Open mike 28/08/2023

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, August 28th, 2023 - 44 comments
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44 comments on “Open mike 28/08/2023 ”

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  1. Tiger Mountain 1
    28 August 2023 at 7:52 am

    Some of the pundits this morning seemed anguished and almost personally affronted by NZ Labour’s leader finally front footing it on some rather obvious matters pertaining to other political parties (NActFirst) and the throwback tendencies of their supporters and policy.

    During Jacinda Ardern’s time in office she was relentlessly subjected to the most foul misogynist abuse, her partner too was harassed to the extent that NZ Police actually issued a rare pre-emptive statement to the effect that Clarke was of no interest to them on any matter.

    So the right like to dish it out but they do not enjoy a return serve.
    https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018904409/hipkins-labels-national-act-and-nz-first-a-coalition-of-fear

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018904411/labour-won-t-work-with-nz-first-after-the-election

    • Anne 1.1
      28 August 2023 at 10:03 am

      Luxon's claims yesterday were astonishing given that he has spent the last six months pouring cold water on every utterance Hipkins or some other senior minister has made and his attempts to frame everything the government has done/is doing as somehow evidence of chaos, mayhem, splits and factions. And of course the lengths they and ACT went to, in order to bully and discredit Ardern will be legendary.

      I assume they think by projecting their own behaviour onto Hipkins and Labour the populace, with their often very short memory spans, will fall for it. Here's hoping most will not.

      • Tiger Mountain 1.1.1
        28 August 2023 at 12:35 pm

        yes

      • Kat 1.1.2
        28 August 2023 at 1:24 pm

        For a brief period back in 2020, and perhaps a once in a lifetime occurrence, the general electorate were more concerned about health and staying alive than money. Jacinda saw to both and was given a big pat on the back. That didn't last long.

        Now look at the current whinge list, its all about the amplified projection of the cost of living, gangs and crime. Health and wellbeing has taken a back seat. All the negative utterances from Luxon and his sidekick about Labour is designed to resonate with the self focused, greedy and blatantly fickle section of the electorate that has sadly always existed in this country.

        I agree with Hipkins that in times of war and strife Kiwis have regarded unity as more important than division, however, apart from the aberration that was 2020, just not in times of general elections.

  2. PsyclingLeft.Always 2
    28 August 2023 at 9:14 am

    Such a great Sustainable idea….20 (even 15 : ) Minute Neighbourhoods.

    People generally loved the thought that most (not all) of the things needed for a good life could be within a 20-minute public transport trip, bike ride or walk from home. These are things such as shopping, business services, education, community facilities, recreational and sporting resources, and some jobs (but probably not brain surgery).

    https://theconversation.com/people-love-the-idea-of-20-minute-neighbourhoods-so-why-isnt-it-top-of-the-agenda-131193

    Why….are the conspiracy nuts so against ? You would probably have to go inside their minds. Hmmm.

    A simple concept for urban design is the latest target for conspiracy theorists, with one of the country’s most innocuous cities – Hamilton – bizarrely singled out for attack.

    The idea of a 15-minute city is seemingly simple; everything one needs to lead their life in a 15-minute walking or cycling radius; groceries, your job, medical services, entertainment and so on.

    Increasingly the notion of a city within reach of a short walk has faced conspiratorial dissent, with one British parliamentarian describing the idea as an “international Socialist concept.”

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300811577/conspiracy-theorists-strange-new-target–hamilton

    Two presentations at last week's community board meeting rallied against the smart, 15-minute city ideal – which strives to create urban communities where all necessities and amenities can be reached within a 15-minute walk – alleging they are methods for corporations and government to exert control over populations.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/496352/community-board-forum-consumed-by-conspiracy-theories

    Seems its yet another imported conspiracy ..

    The conspiracy theories linked to 20-minute neighbourhoods

    https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/23361160.conspiracy-theories-linked-20-minute-neighbourhoods/

    NZFirst and ACT both completely willing to hoover these conspiracy nuts up.

  3. Molly 3
    28 August 2023 at 9:27 am

    15 minute cities can retrospectively apply to cities that have evolved from residents walking, which are naturally high density with a mix of uses.

    Alternatively – green field developments – can include all services and utilities within a residential neighbourhood.

    What cannot be guaranteed is employment.

    NZ has had decades of car centric planning. Retrofitting high density in this case, often means individual developers putting several houses where one previously existed. It doesn't improve build quality, community cohesion, nor provide shared green space.

    It is the wrong tool to apply – at the moment – in many NZ cities, without ensuring the core services and shared community assets are in place first. They are not.

