Open mike 29/05/2024

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, May 29th, 2024 - 37 comments
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37 comments on “Open mike 29/05/2024 ”

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  1. SPC 1
    29 May 2024 at 8:27 am

    40 years ago there was an authoritarian PM who was also Minister of Finance.

    He regulated the banking sector and wanted low unemployment – and people like Bob Jones wanted him gone – they wanted the "socialist" gone and a classic free market economy.

    And Roger Douglas delivered. Others gave us the nuclear policy, and the Treaty in legislation. The succeeding government kept all three and thus came the iwi settlements (and they added benefit cuts, a low wage economy and market rents for state houses – all while removing the estate tax – thus increasing rather than reducing inequality was the goal)

    In the 1970s, Māori protest about unresolved Treaty grievances was increasing and sometimes taking place outside the law. By establishing the Waitangi Tribunal, Parliament provided a legal process by which Māori Treaty claims could be investigated.

    The Waitangi Tribunal was formed in 1975.

    https://www.waitangitribunal.govt.nz/about/past-present-future-of-waitangi-tribunal/

    National brought in Kohanga Reo, Mana Enterprises and Tu Tangata programmes and Muldoon gave PEP jobs to urban Maori "gangs".

    The Waitangi Tribunal Act `1985

    From 1985 the Waitangi Tribunal was empowered to investigate Treaty claims dating back to 1840. The tribunal also gained the ability to commission research and appoint legal counsel for claimants. Māori have since lodged many new claims against the Crown, and a number of major reports have been released.

    Back in 1984 Maori were more employed more hours than others, this was how they afforded home ownership.

    In those times older folk were landlords – either converting bank account savings into a property ownership or using super payout to buy. They owned the house and paid tax on the rent income. There was no speculation with borrowed money.

    2024.

    Banking and a landlord class.

    https://businessdesk.co.nz/article/the-life/looking-back-the-nz-housing-boom-when-and-how-it-all-began

    Lack of secure tenancy. Struggling to afford rent and remain in a home. a risible 25 cents an hour MW increase. A one off tax cut for workers of $10 a week.

    The legacy of Rogergnomics, Ruthinasia, Birch and Jimville English.

    40 years ago they closed down a business in Willis Street. Where pigs could not sweat while on duty.

    Animal Farm and a Brave New World.

    • mikesh 1.1
      29 May 2024 at 8:47 am

      In those times older folk were landlords – either converting bank account savings into a property ownership or using super payout to buy. They owned the house and paid tax on the rent income. There was no speculation with borrowed money.

      Without borrowing is how investment should be done in the housing market – paying interest just tends to push up rental prices. I think TOP, at the last election, had a policy something along those lines.

  2. PsyclingLeft.Always 2
    29 May 2024 at 8:43 am

    Luxury Luxon and his cronies apparently care about the squeezed middle . ( I have grave doubts about that and IMO their attentions will make no difference.! )

    "Why is that commitment to tax relief so important?" said Prime Minister Christopher Luxon earlier this month.

    "Because those Kiwis struggling with the cost of living – what I call the squeezed middle – deserve support."

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/518082/how-much-can-tax-cuts-do-to-ease-the-cost-of-living

    On the other hand the very squeezed are going to be wrung out…

    More people 'drowning in debt' as cost of living crisis bites

    One Wellington-based financial mentor quoted in the report said it was not a cost of living crisis, but a "drowning in debt crisis".

    https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/517033/more-people-drowning-in-debt-as-cost-of-living-crisis-bites

    Its going down hill fast…

    • Rodel 2.1
      29 May 2024 at 11:23 am

      The only squeezed middle is Gerry Brownlees.

    • Kay 2.2
      29 May 2024 at 11:34 am

      "Because those Kiwis struggling with the cost of living – what I call the squeezed middle – deserve support."

      Clearly, in his warped mind, only the "right" sort of Kiwi struggling with the cost of living deserves support. (Read: if you don't work then you're obviously not affected by the cost of living, right?)

      • Mike the Lefty 2.2.1
        29 May 2024 at 7:46 pm

        Oh yeah the "squeezed middle class".

        What we used to call "yuppies" back in the 80s.

        The only squeezing that affects them is bodily functions.

  3. Bearded Git 3
    29 May 2024 at 8:44 am

    The latest Roy Morgan is interesting:

    Nat 33.5

    ACT 9.5

    NZF 5.5

    Lab 30.0

    Gr 14.0

    TMP 3.0

    Government 48.5 against opposition 47.0 With the TMP overhang, assuming they win 6 Maori seats, this is neck and neck.
    Labour is closing on the Nats. The Greens continue to poll well despite all the (mostly unjustified) crap that is being thrown at them.

    https://www.roymorgan.com/findings/nz-national-voting-intention-may-2024

    • ianmac 3.1
      29 May 2024 at 9:54 am

      Thanks BG. In spite of criticism even from own ranks, it may be that Hipkin's softly softly might be the way to go. Let the COC die from self inflicted wounds.

