Open mike 29/10/2011

Written By: - Date published: 6:00 am, October 29th, 2011 - 72 comments
Categories: open mike - Tags:

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

The usual rules of good behaviour apply (see the link to Policy in the banner).

Step right up to the mike…

72 comments on “Open mike 29/10/2011 ”

  1. Ianupnorth 1

    Today is my birthday and to celebrate I am happily first in and in doing so stopping Pete George from his regular first spot! Shame Rod Fyfe spoiled it! http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10762436

    • Happy birthday Ian!

    • LynW 1.2

      Happy Birthday Ianupnorth. Have a great day!
      Taking a positive spin on that article.. it has given Goff a wonderful opportunity to promote not selling NZ’s assets and to remind people of Labour having to buy Air New Zealand back and fix it after the last attempt to privatise it! Makes Fyfe’s point a little petty don’t you think/? (no disrepsrect to the koro)

    • felix 1.3

      From the article:

      He said the use of the koru to provoke political controversy was in conflict with its core meaning.

      Which is to promote an airline, right? Piss off, Fyfe.

      Happy Birthday Ian!

      • RedLogix 1.3.1

        I got a mild case of cognitive whiplash reading Fyfe’s logic. I mean here the guy is running an airline that wouldn’t exist if it were not for the previous Labour govt and then he wants to tell us that politics should keep off his precious grass.

      • The Voice of Reason 1.3.2

        I read the rest of his spam email to his unfortunate staff. Turns out Fyfe has a broken finger. He claims it was a boating accident, but I suspect it was PM’s arse related.

    • marsman 1.4

      Happy Birthday Ianupnorth !

    • Happy birthday Ian!

  2. Jenny 2

    Forget Pete George, he would be to dumb to comment on this.

    Tax Justice media release
    28 October 2011

    “The Occupy Movement is protesting the injustice of the world’s 99% having to bear the costs of a financial crisis caused by an elite few,” says Vaughan Gunson, Tax Justice spokesperson.

    “The best mechanism for making the super-rich 1% pay is a financial transaction tax, or Robin Hood Tax,” says Gunson. “It’s very exciting to see that the global movement for this tax which targets banks, big corporates and financial speculators is growing.”

    The Robin Hood Tax international day of action on Saturday 29 October is timed to put pressure on the leaders of the G20 before their summit meeting in Cannes on 3 November. In New Zealand, actions are being organised in Wellington, Auckland, and Christchurch.

    “Tax Justice has been campaigning over the last year for financial speculation to be taxed. It’s criminal that the profits of speculators go untaxed, while ordinary New Zealanders are taxed every which way,” says Gunson.

    The Tax Justice petition signed by 40,000 New Zealanders was presented to Parliament on 16 August. The petition calls for GST to be removed from food and a tax placed on financial speculation instead.

    “Politicians in New Zealand need to respond to the global movement and start looking at how we can introduce a Robin Hood Tax in New Zealand,” says Gunson.

    Tax Justice would like to see the parties of the left come together on tax policy. “A broad coalition that brings together left parties inside and outside of Parliament, along with unions and other grassroots organisations, could achieve a decisive shift towards a more just fairer tax system,” says Gunson.

    “The beauty of financial transaction taxes is that they can target the super-rich who aren’t paying enough tax; it’s almost impossible to avoid; and modern technology makes it a simple and low cost form of tax collection,” says Gunson.

    Tax Justice has produced a Fact Sheet on Financial Transactions Taxes and their feasibility for New Zealand. To download PDF click here.

    For more information on the Tax Justice campaign go to http://www.nogstonfood.org

    For comment, contact:

    Vaughan Gunson
    Tax Justice spokesperson
    021-0415 082
    svpl@xtra.co.nz

    or

    Grant Brookes
    Tax Justice spokesperson
    021-0532 973
    grant_brookes@paradise.net.nz

    Grant Brookes will be speaking to the Wellington Occupy movement on the subject of a Robin Hood Tax at 1pm, Saturday 29 October, Civic Square.

  3. It is interesting that neither the slithery one nor Farrar have commented on the respective TV launches last night.

    I wonder why?

