Open mike 20/08/2015

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, August 20th, 2015 - 128 comments
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128 comments on “Open mike 20/08/2015 ”

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  1. stever 1
    20 August 2015 at 6:34 am

    Investment bank for NZ too? Sidelski makes the case for such things….

    http://www.theguardian.com/business/2015/aug/19/corbynomics-why-we-should-take-it-seriously

    …and it would ours, rather than this

    http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/276332/nz-to-join-new-asian-investment-bank

    which seems to be about being the member for another club, for $125 million!

    • Draco T Bastard 1.1
      20 August 2015 at 10:00 am

      Investment bank for NZ too?

      Real Monetary Reform

      Most importantly, as money would be openly directly created by the government to bring about the use of the countries resources as needed it would obviate the need for savings and foreign investment. It would also decrease the government borrowings to zero as they would no longer need to borrow which would eliminate the billions of dollars wasted in interest that the government presently pays out yearly.

      Our entire monetary system is fucked as it’s designed to make a few people richer without them actually having to do anything.

      And, yeah, that Asian investment bank is just of the same failed system.

      • aerobubble 1.1.1
        20 August 2015 at 10:41 am

        Freeloading. Owning a home in several global capital cities and curtailing the muliplier effort of taking those resources out of the local economy. All because Thatcherites discovered that media repeating the lie adnausium , that while civil society builds the engine, and cheapening high dense middle east fuels powered the engine, only a rather extreme now disreputable political economic view created the inevitable market growth. I.e they called dibs on the diving seat while siliencing civil society and claimg growth as proof for their politicial economic non-runner ideology. Thirty years later, climbing debt levels, climate disruption, and a chronical unfit global economy lacking balancing forums to deal as one species. And worse, now the Marxists have been given their day, neo-libs are communist infiltraters, having the luxuries of wealth while corrupting capalism from within. Why does the US Republician party hate capialism so much?

      • Colonial Viper 1.1.2
        20 August 2015 at 11:00 am

        And, yeah, that Asian investment bank is just of the same failed system.

        Hardly.

        For starters it is not dominated by the US and western European powers.

        Smart move for NZ to be a founding member.

        • Draco T Bastard 1.1.2.1
          20 August 2015 at 11:04 am

          No, it’ll be dominated by China.

          Such a system is not needed and is, IMO, part of the reason why we’re having such problems as anthropogenic climate change. They push growth but prevent development because of the need to pay interest.

          • Colonial Rawshark 1.1.2.1.1
            20 August 2015 at 2:19 pm

            No, it’ll be dominated by China.

            Well, China has the sole veto because of the size of its contribution, but I think it will very rarely use it. In essence, the AIIB has been set up to be far more democratic and apolitical than the World Bank or the IMF, which is one reason why 56 countries joined it so quickly.

            • Draco T Bastard 1.1.2.1.1.1
              20 August 2015 at 4:04 pm

              Well, China has the sole veto because of the size of its contribution, but I think it will very rarely use it.

              But it will use it whereas an independent investment bank in each country supplying all the money that that country needs is not under that power.

              In essence, the AIIB has been set up to be far more democratic and apolitical than the World Bank or the IMF, which is one reason why 56 countries joined it so quickly.

              But it’s still just a copy of the present failed system.

  2. Tautoko Mangō Mata 2
    20 August 2015 at 7:29 am

    This article gives an interesting insight into how the TPPA is being written and who has the influence.

    “The big media lobbyists’ theatrics over this minor amendment are embarrassing, but they do raise one important issue: our trade negotiators are a lot less interested in the needs of ordinary users and creators than the needs of powerful companies. Why else was a last-minute intervention by Google sufficient to bring the USTR back to the negotiating table on this topic, where the sustained interventions of EFF and 10 other major public interest groups from around the world were not?”

    https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20150818/14190431997/mpaa-throws-hissy-fit-over-ustr-even-thinking-about-expanding-fair-use-tpp.shtml

    I love one of the comments below re the public stakeholders being ignored.:
    “It is our pie that they are carving up. Why would we be invited to it?”

  3. dv 3
    20 August 2015 at 7:45 am

    Police face $20m bill for child sex offenders register
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/71280531/police-face-bill-for-child-sex-offenders-register

    Apparently the whole job is to cost 60million, and the police are to find the other 20 mill.

    WHY does it cost 60m to set up the new database?

    Maybe 1m?

  4. Heisenbug 4
    20 August 2015 at 8:31 am

    Hello everyone, I do hope this is the correct place to post this question/comment combo…

    I just saw an ad for Radio Live on YouTube, selling the “balanced” reporting the media is currently so fond of. It is just a mash up of the Radio Live personalities telling us what we’d miss out on if they didn’t give all opinions equal weight regardless of merit.

    It opens with Hilary Barry asking “Can you imagine how dull the world would be if we all thought the same?” and is followed by the rest of the team giving us such gems as:

    “There would only be one shop.”

    “There would only be one colour There’d be no colour” (sorry Physics)

    And my favourite:

    “There’d be no debate on climate change.”

    Is this sort of thing new? I usually use an ad blocker so I haven’t seen it before. I did not realise they were publicly spouting fallacious arguments to support rubbish journalism.

    [lprent: Updated to fix a transcription error on the commenter’s request. ]

    P.s. Any excuse to link John Oliver:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjuGCJJUGsg

    • One Anonymous Bloke 4.1
      20 August 2015 at 8:41 am

      Any chance of a link to the ad? Choice handle 🙂

      • Heisenbug 4.1.1
        20 August 2015 at 8:58 am

        Ah, I’m not sure how to link to an ad, but I did grab it off YouTube before it finished, so I have a copy.

        Check it out here:

        https://youtu.be/z6zr1q_SfYs

        • weka 4.1.1.1
          20 August 2015 at 9:12 am

          I’d be tempted to say that the debate on climate change is now about what to do (not whether it’s real), but then I see they had Sean Plunkett giving it as an example.

          • Heisenbug 4.1.1.1.1
            20 August 2015 at 9:29 am

            Wouldn’t it be super if the only debate we were having on climate change was what to do about it.

