Open mike 25/11/2019

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, November 25th, 2019 - 134 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:

Open mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

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

Step up to the mike …

134 comments on “Open mike 25/11/2019 ”

  1. Sacha 1

    Stuff has started another political poll with international agency YouGov – uses only online sampling rather than phones. As usual, we can only really judge trends over time so single poll results are not that meaningful in themselves. https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/117662933/labour-ahead-while-national-dips-below-40-in-new-stuff-poll

    • Dukeofurl 1.1

      Thats interesting .

      They say it was conducted between 7-11 Nov but isnt publicised till 25th ?

      2 week delay is really strange. Is there another poll coming this week , the traditional sort

      Checking back I see Colmar Brunton did one around this time last year.

      Its very bad journalism by Stuff to hang onto exclusive poll results for nearly 2 weeks.

    • Sanctuary 1.2

      YouGov polling methods has been heavily criticised in the UK and I am frankly surprised that Stuff are using them. They were probably the cheapest option.

      YouGov used the same sort of methodology described in the Stuff piece back in 2017 in the UK and they got final result completely wrong.

      Apart from all the usual hazards of online polling, the biggest problem with their polling is the guesswork behind their weighting of online samples to give the final result. For example, in the UK in 2017 they heavily discounted the results from anyone young because they were thought unlikely to vote, whilst assuming anyone over 60 will almost always vote.

      • UncookedSelachimorpha 1.2.1

        Stuff are in the market for clicks, not data.

      • Dukeofurl 1.2.2

        Recruiting an online panel of the public to survey is used by the others too

        Reid Research …Join our panel

        Colmar Brunton too

        Phone polls use the same weighting methods, for the voting group, age, income, ethnicity etc

        the 2017 UK polling assumptions affected all the surveys, and what readers who make up their minds early might not realise is a chunk of voters make up their minds on the day or just before. Who can survey that?

        NZ is lucky in that MMP directly takes a voting % into seats. Polling for FPP electorates is inherently difficult.

      • cleangreen 1.2.3

        Sanctuary said; “They (You Gov) were probably the cheapest option”????

        Cheap shot at your shock about the negative polling results???

  2. A 2

    Allegations the Chinese Government attempted to recruit a car salesman, "Nick" Zhao to run as a Liberal Party candidate have come to light. Mr Zhao allegedly told ASIO about the deal, and was found dead in a hotel room earlier this year.

    “Using an Australian citizen and basically run them as an agent of foreign influence in our democratic system. So this is really significant and Australians should be very, very concerned about this.” Mr Hastie has called for a full investigation into Mr Zhao’s death.

    “Everyone should be concerned about the way that Nick Zhao died and I think we need a full investigation where we turn over every stone,” he said. “We explore every nook and cranny, we cast as much light into the shadows and make sure that we have a full comprehensive understanding of how he died and why he died.”

    Uber creepy.

    https://www.news.com.au/national/politics/alleged-plot-to-infiltrate-australian-government/news-story/a3cdbfb2830273e340ee22f9c4bea6b6

  3. gsays 3

    Once again.. another warning, more from the front line.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/404007/report-critical-over-lack-of-action-on-dire-state-of-public-hospitals

    Last night/this morning, our local hospital is full. Nowhere for patients to go to from ED.

    Senior nurses are talking about experiencing PTSD.. The 'safe' places these people use (running, excercising, debrief at home) are starting to fail…

    To go to your place of work, with a feeling of dread. To be often in crisis mode, barely coping with too large a work load. Not good for the patients and families

    Then hear the latest approach from management, knowing it will not make a difference, as the last few changes made no difference.

    An immediate difference is to implement a nurse/patient ratio, 1/4 in ED.

    Of course it is the same old, same old. A lack of priority from those who hold the purse strings.

    • tc 3.1

      PTSD is a very real consequence of Ryall/Colemans slash n burn along with underfunding against rising population and demanding DHB's still balance budgets.

      Most flogged and leased back to do that which we all know just kicks it down the road, a national party speciality.

      • gsays 3.1.1

        PTSD was first mentioned this morning at home, post night shift debrief.

        It was observed in a fellow senior colleague. Running is their escape/process time. They had an anxiety attack during the run.

        Things are getting serious when the stress manifests in one's 'safe' place.

        • cleangreen 3.1.1.1

          gsays

          Yes you are so correct when you pointed it out that when our "safe place" becomes a stressful place.to live is a problem.

          As more and more 'scammers' are knocking on our doors posing as someone else.

      • greywarshark 3.1.2

        Edit
        I have done a bit of ferreting in the background to health spending and it is interesting so I have put a number of links and part of some reporting to give a taste of what the problems are. It is NZ Government charges on DHBs that bother me. It might have changed recently but they have to make a return on their land use I think. Supposed to make them more efficient.

        This is from a letter to Health Minister David Clark drawing his attention to the 'capital charge' DHBs must pay to the government. I think is an egregious and swingeing impost on DHBs under the business model accounting system, which has probably been set by Treasury but needs to be struck off.

        https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/113984983/capital-charge-makes-it-hard-for-dhbs-to-do-their-job

        Canterbury researcher Dr Michael Gousmett has long expressed concern at the capital charge – what he describes as "a tax" on their "taxpayer-funded net assets" – which the country's district health boards (DHBs) pay to the Government, and the impact this charge has on DHBs' ability to deliver core services. He outlines these concerns in an open letter to Health Minister David Clark.

        More on the 'capital charge' from a report by the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists who understand the problems and are well versed in the economics of health in NZ.

