Open mike 18/05/2015

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, May 18th, 2015 - 46 comments
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46 comments on “Open mike 18/05/2015 ”

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  1. Paul 1
    18 May 2015 at 7:18 am

    War is peace.
    Freedom is slavery.
    Ignorance is strength.

    George Orwell

    A capital gains tax is not a capital gains tax

    John Key.

  2. North 2
    18 May 2015 at 8:16 am

    I hear from someone in Auckland that representatives from Serco have been seen sniffing around Whakatakapokai, the MSD/CYF Care and Protection Residence in Clendon, Manurewa.

    This place houses our broken kids in a low-security restrained environment.

    Are we gonna see our broken kids handed over as raw material for proft making by Serco on behalf of its foreign shareholders ?

    The Serco Group ain’t doing too well it would seem. What happens when Serco decides it has to cut corners to meet its compact with head office and its foreign shareholders ? What might that mean for our broken kids ? You know, those bad wee buggers who’ve made all the wrong choices. In this land of milk and honey for the few PlanetKey.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11357634

    • Molly 2.1
      18 May 2015 at 10:18 am

      Damn.

      Not even enough residential care places available anyway. Handing this one over puts already vulnerable kids in a position where the duty of care chain is further lengthened. And the SERCO link is one that will no doubt be forged at the least expense, and at the lowest strength.

  3. Robert Guyton 3
    18 May 2015 at 8:30 am

    We’ll call it the “Pony-tail Budget”, surely !

  4. CnrJoe 4
    18 May 2015 at 8:39 am

    lower case gains tax

  5. Charles 5
    18 May 2015 at 9:08 am

    Over on The Daily Blog, Metiria Turei bravely opens the dogma box. Worth a read if you’re out that way. Those already way out on the left might want to keep a chill pill handy. It’ll upset some.

    • weka 5.1
      18 May 2015 at 12:04 pm

      It’s good, not particularly upsetting IMO, but I think that it highlights an issue here on ts where the rhetoric renders any understanding or cooperation impossible at times. I agree with Turei that we (New Zealanders) need new conversations and they need to include the left being able to talk to people who don’t fit in the traditional left/right spectrum (as well as IMO being able to work with old school conservatives), people who are apolotical, or who’s politics change or where they take from traditional left and right. I can’t see how we can get past where we are now if that doesn’t happen (Bill’s posts and comments on Scotland probably hold the most clues)..

      http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2015/05/18/may-day-guest-blog-metiria-turei-shoot-the-dogma/

    • Colonial Rawshark 5.2
      18 May 2015 at 12:06 pm

      Ah yes we desperately need to convince the amiable ‘working suits on the aeroplane class’ (is that the ‘with Koru membership’ or ‘without Koru membership’ demographic) that progressive principles are up for negotiation and compromise.

      Face it after massively disappointing themselves last elections, the Greens are just as lost in the philosophical and electoral woods as Labour is at the moment.

    • Michael 6.1
      18 May 2015 at 11:01 am

      Agreed! So to beat Australia and be #1 we need to raise it by 27%, which would be about $18.73. I believe the living wage is $18.80 so it’s clear we need to go to $18.80! 😉

    • b waghorn 6.2
      18 May 2015 at 1:09 pm

      If its so good I dear you to go live in Auckland for six months on minimum wage and report back about how well done it is.

      • Puckish Rogue 6.2.1
        18 May 2015 at 2:05 pm

        This is why NZ under National is such a good place to live and why John Key may go for a fourth term (probably won’t but the look on lefties faces would be priceless)

        • b waghorn 6.2.1.1
          18 May 2015 at 3:35 pm

          I love the way you brainless fools click into a default “key is great ” setting when you’ve got nothing worth saying .

          • McFlock 6.2.1.1.1
            18 May 2015 at 4:57 pm

            to be fair, pr probably does think that making Auckland unaffordable to live in for most actual Auckland workers is a good thing.

            Because he’s a cock.

    • miravox 6.3
      18 May 2015 at 5:49 pm

      “good top ten to be in”
      Another top 10

  7. North 7
    18 May 2015 at 9:52 am

    Location – IRD Office Planet Key

    Present – Me and IRD Person

    IRD Person – “Mr Me, I see you bought a capital asset for $X and sold that
    capital asset for $XPlus”…….Arithmetic 101…….you made a
    capital gain of $#”

    Me – “Well…….if you put it that way……I s’pose I did. But the Prime
    Minister says there’s no capital gains tax”

    IRD Person – “Yeah right…….there’s tax to pay Muppet ! Get your cheque
    book out !”

    IRD Persons at smoko 10 minutes later – “Fark ! Another howler for The BLip List !”

  8. Colonial Rawshark 8
    18 May 2015 at 10:05 am

    Trials of psych drugs biased to look good; suicides in drug trials are under-reported

    Gøtzsche, who is also a clinical trials expert, says drug trials funded by big pharmaceutical companies tend to produce biased results because many patients took other medication prior to the tests.

    He says patients cease taking the old drugs and then experience a phase of withdrawal prior to taking the trial pharmaceuticals, which appear highly beneficial at first.

    The Danish professor also warns fatalities from suicides in clinical trials are significantly under-reported.

    http://rt.com/uk/258133-antidepressants-unnecessary-for-many/

    • Charles 8.1
      18 May 2015 at 12:03 pm

      re: http://rt.com/uk/258133-antidepressants-unnecessary-for-many/

      “In the case of antidepressants venlafaxine and fluoxetine, Gøtzsche casts doubt over their efficacy. He said depression lifts in placebo groups given fake tablets almost as promptly as groups who partake in official clinical tests.”

      Reasonably commonly (subsidised) and prescribed here in NZ – with some delightful side effects that are too easily left unexplained. Be careful out there, people, support those near you who are going through the fire or, like me, they’ll have to do it alone and that’s not fun at all. You might also find that what you are told you need is not what you need or what you’re getting. Communicative and cultural styles add to the difficulty of prescribing the right course. It’s another one of those bad jokes that life plays: those least capable somehow have to be more capable and keep their wits about them under enormous stresses, while the capable often get in their way and look the other way.

      If there is a general sentiment I would give to those at the “lesser” end of the mental illness spectrum, i.e. hasn’t totally lost their grip on present reality, although their reasoning may be distorted, it’s please remember to consider your illness as a “friend in disguise” that is trying to attract attention to something important you have to change, while you also simultaneously treat the symptoms of the same (serious) illness in a careful and sensible way, using drugs, therapy, family support and even your own intuition and intelligence.

      There’s a million reasons why someone may or may not be better off with or without antidepressents, so don’t stop taking your meds just because I did and “I turned out fine”. My situation may not match yours. Cleaning up the repercussions of an overwhelming life is hardwork and may not be entirely possible for some.

      It is yet another reason why experienced people cannot afford to buy into the luxury of the aspirant lifestyle, as promoted by certain well-known groups – too much to do that is irreconcilable.

  9. JOHN KEY'S CRAPPY HAIR TRANSPLANT 9
    18 May 2015 at 10:06 am

    Paul Henry Show Recap, 18 May 2015:

    Paul Henry: “LABOUR ARE SHIT AND DON’T HAVE ANY IDEAS TEE HEE HEE”

    10 minutes later, he interviews John Key about the new policy he stole from Labour.

