a strong leader and I can respect that

                    • McFlock …
                      17 July 2015 at 3:22 pm

                      “Dear Leader“?
                      Yeah, life in NZ under Helen clark was totally like North Korea, you fuckwit.

                    • Puckish Rogue …
                      17 July 2015 at 3:33 pm

                      Oh fuck off youself, how about you read some of the comments on here about what life is like under John Key and then come talk to me about hyperbole

                    • McFlock …
                      17 July 2015 at 3:50 pm

                      What, house prices and power bills aren’t through the roof, we haven’t got skyrocketing government debt, and public money wasn’t spent on the oravida tour or double-dipton’s mortgage? Let alone the fact that our PM is a bit weird about hair-pulling without permission.

                      Totally the same league as lightbulbs and showerheads.

                • McFlock …
                  17 July 2015 at 3:12 pm

                  Well, you’ve read enough to confirm your bias and stopped in case actual facts might start to contradict it.

                  • The lost sheep …
                    17 July 2015 at 4:33 pm

                    Now you have accepted such a low standard of data as a legitimate level of ‘proof’ on this occasion McFlock, I look forward to correcting you the next time you try to dismiss evidence of a similar standard supporting something you are not so keen on.

                    It won’t be long i’m picking…..

                    • McFlock …
                      17 July 2015 at 4:54 pm

                      I said it was proof? Of what?
                      Cite please.

                      It’s reasonably solid methodology, with some reasonable assumptions. And it strongly indicates that this is an area where we need a register. But “proof” is a strong word, even with single rather than double quotes.

                    • The lost sheep …
                      17 July 2015 at 6:01 pm

                      I believe that outside of formal disciplines, ‘proof’ is actually quite a soft and flexible concept. The evidence accepted as ‘proof’ of guilt by one jury might be completely rejected by another.

                      So your statement that the data satisfies you there are grounds for action would indicate that you feel something has been ‘proved’ to some extent?

                    • McFlock …
                      17 July 2015 at 6:21 pm

                      I seem to recall that the only further action I’ve recommended as a result of this research is a register of offshore owners so we have good data to work from.

                      Feel free to link to where I’ve said more than that.

                      So as it is, if someone else puts forward some reasonably solid data that produces counter-intuitive results, and says that this is ‘proof’ that we need further research, I’d probably be in general agreement that something needs to be looks into more closely.

                      So have fun “correcting” me to that level. Which seems a bit less dramatic than “Now you have accepted such a low standard of data as a legitimate level of ‘proof’ on this occasion McFlock, I look forward to correcting you the next time you try to dismiss evidence of a similar standard supporting something you are not so keen on.” I read that and it sounded to me like you’d caught me sayng that John Key was a good guy because he gave someone a couple of bottles of wine.

      • Thom Pietersen 11.2.3
        17 July 2015 at 3:15 pm

        And something that will not be easily solved, and I think we’ll have to live with – proxy agents. As long as real estate in Auckland goes up 15% pa and will be double in 10 years etc. etc. – You’d be mad not to put your money (if you have it – or your families) in that rather than the Chinese sharemarket, for example. Current capitalism as it stands with its fiat currency is broken – NZ is a good place to legally put your money into a tangible asset.

        How do we balance geopolitics and the current macroeconomic regime against having a fair inclusive society?

        Or do we just accept a new class system with all its glass ceilings?

        We can attempt to do something now or wait for a bloody good war or plague. Don’t think we’re better than history tells us.

    • Macro 11.3
      17 July 2015 at 4:46 pm

      Ever heard of proxy buyers?
      http://www.realestate.co.nz/about/glossary#p
      Used extensively by off shore purchasers to get around all manner of restrictions.
      That article just proves the point.

      • Macro 11.3.1
        17 July 2015 at 4:50 pm

        ooops see Thom beat me to it. That is the biggest threat. That article is just an attempted white-wash (if you will forgive the pun). But it it just raises the suspicions, and anger, further when one knows just what was going on there!

