Open mike 23/03/2021

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, March 23rd, 2021 - 48 comments
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48 comments on “Open mike 23/03/2021 ”

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  1. Jester 1
    23 March 2021 at 7:33 am

    Oh no this is not good. And just before Easter and a possible travel bubble being announced.

    Covid 19 coronavirus: Auckland Grand Millennium Hotel MIQ worker tests positive – NZ Herald

    • Sabine 1.1
      23 March 2021 at 8:36 am

      well the travel bubble will not be annunced before April 6th and personally i won't hold my breath. Not because a worker at a hotel cought the virus – i am impressed they don't more often catch it, but because of something like this blunder yesterday where returnees from various plague hotels all were bussed to an exersice area, where they then exersize in outdoor pens akin to sheep mustering (as per the article) and do yoga or sit in the grass, all mixed, and one of them got tested positive, so now all 23 people on that bus need to get retested etc.

      At the end of the day, anyone needs to be prepared to just be told to go home, stay home, and shut up.

      https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/300259068/covid19-miq-guests-stays-extended-after-sharing-exercise-bus-with-day-12-case
      “Returnees at an Auckland isolation hotel who shared a bus to an exercise area with a positive Covid-19 case have had their stays extended.

      The case, who tested positive on day 12, was among guests at the Grand Mercure in central Auckland who were bussed across town for exercise in Mt Albert.”

      • Drowsy M. Kram 1.1.1
        23 March 2021 at 9:01 am

        At the end of the day, anyone needs to be prepared to just be told to go home, stay home, and shut up.

        Missed that last bit – is it official advice? I don't understand how shutting up might slow the spread of Te Virus.

        • Andre 1.1.1.1
          23 March 2021 at 9:22 am

          Well, if it's official advice, I've missed it. But it's probably good advice.

          Talking generally involves being in close proximity and expelling air that is passing through a constriction that is vigorously vibrating in a part of the body likely to be shedding virus. Ideal conditions for creating aerosols. H, T, P, S sounds in particular seem to need more expelled air. Not to mention those that turn into spitters when they talk (I'm occasionally one of those, and it's deeply embarrassing).

        • Sabine 1.1.1.2
          23 March 2021 at 9:56 am

          i find it amusing that you are ok with this type of bullshit and the risk to us.

          But then i guess that you are a groupie first, and a citizens and neighborgh last.

          And yeah, neither you nor i have the right to do anything other then go home when the phone rings and our alert levels are changed. Remember that.

          So i post it again for you, so that you realise just what risks the largest town is being put through ever day, and the rest of the country.

          https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/health/coronavirus/300259068/covid19-miq-guests-stays-extended-after-sharing-exercise-bus-with-day-12-case
          “Returnees at an Auckland isolation hotel who shared a bus to an exercise area with a positive Covid-19 case have had their stays extended.

          The case, who tested positive on day 12, was among guests at the Grand Mercure in central Auckland who were bussed across town for exercise in Mt Albert.”

          • Drowsy M. Kram 1.1.1.2.1
            23 March 2021 at 2:33 pm

            i find it amusing that you are ok with this type of bullshit and the risk to us.

            But then i guess that you are a groupie first, and a citizens and neighborgh last.

            Guess again Sabine.

            Glad I could provide some amusement. Wishing you well in navigating any restrictions intended to keep us all safe during the pandemic; didn't we do well!

            And, if it all seems a bit much, just remember (in the words of my maternal grandmother), "Could be wuss."

      • Jimmy 1.1.2
        23 March 2021 at 10:17 am

        Who pays for the extended stay? They shouldn't have to surely?

        • Sabine 1.1.2.1
          23 March 2021 at 10:31 am

          Chances are you and I get to pay for that fuck up, as we paid for all the other fuck ups courtesy of us paying taxes.

