O’Sullivan: Key a poor manager, Smith needs to go

Written By: - Date published: 1:08 pm, October 17th, 2009 - 36 comments
Categories: john key, national/act government - Tags:

Fran O’Sullivan’s piece today tries to resurrect the ‘Key=Obama’ line for some reason. She even refers to Obama as Key’s ‘alter ego’. I’m not quite sure she understands what the term means. Alter egos are like ying and yang, contrasting parts of the same whole.

Does she think they’re one person with different personas at different times like Bruce Wayne and Batman? Is Key Bruce Wayne, the selfish hedonistic party boy, while Obama is Batman the lone sentinel protecting society against the dark unknown. Maybe Key is Clark Kent, the meek bumbler and Obama is Superman the confident, all-powerful hero.

Anyway, shifting through the dross, which I suspect is primarily there to open the Nats’ minds to her substantive messages, she makes some strong points:

“If Key does not want to preside over a one-term Government…”

It’s not sown up, not if this government continues being this bad and Labour starts doing the basics better.

“[Key is] prime political firefighter who repeatedly rides to the rescue to save his Government from fiascos caused by his own lax political management.”

Too lazy to do the job right in the first place, he finds himself scrambling to limit the damage.

Cabinet Minister Nick Smith is making a pig’s arse of shepherding through both issues [gutting the ETS and ACC]. Business is squealing over the lack of time to make submissions to the climate change select committee and Smith failed to get the Government’s support partners – Act and the Maori Party – on side before moving on ACC…If Key isn’t thinking Cabinet reshuffle by now he needs his head read.

I think that if he hadn’t destroyed all his credibility by nicking hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars he wasn’t entitled to, Bill English would be fronting both these issues by now. Just as Cullen would take the lead when a minister was in trouble. With English walking dead himself, it’s been left to Smith to screw up. Will he get shuffled out? If he does who will replace him? There’s only two options I guess – Power or Joyce.

The problem at the end with O’Sullivan’s thesis though is that she thinks all Key needs to do is ‘stop playing Mr Nice Guy’ and get serious about his job. That fails to recognise that this is as good as Key gets – lazy, image-obsessed, impossible to pin down on a serious issue, always looking for the easy way out. I’m afraid that this Bruce Wayne is not going to become her dark knight.

36 comments on “O’Sullivan: Key a poor manager, Smith needs to go ”

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  1. gingercrush 1
    17 October 2009 at 1:30 pm

    It’s not sown up, not if this government continues being this bad and Labour starts doing the basics better. But Labour aren’t doing the basics. And they’re not getting Goff out there. To think just weeks ago they had a great conference with plenty of media around it then Goff appeared to have simply dropped off. The key for Labour is to get Goff out there and in the media. He’s still far too forgotten. The fact very few people in New Zealand even knew Goff was off overseas doesn’t help.

    National had a very bad week. They’ve actually had a number of them. But Labour doesn’t seem to be able to capitalise on them. Hence, National gets away with so much because the opposition isn’t there to make money on it.

    I agree with your points about English. He should keep his head down for the rest of the year and try to rejuvenate himself next year. In regards to Goff. Next year he has to start getting himself noticed and they Labour have to do far better than they are currently. The Greens need to fix themselves as well. National needs better organisation behind the scenes. That is what seems to be causing problems.

    • mickysavage 1.1
      17 October 2009 at 9:57 pm

      But GC

      All that Labour has had to do is sit back and witness this train wreck of a Government. Stop trying to take attention off the Nats.

      • gingercrush 1.1.1
        17 October 2009 at 11:23 pm

        Well good luck with that Mickey. I don’t see how Labour can possibly win if no one knows who the hell Goff is.

  2. Ianmac 2
    17 October 2009 at 2:06 pm

    Fair comments Ginge. But it takes a while for the general population to start seeing a reason to slide support downwards. A bit like a leaky home- it takes a while for the rot to show. I just can’t see that Mr Key has a passion for his job in the same way as say Nick Smith does.

  3. Jim McDonald 3
    17 October 2009 at 2:13 pm

    Good piece.

    To reinforce the point, has someone informed the PM the latest about his Education Minister (11:25am NZ Herald piece today)? He should tally up Tolley’s questionable and disturbing comments especially for their further downstream effect:
    http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10603766

    Hardly sage ministerial comments. Perhaps the PM should put her back firmly in her cabinet trolley?

    I’d say leave Goff where he is at the moment and the Labour party would be wiser to balance their time and focus on policy development, strategies and alternatives that can be rolled out later in the electoral cycle. And build support within the wider community, slowly and surely. Sometimes (with some caveats) there is little point in getting too embroiled in Nat’s own self-generated shambles as that would just give the Govt an excuse to distract and draw Labour in closer when the shit is flying.

    The point is, however it has turned out, the sum total of voters in 2008 has voted for this zany combo of multi-headed political beast that sometimes seem to be running around like a monstrously awkward headless chook! The parties in Govt should be given full opportunity to display their competence and argue for their superb policies to put into action, especially on this side of the electoral cycle.

