Open mike 17/12/2015

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, December 17th, 2015 - 92 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 …

92 comments on “Open mike 17/12/2015 ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Pascals bookie 1
    17 December 2015 at 6:27 am

    http://www.buzzfeed.com/franciswhittaker/syrian-prisoners-executed-and-tortured?utm_term=.ldQXZyQwQ#.grK80N6b6

    This (leaving aside all the horrors inflicted since) is why all the plans that have Assad’s regime staying in power will simply not work. It would be like trying to restore the Baathists in Iraq.

  2. Penny Bright 2
    17 December 2015 at 7:35 am

    I’m actually delighted that business woman Victoria Crone is standing in the 2016 Auckland Mayoralty.

    That takes the pro-Supercity / pro-corporate 2016 Auckland Mayoral candidates to four:

    Stephen Berry
    Mark Thomas
    Phil Goff
    Victoria Crone

    Surely all those highly-paid corporate spin-doctors haven’t forgotten ‘Electoral Politics 101’?

    DON’T SPLIT THE VOTE?

    How DUMB is that?

    Hate to remind you – but in 2013 – only 36% of Auckland voters bothered?

    So – here’s the thing.

    Nearly two thirds of Auckland voters didn’t in 2013 – which is a rather large number of potential voters?

    What if significant numbers of previous non-voters feel inspired to vote for a Mayoral candidate – who clearly doesn’t represent corporate interests?

    And the third of Auckland voters who did vote in 2013, are now ‘spoiled for choice’ with the ever-growing numbers of pro- corporate / pro- ‘Supercity’ candidates – ie: the vote is potentially significantly split.

    Actually – I think you will find increasing numbers of Auckland voters are starting to realise that a Mayoral candidate who is campaigning for Auckland Council and CCOs to be held accountable to the ‘rule of law’ regarding citizens and ratepayers’ LAWFUL rights to ‘open, transparent and democratically accountable’ local government – is an increasingly attractive proposition.

    (That’s what I’ve been finding out in the Eastern suburbs ….:)

    Penny Bright

    2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.

    • tracey 2.1
      17 December 2015 at 7:54 am

      Can you outline your top 5 priorities once elected?

      • Penny Bright 2.1.1
        17 December 2015 at 8:44 am

        My ‘vision’ Tracey, is to ensure that Auckland Council and Auckland Council Controlled Organisations (CCOs) are held accountable to the ‘Rule of Law’ regarding citizens LAWFUL rights to ‘open, transparent and democratically accountable’ local government.

        The Auckland Mayor has a dedicated budget to help ensure the implementation of the Mayoral vision.

        (In the 2014 – 2015 financial year, the Auckland Mayoral Office budget was $4.15 million.)

        So – in order to achieve this – I shall employ a small team of professional, highly competent forensic accountants / auditors, who will ‘go through the books with a fine tooth comb’, in order to find out exactly where public monies in the Auckland region are being spent, invested and borrowed.

        I shall then make that information available for public scrutiny.

        How can you carry out ‘cost benefit’ analyses for ‘cost-effectiveness’ in the spending of public monies, if you don’t know exactly where the costs fall?

        How can you exercise ‘prudent stewardship’ / ‘fiscal responsibility’ – if you don’t know exactly where the ‘costs’ fall?

        When I am elected Mayor of Auckland, and the Public Records Act 2005 (in particular), is implemented and enforced in a proper, lawful way, transparency, in my view, will be transformed.

        My vision is also that the public majority of Auckland citizens, not a private corporate minority, should benefit from public monies.

        That Auckland ‘local government’ – should focus on being citizen and local community ‘friendly’ – not multi-national ‘business friendly’.

        My vision is that unless rigorous ‘cost-benefit’ analysis supports the contracting out (privatisation) of Auckland Council services and regulatory functions, then they should be brought back ‘in house’, under the public service model.

        My vision includes replacing the CCO model for infrastructure and trading functions, and bringing these back under direct Council control.

        The corporate ‘Rogernomics’ vision has been ‘commercialise, corporatise – PRIVATISE’.