          • McFlock 1.1.2.1.1
            23 March 2021 at 2:25 pm

            How is it a fuck up? The only way of avoiding that situation is to ship them there in individually-ventilated coffins. Or lock them in their rooms for two weeks, no exercise or anything.

            It's a known risk that results from repurposing the least inappropriate facilities into isolation facilities. A fuck up would have been if they didn't know which people shared the bus.

            • Sabine 1.1.2.1.1.1
              23 March 2021 at 6:43 pm

              it was several people from different hotels with different testing dates. Now we have had several times where a person showed infection late.

              now how about each hotel has their own shuttle to bring people to and from their exercise pens. So that at least they don't have to mingle, and at the very least you reduce the number from some mid twenties to a few per bus.

              Yes, that was a fuck up. And i expect that procedure to change.

              And yes, ideally they should stay in their rooms for two weeks. Sorry, but you know….the global pandemic that is so bad that we can't open the borders, can't travel, have to go into lockdowns every now and then…..but these guys can get shipped about to have a walk in a park near a neighborhood.

      • RedBaronCV 1.1.3
        23 March 2021 at 2:25 pm

        Are they vaccinating people as they get off the planes? Isn't there some antibodies after three days or so – maybe to stop people actually spreading it around in quarantine . Is this feasible from a testing point of view?

        • Sabine 1.1.3.1
          23 March 2021 at 6:45 pm

          No they are not. They are vaccinating border and plague hotel staff. (And pretty much have done most at least one shot, if not both).

          The new variants are a bit trickier and one can test several times negative and then boom, positive.

  2. Incognito 2
    23 March 2021 at 8:08 am

    A Government-guaranteed interest-free loan to FHBs, much like student loans?

  3. Adrian 3
    23 March 2021 at 8:59 am

    There is something amiss on house supply, in a year when immigration is negligent and the returning Kiwis numbers are a lot less than the normal inbound migrants, and who knows how long they are going to stick around for, housing should be either in balance or in spare capacity. It doesn’t make sense that prices are going up so fast although this is not unprecedented, I’ve lived through 3 or 4 of these seemingly ridiculous spurts.

    Aside from FOMO and low interest rates ( although not historically so ) there must be something else going on. Has there really been hidden built up demand?

    • mac1 3.1
      23 March 2021 at 9:19 am

      Adrian, I heard the PM say at her post cabinet briefing that investors comprise the largest single group of house buyers.

      The extension of the bright line test out to ten years might help curb profit taking.

      There might also be the question of ghost houses connected to this- empty houses owned by investors looking for capital gains.

      In other words, many people suffer for the benefit of the wealthy few.

      It's the stuff of social movements.

      • Sabine 3.1.1
        23 March 2021 at 9:47 am

        and no one could have forseen this ……that record low interest rates would be used by the wealthy, or those with equity to buy more houses to rent for max dollar to the few that still believe a house is a right in this country.

    • Anne 3.2
      23 March 2021 at 10:59 am

      Adrian from what I've heard, people with Chinese sounding names are buying up large in Auckland again. I suspect they are taking advantage of the Covid created boom in house sales.

      I live in a fairly leafy part of the North Shore and properties are being snapped up almost as soon as they hit the market. I have relatives in Mt Eden who were recently offered an exorbitant price for their home by a Chinese buyer and it wasn't even on the market.

      Looks like Phil Twyford was right all along – not that I'm expecting anyone to admit it.

      And no… it is not racist to speak the facts of a particular situation regardless of the ethnicity of the people it concerns.

      • Peter chch 3.2.1
        23 March 2021 at 11:07 am

        Ah yeah, that IS a very racist post.

        Are the buyers who are 'Chinese' actually Chinese, or are they Kiwis (NZ Citizens or Permanent Residents) who are ethnically Chinese?

        Perhaps you would prefer an apartheid system, where 'Chinese' Kiwis can not buy houses? Perhaps you would like to extend your ban to ethnic Philipino Kiwis, or black
        Kiwi people?