    • felix 3.1

      To be fair, Farrar has posted crossword answers this morning.

    • Chris 3.2

      Whaleoil has now.

      • mickysavage 3.2.1

        Sort of.  He complained about the waste of taxpayer money.  I agree wholeheartedly.

        The National party effort was a complete waste of time and money.  It was that bad I felt a little bit sorry for the National Party.  I expected a razzamatazz Crosby Textor polished juggernaut of an effort that would have had Labour reeling.  Instead I got this?

        If taxpayer money was used to fund this piece of shyte then I agree there should be an inquiry and at least the complete repayment of any money paid. 

  4. toad 4

    Third container ship aground off Tauranga. It’s the MV National Party

    That ship’s on fire, she’s sinking fast,
    There’s one man standing on the mast,
    His arms are spread in the flames around his head
    He’d better jump before the blast,
    PM John Key is standing on the quay
    He’s taking colour photographs.

  5. Occupy Octagon/Dunedin have claimed the council hasn’t been honest with the public or the occupiers.

    Council dishonest over Armistice Day – who’s really being dishonest?

    • Bill 5.1

      It’s not ‘Occupy’ that is being deceitful and dishonest.

      It is the organisations that have inserted themselves into it and generated a platform themselves and elevated their their agendas and their programmes over any message/ action that might otherwise have emerged from a genuine dialogue between people ‘coming together’ over stuff they are rightfully pissed off about.

      I wrote about all of ths here. http://thestandard.org.nz/over-or-into-the-wall/

      • Pete George 5.1.1

        Thanks Bill, you are right, I know quite a few people (including myself) that thought Occupy would be a great opportunity to make a difference regardless of affiliations but are quite pissed off about what’s happened in NZ.

        I know Green party supporters who are very sympathetic to the theoretical aims of Occupy who deliberately kept their politics out of it, and they amongst many others have been shat on.

      • AAMC 5.1.2

        Once again in agreement with Bill and suggest we take inspiration from the fact that today Egypt will once again inhabit Tarhir Sq, in solidarity with Occupywallstreet and oocupyoakland. It’s international, so whatever happens in Dunedin, although its a missed opportunity here, it is insignificant in the bigger picture.

        This person writes a brilliant first hand account of an awakening in Oakland…

        http://www.theawl.com/2011/10/the-livestream-ended-how-i-got-off-my-computer-and-into-the-streets-at-occupy-oakland

        This may happen here yet, depending on how it grows and articulates itself abroad.

        Ali Mustafa will be live tweeting from Egypt. Follow him for real news.

        twitter:@_fbtm

  6. Tangled up in blue 6

    I can’t post the results of the latest herald digi-poll in OPEN MIKE???

    National consolidated its commanding lead in the final weeks of the Rugby World Cup, a Herald-DigiPoll survey has found.

    Poor handling of Oil Spill what?

    • The Voice of Reason 6.1

      As the article notes, there was a spike in support from rugger loving Aucklanders in the days before the final. I’d have never predicted that … sigh.

    • queenstfarmer 6.2

      Well that pretty much destroys (yet again) the credibility of those making wild predictions of National’s collapse following the Rena incident. Given the desperately dishonest efforts of Labour & the Greens to somehow blame it on John Key, I had expected the Govt to take a hit. However, it seems that the public has seen through that.

      Hopefully, the dirty campaigning has ended, and the campaigns – and the polls – will focus on substantive policy and issues.

      • The Voice of Reason 6.2.1

        “Hopefully, the dirty campaigning has ended, and the campaigns – and the polls – will focus on substantive policy and issues.”
         
        Agree, entirely, Queenie. Do let us know when National make the switch to substantive policy and issues, because on last night’s effort, relying on John Key won’t do it for them this time round.

      • RedLogix 6.2.2

        Well that pretty much destroys (yet again) the credibility of those making wild predictions of National’s collapse following the Rena incident.

        No-one here predicted National’s collapse. What we did suggest is that it could well be an ‘inflexion point’. Putting words into other people’s mouths is very bad form.

        National have been very, very fortunate that the Rena has held together against expectations , or that there hasn’t been another big storm causing a final break-up. Because that is all that has prevented far more oil landing on the beaches of the BOP.

