Opposition to deep sea oil drilling will not be tolerated

Written By: - Date published: 8:34 am, August 29th, 2013 - 55 comments
Categories: disaster, Environment - Tags:

Anadarko TO PAY FOR OIL SPILL

So not only will we not be permitted to protest at sea against deep sea oil drilling, but the Government is planning to remove our ability to object to applications for consent for deep sea exploratory drilling.

From Stuff this morning:

The Government is planning to remove the public’s right to oppose deep-sea oil and gas exploration.

A law change would see applications by oil giants go through the Environmental Protection Agency, but they would be “non-notified”, which means members of the public would not get to have a say.

Environment Minister Amy Adams released a discussion document yesterday and invited submissions.

The proposal will be introduced to the Marine Legislation Bill, currently before Parliament, by way of a Supplementary Order Paper. This means it won’t go through a parliamentary select committee.

This proposal is wrong in so many ways.  Get this, it will be introduced law by way of a SOP.  Not only will members of the public not be able to make submissions on a proposal for exploratory deep sea drilling, but they will not even be able to submit to a select committee on the proposal to take away their rights to make submissions on a proposal.

There will be a submission process, of sorts.  You have until September 25 to file written submissions.  I am sure that the submissions will be considered carefully.  There will be an in-tray on the Minister’s desk marked “Oil Industry and sympathetic submissions” and a sign on the office shredder marked “Submissions opposed”.

The discussion paper contains a classic goldilocks analysis.  Making exploratory drilling a permitted activity would be too permissive, making it prohibited would be too restrictive, so of course it should be discretionary.  That is good as far as it goes but it does not mean that the public should not have a say when applications are made.

In classic National speak the aim of the proposal “is to cut consenting costs and timeframes for applicants compared to the discretionary classification, while maintaining appropriate regulatory oversight of the impacts of these activities on the environment and existing interests, which cannot always be provided for by a permitted classification.”

Some may say that it is only for exploratory drilling so we have nothing to worry about.  But this is the stage where risks are greatest.  The Deep Horizon Oil Spill was from an exploratory well.

The change process being used matches the law changes rammed through by Simon Bridges earlier this year that criminalised sea protests.  Radio New Zealand reported that this change was the result of lobbying by oil companies.  No doubt these proposed changes are also the result of lobbying.

Why is it that this Government will listen intently every time that the oil companies talk to it but it refuses to let us have our say when an Oil Company wants to drill in our ocean?

55 comments on “Opposition to deep sea oil drilling will not be tolerated ”

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  1. Colonial Viper 1
    29 August 2013 at 8:39 am

    So not only will we not be permitted to protest at sea against deep sea oil drilling, but the Government is planning to remove our ability to object to applications for consent for deep sea exploratory drilling.

    Sounds like an attack on democracy to me. What will the NZ Herald say?

    • framu 1.1
      29 August 2013 at 8:43 am

      “Look over there”

      something like that perhaps?

      • beGone Craven SpyBill leopard 1.1.1
        29 August 2013 at 1:53 pm

        +1 CV
        +1 Framu

        Or perhaps things have gotten so bad that the definition of democracy has changed to: Democracy ~ big money interests

        In this case The Herald will have a front page headline “Democracy No Longer Under Attack.”

        • framu 1.1.1.1
          29 August 2013 at 4:27 pm

          im just waiting till the swap out to “Oligarchy just fine thanks!”

          oh wait – they already did that didnt they

    • Sable 1.2
      29 August 2013 at 8:56 am

      The NZ Herald will continue to produce the usual low quality propaganda we all use to line our cats litter trays…..

      • Tigger 1.2.1
        29 August 2013 at 9:30 am

        They’ll write editorials about our untapped resources and how we should ‘drill, baby, drill’.

  2. Sable 2
    29 August 2013 at 8:54 am

    Case of one oily hand oiling the other…. National are an absolute disgrace…

  3. Bill 3
    29 August 2013 at 9:18 am

    Is it just me who’s thinking they have stupidly taken away one of the ‘pressure valves’ that helps contain objection/protest and keep it within (from ‘their’ perspective) acceptable bounds – and potentially ‘upped the anti’ in the minds of some?