        First CCOs (Council ‘CORPORATE’ Controlled Organisations) – then PPPs (Public Private Partnerships).

        Beware the ‘weasel words’!

        Does Phil Goff support or oppose CCOs?
        Does Phil Goff support or oppose PPPs?

        Hope this helps.

        Kind regards

        Penny Bright

        2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate.

        • Tracey 2.1.1.1
          17 December 2015 at 11:28 am

          “replacing the CCO model for infrastructure and trading functions, and bringing these back under direct Council control…”

          Would that require Legislative change?

          • Sacha 2.1.1.1.1
            17 December 2015 at 8:23 pm

            Yes, as has been explained to madame candidate many times now. If someone wants to change the supercity structure then they need to be in government, not in council.

        • Sans Cle 2.1.1.2
          17 December 2015 at 11:37 am

          “My vision includes replacing the CCO model for infrastructure and trading functions, and bringing these back under direct Council control.”
          Hi Penny,
          I am interested in your vision. If you were elected would you not be hamstrung by the legislation – The Local Government Auckland Council Act of 2010?
          Are you campaigning on an issue that you would have no control over, after you became Mayor?

          I think Rodney Hide stitched the Auckland Council up tightly, in his corporate/privatization reforms, and the Mayor does not have any power to change that.

  3. tracey 3
    17 December 2015 at 8:01 am

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11562015

    I note that the Herald and Phil Quin do not reveal his prior ties to Labour in hus by-line.

  4. Penny Bright 4
    17 December 2015 at 8:17 am

    See folks – despite the often bad press – ‘Activists’ get things done.

    Seen this?
    ______________________________________________________________________________________

    http://i.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/east-bays-courier/75003039/Eastern-suburbs-consult-with-Auckland-Transport-on-new-bus-network

    Eastern suburbs consult with Auckland Transport on new bus network
    11 December 2015

    Concerned bus users in Auckland’s eastern suburbs were pleased with the outcome of a recent public meeting.

    Activist Penny Bright facilitated a meeting between residents and Auckland Transport officials as they discussed the new bus network proposal.

    St Heliers-Glendowie Residents Association member Robert Johnston was pleased with AT’s willingness to listen to suggestions.

    “With public transport, if you’re going to make it work you’ve got to make it attractive to people to use,” he says.

    He says that one of the main concerns the residents had was AT’s intention to direct some bus routes to the Orakei and Meadowbank train stations.

    Resident John Coutts agrees that some of the routes need improvement over what was initially suggested.

    “We want to maintain a direct link to the city and not feed the trains,” he says.

    Coutts says that the Orakei area in particular is so close to the city that it would make more sense to have Britomart as their “hub” station, instead of extending their journey by 20 to 30 minutes by forcing a transfer at Orakei Station.

    Public consultation on the new network was extended to December 14.

    Public transport network manager Anthony Cross says that AT will take all of the feedback into consideration as they refine the new network design.

    – Stuff

    ______________________________________________________________________________________

    Penny Bright

    2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate

    • Ad 4.1
      17 December 2015 at 9:02 am

      This sounds precisely like Auckland Transport reforming, listening and doing a good job, and the NZHerald noticing exactly that.

      BTW, since he’s named, Anthony Cross is an outstanding public servant.

    • Draco T Bastard 4.2
      17 December 2015 at 11:28 am

      Resident John Coutts agrees that some of the routes need improvement over what was initially suggested.

      “We want to maintain a direct link to the city and not feed the trains,” he says.

      Ah, so the residents complained about AT making public transport more efficient.

      • Sacha 4.2.1
        17 December 2015 at 8:31 pm

        They do have a point about Orakei, but they are otherwise bucking the overall regional integrated network design by opposing short bus spokes to train hubs. That is how AT propose to get twice as many passenger trips from the same number of buses and drivers, all over the region. It’s also why the CRL is crucial, to double the rail network’s capacity so it can handle all those extra tranferring passengers. In short, sorry Easties but you are not special.

