Open Mike 20/02/2018

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, February 20th, 2018 - 64 comments
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64 comments on “Open Mike 20/02/2018 ”

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  1. Ed 1
    20 February 2018 at 6:14 am

    Great to see the PM is investigating this and that Matt Nippert is reporting it.

    This is a most concerning story and a lot of police time should be put into solving it.

    Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern orders security agencies to look into case of burgled professor
    The Prime Minister today weighed in on the mysterious case of the professor and the break-ins, instructing the nation’s intelligence agencies to look into claims made by a Christchurch-based China expert.
    Last week the Herald broke news University of Canterbury academic Anne-Marie Brady told an Australian parliamentary committee she linked her work to a spate of recent burglaries and her sources on the Chinese mainland had been interrogated by state security officials.
    Brady gained international profile in September after publishing research detailing the extent of China’s influence campaigns in New Zealand focusing on a nexus of political donations, appointment of directorships and information management.
    Brady told the Australian parliament her office on campus was broken into in December, and last week her home was burgled – with computers, phones and USB storage devices stolen with other obvious valuables ignored by thieves.

    Chris Trotter also weighs in.

    “That Professor Anne-Marie Brady has had her home and office broken into, and her lap-top stolen, is deeply troubling. That the perpetrators were brazen enough to warn her that their attack was imminent, only heightens that concern. The most compelling reason for feeling uneasy about Associate-Professor Brady’s misfortunes, however, is their obvious potential to seriously damage Chinese-New Zealand relations.
    Brady is a China specialist who has won international acclaim for her research into the methods used by the Chinese government to monitor and, where possible, influence the conduct and opinions of Chinese nationals living abroad; as well as for describing the Communist Party of China’s (CPC) efforts to build maximum support for the “Motherland” among the world-wide Chinese diaspora.
    What has sharpened international interest in Brady’s work is her disclosure of the presence of former Chinese nationals in the caucuses of New Zealand’s two largest political parties; most particularly, the fact that one of those Members of Parliament has historical links with the Chinese intelligence community (if only in a pedagogical capacity).

    • One Anonymous Bloke 1.1
      20 February 2018 at 6:26 am

      Trotters article reads like an apology for ‘harmony’.

      The most compelling reason for feeling uneasy about Associate-Professor Brady’s misfortunes, however, is their obvious potential to seriously damage Chinese-New Zealand relations.

      Wait, what? Brady’s “misfortunes” are the problem?

      • Ed 1.1.1
        20 February 2018 at 6:27 am

        Chinese money and power and the craven behaviour of our politicians is the problem.

        • One Anonymous Bloke 1.1.1.1
          20 February 2018 at 6:50 am

          That problem is as old as the hills.

          Large countries should desire to protect and help the people, and small countries should desire to serve others. Both large and small countries benefit greatly from humility.

          Lao Tzu. My emphasis.

          Whereas the primary impulse in this case looks like fear: fear of being exposed, fear of ideas, of dissent; and of course fear of the economic consequences of upsetting the river crabs.

    • Draco T Bastard 1.2
      20 February 2018 at 11:32 am

      You got the blockquote on the first quote so why didn’t you use it on the second?

      Proper formatting makes things so much easier to read.

  2. Ed 2
    20 February 2018 at 6:14 am

    ‘Clean Green NZ.’
    Another 4 examples of what a sham this is.
    We so need to clean up our act.
    And stop lying and denying the state of our environment.

    Anger over lack of warning for algal bloom

    …..the river was running green with a blanket of white foam caused by the algal bloom.
    ……there’s masses of dead eels killed by the algae
    …..there had been cases of children at Horeke with skin rashes after swimming in recent weeks.

    Influx of stomach bugs as Auckland’s water quality drops

    Auckland Regional Public Health Service (ARPHS) has reported a steadily increasing number of people with the microscopic parasite cryptosporidium, with 53 instances so far in February, compared to 29 in January and 11 in December.
    Symptoms of cryptosporidiosis, which is contracted through contact with faeces, include diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, lack of appetite, and a fever, though some people show no symptoms.
    During periods of heavy rainfall, an often pungent mixture of sewage and stormwater is pumped out onto the city’s beaches as an emergency measure to prevent it overflowing onto private property.
    Following several recent storms, Aucklanders were warned to stay away from more than 30 beaches due to health warnings because of these overflows earlier this month

    Animal effluent warning for popular swimming river

    Residents have been told not to swim, wade or fish the Makino Stream and Oroua River because of the waste contamination.
    Manawatu-Whanganui Regional Council staff last night discovered a significant amount of effluent being discharged into the Makino Stream near Rata Street.
    The council’s manager for strategy and regulation, Dr Nic Peet, said the discharge most likely came from the yards where sheep and beef sales were held every Friday.

