Open mike 23/09/2019

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, September 23rd, 2019 - 125 comments
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125 comments on “Open mike 23/09/2019 ”

  1. i am looking forward to public consternation re climate-change = gloal-fucken-apocalypse..

    to come somewhere near that engendered by a spinning coloured wheel during a fucken thugby-match..

    just saying..!

    (‘would you like some bacon with that..?’..)

  2. lprent 2

    Please keep the rugby down to a background murmer. As we don't advertise, we really don't need to follow the NZ heralds need to attract advertisers.

    Kind of gross their coverage this morning in the printed edition. Was looking at it on pressreader.

  3. (trotters' latest piece is well worth the read – and explains the incrementalism of this govt – trotter makes a strong case that it's all down to roberston…

    and i hafta agree with him..)

    https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2019/09/20/who-will-be-fed-next-to-the-hungry-gods-of-politics/

    (excerpt..)

    'Guided by the éminence grise of Labour’s “Third Way” conservatism, Sir Michael Cullen, Robertson bound Labour in fiscal chains so tight that, in the unlikely event of a Labour-led government being formed, it would lack all freedom of movement. No matter how luminous the promises of “transformation”, without the money to turn promises into reality, the person making them was bound to end up discredited'.

    (robertson has gotta go..!..)

    • Dukeofurl 3.1

      Its a complete rant ,too silly for words.

      " it would lack all freedom of movement. No matter how luminous the promises of “transformation”, without the money to turn promises into reality"

      What promises have been turned back by no money?

      Housing for one , not restricted by money so much ( capital spending,its not counted against a 'surplus') as the ability to build.

      • phillip ure 3.1.1

        meaningful welfare-reform – as just one example..

        are you saying robertson is not a neoliberal-incrementalist – who walks faithfully in the foot-prints left by fellow third-wayer cullen..?

        that's denying the evidence before yr eyes..isn't it..?

        (and yr reference to kiwibuild could not be more apt..

        given it is a classic example of the middle-class welfare so favoured by third-wayers/neoliberal-incrementalists..

        and as for real reform for the poorest..?…

        yeah – nah – eh..?..they don't do that…)

        • Naki man 3.1.1.1

          "given it is a classic example of middle-class welfare"

          I think that is a very generous take on it, seriously who can afford a new home for their first home, i would have said more high income than middle, besides it is welfare for property developers.

    • Pat 3.2

      Mr Trotter has a new piece (and audience) that may paint a different motivation (from a different party)…whos playing who?

      "National’s success thus hinges upon its ability to generate sufficient fury among Gen-Xers to vote against both their parents and their children. They must be encouraged to call down a plague upon the houses of both the old and the young, so that, finally, a government can be elected that listens to them; delivers to them; and only to them. Simon Bridges and Paula Bennett will bend all their powers towards convincing Generation X of the old adage: “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.”

      https://www.interest.co.nz/opinion/101787/chris-trotter-looks-how-different-generations-see-and-judge-prime-minister-jacinda

    • lprent 3.3

      Its a complete rant ,too silly for words.

      Have to agree. Nothing in there that you could look at as being evidential. Plus he appears to be simply regurgitating Garner who said much the same thing recently whilst talking about the need of the parliamentary press gallery to feed off blood as a pack.

      “Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.”

      He is a writer in love with rhetoric and he gets paid for it. I wonder what his take was at the Whalerump.

      • phillip ure 3.3.1

        surely 'the evidence' is that roberston is by definition a neoliberal-incrementalist – ?

        and he is just doing what neoliberal-incrementalists do..?

        (and the stellar example of that – is that of the 42 recommendations from welfare reform group – for urgent welfare reform – to provide some relief from the grinding poverty – 3 have been accepted by this govt..(!)

        and one of those three is an easing of the clawback provisions of any part time work undertaken by benificiaries..

        and here is the exciting bit..!..going up in tiny wee increments – benificiaries will be able to – by 2022 – to earn about another twenty bucks a week..(!)

        which we can all agree – will do sweet fuck all…

        this is what neoliberal incrementalists – like robertson – call 'welfare reform'…

        and this is why he has to go..

        (i have eyes tightly-closed/fingers-crossed – going 'plse plse let the current scandal take him down..!'..)

        ardern should fire him..

        and i agree that trotter often spouts colourful shite..

        but not this time…

        this time he is on the money..

        • David Mac 3.3.1.1

          I think much of our government's reluctance to introduce worthwhile welfare reform is they figure that most of that sector are going to vote left regardless.

          Unlikely to happen but it leaves room for National to campaign on such a platform. This could squeeze the coalition to take action.

          If the right promised sweeping welfare reform would you vote for them Phil?

          • phillip ure 3.3.1.1.1

            i don't feel like playing silly-hypotheticals..

            that will never happen..

            may as well discuss: 'what if we all had ponies?'..

            it ain't gonna happen..

            meanwhile…

            • David Mac 3.3.1.1.1.1

              The coalition introducing sweeping welfare reforms is also a hypothetical suggestion. A prospect you regularly entertain.

              What would you call your pony?

