Open mike 23/07/2011

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, July 23rd, 2011 - 61 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 link to Policy in the banner).

Step right up to the mike…

61 comments on “Open mike 23/07/2011 ”

  • Comments are now closed

  1. Carol 1
    23 July 2011 at 6:46 am

    This is no doubt a big shock for the people of Norway. And it’s not the kind of country that I’d have expected an attack of this sort.

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14254260

    But part of the speculation (as in the above link) is that Norway is a weak link, an relatively easy target in NATO and the forces in Afghantistan. The Al Qaeda network is the prime suspect, apparently because it’s thought the new leader wants to make his mark.

    Is there a lesson in this for NZ?

    And why are there so far, no reports of this on Stuff or NZH or TV3? It’s on the TVNZ news website & RNZ news.

    • Carol 1.1
      23 July 2011 at 7:18 am

      Hmmm. Jonkey’s photo op got a big bit of exposure on Al Jazeera news, with Obama, mainly becuase after Obama talked about the NZ-US relationship, he made a statement about the attacks in Oslo. JK just sat there grinning while Obama made all the comments. What a dork!

      • jackal 1.1.1
        23 July 2011 at 10:54 am

        Duncan Garner was just talking it up on the Nation saying “every door has been opened.” But then he contradicted himself by saying some important people couldn’t meet with Shonkey because they had important debt crises talks. If people are putting off meetings because they have more important things to do, I wouldn’t describe that as every door has been opened. What a crock!

        • Reality Bytes 1.1.1.1
          23 July 2011 at 7:43 pm

          Yeah and the stuff.co.nz ran a story titled “US grants John Key’s every wish”, and in the same story:

          “Key’s suggestion that a coast guard ship visit New Zealand was quietly batted aside by the Americans.”

          Hello editors? God-damnit the standard of journalism in this country sucks.

          • felix 1.1.1.1.1
            23 July 2011 at 7:53 pm

            These examples are only problematic for those who think words have meaning.

            For example the wilfully illiterate right-wingers will interpret that last one as “out of the ones they granted, every one was granted”.

            And why would they interpret it thus? Because they’re a bunch of fuckwits, that’s why.

        • Frank Macskasy 1.1.1.2
          25 July 2011 at 12:33 am

          Yeah, i picked up on that as well, J.

      • prism 1.1.2
        23 July 2011 at 11:58 am

        I caught some comment by Obama about us having more to do with the USA that made me uneasy. It is well known that when big ships turn over and sink that they drag nearby objects down with them. I don’t want us to be the USAs dinghy.

        They’ll get us involved in their machinations while they swan around on the surface trumpeting high integrity and standards of human rights and a past history of great democracy, and under the surface carrying on subterranean ops like Mac the Knife.

        • Colonial Viper 1.1.2.1
          23 July 2011 at 7:49 pm

          It is well known that when big ships turn over and sink that they drag nearby objects down with them.

          The big fat heavy anchor for the US at the moment is the USD. They can’t do anything except continue to weaken and debase it, and their political system won’t allow them to raise enough tax to sort out their country without further massive borrowing.

        • rosy 1.1.2.2
          25 July 2011 at 12:37 am

          “It is well known that when big ships turn over and sink that they drag nearby objects down with them. I don’t want us to be the USAs dinghy.”

          Nice metaphor, Prism.

    • Carol 1.2
      23 July 2011 at 8:12 am

      I see, Stuff is trying to downplay the Oslo attacks and keep Obama meets Key as it’s headline news.

      • Deadly_NZ 1.2.1
        23 July 2011 at 4:18 pm

        And still NOTHING about Labours policy release earlier in the week. How can you win an election if the media will not report your policy releases, (something about procurement or was I dreaming?( well at least the Dominion reported it. But the comments section is still empty.)) but is rampant over any little mistake.

    • Vicky32 1.3
      24 July 2011 at 6:08 pm

      My son phoned at 07.00 on his way home on Saturday morning,  from a night shift (apparently, towards morning they have little to do but check the BBC news on the internet! 🙂 ) to tell me about it. It wasn’t known then that Al Q had nowt to do with it…

  2. Lazy Susan 2
    23 July 2011 at 7:25 am

    I have had the dubious pleasure of receiving a letter from John Boscawen, Act Party with a “Parliamentary Survey”. According to the letter he’s written to 100,000 households.

