Open mike 28/09/2019

Written By: - Date published: 7:00 am, September 28th, 2019 - 68 comments
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68 comments on “Open mike 28/09/2019 ”

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  1. Andre 1
    28 September 2019 at 9:03 am

    Anyone know what's going on with "An average kiwi" from the sidebar? I vaguely recall they have been there for quite a while, and used to have genuinely leftie commentary, if not particularly insightful or interesting. But a few months back it seems all the old stuff was wiped and a new collection of way OTT climate denier trolling is being put up.

    Is my vague recollection about their prior leftiness wrong? Or has Hosking hijacked that blog? Or have they decided to try for something like Ben Uffindell's "The civilian" kinda vibe (and spectacularly failed)?

    • The Al1en 1.1
      28 September 2019 at 9:33 am

      I see what you mean. Fruit loop city limits.

      What a shameful day in our history, where mainly children and young people “protested” about something they have no understanding of and that is mostly nothing but a hoax of proportions never seen before in human history.

      • arkie 1.1.1
        28 September 2019 at 10:20 am

        At the CHCH march yesterday I saw a placard: "MAN MADE GLOBAL WARMING IS A HOAX"

        They walk among us.

        • greywarshark 1.1.1.1
          28 September 2019 at 10:35 am

          We had an old man with a placard telling us we needed to repent and ask for divine intervention. Later he was on the street with a number of teenage schoolboys for about half an hour. When I walked slowly by to catch the word he was being asked about Noah and the Ark I thought.

        • The Al1en 1.1.1.2
          28 September 2019 at 10:37 am

          Tough they probably drive a gas guzzling tank rather than walk.

    • OnceWasTim 1.2
      28 September 2019 at 10:28 am

      I think your perception of their "leftness" might have been wrong in the first place. (A hint might even be in the name) I sometimes find friends, colleagues and even family can be full of surprises at times – and its often just a conflict between ego and comfyness versus humility and compassion.

      • greywarshark 1.2.1
        28 September 2019 at 10:31 am

        I like the thing you say: "a conflict between ego and comfyness versus humility and compassion."

        • OnceWasTim 1.2.1.1
          28 September 2019 at 10:58 am

          Yep, well despite my belief that both Helen Clark and Jacinda Adhern may go down in history as two of NZ's best PM's (in the context of the era they operate in), I have a dearly loved family member who thinks she's 'so left', and who is comfy and 'in-tune', that Jacinda cannot be critiQUed in any way. The same held true when H1 and H2 held power.

          Whereas there are a number of things the current coalition can be critiqued for. [One has just popped up on RNZ this morning to do with an RSE scheme – where I'm left thinking "Hello! Earth to INZ", and where the pollies were warned. Probably for many of the same reasons there are now deep and meaningful investigations over things like sexual abuse allegations.

          (Holding one's breath – like I'm trying to do – can often result in getting death)

          • greywarshark 1.2.1.1.1
            28 September 2019 at 11:29 am

            While advances are growing keep your breath in short pants.

            • OnceWasTim 1.2.1.1.1.1
              28 September 2019 at 11:36 am

              I agree. Problem is, and frustrations are, that often the least worst option is never going to be progressive, or transformational, or kind.

              But – we'll see what rips. In the case of the example I mentioned (one of many), there'll be casualties, and they'll be the least deserving.

  2. Adrian Thornton 2
    28 September 2019 at 9:04 am

    OK for you sad political junkies out there like me and who have a cool hour to burn, here are a couple of the best journalists (Michael Tracey, Aaron Maté ) on the current scene in the US, giving a pretty good over view of the upcoming Dem impeachment of Trump,…love it or hate it.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Jvkcggffs0

    • Andre 2.1
      28 September 2019 at 9:08 am

      Wanna give us a brief too long;didn't watch? Is there anything more than Mate's usual recycled Repug talking points tailored to appeal to Dem-hating convergence moonbats?

      • The Al1en 2.1.1
        28 September 2019 at 9:16 am

        Bernie is backing the attempt to impeach Trump.

      • mauī 2.1.2
        28 September 2019 at 9:26 am

        One of the first things Maté says is that what Trump did was inappropriate… but hey he's probably just a republican posing as a journo 🙄

        • Andre 2.1.2.1
          28 September 2019 at 9:33 am

          Wow, I'm impressed. He's in the exalted company of the very few Repugs that can even muster the courage to mutter that kind of mouse squeak of disapproval.