      • Chooky 11.3.2
        17 July 2015 at 7:24 pm

        yup shell companies within shell companies eg Chinese property devt company buying through a cover Aussie wine company

  12. McFlock 12
    17 July 2015 at 10:39 am

    so the day after it comes out that Serco’s prison is a venue for Fight Club, it turns out that parole and treatment reduces reoffending more than making prisoners serve a full term in the thunderdome. A full third less likely to reoffend.

    Garth McVictim is bravely refusing to let facts stand in the way of his income stream outrage.

  13. Tautoko Mangō Mata 13
    17 July 2015 at 11:07 am

    It is good to see that Labour are doing something for small business owners with regard to the way tax payments can be made.

    “At present, provisional tax rules require a business to estimate, in advance, its taxable profits for the year and pay tax in three large instalments over the year.

    “If they guess wrong, they can be faced with a big bill at the end of the year which can push a small business to the wall,” Mr Little said.

    “Under Labour’s proposal, businesses will have the option of choosing to pay their tax through regular instalments at a rate they can adjust. This means businesses can align their payments to suit their circumstances.”
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11482508
    This proposal makes a lot of sense to me and it will be interesting to see how small business owners respond to and contribute to the discussion. The myth that National is the go-to party for those in business has persisted far too long. Right wing lobby groups like NZ Initiative are happy to compromise worker safety in the pursuit of cost saving, but there ARE other ways of making life better for business owners without putting employees health and safety at risk,

    • Lanthanide 13.1
      17 July 2015 at 11:11 am

      Labour’s problem is that they’re not in government, so they can suggest any great-sounding policy without actually having to implement it, or even study how to implement it.

      It’s no secret that IRD’s systems are undergoing a massive re-development at the moment, precisely because they are so unwieldy to update to respond to new government policy.

      In other words, National may have already come up with plans on how to change provisional tax to make it fairer / easier, but had to abandon the plans in the face of the IRD’s decrepit systems.

      • McFlock 13.1.1
        17 July 2015 at 11:32 am

        What – national passed up an opportunity to blame Labour for something? Amazing.

        Of course, national’s priorities might not be to help small business, anyway, so the problem never occurred to them.

        National could easily have flagged this idea as part of the justification for the IRD upgrade.

      • Draco T Bastard 13.1.2
        17 July 2015 at 12:37 pm

        Labour’s problem is that they’re not in government, so they can suggest any great-sounding policy without actually having to implement it, or even study how to implement it.

        They’ve studied it and put forward ideas. Interestingly enough, National have now come out and said that Labour has stolen their policy.

        It’s no secret that IRD’s systems are undergoing a massive re-development at the moment, precisely because they are so unwieldy to update to respond to new government policy.

        That’s the big one and that needs to be done before any tax changes are put in place IMO. Of course, up until that point the politicians should be looking at renewing our entire tax system because at the moment it’s got way too many loopholes in it to be efficient and lets far too many people get away with not paying the taxes that they should be.

    • Puckish Rogue 13.2
      17 July 2015 at 11:38 am

      As I understand it you can do something similar to this. Every time you pay your GST you can also add in an extra amount tagged for Provisional tax. You can also make payments at anytime to provisional tax.

  14. adam 14
    17 July 2015 at 11:46 am

    Just a heads up Bernie Sanders will be doing some good old fashioned, organisation on the 29 th. He may be a social democrat, but he gets organisation and talking frankly with working people.

  16. Levi 16
    17 July 2015 at 12:40 pm

    Why is there so much bleating in the media about farmers needing help? Did they not make a lifestyle choice. Maybe they made some bad decisions similar to the children living in poverty who made a bad decision in choosing their parents. Surely they do not want the support of society because as their sainted Margaret Thatcher said, “they’re casting their problem on society. And, you know, there is no such thing as society. There are individual men and women, and there are families.”

