Open mike 23/07/2022

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, July 23rd, 2022 - 184 comments
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Step up to the mike …

184 comments on “Open mike 23/07/2022 ”

  1. Robert Guyton 1

    "The cabbage white’s white wings reflect ultraviolet light, which we can’t see but the butterflies can. To our eyes the butterflies seem plain, drab, vanilla—but to each other, females are a gentle lavender and males shine with a deep royal purple. "

    https://baynature.org/article/plain-cabbage-white-butterflies-are-anything-but-ordinary/

  2. Lanthanide 2

    Hello all, long time, no comment. You might have seen me on interest.co.nz fighting the good fight in the comments section there, though.

    Anyway, I have gone through a profound maturation this year, and have been doing a hell of a lot of thinking about the world in general. I came across a twitter thread this morning, which consolidates and elaborates on everything I've been thinking about over the past 3 weeks, and I thought it was worth sharing here as this seems like the best audience:

    https://twitter.com/RobbSmith/status/1224023377020477440

    This just explains where we are in history so well, I think.

    I also think that Jacinda is a Teal leader, and that NZ is poised to be a leader in global Teal thinking this century, given our unique geographic location in the world, resource limitations and ecosystem, coupled with the indigenous culture that is an embodiment of resilience. Other indigenous cultures around the world also embody resilience, but in most other countries they've been much more repressed and marginalized than Maori have been in NZ (and we're actively trying to undo our harm – more Teal attitudes).

    The only thing that is going to get humanity through this century is everyone working together, and diversity of human creativity, thought and expression.

    • Robert Guyton 2.1

      Lanthanides are silvery white soft metals. I am in agreement with what you have posted, Lanthanide. I believe it reflects, curiously enough, the first post of the day 🙂

    • Patricia Bremner 2.2

      Welcome. Yes I have read you on interest.co.nz. Thanks for a hopeful start to the day, We do have troglodytes marching in three cities today, and your post is a hopeful antidote. yes

      • Lanthanide 2.2.1

        The Standard really should get with the times and have the possibility of a Thumbs Up reply to comments. It's pretty Standard (pun intended) everywhere else on the internet.

        I know that Lynn tried it once before already years ago – in fact I was the very person who suggested it that time, too. Go back and check Lynn if you don't believe me. The problem with the add-on you installed is that it allowed downvotes as well as upvotes, so people could troll etc. Just get a plugin or configure it to only allow upvoting. That problem is solved.

        In the mean time: yes

        • lprent 2.2.1.1

          It is easy enough to do. However I have a few other things that tend to be more important.

          The Standard got a brain transplant last night. Its currently booting off a USB. But it has a Ryzen 5700G upgrading the Ryzen 1700X.

          The actual problem at the time was the way that the votes were stored. It did nasty things to the amount of data access and slowing down putting up comments.

          But I’ll have a look at it.

        • weka 2.2.1.2

          fixing the mobile commenting bug is the priority imo.

      • Bearded Git 2.2.2

        According to Stuff there are 1000 trogs in Akl with hundreds in CHCH and Wellywood…..not exactly a revolution.

  3. Robert Guyton 3

    From today's Otago Daily Times. I had my say near the end of the article 🙂

    New inclusive campaign guidelines for local body elections have been called an "abomination" threatening free speech, but many candidates in the South have endorsed the call for respectful debate.

    The guide encourages candidates to consider how they can respect and uphold the Treaty of Waitangi, value te reo Maori, reframe debates to avoid racism and race-baiting, avoid perpetuating stereotypes and identify actions they would take in office to support diversity and "build belonging".

    It refers directly to debates about Three Waters and Maori wards, "which have, at times, become derogatory to Maori".

    Michael Laws

    Michael Laws

    The guidance was developed by Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ), written in partnership with the Human Rights Commission, and included comment from race relations commissioner Meng Foon.

    Otago regional councillor Michael Laws called the guide an abomination – it was a "biased attempt to stop freedom of speech and thought around Three Waters, around Maori wards, around co-governance, around the Government’s so-called reform agenda".

    "It seeks to dissuade those who dissent from this woke nonsense from standing for office," Cr Laws said.

    His colleagues were divided.

    Cr Gary Kelliher said it was an attempt by LGNZ to "tailor their perfect council candidate" and Cr Hilary Calvert said "this smells of staff of the relevant organisations becoming involved in political matters".

    However, Cr Gretchen Robertson said running a campaign that put other people down was weak and "an attempt to deflect attention from your own inadequacies".

    Cr Alexa Forbes said: "I’m sorry that we have to be reminded of our obligations and I look forward to the day that we don’t have to be."

    Cr Michael Deaker said some people might call the guidelines woke.

    "I see them as respectful and well designed for New Zealand in 2022".

    LGNZ chief executive Susan Freeman-Greene said a sometimes-toxic environment had built up over time and "shifting what’s acceptable – and what is not – will take more than one election cycle".

    Candidates could debate important issues robustly while upholding the dignity of fellow candidates, she said.

    Aaron Hawkins

    Aaron Hawkins

    Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins said making elections safer for a broader range of candidates should be encouraged.

    "Sadly, we are seeing an increase in the uglier elements of public debate, including racism.

    "Those of us who aren’t the target of that have an obligation to help shut it down."

    Dunedin city councillor Lee Vandervis said the campaigning advice was a patronising, bicultural straitjacket that claimed diversity, but which pushed Maori speech and sensitivity agendas.

