Open mike 26/08/2019

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, August 26th, 2019 - 112 comments
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112 comments on “Open mike 26/08/2019 ”

  1. Sanctuary 1

    The asymmetric polarisation of National gathers pace, with their useful clown John Tamihere proposing a right wing wet dream of a policy platform (helpfully megaphoned by the NZ Herald* because, you know, "balance") and now Northland National MP (and sometime leader aspirant) Matt King has posted a plagarised far-right FB rant (from the NZCPR, a crackpot site used by ex-ACT wingnut Muriel Newman to post conspsiracy theories, racist screeds and far, far right libertarian ideology) where he claims climate change "is natural" and it is all a communist plot…

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2019/08/national-mp-argues-climate-change-is-natural-in-facebook-rant-taken-from-us-right-wing-source.html

    *BTW – now it is behind the paywall, the NZ Herald seems to be a fantasy land of rubbish – far right hucksters and shysters get to write fact free rants, reckons masquerading as opinion, whatabboutism pretending to be analysis and fake news megaphoned because of "balance". it is a complete car crash and the paywall seems to have sent it's standards into a complete freefall. it is almost as if they complacently think charging for something automatically makes it better.

    • Wensleydale 1.1

      That's exactly what they think. Only grubby unwashed peasants want to consume the unhinged word-vomit of Michael Hosking and friends for free. No, anything of any worth has a price tag attached is their philosophy.

      Haven't read Granny Herald in two years. I no longer feel as though I'm wading through torrents of shit whenever I'm browsing the web. Hosking's drivel used to cause the vein in my temple to start throbbing like I was on the verge of a stroke.

  2. cleangreen 2

    "coding error" for the latest computer hack on the 'heritage and culture' Ministry was the excuse!!!! When will our privacy be protected? Just another screw up by easily digital sites being hacked so we can now assume that nothig is safe any more now. https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/115260180/serious-digital-privacy-breach-at-ministry-understood-to-relate-to-tuia-250-applicants

    • bwaghorn 2.1

      Or you could be angry at the crooks that accessed the info illegally

    • Sacha 2.2

      It's an embarrasingly basic failure you will not see often, so no cause to mistrust everything else. I'd be more worried about big foreign companies we willingly throw our information at like Google and Facebook.

      • cleangreen 2.2.1

        Agreed with that Sacha.
        All corporations are the root of all evil.

        They have no soul or moral fabric.

        ‘Here today gone tomorrow’ is their motto.

    • A 2.3

      International banking still relies on Windows Vista, or at least it still did last year. My point is that most things digital have some kind of exploit.

  3. Sacha 3

    Fiscal illiterate sneaks out another fantasy mayoral policy overnight – though at least this one only requires negotiating with those affected by debt servicing, such as all other councils: https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/115269584/auckland-mayoral-race-tamihere-would-freeze-rates-and-cut-salaries

    A freeze on the scale proposed by Tamihere would be unprecedented in Auckland local government, and have impacts not explained in the two-page policy document released to Stuff after midnight Sunday.

    Rate revenue makes up 45 per cent of the income that flows into Auckland Council coffers each year, and dictates not only its running costs, but also how much it can borrow to fund major long-term infrastructure.

    • Sacha 3.1

      And doubles down on the stupid: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12261763

      Tamihere told the Herald there were options to cut infrastructure spending – including the City Rail Link. He was actively considering mothballing the Grafton to Karangahape Rd section – which he did not believe would damage the project's integrity

      Turning a crucial two-way link into a dead end is a great summary of this guy's contempt. Maybe his campaign is just a kite-flying research project for the Nats?

      • Sanctuary 3.1.1

        The contracts are already signed. Another Tamihere brain fart that is simply a badly thought through fantasy.

  4. Muttonbird 4

    Alan Jones mural https://www.instagram.com/p/B1kNPblFJfP/

    [not happy about the implied sexual violence in that, so have edited the comment. People can click through if they want to see it – weka]

  5. Muttonbird 5

    Refreshing to see fair and powerful scrutiny of New Zealand dairy industry practice on the world stage.

    The contamination of Canterbury's freshwater easily ranks among the worst environmental disasters in New Zealand history.

    – Mike Joy and David Larsen

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/115243716/ecologist-takes-dairy-criticism-to-world-stage

    Remember who cleared out ECAN and undemocratically appointed their own board? John Key's National Party…

    • marty mars 5.1

      yep and the farmers are unhappy

      However, farmers have hit back at their comments, saying they amounted to "economic treason".

      some farmers have come a long way down from caring for the land and animals – all about economics now and the dollar in their back pocket.