            • weka 4.1.1.1.1.1
              20 August 2015 at 12:30 pm

              It’s pretty much the only conversation I’m willing to have about it 😉

              (more seriously, I can see the time approaching where I will have no tolerance for talk about what to do, given we know what to do and should just be doing it).

          • Morrissey 4.1.1.1.2
            20 August 2015 at 7:15 pm

            The debate about climate change is as valid as the debate about the earth being round or flat, or the debate about whether the moon landing was a hoax or not.

            And it’s the same people who treat it seriously.

        • One Anonymous Bloke 4.1.1.2
          20 August 2015 at 12:38 pm

          Thanks.

          So I wonder if this is the new lie from denier trash: that they’re performing a public service?

    • tc 4.2
      20 August 2015 at 9:26 am

      Balanced reporting like paddy’s piece on the appalling Newsworthy last night which btw looks like an episode of ‘Cops’ more so than a news show.

      Little had a soundbite about farming incidents being high then followed by Gower throwing numbers about without any context, averages etc inferring Little had it wrong.

      Overt bias on display, if little was in fact wrong there’d be wave after wave of graphs and stats but no just Pants on fire Paddy and his questionable use of numbers.

    • Heisenbug 4.3
      20 August 2015 at 9:35 am

      Is it possible to edit comments after the timer has expired? I misquoted:

      “There would only be one colour” should be “There’d be no colour”.

      [lprent: Nope (FFS it is something like eight minutes). However I will change it for you. ]

      • Heisenbug 4.3.1
        20 August 2015 at 2:32 pm

        Thanks Lynn. For the record, the edit time is something less than how long it takes to rebuild my projects in Eclipse. You know what I mean 🙂

        • lprent 4.3.1.1
          20 August 2015 at 5:23 pm

          Well there is half of your problem. Use a make and a -j 7 or the equivalent on your compiler. Compile on n-1 cores.

          • Heisenbug 4.3.1.1.1
            20 August 2015 at 6:12 pm

            Thank you, wise one. Please lay upon me your solution to the other half of my problem, with at least as many assumptions.

            • lprent 4.3.1.1.1.1
              20 August 2015 at 8:08 pm

              😈 They are assumptions. But few things take that long to compile any more unless you’re doing a lot of variants or cross compiles.

              The worst one I have at present is some old C/C++ code that gets compiled in a redhat9 system (ie circa 2002) in a VM on a version of gcc/g++ that only handles a single core. It is about 500k lines and takes about 5 minutes from scratch. Fortunately it doesn’t have templates.

              • Heisenbug …
                20 August 2015 at 8:28 pm

                Nailed it 🙂

                Three projects, three platforms, two graphics libraries (compiled from source, obv.), and a two core CPU on a laptop with a fragmented 1TB SATA. Nice and warm in here though.

                Release day!

    • Draco T Bastard 4.4
      20 August 2015 at 10:24 am

      It opens with Hilary Barry asking “Can you imagine how dull the world would be if we all thought the same?”

      Hah, that’s amusing because according to National that’s exactly what we do. It’s the total premise that National Standards are based upon and why they fail.

      “There would only be one shop.”

      Well, we’re not quite there – we duopoly instead.

      “There’d be no debate on climate change.”

      So, I wonder what debate they’re having with their navel hair because you can’t debate climate change as you simply can’t debate facts.

      • Heisenbug 4.4.1
        20 August 2015 at 11:09 am

        It makes me uneasy how proud they all seem to be about it, they must know what they are doing is wrong… right?

        • One Anonymous Bloke 4.4.1.1
          20 August 2015 at 2:36 pm

          Don’t count on it. There’s a reason they’re journalists rather than say, engineers.

  5. Bearded Git 5
    20 August 2015 at 9:29 am

    Even Granny Herald says McCully should be stood down. He is in big trouble.

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=11499775

    • freedom 5.1
      20 August 2015 at 10:12 am

      We can’t see what the public say on the matter of course, because the NZ Herald has again been attacked by gremlins.
      The recurrence of this very strange tech issue must be a real headache for them. Once again, despite the number of comments ‘published’ (currently 18) being clearly stated on the home page and the”Politics” section page, once you get to the actual article…. no comments are visible.

      It must be so infuriating for the Herald that this keeps happening and so unlucky it only seems to occur on articles that include distinctly negative discussion points on the National Government.

      • Draco T Bastard 5.1.1
        20 August 2015 at 10:42 am

        They’re there for me. This is the first one:

        “The Prime Minister says none of the advice the Government received suggested it would be illegal.”

        when david cunliffe used a trust to handle his campaign for party leader it was perfectly legal, nevertheless he was pilloried for it.

        another example of dirty politics, key and his cronies have not a shred of honour amongst the lot of them. they will use every means at their disposal, honest or not, to gull the public.

        how anyone can continue to support someone who lies and prevaricates the way this one does is beyond me.

        By Cathy

        • freedom 5.1.1.1
          20 August 2015 at 10:51 am

          and minutes later, as if by magic, the comments appear – interactive media, gotta love it 😆

        • b waghorn 5.1.1.2
          20 August 2015 at 12:27 pm

          “”how anyone can continue to support someone who lies and prevaricates the “”
          That!! Is the how I feel ,if some one thinks pure capitalism is the way forward I can live with it, but to support this rogues gallery of a political party Lead by a lying sick bully makes me wonder at the morals of the average kiwi.

    • Draco T Bastard 5.2
      20 August 2015 at 10:37 am

      At least, we hope it was: the idea that departments commonly have spare cash that can be spent without Treasury approval in this way does not bear thinking.

      It’s not up to Treasury to give approval for spending. That’s the government’s job.

      The scheme to relocate a sheep breeding operation from New Zealand to Saudi Arabia went ahead for other reasons, which will come within the Auditor-General’s inquiry this time.

      It’s those ‘other reasons’ that are the concern as all indications are that the spend up on the Saudi Sheep Deal were a bribe.

      The Prime Minister says none of the advice the Government received suggested it would be illegal.

      The PM is a liar and I’m sure that we do have some laws that cover it but we obviously need stronger laws against such corruption.

      If a well-connected Saudi investor’s grievance of the live export ban was obstructing a free trade agreement, it makes sense to offer a settlement.

      No, there is never any excuse for such corruption.