        The rules about foreign ownership are pretty clear. I suggest you take a read of them.

        Unbelievable.

        • Jimmy 3.2.1.1
          23 March 2021 at 11:13 am

          Everything is racist these days, even Police 10/7.

          • Peter chch 3.2.1.1.1
            23 March 2021 at 11:52 am

            Come on Jimmy, advocating apartheid house ownership policies based on how a person looks is pretty extreme.

            Especially as someone of Anne's age was no doubt very vocal (and rightly so) condemning South African apartheid system, yet sees nothing wrong in dividing Kiwis into who can or cannot buy houses based on their ethnicity.

            As I said, unbelievable in 2021.

            • Anne 3.2.1.1.1.1
              23 March 2021 at 1:10 pm

              Yeah I knw P chch, its hard to admit you're up the boohai. So best to double down and denounce the person with some absurd allegation bordering on defamation.

              I don’t give a damn whether a portion of the people from a specific country – who are significantly adding to the housing crisis – are permanent residents or not. What is far more important is: they are impeding the government's efforts to open up the market to first home buyers in particular – some of whom will no doubt hail from the same specific country.

              I have met plenty of people who originated from China. They are good people who have assimilated well into NZ society. Their good name is being besmirched by a group of former compatriots who are screwing NZ for their own ends – or the ends bestowed on them by the Chinese government by way of an endless trail of cash.

              • alwyn …
                23 March 2021 at 1:23 pm

                "I have met plenty of people who originated from China."

                Of course you have Anne. They are called Maori. The genetic record apparently shows that Maori, and most other Polynesian groups, are descended from Taiwanese roots. I imagine you accept the argument that Taiwan is part of China?

                • Peter chch …
                  23 March 2021 at 2:58 pm

                  Well I guess with racist apartheid views that she clearly holds and even repeated, maybe Anne also opposes Maori buying houses (especially now she knows they originated from China).

              • Peter chch …
                23 March 2021 at 2:56 pm

                I have absolutely no idea what 'up the boohai' means. Please enlighten me.

                And no Anne, not defamatory. You clarified your racist and colonialist views in your reply.

                Unbelievable in 2021.

              • Peter chch …
                23 March 2021 at 3:09 pm

                If they are Permanent Residents or NZ Citizens, they are Kiwis, pure and simple. Advocating different rules for them based upon your clear colonialist viewpoints is advocating apartheid.

                Please read up what that means (along with the rules on foreign ownership and investment).

                Guess that's your bedtime reading for this week Anne.

                • RedBaronCV …
                  23 March 2021 at 3:19 pm

                  With I understand 40% of Auckland being foreign born so when does immigration become colonisation and do we have policies that transfer wealth to the incomers- which surely we can discuss?

                  I also have at least some reservations about some of our assymetrical trade deals which allow ownership here where no similar right is conferred on us there.

            • Jimmy 3.2.1.1.1.2
              23 March 2021 at 2:03 pm

              And that programme Border Patrol.

        • DukeEll 3.2.1.2
          23 March 2021 at 4:32 pm

          Lee, could be Chinese, could be Korean. Could be from Singapore

          Complaining about a li buying your house?

          definitely racist.

  4. Adrian 4
    23 March 2021 at 10:02 am

    But Sabine, the fact that an investor has bought a house does not remove it from the rentable pool, it is not being bought and burnt down although some may be shuttered and not rented very few landlords have the ability to service loans without rent.
    The best thing out of this package is the Government underwriting for the want of a better word, the infrastructure to make housing development possible. Previously councils have wanted to get all such costs recovered in the year of supply instead of over 50 years as a part of rates as they used to do, thus making section prices highly expensive.

    • mac1 4.1
      23 March 2021 at 10:18 am

      I'm afraid that obviously there are many owners who can afford to leave a house empty.