              • 'The coalition introducing sweeping welfare reforms'..

                like we were promised – pre-election..?

                i am not talking 'ponies'..

                i am talking broken promises..

                and all do-able…

                • David Mac

                  When the government are questioned on this subject they typically revert to a long list of what they consider to be major steps forward. They deliver their lists with such conviction it's almost like they believe that $200 at the beginning of winter has brought sunlight flooding into 1000's of lives. $200 is of course merely a half full Countdown trolley.

                  They do usually end their lists with something like "We do acknowledge that there is still an awful lot of work to do…." Political flim flam that indicates 'don't worry Phil, we're getting to your concerns….look at all the fabulous stuff we've already done.'

          • Janet 3.3.1.1.2

            Seems they would not have to deal with welfare if they confronted very excessive immigration rates as they said they would .

            https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7gypBpOz9g

            Michael Reddell

            • Stuart Munro. 3.3.1.1.2.1

              Nice to see some confirmation of my surmises. The neo-liberal technocracy haven't been measuring their outcomes properly, so that the policies they foist on us, allegedly in our interests, based on their alleged expertise, have just been making things harder. The pretense of economic expertise expressed in policy needs to be rubbished until the mandarin class produce some objective results.

              • greywarshark

                That sounds right SM. I have thought that a lot of what we decide and do is actually based on emotion and personal choice. It gets wrapped up in specially chosen stats and justified because someone said something in a big country or a right wing think tank or Treasury, that fount of all wisdom whose effectiveness is never judged by the actual outcomes on the ground. It's never their fault, as they have an out for everything.

        • Dukeofurl 3.3.1.2

          perhaps you cant count

          Labour won 46 seats out of the 120 at the election after 37% of the vote.

          The Greens dropped from 14 to 6 seats

          Some of The WEAG report is part of the Confidence and Supply Agreement with the Green Party. – Just ONE paragraph of 20.

          https://www.greens.org.nz/sites/default/files/NZLP%20%26%20GP%20C%26S%20Agreement%20FINAL.PDF

          • phillip ure 3.3.1.2.1

            i can count enough to know that the ability to earn an extra $20 a week – by 2022 – as a measure taken to provide some relief from the grinding poverty suffered by the poorest..

            adds up to a fart in a windstorm…

            how do you read that any differently..?

            mathematically speaking..?

            • phillip ure 3.3.1.2.1.1

              gotta correct an error there – that increase is by 2023 -not 2022…

              (it goes up by five bucks a yr…

              woo-fucken-hoo..!..eh….)

              • Dukeofurl

                Not able to count .

                38% of the vote doenst give the labour a majority to make the changes even when its in their manifesto

                The Phil Ure party got no votes at all

                Point out where their actions are against the policy

                What about the $20 per person per week increase for beneficiaries – sold as a Winter energy grant

                https://www.labour.org.nz/socialdevelopment

                • lab + grns + nz first – they all promised welfare-reform…

                  they have (all) delivered textbook incrementalism..

                  namely – done s.f.a…

                  i understand you are a full-time labour apologist – so relax – the blame is being shared..

                  and what about that twenty bucks per wk (just ended..)

                  so we are now back in the position (except for sole-parents – and goodonthem..! – i begrudge not a cent going to them – they should be getting more..)

                  we are back in the position where the key/tories' twenty dollar raise to base-rates – is the most that has been done for the poorest – in the past 30 yrs..

                  i would be really keen to hear yr take on that..'cos i reckon that fact should have all lab/grn/nz first apologists shifting uncomfortably in their seats..

                  i repeat – the tories/key did more welfare reform…than this lab/grn/nz first has done..

                  and as an apologist for none of the above – i reckon that both sucks and blows..

                  i look forward to yr convolutions…

        • The Al1en 3.3.1.3

          What you need is a far left party that's polling above 40 percent, one which carries the voters with it when offering up its non neoliberal incrementalism, on its way to getting a mandate to govern according to those policies.

          Do you have one of them, Philip?

          • phillip ure 3.3.1.3.1

            no – what i want is a labour party that actually is a labour party –

            not one that has been in the thrall of the neoliberal-incrementaists – since douglas..

            but one that looks to its' own roots..

            to know/see what needs to be done..

            and then to bloody well get on and do it..

            • The Al1en 3.3.1.3.1.1

              Right, so you want the Labour Party to become unelectable by JA sacking the finance minister and implementing policy it 1: wouldn't get into law past nz1st, and 2: hasn't got a mandate from the people for anyway.

              Er, okay, astute punditry 🙄

              • blame nz first if you like..(i'm not buying it..)

                and the/any mandate is already there..

                c.f..the pre-election promises made – and the subsequent election..

                • The Al1en

                  No, no mandate for 180 degree turns when you cobble together a three way broad church government.

                  The thing you types always fail to answer is where the votes are coming from. If as you say 90% of votes are for Neo Libs, and half are split between both major parties, the maths don't add up. You may lose some middle ground labour votes but guaranteed you won't get any back from national. That's pretty basic.

                  Also, there's a to the left of Labour Party already and they only poll 6%. If and when the numbers switch round, that would be a sign for labour to turn more left or change leader like last time the balance was skewed less in their favour.