      • miravox 5.2.1
        20 August 2015 at 5:16 pm

        “The Prime Minister says none of the advice the Government received suggested it would be illegal.”

        I note the word legal doesn’t appear in front of the word advice. Tricky Prime Minister.

  6. marty mars 6
    20 August 2015 at 9:36 am

    john key “”I don’t get respect because I’m Prime Minister of New Zealand but I hopefully earn respect because people think I do a good job.”

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/71284637/kids-need-to-know-the-value-of-work–john-key

    You are a zero respect monkey

    • Pat 6.1
      20 August 2015 at 9:55 am

      no mention of honesty or integrity I note

    • Undecided 6.2
      20 August 2015 at 11:23 am

      Three election wins is probably a good indicator of the respect in which hes held

      • marty mars 6.2.1
        20 August 2015 at 11:28 am

        lol – good one unde

        • Undecided 6.2.1.1
          20 August 2015 at 11:39 am

          Well its fair to say that there was a failry large proportion of NZ voters who didn’t like Helen Clarks on screen image (though I understand shes perfectly charming away from the camera) but she had definately had respect so quite similar to John Key in this instance

          • marty mars 6.2.1.1.1
            20 August 2015 at 12:14 pm

            nah not even close – I liked a fair chunk of Helen Clark as PM but there were severe lapses imo. Key is just a mindless bumbling liar that should be ashamed of himself but lacks the self awareness to even consider how dull and dim he is.

            • Undecided 6.2.1.1.1.1
              20 August 2015 at 12:45 pm

              but lacks the self awareness to even consider how dull and dim he is

              and therein lies the major problem with the left in regards to John Key, consistantly underestimating him

              • McFlock …
                20 August 2015 at 1:09 pm

                I always underestimate how much he crumbles when he faces competent reviews from impartial media, like overseas interviewers or just his behaviour summarised by John Oliver (three times in the past year, more than Zimbabwe ffs).

                I’m not so sure that we need better wingnuts.
                I reckon the wingnuts need better heroes.

    • weka 6.3
      20 August 2015 at 12:33 pm

      john key “”I don’t get respect because I’m Prime Minister of New Zealand but I hopefully earn respect because people think I do a good job.”

      Well that explains why he treats the PM role with such disdain and doesn’t mind making us a laughing stock via it.

  7. whateva next? 7
    20 August 2015 at 9:56 am

    https://t.co/gDCChPorOr, which I posted last night, but very relevant to “respect”for John Key, and how Paul Henry was made to see the light. (for a split second)

    • Draco T Bastard 7.1
      20 August 2015 at 10:49 am

      The end bit where the guy interviewed refused to say if John Key was a psychopath it was obvious that that was exactly what he thought John Key was 😈

    • Heisenbug 7.2
      20 August 2015 at 12:43 pm

      That was interesting, thanks for posting. Loved the moment when Henry conceded the point on which personality type you’d rather have running a country.

      • whateva next? 7.2.1
        20 August 2015 at 8:19 pm

        If only that was on Seven Sharp too, might wake people up and I wouldn’t have to listen the same old answer when I ask people why they like Key…”He’s got charisma” Gawd!

  8. Jim in Tokyo 8
    20 August 2015 at 9:57 am

    Australian Govt, for all their evils, getting serious about foreign investment in residential real estate, including real estate transfer register (#8) residential property money laundering crackdown (#11) and criminal penalties for locals who act as agents to help foreign investors circumvent the prohibition on the purchase of existing properties (#5).

    http://www.treasury.gov.au/PublicationsAndMedia/Publications/2015/Foreign-Investment-in-Residential-Real-Estate

  9. joe90 9
    20 August 2015 at 9:57 am

    Jane Clifton on Key dodging the question.

    http://www.pressreader.com/new-zealand/the-dominion-post/20150820/281543699665007/TextView

    edit: the question transferred to Bennett.

    ANDREW LITTLE to the Associate Minister of Finance: Does she stand by the Prime Minister’s statement that “I’d hate to see New Zealanders as tenants in their own country”; if so, how many applications by overseas investors to buy land were declined under the Overseas Investment Act 2005 between January 2012 and June 2015?

    http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/pb/business/qoa/00HOH_OralQuestions/list-of-questions-for-oral-answer

    Question No. 3 to Minister

    ANDREW LITTLE (Leader of the Opposition): I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. This question was originally set down for the Prime Minister, and I therefore seek leave for the House to have the question transferred back to the Prime Minister.

    Mr SPEAKER : Order! No. I refer the member to Speaker’s ruling 169/5. I am not prepared to put the leave. It is the prerogative of the Government to decide whom the question goes to. It has made that decision. If the member wants to continue asking it as it is on the Order Paper, he can do so.

    http://www.parliament.nz/en-nz/pb/debates/debates/51HansD_20150819_00000012/oral-questions-%E2%80%94-questions-to-ministers-questions-to-members

    • ianmac 9.1
      20 August 2015 at 10:13 am

      Noted that in QT yesterday, Mr Shaw pointed out the string of National precedents when Ministers under investigation were stood down or stood themselves down. Well done James but Key just ducked. So much for open and transparent Government.

      • Draco T Bastard 9.1.1
        20 August 2015 at 10:58 am

        Dictatorships don’t work too well when open and transparent and National knows it. People become upset when they realise that the government is screwing them over.

    • freedom 9.2
      20 August 2015 at 11:28 am

      CHRIS HIPKINS (Labour—Rimutaka): I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. The point of order is this: it is the tension that the Opposition finds between asking general primary questions and more specific primary questions. What we are endeavouring to do now in most of our questions—rather than asking “Does he stand by all of his statements?”—is actually be more specific and give an indication of the direction of travel of the supplementary questions. The risk of doing this is that now, under this arrangement, the Prime Minister could, in fact, answer next to no questions, because as soon as we give an indication of the nature of the question, he has grounds to transfer it.

      (bold mine)

      For some time The Speaker and Ministers of the Government have been actively promoting more detailed primary questions from the Opposition and this is the end result they wanted. The Opposition have two choices, ask specific questions and helplessly watch them get transferred from the PM, or be forced to waste supplementary questions by asking what should be primary questions.