    Hillary Barry and that guy just sit there like burnt stumps and let him get away with it.

  10. Michael 10
    18 May 2015 at 10:11 am

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=245&v=C7L9V7oGRv8

    Bernie Sanders 2016! He speaks the truth.

  11. Colonial Rawshark 11
    18 May 2015 at 11:33 am

    Ramadi, capital of Anbar province, falls to ISIS; just 60 miles west of Baghdad

    Iraqi troops flee Ramadi as black flags are raised over the city; divisions between the Shia militia and the Baghdad government hindered the defence of the city; Iraqi government refusal to arm Sunni groups around Ramadi a key contributor to the fall of the city.

    In my view, we have gotten ourselves mixed up in a sectarian based civil war, one which is going as predictably and as well as these things always do.

    Juan Cole:

    Some of the problems Iraqi Prime Minister Haydar al-Abadi may be having keeping Ramadi may stem from his rift with some of the Shiite militias, who did the heavy lifting in the assault on Tikrit. Some of them have retired from the battlefield in anger because they were criticized for acting like Shiite extremists. But Sunni tribes in the Ramadi region eager to fight Daesh also complained that they have never received promised government weapons and that the government seems to be afraid to arm them.

    Why exactly the Iraqi forces in Ramadi could not get reinforcements or air support is not clear. The Iraqi army also does have helicopter gunships, which appear also not to have been deployed, despite the fighting being near the capital.

    RT: Marine Brig Gen Weidley says

    “We believe across Iraq and Syria that Daesh is losing and remains on the defensive,” said Marine Brig. Gen. Thomas D. Weidley, chief of staff for Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve. Playing down ISIS made gains he added that Iraqi forces still controlled most “key facilities, infrastructure and lines of communication” in the Ramadi area.

    http://www.juancole.com/2015/05/refuses-tribal-levies.html

    http://rt.com/news/259173-isis-ramadi-control-iraq/

    • Chooky 11.1
      18 May 2015 at 12:09 pm

      So remind us Jonkey Nactional why are we are sending NZ troops into help fight ISIL?! …when our ‘allies’ (USA, Israel , Saudi Arabia) seem to be supporting ISIL covertly and overtly…

      ….when ISIL is being used against Syria to bring down Assad! ( who 80% of Syrians voted for)….this mess?!…straw dogs and red herrings….and following on from the shame of what has happened to Libya?…who are the pawns in this game?….who is behind these utter warmongering strategic crimes against humanity?

      ‘Syrian nightmare’

      http://rt.com/shows/crosstalk/258701-syria-civil-war-is/

      “Is it too late for an agreed political settlement to end the Syrian civil war? Recent advances by Al-Qaeda affiliated groups and the Islamic State suggest any regime following Assad will be radicalized, extremely brutal and possibly aggressive. Would this be a case of the cure being worse than the disease?
      CrossTalking with Richard Murphy, Jason Hirthler, and Sukant Chandan”.

  12. Karen 12
    18 May 2015 at 11:49 am

    Have a read of this piece in this morning’s Dominion Post, then go back and read BLiP’s piece about their work with Roger Douglas in the 1980’s. This needs more exposure.

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/columnists/68614620/bowron-going-blue-makes-me-see-red

    • greywarbler 12.1
      18 May 2015 at 10:00 pm

      I noted the finding below that was reported by the human resources research team in the link. I would have thought that the last thing that Poorer Benefit would want is staff who ‘thought rules were more important than ideas’.

      I remember one job I read of in the US where they set up a team that got friendly with staff who after telling them private thoughts in confidence found they got sacked. So watch out MSD staff. They’re listening and watching you!

      The programme called Building Blue followed a 2013 survey of
      approximately 10,000 MSD staff, which found they were too accepting of the status quo, thought rules were more important than ideas, and didn’t want to rock the boat. Staff felt they had to obey orders, follow policy, create a good impression and check in with superiors demonstrating a willingness to conform.

  13. Colonial Rawshark 13
    18 May 2015 at 11:57 am

    American police need automatic weapons and military gear because they are in a dangerous job

    So they say.

    But strangely, fishers, loggers, pilots, drivers, roofers, iron and steel workers, construction labourers, agricultural labourers, power line technicians, farmers and others have higher on the job death rates.

    And no one is proposing to paramilitarise them.

    http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-05-17/deadliest-jobs-america

  15. Weepus beard 15
    18 May 2015 at 1:20 pm

    Fuck me.

    First quote in the article: “Clark did it too.”

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/money/68621964/no-housing-crisis-in-auckland-john-key

    It’s the go-to sound bite when pushed into a corner.

    Bling: “We got people paying them one way or another”

    Yes Bill, the same fucking people, over and over!

    Bling: “We got growth and supply coming to market”

    No Bill, you don’t. Actual town planners say stop, you can’t do this without infrastructure!

    “One way or another.” Did the Finance Minister just say that as part of official position???

    IRD receiv(ed) $33 million in Budget 2010 for more inspectors to start cracking down on investors who bought and sold a lot of property in a short period of time.

    Really? Well that was money well spent, wasn’t it?

  17. Philip Ferguson 17
    18 May 2015 at 4:25 pm

    For folks in or near Dunedin:

    A talk on the referendum on same-sex marriage taking place in the south of Ireland on Friday. . .

    The talk is on “Will south of Ireland be first country in world to vote for same-sex marriage?” (Venue, time etc below)

    For many decades after the establishment of the twenty-six county state in the south of Ireland in 1921-23, the Catholic Church, both directly and indirectly, wielded vast power in the state and in civil society. Even well into the 1980s it was able to mobilise followers in referenda that prevented divorce being made available and abortion being made available.

    However, despite this apparent high-water point for conservative social attitudes and Church power, the wider society was already changing significantly. Exposure of child abuse by priests and nuns – ranging from physical beatings to child rape – undermined the Church’s pretence to the ‘high moral ground’, while new generations supported expanded personal freedom.

    The wider changes in southern Irish society also mean that the religious right’s campaign against same-sex marriage can no longer be expressed in blatantly anti-gay terms. Instead, they argue that same-sex couples can settle for civil unions and that marriage has to be of male and female because “children’s rights” involve the right to have a mother and father. They’ve even invoked the names of the radical rebels of the 1916 Rising to push their opposition to marriage equality.

    While, in the past two decades, the religious right has lost battle after battle and look likely to lose on the same-sex marriage issue, there is now a secularising, post-religious right which, while actively supporting issues like same-sex marriage, is carrying out an utterly vicious assault on working class living standards. This new post-religious right is represented today in government as the Fine Gael-Labour coalition.

    Speaker: Dr Philip Ferguson

    5pm, Thursday, May 21
    Room 2, Clubs and Societies Building
    84 Albany Street
    Dunedin

  18. Penny Bright 18
    18 May 2015 at 4:36 pm

    FYI folks – information flushed out from Trade Minister Tim Groser under the OIA, regarding his secret meeting behind closed doors on the TPPA with Auckland Mayor Len Brown, on 7 April 2015, in the Auckland Mayoral Office.

