Open mike 25/10/2010

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, October 25th, 2010 - 58 comments
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58 comments on “Open mike 25/10/2010 ”

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  1. Mickysavage 1
    25 October 2010 at 7:45 am

    I am going to try and make today a hobbit free day …

  2. Blue Boy 2
    25 October 2010 at 8:13 am

    Has ayone seen the ‘Gooffather”, he’s been AWOL since the Labour Party Conference?

    • lprent 2.1
      25 October 2010 at 8:38 am

      He isn’t as obsessed about being in the cameras lens as clueless is. After all Goff is a competent politician rather than a mere dabbler in the arcane art. Consequently he doesn’t require that huddle of staff that clueless uses to bolster his confidence, and who seem to spend their time getting photo ops for him rather than keeping an eye on his rogue ministers who keep screwing up. Mind you I suppose it is easier doing that than trying to restrain Brownlee or Tolley.

      Does that answer your question? In the same daft vein as yours which should delight you. Do you have any further idiot troll type questions?

      Talking about Brownlee, this SNAFU occoured on his watch as Minister of Economic Development. Even for someone as incompetent as he is, this is a rather big set of blunders because he wasn’t watching a major project. I’m continually surprised that John Key leaves him in that portfolio. But I guess he is still grateful from when John got put in as leader of National.

      • Blue Boy 2.1.1
        25 October 2010 at 10:01 am

        You haven’t answered my question, WTF is Mr Invisible. He is obviously getting Trev to handle the heat on the Hobbitt issue. He needs to stand up and defend Labours position with the inept CTU and why they are trying to fuck up NZ film industry.

        • Anthony C 2.1.1.1
          25 October 2010 at 10:19 am

          What heat? This mess has nothing to do with Labour and absolutely nothing to do with Goff as much as you want to link them to it.

          Anyway open mike, it’s been sad and unsurprising to hear Helen Kelly and Robyn Malcolm receiving the same kind of misogynistic attacks that Helen Clark was subjected to in her later years as PM – I suppose disenfranchised and downtrodden middle-class white guys still haven’t gotten over the erosion of their status in society.

          • Blue Boy 2.1.1.1.1
            25 October 2010 at 10:51 am

            Stop looking I found him. He had better watch his back, the vulcures are circling.
            http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/8188601/goff-to-meet-gillard/

            • lprent 2.1.1.1.1.1
              25 October 2010 at 12:09 pm

              Just shows that you don’t read much. If it took you how long to find that? You really are a bit slow. Perhaps you should learn how to use google?

              • Colonial Viper …
                25 October 2010 at 12:15 pm

                National Party research unit is on leave for Labour Weekend so these guys are doing it all for themselves.

                • Fisiani …
                  25 October 2010 at 1:12 pm

                  Halfway report card looking good for National. A very definite Achieved.
                  http://www.national.org.nz/web/Economic_Plan_1_Aug_2010.pdf

                  • Colonial Viper …
                    25 October 2010 at 1:21 pm

                    Wages pushed down, tick.
                    Workforce mobility reduced, tick.
                    Tax cuts for the wealthy enacted, tick.
                    Union bashing commenced, tick.
                    Bail out of financial speculators completed, tick.
                    Adult education for those out of work cut back, tick.
                    Home help for the frail and the elderly slashed, tick.

                    Oh that’s definitely ‘achieved’ alright. Brings a tear to my eye.

                  • lprent …
                    25 October 2010 at 2:35 pm

                    Umm, no mention of

                    1. unemployment rates especially amongst the young and maori
                    2. increased welfare dependency by people receiving benefits
                    3. that the deficit has increased markedly largely because of taxcuts reducing the ability of the government to pay welfare
                    4. that opportunities overall for adult education have reduced markedly (to the detriment of us all over the long term
                    5. that none of the infrastructure apart from that started by the previous government is confirmed yet (eg broadband) because the government appears to be incapable of getting other people to sign up with their programs
                    6. that the overall spending on research, development and science is down because they cut many of the existing programs
                    7. etc etc

                    This list was obviously put together by a PR idiot who hopes people have short memories

                    • KJT …
                      25 October 2010 at 6:55 pm

                      The hemorrhage of NZ business and jobs offshore continued unabated despite dropping wages to developing country levels.

          • M 2.1.1.1.2
            25 October 2010 at 10:58 am

            ‘.. it’s been sad and unsurprising to hear Helen Kelly and Robyn Malcolm receiving the same kind of misogynistic attacks that Helen Clark was subjected to in her later years as PM – I suppose disenfranchised and downtrodden middle-class white guys still haven’t gotten over the erosion of their status in society.’

            Yeah, it’s the only way some guys are able to crack a fat

            .

          • Vicky32 2.1.1.1.3
            25 October 2010 at 3:55 pm

            Yes, I have noticed the misogyny, and the thick, manky smell of testosterone…
            Deb

        • lprent 2.1.1.2
          25 October 2010 at 12:23 pm

          I don’t think that Labour have a position on it. What they are correctly doing is largely staying out of an industrial dispute as has been the convention for many years. I’d have to note with approval that the National party or the NACT government is also not saying anything much about it either at present. The initial comments that did come from that side were quite ill-advised and I’m quite glad they appear to have stopped. Changing conditions of labour law is a fraught situation when it is done on the basis of idiotic reflex.

          The only comment that i have seen by Trevor Mallard has been about the role of the Minister of Economic Development in getting a major investment into NZ

  3. come get some 3
    25 October 2010 at 9:58 am

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10682899

    Fucking bludgers, dont they know it’s easy to buy a house

    • Ed 3.1
      25 October 2010 at 11:02 am

      Despite some small reductions in house prices, reducing incomes (remember median age has reduced by $5 to $9 in the last year under National) probably mean that for many New Zealanders it has never been harder to buy a house. Banks are not as ready to lend 90% of purchase price, especially to people in teh income bands where unemployment continues to increase.