    How long now before frustrated and angry people, either individually or in small groups, perceiving no other way to express their opposition, take to trashing oil company infrastructure such as petrol stations?

    • Winston Smith 3.1
      29 August 2013 at 10:13 am

      How long now before frustrated and angry people, either individually or in small groups, perceiving no other way to express their opposition, take to trashing oil company infrastructure such as petrol stations?

      – Well theres plenty of idiots out there who think its justifiable to abuse petrol station employees so probably won’t be that far away

      • Bill 3.1.1
        29 August 2013 at 10:28 am

        Beyond this – that your comment is so off at a tangent that it just isn’t worth any level of engagement – I’ve nothing to say. (Lied. I also want today’s chocolate fish for the comment embodying most irony award)

  4. Phaedrus 4
    29 August 2013 at 11:30 am

    How long will it be before this moves on to land, such as restriction on protests against prospecting and mining in the wonderful Pureora Forest?

  5. beGone Craven SpyBill leopard 5
    29 August 2013 at 1:43 pm

    @ Mickey Savage,
    Have NZ politicians got any power to oppose the interests of big money?

    Reading this article and the many pieces of legislation that Nats are ‘pushing through’ I am having difficulty holding my stance that democracy is still functioning.

    It would appear that antidemocratic legislation would be anathema to a functioning democracy.

    However, this [and other] legislation appears to indicate that anti-democratic legislation is no longer considered negative and is openly being followed. Why would this be o.k?

    Are there more powerful interests that are demanding the negation of democratic principles? How is this occurring and how do we stop it from occurring?

    Do we have democracy in any meaningful way anymore?

    Are politicians in a position to ignore big money interests in order to ensure NZers interests are met, or is this idea of democracy and NZ interests just a farce?

    This question may be pivotal to why many are not voting.

    So has anyone any answers here?

    • mickysavage 5.1
      29 August 2013 at 8:56 pm

      Good questions.

      It appears right now there is no ability or inclination to oppose the interests of big money. And even if you get a progressive government, of whatever hue, in power they will constantly battle with monied organisations trying to tilt things towards their masters.

      Part of the problem is that the legal system has been made that damn complex that it is hard to keep up with what is happening or to put changes into context. This Government is particularly adept and throwing a whole array of changes at the population. There are too many of them to keep tabs on and incrementally, little by little, democratic power is being undermined.

      It seems also that this Government does not care any more. They think they have the measure of the population and are relying on enough people being OK about the undermining of democratic measures, or just not caring about the loss of democratic control.

      • beGone Craven Spy Bill leopard 5.1.1
        29 August 2013 at 9:40 pm

        Thanks for the info MickySavage, it is interesting to get any information on how things work in government. Pretty hard to fathom from ‘out here’ (!).

        I really do hope we get a party into power who really is prepared to reverse the damage Nact has done to our laws and democracy.

        Its pretty important that someone gets in who starts actively acting in NZ peoples’ interests, otherwise we really won’t have a functioning system at all.

        No wonder they wanted more spying powers. This country is going to need them if this farce carries on for much longer.

        • Colonial Viper 5.1.1.1
          29 August 2013 at 9:54 pm

          Firstly, we are seeing what happens when a Government begins to represent corporate and financial interests, instead of their citizens interests.

          Secondly, the reason that the Right are so afraid of Cunliffe is that he may represent the provision of a real choice to the electorate, as opposed to the appearance of real choice.

          Thirdly, the goal of “reversing the damage” is, if you would allow me to put it bluntly, bullshit. Think of it this way. You are standing 10 steps away from the edge of sheer cliff face. Every Tory Government walks us 3 steps towards the edge. Every Labour Government walks us two steps backwards. It might take a bit longer, but the country is still going off the edge.

          Instead, Labour must fundamentally change the direction of society, and create an economy which encapsulates that change. Labour did this twice before (1935-1949 and 1984-1990).

          A lot of external pressure, and perhaps eventually, actual threats, will be used to ensure that this doesn’t happen, and that the dire destructive status quo carries on.

