Open mike 21/03/2013

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, March 21st, 2013 - 126 comments
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Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

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Step right up to the mike…

126 comments on “Open mike 21/03/2013 ”

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  1. Morrissey 1
    21 March 2013 at 6:17 am

    The worst public service appointment since Christine (Spankin’) Rankin
    Justice Minister praises Dame Susan’s “mature judgement”
    Thursday 21 March 2013

    Four years ago, Dame Susan Devoy was one of several prominent suckers to be played for a fool by Tony “Boot Boy” Veitch. Along with several other gulls, including the notoriously malleable All Black coach Graham Henry, she wrote Veitch a testimonial for “a passport application”; Veitch used their testimonials as evidence for the mitigation of his sentence for attacking and crippling a young woman.

    For sensible people, such a gross lack of common-sense, such lamentably poor judgement, such absence of nous, would mean Dame Susan Devoy would be unsuitable for any position demanding a high degree of intelligence, astuteness and moral rectitude. Most people would suspect the competence of anyone who could be so easily conned into writing a character testimonial for a violent thug.

    No problems for this government, however. Far from disqualifying herself from being taken seriously, Dame Susan has sleepwalked herself into a highly paid public position for which she admits she has no qualification whatsoever: Race Relations Conciliator. Devoy admits she knows nothing about race relations, but reckons that there’s nothing complicated about it.

    Yesterday’s public announcement by the Minister of Justice was beyond satire. I’ve put the especially absurd bits in bold….

    “Dame Susan is a proud New Zealander who is highly motivated to contribute positively to New Zealand society,” Justice Minister Judith Collins said today. “Her communication and relationship management skills, coupled with experience working with diverse groups, are key areas of strength. Dame Susan has sound governance experience and mature judgement. I am confident she will be a sensible and intelligent voice for race relations issues,” Collins said.

    Click on the following link for an example of Dame Susan Devoy’s “mature judgement”….
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10567112

    • Descendant Of Sssmith 1.1
      21 March 2013 at 7:27 am

      Makes perfect sense to appoint her.

      Apparently most of our current immigrants are English.

      Who better than a dame to make sure they do not suffer the pains of discrimination?

    • Socialist Paddy 1.2
      21 March 2013 at 8:24 am

      And she thinks that Waitangi Day is full of too many protesters and everyone should settle down and be happy.

      Arn’t you meant to have the slightest smidgeon of knowledge of history so that you can be appointed to important race relations positions?

      Maybe the cunning plan is to appoint the most inappropriate candidate so that the mana of the office is trashed.

      • Alanz 1.2.1
        21 March 2013 at 11:35 pm

        “Maybe the cunning plan is to appoint the most inappropriate candidate so that the mana of the office is trashed.”

        Oh. Like the recent appointment to the Speaker of the House?

        • Morrissey 1.2.1.1
          22 March 2013 at 7:51 pm

          Like the recent appointment to the Speaker of the House?

          Exactly, Alanz. Well spotted.

    • Anne 1.3
      21 March 2013 at 9:48 am

      “Dame Susan is a proud New Zealander who is highly motivated to contribute positively to New Zealand society,”

      Methinks Dame Susan is going to be way out of her depth and sooner or later there will be a stoush between her and some citizens who went to her for help and she did nothing. She’s a good girl though who votes National and is a whizz squash player. What more could you want for a Race Relations Conciliator.

      • Colonial Viper 1.3.1
        21 March 2013 at 9:59 am

        Stupid to accept a position like this and then think you can just wing it. She’ll be seriously tested within the year.

        • Draco T Bastard 1.3.1.1
          21 March 2013 at 10:44 am

          I watched the TVNZ News item – she’s already out of her depth. She hasn’t got a freaken clue what she’s talking about.

          • Colonial Viper 1.3.1.1.1
            21 March 2013 at 11:03 am

            So she’s making it up as she goes along. The ego behind this must be massive.

          • marty mars 1.3.1.1.2
            21 March 2013 at 4:31 pm

            Her appointment begins 1 April – this a very poor taste early April Fools joke and I’m not laughing

          • marty mars 1.3.1.1.3
            21 March 2013 at 6:23 pm

            Bomber at The Daily Blog has really hit it out the park with this post – awesome and so, so true

            Very brief quote but I recommend reading the whole post

            “Pakeha can celebrate Waitangi Day without all the shame and division the day Maori aren’t the worst health stats.”

            http://thedailyblog.co.nz/2013/03/21/when-can-pakeha-celebrate-waitangi-day-a-response-to-dame-susan-devoy/#comment-5075

            The Daily Blog is starting to get real traction – good effort to all concerned.

            • The Al1en 1.3.1.1.3.1
              22 March 2013 at 8:08 pm

              “Pakeha can celebrate Waitangi Day without all the shame and division the day Maori aren’t the worst health stats.”

              He should quit the guilt trip and just donate his wages to a local tribe until he’s comfortable with himself, or just keep paying his taxes and hope the dollar spend on improving outcomes will be better spent and/or matched by a concerted effort by whanau to change habits and assist end trending poor health.

          • marty mars 1.3.1.1.4
            21 March 2013 at 8:10 pm

            Annette Sykes – “demanded that she stand down because she was not fit for the role.

            In a statement, she said: “It’s so disturbing that someone with a clearly expressed, racist viewpoint can be appointed to a job that’s about providing independent leadership and advice on race relations, including public education on the Treaty of Waitangi,” Ms Sykes said.

            She argued that Dame Susan failed to meet criteria for the job which included knowledge of the Treaty of Waitangi and understanding of the issues which affected indigenous people.”

            judith collins – “The Far Left does not have a monopoly on caring about race relations and Dame Susan Devoy is a very sensible and balanced person.

            “We’re allowed in this country to have views that have not been politically sanitised and what’s wrong with that?”

            http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10872741

            Notice the difference? Annette Sykes is factual and makes an argument. Collins just spins and distracts with bullshit.

            Has labour said anything about this appointment for or against?

            • Alanz 1.3.1.1.4.1
              21 March 2013 at 11:40 pm

              Lovely. Ol’ Jude should be defending the appointment of this lemon of a choice a lot more. Incompetence by association.

            • Colonial Viper 1.3.1.1.4.2
              22 March 2013 at 8:57 am

              Has labour said anything about this appointment for or against?

              Give them a couple of days to come up with some wording which doesn’t offend Devoy squash fans.

            • The Al1en 1.3.1.1.4.3
              22 March 2013 at 8:22 pm

              “Annette Sykes – “demanded that she stand down because she was not fit for the role.”