      "A total of 196,506 homes were left unoccupied across the country at the 2018 census, according to Stats NZ. The figure includes homes with no current occupants, unoccupied properties being renovated, baches, and holiday homes. Empty new-builds and homes that aren't up to government rental standards will also make up some of the total."

      How many of 200,000 houses, in 2018, were 'shuttered and not rented"?

      https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/homed/119636091/200k-empty-ghost-houses-why-and-what-would-get-them-into-the-market

      The article asks what would get these houses into the market?

      I know of two radical solutions. First, Spain.

      "Barcelona’s Latest Affordable Housing Tool: Seize Empty Apartments

      Fill vacant rental units with tenants or we will take over your properties, the city is warning landlords." https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-07-16/to-fill-vacant-units-barcelona-seizes-apartments

      The second is to allow in law the right to squat as happens in other jurisdictions.

    • Sabine 4.2
      23 March 2021 at 10:26 am

      yes, it does remove it from the public housing market if the Investor is not in the renting business but the land banking business. But i guess you know that.

      We have ghost houses, borded up houses, houses that are falling apart while still being tenanted (so as long as no one complains its all good, right) up and down the country, while we have people that can't rent a kennel.

      And you can increase availablity as much as you like, its a bit like the government spending money on providing access to say mental health care or Winz. They fund a phoneline, hire two fulltimers and a part timer, and voila you have created access. No on is getting the help they need, but they can dial a number – if their phone has credit.

      And this is the same.

  5. Rosemary McDonald 5
    23 March 2021 at 10:11 am

    I haven't gone into the finer details and was listening peripherally, but the Housing announcement post mortem on Natrad earlier featured the Property Investors Federation spokesperson literally choking on her words.

    Things might be looking up?

  6. Sabine 6
    23 March 2021 at 10:15 am

    I can't see all of this change much from what is going on i n the housing market.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/housing-crisis-38b-housing-package-unveiled-speculators-to-be-stung-by-bright-line-test-extension/7VPSYR42A6UZO7B2UTGKYC3GVM/

    But it made for an interesting read.

  8. UncleBob 8
    23 March 2021 at 10:42 am

    I know this new housing policy comes from a place of good intentions. But the removal of interest claims against tax, simply isn't sensible. In business all costs get passed onto the consumer, who in this case are people who rent their homes. Interest payments are likely the number one cost for most landlords. The interest claim removal, will certainly lead to increases in rents. If interest rates begin to rise, that situation will become worse. Ultimately, we may greater homelessness. Creating a larger problem than the one it sought to address.

    • mikesh 8.1
      23 March 2021 at 3:43 pm

      I know this new housing policy comes from a place of good intentions. But the removal of interest claims against tax, simply isn't sensible. In business all costs get passed onto the consumer, who in this case are people who rent their homes.

      This is actually not true. The mortgage payments, which incorporate the interest, are the landlord's responsibility, not the tenant's. The "consumer" of the interest expense is actually the landlord himself. The mortgage payments are for the house itself, of which the landlord is the owner, and have nothing to do with the operation of the tenancy.

      The tenant’s only responsibility is to pay the rent, which is usually determined either by market forces or by regulation.

  9. Jimmy 9
    23 March 2021 at 11:20 am

    I think the biggest change is the non deductibility of interest payments on rental properties. Unfortunately, this may mean landlords will increase their rent more (in their once a year increase) to partly cover.

    • David 9.1
      23 March 2021 at 12:30 pm

      Very strange announcement to “solve” the housing crisis:

      on the demand side rents go up to cover the CGT

      on the demand side Kiwibuild 2.0.

      The slow burn fallout of this is going to be entertaining to watch over the coming months.

    • mikesh 9.2
      23 March 2021 at 3:50 pm

      I would hope tenants would resist rent increases brought about by interest non deductibility, and walk away leaving the landlords tenantless, and with expenses to meet.