    I’d say to members of the opposition benches that sometimes you justifiably can give the political parties in Government the oxygen to burn up.
    Labour/Greens/Progressive: breathe easy yourselves.

    Long week for some. Maybe the PM should contemplate another break overseas to reassess his work-life balance.

    Have a good weekend folks. Ka kite ano!

    • BLiP 3.1
      17 October 2009 at 7:33 pm

      That’s a remarkable photo – especially if you compare it with the “authorised” version. It looks like she’s been on P since the election.

      • RedLogix 3.1.1
        17 October 2009 at 7:40 pm

        Hey BLiP, I can understand the temptation, after all the right dished it out to HC in spades, but I reckon it’s a bit beneath you to be casting aspertions about personal appearances like that.

        Call me old fashioned megasauras if you like.

        • BLiP 3.1.1.1
          18 October 2009 at 1:27 am

          Okay you’re an old fashioned megasaurus 🙂

          I’m actually a bit conflicted about it myself – 12 months ago I would have launched into a tirade of justification complete with reference links to the filth posted in the sewer – but I’ve cooled down a lot since then. I still doubt very much that the next election will be won using ideas and rational debate but I have taken your comments in the spirit I am sure you intended and shall back off on the personal appearances thing.

          I’m certainly no portrait myself.
          [that’s just uncalled for, BLiP. I’m sure you bring Adonis or Venus (pick the correct gender) to shame. Marty]

          • felix 3.1.1.1.1
            18 October 2009 at 8:36 am

            BLiP that photo is actually a much better publicity pic, in terms of what the herald/national is trying to say to their readership/base. Note the low angle, the stern jaw, the fixed gaze – this is intended to look like a woman in control, not to be trifled with. She’s large, in charge and she won’t let anyone spend YOUR money.

            The reality is the complete opposite of course. The woman is a fool, a simple drone with no authority to make ministerial decisions, not even allowed to speak in public without word-for-word approval from her handlers.

            Tricksy Heraldses.

  4. Ianmac 4
    17 October 2009 at 2:26 pm

    Yes Jim and I wondered how said kid would fit into National Standards. The National Standards will apparently cost about $80 mil to instal and run. But surprise there is not $60mil to help success on the frontline. Time passes and you will need more than an ambulance at the bottom of the cliff. Bring back Trevor!

  5. JD 5
    17 October 2009 at 2:26 pm

    I’m not sure about key being too lazy since I would rather have our PM addressing issues such as the recession and deficit than ensuring adequate rugby coverage on TV but hey that’s just me.

    • Pascal's bookie 5.1
      17 October 2009 at 2:36 pm

      Doing that, is he?

    • Marty G 5.2
      17 October 2009 at 2:40 pm

      I don’t see him addressing the recession or the deficit.

      cycleway anyone?

    • Jim McDonald 5.3
      17 October 2009 at 2:41 pm

      … and the Cycleway that will ensure we grandly ride out of this recession!

      Seems to me the RWC Minister and his good company of Cabinet ministers were caught napping and then suddenly had their eyes on Elections 2011 and RWC (?Sep, Oct 2011). Hence, a few hands quickly slammed on the ‘PANIC’ button.

      At this rate, given there’s 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and after firefighting the issues of the week, our industrious and Letterman-illustrious PM may be finding himself in deficit with his time to work on The Plan for recovery.

    • BLiP 5.4
      17 October 2009 at 7:37 pm

      You’ll be concerned, then, to learn that the Goober is off for another wee holiday; this time to Japan at the end of the month for the final All Blacks / Wallabies match on the 31st.

      • mickysavage 5.4.1
        18 October 2009 at 9:08 am

        Can we persuade Japan to keep him?

        • sk 5.4.1.1
          18 October 2009 at 11:28 am

          BLiP, where did you see that?

          If correct, what a joke. What is this foreign policy around All Black rugby matches?

          • Ianmac 5.4.1.1.1
            18 October 2009 at 12:43 pm

            And this is the same bloke who couldn’t remember the Springbok Tour.

          • BLiP 5.4.1.1.2
            18 October 2009 at 1:57 pm

            Ita funny you should mention that – the original story has “disappeared” off the site but can still be found in Google cache – I wonder why the original was pulled? You might want to see if you can get an invitation to attend a function he is hosting while over there.

            • Jim McDonald 5.4.1.1.2.1
              18 October 2009 at 5:47 pm

              To avoid NZ taxpayers needing to bail out Rugby World Cup 2011 (the latest news report a conservative estimate of $39m loss), the PM will be going overseas to talk about outsourcing the event to Japan???

  6. Sanctuary 6
    17 October 2009 at 2:45 pm

    I am a firm believer that newspapers send a message with their choice of image, and that one of Tolley in the linked article above might just indicate a subtle change of mood towards this government is in the air…

    • RedLogix 6.1
      17 October 2009 at 2:59 pm

      Yes, they were very fond of using unflattering images of Helen Clark when it suited them. It’s a particularly effective tactic against women politicians and reflective of the sad, unexamined undercurrents of sexism alive and well in our society.

