Open mike 23/08/2021

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, August 23rd, 2021 - 81 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:

Open mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Step up to the mike …

81 comments on “Open mike 23/08/2021 ”

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  1. dv 1
    23 August 2021 at 6:45 am

    To accommodate those who want short briefing with out a lot of twaddled and to protect reporters eyes- here is today up date

    There are another 100 cases with 100 in auckland.

    Lockdown 4 has been extended for 6 months.

    Please write any question on one sided paper and post them to me.
    Thank you
    Have a good day.

    Oops forgot there are 2000 places of interest.

    • DB Brown 1.1
      23 August 2021 at 7:05 am

      What a clown.

      I’ll leave it to the mods to decide what to do about deliberately sharing fake news.

      Though I don’t imagine you’ll be popular for it, except in a certain subset of rabid rancid right wingers.

      [It is fine. Clearly satirical – MS]

      • DB Brown 1.1.1
        23 August 2021 at 8:13 am

        Really, that's what passes for satire. Tragic.

        There's no clear indication of satire, only a sad wanker talking shit. Your call, don't agree with it but if that's the standard, then that's The Standard.

        [lprent: sigh read the about and the policy – for what must be your first time.

        This is place that isn’t particularly about imposing views, it is for expressing viewpoints. We expect disagreements and that is what makes a robust debate. We try to only control behaviour that excludes others (like you trying to suggest we should do), and for behaviour that oversteps the legal bounds.

        I’d also point out that you are trying to tell us what to do on our own site even with the cowards way of fudging it with obscuring words. That level of gutlessness and lack of clarity about why you think a behaviour shouldn’t be tolerated tends to just piss me and other mods off. If you have an objection to something, then respect everyone else and state exactly what you are objecting to – and why. Otherwise you’re just another lazy dumbarse critic who talks or writes weasel words without having any idea of what alternatively could be done instead.

        That is why there is an specific behavioural offence that covers your flaws in the Darwin awards section of the policy.

        Personally I look at your history of comments and come to a preliminary conclusion – you almost certainly have zero ideas what it takes to maintain and run a site like this for more than a decade. You are in fact a self-appointed Mrs Grundy looking over a fence at something that you don’t appear to understand.

        I always point the many such people towards the last section of the About – it was written for you and for others like you who like to suppress varying opinions and viewpoints, and would prefer that other people follow your unstated rules – preferably with some other sucker doing your work for you.

        No – you must….
        Have you read this page? We must do nothing. The posters post on the topics they want to (with a few limitations from the sysop). If you really absolutely want your ideas to be heard, then start a blog and start learning to write. You can probably find a more compatible blog on our blogroll. Or you can comment on the posts that our posters write and follow our rather lenient rules.

        ]

        • lprent 1.1.1.1
          23 August 2021 at 12:55 pm

          Please see my moderation note on your demands.

          • DB Brown 1.1.1.1.1
            23 August 2021 at 2:38 pm

            Well, nice speech, go fuck yourself you pompous ass.

            I've seen it said plenty of times here to ad a sarc/

            I didn't know the joke, sounded like a dig. We sorted it. You're fucking tragic.

            • lprent 1.1.1.1.1.1
              23 August 2021 at 5:48 pm

              Well, nice speech, go fuck yourself you pompous ass.

              Ah good – now you know exactly what you looked like to everyone else with your comment. Which of course was the point of my note.

              I’ve seen it said plenty of times here to ad a sarc/

              I believe that I mentioned that you don’t make the rules on this site. There is a reason for that – you never explain why. You just make up arbitrary rules without bothering to engage your brain, nor trying to present a argument, nor bothering to convince others that there is a reason to do it.

              There are several labels to describe people like that – I’ll leave you to decide which should apply to you.

              I’d ask others to not help him. DB clearly needs the mental exercise – and probably a mental mirror.

    • SPC 1.2
      23 August 2021 at 7:53 am

      Yup, the shorter the briefing the more questions that the media would then have just to extract information.

      The longer the briefing, the more journalists can focus on what was left unsaid, and wonder why.

      • Gabby 1.2.1
        23 August 2021 at 9:58 am

        The longer the briefing, the more likely their carefully prepared gotcha questions are to be preempted.

  2. dv 2
    23 August 2021 at 7:22 am

    OOPs

    To clarify for some

    That comment was a joke. Sorry to those who believed it. DUH

    Or may be it was a test.