    He noted it did not dwell on such things as value for money, debt and rates, "which are of interest to voters and should be the real focus of elected representatives".

    Fellow councillor Sophie Barker said the document reflected how troubling some behaviour had become, especially online.

    She did not recall racist rhetoric during her 2019 campaign, but did encounter sexism.

    "On my first night campaigning, while I was looking for a seat on stage, one of the candidates said I could sit on his knee any time," Cr Barker said.

    Cr Rachel Elder said the guidelines were great.

    "If we demean, belittle, label and personally attack people or people groups, we are not upholding the idea of democracy," Cr Elder said.

    Cr Steve Walker said supporting diversity and inclusion should be the default position of any worthy candidate.

    Cr Jules Radich said he was comfortable with the guidance.

    The Team Dunedin ticket he was leading had "asked for interaction with mana whenua".

    Dunedin mayoralty candidate Mandy Mayhem-Bullock said she wanted to see people from all walks of life on the council.

    Environment Southland councillor Robert Guyton said he felt Mr Foon had been proactive in alerting candidates to the activities of pressure groups, especially those opposed to Three Waters reform.

    "A great deal of the commentary around the claims made by these groups is certainly racist in nature," Cr Guyton said.

    At a glance

    Tips for fostering inclusion

    • Take time to engage with the Treaty of Waitangi by learning your local iwi history

    • Have a look at examples of partnership with manawhenua and Maori in local government

    • Attend cultural, ethnic and diverse public events

    Use multilingual greetings

    • Attend community meetings in diverse settings, including marae, mosques, churches and migrant centres

    • Monitor your social media

    • Be an "upstander" against racist and discriminatory comments

    • Use inclusive language and avoid stereotyping

    – Source: Local Government New Zealand

    https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/new-campaign-guidelines-out

  4. Molly 4

    For those who think naming unevidenced medical treatment for minors as "affirming healthcare" makes everything hunky-dory, a well-written Substack article explains why not.

    https://lisaselindavis.substack.com/p/letter-from-finland-and-sweden

    They read: “The NBHW deems that the risks of puberty suppressing treatment with GnRH-analogues and gender-affirming hormonal treatment currently outweigh the possible benefits, and that the treatments should be offered only in exceptional cases.”

    Finland’s Council for Choices in Health Care (COHERE) came to almost the exact same conclusion a year earlier, noting, through a translation: “The first-line intervention for gender variance during childhood and adolescent years is psychosocial support and, as necessary, gender-explorative therapy and treatment for comorbid psychiatric disorders.” And: “In light of available evidence, gender reassignment of minors is an experimental practice.” Gender reassignment medical interventions “must be done with a great deal of caution, and no irreversible treatment should be initiated,” COHERE wrote.

    These guidelines were in contrast to those proffered by the World Professional Association of Transgender Health (WPATH), an advocacy group made up of activists, academics, lawyers, medical and mental health care providers, which creates “standards of care” that many providers elect to follow. WPATH, which will soon issue its 8th iteration of its SOC, is lowering recommended ages for blockers, hormones and surgeries, and adding chapters on medicine for those with gender identities like non-binary or eunuch. (WPATH did not respond to a request for comment.)

  5. pat 5

    Playing with some numbers.

    The last time NZ could be considered (arguably) a sustainable society would have been pre colonisation….there were no imports required (that we know of, if there were they were minimal) and everything needed to support society was provided domestically…(even so there were extinctions and environmental damage)….the population of NZ pre colonisation is estimated to have been around 100,000.

    The first wave of Maori settlement is thought to have occurred around 1100 AD. If we estimate that the first wave comprised around 1000 souls (over a period of voyages) then what rate of population growth occurred?

    Around 0.66% per annum

    If that growth rate had continued until today what would NZs population be now (realising that it is not necessarily sustainable)

    Around 300,000

    We are 5.1 million.

    • weka 5.1

      are you meaning economically sustainable?

      • pat 5.1.1

        No….environmentally and societally sustainable.

        Ultimately economics is simply a measure of the above.

        I should clarify…it depends upon whether you take economically viable to mean financially viable…..they are two seperate things.

        • Descendant Of Smith 5.1.1.1

          Hardly a sustainable society when life expectancy was 28-30 years – similar to France and Spain at the time. It was barely survival.

  6. Robert Guyton 6

    "The swan species lived between 16 and 19 million years ago on Lake Manuherikia, a massive ancient lake which covered most of modern Central Otago."

    Central Otago was a "massive ancient lake"?

    Cool.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/471464/ancient-swan-fossil-discovered-at-otago-dig-site

  7. Robert Guyton 7

    Martyn Bradbury goes ape on it:

    "That’s why I argue that Fortress Aotearoa is simply a matter of when not if.