    In my opinion, the lack of transparency regarding TPPA discussions and negotiations has now infested New Zealand at the highest levels of central and local government?
    ______________________________________________________________________________________

    18 May 2015

    Further ‘Open Letter’ / OIA request to Minister of Trade Tim Groser, arising from ‘briefing notes’ provided for the ‘informal exchange of information’ between the Minister of Trade and Mayor of Auckland, Len Brown, on the TPPA (and related matters) behind closed doors, on 7 April 2015:

    Tim Groser,
    Minister of Trade

    Dear Minister,

    A) Please be reminded of the following statutory requirements of the New Zealand Public Records Act 2005:

    http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2005/0040/latest/DLM345536.html

    3 Purposes of Act
    The purposes of this Act are—

    (c) to enable the Government to be held accountable by—

    (i) ensuring that full and accurate records of the affairs of central and local government are created and maintained; and

    (ii) providing for the preservation of, and public access to, records of long-term value; and

    (d)to enhance public confidence in the integrity of public records and local authority records; and
    ______________________________________________________________________________________

    How can the public have confidence in the transparency or accountability of those in public office, at the highest levels, without proper written records?

    BACKGROUND:

    In your OIA reply, (dated 14 May 2015) you state:

    “The meeting was organised by MFAT and the Office of the Mayor.

    It was an opportunity to discuss with the Mayor, trade and economic issues relevant to Auckland.

    In addition to the Mayor and me, the meeting was attended by an official from my office, one official from NZTE and one official from MFAT.

    Several of the Mayor’s advisors also attended.

    The meeting was not a public engagement.

    It was an informal exchange of information.

    It was not therefore appropriate to include the public, media or other Councillors.

    I have attached a briefing note prepared for me by officials in advance of the meeting.

    No formal minute or record of the meeting was prepared. ”
    ______________________________________________________________________________________

    INCLUDED IN THE (attached) ‘BRIEFING NOTE’:

    “Purpose of the call.

    This meeting is expected to focus entirely on trade and economic issues.

    It is an opportunity for you to give the mayor an update on the FTA agenda and BGA, and discuss their relevance to Auckland’s economic growth aspirations.

    The Mayor may use the meeting to brief you on the Council’s new Global Engagement Strategy, in particular, the Tripartite Economic Alliance and Auckland’s candidacy for the Lee Kwan Yew City Prize.

    FTA roundup.

    You may wish to give the mayor a summary of New Zealand’s various and ongoing and recently concluded FTA negotiations.

    In particular, we believe the Mayor would be interested in updates on TPP, Korea, and the China upgrade.

    We provide some background on the Mayor’s interest in TPP below.

    * The Mayor has expressed interest in the economic benefits to Auckland that the TPP could deliver.

    As New Zealand’s exporting hub, and its most internationally connected city, Auckland stands to derive significant benefits from TPP.

    In particular, the fact that the TPP promises to better integrate New Zealand into a region accounting for 40% of global GDP, presents significant opportunities for Auckland’s exporters, and ultimately its residents.

    While we have no projections of how the benefits of TPP might accrue specifically to Auckland, the mayor will be interested in in a high level discussion of progress in the negotiation, and of the projected benefits at national level, particularly in terms of export growth, investment flow and labour mobility.

    It is also worth noting that in December 2012, the Regional and Development Committee of the Auckland Council passed a resolution which encouraged the Government to conclude negotiations on TPP in a way which achieved 12 objectives (see Appendix 1).

    These objectives included achieving substantially increased access for agricultural exports, not increasing the costs of medical treatments, and not giving overseas investors more rights than domestic investors.

    Mayor Brown was not present when this resolution was adopted, but he is known to be supportive of trade agreements in general.”

    OIA Request:

    1) Please provide the information which explains how a meeting between yourself as the Minister of Trade (in that official capacity), and the Mayor of Auckland, Len Brown (in that official capacity), for which the attached ‘briefing note’ was provided – can possibly be described as an ‘informal exchange of information’, from which:

    – the details of this meeting were NOT minuted,

    – elected Auckland Councillors were not informed and were excluded,

    – the public and media were not informed and excluded,

    can be compliant with the above-mentioned statutory requirements of the Public Records Act 2005.

    B) This attached ‘briefing note’, included the following, in my view, significant ‘statistic’:

    Appendix 1 : Economic and demographic statistics demonstrating the importance of Auckland to New Zealand’s international connectivity.

    ……………………….

    “Auckland’s population is projected to grow by approximately 700,000 people between 2011 and 2041 (assuming a medium populations growth scenario).”

    As the initiating petitioner of the following petition, which resulted in a Social Services Select Committee of Inquiry, here is their Report:

    Social Services Select Committee Report

    http://www.parliament.nz/resource/en-nz/50DBSCH_SCR5953_1/9f8a825ae96c25bddf7d0c8bddb58511039a4d16

    The Social Services Committee has considered Petition 2011/64 of Penelope Mary Bright, requesting that Parliament decline to proceed with the Housing Accords and Special Housing Areas Bill until the lawfulness of the reliance of Auckland Council on the New Zealand Department of Statistics “high” population growth projections, instead of their “medium” population growth projections for the Auckland Spatial Plan, has been properly and independently investigated, taking into consideration that both Auckland Transport and Watercare Services Ltd, have relied upon “medium” population growth projections for their infrastructural asset management plans.

    We heard and received evidence from the petitioner, but note that the matters she raised have been addressed publicly by the Auckland Council in statements posted on its website and issued to media.

    The Auckland Council’s Chief Planning Officer has said that while Auckland may not grow by one million people by 2041 (the high-growth projection), Auckland Council is preparing for it.

    The city has historically met the high-growth projection, and it is therefore prudent for the council to plan accordingly.

    He said that the city needs to be prepared for, and infrastructure needs to be able to cope with, growth. He pointed out that the “Unitary Plan”, which is a part of the Auckland Spatial Plan, sets out only rules for development.

    We understand that actual development would be undertaken only in response to demand. Regarding the use of alternative projections for higher- and lower-growth scenarios, we note that the council’s Chief Planning Officer has also said that it is prudent for the Auckland Council to provide for the highest likely population growth, and at the same time to be cautious to avoid over-investment.

    He said that the council requires organisations it owns or controls to be cautious about capital spending ahead of time to avoid high borrowing, interest, and depreciation costs, and that any underspending on infrastructure could be addressed through regular budget reviews and incremental expansion of facilities such as wastewater treatment plants.

    The Mayor of Auckland has also said that using the high-growth projection was the appropriate thing to do, and that the council should not be too conservative in their assumptions about population growth.

    We consider that the response to this issue provided by the council appears reasonable, and therefore have no matters to bring to the attention of the House.

    Melissa Lee Deputy Chairperson ”

    ( FYI – the supplementary evidence which I provided the Social Services Select Committee, (dated 14 June 2013) to support this Petition 2011/64, is available here:

    http://www.parliament.nz/resource/mi-nz/50SCSS_EVI_50DBHOH_PET3157_1_A338307/c0545be9171849399f2468c6567ae9303ce418ce )

    ______________________________________________________________________________________

    OIA REQUEST:

    2) Please provide ALL/ANY information which explains why this above-mentioned ‘briefing note’ used the medium population growth projection of 700,000 more people coming to Auckland in the next 30 years, rather than high population growth projection, (1 million extra people) which was preferred by both Auckland Council and the Social Services Select Committee in their above-mentioned Report.

    Yours sincerely,

    Penny Bright

    ……………………..

