Open Mike 26/12/2018

Written By: - Date published: 6:30 am, December 26th, 2018 - 132 comments
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132 comments on “Open Mike 26/12/2018 ”

  1. Morrissey 1

    Has there ever been a crueler, more cynical Christmas “greeting” than this?

    https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/IDF-wishes-Christians-journeying-to-Bethlehem-Merry-Christmas-575416

    • Wayne 1.1

      The Palestinian Authority and Israel co-operate on lots of things. A large percentage of the West Bank is governed by the PA. In doing so they have to cooperate with Israel. Although Trump may have cut the PA off from assistance, the EU and various European states have not.

      So the scene you have shown is not that unusual.

      For instance it has been quite some time since there were reports of violence in the West Bank. That is a feature of Gaza, but then that is because Hamas continues to foster a state of war. Unlike the PA, Hamas prefers a state of war. But they need to end it. They can’t win and it impoverishes the people of Gaza.

      It wasn’t always like that. Twenty years ago, Gaza had an international airport, a seaport and civil reconstruction. All long gone.

      • Barfly 1.1.1

        “It wasn’t always like that. Twenty years ago, Gaza had an international airport, a seaport and civil reconstruction. All long gone”

        Yes WAYNE bombed and shelled into rubble by Zionists.

      • KJT 1.1.2

        Israel prefers a State of war.

        Get it right Wayne!

        The kids throwing rocks, are their excuse to annex even more Palestinian territory.

      • Draco T Bastard 1.1.3

        The invasion of Israel into Palestine is the cause of the ongoing war.

  2. bwaghorn 2

    Is there any easy to understand charts out there proving that the carbon taxs and emissions trading schemes have made any real impact on climate change ??

    • Andre 2.1

      There have been very few carbon taxes and trading schemes actually implemented, and none that I’m aware of at a level that affects the price of fossil fuels enough to really significantly change decisions about their use. For instance, when the ETS was introduced here, it added around $0.075 to a litre of fuel – BFD. The Aussie’s tax would have been around the same level if they hadn’t dumped it straight away.

      The most successful scheme I’m aware of is in Canada’s British Columbia, but even that was a very modest tax with modest results, and it’s been a while since I checked in on how that’s going. I’m pretty sure you’ve got the skilz to check that out without me picking the articles that reinforce my views for you.

      The reason GHG taxes and trading schemes are expected to be effective is because they have been effective in other areas. Such as cleaning up sulphur emissions from power stations.

      https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/the-political-history-of-cap-and-trade-34711212/

      • Macro 2.1.1

        I haven’t looked at how BC’s Carbon Tax had been going either for a while – the initial results had been effective – but were they being sustained? So following bw’s and your comments above I had a look.

        Unequivocally’ effective
        Ten years ago, the province became the first jurisdiction in North America to implement a carbon tax. Since then, B.C.’s tax has attracted significant international media attention and academic scrutiny.

        The Economist noted B.C.’s economy had “kept pace with the rest of the country” since the introduction of the tax. In 2016, The New York Times declared the tax “worked as advertised.”

        Research by University of British Columbia professors Werner Antweiler and Sumeet Gulati also found the carbon tax policy to be beneficial.

        “My research has shown unequivocally that it is effective,” Gulati said. “In transportation, it has reduced gasoline consumption. It has made people buy more fuel efficient cars.”

        In their 2016 paper, they found per capita gasoline demand in B.C. decreased by close to 15 per cent between 2007 and 2014. They note their findings are in line with other major academic research on B.C.’s carbon tax.

        https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/b-c-s-carbon-tax-a-real-life-rebuttal-to-carbon-pricing-s-political-opponents-some-experts-say-1.4758484

        • bwaghorn 2.1.1.1

          “”In their 2016 paper, they found per capita gasoline demand in B.C. decreased by close to 15 per cent between 2007 and 2014. They note their findings are in line with other major academic research on B.C.’s carbon tax.””
          I replaced my old 98 model ute with a 2010 model 5 years ago and would have achieved that sort of reduction. So claiming a tax caused thaose numbers above is claiming something that is happening in vehicles would wide .

          • Macro 2.1.1.1.1

            You need to compare the reduction in fuel consumption per capita with other provinces in Canada – and you would find that such a reduction is not the case – as you would see if you were to study the academic research.
            One only has to look at the current explosion in the number of 4wds around our cities to see that people are not incentivised to choosing fuel efficient vehicles. There are exceptions – the number of hybrids and EV are increasing slowly. Hybrid taxi’s in particular. However – if you have ever been fortunate enough to visit Vancouver in recent years ,you would note that their car fleet is very focused on smaller, and fuel efficient vehicles. EV charging stations are everywhere, and they have a very good public transport system.

          • Andre 2.1.1.1.2

            There certainly is an element to efficiency improvements reducing fuel use.