    The letter draws equivalence between the Greek debt crisis and New Zealand’s financial position with lines like “New Zealand’s total overseas debt, public and private, is nearly as bad as Greece’s” and “Are we the Greeks of the South Pacific”

    The letter finishes with the following loaded question offering the reader to tick the apprpriate answer:

    ( ) I support balancing the budget – no more spend, borrow and hope

    or

    ( ) I support further increases to government spending, borrowing and taxation

    You then fill in contact details – return to Boscawen and apparently he’s going to deliver the results of the survey to Parliament.

    What the letter fails to point out of course is that most of our debt is private debt, not public debt as it is in Greece. This debt has been used to fuel property speculation in the housing and farming sector. If we want to reduce our total overseas debt, in the long term, policies such as Labour’s proposed CGT would be a good place to start.

    This looks like blatant electioneering – anyone know what budget this might be coming out of? 100,000 households wouldn’t come cheap.

    • Secret Squirrel 2.1
      23 July 2011 at 8:41 am

      I thought Boscawen was a straight up hardworking MP (I think generally he is), but this makes him look like just another bullshitting parliamentary rorter.

    • prism 2.2
      23 July 2011 at 12:09 pm

      If this ACT survey succeeds in its aims to receive many loaded replies (I received one of these) then it will be an indication of an ignorance of politics and the economy in a large part of the NZ population that lacks discernment. This then is likely to lead to a future with living conditions that accelerate downwards and mediocre politicians who have no brain, vision or competence to address the problems much less restore responsible government policies and living conditions. I think in Alice in Wonderland there was a queer tea party. We may have a similar story to tell.

    • the pink postman 2.3
      23 July 2011 at 3:00 pm

      Our local Tory (Nat) MP has also been very busy sending propaganda and questionnaires.We have also had personal letters from Key telling us how good it all is . All delivered by NZ Mail.
      All paid for by the taxpayer. The local candidate also has half page adverts in the local rag . Nothing from Labour which is rathet bad. How can National get away with this yet Labour gets knocked back by the election commision . Something stinks!

      • Deadly_NZ 2.3.1
        23 July 2011 at 4:28 pm

        Simple, get every one on here that gets one to complain to the Election Commission. How many complaints does it take????? Play them at their own game. Also if you see anything that’s not kosher Complain…. well I assume that they only have a set amount of cash to use for the election, so if you get shonky letters promoting KY then complain, and keep on complaining. I will if I get one without the correct badging and shit, that Whaleslime is bleating over about the Labour Party

  3. Colonial Viper 3
    23 July 2011 at 9:27 am

    Norway attacked, government + Labour Party targetted

    http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/07/22/us-norway-blast-view-idUSTRE76L5RR20110722

    Highly organised and lethal attack. Has potential to be a falseflag psychological op striking one of Europe’s more stable prosperous social democracies.

    Usual suspects now being blamed, muslims, immigrant groups, other religious groups, libyan fanatics etc. As yet very few facts are known.

    One to watch – this happening at a time of increasing EU financial instability driven by big big money flows.

    -edit didn’t see your post Carol 🙂

  4. marty mars 4
    23 July 2011 at 9:49 am

    30 years ago we joined arms and marched for our values – for equality.

    “During the Tour we put away our supposed differences to work cooperatively. The cause didn’t differenciate on ethnic or colour lines, age, gender or sexuality, class or political persuasion – all worked towards the goal of equality because that goal was in alignment with our values – nothing has changed and everything has changed. The cause is the same but the vehicle to effect change is different.”

    “I call on all those who marched and opposed the Springbok Tour to consider that cause and the challenges we face today. Which political party today, aligns with our marching and protesting back then. I know what john Minto and Hone think – it is the Mana Party. I agree with them.”

    http://mars2earth.blogspot.com/2011/07/tour-lessons-for-today.html

    The exhilaration and connection we felt back then can be felt again today – opposing the Springbok Tour didn’t fractionate or divide us – it bought us together then, and the cause of equality can bring us together again, today.