    • Stacktwo 6.2
      17 October 2009 at 5:44 pm

      This is a picture of smug superiority – hardly an accurate depiction of a minister far from achieving her unit standards at this point in her career.

      Shirley Maihi deserves to be listened to. She is a superb educational leader with a deep understanding and involvement in the Manurewa community.

  7. sk 7
    17 October 2009 at 2:53 pm

    The most revealing interview with John Key of late, dare I say it, was in the Women’s Weekly, where he said that he always wanted to know what it was like to be the PM – and that that was his apparent motivation for being in politics. That he did not want to die without having experienced it!

    Well, now he is. And what we are seeing is the mix of Muldoon and Lange, Muldoon populism with Lange’s low work rate. Nothing in John Key’s background has prepared him for the complex task of governance – something love her or hate her, Helen Clark had.

    Bottom line is he is a populist but weak PM, surrounded by an even weaker cabinet.

    I suspect we may look back and see this week as a tipping point. With English wounded, it is not clear how Key can get the toothpaste back in the tube.

  8. gitmo 8
    17 October 2009 at 5:51 pm

    I think Fran’s comparison of Key and Obama was summed up a couple of paragraphs in.

    “Like Obama, Key has succeeded in one critical area: changing “the vibe” around his nation’s capital. Like Obama he is perceived as a Mr Nice Guy in large part because he is not his predecessor: Helen Clark in Key’s case, or George W. Bush (Obama).”

    I think she’s spot on here – to date they’re both hot air and very little substance and popular for who they are not rather than who they are.

  9. Greg 9
    17 October 2009 at 6:37 pm

    “It’s not sown up, not if this government continues being this bad”

    Thats your opinion. The rest of NZ (in general) does not agree. Do you read the polls?

    • Armchair Critic 9.1
      17 October 2009 at 9:12 pm

      Good point Greg – obviously it must be time for a snap election, those polls can’t be that wrong, can they?
      But maybe not. I mean the government has had a couple of bad weeks so their popularity can only head further up once they start doing things right, right? Who knows, in two years time they might be getting 150% in the polls and then we can make that nice Mr Key PM For Life. Then we wouldn’t need to read the polls at all.

    • sk 9.2
      17 October 2009 at 9:32 pm

      Greg,

      It is now that it gets real interesting. Sure, the polls are fantastic for National and John Key. But every government is tested early in their term. For Labour it was mid-2000, but Clark and Cullen came through it,

      The issue for John Key is that he has never being tested in his political career the way Clark was. It has all come too easy, just as it did at Merrill Lynch. The question now is does he want it bad enough; or is Sir John Key, Director of Goldman Sachs, resident in London an attractive enough alternative to being NZ PM? So that when it comes to the crunch, he des not want it bad enough.

      John Key won by cobbling together a coalition of National and centrists. That coalition is now coming apart. Take a look at Kiwiblog, and the fraying is clear. Suddenly, 2011 feels a long way away. A lot can happen . . . .

  10. GFraser 10
    17 October 2009 at 7:01 pm

    Sorry Greg, but your head is in the sand. This government is a train wreck. The media are turning and the polls will not be far behind.

    • Ron 10.1
      17 October 2009 at 8:39 pm

      I hope the media ARE turning because they’ve given the bastards a free run until now.
      When I see them hounding this lot over their lies and theft like they houded Peters then I’ll believe they’re not just Tory lackies.

    • mickysavage 10.2
      17 October 2009 at 10:10 pm

      Key’s two basic problems are that he is surrounded by incompetents and he does not have the ability to manage the incompetents so that the end result is acceptable.

      He must think about Helen Clark and marvel at how good she was at the job.

      Hell I do this every day!

  11. Pascal's bookie 11
    17 October 2009 at 10:38 pm

    Key’s two basic problems are that he is surrounded by incompetents and he does not have the ability to manage the incompetents so that the end result is acceptable

    I dunno about this. (I dunno much about Key at all in fact, anyone got any clues about where he stands on anything?).

    I’m getting the impression that his ministers have been given a lot of autonomy though. It looks as if Key is happy enough to let them have free reign in their areas with little or no political oversight in terms of strategy. Just let them run, if they succeed, good. If they conflict, let them fight till either one backs down or it becomes a political threat, and only then does the PM need to swoop down and pick and a winner/enforce a deal.

    Look at how everyone was running around the MTS/WRC bunfight, or the way Smith has had his not very good days. Going further back, the way Wilkinson didn’t know what others were planning re her portfolio. It looks like Minsters are doing their own thing, and absent a broader strategy being managed from above, are having to do the political management and deal making themselves. The older hands are either playing games (McCully and co) or not coping (Smith not having the numbers on ACC).

    If they have Key’s confidence, they remain in place. Those that have made him look bad, (Lee and Worth) are just abandoned.

