Open mike 18/10/2023

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, October 18th, 2023 - 66 comments
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Open 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 …

66 comments on “Open mike 18/10/2023 ”

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  1. Adrian 1
    18 October 2023 at 7:29 am

    So Isreal is bombing hospitals now.

  2. Rolling-on-Gravel 2
    18 October 2023 at 8:19 am

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/pou-tiaki/133132419/election-result-leaves-disabled-community-feeling-anxious-about-policies-of-incoming-national-act-government

    Shame on these who has voted for ACT & NAT knowing this might happen. Shame on you for doing this.

    • Mike the Lefty 2.1
      18 October 2023 at 8:23 am

      People like that don't experience shame.

      • Rolling-on-Gravel 2.1.1
        18 October 2023 at 8:24 am

        Nevertheless, it should be said. Just so it is on the record.

        • SapphireGem 2.1.1.1
          18 October 2023 at 10:52 am

          Yes, RoG, I saw that article yesterday. It is really concerning, as is the fact, as mentioned in the article, "Stuff reached out to National for comment but did not receive a response." The lack of responsiveness about a policy position concerning a significantly at-risk group is really concerning. And in case anyone suggests that National is too busy with coalition negotiations – when a policy concerns a vulnerable group in society, you make the time to respond. At least ACT did that!

    • gsays 2.2
      18 October 2023 at 12:11 pm

      For your elucidation. A very interesting and surprising 23 minutes.

      https://www.rnz.co.nz/programmes/the-detail/story/2018909519/disability-is-this-year-s-forgotten-issue

      Rest assured the political 'blind spot' that disabled find themselves is across the whole political spectrum.

      • Rolling-on-Gravel 2.2.1
        18 October 2023 at 9:11 pm

        Gsays,

        I am already aware of all this otherwise I would not have said all this.

        The thing is, as a disabled person, I'd rather be talking with whatever left-wing government in power than right-wing government in power because they are more likely to economically benefit us even if they are extremely frustrating at times. We can rattle against them safely compared to if we rattle against right-wing governments because there's more of an element of economic danger in it.

  3. Belladonna 3
    18 October 2023 at 8:24 am

    UPDATE: Talbot Mills informs me that the poll that was reported by the NZ Herald as internal polling for Labour was “wrong”. I accept them at their word, so that should not be treated as an accurate reflection of their polling. this of course raises serious questions about why media prominently reported on an unpublished internal poll, that had “wrong numbers” according to the polling company that did them.

    https://www.kiwiblog.co.nz/2023/10/how_the_polls_look_vs_provisional_results.html

    I know, Kiwiblog and Farrar are anathema to many Standardistas.

    However, this is a really serious issue.

    If (and, on the face of it, there is no reason to disbelieve him), Farrar is correct and Talbot Mills have indeed told him that the results 'leaked' to the press were wrong – this is really serious.

    There has been much discussion on TS about the way that polls and the messages that the electorate take from them, change voting patterns.

    In this case, it appears that 'incorrect' results were deliberately leaked (it can only be deliberate, since there was no attempt to correct them) – in an attempt to change the political narrative.

    Talbot Mills did not address this at the time (it was up to their client to correct the mis-information) and have only come forward now – because it was likely to reflect badly on their ability to poll accurately (i.e. had a business impact on them).

    Should the media be reporting on 'leaked' polls at all?

    • AB 3.1
      18 October 2023 at 9:04 am

      No polls, leaked or unleaked, correct or incorrect, should be published for 12 months before an election. None. They are becoming a propaganda tool and have had a catastrophic effect on the quality of political journalism.

    • Ad 3.2
      18 October 2023 at 9:10 am

      Polls are just a line of coke for campaign managers and a few media pundits.

    • infused 3.3
      18 October 2023 at 9:21 am

      A lot of what the media do around politics stinks. Money shouldn't be given to them, ever, for one thing. Or if it is, it's via some separate entity that is impartial.

  4. Ad 4
    18 October 2023 at 8:43 am

    Shoutout to departing Member of Parliament Andrew Little.

    In a typically honourable move he has pulled out of the list before being sworn in again.

    This guy had a massive career in the unions for E Tu, and fought many battles for workers throughout his pre-Parliamentary career.