        And if that had happened the focus would have inevitably come back onto that first 100 hours after the grounding when it is now blatantly obvious more could have and should have been done. That and the RWC, which also was a very fortunate distraction for the government.

        • queenstfarmer 6.2.2.1

          No-one here predicted National’s collapse.

          I suggest you look at the numerous Rena-related posts on this site. Here’s just one example:

          My guess is that National will keep losing votes as this crisis drags on, and more and more questions are asked about their credibility.

          What we did suggest is that it could well be an ‘inflexion point’. Putting words into other people’s mouths is very bad form.

          Well, it seems I am addressed by the official spokesman for this entire site, which makes it ironic that you accuse me of putting words into other people’s mouths. Please tell me, what words did I put into other people’s mouths?

          [lprent: RL is both an author and moderator. There are no official spokespeople – just a grumpy sysop who tends to prefer to bite the head off media rather than prancing around being a glory hound.

          There were posts and comments that said it was likely that Rena would drop National support (not a collapse). A single small poll (750 wtf?) taken while the issue was still unfolding is hardly likely to show that.

          RL is right. You are wrong. Bullshitting about the site as a whole is a Darwin award infraction. Trying to tell authors what they did not say is a dangerous trait. I very nearly gave you an educational ban. But I am feeling lazy this morning. ]

          • Dv 6.2.2.1.1

            Qsf dictionary
            Loose is to collapse

          • queenstfarmer 6.2.2.1.2

            I trust it is not to trifle with the sysop to state that I do not know what I supposedly told an author they didn’t say, and nor do I know what words I supposedly put in anyone’s mouth.

            All I did was assert what had been said, and then provide a quote in support when challenged. RL said “No-one here predicted National’s collapse”, and I posted a quote – by an author – to refute that. I don’t see how providing a quote constitutes “bullshitting about the site as a whole”.

            On further review, perhaps RL does not consider that the comment “keep losing votes” to fall within the definition of “collapse” – the term I used. If that is the objection, then I would say that on dictionary definitions the term collapse is a perfectly valid term to describe comments such as “losing votes”, especially as a result of losing votes following a sudden, unexpected event. From the definition of “collapse”:

            collapse… 3: to cave or fall in or give way… 4: to suddenly lose force, significance, effectiveness, or worth

            • RedLogix 6.2.2.1.2.1

              On further review, perhaps RL does not consider that the comment “keep losing votes” to fall within the definition of “collapse” – the term I used.

              Just to be clear… no I do not. A collapse would be something far more dramatic, like plunging within a week or two from 60% ratings to below 40% for instance. None of the authors or commenters who wrote about the Rena were saying anything like that.

              What many people did suggest was that it was possibly a turning point, from which the trend for National might start to slowly loose ground.

              Rather large difference.

      • Colonial Viper 6.2.3

        Given the desperately dishonest efforts of Labour & the Greens to somehow blame it on John Key

        “I didn’t ram that ship into the reef!!!” 😛

        http://www.flickr.com/photos/19473099@N05/6238850035/in/photostream

  7. belladonna 7

    Was I hearing things – was listening to the news on the radio this morning and heard the latest Horizon poll has Labour up in the polls and the Nats down. Cant find anything about it online,
    maybe I was dreaming but it sounded quite impressive.

    • The Voice of Reason 7.1

      It came out a week ago, and suggests that the Nat’s can’t make it without Banks coming through in Epsom.
       
      The highlights include a massive 0.4% support for United Follicles and ACT and the Maori party only marginally better off.
       

      National has 36.8% of registered voters (down 2.7% since September 22)
      Labour 25.7% (-1.1%)
      Green Party 11.6% (up 0.9%)
      New Zealand First 6.2% (- 1.1%)
      Mana Party 2.3% (+ 0.3%)
      Act 3.4%  (down 1.4% from September and down from a high of 5.3% in May shortly after Don Brash became leader)
      Maori Party 1.7% (+0.7%)
      United Future 0.4% ( 0% in September)
      Conservative Party of New Zealand 2.2% (new party, first time measured)
      New Citizens 0%
      Other parties 1.2%

       

  8. Redbaron77 8

    I likewise found the Herald Digi-Poll a little difficult to believe in the face a poor six weeks for National.Although 10.6% of respondants were uncommited or 79.5 people (!). The election will of course be a major proving ground between the methodologies of the regular polls against the newcomer Horizon.