      Not forgetting of course by not having specifics outlayed in the primary, the PM can forever answer the more detailed supplementaries with “I don’t have the details… ” etc

      Meanwhile, a nomination for Most Pathetic Question Asked In Our Parliament For Quite Some Time award

      What are the benefits of returning to surplus and paying down debt?

      That gem came from Chris Bishop. What a deeply probing intellectually stimulating challenge for the Minister. A question you might expect an eager year eight social studies student to ask of the Minister during a school visit but is just so embarrassing coming from a grown adult being paid over $150,000 a year to help run our country.

      • mary_a 9.2.1
        20 August 2015 at 4:43 pm

        @ freedom (9.2) – and another patsy gem that is asked just about every parliamentary session from a variety of good little dopey government back benchers, to minister of finance English … ” what can the minister tell the House about the reports he has received on the economy?” WTF????? Duh! Of course the minister is going to talk up his economic policies!

        I can just about anticipate almost every NatzKEY back bencher patsy question now, because I’ve heard the same old, same old, day in day out in Parliament so many times before. It’s just turning into a very bad Vaudeville act!

        • freedom 9.2.1.1
          20 August 2015 at 5:18 pm

          They are a part of the process of QT and we all grudgingly accept that.

          No matter how good an idea it might sound, to remove the government’s allotment of questions only removes the opportunity for the rarely seen ‘question of conscience’* from a back bencher who has realised their government is a corrupt and treasonous bunch of idealogues who wouldn’t know how to find their way out of an open ended culvert.

          The government of course has a right to ask itself questions and there are [almost] reasonable grounds for many of the more ridiculous questions to its own navel, but I think it was Bishop’s inability to hide the farcically vacuous nature of the question that made this one stand out. He was sniggering to himself before he even finished asking it. And he was not the only one on the government benches doing so.

          I don’t remember any other government that has such obvious disrespect for question time, especially when asking the patsy questions.
          We all know they will be asked, but a bit more effort to hide the patsy questions’ inner inanity would be nice.

          * (if you’re gonna dream, dream big i say)

    • Ad 9.3
      20 August 2015 at 12:32 pm

      Well caught Joe.

      With Key now on a slow decline, Cabinet are managing Parliamentary process to circle the wagons around him. So we will get a whole bunch more PM-puppy-and-Rugby shots.

      We are already seeing Ministers Bennett and English take far more of the media load, with Joyce way down the list and Brownlee and Smith near-invisible.

      National are subbing off their Bench with extreme game-playing smarts.

      Labour could learn some lessons here – King and Twyford have been outstanding recently, with Little making essentially no hits. Labour need to learn National’s excellent lessons and blood their bench.

  10. Blue Horsehoe 10
    20 August 2015 at 10:38 am

    http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/bangkok-bomb-thai-authorities-suspect-uighur-link-erawan-shrine-attack-1516045

    Sponsored and supported by the worlds biggest criminal enterprises

    Still massively pissed at their Shinawatra puppets being removed

    Thaksin posted a message on Youtube denouncing urging his followers to reject the junta’s proposed constitution because he said it was undemocratic

    Usual suspects will be behind this atrocity

    • Blue Horsehoe 10.1
      20 August 2015 at 11:07 am

      http://thediplomat.com/2015/03/100-more-bomb-attacks-planned-in-thailand-police-told/

      March 10 2015

      Two men arrested following a grenade attack over the weekend in Thailand reportedly told police that the “Red Shirt” supporters of the toppled government of former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra were planning more bomb attacks on up to 100 targets in Bangkok, a security official said.

      Yuttana said he was a member of a red-shirt group that communicated on a social network called Line, where they discussed a plot to bomb at least 100 places in the nation’s capital. Mahahin said that the targets included military armories in Chiang Mai and in the Northeast, university campuses and a temple.

      On Monday, The Bangkok Post reported that the suspects had linked the attack to former army chief and supreme commander Chaiyasit Shinawatra, a member of the Shinawatra family, led by Yingluck’s self-exiled brother Thaksin. The junta detests the family, but it has won every national election since 2001.

      Yup, these hollowed out pricks are carrying out orders and have been doing so for an eternity

      Buckle up Thailand

      • DoublePlusGood 10.1.1
        20 August 2015 at 1:34 pm

        Wow, you bought some propaganda wholesale there.
        Have you not noticed that the junta has control of the media? Of course sources are going to blame the previous establishment – it suits their aims to stoke negative sentiment against red shirt groups and the Shinawatras.
        The junta would do anything to ensure there is no future election that could possibly lead to an election, that would inevitably be won by Pheu Thai or a similar successor to Thai Rak Thai aligned with the Red Shirts

        Similarly, the link to Uighur nationalists comes after pressure from China lead to the junta deciding to deport Uighurs back to China.
        It suits the junta to link the bombings to Uighur nationalists, to turn public sentiment against their call for asylum.

        In reality, the bombing could be from any number of sources – Red shirt activists, separatists from the south, Burmese refugee activists, someone trying to undermine certain junta figures or junta opponents, Uighur activists, or a bunch of random enraged people.

        While the Shinawatras are just as corrupt and criminal as the junta is, you should really apply more critical thinking than just linking them to bombings based on statements in media that is junta-controlled.

        • Blue Horseshoe 10.1.1.1
          20 August 2015 at 2:31 pm

          No proganda onboarded here bro, I am very aware of the situations in Thailand as well as the history

          Given your comments about the military , it is clear you know fuck all about the situation on the ground, or how the locals feel about it

          Go on, tell me about the locals and the military

          • DoublePlusGood 10.1.1.1.1
            20 August 2015 at 4:19 pm

            What comments about the military? I’m well aware of the respect and social standing given to the military in Thailand, and Bangkok in particular, if that is what you are getting at. What exactly of what I have said is inaccurate though?