    I first saw him up close in Labour when he spoke at the annual conference and he rocked up to the podium in a Huffer sweatshirt rather than a suit. Back in 1999 that was pretty cool and unusual.

    It was his selfless act to move aside in mid 2017 during the campaign to bring in Ardern that actually stopped us losing and started us winning again. She was precisely what we all needed at the time. He remained a strong part of the Cabinet from the government that formed.

    He did an outstanding piece of work on the Waitangi paepae speaking solely in te reo Maori in 2020. It really rocked what is otherwise a tough crowd. That takes a lot of courage and practise.

    But for me the most farsighted thing he did was to re-unify the health system. When the cabinet paper went up it was proposed that there would be a series of large aggregated regions that decreased the number of health boards but did not unify them nationally. Even if the Maori Health Authority is indeed abolished, what will remain was his own decision to form a single national entity and greatly scale back the Ministry of Health into a small monitoring agency.

    While that doesn't take the full step of eradicating the corporatised buffer of boards between agencies and the democratic order, he took it a long, long way.

    The other really useful thing is that at only 58 he has plenty of gas left int he tank and will go on to further great things. I would not be surprised to see his name in charge of a major Crown entity as Maharey and Cullen did, or go on to work in a significant global labour institution.

    I don't think Andrew Little will be lost to New Zealand but he is indeed lost to the Labour caucus. Useful to reviving the caucus while they are down, it's also a huge loss of talent and performance who represented the labour movement in so much of what he did.

    Go well Andrew.

    • Patricia Bremner 4.1
      18 October 2023 at 9:20 am

      Thank you Ad. I see Andrew as a real labour member. He always remained in touch with the grass roots. I hope he has many happy games of golf with his son. His Christmas cards are in our box of special things. Go well Andrew.

    • observer 4.2
      18 October 2023 at 9:38 am

      A good example of Michael Cullen's line that governments and Ministers get things done and the public simply bank it.

      As Justice Minister, Little piloted the abortion law reform through Parliament. It is now locked in, and even an anti-abortion PM with many ultra-conservative MPs has had to promise that there is no going back. (He'll be toast if he breaks that promise).

      The status quo ("abortion's a crime but leave it alone") has been replaced by a new status quo ("not a crime and we leave that alone"). Major achievement, shifting the ground, and yet … barely acknowledged now.

      Thanks Andrew.

      https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2020/mar/20/this-week-we-brought-new-zealands-abortion-laws-into-the-21st-century

    • Mac1 4.4
      18 October 2023 at 10:19 am

      “It was his selfless act to move aside in mid 2017”.

      Yes, indeed, Ad, what I honour Andrew Little for as well.

      He taught three great lessons, there. Firstly, that personal ambition and ego must be subject to reason and the greater good.

      Second, that we have to all recognise the time for us to stand down.

      Third, that our choices for who represent us as politicians must also be made by our recognising the same qualities of humility, selfless regard for others, willingness to learn, human decency and altruism that Andrew Little has and displays.

      That a Pakeha man, busy as he is, had the energy and drive to learn te reo rangatira is an example to us all.

      Ngā mihi nui ki a Anaru.

    • SapphireGem 4.5
      18 October 2023 at 10:32 am

      As Minister of Justice, Andrew Little also inflation adjusted Teina Pora's compensation payment for wrongful conviction and over 20 years' imprisonment, meaning Pora got almost a million extra dollars. https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/teina-pora-compensation-adjustment

      Little's predecessor in the Minister of Justice role, National's Amy Adams, wouldn't make the inflation adjustment, a decision Little described at the time as "niggardly, quibbling and miserable." https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/andrew-little-the-renaissance-man/TUSGNZZTWFNWSFXAVAXLBAEBCU/

    • gsays 4.6
      18 October 2023 at 12:17 pm

      I would add my voice to the chorus of those praising his efforts to do with Pike River.

      Those that are close to the issue, who hold him in high regard, confirm my view from afar.

      As to being Health Minister, this time I will follow my Nana's advice, if you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all.

  5. Ad 5
    18 October 2023 at 9:12 am

    Looking forward to the Republicans coating themselves in sticky brown glory trying to elect Jim Jordan and Speaker.