            But there’s also a clear (inverse) correlation between per capita fuel use and fuel prices. See for example https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=33232

            It would be astonishing if an increase in fuel price due to a tax increase didn’t have the same effect in reducing fuel use as price increase due to exchange rate movements or oil price changes. A tax increase is in fact probably more effective, since everyone expects it to be permanent, whereas oil prices and exchange rates fluctuate.

            Whenever fuel prices are high, there’s always a flurry of articles talking about how buyer demand shifts towards smaller vehicles. Conversely when fuel prices drop there’s a flurry of articles talking about people buying bigger vehicles again. Bit it’s been surprisingly hard to find a good paper properly examining whether that’s real.

          • Draco T Bastard 2.1.1.1.3

            David Seymour seems to think rising prices decreases vehicle miles:

            David Seymour: Is the Prime Minister happy that rising petrol prices are reducing people’s driving and, therefore, the country’s carbon emissions?

            Which should happen according to market theory. Don’t think he tabled any evidence though.

      • bwaghorn 2.1.2

        Good link .
        Please be patient it takes me a while to get shit .
        Is cap and trade different to an ets and a straight carbon tax .

        • Andre 2.1.2.1

          A straight carbon (or greenhouse gas) tax is simplest to understand – you emit it, you pay the government for that emission. It’s a simple idea – you want to damage the atmosphere we all rely on, you pay for that damage.

          Cap and trade and emissions trading schemes are closely related but very different to a tax – the idea is you need to obtain some sort of right to emit. So those rights are issued by some authority in limited numbers (hence a cap) according to some scheme which might be historical emissions, outright purchase or anything dreamed up by some bureaucrats.

          Those rights to emit may then be bought and sold on a secondary market. The idea being that some emitters may have an easy way to reduce their emissions so it makes more sense for them to change what they do and sell their emissions rights, while other emitters may wish to expand their operations and they would find it cheaper to just buy more emissions rights than try to reduce their emissions.

          But all that trading horseshit opens the door wide to dodgy deals like all the bullshit carbon credits we bought from Russia and Ukraine. Fundamentally the idea seems flawed to me, in that the whole concept is built around some sort of “right to emit”. To me, the better way to look at it is all emissions are damaging, and everyone that emits should get given the same solid kick to reduce their emissions. Don’t open the door for weasels to try to get around trying to reduce, just penalise the emissions so all emitters pay the price for the damage they do.

          • bwaghorn 2.1.2.1.1

            What’s your view on offsetting.
            I ask because I’ve head it said recently that sheep and beef farmers will be taxed on emissions but planting a tree for every stock unit should cover it .
            I’m trying to arm myself with easy counterpoints to the rants against the coming changes in farming .

            • Andre 2.1.2.1.1.1

              I think offsetting is a scam dreamed up to sucker money out of naive greenies that want to kid themselves that all the flying and driving they do can be done without damage to our common environment.

              While it’s possible there may be a few more trees getting planted because of offset schemes (I doubt it), trees should be getting planted because of the standalone merits of doing so. If the carbon they suck out of the atmosphere is worthy of additional reward (and I think it is), then that should be paid from the proceeds of greenhouse gas pricing. But I’m wary of the potential for scam artists to latch onto sucking money from fraudulent tree-growing schemes.

              I know that view isn’t going to be much help in your discussions about the future of farming, sorry.

  3. aj 3

    Was the Elizabeth Alexandra Mary doing satire last night? Either way, the most wasted 10 minutes of television of the day, and that’s saying something.

  4. James 4

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/entertainment/2018/12/mixed-reactions-to-dominic-west-s-suggestion-of-trans-james-bond.html

    Calls for a trans James Bond – by god some people are so PC that it defies all logic.

    Strangely I don’t see the same people calling for a male Wonder Woman.

    • KJT 4.1

      Won’t work.

      How can a trans be credible as a misogynistic, arrogant, emotionless killer, realistically?

      BTW. A female James Bond, has been done.

    • Classic rwnj getting worked up about imaginary issues not real ones. Go donate your time for the poor and suffering oh indulgent one

      • James 4.2.1

        Amusingly enough – it’s the pc idiots that are getting all wound up – is grown ups were fine with how things were.

        And I’m all good with how I spend my time. I’m at the batch with the kids and grandkids – happy as anything.

    • francesca 4.3

      OK
      A trans displaying toxic masculinity?
      How do we even define what makes someone a woman or a man these days
      If you self identify as that gender ?
      A woman is whatever you want a woman to be?
      If we’re going to be all non binary, where does that leave feminism?

    • Stunned mullet 4.4

      How about person Xmas…

      ‘Apparently, according to a recent poll, a lot of people don’t care which gender old Saint Nick is. Gina Battye, an LGBT+ identity coach, tells BBC Three that it’s great that more than 17% of people reportedly want a gender-neutral Santa. Hmm. Which begs the question: What the fuck is an identity coach?’

      http://is-a-cunt.com/2018/12/person-christmas/

  5. alwyn 5

    When are the Government going to admit that they stuffed the Census completely and take responsibility for the situation?
    Why did the Minister of Statistics totally ignore the only significant job he has and jaunt off overseas to his various junkets instead of keeping track of the Census.
    As Brian Easton says. The best thing to do is to abandon the 2018 results and rerun the Census in 2021.
    https://www.pundit.co.nz/content/the-census-flop

    In the meantime the Government must.
    1. Sack the Government Statistician.
    2. Sack the Person responsible for the organisation of the Census.
    3. Sack the Minister responsible. Shaw must go.