    Grave concerns for well-known swimming hole

    Dead fish and cattle excrement greeted Chrys Berryman on his return to a favourite childhood swimming hole near Waimate. “On arrival I couldn’t believe my eyes, the grass was long and cattle excrement was everywhere, even up to the water’s edge, despite there being an electric fence.
    “Dead fish were in the shallows and the final blow was when an Environment Canterbury app said we couldn’t swim there because the E.coli levels were too high.”
    Berryman contacted ECan with his concerns
    “I have one suggestion that would have an immediate impact, permanently fence off the reserve area and do not run cattle there.

    • alwyn 3.1
      20 February 2018 at 10:07 am

      Well, I suppose that the Labour Party honeymoon is still going, albeit at a rather passionless level.
      Like all honeymoons after an MMP election however it has been like those of the Praying Mantis. The dominant female has cannibalised her mates. Both the New Zealand First and the Green Parties have had their heads bitten off. The parties are dead. They just don’t know it.
      Labour will be rather unhappy that they are only in the high 40’s of course, and that National are still very close.
      At this point in the election cycle after the last change of Government the National party were, in the equivalent polls, up in the high 50’s and the Labour Party were down in the high 20’s.
      The public can see that the Government parties simply cannot carry out their pre-election promises. New Zealand First simply don’t care very much. Winston has the baubles of office and isn’t much interested in anything else.
      The Green Party have been shown up as impotent, bowing down before King Winston on their promises like a Kermadec sanctuary, and The Labour Party are having to admit, at least to themselves, that they simply have no idea on how to carry out their wild promises. Have they, for example, arranged to buy any of the enormous quantities of land they would need to even start on Kiwibuild? How is Robertson going to put together a budget when he simply doesn’t have the money to carry out his parties promises without raising taxes or borrowing enormous amounts.
      The honeymoon of sorts will no doubt continue for the rest of the year. The general public really doesn’t pay that much attention and will focus on the baby boom. Staunch Labour voters will however be asking. “Is this really as good as it gets?”

      • You_Fool 3.1.1
        20 February 2018 at 2:22 pm

        I ma trying to work out who is more delusional, you or Tanz…

      • AB 3.1.2
        20 February 2018 at 2:36 pm

        I think I predicted a number of these responses in my comment yesterday but attributed them to DPF rather than Alwyn.

        • alwyn 3.1.2.1
          20 February 2018 at 4:17 pm

          Well, you did get quite a bit of the explanation about the poll correct didn’t you?
          I hadn’t seen them till you referenced them here.
          I don’t think your description of yourself is totally fair though. You aren’t totally boring, even if you are, rather to often, a sad, droning git.
          You are very wise in making your predictions though. If, as you did, you stick to the truth you are much more likely to have people agreeing with you than you are if you simply drift off into fantasy.

      • David Mac 3.1.3
        20 February 2018 at 5:00 pm

        Key’s honeymoon went on for 9 years and he chewed the souls out of his coalition partners. It wasn’t a honeymoon, New Zealanders at large dug him. Now we dig Jacinda.

  4. Drum 4
    20 February 2018 at 6:48 am

    Just wanting to wish those on the West Coast, Golden Bay and Nelson a safe 48hrs. This severe weather system is due to arrive at the top of the South Island today.

    • prickles 4.1
      20 February 2018 at 11:10 am

      Thanks Drum. All quiet so far though very wet and some surface flooding. Completely calm so far – barely a breath of wind. Council has been proactive in getting the flooding signs out early and people do seem to taking notice of the messages to stay home. Most of the schools and many businesses – including the Westpac Bank – are closed for the day or from lunchtime. We are holding tight.

  5. Ed 5
    20 February 2018 at 7:18 am

    And then there were 5.
    Joyce joins the race.

    • logie97 5.1
      20 February 2018 at 9:27 am

      Conversations around the Mike and Kate dinner table usually produce a coordinated National Party line in the following day’s Herald … until today – one fawning over Joyce and the other liking Mitchell.

  6. Ed 6
    20 February 2018 at 7:43 am

    This might be the perfect week for a thread on the Standard about the ‘security consultant’ and ‘expert hostage negotiator’ Mark Mitchell and the chapter he features in Dirty Politics. It’s unlikely the msm will mention it.
    As far as they are concerned, he’s an ex police dog handler and a ‘sharp shooter ‘ who’s been ‘in the line of duty’.