  9. millsy 9

    Someone else who thinks that the fact that we have the lowest rate of senior poverty in the OECD is unacceptable

    No doubt our neo-liberal cougar has a cushy pension fund stashed away somewhere, where as others, if she had her way would have to sell everything they own in order to get some subsistence in their retirement.

  10. The Voice of Reason 10

    More good news for Labour, compulsory Kiwisaver is a winner.
    And it looks like we like MMP.
     
     
     
     
     

  11. randal 11

    rod fyfe thinks because he once flew a fighter jet then ipso facto he knows everything.

  12. National want to make it hard for the poor to strike for better wages and conditions…..
     

    The National Party wants pay to be cut when workers stage partial strikes or work-to-rules.
    In its election policy on industrial relations announced on Friday, National says workers can sometimes do very little work for months under the guise of a partial strike and still be paid.
    The party says with approval from the Department of Labour, company executives should be able to cut some of their income.
    The proposal would particularly affect groups such as nurses and fire fighters, who stage only partial strikes in order to maintain emergency cover.
    Trade unions say National’s proposal would harm low-paid workers who cannot afford full strike action.
    Council of Trade Unions president Helen Kelly says it could increase disruption as workers move faster to all-out strike action fearing loss of money anyway.
    “For very low-paid workers, it’s intended to remove a form of industrial action that is often the only one they can afford. For groups like nurses, who are very reluctant to take strike action and often show their objection by doing things like refusing extra shifts, they’ll actually be forced to take strike action.
    But Business New Zealand is pleased, saying partial strikes are extremely damaging to industry.
    Paul Mackay, of Business Zealand is pleased, saying the greatest industrial damage in New Zealand is caused by partial strikes.
    “If we all accept that this country has got an awful lot of work to do on the productivity front, the idea that there’s no penalty for deliberately slowing the boat down so that it won’t arrive on time or won’t deliver the goods has got to have some frustration attached to it.
    “So I think what we’re seeing now is the Government being prepared to say, ‘If you want to frustrate productivity, be prepared for it to cost you something.'” – Source : RadioNZ

     
    For “If you want to frustrate productivity, be prepared for it to cost you something.” read…
    “In order to conquer, we are dividing the work force into those who can strike and those who can’t!”
     

    A whole new class of worker!

  13. Hekia Parata – Asshole of the Week Award

    Not only did we have to put up with Hekia Parata’s bold faced lies that New Zealand had the resources and manpower to deal with an oil spill the size of Deepwater Horizon… we now have to put up with oil and dead animals washing up all over our beaches precisely because she was lying…

    • On the news last night she was at the site of the repair of the Maui pipeline.
      Reporter was in regular hard hat and high vis vest (as would be expected).
      Parata had a helmet with ear protectors and was wearing a pair of safety goggles like she was intimately involves in the repair!
      Talk about poser! Do they now have PR wardrobe consultants with them when they fly in for the photo-ops?
       
      She probably learned that from her boss Gerry. The first thing you do when recovering from a fatal, city destroying earthquake – get a new jacket with CERA embroided on it.
      Wardrobe first, bulldozers second.

      • Dv 13.1.1

        And i read this morning, in stuff or herald both by Parata. I cant find them again.
        The problem with the pipe was ground movement NOT maintence
        And
        The pictures of the leaking gas posted on u tube were a hoax

  14. millsy 14

    Roger Kerr has just died.

    Edit: I have removed some of the nasty stuff out because regardless of his political beliefs, he was still a human being.

    • Colonial Viper 14.1

      Sympathies to his family.

      I wonder if he learnt in time that you can’t take material wealth with you and that dollars will not help smooth your way into the after life.

    • Redbaron77 14.2

      Agreed. Thankfully we have affordable general hospital healthcare. However you view Roger Kerr he was an effective advocate for his side. The cancer is another thing: It’s more than likely he would have gone through the mill battling the effects of metastatic melanoma… Condolences to his family.