        2018 https://www.asms.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Research-Brief-Capital-Charge_169877.2.pdf

        And a different viewpoint: https://croakingcassandra.com/2019/03/11/in-defence-of-capital-charges-and-higher-public-sector-discount-rates/

        (While all this discussion goes on, the hospital services remain in virtual limbo and people must wait for reasonable health provision. People I know who have worked in hospitals tell me about the number and duration of meetings from which very little outcomes arise.)

        This on the health funding provision for medical services, staff and doctors from Coleman's 2017 Budget. Has funding increased to a reasonable level since then, both on a population basis, but also special provision, taking account of large areas requiring access by sparse populations as in Southland?

        https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/404007/report-critical-over-lack-of-action-on-dire-state-of-public-hospitals

        May 2017 – The health sector needs an additional $1.1 billion in this week's Budget to maintain services, according to the Council of Trade Unions (CTU) and the senior doctors' union…

        The CTU calculated the Government had not adequately funded DHBs since 2009-2010. Increased costs created a shortfall of $1.8m in health spending.

        Research published in the New Zealand Medical Journal in March by Canterbury Charity Hospital founder Dr Phil Bagshaw showed at least 25 percent of adults could not get the basic health care they need. About nine percent have an unmet need for hospital care. ..

        Underfunding affected nurses, New Zealand Nurses Organisation chief executive Memo Musa said.

        "Our members have told us underfunding is now affecting patient safety, access to care, triggering care-rationing, health-worker burn out and straining the infrastructure."

        Dr Coleman said in a statement: "This is traditional pre-budget positioning by CTU and other unions. People should wait until the Budget on Thursday."
        .

        CTU economist Bill Rosenberg on health funding in 2019 budget.
        https://www.union.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Did-the-Budget-provide-enough-for-Health-2019.pdf

        Google lists a number of reports I counted six – on the economics of DHBs with this one I looked through that is a messy pdf showing graphs of units of health gained by some action compared to the opportunity cost of education spending. (Theoretical stuff for a computerised report which tops giving actual hands-on assistance at the coalface!)
        https://www.productivity.govt.nz/assets/Documents/31af48f5ed/History-of-efficiency-measurement-by-the-health-sector-Knopf-v2.pdf

        This from the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists 2014 https://www.asms.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Reality-Check-health-funding-paper-Final-21-August_162107.6.pdf
        162107.6 Reality check:The myth of unsustainable health funding and what Treasury figures actually show

        Then there are the profitable business interests nosing around which have infiltrated some NZ DHBs to the extent that their CEOs have set up their own private business to provide needs of the hospital under their management . This was a shameful grab and double-dipping from people trying to have their cake and eat it too; and succeeding in the confused and corrupt public management set-up neolib economics has dumped on us. (I can’t remember off-hand which hospital CEO that did this – but the news stayed in my memory.)

        If less money was spent on preparing reports on theories of how much money could be withheld and spent somewhere else, and money made available on simple straightforward service basis, we could probably see an immediate benefit to conditions.

        Then looking at allocation of funding being supplied on an age basis, with the priorities on helping people get back to work, or giving children the services to ensure their proper growth and healthy development, that would be a good start. Then pay attention to what the older people needed and this would reverse the present situation. First the young, and helping those in pain, but not bypassing age but not giving priority to those nearing death which forms a large part of hospital spending.

        An economist's report on health spending gives this little gem, an indication of how cold mathematical analysis squeezes humans into little measurable units and probably explains why there is so much pain in the health sector felt by providers as well as patients.

        https://www2.deloitte.com/nz/en/pages/2018-government-budget/articles/health-2018-new-zealand-budget.html
        Again, we hope this money will be spent differently from how it’s been spent in the past. The government wants to lift New Zealand’s productivity, and it is about time we did so in healthcare. Sadly, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) estimates that our workforce of around 210,000 health and social workers is less productive than the national average across all industries, generating only $39 GDP per hour worked (compared to a national average of $48). Even worse, MBIE figures show a steadily declining average in health sector productivity over a number of years.

    • Sacha 3.2

      How can that be 'immediate' when there are already not enough nurses to go around? Which services would you remove them from to go to ED instead?

      • UncookedSelachimorpha 3.2.1

        I know a few recent nursing graduates from NZ, all gone to work in Aussie (within months of graduation) for much better pay.

        • Sacha 3.2.1.1

          I welcome hearing how we can 'immediately' increase the pay of all nurses to keep them here.

          • SPC 3.2.1.1.1

            I'd stop paying super to (most of) those still working. Frees up billions each year.

            Then

            Pay increases teachers and nurses

            Better staffing levels schools and hospitals

            Increase Pharmac funding

            Pay those with disability the super payment rate and pay the dole to partners who cannot work (disability, or caring for others).

            Pay super rates to those unemployed/sickness over age 60.

            Increase state housing from 2000 to 3000 new builds a year and buy 2000 a year from existing housing to get the homeless out of motels.

            End repayment of grants out of benefit income (wait till they find jobs first)

            Allow beneficiaries to earn more money before abatement

            Offer government (cheaper) debt refinance to families facing hardship because of debt.

            • greywarshark 3.2.1.1.1.1

              Just a thought SPC. I would like a reasonably factual figure of how much would be saved by stopping superannuation (old age pension) for the still working after age 65. Do you have a figure to hand or can give a link where it can be found within say one minute? This is something that we should be thinking about.

              • solkta

                I wouldn't waste any time on it as it is not going to happen any time soon. The backlash from boomers would sink any gummint that tried.

