Open mike 28/02/2024

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, February 28th, 2024 - 53 comments
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53 comments on “Open mike 28/02/2024 ”

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  1. Sanctuary 1
    28 February 2024 at 7:52 am

    Who thinks the reason Nikki Haley is still in the GOP primaries is because she plans to run as an independent against Trump and Biden with a view on winning in 2028?

    • Belladonna 1.1
      28 February 2024 at 10:11 am

      If she is, then she should prepare to be comprehensively defeated.
      The political machine in the US effectively makes it impossible to run for President, except through the Republican and Democrat parties. Which is why Trump is running through the Republican Party – even though he shares little of their actual political identity.

      Also – one of the two (Biden/Trump) will be ineligible to run – you're only allowed 2 terms – and both are at one term, now.

      • Obtrectator 1.1.1
        28 February 2024 at 7:23 pm

        I wouldn't bank on the two-term rule remaining in force (or even being enforced) if Trump gets back with a compliant Congress.

        • Belladonna 1.1.1.1
          29 February 2024 at 10:05 am

          And the signs of there being a compliant Congress are? Republicans (at the Congressional level) are not exactly doing well in the polls; and the projected mid-term Red wave (mid-term elections typically favour the party opposed to the President) – was barely a ripple.

          Even if Trump is elected, he is much more likely to be a lame duck President, with an opposed Congress.

    • Phillip ure 1.2
      28 February 2024 at 11:01 am

      I think haley is still there for two reasons..

      One is she was hoping opposition to trump would coalesce around her. .which hasn't happened..

      The other is being the only one still standing .. should trump fall..(for whatever reason..)

    • mpledger 1.3
      28 February 2024 at 1:52 pm

      She is there to get name recognition. If she fails spectacularly it won't matter because in four years time it will be her name that is remembered not the outcome.

  2. Bearded Git 2
    28 February 2024 at 8:46 am

    Somebody just texted in to RNZ Morning Report "I didn't realise Mr. Luxon supported blokes with fags in their mouths shooting semi-automatics from their Ford Ranger"…(paraphrased a bit)

    I’m not a huge Hipkins fan but he sounded pretty damn good this morning on RNZ after listening to the drivel coming from the C of C ministers.

  3. Ffloyd 3
    28 February 2024 at 9:05 am

    Luxon keeps banging on about New Zealand being in crisis mode. Do you think that somewhere in that tiny little brain of his that his Coalition IS THE CRISIS. They are running rampant. Straight out of John keys book of dirty politics. How do we stop this everything under emergency crap? Vote of no confidence? I also see that our this Dickson? Real estate lady is being supported by Hobsons Choice (Atlas?) who are trying to raise funds for her Court Case to fight her suspension for not taking (Forgot the name) in Māori protocols and History. Is she another plant?

    • tc 3.1
      28 February 2024 at 11:12 am

      All part of the right wing play book.

      Manufacturing consent with phoney culture wars and spin that there's a crises they had nothing to do and only they can solve it.

      Show's how owned the media is as we all saw this coming, imagine proper journalism and hold that thought because that's as far as it'll go.

    • E.Burke 3.2
      28 February 2024 at 12:16 pm

      How do we stop this everything under emergency crap?

      Ahem, check the last Governments form for passing legislation under urgency

      [Address the comment to which you’re replying instead of trollish whataboutery – Incognito]

    • Michael P 3.3
      28 February 2024 at 2:20 pm

      Straight out of the standard political playbook. If you can convince the population there's a crisis (better still if you can create a climate of fear) then you can much more easily make excuses for breaking promises and / or not delivering in certain areas or even doubling down.

      You can justify more extreme negative treatment of those whose are at fault for all of the economic woes (beneficiaries of course) and if you're good you can even stretch it to justifying things like more austerity for those other financial and economic destroyers (people on low incomes)

      You can get away with blaming the previous government for a longer time period and for more things you are struggling with or about to stuff up as well as the crisis being a nice little soft landing for some bad news or unwelcome data you know is about to be released.