                  But you want labour to change. Well it's clear to me that won't happen. While the electorate is polarised, it's incremental all the way in the battle for the middle ground. You can of course pay your subs, work from the inside, and do the hard yards to enact your policy direction. You could always do a momentum and take over, stick your guy in the big seat and watch him poll 20% though I won't wish you good luck.

                  • 'you types'..

                    heh..!..i'm pleading for a definition here…

                    tell us all ya know about 'you types'…

                    • The Al1en

                      You types are the ones who have no idea of how politics work in 2019, choosing to peddle daydream slogans without concept of what the voting public is willing to accept, but enough about you, let's hear you rebut and counter the points I raised.

                      I will wait.

                    • what am i not getting about 'how politics works in 2019'..

                      i'll wait..!..)

                      'daydream slogans'..no – pre-election promises made..

                      and re yr above comment..

                      at least you seem to have accepted that incrementalism as the reality..

                      to the extent you are now defending it..heh..!

                      do ya need a t-shirt..?

                      (suggested slogan..)

                      'i'm an incrementalist..! – say it loud – and say it proud..!'

                    • Incognito []

                      I thought that over-use of semi-ellipses is a sure-sign if early-onset incrementalism

                    • The Al1en

                      The numbers, Philip, the numbers. You need to address how you'll take the Neo lib voters with you when you push a full on socialist agenda on those who, according you, don't vote for it en mass.

                      That you see incremental change to the left as such a bad thing, given there's no mandate for making sweeping changes, neither being in a manifesto or campaigned upon, is sort of proof that you don't understand how modern NZ politics work.

                      It doesn't mean people who accept the reality we find ourselves in don't want change, or even change quickly, but it is reality and there's just there's no point posturing over cliches like its some sort of popularity contest. I didn't party vote labour and wanted much more left leaning policy, but without those numbers, remember those numbers phil? You have to take what you get and push for more votes next time.

                      Ill wear that tee shirt and not have a Nat government any day of the week until the polling backs my ideology and I can wear one saying 'My vote won it – and I didn't have to resort to posting like an uninformed dong on the internet'

                    • Dukeofurl

                      "A Wellington sole parent with a two year old and an income of $45,000:

                    • Sacha

                      Coalition governments do not ‘make promises’ before elections, only after the subsequent negotiations. Aint compromise a bitch.

                    • New view []

                      Sorry Sacha that’s BS. JA stole hearts and minds with Labour’s pre election blurb on how social reform was so badly needed. That’s what people remember. Not post election coalition drivel. She’s had opportunities to show she meant what she said and hasn’t shown any real backbone on anything. I’m from the right and realised we needed a fairer CGT and when she waved the white flag on that I believed she was all BS. Since then there’s been nothing happen that’s changed my mind.

                    • @ duke of whatever..

                      i have already noted multiple times that sole parents are the only ones who have been helped..and how that is good..

                      so unsure what the fuck yr gotcha! is all about..

                      (see above – still waiting..)

                    • Sacha

                      @Newview Labour is not the whole government. Moan all you want about how that party have not secured what they promised but be clear who you are talking about.

                    • New view []

                      The voters didn’t vote for this Coalition by personally voting for each of the partners . Labour took on NZF to get power and it was JA electioneering rhetoric That got labour into a position to do that. The voters didn’t give a toss what Winston had to say it was JA they listened to. You can believe what you like Sacha.

                    • solkta

                      @ New view

                      So if Labour had not agreed to give Winston First as much as they did, then he would have gone with National and you would then presumably be on a right wing site right now moaning about how a National led government was not achieving everything that National had campaigned on. As a centrist party NZF will always act like a dragging handbrake on the government of the day regardless of whether it leans left or right.

                    • New view []

                      Solkta. I’ve never liked this MMP idea but that’s another discussion. Sometimes the bigger party has to make a stand and call out the other partner if they feel strongly over proposed policy. With the CGT there was no attempt to push the point by labour. If JA had been strong and really wanted legalisation she could have taken it to a vote making the result public. It would then have been seen publicly that Winston was really the problem. That didn’t happen so did Labour really want a CGT we’ll never know. I don’t believe they were that keen. We wouldn’t want to rock the boat in case we loose votes, or upset Winston heaven forbid. It’s wishywashy BS as we’ve seen with the slow progress on other social issues.

              • David Mac

                Ha! If we all listed the top 20 policy platforms/machinations for our ideal Government most of us would end up with a framework that only 5% of NZers would vote for.

                In my search for contentment I've resigned to operating my household as I would my ideal government. I fear wishing for much more is a recipe for discontent.

            • mauī 3.3.1.3.1.2

              Wonderful to have your commentary on this blog phillip…

              So called 'left' parties are being smashed worldwide by the rise of the right, and the answer from the elite is just to sit tight and follow the likes of fake lefties Trudeau, Shorten or Hilary to almost certain defeat.

              • The Al1en

                Do you want to walk through that one?

                So called left parties are being smashed by the right. Does that mean if they had real left leaders instead, the people who deserted the fake left leaders and voted right, wouldn't vote right anymore but go back to the left?

                Thats an interesting, if not implausible logic jump.

                • mauī

                  All the momentum was with Sanders and Corbyn during the previous US and UK elections.

                  If they weren't hobbled by their own parties undermining them and were able to be unleashed onto the public, we would have gained one left government today, probably two.