  15. KJT 15

    What I said on Armstrong’s National Party political ad today. Doubt if it will be published though.

    “Economical with the truth again!

    Like DPF you should have a disclaimer, saying rabid National party supporter.

    Labour had to spend to repair the damage done to our national infrastructure and public services by decades of Neo-liberal Government.

    No Government would have escaped a deficit with the GFC.

    Labour left us in a much better position than the present, borrow, hope and give our assets away at fire sale prices to their future employers. National.

    I suppose National cannot really campaign on their real policies though.

    Stealing our wealth by reducing wages, giving away money earning assets, killing manufacturing, borrowing to give more money to those who spend it on Hawaii holidays and offshore gambling and making sure they have high paying jobs in finance, when they finally get voted out.”

    Simon Power couldn’t even wait that long for his earthly reward.

  16. interesting 16

    The Rena disaster will cause National to drop in the polls……NEK MINNIT….

    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10762430

    ” National would comfortably govern on its own with 53.5 per cent of decided voters, up 1.5 percentage points on the previous poll, in August.”

    and

    “Labour has 30.3 per cent support (down 1.2), ”

    and in case anyone tries to say that the Rena wasn’t really in view when this poll was taken…

    “As well as the Rugby World Cup, events leading up to the polling included the Rena oil spill off Tauranga, a downgrade for New Zealand by two credit rating agencies, and accusations that Mr Key misled the House when he claimed Standard & Poor’s had said another credit downgrade would be more likely if Labour became the Government.”

    “The poll of 750 respondents was taken between October 20 and 27.”

    • Zaphod Beeblebrox 16.1

      Winning the RWC does not seemed to have helped Key’s polling much. Imagine if Donald’s kick had missed?

  17. Kty 17

    750 respondants, does this huge number represent the way a majority of New Zealand is thinking or the number of national suporters found during a week of searching for people who will give the approved reply?.

    • interesting 17.1

      Typical reply when your team is losing is to blame it on who does the polling, who was polled, or the sample size.

      I gaurantee that if the result had showed a gain for labour you wouldn’t even be questioning the sample size.

      Remember….many on the left were saying that the Rena was “Key’s, ‘Katrina'” and that the Nat’s would suffer in the polls.

      That they have gone up shows the most people realise that this was just left wing spin.

  18. johnm 18

    I was disgusted the other day to hear that up himself Paul Henry Drive on radio live gloating (gloating on the unproven basis G was responsible for Lockerbie) about the murderous war crime of Gadaffi’s death He didn’t leave out the horror of the man being sodomized by some sort of object during the process of his dying. He is a total U$$ toady.
    Some facts about the good things Gadaffi did for his people in this article:

    “He also wanted Libyans to share in the country’s oil wealth, a notion foreign to America and other Western societies.

    Under his 1999 Decision No. 111, all Libyans got free healthcare, education, electricity, water, training, rehabilitation, housing assistance, disability and old-age benefits, interest-free state loans, as well as generous subsidies to study abroad, buy a new car, help couples when they marry, practically free gasoline, and more.

    Literacy under Gaddafi rose from 20 – 80%. Libya’s hospitals and private clinics were some of the region’s best. Now they’re in shambles. Some, in fact, were bombed or damage

    The young people are well dressed, well fed and well educated….Every Libyan gets free, and often excellent, education, medical and health services. New colleges and hospitals are impressive by any international standard.

    All Libyans have a house or a flat, a car, and most have televisions” and other conveniences. “Compared with most citizens of Third World countries, and with many (others), Libyans have it very good indeed,” including decent housing or a rent-free apartment.

    Green Book ideology rejects Western-style democracy and predatory capitalism, especially neoliberal exploitation. It’s one of many reasons why Gaddafi was ousted.

    He had nothing to do with downing Pan Am 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland in 1988. Neither did Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi. Scottish judges knew he was innocent but were pressured to convict.