  10. Sabine 10
    23 March 2021 at 11:44 am

    oh boy….why not.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/124618122/bnz-bankrolls-scheme-to-give-workers-an-alternative-to-payday-lenders

    <blockquote>
    BNZ is providing interest and fee-free funding for a payroll scheme cash-strapped workers can use to get paid early.

    The bank&rsquo;s chief executive Angela Mentis hoped it would provide an alternative to loan sharks for financially vulnerable workers.

    The PayNow scheme has been developed by NZX sharemarket-listed fintech Paysauce, and will be available to around 20,000 employees whose payrolls are managed by Paysauce.

    But Paysauce co-founder Asantha Wijeyeratne said the number of employees covered would rise as Paysauce expanded, and the company was willing to let rival payroll companies use PayNow to spread the social benefits.
    </blockquote>

    what could go wrong.

  11. RedLogix 11
    23 March 2021 at 4:33 pm

    And just to add to the general fun, where we are in Brisbane at present is surrounded by flood water, with only one way out. Not worried as the sea is close enough to ensure it will drain, but kind of cool all the same.

    Crazy contrast to how it usually is.

  12. greywarshark 12
    23 March 2021 at 5:29 pm

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/world/438968/supermarket-shooting-in-colorado-us-10-people-killed

    Radionz carefully tells us about US shooting.

    However there is already a report about a NZ shooting looked into by the ICPA control. It seems justified, for a multiple murderer shooting at the police in a town area – so perhaps 49 rounds makes sure. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/438954/police-justified-in-fatally-shooting-man-during-tauranga-pursuit-ipca

    One shooting news report is adequate to keep us stressed I think. I feel that the US can keep their shootings for themselves and we should do the same with ours.

    It is an unhealthy trait in RNZ (RadioNZ) to be so obsessed with 1, the US, and 2, outbreaks of violence there whether they involve police or not.

    I don't know whether RNZ has put up this US story about the husband of a shooting victim being held in handcuffs for four hours, still after pics of the suspected perps were shown, and he was actually arrested. The question is why – was it because he is a Mexican? https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/shooting-victims-husband-says-police-detained-him-for-hours/

    Cherokee sheriff’s Capt. Jay Baker was removed as spokesman for the case after telling reporters the day after the shootings that Long had “a really bad day” and “this is what he did.” A Facebook page appearing to belong to Baker promoted a T-shirt with racist language about China and the coronavirus last year.

    That is mind-boggling horrific racism from police there.

    Then there is another Seattle Times report of a shooting.

    Also one in Tennessee. one in Kansas.

    4 dead and 8 injured in Umlazi South Africa.

    Perhaps both RadioNZ and GoogleNews have bias against reporting the rest of the world's tragedies.

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  • A tougher line on “proactive release”?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

    Sir Don McKinnon will travel to Viet Nam this week as a Special Envoy of the Government, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.    “It is important that the Government give due recognition to the significant contributions that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made to New Zealand-Viet Nam relations,” Mr ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says newly appointed Commissioner, Grant Illingworth KC, will help deliver the report for the first phase of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into COVID-19 Lessons, due on 28 November 2024.  “I am pleased to announce that Mr Illingworth will commence his appointment as ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ to advance relationships with ASEAN partners

    Foreign Minister Winston Peters travels to Laos this week to participate in a series of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led Ministerial meetings in Vientiane.    “ASEAN plays an important role in supporting a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” Mr Peters says.   “This will be our third visit to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Backing mental health services on the West Coast

    Construction of a new mental health facility at Te Nikau Grey Hospital in Greymouth is today one step closer, Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “This $27 million facility shows this Government is delivering on its promise to boost mental health care and improve front line services,” Mr Doocey says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • NZ support for sustainable Pacific fisheries

    New Zealand is committing nearly $50 million to a package supporting sustainable Pacific fisheries development over the next four years, Foreign Minister Winston Peters and Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones announced today. “This support consisting of a range of initiatives demonstrates New Zealand’s commitment to assisting our Pacific partners ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • Students’ needs at centre of new charter school adjustments

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