    Posted on the Paris 15 min city proposals in 2021.

    https://thestandard.org.nz/open-mike-16-11-2021/#comment-1833942

    NZ is in a different starting position, and cannot import such ideas without significant and expensive infrastructure changes.

    • Anne 3.1
      28 August 2023 at 11:03 am

      NZ is in a different starting position, and cannot import such ideas without significant and expensive infrastructure changes.

      What happened in NZ's case is that after decades of government inaction (not all granted, but most of them under National governments) the situation became so dire the current government had no choice but to immediately build high density housing wherever they could.

      In my locality there are a number of completed high density projects and others in the process of construction. The effects are already being felt by frequent gridlocked roads. Lake Rd between Devonport and Takapuna has become the national (small n) epitome of what happens when insufficient structural changes are not in place. The government has responded with transport plans for Auckland that will alleviate the gridlock and also make public transport quicker, easier and more comfortable for passengers. The trouble is it will take years to complete and what to do in the meantime.

      National has vowed to scrap the plans for bigger motor-ways which will do nothing to solve the problem. That is typical of the lack of vision and stunted mentality of the Right.

      • AB 3.1.1
        28 August 2023 at 3:48 pm

        Same out here. You can't stick multiple clumps of high-density houses out in car-dependent suburbia without making the car-dependency worse. It's easier to bowl old single-family dwellings and replace them with four townhouses than it is to get people out of cars.

    • Belladonna 3.2
      28 August 2023 at 1:12 pm

      It is the wrong tool to apply – at the moment – in many NZ cities, without ensuring the core services and shared community assets are in place first. They are not.

      I agree, we've had service agencies stripped out of our local shopping centres – in favour of central 'hubs' – which usually have poor public transport links – and which have no inter-agency consultation/development relationships (i.e. the different hubs are not co-located – but rather scattered around based on the internal logic of the organization, rather than the convenience of the community)

      No longer can you visit your local bank, pay your rates or query a fine or charge, or buy curtain tracks in your local shopping centre. Each of these requires a visit to a (different) remote location.

      In the 'old' days (i.e. 20 years ago) – I could visit my bank, pay my rates, buy from the hardware shop, get my fruit and veges from the greengrocer, buy my meat from the butcher, and do my supermarket shopping – all at my local (small) shopping centre – 5 minutes walk away (NB: not a mall, a collection of shops). Now, all I can do, locally, is the supermarket shopping. To do any or all of the rest, requires either a car – or substantial amounts of time spent on PT.

      We have lots of cafes and restaurants in the local area – but very few actual shops for things-people-need.

      • Matiri 3.2.1
        28 August 2023 at 5:38 pm

        I grew up in a New Town in the UK, specifically designed to alleviate the London housing shortages after WW2. Each neighbourhood had a shopping centre. Ours had a baker, fish shop, Spar and Co-op supermarkets, hardware store, hairdresser, launderette, greengrocer, newsagent/post office – no cafe! My mum would cycle down for fresh bread every day. This was in the 60's/70's.

  4. Roy Cartland 4
    28 August 2023 at 9:38 am

    Beautiful idea. In fact, if anyone has ever been to Switzerland, that’s how they live anyway. It’s brilliant, you don’t even need a car (but they have one for holidays etc). People are happier, healthier, thinner, more relaxed and generally ‘better’.

    I always wished Auckland would go back to the collection of boroughs that it used to be. Would be so much healthier for everyone. Damn the supercity and downsize the actual city.

    • PsyclingLeft.Always 4.1
      28 August 2023 at 9:55 am

      Auckland…is already facing the consequences of Climate Change. Urgent ReThink needed. The mindset to tarseal and concrete over "everything" just lead to flooding, and (very) expensive damage. Sponge Cities should be to the fore with any rebuilding.

      'Sponge city' urban design needed to help New Zealand survive climate change-induced increased rainfall – experts

      https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2023/08/sponge-city-urban-design-needed-to-help-new-zealand-survive-climate-change-induced-increased-rainfall-experts.html

      And just make Walking,Cycling, etc….safe and easy to do. Streams…Biodiverse areas, Native (and other: ) Birds. How much Happier and Healthier it could all be.

      Just start…..

      • Roy Cartland 4.1.1
        28 August 2023 at 9:58 am

        I love it. I’m in Welly, where I wish we could instate Tmatha Paul’s idea – pull up the roads and reinstate the rivers. Canals for transport, local swimming holes for eeling and bathing. Better than Venice.

        • Visubversa 4.1.1.1
          28 August 2023 at 4:32 pm

          I wish for the day when the northwestern motorway floods with sea level rise and provides for a ferry service between the CBD and the Whau inlet. Gondolas would do it very nicely!

  5. Roy Cartland 5
    28 August 2023 at 9:53 am

    Just got an email form the GP in this very thing. What’s not to like? Even righties like this, don’t they?