      Also noted from that article:
      “He is proposing that new tenants be told their tenancies will be reviewed every three, five or 10 years to make sure they are still the right people for that home.

      If not, the house could be transferred to the non-profit sector such as the Salvation Army, or the tenants could buy the house, move to a more suitable home, or be evicted.”

      It seems that National propose to hand over management of State houses to charities . . . – or will they try to sell them?

      • Zorr 3.1.1
        25 October 2010 at 11:16 am

        Also, the thing not stated in that article is that HNZ -are- constantly reviewing the status of their tenants and that if they no longer meet the hardship requirements they start charging market rent on the house. Not exactly the free ride that they are being painted as.

        • ZeeBop 3.1.1.1
          25 October 2010 at 12:43 pm

          Yeah, I thought it was a bit lapse of Housing NZ not to offer smaller accomadation when the
          kids leave home. They might leave people in a larger home just to keep it occupied until
          they free up smaller homes and that’s the crisis because there aren’t enough smaller homes
          in the private big is better developer led market.

          • Vicky32 3.1.1.1.1
            25 October 2010 at 5:53 pm

            I would happily move to a smaller home as my son has moved out – but not until I have a job! Until then, I am trying to lie low, and not be noticed by HCNZ, they mess up all the time.
            Deb

    • NickS 3.2
      25 October 2010 at 1:05 pm

      What is it with National choosing Minister who don’t grok logic?

      Probably the standout bit is this:

      Heatley said long waiting lists show the current system is not working.

      Which is a clear supply/demand issue, caused by a combination of factors such as the housing market bubble, which caused rents to increase to levels the poorer segments of the NZ population couldn’t afford, pus the current recession. And underlying it all is National’s selling off of state houses in the 90’s without replacing those assets, further stuffed up by Labour not really building sufficient numbers of state houses.

      Only addressing the suitability of tenants, will likely merely be a cheap band-aide, the sort that falls off rapidly, and combine this with Heatley saying they’ll be fobbing houses off to “charities” and National’s craptastic reasoning when it comes to infrastructure investment, it’s delusional to be optimistic anything good will come of this. Basically, in terms of logic, Heatley’s missing evidence that contradicts his arguments, but as we’ve seen over the holiday highway, ACC, National Standards etc, that’s just business as usual…

      More worrisome for me, while the Salvation Army are fairly egalitarian and don’t really discriminate on basis of religion, race sexuality etc, and only really evangelise via “good works” rather than hard sell missionary stuff, other charities may not be so nice towards tenants…

      And given National’s habitats of fobbing stuff off to “mates”, colour me pessimistic that this any other than a bad idea.

  4. Mickysavage 4
    25 October 2010 at 12:43 pm

    And here at Downtown Auckland there are maybe 25 protestors, a couple of kids dressed as hobbits and the odd sign. And no speakers or sound system. They should have got the unions to organise the ralley …

  5. Gina 5
    25 October 2010 at 1:42 pm

    OK Guys.
    I saw Q&A online yesterday with Phil Goff. He has really lifteed his game and was very good.
    Paul Holmes looked like a frantic idiot and kept repeating the mantra ” Goff cannot win. If the election is free and fair I think he can but here’s where I start to worry.

    I’m having nightmares about the next election. I think the Nats are going to rig it via roll purges of the poor, poor single women and Maori voters as is similarly practiced in the USA by the republicans. Why do I have these suspicions. Well if you want ot know read on….

    First read the quote I’ve pasted in from the electoral commission website.
    http://www.elections.org.nz/study/news/law-change-planned-allowing-online-re-enrolment-and-update-of-details.html

    “A law change is planned that will allow people to re-enrol or update their enrolment details online, without the need for a signed enrolment form.

    When people enrol or update their details now they can fill in the information online but they must complete the process by signing the completed form.

    The proposed law change in the Electoral (Administration) Amendment Bill No.2 will let people re-enrol and make changes to their details online using the ‘igovt’ government logon service which will require a password to protect security.

    The new online enrolment update facility is expected to be available for the next General Election, once the new bill has been passed.”

    Next read this article

    http://www.bradblog.com/?p=8109
    D.C. Internet Vote Scheme Hacker: ‘Within 36 Hours University of Michigan Had Total Control of Server, Ability to Change Votes, Reveal Secret Ballots’

    No signature required to update registration details. The mind bogles about the security of this system. This needs to outed for what it is. It must be stopped.

    And why not read this artickle also to see just how dumb it would be to have a very easily altered database for voter registrations.

    http://www.bradblog.com/?p=8118
    Iranian, Chinese Computers Also Discovered to Have Been Hacking D.C. Internet Voting System

    This sytem would be great for convienince if it were safe but no internet voting or registration scheme can be.These people at the University of Michigan along with many other Top computer scientists know that there are new threats every day and there is no way to guarantee security of the registration process on the Internet. This is why you update update your antivirus software every day. Because the interent is not secure even with passwords and encypton.

    I called your party office the other day and explained my concern to a woman who I cannot name, asking her who I should talk to in parliament about this.
    When I was explaining that this could totally jepordise our democracy and how lucky we were to have democracy I asked her was she concerned about the possibility of New Zealand becoming a dictatorship. She was adamant that “things were going that way” and she didn’t give a brass razoo. I kept on talking a bit but noticed she had gone quiet and thought she must have hung up on me like she had previously. At that point I thought she was off the phone and said something to the effect that she was mental. Unfortunately she was still on the phone and kindly returned the complement.
    I really have had enough after watching the whats been happening in the US and seeing it being repeated here. You see I value deomocracy and I’m sure most of you feel the same, but as National party member Don Mackinnon said a couple of years ago. There are only 13 true democracies in the world. Don also questioned whether democracy was the best system to keep food in the table. Why did he say these things? Helen Clarke assured us all that Don meant nothing by it but I’ve never felt comfortable with hearing that. Call me a conspiracy theorist if you like and maybe a nice guy like Don is beyond reproach? Who knows!!

