Open mike 29/01/2023

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, January 29th, 2023 - 83 comments
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83 comments on “Open mike 29/01/2023 ”

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  1. Tiger Mountain 1
    29 January 2023 at 9:44 am

    The Auckland right, business groups and conservative powers that be from the Eastern Suburbs etc. seem to have harboured deep resentment at not having captured the first and subsequent Supercity Mayoralty races, won initially by another Mr Brown (Len) from South Auckland.

    So, they tactically withdrew candidates this time such as Mr Molloy, and Ms Beck, and used the perfect storm of transience, alienation, low participation, degraded postal service, and the rather reluctant endorsement of Efeso Collins by Labour, to install “Mr Fixit”.

    It would be hard to find a more motley crew of political opportunists and operators than those that ran “Browny’s” campaign, including an ex Labour guy Chris ‘Lizard’ Matthews. But regardless of all that, the Mayoral response to the awful Auckland weather event is grounds surely to discard Wayne Brown and install Commissioners.
    Labour have done this previously…
    https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/commissioners-appointed-tauranga-city-council

    His appalling rate of response to Media requests could also feature in such a “recall”.
    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2023/01/wayne-brown-granted-two-direct-media-interviews-out-of-108-requests-in-first-month-as-auckland-mayor.html

    • Anne 1.1
      29 January 2023 at 9:52 am

      Not quite at the "commissioner" stage yet but…yes yes

    • Ad 1.2
      29 January 2023 at 10:01 am

      On the bright side, like having the Republicans with a Congress majority, Auckland now gets to see how shit the right are at actual governance for the next three years.

      In fact the right are so shit Auckland Council is now putting up Shane Henderson as weather crisis speaker, rather than dealing with another round of media standup with Mayor Brown. Shane Henderson as a benchmark of competence is not a high hurdle to jump.

      All Hipkins needs to do now to rescue Three Waters is publish the aerial footage, and do his next media conference knee-deep in a flooded back park.

    • Visubversa 1.3
      29 January 2023 at 12:35 pm

      Amazing how that "Lizard" monniker has stuck to Chris Matthews. I remember using it when he was hanging around Labour in the 1990's. The "lizard" was coined because his eyes are the same colour as his face. I also remember when he and his mate the "Brothel Creeper' (Labour, not Labour, Labour again) were stomping around one of the Region 1 Labour List conferences telling various delegations that they would tell them who to vote for. Certainly did not work for the delegation I was part of.

    • Incognito 1.4
      29 January 2023 at 1:59 pm

      I don’t see any reason for a Commissioner to replace Auckland City Council. There is no irreconcilable differences and/or breakdown of professional relationship(s).

      During events of the past days, it is inevitable that things go wrong and that mistakes are made. However, Wayne Brown keeps passing the buck, which shows arrogance and incompetence that are bad traits for a leader. However, he has learned one big lesson: avoid the media even more than before – he’ll be even more media-shy that during the first 4 months of his tenure.

    • rod 1.5
      29 January 2023 at 4:56 pm

      I think Mr Fuxit is better than Mr Fixit.

  2. Ad 2
    29 January 2023 at 9:56 am

    MSN have picked up Newsroom's fairly bracing 2nd part review of Ardern's performance as Prime Minister.

    Ardern squandered her chance at transformational change at every turn (msn.com)

    "Ardern Squandered Her Chance At Transformational Change At Every Turn"

    Particular focus is put on the budget effect of the Budget Responsibility Rules that Labour and Greens signed up to and their impact on the ability of the state to redistribute wealth usefully.

    But also, how they made it far worse than it needed to be:

    "Labour’s handling of the Covid economic crisis led to the biggest increase in inequality in recorded history.

    The previous huge spike in inequality in New Zealand’s recent past was between 1984 and 1993, when the initial introduction of neoliberalism to this country led to the fastest rise in inequality seen anywhere in the OECD during that period.

    That was also initiated by a Labour government.

    It’s darkly ironic that Labour, the supposed party of workers, who were founded to challenge capitalism and the inequality it creates, were at the helm both times in the past 90 years when inequality exploded."

    In the moments of governance calm between each crisis we face now, Labour and its partners have to do more than make inequality worse.