  12. sk 12
    17 October 2009 at 11:02 pm

    Micky / Pascal,

    I think you are on to something here, in terms of Key’s management of the cabinet.

    Micky; When he was in opposition he did not form close relationships with his caucas colleagues. In fact, he was very aloof, and did not see the need to interact with them at a personal level. So there is none of the Bolger-Birch dynamic of resolving issues over a late night whiskey, Now that they are in government, those personal channels don’t exist. Hence the dysfunctional interaction we have seen over the RWC – and everything else.

    Pascal; What you describe is investment banking management 101, which was all in vogue in the 1990’s and early part of this decade, when John Key was learning the ropes of senior management. Create tension it was called, but it helped create the global credit crisis – as senior management gave too much autonomy to managers down the line. and did not manage or control them.

    The worst example of this was Stan O’Neal at Merrill – who ironically promoted John Key. It is no coincidence that John Key had his management experience at Merrill, and that they were the investment bank to blow up. The problems in the NZ cabinet right now are straight out of Merrill. It is amazing that the Right still present his experience at Merrill as a positive.

    This is a very fascinating moment . .. .

  13. George.com 13
    18 October 2009 at 12:00 am

    John Key is quickly becoming Joe Key. Jo Key and his bungling ministers. The bungling has been of Nationals own making, rather than events beyond their control.

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    The notion of geopolitical  “periphery.” The concept of periphery used here refers strictly to what can be called the geopolitical periphery. Being on the geopolitical periphery is an analytic virtue because it makes for more visible policy reform in response … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    5 days ago
  • Venus Hum

    Fill me up with soundThe world sings with me a million smiles an hourI can see me dancing on my radioI can hear you singing in the blades of grassYellow dandelions on my way to schoolBig Beautiful Sky!Song: Venus Hum.Good morning, all you lovely people, and welcome to the 700th ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    5 days ago
  • I Went to a Creed Concert

    Note: The audio attached to this Webworm compliments today’s newsletter. I collected it as I met people attending a Creed concert. Their opinions may differ to mine. Read more ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    5 days ago
  • Government migration policy backfires; thousands of unemployed nurses

    The country has imported literally thousands of nurses over the past few months yet whether they are being employed as nurses is another matter. Just what is going on with HealthNZ and it nurses is, at best, opaque, in that it will not release anything but broad general statistics and ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    5 days ago
  • A Time For Unity.

    Emotional Response: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon addresses mourners at the tangi of King Tuheitia on Turangawaewae Marae on Saturday, 31 August 2024.THE DEATH OF KING TUHEITIA could hardly have come at a worse time for Maoridom. The power of the Kingitanga to unify te iwi Māori was demonstrated powerfully at January’s ...
    Bowalley Road
    5 days ago
  • Climate Change: Failed again

    National's tax cut policies relied on stealing revenue from the ETS (previously used to fund emissions reduction) to fund tax cuts to landlords. So how's that going? Badly. Today's auction failed again, with zero units (of a possible 7.6 million) sold. Which means they have a $456 million hole in ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    5 days ago
  • Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies: Excerpt Two.

    A question of size. Small size generally means large vulnerability. The perception of threat is broader and often more immediate for small countries. The feeling of comparative weakness, of exposure to risk, and of potential intimidation by larger powers often … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    5 days ago
  • Nicola Willis’s Very Unserious Bungling of the Kiwirail Interislander Cancellation

    Open to all with kind thanks to all subscribers and supporters.Today, RNZ revealed that despite MFAT advice to Nicola Willis to be very “careful and deliberate” in her communications with the South Korean government, prior to any public announcement on cancelling Kiwirail’s i-Rex, Willis instead told South Korea 26 minutes ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    5 days ago
  • Satisfying the Minister’s Speed Obsession

    The Minister of Transport’s speed obsession has this week resulted in two new consultations for 110km/h speed limits, one in Auckland and one in Christchurch. There has also been final approval of the Kapiti Expressway to move to 110km/h following an earlier consultation. While the changes will almost certainly see ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    6 days ago
  • What if we freed up our streets, again?

    This guest post is by Tommy de Silva, a local rangatahi and freelance writer who is passionate about making the urban fabric of Tāmaki Makaurau-Auckland more people-focused and sustainable. New Zealand’s March-April 2020 Level 4 Covid response (aka “lockdown”) was somehow both the best and worst six weeks of ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    6 days ago
  • No Alarms And No Surprises

    A heart that's full up like a landfillA job that slowly kills youBruises that won't healYou look so tired, unhappyBring down the governmentThey don't, they don't speak for usI'll take a quiet lifeA handshake of carbon monoxideAnd no alarms and no surprisesThe fabulous English comedian Stewart Lee once wrote a ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • Five ingenious ways people could beat the heat without cranking the AC