    • Colonial Viper 5.1
      25 October 2010 at 1:46 pm

      We have to keep a very sharp eye on proceedings over the next 6 months, of that there is no doubt.

    • Draco T Bastard 5.2
      25 October 2010 at 3:40 pm

      This sytem would be great for convienince if it were safe but no internet voting or registration scheme can be.

      Yes they can. All it requires is a security token or something like Kiwibanks’ Keepsafe. It’s almost impossible to break through either of those systems. It would still need to be watched for attacks, they certainly aren’t going away, but that’s no different from now as electoral fraud happens as the recent events in South Auckland proved.

      • Gina 5.2.1
        25 October 2010 at 6:29 pm

        I have been assured that the government is not involved in elections and that the electoral commision administers them independantly. However they will be using “‘igovt’ government logon service which will require a password to protect security.”

        That sounds like we are going to use an existing government system for our registration process. Not independant at all.

        Who runs and programs this system. Im sorry but any system is vulnerable to government computer insiders who write the software. No system is secure from the programers employed or plants paid to corrupt elections for the highest bidder or perhaps a cause like the pro-life movement.If a government wants to fix it, its much easier to change mass registrations via computer especially with no signature required.

        Its much harder to change 100000 signed registration forms than for an insider who has inserted code into the software that enables that person to overide security systems.

        It may be a failsafe system if you can guarentee no corrput programing. And Draco T, if you looked at the code would you be able to tell if anything was a miss? Dont think so unless you are a programer. Forged signatures and documents however are much harder to achieve on a large scale and and much easier to detect.

        This is not safe and it looks like the only way to get this sorted will be to bring in computer experts here or from overseas with experience in this area. You cannot guarentee the programers integrity. So what looks like a well protected system may be corrupt from the beginning.

        Heres some info about Mike McConnel, an anti choice and Republican internet strategist.

        http://www.democracynow.org/2008/12/22/republican_it_specialist_dies_in_plane

        “top Republican internet strategist who was set to testify in a case alleging election tampering in 2004 in Ohio has died in a plane crash. Michael Connell was the chief IT consultant to Karl Rove and created websites for the Bush and McCain electoral campaigns. Michael Connell was deposed one day before the election this year by attorneys Cliff Arnebeck and Bob Fitrakis about his actions during the 2004 vote count in Ohio and his access to Karl Rove’s email files and how they went missing. ”

        Mike McConnell reportedly told Stephen Spoonamore (banking IT expert ) that the primary reason he helped Bush steal the elections was to save the babies. He was a staunch oponent of abortion. It was also reported that Mike regretted what he had done in his part in rigging the election was talking to anti internet voting activists and was going to public but was killed just before that would have happened.

        Watch Amy Goodman talking to Mark Crispen Miller about Connells election activities and Tragic Death on Democracy Now.

        http://www.democracynow.org/2008/12/22/republican_it_specialist_dies_in_plane

        You cannot guarantee the integrity of the programers period.

        • Draco T Bastard 5.2.1.1
          25 October 2010 at 8:49 pm

          All those can be done through the paper system as well and there are ways and means of ensuring the coding is legit and not corrupted. The best way I’ve seen is Open Source and a Checksum.

          Can’t guarantee the integrity of paper counters either.

          • Gina 5.2.1.1.1
            25 October 2010 at 9:34 pm

            Draco
            “Can’t guarantee the integrity of paper counters either.”
            No you can’t however counters have scrutineers from all parties watching them counting votes. With corrupt code a whole election can be changed by one or two people in minutes. Scrutineers cannot see inside the machines counting votes or registering voters and all sorts of firmware can infect parts of the computer system not even connected with the main system. The CD drive in you computer has its own firmware built into it along with many other parts of the computer.

            Thats the difference. And one or two counters might count 10000 votes between them if they can get past the scrutineers. I person putting corrupt code into a computer can corrupt an entire election or electoral role easily if the system is administered by that code.

            One or two people miscounting votes will likely be picked up by the scrutineers but who can pick up computer fraud over an entire election. Who can watch every software and firmware part of every computer in the election. Not possible sorry.

            Its much easier to hack elections via computers and that is why they were introduced in the US. The costs of their systems are extortionate and most election officials have little to no training in how to use them and ensure a safe election. But don’t listen to me I advise you to talk to Banking IT CEO Stephen Spoonamore who has been involoved in banking security for 30 years and he will tell you that the internet cannot be secured for elections.

  6. Sean Brooks 6
    25 October 2010 at 1:56 pm

    Mickeysavage:

    Uhm are you getting the lastest updates from the marches???

    You said 25 protestors and acouple of kids dressed as hobbits?

    Do you work for faux news or something? You should because your good at lying.

  7. Draco T Bastard 7
    25 October 2010 at 3:20 pm

    I’ve been thinking of the tax rort that international corporations partake in and how it can be eliminated.

    If I’m reading it correctly the corporation sets up a business in a country that has an income but it then offsets that income through billing expenses in another country effectively bypassing tax because the amount that is taxed is calculated as income – expenses. The foreign expenses are, of course, over-charged so as to minimise any taxes.

    Such shifting of expenses can be eliminated by ruling that overseas expenses are not tax deductible. This would ensure that taxes are paid as well as pushing for the local business to be an actual business that benefits the local economy rather than being a shell company with the sole purpose of funnelling money overseas without paying tax.

    • Jagilby 7.1
      25 October 2010 at 3:39 pm

      “The foreign expenses are, of course, over-charged so as to minimise any taxes”

      As usual you’re wrong, don’t have a clue what you’re on about and just talking through a hole in your head..