    • Puckish Rogue 16.1
      17 July 2015 at 12:56 pm

      I agree

    • Charles 16.2
      17 July 2015 at 2:09 pm

      Yes but they are Farmers, and Farmers starts with an F which is further along the alphabet than C for Children and it logically follows that last-on-is-first-off. While Farmers are out standing in their fields, Children often just sit around dying in poverty all day. Simple maths: two in the pocket equals votes on the downturn, so tally-ho the old jolly what what, eh, what?

  17. Puckish Rogue 17
    17 July 2015 at 1:01 pm

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11482666

    Another lefty that needs to be excommunicated!

    • Paul 17.1
      17 July 2015 at 1:13 pm

      zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

      • Puckish Rogue 17.1.1
        17 July 2015 at 1:24 pm

        Just another Lefty from the right wing of the party eh? Move along, nothing to see here

        • Paul 17.1.1.1
          17 July 2015 at 1:31 pm

          I repeat.

          How about you try posting some opinions that put forward your vision and ‘aspirations’ for New Zealand rather than the carping, snide, petty and puerile comments we have got to know you for?

          Is that within your remit ? Or are you told to simply come here to derail?

          • Puckish Rogue 17.1.1.1.1
            17 July 2015 at 2:36 pm

            How about you face the fact that Twyfords little announcement is being seen for what it was (dog whistling racism) and not just by people on the right but also by people on the left

  18. Ovid 18
    17 July 2015 at 1:29 pm

    After reading the Herald’s article, Labour revolt: Little under fire for singling out Chinese, I googled Shane Te Pou, the complainant cited in the story.

    In July 1997 the Sunday News reported that Mr Te Pou had been forced to quit as Labour Party Maori Council chairman after pressure from Helen Clark.

    Asked yesterday if her reasons for blocking Mr Te Pou’s appointment to Mr Samuels’ staff was related to his use of a union credit card, she said “yes.” – PM Bans Minister’s Choice of Assistant, NZ Herald 30 June 2000.

    He was also associated with Bill Liu:

    Revelations in court yesterday show the link goes further than just Jones, as Shane Phillips (also known as Shane Te Pou), a professional Labour Party fundraiser, had close links with Mr Yan, taking him on a trip to Hawke’s Bay which included a visit with then Labour Internal Affairs minister Rick Barker. – Shane Te Pou, unwanted baggage NBR 22 May 2012

    So I think his motives may not be so pure.

    • Paul 18.1
      17 July 2015 at 1:32 pm

      The Herald is reaching, to put it mildly.

    • Anne 18.2
      17 July 2015 at 1:49 pm

      Beat me to it Ovid. Another right winger is angling for his 15 mins of fame by resigning in a very public manner. Labour is no doubt the better for his departure too. He wants Little to apologise to him. I think he’s out of luck!

    • Visubversa 18.3
      17 July 2015 at 2:36 pm

      And him and his Lounge Lizard mate standing over and bullying people at the last Auckland List Conference.
      This wife is not the wife he cheated on by using the Union credit card in various brothels which got him turfed out of the Union job. Bloody good riddance I say.

    • Ovid 18.4
      17 July 2015 at 2:51 pm

      Apologies for the full-length article, this was from a database and is not linkable

      Helen Clark pressures Te Pou to quit, Sunday News, 13 July 1997, p.1. – David Fisher

      A TOP trade unionist and Labour Party Maori Council chairperson has quit under pressure from Helen Clark after she was told he misused union money.

      Shane Te Pou (30) was forced to quit as president of the Trade Union Federation, national secretary of the United Food and Beverage Workers Union and chairperson of the Labour Party Maori Council.

      It’s understood the $4000 involved has been repaid.

      Te Pou’s Auckland lawyer, Barry Wilson, faxed a statement to Sunday News saying his client resigned his posts for health reasons.

      “Mr Te Pou has recently suffered ill health, which has required him to undergo a minor medical procedure at Middlemore Hospital.

      “Accordingly he resigned from his positions in his union and the Labour Party to seek another career away from the union movement and politics.

      “There have been some vicious rumours circulating about Mr Te Pou. These are an indication of the extent to which people are prepared to get involved in scumbag politics.”