    The review is a bracing survey of some highlights, but mostly of the yawning gap between idealism and delivery.

    • bwaghorn 2.1
      29 January 2023 at 2:34 pm

      Where do you stand on wealth taxs? , just out of interest,

      • Ad 2.1.1
        29 January 2023 at 4:45 pm

        The most corrosive tax on lower income people is GST. It has driven inequality in this country massively and mostly unexamined.

        The government books are propped up with GST because PAYE from our low average wages just wouldn't support our way of life.

        I would wipe out GST before anything else.

        • AB 2.1.1.1
          29 January 2023 at 8:05 pm

          Yes- but from where do we raise the revenue to replace it?

          • Ad 2.1.1.1.1
            29 January 2023 at 10:14 pm

            Do better with the funding you have before you keep trying to tax people more.

            Do you want to go through the appalling tax funding waste of the last two terms? How much this government spent on useless consultants. Reforms that went nowhere. Projects large and small that died. Gold plated cycleways like 3 in construction in Wellington region now. Stupid makework lists of further hundreds of millions like NZUP. Billions of direct subsidies to business in 2020 rather than to workers, which business pocketed and fired workers anyway.

            Stop spending my tax dollars on useless crap that does nothing.

          • Nic the NZer 2.1.1.1.2
            30 January 2023 at 8:34 am

            Tax collection is not a limitation. Were the govt to simply drop GST its deficit would increase and GDP would increase by the same ($ for $). As a result of this PAYE collection will increase eventually. The difference will see higher NZ saving rates (lower non-govt sector debt). The longer term situation will be similar to today even with no other taxation changes.

            The major determinant of the govt budget position is how the rest of the economy is going. Its largely out of the govts hands if (when) its running a surplus or deficit.

  3. Anne 3
    29 January 2023 at 10:04 am

    A weather preview of what is coming over the next few days:

    https://www.windy.com/-Rain-thunder-rain?rain,-30.883,174.507,5,m:cJCakBp

    https://www.windy.com/?-28.130,175.342,5

    Tie down anything that moves, stay indoors and cross fingers and toes.

    • Ad 3.1
      29 January 2023 at 10:26 am

      Better graphics than metvuw or metservice

      Good to see some of it coming to Wanaka and Queenstown at the end of the week.

      • Graeme 3.1.1
        29 January 2023 at 12:22 pm

        Will be very welcome if it eventuates. Not counting the chickens just yet though

        • mary_a 3.1.1.1
          29 January 2023 at 2:16 pm

          @ Graeme (3.1.1) Where I live in Cromwell, it is extremely dry, so much so that it could become a fire risk soon and the wind doesn't help this situation either. Some rain will be most welcome indeed. But not a massive deluge please!

      • tWiggle 3.1.2
        29 January 2023 at 2:22 pm

        You can bet Niwa onsells data it collects here to world-wide apps like this one. Good idea, if it subsidises the cost of collection.

  4. Adrian 4
    29 January 2023 at 10:04 am

    Ad, if you want to read a bit of reality try reading Frank Macskasy ‘s “ A calm Look at Public Housing on the feed column on this page.

    • Ad 4.1
      29 January 2023 at 10:22 am

      He's right to point to Labour's housing rebuild successes and rail against National's prior folly.

      But Mr Mackasay's main stat is simply that Labour now has the situation about the same as where they were the last time they were in power. Getting back only to where you started isn't usefully defensible.

      Meantime the waiting list for public housing has gone up to 24,000 and most of those are waiting over 6 months.

      Public housing waitlist hits 24,000, half waiting more than 200 days for a home | Stuff.co.nz

      And of course in one weather event we now have 5,000 further properties needing review over 25 suburbs.

      Weather: Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Waikato lashed by heavy rain – slips, floods and widespread damage to homes; Tauranga house destroyed by landslide; Waitomo declares state of emergency – NZ Herald

      That's a further tidal surge of rental and emergency and public housing need right there.

      • Mac1 4.1.1
        29 January 2023 at 8:33 pm

        "Labour now has the situation about the same as where they were the last time they were in power. Getting back only to where you started isn't usefully defensible."