    • Pete George 4.1
      23 July 2011 at 10:22 am

      Trying to resurrect the Springbok Tour mentality in relation to modern issues looks more try-hard than the Brash resurrection, the only thing going for it is it’s a bit more recent than the waterside strike.

      Yearning for past glory or gory is a hopeless story.

      The Springbok tour was very divisive in this country, is that the aim of Mana?

      • marty mars 4.1.1
        23 July 2011 at 10:42 am

        try talking about what you know – might give some nice long silences.

        • Pete George 4.1.1.1
          23 July 2011 at 11:00 am

          Looking forward is better than looking backwards, particularly looking back so far to a completely different issue. New Zealand today is nothing like South Africa thirty years ago.

          It doesn’t take much to know that.

          • marty mars 4.1.1.1.1
            23 July 2011 at 11:04 am

            is saying something that means nothing the same as saying nothing?

            It takes a bit to know the difference Pete.

            Equality is the issue back then and today.

            • Pete George 4.1.1.1.1.1
              23 July 2011 at 11:26 am

              You’re unlikely to get many people fighting in the streets for “equality”.

              And equality is not something that can be imposed. It’s ok to try for it a bit but it’s basically undefinable and unachievable, everyone has different ideas of what’s equal.

              • marty mars …
                23 July 2011 at 11:33 am

                Have you looked around the world recently?

                Where were you on the tour pete – did it activate any of your core beliefs?

                • Pete George …
                  23 July 2011 at 12:59 pm

                  I was quite remote from the tour, my first daughter was born then and I was living in rural Otago, well away from the action with more important things to be concerned about.

                  Sure, I considered the different arguments over the tour, the rights of people in other countries versus the rights of people to do what they wanted here, the right to protest versus the rule of law.

                  I was anti apartheid and in particular admired rugby players who made stands against it. But I also thought that rights and freedoms here were important too.

                  I was annoyed that opportunity seekers and those who liked any old excuse for anarchy caused more mayhem than was justified.

                  And I think that’s all got very little to do with present day New Zealand.

                  • felix …
                    23 July 2011 at 1:21 pm

                    Anyone surprised that Pete didn’t have a position on the tour? Just like that other deeply inspirational politician John Key.

                    • Colonial Viper …
                      23 July 2011 at 4:27 pm

                      Yeah I’m deeply surprised, a man with his principles, who would’ve thought. Actually I’m quite taken aback.

              • Colonial Viper …
                23 July 2011 at 11:56 am

                And equality is not something that can be imposed. It’s ok to try for it a bit but it’s basically undefinable and unachievable, everyone has different ideas of what’s equal.

                Don’t try this bullshit post modernism ‘equality means whatever you want it to mean so it means nothing’

                When a woman doing the same job as a man gets 5% less pay, that’s not equal geddit? And a million other examples.

                • Pete George …
                  23 July 2011 at 12:13 pm

                  Your model, communism, failed as a concept last century. We are moving forward with a more balanced mixed model, it will never be perfect but better than anything blind idealism will every come up with.

                  • Draco T Bastard …
                    23 July 2011 at 1:00 pm

                    Commun1sm hasn’t yet been tried. The USSR, China etc were/are state capitalist. You can tell this by the oppression and lack of democracy.

                  • Colonial Viper …
                    23 July 2011 at 1:08 pm

                    successful democratic socialist enterprises and non profits worth billions of dollars is what we need to develop in this country.

                    but better than anything blind idealism will every come up with.

                    Actually, we need to rekindle idealism and ideals in NZ.

                    Not succumb to your “its good enough to sell out” ideology

              • the pink postman …
                23 July 2011 at 3:11 pm

                They did in the 1930s PeteG,.the Spanish Civil War. However the poor sods who fought the Fascists came back to abuse . Many were blacklisted and refused work. Most stayed unemployed until their country once again needed them to fight the same enemy. This was the story in Aotearoa and the UK . Im afraid the Tories and their friends still have the most power.
                However we won the fight against apartheid and we may (note may) win the day with the Murdoch scandal

          • prism 4.1.1.1.2
            23 July 2011 at 12:15 pm

            Pete G 11am

            Looking forward is better than looking backwards, particularly looking back so far to a completely different issue.