          • beGone Craven Spy Bill leopard 5.1.1.1.1
            29 August 2013 at 10:48 pm

            I very much agree with what you write here CV, and am wondering how the hell we change anything?

            i.e. it has been my view that politicians require huge pressure from people in order to do the ‘brave thing’, this being required in order to counteract the “external pressure and even actual threats” that they, as politicians may face. However, how can awareness and ensuing public pressure be raised when all main sources of information have been captured by the very interests that we must fight; and these sources are what people go to in order to be informed?

            I am busy having an ongoing argument about democracy with someone who has a huge amount more worldly experience than myself, my stance being democracy still exists and how important it is not to give up hope, however this argument is becoming harder and harder to credibly adhere to, because of the amount of anti-democratic behaviour this government and our media is showing.

            And are there riots in the streets? No

            This person is happier to give up hoping and hold the view that there is no longer any real democracy, rather than living in possibly false hope and yes it is getting really hard to assert that anything other than this is occurring.

            I shall never give up, however I really do see lots of people doing so. And isn’t this just what those who are advantaged by this system want? Suits them quite well if half the voting population don’t vote because they know it makes no difference.

            I just can’t wait to be that one person standing on the street corner, shouting out “vote! speak to your politicians! its our only chance; don’t give up!” And being carted off with the label “Terrorist” pinned to my forehead, because I daresay that is how easy it will be to be labelled as such soon.

            (My comment re reversing very much referred to really reversing; not just two steps forward for every three backwards by the way.)

  6. Environmental Gigolo 6
    29 August 2013 at 2:34 pm

    This is simply a legal test for prospective buyers of oil permits. Minimize obstacles increasing the value of paying for a permit. Your resource, not your choice if, their choice how much.

  7. Draco T Bastard 7
    29 August 2013 at 3:57 pm

    National: Removing the peoples ability to have a say in the running of their country one law at a time.

    We’ve had our democracy under attack ever since National was elected.

  8. BLiP 8
    29 August 2013 at 4:23 pm

    ‘

    Only under a National Ltd™ government can New Zealand have such a thing as an Environmental Protection Agency which does not have “environmental protection” listed as being among its stated purposes. Only under a National Ltd™ government can we have such a thing as a Minister for the Environment usurp democracy to strip away New Zealander’s civil liberties and human rights in order to protect foreign-owned oil companies. Welcome to National Ltd™’s “brighter future” everyone.

  9. srylands 9
    29 August 2013 at 4:38 pm

    “Only under a National Ltd™ government can New Zealand have such a thing as an Environmental Protection Agency which does not have “environmental protection” listed as being among its stated purposes.”

    Because that is not its objective.

    • vto 9.1
      29 August 2013 at 5:02 pm

      So it’s name is a deceit then.

      • srylands 9.1.1
        29 August 2013 at 5:09 pm

        Well I would not call ity deceit. EPA does protect the environment but it is not a unitary objective. It seems clear from the website:

        “We help safeguard people and the environment by regulating new organisms and hazardous substances to control the risks and enjoy the benefits.”

        http://www.epa.govt.nz/about-us/Pages/default.aspx

        It is about balancing risks and benefits – which is also the focus of the Ministry for the Environment:

        “Our mission is environmental stewardship for a prosperous New Zealand”

        http://www.mfe.govt.nz/about/about.html

        So MfE is seeking to promote growth against an environmental constraint.

        • Draco T Bastard 9.1.1.1
          29 August 2013 at 7:58 pm

          Except it’s not doing that at all – it’s just giving the corporations carte blanche to do whatever they like and bypassing the will of the people.

        • framu 9.1.1.2
          30 August 2013 at 7:49 am

          “Well I would not call ity deceit”

          of course your wouldnt – youve already proven yourself to be less than trustworthy (and thats being polite), so of course your going to dance on the head of a pin on this one.

