Open mike 29/07/2020

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, July 29th, 2020 - 172 comments
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Open mike is your post.

For announcements, general discussion, whatever you choose.

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the Policy).

Step up to the mike …

172 comments on “Open mike 29/07/2020 ”

  1. ScottGN 1

    Not hearing much anymore from the Collins fanbois in the media who were so confident that she only had to turn up to Question Time to give Ardern a going-over.

  2. Robert Guyton 2

    Jacinda presents as supremely able and adroit in the House. Collins' attempts at delivering challenging questions thus far have been mediocre at best, flaccid in some instances and disappointing overall. There hasn't even been entertainment value for viewers. Perhaps she's keeping her powder dry, saving her most eyebrow-raising stuff for closer to polling day.

    • I Feel Love 2.1

      Someone here a week or so back suggested Adern needs to show more mongrel, I reckon she shows plenty, but it's quiet, big picture, 3d chess playing, for eg letting the Falloon thing just play out, compared to the tiddly winks Collins is playing. Woodhouse, Walker just shown to be short sighted light weights. Anti abortion, maga hats, & who the hell thought it was a good idea to have an 18 year old running??? I feel for that kid, he needs to bail & go get himself a Hitler free life.

      • Treetop 2.1.1

        Not so much showing more mongrel. Judgment being a bit off when it comes to all the components adding up and the people involved.

        The behaviour of MPs is compared to the standard which MPs set for theirselves. A too high standard is unrealistic and a too low standard is trouble.

        Consenting affairs, messy break ups, party donations, getting dirt on your opponent and how that dirt is used are all issues which MPs can face.

        When a situation is created to end the career of an MP this is a serious matter. Very good judgment is required on how to handle this and to hurry the process is a big mistake.

        I want our politicians to have a moral compass which is right for the situation. Once damage is inflicted which was not warranted this makes the person who instigated it worse than what the initial issue was which they wanted raised.

      • Anne 2.1.2

        That was me I Feel Love but my comment iirc said "a little bit of mongrel" and I intended to mean all of them not just Jacinda.

        I agree with you. There is a wee bit of mongrel and in Jacinda's case it is delivered with aplomb and sophistication. It shows in her answers to Judith Collins during QT when she delivers her replies with such assurance and a quite pronounced cutting edge to her tone.

      • Peter 2.1.3

        Arden needs to show more mongrel? Why? There's already a female dog there.

  3. Dennis Frank 3

    Richard Shaw, Professor of Politics at Massey University, alerts aussies to "a tectonic shift in New Zealand politics": https://theconversation.com/rogue-poll-or-not-all-the-signs-point-to-a-tectonic-shift-in-new-zealand-politics-143529

    the political centre appears to be shifting to the left. Across the past four polls, support for Labour and the Greens sits at around 62 per cent. When nearly two out of three voters in a naturally conservative nation support the centre-left, something is going on.

    A day or two back, I commented here that centrists seem to have shifted massively to the left. Now the prof is seeing that too, and the next poll may entrench it as conventional wisdom: the new normal.

    Correspondingly, as the notional median voter shifts left, parties on the right are being left high and dry. The Reid Research poll put the combined support for National, Act and New Zealand First at 30.4 per cent, a touch under half the level of support for the centre-left.

    That ratio of two to one is indeed tectonic! But it does challenge the left parties to remain consistent. Any sharp turn to the left in policy carries the danger of stampeding those centrists back into the centre.

    What the prof hasn't considered is the reflexive nature of the electorate thinking and acting in unison. When you factor that in, you can see a real possibility of some centrists retreating from the left – in alarm at the prospect of Greens plus Labour in govt together. Winston may yet survive, given that his traditional stance (`insurance policy') has worked well for centrists in the past. Too soon for that collective reaction to the poll to emerge as yet – give it another week or two…

    • mauī 3.1

      So Dennis you are predicting a swing to the left and then a further swing back to the right? Dennis, that is superb analysis, thank you.

      • Dennis Frank 3.1.1

        Not so fast. It will only be valid if proven correct. And I didn't actually predict it – merely suggested the possibility, right? Call it the yo-yo theory if u like.

        Although I prefer the pinball theory of centrism, in which centrists rebound from different options on a daily basis as political hits are delivered. Pinball theory explains volatility better than yo-yo theory because the latter is too binary and Winston succeeds whenever centrists prefer his tertiary option…

    • Sacha 3.2

      It's almost like there has been some large opinion-shaping event while the current PM has been leader..

    • Stuart Munro 3.3

      These ideas of a centre and a tectonic shift are probably fallacious. Ordinarily, if we may call any period ordinary, the governed muddle along and are prepared to be nudged to some degree by the deteriorating and increasingly partisan media. A crisis, particularly one that carries an existential threat, suddenly makes the public pay attention. They found the handling of Covid reasonably professional, and the criticism of it ill-informed, mean-spirited, and often simply wrong. The centre has not shifted – it was never as far to the right as ridiculous commentators like Hoskings or Garner supposed.

      The public like professionalism – or as Dennis Dutton described it, virtuoso performance. So they liked Bloomfield & Jacinda. Whether NZ actually makes a modest but long overdue turn to the Left depends on whether some of these touted policies can be brought to good.

      National have overplayed their hand. They have demonstrated repeatedly that their toolbox is empty and that they have nothing to offer but slogans and bile – these are not vote winners.

      • Dennis Frank 3.3.1

        Yes, I agree with all that. However, only the election result can determine a realistic view of it. If some centrists do return to NZF, the tectonic thesis will seem illusory.

        That said, don't rule out human nature. People can change political identities. If Labour governs alone or with the Greens, some centrists will cast their anchor with them – provided the government, in those scenarios, remains consistent in exhibiting competence and reliability.

        And such identity shifts can then become habitual and long-term. That's where the strength of the tectonic thesis lies. Labour's political culture is likely to keep working against that however. Greens political culture is also problematic, but due to different reasons. So I suspect the academic will be proven wrong by random developments in future years. Stability is hard in these times.

        • Incognito 3.3.1.1

          Tectonic shifts, earthquakes, GFCs, mass killings, pandemics, natural disasters, CC, et cetera. I give you ‘status quo’ and that’s my ‘thesis’.

          • Dennis Frank 3.3.1.1.1

            Oh, true. Yet if a political party can not only promote resilience & sustainability, but also demonstrate cohesion within itself in a governance situation, that party will seem a rock of stability to rely on. Just a theoretical possibility at this stage, but can even work as a beacon of hope in dire times…

    • weka 3.4

      I'm a fan of Lynn's theory that much of NZ voting is based in perceptions of competency. Nat voters favouring Labour may simply come down to that. Swing voters are probably influenced by the policy as well, but it will be interesting also to see the conservative non-vote. The impression that I have is that the centre by and large could go either way at any point in time and covid has prompted many to centre values in their politics rather than economics primarily. Labour reminded them that it's important to do right by people, and Nat are utterly failing on that.

      I agree there's potential for NZF to regain their vote, but I also think it's possible this year that Peters has fucked up and misread the electorate. Kind of like he did the year he betrayed his left wing voters. We will see.

      That competency factor is also imo why the Green vote dropped in 2017. It wasn't Turei's speech, and it probably wasn't the details about her benefit. It was how the Greens floundered in conventional political terms, and then the mess created by the two MPs going against caucus publicly. Also obviously the rise of JA, but had the other not been happening I think the Greens would have held their vote.

      • Dennis Frank 3.4.1

        Re competency, I feel the Greens are trending well currently. Wouldn't surprise me to see them come in around 9% at the election. I agree about Winston misreading the public mood.

        As regards perception of Labour competency, the notion is so unusual that I will suspend judgment awhile yet! 😊 But yes, centrists seem to have gotten it into their heads. Will Labour produce another shambles to dissipate that? Time will tell.

      • I agree Weka. Winston Peters feels his role in this Government went from "She's his puppet" to ""You don't know what I've saved you from"… but people are not buying either stance any more.

        Jacinda Ardern does not waste energy on such things, and has at times summed things up with brevity and clarity. Very competent indeed. Notice she says "We" not "I'.

  4. Jamie-Lee Ross has threatened to table a leaked list of Natz donors from the 2017 election during General Debate today.

    Of course, he won't be allowed to, but I do hope Labour has given him a slot in the debate so he can talk about his list.

    Oh my, we do live in exciting times. It's not often you get to witness the demise of a political party.

    • Herodotus 4.1

      And how is that in the long term good for a country the demise of ideas and challenging ideas/policy in a duopoly ?

      You may not be older enough to have seen what can happen when 1 party has total control.

      the left or the right don’t have a monopoly of good ideas, life experiences or perspectives🤪

    • Nick 5.1

      The Greens Marama and Chloe billboard letter placement seems out. Should have had much bigger 'Green Vote twice' and push down the other white lettering as there's lots of dead, dark unused space below. The background image also has white bits under the white lettering.

      Also I have seen other Green marketing using another political parties name Act Now. This is poor messaging imo. Was there no other phrase available?

    • PaddyOT 5.2

      This was sent to me off instagram, The New Conservative NZ pitch. Startling !

      https://www.instagram.com/p/CC-SYtxsYoJ/?igshid=5fi5hkh84i6e

      Not sure if someone was taking the mickey.

    • Muttonbird 5.3

      Enjoyed that, thanks.

    • RedBaronCV 5.4

      I wondered why the first billboard seemed to be about spark then realised it was ACT.