      Wilson also faxed a copy of Te Pou’s hand-written resignation to Labour Party president Michael Hirschfield which read: “Please accept this letter as my resignation from all official posts within the Labour Party. I will still remain a member of the Labour Party.”

      His resignation was accepted.

      Wilson said: “The other thing I’m absolutely emphatic about is he has not been involved in any misappropriation of funds. He has been ill, he had a medical procedure in Middlemore Hospital . . . an on-going gastric problem. It was stress-related. “He went into Middlemore Hospital about a month ago.”

      When we asked Clark whether she’d heard the allegation some of the $4000 union money was used in massage parlours, she said: “Yes, that was in the range of it . . .

      “I’ve heard the allegation and heard the union was taking action and did request letters of resignation go to the president.

      “I wouldn’t want to comment on exactly what he did. I don’t have it from the horse’s mouth.

      “I’ve heard it was serious enough for resignations . . .

      “The problem with politics is you only make one mistake.”

      When we called the United Food Beverage and General Workers Union last week a receptionist said Te Pou left on June 26 for health reasons.

      Acting national secretary Neville Donaldson refused to say why Te Pou left when we called him in Dunedin yesterday.

      “The union’s business is the union’s business. If the members wish to discuss it we will discuss it with them,” he said.

      Te Pou, who unsuccessfully sought Labour’s Tamaki candidacy in 1992, featured in a Metro magazine article in 1992 (from which his P1 photo was taken), headlined “Young Smarties”.

      It said he led his first strike at Kawerau High School over the curriculum. As a teenager he heckled National Party meetings and was Northern Hotel Workers Union president at 20.

      David Lange said Te Pou wouldn’t “abandon his roots for the sake of a free air ticket or a Bellamys lunch”.

      Te Pou said: “I can bring a grassroots affinity. I think I know where people are at.”

  19. James 19
    17 July 2015 at 2:02 pm

    Wahoo !!!!! Andrew Little agrees that Labour will be keeping the 90 day rule

    Changed a but from “We don’t need the 90-day law and under Labour it will go,”.

    So now Labour think they are either a good thing or necessary.

    • McFlock 19.1
      17 July 2015 at 2:23 pm

      Ah, this must be what you’re talking about.

      Funnily enough, I tend to agree with both helen Kelly and Stephen Joyce: weasel words to pander to an audience of tories, fudging the fact that the problem with fire-at-will is that it lacks fairness. So requiring fairness by definition removes fire-at-will. Whether the level of “fairness” is to return to the old probationary periods (or even stronger), or add some fudging around the terms that doesn’t really change too much, that’s weaselly.

      I’m unimpressed.

      • James 19.1.1
        17 July 2015 at 2:40 pm

        Nope – fairness will be …. “”We just want to make a requirement to give feedback so the person knows whether they’re on track to make the grade or not.””

        So – you he wants people to be told that they are on the firing track. I can live with that.

        Glad to see that he seems to realise that some people are just wrong and you have to get rid of them.

        However, Im guessing he will change his view yet again before the election.

        • McFlock 19.1.1.1
          17 July 2015 at 2:55 pm

          And how does regular performance feedback differ from the previous “probationary periods” in NZ labour law?

          • McFlock 19.1.1.1.1
            17 July 2015 at 3:04 pm

            oh, here we are.

            It seems that the main difference was “an obligation to communicate any concerns to the employee and obligations to supervise and review. ” Sounds pretty consistent with “give feedback so the person knows whether they’re on track to make the grade”.

            Probationary Periods under the Employment Relations Act Prior to 12th Dec 08

            Under section 67 of the Act parties to an employment agreement can agree to a probationary period but it must be specified in the agreement. The law relating to an unjustified dismissal still applies to a situation where an employee is dismissed during or at the end of a probationary period. Any decision to terminate employment during a probationary period must be accompanied by fair warning, an obligation to communicate any concerns to the employee and obligations to supervise and review. The employer would be faced with legal proceedings by the prospect of the employee being able to raise a personal grievance under the Employment Relations Act.