                  • The Al1en

                    So it would be like someone saying Jacinda isn't left enough so I'm gonna vote for Bridges. Yeah, makes sense. lol

                    As for Corbyn, he got 40% against May, and yet with no challenges from within since, apart from those who left to form change or whatever it’s called, he’s plunged to the low 20s. Go figure.

                    • The Al1en

                      Up until now that is, at the party conference, where grassroots activists are pushing against Corbyn's fence sitting, wanting an unambiguous Remain stance.

                      Trying to shaft the deputy leader won't help win over the majority remainers in the party, either.

                    • mauī

                      Was that a comparison of two political phenoms with the Bridge? Ok… Probably best if I leave you to talk about the failure of Corbyn post election. You seem very good at that…

              • chrs maui..

                i can't believe how – in just political-realities terms – they seem unable to see what you talk about..

                'what do we want..?'

                'incrementalism'..

                'when do we want it..?'

                'at some as yet undefined time in the future..!'

                meanwhile the right rises – and the planet fucken boils..

                well done..!..einsteins…!

            • sumsuch 3.3.1.3.1.3

              This last election was luck, a talking pulpit, but these pricks won't talk. High regards , Ure.

        • Kevin 3.3.1.4

          Neoliberal incrementalist. Isn't that really just a more palatable name for conservatism?

          • phillip ure 3.3.1.4.1

            pretty much…

            (tho' adherents to neoliberalism don't like talking about it..and don't usually like being identified as such..

            it is the ideology that dares not say its' name..)

        • Ed1 3.3.1.5

          How soon some forget. Labour made some promises before the last election. They did involve more spending than National, but they also included scrapping National's tax cuts that would have applied from April 2018. National campaigned on putting more money into everyone's pockets through cutting tax. Who wouldn't like a bit more money in their pockets each payday? But National lied about what they would have to do as a result of their tax cuts – they would further reduce services from government, but they never admitted to that – they called their cuts efficiency savings.

          In order to get votes, Labour promised limits on borrowing, not to introduce new taxes or increase taxes until after a report had been issued (and after the next election) – and coalition negotiations required some funding for Green and NZ First priorities.

          Now you are wanting a large increase in spending for one sector. Lets be clear, I am sure many Labour supporters would like spending on benefits to increase now, but National is not the only bullshitter, philip ure – any major change in public spending will have implications for either tax raising or other spending, with other consequential changes to employment, overall borrowing, inflation, etc.

          So are you simply calling for our current government to be branded liars, or do you have proposals for how to raise the money your spending increases would need? Would you cut spending on hospitals and Pharmac? Would you renege on pay settlements with nurses and teachers?

          So where does the philip ure party sit? Responsible government that understands that more spending in one area needs changes in another area? Or a liar party that pretends cutting taxes can be matched by "efficiency gains" without cutting services? Be responsible, philip, and give us the other side of your wish-list – "Show us the Money!"

          • phillip ure 3.3.1.5.1

            '"Show us the Money!"..'

            easy..!

            higher taxes on the richest – a land-tax on the land-bankers..

            a financial transaction tax..

            (how's that for starters….?..)

            • phillip ure 3.3.1.5.1.1

              and at the other end – make the first 20 grand of income tax-free…

              that would end the kafkaesque situation of the poorest being taxed on the miserly sums they are given..and they would get that money instead..

              how am i going so far..?

              • Ed1

                Consistent in ignoring the reality that campaign promises cannot be totally ignored. Honesty and integrity are valuable attributes in gaining votes – or are you happy to see Labour in opposition again so soon?

                • did you miss/not hear the 'transformational welfare-reform' we were promised..

                  i repeat – all i am asking of those three parties – is that they do what they promised to do..

                  that they make good on those pre-election promises they all made..

                  that is all i am asking of them – in that area of policy..

            • Jimmy 3.3.1.5.1.2

              Well overdue for moving the tax brackets.

              Earn over $48k and you pay 30% tax on the bit over $48k….thats way too much tax.

              Earn over $70k and pay 33% on that.

              I reckon you should pay 30% on income over $70k and 33% on income over $100k. Then have another tax bracket say 39% for income over $150k and 45% for income over $200k

          • Dukeofurl 3.3.1.5.2

            https://www.labour.org.nz/familiespackage

            Its a broad based scheme

            • Boost Working for Families to all those who currently receive it and extend it to 30,000 more families, in addition to the Working for Families changes announced in Budget 2017.
            • Introduce a Best Start payment to help families with costs in a child’s early years.
            • Introduce a Winter Energy Payment for people receiving superannuation or a main benefit.
            • Reinstate the Independent Earners’ Tax Credit.
            • Implement the Accommodation Supplement increases announced in Budget 2017.
            • Introduce 26 weeks paid parental leave to ensure that families are provided with vital support at a crucial stage in their children’s lives.
            • Increase the Family Tax Credit base rate for the eldest child to $5,878. This is currently $5,303 for eldest children aged 16-18 and $4,822 for eldest children aged 0-15 (due to be increased to $5,303 according to Budget 2017).
            • Adopt the Budget 2017 changes to the Family Tax Credit base rate for subsequent children and new abatement rate.
            • Raise the abatement threshold for Working for Families to $42,700, currently $36,350 (due to be cut to $35,000 according to Budget 2017).