                • greywarshark

                  Anyway a cool look at the money we have in the economy, and the money we are borrowing every day to keep the present steady state we have, would possibly show that we actually can afford super with a few tweaks.

                  One thing that could be done is that anyone who receives super goes on a volunteer register and chooses something the government would like done and puts in two to three hours a week minimum on their choice. Showing their enthusiasm for their country in a balanced caring relationship!

              • SPC

                The current cost is $15B a year – an increase of $1B in the past year – 1953-54 baby boomers. It will be $23B c 2023 (741,300 last year to over 872,900 by then).

                A lot of these new retirees will still be working.

                Forty-four per cent of people aged 65 to 69 are still working and that is expected to increase in future.

                The number working is greater than could reasonably be excluded (it would have to be more than a MW income and losing super not involve hardship – because of say rent or unpaid mortgage etc).

                There are two figures those working now and receiving super (44% of those 65-69). Current cost (some of these will retire during the next 5 years).

                The increasing numbers of those reaching age 65 while still working in the next 5 years (rising to over a million by c2030/$20B).

                As to how many New Zealanders work full-time while receiving NZ Super and thus calculating the amount that would be saved by not paying them NZ Super until they retired – I have never seen the figure reported anywhere. Short answer billions each year and its rising every year.

              • SPC

                The current cost is $15B a year – an increase of $1B in the past year – 1953-54 baby boomers. It will be $20B c 2023 (741,300 last year to over 872,900 by 2023). A lot of these new retirees will still be working.

                Forty-four per cent of people aged 65 to 69 are still working and that is expected to increase in future.

                The number working is greater than could reasonably be excluded (it would have to be more than a MW income and losing super not involve hardship – because of say rent or unpaid mortgage etc).

                There are two figures
                1. current cost – those working now and receiving super (44% of those 65-69). (some of these will retire during the next 5 years).

                2. future cost – the increasing numbers of those reaching age 65 while still working in the next 5 years (rising to over a million by c2030).

                As to how many New Zealanders work full-time while receiving NZ Super and thus calculating the amount that would be saved by not paying them NZ Super until they retired – I have never seen the figure reported anywhere.

                Short answer billions each year and its rising every year.

                • greywarshark

                  Thanks SPC. Just thinking while it might be good for mental health to keep on working after 65 and it may indicate a pride in not being past 'it', it may be taking a job that pays well along with seniority perhaps, and jobs are in short supply for older people still under retirement age.

                • lprent

                  FFS: remember that super is taxed. Presumably one income or the other will be at secondary rates if we still have them or would probably push tax brackets otherwise.

                  So when you calculate it, approximate the clawback into your estimates.

                  • SPC

                    Well given a reasonable rule of thumb would be that a sufficient to not need super income would be the living wage level (full-time) c$45,000 or above – with $20,000 single or $15,000 couple rate.

                    Tax rules applying

                    between $48,001 and $70,000 secondary tax code is SH and NZ Super taxed at 30%

                    more than $70,000 your secondary tax code is ST and your NZ Super will be taxed at 33%.

                    So deducting 30 cents off est $2Bpa gross cost leaves around $1.4Bpa net cost rising further each year to 2030.

            • Dukeofurl 3.2.1.1.1.2

              the Entire Super cost is $11-12 bill per year ( 2017)

              Only a fraction 30% would be in the 65-70 age group The 30% comes from MSD Super data tables

              Those working may be part time but lets be generous and assume 1/3 of those between 65-70 are working

              This then leads to 10% of entire super pop are 'working' ( 1/3 of the 30% 65-70)

              That would have a rough figure of $1.2 bill saved if those working got no super at all.

              • SPC

                The census of 2013 puts the number of people aged 60-64 as 230,000. Say 210,000 are still alive.

                Apparently about 44% of them work aged 65-69. Say 1/4 work only work part-time. So if 1/3rd did not get Super, then that would be around 10% of the total on Super (over 700,000).

                The current cost is $15Bpa – so $1.5B plus those over 70 still working more around $2B pa at the moment. It would rise to around $3Bpa by 2030 in todays dollars.

            • Nic the NZer 3.2.1.1.1.3

              This is almost certainly the wrong way to think of it. The NZ govt at all times has the capacity to buy everything for sale in NZ dollers. Paying /not paying pensions does not change that at all. The constraint the govt does have to deal with is on the real side of the economy, e.g are there sufficient medical professionals to carry out the work and maybe is there extra burden being put by the private sectors ability to buy up those resources.

              By cutting pensions to those working you will most likely just leave a hole in aggregate demand and be responsible for a whole raft of inequity. I also suspect that its vaguely illegal as the pension payments were effectively earned at the time they were taxed by the wage earner.

              • SPC

                1. The problem is limited government funding to HB who can thus can only afford so many staff. Then there are wages unattractive compared to those in Oz. Even if all positions were staffed the working conditions would be worse than in Oz, and because of this and lower pay, they find it hard to fill all the positions. Making things worse for those still employed.

                2. Super is paid for out of current taxes.

                • Nic the NZer

                  The problem is the limited funding of the DHBs. The govt can choose to increase that without facing any financial constraint on so doing.

                  Payments to pensioners occur when the govt credits pensioners bank accounts. The payments the govt makes to the pensioners banks occur inside the reserve bank settlement system (the bank then goes on to credit the pensioners account). Only the reserve bank can create these interbank settlement account balances and entries. Making such payments (in a similar way to making payments to DHBs or their employees) is not therefore constrained by tax collection.

                  The main constraint here is a voluntary preference of the government.

                  • McFlock

                    The term that always pisses me off is "DHB deficit".

                    That's just a measure of how underfunded each DHB is.