      This government is just the current crop doing it, all sides are guilty of it to varying degrees when they're in power.. (sorry I meant in office … of course.)

      Yep, nothing like a good crisis to bring out the pitchforks of some… and distract the rest.

      Man I hate that I've become this cynical !

      • Patricia Bremner 3.3.1
        28 February 2024 at 9:58 pm

        Labour and the Greens did not manufacture a crisis to frighten people. Covid did that.

        Huge numbers dying each day, hospitals overwhelmed, then the cool store containers of bodies, people trapped on cruise liners, that was real.

        Now National screamed about ram raids, and our current PM posed outside a dairy. That was a sad case, but the truth of reducing ram raids was ignored and the faithful like JMM reported how bad it was along with Mitchell posing and exaggerating to create fear and a "crisis" So no apples and pears mate.

  4. Gosman 4
    28 February 2024 at 10:20 am

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/510362/productivity-commission-head-hits-out-at-cruel-and-thoughtless-way-it-has-been-axed

    Ganesh Nana moaning to RNZ National about something that should have been entirely predictable to him. He completely subverted the original purpose of the Productivity comminssion. Of course it was for the chop.

    If he couldn’t work this out without being advised in person then it is more evidence why he was not up to his job.

    • Drowsy M. Kram 4.1
      28 February 2024 at 11:27 am

      Was "the original purpose of the Productivity comminssion" much different to this?

      Our purpose
      As embodied in the New Zealand Productivity Commission Act, 2010 the principal purpose of the Commission is to provide advice to the Government on improving productivity in a way that is directed to supporting the overall wellbeing of New Zealanders, having regard to a wide range of communities of interest and population groups in New Zealand society.

      https://www.productivity.govt.nz/publications/annual-report-fy-202122/read-online/who-we-are/

      Following our closure on Thursday, 29 February 2024, our website will become the responsibility of the Treasury.
      You will still be able to access our research, reports and information about productivity and wellbeing through our URL http://www.productivity.govt.nz.

      Yet another 'last chance to see' – under our coalition of chaos and crisis 'government', self-interest rules, and our productive landLords are set to do very well – funny that.

      Opportunities Ahead: Key Government Changes Affecting Property Investors and Tenants in 2024 [19 Feb 2024]
      Bright line test reduction
      Return of Mortgage Interest Deductibility
      Reinstating the 90-day ‘no-cause eviction’

      Coalition Government lifts minimum wage to $23.15 which the Council of Trade Unions says is a cut in real terms [1 Feb 2024]
      "The rental market doesn't actually need coddling of landlords and speculators to exist, as it predated such welfarism."

      • Gosman 4.1.1
        28 February 2024 at 2:34 pm

        Yes. The original purpose of the Productivity Commission was purely focused on looking at how the value add componment of the economy could be enhanced rather than maximising non economic activities such as the environment and social well being. The last government added these other goals which essentially destroyed the original purpose of the commission and by appointing such a person as Ganesh Nana further removed it from that purpose.

        • Mikey 4.1.1.1
          28 February 2024 at 6:46 pm

          Social wellbeing is an economic activity / state.

        • Drowsy M. Kram 4.1.1.2
          28 February 2024 at 8:39 pm

          Yes. The original purpose of the Productivity Commission was purely focused on looking at how the value add componment of the economy could be enhanced rather than maximising non economic activities such as the environment and social well being.

          Are you sure Gos? You seem pretty sure, even absolutely sure, but I have doubts.

          Part 2 – Substantive Provisions
          7 Purpose of Commission
          The principal purpose of the Commission is to provide advice to the Government on improving productivity in a way that is directed to supporting the overall well-being of New Zealanders, having regard to a wide range of communities of interest and population groups in New Zealand society.