            Remember the truism of Santayana “Those who cannot learn from history are doomed to repeat it. .” If you don’t understand the whys and wherefores of the past then you are not much better than a newborn babe when forming opinions.

            • Pete George 4.1.1.1.2.1
              23 July 2011 at 12:32 pm

              I agree, you should look at and learn from the past, but you still need to devote much more time looking at the present and at what can and should be done in the future.

              A lot of lessons were learnt from the Springbok tour, some good and some bad. I doubt many people would want to resurrect anything like that again without a damn good reason, and the ambitions of a fringe political group don’t come close.

              • marty mars …
                23 July 2011 at 2:57 pm

                resurrect what? – the attitude and feelings of believing in equality and letting the powers that be know it – you never did it in the first place so it’s no wonder you wouldn’t now – no loss because sitter on the fencers weren’t the intended audience – I was talking to those who did protest, who did believe enough to put themselves on the line.

              • McFlock …
                23 July 2011 at 4:00 pm

                So we’re all agreed – we need to boldly look forward, without necessarily knowing what’s behind us, although we should occasionally peek over our shoulder, and side to side, otherwise while we are moving forward we might be ambushed by some sort of resurrected monster that is behind us and moving forward more quickly than us.
                 
                 

            • Treetop 4.1.1.1.2.2
              23 July 2011 at 12:41 pm

              History is a good teacher. History always has a trail, just look at the phone hacking in Britain and how not acting sooner to stop the hackers, who is now being exposed, (politicians, top cops, newspaper heads).

      • felix 4.1.2
        23 July 2011 at 3:20 pm

        “The Springbok tour was very divisive in this country, is that the aim of Mana?”

        Yes the tour was divisive. That’s National for you.

  5. freedom 5
    23 July 2011 at 10:30 am

    hey Peter Squirrel

    some guys have the balls to stand up and admit they are wrong, care to do the same?

    http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/5329433/Hewson-puts-the-boot-in-1981-tour

    • millsy 5.1
      23 July 2011 at 10:54 am

      He’ll probably be left off a few Christmas card lists.

      Ever noticed that the rugby players who opposed sporting contact with the Afrikaner regime have found themselves on the outer as far as the NZRFU is concerned?

  6. prism 6
    23 July 2011 at 11:47 am

    Worth listening to for people who want NZ to flourish with employment in the ranks of value added and innovated products. What can we do except the basics of primary extractive industries?? I want to see NZ made on lots more things! And here are some ideas, some history about things we have designed, developed and made and could do now. And note that he will be heard again in September in one of the main centres I suppose.

    11:05 Michael Smythe on Radionz with Kim this morning.
    Michael Smythe is a design enthusiast and practitioner, and the author of New Zealand Design: a History of New Zealand Product Design (Godwit, ISBN: 978-1-86979-574-0). He will be a guest at the Going West Books and Writers Festival 2001 in September.

  7. The Voice of Reason 7
    23 July 2011 at 12:42 pm

    Think I just heard irony free zone and No 1 fan boy Key on National Radio describing himself as ‘the luckiest New Zealand Prime Minister ever!”. I’d suggest his good luck is in inverse proportion to the bad luck the rest of the country is experiencing under his watch, aye?
     
    Still, nice that he’s not bothered that Obama didn’t even know his surname. Jiohn reckons nobody in NZ knows who he really is either.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    • Colonial Viper 7.1
      23 July 2011 at 12:55 pm

      Key is a hex on this land.

      • chris73 7.1.1
        23 July 2011 at 3:00 pm

        Gee it must be sticking in your craws that no matter what John Key says or does it doesn’t effect his popularity one jot and he’ll be returned as leader of this country

        As Goofey says (in private) “I wanna be like John”

        Hehehehe

        • felix 7.1.1.1
          23 July 2011 at 3:18 pm

          “…no matter what John Key says or does…”

          Interesting admission. You’ll trumpet his popularity, but you won’t back his words or actions.

          Very revealing.