      Pretty much the same colours and placement as spark though!

    • swordfish 5.5

      Slogan check: General consensus around The Spinoff office was that it sounds like a Celine Dion song. And we mostly like Celine Dion.

      I stopped reading at that point.

  5. Chris 6

    Collins wants to work with the government on policy to charge returning NZers for quarantine. The psychopathic outbursts keep coming. Thank you Judith. Please give us more of this:

    “Asked whether she thought charging kiwis to use their rights as citizens to return to New Zealand was unfair, Collins responded saying that sometimes life is unfair.”

    “I don’t think life is fair. If it was fair I’d be a 5ft 10 Slovakian model,” Collins said.

    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/300068372/judith-collins-tells-labour-to-reach-across-the-aisle-on-border-scheme

    • ScottGN 6.1

      How many times has she used that old line?

      • Robert Guyton 6.1.1

        She makes a good point though: she'd be in Slovakia and we'd never have been subject to her attentions. Life clearly isn't fair (on New Zealanders).

        • woodart 6.1.1.1

          no, she perhaps thinks she would have been the fourth mrs trump.

        • anker 6.1.1.2

          "I 'd be a Slovakian model…" or maybe she wishes she was married to Donald Trump?

          Oh snap woodart

    • Chris 6.2

      In the same piece Collins says she'd let people bust into Kiwisaver to keep businesses going because "it's their money". Typical selfish gutless right wing strategy: "look, aren't we wonderful" when the only cost is to people using retirement savings meant for later on. Complete and utter short-term thinking. No foresight whatsoever. Next they'll be making Kiwisaver part of the asset test to receive a social welfare benefit.

      It's "their" money – Collins doesn't see herself as part of a community.

      • woodart 6.2.1

        this is straight out of the muldoon playbook. buy votes and ruin a pension scheme. media need to call her out on this. muldoon ruined NZs financial future and security with this. collins is trying to do same.

      • Cinny 6.2.2

        A person would have to think and plan long and hard to start up a business at this stage in the cycle.

        Also there are plenty of agencies who give funding to people starting up their own business already, with no need for people to dip into their kiwisaver.

    • Incognito 6.3

      It’s fair to say that this is an odd way to sum up Life’s unfairness. If Life were fair, I’d be at least 5ft 11.

      • Chris 6.3.1

        It's a way to sum up life's unfairness that's derogatory towards anyone who mightn't possess physical features consistent with media-driven notions of beauty. But this shouldn't be surprising coming from someone with at least a tendency to exhibit traits suggesting psychopathy and narcissism.

    • Muttonbird 6.4

      Asked what the point of the joke was, Collins said: "It's a public town hall meeting, people want to be entertained… It's called humour and actually, people need a bit more humour in their lives. If they were a little more happier we wouldn't actually have people looking so sad all the time."

      What the f**k is she on about about here? Collins sounds like a Year 5 child being interviewed.

      https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/422242/judith-collins-on-polling-criticism-and-prison-escapees-joke

      • "If they were a little more happier we wouldn't actually have people looking so sad all the time."

        An unintended insight into the mood in the National Party caucus room?

        • mac1 6.4.1.1

          I watched Question Time yesterday. What a bunch of sad sack, facially immobile people beside and behind Judith Collins et al. It looked like they'd been told not to move lest they distract from the Prima Donna herself who looked distinctly sad, looking down at her script most of the time, reading from long quotes and using no body languages. Flat, sad and seriously 'meaningful' is the new National demeanour, it seems.

          Contrast that with the earnest but lively gravitas and ability to speak without a script of Jacinda Ardern who at one time looked like she was rolling up her sleeves to get into it in a big way; or with the exuberance of Megan Woods who looked like she was enjoying even quoting from scripts; or Carmel Sepeloni who engaged well, full body language and who was obviously thinking about her answers; or lastly, Peters with his sly smirk as he shafted the opposition with a question that rebutted Collins' allegation and then allows Ardern to come back in at a proper PM level.

          Popcorn optional…….

      • woodart 6.4.2

        so, if you go to a p.n. nats meeting, you get some lies, raised eyebrows and feeble humour, and a promise of a road to avoid p.n… along with a teenager to represent you.

    • AB 6.5

      “I don’t think life is fair.”
      Interesting how conservatives use the existence of natural unfairness (we are not born equally smart or beautiful, etc.) as justification for imposing a layer socially-created unfairness on top. It's a blurring of categories that serves them well ideologically (or in propaganda terms), but it's tosh. Not surprising to see the intellectually shabby Collins doing it.

  6. aj 7

    Hard to use your kiwisaver to start a business, if you have already used it for your first home.

    • AB 7.1

      Then you can use it for your retirement too – that makes 3 times. Kiwisaver – which they would never have set up themselves and cut the employer contribution on becoming government – is truly the Nats' magic money tree. Could I use it to build myself a road as well? (4 times lucky)

    • Cullen just said the same thing on Midday Report (RNZ).

      The whole point of Kiwisaver is to be a simple scheme that provides a retirement income, not to set up businesses or buy houses.

      This is another case of Labour being better long-term managers of the economy than national.

      • Chris 7.2.1

        "This is another case of Labour being better long-term managers of the economy than national."

        Absolutely. Hope the government makes hay out of this.

      • RedBaronCV 7.2.2

        Micheal Cullen? Wasn't he very ill/ on limited time? Sounding a bit better?

    • Graeme 7.3

      So National want to stimulate the economy by getting those made unemployed by Covid to blow their retirement funds starting a business in the depths of a recession.

    • Treetop 7.4

      In 1975 Muldoon said he would not implement a compulsory retirement scheme as Labour were going to. This helped Muldoon win the election. Labour were only in a term from 1972 – 1975.

      This election Collins is trying to get people to spend their retirement savings. First it is the 20K to start a small business, then it will be to have surgery privately so you can run the small business, next it will be to take a holiday to cheer yourself up because the small business failed.

      At least being able to use Kiwi saver to buy a home the home will increase in value.

      • Graeme 7.4.1

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbevFguT6NE

        That's how Muldoon axed Labour's superannuation scheme in 1975, the Dancing Cossacks

        • Yes, and I believe the cartoons were produced by Hanna Barbera.

          So a little foreign influence as a hang over from Mccarthyism???

        • Treetop 7.4.1.2

          Thank you for providing this. I knew about the term dancing cossacks but I had only seen a drawing of it.

          Muldoon looked so different in the footage compared to 9 years later when he announced the snap election.

          • Graeme 7.4.1.2.1

            The insular point of view, and lies, haven't changed.

            I remember well watching that with my mum on TV at dinner time, I think the Thursday night before the 1975 election. We looked at each outer open mouthed for a long time. I've never trusted the National Party since.

  7. Observer Tokoroa 8

    Whoever coached the Palmerston 18yr old kid ?

    Because, the extraordinary odd behaviors of Hitler ended up in complete Cowardice. He killed himself, The Creep – Running away from his Nation and its People.

    Why did national even think of Nazism!

    • Chris 8.1

      Right wing politics and nazis share at least the same order – probably closer to genus.

    • Incognito 8.2

      You seem to be conflating the actions of an emotional junior candidate and the actions of the Party. Don’t worry, it happens a lot.

    • Cinny 8.3

      Every time that young fella makes a gaff it seems to be white power related. Say's it all really.

  8. (Via HackerNews:) Socialism's DIY Computer

    This fascinating article about the "Galaksija" and homebrew computer culture in 1980's Yugoslavia outlines an alternative history of the computer revolution… open source, widespread sharing, low cost, local manufacture.

    The reason for this resurgent interest in Galaksija is perhaps due to the fact that this exciting and little-known episode in computer-science history is pregnant with counterfactual potential. Galaksija embodies a destratification of today’s technological hierarchy, a tacit ideological assertion that computing machinery should be for the masses, cheap and available to everyone, and that neither money nor technical know-how need be barriers to entry. Paralleling the Yugoslavian alternative to the bipolar world order, the Galaksija saga signals to uninitiated technologists that alternative modes of practice are possible, paths wholly separate from those of Western manufacturing overlords like IBM, Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, or Apple.

  9. .
    Billionaires Shouldn't Exist

    A striking slideshow via reddit: r/LateStageCapitalism

    • roblogic 10.1

      On a similar note, I hope everyone boycotts the America's Cup. It's costing Auckland $100 million at a time when the council is broke, so that a few billionaires can fuck around with yachts. And it's stealing more of our harbour and waterfront from the public.

      https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/422226/america-s-cup-waterfront-businesses-hope-for-domestic-spending

      • Ad 10.1.1

        Thats the spirit. Stick to sheep and butter.

        Its Fred Dagg Economics.

        • roblogic 10.1.1.1

          The local superyacht industry is sinking just like the rest of the economy. Billionaires won't save us.

          • Ad 10.1.1.1.1

            Not sinking from where I sit.

            All the superyacht berths are booked for the next year.

            The fitout businesses have certainly suffered through lockdown, but it's in full swing here now.

            We need more local billionaires, not less.

              • Ad

                That was definitely true in May and June since we were in lockdown and winter is always the worst season.

                The industry is ramping up well in preparation for the big fitout start date – which is without fail Labour Day.

                Come on down to the Auckland waterfront and I'll show you if you like.

            • AB 10.1.1.1.1.2

              "We need more local billionaires, not less."

              For each billionaire, I reckon 8,000 people worth an extra $125,000 each would be better for the economy.

              • Ad

                Let's hear it for reckons!