    • Visubversa 4.3
      17 December 2015 at 1:00 pm

      A direct link to the city – so more traffic on the Tamaki Drive.

  6. Gangnam Style 6
    17 December 2015 at 8:21 am

    “The potential for school closure is a strength, not a weakness, of the Partnership Schools model.” – These bastards forget that these are kids lives we are talking about, so what if they spend a year or 2 at a substandard fucked up experimental school, no worries, try again next year. These are the parents making “poor choices” IMO.

    http://m.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11562044

    • Paul 6.1
      17 December 2015 at 9:01 am

      Extreme ideologues are running the country.
      ‘Centre right.’

      Just another media lie.

      • Wayne 6.1.1
        17 December 2015 at 11:31 am

        “Extreme ideologues are running the country”

        Compared to what?

        Other OECD countries – we tend to be in the middle of most measures (taxes, spread of wealth, social spending, etc)

        Social agenda – New Zealand has gay marriage, no smacking – the PM voted for both.

        International deployments – NZ has trainers in Iraq , but no combat role, like about 50 other countries in the coalition.

        Previous New Zealand governments – most commentators put National with Key a bit to the right of Labour under Helen Clark – but in both cases they are near to the centre. National has kept interest free loans for students, Working for Families, kept the ERA, not changed ACC. It even got Labour to vote for the latest RMA reforms.

        To justify your claim you need to be able to substantiate it with actual examples. And TPP does not count, unless you think Canada, Chile and Vietnam are also extreme right wing countries.

        • Draco T Bastard 6.1.1.1
          17 December 2015 at 12:02 pm

          Compared to what?

          Reality.

        • gsays 6.1.1.2
          17 December 2015 at 12:55 pm

          hi wayne, i will bite.
          “To justify your claim you need to be able to substantiate it with actual examples”

          selling to us something we already own, our power companies.

          getting a multi national corporation to run our prisons.
          (without researching it i am picking sercos parent company has a bigger balance sheet than aoteroa)

          bail out scf.

          running a school experiment that doesnt work, cost heaps and and mucks up childrens education.

          all of it hard right ideology

          and this is just some of the stuff we know about.
          what are the pandas hiding?
          is it a court case for a high profile person?

        • Pat 6.1.1.3
          17 December 2015 at 1:01 pm

          “And TPP does not count, unless you think Canada, Chile and Vietnam are also extreme right wing countries.”

          none which have ratified it….and one of which that just threw out the government that supported it.

          • greywarshark 6.1.1.3.1
            17 December 2015 at 6:34 pm

            Chile had its leftish government overthrown with publicly exposed USA intervention, and was under an awful regime of RW for many years, probably never has got over that. Vietnam another country that was attacked by the USA and has been left with a large amount of illness caused by Agent Orange.

            These countries have had decades of trying to restabilise themselves after being broken by USA intervention.

            Canada – has been sued by USA interests, and had its ability to handle its own resources and economy undermined by treating with the USA – now with a less RW leader who knows what will happen? A Chile right on the USA’s doorstep might be a bit smelly. But there are other ways of bringing them to heel. A country’s political orientation can be fairly easily subverted – look at our own.

            Our very own esteemed Labour Party was taken over by subversives trained probably at Harvard as easily as a local community group can be overwhelmed and subsumed by a rigged membership voting for their own hostile, financially predatory candidates.

        • Lanthanide 6.1.1.4
          17 December 2015 at 1:04 pm

          Cutting taxes for the rich and raising taxes for the poor and justifying it with “broader economic growth” that has 0 scientific rigour behind it, only to then be surprised when the economy doesn’t do as well as predicted.

          Running up the largest debt this country has ever seen, after it was paid down to a net-0 position by the previous government. Largely this was a result of the tax cuts.

          Refusing any sort of proper market intervention in the Auckland housing crisis, until eventually being forced to put in a weak version of CGT (2 year bright line test). Maintaining the existing “accommodation supplement” payments which just end up in the pockets of the landlords which only fuels the Auckland housing crisis, an extreme version of middle and upper-class welfare (far far worse than interest free student loans).