    There is an attempt by the CoL to blame it on the previous Government. Claims are that they cut the budget. Actually the amount allocated went up from $90m in 2013 to $120m in 2018. The Col had 6 months to fix any perceived problems from the time they took the reins until the date of the Census and do the job properly. Instead they spent a further 9 months since then pretending there was nothing wrong. Now it is claimed that there is insufficient time to do it properly in 2021.
    Well quit and let someone else do it properly.

    And in the meantime stop blaming the previous Government. The blame falls on the Department, on the “Honourable” James Shaw and on the leaders of the Labour Party for putting the fool in a job that was far beyond his ability.
    Jacinda, you also should stand up and apologise for the a major stuff-up by your Government. Alternatively why don’t you also step down and hand over the title, as well as the pay, to the de facto PM, Tsar Winston?

    • Jeepers mate Santa a bit stingy eh

      Sad to see your great intellect wasted on this trivia.

      • Macro 5.1.1

        I’ll bet National are relieved they are not in Govt. Just imagine the vitriol that they would have received from alwyn on this matter following an even greater stuff up!
        Oh wait!

        • alwyn 5.1.1.1

          IF National had remained in Government and IF there had been a stuff-up of this magnitude I would have been much more vitriolic than this.

          But they aren’t in Government and we can never know what would have happened. All the Census results from 2013 were OK tends to imply they wouldn’t have been OK if they had remained in power.

          When National screwed up, as they did over the America’s cup financing I was just as unhappy with them as I am with the Coalition of Losers.

          In general I was in favour of a change of Government last year. They had been in office for 9 years and were getting rather tired. The problem was I didn’t think that there was a competent alternative. That view has turned out to be right. Labour and its allies had spent 9 years doing nothing and were totally unprepared for being in power.
          After all look at the fiascos going on in anything that Twyford gets near. Waiting lists for social housing going up by 50% in the last year are only one of the more spectacular examples of the man’s stupidity.

          • KJT 5.1.1.1.1

            Nothing to do with National selling off State houses, of course. So their private sector mates could make a killing off tax payer funded rental subsidies.

            Takes much more than a year, to reverse nine years of deliberate destruction.

            Though I agree Twford is not the most competent Minister, he looks like an intellectual giant compared with National’s lineup.

            Bridges is the best they have. FFS.

            I never saw you complaining, when National made a total snafu of housing!

          • KJT 5.1.1.1.2

            Nothing to do with National selling off State houses, of course. So their private sector mates could make a killing off tax payer funded rental subsidies.

            Takes much more than a year, to reverse nine years of deliberate destruction.

            Though I agree Twford is not the most competent Minister, however he looks like an intellectual giant compared with National’s lineup.

            Bridges is the best they have. FFS.

            I never saw you complaining, when National made a total snafu of housing!

            • alwyn 5.1.1.1.2.1

              Repeating your comment doesn’t make it any more sensible you know.
              The waiting list comparison was, if my memory is correct, between November 2017 and November 2018.
              Just how did National “sell of State Houses during this time that they were in Opposition”?

          • Macro 5.1.1.1.3

            Have you any idea how long it takes, or how much it costs, to develop a nation-wide census? It’s not something that can be put together in a few months. And it’s not something that should be done on the cheap. The decision to have a computer based survey was made, not by this government, but by National – purely on the basis of cost cutting. Shaw was handed a hospital pass by the out going National Govt, and the fiasco that was inevitable by choosing to think that a successful survey could be achieved in such a manner was certainly not his doing, but the idiots who thought that everyone has access to a computer and are computer literate. This sort of intellectual snobbery is brilliantly demonstrated in the movie “I Daniel Blake”. While many of us are happy to work, and communicate on-line, the plain fact is that there is a significant minority of folks who either have no access to the internet, or who have no understanding of how it all works – even if they did.

            • OnceWasTim 5.1.1.1.3.1

              Yep, I was wondering about that @ Macro because I was out of the country in one of the World’s ‘whops’ for a few months at the time, and I’d left just after the election.
              So Alwyn’s expectation is that with all the crap an incoming government has to deal with – you know – like going through all those facile PEBs and all, they then have to take responsibility for the planning that went on under the previous junta.
              The census does seem to have been (yet another) complete fuckup, but it’s a bloody big stretch to sheet? all that home to an incoming government.

              • alwyn

                Macro has clearly great ability in writing historical fiction.
                Pity it has so little to do with reality of course.