          Note that this quote is cut and pasted from the original version of the Act, "as enacted" in 2010, and sans additions – at least as far as I can tell.

          https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2010/0136/17.0/096be8ed8067a3eb.pdf
          Funny what tricks ideology can play on one's mind and memory, eh Gossie smiley

    • AB 4.2
      28 February 2024 at 1:30 pm

      The virulence with which the Right tries to silence any prominent voices they dislike, sits oddly with their supposed championing of free speech.

      • Gosman 4.2.1
        28 February 2024 at 2:55 pm

        Ummm… The Productivity Commission was subverted by the previous government and moved away from it's original remit. Much of the original purpose of the Commission is now going to be handled by the Ministry for Regulation. There is therefore no need to keep the Commission going.

        • AB 4.2.1.1
          28 February 2024 at 3:35 pm

          By "subverted" you merely mean "changed" it’s just a difference of opinon not a subterfuge misdemeanor or crime.

        • AB 4.2.1.2
          28 February 2024 at 3:45 pm

          By subverted you just mean changed. It's a difference of opinion, not a subterfuge, misdemeanor or crime. The right do not like the change, or the person leading it, so have ended it.

          • Gosman 4.2.1.2.1
            28 February 2024 at 3:50 pm

            There would be no Productivity commission without the ACT party requesting it as part of their agreement with National post the 2008 election. The reason ACT set it up was to identify areas of the economy that had barriers to improving productivity. It was not meant to focus on Social or Environmental areas. The last government changed the focus and therefore essentially killed it as soon as the current government looked like they were going to take power. If the last government wanted it to last they should have left it how it was.

            • KJT 4.2.1.2.1.1
              28 February 2024 at 7:03 pm

              Social and environmental concerns are some of our largest barriers to productivity. Except in the fevered fantasy world of Seymour and co. The blighted lives, and lost production, after the ACTIOD' s in 84 Labours and Richardson's National swath of destruction still affect productivity even now.
              ACT don’t want to remove “barriers to productivity” they want to remove barriers to their bribers/sorry, funders, making money. A not so subtle difference.

            • Descendant Of Smith 4.2.1.2.1.2
              28 February 2024 at 11:04 pm

              Nonsense one of the first areas they looked at when set up was the privitisation of welfare. They found essentially it didn't work and was highly problematic eg in Australian rural areas it failed quickly as there isn't any profit to be made in areas with few jobs (pretty much the same market failure that leads to rail lines closing, power costs being higher for country communities, etc).

              They also found that when the profit motive was introduced unsurprisingly the focus was on the clients that paid the most so they left people alone until they hit twelve months and that it where the biggest payment was. Rational market behaviour for sure.

              I thought the work they did in areas like this was really useful.

              I'm sad to see them go I thought they did lots of good stuff which oft was taken no notice of. They produced some of the most interesting work to read in the last 10 years – them and the Treaty Settlement documents have been really refreshing bits of public discourse.

        • Patricia Bremner 4.2.1.3
          28 February 2024 at 10:03 pm

          The "Ministry of Regulation" you mean our inhouse twerp? The Monty Python Act removing Regulations. That one? All puns intended.

        • Phillip ure 4.2.1.4
          29 February 2024 at 8:28 am

          Oh..!…so that act guy is taking over..?

          Nothing to worry about then…eh..?

  5. Phillip ure 5
    28 February 2024 at 11:27 am

    Shit..!..newshub is closing..in June..

  6. SPC 6
    28 February 2024 at 12:42 pm

    The government has a plan.

    To build up (intensification on transport routes and mixed zoning – residential in town centres), cities must plan to build out.

    Landbankers will be able to sell land to foreign investors building to rent. They pay no CGT on their landbanking profits to government.

    The GST on the property development goes to local councils – less money to government.

    Smaller government revenue, growing wealth to landbankers (especially those in the know pre election) and locals paying rent to offshore property owners.

    This also means foreign competition to Kiwi Saver Funds and the NZSF for land, if they intended to invest in rental accommodation – that is higher cost.