        • Stuart Munro 6.1.1.5
          17 December 2015 at 3:02 pm

          Economic policy is well to the right of what is reasonable – I know managed decline is your de facto strategy but a lot of kiwis want that growth and jobs you lied about. Cheap farm labourers is a false economy while there are out of work New Zealanders.

          It’s the dishonesty and the incompetence we don’t like – if you actually had a working plan instead of a disinformation machine you’d get more respect – but you run up Grecian levels of debt and try to pretend you’re geniuses.

          Iceland jailed a more honest and competent government than yours.

        • Paul 6.1.1.6
          17 December 2015 at 3:40 pm

          Extreme economic ideologues, Wayne. I’m not talking about social policies, but plain old neo-liberalism.

          You have heard of the extreme philosophies of Ayn Rand and Milton Friedman, haven’t you? We have been guinea pigs for their ideology since 1984.

          Canada, under Harper was an extreme right wing country,dedicated to tar sands, ultra support of Israel and attacks on civil rights. But you knew that, didn’t you?

          And the TPP is an attempt by corporates to control the legislative powers of democratic countries.

          Why are you so subservient to corporate interests? Do they pay you well?

          Either you are being willfully ignorant on all of this or you are being duplicitous for your corporate masters.

  7. Paul 7
    17 December 2015 at 8:34 am

    Our disgusting PM makes jokes about rape in prison and pulls young girls pony tails.
    And a contemptible number of middle class property owning New Zealanders like him because their house prices keep going up.

    They deserve the consequences.
    Unfortunately others don’t.

    • Paul 7.1
      17 December 2015 at 8:59 am

      His ordinary Kiwi bloke image is exactly that. An image. And those that still believe that PR construct are either willfully ignorant or suckers for advertising. Others, including some of the RWNJs who troll this site, who repeat the statement that John is just like an average NZers, are part of the lie.

      They know very well that he is far more comfortable playing golf with his buddies from Merrrill Lynch and Goldman Sachs on the golf courses of Hawaii than frequenting his local RSA.

      People who vote for Key deserve the consequences of supporting his extreme neo-liberal government.

      Unfortunately others don’t.

  8. The Chairman 8
    17 December 2015 at 8:44 am

    This is a good one.

    https://youtu.be/odR37GoXlaw

    Thoughts?

  9. esoteric pineapples 9
    17 December 2015 at 9:04 am

    China vows to aggressively falsify air pollution numbers

    http://www.theonion.com/article/china-vows-to-begin-aggressively-falsifying-air-po-37429

  10. ianmac 10
    17 December 2015 at 9:06 am

    Headline says, “Little now backs SAS in Isis war”
    But of course there has to be provisos.

    “Labour leader Andrew Little said Labour would support sending SAS troops to fight Isis if the right conditions were met.

    Those conditions were having a clear and realistic objective, that it would have to be part of a multinational mission mandated by the United Nations and that the level of risk needed to be acceptable.”

    So not quite the impression that Audrey likes to suggest.
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11562158

    • Paul 10.1
      17 December 2015 at 9:18 am

      Just another media distortion.
      The msm are owned by massive corporations.
      They are courtesans to them.

    • Ovid 10.2
      17 December 2015 at 11:01 am

      Multilateralism and the UN have always been a core part of Labour policy, but I wonder if resolution 2249 would be construed as explicit UN authorisation which:

      Calls upon Member States that have the capacity to do so to take all necessary measures, in compliance with international law, in particular with the United Nations Charter, as well as international human rights, refugee and
      humanitarian law, on the territory under the control of ISIL also known as Da’esh, in Syria and Iraq, to redouble and coordinate their efforts to prevent and suppress terrorist acts committed specifically by ISIL also known as Da’esh as well as ANF, and all other individuals, groups, undertakings, and entities associated with
      Al Qaeda…

    • Colonial Viper 10.3
      17 December 2015 at 11:08 am

      Little should simply say – as it stands today, there is no way that NZ troops should be in Iraq or Syria.