              Is that the same Annette Sykes who was defending the owner of a devil dog in Rotorua, that mauled youngsters?

    • Murray Olsen 1.4
      21 March 2013 at 7:29 pm

      This is just NAct showing how much they hold the country and all peoples of goodwill in contempt. Hopefully there aren’t quite as many redneck bigots among us as they seem to be counting on, and this will become another nail in their coffin.

      • Morrissey 1.4.1
        22 March 2013 at 7:14 am

        Murray, please don’t insult working people by associating them with bigotry. Most of the vilest racists wear white collars, and do no hard or useful work. Leighton Smith, Larry “Lackwit” Williams, Murray Deaker, ACT party members, Sensible Sentencing Trusters and Family Firsters and, yes, the new Race Relations Commissioner are all established bigots, but they are NOT rednecks.

        Please don’t use this sniffy term of eastern elite contempt for working people.

  2. logie97 2
    21 March 2013 at 6:29 am

    Shearer’s Bank accounts, and Banks’ share accounts seem to have disappeared from the headlines now that a new day dawns. So for those who may have missed them during the night …

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10872534
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10872232

    • Socialist Paddy 2.1
      21 March 2013 at 8:26 am

      Shearer and Labour are both dead men walking at this stage.

      Time for a change.

    • just saying 2.2
      21 March 2013 at 9:24 am

      There’s going to be more to come in this story, imo.

      Reading the financial information from one of the links in Edwards’ latest column:

      http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10872509

      It turns out that Shearer had two bank accounts holding more than $50,000, and likely substantially more, and a mortgage.

      As the epitome of the worst kind of ‘Papatoetoe-Boy-Makes-Good’ (again imo) It’s not plausible this could be bad money management. I don’t think Shearer is particulary smart, but money, like everyting associated with his giant ego, is important to him. He couldn’t be unaware that, (as this situation has been presented so far) this arrangement constitutes chucking money away – a considerable amount in interest over the term of the mortgage. His wife is no fool, and I’m sure his financial advisors would have mentioned it.

      Nah there is a reason.

      Maybe it’s something simple. Maybe Shearer likes to sit in his flash new home, daydreaming about being Prime-Minister-Shearer-on-the-world-stage, and for an extra thrill, dialling the telebank machine to check the petty cash, and hearing: ” You have five hun dred and sixty eight thousand dollars, and seven cents……..”

      or something.

      • Colonial Viper 2.2.1
        21 March 2013 at 10:06 am

        OMFG.

      • Draco T Bastard 2.2.2
        21 March 2013 at 10:47 am

        Well invested money can bring in more than the interest being paid on a mortgage.

        • just saying 2.2.2.1
          21 March 2013 at 11:17 am

          You may be right. I’m sure some bright researcher will let us know.
          A US bank term-deposit of a very big sum might bring in more than a 5.5% NZ mortgage costs I guess.

          Which would make you wonder why he had more than $50,000 in a NZ ANZ account, which wouldn’t bring in more than the mortgage costs

          • Lanthanide 2.2.2.1.1
            21 March 2013 at 1:14 pm

            “A US bank term-deposit of a very big sum might bring in more than a 5.5% NZ mortgage costs I guess.”

            Hah, no. US interest rates are at 0-0.25%. Unless Shearer had literally billions in the bank, he wouldn’t be getting much more than 1-2% tops.

            • Draco T Bastard 2.2.2.1.1.1
              21 March 2013 at 1:20 pm

              Na, people with billions in the bank are actually getting charged. What I meant for “smart investments” wasn’t leaving it in the bank but using it to play the stock market. If he was just leaving it in the bank then there would be no reason to leave it in the US.

              • Colonial Viper …
                21 March 2013 at 4:24 pm

                Yep. And if a bank is providing deposits with a 2% pa rate of interest, it’s probably negative 2% real rate once inflation/deflation, fees etc are taken into account.

  3. Raa 3
    21 March 2013 at 6:37 am

    There was something on the 6AM RNZ news that the government was preparing a takeover
    of the Auckland City Council. Stay tuned for developments ..

    • tc 3.1
      21 March 2013 at 7:49 am

      They effectively have taken over akl with the CCO’s answerable to no one effectively and stacked with Hide/Key stooges.

      Blinky F’ing up the mayoralty with his racist yet predictable comments means they didn’t get the puppett they wanted.

      Maybe it’ll be ECAN V2.0 but I can only see that if Brown wins again and the NACT get a third term. If that happens god help you jaffa’s but to do it pre 2014 would kill them in the general election.

    • JK 3.2
      21 March 2013 at 8:10 am

      Please keep us informed Raa – not everyone is close to a radio news announcement at the right time !

      • Raa 3.2.1
        21 March 2013 at 3:47 pm

        I have my clock radio alarm set for the 6AM news, but am often up earlier ..
        Cheers,

    • Raa 4.1
      21 March 2013 at 7:17 am

      Has anyone consulted the iwi ?

    • Descendant Of Sssmith 4.2
      21 March 2013 at 7:30 am

      The spare land is obviously not where the wealthy want to live.

      • karol 4.2.1
        21 March 2013 at 8:30 am

        There is a relevant report listed here:

        Tensions escalate over supply of land for Auckland housing
        There’s a growing concern within Auckland Council the Government intends to take direct action to free up land for new housing. (4′27″)

        F**k them! We voted against Banksie to keep the vultures hands off our city! No respect for democracy!

        • mickysavage 4.2.1.1
          21 March 2013 at 8:47 am

          The most interesting analysis will be on who owns the land just on the other side of the urban boundary and who profits if things change. Smith is not doing this because of his concern for the poor and homeless. There is a profit for a National Party supporter somewhere and Smith is being told about this loud and clear.

          And I am really worried this is a done deal. National has this modus operandi where they create a “crisis” then “act decisively” to deal with the “crisis”. It has happened time and time again.

          The simple solution is to allow the Unitary Plan to be operative from its release in September this year. The fact that National is not agreeing to this is a clear message that they intend to do something else.

          • Colonial Viper 4.2.1.1.1
            21 March 2013 at 9:16 am

            It’s going to be a real test of how much political and popular support Mayor Brown can rally.

            • Elizabeth Bourchier 4.2.1.1.1.1
              21 March 2013 at 1:31 pm

              Hear hear O Viperous One.
              As lefties we must fully back Len, or become culpable for a National inspired theft and mess-up.

              • Murray Olsen …
                21 March 2013 at 7:34 pm

                It would be easier to back Len if he’d done something inspiring during the waterfront dispute, or at any other time. Once again we’re left with someone who has the warrior instincts of wet toilet paper as our great hope against another rapacious NAct power/land grab. We need better.