            All this sort of talk goes way over Phils head. As hes doesnt support a family or know or care about this as it wont end up in HIS pocket
            "

            • Introduce a Best Start payment of $60 a week for each child in the first year after Paid Parental Leave ends, and for low to middle income families up to age three.

            How about this one

            A Wellington sole parent with a two year old and an income of $45,000:

            • With Labour, this family gets $107 more a week (plus up to $55 in Accommodation Supplement)

            Fess up Phil , as its mostly about those with young kids, you are missing out and beating the drum here about your empty pockets

            • phillip ure 3.3.1.5.2.1

              all that you write about is not for the poorest..

              it is just more for the 'deserving=families' – as defined by clark..

              the 'undeserving' – also as defined by clark – are still being left to rot..

              and i have raised my children – so you can just fuck off with that ad-hom..

              and no – i am not arguing for my 'empty-pockets'..

              once again – you can just fuck off with that one too..

    • tc 3.4

      Another shill singing for his supper. These tame 'left' column fillers seem to like to impress their fellow political anoraks and upset the leftys who think their opinion matters.

      Chris who ? from the echo chamber of nz political repeaters.

      • phillip ure 3.4.1

        @ tc..

        'These tame 'left' column fillers seem to like to impress their fellow political anoraks and upset the leftys who think their opinion matters.'

        um..!..i have read the above sentence four times – and i cannot understand whatever it is you are trying to say..

        would you mind translating for me..?

        • tc 3.4.1.1

          Rhetoric to entertain the masses and impress each other (his fellow soapbox holders like hoots etc) whilst not upsetting his paymasters i.e. the media owners.

          Trotter makes his living saying SFA but still manages to upset people who think he should be saying and doing more in the echo chamber of the NZ media.

          Chris who ?

        • sumsuch 3.4.1.2

          Reading Marilyn Waring's record of her 9 years under Muldoon he refused to reform the economy at the expense of the poorest. Unlike the last 35 years.

    • JohnP 3.5

      I see we're still on the remarkably dense and blind view that whatever Labour's failing to be transformational in Government is down to everyone who isn't Jacinda, in this case it's Robertson's fault.

      The Peasants Revolt failed because Wat Tyler and the rebels believed the King was actually pure of heart and on their side, but was misled by his 'wicked' advisors.

      Same as it ever was.

      • phillip ure 3.5.1

        hmm!! – i wonder if robertson has thought of playing the wat tyler/peasants' revolt card yet..?

        maybe he is saving it for when things get gnarly for him..?

        (points tho' for the historical-reach/shout-out in yr comment..)

        • Poission 3.5.1.1

          The historical reach is important. it shows for example that rigorous debate(and discourse) were important parts of a vigorous democracy.

          Isocrates in Areopagiticus some 25 centuries ago.

          The less well-to-do among the citizens were so far from envying those of greater means that they were as solicitous for the great estates as for their own, considering that the prosperity of the rich was a guarantee of their own well-being. Those who possessed wealth, on the other hand, did not look down upon those in humbler circumstances, but, regarding poverty among their fellow-citizens as their own disgrace, came to the rescue of the distresses of the poor, handing over lands to some at moderate rentals, sending out some to engage in commerce, and furnishing means to others to enter upon various occupations;

          for they had no fear that they might suffer one of two things—that they might lose their whole investment or recover, after much trouble, only a mere fraction of their venture; on the contrary, they felt as secure about the money which was lent out as about that which was stored in their own coffers. For they saw that in cases of contract the judges were not in the habit of indulging their sense of equity1 but were strictly faithful to the laws;

          and that they did not in trying others seek to make it safe for themselves to disobey the law,1 but were indeed more severe on defaulters than were the injured themselves, since they believed that those who break down confidence in contracts do a greater injury to the poor than to the rich; for if the rich were to stop lending, they would be deprived of only a slight revenue, whereas if the poor should lack the help of their supporters they would be reduced to desperate straits.

          And so because of this confidence no one tried to conceal his wealth1 nor hesitated to lend it out, but, on the contrary, the wealthy were better pleased to see men borrowing money than paying it back; for they thus experienced the double satisfaction—which should appeal to all right-minded men—of helping their fellow-citizens and at the same time making their own property productive for themselves. In fine, the result of their dealing honorably with each other was that the ownership of property was secured to those to whom it rightfully belonged, while the enjoyment of property was shared by all the citizens who needed it.

          http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0144%3Aspeech%3D7%3Asection%3D32

    • Incognito 3.6

      I thought Trotter’s was a lovely story but not quite at the epic level of Homer, for example. I think he could make a decent living turning it into an audiobook for budding ballet choreographers or as storyteller on a late-night radio show for insomniacs. However, it didn’t pass the mustard as political commentary from a wannabe political historian although I did enjoy his joyous verbosity and I might apply it to spice up my own rants too with more couleur locale and Wayang-like depictions of key political players for more dramatic impact.

      It wasn’t satire, was it?