      • bwaghorn 3.1.1
        29 May 2024 at 10:28 am

        I can't imagine gleefully sacking people , pulling the rug out from under first home buyers feet and starving poor kids sits well with your average decent citizen.

        • Maurice 3.1.1.1
          29 May 2024 at 11:11 am

          You 'misunderestimate' the nett tax payer's loathing of bureaucrats – especially the vast number 'given' positons by the previous majority Labour government.

          That is the audience the present ruling coalition is playing to … and the need for reduction in government spending precipitated by $100 BILLIONS of recent borrowing (much of it channeled to the private individual during covid lockdowns). Eventually the uncontrolled flow has to be restricted.

          They believe that there is still 20,000 plus extras to be dealt with.

          (p.s. Have been made redundant three times in my working life – each due to a government economic failure.)

          • Belladonna 3.1.1.1.1
            29 May 2024 at 11:28 am

            Not only the nett taxpayer, most of the working class (the much-derided Waitakere Man and small town NZ, rather than the urban liberal unionists) regard Wellington-based bureaucrats as freeloaders. Bureaucrats in Wellington losing their (very well paid) jobs, aren't going to gain much sympathy outside their support circle.

            • newsense 3.1.1.1.1.1
              29 May 2024 at 12:34 pm

              Ahhh bureaucrats. Love the smell of bureaucrats roasting on an open fire!

              Oh wait it’s the passport office.
              Oh wait it’s the teacher aid who works with my neighbor’s kid.
              Oh wait, it’s the post office and RD has been cut back again.
              Oh wait it’s our local surgery waiting lists and the cancellation of surgeries.
              Oh wait it’s the disability support person who checks accessibility.

              Oh f- me it’s all the construction projects that have been stopped and subs laid off because there’s no government certainty.
              Oh f- me it’s an industry that had ratcheted up just drop off a cliff.
              Oh f- me it’s the team that monitors and stops noxious weeds.

              Oh f- me immigration have closed all their offices near us and their phone wait times are crazy and one of our workers wants to go home because his mother’s sick. Real good no shit guy.

              Oh f- me it’s the wife’s contract to supply fresh veges to get friends who make lunches for the local school.
              Oh f- me I just want to finish work eat my dinner and watch the news- where’s Paddy gone?

              It doesn’t feel a lot better having got rid of all the woke lot- just a lot more money gone to their big business mates and even less for us.

              • Belladonna …
                29 May 2024 at 1:06 pm

                And all those services are markedly better since the numbers of public servants increased vastly under the last government /sarc/

                • newsense …
                  30 May 2024 at 1:21 am

                  Always appreciate your input. Especially now you’ve moved from concern trolling to simply RW positions. Much more honest of you.

                  Yes the construction industry was geared up on a lot of projects because the government prioritised building houses. This had at least plateaued prices. Now the uncertainty has seen the industry creak to a halt because of the lack of certainty around projects.

                  https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/04/29/construction-workers-leaving-nz-in-droves-amid-big-project-delays/

                  https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/518174/construction-industry-leaders-plead-for-acceleration-of-infrastructure-projects

                  And even your and Chris Trotter’s best friends can see that cutting jobs gleefully does nothing for the long term sustainability of the economy or the cost of living crisis, it simply goes to their mates’ back pockets as they avoid paying for the things we collectively need.

                  "Among others, local authorities are conveying to us their challenging financial predicaments, citing either a lack of funds or a need to await direction or decisions from central government before proceeding with planned works."

                  And we’ll find we’re paying more to borrow as the government isn’t guaranteeing water infrastructure.
                  /angrywithTINAandherpoisonousmates

                  • Belladonna …
                    30 May 2024 at 10:19 am

                    Attempting to smear people with troll or RW labels – does no favours for your actual arguments.

                    From a fact-checked article:

                    There’s been an increase between 2017 and 2022 in both the size of the core public service, and the proportion of the workforce who are public servants.

                    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/the-whole-truth/131057183/the-whole-truth-has-the-proportion-of-public-servants-grown

                    If that resulted in such a spectacular improvement in public services – which according to you are of such benefit – then the left (which really means Labour, since the other left parties increased their representation) – wouldn't have lost the election. They did.

                    The coalition went into government having campaigned on, and therefore with a mandate to, trim the public sector.