            • Blue horseshoe 10.1.1.1.1.1
              20 August 2015 at 4:39 pm

              The premise of your response was :

              JUNTA
              Propaganda
              controlled media

              The word Junta was used numerous times, those are your comments

              An overwhelming majority of ALL Thai people support the military

              Perhaps you can explain why that is

              • DoublePlusGood …
                20 August 2015 at 5:08 pm

                Well, very briefly, the military have power, they have long standing respect, they support and are supported by the monarchy, and many of the periods of dictatorship have been more stable than the surrounding periods, and plenty more, a good deal of which can be summed up as ‘this is the culture of this country’.
                None of this changes that the country is run by a military junta rather than a democratically elected government, and none of that changes that that facile attacks are being made on Uighurs and Red Shirts in the media.
                At current, it appears that there was knowledge of the attack in social media groups, and a red shirt leader had a warning of an attack and provided a warning on social media. In due course, it seems likely that the culprits will be able to be identified. It appears now that Prayuth is also playing down the Uighur theory, to his credit.

                • Blue Horsehoe …
                  20 August 2015 at 7:12 pm

                  Much of what you wrote is solid, but there are some comments which stand out to me as a little out of place

                  None of this changes that the country is run by a military junta rather than a democratically elected government, and none of that changes that that facile attacks are being made on Uighurs and Red Shirts in the media.

                  So what it’s currently run by the Military if the Thai people are ok with that and they are providing a stability where ‘democracy’ was leading towards civil war. The Monarchy will have instructed the military to step in, that is why the military acted. 95% of Thai people support their Monarchy

                  Democracy ain’t ‘what it used to be’ , and as you point out, Thailand has been democratically rooted for ages at various times

                  What do you reckon that is ?

                  Not sure a reasoned person would call an attack on Red Shirts as facile, given what they have been involved in previously

                  Perhaps you might like to share where your bias around the Junta / Red Shirts originates

                  Sounds to me like you’re saying JUNTA = BAD , Democracy = Good

                  At current, it appears that there was knowledge of the attack in social media groups, and a red shirt leader had a warning of an attack and provided a warning on social media.

                  Social media groups were frenetic with activity and apparent warnings from some purporting to know the attack was coming

                  More warnings have also been received pertaining to coming days

                  Are you Thai, have Thai family or live in Thailand ?

                  • DoublePlusGood …
                    21 August 2015 at 1:49 am

                    My general problem with the junta is all that dictatorship baggage, you know, the detention of political opponents, suppression of alternative media views, enrichment of elites (admittedly going to be present regardless of who is in charge), that sort of oppression.
                    At least if there’s a democracy, people that aren’t in powerful positions get some sort of a voice.
                    I’m consistently called an unrealistic idealist, but I am always confident that a well designed democracy is better for a country, and I am confident that working towards those processes will be good for Thailand in the long term. At the moment, you only don’t have that red v yellow, poor v elites because of the military imposition in things. That conflict is not resolved, so it will just fester. I’d rather both sides have representation, involvement in political processes.

  11. esoteric pineapples 11
    20 August 2015 at 10:55 am

    Heard on National Radio (from a source I can’t remember) that they expect milk prices to improve next year. I don’t think anyone knows what is going to happen to milk prices for the next few years. The only thing we can be sure of is price volatility.

    • Colonial Viper 11.1
      20 August 2015 at 12:20 pm

      This from the same people who did such a good job forecasting this years milk prices…

      Anyways I suppose $4.10/kg can be considered “improved”

    • b waghorn 11.2
      20 August 2015 at 12:34 pm

      Given that fonterra had to limit what they put up to auction to get the lift in prices they got ,and combine that with the fact that dairy factories will be approaching full production in the next month or so ,I’d be very interested to know what they base there optimism on.

    • Tricledrown 11.3
      20 August 2015 at 1:02 pm

      The only chance demand will increase is if their is a drought in one or more of the major producing countries.
      So far the long range forecast for NZ is El Nino on the rise.
      So Prices might go up but N Z could miss out.
      Russia allowing us to export Dairy to them is Putin Key in a precarious position with all his NATO mates.
      China’s economy is in for a long rough ride.
      So Dairy farmers Fairy tale ride is over.
      Unless you can pick up a Dairy farm at a firesale price carry no debt ,milk once a day grow all your feed without fertilizer or harvest costs.
      Dairy farming will go through a massive reorganisation.

      • Colonial Rawshark 11.3.1
        20 August 2015 at 2:24 pm

        Russia allowing us to export Dairy to them is Putin Key in a precarious position with all his NATO mates.

        hahaha!

    • Undecided 13.1
      20 August 2015 at 11:48 am

      I agree that she should be out of the spotlight though as I have as much interest in her and the crims she hangs around with as I do with the Kardashians

    • Anne 13.2
      20 August 2015 at 6:43 pm

      Can’t agree with you marty mars. You must have read the story in a different light to me. It was not nasty. It was honest. And among the words was some very good advice for the young lady in question.

  14. Draco T Bastard 14
    20 August 2015 at 11:25 am

    Auckland Transport Blog

    Here’s the link to Puhoi to Warkworth business case showing it only returns 92c for every $1 spent over 40 years

    Large PDF

    You want page 50.

    And this is the story about the PPPs being shortlisted for that loss of money meaning that the loss will be even greater because PPPs are simply bad.

  15. Colonial Rawshark 15
    20 August 2015 at 2:22 pm

    Are long working hours killing Kiwis?

    Strokes and heart disease are a major killer in NZ. And working longer hours seems to greatly bump up the risk of suffering from them.

    The likely toll of long working hours is revealed in a major new study which shows that employees still at their desks into the evening run an increased risk of stroke – and the longer the hours they put in, the higher the risk.

    The largest study conducted on the issue, carried out in three continents and led by scientists at University College London, found that those who work more than 55 hours a week have a 33% increased risk of stroke compared with those who work a 35- to 40-hour week. They also have a 13% increased risk of coronary heart disease.

    The findings will confirm the assumptions of many that a long-hours culture, in which people work from early in the morning until well into the evening, with work also intruding into weekends, is potentially harmful to health.

    http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/aug/20/working-longer-hours-increases-stroke-risk

    • northshoredoc 15.1
      20 August 2015 at 2:53 pm

      “Are long working hours killing Kiwis?”

      Depends really doesn’t it.