    • DB Brown 2.1
      23 August 2021 at 7:38 am

      Gosh, filling in the gap Sean Locke left. Amazing. Such skilled, so talent!

    • Red Blooded One 2.2
      23 August 2021 at 8:24 am

      Thanks dv for the giggle, I LOL at your first post and then read there was a critique of your performance. You can't please everyone all the time.

      • dv 2.2.1
        23 August 2021 at 8:29 am

        Thank you RBO

      • Shanreagh 2.2.2
        23 August 2021 at 8:51 am

        Yes thanks DV for the giggle. It makes me wonder why if the media and people with short attention spans find the PM's or Minister's briefings too long, they don't just wait until all the figures are updated? /sarc.

        Ooops though that would mean if you are a media person and have a short attention span and sore eyes you would have to follow up on another' outlets updates…or just go to the MOH online updates.

        I really appreciate being treated as an adult with explanations and I find the genome sequencing fascinating.

        I now don't listen to any of the media questions. Learnt my lesson last time after thinking 'Well I should listen they're the fourth estate and an important part of our democracy' and vainly listening…… to gotchas, reckons, moans and just plain, pure bad faith and bias in these questions. The one exception was the person asking questions on Maori issues

      • DB Brown 2.2.3
        23 August 2021 at 9:52 am

        Ok fair enough if people find it funny why not. Clearly I woke on the wrong side of bed. Sorry dv. Carry on! cheeky

    • Cricklewood 2.3
      23 August 2021 at 10:23 am

      I see the govt has an add up for a "Senior Analyst-Disinformation' DB ought to consider applying he was onto you like shit on a blanket.

      Wonder if the new postion reports dircetly to the Ministry of Truth?

      • Incognito 2.3.1
        23 August 2021 at 10:27 am

        Please drop it and move on, thanks. It was a misunderstanding.

      • DB Brown 2.3.2
        23 August 2021 at 10:28 am

        Was showing my ignorance of current events, namely, what right whingers had to say about the Jacinda & Ashley Show… My bad.

  3. Ghostwhowalksnz 3
    23 August 2021 at 7:36 am

    [image resized]

  4. tc 4
    23 August 2021 at 7:58 am

    I see granny copy/pasted popup Scotty's pr rant from Murdoch's news.com.au.

    Like we need to hear from the great Australian failure i.e the accidental PM who had 2 jobs and fkd them both up.

    • Ghostwhowalksnz 4.1
      23 August 2021 at 8:05 am

      The 70% level over the country, or as one labour Mp put it

      'We may get to 90 per cent of Point Piper immunised but 30 per cent of Mount Druitt,”

      Even so the 70% target still means some curbs are in place for localised outbreaks and lockdowns will still be possible when things get of control…. as if they dont know this already

      Firts off they will stop issuing daily cases, as they are looking at in Sydney to avoid the political fallout of reaching the magic number 1000 new cases per day

    • Patricia Bremner 4.2
      23 August 2021 at 9:36 am

      Thanks tc, looked up Scotty's history. Wow You are so right. “100% pure” and “Where the bloody hell are you?” Would look naff on anyones CV. A great deal of spin and not much substance coupled with the Hillside connection!!!

      • tc 4.2.1
        23 August 2021 at 12:41 pm

        Scotty appears to be a dead man walking as per the polls and those 10 marginal seats labors targeted.

        Bush fires (I don't hold a hose mate!), Covid vaxing, quarantine, Afghanistan…. the people have seen enough inaction.

        I suspect a class action on the aged care deaths in Victoria may get busy during his election campaign……lest others forget.

  5. roblogic 5
    23 August 2021 at 8:04 am

    RNZ Mediawatch last night really hammered the stupidity and fearmongering of Newstalk ZB and their fellow travellers, over the last week

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/mediawatch/audio/2018809216/mediawatch-for-22-august-2021

  6. Jenny how to get there 6
    23 August 2021 at 8:37 am

    We are in a public health emergency, what leaders say and do, is vital, in combatting misinformation.

    Leadership, (or, in this case, not)

    Aren't you ‘the authorities’?

    Isn't it part of your job to help ‘manage the situation’?

    On the news that a man wearing a volunterr fire fighters jacket tried confronted police and supermarket staff demanding entry into Katikati Coundown while filming himself without a mask. (In an obvious attempt to incite others to flout the mask wearing in supermarkets and other public places)..