      I’ll give you a headstart on the issue though – Look up the term “transfer pricing”. There’s a multitude of rules and regulations on it – indeed there’s a whole industry advising on it.

      Speaking of advice, before you start “thinking” again, you’d be well advised to read up on it before going on another mindless rant on the subject.

      • Draco T Bastard 7.1.1
        25 October 2010 at 3:44 pm

        And lots of companies still paying no taxes where they should be. This would indicate that the rules that you’re saying are there aren’t working.

        • Jagilby 7.1.1.1
          25 October 2010 at 4:04 pm

          This is just comical now.

          Com’on let’s be honest here… You don’t have a shred of evidence to support that statement.

          A second ago you hadn’t even heard of transfer pricing (rules that have been in place and modified for 70-80 years) and now you, in your infinite wisdom aftering having a little “think”, are saying that the rules don’t work.

          Show me exactly what you’re basing that on – where transfer pricing regulations are failing and the quantum of tax revenue loss.

            • Jagilby 7.1.1.1.1.1
              25 October 2010 at 4:33 pm

              Yeah, and your point?

              The IRD is onto it. Established rules and regulations are there to combat the issue.

              That’s exactly the point I was making.

              From the article:
              Overall, there was a high level of compliance with transfer pricing rules. “It is an area that you can never say is under control, but certainly it is one where we believe there has been high levels of compliance and good co-operation.”

              • Draco T Bastard …
                25 October 2010 at 8:55 pm

                http://www.stuff.co.nz/business/industries/4268985/IRD-hints-at-probe-into-Googles-sandwich

                The Dominion Post revealed in June that Google New Zealand expected to pay just $7726 tax in respect of its last financial year, less than the average teacher or building worker.

                Google does not break out its revenues outside the US and Britain, but it is understood it sold about $150 million worth of advertising to New Zealand customers.

                I’m sure that Google are obeying the laws but $8k on tax from $150m in revenue would indicate that the laws aren’t working. The rules are there but you can probably drive a truck through the loopholes.

                • jagilby …
                  26 October 2010 at 10:56 pm

                  You, just as much as me, have no idea of what contributes to that tax result and I don’t have the patience or inclination to go through the notes in their annual report to find out.

                  What’s the big fucken deal, where are you getting $150m from??? That’s a blatant lie – Go check the annual statements on the companies office. Google had revenues of $3.4m in the last 2 years – $3.4m! Not to mention that they have terrible margins here.

                  You take a household name and make these grandstanding statements about them but neglect to mention what we’re talking about – $3.4m in revenue is absolute peanuts for Google. I’d suggest it’d even be below the level of materiality for their auditors.

      • Colonial Viper 7.1.2
        25 October 2010 at 3:53 pm

        Jagilby just relax and impart your knowledge without imparting your ego, OK?

        Anyhows, Google uses a lot more than “transfer pricing” to gain an effective 2.4% non US tax rate. It uses “inter-company licensing fees and contracts for services” as well as known tax shelters like Bermuda.

        DTB – another way of stopping this kind of rorting by foreign multinationals is to have more local companies supplying your home markets. And a rock solid and well funded IRD/serious fraud office not afraid to hunt the big boys.

        • Jagilby 7.1.2.1
          25 October 2010 at 4:16 pm

          I’ll impart my knowledge sans ego when people here stop making completely unsubstantiated, ill-informed statements against the “evil corporations”.

          It might very well be the case that Google uses a lot more than transfer pricing to achieve that effective tax rate – so what? If jurisdictions (democratic jurisdictions in the case of Burmuda, Cayman, Switzerland etc) want to turn itself into a tax haven then who are we to tell them they can’t?

          DTB was making the insinuation that transfer pricing was a major loophole that tax authorities just let slide for multinational corporations. I take offence to the fact that people can make such claims here and everyone jumps on the bandwagon without a skerrick of evidence or knowledge on the issue.

          Believe me the IRD is already well aware of transfer pricing issues and have a well funded team solely dedicated to ensuring that related party transactions take place at arm’s length prices. And yes, that applies to the “Big Boys” just as much as anyone else.

          • Draco T Bastard 7.1.2.1.1
            25 October 2010 at 4:31 pm

            …want to turn itself into a tax haven then who are we to tell them they can’t?

            As I’ve told you before, such practices result in an imbalance to free-trade. They can do it, but we need to respond by making it expensive for them to do so.

  8. Tigger 8
    25 October 2010 at 4:14 pm

    Jackson – “As an industry we are perfectly well-equipped through our various guilds to provide excellent terms and conditions for our film workers. If there are problems, it is up to us to use our guilds to resolve them.”

    This is a damn untruth and he knows it. For years the unions in the industry tried to negotiate minimum agreements with the producer’s organisation but due to the powerless position they were in they couldn’t achieve any real or lasting benefits. It was effectively put up with what we’re prepared to give you.

  9. Pascal's bookie 9
    25 October 2010 at 9:13 pm

    What I learned today (wikileaks edition):

    In June 2004 an order was given such that war crimes reported to the coalition in Iraq would not be investigated where it was Iraqi on Iraqi. “”only an initial report will be made … No further investigation will be required unless directed by HQ”.”

    Also in June 2004 John Negroponte was appointed US ambassador to Iraq. He is obviously one unlucky fellow, having also been US ambassador to Honduras in the eighties where he was found to have turned a blind eye to violations of human rights committed by the US backed government of that nation.

    A coincidence I’m sure.

    • Vicky32 9.1
      26 October 2010 at 4:00 pm

      Oh yes, I am sure it must be a coincidence, because he’s such a well-meaning fellow! 😀
      Deb

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    There is a story I want to tell, but I'm not going to begin with it because it would be too abrupt. I'll start by telling you that I'm a big fan of the way Nicola Toki conveys her message. And Nicola Toki is a big fan of the way Jane ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 day ago
  • Tax the rich!