    Today we are announcing our plan to redesign cities and towns so they work for people and the planet, rather than cars and corporations. But I need your help to spread the message.

    Our towns and cities can be places where people and nature thrive, with warm and affordable homes powered by clean energy, accessible and climate-friendly ways of getting around, and healthy green spaces.

    Climate-safe Communities is an achievable plan that over the next seven years will reshape the places we live to meet three priorities:

    • People first – our communities will be reshaped around the needs of people, not cars, with green streets for our children to play and move around safely
    • Space for nature – our streets will be lined with trees and streams, and green spaces will provide a place to relax and protect us from flooding
    • Climate-friendly travel – people will find it easier to get around on buses and trains, with services like free dental just a safe walk or bike ride away
    • PsyclingLeft.Always 5.1
      28 August 2023 at 12:11 pm

      Well…that was timely : )

    • Molly 5.2
      28 August 2023 at 3:39 pm

      The cost and practical implementation of this Utopia is what's missing, as well as how long this transition will take as well as what the disruption will mean for most of us.

      Unfortunately, planning has been car centric and housing costs have meant that people live where they can afford, and not where they are close to work, schools an amenities.

      The further out you live from a central hub, the more costly is alternative transport in money and time (often prohibitively so), and the less reliable is the service.

      Like Belladonna above, my childhood home was within 5 min walk of school, sports, post office, greengrocers, chemist, butchers and bank as well as other local independent stores.

      These were knocked down 30 years ago and replaced by one supermarket. Cities that have retained such diversity of services with smaller providers, will have an easier time of reaching outcomes.

      Remember the high density now permitted in Auckland, was decoupled from the quality requirements of the Auckland Design Manual that was intended to safeguard against not repeating the errors of the past.

      Despite all the hype, we are not well situated to deliver.

      • weka 5.2.1
        28 August 2023 at 5:17 pm

        Remember the high density now permitted in Auckland, was decoupled from the quality requirements of the Auckland Design Manual that was intended to safeguard against not repeating the errors of the past.

        who did that?

        • Molly 5.2.1.1
          29 August 2023 at 11:31 am

          When the Unitary Plan was finally ratified, there were late changes to decouple the Auckland Design Manual from the plan. All through consultation, it was referred to as the document that would ensure high quality high-density.

          It is a good document: https://www.aucklanddesignmanual.co.nz/

          I've posted a few times on this. So, just quickly searched to respond before heading out. Here is one comment from a couple of years ago:

          https://thestandard.org.nz/aucklands-tree-protection-problem/#comment-1768887

          "only if accompanied by good design and planning that allows for this.

          The Auckland Design Manual was supposed to fill this purpose, but was made toothless when the decision was made to not make consideration of the design manual compulsory in conjunction with the Unitary Plan.

          Mike Lee got vilified for voting against this move, and was described as being against density in Auckland. He was quite rightly against the removal of safeguarding good design, which had been promised all the way through the Unitary Plan discussions by the creation of the Auckland Design Manual. (From what I can recall, Mike Lee was involved in the Auckland Design Manual, so knew in detail what restraints were being given up).

          I agree with better resource use and higher density.

          Higher density without good design or planning does not necessarily provide good outcomes – including for providing homes for the currently homeless or accommodation stricken. Unfortunately, I believe a worse outcome is what we have ended up with the Unitary Plan in it's current form."

          • weka 5.2.1.1.1
            29 August 2023 at 11:34 am

            so it was the councillors that did this? Or staff as well?

            • Molly 5.2.1.1.1.1
              29 August 2023 at 11:48 am

              Very briefly, and from the outside looking in.

              I participated in a lot of the consultation workshops for the Unitary Plan, was involved with a community planning network, and was the main submitter for a local community planning project for a few years.

              I believe councillors voted on the ratification of the Unitary Plan before it became active, but I may have to be corrected on that. I just recall at the time the Greater Auckland blog gave Mike Lee a lot of flak for not voting to pass it in the form presented – and said he was against high-density. In fact, he supported high density and was voting to retain the requirement to adhere to the Auckland Design Manual which had been changed late in the game. By who, I don't know. There were a lot of absolutes given during consultation that disappeared like mist in the end.

              Visubversa might know the ins and outs more than me, and be able to precisely relate how that process worked.

              • Molly …
                29 August 2023 at 12:06 pm

                "I believe councillors voted on the ratification of the Unitary Plan before it became active…"

                Sorry, a correction: I meant a committee which included councillors. But that is relying on very questionable recall.

  6. Roy Cartland 6
    28 August 2023 at 10:07 am

    Genuine question:

    Is Winston a red-herring for Right voters? Eg, the Professor Snape of NZ politics?