    PS More land for building out does not mean it is all available for that purpose if there is no policy to counter land bankers – drip feeding supply if there is no land and or CG tax on such land if there is no building on it.

  7. joe90 7
    28 February 2024 at 1:42 pm

    Hardly surprising when studies have found microplastics and nanoplastics in fruit and vegetables, buried in Antarctic sea ice, within the guts of marine animals inhabiting the deepest ocean trenches, and in drinking water around the world.

    .

    Microplastics have been found in every human placenta tested in a study, leaving the researchers worried about the potential health impacts on developing foetuses.

    The scientists analysed 62 placental tissue samples and found the most common plastic detected was polyethylene, which is used to make plastic bags and bottles. A second study revealed microplastics in all 17 human arteries tested and suggested the particles may be linked to clogging of the blood vessels.

    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/feb/27/microplastics-found-every-human-placenta-tested-study-health-impact

    • Phillip ure 7.1
      28 February 2024 at 2:14 pm

      And let's not forget that among the most efficient delivery systems to humans of the forever plastics…

      ..are butter and red meat.. especially pig..

      How is that bacon butty looking..?

    • SPC 7.2
      28 February 2024 at 2:25 pm

      There will be money in supplying water, food and air without plastics …

      Will our descendants be looking to the stars for a new habitable planet earth within the range of a human lifetime's journey … so their children have a better future.

      Has human civilisation finally understood the consequence of allowing an imperial cult of mammon to guide the social, economic and political order environment?

      Will knowledge of this result in the late stage capitalism oligarchy fascism …where the haves try and maintain their privilege/lifestyle as long as they can?

  8. SPC 8
    28 February 2024 at 2:05 pm

    The logic of Richard Prebble – a master class in conflation.

    Even after adjusting for inflation and higher rents, the average beneficiary’s income grew by 43 per cent”.

    He said the base benefit increased from 215 to 340 (its 337.60) – the rent increased in that period from $400 to $600. So he is lying. The increase in income was marginally above the increase in rent.

    https://figure.nz/chart/azFwYTVvUcrcxT3m-Cn6TyuSQBZ8Kacee

    And by 2025, rent increases will have matched or gone up faster than benefits.

    The result is more children in material hardship.

    The number of children in hardship is a function of the numbers on benefits with children (higher) and the impact of the rising cost of rent on those in work (the MW increases were also above inflation but below that of rent increases). Not the amount paid in benefit.

    He then goes onto conflate levels of income support with numbers who are without work, if somehow placing those on benefits into greater poverty reduces dependence – when he really means reduced tax burden on others results in their higher after tax spending creating jobs – which those on benefits.will be desperate to get in a competition with migrant labour (thus keeping wages low and profits high).

    The best way to reduce poverty is to have a strong economy. A rising tide lifts all boats. We will never eliminate poverty by making increasing numbers dependent on the state.

    Helping people into work reduces dependence, well-paid work and affordable rent ends poverty but sufficient support when between jobs is what first world nations do.

    ACT and its advocates have got Randian ideology, they believe in a society order based around profit to capital and user pays – so there is no concept of society or community apart from an authority maintaining government over the have nots on behalf of the haves. Returning the democratic nation state citizen to the status of subject. Authority maintaining government over the people refers to the unaccountable nature of it and its lack of transparency.

    Atlas Network – holding up a regime above the landless people without capital.

    https://archive.li/6g4k1

    • Kay 8.1
      28 February 2024 at 4:08 pm

      It's almost hilarious watching the mental gymnastics going on in their constant efforts to justify pure cruelty. Do you think they genuinely believe what they're saying, or is it a show for the base and the media?

      I've been around long enough to remember when a 1-bedroom private rental in Auck/Wgtn was (much) less than the core Invalids/SLP benefit. Now it's more than the core benefit (and with no options of finding somewhere cheaper) and the maximum of every supplement going is necessary in order to pay the rest of the bills. I have absolutely no idea how anyone with kids does it.