            Changes to the Employment Relations Act 2000 on 12th Dec 2008 regarding the 90 Day Probationary Period

            The changes to the Employment Relations Act 2000, were passed on the 12th December 2008 relating to trial periods, however this change in legislation will come into effect on 1 March 2009.

            Employers will only be allowed to enter into trial periods from 1 March 2009. Only employers who have 19 or fewer staff can offer trial employees to new staff members.

            Trial periods can only be entered into with an employee, only if the employer has never employed that employee before. The trial period must be agreed to in writing in accordance with good faith as part of a written employment agreement and signed by both parties and can last up to 90 calendar days.

            During the trial period, an employee has access to all the employment rights afforded to any other employee, including access to mediation services, and rights regarding health and safety, pay, etc. During this period an employer may terminate the employee’s employment, and the employee may not pursue a personal grievance on the grounds of unjustified dismissal. However, the employee may pursue other personal grievances, on the grounds specified in sections 103(1)(b) to (g) of the Employment Relations Act. These provisions relate to matters such as discrimination, racial or sexual harassment, duress in relation to membership (or non-membership) of a union etc.

            Employers must comply with any provisions in the employment agreement regarding notice, including the period of notice that must be given and whether notice must be in writing. Notice must be given within the trial period, even if the actual dismissal doesn’t become effective until after the trial period ends. Existing provisions for probationary periods of employment in the Employment Relations Act 2000 will remain.

    • Puckish Rogue 20.1
      17 July 2015 at 2:31 pm

      Oh this is funny 🙂

      • James 20.1.1
        17 July 2015 at 2:51 pm

        My fav Andrew Little 90 day trial quotes that are now rendered useless.

        “”We don’t need the 90-day law and under Labour it will go.”
        Source – https://www.labour.org.nz/media/90-day-law-sees-more-workers-shown-door

        “Labour would, however, not back away from its plans to change employment law, including scrapping the 90-day trial period for new employees.”

        – Radio NZ

        “Later Little told reporters Labour still opposed the 90 day trial, which many small businesses liked …..”

        – Interest.co.nz

        Will be interesting to see the unions get in behind this new approach.

        • Puckish Rogue 20.1.1.1
          17 July 2015 at 2:58 pm

          I’m sure that the next meeting he has down at the local union hall he’ll saying the 90 day law will be repealed, hes seems like a flip flop say anything to anyone type of guy

    • Charles 20.2
      17 July 2015 at 2:42 pm

      This is pretty amazing. I thought there was no way they’d try to go right, because, well, they couldn’t. But no, no hurdle is too impossible, they are actually going to try to become the National Party while National still exist. I can imagine Key leaning over to Nathan Guy and saying, “They… they can see us here, right?”

      So, let’s talk about the Green Party. hahaa

      • Puckish Rogue 20.2.1
        17 July 2015 at 2:48 pm

        Don’t worry i’m sure Paul will be able to explain why this isn’t moving Labour to the right

        This is great news for NZ by the way, it looks like Little has accepted the reality of the situation

    • Rosie 20.3
      17 July 2015 at 3:35 pm

      I know. Absolutely f-ing unbelievable.

      I did not become a Labour Party member to support anti worker bullshit like the 90 day law.

      Whilst never being fired under the 90 day Act I have had to deal with the huge amount of anxiety that this law creates. Having a policy of “Adding a fairness requirement” will not go any way towards reassuring workers in those anxious first three months.

      I’ve also seen a young friend go through the stress of his first three months at his very first job and he was so relieved when he got to the end of those three months. “Phew! Made it!” he texted. Is that any kind of condition to be working under??? FFS!!!

      The previous law that allowed for a trial period for both employer and employee but didn’t allow for workers to be fired at will without explanation as the 90 day Act does, was a fair law and workers knew where they stood and at least had the protection of the law if they were unjustifiably dismissed.

      Mr Little, do you want to win in 2017 or not? Or are you expecting the bosses to turn out and vote for you and the workers to stay home on election day?