                  • SPC

                    If the government increases funding to HB. How do they respond? The HB cannot fill all places it has funds for now because they cannot attract staff at their pay rates.

                    Does the HB increase pay to fill all existing staffing positions or declare more vacancies when they are struggling to fill vacancies now

                    You know what a 30% GDP spending cap is right? Yeah I know its a voluntary 2017-2020 Labour-Green commitment to demonstrate their neo-liberal credentials to centre New Zealand, but that – and things like budget deficit or surplus and debt to GDP still determine the parameters for party policy formation and political debate.

                    • Nic the NZer

                      So your suggesting taking away pensions in order to maintain that Labour party voluntary policy then? You realise at least some of the part time workers are relying on that pension payment for a reasonable income. Time, i think, to address the actual problem rather than contorting the govt policy to try to accomodate a harmful fiscal strategy.

                    • SPC

                      I am saying there is a more just allocation of revenues/spending than paying super to those working (and I am referring to those working full-time or earning more than a 40 hour MW/living wage if part-time).

                    • Nic the NZer []

                      I'm pretty sure we already established in the discussion that this neo-liberal constraint framing is a fiction. It happens to obfuscate from the present and previous govts choices to underfund the DHBs and ultimately put many health care workers under various stresses. Its also their narrative choice to have DHBs report deficits rather than funding them with sufficient operational expenditure.

                  • gsays

                    Thanks Nic for yr contribution.

                    Where can I read up on this, without too much going over my head?

              • greywarshark

                The pension payments are taken out of current earnings. When super was set up there was higher inflation and that could mean that savings value could be eroded whether private or government. Also there is the possibility of fraud, and for security in old age the pension (super) was set up to be universal and current. The Kiwisaver was a prudent and carefully managed fund added, that would take the shock to the system when all the products of a particularly fruitful time came of (older) age.

        • SPC 3.2.1.2

          The better working conditions – better staffing levels, are reason enough to go. Of course the better pay means the student debt can be paid back more easily.

        • greywarshark 3.2.1.3

          Well Key did want to set up a low wage system in New Zealand. And the Gnats wanted us to work harder and not get so above ourselves in our pay demands. The Gnats succeeded – or did they?

          Did the National Party and their sycophants find the truth of that cautionary saying 'Be careful what you wish for', (or when you get it you might find it's a poisoned chalice)? No, the National Party find it suits them to go on poisoning us, our society, our living conditions, our water, our environment, our hopes and dreams. I am sick of materialistic sycophants.

          • cleangreen 3.2.1.3.1

            yes Greywarshark; well said. 100%

            quote;

            "No, the National Party find it suits them to go on poisoning us, our society, our living conditions, our water, our environment, our hopes and dreams. I am sick of materialistic sycophants".

            ''Truer words have never been spoken'

      • gsays 3.2.2

        You are going to have to ask someone else to answer your binary choice questions.

        There is a lack of imagination in your thinking.

        I am not necessarily suggesting BAU with more nurses.

        There are plenty of Health centres/hubs, private providers etc than can meet the health needs of a % of those that present at ED.

        It is merely a question of priorities.

    • adam 3.4

      This is because we have a two tier health system.

      Simple solution take the money off the private insurance companies, then ban private health insurance.

      Health care for all or let the poor die – your choice.

      • gsays 3.4.1

        Heh, it's a cruel irony that the EDs around the country are serving both tiers of the system but only being funded by the public purse.

  4. SPC 4

    Stuff has published fake news from Jonathan Young of National – where he claims that ending new exploration licences is the reason why we burnt more coal for power generation last year.

    What has become clear is there has been no net environmental gain as we're currently using less gas for electricity generation and burning 115 per cent more coal than a year ago.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/opinion/117648825/taranaki-2050-roadmap-may-have-a-few-bumps-in-the-road-ahead

    As if not issuing permits for new gas exploration has an impact on the current supply to the market …

  5. SPC 5

    Documents included bank statements, spending records, donation receipts, letters and emails

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/opinion/117650875/a-wine-box-a-deep-throat-and-a-dumpster–the-trail-that-led-to-the-nz-first-donations-scandal

    A journalist directed to a dumpster in Hamilton.

    We still do not know if this was a whistle blower or a hacking agent.

    • Dukeofurl 5.1

      Curious . The people who stole the documents , then put them in a dumpster and call a journalist ? Who hasnt done that . Why didnt Nixons 'plumbers' think of that

    • Sacha 5.2

      Forgetting the rigmarole of finally getting hard proof, the information should be publicly available. It is beyond a lack of transparency. I feel it is a lack of basic honesty.

      For Peters the documents potentially betray his voters, the donors who back the party, his candidates, his MPs and democracy.

      There are so many people left bloodied on the path behind him that a resistance started to form and say enough is enough.

      • SPC 5.2.1

        The problem is this sort of dump is that it is designed to replay 2005 and undermine NZF's re-election. It's manipulative dirty politics.

        It's all very well for the media to run with it, but it's selective coverage advantaging another party/other parties.

        Holding a blow torch to the practices of other parties in this area, with an overview of clearer and cleaner rules for all, is the way the media can best serve the public.

      • Dukeofurl 5.2.2

        hes the only political leader whos been there for 25 years.

        I see people talk about something about the Cook St ferries and Peters as though it was yesterday, the same era scandal involved Jenny Shipley and Tourism ministry – who remembers that. One of TS contributors had a list of Keys lies, twisted facts and half truths that could fill a booklet- who remembers that.