  6. weka 6
    18 October 2023 at 10:27 am

    For the gender identity people who say that everyone knows what sex is and no-one is trying to deny biological sex, here's the UK Green Party's Queerphobia Guidance document.

    Transphobic behaviour typically includes actions which convey a view that —

    ● trans women are not “real women”, are men and/or are male people;

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bIvJ1MYZyt-sLwnGUzL6WCLSuL7T7AHM/view

    While I agree there are social issues with saying to transsexual women they are not real women, there is no rationale that I can see that should stop people from being able to talk about TW as being male, especially in a political context (eg feminists being able to talk about male pattern violence by TW). Male is the word we use to describe biological sex.

    A writer at the Critic wrote a piece on the guidance,

    When I asked one of the authors how they could justify their claim that trans women are female, I was pointed towards a website. Nothing there provided any evidence that humans, uniquely amongst mammals, are able to spontaneously change their own sex.

    https://thecritic.co.uk/nowt-so-queerphobic-as-folk/

    I've definitely come across and talked with people who do in fact believe that TW are biologically female. Some believe that sex is a colonial construct, or that sex is a spectrum and therefore TW can be female. I think they are in the minority.

    The problem here is the larger group of people who insist that female and male are words of identity rather than material reality and won't acknowledge this is what they are doing.

    This makes it impossible to know what the UK Greens mean. Are they trying to establish that there is no such thing as biological sex? Are they trying to downplay sex and establish gender identity as the primary way in which we understand sex/gender? And in doing so want to co-opt language to their politics? Are they just really confused?

    For context UK Greens have a history of seriously bad judgement on gender identity (google Aimee Challenor, or defining women as non men).

  7. Obtrectator 7
    18 October 2023 at 11:05 am

    Oh what clever little kiddies you are – but we mustn't annoy Daddy or he'll send you to bed early.

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/17/they-challenged-the-communist-monopoly-vietnam-regime-turns-on-its-climate-champions

  8. Mike the Lefty 8
    18 October 2023 at 11:22 am

    A few days after the election I thought I would post my thoughts about how the parties performed and what were their successes (and failures).

    1. National – obviously the winner on the night so you have to say it was a successful campaign but it actually wasn't the rampage that they are claiming. Their overall majority if you exclude NZ First will be 1-2 seats, which is actually an uncomfortably thin majority, whilst in 2020 Labour had an overall majority. Was it a good campaign? Depends on your definition of good. It was bought success, certainly. National had a huge amount of money donated by big business and big farming but their messages were confused and contradictory, although the voters obviously pretended not to notice. because they were so pissed off with Labour.
    2. Labour – they knew quite early on that they were down for defeat but in the face of a death sentence decided to go out fighting and their last week of campaigning was probably their best, Hipkins showed he could come out swinging but the damage was done by then. Labour can possibly take a little heart that they prevented the NACTs from achieving a comfortable majority but little else. Labour's message was clear, but it always looked like a reaction to National, rather than an innovation so the voters scoffed in derision.
    3. The Greens – unquestionably a good campaign for the Greens. They identified that Wellington was their prime target – aided immensely by the retirement of two long-serving popular Labour MPs – and won a solid backing from erstwhile Labour voters frustrated with their party's pandering to the centre and neglect of good old fashioned democratic socialist values. Their messages were clear and uncompromising and appealed to a new generation of voters who believe that climate change is the biggest threat to mankind.

    ACT – a campaign that threatened to outshine National in its early days but in retrospect it probably peaked too soon and Seymour's howdy doody style began to wear a bit thin. The party's obvious problems with rebellious candidates and its concentration on populist vote fodder policies made it look like a National tailgater rather than a party of fresh ideas. Although outwardly ACT will be crowing like Peter Pan, privately they will think they deserved to have ended up with a few more seats than they actually did.

    Te Pati Maori -the best and most organised campaign that they have ever mounted. They avoided the in-your-face confrontational style of previous campaigns and probably won considerable swinging left voters with their provocative, but also very accessible, policies done in a way that was somehow both uniquely Maori but also very accessible to non-Maori.