    This is a re-post from Yale Climate Connections by Daisy Simmons Every summer brings a new spate of headlines about record-breaking heat – for good reason: 2023 was the hottest year on record, in keeping with the upward trend scientists have been clocking for decades. With climate forecasts suggesting that heat waves ...
    Skeptical Science
    6 days ago
  • No new funding for cycling & walking

    Studies show each $1 of spending on walking and cycling infrastructure produces $13 to $35 of economic benefits from higher productivity, lower healthcare costs, less congestion, lower emissions and lower fossil fuel import costs. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMōrena. Long stories short; here’s my top six things to note ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    6 days ago
  • 99

    Dad turned 99 today.Hell of a lot of candles, eh?He won't be alone for his birthday. He will have the warm attention of my brother, and my sister, and everyone at the rest home, the most thoughtful attentive and considerate people you could ever know. On Saturday there will be ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    6 days ago
  • Open Government: National reneges on beneficial ownership

    One of the achievements of the New Zealand’s Open Government Partnership Fourth National Action Plan was a formal commitment from the government to establish a public beneficial ownership register. Such a register would allow the ultimate owners of companies to be identified - a vital measure in preventing corruption, money ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    6 days ago
  • Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies: Excerpt One.

    This project analyzes security politics in three peripheral democracies (Chile, New Zealand, Portugal) during the 30 years after the end of the Cold War. It argues that changes in the geopolitical landscape and geo-strategic context are interpreted differently by small … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    6 days ago
  • Tea and Toast

    When the skies are looking bad my dearAnd your heart's lost all its hopeAfter dawn there will be sunshineAnd all the dust will goThe skies will clear my darlingNow it's time for you to let goOur girl will wake you up in the mornin'With some tea and toastLyrics: Lucy Spraggan.Good ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    6 days ago
  • NLTP 2024 released – destroying pipeline of shovel ready local projects

    Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Waka Kotahi yesterday released the latest National Land Transport Plan (NLTP) for 2024-27. The NLTP sets out what transport projects will be funded for the next three years, including both central and local government projects. As expected given the government’s extremely ideological transport policy, it’s ...
    Greater AucklandBy Matt L
    7 days ago
  • Can Brown deliver his roads

    The Government’s unveiling of its road-building programme yesterday was ambitious and, many would say, long overdue. But the question will be whether it is too ambitious, whether it is affordable, and, if not, what might be dropped. The big ticket items will be the 17 so-called Roads of National Significance. ...
    PolitikBy Richard Harman
    7 days ago
  • New paper about detecting climate misinformation on Twitter/X

    Together with Cristian Rojas, Frank Algra-Maschio, Mark Andrejevic, Travis Coan, and Yuan-Fang Li, I just published a paper in Nature Communications Earth & Environment where we use the Computer Assisted Recognition of Denial and Skepticism (CARDS) machine learning model to detect climate misinformation in 5 million climate tweets. We find over half ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago
  • Excerpting “Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies.”

    In the late 2000s-early 2010s I was researching and writing a book titled “Security Politics in Peripheral Democracies: Chile, New Zealand and Portugal.” The book was a cross-regional Small-N qualitative comparison of the security strategies and postures of three small … Continue reading → ...
    KiwipoliticoBy Pablo
    1 week ago
  • Hating for the Wrong Reasons: Of Rings of Power, Orcs and Evil

    A few months ago, my fellow countryman, HelloFutureMe, put out a giant YouTube video, dissecting what went wrong with the first season of Rings of Power (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJ6FRUO0ui0&t=8376s). It’s an exceptionally good video, and though it spans some two and a half hours, it is well worth your time. But ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • Climate Change: “Least cost” to who?

    On Friday the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment released their submission on National's second Emissions Reduction Plan, ripping the shit out of it as a massive gamble based on wishful thinking. One of the specific issues he focused on was National's idea of "least cost" emissions reduction, pointing out that ...
    No Right TurnBy Idiot/Savant
    1 week ago
  • Israeli Lives Matter

    There is no monopoly on common senseOn either side of the political fenceWe share the same biology, regardless of ideologyBelieve me when I say to youI hope the Russians love their children tooLyrics: Sting. Read more ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • Luxon Cries

    Over the weekend, I found myself rather irritably reading up about the Treaty of Waitangi. “Do I need to do this?” It’s not my jurisdiction. In any other world, would this be something I choose to do?My answer - no.The Waitangi Tribunal, headed by some of our best legal minds, ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • Just one Wellington home being consented for every 10 in Auckland

    A decade of under-building is coming home to roost in Wellington. Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāMōrena. Long stories short; here’s my top six things to note in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, climate and poverty on Monday September 2:Wellington’s leaders are wringing their hands over an exodus of skilled ...
    The KakaBy Bernard Hickey
    1 week ago
  • Container trucks on local streets: why take the risk?