      Federated Farmers dairy chairman Chris Lewis said. "Its easy to fire off words, it's harder to get out there and do the work that we're doing. You can say whatever you want but if you're not picking up a spade to help, what are you actually contributing?"

      Joy disagreed that farmers were doing any meaningful work to improve freshwater quality.

      "I'm not going to give them credit for something they haven't done," he said. "They throw the number out there, $1 billion or whatever, saying they've spent that on cleaning up the water but that's just the cost of doing business.

      "It's like me saying I spent $750 having the brakes fixed on my car so you should be thankful I'm not going to crash into you."

      https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/115243716/ecologist-takes-dairy-criticism-to-world-stage

      come on farmers – you'd drop a cow for not producing anything meaningful yet what meaningful changes are you doing?

      • Muttonbird 5.1.1

        And what change would have occurred were it not for campaigners like Dr Joy and Mr Larsen?

        None!

        I’d also add Charlie Mitchell and hundreds of others doing the hard and unpleasant work shining light on the Nats and the dirty dairying industry.

      • vto 5.1.2

        "but if you're not picking up a spade to help, what are you actually contributing?"

        The Canterbury farmers were told in the early 90's that dairy intensification would lead to degraded waterways and polluted drinking water.

        John Key and the farmers ignored that and proceeded to shit in our water so now we have degraded waterways and polluted drinking water.

        What a bunch of c$&%s

        The above comment about "contributing" is farcical.

        • marty mars 5.1.2.1

          yep – if we turned up with a spade to help with that farmer's pollution issues he'd no doubt call the police, or send a warning shot over us for trespassing.

    • should we all pause for a 'john key – white-gold' memory-moment..?

  6. Pat 6

    ‘Muldoonism’ itself, similarly, goes a long way towards explaining the success of ‘Rogernomics’. Under Lange’s immediate predecessor, the New Zealand economy had come perilously close to collapse. An alternative strategy was required, and thanks to Treasury’s little beige book, Economic Management, it was Roger Douglas who got there firstest with the mostest. That Douglas’s opponents had no little book of their own to offer the country, lent credence to the Rogernomes’ claim that “there is no alternative”. Moreover, from the ramshackle and disaster-prone quality of the Ardern Ministry, it is clear that the (alleged) opponents of the neoliberal order within the present government have yet to produce one."

    https://www.interest.co.nz/opinion/101361/chris-trotter-asks-whether-jacinda-ardern%E2%80%99s-government-critical-mass-talent-or

    Chris Trotters excellent piece will attract the usual knee jerk reactions but more considered thought will recognise reality….where is the plan (are they capable of formulating one)?

    • Ad 6.1

      MMP was designed to kill programmatic government and was fully successful. The Big Government wand was snapped.

      So far this government are only unpopular with those who measure actual ministerial results. Otherwise everyone's at work.

      In 2020 they get to open Sky City convention centre and big Waikato motorways, plus all of downtown Auckland.

      In 2021 the government gets APEC, Americas Cup, and more.

      New Zealanders like aspirational language from their PM's, but very incremental actual change.

      It's just a Kiwi fact.

      • Pat 6.1.1

        MMP wasnt the cause of the lack of government capacity, that can be fairly laid at the feet of neoliberalism…and tinkering at the edges of the existing hands off approach will continue the lack of improvement….until it collapses in upon itself from one of the many pressing challenges.

        A complete abdication of responsibilty (combined with a lack of ability)….from all political parties and the public service.

        • Ad 6.1.1.1

          Clark-Cullen government results showed major institutional change was possible without Muldoonist-scale plans.

          Also showed a well led public service delivers. Just needs to be well led.

          • Pat 6.1.1.1.1

            I beg to differ and an examination of the past would I suggest such. When did the housing bubble begin? when was the beginning of the open boarders policy? Indicators of the lack of policy ideas that were continued by Key……In fact the only policy of significance that came in under the Clark Gov that springs to mind was Kiwisaver, everything else was a continuation of the neolib hands off approach…a frequently heard complaint, and one also levelled at this admin

    • McFlock 6.2

      There are a number of problems with Trotter's piece, but the one thing he got right was that nobody at the time had a little red book with which to counter the rogernomes – and in particular to explain and avoid stagflation.

      The problem now is twofold:

      • Governments are no longer stable, single-party dictatorships; and
      • people have quickly forgotten how "transformative" it is for a government to even accept the systemic existence of things like child poverty or a government role in cooling down the housing market by directly involving itself in supplying new homes

      That's not to say Labour are perfect, but the ministers are more competent than the nactoids ever were. Some are more right or left wing than others, that's life. But they're all trying new things. Failure is a natural consequence of trying new things, but sooner or later these attempts lead to succes. If you want anything other than stagnation, TINA but to try.