    What I mean is, campaigning on issues that attract rabidity, heat, ire, vitriol and hate – with no intention of ever implementing them? Look at immigration. He failed utterly, if ever he intended to curb that. Treaty. Maori rights. I think it was Trotter(?) who first proposed this theory, and now I can’t unsee it.

    What do people here reckon?

    • AB 6.1
      28 August 2023 at 11:25 am

      Winston swims with the tide – with a bit of lazy, comical flopping and splashing to attract 5% of the attention. If the tide was flowing to the left rather than to the right, he'd be floating past our windows in that direction. The estuary at Whananaki is shallow and warm and he's staying in it. I used to think that eventually he'd be removed as a piece of debris, a danger to shipping. But he might just be immortal.

      • ianmac 6.1.1
        28 August 2023 at 11:45 am

        Winston, like Trump, is a popular speaker. The crowds go to hear him as perhaps an entertainer. In the Morning Report today he was fluent and geared his answers to suit his needs rather than answer them. He does this in a much more polished way. compared to Luxon. Imagine Luxon and Peters on the same 1 on 1 debate. Wow. Peters thinks on his feet and would wipe Luxon off the board.
        https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport

        I would never vote for NZF but am aware of Winston's cunning intelligence.

  7. UncookedSelachimorpha 7
    28 August 2023 at 11:50 am

    This is a fantastic response from Billy Bragg, to the "Rich Men North of Richmond" song doing the rounds in conservative circles in the USA.

    Bragg's version gives great practical advice on what will actually help, and reminds you that the culture wars just distract from the real cause of the problems of the working class.

  8. UncookedSelachimorpha 8
    28 August 2023 at 12:01 pm

    Very big news from the USA that could be an enormous boost for working people – powerful rules against union busting just introduced.

    Companies that try busting unions (Amazon and Starbucks are famous examples) will automatically have to start negotiations with the union in question – the union will obtain status without needing the usual vote!

    Weirdly this has had almost no news coverage so far in MSM.

  9. Stephen D 9
    28 August 2023 at 12:33 pm

    The only group/person that Winston is looking out for is Winston.

    Baubles of office for meeeeeeeeeee!

  10. observer 10
    28 August 2023 at 2:41 pm

    Luxon's heckler incident (links: all NZ media) is actually quite funny and a good reflection on NZ politics.

    In many other countries (*cough* USA) the heckler would have been assaulted or worse, certainly removed. Or he would have been physically aggressive himself. Here he's allowed to have his say, and he does, however nonsensical.

    And to give Luxon credit (trying to be fair here) he doesn't lose his temper and make it worse. So in summary, restraint all around. Makes yer proud, eh?

  12. Patricia Bremner 12
    28 August 2023 at 3:43 pm

    I went on SMS to message our son in QLD.

    There waiting for me is an offer of a "Fan Badge" correction… "A Top Fan Badge" from…. wait for it… Luxon.

    I had visited his page 6 or 7 times to comment on his so called Policies.. rather pointedlyangry and I am a fan???? Wow, he doesn't have the fans he wants us to believe he has, is all I can conclude.devil I fell about laughing. Meantime Labour's sign went up on our section.

    • Adrian 12.1
      28 August 2023 at 3:57 pm

      Good on you Patricia. Ive only got lifetime country Tories living past me on a deadend road but I put one up just to piss them off.

      • Patricia Bremner 12.1.1
        28 August 2023 at 4:13 pm

        Adrian I feel a bit the same, however, a couple angelof friends are changing from Blue to Green!! So I live in hope we can pull this off. Cheers.

  13. Obtrectator 13
    28 August 2023 at 10:45 pm

    Some deeply saddening news from overseas:

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/aug/28/despair-is-settling-in-female-suicides-on-rise-in-talibans-afghanistan

    But is anyone going to be really surprised? I'm not. I mean, what is there to live for over there if your sole permitted role is to be a brood mare?

  14. newsense 14
    29 August 2023 at 1:00 am

    Wait- it’s confusing Australia was a tax free paradise for employers and the wealthy, which is why everyone was heading there?

    Not because employers are required to pay significantly more towards retirement savings?

    National Capital’s latest KiwiSaver Value for Money report shows most New Zealanders (84%) receive only the legal minimum employer contribution to their funds, currently 3%.

    Across the Tasman, Australian employers must contribute at least 11% to workers’ super accounts.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/132815155/is-kiwisaver-part-of-the-reason-kiwis-are-heading-to-australia

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    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

  • 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
    18 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    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
    4 days ago
  • Grant Illingworth KC appointed as transitional Commissioner to Royal Commission

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

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

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

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