    We already know that the rich people aren't paying their fair share. But it turns out its worse than that: we're a tax-haven! Our rich people pay lower taxes here than in any comparable country: Well-off New Zealanders are paying less tax than their peers in nine similar OECD ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • Worse and worse

    Cancer Minister Casey Costello is in trouble again over her secret, magically appearing tobacco policy document. The Ombudsman has already found that she acted contrary to law in refusing requests for it; now she has been referred to the Chief Archivist over a possible breach of the Public Records Act ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 day ago
  • NZ’s lack of a capital gains tax means the richest here pay vastly less than elsewhere

    The lack of a capital gains tax means the richest Kiwis are sitting pretty compared to taxpayers overseas. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Thursday, September 19:New Zealand’s richest ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Verrall to Levy: “Health NZ NDAs are North Korean – Get rid of it.”

    Open article. Note the video of the Health Select Committee excerpts starts at 1:22 In watching the Health Select Committee yesterday, it became clear to me why Margie Apa remains Health NZ CEO.During Levy’s testimony, Apa sat like a rock next to her boss. She nodded supportively, scribbled notes to ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 day ago
  • The Show Must Go On

    Empty spaces, what are we living for?Abandoned places, I guess we know the score, on and onDoes anybody know what we are looking for?Another hero, another mindless crimeBehind the curtain, in the pantomimeHold the lineDoes anybody want to take it anymore?The show must go onSongwriters: Brian May / Freddie Mercury ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 day ago
  • Managing on-street parking for local benefit

    This guest post by Malcolm McCracken originally appeared on his blog Better Things Are Possible, and is republished here by kind permission. The case for Parking Benefit Districts: managing on-street parking for local benefit Parking is often the centre of debate in our cities; particularly on-street car parks, who gets ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    1 day ago
  • Doubling down?

    This is a re-post from And Then There's Physics I wrote a post a little while ago commenting on a Sabine Hossenfelder video suggesting that she was now worried about climate change because the Equilibrium Climate Sensitivity (ECS) could be much higher than most estimates have suggested. I wasn’t too taken with Sabine’s arguments, and there were others ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 day ago
  • Too much haste & waste in Simeon Brown’s need for speed

    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāLong story short, the Government’s myopia of only choosing transport policies that reduce travel times means we’re missing out on the health benefits of more cycling and walking, along with the health cost savings from fewer accidents, less pollution and mentally healthier ways of getting ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • What seemed so simple is now so complex

    The Health NZ rescue that seemed so simple back in July was presented to a Select Committee yesterday as a complex challenge that could take some years to sort out. In July, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said Health NZ was on track to record a deficit of $1.4 billion for ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    2 days ago
  • The utterances of Shane Jones

    Let us consider the utterances of Shane Jones.Let us consider the derogatory terms of abuseNow is not the time for Green Wombles, it's black and white decision making.We will stand with the energy industry and ensure they are not monstered by Green Termites nibbling away at our economic capital.The Green ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Ukrainian militia receives defective shipment of pagers that just send and receive messages

    There’s been a major setback for one Ukrainian-backed militia on the Russian border, after the group ordered a large shipment of pagers to use as improvised explosive devices. The plan was to litter the pagers throughout abandoned homes and buildings in hopes of wounding Russian soldiers. But upon arrival of ...
    The CivilianBy Ben Uffindell
    2 days ago
  • A constitutional shitshow

    Last month, we learned that the government was half-arsing its anti-gang legislation, adding a significant, pre-planned, BORA-abusing amendment at the committee stage, avoiding all the usual scrutiny processes. But it gets worse. Because having done it once, they're now planning to recall the bill in order to add another such ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    2 days ago
  • Political Round Up

    Note: An earlier version of this article noted Levy was a “party time Health NZ commissioner” - this has been updated - forgive my Freudian slip.Dr Lester Levy is charging $320,000 a year to be a part time Health NZ commissioner. Rachel Thomas reports that Levy is still teaching 2 ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Postcard from Sydney: Southwest and City Metro extension

    This is a guest post from Sydney reader Nik Clement After 2 years in Auckland I moved back to Sydney just over a year ago. While in Auckland, I went to the opening of Puhinui station and used it a fair bit, living in Manukau Central and being able ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    2 days ago
  • Tolling revolt brewing in National heartland

    Kia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Wednesday, September 18:Locals gathered in Woodville last night to protest at the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s decision to toll the new road linking the Manawatu and Hawkes Bay, saying ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The doom spiral

    This is a re-post from The Climate Brink by Andrew Dessler In his last post, Zeke discussed incredible warmth of 2023 and 2024 and its implications for future warming. A few readers looked at it and freaked out: This is terrifying and This update really put me in a ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago
  • Government directs Te Puni Kōkiri to conduct Māori Language Week in English

    The coalition government has issued a directive to Te Puni Kōkiri, the Ministry of Māori Development, instructing them that – in the interests of clear communication – they are to conduct this year’s Māori Language Week primarily or exclusively in English. The directive is in line with the Government’s policy ...
    The CivilianBy Ben Uffindell
    3 days ago
  • Government celebrates fact that New Zealand’s healthcare is so good people are queuing up for it a...