  7. Poission 7

    What that Hallam is an unscientific nut case is clearly evident.

    [TheStandard: A moderator moved this comment to Open Mike as being off topic or irrelevant in the post it was made in. Be more careful in future.]

  8. so nz has just lined up with the environmental vandals on the planer – the bad-guys – – and voted against a u.n treaty to protect endangered species of sharks…

    way-to-go..!..nz..!….eh..?

    pray – tell us why..?

  9. Muttonbird 9

    Gee. A "regulations bonfire", eh?

    Last time they did this we got leaky buildings and the Pike River disaster.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/397494/national-committing-to-regulations-bonfire-if-elected-in-2020

    • arkie 9.1

      National is committing to get rid of two regulations for every new regulation introduced

      Just like Trump then:

      “If there’s a new regulation, they have to knock out two. But it goes far beyond that, we’re cutting regulations massively for small business and for large business,” Trump said during the signing of the order, while surrounded by small-business leaders. He stressed that the new measure is meant to ease the opening and expansion of small businesses, and said that America’s small businesses “have been treated very badly” and that it was “virtually impossible to expand your existing business because of regulations.”

    • Graeme 9.2

      And this jem….

      .

      …and creating a voluntary initiative to make sure small businesses are paid on time

      National Party leader Simon Bridges said the party would also require all government departments and government agencies to pay their contractors on time and within 30 days.

      "Getting paid on time is a big issue for New Zealand small business owners, long delays in payments can inhibit their ability to invest and expand," Mr Bridges said.

      "In the past year, only half of all small businesses were cash flow positive in any given month."

      so it's "voluntary" and only applies to government agencies, who generally pay on time anyway. No mention of common practice of 90 -120 days payment that seems standard in construction and Fonterra practiced for a while. But hey, not like National is going to do anything that will hurt their mates

      • weka 9.2.1

        I took the 'also' to mean there would be a voluntary scheme, and the mandate on govt departments.

        "and creating a voluntary initiative to make sure small businesses are paid on time"

        That doesn't even makes sense. If it's voluntary how will it make sure?

        • Graeme 9.2.1.1

          As a small business owner I thought yeah, right…

          As will all small business owners who live hoping the money's going to be in their account on time.

          A stupid Clayton's policy and I hope they get taken to task over it.

  10. weka 10

    Awesome. So much to learn from the Hong Kong protest movements.

    https://twitter.com/Jordan_Sather_/status/1165327628825284610

    • alwyn 10.1

      Your photo shows the protesters felling towers holding facial recognition cameras.

      There is an interesting article in a recent issue of the Economist. On page 60 of the 17 August copy of the magazine there is a report on how to fool facial recognition software. The methods involve things like wearing bright makeup, wearing clothes with semi-abstract patterns that make the facial recognition software see lots of "faces", or projecting infrared illumination onto one's face that make the software unable even to recognize that there is a face, or person, there. Other techniques readily fooled the software into thinking it was someone else altogether who was present.

      Maybe we can get to the stage that protesters won't have to flatten the facial recognition towers. After all, if the computer can't see you why bother? Even better of course would be if the software in Hong Kong thought that there were tens of thousands of clones of Xi Jinping protesting in the streets.

      I can't provide a link to the article I'm afraid. It is pay-walled for subscribers only. To read it, assuming you don't subscribe, should be possible by visiting your local Library. Most of them get the magazine.

      • Sacha 10.1.1

        The HK protestors have been using lasers for ages to dazzle the cameras.

      • weka 10.1.2

        fooling the cameras, while a good interim tactic, doesn't stop authoritarianism. That's what the protest is about.

    • The Chairman 10.2

      Interesting isn't it?

      As New Zealand inches more towards becoming like China (see links below) there is barely a murmur. Whereas, in Hong Kong people are flooding onto the streets.

      https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/396509/privacy-commissioner-in-dark-over-advanced-cctv-plan-for-auckland

      https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/396716/police-open-to-using-facial-recognition-from-auckland-transport-cctv-cameras

      It seems the majority of New Zealanders are of the belief it is being done for our safety, whereas the people of Hong Kong know differently.