    ‘Anti-corruption / anti-privatisation Public Watchdog’

    2009 Attendee Australian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Conference

    2010 Attendee Transparency International Anti-Corruption Conference

    2013 Attendee Australian Public Sector Anti-Corruption Conference

    2014 Attendee G20 Anti-Corruption Conference

    2013 Auckland Mayoral candidate (polled 4th with 11,723 votes)

    2016 Auckland Mayoral candidate

    • Chooky 18.1
      18 May 2015 at 7:12 pm

      +100 ….Go Penny ….and disgraceful that Len Brown seems to be colluding with Tim Groser in secret on the TPP

      …the corruption and secrecy is getting grosser and grosser

  20. greywarbler 20
    18 May 2015 at 9:28 pm

    Its estimated that up to 6000 Myanmar people have been forced to leave because of religion – Muslim in a Buddhist country, although they have been there about 1000 years. I think that’s what I read. Anyway they are being pushed out to sea because no-one wants them to land. And they are needing water and food. So whats happening. The UN is anxious. The various countries around are obdurate. Time for Batman or some hero to organise a helicopter from Sea Shepherd or some such. By the time anybody does anything officially many will be dead.

    And in Australia money available in foreign aid had a big cut because of them being in the proverbial.

    Australia’s slashing of foreign aid by almost Aus$1.0 billion (US$800 million) will hurt the most vulnerable people in Asia and Africa and damage the country’s reputation, aid groups said Wednesday.In its national budget on Tuesday,
    Australia confirmed that aid spending will fall by Aus$980.2 million to Aus$4.1 billion in 2015-16 as it looks for savings to rein in its deficit. The Asian region will lose Aus$522.5 million in assistance    . – See more at: http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/05/13/australian-foreign-aid-cuts-hurt-most-vulnerable-ngos.html#sthash.v6uSwPzg.dpuf

    Compare with military expenditure around the world:
    from Stockholm Int. Peace Research Institute
    The USA is first by a huge number. about $600 Billion 2014-2015
    China next $216 Billion
    Russia $84.5 Billion
    Saudi Arabia $81 Billion
    France $62 Billion
    UK $60 Billion
    Australia $25 Billion
    (Projection from UK Ministry of Defence for 2045 is that USA will be up around $1300 Billion and China will be just behind – India about $600 Billion!) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_military_expenditures
    edited

  21. Mark Craig 21
    18 May 2015 at 10:01 pm

    I would like to start a thread with all of the interested people here to let us all input the names of all the large and middle size companies and their tax payments that have been sold to overseas interests since the perfidious R Douglas introduced the neo liberal clusterfuck that has rooted the New Zealand economy since 1984 .I understand we are now close to $100 bn debt now. Of course the recent power companies come to mind ,Fisher and Paykel to the Chinese Government owned Haier . Lion Breweries to Kirin ,Japan ,Dominion Breweries to Heineken (Singapore ) ? wtf I think it was Dutch originally ,Crafar farms ,Telecom to Bell South and on and on and on . Please feel free to add to the list . Ps Not to mention Air New Zealand ,sold by that illiterate fuck wit Prebble for about the cost of about 1 new 747 replacement cost ,and the CNI forest to Fletchers and the Chinese I think for about $0 ,20 cents per tree

  22. greywarshark 22
    19 May 2015 at 12:19 pm

    Interesting interview tomorrow on RNZ for those interested in WTF has/is going on in the Middle East.

    10:05 am Wednesday 20 May: Nine To Noon
    Christina Lamb Journalist and author, Christina Lamb’s latest book, Farewell Kabul tells how the West turned success into defeat in the longest war fought by the United States in its history and by Britain since the Hundred Years War. She says Farewell Kabul: How the West Ignored Pakistan and Lost Afghanistan is the he story of well-intentioned men and women going into a place they did not understand at all. And how, what had once been the right thing to do had become a conflict that everyone wanted to exit. This has left Afghanistan still one of the poorest and most dangerous nations on earth.

    Christina Lamb is the best-selling author of The Africa House and I Am Malala, co-authored with Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai.

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    Peter Dunne writes –  It is no coincidence that two Labour should-have-been MPs are making the most noise about public sector cuts. As assistant general secretary of the Public Service Association, Fleur Fitzsimons has been at the forefront of revealing where the next round of state sector job ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 hours ago

  • Lobbying for Waikato’s Medical School causing problems for the Govt
    Bryce Edwards writes –  It’s becoming a classic case study for why lobbying deals with politicians need greater scrutiny. Former National Minister Steven Joyce runs a lobbying company with a major client – the University of Waikato. The University desperately wants $300m+ of taxpayer funding to establish a ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    7 hours ago

  • Gordon Campbell on the psychological horror film Possession
    This is one of the (extra) weekly columns on music or movies. Plenty of solid analyses of Possession exist online and most of them – inevitably – contain spoilers. This column is more in the way of a first-timer’s aid to getting your initial bearings. You don’t need to have ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    8 hours ago

  • Portrait of a Man.
    I am painting in oil, a portrait of a manWho has taken all the heart aches,And all the pain he can stand.I am using all the colors of blue,I have here on my stand.I am painting in oil, a portrait of a man.This has been an interesting week for me. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    10 hours ago

  • The Hoon around the week to May 17
    Helen Clark joins the Hoon as a special guest talking whether Aotearoa should join Aukus II, and her views on the fast track legislation and how Luxon and the new Government are performing. File Photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for subscribers features co-hosts ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    11 hours ago

  • Weekly Roundup 17-May-2024
    We’re at the end of another week. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked if the Herald’s poor journalism will cost lives On Tuesday Matt covered Wayne Brown’s proposal for public transport in the Long ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    11 hours ago

  • Rishi’s relaunch
    With an election due in less than nine months, Britain’s embattled PM, Rishi Sunak, gave a useful speech earlier this week. He made a substantial case for his government, perhaps as compelling as is possible in the current environment. Quite an achievement. His overall theme was security, first pulling ...
    Point of OrderBy xtrdnry
    20 hours ago

  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #20 2024
    Open access notables Publicly expressed climate scepticism is greatest in regions with high CO2 emissions, Pearson et al., Climatic Change: We analysed a recently released corpus of climate-related tweets to examine the macro-level factors associated with public declarations of climate change scepticism. Analyses of over 2 million geo-located tweets in the U.S. showed that climate ...
    Skeptical Science
    23 hours ago

  • The thrilling possibilities of charter schools
    You can be all negative about these charter schools if you want, but I’m here to accentuate the positive. You can get all worked up, if you want to, by the contradiction of Luxon saying We’re going to make sure that every school in the country is teaching exactly the same ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago

  • This Unreasonable Government.
    Losing The Room: One can only speculate about what has persuaded the Coalition Government that it will pay no electoral price for unreasonably pushing ahead with policies that are so clearly against the national interest. They seem quite oblivious to the risk that by doing so they will convince an increasing ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 day ago

  • Supreme Court weighs in on name suppression
    Name suppression decisions can be tough sometimes. No matter your views on free speech, you have to be hard-hearted not to be torn by the tug of the competing arguments. I think you can feel the Supreme Court wrestling with that in M v The King. The case for ...
    Media Law JournalBy Steven
    1 day ago

  • Is This A “Merchants” Government?
    The Merchants of Menace: The Coalition Government has convinced itself that the “Brahmins’” emollient functions have become much too irksome and expensive. Those who see themselves as the best hope of rebuilding New Zealand’s ailing capitalist system, appear to have convinced themselves that a little bit of blunt trauma is what their mollycoddled ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 day ago