          • Draco T Bastard 4.2.1.1.2
            21 March 2013 at 1:15 pm

            The simple solution is to allow the Unitary Plan to be operative from its release in September this year. The fact that National is not agreeing to this is a clear message that they intend to do something else.

            /agreed

            Just watch as they take away another regions democracy but this time it’s the democracy of an entire third of the country.

    • muzza 4.3
      21 March 2013 at 8:37 am

      The housing issue is a red herring, and being used as a route in, although not quite sure the aim might be, other than a power grab.

      As TC points out the CCOs do not answer to AKL Council, or any elected members they are stand alone operations, filled with corporate types.

      Spend a little time looking into the backgrounds of the people involved, its not only the CCOs, but the Council Departments also, which have been run over by Deloitte, ex Deloitte mostly.

      How to take over large public departments

      1: Get a stooge into the top role – Ex Deloitte
      2: Bring in another ( known affiliate) to run *transformation* – Ex Deloitte
      3: Give known affiliate free reign to *shape* the department
      4: Bring in more known affiliates to run large in flight programmes (regardless of experience levels) – All Ex Deloitte
      5: Ensure Transformation #2 takes out the top layers of existing or structure , (hence council staff)
      6: Have known affiliate #2/3 on the interview panel for top level positions in new org structure
      7: Ensure that council staff do not get any of the top level positions in new org structure
      8: Advertise directors roles externally – Have more corporate stooges conveniently standing by
      9: Take over complete – Too easy, high fives, contract awards, services agreements and professional services agreements all wrapped up (more so than they already were)
      10: Keep M.O from public, and let them think their rates go up due to lazy employees etc, as opposed to corporate shuffle

      Corporate now has complete control over multiple largest departments of type in NZ

  5. Te Reo Putake 5
    21 March 2013 at 8:02 am

    A couple of oddities from the media world:

    Esquire editor fesses up: “The women we feature in the magazine are ornamental,” he said, “I could lie to you if you want and say we are interested in their brains as well. We are not. They are objectified.”

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2013/mar/19/esquire-editor-show-women-like-cars

    The Times gets conned:

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2013/mar/18/times-duped-hoax-qatar-dream-football-story?INTCMP=SRCH

    And bonus music featurette: Reasons to Love the Dropkick Murphys No 94:

    http://gawker.com/5991403/dropkick-murphys-singer-kicks-the-crap-out-of-skinhead-doing-nazi-salute-on-stage-during-st-patricks-day-concert

    • joe90 5.1
      21 March 2013 at 9:37 am

      Dropkick Murphys – Cadence to Arms / Do or Die

      The once steel tough fabric of the union man
      Was sold and bartered away
      Fed to money wolves in the Reagan years
      Caught in a drift in greedy nineties days

      So inside this song is our rally cry
      Your dreams are in danger
      And we must rise
      Our time has come we are under the gun
      It’s do or die

      It’s not a rebel cry of some socialist scheme
      To push for human rights
      Just the facts and the obvious mention
      On behalf of the working man
      For his family and his livelihood

      Your dreams are in danger
      And we must rise
      Our time has come we are under the gun
      It’s do or die

      The once steel tough fabric of the union man
      Was sold and bartered away
      Fed to money and wolves in the Reagan years
      Caught adrift in greedy nineties days

      Your dreams are in danger
      And we must rise
      Our time has come we are under the gun
      It’s do or die

  6. ad 6
    21 March 2013 at 8:20 am

    Some great looking polls. Delighted to be wrong, for now.

    • The Al1en 6.2
      21 March 2013 at 8:40 am

      Will be interested to see next month how much ‘overlooked a fortune in a foreign accountgate’ dents the great polling, that still show national in government.

      A month is a long time in politics.

      • Olwyn 6.2.1
        21 March 2013 at 8:48 am

        Shearer’s Labour does seem to do better in the Herald polls than in others.

        • Colonial Viper 6.2.1.1
          21 March 2013 at 9:10 am

          First line in the piece: “National also up”

          Trevett reckons that Labours increased support has come at the expense of the Greens and NZF. In true genius fashion LAB will probably take this to mean to do more of this.

      • Dem Young Sconies 6.2.2
        21 March 2013 at 9:05 am

        Precisely. There is little point even watching the polls at this stage of the electoral cycle, and as has been proven time and time again, they are often inaccurate, overstating Tory support. In reality NACT support is at around 44%. Currently the Labour/Green coalition sits at around the same number. The Winston Peters roadshow can’t be underestimated, and his support still has to be over 5%. The real challenge for the left will be finding that extra 4% support so they can form a stable government and not have to deal with the profoundly conservative NZ First (either that or hope that his party just falls short of 5%). Hopefully the continued fallout from the Novapay debacle, the GCSB scandal, poor economic management and the theft and sale of our assets will continue to erode Tory support.

        • Colonial Viper 6.2.2.1
          21 March 2013 at 9:12 am

          Nah, NZF aren’t “profoundly conservative”, just “somewhat conservative”.

          If you want “profoundly conservative” you need to be pointing your finger at Colin Craig’s mob.

          • TT 6.2.2.1.1
            21 March 2013 at 9:35 am

            I’m not sure about that. The comments coming out of NZF lately are about as racist, homophobic and bigoted as what comes out of that ass-hat Colin Craig’s mouth. The latter just throws scripture, and other xtian wingnuttery into the mix too.

            • Colonial Viper 6.2.2.1.1.1
              21 March 2013 at 9:53 am

              I blame NZF’s inept candidate selection process as being a big part of the problem. Because of their strong showing in 2011, I think they will manage to rustle up a far superior crowd for 2014.

    • vto 7.1
      21 March 2013 at 11:59 am

      This is the biggest issue facing the world and NZ right now.

      It has implications and effects that are and will be far-reaching.

      This should be seen for what it is – another well predicted part of the current world financial crisis which erupted onto the public conscience in 2008 and which will continue for years yet, with resultant massive meltdowns of wealth. People would do well to research the other well predicted future events that will roll out of this systemic end-game play…..

      do
      not
      trust
      the
      banking
      system

  8. felix 8
    21 March 2013 at 9:00 am

    7 reasons why Paula Bennett should stfu and piss off back to wherever she came from: http://sorrelish.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/7-reasons-why-you-should-stop-bitching.html

    • just saying 8.1
      21 March 2013 at 9:44 am

      Just brilliant.