    The current political spectrum in New Zealand can not radically adapt fast enough to adopt the changes we must make if we are to survive the climate crisis. It will require a radical Political Movement that elects a Party to implement Fortress Aotearoa…

    • Move away from intensive farming and look to become domestically self sustainable in terms of food.
    • Immediately ban all water exports.
    • Empower local communities to make local decisions and set up resilience programs.
    • 5 year Parliamentary term so Governments can actually plan for change.
    • Upper and Lower House (Upper House 50-50 split between Māori & Pakeha that can hold up legislation if unhappy about Treaty issues)
    • Massive investment into R&D from Government with the understanding research is to benefit NZ first before sold offshore.
    • Large scale increase in Navy, Army & Airforce.
    • Mass limiting of tourism numbers with huge increased tourist taxes.
    • Only citizens can vote.
    • Sustainable immigration and an end to exploitative migrant workers.
    • Resettlement Programms for all pacific island neighbours.
    • Increase refugee in take to 10 000 per year
    • Fully funded public services focused on real welfare of people.
    • Mass Green housing rebuild.
    • 100% renewable energy for entire country.
    • Massive tree planting across previous farming land.
    • Wholesale re-write of state services act to end commercial values.
    • Investment into basic pharmaceutical production.
    • Financial transaction tax
    • Wealth tax
    • Multinational tax
    • Inheritance tax
    • Capitalist monopolies in energy, transport and finance have to be brought into public ownership and control. They should be subject to democratic plans drawn up by the whole community. Workers should have much stronger decision making powers within them.
    • All economic sectors to be made take steps needed to decarbonise the economy as much as is needed to reach zero net emissions by 2030.
    • Free and frequent public transport on electric buses and/or trains in all main cities.
    • Health care and education for life should be free and universally accessible.
    • Welfare, pensions, child allowances, should be universal wherever possible.
    • Public housing at fixed and affordable rents should be a right of all not just the desperately poor.
    • All workers should have a right to a job and the workweek reduced with no loss of pay to make that possible.
    • Local communes should be supported for control and delivery of as many functions of the centralised state as possible – including housing, education, health care.
    • Local communes to support cooperative forms of production of food, solar and wind energy, electric transport, and media.

    On a rapidly warming planet, NZ will increasingly be the life boat for Earth and the tyranny of our distance will become our blessing.

    Pretending that we can ‘stop’ the climate crisis cascade is sophistry, we require radical reform and adaptation now."

    https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2022/07/21/the-apocalyptic-heat-wave-in-europe-is-a-climate-warming-hoax-that-will-never-impact-us/

    • weka 7.1

      he probably shouldn't have been undermining the Greens all these years, eh.

      Pretending that we can ‘stop’ the climate crisis cascade is sophistry, we require radical reform and adaptation now.

      Not sure what he means there tbh. There is huge benefit in averting the worst of climate change. Runaway CC won't be survivable in NZ even if we were a fortress. I agree about radical change, and mitigation and adaptation are still two sides of the same regen coin.

      • RedLogix 7.1.1

        Bradbury is a loose cannon. He's basically describing Soviet Russia.

      • Bearded Git 7.1.2

        Agreed about Bomber's attacks on the Greens Weka. I think he is attacking the personnel and not the policies when he makes these attacks which is really dumb.

        • weka 7.1.2.1

          I still don't get why it's so hard to see the Greens as pathway to better politics. Once they get meaningful power in government, it opens the door for other parties on the left to get in.

          Own goal from the leftie dudes.

          • Sanctuary 7.1.2.1.1

            Because they are idiots, that us why. Look at this nonsense with Shaw. Factions of a faction bickering about factions.

            • RedLogix 7.1.2.1.1.1

              The timing is correct. This was signaled when they passed the co-leader requirement for one female and one of any other gender amendment some months back.

              Until then they could not get rid of Shaw because there were literally no other credible male candidates. Now they can purge the party of all but a few token white males altogether.

              • bwaghorn

                Theres no hope for the greens ,back to fringe loonies

                • Robert Guyton

                  It will not happen. James will be voted for en masse. Testing the system is healthy.

                • KJT

                  Seems, James still has majority support within the Greens.

                  It is a 25% vote to re-open nominations,, not a majority.

                  And I don't see another viable candidate.

          • Lanthanide 7.1.2.1.2

            If you look at the Twitter thread I posted earlier, the Greens are literally stuck on Green thinking.

            We need Teal thinking for this century.

            They're close and better than the alternative parties, but not quite right.

            Jacinda is a Teal leader of an Amber party. I'd say Maori Party are Green-Teal but they aren't a mainstream party, yet.

    • Bearded Git 7.2

      Yes but what are we going to do after breakfast Bomber?

      "immediately ban all water exports"….the Clutha alone puts out roughly 300,000 litres a second (it varies between 200 and 600) or a million litres every three seconds.

      We have oodles of H2O….providing it is not exported in plastic bottles what is the problem?

      • weka 7.2.1

        at a guess, impact on the ground water, river and river bank ecologies, and the coastal ecologies around the outlet (extending for quite some way). We already interrupt much of that via hydro.

        I'm not averse to NZ shipping water globally for aid reasons. Can't see how it can be done for profit reasons without becoming yet another problem of capitalism.

        • weka 7.2.1.1

          and no way should we be shipping water commercially to countries that are engaged in practices that fuck with their own water supply.

        • Lanthanide 7.2.1.2

          This century, we will trade water for oil.

    • weka 8.1

      holy shit that's good.

    • joe90 8.2

      Had me at the lift out vege conditioner.

      • Poission 8.2.1

        Thought that was innovative.

        • joe90 8.2.1.1

          From a time before bean counters ran the world.

          • Poission 8.2.1.1.1

            Planned obsolesence.

            • weka 8.2.1.1.1.1

              is this a manufacturing dilemma? If you make a product that lasts 40 years, and within five years everyone has one, how do you keep the business going?

              • Poission

                Yes and no.The older manufacturing model,had service (repairs and maintenance) where after warranty replacement parts etc,would be an income stream for the dealers.Now it is cheaper in some instances to replace either the whole appliance,or a substantive component.