          • McFlock 2.1.2.1.1
            28 September 2019 at 11:05 pm

            lol he goes on to say he called it "inappropriate" to distinguish it from Russiagate which was based on a "concoction".

            @ cfive minutes he's saying they should just pass a motion of censure and that predicating international aid upon whether your opponents face sham investigations is not at all worthy of impeachment.

            • Andre 2.1.2.1.1.1
              29 September 2019 at 9:21 am

              Did you watch the whole thing? (you're quite the sucker for punishment). Was there anything there that might cause me to learn something that doesn't fit with my allegedly preconceived narrative?

              • McFlock …
                29 September 2019 at 5:12 pm

                No I did the dirty trick of watching for a couple of minutes after the comment mauī brought up, just to see the context. I don't really like youtube videos. Essays and suchlike can be skim-read over the waffly bits and you can quickly find the crux of the matter. But YT talkfests are just watching people wank, and you can't flip through it to see if there are any good bits.

                • Andre …
                  29 September 2019 at 5:17 pm

                  Yeah, video is such a slow medium for conveying information. 5 or 10 minutes of reading gets you the same info transfer as an hour of video.

                  But video is great if you just want to get your emotions manipulated without thinking critically about the content. Entertainment, not facts.

        • Adrian Thornton 2.1.2.2
          28 September 2019 at 9:44 am

          @mauī, "but hey he's probably just a republican posing as a journo" WTF, half the people on this seemed site have lost semblance of balance and critical thinking in their hatred of Trump.

          • mauī 2.1.2.2.1
            28 September 2019 at 10:34 am

            Hi Adrian, yes it is a neoliberal left feeding frenzy of the likes we saw with Russiagate, Saddam, Syria, etc. No wonder people are turning to alternative news sites to get some rational news.

            As usual it take a non-hysterical writer like Lauria to nail it. I particularly like the first section. (I fear the link is wasted on most of the commentariat however…) https://consortiumnews.com/2019/09/26/what-isnt-mentioned-about-the-trump-ukraine-scandal-the-routine-corruption-of-us-foreign-policy/

            • Adrian Thornton 2.1.2.2.1.1
              28 September 2019 at 11:13 am

              Yes good link thanks, I also like the analogy made by Aaron mate' when he pointed out that Nixon wasn't impeached (he resigned before impeachment) for his illegal bombing in Cambodia that ended in one of the most horrific genocides this century, no he was impeached for stepping over the line against the DNC.

              And worst of all, of course now the primaries are going to lose their focus on real issues of importance and now be dominated by this bullshit, but I guess a lot of very rich and powerful people will not be at all sad to see that shift of focus happen.

      • Adrian Thornton 2.1.3
        28 September 2019 at 9:37 am

        @Andre, Exactly what are Aaron Maté's "usual recycled Repug talking points tailored to appeal to Dem-hating convergence moonbats? " I assume you mean the parts where he pushed back against your nutty Russian conspiracy and won the 2019 Izzy Award “for outstanding achievement in independent media” for his efforts.

        https://www.democracynow.org/2019/4/3/headlines/2019_izzy_awards_honor_earth_island_journal_laura_flanders_aaron_mate_dave_lindorff

        • Andre 2.1.3.1
          28 September 2019 at 9:43 am

          So Mate doesn't make any points substantial enough to condense into a brief too long;didn't watch?

          • Adrian Thornton 2.1.3.1.1
            28 September 2019 at 9:58 am

            @Andre, There is hardly much point is taking the time and effort to do that for you or your other entrenched brethren here, you obviously have switched off all critical thinking capacity that you may have once had on this subject.

            Now I know you are in so deep you are not aware of this, but I am here to tell you this for your (and some others on this site) own good, you all have for a while now, been acting and sounding exactly like the nutty Republican's and Tea Party fanatics over Trump as they did over Obama…how does that make you feel?, I would hope it might give you pause for thought at the least.

            It's time you lot took a long hard look in the mirror.