  • This is what corruption looks like
    When National first proposed its Muldoonist "fast-track" law, they were warned that it would inevitably lead to corruption. And that is exactly what has happened, with Resources Minister Shane Jones taking secret meetings with potential applicants: On Tuesday, in a Newsroom story, questions were raised about a dinner Jones ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago

  • Take that, Vladimir – and be warned: we have plenty more sanctions (at least, we hope so) in our ...
    Buzz from the Beehive One day – hopefully – we will push that Russian rascal, Vladimir Putin, beyond breaking point.  Perhaps it will happen today, when he learns that Foreign Minister Winston Peters is again tightening the thumbscrews. Peters announced further sanctions, this time on 28 individuals and 14 entities ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    1 day ago

  • More Harm Than Good.
    How Labour’s and National’s failure to move beyond neoliberalism has brought New Zealand to the brink of economic and cultural chaos.TO START LOSING, so soon after you won, requires a special kind of political incompetence. At the heart of this Coalition Government’s failure to retain, and build upon, the public ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 day ago

  • The Ombudsman fails again
    In 2020, the Operation Burnham inquiry reported back, finding that NZDF had lied to Ministers and the New Zealand public about its actions in Afghanistan. The inquiry saw a large number of documents declassified and released, which raised another problem: whether they had also lied to the Ombudsman in his ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago

  • No Time To Think: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    “Members of Parliament don’t work for us, they represent us, an entirely different thing. As with so much that has turned out badly, the re-organising of MPs’ responsibilities began with the Fourth Labour Government. That’s when they began to be treated like employees – public servants – whose diaries had ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 day ago

  • Bryce Edwards: Lobbying for Waikato’s Medical School causing problems for the Govt
    It’s becoming a classic case study for why lobbying deals with politicians need greater scrutiny. Former National Minister Steven Joyce runs a lobbying company with a major client – the University of Waikato. The University desperately wants $300m+ of taxpayer funding to establish a third medical school in New Zealand, ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    1 day ago

  • Picking Sides.
    Time To Choose: Like it or not, the Kiwis are either going into AUKUS’s  “Pillar 2” – or they are going to China.HAD ZHENG HE’S FLEET sailed east, not west, in the early Fifteenth Century, how different our world would be. There is little reason to suppose that the sea-going junks ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 day ago

  • Universities offer course in self-serving cowardice
    Henry Ergas writes –  When in Randall Jarrell’s Pictures from an Institution, a college president is accused of being a hypocrite, the novel’s narrator retorts that the description is grossly unfair. After all, the man is still far from the stage of moral development at which the charge ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • The teacher trainee challenge
    David Farrar writes –  Radio NZ reports: The Education Review Office says too many new teachers feel poorly prepared for their jobs. In a report published on Monday, the review office said 60 percent of the principals it interviewed said their new teachers were not ready. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • Words and (in)actions
    New Zealand’s economic performance and the PM’s vision   Michael Reddell writes –  When I wrote yesterday morning’s post, highlighting how poorly both New Zealand and its Anglo peer countries have been doing in respect of productivity in recent times (ie, in the case of New ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 day ago

  • What do you hope for/fear from the budget?
    Hi all,Firstly - thank you! You guys are awesome. The response I’ve received to last night’s mail has been quite overwhelming. It’s a ghastly day outside, but there are no clouds in here.In case you didn’t read my email and are wondering what on earth I’m talking about you can ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago

  • Gordon Campbell on ACT’s charter schools experiment
    If there was still any doubt as to who is actually running this government – and it isn’t the buffoon from Botany – then this week’s announcement of a huge spend up on charter schools has settled the matter. While jobs and public services continue to be cut in the ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    1 day ago

  • Drought fuels wildfire concerns as Canada braces for another intense summer
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Gaye Taylor As widespread drought raises expectations for a repeat of last year’s ferocious wildfire season, response teams across Canada are grappling with the rapidly changing face of fire in a warming climate. No longer quenched by winter, nor quelled by the ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 day ago

  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus and pick ‘n’ mix for Thursday, May 16
    Half of Christchurch City Holdings Ltd’s directors and its chair resigned en masse last night in protest at Christchurch City Council’s demand to front-load dividends File Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The chair of Christchurch City Council’s investment company and four of its independent directors resigned in protest last ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago

  • Controversial proposal could threaten coalition
    The University of Waikato has reworded an advertisement that begins the tender process for its new $300 million-plus medical school even though the Government still needs to approve it. However, even the reworded ad contains an architect’s visualisations of what the school might look like. ACT leader David Seymour told ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago

  • Of Rings of Power Annatar, Dramatic Irony, and Disguises
    As a follow-up to the Rings of Power trailer discussion, I thought I needed to add something. There has been some online mockery about the use of the same actor for both the Halbrand and Annatar incarnations of Sauron. The reasoning is that Halbrand with a shave and a new ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    2 days ago

  • The future of Nick's Kōrero.
    This isn’t quite as dramatic as the title might suggest. I’m not going anywhere, but there is something I wanted to talk to you about.Let’s start with a typical day.Most days I send out a newsletter in the morning. If I’ve written a lot the previous evening it might be ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago

  • The PM promises tax relief in the Budget – but will it be enough to satisfy the Taxpayers’ Union...
    Buzz from the Beehive The promise of tax relief loomed large in his considerations when  the PM delivered a pre-Budget speech to the Auckland Business Chamber. The job back in Wellington is getting government spending back under control, he said, bandying figures which show that in per capita terms, the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    2 days ago

  • Fucking useless
    Yesterday de facto Prime Minister David Seymour announced that his glove puppet government would be re-introducing charter schools, throwing $150 million at his pet quacks, donors and cronies and introducing an entire new government agency to oversee them (the existing Education Review Office, which actually knows how to review schools, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago

  • Setting things straight.
    Seeing that, in order to discredit the figures and achieve moral superiority while attempting to deflect attention away from the military assault on Rafa, Israel supporters in NZ have seized on reports that casualty numbers in Gaza may be inflated … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    2 days ago

  • Far too light a sentence
    David Farrar writes – Newstalk ZB report: The man responsible for a horror hit and run in central Wellington last year was on a suspended licence and was so drunk he later asked police, “Did I kill someone?” Jason Tuitama injured two women when he ran a red ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Unwinding Labour’s Agenda
    Muriel Newman writes –  Former US President Ronald Reagan once said, “Freedom is a fragile thing and it’s never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by way of inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation.” The fight for ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • Sequel to “Real reason Waitangi Tribunal could not summons Chhour”
    Why Courts should have said Waitangi Tribunal could not summons Karen Chhour Gary Judd writes – In the High Court, Justice Isacs declined to uphold the witness summons issued by the Waitangi Tribunal to compel Minister for Children, Karen Chhour, to appear before it to be ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • The Govt’s Fast-Track is being demolished by submissions to Parliament
    Bryce Edwards writes –  The number of voices raising concerns about the Government’s Fast-Track Approvals Bill is rapidly growing. This is especially apparent now that Parliament’s select committee is listening to submissions from the public to evaluate the proposed legislation. Twenty-seven thousand submissions have been made to Parliament ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    2 days ago