                Imagine a New Zealand in which there were 12 businesses the size of Fonterra, instead of one.

                All the salaries, all the local shareholders.

                At the moment all we tend to focus on is welfare and concrete and Kiwisaver … and just hanging on.

                • Incognito

                  Imagine a New Zealand in which there were 12 businesses the size of Fonterra, instead of one.

                  All the salaries, all the local shareholders.

                  No problem as long as they don’t wreck the environment and the fine thread of society by increasing inequality.

                  No problem as long as “salaries” and “local shareholders” are euphemisms for direct benefits to all New Zealanders.

                  Imagine no possessions

                  I wonder if you can

                  No need for greed or hunger

                  A brotherhood of man

                  Imagine all the people

                  Sharing all the world

                  – John Lennon –

                • AB

                  Those 8,000 people who are all a bit more wealthy will also spend and invest – but diversely. The risk is therefore lower than the vanity projects of individual billionaires. But hey – my reckons are mere reckons, your reckons are cutting-edge insights, so it's all cool.

                  • Ad

                    12 billionaire companies would hire a lot more than 8,000 $125,000 salaries. We probably have not too many more than 8,000 people on that figure across the whole of Auckland. And we are in the most massive and growing inequality, and we have a rapidly declining tax base.

                    People wonder why there's 20% of the country living elsewhere: the opportunities just weren't here.

  10. Molly 11

    Like everyone else, we've had a lot going in during this year. Not least of which has been a fraught experience with our tenants that lasted several months.

    During this time, the tenant stopped paying rent and his mother, I guess, as a trustee, started paying rent from their family trust. This continued for several weeks, until – as she told me – she thought he was going to be sent to jail – and the payments stopped.

    I know that I shouldn't be using TS for legal advice, but we are a bit at a loss at the moment, and would appreciate any of the lawyers here giving a bit of direction if they feel so inclined.

    Primarily, do the financial transactions that took place between the trust and us create a financial agreement, and make the trust liable for the damage that was done to the property, or are they insulated from us including them on our application for compensation?

    • roblogic 11.1

      Get out of the landlord game if you don't know what you're doing.

      • Molly 11.1.1

        Thanks, roblogic. Removing a very affordable place to rent in Auckland sounds like a great plan, and will help with housing our people.

        (Although we have had four couples stay with us for several years, and have then been able to afford to buy their first homes, and this is our first bad experience with tenants, so…)

        It's interesting to know that advice such as this, is the best you have to offer. Especially given the fact you have absolutely no details about the situation. And apparently have no need to find out.

        Apologies to anyone else in the TS community, who feels I have overstepped the line. I'll look elsewhere for advice.

        • Muttonbird 11.1.1.1

          https://www.tenancy.govt.nz

          Before you speak to them you will want to have read over the tenancy agreement which both you and the tenant will have signed.

          Good luck.

          • Molly 11.1.1.1.1

            Thanks, muttonbird. Have been through all the paperwork and filing etc in regards to the situation, regarding rent arrears and aggressive behaviour. We have been very careful to meet our responsibilities as landlords and keep to the advice of the Tenancy Services.

            Have already had a Tenancy Hearing, and obtained the termination order and only just regained access to the property after the tenants vacated in the middle of the night.

            So, just looking at the process of filing another application to the Tenancy Tribunal for the damages to property, and just wondered if it was worth it, as we are undergoing some serious health concerns at present. I am thankful that they have left as they were on our property, and the ongoing abuse was quite stressful, however, the damage is quite significant and will be costly to remedy but just trying to decide where to concentrate my energy at the moment.

            • Muttonbird 11.1.1.1.1.1

              Ok. Sorry to hear about the health issues. I assume, even though it won't cover the damage, you at least have the bond?

              Not an expert, but I would say the agreement is between yourselves and the tenant, not the tenant's mother. This may make recovery from her difficult.

              • Molly

                That's OK, muttonbird. Will just have to file and go through the process all over again I expect.

                The bond has already been allocated to us, in regards to offsetting the rent arrears, which was considerable as the Covid-19 restrictions on top of the waiting for hearing dates ended up with 3 months of rent being unpaid. So it's no longer available to offset damages now the property has been returned.

                This assumption of landlord irresponsibility and breaches by roblogic above, is a problem, as much as all the horror stories about tenants.

                I will continue to advocate when possible for decent rental housing at an affordable price for all NZers, and hope at some point we will be able to continue to offer one place at least.

            • RedBaronCV 11.1.1.1.1.2

              Sorry to hear about your health plus these excess problems. Hopefully the actual abuse at first hand has ceased and will not reappear with any more dealings being in a controlled setting like tribunals.

              FWIW I have seen a few disputes over years ( mostly tax) and I think you have really gone for the correct question – is this worth it overall?

              Without knowing the cost of the repair is there any low hanging fruit:

              Is the mother is likely to voluntarily stump up some of the cost of the damage from the trust if asked.

              Can the bond be kept with minimal stress and paperwork.

              If any extra money is awarded through hearings – are the tenants able to pay if they are told they have to.

              Did the extra time they stayed depend on the trust involving itself and did the damage take place before or after the trust involved itself?

              After any low hanging money is retrieved is it worth chasing a balance?

              Any slightly under employed family who would help with this?

              Other than that – the only other thing I personally felt was really useful was to have a "cutout" for contacts on the matter. Some thing like getting mail sent to a PO box and having a separate email address for any contacts and no phone calls. That way it doesn't spill all over the rest of your lives and you can then access and deal with it on a business like basis when you fell like it. (After a sufficient amount of coffee in my case)

              • Molly

                Thanks for the advice. To be honest, the thought of having to attend another hearing with the tenant present in order to pursue the damages claim is very offputting, which is why I brought it up

                As mentioned, the bond has already been allocated to us, but only covers part of the rent arrears, so is not available to offset the property damage.

                We don't make money on this rental, so although the rent arrears and financial cost of the repairs will impact on us quite considerably, I'm thinking – at present, it will be best to let it go. Just a hard financial decision to make when we are already quite stretched, but probably the right life decision.

                (Also, if we can get it clean and livable it can be a place where my mother can come so she can help out as required, and we'll look at doing the more extensive repairs to get it back to renting standard if/when she is no longer needed. So, my mother's cooking may mitigate the pain somewhat… home baking to go with that strong coffee.)

                • RedBaronCV

                  Yep I can see that attending and having to interact can be pretty awful.Overall that sort of thing isn’t a cost less exercise

                  Other than that some years ago some friends had a house and a local builder wanted some temporary housing for workers he had on a local job. Offered to ensure the place was okay when they left. Well they were delighted – he sorted everything – it was better than when they gone into the arrangement.

                  Is it or would it be possible for a short term let at a higher rate to cover the repair costs before returning to a value rental? Not ideal but at least it would possibly return a value rental to the market a little sooner? And looking ahead – good tenants can also be given a goodbye gift if the rental is 5 dollars a fortnight dearer.

                  • Molly

                    Thanks for that practical advice – after talking with my partner, I think we will take the path of less additional stress. With our current situation, needing a place for friends and family to stay may mean that the short term option is one that would work, although it goes against the grain in terms of what we have been trying to provide. It may also allow us to recover a bit financially as well, so will likely concentrate on what WILL benefit us, as opposed to what MAY.

                    (As for the gifts for good tenants, we have been able to scrape together enough for a few housewarming gifts as the long-termers have moved on. A mutual appreciation society in that respect. It's always nice to see young people move onto homes of their own, and for a while there was a daisy chain of recommendations for new tenants. This was the first in over a decade that was not a referral from a previous tenant so it has worked very well in the past.)

                    • RedBaronCV

                      Hope all goes well – good thoughts to you – look after yourselves. Now trying to word this correctly – but a short term break can mean greater benefits in the longer term and you have already given substantial help to others which I totally admire.

                      (and enjoy that mother's cooking).

                    • Shanreagh

                      Just a wee thought for the future…..perhaps think about having a property manager?

                      I interviewed several and chose one as I did not want to have to attend TT hearings and the such, working full time at a stressful job. They charge a % of the rent but in my case this was money well spent. They offer a range of options re finding tenants from do it all to – to working with your chosen tenants.

                      The firm I chose in the end was not associated with a real estate agency but one who was niche in the area I was renting and only worked in that area and rented baches as well as full term.

                    • Molly

                      Hi Shanreagh,

                      In our case, we are almost incidental landlords. It is our granny flat that is available for rent as my in-laws are both deceased. Our bedroom window is 3m away from the separate unit. Privacy – is quite good as we both have outdoor spaces and separate entrances, but was impacted on by the deliberate behaviour of the last tenant who would come outside during the early hours of the morning to yell and scream under our window.

                      We do the gardening and lawnwork – usually when the tenants are out – and are on hand to respond to any issues immediately, so the use of a property manager in this case would be superfluous.

                      It was our first – and hopefully only – attendance at a Tenancy Tribunal hearing. And as mentioned our previous experiences have all been straightforward and easy to manage. (There are some really good tenants out there.)

                      I think we'll just have to chalk it up to experience, particularly as all the evidence we had to gather for the harassment would still have had to be done by me anyway. (The rent arrears documentation was just a printout of a spreadsheet.)

                      But I can appreciate the benefit of using an effective property manager for other situations.

                • Hello Molly. We had to write off $2000 rent plus the "Do-up" after a rotten tenant. Like you we had really lovely people before that.

                  You are making the right decision. Relegate this to its true importance and put it behind you as life and energy have to be rationed, and spent on positives.