      Do they have other risk factors ? Are the long hours over long periods or intermittent ? What type of jobs are they in…etc etc

      • Colonial Rawshark 15.1.1
        20 August 2015 at 3:38 pm

        From The Lancet:

        Findings

        We included 25 studies from 24 cohorts in Europe, the USA, and Australia. The meta-analysis of coronary heart disease comprised data for 603 838 men and women who were free from coronary heart disease at baseline; the meta-analysis of stroke comprised data for 528 908 men and women who were free from stroke at baseline. Follow-up for coronary heart disease was 5·1 million person-years (mean 8·5 years), in which 4768 events were recorded, and for stroke was 3·8 million person-years (mean 7·2 years), in which 1722 events were recorded. In cumulative meta-analysis adjusted for age, sex, and socioeconomic status, compared with standard hours (35–40 h per week), working long hours (≥55 h per week) was associated with an increase in risk of incident coronary heart disease (relative risk [RR] 1·13, 95% CI 1·02–1·26; p=0·02) and incident stroke (1·33, 1·11–1·61; p=0·002). The excess risk of stroke remained unchanged in analyses that addressed reverse causation, multivariable adjustments for other risk factors, and different methods of stroke ascertainment (range of RR estimates 1·30–1·42). We recorded a dose–response association for stroke, with RR estimates of 1·10 (95% CI 0·94–1·28; p=0·24) for 41–48 working hours, 1·27 (1·03–1·56; p=0·03) for 49–54 working hours, and 1·33 (1·11–1·61; p=0·002) for 55 working hours or more per week compared with standard working hours (ptrend<0·0001).

      • Puddleglum 15.1.2
        20 August 2015 at 3:58 pm

        Hi northshoredoc,

        You might find answers to some of your questions here. (The original paper in The Lancet).

        I think ‘depends’ is a bit misleading in this context. It’s an epidemiological study (and a meta-analysis) not an experiment to identify a causal mechanism.

        The correct notion is one of ‘risk’ at the population level.

        So the answer to the question “Are long working hours killing Kiwis?” is – almost certainly (unless we systematically differ from the population covered by the meta-analysis); but just which Kiwis might be killed by long working hours ‘depends’ (on the sorts of factors you mention).

        • northshoredoc 15.1.2.1
          20 August 2015 at 4:09 pm

          Thanks for that – always good to see the actual publication and Yes you are quite right. I think if we narrowed it don to those working more than 60 hours a week, who were overweight, smokers, primarily sedentary, over 50yrs and did frequent long haul air travel the risk of stroke would be red lining.

          • Puddleglum 15.1.2.1.1
            20 August 2015 at 8:21 pm

            Yes – always remembering that there is likely to be interactions between those variables (e.g., long-working hours reinforcing sedentary habits, poor diet, etc.)..

            And, of course, being over 50 happens to most of us – all going well – eventually 🙂

    • Draco T Bastard 16.1
      20 August 2015 at 4:23 pm

      I blame the people who decided that it would be cheaper to import people to do the job rather than front up with getting NZers to do it. Going to cost a hell of a lot more now.

  17. maui 17
    20 August 2015 at 3:35 pm

    Article on stuff giving the PM free reign on his flag change.
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/71285531/john-key-lists-his-reasons-for-a-new-flag

    It seems he can’t fool all the people all the time, judging by the comments.

    Leave our bloody flag alone.

    +47

    “If he was to push legislation through Parliament with 61 votes and enforce a new flag on New Zealand, “rightfully so people would say I was taking their democratic right away,” Key said.”

    Like when the public voted against sale of power stations but 61 MPs from the National government rammed it through anyway? I say Key took away our democratic rights on that occasion.

    +33

    Glad to know old John-boy worries about our democratic right… Now how about you let us vote on the TPPA? It’s the democratic thing to do

    +58

    • freedom 17.1
      20 August 2015 at 4:17 pm

      It is going to be a very open referendum apparently when it comes to advertising and promotion of viewpoints.
      The rules for the referendum advertising restrictions apply to print newspaper tv and radio but that is about it.
      All online media, for example, are available for whatever purposes the spin-meisters deem necessary.
      I wonder how the lawyers deal with streaming radio & TV services?

      Material published online will not be a referendum advertisement and is not subject to the referendum advertising rules. This means an individual or group may publish and/or promote any advertising material in relation to the flag referendums on websites, social media pages or any other online platform and it will not be subject to the referendum advertising rules under the Act.

      (bold mine)
      http://www.elections.org.nz/events/referendums-new-zealand-flag-0/referendum-advertising-rules

      Of course that doesn’t mean print, radio or television miss out as they still get to report on stories from any media they choose and will be able to publish any advertisement from other media as part of their reporting.

      ==========
      On a related ‘reporting’ issue – as the referendum draws ever closer, we have still not seen any reporting on how a collection of images that have an existing copyright against them and are currently commercially marketed products have been allowed into the flag debate long list in the first place ….

    • Ad 17.2
      20 August 2015 at 4:43 pm

      The big PR push happens around the Referendum, once we have had the reminder of the Rugby World Cup next month, Olympics soon, then World Masters Games in Auckland.

      PM will have the wind beneath his wings.
      Soaring like an eagle.
      Shaking his ass like a Bison.
      Flashing his tail like a whale.
      And lots and lots of puppy shots.

  19. The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 19
    20 August 2015 at 4:12 pm

    People are waking up, I tells ya:

    http://www.roymorgan.com/findings/6406-roy-morgan-new-zealand-voting-intention-august-2015-201508200049

    • DoublePlusGood 19.1
      20 August 2015 at 4:23 pm

      Wow. Collectively as a country we are so bloody dense it hurts.

    • Draco T Bastard 19.2
      20 August 2015 at 4:29 pm

      Rogue poll by the looks.

      • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 19.2.1
        20 August 2015 at 4:31 pm

        Yet another one.

      • stigie 19.2.2
        20 August 2015 at 5:15 pm

        So last months poll was not a rogue poll then ???

        • maui 19.2.2.1
          20 August 2015 at 6:15 pm

          National’s popularity is now moving in wild swings much like the stock market. Trouble on the horizon when no one really knows what the market is doing or if it represents anything based on reality.

          • Colonial Rawshark 19.2.2.1.1
            20 August 2015 at 6:24 pm

            No, it’s the polling which is moving about in wild swings. Having said that, National’s jump in this poll is well beyond the margin of error so we can be confident that their support has firmed recently.

            However the all important Government Confidence Rating remains weak.

            Labour got zero voter traction from the Chinese house buying ploy, and possibly quite the reverse, that much is clear.