                Shaw was in the job for nearly 6 months prior to the Census date. It was the only important thing in any of his “ministerial” roles that had to be done.
                Why did he waste all his time on little things in minor functions and ignore, apparently, the only important matter?
                Then why did he, and the Department, happily announce, in total contempt for all the evidence that everything was fine for the almost nine months that followed?
                If I, not involved and only an interested and intelligent onlooker, realised it was stuffed-up in March how could the supposed experts, and their acolytes on sites like this, not realise it and admit it to the public for another 9 months?
                Shaw announced, on some occasions when he deigned to stay in NZ that everything was wonderful. Why did he lie to us? He and his Department must have known the execution of the exercise was irremediably flawed. Why didn’t they say so and get on with organising a repeat. They would have had 3 years before a rerun in 2021.

                • Draco T Bastard

                  Macro has clearly great ability in writing historical fiction.

                  That would be you as you run around trying to prove that it wasn’t National that planned the whole fuckup.

                • Sacha

                  Alwyn, the planning for the census was all done before Shaw was involved. Call for the previous Minister’s scalp if you must.

      • alwyn 5.1.2

        “wasted on this trivia”.
        Do you seriously think that the Census is “Trivia”?
        Jesus wept. You are certainly behaving like a total idiot.

        • Ad 5.1.2.1

          Will make more electorate seats in 2020 unlikely, because redistricting will be too inaccurate.

        • Robert Guyton 5.1.2.2

          “Jesus wept”?
          Apparently at this point in his career, the days of his birth, he didn’t (“The little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes” – Away in a manger)

        • bwaghorn 5.1.2.3

          Well it must be trivia because if it was taken seriously why did the last government not know that we aren’t training enough teachers and doctors etc and not building enough houses and basic infrastructure to cope .

        • marty mars 5.1.2.4

          Only an idiot thinks the census is used in the way they describe – it SHOULD be for planning but is really just a snapshot in time , a recordl. It also supplies retired actuaries some stats to distort for politican gains.

      • Bewildered 5.1.3

        Old farty Bars in a good trolling mood today

    • Drowsy M. Kram 5.2

      Best of luck with your New Year’s resolutions Alwyn, and don’t forget about ILG. Seems that Chris T‘s 6th of November prophesy that ILG would be “gone in a couple of weeks” was inaccurate – who would have thunk it?

      https://thestandard.org.nz/simons-sure-fire-way-to-deal-with-difficult-questions/#comment-1547276

      When you wish upon a star…

      “It dawned on me, ‘I know this script, I helped write this script.’ At that point, I felt bad for what I did to Todd. But that’s the modus operandi of the National Party – when people become a liability you push them out the door.”

      • alwyn 5.2.1

        Where on earth does that quote come from? Or is it just something your imagination has dredged up in your more extreme fantasies about Simon Bridges?

        The problem has with Lees-Galloway is that he might not vanish into oblivion quietly. He just might come out and explain just why he approved the ratbag being allowed to stay in New Zealand and precisely who it was that ordered him to do it.

        • Drowsy M. Kram 5.2.1.1

          That quote is from a formerly 7th-ranked opposition National party MP, one Jami-lee Ross; heard of him?

          Just for you, Alwyn, I’ll repeat the quote, with attribution. It’s pure troll disinfectant, and the mention of Todd (de)Baclay reinforces just how bad the corruption of National’s corpse is. It’s very sad for NZ.

          “It dawned on me, ‘I know this script, I helped write this script.’ At that point, I felt bad for what I did to Todd. But that’s the modus operandi of the National Party – when people become a liability you push them out the door.” – Jami-lee Ross (October 2018), former National party senior whip.

          https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12145569

          • alwyn 5.2.1.1.1

            That has about as much sense to it as did the unlamented Chris Carter talking about Phil Goff in about 2010. Every Party gets a few idiots who live in their own little fantasy worlds.
            Luckily most of them don’t stay for very long.

            • Drowsy M. Kram 5.2.1.1.1.1

              Alwyn, are you calling the former National party senior whip an idiot? Has he always been an idiot, or did he become an idiot only after recent comments?

              Seems smart as a whip to me, and about to become very wealthy indeed – one more National party rags-to-riches story that you really should be celebrating.

              • alwyn

                I certainly am calling Ross an idiot.
                He was an idiot with delusions of grandeur apparently.
                I have no idea what he was like earlier. I don’t think I had ever heard of him before this year.
                Anyone with ideas of succeeding in politics should be able to understand that knifing your leader when you can’t kill him is not a career enhancing move.

                “Seems smart as a whip to me”. I guess, when you are a Labour Party fan, he would seem smart. After all he would seem quite clever to me when I compare him to someone like Twyford.

                • Drowsy M. Kram

                  JLR became a National party MP in March 2011, and Alwyn first heard of him in 2018, indicating selective voids in Alwyn’s awareness of NZ politics.

                  Has Alwyn heard of Dr Yang., the National party spokeperson for Statistics, and how closely do Dr Yang’s opinions on the 2018 census match Alwyn’s@5?

                  https://www.national.org.nz/minister_s_leadership_of_census_2018_abysmal

                  Note Dr Yang isn’t calling for Dr Shaw to be sacked; Alwyn’s on his own there.