                  You appear to be a good Landlord who has struck a bad tenant. Good wishes to you on the health front, enjoy the coffee and the baking and the company of you Mum.

                  • Molly

                    Thanks Patricia. I've spoken to my partner, and he seems to be in agreement with that approach.

                    We've had a few significant events to deal with alongside my health, and it almost is a relief to decide not to do the next available step, and move on. That seems to be the most realistic and best advice so far. (We are out around $4,000 with the rental arrears (primarily due to the Covid restrictions that required a longer rental arrears period before application to the tribunal – and then the subsequent wait for the hearing), and it will be about $2,500 to repair the damage, but the thought of re-engaging without certainty of reimbursement is that it is not worth it.)

                    On the flip side, it was a very good night's sleep having an empty unit next door, so the situation has already improved immensely. wink

        • Red Blooded One 11.1.1.2

          Hi Molly, Sorry I don't have any advice for you but just to let you know not all of us reading the Standard share roblogic's snarky bitchy opinion. I hope it all works out for you so you can get back to tenanting your property in a mutually beneficial basis. Regards

            • Molly 11.1.1.2.1.1

              Doubling down, roblogic?

              What makes you think I haven't read this? or been interested in housing NZers, rental protection and commenting on it extensively on this site for years?

              Be better in your engagement.

              • roblogic

                Housing inequality is the core social problem of this country causing widespread unnecessary misery. Don't expect everyone to be polite about it. (It’s not personal; I am commenting on politics and society in general)

                • Molly

                  Stop making assumptions. My partner and I currently live – with four children in a two bedroom house, that happens to have a two-bedroom granny flat on it, that is no longer required because my in-laws are both deceased.

                  Instead of making more money by Air BnB or similar, we followed our values and offered it for rent. According to Tenancy Services, our weekly rent – which does not quite cover the proportion of the mortgage it relates to – is in the lower quartile and includes electricity, utilities and gardening.

                  As mentioned, we have had four long-term couples that have found that this low accommodation cost has allowed them to save for their first home, and have received thanks from them when they left.

                  Our last tenant, was treated with the same courtesy and respect as all our previous, even when his own behaviour was threatening and aggressive. A very stressful situation when sometimes you have to leave your children alone in the house with him right there.

                  So, roblogic, I suggest that advocating for great housing for all NZers does not require a tribal, or one-eyed view. In fact, to be solved it needs more than that.

                  I spent several years following Auckland Council’s efforts at affordable housing, and many submissions have been made in that regard.

                  I have the same disdain for exploitation whether it be landlords or tenants. Try considering another perspective, and see if you can come up with a better comment than all tenants good – all landlords bad.

          • Molly 11.1.1.2.2

            Thanks, RBO.

    • Cinny 11.2

      Molly do you have a community law place where you are? They offer free legal advice. Hope that helps and it all works out for you.

      Edit… here’s the link
      https://communitylaw.org.nz/

      • Molly 11.2.1

        Thanks, Cinny, I appreciate you taking the time.

        Unfortunately, they are unable to help as their kaupapa doesn't allow them to give advice to "employers or landlords".

        • rawsharkyeshe 11.2.1.1

          Molly .. Citizens Advice Bureau might be helpful for you .. if you're in Auckland, the Sylvia Park office is excellent and knowledgeable.

          • Molly 11.2.1.1.1

            Sylvia Park is my old stomping ground, although I am no longer living there.

            Coincidentally, my mother volunteered for years at the CAB.

            Thanks for the advice.

    • millsy 11.3

      TS contributor RedLogix is a landlord so should be able to give you some advise.

      My advise would be to cut your losses and give them a 90 day notice.

      • Molly 11.3.1

        Already gone, millsy. The Tribunal issued a termination order, and an order for repayment of rental arrears, which we have to take to the District Court to see if it will be upheld.

        The order did not include the damages to the property that were apparent when we regained access after they left in the middle of the night. For that we have to go through the whole process again. Just wondering whether it was worth it, and think that is probably is not.

    • weka 11.4

      If I've understood correctly you want the tenant to pay for damages, and you're not sure who the tenant is? I would have thought it is whoever the tenancy agreement is with, irrespective of who was paying the rent. But Tenancy Services should be able to answer this question.

      Ah, just reread. I'm assuming you would be better off financially if the trust was deemed the tenant (the actual tenant probably not having any money)?

      • Molly 11.4.1

        The tenancy agreement – is not with the trust. But on request of the tenant, our account details were sent to his mother, who paid the rent from the family trust.

        Those payments stopped when she thought he was going to be sent to jail – as she told me. In the one conversation I had with her, it became apparent that she really didn't want him back at home, and had been encouraging him to think he had grievances to take to the Tenancy Tribunal which resulted in an escalation of really aggressive behaviour on his part. Her desire to not have him return, did not consider the impact this would have on us as his landlords and neighbours, and made interactions much more difficult.

        His parents were also the employers of both the tenant and his partner who worked in their retail shop, and they were eligible for the wages subsidy for Covid, but the parents did not obtain the subsidy as far as I know and terminated employment. Seems to be a snakesnest of family issues and vehicles for tax arrangements going on, that I think – on reflection – it's best to avoid.

        I'm usually someone who methodically persists in following the correct avenues, but alongside other comments left for me on here, I think in this case, I'll let it go.

        • weka 11.4.1.1

          this makes a lot of sense, good decision I reckon. I too tend to follow through on things like this, but in this case it sounds like it's going to be very messy. I'm also finding that covid is making me figure out what really matters and where I want my time to be spent, keeping in mind that more shocks are probably on the way.

  11. The RMA is to recommended to be ditched by a report released today. A bloke said 20 seconds ago on RNZ that the RMA is "biased towards retaining the status quo".

    Retaining the status quo protects rural landscapes from inappropriate/unsightly development. What this guy clearly wants instead is legislation that will permit widespread subdivision and development of NZ's precious landscapes.

    The legislation to replace the RMA will be developed under the next (hopefully) Labour/Green government. It is yet another reason to Party Vote Green.

  12. anker 13

    If he arrived on the 18th March, that was before lockdown and so the country was still open with exceptions such as China and Iran (I think). He would have almost immediately have gone into lockdown with the rest of us.

    Be very glad to hear the results of yesterdays testing, which I hope will be reassuring.

  13. nzsage 14

    As polls swing leftwards I do wonder if a contributing factor (other than the implosion of the National party) is the influence of the younger generation.

    From my experience, the current younger generation (18-25) are significantly more politically aware and active than their predecessors. They also appear to favour the policies of progressive parties that look to address areas such as the climate control, sustainability and the environment.

    Seeing these youngsters participating in democracy warms my heart and gives me some hope for the future.

    Go youngsters!!

    (From an oldie!)

    • I Feel Love 14.1

      On RNZ Checkpoint last night they had vox pops of 18 years olds, questioning them about the upcoming election & referendums, they were incredibly well informed and very well considered views. I'll try find link.

      https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2018756939/first-time-voters-prove-top-of-the-class-on-election-2020-referendums

    • Just Is 14.2

      Yes, the young voters are certainly more savvy than most of us today when we were at the same age, there are still plenty of young who will vote according to their parents entrenchment of politics, but many more are now making their decisions based on their own beliefs and expectations of Govt.

      There are many political issues that young people are concerned about, about how it will effect them and their future family, real concerns of real global dangers.

      Youngsters are our future and I think this younger Generation will play a much more influential roll in the future of NZ than any time previously in our future.

      Roll on Election day.

    • woodart 14.3

      good post nzsage. think environmental awareness has had a huge impact on younger people. this will only grow. conservatives have been left behind.

  14. Muttonbird 15

    Came across this in my travels:

    Right-wing PR man Matthew Hooton told RadioLIVE Drive there is a “despicable smear campaign underway” against the National Party leader.

    “Aid and abetted by an extreme left-wing, anti-National Party journalist called Tova O’Brien, who is a disgrace to the profession and a disgrace to Newshub, and is running a personal campaign to get rid of Simon Bridges.”

    Turns out it was Matthew himself who ended up "running a personal campaign to get rid of Simon Bridges."

    And people wonder why the Nats are not trustworthy…

    https://thestandard.org.nz/is-tova-obrien-really-a-closet-leftie/

    • I Feel Love 15.1

      O'Brien is a intriguing person, she's being harangued about picking on Collins at the moment, prob just more Hootonisms.

      • Muttonbird 15.1.1

        No doubt she can be very annoying but I thought her line of questioning to Collins about her prison escapees lie was totally appropriate because she was referencing the poll question about who Kiwis trust and don't trust.

    • RedBaronCV 15.2

      Loving it:

      now remind me again who used to run smear campaigns??

      and picking fights with Tova – even better – just asking her to join any pile on.

  15. Muttonbird 16

    Question for Green voters. In the remote event of Labour being able to govern alone, what would you like to see?

    1. A full Labour/Green government with cabinet positions and Green ministers

    2. A Labour government supported by the Greens with portfolios outside cabinet for Green ministers.

    3. No Greens involvement in government.

    4. The status quo with Labour/NZF inside and Greens outside.

    • Just Is 16.2

      Muttonbird, option one is my preference, lets give as much representation in Parliament by Like minded parties and show how democracy really works to benefit more NZers.

    • woodart 16.3

      option five. a full labour green nzfirst gov, with labour holding outright power. look to the future, there will always be a centrist party, better to keep them in the tent.