      • philp 19.2.3
        20 August 2015 at 5:16 pm

        Draco, it’s a shame last months poll wasn’t a rogue one!!!!!

    • Ad 19.3
      20 August 2015 at 4:39 pm

      On the Government’s side:
      – Key understands that wall to wall media coverage is the best way to stay popular
      – Chinese voter intentions will harden to National in Auckland
      – The National front bench are firing, and providing Key with strong coverage
      – TPP protests appear not to have touched underlying popularity

      On the Opposition:
      – They Opposition remain a long way from looking like an alternative government
      – The rural economy has not yet fully soured. (It will)
      – Criticising real estate capital growth is not popular
      – Winston Peters continues to get better media traction than Little
      – Greens have no MSM profile currently

      It’s making 2017 look hard for the Progressive side of the fence.
      Should have been firing by now.

      • Colonial Rawshark 19.3.1
        20 August 2015 at 6:26 pm

        I agree with all your points. Previously I had thought your statements around the ‘inevitable decline’ of the Key Govt as probably being a bit too early and a bit too optimistic.

  20. Sam C 20
    20 August 2015 at 4:34 pm

    Haha! Another rogue poll. And yet the last Roy Morgan poll commented on on this blog was blindingly reflective of the Public’s will for change, judging by the comments on here.

  21. Morrissey 21
    20 August 2015 at 4:53 pm

    “I’d like to be Richard Branson. SLURP.”
    The Panel, Radio NZ National, Thursday 20 August 2015
    Jim Mora, Peter Elliott, Gary Moore, Zara Potts, Jesse Mulligan

    We join the Panelists at the tail end of their reaction to a story about how rubbing coffee into your scalp can cure baldness….

    JIM MORA: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
    GARY MOORE: HA!
    JESSE MULLIGAN: Ha ha ha ha ha!
    PETER ELLIOTT: Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!
    ZARA POTTS: He he he he he!
    JIM MORA: Ha ha ha! Okay, what else have you got?
    ZARA POTTS: Well, have you heard of a condition called misophonia?
    JIM MORA: Misophonia.
    ZARA POTTS: Misophonia is the intense, angry reaction to everyday sounds like chewing, lip-smacking, sniffing, and pen-clicking—sounds that other people can ignore. ……

    Now this was mischievous. It is probably not a coincidence that this subject was brought up when Peter Elliott was on the programme. Elliott has built a career out of cultivating a sonorous basso-profundo voice. He is a fine actor, but he has one extremely irritating habit: he is a slurper. If ever there was something to drive a misophonic person into a pit of dark frothing rage, it would be the slurping by Peter Elliott and a former Panel regular, Deborah Hill Cone.

    After the 4 o’clock news, Elliott spoke briefly about his recent trip to Los Angeles….

    People say L.A. is shallow and violent and nasty. I loved it! Maybe I’m just shallow and violent and nasty! SLURP. ….

    Later in the program, Jim Mora asked his guests who they would like to be for a day. Peter Elliott replied like this….

    Richard Branson. He owns this beautiful island and he owns an airline and he can fly anywhere he likes. SLURP…

    For his Soapbox contribution, the slurping was unconstrained….

    I was sad to hear of the demise of the Middle East Cafe. It’s been in Auckland for 25 years. SLURP. I used to go there with my agent Robert Bruce. SLURP. I would be really upset if it became another McDonald’s or Wendy’s or some damn thing. SLURP. But my main topic today is the accuracy of petrol pumps. SLURP. I went on line and checked it out. SLURP. The smallest volume of petrol that can be accurately delivered is two dollars. SLURP….. I just wonder if I am being ripped off at the pump. SLURP….

    Poor old Gary Moore must be sick and tired of being paired with slurpers when he comes on this programme. A couple of years ago he had to sit opposite the most notorious slurper of them all, Deborah Hill Cone…..
    http://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-24052013/#comment-637775

    [lprent: As Chooky says. Nothing to do with the Assange post. I will give you a little leeway as I suspect it could have been an accident. Post this far off topic again, and I’ll have to get educational. ]

    • Chooky 21.1
      20 August 2015 at 5:48 pm

      Morrissey…entertainining as it is ….shouldnt this be under ‘Open Mike’ ?…cant see what it has to do with Julian Assange allegations, which is the topic of this Post

    • Morrissey 21.2
      20 August 2015 at 7:11 pm

      It was indeed an accident. Please accept my apologies.

    • the pigman 21.3
      20 August 2015 at 9:50 pm

      “ZARA POTTS: Well, have you heard of a condition called misophonia?
      JIM MORA: Misophonia.”

      *snicker* You nail Mora’s parroting schtick so well, Morrissey. I’m embarrassed to say I usually catch 15 minutes of the Panel on the webcast (more than enough!) and this is basically how he reacts to any panellist introducing something to the show… just repeating what they’ve said with a kind of cheerful incredulity, like it’s the damned punchline.

      Hope they had the obligatory discussion about the flag/Auckland property prices. The Panel is a sick Groundhog Day Hell and I’m a sucker for punishment.

  22. James 22
    20 August 2015 at 6:04 pm

    “The latest Roy Morgan political poll has the John Key-led National Party’s support jumping 7.5 per cent to 50.5 per cent.”

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/71308270/national-jumps-to-outright-majority-in-latest-roy-morgan-poll

    Last Roy Morgan with a big jump for Labour and the standard commented:

    “Key and his advisors will be very nervous now”

    I wonder if Little and his advisors will be very nervous now?

    Labour is way back at 27%. I still think that they will drop from here.

    • Weepus beard 22.1
      20 August 2015 at 6:07 pm

      The swings are so big and numbers so inconsistent that I don’t think Roy Morgan polls are good enough to wipe your arse with.

      • The Gormless Fool formerly known as Oleolebiscuitbarrell 22.1.1
        20 August 2015 at 6:20 pm

        Treat them all with scepticism if you like, but don’t treat the ones that suit you as gospel and those that don’t as rogue.

        I’d love to hear Colonial Viper’s view of this poll.