          • chris73 7.1.1.1.1
            23 July 2011 at 5:21 pm

            Interesting yourself, where do you get that from?

            I do indeed back his actions

            • felix 7.1.1.1.1.1
              23 July 2011 at 5:27 pm

              The words “no matter what John Key says or does” implies that you acknowledge that not everything he says and does is all that.

              Otherwise why would you add them? Their only function in the sentence is to separate his popularity from his deeds.

              • chris73 …
                23 July 2011 at 5:38 pm

                The point being that all you lefties wail and nash your teeth and try to paint John Key as some sort of bogeyman

                Yet hes the most popular PM since…well…actually hes the most popular PM ever

                Meaning more Labour supporters prefer John Key as PM to Goofey as PM

                As to your point, he is a politician so of course hes…economical with the truth

  8. Pascal's bookie 8
    23 July 2011 at 12:51 pm

    Ooh scary muslims.

    http://www.facebook.com/people/Anders-Behring-Breivik/100002651290254

    Meanwhile, on KB, unintended irony abounds in the General debate thread as regulars Tutt Tutt about the mortal dangers of immigration to scandinavia, and in the sme comments say helen Clark should have been shot. Though there is some disagreement on the latter point. Hanging Cullen is also debated.

  9. Ianupnorth 9
    23 July 2011 at 1:50 pm

    Something really nice about seeing the most right wing paper in the UK suddenly realise everything they have believed in has created the current global meltdown!

    http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/8655106/Im-starting-to-think-that-the-Left-might-actually-be-right.html

    It has taken me more than 30 years as a journalist to ask myself this question, but this week I find that I must: is the Left right after all? You see, one of the great arguments of the Left is that what the Right calls “the free market” is actually a set-up.

    The rich run a global system that allows them to accumulate capital and pay the lowest possible price for labour. The freedom that results applies only to them. The many simply have to work harder, in conditions that grow ever more insecure, to enrich the few. Democratic politics, which purports to enrich the many, is actually in the pocket of those bankers, media barons and other moguls who run and own everything.

    John Key, are you listening?

    • prism 9.1
      23 July 2011 at 3:29 pm

      @Iamupnorth 1.50pm
      Charles Moore wrote this in the linked The Telegraph item.
      “One must always pray that conservatism will be saved, as has so often been the case in the past, by the stupidity of the Left. The Left’s blind faith in the state makes its remedies worse than useless. But the first step is to realise how much ground we have lost, and that there may not be much time left to make it up.”
      but he also says as quoted earlier:
      The rich run a global system that allows them to accumulate capital and pay the lowest possible price for labour. The freedom that results applies only to them.
      I have just heard how some of the poorest paid workers, cleaners are being treated. That backs up his second quote. Yet he really wants conservatism to be saved, because that is where his interests lie I guess, as he is never likely to be forced to seek work as a cleaner.

      The unfair working conditions I heard – A couple have bought a camping ground and want the cleaner on minimum wage to sometimes stay on site till 11 pm till they come home (sort of baby-sitting the site) for no pay. She has recently been phoned and requested to drive their car some miles to pick them up as their car has broken down. With no concern for her own plans and needs, and no doubt with no pay for it either.
      Another cleaner was not on roster and went away for a couple of days, for which she was abused by her angry employers. She was not entitled to days off, and should carry her cellphone with her at all times in case they might want to call her back to work. Another cleaner at the same motel had a young girl with her, who was her daughter helping with the work which her mother was not able to get through in the time paid for. Two workers for one miniscule wage!

      Why would women put up with this. Answer – You work as required or you’re fired. There are plenty of others wanting a job.

      Other job sectors also have low wages ie co-pilots being paid in the $30,000’s.

      The harsh self-centred class system way of treating workers of early NZ is being reproduced with the erosion of controls to protect workers who are also on low incomes. A double whammy started decades ago and into which no government has made reasonable inroads.

      • Colonial Viper 9.1.1
        23 July 2011 at 4:24 pm

        Ahem. Employers seem to forget how many tens of thousands of dollars of damage the average employee can inadvertently do to a business in seconds.

        You know, like when workers during the industrial revolution threw their wooden shoes called ‘sabot’ into machinery to stop them.