    • Fireblade 6.1
      20 February 2018 at 8:10 am

      Mark Mitchell on the AM Show.

      Garner: “Have you killed anyone?”

      Mitchell: “um, look, when I’m asked this question I always say that in a war, um, there’s always casualties on both sides. I’d prefer to leave it at that, um, but I accept that people will be a bit curious about that”

      Garner: “So we can read between the lines is that what you’re saying?”

      Mitchell: “Year, well, you know, I operated and worked in a high risk environment”

      Disgusting. This meathead shouldn’t even be an MP and definitely shouldnt be the leader of a political party.

      • greywarshark 6.1.1
        20 February 2018 at 9:04 am

        I don’t think that having been in the defence forces and been in an active environment at the coalface is sufficient to say that someone shouldn’t be an MP.
        Look for something more against him, he certainly doesn’t impress me.

        • Fireblade 6.1.1.1
          20 February 2018 at 9:50 am

          Mark Mitchell wasn’t in the defence forces. He was a hired gun. This man chose to go there for the money, knowing he may have to kill and it appears he has. That’s disusting and I stand by my statements.

      • Chris 6.1.2
        20 February 2018 at 3:38 pm

        I think it’s a perfect qualification for leader of the national party.

      • Ed 6.1.3
        20 February 2018 at 5:00 pm

        And he isn’t honest.
        He won’t answer a straight question.
        So that deals with the “he tells the truth” line spouted by Jenna Lynch.

        Let’s assume he did kill people in that siege.
        Is New Zealand ok with a mercenary killer as their PM?
        Is New Zealand ok with someone who will people in their own country for money as their PM?

        More journalists must ask Mitchell this.
        How many people did you kill in Iraq?

  7. Andre 7
    20 February 2018 at 7:54 am

    Another possible thin slice of helping to manage CO2 in the atmosphere, as well as improving agriculture. Crushed basaltic rock is somewhat of a fertilizer, as well as a CO2 absorbent as part of its weathering process.

    https://cleantechnica.com/2018/02/19/transforming-agriculture-using-crushed-rock-can-slash-pesticide-use-increase-yields-promote-carbon-capture/

  8. greywarshark 8
    20 February 2018 at 8:50 am

    OMG the concept of using expensive CRSPR technology to enable wealthy people to keep replacing spent DNA each day so they can live as long as 500 years.

    Science like this is not the friend of ordinary people. Capitalism, self-centredness and greed is rampant, destructive.

    • alwyn 8.1
      20 February 2018 at 10:10 am

      If you are going to post something like this can you please post a link to where it is discussed by experts.
      You didn’t just make this up without any evidence it is even possible have you?

    • greywarshark 8.2
      20 February 2018 at 1:23 pm

      Why should I do everybody’s work for them particularly trolls who just sit and tap out their disagreeable, sneering, uncaring, unhelpful and wilfully ignorant comments because they don’t give a damn about anyone anyway.

      Right having had my rant, I’ll give a clue from now on. The source was on Radionz this morning. But you can search it out, it will give you something to do, and keep your skills of looking for reliable sources and checking facts all brushed up and bright.

      I am not going to put so much time into my comments as they don’t get the attention when about something that affects us all and comes laden with sources deserves.

      • alwyn 8.2.1
        20 February 2018 at 2:14 pm

        Thank you for your courtesy.
        I am pleased to see that you are having a cheerful morning and are in a good mood.
        Some of us read your comments you know, and want to follow up on them. They do get attention when they are interesting.
        Now, as that dreadful Americanism says.
        “Have a nice day, y’all”

  9. greywarshark 9
    20 February 2018 at 9:01 am

    Radionz
    Plastic bags 100 million in ten months of Foodstuff and Countdown supermarket chain before they withdraw them – in NZ alone. Referred to on news piece on micro particles of plastic found on Raglan beach but also found in some rock salt, honey, yikes.

    The spread of toxic growth over a lake and down a river from which farmers draw water was expected by Council’s water tests but not notified to the area so people could take defensive measures.

    • AsleepWhileWalking 9.1
      20 February 2018 at 3:41 pm

      In “The Salt Fix” the author talks about nano-plastic particles in sea salt, and additives in table salt. Pink Himalayan salt OK.

