Open mike 28/10/2011

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, October 28th, 2011 - 60 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:

Open mike is your post. For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

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Step right up to the mike…

60 comments on “Open mike 28/10/2011 ”

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    • Jenny 1.1
      28 October 2011 at 6:17 am

      Could also be for the receding chance of a left coalition government.

      • Tigger 1.1.1
        28 October 2011 at 6:54 am

        Actually Jenny Labour is finally getting some traction and getting people talking about their policies…To say receding at this point is a little premature…

        • Tiger Mountain 1.1.1.1
          28 October 2011 at 7:58 am

          Phil Goff was good re Super on RNZ this morning. “We’ve got the balls, John Key hasn’t and won’t debate me” evidenced by ShonKey’s usual absence from Morning Report.

          The PM prefers radio shows featuring backbuster Vietch, mad as a snake Paul Henry and any other sycophants he can muster.

          Someone has got through to Phil and the language generally is feistier and exactly what will be needed for a counterpunching style on the upcoming TV debates, of course Labour having some “ackshull” credible policy is a major help too.

          • millsy 1.1.1.1.1
            28 October 2011 at 9:42 am

            Yeah well, not really keen on forcing people to work for another 2 years. There are a lot of people who going to be shafted by this policy, mainly those who see NS as at last some economic security over a hard 20-30 years of layoffs and wage cuts.

            • Tiger Mountain 1.1.1.1.1.1
              28 October 2011 at 10:12 am

              Yeah but millsy 67 is when nat super payments would kick in, not neccessarily when you have to ‘retire’. I say anytime from 55 is good. People don’t totally retire much anyway these days preferring to be in denial about their mortality or even do something useful.

              Goff did say that exemptions and variations would be looked at for some people. Hopefully those with broken and or worn out bodies and minds.

              My post was more about Goffs better debating style as the details of a raised super age are years away. Don’t forget when it jumped 5 years from 60 to 65 in one hit. The 65 to 67 will be a more managed process. The boomers have done enough to wreck todays young peoples chances already without leaving the ultimate sting in the tail with NS.

  2. logie97 2
    28 October 2011 at 7:54 am

    Just getting the sense the “Now what?” feeling is already kicking in.
    The RWC is history, and the afterglow may indeed be fading – not the wild endless party the revelers hoped for at all.

    I guess that is a symptom of a society that thrives on instant gratification. Dependent on being entertained rather than making its own entertainment. All tinsel and no substance.

    • Uturn 2.1
      28 October 2011 at 8:03 am

      There is a banner above the local TAB that excitedly exclaims: Now posting fixed odds on RWC!

      I wouldn’t be surprised if people are still placing bets.

    • millsy 2.2
      28 October 2011 at 9:51 am

      Actually youll find a lot of people, like myself thinking ‘glad that’s over’.

      It all wore off Monday morning for me.

    • Draco T Bastard 2.3
      28 October 2011 at 12:45 pm

      The RWC is history, and the afterglow may indeed be fading…

      Fading? It’s already gone. Life really is that hard under this government for most people.

      • Deadly_NZ 2.3.1
        28 October 2011 at 1:22 pm

        Apart from the $39 Mil hole in the wallet, it never even made me glow.

      • Vicky32 2.3.2
        29 October 2011 at 12:50 am

        Fading? It’s already gone. Life really is that hard under this government for most people

        For those of us who despise rugby, the end of it is simply a blessed relief!

  3. Dv 3
    28 October 2011 at 8:28 am

    Has any one got an analysis of the Mana parties proposal of
    No gst
    27k tax free
    hone heke finacial tax

    • Deadly_NZ 3.1
      28 October 2011 at 1:28 pm

      Let me see if I can, as I understand it. There are millions and millions of financial transactions every day. What the Hone Heke tax will do is charge all of those transactions that have to do with NZ. The tax rate will be something minuscule like 0.001%. But that will bring in billions. And hopefully stop the speculators from screwing with our currency as well. And it probably would help pay for a lot more as well. There you go my take on it Now we will get it all explained in detail now as the correct everything I have said LOL

      • Chris 3.1.1
        28 October 2011 at 4:15 pm

        The problem with it is leveraging the tax. I would have thought it would be next to impossible to tax two american traders who trade NZD between themselves but that is what the tax is implying it will do.

        • KJT 3.1.1.1
          28 October 2011 at 4:20 pm

          That part will only work if other countries all come to the party on FTT as well.

          The European union are already discussing it.

          Given the mess, unrestricted capital flows, are making it is possible we will get a consensus between countries.

          May take a long time before the USA does it though. They are still in reality denial, like NACT.