            • Andre 2.1.3.1.1.1
              28 September 2019 at 10:11 am

              Still not got any reasons to offer why someone should give up an hour to watch your clip? Not even a teeny-tiny morsel of a hint?

              • Adrian Thornton …
                28 September 2019 at 10:36 am

                Watch it because you might learn something…even if it doesn't sit nicely with your preconceived narrative…try it some time.

    • Dukeofurl 2.2
      28 September 2019 at 9:16 am

      Even if the House votes by a simple majority to Impeach, the Senate isnt obliged to even consider it for the 'trail' part.

      Based on Mitch McConnell s style …he will just ignore it

      • Sacha 2.2.1
        28 September 2019 at 9:20 am

        Chump will be dead before any of this bites him directly. Still a poke in the ego. Might also swing some Repug support away.

      • Andre 2.2.2
        28 September 2019 at 9:29 am

        Yep, Moscow Mitch will likely just Garland the trial.

        Article 2, Section 2, Clause 2 of the Constitution:

        He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, … and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint … Judges of the supreme Court, …

        https://constitutioncenter.org/interactive-constitution/article/article-ii

        Article 1 Section 3 Clause 6 of the Constitution:

        The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments. When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath or Affirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convicted without the Concurrence of two-thirds of the Members present.

        https://constitutioncenter.org/interactive-constitution/article/article-i

        The language to me appears to be quite strong on requiring the Senate to at least go through the process of considering a president's nominee to the Supreme Court, but McTurtle just blew off that obligation.

        Whereas the language around the Senate actually holding a trial seems much more optional if they feel like doing it.

    • Sacha 2.3
      28 September 2019 at 9:19 am

      For those with less than an hour, here's some detail on the Ukrainian twists and turns: https://www.politico.com/news/2019/09/27/giuliani-trump-ukraine-005098

      • phillip ure 2.3.1
        28 September 2019 at 12:07 pm

        this is kinda cool/easy to digest..

        an audiobook-reader reads the transcript of the whistleblowers allegation to/for you..

        ttps://boingboing.net/2019/09/27/professional-audiobook-narrato.html

    • francesca 2.4
      28 September 2019 at 10:27 am

      I can't believe the lack of focus on what was actually happening around that time

      https://www.newcoldwar.org/stratfor-chiefs-most-blatant-coup-in-history-interview-from-dec-2014/

      After the coup which even Stratfor's chief, George Friedman , described as the most blatant coup in history, important positions in Ukraine were stuffed with American players

      Not only was Joe Biden's son, Hunter, chucked out of the Naval Reserve a month earlier for cocaine use, given a plum job on the Burisma board..

      "A family friend of then Secretary of State John Kerry also joined Burisma’s board. U.S. agricultural giant Monsanto got a Ukrainian contract soon after the overthrow. And the first, post-coup Ukrainian finance minister was an American citizen, a former State Department official, who was given Ukrainian citizenship the day before she took up the post."

      Read further

      https://consortiumnews.com/2019/09/26/the-untold-story-of-the-trump-ukraine-scandal-the-routine-corruption-of-us-foreign-policy/

      https://www.wsj.com/articles/biden-family-business-11569271216

      Aint collective amnesia grand ?

      • Adrian Thornton 2.4.1
        28 September 2019 at 10:54 am

        Yeah I thought about going into the Hunter stuff, but knew that was probably another waste of time…these fanatics will actually defend Hunter Biden (who has zero experience) getting $50,000 p/m from Burisma, while a heavy hitter like Ken Frazier is on the board on the largest energy company in the world, Exxon for $30,000 p/m, including stock awards…

        https://www.streetinsider.com/SEC+Filings/Form+DEF+14A+EXXON+MOBIL+CORP+For%3A+May+29/15362664.html#toc686227_6

        • francesca 2.4.1.1
          28 September 2019 at 11:00 am

          So deeply and insanely partisan they're ready to turn a blind eye to the facts of Democrat corruption .The whole bloody political mess the US has sunk into is because of this amoral partisanship. Corruption is on all sides, as Jimmy Carter says "It's an oligarchy now"

          When I see terms like Repugs, the Orange shit stain etc,moonbats…what does that even mean, except its an ugly insult meant to shut down debate, I really turn off.