                    I fail to see why this is such a surprise. This is something that National does every time they are in government, just as Labour bumps up the public sector employment, every time they are in government.

                    • Descendant Of Smith …
                      30 May 2024 at 10:30 am

                      According to the Wellington cafes not enough public servants were frequenting their cafes making it hard to make money charging stupid prices for a muffin.

                      Clearly we needed more………..

          • bwaghorn 3.1.1.1.2
            29 May 2024 at 5:30 pm

            I did day decent people, only needs to be 5% shift

            • Maurice 3.1.1.1.2.1
              29 May 2024 at 6:19 pm

              The World is not run and controlled by 'decent' people – all that matters is which tribe are they from – Ours …. or the Others. We get to pillage or they do.

        • Drowsy M. Kram 3.1.1.2
          29 May 2024 at 12:06 pm

          https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirty_Politics#Jason_Ede

          https://propertyinstitute.nz/Category?Action=View&Category_id=1669

          You can't really expect luxury Luxon to have much sympathy, or empathy, for "freeloading" "Wellington-based bureaucrats" and "urban liberal unionists". As for empathy-free Seymour and his merry band of MPs, decency “don’t enter into it.”

          Nicola 'ruthless' Willis can do ‘faux empathy’, but not well.

          And kids, that means instead of movie night meaning DVDs and Tip Top at home, we might go out to the movies.

          https://experteditor.com.au/blog/subtle-signs-someone-is-faking-their-empathy-and-kindness/

    • Matiri 3.2
      29 May 2024 at 10:05 am

      Similar thing happening in the UK with the tories throwing unjustified crap at Labours deputy leader Angela Rayner.

      https://www.theguardian.com/politics/article/2024/may/28/angela-rayner-cleared-of-criminal-wrongdoing-over-sale-of-home

    • SPC 3.3
      29 May 2024 at 6:28 pm

      The key thing is Labour-Green 44% – National-ACT 43%.

      NZF has never had a second term in a coalition government and probably will not be back in parliament (2008 and 2020).

      Greens now have support agreement experience (2017-2020). And 2026 could be their time to step up into a coalition government role.

      Presumably such a coalition would have TPM as support partners.

  4. joe90 4
    29 May 2024 at 12:05 pm

    Nope, nothing to see here..

    /

    @StrayDogNZ

    @NewshubNZ

    have revealed Bill English was signed on to head the $500k review of Kāinga Ora weeks before Chris Bishop got official sign-off on the review. The arrangement was made via text messages with Bishop promising no involvement from Kāinga Ora in the review of Kāinga Ora.

    https://x.com/StrayDogNZ/status/1795341814440046638

    Newshub can reveal Sir Bill English was signed on to head a half-million-dollar review of Kāinga Ora through a couple of simple text messages with the Minister – weeks before he even got Cabinet signoff for the review.

    Kāinga Ora's response to the scathing report said they were hardly consulted and Newshub's obtained text messages showing it was the Minister's preference they had no involvement.

    […]

    "Kāinga Ora is underperforming and not financially viable," Bishop said.

    Newshub can reveal how the former Prime Minister came to head the half-million-dollar probe.

    Here is the text exchange:

    Sir Bill: Chris will there be a review of KO.

    Bishop: We are going to do an independent review into finances, performance, cost, etc. Commence it asap, hopefully get terms of reference and reviewers sorted before Christmas.

    Sir Bill: I could help with that.

    Bishop: Excellent lets do that.

    Bishop told Newshub he "absolutely" followed proper processes in appointing Sir Bill.

    The message saying "excellent let's do that" to the review was sent on November 29 but the review was only taken to the Cabinet 100-day plan committee to sign off two weeks later on December 13.

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2024/05/revealed-the-simple-texts-between-sir-bill-english-and-chris-bishop-that-led-to-k-inga-ora-review.html

  5. Ad 5
    29 May 2024 at 12:35 pm

    Smith and Caugheys closing.

    Could someone put a fire under the Auckland mayor?

    Our largest city has poured over $6 billion into the CBD and downtown.

    It's a crime hole. Sky City+Britomart+Commercial Bay are the winners out of this.

    • Bearded Git 5.1
      29 May 2024 at 12:54 pm

      Revenue down 40% in 5 years I just heard on RNZ.

      • Belladonna 5.1.1
        29 May 2024 at 6:55 pm

        Some of that is the post-Covid shift in retail patterns (fewer people working in the CBD). Some is the longer term shift away from CBD shopping to local malls. Both economic trends that it's difficult to fight against.

        But a huge amount is the ongoing misery that is the (seemingly endless) disruption caused by the CRL; the frankly dangerous vibe of Queen St and surrounding areas – not only after dark, but during the daytime; and the war against the car that AT have engaged in with their bus-only streets (with poor signage combined with high fines).
        The City Council needs to put their hand up and take ownership of all of these.