      Thank goodness for Helen Kelly is there to challenge him and for the first time in my life I find myself agreeing with Steven Joyce and his comment that Andrew Little’s stance is “weasel words”

      • Puckish Rogue 20.3.1
        17 July 2015 at 3:44 pm

        Little wants to win thats why hes back tracking on this, voters of NZ agree with this so to go against it would be like National removing WFF (they should)

        Sometimes you have to swallow a dead rat or two…or three and Littles going to be doing a lot swallowing over the next few months/years

        • Rosie 20.3.1.1
          17 July 2015 at 3:54 pm

          PR. The headline may have well as read “Labour Leader seeks votes from minority. Workers can go take a hike”.

          If he doesn’t clarify this he will lose my vote and my membership.

          I would vote National if I wanted to see rights taken away from workers. It’s Labour’s job to restore those rights.

      • Rosie 20.3.2
        17 July 2015 at 3:51 pm

        Furthermore:

        From the article:

        “The question frequently came up from employers, Little said, with every employer indicating they already gave feedback to any worker they let go, so they would not be affected under Labour’s policy.”

        Two questions. “every employer”. Is that every employer ever since 2008 has given feedback to the employees they fired, or just the ones who told Andrew Little they did, and how can we trust their word anyway?

        Does feedback like “I didn’t like they way you dressed” or what ever the employer decides to make up to justify their decision, make it OK that they are being fired? How is that making the 90 day Act fairer?

      • Karen 20.3.3
        17 July 2015 at 3:52 pm

        +1 Rosie.
        Please send this post (at 20.3) to Little, Rosie.

        Everybody who is enraged at this needs to start lobbying now.

        • Rosie 20.3.3.1
          17 July 2015 at 4:01 pm

          Good point Karen.

          I’m actually hoping he will write a post about it for TS readers and we can have an open discussion with him. Clarity is required for Labour members, non members, workers and potential Labour voters.

        • Chris 20.3.3.2
          17 July 2015 at 11:45 pm

          “Everybody who is enraged at this needs to start lobbying now.”

          Why? What difference will it make? We might lobby a right-wing government and win a small battle. It’s always worth doing that, for the benefit of those affected, keeping the pressure up, maintaining a sense of opposition and critique in a democratic society etc etc. But lobbying a political party that’s made up of people who’re meant to be our friends? On individual issues we think important despite knowing that Labour reflects core values and beliefs anathema to our core values and beliefs? That’s just finger in the dyke stuff. Labour is beyond redemption. We need to start treating Labour as the irrelevancy its become. Continuing to have hope that Labour might some day change is akin to colluding with keys and his henchmen because it means offering no opposition. That’s why things have become so tragic.

      • marty mars 20.3.4
        17 July 2015 at 4:19 pm

        + 1 Rosie – although I’ll never agree with anything joyce says even if he is correct lol.

        This is a dark day indeed.

        • Rosie 20.3.4.1
          17 July 2015 at 4:54 pm

          It’s a bit much marty mars.

          I’m already reeling from the pro government statement I heard last night, from the head and founder of an NGO, who also managed to completely blame the very people they serve, for the circumstances they find themselves in. Imagine Mike Hoskings in charge supporting vulnerable people and you have this person.

          I have been considering the idea of exposing this NGO for their hypocrisy and ignorance but it would harm the people they are there to support and it would get another person in trouble who doesn’t deserve to be in trouble. I have been grappling with this today.

          And now this. Black is white and white is black.

          It’s a stunning evening with the sun going down soon and I want to go and catch those beautiful rays before they disappear, go feed my ducks and chill out.

          Over and out for now.

      • Chris 20.3.5
        17 July 2015 at 5:02 pm

        How long should we keep trusting Labour? What will it take for us to realise what its become?