    • freedom 8.2
      21 March 2013 at 9:57 am

      from the comments
      “The onus here should be on employers to pay proper wages, and maybe on the government to lower taxes on small businesses who cannot afford to pay more (and of course, higher taxes on tax-evading mega-businesses who CAN afford to pay more).”

      Surely this simple truth is the nub of the Global problem regarding employment. (that and the endless greed of Banking cabals )

      Perhaps this is also a good time to remind you that New Zealand desperately needs the low income tax free earnings structure that the UK, Australia and the US all enjoy. As their economies and policies are consistently used to reflect our economy and policies, surely this glaring disparity in economic truths can finally become a real issue in the next NZ General Election .

      i know, dream on dream on

    • ghostrider888 8.3
      22 March 2013 at 2:56 pm

      “and Sorrel was her name”

  9. Te Reo Putake 9
    21 March 2013 at 10:10 am

    LP: all the rolling comments in the opinions/comments box actually link to an old post (return of the king). This may be related to the issue Anne referred to yesterday.

    • Te Reo Putake 9.1
      21 March 2013 at 10:14 am

      And now its back to normal. I blame the North Koreans.

      • karol 9.1.1
        21 March 2013 at 10:18 am

        Heh. Yes. And I was getting an odd version of open mike (maybe the mobile version?) on Chrome, FF, & IE, with none of the latest comments as indicated in the links top right. And while I was logged into the main site, I was not logged into open mike.

        Now it seems to be back to normal.

      • The Al1en 9.1.2
        21 March 2013 at 11:51 am

        Probably the secret squirrel’s smart phone playing up

    • lprent 9.2
      21 March 2013 at 10:35 am

      It is the caching I turned on last night to cope with the flood from offshore. Just turned it off and cleared the cloudflare cache.

      Thanks for reminding me.

  10. Draco T Bastard 10
    21 March 2013 at 10:28 am

    Here’s a short book review:
    The Surprising Conclusion to an Important New Book

    This book demonstrates that empty-world economic theory has failed on its own terms and that its application by policymakers has resulted in the failure of capitalism itself. Pursuing absolute advantage in cheap labor abroad, First World corporations have wrecked the prospects for First World labor, especially in the US, while concentrating income and wealth in a few hands.

    Economist Herman Daly put it well when he wrote that the elites who make the decisions “have figured out how to keep the benefits for themselves while ‘sharing’ the cost with the poor, the future, and other species (Ecological Economics, vol. 72, p. 8).

    Empty-world economics with its emphasis on spurring economic growth by the accumulation of man-made capital has run its course. Full-world economics is steady-state economics, and it is past time for economists to get to work on a new economics for a full world.

    It seems that the book is based upon facts and thus comes to the only possible conclusion – the mainstream economics used by politicians is wrong, very, very wrong and we need to change it and go to a steady state economy.

    • Ennui 10.1
      21 March 2013 at 12:32 pm

      Draco, there are major implications for empty world accumulation versus steady state economics. Once we are all fully cognisant that wealth requires work to be done and that it cannot be created out of thin air as credit (future debt) then we will all get a healthier respect for our toils. And anybody with vast accumulated sums must have got them from somebodies elses work. That could result in some very interesting social behavoir……..

    • ghostrider888 10.2
      22 March 2013 at 3:01 pm

      great link D.

  11. David H 11
    21 March 2013 at 12:06 pm

    The disunity is killing us. It must end Simon Crean on the Australian Labour parties problems.

    Could the same be said of Labour NZ??

  12. red rattler 12
    21 March 2013 at 12:32 pm

    Meanwhile back at the race to extinction.
    Guy McPherson interview
    10 positive feedback loops of which one we can influence
    http://c-realm.com/podcasts/crealm/354-rapid-unpredictable-non-linear-responses/

  13. grumpy 13
    21 March 2013 at 12:42 pm

    Yep, I know you guys hate the UK Daily Mail but you gotta love this. Truth as only the Right can do it.

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2296064/If-scintilla-decency-Tony-Blair-Alastair-Campbell-John-Scarlett-faces-public-again.html

  15. just saying 15
    21 March 2013 at 4:11 pm

    Does anyone know how to completely delete a gravatar? After a long time mucking around at the site, I’m left with this horrible black square. I want to be back where I was before I ever had a gravatar. Is this no longer possible?

    They tell my I can’t delete my account.

    [lprent: Looks ok to me. Remember that your browser will be caching the image. So try shift+click refresh (common to most browsers) force a complete reload of the site. ]

  16. ghostrider888 16
    21 March 2013 at 4:34 pm

    test

  18. feijoa 18
    21 March 2013 at 4:38 pm

    well I need more link lessons obviously, but it is on stuff today, RMA overhaul EXCELLENT reading

  19. just saying 19
    21 March 2013 at 5:03 pm

    test

  20. ghostrider888 20
    21 March 2013 at 5:09 pm

    “I have heard that if a persons’ historical account is incorrect, then death will follow that person”
    -Kaumatua; Waka Huia
    (Crown vs Tuhoe, historically, equated to “ethnic cleansing”-Paul Moon)

    Susan Devoy? White must be right. “burqas are disconcerting” but hey, endorsed by that low-forehead paragon of virtue Judith Collins.

    Based on experiences such as Katrina, with funds up to 30B coming into ChCh rebuild over the next 5 years, fraud in the order of 1-3B is not unexpected- KPMG commentator.

    Novopay Tech. review release; “platform unstable, 19000 pay-related problems backlog.”

    and now for some Dominion Post propaganda;
    yesterday, “no excuses for neglectful Chinese” concerning the aged.
    and then the Front Page “This is China” on imprisonment conditions, like, isolation, over-crowding, labour, drug trials and health challenges do not occur under other countries’ penal regimes.
    WHAT A MOFO LOAD OF XENOPHOBIA AROUSING SH*T; some of the editorial staff will likely not even be out of nappies when the war is over…

    followed by..”Israel talks peace” please, spare us the incredulity (see earlier diplomatic analysis of an “inevitable Intifada”)FFS

    Massey University Head of Banking Studies : events in Cyprus were “very relevant” to New Zealand.;” bank deposit guarantee a much better solution”

    QT : Parker on the governments’ gloat over the Dec Quarter economic figures; 23000 lost jobs and 33000 left the work force; Joyce concedes, “employment sector is challenging”
    Current Account Deficit 10.5B (5% GDP) not helpful-Penny, Westpac economist
    “part of the slippery 😉 slope the NZ economy is on” -Doug Steel, BNZ
    but that’s OK, New Zealanders received “record returns from off-shore investments.”