          Be better or you're just the same as your opponent is what I say

    • Stuart Munro. 2.5
      28 September 2019 at 11:40 am

      Pretty slanted – claims no evidence of collusion – all those Mueller witnesses who pled guilty did so to benefit a Democrat conspiracy then? Pathetic.

      There's good reason to consider impeachment a Pandora's box, bringing everything down into the mud where Trump tends to prosper. If it doesn't swing a few Republican senators the exercise may prove costly.

  3. greywarshark 3
    28 September 2019 at 9:54 am

    Latest Brexit – Forage is keeping on with his giant money-making business deal, using the whole of UK. What a heist!!

    https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-49859818
    Nigel Farage warns Boris Johnson over 'reheated Brexit deal'

    Aljazeera: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31teSjuN26o
    UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been dealt another blow in his push for an early election. The House of Commons speaker says under current rules it will not be possible to go to the polls before October 31 – the day Britain is scheduled to leave the European Union. Parliament has met for the second day since the Supreme Court ruled its suspension as unlawful. Meanwhile, the EU's lead negotiator, Michael Barnier, says the bloc is still waiting for new plans from the United Kingdom. Al Jazeera's Charlie Angela has more from London. –

    Subscribe to our channel: http://aje.io/AJSubscribe – Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJEnglish – Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aljazeera – Check our website: https://www.aljazeera.com/ #AlJazeeraEnglish #Brexit #UKParliament

  4. greywarshark 4
    28 September 2019 at 10:14 am

    This is awesome.

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/399812/waka-flotilla-to-be-welcomed-in-bay-of-plenty

    A waka flotilla is being welcomed at Cape Runaway, as it arrives in New Zealand for the Tuia 250 celebrations.

    The va’a moana Fa’afaite i te Ao Mā’ohi.

    The va'a moana Fa'afaite i te Ao Mā'ohi. Photo: Tahiti Voyaging Society

    More than $20 million is being spent on events and resources to mark the 250 years since James Cook first landed in New Zealand, but it will also include commemorations of the first Polynesian waka that arrived in New Zealand 800 years ago.

    • Poission 4.1
      28 September 2019 at 10:38 am

      Te Rangi Hiroa ( Vikings of the sunrise )

      "For untold centuries after the boundaries of the Pacific had been peopled by man, these islands remained isolated and unoccupied save by land shells, insects, reptiles, and birds. Even the native flora was meagre as regards potential food for man. The coconut palm, the banana, and the breadfruit, now so characteristic of the oceanic flora, awaited human transport. The westerly winds and the constant trades blew over empty seas, for no primitive navigator had yet dared to raise a matting sail to waft him to waiting islands. Years after countless years, the Pleiades rose on the eastern horizon, but no man hailed their coming with dance and song as the sign of the new year. The stars rose and travelled across the sky, but no craft groped its way across unknown waters by their aid. The moon waxed and waned, but its phases went unstudied. Fish spawned, increased, and went their unhampered way through reef channels into silent and unlit lagoons. The Ocean Maid in her tumultuous moods vented her wrath against inanimate rock and reef, for no conqueror had yet appeared to mark her heaving bosom with the wake of the voyaging canoe or to dig into her yielding body with the dripping blade of the deep-sea paddle. Pedestrians had reached the eastern bounds of the Asiatic corridor and could walk no farther. The hanging skies to the east of the Fijis remained unpierced. Beyond the eastern horizon, earth, sea, and sky awaited the coming of a breed of men who not only had an effective form of ocean transport but who had the courage to dare and both the will and the skill to conquer. The uncharted seas awaited the coming of the Polynesian navigators. "

    • Anne 4.2
      28 September 2019 at 10:54 am

      Wow. They are works of art. I hope they are going to travel to other parts of the country, too.

  5. greywarshark 5
    28 September 2019 at 10:24 am

    Brexit –
    Forage holding forth about the wonders of going Brexit as he progresses his great money-making scheme using the whole of the UK. What a heist!

    https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-49859818
    Nigel Farage warns Boris Johnson over 'reheated Brexit deal'
    He then criticised Labour's "policy of uncontrolled mass immigration".
    The party also unveiled some policy plans, but little detail, including scrapping HS2 and inheritance tax.
    The UK is due to leave the EU on 31 October.