                Also now people seem inclined to buy and looks rather then function.

              • Lanthanide

                You change your company to produce items with a 30 year or lifetime warranty. You supply full technical diagrams for how to make all replacement parts, including 3d printing and metal fabrication instructions.

                You look at what Red Hat does – they sell support for open source Linux. Linux is literally free, but Red Hat still makes money because using technology is hard.

    • Robert Guyton 8.3

      CFC-free?

      • Poission 8.3.1

        Lovelock did not sail on the Shackelton for another decade,and a further decade for Molina to understand the chemical reactions.

        20 years previous at the Yalta conference,Churchill (and others) had to be sprayed down with DDT to rid them of bedbugs.

        • weka 8.3.1.1

          what was keeping the fridge cool?

          • Poission 8.3.1.1.1

            Halo carbons most probably.Powering them was interesting though,we got a new fridge in the 60's and had no electricity (it ran on kerosene)

  8. georgecom 10

    I see some "freedom and rights" people are back out protesting today. I wondered what covid restrictions they are complaining about now. Maybe the recommendation to wear masks inside public spaces or get a covid booster. Pretty much nothing there to continue their muddled thinking against. But no, instead they are protesting violence, cost of living and a stretched health system.

    So what exactly is impinging on their 'freedoms' and their 'rights' amongst that list. Nowt I can see. Another set of scatter gun issues which have little to do with freedom and rights, another catch all get some publicity stunt for Brian Tamaki maybe. If they want to protest against violence, fine, go and protest outside gang pads and make it clear to them. If they want to protest against cost of living, go and protest outside the Russian embassy. If they want to protest against a stretched health system, go and protest outside the homes and workplaces where people refuse to wear masks or have an issue getting covid or influenza vaccinations.

    • Graeme 10.1

      Recently announced review of the Charities Act maybe?

      https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/charities-act-changes-benefit-nz-communities

        • Muttonbird 10.1.1.1

          Are Ngai Tahu also marching on motorways in order to stop the evil Jacinda Ardern?

          It must be excruciating for the political right in New Zealand to see their desires mirrored perfectly by one Bishop Brian Tamaki.

          I heard Heather Supidity-Allan try to distance the opposition and their supporters from the protests today but the truth is they are one and the same ideologically.

      • Robert Guyton 10.1.2

        The wolf is at the door of the bish?

        (Here's hoping)

        • Graeme 10.1.2.1

          And hopefully a few other enterprises taking advantage of their charitable status to avoid paying tax. Although WorkSafe and Employment Court might deal to Gloriavale long before IRD gets a go.

    • Anne 10.2

      https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/brian-tamakis-anti-government-protest-projectiles-thrown-by-furious-motorists-police-consider-charges-against-protesters/RZ5MDLRQWV6VIEV3TH5JNTS3JE/

      If I was 40 years younger I would have picked up a couple of friends and a large box of rotten tomatoes and delivered our own form of justice. angry

      • Muttonbird 10.2.1

        Was delivering child #1 to Newmarket at the time, just managed to get off at Market Rd when the three traffic control trucks were rolling to a stop.

        Got back on at St Mark's Rd to an empty motorway all the way home. Didn't see any nutcases.

      • Patricia Bremner 10.2.2

        He is calling for a Sri Lanka solution. What?? He is mad imo.

        • Anne 10.2.2.1

          They are totally deluded.

          What if Standardistas decided to get together and dance around on a motorway. The whole damn lot of us would be dragged away and arrested before you could say Jack Robinson. So why should these nit-wits be allowed to.

          A reporter interviewed one of the protesters on TV1 this evening. She said she was there because she doesn't understand what the government is doing. Sheesh…

    • fender 10.3

      Oh I thought they were protesting against democracy. RNZ News said the idiot was calling on all parliamentary parties to step aside, presumably so he can step in and be our dictator.

      His bikie gang mates must be supplying him with their finest brain-rot poison.

    • mauī 10.4

      You don't appear that interested in living in a democratic and free society, otherwise you would be generally supportive of Tamaki's groups actions, love him or hate him.

  9. Patricia Bremner 11

    I see the "marchers" of today from Destiny Church and the Coalition wanted to create mayhem, but not violence. Get a dictionary. About 1800 people all up in three centres

    • Anne 12.1

      Yes. He laid it out so that anyone with half a brain could understand. Why oh why aren't these people given maximum opportunities to inform the public.

  10. pat 13

    Thought provoking (and well researched) piece by Brendon Harre on NZ housing and economy.

    https://www.interest.co.nz/public-policy/116867/brendon-harre-assesses-work-and-thinking-henry-george-19th-century-progressive

  11. Sanctuary 14

    What a bunch of chumps the Green party is.

    • Cricklewood 14.1

      Seems exceptionally daft to cut James Shaw off at the knees at this point… it's going to create an absolute media circus if it ends up a contest…

      • Sanctuary 14.1.1

        I will predict that come this time next week Shaw will still be leader, the Green party will have spent a week being excoriated in the media and the party will drop below 5% in the next poll. Typical Greens internecine politics – posturing tactics without a wider strategy.

        • pat 14.1.1.1

          Self destruction

          • Alan 14.1.1.1.1

            the 16 year old's don't like James, so there you go.

            • Robert Guyton 14.1.1.1.1.1

              Dismissing the views of young people, Alan?

              Colour me surprised!!!!