      • phillip ure 3.6.1

        nah..!..it wasn't satire..

        and i agree that trotter loves the sound of his own voice a bit more than he should..

        but that doesn't discount the validity of what he says here..

        instead of a stream of ad homs directed at him..

        why don't you unpack what he says/demonstrate to us readers how his analysis is incorrect/faulty..?

        'cos i can't see how you could – but surprise me…

        • Incognito 3.6.1.1

          I have already ‘unpacked’ it, but you missed it because you were not reading between the lines.

          Trotter’s opinion piece shows complete disregard for the (political) context, which to me suggests it was not political commentary but a raconteurial rant.

          I know somebody else who “loves the sound of his own voice a bit more than he should” and thinks that his opinion has more validity than the opinions of others..

  4. Sanctuary 4

    I mentioned in the work kitchen the other day to the resident pro-China migrant guy that a good friend of mine had gone back to Hong Kong to take part in the democracy protests. He spent a little while trying to wheedle the name of this person out me, then I went back to my desk and forgot about it.

    Later that afternoon, he came and sat next to me and invited me along to some dinners and meeting the various pro-Beijing front organisations in Auckland run in order to discuss China. I politely declined. But while he is a pleasant enough fellow, this guy has lived here for over ten years and yet he is basically a low rent volunteer spy for Beijing. He will never owe his loyalty to NZ.

    And then this today from newsroom.co.nz –

    https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2019/09/23/819874/chinese-nz-herald-under-supervision-and-control-of-chinese-state

    And when you see long term Sinophiles and insightful friends of China like this guy bailing out as fast they can, you wonder when will our politicians ever wake up, and how donkey deep is the National party with the authoritarian butchers of Beijing?

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ed4ryYokLzU

  5. cleangreen 5

    This latest 'Australian News corp' article on the climate emergency will have all the Climate deniers up in arms too.

    https://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/climate-change/fiveyear-period-ending-2019-set-to-be-hottest-on-record/news-story/895e9c2239979888a2089a1311976c9f

    Latest 23/9/19 ‘Australian newscorp’
    (Quote) “Five-year period ending 2019 set to be hottest on record. A few days after kids across the globe marched in support of environmental issues, the UN has released a new report on the current state of the planet, and it’s not pretty reading.” (un-quote)

  6. joe90 6

    They said the world was threatened by WMDs, too.

    /

    https://twitter.com/MeetThePress/status/1175767427763843073

    • aom 6.1

      The US response seems more like a face-saving PR exercise. Pretty embarrassing that the billions spent by Saudi Arabia on American weaponry was out-gunned by low cost drones launched by a poorly resourced rebel outfit from one of the most poverty stricken places on earth.

      • Dukeofurl 6.1.1

        Not poorly resourced , they seemed to have a large portion of the Yemen military forces at the start of civil war.. this doesnt sound like they are all that deficient

        "over 400 Houthi ballistic and cruise missile launches, drone strikes, and naval attacks since June 2015"

    • Dukeofurl 6.2

      An 'ally and friend' ( which was the origin of the 9/11 attackers) who is waging war on its tiny neighbour with US supplied planes and bombs.

      So its OK for US to provide military supplies but not OK for Iran to do so.

      Its nothing new really – except when it involves the mother lode -oil.

      "FDD’s Long War Journal has tracked and mapped over 400 Houthi ballistic and cruise missile launches, drone strikes, and naval attacks since June 2015. For more information, see the three-part series: Houthi missiles,drones, naval attacks.]"

      They have been missile attacks on US Navy ships, ballistic missiles against Saudi airports

      "Saudi officials reported late last year that over 200 ballistic missiles have been fired towards its territory."

      The US is well known for launching long range drone strikes against various countries Pakistan, Yemen Somalia

  7. Pat 7

    How much do we value democratic freedom and the 4th estates role within it?

    "Experts have identified the Chinese New Zealand Herald website as a propaganda outlet for the government of China.

    However, the news outlet's co-owner, NZME, says the Chinese NZ Herald is not beholden to China’s media guidelines and censorship requirements.

    An investigation by Newsroom, with the help of China propaganda experts, found the news organisation's operational structure, and its Chinese state internet and security permits, amounted to the news site coming under the supervision and control of various Chinese Communist Party (CCP) authorities."

    https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2019/09/23/819874/chinese-nz-herald-under-supervision-and-control-of-chinese-state

  8. greywarshark 8

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/399378/bullying-in-the-police-victim-asked-if-she-had-period-troubles

    How very retro. Back to the future from the 1970's mindset. Are we regressing or didn't we ever progress at all?

  9. greywarshark 9

    Where do you look for clues when you are puzzled about behaviour that seems irrational for the good of the country – Money (as cartoon on my book Dilbert and the way of the Weasel says, where he stands by a sign attracting zombies towards> 'Unattended Piles of Money')!

    Revealed: Arron Banks puts controversial diamond mine up for sale
    The millionaire businessman Arron Banks, who spent £8m on the Brexit campaign, has put a controversial South African diamond mine on the market. Mr Banks confirmed to Channel 4 News that the Newlands mine in Barkly West, Northern Cape province is up for sale for ZAR10m – just over £500,000. In a statement Mr Banks told…

    and further on Brexit :

    London Mayor Sadiq Khan calls for Labour MPs to commit to stopping Brexit amidst party civil war The infighting at the top of the party has continued following yesterday’s move to unseat Deputy Leader Tom Watson. Today Jeremy Corbyn was forced to defend reported allegations from a senior advisor that his team lacked ‘professionalism, competence and human decency’. Jon Snow spoke to London mayor Sadiq Khan, who today made a direct appeal…

    https://www.channel4.com/news/ (They have a zingy pile of news items.)