                  In my opinion JLT has indeed demonstrated that he is “sharp as a whip” – why Alwyn seems reluctant to accept a genuine compliment about the intelligence of a (former) high-ranking Natioanl party MP is beyond me, although to be fair you wouldn’t catch me complimenting Bridges or Bennett for their intelligence.

        • Sacha 5.2.1.2

          Who ordered it? My money’s on the illuminati.

          • alwyn 5.2.1.2.1

            “The illuminati”
            Ah, ha.
            In that case I suppose that Tom Hanks will be along shortly to fix it all up.

    • KJT 5.3

      It was all planned, set up and funding allocated under National. Right wingers have such short memories.

      • alwyn 5.3.1

        “funding allocated under National”.
        That’s right they allocated $120 million for the Census. That was a great deal more that the $90 million they put in for the 2013 Census wasn’t it?
        But Ms Ardern says that they cut the budget. She really is as useless in arithmetic as she is in everything else isn’t she?

        However the CoL appointed a new Minister and he never even requested anything in writing about how the Census was going. He was far to busy arranging his taxpayer funded overseas trips to attend pointless meetings in exotic places than to spend any time on the most important activity he, as a Minister, was responsible for.
        Cop the blame Mr Ward. ‘Fess up to your inadequacy and resign.

      • Draco T Bastard 5.3.2

        It’s not that they have short memories but that they refuse to take responsibility for their actions.

        • alwyn 5.3.2.1

          Weren’t you one of those who assured us that everything would be fine and that statisticians could easily correct for the missing data?
          Since the search function died it has been a bit hard to check those things. Probably saves a lot of the CoL lovers some acute embarrassment of course.
          They can quietly forget the statements they made

          • Draco T Bastard 5.3.2.1.1

            Weren’t you one of those who assured us that everything would be fine and that statisticians could easily correct for the missing data?

            Yep, I was. They seem to have done so for much of the data, are still working on some and won’t have some.

            It’s not the end of the world.

            BTW, citation needed for the budget figures you quoted.

            • alwyn 5.3.2.1.1.1

              “BTW, citation needed for the budget figures you quoted.”

              How about the following?
              “The total five-year budget for the census, granted by the previous National government, was $120m. It’s difficult to compare census budgets, which rise and fall with each cycle, but the previous census in 2013 cost about $90m.”
              https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/109587285/stats-nz-says-planned-cost-cutting-unlikely-to-produce-successful-census-in-future

              I can’t really be bothered working through all the estimates, and supplementary estimates, for about 10 years to see whether the numbers are correct.
              I think the Stats Department are desperately trying to find something, anything, that they can claim so that they save their jobs.

    • Ad 5.4

      Holding the Minister of Statistics accountable is as likely as the Greens harpooning a dolphin.

      • alwyn 5.4.1

        You are probably correct. Green MPs have never been known to take responsibility for their actions in the past.
        Look at how the only Green MPs who thought that Turei’s actions were unacceptable were treated by the party. Out with them!
        Instead a taxpayer cheating crook was held up as an object to be deified. Why was she never prosecuted by the way?

        However at the moment I am a great deal more concerned about the problems caused by the Census being stuffed up and the problems that it is going to cause with Governmental actions until we get a Census that is accurate.

        • Ad 5.4.1.1

          It’s small beans Alwyn.
          That’s why the Greens have that Ministry.
          Everyone who does well graduates, generally.

          It won’t affect the massive redistribution coming in Budget 2019.

          Shaw will get his carbon bill through – it’s all the Greens will do of any note this term.

        • Robert Guyton 5.4.1.2

          Scabs are your body’s natural system of healing, alwyn; stop ripping them off and exposing them to our view – we’re beginning to suspect you’ve got leprosy!

          • alwyn 5.4.1.2.1

            It isn’t my body with the scabs, Robert. It seems that you are talking about the Stats Dept and their political overlord.

            Looking at the definition of “Body Public” I imagine that the Stats Department might be one of those.
            “A body organization or agency that is financed by a form of government acts independently of it and has the responsibility to report key data evidence facts statistics to the government and is accountable for their role responsibility and objectives.”

            That sounds pretty close to what they do. Given that sunlight is supposed to the best disinfectant it would seem to be an excellent idea to shine a very bright light on their, and their Minister’s, failures.
            Now let’s clean house and start the process again. All change for the Thorndon Line.

            How is that for a hodge podge of mixed metaphors?

        • KJT 5.4.1.3

          Getting a bit piste, are you Alwyn?

        • KJT 5.4.1.4

          In your right wing fantasy world.

          Where only the poor have to take, “personal responsibility” despite the enormous pressure they are placed under.

          Turei was trying to ensure that people, in future, wouldn’t be forced into those sort of situations.

          • alwyn 5.4.1.4.1

            It certainly took her a very long time to talk about it didn’t it?
            The fraud apparently took place when her child was a baby. She finally admitted to it when her daughter was 24.
            https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11893562
            More than 20 years before you try and claim that you were only doing it so that others wouldn’t.
            That was really planning ahead. Pity that even when she did so she lied about and insulted the family of the babies father who had supplied her with a huge amount of support.