    ….Western Bay of Plenty Mayor Garry Webber said he had not seen the video and did not intend to watch it.

    "It's not the sort of thing I should comment on under these circumstances," he said.

    “We are in difficult times, and we just have to work our way through what each of us thinks is the right thing to do and leave it to the authorities to manage the situation.”

    https://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/news/national/covid-19-delta-outbreak-volunteer-firefighter-refused-entry-to-katikati-supermarket/.YSKnS0_URbc.facebook

    You are in a leadership role, and you say, leave it up to whatever each of us thinks?

    Whatever happened to giving a lead?

    To Bay of Plenty Mayor Garry Webber, I would say;

    As a public official in a leading role, sitting on the fence during a pubblic health emergency is not acceptable.

    Mayor Webber, If you have a contrary opinion you should spit it out. Maybe we could all learn something.*

    In contrast to Mayor Webber's non-leadership, Fire and Emergency Area Manager Kevin Cowper said he was investigating the incident and would take whatever action was deemed appropriate.

    ."We support the work police do as our emergency partners, and take the Covid-19 instructions of central government very seriously," he said.

    I would hope so.

    Could the self entitled individual involved in this confrontation, can trusted, not to take it on himself to refuse to obey an instruction to wear breathing mask when ordered to do so during a fire or rescue emergency, and instead "do as he thinks", leading others to also disobey safety instructions?

    For willfully disobeying public health instructions, and inciting others to do so, the approprate action would be to suspend this individual from volunteering for any emergency duties.

    *(It is local body elections this year, Bay of Plenty voters need to remember Mayor Webber's vacillation and gutless fence sitting in a crisis).

    New studies hint that the coronavirus may be evolving to become more airborne

    The virus appears to spread through the air, but masks reduce the amount of infectious virus

    Tina Hesman Saey – Science News, Aug. 17,2021

    Small aerosol particles spewed while people breathe, talk and sing may contain more coronavirus than larger moisture droplets do. And the coronavirus may be evolving to spread more easily through the air, a new study suggests. But there is also good news: Masks can help…..

    https://www.sciencenews.org/article/covid-coronavirus-aerosol-droplets-airborne-evolution?utm_source=Editors_Picks&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=editorspicks082221

    • Shanreagh 6.1
      23 August 2021 at 9:02 am

      I just get a 404 error when trying to follow the link and see it shows a ZB/Mike, the unhumble, Hosking. Did you mean to link to that?

      Is there a media, as opposed to a show pony, link on this? Bad form for the volunteer firefighter and hopefully he will get spoken too. Not sure that I would want people like him in situations where 'command and control' is an essential part of the procedures eg '….but but boss I won't be wearing breathing apparatus (stamps foot) to rescue those people in the fire as my breathing is fine on its own and that heat and smoke won't get down my lungs…anyway it a free world….". .

    • Joe90 6.2
      23 August 2021 at 9:04 am

      A firefighter presumably trained and able to use self contained breathing apparatus with a mask exemption?

      Exit:
      The knob himself
      https://mobile.twitter.com/NZFSC/status/1428131859112681472

      • Gabby 6.2.1
        23 August 2021 at 10:10 am

        Gerry's a bit of a Dick.

        • Shanreagh 6.2.1.1
          23 August 2021 at 10:46 am

          Why didn't he just show whoever the medical exemption he had instead of arguing the toss……..twit.

          Why are firefighters whose duties may include wearing breathing apparatus able to get an exemption from wearing a mask and, more importantly, with such limitations why are they still firefighters?

          • Incognito 6.2.1.1.1
            23 August 2021 at 10:51 am

            Why do we give this non-story oxygen? Quite a few here have already clicked on those links, FFS.

            • Drowsy M. Kram 6.2.1.1.1.1
              23 August 2021 at 10:55 am

              Why do we give this non-story oxygen?

              "Oxygen" – 'mask' – clever yes

            • Pete 6.2.1.1.1.2
              23 August 2021 at 3:23 pm

              Maybe it's to attract recruit volunteers. I see the guy has been a volunteer in the service for eight years. From his behaviour he must've signed up four years before he was born.

              • Incognito …
                23 August 2021 at 3:37 pm

                Could be, but by “we” I meant us here, the people who comment here on this site smiley

    • Incognito 6.3
      23 August 2021 at 10:38 am

      *(It is local body elections this year, …

      No, it is not; it is next year.