        Labour has built in five years 7400 houses which is what National sold, acknowledged as unwise by Nicola Willis, between 2008 and 2016. We now have once again 69000 houses.

        That is a useful and defensible number. We built them. They sold them. We are still building more than we sell or disposed of, as some houses still always have to be sold, renovated or demolished.

        • Ad 4.1.1.1
          29 January 2023 at 10:07 pm

          Just not true.

          The programme Kainga Ora is on has resulted in the privatisation of over a third of State House land, and the direct enrichment of private developers far more than the state. Don't mention Rotorua.

          And that's just housing.

          Hospital waiting lists are massive and growing. Despite a term of deep reform and lots of task forces.

          Road toll massively increased in this Parliamentary term. Nearly two terms worth of culture change, legislative change, funding change, and Board change.

          Child poverty is decreased but total poverty has increased including those who work. Check out the food parcel use increases from the Salvation Army and other providers.

          Gun crime and gang crime has massively increased, with other crimes trending down.

          Business confidence and manufacturing has plummeted through the floor.

          Inflation is out of control like we haven't seen since the late 1980s.

          The only major completed reform is in carbon trading legislation from the Greens. Which apparently doesn't work.

          RMA reform uncomplete.

          Health reform incomplete.

          Tertiary education reform incomplete.

          Energy reform incomplete.

          Water management reform incomplete and voted against by Greens.

          Worker unemployment compensation reform incomplete.

          No effective reform to supermarkets, fuel, building materials, or any other near-duopolies.

          The road and rail networks are a disaster in maintenance and major works and public transport use has plummeted.

          We're importing more coal for electricity production than way back since Meremere was in production.

          55% of us believe we are going in the wrong direction. We are likely to be in recession by the middle of the year.

          The Prime Minister of the world just gave up because it was hard.

          Labour's trendline is aiming under 30%, Greens are on 10% and NZFirst are easily heading for 5%.

          And we've got the most right wing Labour Prime Minister in my lifetime.

  5. Francesca 5
    29 January 2023 at 10:26 am

    Very grateful for the feed column on this site

    No right turn on the spy agencies' powers, and a handy little loophole

    https://norightturn.blogspot.com/2023/01/a-significant-loophole.html

  6. Incognito 6
    29 January 2023 at 1:17 pm

    I guess we should be grateful that Elon Musk hadn’t killed off and silenced the little blue birdie. Twitter appeared to be a major if not the main line of communication during the emergency. This is a potential future weakness that needs to be addressed in the inevitable review of the emergency response.

    • weka 6.1
      29 January 2023 at 3:21 pm

      Been really feeling this over the past few days. ER systems need to rethink this, but so does NZ twitter. So reliant on twitter for too many things.

      • Incognito 6.1.1
        29 January 2023 at 3:23 pm

        Can’t live with it, can’t live without, that sort of thing?

        • tWiggle 6.1.1.1
          29 January 2023 at 5:35 pm

          What about good old radio?

          • weka 6.1.1.1.1
            29 January 2023 at 5:45 pm

            it's the interactive nature of twitter that makes it so valuable. And the access to journalists, MPs, councillors, official accounts (eg metservice or CD) and so on. Quite often NZ twitter functions like this, shit gets communicated or organised, it's fast and in real time and there's not anything else like it.

            In an ideal world some geeks would get together and create a local platform to serve that function. That would be a fun place to moderate 😈

          • weka 6.1.1.1.2
            29 January 2023 at 5:54 pm

            to give you a non-NZ example, early on in the pandemic (before it was called a pandemic) I knew (along with many others) that the emerging coronavirus was going to be a major emergency when Italian hospital doctors started tweeting (against their organisational policy) about having to triage patients in the corridors and some were being left to die.

            It was incredibly shocking and hard to believe, but people on twitter were engaged and checking out if the reports and accounts were legit. It took two days for the Guardian (one of the first MSM) to begin covering what was happening in Italy, this is the time to fact check (and get past the language barriers). Longer for the other MSM to pick it up.

            In the greater scheme of things, I'm not sure if the pros outweigh the cons of such rapid communication, but that's an issue for the internet generally and if we're going to have the internet then twitter is useful. It's the ability of people to get together and talk, fact check, grapple with issues that sets it apart from one way, trust the announcer, radio (I still rate radio highly too, it's just a different thing).