    This is a guest post by Charmaine Vaughan, who came to transport advocacy via her local Residents Association and a comms role at Bike Auckland. Her enthusiasm to make local streets safer for all is shared by her son Dylan Vaughan, a budding “urban nerd” who provided much of the ...
    Greater AucklandBy Guest Post
    1 week ago
  • 2024 SkS Weekly Climate Change & Global Warming News Roundup #35

    A listing of 35 news and opinion articles we found interesting and shared on social media during the past week: Sun, August 25, 2024 thru Sat, August 31, 2024. Story of the week After another crammed week of climate news including updates on climate tipping points, increasing threats from rising ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago
  • An Uncanny Valley of Improvement: A Review and Analysis of The Rings of Power, Episodes 1-3 (Season ...

    And thus we come to the second instalment of Amazon’s Rings of Power. The first season, in 2022, was underwhelming, even for someone like myself, who is by nature inclined to approach Tolkien adaptations with charity. The writing was poor, the plot made no sense on its own terms, and ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • Alcohol debris and Crocodile Tears

    I write to you this morning from scenes of carnage. Around the floor lie young men who only hours earlier were full of life, and cocktails, and now lie silent. Read more ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • When Do We Look Away?

    Hi,The first time I saw something that made me recoil on the internet was a visit to Rotten.com. The clue was in the name — but the internet was a new thing to me in the 90s, and no-one really knew what the hell was going on. But somehow I ...
    David FarrierBy David Farrier
    1 week ago
  • The decades just fly by

    You turn your back for a moment and a city can completely transform itself. It was, oh, just the other day I was tripping up to Kuala Lumpur every few months to teach workshops and luxuriate in the tropical warmth and fill my face with Char Kway Teow.It has to ...
    More Than A FeildingBy David Slack
    1 week ago
  • 2024 Reading Summary: August

    Completed reads for August: Aesop’s Fables (collection), by Aesop Berserk: Volume XXV (manga), by Kentaro Miura Benighted, by J.B. Priestly Berserk: Volume XXVI (manga), by Kentaro Miura Berserk: Volume XXVII (manga), by Kentaro Miura Berserk: Volume XXVIII (manga), by Kentaro Miura Berserk: Volume XXIX (manga), by Kentaro Miura ...
    A Phuulish FellowBy strda221
    1 week ago
  • Is recent global warming part of a natural cycle?

    Skeptical Science is partnering with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. This fact brief was written by Sue Bin Park from the Gigafact team in collaboration with John Mason. You can submit claims you think need checking via the tipline. Is recent global warming part ...
    Skeptical Science
    1 week ago
  • White Noise

    Now here we standWith our hearts in our handsSqueezing out the liesAll that I hearIs a message, unclearWhat else is there to decide?All that I'm hearing from youIs White NoiseLyrics: Christopher John CheneyIs the tide turning?Have we reached the high point of the racist hate and lies from Hobson’s Pledge, ...
    Nick’s KōreroBy Nick Rockel
    1 week ago
  • The Death Of “Big Norm” – Exactly 50 Years Ago Today.

    Norman KirkPrime Minister of New Zealand 1972-1974Born: 6 January 1923 - Died: 31 August 1974Of the working-class, by the working-class, for the working-class.Video courtesy of YouTubeThese elements were posted on Bowalley Road on Saturday, 31 August 2024. ...
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    1 week ago
  • Claims and Counter-Claims.

    Whose Foreshore? Whose Seabed? When the Marine and Coastal Area Act was originally passed back in 2011, fears about the coastline becoming off-limits to Pakeha were routinely allayed by National Party politicians pointing out that the tests imposed were so stringent  that only a modest percentage of claims (the then treaty ...
    Bowalley Road
    1 week ago

  • New Zealand Honours Maori King ...
    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago
  • The Principles of the Treaty

    Hardly anyone says what are ‘the principles of the treaty’. The courts’ interpretation restrain the New Zealand Government. While they about protecting a particular community, those restraints apply equally to all community in a liberal democracy – including a single person.Treaty principles were introduced into the governance of New Zealand ...
    PunditBy Brian Easton
    1 week ago
  • The Only Other Reliable Vehicle.

    An Elite Leader Awaiting Rotation? Hipkins’ give-National-nothing-to-aim-at strategy will only succeed if the Coalition becomes as unpopular in three years as the British Tories became in fourteen.THE SHAPE OF CHRIS HIPKINS’ THINKING on Labour’s optimum pathway to re-election is emerging steadily. At the core of his strategy is Hipkins’ view ...
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    1 week ago
  • A Big F U to this Right Wing Government

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    Mountain TuiBy Mountain Tui
    1 week ago

  • Action to grow the rural health workforce

    Scholarships awarded to 27 health care students is another positive step forward to boost the future rural health workforce, Associate Health Minister Matt Doocey says. “All New Zealanders deserve timely access to quality health care and this Government is committed to improving health outcomes, particularly for the one in five ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago
  • Pharmac delivering more for Kiwis following major funding boost

    Associate Health Minister with responsibility for Pharmac David Seymour has welcomed the increased availability of medicines for Kiwis resulting from the Government’s increased investment in Pharmac. “Pharmac operates independently, but it must work within the budget constraints set by the Government,” says Mr Seymour. “When our Government assumed office, New ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 hours ago
  • Sport Minister congratulates NZ’s Paralympians