    At yesterday’s post-cabinet press conference, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, flanked by his Health Minister Shane Reti and someone we can’t independently verify was a real sign language interpreter, announced that he had some positive news for the country. “Alright team, I’m just going to hand over to uh, Dr. Shane, ...
    The CivilianBy Ben Uffindell
    3 days ago
  • Heartwarming: Thoughtful driver uses indicator to tell you what they’ve just done

    It’s 4:10pm in the morning, and you’re in the middle lane heading north on the great southern motorway of our nation’s capital, Auckland. There are no cars directly in front of you, but quite a few in the lane to your left. Suddenly, without warning, a black ute enters your ...
    The CivilianBy Ben Uffindell
    3 days ago
  • NPC teams will now be allowed to actually use the Ranfurly Shield in play

    Following decades of controversy, the governing body of New Zealand rugby, New Zealand Rugby, has ruled that the team currently holding the Ranfurly Shield may once again use it in play during the National Provincial Championship (NPC). The ruling restores the utility of a prize that for many years was ...
    The CivilianBy Ben Uffindell
    3 days ago
  • Climbing out of the hamster wheel

    I arrived home with a head full of fresh ideas about mindfulness and curbing impulsive aspects in my character.On the second night home I grabbed a piece of ginger and began swiftly slicing it on our industrial strength mandolin, the one I have learned through painful experience to treat with ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    3 days ago
  • More Notes From Stinky Town

    Good morning, folks. Another wee note from a chilly Rotorua morning that looks much clearer than yesterday. As I write, the pink glow in the east is slowly growing, and soon, the palest of blue skies should become a bit more royal.A couple of people mentioned yesterday that I should ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    3 days ago
  • Make it make sense: why axe valuable local projects?

    Last week, Matt looked at how the government wants to pour a huge chunk of civic infrastructure funding for a generation  into one mega-road up North, at huge cost and huge opportunity cost. A smaller but no less important feature of the National Land Transport Plan devised by Minister of Transport ...
    Greater AucklandBy Jolisa
    3 days ago
  • Driving blind at higher speeds

    An open letter by experts about plans to raise speed limits warns the “tragic consequence will be more New Zealanders losing their lives or suffering severe injury, along with a substantial burden on the nation's healthcare and rehabilitation services”. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāKia ora. Long stories short, here’s ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • 2024’s unusually persistent warmth

    This is a re-post from The Climate Brink My inaugural post on The Climate Brink 18 months ago looked at the year 2024, and found that it was likely to be the warmest year on record on the back of a (than forecast) El Nino event. I suggested “there is a real chance ...
    Skeptical Science
    3 days ago
  • National plan for 2000 more Kiwis a year in prison

    Open for allYesterday, Luxon congratulated his government on a job well done with emergency housing numbers, but advocates have been saying it‘s likely many are on the streets and sleeping in cars.Q&A featured some of the folks this weekend - homeless and in cars. Yes.The government’s also confirmed they stopped ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    3 days ago
  • I Found a Note in a Tree

    Hi,On most days I try to go on a walk through nature to clear my head from the horrors of life. Because as much as I like people, I also think it’s incredibly important to get very far away from them. To be reminded that there are also birds, lizards, ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    3 days ago
  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Politicians need to lift their game

    Declining trust in New Zealand politicians should be a warning to them to lift their game. Results from the New Zealand Election Study for the 2023 election show that the level of trust in politicians has once again declined. Perhaps it is not surprising that the results, shared as part ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    4 days ago
  • Police say they won’t respond to bomb threats anymore as ‘it’s never anything’

    Police Commissioner Andrew Coster says that New Zealand’s police force will no longer respond to bomb threats, in an attempt to cut costs and redirect police resources to less boring activities. Coster said that threat response and bomb disposal was a “fairly obvious” area for downsizing, as bomb threats are ...
    The CivilianBy Ben Uffindell
    4 days ago
  • A dysfunctional watchdog

    The reality of any right depends on how well it is enforced. But as The Post points out this morning, our right to official information isn't being enforced very well at all: More than a quarter of complaints about access to official information languish for more than a year, ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Climate Change: The threat of a good example

    Since taking office, the climate-denier National government has gutted agricultural emissions pricing, ended the clean car discount, repealed water quality standards which would have reduced agricultural emissions, gutted the clean car standard, killed the GIDI scheme, and reversed efforts to reduce pollution subsidies in the ETS - basically every significant ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Vegas Baby

    Good morning, lovely people. Don’t worry. This isn’t really a newsletter, just a quick note. I’m sitting in our lounge, looking out over a gloomy sky. Although being Rotorua, the view is periodically interrupted by steam bursting from pipes and dispersing—like an Eastern European industrial hellscape during the Cold War.Drinking ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • Why Entrust Needs New Leadership

    I am part of a new team running in the Entrust election in October. Entrust is a community electricity trust representing a significant part of Auckland, set up to serve the community. It is governed by five trustees are elected every three years in an election the trust itself oversees. ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    4 days ago
  • London Bridge is falling down

    In the UK, London is the latest of council groups to signal potential bankruptcy.That’s after Birmingham, Britain’s second largest city, went bankrupt in June, resulting in reduced sanitation services, libraries cut, and dimmed streetlights.Some in the city described things as “Dickens” like.Please, Sir, Can I have some more?For families with ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    4 days ago
  • Govt may kick elderly out of hospitals

    The Government is considering how to shunt elderly people out of hospitals, and also how to cut their access to other support. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāKia ora. Long stories short, here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Monday, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Getting the nephs off the couch

    The so-called “Prince of the Provinces”, Shane Jones, went home last Friday. Perhaps not quite literally home, more like 20 kilometres down the road from his house on the outskirts of Kerikeri. With its airport, its rapidly growing (mostly retired) population, and a commercial centre with all the big retail ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • De moralibus orcorum: Sargon of Akkad, Rings of Power, Evil, and George R.R. Martin

    I have noted before that The Rings of Power has attracted its unfortunate share of culture war obsessives. Essentially, for a certain type of individual, railing on about the Wokery of Modern Media is a means of making themselves a online livelihood. Clicks and views and advertising revenue, and all ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    5 days ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #37

    A listing of 31 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, September 8, 2024 thru Sat, September 14, 2024. Story of the week From time to time we like to make our Story of the Week all about us— and ...
    Skeptical Science
    5 days ago
  • Salvation For Us All

    Yesterday, I ruminated about the effects of being a political follower.And, within politics, David Seymour was smart enough on Friday to divert attention from “race blind” policies [what about gender blind I thought - thinking of maternity wards] and cutting school lunches by throwing meat to the media. Teachers were ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • A warm embrace

    Far, far away from here lives our King. Some of his subjects can be quite the forelock tuggers, but plenty of us are not like that, and why don't I wheel out my favourite old story once more about Kiwi soldiers in the North African desert?Field Marshal Montgomery takes offence ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    5 days ago
  • Literal clowns are running the place, we must put a timeout on this stupidity… right Aotearoa?