    • Chris 20.4
      17 July 2015 at 4:49 pm

      Should we be surprised by this? Yes, of course we can say that Little’s sold out and should resign blah blah blah, but who’d replace him? What would any Labour leader do differently? When die-hard Labour supporters finally understand what Labour has irrevocably become the better. Because as soon as that happens we’ll have the long-overdue impetus needed to obliterate Labour from the political landscape and to start again from scratch to create a proper party of the left. Current Labour is infested to the core with right-wing ideology and is no longer viable. “Broad church” my arse. That’s the excuse we’re all fed to make us believe these goons are still on our side. They’re not and haven’t been for a very long time. We all need to realise this.

  21. Chooky 21
    17 July 2015 at 2:29 pm

    ‘Baby Boomers strike back – “Economic nationalists Vs Global cosmopolitans” – Phil Quin & Keith Ng – your membership papers for the Green Party are ready’

    http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2015/07/16/baby-boomers-strike-back-economic-nationalists-vs-global-cosmopolitans-phil-quin-keith-ng-your-membership-papers-for-the-green-party-are-ready/

    …”I was invited to Labour’s Auckland meeting with Caucus last night and I was keen to hear what they thought about their Chinese speculator crusade and how it was impacting them.

    Firstly, the place was genuinely buzzing. 300 people make some noise and it wasn’t the usual Labour Party diehards, it was money people who aren’t getting any traction with National because they aren’t personal friends with Steven Joyce. Bankers mixed with NGOs, the wine was being gulped back the way nervous children drink before their divorced parents turn up for Christmas dinner….”

    • Colonial Viper 21.1
      17 July 2015 at 4:01 pm

      Labour loves getting a bit of loving from the top 10%

      • Chooky 21.1.1
        17 July 2015 at 6:53 pm

        …suggest you read the whole thing and all the comments….this has support from New Zealand working class youth!

        …as well as their NZ parents who had a free education, could afford to buy a house and had a job….hence entering the middleclass

        …these are not wealthy overseas investors buying up multiple homes…but modest New Zealanders

        Labour is on to a winner!

        • Colonial Viper 21.1.1.1
          17 July 2015 at 7:04 pm

          “Modest NZers” have not been able to afford Auckland homes since about 2003-2004

          • Chooky 21.1.1.1.1
            17 July 2015 at 7:17 pm

            suggest you read the whole thing…including comments…without spinning diversions

  22. rhinocrates 22
    17 July 2015 at 3:38 pm

    Others have said it already above, but it deserves not just another reply, but a chorus.

    You’ll all be leased to know that the Labour leadership are no longer stabbing each other in the back – now they’re stabbing the workers in the back.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/70319219/labour-would-retain-90day-trial-periods-but-make-them-fairer–little

    Fuck you Little, you are a weasel.

    • Puckish Rogue 22.1
      17 July 2015 at 3:45 pm

      Maybe Little really has been listening to small business owners…stranger things have happened at sea I guess

    • Colonial Viper 22.2
      17 July 2015 at 3:57 pm

      Fucking hell.

      The Labour strategy for 2017 becomes clearer day by day

      • The lost sheep 22.2.1
        17 July 2015 at 4:24 pm

        Yup, first the NZ First style Chinese attack, and now we see the follow up National Lite support for the 90 day legislation….
        It’s clear that Labour have decided how they need to present the Party in order to directly target the Center / Center Right voters they need to win the next election.

        Will be fascinating to see where they go if they get an immediate poll bump….

    • Coffee Connoisseur 22.3
      17 July 2015 at 4:09 pm

      I disagree. As a business owner this has freed up our ability to hire. It even gives us clear guidelines on managing the transition of staff into the business. That 3 months (and it doesn’t need to be any longer) focus us on doing everything that we need to do as an employer by ensuring that the employee understands the job and what we need them to do in a non confrontational way.
      Employees are more focussed on what they need to do and aren’t afraid to raise issues. They see that we want them to succeed. We chose them out of another 30 odd applicants. Our work place is happier, more inclusive. It has been much better all around.
      I actually think it has struck the right balance.