    NZLast hammering the issue of Chinese parents of skilled migrants again; good return serve from Woodhouse (a decent Tory it appears).

    Brownlee’s opposition to Rail Loop appears to be fading slowly (Enright (sp?) report; Loop essential to improved productivity. Julie-Ann hit Brownlee back with his own premise of reduced travel times.

    in ICT; job loss indications are up to 1500-C.C (maybe skilled migrants will fill the “advertised” ICT vacancies Joyce touts.)

    Chris Tremain? that guy don’t seem right in the head ma.

    Families Commission; throwing money away on contractors, gifts and hospitality.

    Coleman on the NZDF : “culture, oversight of orders and failure to adhere to orders”
    Goff on Crib 19 (sp?) “according to the WO, “only 60% of training effected.”

    Torie aye, who’d vote for them! Baaa Humbug. freakin narrow-minded inbreds is what they generally appear to be.

    She Had
    http://www.metal-archives.com/images/2/3/6/2/236249.jpg
    The General Electric

    ps. Is Resigning an option?
    http://auckland.scoop.co.nz/2013/03/st-matthew-in-the-citys-easter-billboard/

    meanwhile
    Little Reason Indeed
    http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/comment/columnists/rosemary-mcleod/8453067/Little-reason-for-man-of-cloth-to-preach-pure-rationalism

  21. North Calling Morrissey - Come In Morrissey 21
    21 March 2013 at 5:21 pm

    Hey Morrissey, Obama’s monster limo “The Beast” konks out in Jerusalem. Waddya reckon ? God slapped them ?

    • Populuxe1 21.1
      21 March 2013 at 7:39 pm

      Presumably Obama didn’t laugh at a Sascha Baron-Cohen joke and the Ultra-Zionist comedian called in a favour from Mossad.

      • North 21.1.1
        21 March 2013 at 9:34 pm

        Sacha, how many times I godda tell ya bud ? Enough of the false anonyms already !

        Say, could we flog the vee-hickle off to that crazy dude John A. Banks way down there in Ocklind, Nooo Zeeerlind ? Word is he’s a doozie at concealin’ paper trails.

    • Morrissey 21.2
      22 March 2013 at 7:49 pm

      Hello North! Sorry to be so slow responding, but I just completely missed your original message. I had not heard of that incident.

      And, no, I don’t think “God slapped them” or anything like that, but I think Obama’s conscience will slap him over the next few years as he slips deeper and deeper into perfidy. He looked very uncomfortable when speaking alongside Mr Abbas yesterday on his flying visit into the Occupied Territories.

      Of course, he is a machine politician from Chicago, which means he is as cynical and impervious to morality as anyone in America, but he is human, and he knows that he has failed to do anything to stop Israel’s depredations in either the illegally occupied West Bank or the illegal giant prison in Gaza. In spite of his apparent arrogance, especially when he is being cheered by flag-waving Israeli crowds, he has a conscience like everyone else, and I have no doubt that it is wearing away at him. Soon Obama will be looking as gaunt and haunted as the troubled fellow standing in the middle of the second row in THIS PHOTO….

      http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/03/18/article-2295067-0C11293D000005DC-68_634x402.jpg

  22. feijoa 22
    21 March 2013 at 5:29 pm

    Sorry to harp on, but my burble in blue above does actually link to the article on the RMA.
    It is a very clear account of what the Nacts are changing, and there is very little time for people to be informed (shouted from the rooftops) about what a disgrace this really is.
    Where are the opposition, especially the Greens on this? Not more silence, please…

  23. McFlock 23
    21 March 2013 at 5:35 pm

    Nice comment from Jacinda Ardern layning into Bennefits. – clip H/TBryan Bruce.

    • Draco T Bastard 23.1
      21 March 2013 at 6:11 pm

      Very good speech by her. Probably the best I’ve heard from her.

      • rosy 23.1.1
        21 March 2013 at 9:53 pm

        Indeed, well done Jacinda. Good to see her re-stating Labour’s commitment to a social security system, highlighting contradictions, timing of announcements and the political nastiness of this bill. All stuff that Labour has been seen as silent on (at best) by many people, including me. Now to get it heard in a wider public forum…

  24. Tony P 24
    21 March 2013 at 5:54 pm

    I know some people around here have it in for Chris Hipkins but this speech he gave to the Auckland Primary Principals Association yesterday gives me some hope that Labour’s education policies are on the right track. Shame the speech hasn’t been reported very widely if at all.

    http://www.networkonnet.co.nz/index.php?section=latest&id=229

    • rosy 24.1
      21 March 2013 at 10:00 pm

      Thanks for the link. Some policy statements at last….

      So let me be very clear about Labour’s position on charter schools. We see no need for them. We see no place for them. And any charter schools established under the current National government will have no future under Labour…

      …One of the most destructive things this government could do to quality education in New Zealand is introduce so-called ‘performance pay’ based on a narrow range of student achievement measures.

      If the alarm bells aren’t already ringing, they should be…

      … Under Labour, we will work collaboratively with the education community to replace National Standards with something that is meaningful, broad, and that will work.

  25. Anne 25
    21 March 2013 at 6:49 pm

    I know some people around here have it in for Chris Hipkins…

    He asked for it Tony P, but if he continues to perform at his present level then some of us may eventually be able to forgive him. Up to him.

    • ScottGN 25.1
      21 March 2013 at 8:40 pm

      What did he ask for exactly? This statement is extraordinary. You may eventually forgive him? What a load of patronizing bollocks.

      • Colonial Viper 25.1.1
        21 March 2013 at 8:46 pm

        Of course it’s patronizing bollocks, because these types aren’t accountable to us.

      • Anne 25.1.2
        21 March 2013 at 9:14 pm

        Only patronising bollocks to ignorant twits like yourself who apparently don’t keep themselves informed. Get off your backside and find out for yourself… or is that beyond your capabilities.

  26. bad12 26
    21 March 2013 at 7:20 pm

    Up to 1500 jobs to go at Telecom in May, no wonder Bill from Dipton was saying on Q+A that the Welfare Budget is likely to get more money in His next budget…

    • Colonial Viper 26.1
      21 March 2013 at 7:49 pm

      Gotta maintain those multi-million dollar profit levels for the foreign share owners.

      • chris73 acualy is Dolan 26.1.1
        21 March 2013 at 11:17 pm

        Yeah that sucks, damn national selling of telecom in the 80s was a bad idea

        • Colonial Viper 26.1.1.1
          21 March 2013 at 11:24 pm

          Faraway NZ communities that they never visit bear the cost of the resulting unemployment. While they personally benefit from signficantly increased profits.