      You conflate leadership with management.

      Please split your overly long comments into different ones if they contain more than completely different and unrelated topic, thanks.

      • Jenny how to get there 6.3.1
        23 August 2021 at 2:43 pm

        My bad. Next year. Even better. More than enough time to sort the 'managers' from the ‘leaders’.

        • Jenny how to get there 6.3.1.1
          23 August 2021 at 11:05 pm

          In a democracy;

          We elect leaders,

          We hire managers.

          Good leaders, hire good managers.

          The best leaders are visionaries.

          The best managers, are experts in the field that they were trained in and were hired for, by our elected leaders.

          The job of leaders is to lead.

          The job of managers is to realise the vision of our elected leaders.

          Yeah, I know, there is some level of cross over, between good managers and good leaders, but generally elected political leaders come from all walks of life.

          While managers, management is their job.

          In my opinion, elected leaders who think that they are just managers, need to be voted out at the first opportunity.

          Managers who think that they are un-elected leaders need to be sacked.

  7. Jenny how to get there 7
    23 August 2021 at 8:51 am

    What a gorgeous day it is here in Papakura. I am sitting on my front porch facing East toward Red Hill with the sun on my face. Peacefully enjoying my bubble. Somewhere I can hear seagulls calling to each other.
    I wouldn't be anywhere else.

    • roblogic 7.1
      23 August 2021 at 9:04 am

      Kia ora, that's my home town, you somewhere near Pahurehure inlet? Many happy/ muddy hours spent exploring there

    • Jenny how to get there 7.2
      23 August 2021 at 9:13 am

      '
      What a day for a daydreaming girl,

      What a day for a daydream
      What a day for a daydreamin' girl
      And even if time ain't really our side
      It's one of those days for taking a walk outside
      I'm blowing the day to take a walk in the sun
      Making sure to keep my face mask on.
      I'll refrain from falling on somebody's new-mown lawn
      At least until the lockdown is gone.

    • gsays 7.3
      23 August 2021 at 9:28 am

      Ata marie from the Manawatu. Later this morning I will be inspecting and harvesting the charcoal from the retort I cooked yesterday.

      There is a 60 l container of tree Lucerne (tagasaste) a large coffee tin of totara pencils and a cassette of grape prunings.

      The tree Lucerne is for the smoker. If it is overcooked, it will be crushed and inoculated with seaweed tea for bio-char.

      The pencils are for an artist buddy who has previously used willow charcoal, the totara is an experiment.

      The grape prunings are to go into a ball mill and be rendered into airfloat charcoal.

      This lockdown is suiting me.

      • DB Brown 7.3.1
        23 August 2021 at 9:58 am

        Nice. Hey when/if inoculating the char, try get some nitrogen in there. It will greatly enhance time taken for microbes to inhabit the char making it beneficial for soil faster. If not on any meds just pee in it will do the job. If you want to…

        Reckon I’ll go plant some seedlings, get over my grumpy mood with some wholesome activity.

        • gsays 7.3.1.1
          23 August 2021 at 11:05 am

          Thanks for the tip DB.

          I have no problems giving the char the same attention the lemon tree gets.

          Are there other goodies to add to the char for the microbe diet?

          • DB Brown 7.3.1.1.1
            23 August 2021 at 11:28 am

            I like seaweed, rock dust and nitrogen (chicken manure &/or urine) with enough water to make a paste/thick slurry. This is fairly comprehensive for nutrients. I let it brew for a day or two, stir it occasionally if I remember to, then I mix it up with finished compost for the inoculation of life. I let that sit a few weeks, as it can get hot, then I use it. I store char as just char, and do a blend for gardens closer to the time of use. Much of this does not occur regularly or in orderly fashion, I love to tinker too, and often get distracted trying other stuff.

            One can also just add char to the composting process, watching the C:N ratio of the compost as the biochar is almost pure carbon. This is said to trap some of the gases composting typically releases e.g. NOx and CH4. I have noticed I don't lose so much mass when hot composting and using char.

            The microbes don’t really have time to digest the rockdust, so it’s said, but I like to add it so the garden I’m paying attention to gets it, and the microbes get a head start on it. Worms love it!