          • Incognito 6.1.1.1.3
            29 January 2023 at 6:33 pm

            Yup, battery operated, with pre-set emergency channels, which should be tested annually at the same time as the smoke alarms.

            • weka 6.1.1.1.3.1
              29 January 2023 at 7:43 pm

              Do mobile phones have radio reception (distinct from internet streamed radio)? I had an ipod for a while that did.

        • weka 6.1.1.2
          29 January 2023 at 5:46 pm

          I can live with it despite its flaws. It will be a real loss if Musk fucks it up so badly that NZ twitter falls apart. People were predicting that the platform itself would fail, I’m glad that hasn’t happened.

        • bwaghorn 6.1.1.3
          29 January 2023 at 7:26 pm

          I just find it a chaotic mess that I struggle to follow, so don't go there, that and I already waste enough of my life online.

          • Incognito 6.1.1.3.1
            29 January 2023 at 8:08 pm

            I hear you. I’m not on Twitter and haven’t used FB in years (and only for contacting distant friends & relatives).

  9. Incognito 9
    29 January 2023 at 2:39 pm

    If it wasn’t obvious from the well-funded campaign, Wayne Brown is a puppet installed by parties with vested interests, deep pockets, and long reach. They surrounded him with minders and advisors. This was just the warm-up for installing NACT & Luxon on 14 Oct. BTW, Luxon and the Oppos have been uncharacteristically quiet lately and I think this is a smart and deliberate move.

    • bwaghorn 9.1
      29 January 2023 at 2:44 pm

      I'm waiting for luxon to tell down town brown that only a prayer from the upper floor can stop the rain.

    • tWiggle 9.2
      29 January 2023 at 5:39 pm

      More of a muppet than a puppet at the moment. The puppetmasters haven't got coarse control yet, let alone fine control.

  12. Red Blooded One 12
    29 January 2023 at 6:26 pm

    TV1 News couldn't show the difference between Labour and National more. Carmel Sepuloni visiting People at shelters and Christopher Luxon showing his sympathy to Business only. Plus Luxons fingerprints are all over the incompetent Airport and Airline reactions. He and his ilk including the interviewed Carrie Hurahanganui ex Air NZ. That's what happens when you decimate staff and conditions of employees.

  13. weka 13
    29 January 2023 at 7:45 pm

    How the 'they can assess each trans woman inmate to make sure they are safe' idea is going.

    Scott is one of only some 100 offenders in Scotland subject to an Order for Lifelong Restriction (OLR), meaning he will only be released when he is no longer considered an "unmanageable risk to public safety".

    but sure, put him in a women’s prison in the meantime 🙄

    https://twitter.com/jk_rowling/status/1619297883538472962

    • Visubversa 13.1
      29 January 2023 at 8:08 pm

      This is the British bicentenary of the Gaols Act 1823.

      The work of the social reformer Elizabeth Fry, this landmark law mandated sex-segregated prisons with female inmates guarded by female wardens. When women were incarcerated among men, Fry observed, they were exploited, terrified and raped. She established a principle which became enshrined in international law, from UN protocols to the Geneva conventions.

      How, then, was history rewound, 200 years of evidence memory-holed, so that this week the double rapist Adam Graham was remanded in Cornton Vale women’s prison?'

  14. Incognito 14
    29 January 2023 at 7:54 pm

    Just received an automated TXT message issued by Auckland Emergency Management at 7:47pm, Sunday 29 January, 2023.

    “MetService has issued an Orange Heavy Rain Warning for Auckland until 7am on Monday, due to an active line of thunderstorms.

    Et cetera.

    • Muttonbird 14.1
      29 January 2023 at 8:05 pm

      Sun's out in central east Auckland.

      I do appreciate there are now people working hard and doing their job but NZ's mad, privileged culture of 'getting away for the long weekend' really hurt a lot on Friday evening.

      If anything good comes out off this it will be Brown Wayne's resignation. Would be totally happy for Desley Simpson to become mayor, and that is saying something.