        I recommend a watching of “Fight Club” to any employer who is determined to be an a-hole.

  10. the pink postman 10
    23 July 2011 at 2:43 pm

    Lock up your daughters theYanks are coming!
    Joking apart what is this this cunning bastard planning for Aotearoa with the USA. Are we going to go back to the days when “Where the USA goes so do we regardless of why?

    • Draco T Bastard 10.1
      23 July 2011 at 2:50 pm

      Looks like it. RWNJs, being the Authoritarians that they are, bow down and kiss arse of those they see as having the most power and are more than happy to sell out an entire country just so that they can get a pat on the head from that power.

  11. rod 11
    23 July 2011 at 2:53 pm

    Perhaps they will all arrive just before the election for more photo opportunities

    • the pink postman 11.1
      23 July 2011 at 3:16 pm

      Bloody hell Rod I never thought of that ! Don’t shout it around ,there is nothing more these Tories would love than the band and flags just before an election

  12. jackal 12
    23 July 2011 at 3:22 pm

    Asshole of the Week Award – Peter Whittall

    Yesterday, the Pike River Mine inquiry revealed that Peter Whittall did not even attend a test evacuation to see if somebody could escape up the 100 metre-plus vertical ventilation shaft, which is the mines only means of escape other than the main 2.3km tunnel. Whittall said he was on the road doing a shareholder briefing, showing exactly how highly Pike River Coal viewed the safety of it’s workers.

    • prism 12.1
      23 July 2011 at 3:42 pm

      @jackal
      Well you delegate these organisational things don’t you. No use having dogs and doing the barking yourself.

  13. rosy 13
    23 July 2011 at 10:28 pm

    What the????? when organisations care more for their agenda that their people. Truly mindboggling
    http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/feedarticle/9759935

    Frustrated aid groups said they want to deploy more food assistance in Somalia but don’t yet have the necessary safety guarantees to do so. The anarchic country has been mired in conflict for two decades and its capital is a war zone.

    The renewed threat from al-Shabab means only a handful of agencies will be able to respond to the hunger crisis in militant-controlled areas of southern Somalia. And the largest provider of food aid — the U.N. World Food Program — isn’t among those being allowed inside.

    The U.N. fears tens of thousands of people already have died in the famine, which has forced Somalis to walk for days in hopes of reaching refugee camps in Kenya and Ethiopia…

    … Somalia’s prolonged drought devolved into famine in part because neither the Somali government nor many aid agencies can fully operate in areas controlled by al-Shabab.

Recent Comments

Recent Posts

  • Stories of varying weight

    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on anything you may have missed. Share Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 hours ago
  • Balancing External Security and the Economy

    New Zealand is again having to reconcile conflicting pressures from its military and its trade interests. Should we join Pillar Two of AUKUS and risk compromising our markets in China? For a century after New Zealand was founded in 1840, its external security arrangements and external economics arrangements were aligned. ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    17 hours ago
  • Weekly Climate Wrap: The unravelling of the offsets

    The ‘50 Shades of Green’ farmers’ protest in 2019 was heavy on climate change denial, but five years on, scepticism and criticism about the idea that pine forests can save us is growing across the board. File photo: Lynn GrievesonTL;DR: Here’s the top six news items of note in climate ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    22 hours ago
  • What makes us tick

    This morning the sky was bright.The birds, in their usual joyous bliss. Nature doesn’t seem to feel the heat of what might angst humans.Their calls are clear and beautiful.Just some random thoughts:MāoriPaul Goldsmith has announced his government will roll back the judiciary’s rulings on Māori Customary Marine Title, which recognises ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    23 hours ago
  • Foreshore and seabed 2.0

    In 2003, the Court of Appeal delivered its decision in Ngati Apa v Attorney-General, ruling that Māori customary title over the foreshore and seabed had not been universally extinguished, and that the Māori Land Court could determine claims and confirm title if the facts supported it. This kicked off the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Gordon Campbell on the Royal Commission report into abuse in care