            • Robert Guyton 7.3.1.1.1.1
              23 August 2021 at 11:44 am

              Have you tried biodynamic preps with biochar? It seems to me the contents of a cow-pat-pit, or a post-stirred prep 500 would have great effect 🙂

              • gsays …
                23 August 2021 at 11:54 am

                I have dipped my toe into bio-dynamics.

                Despite reading and referring to Peter Proctor's Grasp the Nettle, I am still intimidated by the whole science.

                I think I learn by doing, so would love to be involved in a hands-on workshop. Any practitioners of bio-dynamics in the Manawatu, I have the ideal place and inclination to host workshops.

                • Robert Guyton …
                  23 August 2021 at 12:15 pm

                  It's more traditional to use a stick, but hey, each to their own 🙂

                  The easiest and most accessible biodynamic stuff doesn't need much expertise and the preps from the association are really cheap!

              • DB Brown …
                23 August 2021 at 12:28 pm

                I've no experience with it. The esoteric language coming from practitioners was enough to put me off. I've no doubt some of their concoctions are good, but spirit and essence, I've found to actually be bacteria.

                I'd enjoy sequencing what's in the preparations: it would help lend them some credence, but also dispel some of the magical thinking/language that can put off more practical practitioners on the land.

            • gsays 7.3.1.1.1.2
              23 August 2021 at 11:47 am

              Thanks again, DB. Lots of info in there.

              I hear what you say about distracted and tinkering. My workshop is a shrine to half finished projects and resources that 'may come in handy…'

      • weka 7.3.2
        23 August 2021 at 10:06 am

        Very cool gsays

    • Molly 7.4
      23 August 2021 at 4:28 pm

      I used to live in an old villa on Dominion Road, must've been in your neck of the woods, at the foot of Red Hill. Didn't realise you were out this way.

      Out in Franklin now, but if you ever get down about inaction over climate change, and want to rant over coffee (sans lockdown), get in touch. I have a plan to run some Community Conversations about CC when Covid and vaccination rates allow. (Have done something similar before, and will be interesting to manage it in the true blue district of Massey's Cossacks.)

  8. weka 8
    23 August 2021 at 10:03 am

    Centralisation isn’t resilient. Supermarket runs out of meat…

    https://twitter.com/jamie7617/status/1429511624092798997?s=21

    • weka 8.1
      23 August 2021 at 10:05 am

      Maybe covid will save us from some of the excesses of neoliberalism 🤔

      • Sabine 8.1.1
        23 August 2021 at 10:32 am

        Is your local butcher allowed to be open? Or are they allowed to contactless deliver, because then there are already an alternative to supermarkets. Our MadButcher here does deliveries.

      • DB Brown 8.1.2
        23 August 2021 at 10:36 am

        One might hope the lack of resilience is seen as a problem, but when you see power companies let us sit in the cold rather than display resilience… well, there's still hope, right?

        There has been some changes I've noted in Countdown. They've closed the Williamson Ave supermarket to the public and made it a dedicated facility for deliveries.

        I'm looking at the delivery trucks, small, suited for urban routes, and thinking about how many cars trips not taken for each truck during a day. It must be considerable. Traffic is as much a burden on Auckland life as most anything. Then I get closer and check the fleet. Diesel, diesel, hey wait, there's a hybrid in there, and an EV truck. Slowly but surely taking cars off the road and lowering fuel use.

        For that I give them two thumbs up, and look forward to their announcement of an all hybrid/electric fleet in the future.

      • Drowsy M. Kram 8.1.3
        23 August 2021 at 10:37 am

        Re 'excesses', could do worse than make do with less. Lockdowns assist this as they promote cooperation and thinking about what's really needed to be happy, and why. Like having to 'get by' without international travel – most NZers have survived OK-ish.

        Consider how much 'stuff' accumulates over a lifetime – best to give oneself plenty of time (if possible) to sort through it all. Memories… just mind the touching (for now.)

  9. DB Brown 9
    23 August 2021 at 10:49 am

    Here's a good article on vaccine risks, it might help some of those still on the fence.

    https://www.theage.com.au/national/how-do-we-know-vaccines-won-t-have-long-term-safety-risks-20210803-p58fc7.html?

    • Cricklewood 9.1
      23 August 2021 at 4:55 pm

      The only thing I dont like about articles likd the one linked to is that they draw a comparison to traditional vaccines where the Covid and hopefully soon other vaccines work in a fundamentally different way.