    • Draco T Bastard 10.4
      17 December 2015 at 12:48 pm

      Labour leader Andrew Little said Labour would support sending SAS troops to fight Isis if the right conditions were met.

      And Labour shifts further to the RWNJ side.

      • Stuart Munro 10.4.1
        17 December 2015 at 2:16 pm

        I think it was a Herald gotcha story – Labour claim no policy change. Might’ve flown a kite though.

    • b waghorn 10.5
      17 December 2015 at 5:40 pm

      I 100% agree with Mr Little ,on the ground targeted forces are miles ahead of the current methods.

  11. The Chairman 11
    17 December 2015 at 9:14 am

    Back once again with the ill behaviour.

    https://youtu.be/-izn1i5MlBI

  12. Paul 12
    17 December 2015 at 9:15 am

    Barry Soper excuses John Key’s pony tail pulling.

    ‘John Key frequently over steps the mark and even embarrasses himself, like he did when he regularly pulled a waitress’ ponytail, clearly not intending to cause offence but apologising for overstepping the behavioural boundary.’

    Yes. I shall repeat his words.
    ‘when he regularly pulled a waitress’ ponytail, clearly not intending to cause offence’….

    What a disgraceful apology for journalism, Mr Soper. Are you expecting favour from the court of John Key?
    I wonder what Heather du Plessis-Allan thinks of Key’s abuse of young women in this way?
    These media lackeys, courtesans and courtiers need to be held to account.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11562360

    • Gangnam Style 12.1
      17 December 2015 at 9:52 am

      Heather du Plessis-Allan would probably giggle, shes kinda lightweight.

    • ianmac 12.2
      17 December 2015 at 10:00 am

      This morning Morning Report discussed the latest Key singing and soap story. The verdict pointed out that Key avoids the harder interviews and concentrates on soft radio programs where listeners don’t care about the politics and want just the entertaining. So no harm done?
      Put me in mind the lashing that Colin Craig got for being interviewed in a sauna. Disgraceful said the media. But the response to Key’s unbecoming behaviour? Michelle Boag gives it gentle approval. So that’s OK.

  13. Anne 13
    17 December 2015 at 10:25 am

    A new monthly newsleter has ‘hit the stands’ which promises ” a practical, dispassionate analysis of politics”. At $35 per month you too can read the premium analytical journal in the land. Danyl McLauchlan has kindly critiqued the first edition:

    http://thespinoff.co.nz/16-12-2015/politics-why-you-need-incite-in-your-life-a-review-of-cameron-slaters-35-monthly-e-newsletter/

    Enjoy…

    • ianmac 13.1
      17 December 2015 at 10:28 am

      Read that Anne. Funny. Are they for real or are they attempting satire, or is Danyl just being mean.

      • Anne 13.1.1
        17 December 2015 at 11:05 am

        I imagine a bit of all three. Worthy of posting by an author – humorous and refreshing during this bustling, stressful time of the year.

  14. Chooky 14
    17 December 2015 at 10:25 am

    This is interview by Kathryn Ryan is very interesting:

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/201783038/us-psychologist-philip-zimbardo

    ‘US psychologist Philip Zimbardo’

    “Philip Zimbardo is the American psychologist whose 1971 study on prison mentality exposed the ease at which participants playing the role of guards, began psychologically torturing their prisoners.The Stanford Prison Experiment centred on a group of college students who were deemed prisoners or guards at the flip of a coin and showed that within 24 hours those with power, used it mercilessly – and the group who were prisoners succumbed to submission just as easily.

    In recent years he has turned his attention to the disconnect between males and the real world because of online pornography, and a lack of role models and positive interactions. Professor Zimbardo is also behind a new initiative Heroic Imagination Project, which stems from his work on what makes people do bad things – and instead focuses on what qualities make people act in heroic ways.”

    • ianmac 14.1
      17 December 2015 at 10:33 am

      Echoes of that reaction were in the “Blue eyes v Brown eyes” experiment where those in a classroom with brown eyes were persecuted by the rest of the class to demonstrate just how cruel discrimination is. The “good” ones became so involved with their roles that they scared themselves.