          • Chris 3.1.1.1.1
            28 October 2011 at 6:26 pm

            Yeah that’s pretty much what I thought and is basically my main problem with it.

            If it is that hard to get then it will not be able to remove the other taxes as Mana want. Also even if other countries come to the party the amount of money it will cost to supervise would be quite restrictive I would have thought. Particularly with the IR shedding jobs like it currently is.

  4. toad 4
    28 October 2011 at 8:33 am

    Nats “incentivise” young people off welfare and into work by cutting youth wages. 
     
    Dumb and discriminatory.

  5. Campbell Larsen 5
    28 October 2011 at 9:30 am

    The Herald serves up MK-ULTRA for breakfast again with it’s front page lead article ‘how the all blacks shook our world’ and the accompanying ‘seismic’ graphic in Canterbury colours.

    Any thinking person has to be now totally turned off by the never ending barrage of quake this, quake that, and the equally unending rugby rugby rugby – if I see that bloody trotie again I’m going to scream.

    The attempts at manipulation grow ever more bold – the MSM must be held to account – if we sit by and let this sort of shit go unchallenged then we deserve the future we get.

    • Deadly_NZ 5.1
      28 October 2011 at 1:33 pm

      And hopefully there will be a lot of like minded people out there, who would just love to see Jonkey with that trotie trying to get another photo op.

      I dunno if its real or DPF had a brain fart. But he said nice things about Phil AND the super thing.

      http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10762233

      • Rob 5.1.1
        28 October 2011 at 4:19 pm

        Wow Campbell, you are a genius, you should really go public and have a go at the All Blacks and really dampen down everyones excitment on winning this tournament,  after alienating the entire league community, it probably makes sense to you to dis the rugby scene as well.

        You really are an asset to the cause.

      • millsy 5.1.2
        29 October 2011 at 12:01 am

        He only supports the super thing because it involves taking money off non-rich people…

  6. Carol 6
    28 October 2011 at 11:22 am

    It seems a container ship has run aground at Mt Maunganui:

    http://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/17899-ship-grounded-on-mount-maunganui.html

    Port of Tauranga tugs are on their way to attempt to tow the vessel clear, after which it will be brought back into port.

  7. Treetop 7
    28 October 2011 at 12:17 pm

    Weekend Social has not been posted and is not always posted.

    Operation 8 Maori TV Sunday 30 October on at 8.30 pm until 10.20 pm. Says starts today.

    Have wanted to see it for ages and hope I do not forget.

  8. William Joyce 8
    28 October 2011 at 1:38 pm

    The OSCAR goes to John Key

  9. Tiger Mountain 9
    28 October 2011 at 2:06 pm

    Good grief! Sir Peter (Lord) Jackson claimed he is “not really a political person” while being visited on site at Matamata Hobbiton set by the PM. Hello what other country in the world has legislation with the word “Hobbit” in it?
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10762255

  10. Tiger Mountain 10
    28 October 2011 at 3:39 pm

    Indeed hs. The Tell Tale Heart also perhaps?

  11. mickysavage 11
    28 October 2011 at 3:46 pm

    Further to recent discussion on ipredict.
     
    Today a sell order for 1,000 Labour shares was placed at 31%, betting Labour will poll 31%.  This would have cost the punter, presuming one person placed the order, $690.  If Labour polls above 31% then this punter will lose, if Labour polls below 31% this person will win.  The loss and gain will not be much however unless Labour is well over 31%.
     
    It will stop Labour’s share price going up for a while and ipredict is used to make comments on the chances of each party.  Ipredict obviously favours the rich and generally the right wing in stating who is going to win the election.
     
    Market manipulation anyone?
     

    • Chris 11.1
      28 October 2011 at 4:17 pm

      Do people pay attention to iPredict outside of you and David Farrar I know I don’t.

      • Carol 11.1.1
        28 October 2011 at 4:20 pm

        iPredict always seemed like a Tory propaganda machine to me. Don’t follow it.

        • ak 11.1.1.1
          28 October 2011 at 5:45 pm

          As the merest glance at ACT scores shows, it’s always been a tool for the well-heeled to buy the “self-fulfilling prophesy” poll effect.

          The staggering thing is Mallard’s wide-eyed lycra-panted complicity in publicising it – redolent of his inane gullibility to Tau’s taunts in 07 that began the poll-slide that delivered us wee Slippery.

      • Puddleglum 11.1.2
        28 October 2011 at 6:58 pm

        Matthew Hooton does, and he has a regular slot on Nine to Noon, tv politics shows, etc.