          Your engaging in a deceit via semantics, just like the national party. Oh and thanks for highlighting yet more deceit – but i dont think that was your intent

          • srylands 9.1.1.2.1
            30 August 2013 at 8:36 am

            “Oh and thanks for highlighting yet more deceit – but i dont think that was your intent”

            It is not deceit. The mandates and operations of these agencies are open for everyone to see. (That is what is good about NZ – total transparency in government.)

            • framu 9.1.1.2.1.1
              30 August 2013 at 10:16 am

              Yes yes we all get that if you look under the name and read the mission statement it says what your claiming

              but even you can admit that the name is misleading. thats the deceit. We dont allow that sort of deception in advertising, but here you are splitting hairs to stick up for it in government

              can you for once stop playing idiot bingo and show you comprehend what others are saying

      • Draco T Bastard 9.1.2
        29 August 2013 at 7:56 pm

        Yes. Typical of National really – everything they say to the public is a deceit.

    • BLiP 9.2
      29 August 2013 at 5:56 pm

      ‘

      If “environmental protection” is not its objective, then why would the John Key led National Ltd™ government call it the Environmental Protection Authority? If the intent was not to deceive then the organisation would be called the Environmental Rapists Protection Authority.

      • srylands 9.2.1
        29 August 2013 at 6:42 pm

        It is not deceit. It is about balance. Clearly the EPA does have some interest in protecting the environment. But it is also desigend to facilitate economic growth.

        Just like if you look at the Department of Conservation’s stated role – it is not just about conservation:

        “Conservation for prosperity”

        “Conservation work underpins our environment’s ability to create wealth”

        http://www.doc.govt.nz/about-doc/role/vision-role-overview-and-statutory-mandate/conservation-for-prosperity/

        • vto 9.2.1.1
          29 August 2013 at 6:45 pm

          “It is about balance”

          Whenever you hear someone say this you need to be very very wary.

          • beGone Craven Spy Bill leopard 9.2.1.1.1
            29 August 2013 at 6:52 pm

            @ VTO
            Yes because they are aiming at “creating a balance” between the truth and untruth.

            Can’t be done without turning the truth into a lie, now, really can it?

          • Draco T Bastard 9.2.1.1.2
            29 August 2013 at 8:04 pm

            Whenever I hear someone say that in regards to the environment I fully expect to hear them proposing the continued destruction of the environment in favour of economic growth. I haven’t been surprised yet.

          • Colonial Viper 9.2.1.1.3
            30 August 2013 at 8:55 am

            Can’t we have a balance between looking after our environment and massive and total destruction of it?

            Perhaps just partial and moderate destruction of our environment will be OK?

        • QoT 9.2.1.2
          29 August 2013 at 8:35 pm

          I’m sorry, your argument is literally:

          “The X Agency is set up to do X, but it has to consider Y, therefore we cannot say its goals include X.”

          Doubleplusgood!

        • mickysavage 9.2.1.3
          29 August 2013 at 9:48 pm

          Everyone should look at the Conservation document that srylands has linked to.

          Read it and weep. The protection of our environment has been handed over to a bunch of barbarians who think that our lifestyles and the economy are more important than the intrinsic value of the environment.

          • Draco T Bastard 9.2.1.3.1
            30 August 2013 at 1:08 am

            And without the environment we don’t have a lifestyle. They really just don’t seem to get that bit.

            • Greywarbler 9.2.1.3.1.1
              30 August 2013 at 10:45 am

              srylands
              More weasel words. From an economic point of view it is like killing off the goose that is laying the golden egg. That is the current practice in NZ and srylands is of the same mind as the destructive idiots who recommend it.

              All done for short term gain and with no responsibility for outcomes, just based on risk assessment – as if doing something that reduces risk of damage or destruction absolves them of any further responsibility. If they knew that their bank balances would be emptied and their assets seized to pay some recompense for the harm they caused during their lifetime and up to a century later, they might be more thoughtful before looking at and pronouncing development policies good.

              .

  10. One Anonymous Knucklehead 10
    29 August 2013 at 4:46 pm

    Oil politics are as realpolitik as it gets. Electric car, sure. Electric tank or fighter bomber? Not so much.

    Still, I don’t think the National Party has really thought through the effective declaration of martial law in peacetime.