            • KJT 5.4.1.4.1.1

              It is actually funny, when you get all excited about that. Hypocrisy, much!

              And ignore fraudsters like English, who took the tax payer for much more.

              Or, Key. Whose path to fortune cost every New Zealander, thousands. But that was legal, Eh!

              Or the banks. Whose tax evasion cost, billions!

              But then they are rich white men, not a poor, Maori, solo mother.

              • alwyn

                “not a poor, Maori, solo mother”.
                Gosh, you will soon have me bursting into tears
                However when I consider the matter.
                She wasn’t poor. The father of her child. and his family were providing very generous support, as I understand it.
                She was Maori. True.
                She was only a solo mother by choice.
                She made no attempt at all to actually try and provide for her daughter by her own efforts. She relied on the taxpayer and her “in-laws” to do that. Meanwhile she studied and spent her spare time, not in a part time job, but in running for Parliament as a representative of a couple of joke parties.
                She ripped off the taxpayer as fast as she could.
                By the way. Perhaps you can tell us whether she ever repaid the money she stole.
                I doubt it. She might have said she would but keeping promises was far, far from that persons mind.
                She was a disgrace to herself and to New Zealand.

                • KJT

                  Really.

                  Then what do you think of already wealthy MP’s, who use their position for their own gain?

                  • alwyn

                    I suggest you talk to Helen Clark, or Michael Cullen.
                    Ask Helen whether she is a tax resident of New Zealand or whether she spends more that half her time in the USA.
                    Ask “Sir” Michael why he doesn’t pay any tax on his Super.

                    • KJT

                      Hypocritical whataboutery.

                      National MP’s have been caught with their actual fingers in the till.

                      If you want to play this game.

                      What about Paula cut your benefit? Didn’t she have help from relatives while on welfare? Just like almost every other beneficiary.

                      As for working for “joke” political parties!

        • Draco T Bastard 5.4.1.5

          The Greens always take responsibility for their actions.

          It’s the RWNJs that always blame others for their actions.

          Same as what you’re doing here.

      • KJT 5.4.2

        Why?

        The whole census was set up and planned under National.

        The online idea was theirs.

        As a past census enumerator, my wife was privy to the planning.

        She said, over a year ago, that it is going to be a fuckup.

        Just one of many by the previous Government.

        Only a blind NACT, apologist, can think it has anything to do with the current Government.

        • Ad 5.4.2.1

          Because he is Minister.

          It’s the job. $250k+.

          You suck it up and correct it.

          Shaw didn’t try hard enough when the terms and questions and project were getting underway, so he has to eat it now.

          • KJT 5.4.2.1.1

            It was already done FFS.

            No doubt with one of Nationals “useful idiots” they promoted beyond their competence level, in charge, like so much of our current, State services. Assuring the Minister all is fine!

            • Ad 5.4.2.1.1.1

              If he can’t alter his own department he should resign.

              The project was a long way from implementation when he came to office.

              Only strong Ministers kill projects.
              Shaw just didn’t have the strength.

              Theres only three strong Ministers in this government, and the census shows Shaw ain’t one of them.

          • Sacha 5.4.2.1.2

            The project was ‘getting underway’ years ago. Don’t be a dolt.

            • Ad 5.4.2.1.2.1

              On his watch, in his power to change.

              Fail.

              • Sacha

                Nothing much we can do for your comprehension of how government works, sadly.

              • Macro

                Ad, had Shaw attempted to amend the procedure by which the Census was to be carried out, in the 6 months he had, it would have been an even bigger fuck up than it was going to be. Last minute changes to a complex plan are almost invariably certain to lead to an even greater disaster.
                Obviously he was assured by his officials that everything was in place, and it was all going to be fine. But this was a huge experiment, and it proved that while many people were fine with the way the data was collected, the fact remains that for a significant minority, computer based surveys are the completely wrong way to go – they either have no access and/or are completely computer illiterate. Furthermore the fact that so many are now homeless – a direct result of National’s policies – meant that around 1% of the population were untargeted.

                • Exkiwiforces

                  “they either have no access and/or are completely computer illiterate. Furthermore the fact that so many are now homeless – a direct result of National’s policies – meant that around 1% of the population were untargeted.”

                  I think you are on to something there Macro IRT “The No Mates Party” could’ve been trying to fudge the numbers IOT deny those people access to healthcare, education and welfare etc via reduced funding to those various departments and therefore deny there is problem as those poor souls don’t exist because the census figures say so.

                • Ad

                  He did try and commented at the time that it was too late.

                • Draco T Bastard

                  …they either have no access and/or are completely computer illiterate.

                  In this day and age nobody should be computer illiterate. Computers just aren’t that hard to use.

                  And they can go to the library to get access.

                  • Macro

                    In this day and age nobody should be computer illiterate. Computers just aren’t that hard to use.