        What you dont seem to get is the 2017 election result of Labour and Greens is less seats than National- remember that

        Its just a game of fantasy football that Peters can be discarded

    • Jimmy 5.3

      This sounds like something out of a spy movie!

    • Naki man 5.4

      We do know he has a sense of humour leaving them in a wine box.

      Lets hope the details get drip fed into the media for months.

      • Incognito 5.4.1

        Yeah, let’s have another long drawn-out tortuous trial-by-media inflicting maximal harm to NZF, the Coalition-Government, and NZ politics in general. MSM would love nothing more than that.

  6. SPC 6

    The Herald has editoralised that Trump should face the voters, rather than be subject to an impeachment process (which just has Trump's own party Senators determine judgement).

    Presumably they take the same stand on NZ First's fundraising practices and or the PM of Israel facing criminal charges while in office, or those politicians facing charges of corruption (or disqualified from standing for elections, as per Brazil).

    • SPC 7.1

      The BBC just changed things to the way it should have been – so the audience applauded Johnson's answer on trust rather than laughed and so (a year earlier in fact) Johnson lay the wreath down the right way up (he had done so in the past after all).

      It just goes to show how many Etonians rise to the top in all spheres of UK society …

      • greywarshark 7.1.1

        I'm just reading CP Snow's 1964 Corridors of Power. He describes one family mixing in high circles in London; that they had never studied politics, but in their sphere had been immersed in it since childhood, understood all the maneouvres and levels of importance and thought it their right as members of high society to receive political positions if they were so inclined.

        He wrote incisively in his 1959 book 'The Two Cultures and the Scientific Revolution':

        There is, of course, no complete solution. […] But we can do something. The chief means open to us is education […] There is no excuse for letting another generation be as vastly ignorant, or as devoid of understanding and sympathy, as we are ourselves.

        (This is a wikiquote and seems relevant to my point, though shortened.)

    • Dukeofurl 7.2

      If it was Corbyn, the audience laughing would be the only part they would show.

  7. mosa 8

    This from Christine Rose

    When Winston Peters announced the New Zealand First decision to enter into a Coalition agreement with the Labour Party, he observed it was ‘now or never for serious change in this country’s social and economic direction’. Equally, Jacinda Ardern signaled that she sought a change to capitalism and the way the economy is run. There appeared agreement that the neo-liberal experiment had failed New Zealanders, and the views of many, of “capitalism as foe”, “was not all wrong”. Winston said “capitalism must regain its responsible, human face” and that this view deeply influenced his party’s negotiations. He said he was confronted with the choice between a “modified status quo, or change’,

    https://thedailyblog.co.nz/2019/11/25/dodgy-donations-the-devils-work/

  8. greywarshark 9

    Trucks bigger and destroying roads and bridges as they feed out the product of the thoughtless economy.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/404035/auckland-trains-cancelled-after-truck-hits-rail-overbridge

    Key likes the idea of the Northern Port – thinks it makes sense. Then the extra cherry for the tuck operators, a four lane highway right to Whangarei. He has retired from his PM job and become a lobbyist for the powerful trying to drive the country forward by twisting our tails. Look out Key for we poor cows and our ultimate retaliation, we might poo on your hand.

  9. greywarshark 10

    I haven't kept up with the Millane case. Could someone please tell me why the suppression of name of the accused is in place still? And put this use of it in context with what we expect with open justice in NZ. (And I would really like to hear from someone else apart from DoU.)

    • McFlock 10.1

      Suppression orders often also suppress the reasons for suppression. there is no "why". They just are. Until they are lifted (I would expect the order to be lifted at sentencing, though).

      • OnceWasTim 10.1.1

        +1.

        As others are speculating, there can be a number of reasons –

        appeal related

        whether further charges are being looked into

        whether there are wider Police investigations taking place

        the wishes of the victim's family and whether or not the prosecution considers the case closed or not

        or something else – maybe even while the judge considers where and wha bestt to do with him so that rough justice is less of a prospect

        I'm not quite sure how my knowing the name of this 26 now 27 year old fucked unit is going to benefit me or the general public – knowing that he's in custody, and is likely to be for quite some time.

        Open justice takes time. It's taken a year so far. If suppression orders were to be made permanent, then I might have a different opinion.

        There's already been enough speculation over this case during the past year (including a bit of victim blaming – such as my blokey neighbours when sinking piss bleating out that "she must be a bit of a dirty girl eh!)

    • I haven't seen a reason given, but most likely it means something else is pending – an appeal against conviction maybe, or further charges. Must say it's hard to picture an appeal against conviction being the reason…

    • McFlock 10.3

      Today, Stuff have an article with a general overview of suppression orders in NZ.

      Obviously they don't specifically talk about the current case, but it's a pretty good round up of the usual reasons and why they exist.

  10. Jimmy 11

    I cannot see why the name suppression is still in place either. I don't believe he is a famous person or anything and the UK papers have named him apparently. I can only imagine the name suppression stays if there is going to be an appeal? Or if the Millane family (victim) have requested the name suppression stays although I can't imagine why they would.

    • Prickles 11.1

      Don’t forget that the Crown were able to produce photos from his phone. If they found other photos or messages on that phone that would have a bearing on this or any subsequent trial then it makes sense to continue name suppression.

  11. mosa 12

    [deleted]

    [please don’t speculate details about Grace Millane’s killer. We don’t know the details of the suppression order, so better to err on the side of caution. Posting comment that creates legal risks for the site risks a ban – weka]

    • Sacha 12.1

      Given that we do not know the scope of the suppression order, why would you even ask that?

      • mosa 12.1.1

        Sure the suppression order is in place i am aware of that thanks Sacha.