    Let’s give them a bloody nose and make sure they never ever forget this lesson.

    • Don't worry. Be happy. 10.1
      30 August 2013 at 7:50 am

      A bloody nose and a swift kick in the pants…out the door into the political wilderness for ever! Landslide the next election, when ever it is sprung on us, towards equality, ‘a fair go’ for people not foreign oil/film/aluminium/insurance/banking/gambling companies…Oh and how about that Robin Hood Tax eh? Tax all financial transactions and make the 1% pay back what they owe our society, what they’ve ripped off from this country and stolen from our children! And if they want to leave for countries that like that sort of thing…hold the door wide open and a kick in the pants for them too!

      • srylands 10.1.1
        30 August 2013 at 8:44 am

        ” And if they want to leave for countries that like that sort of thing…hold the door wide open and a kick in the pants for them too!”

        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expulsion_of_Asians_from_Uganda

        Yes. Just as an example – expelling the rich pricks made Uganda wealthy.Pity about the homophobia – are they related?

        In fact I imagine the world is full of examples where expelling the people who actually do pay taxes is conducive to national prosperity.

        You remove the top 6% of taxpayers and your tax take is about 35% down.

        http://www.treasury.govt.nz/budget/2013/taxpayers/02.htm

        But good luck with it. It will be a great experiment. I’ll get out the popcorn.

        • Colonial Viper 10.1.1.1
          30 August 2013 at 8:50 am

          You remove the top 6% of taxpayers and your tax take is about 35% down.

          But about 50% more income stays with ordinary workers instead of being sucked up by the already wealthy.

          A good trade off.

          PS the top 1% dodge most of their tax anyway.

          But good luck with it. It will be a great experiment. I’ll get out the popcorn.,

          Don’t pretend that you’re just a spectator, you’re an active shill for the 0.1%. You’re part of the cadre of serfs which allows them to stay in control.

        • One Anonymous Knucklehead 10.1.1.2
          30 August 2013 at 1:59 pm

          Srylands, no-one is going to leave the country to avoid, say, a 0.5% Tobin tax, but I think the obvious response to any RWNJ who threatens to go Galt is to encourage them, because no-one beyond their immediate peer group will notice or even care, and sane citizens won’t have to listen to puerile gibberish any more 🙂

          • Murray Olsen 10.1.1.2.1
            30 August 2013 at 2:45 pm

            All the sane people could even allow the Randian Onanists a piece of land somewhere, on the condition that they never return to normal society. It wouldn’t even have to be good land because they’re so heroically competent they can make deserts bloom. I too am sick of seeing the self-centred whinging of pimply 15 year old socially inept morons presented as political economy.

            • srylands 10.1.1.2.1.1
              30 August 2013 at 3:04 pm

              “All the sane people could even allow the Randian Onanists a piece of land somewhere, on the condition that they never return to normal society.”

              All the sane people could even allow the ferals a piece of land somewhere, on the condition that they never return to normal society.

  11. marty mars 11
    29 August 2013 at 6:16 pm

    + 1 Very true OAK – this is just getting ridiculous – they have crossed so many lines – it’s beyond a joke now. How many spits in the face will we tolerate before we get the message.

    • weka 11.1
      29 August 2013 at 6:41 pm

      I just read Bill’s post on Syria et al, and thought you could write another whole one on the level of deception being applied to countries that don’t have to be invaded. Why use bombs when you have John Key in charge of a country? (or whoever is on charge of NZ now, that Key is fronting for).

  12. Rhinocrates 12
    29 August 2013 at 8:34 pm

    Dictatorship’s method is to chip away at freedoms where they think that the complacent “core” support will either support them or at least won’t care until freedoms have been chipped away at the very foundation… and by then it’s too late.

    “It’s their freedoms that are being eroded, and rightly so to preserve mine… oops, how did that happen?”

    Or worse: “At last!”, but that’s only for the 1% and the poor fools who imagine that if they pulled hard enough on the rope trailing from the lifeboat, they surely deserve to be hauled aboard.