      Its amazing really already they're into trials for HIV vaccines and likely others so hopefully one good thing about Covid is that its got big pharma to pull finger on the tech.

      I'm pretty confident in saying that because there was no money in it they just sat on the tech development. Now they are making obscene sums.

      Similar for antibiotics and others a profit motive isnt always the best driver for devolpent after all theres far more money in long term treatment than cure.

      Serious consideration needs to be given to either bringing big pharma under govt control or adding heavier regulation. Past behavior hasn't been that different to big oil or big tobacco…

  10. Pete 10
    23 August 2021 at 11:12 am

    I see Duncan Garner's leaving his morning TV show. When he clears his office out will he take the head of Iain Lees Galloway off the wall to take with him?

    Or does that reside on the wall of the Leader of the Opposition (along with Winston Churchill)?

    Garner is quoted as having a few important family and personal things that need his attention. Isn't it nice that his attitude about the importance of family and personal things has advanced between July 2020 and August 2021.

  11. The Al1en 11
    23 August 2021 at 2:15 pm

    Given how in the last day the UK has recorded 32,058 coronavirus cases and a further 104 deaths, I'm okay with the UK press slagging our response and zero covid strategy, and put it down to just a right wing beat up on a labour government.

    Happy to be here, wouldn't want to be there.

    Poor Ardern, trapped in her arrogant zero Covid policy

    The UK has recorded 32,058 coronavirus cases a further 104 deaths in the latest 24-hour period

  13. weka 13
    23 August 2021 at 4:28 pm

    Yikes.

    She says Delta got a head start against New Zealand before the lockdown. "Early estimates suggest that [the R] number may be six or higher, you may recall from previous outbreaks that number needs to be less than one in order for the virus to be stamped out, so we have some way to go yet."

    https://rnz.liveblog.pro/lb-rnz/blogs/61228303c56d33c2463f45fe/index.html?liveblog._id=urn:newsml:localhost:2021-08-23T06:15:17.131389:4498b16c-2826-46db-b7d0-25789babe2bb-%3Eeditorial

  14. Morrissey 14
    23 August 2021 at 4:34 pm

    Blairites, your job is done. You have burned the house down.

    From the biggest democratic party in Europe, to this shower…

    https://skwawkbox.org/2021/08/22/starmers-new-slogan-is-literally-wtf-seriously/

  16. lprent 16
    23 August 2021 at 5:56 pm

    Fast reboot required for a security update.

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    2 days ago

  • Accelerating airport security lines
    From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
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    2 days ago

  • Community hui to talk about kina barrens
    People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
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    2 days ago

  • Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into force
    Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
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    2 days ago

  • Mining resurgence a welcome sign
    There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
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    2 days ago

  • Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passes first reading
    The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
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    3 days ago

  • Government to boost public EV charging network
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure.  The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
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    3 days ago

  • Residential Property Managers Bill to not progress
    The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
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    3 days ago

  • Independent review into disability support services
    The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
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    3 days ago

  • Justice Minister updates UN on law & order plan
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
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    3 days ago

  • Ending emergency housing motels in Rotorua
    The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago

  • Trade Minister travels to Riyadh, OECD, and Dubai
    Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
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    4 days ago

  • Education priorities focused on lifting achievement
    Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
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    4 days ago

  • NZTA App first step towards digital driver licence
    The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say.  “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
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    4 days ago

  • Supporting whānau out of emergency housing
    Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
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    4 days ago

  • Tribute to Dave O'Sullivan
    Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
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    4 days ago

  • Speech – Eid al-Fitr
    Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
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    4 days ago

  • Government saves access to medicines
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff.    “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
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    4 days ago

  • Pharmac Chair appointed
    Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
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    5 days ago

  • Taking action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
    Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says.  “Every day, ...
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    6 days ago

  • New sports complex opens in Kaikohe
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
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    6 days ago

  • Diplomacy needed more than ever
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges.    “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
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    6 days ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address, Buttes New British Cemetery Belgium
    Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service.  It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
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    1 week ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk Bair
    Distinguished guests -   It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders.   Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
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    1 week ago

  • Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, Türkiye
    Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia.   Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
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    1 week ago

  • PM announces changes to portfolios
    Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
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    1 week ago

  • New catch limits for unique fishery areas
    Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
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    1 week ago

  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
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    1 week ago

  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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