    Earlier this week at Parliament, Labour leader Chris Hipkins was applauded for saying that the response to the final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care had to be “bigger than politics.” True, but the fine words, apologies and “we hear you” messages will soon ring ...
    WerewolfBy lyndon
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: In news breaking this morning:The Ministry of Education is cutting $2 billion from its school building programme so the National-ACT-NZ First Coalition Government has enough money to deliver tax cuts; The Government has quietly lowered its child poverty reduction targets to make them easier to achieve;Te Whatu Ora-Health NZ’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Weekly Roundup 26-July-2024

    Kia ora. These are some stories that caught our eye this week – as always, feel free to share yours in the comments. Our header image this week (via Eke Panuku) shows the planned upgrade for the Karanga Plaza Tidal Swimming Steps. The week in Greater Auckland On ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 day ago
  • God what a relief

    1. What's not to love about the way the Harris campaign is turning things around?a. Nothingb. Love all of itc. God what a reliefd. Not that it will be by any means easye. All of the above 2. Documents released by the Ministry of Health show Associate Health Minister Casey ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • Trust In Me

    Trust in me in all you doHave the faith I have in youLove will see us through, if only you trust in meWhy don't you, you trust me?In a week that saw the release of the 3,000 page Abuse in Care report Christopher Luxon was being asked about Boot Camps. ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • The Hoon around the week to July 26

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking about the Royal Commission Inquiry into Abuse in Care report released this week, and with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on a UN push to not recognise carbon offset markets and ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Friday, July 26

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Friday, July 26, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day are:Transport: Simeon Brown announced $802.9 million in funding for 18 new trains on the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines, which ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Radical law changes needed to build road

    The northern expressway extension from Warkworth to Whangarei is likely to require radical changes to legislation if it is going to be built within the foreseeable future. The Government’s powers to purchase land, the planning process and current restrictions on road tolling are all going to need to be changed ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #30 2024

    Open access notables Could an extremely cold central European winter such as 1963 happen again despite climate change?, Sippel et al., Weather and Climate Dynamics: Here, we first show based on multiple attribution methods that a winter of similar circulation conditions to 1963 would still lead to an extreme seasonal ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • First they came for the Māori

    Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedFirst they came for the doctors But I was confused by the numbers and costs So I didn't speak up Then they came for our police and nurses And I didn't think we could afford those costs anyway So I ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Join us for the weekly Hoon on YouTube Live

    Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on UnsplashWe’re back again after our mid-winter break. We’re still with the ‘new’ day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when we have our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Will the real PM Luxon please stand up?

    Notes: This is a free article. Abuse in Care themes are mentioned. Video is at the bottom.BackgroundYesterday’s report into Abuse in Care revealed that at least 1 in 3 of all who went through state and faith based care were abused - often horrifically. At least, because not all survivors ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Will debt reduction trump abuse in care redress?

    Luxon speaks in Parliament yesterday about the Abuse in Care report. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:PM Christopher Luxon said yesterday in tabling the Abuse in Care report in Parliament he wanted to ‘do the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Olywhites and Time Bandits

    About a decade ago I worked with a bloke called Steve. He was the grizzled veteran coder, a few years older than me, who knew where the bodies were buried - code wise. Despite his best efforts to be approachable and friendly he could be kind of gruff, through to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Why were the 1930s so hot in North America?

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters and Bob Henson Those who’ve trawled social media during heat waves have likely encountered a tidbit frequently used to brush aside human-caused climate change: Many U.S. states and cities had their single hottest temperature on record during the 1930s, setting incredible heat marks ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • Throwback Thursday – Thinking about Expressways

    Some of the recent announcements from the government have reminded us of posts we’ve written in the past. Here’s one from early 2020. There were plenty of reactions to the government’s infrastructure announcement a few weeks ago which saw them fund a bunch of big roading projects. One of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: My pick of the top six links elsewhere around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day or so to 7:00 am on Thursday, July 25 are:News: Why Electric Kiwi is closing to new customers - and why it matters RNZ’s Susan EdmundsScoop: Government drops ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Possum: Demon or Friend?