    These people are inept on every level. They’re inept to the detriment of our internal politics, cohesion and increasingly our international reputation. And they are reveling in the fact they are getting away with it. We cannot even have “respectful debate” with a government that clearly rejects the very ...
    exhALANtBy exhalantblog
    6 days ago
  • Fact brief – Does manmade CO2 have any detectable fingerprint?

    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park from the Gigafact team in collaboration with John Mason. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Does manmade CO2 have any ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago
  • Judge Not.

    Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Matthew 7:1-2FOUR HUNDRED AND FORTY men and women professing the Christian faith would appear to have imperilled their immortal souls. ...
    Bowalley Road
    6 days ago
  • Managed Democracy: Letting The People Decide, But Only When They Can Be Relied Upon To Give the Righ...

    Uh-uh! Not So Fast, Citizens! The power to initiate systemic change remains where it has always been in New Zealand’s representative democracy – in Parliament. To order a binding referendum, the House of Representatives must first to be persuaded that, on the question proposed, sharing its decision-making power with the people ...
    Bowalley Road
    6 days ago
  • Looking For Labour’s Vital Signs.

    Flatlining: With no evidence of a genuine policy disruptor at work in Labour’s ranks, New Zealand’s wealthiest citizens can sleep easy.PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN has walked a picket-line. Presidential candidate Kamala Harris has threatened “price-gauging” grocery retailers with price control. The Democratic Party’s 2024 platform situates it well to the left of Sir ...
    Bowalley Road
    6 days ago
  • Forty Years Of Remembering To Forget.

    The Beginning of the End: Rogernomics became the short-hand descriptor for all the radical changes that swept away New Zealand’s social-democratic economy and society between 1984 and 1990. In the bitterest of ironies, those changes were introduced by the very same party which had entrenched New Zealand social-democracy 50 years earlier. ...
    Bowalley Road
    6 days ago
  • Kōrero Mai – Speak to Me.

    Good morning all you lovely people. 🙂I woke up this morning, and it felt a bit like the last day of school. You might recall from earlier in the week that I’m heading home to Rotorua to see an old friend who doesn’t have much time. A sad journey, but ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • Winning ways

    Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on anything you may have missed. Street architecture adjustment, KolkataShare Read more ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • 48 seconds on a plan that would reverberate for a million years

    Despite fears that Trump presidency would be disastrous for progress on climate change, the topic barely rated a mention in the Presidential debate. Photo: Getty ImagesLong stories short, here’s the top six news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above between Bernard Hickey ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Using blunt instruments and magical thinking to ignore evidence of harm

    The abrupt cancellations and suspensions of Government spending also caused private sector hiring, spending, and investment to freeze up for the first six months of the year. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāThis week we learned:The new National/ACT/NZ First Coalition Government ignored advice from Treasury that it didn’t have to ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Is This A Dagger Which I See Before Me: A Review and Analysis of The Rings of Power Episode 5 (Seaso...

    Another week of The Rings of Power, season two, and another confirmation that things are definitely coming together for the show. The fifth Episode of season one represented the nadir of the series. Now? Amid the firmer footing of 2024, Episode Five represents further a further step towards excellent Tolkien ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    7 days ago
  • In Open Seas; A Book

    The background to In Open Seas: How the New Zealand Labour Government Went Wrong:2017-2023Not in Narrow Seas: The Economic History of Aotearoa New Zealand, published in 2020, proved more successful than either I or the publisher (VUP, now Te Herenga Waka University Press) expected. I had expected that it would ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • The Hoon around the week to Sept 13

    The podcast above of the weekly ‘Hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers on Thursday night features co-hosts and talking about the week’s news with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent on the latest climate science on rising temperatures and the climate implications of the US Presidential elections; and special guests Janet ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Do or do not. There is no try

    1. Upon receiving evidence that school lunches were doing a marvellous job of improving outcomes for students, David Seymour did what?a. Declared we need much more of this sort of good news and poured extra resources and funding into them b. Emailed Atlas network to ask what to do next c. Cut ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago
  • Dangerous ground

    The Waitangi Tribunal has reported back on National's proposed changes to gut the Marine and Coastal Area Act and steal the foreshore and seabed for its greedy fishing-industry donors, and declared it to be another huge violation of ti Tiriti: The Waitangi Tribunal has found government changes to the ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago
  • Climate Change: National wants to cheat on Paris

    In 2016, the then-National government signed the Paris Agreement, committing Aotearoa to a 30 (later 50) percent reduction in emissions by 2030. When questioned about how they intended to meet that target with their complete absence of effective climate policy, they made a lot of noise about how it was ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago
  • Treasury warned Govt lower debt limits meant less ‘productivity-enhancing investment’

    Treasury’s advice to Cabinet was that the new Government could actually prudently carry net core Crown debt of up to 50% of GDP. But Luxon and Willis instead chose to portray the Government’s finances as in such a mess they had no choice but to carve 6.5% to 7.5% off ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Is the Media Complicit?