    • CR 14.2
      17 December 2015 at 12:54 pm

      +1

      http://www.simplypsychology.org/milgram.html

      another famous and thought-provoking experiment

      • ianmac 14.2.1
        17 December 2015 at 3:48 pm

        Yep. Know that one too CR. Some revelled in the shock giving. Most didn’t.
        An historian said that in mortal combat most drafted soldiers would avoid killing anyone if they could. But in every unit were a few who went out of their way to kill others and laughed while doing so. Even killing those who were no longer a threat. Bit disturbing that amongst us there are such people. Me. I help insects to escape outside.

  15. Robert Glennie 15
    17 December 2015 at 10:57 am

    http://willnewzealandberight.com/2015/12/17/nationals-education-policy-part-i-christchurch/

    National has shown surprising contempt for schools in some of its most blue South Island electorates since it took office. It has closed the Prime Minister’s old school (about 400 metres down the road from me)and rezoned it for developers to build on. No rhyme or reason for it since Ilam electorate schools thanks to Labour, were already nearly full, having had roll expansions anywhere between 50-100%.

    Recently Hekia Parata said she was going to close Redcliffs School and that she had been fair and given the school the opportunity to make a stand. Hekia was always going to close the school. She has ignored the fact that the school can be made nearly completely safe from rock fall, and that the small bit that could not be, the school was prepared to surrender. Not only that, but a contractor was prepared to do the remedial work for free.

    Would love to see the back of this Government, but not wholly convinced Labour can deliver the goods.

    • repateet 15.1
      17 December 2015 at 11:10 am

      The contempt they show probably runs way deeper than you had thought.

      If you are not familiar with this site you should look through it.

      https://networkonnet.wordpress.com

      • ianmac 15.1.1
        17 December 2015 at 11:48 am

        Just gone off to read Kelvin’s site thanks rapateet. His report on the Ministry misdeeds to steal $18million off the Rangiora College community is breathtaking. The Ministry removed the BOT and the Principal so that they could use a Commissioner to strip the assets as had been for decades legally in the control of BOT and Principal on behalf of the Community. The grounds for sacking included “financial mismanagement” but the books have been audited and were always were totally clear. Ministry Mischief?
        The Principal had gone to a course which the Ministry said was unauthorised and they removed her. The course was authorised by the BOT and correctly came out of the Principal’s Professional Development budget. Mischief?
        Thank goodness someone is raising these issues like Phillipstown School forcefully merged and now the new site is overcrowded. Redcliff School forcefully closed with no justification. Parata and her Ministry are working against the interests of children.
        As repateet wrote visit https://networkonnet.wordpress.com

  16. Morrissey 16
    17 December 2015 at 11:07 am

    Fomenting Happy Mischief since Monday;
    My recent excursions on to David Farrar’s Kiwiblog.
    Thursday 17 December 2015

    It is an irrefutable fact that The Standard has far superior, more intelligent and liberal contributors than either Kiwiblog or Whaleoil. That’s why I spend most of my spare time here. Now and again, however, I like to stir things up in Dullsburgh and Stupidville, and pay our extreme right wing friends a visit.

    Since being banned for life over on Whaleoil, I have had to turn to David Farrar’s Kiwiblog for my occasional fix of boor-baiting. I had made a couple of comments there over the years, but usually forgot to go back and check up on the responses. On Monday, however, I re-registered and sent my first little missive into the chickenhawks’ cage. Since then, I’ve earned myself close to one hundred down votes on a variety of posts….

    http://img04.deviantart.net/2e04/i/2012/248/7/e/who_da_man__by_therese_b-d5dq2vs.jpg

    Kiwiblog has a system whereby very popular posts are highlighted in yellow. Very unpopular posts, on the other hand, are highlighted in pink. Consider, for instance, this message that I posted there yesterday….

    http://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2015/12/general_debate_16_december_2015.html#comment-1636210

    I also posted that message on this forum, where it attracted only approving comments. On Kiwiblog, however, it has so far attracted 29 down votes, as well as, encouragingly, 2 up votes. (Thank you, whoever you are!)