        Just thinking back too some of the comments made in the trial and from conversations with acquaintances [deleted]

        [mod notes above and below. – weka]

        • Sacha 12.1.1.1

          If my great aunt said he's transgender and I was sufficiently interested in that, I would post it on my own website rather than where someone else might get prosecuted for it. Be a sport.

          • mosa 12.1.1.1.1

            Thanks Sacha it must be wonderful too be a learned individual like yourself sport.

            • weka 12.1.1.1.1.1

              You're welcome to link to information in the mainstream media. In the meantime please don't post speculation about details of the killer. As a mod I haven't seen the details of the suppression order, so am erring on the side of caution.

    • McFlock 12.2

      Why would you even ask that if there's a suppression order in place? Do you really want an answer on this site?

      lolsnap sacha

    • The Al1en 12.3

      [deleted]
      Stricter controls this time out so unable to confirm or deny.

      As for breaching the order with my answer, and putting the site in jeopardy, I’ve narrowed it down to 1 in 5 million or 1 in 7.5 billion. Pretty safe odds.

      [good for you. I on the other hand am aware that it’s the Trust that carries the legal risk not me, and that speculation leads to other people speculating who don’t know where the boundaries are. This increases the work for mods, which tends to piss us off – weka]

      • weka 12.3.1

        next time I'll just trash the top comment, which takes out the replies as well. Please don't take this as encouragement to speculate as I'm good with handing out bans too.

        • The Al1en 12.3.1.1

          I'm sure you are, and well done for earning that privilige.

          I did just read how in the UK in the last year there were 59 cases of men using rough sex as an excuse for murder. In the same time frame there were zero cases of women claiming that defence.

          • weka 12.3.1.1.1

            there's been a bit of discussion in OM and DR in the past week. I don't remember the details but there's something specific about the UK legislation that allows this to be more common (and the bigger population).

      • lprent 12.3.2

        And since I am the one who has to go to court for you being a dickhead, you are courting a permanent ban from me.

        It sounds fair to me…

        • The Al1en 12.3.2.1

          The question I ambiguously answered was about [deleted], and as shown in what's left of my reply all I've done is narrowed it down to 1 in 5 million or 1 in 7.5 billion. and that in no way goes anywhere near identifying the individual whose identity is suppressed.

          But sure thing, big boy, you gotta roll how you gotta roll 🙄

          https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12287727

          “the man has also been named on social media accounts leaving the police to issue a warning not to state his identity on any posts.

          He cannot yet be named for legal reasons, which have been strictly adhered to by New Zealand media, who can be prosecuted if they don’t comply with the court’s order.”

          [2 week ban for wasting my time and ignoring moderation. See my comment below. – weka]

          • weka 12.3.2.1.1

            You still don't get it. YOU don't get to decide where the boundary is (nor any other commenter). Ultimately it's for Lynn and Mike to decide. In the meantime this mod is erring on the side of caution for reasons I have already explained and which you seem to be ignoring.

            1. we don't know the details of the suppression order. I've seen one journalist say it covers the name and identifying details.

            2. if your comment is ok legally (I have no way of knowing), it still leaves the problem of speculation encouraging other people to speculate who have different ideas or no clue about where the boundary is, and each time that happens one of the mods has to read the comments and think about the issues and moderate (which can take varying degrees of time). I'm sick of having to spend time on this.

    • mosa 12.4

      My sincere apologies Weka.

      Completely understood.

  12. Janice 13

    Horrors! Just went to do the Herald crossword and now they want you to subscribe before you can.

    • Incognito 13.1

      They have to take money off you somehow.

    • Wensleydale 13.2

      That's how Granny Herald rolls now. All the toxic partisan crap is free, and you have to pay for anything interesting or relevant. Like crossword puzzles. Or actual news. I've found my life has improved immeasurably ever since I decided to stop reading the Herald completely. I don't understand subscribers. It's like paying someone to punch you in the face.

  13. Ad 14

    US Secretary of Navy Richard Spencer resigning for trying to cover up war crimes of one of his staff.

    Good job.

  14. observer 15

    Congratulations to the people of Hong Kong, who have stood up for democracy against dictatorship. A stunning election result.

    It is sad that so many of our politicians, in the relative comfort and safety of NZ, cannot stand up alongside them – for no reason except Beijing $$$.

  15. Robert Guyton 16

    “Oh, my goodness, it was stunning, the level of buzzing,” Guthrie said. “That moment was sort of an awakening for me.” The presence of so many bees and other insects was an indicator, to Guthrie, of the health of the land."

    https://civileats.com/2019/10/15/planting-native-prairie-could-be-a-secret-weapon-for-farmers/

  16. greywarshark 17

    Horrible. Yet Todd Muller on Radionz decrying our hard and unreasonable townies are on 'farmers'. It is time for the umbrella to be removed from the body of all-farmers and let the dirty ones stand in the rain and get shamed and cleansed. Why should the ones that try to do well be besmirched with blame. If they moan about it, they need to recognise that they need to show up the others, twist their arms up their back, until they change their ways.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/country/404052/farm-animals-suffering-due-to-poor-winter-grazing-practices-taskforce-says

    Farm animals are suffering in muddy, confined spaces, with many people ignoring the problem and officials unsure of what to do about it, a hard- hitting report has found.

    020818 Photo: Richard Cosgrove / Fish & Game NZ
Southland Fish & Game field trip looking at winter grazing and break feeding practices

    Farm groups says pictures showing cows in mud have been taken out of context. Photo: Fish & Game New Zealand

    The comments came in a report by a special taskforce on winter grazing.