                    And they can go to the library to get access.

                    And that was the arrogant thinking that lead directly to the resulting stuff up.

                    Have you any idea of how many people who are over 80 there are in this country? Many of them have never been near a computer, my sister for a start, and she is one of the 1% ers. and could easily afford the very best computer and the fastest broadband. Her husband is older and left school to work on the family farm at 14. A capable person in many respects – but completely computer illiterate.
                    That story is replicated across the country. Here in Thames (with the highest percentage of seniors in the country) I can assure you that there were many people for whom the census represented a severe challenge. Some even had their own computer and internet access, but they use them solely to send emails to their children – and some are even brave enough to skype with the family overseas – but to use a computer, to log into a site, and answer a questionnaire is completely beyond their skill level. I know many of them personally.
                    But it is not just the the elderly. There are even more who have little to no access to computing, because they have never had to use one in their daily lives. Add in the numbers of dyslexic, and those who have been to school but never learned to read, – you would be surprised just how many there are. The 40,000+ who are homeless. You begin to see that there are a significant minority who either will never be able to complete an online survey, or will be sufficiently challenged, that they could never begin the process in the first place.

                    • Draco T Bastard

                      Have you any idea of how many people who are over 80 there are in this country?

                      When I was on Xtra’s help-desk I had an 85 year old ring in and ask me to help connect her to the internet. It was her first computer.

                      When I was on the Census help-desk I had people in their 70s and 80s ringing up and asking for help to get through the online forms and when we’d finished them say oh, was that it? that was easy wasn’t it?

                      Many of the elder people I’ve met have that can do attitude that we like to tell ourselves we all have. Of course, I’ve met people younger than me who whinge about how hard it is as well.

                      but to use a computer, to log into a site, and answer a questionnaire is completely beyond their skill level.

                      And I helped many people through. That’s what the help-desk was for.

                      There are even more who have little to no access to computing, because they have never had to use one in their daily lives.

                      I find that hard to believe.
                      How do they access their bank account?
                      Their library?
                      Their job?
                      Hell, you can’t even get WINZ help without a phone.

                      The 40,000+ who are homeless.

                      Most of them will have smart-phones and Stats did send people around to where homeless and freedom campers were known to congregate.

                      Here’s the thing: Using the internet is no harder than reading a friggen book.

                      And I’m pretty sure that most of the people whinging about using computers as being too hard can read a friggen book.

                      The ones that are dyslexic or illiterate could ask for help.

                      Really, stop whinging about it not being the 19th century any more and start living in the now.

                    • I feel love []

                      My parents are in their mid 60s and have never used a computer, why would they? Social media is baffling and pointless, they bank at the bank, they shop in shops. Not everyone fucks around on blogs all day.

                    • Draco T Bastard

                      My parents are in their mid 60s and have never used a computer, why would they?

                      Because this isn’t the 19th century any more?

                      With online shopping neither banks nor shops are viable as they simply cost too much to run. Especially banks where an algorithm is probably a better advisor than a flesh bag.

      • Draco T Bastard 5.4.3

        Considering that the one who needs to be held responsible is the previous minister who planned the fuckup then you’re probably right.

    • Draco T Bastard 5.5

      When are the Government going to admit that they stuffed the Census completely and take responsibility for the situation?

      Considering that it was all planned under National and before the election why would they admit that it was their fault?

      There is an attempt by the CoL to blame it on the previous Government.

      It was the previous government that fucked things up.

      The Col had 6 months to fix any perceived problems from the time they took the reins until the date of the Census and do the job properly.

      You’re assuming that they already knew that National had fucked it up and had plans to fix it all whereas in reality it being stuffed probably came as much as a surprise to them as to the rest of the country.

      National fucked it up and now they’re trying to pass the blame on to the current government. Engaging in their normal personal responsibility that they’re so fond of.

  6. bwaghorn 6

    Oh my I just turned the cricket on. 😭

  7. joe90 7

    Prick’s a fucking fraud.

    Over the years Jimmy made dozens of vids on Syria, with catchy titles like "Truth about Syria", and got millions of clicks on them.Yesterday Dore admitted that he only now learned about Rojava and YPG Kurds, meaning he actually never bothered to do any research on the issue. pic.twitter.com/oNZff0D6Zm— Class Reductionist (@Nitzky89) December 23, 2018

    https://twitter.com/Nitzky89/status/1076926963565113344

  8. eco maori 8

    Solar power is the clean green power of the future mokopuna’s it was pleasing to see a lot of maori Tamariki choseing the Sciences to study for there future jobs indigenous cultures solve problems in a unique fashion . I say nurturing indigenous cultures sciences will inprove everyone life.
    Solar power in New Zealand currently contributes 0.2 percent to the country’s overall electricity generation. In the 2016 calendar year, an estimated 52 GWh of solar-generated electricity was contributed to the national grid, out of a total of 41,400 GWh.[1]
    Although there are no subsidies, the declining costs of photovoltaics has caused a large increase in demand over the last few years. In 2009, the average turnkey price for a standard PV system of three kilowatts (kW) was about NZ$40,000, and has since dropped significantly to NZ$9,000.[2] As of April 2018, 1,385 MW of solar power has been installed in New Zealand. 19,134 solar power systems have been installed, 17,817 are residential systems.[3]