    A couple of hours after that, someone called “kowtow” wrote, hilariously….

    I see we have a new racist here called morrissey

    “Simon Pound reminded us that Los Angeles children are under far more danger from white home-grown Christian terrorists than they are from any Islamic terrorists.”

    I suspect Los Angeles children are in more danger from blacks and browns than from whites.

    A bit later, “Longknives” delivered the following zinger….

    Viz Magazine used to sell ‘Morrissey is a Twat’ T-Shirts.

    Just thought that was timely..

    (That garnered 11 up votes.)

    Still, it’s gotta be said, despite the alarming complacency and the militant ignorance of so many of the commenters—imagine a board full of Gosmans—that Farrar’s blog, which does permit dissent and argument, is immensely more civilised and intelligent than Whaleoil’s boor-fest.

    From Bewilderment Valley, this is Morrissey Breen reporting for Daisycutter Sports Television.

    • Sans Cle 16.1
      17 December 2015 at 11:58 am

      Thanks and good on you! You go where many of us fear to tread!

      • Morrissey 16.1.1
        17 December 2015 at 12:58 pm

        Thanks for the encouraging words, Sans Cle. Actually, there are quite a few dissenting voices on Kiwiblog, and a good level of debate there. It’s well worth a visit.

        Although, as is almost immediately clear to anyone who spends some time there, the intellectual tone of Kiwiblog is far below that of the Standard.

        • Rosemary McDonald 16.1.1.1
          17 December 2015 at 3:46 pm

          Morrissey…I confess to wandering over there occasionally, and find myself only reading the comments that attract the most down votes.

          And reading replies to the comments that attract the most down votes.

          “Boor baiting”…spot on.

          (I nearly, nearly signed up myself the other day, incensed by the post as well as some of the comments….(get your facts right for gods sakes!!!)…but I resisted…I would have to shower after, and we’re conserving water…

          The whole “John Key is a really cool jokey blokey type” narrative…rips my undies….yuuuck.

          Chocolate fish to you Sir, for boldly going and all that…

        • ropata 16.1.1.2
          17 December 2015 at 4:45 pm

          I used to comment on Kiwiblog before world+dog went there and it became a haven for the worst rednecks racists and violent idiots. Anyone with a semblance of sanity gets voted down hard. It does make one sad about the state of kiwi blokedom (it’s 99% dudes commenting there) and the ability of my fellow humans to think logically or have any charity

    • Chooky 16.2
      17 December 2015 at 2:22 pm

      lol..very good!…so pleased you weren’t Boared to Death…just got a bit bored with the piggies

  17. Draco T Bastard 17
    17 December 2015 at 11:39 am

    Real estate agencies accused of price fixing

    The action relates to the way the agencies dealt with changes to property advertising on the Trade Me website, the commission said.
    It has filed proceedings in the Auckland High Court for alleged price fixing and anti-competitive behaviour by 13 national and regional real estate agencies, three individuals, as well as a company owned by a number of national real estate agencies.

    Adam Smith said:

    We rarely hear, it has been said, of the combinations of masters, though frequently of those of the workman. But whoever imagines, upon this account, that masters rarely combine, is as ignorant of the world as of the subject.

    Chapter VIII, p. 80.

    So much for competition.

    • RedBaronCV 17.1
      17 December 2015 at 7:48 pm

      I’ve had a bit of a read of this one and I’m struggling a bit. As far as I can see real estate agencys decided they didn’t want to absorb/consume Trade me’s offering at the increased prices.
      One reaction was for clients to have the trade me cost charged through to them (which is done with a number of other marketing techniques).
      The other was to drive more business the way of the real estate industry’s dedicated site.
      These reactions were discussed between agencies.
      Clients of agencies could presumably still negotiate their marketing package & costs with any agents they wished to use and there is no evidence as far as I can see that this did not happen.
      So effectively agencies decided to boycott(or pass on increased costs) to some extent the Trade me costs.
      So my question is that if a group of people decide not to consume or use a service,
      is that not their right ?
      If the neighbourhood got together and decided to boycott the local supermarkets in favour of getting their own veggie truck from Pukekohe isn’t that similar?