      • Sacha 16.3.1

        We do not have the luxury of granting Winston another three years of blocking urgent climate action, etc. Had his chance.

    • AB 16.4

      As a human being, no.1. Strategically though, I wonder if no.3 makes sense, i.e. let Labour eat all the moderately palatable parts of National's lunch in an attempt to kill National off, and so open up a bigger space on Labour’s left.

    • Dennis Frank 16.5

      #1 would be best for Aotearoa. I could go with #2 if the PM chose it. Dunno why anyone would prefer #3 – been there, done that, too long! #4 would be workable still, but seems most unlikely.

    • Tiger Mountain 16.6

      Well Muttonbird…

      1. but…
      I would really like to see 1.(a) whereby the Green vote is strong enough to make it obvious that they should be included in the Govt. and Cabinet and with Ministers.

      There are enough fantasists at the top of Labour who could be very tempted to go for “one Labour to rule them all” if they did actually have the numbers to govern alone. Technically they could of course, but would that be a good idea really?

    • gsays 16.7

      1.

      The Greens have done their time on the sideline.

      While on the periphery they have made some great impacts: Tenancy standards, the charging (or not) of returning kiwi, water quality awareness etc.

      Imagine the progressive change that can occur with their young caucus, if they had ministerial positions.

      Dare to dream.

    • mary_a 16.8

      Has to be No 1 Muttonbird. It’s time for the Greens to be fully included in a government with Labour, with some Green Ministers.

    • Cardassian 16.9

      #1 but if nzfirst made it back in I'd invite them in too. Better to keep them close than to push them towards the nats.

  16. I Feel Love 17

    Collins, Streisanding all over the place, yesterday was to hammer home the Nats are down in the polls, now she's reminding us one of her candidates impersonated Hitler (which I saw someone on Twitter calling out those criticising him as "cancelling our culture"!). You'd think she was new to this thing, isn't it best to just quickly move on to the next shambles? Actually, every time she opens her mouth something bizarre comes out, "life isn't fair" ha! & her comedy reminds me more of Andy Kaufman than David Brent.

    • Muttonbird 17.1

      She looks way out of her depth.

      She's always said clever stupid stuff but that was at the rate of once or twice a month. Now we are subject to it multiple times a day it looks completely deranged.

      • I Feel Love 17.1.1

        Yeah, a bit of Muller, must've just assumed she could do it, without really realising what it actually takes to lead. I heard an interview a few weeks ago (she's only been leader a few weeks!) where they asked her had she demanded total loyalty from her party, and she said no, she's just told them to stop leaking if they want to win. What I got out of that statement was not leadership, more mutual self interest. It's very laissez faire leadership, which I was quite surprised about. She even said about the teen candidate, that she hadn't spoken to him about his silliness.

        • woodart 17.1.1.1

          collins is coming across,as stressed and possibly shellshocked at how hard leadership can be. much easier to be a nasty shadow in the background,than be out in the spotlight fulltime.

  17. Sacha 18

    People who object to nazi behaviour are nasty bullies, says Judith https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/422266/national-mp-subject-of-nasty-dirty-bullying-after-apparent-hitler-imitation-emerges-judith-collins

    "I thought it was a shocking attack on a young man who has really grown up. The fact he went straight away yesterday and apologised for his mistake at 14 I thought showed immense maturity and I would like to say to him look don't worry, we've got your back," Collins said.

    • Just Is 18.1

      A contradiction of statements.

      Nazi's are known Bullies

      Those who reject Nazism are decent thinking individuals.

    • I Feel Love 18.2

      "Stop cancelling our culture"!!! (sarc) but a comment I saw on Twitter regarding this egg.

  18. Ad 19

    Big shoutout to Green Party New Lynn candidate Steve Abel, and to Mels Barton and the team from the Tree Council, who have fought to gain some temporary reprieve for a stand of native trees in Avondale. Top work so far team.

    https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/activists-celebrate-after-worksafe-halts-tree-felling-contentious-auckland-site?auto=6175996615001

    This is not over by a long shot, but it's excellent campaign timing.

    Looking forward to more candidates of minor parties seizing upon local issues like this and gaining some traction.

  19. Muttonbird 20

    Collins' policy to use Kiwisaver for start-ups roundly savaged by…er…everyone.

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/money/2020/07/national-s-proposal-for-kiwisaver-to-be-used-for-starting-a-business-is-risky-experts-say.html

    She also said she'd open a bubble to Rarotonga within a week. Perhaps we can all use our Kiwisaver for that too.

    • millsy 20.1

      Waiving the companies office registration fee is probably a good idea.

      • Muttonbird 20.1.1

        Ok, but that isn't a very onerous cost. New Zealand is also already ranked at the top for ease of starting business.

        The crazy part is that 2/3rds of new businesses fail before two years so there's all that money wasted for no future return. It's very risky while Kiwisaver was set up to reduce risk to future generations.

  20. "I never thought Labour would be more promising than National on RMA reform, but right now that's where we are," Seymour said.

    Labour today are cosying up to David Seymour and his gun-friendly friends.

    Any legislation that is attacked by both Collins and Seymour must have considerable merit, yet Labour proposes to ditch it.

  21. logie97 22

    Thinking out loud.

    Rarotonga is desperate for tourism and much needed currency.

    What say they were to invite our government to set up a MASH type facility there, with perhaps the navy providing an "at anchor" support ship nearby, and all returning New Zealanders are landed there instead. They can do their 14 day quarantine in comfort, and those testing positive can be looked after at MASH or on the hospital ship. The New Zealand tax payer funds it, and those who are then safe to travel, carry on to our shores and we can be assured that no-one is going to bust out and cause risk here.

  22. Muttonbird 23

    Oh dear. The NZ Jewish Council are "not at all" offended by William Wood's Hitler impersonation. Seems you cannot be anti-semitic at the age of 14. What age then is the cut off?

    Perhaps the NZ Jewish Council could do a list of what is and is not offensive to them because this gentile is very confused.

    https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/07/nz-jewish-council-not-at-all-offended-by-national-s-william-wood-hitler-impersonation.html

    Methinks the NZ Jewish Council are merely trying to diffuse trouble for their party, The National Party.

    • I Feel Love 23.1

      I won't link but I did remember a bit of furore about this, it's on Kiwiblog subject "dotcom_and_mein_kampf" (Farrar is shocked!!!!), I actually remember some guy from the NZ Jewish Council defending Dotcom saying he too had a copy of Mein Kampf but must be my dodgy memory.

    • gsays 23.2

      A couple of questions for you:

      Do you think Wood was being anti-semetic?

      Were you offended by the revelation?

      I know I would have done something similar at that age (TBH at an older age too), mainly because it would be taboo or controversial. Without any real idea of why it was offensive.

      Not to detract from your point about the Jewish Council being cozy with the Nats.

      • I Feel Love 23.2.1

        Myself? No, I just thought he was an egg. I was a bit more aware at that age myself, yet of course didn't have social media (but an Action Man that had an SS uniform, them were the days) , but this isn't an isolated thing with this kid is it? It also seems a bit unfair for this kid to have his mistakes as he grows up public, if he becomes an MP. He's got his 20s to go, and the fact 4 women were overlooked for this position is also a story. Also, he's wanting to become an MP, should his age matter? As an excuse? He's either capable, or he's not.

        • gsays 23.2.1.1

          “but this isn’t an isolated thing with this kid is it? ”
          I see this non-event in isolation.

          Unless you know something I don't.

      • Muttonbird 23.2.2

        No to both questions. But I would have thought one must apply the same evaluation of this sort of action regardless political leaning, and to a lesser extent age. Like I said at what age does it become unacceptable.

        Juliet Moses believes his actions were acceptable but I hope she also explained that impersonating Hitler is wrong.

        And I get the feeling young Wood is somewhat beyond his years so at age 14 he will have known exactly what he was doing…

        • gsays 23.2.2.1

          Thanks for your response.

          As to an age of when you become responsible, 16, 18, 20, 21..

          I know I didn't grow up till I was 30. By that I mean not lying, my word became my bond, stopped being self centered.

          With most things, only intentions matter.

          I do not accept at 14 "he will have known exactly what he was doing…" especially in the context of being a candidate for a party floundering in an electorate in the spotlight for another candidate's short-comings.

          • Muttonbird 23.2.2.1.1

            This wasn't an average 14 year old. He's some sort of debating champ and won National Party candidacy at 17. Clearly bright, used to mixing with adults and full of experience at a certain level.

            The stuff that drove him to do a 'Heil Hitler' and to fool around with MAGA hats is still there and no doubt will resurface at a point in the not too distant future.

            He has chosen a tough road, the political world is not a forgiving place.

  23. Ad 24

    Here's a great upcoming test:

    Is there any relationship between Facebook profile and hits, and getting more votes?

    TVNZ News implies there might be:

    https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/love-hearts-and-frowny-faces-stats-reveal-new-zealands-politicians-faring-facebook

    Chloe Swarbrick on this count should be the leader of the Green Party – will it be enough to keep them above 5%? Does Auckland Central really vote by Facebook?

    Next stop: Trial By TikTok

    • weka 24.1

      Did they imply that? or did they just pay a fee to a FB owned company to count social media scores? No agenda there FB or TVNZ.

    • gsays 24.2

      Well we already seem to have policy via Twitter.

      Twitter is like polling but it is instant without paying the pollsters, looking at you Farrar.

  24. Eco Maori 25

    Kia Ora

    Te Ao Maori Marama.