      • Incognito 14.1.1
        29 January 2023 at 8:18 pm

        Sun's out in central east Auckland.

        Turn down the brightness of your screen cheeky

        I think the EJ concert shambles was a distraction and confused many. You know how it is when excitement builds and there is a huge anti-climax that is so disappointing it becomes frustrating.

        I don’t think Brown will resign, narcissists never do.

        • Anne 14.1.1.1
          29 January 2023 at 8:30 pm

          "I don’t think Brown will resign, narcissists never do."

          I hesitated to say so, but I think that is why he didn't issue a "State of Emergency" until it was almost over. He couldn't see the need because he wasn't affected and narcissists have no real comprehension or empathy for the effect an event might have on others.

          • Incognito 14.1.1.1.1
            29 January 2023 at 8:37 pm

            It was not meant as a pejorative, but as an observation.

          • Muttonbird 14.1.1.1.2
            29 January 2023 at 8:37 pm

            Good point there, Anne. Also I think he has probably created a culture of fear in the organisation just like he has in previous entities he's been involved with.

            Could be a reason AEM didn’t manage to convince the narcissist earlier in the day. Too scared of the walking dead at his desk.

            Tiger Mountain has filled us in on some of Brown's worst tendencies.

            • Anne 14.1.1.1.2.1
              29 January 2023 at 8:44 pm

              I had a couple of bosses who were like Brown. People were afraid to tell them what they thought for fear of copping a backlash. Anyone who has been on the receiving end would know how very unpleasant it can be.

              • Muttonbird …
                29 January 2023 at 8:50 pm

                I have always been self employed. Can't stand employers because of the inherent power trip they invariably indulge in.

            • Anne 14.1.1.1.2.2
              29 January 2023 at 9:07 pm

              And here's a good example:

              https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/483302/wayne-brown-on-flood-reaction-there-may-have-been-some-incorrect-decisions

              He said yesterday that he followed the advice of the professionals when deciding whether to declare an emergency.

              But during a visit to a community hall in Māngere today, Brown said emergency managers may have made some incorrect decisions.

              Typical narcissistic attitude. Placing all the blame on his "emergency managers". Not taking any of the responsibility himself.

  15. joe90 15
    29 January 2023 at 8:11 pm

    Oh joy.

    https://twitter.com/NewsroomNZ/status/1619536785922473984

    A warmer ocean means a lot of extra fuel for storms and the atmosphere can hold increasing levels of moisture at a rate of seven percent per degree Celsius warming. With sea temperatures running over 3C above normal around parts of New Zealand, and over 1C above normal over broad regions to the north there has likely been 10 to 25 percent more moisture lurking around for storms to gather up and rain on nearby land.

    https://www.newsroom.co.nz/ideasroom/why-the-north-and-east-have-had-such-a-dreadful-summer?

  16. Ad 16
    29 January 2023 at 9:43 pm

    Check this out from Joseph Mooney MP for Southland.

    A 4 minute promo. This scale and precision of editing and multiple shoots is easily over $100k of production, in my experience.

    (25) My ambitions for town and country by Joseph Mooney MP for Southland – YouTube

    Congrats to him on the high quality YouTube placement and the say-nothing-about-policy or execution message.

    Sure hope Labour MPs can meet this kind of advertorial production in the next 2 months ie before it becomes a campaign expense.

    • Muttonbird 16.1
      29 January 2023 at 9:49 pm

      Far too long. Looked like the the POV got progressively more drunk as the ad went on. Probably did.

      Full of lies too. Country leaders do not want clean rivers and drinking water above personal profit.

      Hark at them gathering around the Ford Ranger at the end of the day to bitch about the Red Queen…

      • Ad 16.1.1
        29 January 2023 at 10:18 pm

        Yes 50 seconds would have been better.

        Somehow we need to get Chippie into an F150 Lightning like Biden did.

  18. tWiggle 18
    29 January 2023 at 11:34 pm

    There's hope yet for NZ discourse among the many. A lively and informed discussion in the comments beneath this stuff article.

    https://i.stuff.co.nz/business/131075504/pain-ahead-for-workers-as-companies-cut-jobs-to-tighten-their-belts

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  • 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
    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
    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
    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 ...
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