    Gaddafi never admitted fault. He took responsibility solely to have international sanctions removed. To this day, he and al-Megrahi stand falsely accused. Likely CIA /MI6/and/or Mossad involvement is never mentioned. ”

    refer link: http://www.rense.com/general95/hyd.htm

  19. gingercrush 19

    So is Labour going to announce funding for Len Brown’s train project Monday? Also I am presuming both TV 3 and TV One will release a poll on Sunday and Roy Morgan must be due to drop another poll very soon.

  20. KJT 20

    This Dictator of an oil rich country.

    Overthrew a democratically elected Government.
    Murdered between 700 thousand and a million of his own citizens to get into power.
    Brutally squashed two independence movements. Now engaged in squashing a third.
    Keeps about 2/3 of his country in poverty.
    Allows foreign companies to repatriate almost 100% of their profits. Especially Western oil companies.
    Has the worst environmental record in the Pacific..
    Allows abuse of workers in virtual slave labour.
    Sends troops in to kill unionists.
    Country has unsustainable debt.
    Streets of beggars and homeless.

    This Dictator of an oil rich country.

    Left his country with no external debt.
    Gave interest free loans to citizens.
    Had Western standards of living.
    Increased literacy from 25% to 83%.
    Had the Highest Standard of living in Africa.
    A proportion of all oil sales was credited to every citizens bank account.
    No beggars in the streets and no homeless.

    Guess which one was helped into place by the US Government and is supported by other Western Governments, including ours.

    Guess which one is considered so bad that we should support his overthrow.

  21. big bruv 21

    RIP Roger Kerr

    • KJT 21.1

      I cannot bring myself to feel sorry for him.

      Pity he is not still here to answer for the blighted lives, suicides, poverty, NZ’s heading for the third world, and the other effects, of his and others worship of a mean, spiteful discredited economic religion.

      Wasn’t he one of the insider traders in SCF also?

      • big bruv 21.1.1

        Nobody said you had to feel sorry for him.

        I felt the same way when Ed Hillary passed, I just did not care given his long support of the Labour government.

      • Vicky32 21.1.2

        I cannot bring myself to feel sorry for him.

        Given that I believe in an afterlife (also in universal salvation), I did a little bit, thinking that he was in for a bit of a shock, as he would have thought himself to have done only good…

  22. Tigger 22

    WTF is Key doing in this photo?
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10762437

    This Hobbit themed article has nothing to do with Key other than to say he was given a photo op with his ‘mate’ Jackson. Key isn’t Minister of Arts (why didn’t Finlayson get the photo op?).

    I call bs. Also, is that an old photo? Jackson is looking like his old self.

    Oh I see Stuff covered it also. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/5871787/Key-adds-stardust-to-campaign-trail

    Key and his mates have done nothing for the film industry. Yes, they jumped at the chance to brown-nose Jackson and stick their beaks into an industrial dispute (enjoying your residual checks negotiated for you by fucking unions, Sir Peter?) but they’ve done sweet f-all for the industry.

    • Sookie 22.1

      I still remain completely disgusted with Peter Jackson. It’s really tough on me as I was such a fangirl. On the hobnobbing with celebs theme though, which doesn’t Russel Norman get his sister in law Anna Paquin to do an ad for the Greens? That would be awesome 🙂

      • giovani 22.1.1

        Jackson and key sold out the film workers for the love of money.

        Key and national are traitors, they have made that plain with their plans for this country if we are stupid enough to vote them back in.

  23. Draco T Bastard 23

    Vote for Change has confirmed that it wants to go back to an unrepresentative model for elections.

  24. randal 25

    never seena wingnut flic in my life.
    they dont do it for me.
    I like stuff with balls.

  25. Bored 26

    Its sad when somebody dies, young or old there are the emotionally attached and the family, so with the death of Roger Kerr whilst I bear his ideology total malice I have sympathy with those who were close to him.