    There is no equality in Aotearoa are there any pakeha whanau being treated like mine YEA RIGHT.

    Yes more needs to be invested in our Wai plants and the waste treatment plants.

    I say minority cultures are being treated better by this government than the last few.

    Pukana the captions are off.

    Ka kite Ano

  25. Eco Maori 26

    Kia Ora

    Newshub.

    That's great a mission to Mars to collect samples.

    Yes we need a sugar tax.

    Ka kite Ano

  26. Eco Maori 27

    Kia Ora

    Te Ao Marama.

    That's is cool to see a honey processing facility being built in Te Tairawhiti.

    Its great to see Iwi helping their Tangata with Kai and other resources.

    Ka kite Ano

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    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson said in an exit interview with Q+A yesterday the Government can and should sustain more debt to invest in infrastructure for future generations. Elsewhere in the news in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy at 6:36am: Read more ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: Wang Yi’s perfectly-timed, Aukus-themed visit to New Zealand
    Timing is everything. And from China’s perspective, this week’s visit by its foreign minister to New Zealand could be coming at just the right moment. The visit by Wang Yi to Wellington will be his first since 2017. Anniversaries are important to Beijing. It is more than just a happy ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    1 day ago
  • The Kaka’s diary for the week to March 25 and beyond
    TL;DR: The key events to watch in Aotearoa-NZ’s political economy in the week to March 18 include:China’s Foreign Minister visiting Wellington today;A post-cabinet news conference this afternoon; the resumption of Parliament on Tuesday for two weeks before Easter;retiring former Labour Finance Minister Grant Robertson gives his valedictory speech in Parliament; ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 day ago
  • Bitter and angry; Winston First
    New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters’s state-of-the-nation speech on Sunday was really a state-of-Winston-First speech. He barely mentioned any of the Government’s key policies and could not even wholly endorse its signature income tax cuts. Instead, he rehearsed all of his complaints about the Ardern Government, including an extraordinary claim ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    1 day ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    1 day ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #11
    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, March 10, 2024 thru Sat, March 16, 2024. Story of the week This week we'll give you a little glimpse into how we collect links to share and ...
    1 day ago
  • Out of Touch.
    “I’ve been internalising a really complicated situation in my head.”When they kept telling us we should wait until we get to know him, were they taking the piss? Was it a case of, if you think this is bad, wait till you get to know the real Christopher, after the ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • Bring out your Dad
    Happy fourth anniversary, Pandemic That Upended Bloody Everything. I have been observing it by enjoying my second bout of COVID. It’s 5.30 on Sunday morning and only now are lights turning back on for me.Allow me to copy and paste what I told reader Sara yesterday:Depleted, fogged and crappy. Resting, ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    2 days ago
  • The bewildering world of Chris Luxon – Guns for all, not no lunch for kids
    .“$10 and a target that bleeds” - Bleeding Targets for Under $10!.Thanks for reading Frankly Speaking ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.This government appears hell-bent on either scrapping life-saving legislation or reintroducing things that - frustrated critics insist - will be dangerous and likely ...
    Frankly SpeakingBy Frank Macskasy
    3 days ago
  • Expert Opinion: Ageing Boomers, Laurie & Les, Talk Politics.
    It hardly strikes me as fair to criticise a government for doing exactly what it said it was going to do. For actually keeping its promises.”THUNDER WAS PLAYING TAG with lightning flashes amongst the distant peaks. Its rolling cadences interrupted by the here-I-come-here-I-go Doppler effect of the occasional passing car. ...
    3 days ago
  • Manufacturing The Truth.
    Subversive & Disruptive Technologies: Just as happened with that other great regulator of the masses, the Medieval Church, the advent of a new and hard-to-control technology – the Internet –  is weakening the ties that bind. Then, and now, those who enjoy a monopoly on the dissemination of lies, cannot and will ...
    3 days ago
  • A Powerful Sensation of Déjà Vu.
    Been Here Before: To find the precedents for what this Coalition Government is proposing, it is necessary to return to the “glory days” of Muldoonism.THE COALITION GOVERNMENT has celebrated its first 100 days in office by checking-off the last of its listed commitments. It remains, however, an angry government. It ...
    3 days ago
  • Can you guess where world attention is focussed (according to Greenpeace)? It’s focussed on an EPA...
    Bob Edlin writes –  And what is the world watching today…? The email newsletter from Associated Press which landed in our mailbox early this morning advised: In the news today: The father of a school shooter has been found guilty of involuntary manslaughter; prosecutors in Trump’s hush-money case ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    3 days ago
  • Further integrity problems for the Greens in suspending MP Darleen Tana
    Bryce Edwards writes – Is another Green MP on their way out? And are the Greens severely tarnished by another integrity scandal? For the second time in three months, the Green Party has secretly suspended an MP over integrity issues. Mystery is surrounding the party’s decision to ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    3 days ago
  • Jacqui Van Der Kaay: Greens’ transparency missing in action
    For the last few years, the Green Party has been the party that has managed to avoid the plague of multiple scandals that have beleaguered other political parties. It appears that their luck has run out with a second scandal which, unfortunately for them, coincided with Golraz Ghahraman, the focus ...
    Democracy ProjectBy bryce.edwards
    3 days ago
  • Bernard’s Dawn Chorus with six newsey things at 6:46am for Saturday, March 16
    TL;DR: The six newsey things that stood out to me as of 6:46am on Saturday, March 16.Andy Foster has accidentally allowed a Labour/Green amendment to cut road user chargers for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which the Government might accept; NZ Herald Thomas Coughlan Simeon Brown has rejected a plea from Westport ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    3 days ago
  • How Did FTX Crash?
    What seemed a booming success a couple of years ago has collapsed into fraud convictions.I looked at the crash of FTX (short for ‘Futures Exchange’) in November 2022 to see whether it would impact on the financial system as a whole. Fortunately there was barely a ripple, probably because it ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    4 days ago
  • Elections in Russia and Ukraine
    Anybody following the situation in Ukraine and Russia would probably have been amused by a recent Tweet on X NATO seems to be putting in an awful lot of effort to influence what is, at least according to them, a sham election in an autocracy.When do the Ukrainians go to ...
    4 days ago
  • Bernard’s six stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15
    TL;DR: Shaun Baker on Wynyard Quarter's transformation. Magdalene Taylor on the problem with smart phones. How private equity are now all over reinsurance. Dylan Cleaver on rugby and CTE. Emily Atkin on ‘Big Meat’ looking like ‘Big Oil’.Bernard’s six-stack of substacks at 6pm on March 15Photo by Jeppe Hove Jensen ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Buzz from the Beehive Finance Minister Nicola Willis had plenty to say when addressing the Auckland Business Chamber on the economic growth that (she tells us) is flagging more than we thought. But the government intends to put new life into it:  We want our country to be a ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    4 days ago
  • National’s clean car tax advances
    The Transport and Infrastructure Committee has reported back on the Road User Charges (Light Electric RUC Vehicles) Amendment Bill, basicly rubberstamping it. While there was widespread support among submitters for the principle that EV and PHEV drivers should pay their fair share for the roads, they also overwhelmingly disagreed with ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    4 days ago
  • Government funding bailouts
    Peter Dunne writes – This week’s government bailout – the fifth in the last eighteen months – of the financially troubled Ruapehu Alpine Lifts company would have pleased many in the central North Island ski industry. The government’s stated rationale for the $7 million funding was that it ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Two offenders, different treatments.
    See if you can spot the difference. An Iranian born female MP from a progressive party is accused of serial shoplifting. Her name is leaked to the media, which goes into a pack frenzy even before the Police launch an … Continue reading ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    4 days ago
  • Treaty references omitted
    Ele Ludemann writes  – The government is omitting general Treaty references from legislation : The growth of Treaty of Waitangi clauses in legislation caused so much worry that a special oversight group was set up by the last Government in a bid to get greater coherence in the public service on Treaty ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • The Ghahraman Conflict
    What was that judge thinking? Peter Williams writes –  That Golriz Ghahraman and District Court Judge Maria Pecotic were once lawyer colleagues is incontrovertible. There is published evidence that they took at least one case to the Court of Appeal together. There was a report on ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    4 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 15
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Climate Scorpion – the sting is in the tail. Introducing planetary solvency. A paper via the University of Exeter’s Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.Local scoop: Kāinga Ora starts pulling out of its Auckland projects and selling land RNZ ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • The day Wellington up-zoned its future
    Wellington’s massively upzoned District Plan adds the opportunity for tens of thousands of new homes not just in the central city (such as these Webb St new builds) but also close to the CBD and public transport links. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: Wellington gave itself the chance of ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Weekly Roundup 15-March-2024
    It’s Friday and we’re halfway through March Madness. Here’s some of the things that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Monday Matt asked how we can get better event trains and an option for grade separating Morningside Dr. On Tuesday Matt looked into ...