        It adds a bit of rhetorical support, especially when the usual “it’s better at predicting than polls because people are playing for real money and it includes ‘insider’ knowledge” line is trotted out. 

      • Lanthanide 11.1.3
        28 October 2011 at 10:30 pm

        The specific party vote % contracts are used for their seat generator on http://www.electionresults.co.nz/home

        The party votes % are also recorded in their weekly updates.

        Incidentally, viewing the seats right now shows Act and NZFirst both out of parliament. Seat makeup: 59 National, 3 UF, 40 Labour, 14 Green, Maori 3 Mana 2, total 121.

        The interesting thing is that on those numbers it’s 62 National/UF vs 59 for the rest. A very slim majority. If UF doesn’t get in…

        The Left can still win this election, provided the Greens keep their vote up and not too much is wasted on NZFirst or others.

  12. thejackal 12
    28 October 2011 at 3:51 pm

    Burger King’s got gas

    Burger King has been given the green light to reopen and start serving its valuable customers after many businesses had to close on Tuesday because of the Maui gas pipeline leak…

  13. Draco T Bastard 13
    28 October 2011 at 4:26 pm

    Now, after spending $690m of taxpayer to buy it back, the new management are now talking about asset stripping KiwiRail.

    Can we fire the idiots now? Please? Before the fuckwits do any more damage.

    • Chris 13.2
      28 October 2011 at 6:30 pm

      Where does it say it is asset stripping the business?

      • William Joyce 13.2.1
        28 October 2011 at 9:10 pm

        Have you not been paying attention for the last thirty years?
        You section off part of the company that can’t be sold (or in this case would be bad politically) and create a company that can be sold, or leased, to a private company.
         
        It is so formulaic and common that I am not surprised you slept through it.

        • RedLogix 13.2.1.1
          28 October 2011 at 10:34 pm

          Incidentally my internal Kiwirail source of gossip and rumour, tells me that the new Chinese DL locos are rubbish. As one of the guys maintaining them put it, these new DL’s will be scrapped while the 45 yr old DC’s will still be running.

          • millsy 13.2.1.1.1
            28 October 2011 at 11:13 pm

            Add the Aratere to that list. A flash new upgrade and the things running like a dog. Breakdown after breakdown.

    • millsy 13.3
      28 October 2011 at 11:11 pm

      The first thing I thought when I saw that article, was ‘here we go again…’.

      This is what Prebble and the ACToids did back in 1990 when they split off NZ Rail – the tracks, trains, etc. from the NZ Railways Corporation, the land and the debt. NZ Rail was sold in ’93, and the NZ Rail Corp flogged of railway land to developers and speculators.

  14. randal 14
    28 October 2011 at 5:36 pm

    ipredict huh?
    whats the odds on John Keys spitting the dummy completely before the election is over?
    I predict he will and furthermore I will put money on it.

  15. Draco T Bastard 15
    28 October 2011 at 6:18 pm

    The US, following in China’s footsteps.

    here are no two ways around this simple fact: this is an attempt to build the Great Firewall of America. The bill would require service providers to block access to certain websites, very much contrary to US official positions on censorship and internet freedom, and almost certainly in violation of the First Amendment.

  16. jaymam 16
    28 October 2011 at 7:39 pm

    I would like to support a campaign to keep MMP. I see that there are one or more groups wanting to do that.
    I can only find the one, http://www.campaignformmp.org.nz
    Can someone please tell http://www.campaignformmp.org.nz that their website is completely useless and unusable. I can read almost any other website, e.g. The Standard (which has its own problems with unnecessary Flash animations).
    Why don’t people just have straightforward html on their sites? Then I could help them. Otherwise I won’t bother.

  17. randal 17
    28 October 2011 at 7:42 pm

    all john keys can talk about today is bananas.
    I hope he hasn’t been drying out banana skins and smoking them.

  18. John 18
    28 October 2011 at 7:46 pm

    Socialism built the All Blacks 2011 victory . The Modern N.Z game is a built on a centralised Soviet style deligation of teams and supporters and leaders (coaches). The state has a very heavy hand in our rugby succesess, I’d like to see the parties that don’t want continued state contribution to our most immense sporting world achievement, excellence in the sport of Rugby, as played by fanatically by Che G himself

    • Colonial Viper 18.1
      28 October 2011 at 11:22 pm

      Moron. Socialism HAS built the All Blacks and HAS built the Rugby World Cup.

      Neither would have happened without shitloads of tax payer funding and shit loads of tax breaks.

  19. John 19
    30 October 2011 at 12:32 am

    Moron. I know, stop with the abuse.

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    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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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