          • Robert Guyton 14.1.1.1.2

            Does this even faintly, vaguely, slightly equate with the shamozzle that was the National Party's revolving leader experience?

            No.

            Not a patch on it.

            Minor ripple, yet DESTRUCTION!!

            • pat 14.1.1.1.2.1

              self-destruction

              /ˌsɛlfdɪˈstrʌkʃ(ə)n/

              noun

              1. behaviour that causes serious harm to oneself.

                "problem gamblers on a path to self-destruction"

              • Robert Guyton

                Minor tests of integrity build resilience and inner strength.

                Just because other parties hide/avoid/refuse to engage in the natural selection process, doesn't mean The Greens have to follow suite.

                In any case, the Right despise the type of thinking that has interrupted the leader's BAU and when James turns them out, the blueies will unconsciously cheer him on!

                Win-win.

                • pat

                  The public show of disunity has damaged the party regardless whether Shaw re runs and is reselected or not…..and I’d add I would not be surprised at all if he didnt rerun .

                  • Robert Guyton

                    Disunity?

                    You mean, The Greens should have presented a National Party-like pretence at unity?

                    Not the sort of politics I support.

                  • weka

                    The public show of disunity has damaged the party regardless whether Shaw re runs and is reselected or not

                    Why? There was a leadership challenge last year too.

                    • Robert Guyton

                      Yes there was. Creating a healthy challenge, easily met, by James.

                      Rinse and repeat.

                    • pat

                      As there was with National….and a series previously with Labour…and in all instances they were detrimental to party support following.

                      However as you and Robert see no issue then you have nothing to worry about….obviously others disagree, myself included.

                    • Incognito []

                      National seems to be doing ok in the polls though …

                    • Robert Guyton

                      That's correct, pat, I am not worried. At all.

                    • pat

                      @ Incognito

                      …eventually. The difference being National (or Labour) have base support significantly above the 5% threshold.

                    • Incognito []

                      True, that. The only 2 political parties that are in this enjoyable position, which is a shame because it has a disproportionate influence on NZ politics.

                    • weka

                      As there was with National….and a series previously with Labour…and in all instances they were detrimental to party support following.

                      Except in both those cases Nat and Lab were in actual disarray. The GP isn't, this is more about strategy as far as I can tell, rather than the Greens not having a good co leader.

                      However as you and Robert see no issue then you have nothing to worry about….obviously others disagree, myself included.

                      the biggest concern I have is the degree to which lefties are freaking out and/or dissing the GP as we speak, and how much hay the MSM will make with that. As for the rest, I find dissent healthy (depending on how it is done. the dissenting MPs at the 2017 election handled it very badly).

        • Bearded Git 14.1.1.2

          It's a media beat up. Stuff said Shaw was "ashen faced" after the vote!!!

          Come off it. 70% of the delegates backed him. Just 32 people didn't. He will be massively backed by the members and will be leader at the next election.

    • observer 14.2

      Only a minority within the party, but I get your point.

      2023 could deliver a Labour/Green government. I hope so.

      But some would be happier with a National/ACT government, so they could have the righteous purity of protest. Cost of self-indulgence: one planet.

      • weka 14.2.1

        But some would be happier with a National/ACT government, so they could have the righteous purity of protest. Cost of self-indulgence: one planet.

        that's not it. It's that some people understand the urgency of climate change and think the current strategy is the wrong one. This is a legitimate position.

      • Jester 14.2.2

        I think the only person that could beat James Shaw in a leadership challenge would be Chloe. But does she want to be leader yet?

    • Grey Area 14.3

      What a bunch of chumps the Green party is.

      Yes.

      While the planet burns and drowns a faction of the Greens thinks it is so clever to play gender or sex politics because it is so much more important. Marama Davidson gets a free pass when she has done bugger all, but James Shaw (who doesn't thrill me) doesn't, even though he hasn't been allowed to do enough but has done more than bugger all.

      I'm not some rightwing concern troll. I have genuinely voted left my entire life starting with Values. I have been involved in the Greens as a member, a network convenor and a branch co-convener.

      But I have lost faith in the Greens. While I could see that climate collapse was the No 1 issue because it was about survival of the species and the opportunity to worry about a whole heap of other things, Marama Davidson wanted to reclaim the C word.

      I voted Red/Green last time because in my electorate I thought that was the most effective use of my vote, despite feeling the Greens had dropped the ball long ago.

      A party that thinks it crucial to have co-leaders who are female and other is no longer my party.

      So long and thanks for the fish.

      Now back to the work in my local community trying to help make it more resilient in the existential crisis we're neck deep in.

      • RedLogix 14.3.1

        You and I suspect Gareth Hughes.

        Loosing your political moorings like this sucks.

      • Robert Guyton 14.3.2

        I think you misunderstand the situation. The Greens embrace and test non-ordinary ideas. There is no-one better, in all of NZ politics, to weather this challenge to orthodox behaviour. James will rise to the challenge, regain his position and go from strength to strength. Had to happen. Will be a success. Most won't be able to understand what has happened.

        Imo.

        • RedLogix 14.3.2.1

          Looking at their current line-up the Greens seem to have a serious diversity problem. You should stand – you'd be perfect as the token white guy. devil

          • Robert Guyton 14.3.2.1.1

            In what way is James not perfect for that role?

            I wouldn't dream of challenging 🙂

            He'll fly in, unharmed.

            Annealed, sure, and tempered, so that's all good.