  10. Philip Ferguson 10
    20 February 2018 at 12:08 pm

    Demystifying bitcoin, another of those weird products of late capitalism:
    https://rdln.wordpress.com/2018/02/19/bitcoin-what-it-is-how-it-works-and-why-its-not-the-future/

  11. Venezia 11
    20 February 2018 at 12:11 pm

    Jacqueline Rowarth has resigned position as EPA chief Scientist – at last! RNZ National Midday news.

    • greywarshark 11.1
      20 February 2018 at 1:45 pm

      Just looking at agriculture and whos who and came across this interesting list of movers and shakers, with Jacqueline Rowarth at the top. These are people who have done much in NZ, some of it outright good and some of it not so. It would be a handy reference to the people behind our primary sector.
      https://idealog.co.nz/venture/2012/03/primary-farm-40

      • Macro 11.1.1
        20 February 2018 at 4:16 pm

        Can you link to something that Rowarth has done that is good for NZ other than enriching farmers?

        • greywarshark 11.1.1.1
          20 February 2018 at 5:07 pm

          You do that Macro. I just looked up some stuff, didn’t find anything much and put up the klist of 40 I think farming people who gathered together make iinteresting raading as a resource. As I said.

  12. savenz 12
    20 February 2018 at 1:49 pm

    Interesting and scary theory by Martyn about how National could be planning to set up publicity and a win for their own far right party to fake some political friends and win the next election now that they have destroyed their allies.

    Why Mark Mitchell’s run at leadership is a scam & is this Tracy Watkin’s worst political column of all time?

    https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2018/02/19/why-mark-mitchells-run-at-leadership-is-a-scam-is-this-tracy-watkins-worst-political-column-of-all-time/#comment-417735

    • The Chairman 12.1
      20 February 2018 at 6:29 pm

      Yes, seen that the other day. And now he has entered the race, this post has become far more interesting.

  13. greywarshark 13
    20 February 2018 at 2:27 pm

    More knee trembling news about global finances. How far up can the shonky domino tower go. I think it all could fall really fast if one particular support got knocked over. It’s so hard to say when though, that’s the rub.

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/business/350776/is-the-global-economy-facing-a-financial-armageddon

    With global debt at a record high $US233-trillion and interest rates on the rise, Mr Botherway said a day of reckoning was due.
    “Global debt (318 percent of global GDP) is unprecedented, and we don’t know where that will end up. But there is economic precedence that suggests that those scenarios could be very bad.”

    Others are sceptical, however, arguing the doom and gloom was overblown.

    “The people who are saying these things are the same people who were saying that the global financial crisis was the end of the world, and who fairly regularly predict that really bad times are just around the corner,” Simplicity managing director Sam Stubbs said.

    New Zealand was vulnerable on some counts.
    Household indebtedness using a debt to income ratio was at a record high 168 percent;
    the official cash rate sits at a record low 1.75 percent;
    and Auckland’s house prices were considered severely unaffordable at 8.8 times higher than the average income….

    BNZ head of research Stephen Toplis said New Zealand was in much better shape to cope than most countries if things went wrong, with a growing economy underpinned by robust construction activity, record tourism and rising dairy prices.

    Actually Mr Toplis – We have peaked for tourism, which is beginning to poop on itself, construction activity is in the doldrums with Fletchers having shouldered everyone out of the market by undercutting them and so weakening our ability to do things to time and with the proper strength materials and practices, and rising dairy prices just mean that farmers are encouraged in their hell-bent confidence in themselves to be good businesspeople and cream the market.

    And milk is a most perishable product, and is using so many precious resources that the leaders may one day have to take defensive disappearing moves when people lose their tempers after they have lost everything else. If something goes wrong with milk exports, there is a fountain of white stuff to get rid of, can’t make it all into milk powder, it will pollute the country and the cows will be in pain if they suddenly can’t be milked. We should be easing down, going out of irrigation for dairy, that water should be charged for, going up each year like cigarettes do for the smoking addicts, the milking addicts should be taken through a slow withdrawal. With free financial advice on how to produce enough with the minimum of water and imported feed. Subsidies to organic producers also to enourage premium produce for specialised markets.

  14. adam 14
    20 February 2018 at 3:20 pm

    Silly questions…

    If we pulled out of Afghanistan why are we still there, and how paternalistic is it to to call it mentoring?

    If ISIS has been destroyed in Iraq, why are we still there?

    http://www.army.mil.nz/about-us/what-we-do/deployments/current-deployments.htm

    http://www.nzdf.mil.nz/operations/

    Bring them home.