    • Brigid 10.3

      This gives background information of the Hong Kong protests Weka

      https://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2019/08/19/behind-a-made-for-tv-hong-kong-protest-narrative-washington-is-backing-nativism-and-mob-violence/

      "The protests ostensibly began in opposition to a proposed amendment to the extradition law between Hong Kong, Taiwan, mainland China, and Macau, which would have allowed Taiwanese authorities to prosecute a Hong Kong man for murdering his pregnant girlfriend and dumping her body in the bushes during a vacation to Taiwan.

      Highly organized networks of anti-China protesters quickly mobilized against the law, compelling Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam to withdraw the bill.

      But the protests continued even after the extradition law was taken off the table"

      • Brigid 10.3.1

        This also by Pepe Escobar

        https://www.strategic-culture.org/news/2019/08/07/hong-kong-kashmir-a-tale-of-two-occupations/

        "Much to the distress of neocons and humanitarian imperialists, there won’t be a bloody mainland China crackdown on protesters in Hong Kong – a Tiananmen 2.0. Why? Because it’s not worth it.

        What these protests have accelerated is Beijing’s conviction that Hong Kong is not worth its trust as a key node in China’s massive integration/development project. Beijing invested no less than $18.8 billion to build the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge, as part of the Greater Bay Area, to integrate Hong Kong with the mainland, not to snub it.

        Now a bunch of useful idiots at least has graphically proven they don’t deserve any sort of preferential treatment anymore."

        "The big story in Hong Kong is not even the savage, counter-productive protests (imagine if this was in France, where Macron’s army is actually maiming and even killing Gilets Jaunes/Yellow Vests). The big story is the rot consuming HSBC – which has all the makings of the new Deutsche Bank scandal.

        HSBC holds $2.6 trillion in assets and an intergalactic horde of cockroaches in their basement – asking serious questions about money laundering and dodgy deals operated by global turbo-capitalist elites."

      • The Chairman 10.3.2

      • weka 10.3.3

        what's your thinking about what the protests are about Brigid?

        • Brigid 10.3.3.1

          When you compare the publicity the Hong Kong protestors have been given with those in France or Honduras, I'm mightily suspicious. That the protestors wave US flags and call on Murica to save them is just a wee bit funny. No hilarious actually.

          Is there a country on earth that has benefited from US intervention?

          None that I can think of.

          It seems to me that, as Pepe Escobar calls them, these 'useful idiots' are not protesting for better conditions for the hoi polloi in Hong Kong but because they're paid to.

          • Psycho Milt 10.3.3.1.1

            That the protestors wave US flags and call on Murica to save them is just a wee bit funny.

            It's a protest that's deliberately without leadership, as that makes it harder for the dictator's minions to decapitate the movement. Which means individuals are free to wave whatever flags they want or shout whatever slogans they want. Nothing funny about it.

            It seems to me that, as Pepe Escobar calls them, these 'useful idiots' are not protesting for better conditions for the hoi polloi in Hong Kong but because they're paid to.

            Nice tinfoil hat you have there, did you make it yourself.

            • Brigid 10.3.3.1.1.1

              If you chose to read more widely you'd find the protest is not without leadership.

              • And if you chose to read more widely, you wouldn't make ridiculous generalisations about the protesters waving American flags and calling on the USA to help them.

      • The Chairman 10.3.4

        But the protests continued even after the extradition law was taken off the table

        Yes, and that is due to a number of reasons. One being China's failure to allow all members of the Legco (their parliament) to be voted on by the people. Largely allowing China to call the shots.

        • Brigid 10.3.4.1

          Well of course. Since 1997 Hong Kong has been part of China. It only has limited autonomy.

          Why has it taken these protestors 22 years to discover China mostly calls the shots?

          • The Chairman 10.3.4.1.1

            Because that was meant to change overtime, but so far China has failed to live up to that agreement.

            Moreover, China is pushing for more control such as the extradition law, which has brought this to the boiling point we are witnessing now.

            It’s all in the protest explained video I posted above.

          • Psycho Milt 10.3.4.1.2

            Why has it taken these protestors 22 years to discover China mostly calls the shots?

            Sigh. The last uprising was put down only five years ago, so no, not 22 years. And this one, like the last one, has been prompted by the CCP's attempts to extend its ability to call the shots.

            • marty mars 10.3.4.1.2.1

              + 1 yep there is a history here that can be checked. Doesn't seem to deter fake news though.

    • The Chairman 10.4

      Hey, weka, the other day you asked if there is a compelling reason we need to be exporting so much? Here is the answer below.

      In order to understand the need for exports it is necessary to understand that there is no such thing as a supply of permanent money to the economy, and the vast bulk of money within the economy has its origins in loans and is represented by a matching domestic debt.