    Foreign farmers from Europe say, who come here and follow their usual ways at home need to be pulled up sharply. In Europe M.bovis is present and I think vaccinated against, but we were free of it. Similar with foot and mouth, I think they vaccinated against it over there.

    Todd Muller National's agriculture spokesperson realises that there is a lot of ignorance around but he thinks it is townies who need to learn about the wondrous ways of the farming lobby. We townies are very credulous Todd, if you can show us that you are all behind environmental change we will be all on your side hand in hand.

    His comments come in response to a question in a Level 3 English paper that asked students to "discuss the way the writer explores ongoing change" in a New Zealand Geographic article.The text quoted a survey showing two-thirds of respondents blamed farmers for deteriorating water quality.

    Todd Muller says the piece painted a one-sided picture of New Zealand's farmers. https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018723944/todd-muller-on-ncea-level-three-english-exam

    • Sacha 17.1

      pictures showing cows in mud have been taken out of context

      Nobody mentioned the herd spa day that it was part of. The waiting nail polishers were just out of shot.

  17. Eco maori 18

    Power cut were I Am at the minute shows what they think of the rest of the tangata

    Ka kite Ano

  18. Eco maori 19

    I can spot the merchants of decite a mile away.???????????

    Electric, hybrid and low-emission cars

    Yes, electric vehicles really are better than fossil fuel burners

    Hans-Werner Sinn’s opinion piece on whether electric cars are as climate friendly as they seem generated a good deal of controversy. William Todts, executive director of Transport & Environment, gives his response

    But this isn’t about Sinn. In fact, whenever you read a newspaper article claiming EVs are worse than diesel or petrol cars, that article will be based on a report that deliberately makes EVs look worse than they are.

    Usually the plot is as follows: a smaller petrol or diesel car is compared with a bigger, more powerful electric car; then the fossil fuel car is assumed to be as efficient as the EU’s official tests portray (in reality its fuel economy is always a lot worse); and finally the electric car is driving in a region with a very dirty electricity mix. Then you assume very high emissions for battery production based on outdated studies and finally you pretend electric cars don’t last very long and that its batteries aren’t reused or recycled.

    There will always be a new study with some flawed assumptions to keep us all busy and we could rebut these until we all drop. The advantage for the oil and diesel industry is that articles and reports, however poor, keep the controversy alive. Discrediting or distorting science is a political strategy, as Naomi Oreskes chronicles so well in Merchants of Doubt

    The rise of electric cars and green power are some of the biggest climate success stories of the past few years. It is the result of regulators in Europe, California and China doing their job and industry rising to the occasion. It shows what we can achieve if we set industry ambitious goals to clean up its act.

    That might not please some but it is fair, effective and, for the climate, unequivocally a good thing. As the Nobel prize committee eloquently put it: “Lithium-ion batteries have revolutionised our lives since they first entered the market in 1991. They have laid the foundation of a wireless, fossil fuel-free society, and are of the greatest benefit to humankind.”

    William Todts is executive director of Transport & Environment, a European research and campaign group

  19. Eco maori 20

    This is awesome building Wind Turbine Towers out of Wood another good fact to plant billions of Trees.

    Swedish company is building wind turbine towers out of timber

    It seems that you can build just about anything out of wood.

    While researching the carbon footprint of steel production for a lecture recently, I came across the line "it takes 200 tons of steel to make a wind turbine" – a justification for steel being green.

    TreeHugger Mike demonstrated this wasn't true, and Homer-Dixon wasn't too happy about it either, but the steel industry is still pushing the idea that they are essential to a green future. To which Swedish company Modvion says, Oh yeah? We can build a wind turbine tower out of wood!

    The wooden towers also offer additional environmental benefits compared with steel towers thanks to the lower-carbon manufacturing process. Lundman estimates a saving of 2,000-tonnes of CO2-emission per tower up until deployment. Plus, carbon sequestration in the wood offers the potential to make a wind-power plant carbon neutral.

    Ka kite Ano link below.

    https://www.treehugger.com/renewable-energy/amp/swedish-company-building-wind-turbine-towers-out-timber.html

  20. Eco maori 21

    Kia Ora 1 News

    The increases in waste dumpling fees is needed Ka pai that construction waste charges will go up to I think a lot of construction waste could be recycled.

    YEA people should be aware of whats going down in Aotearoa.

    That's awesome that the Wahine scientists has found new backing to go and study Ora in the Ross Sea.

    Shows how strong the weather is getting worse because of global warming.

    Discrimination is sad it good that the 3 Africa Americans finally got some justice I hope they get compensation for the 30 od years of wasted time in jail.

    Ka kite Ano

  21. Eco maori 22

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.

    I think Tikanga Maori is the best way to get Maori and Pacific people into Whare. A big whare with the grandparents looking after the Mokopuna while the parents mahi is a great model.

    Tangata get Solar Power if you build it yourself it's only 8 k no more power cuts you will have to minimise your usage though.

    Tangata Whenua O Aotearoa Sports Stars awards there are heaps to choose from kia kaha.

    Cool having life jacket hubs to keep the people safe on the Moana.

    Ka kite Ano

  22. Eco maori 23

    Kia Ora Breakfast.

    That's correct Hone chemicals are still being used that harm Bees but not only Bees these chemicals are bad for every living thing. The reason that we are still using the poisoning chemicals is the multi nation company use all the dirtiest tricks in the book to suppress the factual data on the crap $$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

    I read that story on the Japanese lakes problems with spraying chemicals on their rice paddies. That's the power these companies have no monitoring of poisonous chemicals concentrations in Aotearoa WTF.