    NZ First: You can't deny the success of a man who has once again come back from the political wilderness to lead a party to the brink of kingmaker status. A remarkable campaign in that Winston seemed to promise both everything and nothing at the same time but a lot of voters seemed to love him for that. His charisma and penchant for populist policy repackaging enabled him to pinch the less extreme cooker vote and his was the most successful "no" vote of the election.

    The Opportunities Party: Lacking the resources and key public figures of the other parties it was always going to be a struggle for them to get their message heard between Labour's superficial optimism and National's calculated negativity and they were subsequently quickly banished from the voters' minds as also-rans. They needed to have a significant voter base in more places than just Ilam but they didn't.

    The cookers parties: NZ Loyal, NZ Freedoms, Democracy NZ and the rest of the nutters: scored only about 2% of the party vote in total, a significant proportion of it coming from rural North Island electorates. They would have done better but for their own delusions of grandeur and in the end a lot of their supporters jumped ship for NZ First.

    Women's Rights Party: a very new party campaigning on a brass razoo in the midst of a big swing to the right, this was not an opportune time for them. They may be one to watch for the next election if they stay together.

    That's my take on it.

    I welcome comment and criticism;

    • Bearded Git 8.1
      18 October 2023 at 11:32 am

      It was National's worst share of the vote since 2005. It will be interesting to see the final percentages.

      This election was not a disaster for the Left as is being painted by the MSM. Indeed assuming the special votes add to the Left's tally of seats, Winston could, if he was in the mood, install a left-wing government, albeit with a tiny majority.

    • gsays 8.2
      18 October 2023 at 12:25 pm

      Hard to disagree with much of it.

      I do have a challenge for you. A less devisive term for "less extreme cooker".

      As was suggested to Barfly, they may well be yr comrades should Luxon decide to let Seymour have his way with his Te Tiriti referendum.

      • Mike the Lefty 8.2.1
        18 October 2023 at 12:59 pm

        My description of the elements of the parliamentary ground occupation who actually had genuine gripes, not just a good opportunity to throw their excrement and bricks at police and screech out their hatred of organised society.

      • The Lone Haranguer 8.2.2
        18 October 2023 at 4:07 pm

        As one of the Top voters I know we lost the battle on Saturday, but maybe one day we will win a war.

        Given that politics is about winning, and transforming your ideas into legislation, I would suggest that the biggest winner was the Nats, and the biggest loser was ACT.

        The Nats they have survived generations by rarely ever rocking the boat, and Luxon is a moderate leader of that type. Remember, Key brought TPM into the Government "fold" tho he didnt actually need the numbers. What he needed was their ideas (and cynically), some brown faces.

        Meanwhile, ACT has nowhere else to go, and love them or hate them, they arent going to bite off the National arm that feeds them. So Luxon has them cornered. They are way past the early days (Prebble and co) where they declared that staying on the opposition side was best for them, and that the baubles werent a prize they sought.

        • Phillip ure 8.2.2.1
          18 October 2023 at 9:03 pm

          I read the top policies…and there was some good stuff in there..

          Kinda demeaning tho' how manji prostrated himself before luxon.. promising undying support..if luxon would do a deal with him..like they did for seymour..

          Kinda mixed messages there..eh..?

    • James Simpson 8.3
      18 October 2023 at 2:59 pm

      I find it baffling that National has out polled Labour in 5 of the past 6 elections. Why is this the case when National never does a damn thing for the benefit of the country.

      For me that is a real concern because it is difficult to form a government when you are not the largest party.

      In the MMP environment the second largest party has only lead the government once (2017). This shows it is very difficult to cobble a government together when the leading party from a block is polling in the 20s or low 30s. This election is a perfect example. The right probably won't be able to do it on their own, but there is next to no chance of the left forming a government.

      Labour's core support base needs to increase by 5 to 10%. Just look at their less than impressive support since 2005:

      2005: 41.1%

      2008: 33.99%

      2011: 27.48%

      2014: 25.13%

      2017: 36.89%

      2020; 50.01%

      2023: 26.81%

      Other than 2005 and 2020, Labour has underperformed and something needs to change.

      • Craig H 8.3.1
        18 October 2023 at 3:15 pm

        A lot of people do quite well out of the status quo and major change is scary. Throw in fearmongering at all attempts at change once real proposals appear, and it becomes very hard.