  13. Alex 13
    30 August 2013 at 9:54 am

    Haven’t we learned our lesson with the Gulf, this self destruction mentality that we have is quite incredible. The worst part is that we have no excuse anymore, the average person now knows the dangers of not taking care of our planet

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    Hi,I felt a small wet tongue snaking through one of the holes in my Crocs. It explored my big toe, darting down one side, then the other. “He’s looking for some toe cheese,” said the woman next to me, words that still haunt me to this day.Growing up in New ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    2 days ago
  • Not a story

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    TL;DR: The podcast above of the weekly ‘hoon’ webinar for paying subscribers last night features co-hosts and talking with:The Kākā’s climate correspondent talking about the National-ACT-NZ First Government’s release of its first Emissions Reduction Plan;University of Otago Foreign Relations Professor and special guest Dr Karin von ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Skeptical Science New Research for Week #29 2024

    Open access notables Improving global temperature datasets to better account for non-uniform warming, Calvert, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society: To better account for spatial non-uniform trends in warming, a new GITD [global instrumental temperature dataset] was created that used maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) to combine the land surface ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago

  • Joint statement from the Prime Ministers of Canada, Australia and New Zealand

    Australia, Canada and New Zealand today issued the following statement on the need for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the risk of expanded conflict between Hizballah and Israel. The situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The human suffering is unacceptable. It cannot continue.  We remain unequivocal in our condemnation of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    17 hours ago
  • AG reminds institutions of legal obligations

    Attorney-General Judith Collins today reminded all State and faith-based institutions of their legal obligation to preserve records relevant to the safety and wellbeing of those in its care. “The Abuse in Care Inquiry’s report has found cases where records of the most vulnerable people in State and faith‑based institutions were ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • More young people learning about digital safety

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government’s online safety website for children and young people has reached one million page views.  “It is great to see so many young people and their families accessing the site Keep It Real Online to learn how to stay safe online, and manage ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    20 hours ago
  • Speech to the Conference for General Practice 2024

    Tēnā tātou katoa,  Ngā mihi te rangi, ngā mihi te whenua, ngā mihi ki a koutou, kia ora mai koutou. Thank you for the opportunity to be here and the invitation to speak at this 50th anniversary conference. I acknowledge all those who have gone before us and paved the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    22 hours ago
  • Employers and payroll providers ready for tax changes

    New Zealand’s payroll providers have successfully prepared to ensure 3.5 million individuals will, from Wednesday next week, be able to keep more of what they earn each pay, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis and Revenue Minister Simon Watts.  “The Government's tax policy changes are legally effective from Wednesday. Delivering this tax ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    24 hours ago
  • Experimental vineyard futureproofs wine industry

    An experimental vineyard which will help futureproof the wine sector has been opened in Blenheim by Associate Regional Development Minister Mark Patterson. The covered vineyard, based at the New Zealand Wine Centre – Te Pokapū Wāina o Aotearoa, enables controlled environmental conditions. “The research that will be produced at the Experimental ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Funding confirmed for regions affected by North Island Weather Events

    The Coalition Government has confirmed the indicative regional breakdown of North Island Weather Event (NIWE) funding for state highway recovery projects funded through Budget 2024, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Regions in the North Island suffered extensive and devastating damage from Cyclone Gabrielle and the 2023 Auckland Anniversary Floods, and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Indonesian Foreign Minister to visit

    Indonesia’s Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, will visit New Zealand next week, Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced.   “Indonesia is important to New Zealand’s security and economic interests and is our closest South East Asian neighbour,” says Mr Peters, who is currently in Laos to engage with South East Asian partners. ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 day ago
  • Strengthening partnership with Ngāti Maniapoto

    He aha te kai a te rangatira? He kōrero, he kōrero, he kōrero. The government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the aspirations of Ngāti Maniapoto, Minister for Māori Development Tama Potaka says. “My thanks to Te Nehenehenui Trust – Ngāti Maniapoto for bringing their important kōrero to a ministerial ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Transport Minister thanks outgoing CAA Chair

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown has thanked outgoing Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, Janice Fredric, for her service to the board.“I have received Ms Fredric’s resignation from the role of Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority,” Mr Brown says.“On behalf of the Government, I want to thank Ms Fredric for ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Test for Customary Marine Title being restored