        • Grey Area 14.3.2.2

          No I don't think I misunderstand the situation Robert. I think you are gilding the lily. You are giving the Greens far too much credit.

          imo

          • Robert Guyton 14.3.2.2.1

            I prefer to give them credit, rather than stick, Grey Area; better to gee-up your ride, than apply the whip, imo.

            • Grey Area 14.3.2.2.1.1

              As I said Robert I've tried. I've been involved on the inside not just criticising from the sidelines.

              I'm loath to use the horse racing analogy but I feel like the horse died under me.

  12. observer 15

    Brian Tamaki is talking about a new party … yet again:

    From RNZ:

    Tamaki told RNZ he will soon make an announcement regarding three minor parties forming a coalition. Tamaki said three minor parties have made the commitment to operate under a new umbrella.

    "I'm in talks with others. So it looks like there's going to be a new party on the block."

    Reminder: Tamaki's party (then called Vision NZ) got 0.15% of the vote at the election.

    Still, Luxon being asked if he rules them out would be entertaining.

  13. bwaghorn 16

    Wtf green party, kicking James Shaw out.

    • Robert Guyton 16.1

      He has to contest his position.

      He will fly in.

    • weka 16.2

      he hasn't been kicked out. They voted to reopen nominations which means he will face a leadership challenge. Like he did last year. It's just a bit different because they didn't get the nomination in on time I think.

      • Robert Guyton 16.2.1

        That's right, weka. Another cool head. Thank Gaia 🙂

        • observer 16.2.1.1

          Perhaps he will stay as leader, but that's not really the point.

          There have always been tensions, in any deal between 2+ parties, between those who say "get a better deal" and those who say "this is the best we can get". A story as old as coalitions, anywhere. Fine.

          But that is irrelevant here. It's not 2017-2020. It's not "Bargain harder than Winston Peters". It's a majority Labour government. Shaw gets as much or as little from Ardern as she wants. Leverage: nil.

          So what is it that the anti-Shaw people want him to do?

          • weka 16.2.1.1.1

            speak out more is one thing that comes up consistently. That applies to the whole party but particularly the leadership.

            There's also the idea that Shaw compromised too much and could have taken a better plan to Labour. I don't know where the truth lies with that, but anyone who thinks our current climate response is adequate is ill informed.

            • bwaghorn 16.2.1.1.1.1

              I guess one can yell and grandstand and look good and get nowhere, or you can get in the backrooms out of sight and get those from opposing sides to the table. Idealists dont belong in government.

              • weka

                don't particularly disagree with that, but it fails when considering climate change and that we are running out of time. We need radical change, and I don't think taking another decade to build power alongside Labour is the way to do it.

                Probably the most important thing that could happen now would be a strong voice on climate, esp holding Labour to account. Inside or outside of parliament, doesn't have to be the Greens. But it has to be someone.

                • Robert Guyton

                  From the point of view of someone like you weka, with your understanding of climate change, there is no government anywhere, acting with as much immediacy and effort as is needed, am I right?

                  To expect that James Shaw, leading a party with restricted influence, as The Greens are, to create radical change, is … admirable.

                  From what I've heard from "sources within Parliament", James Shaw is head and shoulders above any other player in that game, be they red, blue, green, whatever political/ideological colour you choose.

                  Given the circumstances (the reality of our situation) there is no one better than James.

                  He will retain/regain his position. He will not throw in the towel. Well-intentioned people will continue to criticise him for "not doing enough".

                  • Stuart Munro

                    It's an age old problem.

                    So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. Revelation 3:16

                    I don't dispute his work ethic, but I had more confidence in Russel & Matt.

                    Scrapping the male co-leadership requirement was risky and probably unsound in the long term, however appropriate it may be to find a place for Chloe.

                    An ignorant and hostile press won't make any transition easy.

                    • weka

                      which would be less of an issue if a chunk of the left stopped slagging of the greens every chance they get.

                  • weka

                    I think we need both. We need the hard grafters and pragmatists like Shaw who can make inroads into the mainstream. And we need more radical voices to shift the narrative. Best thing would be something akin to the shift XR achieved five years ago, but that opened up the proactive pathways for change, giving people clear vision of where we can go so that things work out. I don't know if the Greens can do that in NZ at this time or not.

                    Yes, NZ is doing well relative to many other countries. But it may not be enough. The issue is whether the risk now in leadership change is worth it. I don't know this either.

                    I have a post up that addresses some of this,

                    https://thestandard.org.nz/james-shaw-and-the-green-party-co-leadership/

                • Stuart Munro

                  if a chunk of the left stopped slagging of the greens every chance they get

                  Trust me, if I were doing that, you'd know.

                  • weka

                    I wasn't talking about you. I was pointing out that the MSM issues would be less of a problem if the Greens weren't also being attacked and undermined by the left.

      • Grey Area 16.2.2

        I'll probably regret this but why is it the white cis male who has faced multiple leadership challenges?

        • Robert Guyton 16.2.2.1

          Should he be immune?

        • weka 16.2.2.2

          I'll probably regret this but why is it the white cis male who has faced multiple leadership challenges?

          It's not. It's the person who is the more centrist in the party.

          • Grey Area 16.2.2.2.1

            The more centrist co-leader who just happens to be a white cis male. Bad combo.

            • weka 16.2.2.2.1.1

              I suppose there is a connection in that white men tend to be more centrist. But if Shaw wasn't centrist this wouldn't be an issue (centrist relative to his party, not relative to the current Overton Window in NZ).