      When goods are exported, foreign money is brought back into the economy, but the debt behind that money remains overseas, in the country of origin. Through exporting, money that has been borrowed into existence in another country is brought into the economy free of debt.

      The money can easily be turned into domestic currency via the foreign exchanges. However, when goods are imported, money created in the domestic economy goes abroad, but the debt associated with that money remains in the economy.

      Money that was borrowed into existence in the home economy has left the country, but the debt remains.

      If a country exports more than it imports, there is a net gain of additional debt-free money within the national economy.

      https://positivemoney.org/2011/12/debt-based-monetary-system-world-debt/

      • weka 10.4.1

        we have to keep exporting because it's the only way we can afford the amount of overseas debt we have?

        Why would we need to export to the degree that we do for that to be managed?

        • The Chairman 10.4.1.1

          Not exactly.

          Countries have to export to enable them to pay off the interest on their debt based money. Just about every dollar is produced by a loan, hence without exporting (generating debt free money) there is no way to pay off the interest incurred.

          • weka 10.4.1.1.1

            Why not? Why can't we produce wealth domestically?

            • The Chairman 10.4.1.1.1.1

              Because domestically we still rely on a debt based monetary system. That would have to change, which is what Social Credit is largely about.

              But bankers will never allow that to happen. So that is where stopping the need for export growth hits a dead end.

              • Brigid

                "But bankers will never allow that to happen."

                You mean there's not been a government in living memory that has the courage to tell the bankers to get phuckt.

          • McFlock 10.4.1.1.2

            "Debt-based money" (i.e. reserve bank bonds lent at the OCR) doesn't require overseas cash to repay.

            As long as the value of goods and services produced matches the money supply and its associated cost, the debt-to-GDP ratio remains constant and the RB debt is merely grease in the wheels. Like someone living off a credit card they can service monthly.

            • The Chairman 10.4.1.1.2.1

              Debt-based money" (i.e. reserve bank bonds lent at the OCR) doesn't require overseas cash to repay.

              No. Debt based money as in Fractional Reserve Banking, which is how 90 odd percent of our money supply is created.

              • McFlock

                Meh. Same diff – still gets repaid without need for exports. Extra value created in cycle maintains debt ratio.

                • The Chairman

                  No, it doesn't. One party making debt based money off another party in a local economy via trade of goods and services doesn't produce any debt free money to pay off the national interest incurred from initially creating that money.

                  Debt based money circulating in a local economy will never produce the funding to pay off the interest that local economy incurs in creating that money.

                  • McFlock

                    The new production and money velocity (as it circulates) can devalue the existing debt. AKA inflation.

                    The system just isn't as simple as you're making out.

                    It's all by the by anyway – global trade is about getting people what they want for less, rather than satisfying some economic theory. Always has been. FTAs vs protectionism is largely driven by ideology,but the global trade itself goes back well before economics started its entrails-reading.

                    • The Chairman

                      No. Increasing the debt based money supply increases debt and devalues the dollar, hence drives up inflation.

                      Global trade and FTAs are not one and the same. FTA’s tend to allow countries to buy up other nations exporters/resources. Giving them full monetary benefit (baring local expenses, jobs, and tax if they pay them) of another nations exports/resources.

                      Yes, there is more to international trade than merely the debt based money supply, but the debt based money supply is a driving factor for countries to continually grow their exports.

                    • McFlock

                      Just as fractional reserve banking might be more significant in "creating" money than the government bonds used to create the reserve the banks use, the velocity (and, I suggest, distribution) of that money affects inflation more than the basic money supply. Indeed, I read once that when all is done and dusted, the difference between Keynesianism and Monetarism is justified by the weight each gives to representing the velocity of money in the system. (Of course, it's all bullshit from a prediction level – completely unrepeatable supposition).

                      People buy shit because they have money, and other people sell shit because they want money. You might argue that global or local trade is a fractional reserve ponzi scheme, but that doesn't affect trade nearly as much as people just wanting to buy and sell shit.

                    • The Chairman

                      Inflation tends to reduce the amount of goods and services people can afford to buy while increasing the need for people to earn more.

                      Additionally, inflation results in driving up the OCR. In turn, the interest incurred creating the money supply. Thus, the need to export more as the velocity of money within a local economy doesn't grow that economy's wealth (albeit it may bolster an individual or company's wealth).

                      The high cost of local products drives up demand for cheaper imports, which again drives up the need for countries to export more to offset the trade imbalance and the associated (money supply) debt.

                      Suppliers, manufactures, etc require people to buy stuff for their survival, which in turn is required for employment opportunities.