    • One Anonymous Bloke 14.1
      20 February 2018 at 3:24 pm

      Both links broken at the moment. Have you checked Hansard for the official reasons?

      I doubt they make sense, but it makes sense to know what it is you’re trying to make sense of.

    • Ed 14.2
      20 February 2018 at 4:53 pm

      Send them to rebuild Tonga.

    • McFlock 14.3
      21 February 2018 at 12:35 am

      Two issues:

      In general, defense force mentoring/training roles help build the stability of a state by assisting in the training (and training the trainers) of its security forces

      Secondly, the destruction of the ISIS state in Iraq is largely complete. The next stage is the more complex assymetric war with ISIS in Iraq. No frontline combat, but ambushes and bombings. So they still need decently trained Iraqi army and police.

      Make whatever moral judgements about it that you want, but those are reasonable answers to your question.

    • adam 15.1
      21 February 2018 at 2:43 am

      There is no h.r.c. she lost, get over it.

      There is only terrible policy, and broken election promises. And this along with many other issues, is another example of terrible policy

  16. eco maori 16
    20 February 2018 at 4:12 pm

    These cops that are following me wherever I go are a bunch of red neck that’s all I’m saying as I’ll start swearing once a red neck allways a red neck ECO MAORI Says Ka kite ano

    • One Anonymous Bloke 16.1
      20 February 2018 at 4:56 pm

      Keep it up mate. The more resources they put on you the easier it is for the rest of us.

  17. eco maori 17
    20 February 2018 at 4:26 pm

    https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NthtQO4b4HZD61R3lKYow_b9T61jbVWr/view?usp=drives here’s a photo of that amazing picture on Pitau Road of a Maori Chief right behind one of my clients Ka pai Ka kite ano

    • eco maori 17.1
      20 February 2018 at 6:16 pm

      TVNZ 1 NEWS great coverage of the human influence globe warming. Have we ever had a cyclone like Gita I think not Ka pai.
      Ka kite ano

      • eco maori 17.1.1
        20 February 2018 at 6:25 pm

        I see the ECO MAORI effect everywhere TVNZ 1 NEWS the kumara never tells how sweet it is Ka pai

        • eco maori 17.1.1.1
          20 February 2018 at 6:29 pm

          TV NZ 1 news that’s awesome graphics Dan

          • eco maori 17.1.1.1.1
            20 February 2018 at 6:34 pm

            Those mokos in America actions makes ECO MAORI proud
            for the way they are stepping up to the line and Letting the World know that America gun laws are inhumane and idiocy. The national rifle association need to be neuter.
            I Back those mokos grandchildren 100% Kia kaha.
            Ka kite ano

            • eco maori 17.1.1.1.1.1
              20 February 2018 at 7:10 pm

              Good evening Hillary & Jeremy my wife decided to bring 2 of our mokos home from the farm they are keeping us on our toes lol crusher a Jeremy lol
              Ka kite ano

  18. David Mac 18
    20 February 2018 at 4:33 pm

    The new season of John Oliver’s show has started on HBO and show 1 is a ripper. John’s take on the Parkland School shootings.

    • savenz 18.1
      20 February 2018 at 5:31 pm

      Great link. Heartening to see the kids demanding to be heard on this issue and calling out the BS.

      • David Mac 18.1.1
        20 February 2018 at 5:42 pm

        Yeah, The Andy Griffith Show insight is gold. I liked the young woman’s quote too “I’m too young to vote, I am old enough to purchase a war weapon.”

  19. Ed 19
    20 February 2018 at 5:33 pm

    Another reason not to eat meat .
    Antibiotics.
    And, yes they are heavily used in industrial farming here.

    “Nearly three quarters of the total use of antibiotics worldwide is thought to be on animals rather than humans, which raises serious questions over intensive farming and the potential effects on antibiotic resistance, which can easily be spread to people. Once resistance takes hold and drugs become ineffective, treating even common diseases becomes problematic. Dame Sally Davies, England’s chief medical officer, has warned that antibiotic resistance is one of the most severe threats facing humanity, and if strong action is not taken urgently that even routine operations such as hip replacements may become too dangerous.”

    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/feb/08/huge-levels-of-antibiotic-use-in-us-farming-revealed

  20. Ed 20
    20 February 2018 at 5:37 pm

    Reduce the dairy herd.
    Rachel Stewart says by 80%.
    Or keep watching the slow death of our once amazing environment.

    https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/audio/2018632639/too-late-for-world-renowned-fresh-water-springs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

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

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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