              • KJT

                I doubt James Shaw is "centrist".
                Not from what I’ve seen.

                He knows how to work within the system and the limitations he has, to make progress. His achievements if you look are many, despite having little real power in Government with Labour's majority vote.

                I'm dissapointed that a proportion of Greens want to remove him, for someone more "shouty".

                But re-affirming the leadership is an example of robust Democratic process, that is sadly lacking in our other political parties.

                • weka

                  I said he's centrist within the party. There are plenty of people to the left of him politically, and more radical than him.

                  I said he's not centrist in NZ overton window terms. He's still to the left of the Labour party for instance.

                  • weka

                    but yeah, it's kind of not really that meaningful because most people will translate that into trad left/centrist/right frames and miss that the Greens are orthogonal to that line.

          • Incognito 16.2.2.2.2

            My impression is that with every major weather event, nationally or globally, and with every day passing with lack of action on CC, real or perceived, Shaw was becoming a bigger target. Had he done and achieved more he would have been a big target for some and had he done less he would have been a big target for others.

            I find it slightly ironic that the most democratic, transparent, and accountable political party in Aotearoa-New Zealand tends to get such a raw deal from the media and the public. It begs the question whether Kiwis are ready for empowerment and agency or whether they’d rather stick with the authoritarian status quo of National, ACT, and Labour.

            • weka 16.2.2.2.2.1

              Makes sense, people are scared, some will want a radical response, others a conservative one. Next year's election will be bloody interesting.

              If I thought the challenge was well planned and they had a good replacement, I'd probably be keen for Shaw to step aside and be Climate Minister* and bring in a more dynamic outspoken co-leader who will change the narrative. But I haven't seen anything yet to suggest it is well planned and that there is a good replacement.

              (*not lease because Climate Minister is a big job).

              • Incognito

                The ABS (Anything But Shaw) failed and the wheels blocked up.

                I’d love to see stronger narrative coming from both the Greens and Labour. Ardern does do really good speeches and there’s an underlying narrative, a sub-text, but even she doesn’t articulate the (?) vision as clear and compelling as I’d wish. My own (and only) conclusion is that the ‘vision’ and associated strategy is slowly crystallising and therefore cannot be framed yet as such (aka a work in progress).

                • weka

                  I don't understand why the Greens don't speak out more. Maybe we will see this next year? I hope it's not because they're truly being incrementalists.

                  My own (and only) conclusion is that the ‘vision’ and associated strategy is slowly crystallising and therefore cannot be framed yet as such (aka a work in progress).

                  Very good. I liked what Delahunty said about it not being about who might replace Shaw but who has a vision that can lead.

                  really feel the stories we can tell are crucial right now.

            • weka 16.2.2.2.2.2

              I find it slightly ironic that the most democratic, transparent, and accountable political party in Aotearoa-New Zealand tends to get such a raw deal from the media and the public. It begs the question whether Kiwis are ready for empowerment and agency or whether they’d rather stick with the authoritarian status quo of National, ACT, and Labour.

              I think most voters don't get the GP particularly well. And for sure they choose the status quo each year.

              • Grey Area

                I think most voters don't get the GP particularly well.

                Admittedly the media often negatively filter the Greens to the wider electorate but despite that I think a lot of voters get the Greens perfectly well.

                What some Green activists think is important (and it isn’t climate collapse) doesn’t resonate with most voters.

                • weka

                  Green activists don't think climate collapse is the most important?

                  People can still like what they see in the Greens and vote for them, without getting how the party works. As evidenced by the number of GP voters dismayed at what is going on, whereas many people who get the Greens are relatively unfazed and see it as normal democratic process.

                  Otoh, it may be a split along the lines of climate action has to step up now vs people ok with taking more time.

                  • Grey Area

                    Green activists don't think climate collapse is the most important?

                    I did say some. And from experience I believe some Greens are more interested in issues to with gender, sex, sexual orientation etc and not saving a dying planet.

                    I think some people do get the Greens but don't like what they see. It's not about not getting a democratic process.

                    Otoh, it may be a split along the lines of climate action has to step up now vs people ok with taking more time.

                    I think this could well be part of it. One of the reasons I pulled out of my then local branch only a few years ago was that many members didn't seem to see climate collapse as such an urgent issue as I did.

                    I switched to Extinction Rebellion and found that also had its own issues.

                    I now concentrate on community development and trying to help build resilience and sustainability.

                    I will likely party vote Green again because there is no alternative that comes close for me. But the party continually disappoints me and I've made my choice about where to put my energy.

                    • weka

                      That sounds wise Grey Area. I'm not actively involved in the party either, feeling that my energies are best placed elsewhere. Completely agree about the need for community development. At some point I hope this will meet parliamentary politics and then we might see real change.

                    • Robert Guyton

                      I feel much as you do (Grey Area & weka) and have acted similarly however I believe there is a role for people like us to champion The Greens at times of stress, rather than taking a swing at them whenever a challenging issue emerges. I guess I am a loyalist. Can't see much gain in eroding the foundations of my own house 🙂

  14. Grey Area 17

    I saw that clip but he did not sound happy on TV1 news tonight.

  15. Visubversa 18

    Hopefully the Greens will have learned that having a leader commit political suicide just before an election is a really, really bad idea. I would not bet on it however.

    • alwyn 18.1

      Well, they didn't learn that it was a bad idea when Meteria Turei did it just before the 2017 election so why should they do so now?