                      Environmentally, it comes down to the whether or not the goods and service and the manner in which they are produced and supplied are environmentally friendly.

                      In general, consumers chase bargains (especially in NZ due to our generally low incomes) which influences their purchasing choice. And those bargains tend to come from lower wage high polluting countries such as China. Again, increasing imports, thus the need (via the trade imbalance and the associated money supply debt) for us to export more.

                    • McFlock

                      Production boosts overall wealth (without addressing the distribution therein).

                      Monetary activity encourages increased production. More transactions being made with money between initial lending and end repayment (compared with a bond borrowed but never spent before repayment) simulates an increase in the overall money supply.

                      Inflation increases the cost of goods (produced by whomever), but correspondingly decreases the cost of existing debt.

    • joe90 10.5

      And the tankie left gets right onto labeling the protesters as agents of foreign powers.

      https://twitter.com/BenjaminNorton/status/1165639215998263296

      • francesca 10.5.1

        Surprised you think that video furthers your case Joe. Peaceful protests they aint

        • joe90 10.5.1.1

          Yeah, the temerity of standing up and demanding a democratic future in the face of an authoritarian regime.

          /

          • francesca 10.5.1.1.1

            God you're naive. It was a Brit in charge who dealt out the rubber bullets and ordered the tear gas.I wonder why he decided to be so heavy handed?

            Gene Sharp 101

      • The Chairman 10.5.2

        Food for thought, Joe.

        China Did Not Trick the US — Trade Negotiators Served Corporate Interests

        https://tinyurl.com/y2gagk32

        Hat tip to saveNZ.

      • marty mars 10.5.3

        jeepers I didn't think people would be suckered like that – just shows I suppose – anyone can believe anything as long as it confirms their bias – sad shit really.

  11. Sacha 11

    Nats pledge wholesale removal of protections, and moar 1950s highways: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/397494/national-committing-to-regulations-bonfire-if-elected-in-2020

    National's Economic Development spokesperson, Todd McClay, branded it a regulations bonfire.

    The coalition government shifted transport infrastructure focus from roading to public transport and rail, but National would be changing the focus back to roading, it said.

    "The government has stopped or postponed a dozen roading projects, which were ready to get underway, and replaced them with projects that aren't ready to go and won't be for a long time yet," transport spokesperson Chris Bishop said.

    The last Nat govt had not included funding for their next batch of expensive tarmac in any Budgets, so it's simply a lie to claim that they were "ready to go".

  12. adam 12

    Cenk, knocks the nail on the head. Trump needs the 25th amendment enabled NOW!

    Just so you know I think pence is worse politically, but trump is, well watch the video



  13. marty mars 13

    I think the Government should issue stronger words and actions for this atrocity happening now.

    With concerns over violence in West Papua escalating, New Zealand officials appear reluctant to wade in more significantly – despite the Green Party calling for action.

    As Indonesia cracks down on protests in the disputed West Papua territory, the Government has declined to condemn the violence.

    Indonesia has deployed a thousand troops to the disputed territory of West Papua and shut down the internet in the region in an effort to quell protests alleging racist police violence and supporting self-determination.

    The New Zealand Government has re-emphasised earlier commitments to human rights but declined to comment on the specific situation.

    The latest wave of violence began after dozens of Papuan students in Surabaya were arrested by police forces while a mob allegedly called them "monkeys".

    https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2019/08/26/770485/government-hands-off-on-west-papua-violence#

    Good work Green Party MP and human rights spokeswoman Golriz Ghahraman for trying to get some action on this.

    “The most recent crackdown on indigenous West Papuans is scary given past brutality by Indonesian forces- add to that the threat of internet black out and its a recipe for grave human rights abuse. Let’s remember that it’s aim is to take away indigenous land and resource for corporate profit- as it happens around the world- divesting from timber imported from West Papua’s pristine native forests is one thing NZ must do to support this indigenous struggle.”

  14. marty mars 14

    Nice post about crasher collins and the truth from Frank Macskasy – see sidebar

    National has entered into a propaganda blitz. They will use half-truths, exaggeration, out-of-context material, distortions, and outright fabrications to win next years’ election.

    Whatever it takes.

    They will use dog-whistles; throw ‘red-meat’ to bigots; demonise every group that their conservative base despises.

    Whatever. It. Takes.

    Thus is the style of election campaign strategy set from now till Election Day: Whatever it takes.

    https://fmacskasy.wordpress.com/2019/08/24/judith-collins-foot-in-mouth-award-or-something-more-sinister/

  15. marty mars 15

    Very sad – so much pain and sorrow. What to do? Dunno – I work in prevention and really things are tough…

    Chief coroner Judge Deborah Marshall has released the annual provisional suicide statistics.