        He took the last Roy Morgan poll as proof positive that Labour’s “move left” strategy was resonating with the public and that the Nats would be “nervous”.

        http://thestandard.org.nz/rm-labour-jumps-6-labgr-coalition-leads/#comment-1046405

        • Weepus beard 22.1.1.1
          20 August 2015 at 7:41 pm

          Treat them all with scepticism if you like, but don’t treat the ones that suit you as gospel and those that don’t as rogue.

          – Gormless Fool

          And I don’t.

          Colonial Viper and yourself may choose to analyse polls looking for answers that aren’t there, and you are welcome to do that.

    • Clemgeopin 22.2
      20 August 2015 at 6:46 pm

      Yes, this poll has been a big disappointment for me and a surprise that National has risen in spite of….

      (1) TPP shenanigans
      (2) Low milk price
      (3) Housing crisis
      (4) Saudi Sheep shit bribe (and investigation)
      (5) Pony tail investigation
      (6) State house asset sales
      (7) Homelessness increase
      (9) Job losses left, right and centre!
      (10) Undermining of workers

      Don’t know what gives! Remains to be seen in the next TV1 & TV3 polls if there is a trend or if this poll is a strange unexpected aberration.

      • greywarshark 22.2.1
        20 August 2015 at 9:25 pm

        @Clemgeopin
        Chris Trotter says that the young adults are very drawn to yek as he epitomises the virtues of today, money, and essence of cool. What he posits might be an answer to your question. The things you have listed are the sort of things that older Labour voters considered important. Now in the ‘Me’ neo lib era they are not central.
        http://bowalleyroad.blogspot.co.nz/2015/08/heart-of-gold-why-mike-hosking-is-more.html

        • Clemgeopin 22.2.1.1
          20 August 2015 at 10:06 pm

          There is a lot of truth in that…sadly!

          Two other reasons for that are, in my opinion,

          (1) Our education system does not include the (compulsory) study and discussion about political thought, past revolutions, civics, constitution, local and world history, discussions of ideologies, ethics, philosophical thoughts etc unless a student specifically chooses that and very few do.

          (2) The media dumbs down news and the people generally do not take an active interest in democratic participation, thought and discussion on important issues, except for a small part of the population, including the activists. (even in the USA of all places which is a large democratic nation and also where ‘God’ is put on a pedestal and ‘spoken off’ as important by politicians but ‘opposite’ rules in practice, if you know what I mean!)

          In the mean time, the world is being taken over by ‘all kinds’ of evil forces! I fear for the children and the future of our world.

          P.S :
          “The things you have listed are the sort of things that older Labour voters considered important’

          I didn’t think I was that old, but ok! LOL

          greywarshark, have a guess of my age and gender from my comments over time. +/- 5 will do. I am curious. It is interesting.

          • greywarshark 22.2.1.1.1
            21 August 2015 at 10:48 am

            @Clem
            I think that people don’t reach the age of approaching wisdom till they are about 40, as by that time they have had personal life experience and learned a bit about how the world works. So I would put you nearer 50 than 40. Any good? Gender – I feel you are a woman, have a less stoic attitude to others’ difficulties and conditions than the average male.

            Myself I have let on earlier. But I’m a late bloomer, really didn’t start thinking hard till I went to uni mid-life and that was my tertiary introduction and I have tried to keep learning, thinking and doing for good democracy since then.
            edited

            • Clemgeopin 22.2.1.1.1.1
              21 August 2015 at 11:58 am

              Thanks for the response, greywarshark. Much appreciated. Have an enjoyable day. Cheers!

              • greywarshark …
                21 August 2015 at 1:20 pm

                @Clem
                I thought you might give an indication as to correctness. You are worse than a cryptic crossword which hold out on me (I really like to do them late and have the answers available to peek at.)

                • Clemgeopin …
                  21 August 2015 at 1:29 pm

                  LOL! You did quite Ok, I will leave it at that. Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked you in the first place. My bad a tad as the sad mad lad.

  23. greywarshark 23
    20 August 2015 at 7:04 pm

    John Oliver and Clarke and Dawe touching on Tony Abbott (with a bargepole).
    (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3IaKVmkXuk)
    (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6T0S7KAHCE)

  24. Gabby 24
    20 August 2015 at 7:45 pm

    The Cabinet is chocablock with liars, but Labour are far too genteel to point this out in words of one syllable. They won’t get Ponyboy into court without goading him into suing someone.

  25. greywarshark 25
    20 August 2015 at 9:14 pm

    Overseas deaths of honourable people.

    Khaled al-Asaad Syrian archaeologist aged 81 beheaded by ISIS.
    http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-33984006

    The latest from AVaaz. Sad stuff continues with journalists persecuted
    Mexican photojournalist Rubén Espinosa was just found tortured and murdered, along with human rights activist Nadia Vera and three other women.
    Freedom of expression is under attack in one of Latin America’s oldest democracies, and Rubén is the 14th journalist killed in the southern state of Veracruz where governor Javier Duarte has made open threats against reporters. Almost none of these crimes have been solved.

    But this case has sent thousands into the streets and set off an explosion in the national and global media. Now Gael García Bernal, Salman Rushdie, Christiane Amanpour and hundreds of journalists, writers and artists have signed an open letter demanding justice for journalists in Mexico murdered for doing their jobs

    http://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2015/aug/18/500-writers-sign-letter-to-mexicos-president-over-journalists-murders

    Mexico – Committee to Protect Journalists
    https://cpj.org/americas/mexico/
    In the past 10 years, 370 journalists were murdered; in 90 percent of cases, there … Mexican photojournalist who fled violent Veracruz state murdered in capital.

    Journalists Killed in Mexico – Committee to Protect Journalists
    https://cpj.org/killed/americas/mexico/
    34 Journalists Killed in Mexico since 1992/Motive Confirmed. — Killed by Country –. — Killed by Country –; All Countries; Afghanistan; Algeria; Angola; Argentina …

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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
  • The Hoon around the week to July 19

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent talking about the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s release of its first Emissions Reduction Plan;University of Otago Foreign Relations Professor and special guest Dr Karin von ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #29 2024

    Open access notables Improving global temperature datasets to better account for non-uniform warming, Calvert, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society: To better account for spatial non-uniform trends in warming, a new GITD [global instrumental temperature dataset] was created that used maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to combine the land surface ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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