      At least in 2017 they had Shaw to get them over the line to get back into Parliament. Without him I think they will be dead. They are starting to behave like the McGillicuddy Serious Party aren't they? That lot realised they were behaving like idiots though.

      • weka 18.1.1

        Well, they didn't learn that it was a bad idea when Meteria Turei did it just before the 2017 election so why should they do so now?

        It's pretty clear to those paying attention in the past five years that much of what the GP do now is because of what happened in 2017, they learned a lot from that.

    • Muttonbird 18.2

      The co-leader thing seems superfluous. What is the point? Reckon the sharp end of the Greens relationship with the public would be a lot more sharp with one leader.

      • weka 18.2.1

        Green kaupapa, maybe learn how that works.

        • Muttonbird 18.2.1.1

          Affirmative action. I have since done a bit of reading. A good policy, but should it extend to leadership/co-leadership where it is a lot harder to satisfy the requirements in the selection of just one or two people?

          • weka 18.2.1.1.1

            how do you mean?

            • Muttonbird 18.2.1.1.1.1

              If there are mandates for a percentage of positions to be filled by people with certain attributes (affirmative action, which is fine) then it's easier to do with a larger number of positions. When you get down to two positions, or one, it becomes quite difficult to fulfil with those parameters.

              That's my theory, anyway.

              And the Greens are still modifying the requirements which is possibly making it even more difficult.

              • Stuart Munro

                That would be my take too – if they need Maori and rainbow representation, then a third role might make that possible without tears. Dumping straight males altogether may cost them up to 40% of their vote – not something to do lightly.

  16. Anker 19

    One question I wonder about. If Shaw survives, that might be very problematic for the Greens. I think James replacement is Chloe and if she doesn’t replace him, there will be a lot of unhappy youth, very left people in the party, who hate that a Cis white male” who wears a suit and doesn’t shout out his pro nouns is leader.

    I could be wrong about this though

      • Anne 19.1.1

        Yes weka. And the prime minister has publicly supported his work by announcing he will remain the Minister for Climate Change. Just because he doesn't make a lot of noise about it doesn't mean he is not a 'hard working' and effective minister. He is.

        • weka 19.1.1.1

          didn't really understand why people though his Ministerial post would even be in question. It's not tied to him being co-leader is it?

    • Robert Guyton 19.2

      James Shaw will survive and thrive as a result of this development. Those who are uncomfortable with who he is and how he operates, will be chastised and their mission thwarted. James' supporters will be encouraged and emboldened, as will James. The media, the nay-sayers, pfffttt, they'll rattle about the way they always do.

  17. Chess Player 20

    The Greens just went from being highly likely to secure a strong position after next election, to struggling to be part of the next government at all.

    • Robert Guyton 20.1

      The Greens have not lost anything over this minor, internal development. In fact, middle-of-the-road voters considering The Greens will be encouraged when it transpires that James has seen off the flakey challenge and strengthened his status as a non-flake (approximating their framing there 🙂

      I see more votes for The Greens and a stronger position in Government.

      • alwyn 20.1.1

        What is your prediction if either of the following occurs Robert?

        1. Shaw get rolled and a second woman becomes the co-leader?

        2. No alternative leader is nominated but there are still 25+% who vote to re-re-open the nominations again?

        • weka 20.1.1.1
          1. the GP will have two female coleaders

          2. very unlikely to happen unless they have someone in mind and didn't get organised in time.

          • alwyn 20.1.1.1.1

            "the GP will have two female coleaders"

            smiley

            You really should be giving lessons to politicians. Never say more in an answer than you have to.

        • Robert Guyton 20.1.1.2

          weka's responses were pretty good. I find, what-if questions to be loaded and best avoided. What if The Greens get 20% t the next election, Alwyn 🙂

          In any case, 2 female co-leaders? I'd be comfortable with that. James would probably be irked, continue on as Climate minister for a while, then move on.

          I'd distance myself further from the party, seeing a behaviour I don't like, or rather, doesn't help the cause I believe The Greens are designed to fight for.

          All that said, I believe none of this will happen. James will reclaim his position, the disrupting-factor will be dismissed, having failed in its mission.

          On your second point, a repeat of what has happened, I'd do what I've done this time, predict eventual success, but be pretty annoyed at the so-called 25% for their lack of foresight.

          I can't imagine that there is, in fact, someone willing to "challenge James" as their name would become mud 🙂

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    It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
    3 days ago
  • Manufacturing The Truth.
    Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet –  is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
    3 days ago
  • A Powerful Sensation of Déjà Vu.
    Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
    3 days ago
  • Can you guess where world attention is focussed (according to Greenpeace)? It’s focussed on an EPA...
    Bob Edlin writes –  And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Further integrity problems for the Greens in suspending MP Darleen Tana
    Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Greens’ transparency missing in action
    For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    5 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    6 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    6 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    6 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Government moves to quickly ratify the NZ-EU FTA
    "The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    11 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    13 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Fresh produce price drop welcome
    Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024.  “Lower fruit and vege ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Statement to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68)
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government backs rural led catchment projects
    The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction.   Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Commission’s advice on ETS settings tabled
    Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government lowering building costs
    The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Trustee tax change welcomed
    Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister’s Ramadan message
    Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness.  It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister appoints new NZTA Chair
    Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
    Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology.  It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Progress continues apace on water storage
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • Government agrees to restore interest deductions
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