      • Draco T Bastard 17.1.1
        17 December 2015 at 9:56 pm

        I’ve had a bit of a read of this one and I’m struggling a bit. As far as I can see real estate agencys decided they didn’t want to absorb/consume Trademe’s offering at the increased prices.
        One reaction was for clients to have the trade me cost charged through to them which is done with a number of other marketing techniques).
        The other was to drive more business the way of the real estate industry’s dedicated site.
        These reactions were discussed between agencies.

        The discussion between agencies would be the problem – it’s cartel behaviour.

        So my question is that if a group of people decide not to consume or use a service, is that not their right ?

        That is their right but that doesn’t bring about charges of price fixing and High Court cases.

        If the neighbourhood got together and decided to boycott the local supermarkets in favour of getting their own veggie truck from Pukekohe isn’t that similar?

        That would be dependent upon if people in the neighbourhood were free to go elsewhere.

  18. Muttonbird 18
    17 December 2015 at 1:22 pm

    How can she say this with a straight face?

    Ms Collins said the number of prisoners has been increasing at a rate consistently above forecasts, despite significant progress in reducing crime.

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/292386/$17m-poured-into-under-fire-corrections

    • Draco T Bastard 18.1
      17 December 2015 at 1:43 pm

      1. She is simply too stupid to realise what she’s saying
      2. She’s a practised liar

    • Tracey 18.2
      17 December 2015 at 2:14 pm

      Confused it with….

    • ropata 18.3
      17 December 2015 at 4:37 pm

      She is pleased that her mates in Serco are making a few million $$$ more out of the taxpayer due to increased rates of incarceration. She is also pleased that the cops are skewing their crime reporting stats to make NatCorp™ look good.

      Nobody gives a f*ck about actual crime rates or victims thereof, in fact their ACC is being cut off

  19. Draco T Bastard 19
    17 December 2015 at 1:38 pm

    Police raid on Hawke’s Bay house fails to uncover drugs

    Such a great headline.

    Police did though find a .22 rifle and some other items that could be related to drug use, though this was yet to be confirmed.

    Can’t say that I’ve ever used a rifle in my drug use. I’m pretty sure that the oils on it would give the whiskey a funny flavour and it would also be incredibly difficult to drink out of.

    It was earlier reported two CYF social workers had visited the property earlier in the day and became ill later in the afternoon.

    CYF released a statement saying the workers were treated for “possible exposure to dangerous chemicals”.

    Yes, but were they actually tested for “possible exposure to dangerous chemicals” which I think would probably be a better idea before applying the wrong treatment and assuming that the right one was applied. Also, was the house itself tested for the dangerous chemicals?

    Detective Senior Sergeant Dave de Lange said police got information from “various sources” that led them to believe there was a meth lab inside the Elliot St, Taradale house.
    Residents of houses on the quiet street said the family living in the house had been renting it for about a year and they tended to keep to themselves.

    Why do I get the feeling that the ‘various sources’ are the neighbours who are simply suspicious of people who keep to themselves?

  20. Draco T Bastard 20
    17 December 2015 at 4:27 pm

    High Court finds police raid on Nicky Hager was illegal

    Wellington High Court judge Justice Clifford issued his judgement today on the legality of the police search of Nicky Hager’s home on 2 October 2014.

    The judge found that the search was illegal. He said that the Police had failed to disclose relevant information to the Judge who issued the warrant. As a result, he formally declared that the warrant was “fundamentally unlawful”. He also found that the search was therefore unlawful. Justice Clifford also expressed concerns about other aspects of the Police’s actions.

    More to go but I’m not expecting any real difference in the court findings.

    Now we need for the people who conducted this illegal search to be held accountable. Unfortunately, we can probably expect urgent legislation from this government making it legal.

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
    1 hour 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
    2 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
    19 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
    24 hours 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
    18 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

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

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

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

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

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

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

    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
    7 days 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 2024-07-27T01:41:40+00:00