    This one is amazing. German villages bulldozed to make space for coal mine Europe’s biggest economy, Germany, has promised to phase out coal by 2038 in order to meet climate change commitments. Yet it is expanding one of its biggest open cast mines, which is 48 square kilometres in size. The expansion will demolish five villages in the process, but the coal company responsible says it is not…

  10. Sacha 10

    How come that 'averagekiwi' thing is in the Feeds? Sounds alarmingly similar to Kiwibog.

  11. marty mars 11

    sickening and real – make sure your people are safe, ask them, don't just assume they are

    When you're strangled, it takes just 10 seconds to lose consciousness. At 15 seconds you lose control of your bladder. Within two minutes … death.

    That's the timeline of strangulation, an offence so closely linked to deaths from domestic violence that if someone puts their hands around your neck and squeezes, you are seven times more likely to go on to die, because people who get angry enough to strangle are more likely to do it again and at some point they might get too angry to release their grip.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/insight/audio/2018713972/getting-tough-how-new-zealand-could-stop-domestic-violence

  12. Ad 12

    Ardern is doing the keynote speech at the UN Climate change summit tomorrow.

    And all-gases bill debated shortly. Not easy optics.

    I wish her well

  13. Have a reply in moderation. Was it the d word that rhymes with Kong?

    Sorry about that.

  14. aom 14

    What, no media at the Ardern/Trump meeting? Someone must be scared of being toweled by relative youth, gender, empathy and intellect. No p**sy grabbing this time!

    • greywarshark 14.1

      You underestimate Trump I think. If he wants to do something he does it, conventions no respect for, respect no convention of.

      • greywarshark 14.1.1

        Concerning Trump and our brave young PM riding forth Quixote-like, if you can get to see today's stuff with Jeff Bell's cartoon on the hairpiece and our PM, (with apologies to Lewis Carroll) I think you'll find it good.

    • Dukeofurl 14.2

      What, no media at the Ardern/Trump meeting? Someone must be scared of being toweled by relative youth, gender, empathy and intellect. No p**sy grabbing this time!

      You are confused about what is a meeting with discussions and the photo ops which precede it.

  15. joe90 15

    Wouldn't hold my breath but Netanyahu could be out.

    https://twitter.com/NTarnopolsky/status/1175800308846477313

    • greywarshark 15.1

      Interesting how my computer behaves (twitter etc as previously discussed). Your full comment came up, flashed, and then faded back into the bushes.

      But no matter, your one sentence above is spell-binding, I hope anyway.

  16. I've got a serious question for Mr Ure – it could either amuse you, or drive you into a severe depression, the like of which I'm not sure there's a cure for – even IF there was something synthetic to ease the symptoms:

    Did you ever come across Glenda H in your travels in the past? There's a billboard or two around Mt Victoria (one of which I saw a Toy Boi weilding a hammer with).

    I just received my voting papers and discovered it's standing for local gummint, as is its ….. [for the sake of civility] ….. followers.

    My first thought was that it’s taking the piss – but it (and all)'re actually serious!!!
    I’ll know when it’s time to leave town if ever that got a foothold

  17. marty mars 17

    bigotry alive and well – and these numbnuts supposedly run the place lol

    While most of the councillors were agreeable to the idea of being more inclusive, councillor Steve Bielski was horrified.

    He said he would not accept Muslims or any non-Christians praying at council because they believed in different gods.

    …Manawatū District Council Mayor Helen Worboys said Mr Bielski would not be reprimanded for his comments.

    She said the councillors have had similar animated discussions about the Māori wards.

    https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/rnz/councillor-stands-anti-muslim-sentiments

  18. A 18

    Lets be grateful he wasn't born in NZ. Sympathy for the victims.

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=12270125

  19. greywarshark 19

    Announcement: Come in No.1 to 150,000, your holiday with Thomas Cook is over. Did you think this was a Butlins holiday camp? Time's up you suckers.

    https://www.politico.eu/article/uk-travel-firm-thomas-cook-collapses/

  20. Eco maori 20

    Kia Ora Newshub.

    I think that it's haters who use tech platforms to pedal there hate content but the tech companies have to try and stop them using their platforms.

    Kia Kaha Greta that is the correct measage to give to the people who are leading the Papatuanuku to our destruction. I agree chasing economic growth over the wellbeing of our future environment has to change to chasing sustainability and countrys being rewarded for this behaviour.

    I agree its good to change the school funding system to include economic back ground and other factors to help our tamariki that need help the most that is looking after our future.

    For some reason I always get restricted phone calls can you guess who is making them you would be correct.

    Thomas Cook collapse has stranded heaps of people on holiday let hope not to many people are left in a mess because of that.

    The people of the Manuatu will be wrapped to have a new route for their main road. I have not been on that road in decades.

    Ka kite Ano

  21. Eco maori 21

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.