    Sport & Recreation Minister Chris Bishop has congratulated New Zealand's Paralympic Team at the conclusion of the Paralympic Games in Paris.  “The NZ Paralympic Team's success in Paris included fantastic performances, personal best times, New Zealand records and Oceania records all being smashed - and of course, many Kiwis on ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    9 hours ago
  • Government progresses response to Abuse in Care recommendations

    A Crown Response Office is being established within the Public Service Commission to drive the Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care. “The creation of an Office within a central Government agency was a key recommendation by the Royal Commission’s final report.  “It will have the mandate ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Passport wait times back on-track

    Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says passport processing has returned to normal, and the Department of Internal Affairs [Department] is now advising customers to allow up to two weeks to receive their passport. “I am pleased that passport processing is back at target service levels and the Department ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • New appointments to the FMA board

    Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister has today announced three new appointments and one reappointment to the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) board. Tracey Berry, Nicholas Hegan and Mariette van Ryn have been appointed for a five-year term ending in August 2029, while Chris Swasbrook, who has served as a board member ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • District Court judges appointed

    Attorney-General Hon Judith Collins today announced the appointment of two new District Court judges. The appointees, who will take up their roles at the Manukau Court and the Auckland Court in the Accident Compensation Appeal Jurisdiction, are: Jacqui Clark Judge Clark was admitted to the bar in 1988 after graduating ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • Government makes it faster and easier to invest in New Zealand

    Associate Minister of Finance David Seymour is encouraged by significant improvements to overseas investment decision timeframes, and the enhanced interest from investors as the Government continues to reform overseas investment. “There were about as many foreign direct investment applications in July and August as there was across the six months ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    3 days ago
  • New Zealand to join Operation Olympic Defender

    New Zealand has accepted an invitation to join US-led multi-national space initiative Operation Olympic Defender, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced today. Operation Olympic Defender is designed to coordinate the space capabilities of member nations, enhance the resilience of space-based systems, deter hostile actions in space and reduce the spread of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Government commits to ‘stamping out’ foot and mouth disease

    Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says that a new economic impact analysis report reinforces this government’s commitment to ‘stamp out’ any New Zealand foot and mouth disease incursion. “The new analysis, produced by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research, shows an incursion of the disease in New Zealand would have ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Improving access to finance for Kiwis

    5 September 2024  The Government is progressing further reforms to financial services to make it easier for Kiwis to access finance when they need it, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says.  “Financial services are foundational for economic success and are woven throughout our lives. Without access to finance our ...
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    4 days ago
  • Prime Minister pays tribute to Kiingi Tuheitia

    As Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII is laid to rest today, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has paid tribute to a leader whose commitment to Kotahitanga will have a lasting impact on our country. “Kiingi Tuheitia was a humble leader who served his people with wisdom, mana and an unwavering ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Resource Management reform to make forestry rules clearer

    Forestry Minister Todd McClay today announced proposals to reform the resource management system that will provide greater certainty for the forestry sector and help them meet environmental obligations.   “The Government has committed to restoring confidence and certainty across the sector by removing unworkable regulatory burden created by the previous ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • More choice and competition in building products

    A major shake-up of building products which will make it easier and more affordable to build is on the way, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Today we have introduced legislation that will improve access to a wider variety of quality building products from overseas, giving Kiwis more choice and ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    4 days ago
  • Joint Statement between the Republic of Korea and New Zealand 4 September 2024, Seoul

    On the occasion of the official visit by the Right Honourable Prime Minister Christopher Luxon of New Zealand to the Republic of Korea from 4 to 5 September 2024, a summit meeting was held between His Excellency President Yoon Suk Yeol of the Republic of Korea (hereinafter referred to as ...
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    5 days ago
  • Comprehensive Strategic Partnership the goal for New Zealand and Korea

    Prime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Republic of Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol. “Korea and New Zealand are likeminded democracies and natural partners in the Indo Pacific. As such, we have decided to advance discussions on elevating the bilateral relationship to a Comprehensive ...
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    5 days ago
  • International tourism continuing to bounce back

    Results released today from the International Visitor Survey (IVS) confirm international tourism is continuing to bounce back, Tourism and Hospitality Minister Matt Doocey says. The IVS results show that in the June quarter, international tourism contributed $2.6 billion to New Zealand’s economy, an increase of 17 per cent on last ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Government confirms RMA reforms to drive primary sector efficiency

    The Government is moving to review and update national level policy directives that impact the primary sector, as part of its work to get Wellington out of farming. “The primary sector has been weighed down by unworkable and costly regulation for too long,” Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.  “That is ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    5 days ago
  • Weak grocery competition underscores importance of cutting red tape

    The first annual grocery report underscores the need for reforms to cut red tape and promote competition, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says. “The report paints a concerning picture of the $25 billion grocery sector and reinforces the need for stronger regulatory action, coupled with an ambitious, economy-wide ...
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    5 days ago
  • Government moves to lessen burden of reliever costs on ECE services