    Buy-back rates for solar power exported to the grid range from 7 cents to 12 cents[6]. Cost-effectiveness of a residential solar power occurs when system owners aim to use more of their solar power than what they export, by means of timed appliances, turning on appliances when the sun is out, energy management systems and battery storage. Commercial buildings that use power during the day can get a high return on their investment.[7]
    A 2015 study found that PV was more economical than grid supply if all the PV electricity was used on site and none was exported to the grid. For residential and commercial installations, improving energy efficiency is a lower cost option than PV.
    Ka kite ano links below

    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/dec/16/divestment-fossil-fuel-industry-trillions-dollars-investments-carbon

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uof9cB9-MOo

  9. Eco Maori 9

    Some Eco Maori Music for the minute
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-PwQnQcmEA

  10. eco maori 10

    Kia ora Piripi from Te kaea yes Auckland has not keep up the systems needed to cope with storm water that over flows and dumps sewage in the beaches
    I it is ka pai that MPI is taking protecting our Paua from poaching seriously its big money overseas.
    Eco maori backs Puhoro maori science teaching program it will be money well spent as the teacher can connect with our tamariki the will learn and earn higher credits .
    I like that add stop a mate driving drunk its cool that its has come from Tairawhiti yes mates have a big influnce on each other.
    Yes we must learn to respect Tangaroa I know that I am not as fit or as good at diving as I could 20 years ago I make sure to have a spotter when I dive now .
    Aotearoa had a good sports season this year 2018 Ka kite ano

  11. Eco Maori 11

    Kia ora Newshub That hot air balloon accident in Australia look like they had a big fright and were lucky no one died.
    It was no secret that trump went to Iraq he tweeted about it I seen a video on his speech while he was there.
    The mount Etna eruptions is natural phenomen Italy has had a few natural events lately
    Yes the Fire season in Aotearoa has started people will be very careful .
    China is showing how tec will change the way we buy stuff online is the way of the future it is not taking off as fast in Aotearoa like other countrys as it takes just 10 minutes to get to a shop in Aotearao Ka kite ano Bolt is having a good game of cricket Niki

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  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
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    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
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  • The return of Muldoon
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    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
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  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
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  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
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    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
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  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
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    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
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  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
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  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
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  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
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    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
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    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
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    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • There’s a name for this
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    6 days ago
  • Echoes of 1968 in 2024?  Pocock on the repetitive problems of the New Left
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    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Two bar blues
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    6 days ago
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    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Angus Deaton on rethinking his economics IMFLocal scoop: The people behind Tamarind, the firm that left a $500m cleanup bill for taxpayers at Taranaki’s Tui oil well, are back operating in Taranaki under a different company name. Jonathan ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
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  • AT Need To Lift Their Game
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  • Christopher's Whopper.
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    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • Funding hole for tax cuts growing by the day
    The pressure is mounting on the Government as it finalises its Budget Policy Statement, but yet more predicted revenue ‘goes missing’. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The Climate Commission has delivered another funding blow to the National-ACT-NZ First coalition Government’s tax-cutting plans, potentially carving $1.4 billion off the ‘climate ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • Luxon’s brave climate change promise
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    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    6 days ago

  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
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    23 hours ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
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    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
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    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
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    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
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    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
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  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
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  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
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  • Government delivering on tax commitments
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    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
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    5 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
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    5 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
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    5 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
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    5 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
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    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
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    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Fresh produce price drop welcome
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    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Statement to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
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  • Speech to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68)
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government backs rural led catchment projects
    The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
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    6 days ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction.   Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
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    7 days ago
  • Commission’s advice on ETS settings tabled
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    1 week ago
  • Government lowering building costs
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    1 week ago
  • Trustee tax change welcomed
    Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
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    1 week ago
  • Minister’s Ramadan message
    Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness.  It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister appoints new NZTA Chair
    Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
    Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology.  It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
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    1 week ago
  • Progress continues apace on water storage
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
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    1 week ago
  • Government agrees to restore interest deductions
    Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government has agreed to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties. “Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The Government’s restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax code,” says ...
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    1 week ago
  • Minister to attend World Anti-Doping Agency Symposium
    Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Switzerland today to attend an Executive Committee meeting and Symposium of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Mr Bishop will then travel on to London where he will attend a series of meetings in his capacity as Infrastructure Minister. “New Zealanders believe ...
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    1 week ago
  • Pacific Language Weeks celebrate regional unity
    This year’s Pacific Language Weeks celebrate regional unity and the contribution of Pacific communities to New Zealand culture, says Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti.  Dr Reti announced dates for the 2024 Pacific Language Weeks during a visit to the Pasifika festival in Auckland today and says there’s so ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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