    Greater AucklandBy Greater Auckland
    4 days ago
  • That Word.
    Something you might not know about me is that I’m quite a stubborn person. No, really. I don’t much care for criticism I think’s unfair or that I disagree with. Few of us do I suppose.Back when I was a drinker I’d sometimes respond defensively, even angrily. There are things ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    4 days ago
  • The Hoon around the week to March 15
    Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The five things that mattered in Aotearoa’s political economy that we wrote and spoke about via The Kākā and elsewhere for paying subscribers in the last week included:PM Christopher Luxon said the reversal of interest deductibility for landlords was done to help renters, who ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    4 days ago
  • Labour’s policy gap
    It was not so much the Labour Party but really the Chris Hipkins party yesterday at Labour’s caucus retreat in Martinborough. The former Prime Minister was more or less consistent on wealth tax, which he was at best equivocal about, and social insurance, which he was not willing to revisit. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    4 days ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #11 2024
    Open access notables A Glimpse into the Future: The 2023 Ocean Temperature and Sea Ice Extremes in the Context of Longer-Term Climate Change, Kuhlbrodt et al., Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society: In the year 2023, we have seen extraordinary extrema in high sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic and in ...
    5 days ago
  • Melissa remains mute on media matters but has something to say (at a sporting event) about economic ...
     Buzz from the Beehive   The text reproduced above appears on a page which records all the media statements and speeches posted on the government’s official website by Melissa Lee as Minister of Media and Communications and/or by Jenny Marcroft, her Parliamentary Under-secretary.  It can be quickly analysed ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    5 days ago
  • The return of Muldoon
    For forty years, Robert Muldoon has been a dirty word in our politics. His style of government was so repulsive and authoritarian that the backlash to it helped set and entrench our constitutional norms. His pig-headedness over forcing through Think Big eventually gave us the RMA, with its participation and ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Will the rental tax cut improve life for renters or landlords?
    Bryce Edwards writes –  Is the new government reducing tax on rental properties to benefit landlords or to cut the cost of rents? That’s the big question this week, after Associate Finance Minister David Seymour announced on Sunday that the Government would be reversing the Labour Government’s removal ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Geoffrey Miller: What Saudi Arabia’s rapid changes mean for New Zealand
    Saudi Arabia is rarely far from the international spotlight. The war in Gaza has brought new scrutiny to Saudi plans to normalise relations with Israel, while the fifth anniversary of the controversial killing of Jamal Khashoggi was marked shortly before the war began on October 7. And as the home ...
    Democracy ProjectBy Geoffrey Miller
    5 days ago
  • Racism’s double standards
    Questions need to be asked on both sides of the world Peter Williams writes –   The NRL Judiciary hands down an eight week suspension to Sydney Roosters forward Spencer Leniu , an Auckland-born Samoan, after he calls Ezra Mam, Sydney-orn but of Aboriginal and Torres Strait ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • It’s not a tax break
    Ele Ludemann writes – Contrary to what many headlines and news stories are saying, residential landlords are not getting a tax break. The government is simply restoring to them the tax deductibility of interest they had until the previous government removed it. There is no logical reason ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • The Plastic Pig Collective and Chris' Imaginary Friends.
    I can't remember when it was goodMoments of happiness in bloomMaybe I just misunderstoodAll of the love we left behindWatching our flashbacks intertwineMemories I will never findIn spite of whatever you becomeForget that reckless thing turned onI think our lives have just begunI think our lives have just begunDoes anyone ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • Who is responsible for young offenders?
    Michael Bassett writes – At first reading, a front-page story in the New Zealand Herald on 13 March was bizarre. A group of severely intellectually limited teenagers, with little understanding of the law, have been pleading to the Justice Select Committee not to pass a bill dealing with ram ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    5 days ago
  • Gordon Campbell on National’s fantasy trip to La La Landlord Land
    How much political capital is Christopher Luxon willing to burn through in order to deliver his $2.9 billion gift to landlords? Evidently, Luxon is: (a) unable to cost the policy accurately. As Anna Burns-Francis pointed out to him on Breakfast TV, the original ”rock solid” $2.1 billion cost he was ...
    5 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 14
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Jonathon Porritt calling bullshit in his own blog post on mainstream climate science as ‘The New Denialism’.Local scoop: The Wellington City Council’s list of proposed changes to the IHP recommendations to be debated later today was leaked this ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • No, Prime Minister, rents don’t rise or fall with landlords’ costs
    TL;DR: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said yesterday tenants should be grateful for the reinstatement of interest deductibility because landlords would pass on their lower tax costs in the form of lower rents. That would be true if landlords were regulated monopolies such as Transpower or Auckland Airport1, but they’re not, ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    5 days ago
  • Cartoons: ‘At least I didn’t make things awkward’
    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Tom Toro Tom Toro is a cartoonist and author. He has published over 200 cartoons in The New Yorker since 2010. His cartoons appear in Playboy, the Paris Review, the New York Times, American Bystander, and elsewhere. Related: What 10 EV lovers ...
    5 days ago
  • Solving traffic congestion with Richard Prebble
    The business section of the NZ Herald is full of opinion. Among the more opinionated of all is the ex-Minister of Transport, ex-Minister of Railways, ex MP for Auckland Central (1975-93, Labour), Wellington Central (1996-99, ACT, then list-2005), ex-leader of the ACT Party, uncle to actor Antonia, the veritable granddaddy ...
    Greater AucklandBy Patrick Reynolds
    5 days ago
  • I Think I'm Done Flying Boeing
    Hi,Just quickly — I’m blown away by the stories you’ve shared with me over the last week since I put out the ‘Gary’ podcast, where I told you about the time my friend’s flatmate killed the neighbour.And you keep telling me stories — in the comments section, and in my ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago
  • Invoking Aristotle: Of Rings of Power, Stones, and Ships
    The first season of Rings of Power was not awful. It was thoroughly underwhelming, yes, and left a lingering sense of disappointment, but it was more expensive mediocrity than catastrophe. I wrote at length about the series as it came out (see the Review section of the blog, and go ...
    6 days ago
  • Van Velden brings free-market approach to changing labour laws – but her colleagues stick to distr...
    Buzz from the Beehive Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden told Auckland Business Chamber members they were the first audience to hear her priorities as a minister in a government committed to cutting red tape and regulations. She brandished her liberalising credentials, saying Flexible labour markets are the ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • Why Newshub failed
    Chris Trotter writes – TO UNDERSTAND WHY NEWSHUB FAILED, it is necessary to understand how TVNZ changed. Up until 1989, the state broadcaster had been funded by a broadcasting licence fee, collected from every citizen in possession of a television set, supplemented by a relatively modest (compared ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Māori Party on the warpath against landlords and seabed miners – let’s see if mystical creature...
    Bob Edlin writes  –  The Māori Party has been busy issuing a mix of warnings and threats as its expresses its opposition to interest deductibility for landlords and the plans of seabed miners. It remains to be seen whether they  follow the example of indigenous litigants in Australia, ...
    Point of OrderBy Bob Edlin
    6 days ago
  • There’s a name for this
    Every year, in the Budget, Parliament forks out money to government agencies to do certain things. And every year, as part of the annual review cycle, those agencies are meant to report on whether they have done the things Parliament gave them that money for. Agencies which consistently fail to ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • Echoes of 1968 in 2024?  Pocock on the repetitive problems of the New Left
    Mike Grimshaw writes – Recent events in American universities point to an underlying crisis of coherent thinking, an issue that increasingly affects the progressive left across the Western world. This of course is nothing new as anyone who can either remember or has read of the late ...
    Point of OrderBy poonzteam5443
    6 days ago
  • Two bar blues
    The thing about life’s little victories is that they can be followed by a defeat.Reader Darryl told me on Monday night:Test again Dave. My “head cold” last week became COVID within 24 hours, and is still with me. I hear the new variants take a bit longer to show up ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • Bernard's Top 10 @ 10 'pick 'n' mix' for March 13
    TL;DR: My top 10 news and analysis links this morning include:Today’s must-read: Angus Deaton on rethinking his economics IMFLocal scoop: The people behind Tamarind, the firm that left a $500m cleanup bill for taxpayers at Taranaki’s Tui oil well, are back operating in Taranaki under a different company name. Jonathan ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • AT Need To Lift Their Game
    Normally when we talk about accessing public transport it’s about improving how easy it is to get to, such as how easy is it to cross roads in a station/stop’s walking catchment, is it possible to cycle to safely, do bus connections work, or even if are there new routes/connections ...
    6 days ago
  • Christopher's Whopper.
    Politicians are not renowned for telling the truth. Some tell us things that are verifiably not true. They offer statements that omit critical pieces of information. Gloss over risks, preferring to offer the best case scenario.Some not truths are quite small, others amusing in their transparency. There are those repeated ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago

  • Positive progress for social worker workforce
    New Zealand’s social workers are qualified, experienced, and more representative of the communities they serve, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “I want to acknowledge and applaud New Zealand’s social workers for the hard work they do, providing invaluable support for our most vulnerable. “To coincide with World ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 hours ago
  • Minister confirms reduced RUC rate for PHEVs
    Cabinet has agreed to a reduced road user charge (RUC) rate for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. Owners of PHEVs will be eligible for a reduced rate of $38 per 1,000km once all light electric vehicles (EVs) move into the RUC system from 1 April.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 hours ago
  • Trade access to overseas markets creates jobs
    Minister of Agriculture and Trade, Todd McClay, says that today’s opening of Riverland Foods manufacturing plant in Christchurch is a great example of how trade access to overseas markets creates jobs in New Zealand.  Speaking at the official opening of this state-of-the-art pet food factory the Minister noted that exports ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 hours ago
  • NZ and Chinese Foreign Ministers hold official talks
    Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Wellington today. “It was a pleasure to host Foreign Minister Wang Yi during his first official visit to New Zealand since 2017. Our discussions were wide-ranging and enabled engagement on many facets of New Zealand’s relationship with China, including trade, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    19 hours ago
  • Kāinga Ora instructed to end Sustaining Tenancies
    Kāinga Ora – Homes & Communities has been instructed to end the Sustaining Tenancies Framework and take stronger measures against persistent antisocial behaviour by tenants, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Earlier today Finance Minister Nicola Willis and I sent an interim Letter of Expectations to the Board of Kāinga Ora. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber: Growth is the answer
    Tēna koutou katoa. Greetings everyone. Thank you to the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and the Honourable Simon Bridges for hosting this address today. I acknowledge the business leaders in this room, the leaders and governors, the employers, the entrepreneurs, the investors, and the wealth creators. The coalition Government shares your ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Singapore rounds out regional trip
    Minister Winston Peters completed the final leg of his visit to South and South East Asia in Singapore today, where he focused on enhancing one of New Zealand’s indispensable strategic partnerships.      “Singapore is our most important defence partner in South East Asia, our fourth-largest trading partner and a ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Minister van Velden represents New Zealand at International Democracy Summit
    Minister of Internal Affairs and Workplace Relations and Safety, Hon. Brooke van Velden, will travel to the Republic of Korea to represent New Zealand at the Third Summit for Democracy on 18 March. The summit, hosted by the Republic of Korea, was first convened by the United States in 2021, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Insurance Council of NZ Speech, 7 March 2024, Auckland
    ICNZ Speech 7 March 2024, Auckland  Acknowledgements and opening  Mōrena, ngā mihi nui. Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho.  Good morning, it’s a privilege to be here to open the ICNZ annual conference, thank you to Mark for the Mihi Whakatau  My thanks to Tim Grafton for inviting me ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Five-year anniversary of Christchurch terror attacks
    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Lead Coordination Minister Judith Collins have expressed their deepest sympathy on the five-year anniversary of the Christchurch terror attacks. “March 15, 2019, was a day when families, communities and the country came together both in sorrow and solidarity,” Mr Luxon says.  “Today we pay our respects to the 51 shuhada ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024
    Speech for Financial Advice NZ Conference 5 March 2024  Acknowledgements and opening  Morena, Nga Mihi Nui.  Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Nor Whanganui aho. Thanks Nate for your Mihi Whakatau  Good morning. It’s a pleasure to formally open your conference this morning. What a lovely day in Wellington, What a great ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Early visit to Indonesia strengthens ties
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters held discussions in Jakarta today about the future of relations between New Zealand and South East Asia’s most populous country.   “We are in Jakarta so early in our new government’s term to reflect the huge importance we place on our relationship with Indonesia and South ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • China Foreign Minister to visit
    Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Peters has announced that the Foreign Minister of China, Wang Yi, will visit New Zealand next week.  “We look forward to re-engaging with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and discussing the full breadth of the bilateral relationship, which is one of New Zealand’s ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Minister opens new Auckland Rail Operations Centre
    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has today opened the new Auckland Rail Operations Centre, which will bring together KiwiRail, Auckland Transport, and Auckland One Rail to improve service reliability for Aucklanders. “The recent train disruptions in Auckland have highlighted how important it is KiwiRail and Auckland’s rail agencies work together to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Celebrating 10 years of Crankworx Rotorua
    The Government is proud to support the 10th edition of Crankworx Rotorua as the Crankworx World Tour returns to Rotorua from 16-24 March 2024, says Minister for Economic Development Melissa Lee.  “Over the past 10 years as Crankworx Rotorua has grown, so too have the economic and social benefits that ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government delivering on tax commitments
    Legislation implementing coalition Government tax commitments and addressing long-standing tax anomalies will be progressed in Parliament next week, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The legislation is contained in an Amendment Paper to the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill issued today.  “The Amendment Paper represents ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Significant Natural Areas requirement to be suspended
    Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard has today announced that the Government has agreed to suspend the requirement for councils to comply with the Significant Natural Areas (SNA) provisions of the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity for three years, while it replaces the Resource Management Act (RMA).“As it stands, SNAs ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government classifies drought conditions in Top of the South as medium-scale adverse event
    Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has classified the drought conditions in the Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts as a medium-scale adverse event, acknowledging the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the district. “Parts of Marlborough, Tasman, and Nelson districts are in the grip of an intense dry spell. I know ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government partnership to tackle $332m facial eczema problem
    The Government is helping farmers eradicate the significant impact of facial eczema (FE) in pastoral animals, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced.  “A $20 million partnership jointly funded by Beef + Lamb NZ, the Government, and the primary sector will save farmers an estimated NZD$332 million per year, and aims to ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • NZ, India chart path to enhanced relationship
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters has completed a successful visit to India, saying it was an important step in taking the relationship between the two countries to the next level.   “We have laid a strong foundation for the Coalition Government’s priority of enhancing New Zealand-India relations to generate significant future benefit for both countries,” says Mr Peters, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Ruapehu Alpine Lifts bailout the last, say Ministers
    Cabinet has agreed to provide $7 million to ensure the 2024 ski season can go ahead on the Whakapapa ski field in the central North Island but has told the operator Ruapehu Alpine Lifts it is the last financial support it will receive from taxpayers. Cabinet also agreed to provide ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Govt takes action to drive better cancer services
    Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says the launch of a new mobile breast screening unit in Counties Manukau reinforces the coalition Government’s commitment to drive better cancer services for all New Zealanders. Speaking at the launch of the new mobile clinic, Dr Reti says it’s a great example of taking ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Work begins on SH29 upgrades near Tauriko
    Unlocking economic growth and land for housing are critical elements of the Government’s plan for our transport network, and planned upgrades to State Highway 29 (SH29) near Tauriko will deliver strongly on those priorities, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “The SH29 upgrades near Tauriko will improve safety at the intersections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Fresh produce price drop welcome
    Lower fruit and vegetable prices are welcome news for New Zealanders who have been doing it tough at the supermarket, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Stats NZ reported today the price of fruit and vegetables has dropped 9.3 percent in the 12 months to February 2024.  “Lower fruit and vege ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Statement to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to the 68th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68)
    Tēnā koutou katoa and greetings to you all.  Chair, I am honoured to address the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. I acknowledge the many crises impacting the rights of women and girls. Heightened global tensions, war, climate related and humanitarian disasters, and price inflation all ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Government backs rural led catchment projects
    The coalition Government is supporting farmers to enhance land management practices by investing $3.3 million in locally led catchment groups, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced. “Farmers and growers deliver significant prosperity for New Zealand and it’s vital their ongoing efforts to improve land management practices and water quality are supported,” ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Speech to Auckland Business Chamber
    Good evening everyone and thank you for that lovely introduction.   Thank you also to the Honourable Simon Bridges for the invitation to address your members. Since being sworn in, this coalition Government has hit the ground running with our 100-day plan, delivering the changes that New Zealanders expect of us. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Commission’s advice on ETS settings tabled
    Recommendations from the Climate Change Commission for New Zealand on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) auction and unit limit settings for the next five years have been tabled in Parliament, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. “The Commission provides advice on the ETS annually. This is the third time the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government lowering building costs
    The coalition Government is beginning its fight to lower building costs and reduce red tape by exempting minor building work from paying the building levy, says Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk. “Currently, any building project worth $20,444 including GST or more is subject to the building levy which is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Trustee tax change welcomed
    Proposed changes to tax legislation to prevent the over-taxation of low-earning trusts are welcome, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. The changes have been recommended by Parliament’s Finance and Expenditure Committee following consideration of submissions on the Taxation (Annual Rates for 2023–24, Multinational Tax, and Remedial Matters) Bill. “One of the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister’s Ramadan message
    Assalaamu alaikum. السَّلَام عليكم In light of the holy month of Ramadan, I want to extend my warmest wishes to our Muslim community in New Zealand. Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection, renewed devotion, perseverance, generosity, and forgiveness.  It’s a time to strengthen our bonds and appreciate the diversity ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister appoints new NZTA Chair
    Former Transport Minister and CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber Hon Simon Bridges has been appointed as the new Board Chair of the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) for a three-year term, Transport Minister Simeon Brown announced today. “Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge in transport policy and governance to the role. He will ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Speech to Life Sciences Summit
    Good morning all, it is a pleasure to be here as Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology.  It is fantastic to see how connected and collaborative the life science and biotechnology industry is here in New Zealand. I would like to thank BioTechNZ and NZTech for the invitation to address ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Progress continues apace on water storage
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says he is looking forward to the day when three key water projects in Northland are up and running, unlocking the full potential of land in the region. Mr Jones attended a community event at the site of the Otawere reservoir near Kerikeri on Friday. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Government agrees to restore interest deductions
    Associate Finance Minister David Seymour has today announced that the Government has agreed to restore deductibility for mortgage interest on residential investment properties. “Help is on the way for landlords and renters alike. The Government’s restoration of interest deductibility will ease pressure on rents and simplify the tax code,” says ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister to attend World Anti-Doping Agency Symposium
    Sport and Recreation Minister Chris Bishop will travel to Switzerland today to attend an Executive Committee meeting and Symposium of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Mr Bishop will then travel on to London where he will attend a series of meetings in his capacity as Infrastructure Minister. “New Zealanders believe ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Pacific Language Weeks celebrate regional unity
    This year’s Pacific Language Weeks celebrate regional unity and the contribution of Pacific communities to New Zealand culture, says Minister for Pacific Peoples Dr Shane Reti.  Dr Reti announced dates for the 2024 Pacific Language Weeks during a visit to the Pasifika festival in Auckland today and says there’s so ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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