    Associate Education Minister David Seymour says the Government has listened to the early childhood education sector’s calls to simplify paying ECE relief teachers. Today two simple changes that will reduce red tape for ECEs are being announced, in the run-up to larger changes that will come in time from the ...
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    6 days ago
  • Over 2,320 people engage with first sector regulatory review

    Regulation Minister David Seymour says there has been a strong response to the Ministry for Regulation’s public consultation on the early childhood education regulatory review, affirming the need for action in reducing regulatory burden. “Over 2,320 submissions have been received from parents, teachers, centre owners, child advocacy groups, unions, research ...
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    6 days ago
  • Government backs women in horticulture

    “The Government is empowering women in the horticulture industry by funding an initiative that will support networking and career progression,” Associate Minister of Agriculture, Nicola Grigg says.  “Women currently make up around half of the horticulture workforce, but only 20 per cent of leadership roles which is why initiatives like this ...
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    6 days ago
  • Government to pause freshwater farm plan rollout

    The Government will pause the rollout of freshwater farm plans until system improvements are finalised, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard announced today. “Improving the freshwater farm plan system to make it more cost-effective and practical for farmers is a priority for this ...
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    6 days ago
  • Milestone reached for fixing the Holidays Act 2003

    Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety Brooke van Velden says yesterday Cabinet reached another milestone on fixing the Holidays Act with approval of the consultation exposure draft of the Bill ready for release next week to participants.  “This Government will improve the Holidays Act with the help of businesses, workers, and ...
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    6 days ago
  • New priorities to protect future of conservation

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    6 days ago
  • Faster 110km/h speed limit to accelerate Kāpiti

    A new 110km/h speed limit for the Kāpiti Expressway Road of National Significance (RoNS) has been approved to reduce travel times for Kiwis travelling in and out of Wellington, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy. ...
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    6 days ago
  • IVL increase to ensure visitors contribute more to New Zealand

    The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) will be raised to $100 to ensure visitors contribute to public services and high-quality experiences while visiting New Zealand, Minister for Tourism and Hospitality Matt Doocey and Minister of Conservation Tama Potaka say. “The Government is serious about enabling the tourism sector ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    7 days ago
  • Delivering priority connections for the West Coast

    A record $255 million for transport investment on the West Coast through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will strengthen the region’s road and rail links to keep people connected and support the region’s economy, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “The Government is committed to making sure that every ...
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    1 week ago
  • Road and rail reliability a focus for Wellington

    A record $3.3 billion of transport investment in Greater Wellington through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will increase productivity and reduce travel times, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Delivering infrastructure to increase productivity and economic growth is a priority for our Government. We're focused on delivering transport projects ...
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    1 week ago
  • Record investment to boost economic and housing growth in the Waikato

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    1 week ago
  • Building reliable and efficient roading for Taranaki

    A record $808 million for transport investment in Taranaki through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will support economic growth and productivity, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Taranaki’s roads carry a high volume of freight from primary industries and it’s critical we maintain efficient connections across the region to ...
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    1 week ago
  • Supporting growth and resilience in Otago and Southland

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    1 week ago
  • Delivering connected and resilient roading for Northland

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    1 week ago
  • Top of the South to benefit from reliable transport infrastructure

    A record $479 million for transport investment across the top of the South Island through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will build a stronger road network that supports primary industries and grows the economy, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “We’re committed to making sure that every dollar is ...
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    1 week ago
  • Government delivering reliable roads for Manawatū-Whanganui

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    1 week ago
  • Restoring connections in Hawke’s Bay

    A record $657 million for transport investment in the Hawke’s Bay through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will support recovery from cyclone damage and build greater resilience into the network to support economic growth and productivity, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “We are committed to making sure that ...
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    1 week ago
  • Transport resilience a priority for Gisborne

    A record $255 million for transport investment in Gisborne through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will support economic growth and restore the cyclone-damaged network, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “With $255 million of investment over the next three years, we are committed to making sure that every transport ...
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    1 week ago
  • Prioritising growth and reduced travel times in Canterbury

    A record $1.8 billion for transport investment Canterbury through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will boost economic growth and productivity and reduce travel times, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Christchurch is the economic powerhouse of the South Island, and transport is a critical enabler for economic growth and ...
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    1 week ago
  • Supporting growth and freight in the Bay of Plenty

    A record $1.9 billion for transport investment in the Bay of Plenty through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will boost economic growth and unlock land for thousands of houses, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Transport is a critical enabler for economic growth and productivity in the Bay of ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago
  • Getting transport back on track in Auckland

    A record $8.4 billion for transport investment in Auckland through the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) will deliver the infrastructure our rapidly growing region needs to support economic growth and reduce travel times, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.  “Aucklanders rejected the previous government’s transport policies which resulted in non-delivery, phantoms projects, ...
    BeehiveBy beehive.govt.nz
    1 week ago

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