    That's is what needs to happen Winston including Farmer in the emissions trading skeem by 2025. If Our Farmers were not included in the Emissions skeem what phenomenon will encourage Our farmers to reduce there carbon footprint.

    I tau toko Te tangata whenua who are championing to stop seabed mineing.

    I Rotorua has a housing shortage itcs not on that people have to live under a bridge most of our cities have this problem to.

    Eco Maori tau toko online voting let's not wait to long for this great initiative. It will make the process more efficient and will bring in more voters..

    A 3. Month payed course teaching Wahine life skills teaching them how to grow Kai and encouraging Te Wahine to give up drugs is cool

    Ka kite Ano

  22. Eco maori 22

    Kia Ora Newshub.

    simon you know that you would have been kissing trumps ass say yes sir no sir

    Its awesome to see heaps more people seeing reality about OUR Global Warming Papatuanuku. The champions of Our futures Climate have done A awesome job the Phenomenon is a unstoppable force now Kia Kaha to you ALL.

    That's Commission of enquiries into state staff abuseing people looks like a choreography set up.

    That's is sad seeing people praying on our inenecint elderly using phone calls and scamming them out of their money.

    Duncan Greta has got The Am Show attention Greta has the Papatuanuku attention on Our Futures Environment NOW if you are not on board of Our WAKA looking after our futures environment you will be washed into Our History Books.

    You know that was hard I haven't seen anyone get it correct.

    Using cloth nappies will save you heaps of putea and our environment. I would not trust others picking them up and cleaning them as babies skins are quite sensitive we used a hygiene products that are designed for sensitive skins.

    Ka kite Ano

  23. Eco maori 23

    We can have low or no carbon footprint larger passengers plane travellers. We just need to invest the time and putea into the new goals of low carbon flights. Solar and batteries are increasingly becoming more efficient made bio fuel for take of and landing and solar and batteries for gliding around Papatuanuku.

    This Solar-Powered Plane Can Circle the Globe With No Pollution | That’s Amazing

    Some dreams are so fantastic, it takes an unprecedented bid for adventure and glory to see them blossom to fruition. Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg, captivated by the spirit of great expeditions of the past, partnered to make the first flight across the world in a solar-powered plane that produced no pollution. Storing solar energy in batteries, the Solar Impulse is capable of staying aloft indefinitely. However, as Piccard and Borschberg learned, this didn't make the adventure easy—or require any less intrepid heroism from the co-pilots. Ka kite Ano

    https://youtu.be/4qbROmxxIOU

  24. Eco maori 24

    Kia Ora Newshub.

    Lioyd their is a big shift happening for the better Ma Te Wa.

    A bottle return machine /system is needed to protect our environment from the waste they end up becoming.

    Ingrid I hope that it doesn't hale to much in my neck of the woods it could damage our solar system.

    I say that Manuka Honey should be a Aotearoa only brand they can call there's Tea tree honey.

    Ka kite Ano

  25. Eco maori 25

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.

    Tauranga Tangata Whenua you would think that the Tauranga council should have a duty to fix some of the wrongs of the past. The whenua is not billions like Tangata Whenua have lost. If they have a humane thought then they will give that whenua to Mana whenua.

    That's cool in Tamiki Makaurau the council are putting system in place to get more Maori to vote.

    The new app teaching practical life skills is a good idea to teach Rangatahi skills in how putea works and other skills that are needed to thrive in Aotearoa society.

    I think it's not acceptable that Iwi data is not available for Tangata Whenua to use to plan for our Mokopuna future.

    Ka kite Ano

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    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
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    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
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    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
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    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
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    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
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    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
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    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
    4 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
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    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
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    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    4 days ago
  • That Word.
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    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
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    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
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    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
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    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
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    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
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    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
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    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
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    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 ...
    5 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
    5 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
    5 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
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    5 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
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    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    5 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
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    5 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...
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    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
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    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
  • There’s a name for this
    Every year, in the Budget, Parliament forks out money to government agencies to do certain things. And every year, as part of the annual review cycle, those agencies are meant to report on whether they have done the things Parliament gave them that money for. Agencies which consistently fail to ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • Echoes of 1968 in 2024?  Pocock on the repetitive problems of the New Left
    Mike Grimshaw writes – Recent events in American universities point to an underlying crisis of coherent thinking, an issue that increasingly affects the progressive left across the Western world. This of course is nothing new as anyone who can either remember or has read of the late ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days 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
    5 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
    7 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
    8 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
    22 hours 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. ...
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    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, ...
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    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
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    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
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    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 ...
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    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 ...
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    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
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    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
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    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
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    5 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
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    5 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 ...
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    5 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
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    6 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
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    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
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    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 ...
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    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
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    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 ...
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  • 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,” ...
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    6 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. ...
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    7 days 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 ...
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    1 week ago
  • Government lowering building costs
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    1 week ago
  • Trustee tax change welcomed
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  • Minister’s Ramadan message
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    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 ...
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    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
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    1 week ago
  • Government agrees to restore interest deductions
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    1 week ago
  • Minister to attend World Anti-Doping Agency Symposium
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    1 week ago
  • Pacific Language Weeks celebrate regional unity
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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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