  • A generation is leaving at a rate of one A320-load per day
    An average of 166 New Zealand citizens left the country every day during the March quarter, up 54% from a year ago.Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The economy and housing market is sinking into a longer recession through the winter after a slump in business and consumer confidence in ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago

  • NZUP RORS back to life
    The government has made it abundantly clear they’re addicted to the smell of new asphalt. On Tuesday they introduced a new term to the country’s roading lexicon, the Roads of Regional Significance (RoRS), a little brother for the Roads of National (Party) Significance (RoNS). Driving ahead with Roads of Regional ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    2 days ago

  • School Is Out.
    School is outAnd I walk the empty hallwaysI walk aloneAlone as alwaysThere's so many lucky penniesLying on the floorBut where the hell are all the lucky peopleI can't see them any moreYesterday morning, I’d just sent out my newsletter on Tama Potaka, and I was struggling to make the coffee. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago

  • How Are You Doing?
    Hi,I wanted to check in and ask how you’re doing.This is perhaps a selfish act, of attempting to find others feeling a similar way to me — that is to say, a little hopeless at the moment.Misery loves company, that sort of deal.Some context.I wish I could say I got ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    3 days ago

  • The Rings of Power: Season Two Teaser Trailer
    I have hitherto been fairly quiet on the new season of Rings of Power, on the basis that the underwhelming first season did not exactly build excitement – and the rumours were fairly daft. The only real thing of substance to come out has been that they have re-cast Adar ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    3 days ago

  • At a glance – What ended the Little ice Age?
    On February 14, 2023 we announced our Rebuttal Update Project. This included an ask for feedback about the added "At a glance" section in the updated basic rebuttal versions. This weekly blog post series highlights this new section of one of the updated basic rebuttal versions and serves as a ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Talking Reo with the PM
    “The thing is,” Chris Luxon says, leaning forward to make his point, “this has always been my thing.”“This goes all the way back to the first multinational I worked for. I was saying exactly the same thing back then. The name of our business needs to be more clear; people ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago

  • Waitangi Tribunal’s authority in Chhour case is upheld – but bill’s introduction to Parliament...
    Buzz from the Beehive It’s been a momentous few days for Children’s Minister Karen Chhour.  The Court of Appeal has overturned a High Court decision which blocked a summons order from the Waitangi Tribunal for her. And today she has announced the Government is putting children first by introducing to ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • Australia jails another whistleblower
    In 2014 former Australian army lawyer David McBride leaked classified military documents about Australian war crimes to the ABC. Dubbed "The Afghan Files", the documents led to an explosive report on Australian war crimes, the disbanding of an entire SAS unit, and multiple ongoing prosecutions. The journalist who wrote the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • Some “scrutiny”!
    Back in February I blogged about another secret OIA "consultation" by the Ministry of Justice. This one was on Aotearoa's commitment in its Open Government Partnership Action Plan to "strengthen scrutiny of Official Information Act exemption clauses in legislation" (AKA secrecy clauses). Their consultation paper on the issue focused on ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    3 days ago

  • TVNZ is loss-making, serves no public service due to bias, and should be liquidated
    Rob MacCulloch writes –  According to the respected Pew Research Centre, “In seven of eight [European] countries surveyed, the most trusted news outlet asked about is the public news organization in each country”. For example, “in Sweden, an overwhelming majority (90%) say they trust the public broadcaster SVT”. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • The conflicted Covid Chair
    David Farrar writes –  Kata MacNamara reports:    Details of Tony Blakely’s involvement in the New Zealand Government’s response to the pandemic raise serious questions about the work of the Covid-19 Royal Commission of Inquiry over which he presides. It has long been clear that Blakely, a ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • Attacking the smartest and most resilient people in the room is never a good idea
    Chris Trotter writes – Are you a Brahmin or a Merchant? Or, are you merely one of those whose lives are profoundly influenced by the decisions of Brahmins and Merchants? Those are the questions that are currently shaping the politics of New Zealand and the entire West. ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago

  • A fortune-telling failure, surely, if the tarot cards can’t see a bulldozer coming
    RNZ reports –  It’s supposed to be a haven of healing and spiritual awakening but residents of the Kawai Purapura community say they’ve been hurt and deceived. It’s the successor to the former Centrepoint commune, and has been on the bush block opposite Albany shopping centre since 2008. It ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago

  • The climate battleground heats up
    TL;DR : Here’s the top six items climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, as selected by Bernard Hickey and The Kākā’s climate correspondent Cathrine Dyer. Usually we have a video chat to go with this wrap, but were unable to do one this week. We’ll be back next week.Several reports ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Bernard’ s Dawn Chorus & Pick ‘n’ Mix for Tuesday, May 14
    The Transport Minister has set a hard 'fiscal envelope' of $6.54 billion for transport capital spending. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The economy is settling into a state of suspended animation as the Government’s funding freezes and job cuts chill confidence and combine with stubbornly high interest rates to ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on why anti-Zionism is not anti-Semitic
    To be precise, the term “anti- Zionism” refers to (a) criticism of the political movement that created a modern Jewish state on the historical land of Israel, and to (b)the subjugation of Palestinians by the Israeli state. By contrast, the term “anti-Semitism” means bigotry and racism directed at Jewish people, ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    3 days ago

  • Climate change is making hurricanes more destructive
    This is a re-post from the Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler Because hurricanes are one of the big-ticket weather disasters that humanity has to face, climate misinformers spend a lot of effort muddying the waters on whether climate change is making hurricanes more damaging. With the official start to the hurricane ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago

  • Wayne Brown’s PT Plan
    Yesterday the Mayor released what he calls his “plan to save public transport” which is part of his final proposal for the Council’s Long Term Plan (LTP). This comes following consultation on the draft version that occurred in March which showed, once again, that people want more done on transport, especially ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    3 days ago

  • Potaka's Private Universe.
    And it's a pleasure that I have knownAnd it's a treasure that I have gainedAotearoa’s coalition government is fragile. It’s held together by the obsequious sycophancy of Christopher Luxon, who willingly contorts his party into the fringe positions of his junior coalition partners and is unwilling to contradict them. The ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago

  • Our slow regional councils
    The Select Committee hearing submissions on the fast-track consenting legislation is starting to become a beat-up of regional councils. The inflexibility and slow workings of the Councils were prominent in two submissions yesterday. One, from the Coromandel Marine Farmers Association, simply said that the Waikato Regional Council’s planning decisions were ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago

  • Ministers are not above the law after all
    Back in April, the High Court surprised everyone by ruling that Ministers are above the law, at least as far as the Waitangi Tribunal is concerned. The reason for this ruling was "comity" - the idea that the different branches of government shouldn't interfere with each other's functions. Which makes ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • NZTA takes the wheel after govt gives it the road map for regional roads (and puts a speed governor ...
    Buzz from the Beehive  Tolling was mentioned when Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced the government was re-introducing the Roads of National Significance (RoNS) programme, with 15 “crucial” projects to support economic growth and regional development across New Zealand. All RoNS would be four-laned, grade-separated highways, and all funding, financing, and ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago

  • Change in Catalonia?
    or the past 14 years, ever since the Spanish government cheated on an autonomy deal, Catalonia has reliably given pro-independence parties a majority of seats in their regional parliament. But now that seems to be over. Catalans went to the polls yesterday, and stripped the Catalan parties of their majority. ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago

  • Having an enrolment date is not depriving anyone of a vote
    David Farrar writes –  Radio NZ report: Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins said the Electoral Commission should make sure the system ran smoothly and “taking away the right of thousands of people to vote” was not the answer. “Thousands of people enroled and voted on the day. If ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Perhaps house prices don’t always go up
    Don Brash writes –  There was a rather revealing headline in the Herald on Sunday today (12 May). It read “One in 8 Auckland homes on market were bought during boom, may now sell for loss”. The first line of text noted that “New data shows one in ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Can’t read, can’t write, can’t comprehend – and won’t think…?
    Mike Grimshaw writes –  At a time when universities are understandably nervous regarding the establishment of the University Advisory Group (UAG) and the Science System Advisory Group (SSAG) it may seem strange – or even fool-hardy – to state that there are long-standing issues in the tertiary sector ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Time for some perspective
    Lindsay Mitchell writes –  A lack of perspective can make something quite large or important seem small or irrelevant. Against a backdrop of high-profile, negative statistics it is easy to overlook the positive. For instance, the fact that 64 percent of Maori are employed is rarely reported. For ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago

  • Will NZ Herald’s ‘poor journalism’ cost lives?
    Earlier this year, the Herald ran a series of articles amounting to a sustained campaign against raised pedestrian crossings, by reporter Bernard Orsman. A key part of that campaign concerned the raised crossings being installed as part of the Pt Chevalier to Westmere project, with at least 10 articles over ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    4 days ago

  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to May 19 and beyond
    TL;DR: The six key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to May 19 include:PM Christopher Luxon is expected to hold his weekly post-cabinet news conference at 4:00pm on Monday.Parliament is not sitting this week. It resumes next week for a two-week sitting session up to and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • Webworm Popup Photos!
    Hi,Thanks to all the beautiful Worms who came to the LA Webworm popup on Saturday.It was a way to celebrate the online store we launched last week — and it was super special.As I talk about a lot, I really value our community here — and it was a BLAST ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago

  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #19
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, May 5, 2024 thru Sat, May 11, 2024. (Unfortunate) Story of the week "Grief that stops at despair is an ending that I and many others, most notably ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • DJ Fred Again – Assurance report received
    "On the 27th of March, I sought assurances from the Chief Executive, Department of Internal Affairs, that the Department’s correct processes and policies had been followed in regards to a passport application which received media attention,” says Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden.  “I raised my concerns after being ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago

  • District Court Judges appointed
    Attorney-General Judith Collins has announced the appointment of three new District Court Judges, to replace Judges who have recently retired. Peter James Davey of Auckland has been appointed a District Court Judge with a jury jurisdiction to be based at Whangarei. Mr Davey initially started work as a law clerk/solicitor with ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago

  • Unions should put learning ahead of ideology
    Associate Education Minister David Seymour is calling on the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) to put ideology to the side and focus on students’ learning, in reaction to the union holding paid teacher meetings across New Zealand about charter schools.     “The PPTA is disrupting schools up and down the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago

  • Craig Stobo appointed as chair of FMA
    Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly today announced the appointment of Craig Stobo as the new chair of the Financial Markets Authority (FMA). Mr Stobo takes over from Mark Todd, whose term expired at the end of April. Mr Stobo’s appointment is for a five-year term. “The FMA plays ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago

  • Budget 2024 invests in lifeguards and coastguard
    Surf Life Saving New Zealand and Coastguard New Zealand will continue to be able to keep people safe in, on, and around the water following a funding boost of $63.644 million over four years, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Associate Transport Minister Matt Doocey say. “Heading to the beach for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    10 hours ago

  • New Zealand and Tuvalu reaffirm close relationship
    New Zealand and Tuvalu have reaffirmed their close relationship, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters says.  “New Zealand is committed to working with Tuvalu on a shared vision of resilience, prosperity and security, in close concert with Australia,” says Mr Peters, who last visited Tuvalu in 2019.  “It is my pleasure ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • New Zealand calls for calm, constructive dialogue in New Caledonia
    New Zealand is gravely concerned about the situation in New Caledonia, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.  “The escalating situation and violent protests in Nouméa are of serious concern across the Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.  “The immediate priority must be for all sides to take steps to de-escalate the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • New Zealand welcomes Samoa Head of State
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met today with Samoa’s O le Ao o le Malo, Afioga Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II, who is making a State Visit to New Zealand. “His Highness and I reflected on our two countries’ extensive community links, with Samoan–New Zealanders contributing to all areas of our national ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Island Direct eligible for SuperGold Card funding
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has announced that he has approved Waiheke Island ferry operator Island Direct to be eligible for SuperGold Card funding, paving the way for a commercial agreement to bring the operator into the scheme. “Island Direct started operating in November 2023, offering an additional option for people ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • Further sanctions against Russia
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters today announced further sanctions on 28 individuals and 14 entities providing military and strategic support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.  “Russia is directly supported by its military-industrial complex in its illegal aggression against Ukraine, attacking its sovereignty and territorial integrity. New Zealand condemns all entities and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago

  • One year on from Loafers Lodge
    A year on from the tragedy at Loafers Lodge, the Government is working hard to improve building fire safety, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “I want to share my sincere condolences with the families and friends of the victims on the anniversary of the tragic fire at Loafers ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • Pre-Budget speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Ka nui te mihi kia koutou. Kia ora and good afternoon, everyone. Thank you so much for having me here in the lead up to my Government’s first Budget. Before I get started can I acknowledge: Simon Bridges – Auckland Business Chamber CEO. Steve Jurkovich – Kiwibank CEO. Kids born ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago

  • New Zealand and Vanuatu to deepen collaboration
    New Zealand and Vanuatu will enhance collaboration on issues of mutual interest, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “It is important to return to Port Vila this week with a broad, high-level political delegation which demonstrates our deep commitment to New Zealand’s relationship with Vanuatu,” Mr Peters says.    “This ...
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    2 days ago

  • Penk travels to Peru for trade meetings
    Minister for Land Information, Chris Penk will travel to Peru this week to represent New Zealand at a meeting of trade ministers from the Asia-Pacific region on behalf of Trade Minister Todd McClay. The annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministers Responsible for Trade meeting will be held on 17-18 May ...
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    2 days ago

  • Minister attends global education conferences
    Minister of Education Erica Stanford will head to the United Kingdom this week to participate in the 22nd Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers (CCEM) and the 2024 Education World Forum (EWF). “I am looking forward to sharing this Government’s education priorities, such as introducing a knowledge-rich curriculum, implementing an evidence-based ...
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    2 days ago

  • Education Minister thanks outgoing NZQA Chair
    Minister of Education Erica Stanford has today thanked outgoing New Zealand Qualifications Authority Chair, Hon Tracey Martin. “Tracey Martin tendered her resignation late last month in order to take up a new role,” Ms Stanford says. Ms Martin will relinquish the role of Chair on 10 May and current Deputy ...
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    2 days ago

  • Joint statement of Christopher Luxon and Emmanuel Macron: Launch of the Christchurch Call Foundation
    New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and President Emmanuel Macron of France today announced a new non-governmental organisation, the Christchurch Call Foundation, to coordinate the Christchurch Call’s work to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online.   This change gives effect to the outcomes of the November 2023 Call Leaders’ Summit, ...
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    3 days ago