      Rents are the biggest cause of poverty in NZ right now.

      • SPC 8.1.1
        28 February 2024 at 4:40 pm

        ACT is the class war front of National.

        It's a legacy of the surrender to the market of the lite-weight division of 1980's Labour absorbed into neo-liberalism, an ideological conversion cult within the Randian Atlas Network.

        As for housing, I'm hoping to see a lot of small build "granny" flats (factory en-mass) being consented on sections – 2 in place one sub-divide. And village communities of them, good use of half of golf course land – rest park. And also for older folk (owned or income related rent) as per Kiwibuild/state mixed housing.

        And in the provinces iwi using them to house their aged on any spare land.

  10. SPC 10
    28 February 2024 at 3:04 pm

    The RB forecasts the OCR at 5.5% till late 2025.

    For mine, it will go down in 2025 and be 5% by the end of the year.

    Inflation – well rents, rates, and insurance are at 10% pa still. So despite the 0.5% quarter late 2023 – it could well be 3% end of 2024.

    The external (upward) risk would be cost of carbon/petrol/fertiliser from war/shipping cost.

    The internal risk continuing rise in construction costs (because of government build pent up demand) and water investment demand from councils throughout the term. Thus inflation staying at 3% and the OCR at c5% to late 2026.

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/money/2024/02/reserve-bank-holds-official-cash-rate-at-5-5-percent.html

  11. SPC 11
    28 February 2024 at 3:47 pm

    Well well well Treasury informed National they could not meet their target without a CGT and the mastermind of Fonterra has concluded something

    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/national-slides-back-into-the-red-that-surplus-position-is-challenged-nicola-willis-warns-surplus-promise-may-not-be-met/ACH2CI5JGJAMPO4TDEGLWXX6XY/

  12. SPC 12
    28 February 2024 at 4:02 pm

    The retired ANZ Board Chairman picks a doubling of house prices in 10 years.

    That would be going up at over twice the increase in wage each year.

    He cites rising population through migration – so he indicates the only way to stop it.

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2024/02/sir-john-key-reveals-his-prediction-for-the-housing-market.html

    A higher cost of rent to wage and longer time to pay off a mortgage is a decline in return to labour – this indicates a growing population makes the worker poorer.

    But allows the land banking property speculator/investor to become wealthier and wealthier.

    It also means a growing proportion of the economy is clipped by the bank for profit. He makes a strong case for a windfall profits tax on banks.

    • SPC 12.1
      28 February 2024 at 4:26 pm

      Of course the pertinent issue is productivity.

      Requiring a growing population to maintain growth is a sign of low productivity – and this indicates low quality of investment (just to extract CG from the economy – its people/workers).

      Michael Reddell "First, it isn't obvious political parties really care about productivity anyway – beyond an occasional talking point in opposition or in the first few weeks of government"

      Nana said he hoped some part of government would pick up the commission's work and regard productivity as the measure of making the best use of the economic, natural and social resources in the country in a sustainable way, and not just as a means of cutting costs and lifting profitability.

      https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2024/02/productivity-commission-head-hits-out-at-cruel-and-thoughtless-way-it-has-been-axed.html

  13. Joe90 13
    28 February 2024 at 5:00 pm

    So Dimitry Rogozin isn't the only racist POS.

    /

    Sri Lanka has told hundreds of thousands of Russians and some Ukrainians staying in the country to escape the war that they must leave in the next two weeks, immigration officers said.

    The immigration controller issued a notice to the tourism ministry asking Russian and Ukrainian people staying on extended tourist visas to leave Sri Lanka within two weeks from 23 February.

    […]

    It comes amid a furious social media backlash over Russian-run businesses with a “whites only” policy that strictly bars locals. These businesses include bars, restaurants, water sports and vehicle hiring services.

    https://www.independent.co.uk/asia/south-asia/sri-lanka-russia-tourist-visa-ukraine-war-b2502986.html

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 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
    20 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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