    The Government is proposing legislation to overturn a Court of Appeal decision and amend the Marine and Coastal Area Act in order to restore Parliament’s test for Customary Marine Title, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says.  “Section 58 required an applicant group to prove they have exclusively used and occupied ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Opposition united in bad faith over ECE sector review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says that opposition parties have united in bad faith, opposing what they claim are ‘dangerous changes’ to the Early Childhood Education sector, despite no changes even being proposed yet.  “Issues with affordability and availability of early childhood education, and the complexity of its regulation, has led ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Kiwis having their say on first regulatory review

    After receiving more than 740 submissions in the first 20 days, Regulation Minister David Seymour is asking the Ministry for Regulation to extend engagement on the early childhood education regulation review by an extra two weeks.  “The level of interest has been very high, and from the conversations I’ve been ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government upgrading Lower North Island commuter rail

    The Coalition Government is investing $802.9 million into the Wairarapa and Manawatū rail lines as part of a funding agreement with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA), KiwiRail, and the Greater Wellington and Horizons Regional Councils to deliver more reliable services for commuters in the lower North Island, Transport Minister Simeon ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    2 days ago
  • Government moves to ensure flood protection for Wairoa

    Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced his intention to appoint a Crown Manager to both Hawke’s Bay Regional and Wairoa District Councils to speed up the delivery of flood protection work in Wairoa."Recent severe weather events in Wairoa this year, combined with damage from Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023 have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • PM speech to Parliament – Royal Commission of Inquiry’s Report into Abuse in Care

    Mr Speaker, this is a day that many New Zealanders who were abused in State care never thought would come. It’s the day that this Parliament accepts, with deep sorrow and regret, the Report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care.  At the heart of this report are the ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges torture at Lake Alice

    For the first time, the Government is formally acknowledging some children and young people at Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital experienced torture. The final report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in State and Faith-based Care “Whanaketia – through pain and trauma, from darkness to light,” was tabled in Parliament ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government acknowledges courageous abuse survivors

    The Government has acknowledged the nearly 2,400 courageous survivors who shared their experiences during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State and Faith-Based Care. The final report from the largest and most complex public inquiry ever held in New Zealand, the Royal Commission Inquiry “Whanaketia – through ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Half a million people use tax calculator

    With a week to go before hard-working New Zealanders see personal income tax relief for the first time in fourteen years, 513,000 people have used the Budget tax calculator to see how much they will benefit, says Finance Minister Nicola Willis.  “Tax relief is long overdue. From next Wednesday, personal income ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Paid Parental Leave improvements pass first reading

    Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden says a bill that has passed its first reading will improve parental leave settings and give non-biological parents more flexibility as primary carer for their child. The Regulatory Systems Amendment Bill (No3), passed its first reading this morning. “It includes a change ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Rebuilding the economy through better regulation

    Two Bills designed to improve regulation and make it easier to do business have passed their first reading in Parliament, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. The Regulatory Systems (Economic Development) Amendment Bill and Regulatory Systems (Immigration and Workforce) Amendment Bill make key changes to legislation administered by the Ministry ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • ‘Open banking’ and ‘open electricity’ on the way

    New legislation paves the way for greater competition in sectors such as banking and electricity, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “Competitive markets boost productivity, create employment opportunities and lift living standards. To support competition, we need good quality regulation but, unfortunately, a recent OECD report ranked New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Charity lotteries to be permitted to operate online

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says lotteries for charitable purposes, such as those run by the Heart Foundation, Coastguard NZ, and local hospices, will soon be allowed to operate online permanently. “Under current laws, these fundraising lotteries are only allowed to operate online until October 2024, after which ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Accelerating Northland Expressway

    The Coalition Government is accelerating work on the new four-lane expressway between Auckland and Whangārei as part of its Roads of National Significance programme, with an accelerated delivery model to deliver this project faster and more efficiently, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “For too long, the lack of resilient transport connections ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
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  • Sir Don to travel to Viet Nam as special envoy

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