    They show in the year to June 30, 685 people died by suicide, 17 more than the year prior.

    The rate per 100,000 increased from 13.67 to 13.93.

    They also revealed the number of teenagers dying between the ages of 15 and 19 increased from 53 last year to 73.

    There had also been an increase in the Māori rate – from 23 per 100,000 to 28, and an increase in the Pacific Island rate from 7.77 to 11.49.

    The rate for Europeans had dropped slightly.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/397516/increase-in-suicides-for-maori-and-teens-latest-stats-show

    • SHG 15.1

      Suicide is an overwhelmingly male phenomenon. In NZ there are approximately 3 male suicide deaths for every female suicide death.

      Now search the media releases today for the words male, men, or boys. Betcha you won’t find a single one.

      Kinda hard to fix a problem when it’s politically incorrect to acknowledge that it exists.

      • marty mars 15.1.1

        your politically incorrect line is part of the problem imo – the stats won't improve until it isn't used as a point scoring device – do you get that?

        • SHG 15.1.1.1

          Yes you’re absolutely right it’s the words we use that are the actual problem, we won’t be able to stop men from dying of suicide until we eliminate the inconvenient phrases used to describe the problem of their deaths

          You’re the real hero

          • marty mars 15.1.1.1.1

            not we, you – the words YOU use that is PART of the problem – try to read what I write rather than just push your lines

            • SHG 15.1.1.1.1.1

              Why don’t you think suicide is a male problem and that boys and men deserve extra attention, funding, and support?

              • marty mars

                I never said that.

                Of course I am supportive of giving hope to men and boys who are desperate and suicidal. I support programs designed to specifically support them.

  16. living a life of grinding poverty – with no end in sight – can lead to depression – can lead to suicide..

    our gummint can fix that factor/cause..

    let's watch them dance around this one..

    and do s.f.a./not end poverty..

    and so the nmbers will climb..

    and why does david clark seemingly have no awareness of this..?

    and why the fuck do journalists like lisa owen not have the nous to ask him about this..?

    • Stuart Munro. 16.1

      Not to mention that coroners are relatively reluctant to make a finding of suicide, so that the numbers are if anything understated.

  17. Eco maori 17

    Kia Ora Newshub.

    I think it's cool that our Coalition government is going to control MPs pay brackets.

    Whanau there you go the alcohol licensing system is corupt that is the reason why we have bottle stores in all the lower class people area.

    The phenomenon of trump not attending the G7 meeting about savings our mokopuna environment is going to be positive in the end ma Te wa.

    Its great that France President Macron is giving 20 million euro to fight the fires in the Amazon ignoring what the haters has to say.

    They are spying on the wrong people what a waste of time and money.

    Doc is doing great mahi controling Tar goats on the mountcook ranges

    Ka kite Ano

  18. Eco maori 18

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News

    Its excellent that a third person is being charged for Jasmine death. Jasmine whanau will be pleased at last they are seeing Justice.

    Te Wahine is correct Maori need to have more input and learn. More about our cyber security my data is compromise every minute of the day.

    I say that a community based solution for Maori mental health will help more tangata servive their mental health issues manly depression because so many people in Aotearoa look down on Tangata Whenua O Aotearoa that is not good for our tamariki wairua.

    There you go Whanau national trying to use Tangata Whenua issues to undermine our human Coalition Government.

    Auckland is in fashion show excellence that Maori is part of the fashion show also that sustainability is becoming a fashion trend that no one can Stop Ka pai.
    Heniana Goodmen has being a great news reporter for decades Ka pai

    Ka kite Ano

  19. Eco maori 19

    Kia Ora The Am Show.

    simon Winston Peters has achieved more positive change to our society than you could dream of achieving before he got the Gold card and other gains for OUR elderly they were struggling. You see not all elderly are wealth %90 are having to try and survive on super alone that is bugger all money to live on in the year 2019.

    I backed vapouring as a tool to slow down and give up smoking especially for the elderly people who have been smoking for 40 od years they need to give up smoking for their mokopuna. Whanau another case of over exploitation by humans the Hauraki gulf mussels Fisheries over exploited next minute the fisheries calapes and has never recovered.

    Useing green lipped mussel to clean up our water ways estries is a great idea my only concern is mono culture farming is not good for our wildlifes diversity so using a few other species of water filters is needed for a safe clean environment some use oysters beds to do the water filtering and to slow erosion in New York.