      • Puckish Rogue 22.3.1
        17 July 2015 at 4:18 pm

        This. + 1000

        Far too many people on here see employers and owners as “the enemy” and don’t want to/can’t see the issues facing employers

        At least Little has realised that helping employers is not the end of the world

        Hes gone up in my estimation

        • Paul 22.3.1.1
          17 July 2015 at 4:55 pm

          Long shift today.
          Hope you are on more than the minimum wage.

        • Chooky 22.3.1.2
          17 July 2015 at 6:49 pm

          +100 PR….on a rare occasion I agree with you Puckish Rogue….and good call by Andrew Little and Labour imo…small businesses often struggle and many businesses are very good employers

          Labour is definitely on the up and up

          • Chooky 22.3.1.2.1
            17 July 2015 at 7:05 pm

            btw… here I am talking about Labour’s flexible plans to help small businesses do their commercial book keeping as required incrementally without penalities for being late

            …about 90 day trial periods I have reservations because of unfair dismissals and the potential for exploitation …however the CTU line on Labour policy is :

            “If Labour introduced “just cause” provisions to the trials to allow personal grievances, the CTU could accept that, as this returned to the earlier rules in existing laws covering probationary periods.”

    • rhinocrates 22.4
      17 July 2015 at 4:57 pm

      Labour’s arms:

      On a flimsy shield of light blue, a chicken, rampant, with one right wing, two left feet and a tin ear. Supporters: on the right, a CEO in a suit of grey. On the left…? Motto: “This space for hire: cheap rates”

  23. Coffee Connoisseur 23
    17 July 2015 at 4:00 pm

    Today on Whale Oil I got banned because I wouldn’t stop making comments like this.

    I don’t think that’s going to be the case. I think kiwis are genuinely concerned about the issue of overseas investors driving up house prices. Yeah the data wasn’t the best but it was probably the best obtainable at the time. Labour said it wasn’t the best and that better data was needed. National modus operandai on issues like this seems to be deny deny deny, then obfuscate as much as possible. They did the same with children in poverty and their delaying around providing information on OIA requests smacks of the same arrogant mentality.
    These guys are in there to work for us. Get the good data, put it out for the public to see. then deal with the issue. If you don’t want to deal with it because you and your fellow Mps own property in Auckland. Say so. The next election will probably take care of their position on that.
    I guess it depends on how much our childrens future and ensuring it is a good one matters to people, If it doesn’t we can stick with the starus quo.

    • Chooky 23.1
      17 July 2015 at 6:44 pm

      +100…jonkey nactional hopes we will ignore it if there are no stats…and the problem will go away or be buried …especially if the Greens and other idiots accuse Labour and NZF and everyone else of being racist …. for talking about their experiences

  24. Macro 24
    17 July 2015 at 4:24 pm

    The level of detail in the latest Pluto fly by images is astounding!
    https://twitter.com/paulcoxon/status/621416714694225920/photo/1

  25. millsy 25
    17 July 2015 at 5:07 pm

    Good to see that Little agrees workers are expendable.

  26. rhinocrates 26
    17 July 2015 at 5:46 pm

    Looks like Young Labour are tired of being bullied and shat on:

    https://twitter.com/younglabournz/status/621893604848447488/photo/1

    Bravo.

  27. North 27
    17 July 2015 at 11:27 pm

    Since ages ago and on numerous occasions I’ve been made aware that guards at MECF-Serco in Mt Eden advisedly give the blind eye to extreme violence. I believe these accounts. Latest events vindicate such a belief.

    The garish immediate past Corrections minister Tolley and the present out-of-his-depth minister, Key’s favourite fiapalagi Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga, must be ejected from Cabinet. Last task – accompany Serco out of New Zealand back to the UK. Collins was Corrections minister not that long ago. That should be her task as well.

    It beggars belief that with Key’s much-vaunted “no surprises” imperative all of these ministers did not know about all of this. Hoisting off to foreign rentiers the New Zealand communities’ responsibility to deal with its societal dysfunction is a recipe for disaster. It’s “PPPP”. “Piss on Prisons and People for Profit”.

    Outrageous !

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 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
    22 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
    22 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
    1 day ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-07-27T02:19:17+00:00