  • Panel announced for review into disability services
    Distinguished public servant and former diplomat Sir Maarten Wevers will lead the independent review into the disability support services administered by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. The review was announced by Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston a fortnight ago to examine what could be done to strengthen the ...
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    3 days ago

  • Minister welcomes Police gang unit
    Today’s announcement by Police Commissioner Andrew Coster of a National Gang Unit and district Gang Disruption Units will help deliver on the coalition Government’s pledge to restore law and order and crack down on criminal gangs, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. “The National Gang Unit and Gang Disruption Units will ...
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    3 days ago

  • New Zealand expresses regret at North Korea’s aggressive rhetoric
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has today expressed regret at North Korea’s aggressive rhetoric towards New Zealand and its international partners.  “New Zealand proudly stands with the international community in upholding the rules-based order through its monitoring and surveillance deployments, which it has been regularly doing alongside partners since 2018,” Mr ...
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    3 days ago

  • New Chief of Defence Force appointed
    Air Vice-Marshal Tony Davies MNZM is the new Chief of Defence Force, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. The Chief of Defence Force commands the Navy, Army and Air Force and is the principal military advisor to the Defence Minister and other Ministers with relevant portfolio responsibilities in the defence ...
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    3 days ago

  • Government puts children first by repealing 7AA
    Legislation to repeal section 7AA of the Oranga Tamariki Act has been introduced to Parliament. The Bill’s introduction reaffirms the Coalition Government’s commitment to the safety of children in care, says Minister for Children, Karen Chhour. “While section 7AA was introduced with good intentions, it creates a conflict for Oranga ...
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    3 days ago

  • Defence Minister to meet counterparts in UK, Italy
    Defence Minister Judith Collins will this week travel to the UK and Italy to meet with her defence counterparts, and to attend Battles of Cassino commemorations. “I am humbled to be able to represent the New Zealand Government in Italy at the commemorations for the 80th anniversary of what was ...
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    3 days ago

  • Charter schools to lift educational outcomes
    The upcoming Budget will include funding for up to 50 charter schools to help lift declining educational performance, Associate Education Minister David Seymour announced today. $153 million in new funding will be provided over four years to establish and operate up to 15 new charter schools and convert 35 state ...
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    3 days ago

  • COVID-19 Inquiry terms of reference consultation results received
    “The results of the public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has now been received, with results indicating over 13,000 submissions were made from members of the public,” Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says. “We heard feedback about the extended lockdowns in ...
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    4 days ago

  • The Pacific family of nations – the changing security outlook
    Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, other Members of Parliament Acting Chief of Defence Force, Secretary of Defence Distinguished Guests  Defence and Diplomatic Colleagues  Ladies and Gentlemen,  Good afternoon, tēna koutou, apinun tru    It’s a pleasure to be back in Port Moresby today, and to speak here at the Kumul Leadership ...
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    4 days ago

  • NZ and Papua New Guinea to work more closely together
    Health, infrastructure, renewable energy, and stability are among the themes of the current visit to Papua New Guinea by a New Zealand political delegation, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.   “Papua New Guinea carries serious weight in the Pacific, and New Zealand deeply values our relationship with it,” Mr Peters ...
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    4 days ago

  • Driving ahead with Roads of Regional Significance
    The coalition Government is launching Roads of Regional Significance to sit alongside Roads of National Significance as part of its plan to deliver priority roading projects across the country, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “The Roads of National Significance (RoNS) built by the previous National Government are some of New Zealand’s ...
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    4 days ago

  • New Zealand congratulates new Solomon Islands government
    A high-level New Zealand political delegation in Honiara today congratulated the new Government of Solomon Islands, led by Jeremiah Manele, on taking office.    “We are privileged to meet the new Prime Minister and members of his Cabinet during his government’s first ten days in office,” Deputy Prime Minister and ...
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    5 days ago

  • New Zealand supports UN Palestine resolution
    New Zealand voted in favour of a resolution broadening Palestine’s participation at the United Nations General Assembly overnight, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “The resolution enhances the rights of Palestine to participate in the work of the UN General Assembly while stopping short of admitting Palestine as a full ...
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    7 days ago

  • Speech to the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium
    Introduction Good morning. It’s a great privilege to be here at the 2024 Infrastructure Symposium. I was extremely happy when the Prime Minister asked me to be his Minister for Infrastructure. It is one of the great barriers holding the New Zealand economy back from achieving its potential. Building high ...
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    1 week ago

  • $571 million for Defence pay and projects
    Defence Minister Judith Collins today announced the upcoming Budget will include new funding of $571 million for Defence Force pay and projects. “Our servicemen and women do New Zealand proud throughout the world and this funding will help ensure we retain their services and expertise as we navigate an increasingly ...
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    1 week ago

  • Climate change – mitigating the risks and costs
    New Zealand’s ability to cope with climate change will be strengthened as part of the Government’s focus to build resilience as we rebuild the economy, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “An enduring and long-term approach is needed to provide New Zealanders and the economy with certainty as the climate ...
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    1 week ago

  • Getting new job seekers on the pathway to work
    Jobseeker beneficiaries who have work obligations must now meet with MSD within two weeks of their benefit starting to determine their next step towards finding a job, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “A key part of the coalition Government’s plan to have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker ...
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    1 week ago

  • Accelerating Social Investment
    A new standalone Social Investment Agency will power-up the social investment approach, driving positive change for our most vulnerable New Zealanders, Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis says.  “Despite the Government currently investing more than $70 billion every year into social services, we are not seeing the outcomes we want for ...
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    1 week ago

  • Getting Back on Track
    Check against delivery Good morning. It is a pleasure to be with you to outline the Coalition Government’s approach to our first Budget. Thank you Mark Skelly, President of the Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce, together with  your Board and team, for hosting me.   I’d like to acknowledge His Worship ...
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    1 week ago

  • NZ – European Union ties more critical than ever
    Your Excellency Ambassador Meredith,   Members of the Diplomatic Corps and Ambassadors from European Union Member States,   Ministerial colleagues, Members of Parliament, and other distinguished guests, Thank you everyone for joining us.   Ladies and gentlemen -    In diplomacy, we often speak of ‘close’ and ‘long-standing’ relations.   ...
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    1 week ago

  • Therapeutic Products Act to be repealed
    The Therapeutic Products Act (TPA) will be repealed this year so that a better regime can be put in place to provide New Zealanders safe and timely access to medicines, medical devices and health products, Associate Health Minister Casey Costello announced today. “The medicines and products we are talking about ...
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    1 week ago

  • Decisions on Wellington City Council’s District Plan
    The Minister Responsible for RMA Reform, Chris Bishop, today released his decision on twenty recommendations referred to him by the Wellington City Council relating to its Intensification Planning Instrument, after the Council rejected those recommendations of the Independent Hearings Panel and made alternative recommendations. “Wellington notified its District Plan on ...
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    1 week ago

  • Rape Awareness Week: Government committed to action on sexual violence
    Rape Awareness Week (6-10 May) is an important opportunity to acknowledge the continued effort required by government and communities to ensure that all New Zealanders can live free from violence, say Ministers Karen Chhour and Louise Upston.  “With 1 in 3 women and 1 in 8 men experiencing sexual violence ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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