    Aljazeera:

    UK parliament rejects second bid for early election

    UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been dealt another blow in his push for an early election. The House of Commons speaker says under current rules it will not be possible to go to the polls before October 31 – the day Britain is scheduled to leave the European Union. Parliament has met for the second day since the Supreme Court ruled its suspension as unlawful. Meanwhile, the EU's lead negotiator, Michael Barnier, says the bloc is still waiting for new plans from the United Kingdom. Al Jazeera's Charlie Angela has more from London. –

  6. ianmac 6
    28 September 2019 at 10:52 am

    Is it possible for the Republicans to nominate the position of a different candidate for President other than Trump? (They wouldn't of course but could they?)

  7. joe90 7
    28 September 2019 at 11:28 am

    Things are escalating …

    Presidential contender Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) called for a formal impeachment inquiry into Brett Kavanaugh on Friday in the wake of a new sexual misconduct claim against the Supreme Court justice.

    “I write to urge the House Judiciary Committee to take appropriate action to investigate recent reports about Associate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, and to hold Mr. Kavanaugh accountable for his prior conduct and testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee,” Harris wrote in a letter, dated Sept. 17, to the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.).

    https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kamala-harris-impeachment-inquiry-brett-kavanaugh_n_5d8dfcf0e4b0ac3cdda72110

  8. greywarshark 8
    28 September 2019 at 11:45 am

    Sorry if I did something wrong in my piece on Brexit moderator. I did it again with large address codes taken out. Both still in mod. Any hope of releasing when there time?

  9. joe90 9
    28 September 2019 at 11:57 am

    A warning from the boss?

    MOSCOW — Russia has voiced hope that the U.S. administration wouldn't publish private conversations between the two nations' presidents, like it did with Ukraine

    https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/kremlin-says-it-hopes-u-s-would-not-release-trump-n1059446?

  10. marty mars 10
    28 September 2019 at 6:50 pm

    bullshit time over

    The 16-year-old Swede met privately with the Canadian prime minister but later told a news conference with local indigenous leaders that he was “not doing enough” to curb greenhouse gases responsible for global warming.

    “My message to all the politicians around the world is the same. Just listen and act on the current best available science,” she said.

    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/sep/27/greta-thunberg-justin-trudeau-meeting-climate-strikes

  12. Sacha 12
    28 September 2019 at 7:24 pm

    Dodgy developer ropes in help from unfortunately-related sources: https://www.newsroom.co.nz/2019/09/24/824481/how-whale-oil-rivals-found-themselves-on-the-same-side

    So, within a few days Li Zhu/Andy Lin had appointed people on opposite sides of a very public controversy to represent him on two albeit separate property court actions.

    It wasn’t likely to end well, which is possibly why Zhu didn’t tell either man about the other’s appointment – or mention that there were two cases against him.

  13. adam 13
    28 September 2019 at 7:53 pm

    So the racists coup organisers in Venezuela have been found out as being in bed with Colombian narco gangs. Gotta love the blantancy of free market capitalism.

    https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/13/juan-guaido-faces-questions-over-links-to-organised-groups

    God bless the Venezuelan VP Delcy Rodríguez for going to the UN and standing up to these evil bastards and their US backers. And for point out the economic terrorism being done to Venezuela.

    https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/09/1048012

  14. Fireblade 14
    28 September 2019 at 9:21 pm

    My Auntie died this morning at 70 years of age. She suffered severe Paranoid Schizophrenia from the age of 15.

    Wherever she is now, I hope she is finally at peace and free from her tormented mind ❤️.

    • francesca 14.1
      28 September 2019 at 10:09 pm

      So do I Fireblade.Life for her must have been a torment at times Very sad.

      • greywarshark 14.1.1
        28 September 2019 at 10:25 pm

        Scientists feel they are getting close to important understandings about schizophrenia. If they can it will be so great to prevent the difficulties that your aunt went through. Too late for her but hope for the future.

  15. gsays 15
    28 September 2019 at 9:22 pm

    Rugby dis-enthusiasts avert your gaze.

    Japan establish their reputation as giant killers.

    19-12 to Japan against 2nd ranked Ireland.

  16. greywarshark 16
    28 September 2019 at 10:41 pm

    RIP Jack Lasenby, author of childrens and young adult books. One of his characters was wily packhorse Harry Wakatipu.