    Hi,I felt a small wet tongue snaking through one of the holes in my Crocs. It explored my big toe, darting down one side, then the other. “He’s looking for some toe cheese,” said the woman next to me, words that still haunt me to this day.Growing up in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Not a story

    Yesterday I happily quoted the Prime Minister without fact-checking him and sure enough, it turns out his numbers were all to hell. It’s not four kg of Royal Commission report, it’s fourteen.My friend and one-time colleague-in-comms Hazel Phillips gently alerted me to my error almost as soon as I’d hit ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Journal of Record for Thursday, July 25

    TL;DR: As of 6:00 am on Thursday, July 25, the top six announcements, speeches, reports and research around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy in the last day were:The Abuse in Care Royal Commission of Inquiry published its final report yesterday.PM Christopher Luxon and The Minister responsible for ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • A tougher line on “proactive release”?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent talking about the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s release of its first Emissions Reduction Plan;University of Otago Foreign Relations Professor and special guest Dr Karin von ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #29 2024

    Open access notables Improving global temperature datasets to better account for non-uniform warming, Calvert, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society: To better account for spatial non-uniform trends in warming, a new GITD [global instrumental temperature dataset] was created that used maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to combine the land surface ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says proposed changes to the Education and Training Amendment Bill will ensure charter schools have more flexibility to negotiate employment agreements and are equipped with the right teaching resources. “Cabinet has agreed to progress an amendment which means unions will not be able to initiate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Commissioner replaces Health NZ Board

    In response to serious concerns around oversight, overspend and a significant deterioration in financial outlook, the Board of Health New Zealand will be replaced with a Commissioner, Health Minister Dr Shane Reti announced today.  “The previous government’s botched health reforms have created significant financial challenges at Health NZ that, without ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister to speak at Australian Space Forum

    Minister for Space and Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins will travel to Adelaide tomorrow for space and science engagements, including speaking at the Australian Space Forum.  While there she will also have meetings and visits with a focus on space, biotechnology and innovation.  “New Zealand has a thriving space ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Climate Change Minister to attend climate action meeting in China

    Climate Change Minister Simon Watts will travel to China on Saturday to attend the Ministerial on Climate Action meeting held in Wuhan.  “Attending the Ministerial on Climate Action is an opportunity to advocate for New Zealand climate priorities and engage with our key partners on climate action,” Mr Watts says. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Oceans and Fisheries Minister to Solomons

    Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is travelling to the Solomon Islands tomorrow for meetings with his counterparts from around the Pacific supporting collective management of the region’s fisheries. The 23rd Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Committee and the 5th Regional Fisheries Ministers’ Meeting in Honiara from 23 to 26 July ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government launches Military Style Academy Pilot

    The Government today launched the Military Style Academy Pilot at Te Au rere a te Tonga Youth Justice residence in Palmerston North, an important part of the Government’s plan to crackdown on youth crime and getting youth offenders back on track, Minister for Children, Karen Chhour said today. “On the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Nine priority bridge replacements to get underway

    The Government has welcomed news the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has begun work to replace nine priority bridges across the country to ensure our state highway network remains resilient, reliable, and efficient for road users, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“Increasing productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Update on global IT outage

    Acting Prime Minister David Seymour has been in contact throughout the evening with senior officials who have coordinated a whole of government response to the global IT outage and can provide an update. The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet has designated the National Emergency Management Agency as the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New Zealand, Japan renew Pacific partnership

    New Zealand and Japan will continue to step up their shared engagement with the Pacific, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says.    “New Zealand and Japan have a strong, shared interest in a free, open and stable Pacific Islands region,” Mr Peters says.    “We are pleased to be finding more ways ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • New infrastructure energises BOP forestry towns

    New developments in the heart of North Island forestry country will reinvigorate their communities and boost economic development, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones visited Kaingaroa and Kawerau in Bay of Plenty today to open a landmark community centre in the former and a new connecting road in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • 'Pacific Futures'

    President Adeang, fellow Ministers, honourable Diet Member Horii, Ambassadors, distinguished guests.    Minasama, konnichiwa, and good afternoon, everyone.    Distinguished guests, it’s a pleasure to be here with you today to talk about New Zealand’s foreign policy reset, the reasons for it, the values that underpin it, and how it ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

Page generated in The Standard by Wordpress at 2024-07-26T23:48:02+00:00