    Not so those who carry forward the twisted logic of neo liberalism. In the media there are the likes of Deborah Hill Cone (whose image of too tight jeans in her column frightens the shit out of us)..The late Roger said this of her …“Deborah Hill Cone is one of my favourite journalists. Her cosmopolitan reading habits are unique in the New Zealand media, and she’s generally no slouch in business and economic commentary either”.(aka she read the copy of Atlas by the Sainted Ayn Rand I gave to her)…

    Fekk its proof Roger was a lightweight AND its a damnation by faint praise from a suspect source for Debs…..QED

  26. The Voice of Reason 27

    It’s all kicking off in Oz, with Qantas grounding their entire fleet to force the Government’s hand in the industrial dispute. Fairwork Australia meeting in emergency council, Gillard addressing the nation. Thousands of workers locked out, thousands of travellers affected. Amazing!

    • Vicky32 27.1

      It’s all kicking off in Oz, with Qantas grounding their entire fleet to force the Government’s hand in the industrial dispute.

      Radio NZ finally decided to mention that this morning… I had already read about it in the Italian press first.. 🙁
      Appalling!
       

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    1 day ago
  • Speech to New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Parliament – Annual Lecture: Challenges ...
    Good evening –   Before discussing the challenges and opportunities facing New Zealand’s foreign policy, we’d like to first acknowledge the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs. You have contributed to debates about New Zealand foreign policy over a long period of time, and we thank you for hosting us.  ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Accelerating airport security lines
    From today, passengers travelling internationally from Auckland Airport will be able to keep laptops and liquids in their carry-on bags for security screening thanks to new technology, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Creating a more efficient and seamless travel experience is important for holidaymakers and businesses, enabling faster movement through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Community hui to talk about kina barrens
    People with an interest in the health of Northland’s marine ecosystems are invited to a public meeting to discuss how to deal with kina barrens, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones will lead the discussion, which will take place on Friday, 10 May, at Awanui Hotel in ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kiwi exporters win as NZ-EU FTA enters into force
    Kiwi exporters are $100 million better off today with the NZ EU FTA entering into force says Trade Minister Todd McClay. “This is all part of our plan to grow the economy. New Zealand's prosperity depends on international trade, making up 60 per cent of the country’s total economic activity. ...
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    2 days ago
  • Mining resurgence a welcome sign
    There are heartening signs that the extractive sector is once again becoming an attractive prospect for investors and a source of economic prosperity for New Zealand, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The beginnings of a resurgence in extractive industries are apparent in media reports of the sector in the past ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill passes first reading
    The return of the historic Ō-Rākau battle site to the descendants of those who fought there moved one step closer today with the first reading of Te Pire mō Ō-Rākau, Te Pae o Maumahara / The Ō-Rākau Remembrance Bill. The Bill will entrust the 9.7-hectare battle site, five kilometres west ...
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    2 days ago
  • Government to boost public EV charging network
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has announced 25 new high-speed EV charging hubs along key routes between major urban centres and outlined the Government’s plan to supercharge New Zealand’s EV infrastructure.  The hubs will each have several chargers and be capable of charging at least four – and up to 10 ...
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    2 days ago
  • Residential Property Managers Bill to not progress
    The coalition Government will not proceed with the previous Government’s plans to regulate residential property managers, Housing Minister Chris Bishop says. “I have written to the Chairperson of the Social Services and Community Committee to inform him that the Government does not intend to support the Residential Property Managers Bill ...
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    2 days ago
  • Independent review into disability support services
    The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha. Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston says the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of Disability Support Services to provide disabled people and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Justice Minister updates UN on law & order plan
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith has attended the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva and outlined the Government’s plan to restore law and order. “Speaking to the United Nations Human Rights Council provided us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while responding to issues and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Ending emergency housing motels in Rotorua
    The Government and Rotorua Lakes Council are committed to working closely together to end the use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua. Associate Minister of Housing (Social Housing) Tama Potaka says the Government remains committed to ending the long-term use of contracted emergency housing motels in Rotorua by the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Trade Minister travels to Riyadh, OECD, and Dubai
    Trade Minister Todd McClay heads overseas today for high-level trade talks in the Gulf region, and a key OECD meeting in Paris. Mr McClay will travel to Riyadh to meet with counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). “New Zealand’s goods and services exports to the Gulf region ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Education priorities focused on lifting achievement