    I have seen perfect stuff that will be another person taonga being dumped???????.

    That's great the Gender pay gaps closing in Aotearoa.

    Mitchell you know exactly what's going down you we a cop????????????????.

    Be good Whanau the you NO my view on the system.

    Exactly its dog while politics but they are playing a flute to.

    Condolences to Clive whanau I enjoy his programs.

    Ka kite Ano

  23. Eco maori 24

    We must do everything we can can to minimise our Carbon footprint or we will stuff up our Mokopuna futures.

    Climate emergency: world 'may have crossed tipping points’

    Warning of ‘existential threat to civilisation’ as impacts lead to cascade of unstoppable events

    The world may already have crossed a series of climate tipping points, according to a stark warning from scientists. This risk is “an existential threat to civilisation”, they say, meaning “we are in a state of planetary emergency”.

    Tipping points are reached when particular impacts of global heating become unstoppable, such as the runaway loss of ice sheets or forests. In the past, extreme heating of 5C was thought necessary to pass tipping points, but the latest evidence suggests this could happen between 1C and 2C.

    Prof Tim Lenton at the University of Exeter, the lead author of the article, said: “We might already have crossed the threshold for a cascade of interrelated tipping points. The simple version is the schoolkids [striking for climate action] are right: we are seeing potentially irreversible changes in the climate system under way, or very close.

    Ka kite Ano link below.

    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/nov/27/climate-emergency-world-may-have-crossed-tipping-points

  24. Eco maori 25

    😇

  25. Eco maori 26

    Here's another story about positive impact tree have on the Earth.

    Trees in the Amazon are the world's sweat glands – and 10 other essential climate facts

    You will not be surprised to learn that the climate crisis is a big and complicated problem. But when I started Not Cool, a Climate Podcast, I honestly hoped that if I could just talk with a few climate experts, we could clarify the facts and outline straightforward solutions. Thirty-one experts and 26 interviews later, I realize how mistaken I was, with more questions now than when I started. But I’ve also learned some amazing facts about how nature works, how humans work, and how to start addressing this crisis

    We need more mangroves

    Fortunately, nature provides incredible tools for addressing and adapting to climate change. Mangroves – essentially forests that grow along coastlines – are near magical solutions that came up in multiple interviews. They help prevent erosion and protect coastal regions from waves and rising sea levels. The trees are a haven for biodiversity, which could be partly why coral reefs seem to thrive in their presence. And mangroves also sequester a lot of carbon, which can help address both global heating and ocean acidification – an effect of the increased carbon in the oceans

    Forget geoengineering – we have forests

    There are two types of geoengineering, more accurately known as climate engineering. One highly contentious method involves injecting particulates, such as sulfur aerosols, into the sky to minimize solar radiation and decrease temperatures. The problem with this approach is that if countries disagree about optimal global temperatures, we can’t just suddenly stop the geoengineering systems, as this would cause global temperatures to rise quickly and dramatically. But if left unaddressed, serious international disagreement could lead to war. The other – far less contentious – geoengineering option involves pulling carbon out of the atmosphere. Though technologies for this exist, they’re not yet affordable or scaleable. But nature could again help here, as more forests could absorb more carbon, cooling the Earth.

    forests are useful because they pull moisture from the soil and expel it through their leaves, cooling the Earth just as sweat cools our bodies. So not only are forests vitally important for reabsorbing the carbon we emit, they also decrease temperatures. Unfortunately, many forests – especially the Amazon – face deforestation. Some researchers fear that if even 25% to 30% of the Amazon rainforest is cut down, the loss of moisture could change its basic makeup, transforming it from a rainforest to a savanna. This threat remains speculative, but is it possible we’ve already passed other critical tipping points

    Perhaps the most important thing to know about the climate crisis is that solutions exist. It is political will we lack. Many people worry about convincing climate deniers that climate breakdown is real, but deniers make up a very small percentage of the population. Our real focus should be on convincing those in power that the majority of us want to see strong political action. That happens when we talk to each other, when we talk to our representatives, and when we talk to our financial institutions. Individual climate action is critical, but this is ultimately a societal problem, and the solution must be societal as well

    Ka kite Ano link below.

    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/nov/27/climate-experts-interview-what-i-learned

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    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • The bewildering world of Chris Luxon – Guns for all, not no lunch for kids
    .“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    3 days ago
  • Expert Opinion: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
    3 days ago
  • Manufacturing The Truth.
    Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet –  is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
    3 days ago
  • A Powerful Sensation of Déjà Vu.
    Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
    3 days ago
  • Can you guess where world attention is focussed (according to Greenpeace)? It’s focussed on an EPA...
    Bob Edlin writes –  And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Further integrity problems for the Greens in suspending MP Darleen Tana
    Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Greens’ transparency missing in action
    For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    5 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    6 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    6 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    6 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago

  • Government moves to quickly ratify the NZ-EU FTA
    "The Government is moving quickly to realise an additional $46 million in tariff savings in the EU market this season for Kiwi exporters,” Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay says. Parliament is set, this week, to complete the final legislative processes required to bring the New Zealand – European ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago
  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    12 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
    14 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
    14 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 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
    5 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Fresh produce price drop welcome
    Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024.  “Lower fruit and vege ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Statement to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
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    7 days ago
  • Speech to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68)
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Government backs rural led catchment projects
    The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction.   Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Commission’s advice on ETS settings tabled
    Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government lowering building costs
    The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Trustee tax change welcomed
    Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister’s Ramadan message
    Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness.  It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister appoints new NZTA Chair
    Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
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