          It’s a business no-brainer. If I could fire five thousand Indian workers to get an extra hundred grand in dividends in my pocket, why the hell not?

    • Alanz 26.2
      21 March 2013 at 11:30 pm

      Erm. How is the government doing with creating 170,000 jobs?
      Any sign yet?

  27. The Al1en 27
    21 March 2013 at 9:25 pm

    “The possibility that the Voyager-1 spacecraft may have left the Solar System is being hotly debated.”

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-21866532

    “Launched in September 1977, the probe was sent initially to study the outer planets, but then just kept on going.”

    “Their plutonium power sources will stop generating electricity in about 10-15 years, at which point their instruments and transmitters will die. Voyager-1 is on course to approach a star called AC +793888, but it will only get to within two light-years of it and it will be tens of thousands of years before it does so.”

    I feel sad for the little spaceship that could, but await the return of V’ger the Intruder.

    • The Al1en 28.1
      21 March 2013 at 9:59 pm

      “there are several smaller, shittier ones dotted around” 😆

      Creationists – Made on a Saturday after the birds and fish.
      Evolutionists – Still being tweaked to perfection.

  33. Colonial Viper 33
    21 March 2013 at 11:19 pm

    Kevin Rudd’s supporters sacrificed; but is the Leader’s problems actually his fault?

    The Gillard government is suffering a gathering crisis of confidence in its leader.

    Not because of any assault by Kevin Rudd. Indeed, whenever he has tried to foment unrest, the Labor caucus has hardened against him.

    Labor’s fast-draining confidence stems from the performance of Julia Gillard herself and her inner circle.

    http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/politics/trouble-brewing-but-dont-blame-it-on-the-usual-bloke-20130318-2gb8m.html

    Body count: Rudd supporters quit their posts

    Key Rudd supporter Fitzgibbon, has said he will step down as the government’s chief whip at the next Labor caucus meeting.

    Two other government whips, Ed Husic and Janelle Saffin, resigned this evening.
    Advertisement

    The Parliamentary Secretary for the Pacific Islands, Richard Mearles, also announced his resignation. “In the circumstances of today’s events I believed this to be the appropriate course,” he said.

    “I’m surprised Kevin Rudd didn’t stand,” the former Minister for Arts and Regional Development, Simon Crean, told the ABC’s 7.30 Program. “He has only got one obligation now and that is to back off”.

    http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/body-count-rudd-supporters-quit-their-posts-20130321-2giy3.html

  34. lprent 34
    21 March 2013 at 11:37 pm

    Ok tinyMCE back on…

    Ummm – where has the opt-out box gone?

    Link

    Ok – that had the same problem.

  35. lprent 35
    21 March 2013 at 11:53 pm

    Test WYIWYG comments

    Ok – that appears to work

    • lprent 35.1
      21 March 2013 at 11:54 pm

      And the reply works as well.

      • lprent 35.1.1
        21 March 2013 at 11:58 pm

        Umm and admins get more.

        1. Much more
        2. And More
        3. And more
        4. That is quite cool appropriate

        Yeah I left that a bit unfinished for admins. Must have been when the work load escalated.

        Everything is back to nearly full speed – hopefully without the cache problems that re-appeared yesterday. Just have

        • the email system to fix
        • the APC cache sizes to adjust
        • the duplications in the feed to fix
        • The extra core to go in tonight

        And above all the nightly backup to run so that I have a copy

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    Buzz from the Beehive One Labour plan  – for 3000 more public homes by 2025 – is the most recent to be posted on the government’s official website. Another – a prime ministerial promise of more funding for Pharmac – has been released as a Labour Party press statement. Who ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago

  • Bryce Edwards: The Vested interests shaping National Party policies
    As the National Party gets closer to government, lobbyists and business interests will be lining up for influence and to get policies adopted. It’s therefore in the public interest to have much more scrutiny and transparency about potential conflicts of interests that might arise. One of the key individuals of ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    5 days ago

  • Labour may be on way out of power and NZ First back in – but will Peters go into coalition with Na...
    Voters  are deserting Labour in droves, despite Chris  Hipkins’  valiant  rearguard  action.  So  where  are they  heading?  Clearly  not all of them are going to vote National, which concedes that  the  outcome  will be “close”. To the Right of National, the ACT party just a  few weeks  ago  was ...
    Point of OrderBy tutere44
    5 days ago

  • GRAHAM ADAMS: Will the racists please stand up?
    Accusations of racism by journalists and MPs are being called out. Graham Adams writes –    With the election less than three weeks away, what co-governance means in practice — including in water management, education, planning law and local government — remains largely obscure. Which is hardly ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago

  • Gordon Campbell on whether Winston Peters can be a moderating influence
    As the centre-right has (finally!) been subjected to media interrogation, the polls are indicating that some voters may be starting to have second thoughts about the wisdom of giving National and ACT the power to govern alone. That’s why yesterday’s Newshub/Reid Research poll had the National/ACT combo dropping to 60 ...
    Gordon CampbellBy lyndon
    5 days ago

  • Tuesday’s Chorus: RBNZ set to rain on National's victory parade
    ANZ has increased its forecast for house inflation later this year on signs of growing momentum in the market ahead of the election. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: National has campaigned against the Labour Government’s record on inflation and mortgage rates, but there’s now a growing chance the Reserve ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago

  • After a Pittsburgh coal processing plant closed, ER visits plummeted
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Katie Myers. This story was originally published by Grist and is part of Covering Climate Now, a global journalism collaboration strengthening coverage of the climate story. Pittsburgh, in its founding, was blessed and cursed with two abundant natural resources: free-flowing rivers and a nearby coal seam. ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago

  • September-23 AT Board Meeting
    Today the AT board meet again and once again I’ve taken a look at what’s on the agenda to find the most interesting items. Closed Agenda Interestingly when I first looked at the agendas this paper was there but at the time of writing this post it had been ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    5 days ago

  • Electorate Watch: West Coast-Tasman
    Continuing my series on interesting electorates, today it’s West Coast-Tasman.A long thin electorate running down the northern half of the west coast of the South Island. Think sand flies, beautiful landscapes, lots of rain, Pike River, alternative lifestylers, whitebaiting, and the spiritual home of the Labour Party. A brief word ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago

  • Big money brings Winston back
    National leader Christopher Luxon yesterday morning conceded it and last night’s Newshub poll confirmed it; Winston Peters and NZ First are not only back but highly likely to be part of the next government. It is a remarkable comeback for a party that was tossed out of Parliament in ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago

  • 20 days until Election Day, 7 until early voting begins… but what changes will we really see here?
    As this blogger, alongside many others, has already posited in another forum: we all know the National Party’s “budget” (meaning this concept of even adding up numbers properly is doing a lot of heavy, heavy lifting right now) is utter and complete bunk (read hung, drawn and quartered and ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    6 days ago

  • A night out
    Everyone was asking, Are you nervous? and my response was various forms of God, yes.I've written more speeches than I can count; not much surprises me when the speaker gets to their feet and the room goes quiet.But a play? Never.YOU CAME! THANK YOU! Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago

  • A pallid shade of Green III
    Clearly Labour's focus groups are telling it that it needs to pay more attention to climate change - because hot on the heels of their weaksauce energy efficiency pilot programme and not-great-but-better-than-nothing solar grants, they've released a full climate manifesto. Unfortunately, the core policies in it - a second Emissions ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • A coalition of racism, cruelty, and chaos
    Today's big political news is that after months of wibbling, National's Chris Luxon has finally confirmed that he is willing to work with Winston Peters to become Prime Minister. Which is expected, but I guess it tells us something about which way the polls are going. Which raises the question: ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago

  • More migrant workers should help generate the tax income needed to provide benefits for job seekers
    Buzz from the Beehive Under something described as a “rebalance” of its immigration rules, the Government has adopted four of five recommendations made in an independent review released in July, The fifth, which called on the government to specify criteria for out-of-hours compliance visits similar to those used during ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Letter To Luxon.
    Some of you might know Gerard Otto (G), and his G News platform. This morning he wrote a letter to Christopher Luxon which I particularly enjoyed, and with his agreement I’m sharing it with you in this guest newsletter.If you’d like to make a contribution to support Gerard’s work you ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • LINDSAY MITCHELL: Alarming trend in benefit numbers
    Lindsay Mitchell writes –  While there will not be another quarterly release of benefit numbers prior to the election, limited weekly reporting continues and is showing an alarming trend. Because there is a seasonal component to benefit number fluctuations it is crucial to compare like with like. In ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • BRIAN EASTON: Has there been external structural change?
    A close analysis of the Treasury assessment of the Medium Term in its PREFU 2023 suggests the economy may be entering a new phase.   Brian Easton writes –  Last week I explained that the forecasts in the just published Treasury Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update (PREFU 2023) was ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago

  • CRL Progress – Sep-23
    It’s been a while since we looked at the latest with the City Rail Link and there’s been some fantastic milestones recently. To start with, and most recently, CRL have released an awesome video showing a full fly-through of one of the tunnels. Come fly with us! You asked for ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    6 days ago

  • Monday’s Chorus: Not building nearly enough
    We are heading into another period of fast population growth without matching increased home building or infrastructure investment.Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Labour and National detailed their house building and migration approaches over the weekend, with both pledging fast population growth policies without enough house building or infrastructure investment ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago

  • Game on; Hipkins comes out punching
    Labour leader Chris Hipkins yesterday took the gloves off and laid into National and its leader Christopher Luxon. For many in Labour – and particularly for some at the top of the caucus and the party — it would not have been a moment too soon. POLITIK is aware ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • Tax Cut Austerity Blues.
    The leaders have had their go, they’ve told us the “what?” and the “why?” of their promises. Now it’s the turn of the would be Finance Ministers to tell us the “how?”, the “how much?”, and the “when?”A chance for those competing for the second most powerful job in the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago

  • MIKE GRIMSHAW:  It’s the economy – and the spirit – Stupid…
    Mike Grimshaw writes – Over the past 30-odd years it’s become almost an orthodoxy to blame or invoke neoliberalism for the failures of New Zealand society. On the left the usual response goes something like, neoliberalism is the cause of everything that’s gone wrong and the answer ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    1 week ago

  • Safeguarding Tuvalu language and identity
    Tuvalu is in the spotlight this week as communities across New Zealand celebrate Vaiaso o te Gagana Tuvalu – Tuvalu Language Week. “The Government has a proven record of supporting Pacific communities and ensuring more of our languages are spoken, heard and celebrated,” Pacific Peoples Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Many ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago

  • New community-level energy projects to support more than 800 Māori households
    Seven more innovative community-scale energy projects will receive government funding through the Māori and Public Housing Renewable Energy Fund to bring more affordable, locally generated clean energy to more than 800 Māori households, Energy and Resources Minister Dr Megan Woods says. “We’ve already funded 42 small-scale clean energy projects that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Huge boost to Te Tai Tokerau flood resilience
    The Government has approved new funding that will boost resilience and greatly reduce the risk of major flood damage across Te Tai Tokerau. Significant weather events this year caused severe flooding and damage across the region. The $8.9m will be used to provide some of the smaller communities and maraes ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Napier’s largest public housing development comes with solar
    The largest public housing development in Napier for many years has been recently completed and has the added benefit of innovative solar technology, thanks to Government programmes, says Housing Minister Dr Megan Woods. The 24 warm, dry homes are in Seddon Crescent, Marewa and Megan Woods says the whanau living ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago

  • Te Whānau a Apanui and the Crown initial Deed of Settlement I Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me...
    Māori: Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna te Whakaaetanga Whakataunga Kua waitohua e Te Whānau a Apanui me te Karauna i tētahi Whakaaetanga Whakataunga hei whakamihi i ō rātou tāhuhu kerēme Tiriti o Waitangi. E tekau mā rua ngā hapū o roto mai o Te Whānau ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago

  • Plan for 3,000 more public homes by 2025 – regions set to benefit
    Regions around the country will get significant boosts of public housing in the next two years, as outlined in the latest public housing plan update, released by the Housing Minister, Dr Megan Woods. “We’re delivering the most public homes each year since the Nash government of the 1950s with one ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Immigration settings updates
    Judicial warrant process for out-of-hours compliance visits 2023/24 Recognised Seasonal Employer cap increased by 500 Additional roles for Construction and Infrastructure Sector Agreement More roles added to Green List Three-month extension for onshore Recovery Visa holders The Government has confirmed a number of updates to immigration settings as part of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Poroporoaki: Tā Patrick (Patu) Wahanga Hohepa
    Tangi ngunguru ana ngā tai ki te wahapū o Hokianga Whakapau Karakia. Tārehu ana ngā pae maunga ki Te Puna o te Ao Marama. Korihi tangi ana ngā manu, kua hinga he kauri nui ki te Wao Nui o Tāne. He Toa. He Pou. He Ahorangi. E papaki tū ana ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Renewable energy fund to support community resilience
    40 solar energy systems on community buildings in regions affected by Cyclone Gabrielle and other severe weather events Virtual capability-building hub to support community organisations get projects off the ground Boost for community-level renewable energy projects across the country At least 40 community buildings used to support the emergency response ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • COVID-19 funding returned to Government
    The lifting of COVID-19 isolation and mask mandates in August has resulted in a return of almost $50m in savings and recovered contingencies, Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. Following the revocation of mandates and isolation, specialised COVID-19 telehealth and alternative isolation accommodation are among the operational elements ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Appointment of District Court Judge
    Susie Houghton of Auckland has been appointed as a new District Court Judge, to serve on the Family Court, Attorney-General David Parker said today.  Judge Houghton has acted as a lawyer for child for more than 20 years. She has acted on matters relating to the Hague Convention, an international ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Government invests further in Central Hawke’s Bay resilience
    The Government has today confirmed $2.5 million to fund a replace and upgrade a stopbank to protect the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant. “As a result of Cyclone Gabrielle, the original stopbank protecting the Waipawa Drinking Water Treatment Plant was destroyed. The plant was operational within 6 weeks of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Govt boost for Hawke’s Bay cyclone waste clean-up
    Another $2.1 million to boost capacity to deal with waste left in Cyclone Gabrielle’s wake. Funds for Hastings District Council, Phoenix Contracting and Hog Fuel NZ to increase local waste-processing infrastructure. The Government is beefing up Hawke’s Bay’s Cyclone Gabrielle clean-up capacity with more support dealing with the massive amount ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Taupō Supercars revs up with Government support
    The future of Supercars events in New Zealand has been secured with new Government support. The Government is getting engines started through the Major Events Fund, a special fund to support high profile events in New Zealand that provide long-term economic, social and cultural benefits. “The Repco Supercars Championship is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • There is no recession in NZ, economy grows nearly 1 percent in June quarter
    The economy has turned a corner with confirmation today New Zealand never was in recession and stronger than expected growth in the June quarter, Finance Minister Grant Robertson said. “The New Zealand economy is doing better than expected,” Grant Robertson said. “It’s continuing to grow, with the latest figures showing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Highest legal protection for New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs
    The Government has accepted the Environment Court’s recommendation to give special legal protection to New Zealand’s largest freshwater springs, Te Waikoropupū Springs (also known as Pupū Springs), Environment Minister David Parker announced today.   “Te Waikoropupū Springs, near Takaka in Golden Bay, have the second clearest water in New Zealand after ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • More support for victims of migrant exploitation
    Temporary package of funding for accommodation and essential living support for victims of migrant exploitation Exploited migrant workers able to apply for a further Migrant Exploitation Protection Visa (MEPV), giving people more time to find a job Free job search assistance to get people back into work Use of 90-day ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Strong export boost as NZ economy turns corner
    An export boost is supporting New Zealand’s economy to grow, adding to signs that the economy has turned a corner and is on a stronger footing as we rebuild from Cyclone Gabrielle and lock in the benefits of multiple new trade deals, Finance Minister Grant Robertson says. “The economy is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Funding approved for flood resilience work in Te Karaka
    The Government has approved $15 million to raise about 200 homes at risk of future flooding. More than half of this is expected to be spent in the Tairāwhiti settlement of Te Karaka, lifting about 100 homes there. “Te Karaka was badly hit during Cyclone Gabrielle when the Waipāoa River ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Further business support for cyclone-affected regions
    The Government is helping businesses recover from Cyclone Gabrielle and attract more people back into their regions. “Cyclone Gabrielle has caused considerable damage across North Island regions with impacts continuing to be felt by businesses and communities,” Economic Development Minister Barbara Edmonds said. “Building on our earlier business support, this ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • New maintenance facility at Burnham Military Camp underway
    Defence Minister Andrew Little has turned the first sod to start construction of a new Maintenance Support Facility (MSF) at Burnham Military Camp today. “This new state-of-art facility replaces Second World War-era buildings and will enable our Defence Force to better maintain and repair equipment,” Andrew Little said. “This Government ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Foreign Minister to attend United Nations General Assembly
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will represent New Zealand at the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York this week, before visiting Washington DC for further Pacific focussed meetings. Nanaia Mahuta will be in New York from Wednesday 20 September, and will participate in UNGA leaders ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Midwives’ pay equity offer reached
    Around 1,700 Te Whatu Ora employed midwives and maternity care assistants will soon vote on a proposed pay equity settlement agreed by Te Whatu Ora, the Midwifery Employee Representation and Advisory Service (MERAS) and New Zealand Nurses Association (NZNO), Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall announced today. “Addressing historical pay ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • New Zealand provides support to Morocco
    Aotearoa New Zealand will provide humanitarian support to those affected by last week’s earthquake in Morocco, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta announced today. “We are making a contribution of $1 million to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to help meet humanitarian needs,” Nanaia Mahuta said. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Government invests in West Coast’s roading resilience
    The Government is investing over $22 million across 18 projects to improve the resilience of roads in the West Coast that have been affected by recent extreme weather, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed today.  A dedicated Transport Resilience Fund has been established for early preventative works to protect the state ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 weeks ago

  • Government invests in Greymouth’s future
    The Government has today confirmed a $2 million grant towards the regeneration of Greymouth’s CBD with construction of a new two-level commercial and public facility. “It will include a visitor facility centred around a new library. Additionally, it will include retail outlets on the ground floor, and both outdoor and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

  • Nanaia Mahuta to attend PIF Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
    Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta will attend the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, in Suva, Fiji alongside New Zealand’s regional counterparts. “Aotearoa New Zealand is deeply committed to working with our pacific whanau to strengthen our cooperation, and share ways to combat the challenges facing the Blue Pacific Continent,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

  • PREFU shows no recession, growing economy, more jobs and wages ahead of inflation
    Economy to grow 2.6 percent on average over forecast period Treasury not forecasting a recession Inflation to return to the 1-3 percent target band next year Wages set to grow 4.8 percent a year over forecast period Unemployment to peak below the long-term average Fiscal Rules met - Net debt ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

  • New cancer centre opens in Christchurch
    Prime Minister Chris Hipkins and Minister of Health Dr Ayesha Verrall proudly opened the Canterbury Cancer Centre in Christchurch today. The new facility is the first of its kind and was built with $6.5 million of funding from the Government’s Infrastructure Reference Group scheme for shovel-ready projects allocated in 2020. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 weeks ago

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