      • ianmac 8.3.2
        18 October 2023 at 4:02 pm

        THe National Party has kept its factions in-House. Thus the Christian right and the Denialists etc are just hidden in the folds. 2023; 50+2 =52seats.

        Where as Labour has Leftists in plain sight. Therefore you could read Labour-Green-MP as one blob in order to compare with National blob. 2023; 34+14+4= 52 seats

        I am glad that I can see where the Left factions are. I am suspicious of the factions hidden in National. (O'conner was just one to be exposed and look what happened to him.

      • In Vino 8.3.3
        18 October 2023 at 6:56 pm

        For my part, I have never forgiven Labour for their Rogernomics betrayal. They have since pretended to revert to the left, but in fact, they never overturn the neo-liberal plumbing that has been built in. All they do is stop the neo-liberal flow. They never really change the plumbing to stop the next right-wing govt from making further inroads on society. Both Ardern and Chippy ran true to this form. Why would I ever give either of them my party vote?

    • Vivie 8.4
      18 October 2023 at 6:50 pm

      People blaming Chris Hipkins for Labour's election loss (not that you are Mike) seem to have a simplistic perspective. Evidently most people weren't voting for a wealth tax, or a tax exemption from the first $10,000 to $30,000 of income, because more would have voted for Te Pāti Māori or the Green Party if these were the main policies concerning people. Clearly many people voted against their own interests.

      Huge donations assisted National with a relentless attack campaign against Labour.

      "If we subtract negative posts from positive posts, about 63 percent more Labour posts included positive self-presentation than negative attacks. In comparison, when we do the same for National, it had a net positivity score of just 5.5 percent". https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/news/2023/10/negative-campaiging-in-the-2023-new-zealand-election

      Resentment towards Labour seems to have originated from the COVID-19 pandemic. Some media colluded with National and manipulated people into feelings of anger at being expected to comply with Labour's successful Covid minimisation strategies, for the safety of others. Constant commentary that people felt angry resulted in people feeling angry. Media repeatedly gave entitled individuals opportunities to complain about their individual circumstances.

      National, ACT and NZ First also appealed to many people's deep-seated racism, by falsely insinuating or overtly claiming that Labour's policies advantaged Maori at the expense of other NZers.

      Even though economists criticised as unworkable National's plans to cut taxes and sell houses to overseas buyers to pay towards the tax cuts, people's resentment overrode their willingness to see National's tax plan for the con job it was/is.

      https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/election-2023/497974/economists-analysis-rubbishes-national-s-foreign-buyers-tax-numbers

      After repeated challenging of National's tax plan: https://thespinoff.co.nz/live-updates/05-10-2023/nicola-willis-confirms-only-3000-households-will-get-full-250-a-fortnight-tax-cut – an example of resentful, oppositional behaviour: many people knowingly voting for a party that has lied by omission and implication about the supposed benefits of a major policy.

      Even though it was clearly explained that overseas buyers purchasing NZ properties would likely increase house prices, related expenses and rental costs, evidently many people knowingly voted against their own interests, presumably as an irrational action to punish Labour.

      As Chris Trotter commented prior to the election: "That so many of us are willing to see so much pain inflicted upon our fellow citizens, strongly suggests that there is a fair amount of sadism mixed in with all that masochism. Hardly a pretty picture of our national character, and even less so of those NZ First voters bounced so easily into abandoning their nobler impulses by the prospect of a second election". https://democracyproject.nz/2023/10/09/chris-trotter-reckless-speculation/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=chris-trotter-reckless-speculation

    • Obtrectator 8.5
      19 October 2023 at 10:29 am

      No-one seems to have pointed out that these preliminary results actually give National fewer seats than they got in 2017!

  9. observer 9
    18 October 2023 at 3:21 pm

    This is awesome!

    Winston Peters walks through the airport for two minutes. Surrounded by media. Says "kia ora" to a member of the public … and nothing else. Not one single word.

    Saying nothing? Nah. Saying "I'm back, and I'm in charge now". Without words.