    Funny nonsense stories from a talking horse living in rural New Zealand, written by master storyteller Jack Lasenby. Harry Wakatipu is a lazy, bad-tempered packhorse and the biggest liar in the history of the Vast Untrodden Ureweras. He's hopeless and needy and greedy and never does his share of the work. He's 'a machine for the ingesting and digesting of condensed milk', according to Biff Piddington.

    The Lies of Harry Wakatipu is a collection of fantastic stories – like how the first wasps got into New Zealand, or how the Kaingaroa wild horses got there in the first place or how Freddy Stromboli could walk under a Merino wether without taking off his hat, or how the deer culler's mother stopped the Hopuruahine River. It's true, just ask Harry Wakatipu.

    https://www.mightyape.co.nz/product/the-lies-of-harry-wakatipu-paperback/12527834

    https://nzbooks.org.nz/1994/literature/tall-tales-and-truths-from-an-underrated-writer-judith-holloway/

  17. joe90 17
    28 September 2019 at 11:48 pm

    Yes please.

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    The northern expressway extension from Warkworth to Whangarei is likely to require radical changes to legislation if it is going to be built within the foreseeable future. The Government’s powers to purchase land, the planning process and current restrictions on road tolling are all going to need to be changed ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #30 2024

    Open access notables Could an extremely cold central European winter such as 1963 happen again despite climate change?, Sippel et al., Weather and Climate Dynamics: Here, we first show based on multiple attribution methods that a winter of similar circulation conditions to 1963 would still lead to an extreme seasonal ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • First they came for the Māori

    Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when publishedFirst they came for the doctors But I was confused by the numbers and costs So I didn't speak up Then they came for our police and nurses And I didn't think we could afford those costs anyway So I ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Join us for the weekly Hoon on YouTube Live

    Photo by Joshua J. Cotten on UnsplashWe’re back again after our mid-winter break. We’re still with the ‘new’ day of the week (Thursday rather than Friday) when we have our ‘hoon’ webinar with paying subscribers to The Kākā for an hour at 5 pm.Jump on this link on YouTube Livestream ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Will the real PM Luxon please stand up?

    Notes: This is a free article. Abuse in Care themes are mentioned. Video is at the bottom.BackgroundYesterday’s report into Abuse in Care revealed that at least 1 in 3 of all who went through state and faith based care were abused - often horrifically. At least, because not all survivors ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    2 days ago
  • Will debt reduction trump abuse in care redress?

    Luxon speaks in Parliament yesterday about the Abuse in Care report. Photo: Hagen Hopkins/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The top six things I’ve noted around housing, climate and poverty in Aotearoa’s political economy today are:PM Christopher Luxon said yesterday in tabling the Abuse in Care report in Parliament he wanted to ‘do the ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • Olywhites and Time Bandits

    About a decade ago I worked with a bloke called Steve. He was the grizzled veteran coder, a few years older than me, who knew where the bodies were buried - code wise. Despite his best efforts to be approachable and friendly he could be kind of gruff, through to ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Why were the 1930s so hot in North America?

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Jeff Masters and Bob Henson Those who’ve trawled social media during heat waves have likely encountered a tidbit frequently used to brush aside human-caused climate change: Many U.S. states and cities had their single hottest temperature on record during the 1930s, setting incredible heat marks ...
    Skeptical Science
    2 days ago
  • Throwback Thursday – Thinking about Expressways

    Some of the recent announcements from the government have reminded us of posts we’ve written in the past. Here’s one from early 2020. There were plenty of reactions to the government’s infrastructure announcement a few weeks ago which saw them fund a bunch of big roading projects. One of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    2 days ago
  • The Kākā’s Pick 'n' Mix for Thursday, July 25

    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 Thursday, July 25 are:News: Why Electric Kiwi is closing to new customers - and why it matters RNZ’s Susan EdmundsScoop: Government drops ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    2 days ago
  • The Possum: Demon or Friend?

    Hi,I felt a small wet tongue snaking through one of the holes in my Crocs. It explored my big toe, darting down one side, then the other. “He’s looking for some toe cheese,” said the woman next to me, words that still haunt me to this day.Growing up in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Not a story

    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

  • 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
    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

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