    This is a long read. Open to all.SYNOPSIS: Traditional media is at a cross roads. There is a need for those in the media landscape, as it stands, to earn enough to stay afloat, but also come across as balanced and neutral to keep its audiences.In America, NYT’s liberal leaning ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Black Friday

    It's Black Friday, the end of the weekYou take my hand and hold it gently up against your cheekIt's all in my head, it's all in my mindI see the darkness where you see the lightSong by Tom OdellFriday the 13th, don’t be afraid.No, really, don’t. Everything has felt a ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Weekly Roundup 13-September-2024

    Ooh, Friday the thirteenth. Spooky! Is that why certain zombie ideas have been stalking the landscape this week, like the Mayor’s brainwave for a motorway bridge from Kauri Point to Point Chev? Read on and find out. This roundup, like all our coverage, is brought to you by the Greater ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    1 week ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #37 2024

    Open access notables Early knowledge but delays in climate actions: An ecocide case against both transnational oil corporations and national governments, Hauser et al., Environmental Science & Policy: Cast within the wide context of investigating the collusion at play between powerful political-economic actors and decision-makers as monopolists and debates about ‘the modern ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago
  • What it is

    I liked what Kieran McAnulty had to say about the Treaty Principles bill this morning so much I've written it down and copied it out for you. He was saying that rather than let this piece of ordure spend six months in Select Committee, the Prime Minister could stop making such ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago

  • Tourism on the table for Pacific Ministers’ meet-up

    Tourism and Hospitality Minister Matt Doocey will meet with Trade and Tourism Minister of Australia Don Farrell and Fiji Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica in Rotorua this weekend for a trilateral tourism discussion. “Like in New Zealand, tourism plays a significant role in Australia and Fiji’s economy, contributing massively to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago
  • Young people report on family and sexual violence

    The Te Puna Aonui Expert Advisory Group for Children and Young People has presented its report today on improving family and sexual violence outcomes for young people, to the Minister for the Prevention of Family and Sexual Violence, Karen Chhour.  The presentation at the Auckland event was an opportunity for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago
  • $18 million being invested in the victims of crime

    The Government is putting more than $18 million towards improving the experience of the criminal justice system for victims, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith and Minister for Children Karen Chhour say. “No one should experience crime, but for those who through no fault of their own become victims, they need to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 hours ago
  • Landmark phonics check in te reo Māori

    For the first time, schools can use a purpose-built tool to check how a child is progressing in reading through te reo Māori. “Around 45 schools are trialling a New Zealand first te reo Māori phonics check, known as Hihira Weteoro. It will help kaiako (teachers) focus on what ākonga ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 hours ago
  • New sea walls safeguard Ōpōtiki’s transformation

    Two new breakwater walls at Pākihikura (Ōpōtiki) Harbour will provide boats with safe harbour access to support the continued growth of aquaculture in Bay of Plenty, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones say. The Ministers and leaders from Tē Tāwharau o Te Whakatōhea and other ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • Kitmap to improve access to science infrastructure

    Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Judith Collins today announced an online platform to optimise the use of New Zealand’s science and technology research infrastructure and to link the public and private sector. “This country is home to world-class science, technology, and engineering expertise. Kitmap is set to empower Kiwi innovators, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • Driving the uptake of low emission heavy vehicles

    The Government has launched the Low Emissions Heavy Vehicle Fund (LEHVF) to promote innovation and offset the cost of hundreds of heavy vehicles powered by clean technologies, Energy Minister Simeon Brown and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts say. “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • Speech on replacing the Resource Management Act

    Replacing the RMA Hon Chris Bishop: Good morning, it is great to be with you. Can I first acknowledge the Resource Management Law Association for hosting us here today. Can I also acknowledge my Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Simon Court, who is on stage with me. He has assisted me in establishing the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • Replacement for the Resource Management Act takes shape

    Two new laws will be developed to replace the Resource Management Act (RMA), with the enjoyment of property rights as their guiding principle, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Parliamentary Under-Secretary Simon Court say. “The RMA was passed with good intentions in 1991 but has proved a failure in practice. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    8 hours ago
  • Tough laws pass to make gang life uncomfortable

    Legislation passed through Parliament today will provide police and the courts with additional tools to crack down on gangs that peddle misery and intimidation throughout New Zealand, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “From November 21, gang insignia will be banned in all public places, courts will be able to issue non-consorting orders, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • New levy rates set to ensure continued funding of FENZ

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government has agreed to the rates for the redesigned levy that will fund Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) from July 2026.  “Earlier this year FENZ consulted publicly on a 5.2 percent increase to the levy. I was not convinced that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Police allocate Officers to Beat and Gang Units

    The Coalition Government welcomes Police’s announcement today to deploy more police on the beat and staff to Gang Disruption Units.  An additional 70 officers will be allocated to Community Beat Teams across towns and regional centres.  This builds on the deployment of beat officers in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch CBDs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Consultation begins on significant updates to the biosecurity system

    Proposals to strengthen the country’s vital biosecurity system, including higher fines for passengers bringing in undeclared high-risk goods, greater flexibility around importing requirements, and fairer cost sharing for biosecurity responses have been released today for public consultation. Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says “The future is about resilience and the 30-year-old ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Wānaka community to benefit from new overnight health service

    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says an Overnight Acute Care Service opening in October will provide people in Wānaka and the surrounding area with the assurance of quality overnight care closer to home.  “When I was in Wānaka earlier this year, I announced funding for an overnight health service – ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Preventing potholes with data-driven technology

    The Government is rolling out data collection vans across the country to better understand the condition of our road network to prevent potholes from forming in the first place, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Increasing productivity to help rebuild our economy is a key priority for the Government and increasing ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • GDP data shows effect of high interest rates

    Gross Domestic Product (GDP) data for the quarter to June 2024 reinforces how an extended period of high interest rates has meant tough times for families, businesses, and communities, but recent indications show the economy is starting to bounce back, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ data released today ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • NZ to host first Fiji, Australia trilateral trade Ministers’ meeting in Rotorua

    Trade Minister Todd McClay will host Fijian Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica and Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell for trilateral trade talks in Rotorua this weekend. “Fiji is one of the largest economies in the Pacific and is a respected partner for Australia and New Zealand,” Mr McClay says. Australia and New Zealand ...
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