    Watch: Winston Peters refuses to answer 27 questions in media scrum (1news.co.nz)

  10. Ffloyd 10
    18 October 2023 at 4:06 pm

    I am curious to know why Andrew Bayley ,National mp for Port Waikato was not investigated for his share in a family trust after Michael Wood was stripped of his portfolios for the same thing. Were the rules changed or something? It seems he is certain to get the seat of the deceased Act pm.

    • James Simpson 10.1
      18 October 2023 at 4:57 pm

      Short answer. One was a Minister, One was not a Minister.

      Both were entitled to run in their electorates. Both did.

      • Louis 10.1.1
        18 October 2023 at 6:17 pm

        But both were in parliament. Andrew Bayley should have had the same level of scrutiny as Michael Wood.

        • Belladonna 10.1.1.1
          18 October 2023 at 9:41 pm

          Nope. Ministers are covered by the Cabinet Manual – which is a lot more restrictive on what must be declared, and what should be divested. Ministers have to declare shareholdings to the Cabinet Office – which determines the level of conflict – and makes recommendations for managing this.

          For the simple reason that Ministers have a lot of power in government – and must be seen to be impartial. Back-bench and/or opposition MPs – not so much.

          If Andrew Bayley becomes a Minister, then he will be required to meet the same level of disclosure and scrutiny as Wood.

          Of course, Wood stuffed up, mostly, by repeatedly assuring everyone concerned that he had sold the shares, while making no attempt to do so.

        • James Simpson 10.1.1.2
          19 October 2023 at 11:51 am

          MW was stripped of ministerial warrants.

          AB wasn't a minister so that wasn't an option.

          • Louis 10.1.1.2.1
            19 October 2023 at 2:28 pm

            Still a member of parliament, and there was a mad flurry of mps correcting the record. See 10.1.1.1.1

    • Incognito 10.2
      18 October 2023 at 5:13 pm

      […] the seat of the deceased Act pm.

      The by-election must be held because the ACT candidate died. He was not an MP (nor PM) and it was not his seat as such.

      This seat was held by Andrew Bayly (NAT) who will likely win it again in the by-election.

  11. Patricia Bremner 11
    18 October 2023 at 5:45 pm

    And the shares.????? Bloody typical. Rules for us and rules for them. Will Luxon get another report to “shelve?”

  12. Ffloyd 12
    18 October 2023 at 6:02 pm

    Thank you for your clarifications but I still don’t see why he didn’t have to declare his shares.

    • Belladonna 12.1
      18 October 2023 at 9:59 pm

      This seems to be the relevant bit in the report

      "MPs are required to disclose their shareholdings to Parliament as part of the annual register of pecuniary interests, however MPs decided at the end of the last parliamentary term that shares held in a trust did not necessarily need to be declared, taking a different view to a top official."

      https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/election-2023-national-mp-did-not-declare-shareholding-to-parliament-in-wake-of-michael-wood-scandal/FR5FFQ73GJES3LS63CZRLCXE7U/

      I gather that decision – that shares in a trust do not need to be declared – has come under fresh scrutiny following the Wood privileges committee hearing – and MPs (especially those with Ministerial ambitions) are pre-emptively declaring…. just in case.

      But Parliament’s Privileges Committee, investigating Wood, came to a different opinion, saying that the current rules did not exactly require this. Nonetheless, in the aftermath of this resignation, a host of MPs began declaring their interests in more detail.

      Note: this Trust issue is irrelevant to the Wood situation – he personally owned the Airport shares while he was Transport Minister (although he was also the beneficiary of a Trust which owned other shares – which is why the situation was being discussed by the PC).

  13. Ffloyd 13
    18 October 2023 at 6:06 pm

    It’s ok. I think I’ve got it. But still sounds shonky.

    • observer 13.1
      18 October 2023 at 6:44 pm

      Everything changes from here on in. Saying "what about?" doesn't have much effect when it's about a candidate or backbencher for an opposition party.

      But as of now, it will be about Ministers and government supporters (with baubles). The chances of Nat/ACT/NZF being clean are zero.

      Watching Luxon run away from the inevitable questions about inevitable hypocrisy will be a feature of Politics 2024. Enjoy it.

  14. Ffloyd 14
    18 October 2023 at 7:33 pm

    Louis. That’s what I had thought.

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    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
    17 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
    20 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
    20 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

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

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

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

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

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

    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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. ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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. ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    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

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