        I'll be sad to see the grand old lady of Queen St go – but I think that she's past saving in the current economic climate. I only fear what horror will be imposed on the Queen St facade when the building is vacated – we still have the gaping eyesore of the St James theatre, rotting across the road, as a dreadful warning. I guess the best we can hope for is conversion into luxury apartments – $2 million for a single bedroom – because the cost of conversion, heritage protection and rates won't allow for anything less expensive.

  6. newsense 6
    29 May 2024 at 12:45 pm

    Spot the difference in focus?

    Be honest Luxon is the worst kind of partisan hack, here trying to criminalise basic protest. ‘You can’t leave work, we own you!’

    Here’s him in the fire starters and the focus? It’s all so frustrating!

    https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/02/15/parliament-protest-symptomatic-of-immense-frustration-luxon/

    Same shit, different day. Hysterical reaction about protests being illegal because you’re not allowed to strike against racism and corruption, you don’t have those entitlements in your contracts! This is me at AIRNZ hitting them with their employment agreements. I was a king! And a better one than Joffrey, though perhaps not Robert…

    https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/05/28/luxon-warns-going-on-strike-to-join-budget-hui-would-be-illegal/

    Oh and Hipkins is speaking…but his microphone isn’t working well. Great people on all sides apparently?

    • ianmac 6.1
      29 May 2024 at 1:16 pm

      There is a strong chance that Luxon has motivated more people to get out and protest. Thanks Luxon for the free publicity.

      • Patricia Bremner 6.1.1
        29 May 2024 at 4:02 pm

        yes Or to donate at least, and if you are frail, watch on Maori Tv.

        I have been wondering what Luxon lacks as he listens to the other two.

        Mana. The man has no Mana.

  7. Bearded Git 7
    29 May 2024 at 1:04 pm

    Top civil servant Dick Schoof has just agreed to become PM of the Netherlands. This is good news because it means the fascist Geert Wilders will not have the job, despite being leader of the largest party.

    https://apnews.com/article/wilders-coalition-netherlands-government-schoof-f43f6ad97e38a837851a439d9cd3d6b5

  8. joe90 8
    29 May 2024 at 1:06 pm

    Liberal, pro-Israel, Biden supporting non-profit J Street has had enough.

    .

    Mr. President, enough is enough.

    Jeremy Ben-Ami

    on May 28, 2024

    For eight months, we have watched in abject horror the catastrophic war that has followed Hamas’ barbaric October 7 attack.

    […]

    Hamas and the terrorists who attacked Israel on October 7 can and must be defeated. But that will only happen through a political resolution of the underlying Israeli-Palestinian conflict – one that rallies international support to deprive Hamas of financial, political and popular support and charts a clear, alternate, peaceful path toward Palestinian liberation. The path which President Biden is being led down by Prime Minister Netanyahu will bring only more death and destruction, a more radicalized and angry Palestinian population, and greater enemies for not just Israel but the United States as well.

    And – let’s be clear – the political damage the President is suffering by going down this path is so deep that it could cost him the November election and all of us our democracy.

    So we say to President Biden: Demand an end to this war now and lay out the choice clearly for Prime Minister Netanyahu. Either resolve this war and the underlying conflict the right way – in a manner that brings lasting peace, security and freedom to both peoples – or go it alone on the path of never-ending violence and bloodshed.

    Mr. President, enough is enough.

    Jeremy Ben-Ami
    President, J Street

    https://act.jstreet.org/mailings/view/352452

    https://jstreet.org/

    • Mike the Lefty 8.1
      29 May 2024 at 1:16 pm

      Israel's capacity to keep the war going would quickly diminish if the US stopped sending them weapons and money.

      Biden is too scared to act decisively because of the coming election and fears that the not inconsiderable Jewish vote will go to Trump.

    • SPC 8.2
      29 May 2024 at 1:29 pm

      It's a no win problem for Biden.

      Some registered Democrats may not vote. And some Independents may vote for Israel whatever GOP.

      And with housing a rising cost in the US – 7% 30 year loans – he has it tough anyhow.

  9. joe90 9
    29 May 2024 at 1:42 pm

    Orca just wanna have fun.

    .

    For four years now, orcas have been ramming and sinking luxury yachts in European waters, and scientists have struggled to work out just why these smart, social animals had learnt this destructive new trick. But, sadly, it's not their anticapitalist 'eat the rich' agenda, nor is it to do with territory and aggression. The truth is, well, it's child's play.

    https://newatlas.com/biology/orcas-killer-whales-boats/

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • 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

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