    Ka pai Jenny you handled him well we need legislation to make sure that the content of vapour oil is safe this phenomenon gave me some conserns about vapouring

    Funny Mark 146 was a good score one has to be careful what they eat. I remember watching that game to.

    Jacindia Waka is sailing into the wind stured up by national and there corupt supporters the alt right who will lie and cheat to win did the informers come out of the DARK.

    Ka kite Ano

  20. Eco maori 20

    Some Eco Maori Music For The Minute.

    https://youtu.be/aqCSNH5gxKY

    Global warming human cause climate change is a huge threat to the future wellbeing

  21. Eco maori 21

    Kia Ora Newshub.

    I agree cheap beer and alcohol is targeted at poor alcoholics that is not the way a caring society behaves.

    BULLSHIT if they can't afford it they won't drink alcohol.

    I think that is a awesome move vaccination in shopping mall and other places people always gather.

    Mark Lundy and his lawyers are wasting New Zealand time and money.

    On the way back to the bay it was raining hard cold as soon as I got over the rangers the rain stopped we could feel that it was warmer to I was thinking that the place would be bogged out with mud and had to light the fire straight away but it was clear awesome.

    Ka kite Ano

  22. Eco maori 22

    Kia Ora Te Ao Maori News.

    Condolences to Tahu potiki whanau and Iwi Ngai Tahu for their loss of A great leader.

    Condolences to the other tangata whenua whanau excuses my pH I'm just learning how to use it.

    Ka pai to John Kerwin for all his mahi on mental health issues he has been awesome with tangata whenua tamariki. I,, the mental health problem needs cross party tau toko.

    I agree with Ming Foons opinion on the way that tangata whenua o Aotearoa has been treated by the crown he has the knowledge on tangata whenua o Aotearoa Ka pai.
    Haka Bristro and the other Wahine great mahi insulating all those whare Mana Wahine I found that my Wahine staff were more reliable than male staff
    Ka kite Ano

  23. Eco maori 23

    Kia Ora The Am Show.

    My opinion on the Napier Port float is the tangata already owned the 99 % were getting some of its capital gains and profits putting it on the stock market is just putting the port in a situation where only the wealth people 00.1% get to corner all the gains while the 99.9 % will ultimately pay more for imports and exporting.

    I tau toko teaching Aotearoa factual history as most of the books paint a bad picture of tangata whenua when in fact we are quite industrial honorable humane people.

    Eco Maori agree with the recational Fisher man Terakihi Hapuka Gurnard and a few other species are stuffed but the commercial Fisher men just want to keep exploiting the fish they need to be controlled no trawling in a mile from land that and heaps more reserves.

    Maori and wai we'll I say we should we do own wai we will look after wai much better than the crown is has??????. For our future generations.

    If the government change to a money first government like the last one the will just exploit wai and our environment not give a shit about the futures needs.

    Every one knows Eco Maori views on gangs

    The anti vaccination people are to easily lead down the wrong path many people display the inability to be skeptical with information they receive.

    I agree our factual history needs to be taught and all tangata whenua tamariki taught Te reo. That will stop Tangata Whenua O Aotearoa Culture from dissappearing.

    Ka kite Ano

  24. Eco maori 24

    All the intelligence people of America Greetings Our World Famous Climate Change Champions Ka pai from Eco Maori

    Greta Thunberg lands in US for climate meet

    Swedish teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg has arrived in New York City, US to chants and cheers following a trans-Atlantic trip on a sailboat to attend a global warming conference.

    The 16-year-old and her crew were escorted into a lower Manhattan marina about 4pm local time on Wednesday, concluding a two-week crossing from Plymouth, England.

    As the boat docked, hundreds of activists welcomed her from a Hudson River promenade. Thunberg waved then was lifted onto a Dock.

    "I didn't get seasick once," but she stressed that "this is not something I want everyone to do"She is set to speak at a United Nations climate summit in SeptemberThe boat carrying Thunberg, the Malizia II, encountered rough seas that slowed it down for a day. Taking turns steering the 18-metre racing yacht were yachtsman Boris Herrmann and Pierre Casiraghi, the grandson of Monaco's late Prince Rainier and American actress Grace Kelly.Inscribed on the boat's sail are the words "FridaysForFuture" under "UNITE BEHIND THE Science.

    Ka kite Ano link.

    https://i.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/115367331/greta-thunberg-lands-in-us-for-climate-meet

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    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Existential Crisis and Damaged Brains

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • The Chaotic World of Male Diet Influencers

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    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    6 days ago
  • It's Starting To Look A Lot Like… Y2K

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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