    Education Minister Erica Stanford has outlined six education priorities to deliver a world-leading education system that sets Kiwi kids up for future success. “I’m putting ambition, achievement and outcomes at the heart of our education system. I want every child to be inspired and engaged in their learning so they ...
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    3 days ago
  • NZTA App first step towards digital driver licence
    The new NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) App is a secure ‘one stop shop’ to provide the services drivers need, Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Digitising Government Minister Judith Collins say.  “The NZTA App will enable an easier way for Kiwis to pay for Vehicle Registration and Road User Charges (RUC). ...
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    3 days ago
  • Supporting whānau out of emergency housing
    Whānau with tamariki growing up in emergency housing motels will be prioritised for social housing starting this week, says Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka. “Giving these whānau a better opportunity to build healthy stable lives for themselves and future generations is an essential part of the Government’s goal of reducing ...
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    3 days ago
  • Tribute to Dave O'Sullivan
    Racing Minister Winston Peters has paid tribute to an icon of the industry with the recent passing of Dave O’Sullivan (OBE). “Our sympathies are with the O’Sullivan family with the sad news of Dave O’Sullivan’s recent passing,” Mr Peters says. “His contribution to racing, initially as a jockey and then ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Speech – Eid al-Fitr
    Assalaamu alaikum, greetings to you all. Eid Mubarak, everyone! I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and everyone celebrating this joyous occasion. It is a pleasure to be here. I have enjoyed Eid celebrations at Parliament before, but this is my first time joining you as the Minister ...
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    4 days ago
  • Government saves access to medicines
    Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced Pharmac’s largest ever budget of $6.294 billion over four years, fixing a $1.774 billion fiscal cliff.    “Access to medicines is a crucial part of many Kiwis’ lives. We’ve committed to a budget allocation of $1.774 billion over four years so Kiwis are ...
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    4 days ago
  • Pharmac Chair appointed
    Hon Paula Bennett has been appointed as member and chair of the Pharmac board, Associate Health Minister David Seymour announced today. "Pharmac is a critical part of New Zealand's health system and plays a significant role in ensuring that Kiwis have the best possible access to medicines,” says Mr Seymour. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Taking action on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
    Hundreds of New Zealand families affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) will benefit from a new Government focus on prevention and treatment, says Health Minister Dr Shane Reti. “We know FASD is a leading cause of preventable intellectual and neurodevelopmental disability in New Zealand,” Dr Reti says.  “Every day, ...
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    6 days ago
  • New sports complex opens in Kaikohe
    Regional Development Minister Shane Jones today attended the official opening of Kaikohe’s new $14.7 million sports complex. “The completion of the Kaikohe Multi Sports Complex is a fantastic achievement for the Far North,” Mr Jones says. “This facility not only fulfils a long-held dream for local athletes, but also creates ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Diplomacy needed more than ever
    Foreign Minister Winston Peters’ engagements in Türkiye this week underlined the importance of diplomacy to meet growing global challenges.    “Returning to the Gallipoli Peninsula to represent New Zealand at Anzac commemorations was a sombre reminder of the critical importance of diplomacy for de-escalating conflicts and easing tensions,” Mr Peters ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    6 days ago
  • Anzac Commemorative Address, Buttes New British Cemetery Belgium
    Ambassador Millar, Burgemeester, Vandepitte, Excellencies, military representatives, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen – good morning and welcome to this sacred Anzac Day dawn service.  It is an honour to be here on behalf of the Government and people of New Zealand at Buttes New British Cemetery, Polygon Wood – a deeply ...
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    6 days ago
  • Anzac Commemorative Address – NZ National Service, Chunuk Bair
    Distinguished guests -   It is an honour to return once again to this site which, as the resting place for so many of our war-dead, has become a sacred place for generations of New Zealanders.   Our presence here and at the other special spaces of Gallipoli is made ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, Türkiye
    Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia.   Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...
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    1 week ago
  • PM announces changes to portfolios
    Paul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...
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    1 week ago
  • New catch limits for unique fishery areas
    Recreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Minister welcomes hydrogen milestone
    Energy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment Bill
    The coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Overseas decommissioning models considered
    Overseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...
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    1 week ago
  • Release of North Island Severe Weather Event Inquiry
    Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Justice Minister to attend Human Rights Council
    Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order.  “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facility
    Associate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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